The datasheet says to use a parallel cut crystal, however this retailer does not specify if this crystal is parallel or series cut:
**broken link removed**.
Would that crystal work with a PIC?
Also, anyone recommend other online retailers for 20 MHz crystals? I hate to pay $5 to ship something with virtually no weight. I would also prefer the low-profile case, which Jameco does not offer at 20 MHz.
I've read on this forum and in other documentation that everything from trace length to trace thickness affect crystal performance. As this is all far beyond me, am I safe using a 20 MHz crystal and matching caps, when I don't have the skill to properly design a PCB to take into account all the nuances?
Or should I just stick with an oscillator? The downsides I see are higher power consumption, larger size and expense.
I've read on this forum and in other documentation that everything from trace length to trace thickness affect crystal performance. As this is all far beyond me, am I safe using a 20 MHz crystal and matching caps, when I don't have the skill to properly design a PCB to take into account all the nuances?
Just bung a crystal and two capacitors on the correct pins, the layout doesn't have any effect at these sorts of frequencies - within reason!.
The capacitors are also extremely uncritical, anywhere between 10pf and 33pf will be absolutely fine! - it's really a lot easier than you are thinking!.
If you're still at all worried about layout, try looking at the veroboard layouts in my tutorials - the 16F876 and 16F877 boards both use 20MHz crystals - they work perfectly.
This may help answer some of your questions about oscillators (scoll to p.8 ). I agree with Nigel, circuit values are not too critical at these frequencies, you'd have to work hard not to make the crystal oscillate.