Re: what is xtal?
Hi,
A xtal need to be inserted in an active circuit made of logic gates or transistor. Such a circuit is called an oscillator. You can build your own oscillator with discret componants (gates, capcitors, resistance etc.) or another solution is to buy one. Generally, it looks like a metallic case in DIP8 or DIP14 format for the more common of them. Smaller SMD form factor are also available.
Go on an oscillator provider site to see what it looks like :
h**p://www.rfm.com/products/freq-con.htm
h**p://www.rfm.com/products/data/ho1045.pdf
h**p://www.rfm.com/products/data/op4007b.pdf
* = t