> short of having a very accurate frequency counter, how does one go about
> figuring out the type and load capacitance requirements for the average
> 'no specs' crystal used by hobbyists?

In theory a Q-meter should yield this answer. Many grid dip meters have a
Q setting. You need to account for the instrument capacitance and set the
crystal for intended mode (parallel for all pics). The frequency will be
exact (subject to manufacturer's precision) when Q is maximum. You put a
small variable in parallel with the crystal and tune it. The required caps
for Pierce (the kind of oscillator used on pics) are then
((Cx+Cinstrument+Cstray)*2 - Cpin) each. The adjustment can be very hard
at 20MHz.  I only used it at 4.9 and 1.0MHz.

It's been a long time.

Peter

--
http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different
ways.  See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details.