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Message |
    
Legend
Junior Member
Username: Legend
Post Number: 47
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, April 25, 2004 - 7:19 am: | 
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I could really use some help with my amp. I know that it is a very simple problem, if I can only nail it down.
The tubes are fine, and put out their full rated power.
That is... when I can get the amp to key up. I am having a problem with itermittent operation. Listen carefully to the following:
When the amp is in Standby mode, the SWR's are perfectly flat, and the radio puts out the 2 & 1/2 watts that it is set at. When I flip the Operate switch, it SOMETIMES puts out the amplified power (250 watts dead key), but SOMETIMES the SWR on the radio skyrockets and at the same time, the amp puts out NOTHING.
This happens no matter what ANY of the other switches are set to. When I look at ALL three relays in the amp, they are at least VISIBLY operating as they should. Whether the amp is putting out, or whether it is not, the keying relay (R-50) is visibly keying. Also, the R-10 relay (the clear one) DOES work when I have the amp in Operate mode, whether the amp is putting out power (like it should), or not putting out power (screwing up).
The fact that the SWR shoots off the sale when it is NOT keying power properly, tells me that there is an open somewhere, but only intermittently. Also, it seems to screw up (not put out) more often when the amp is not hot. Once it's been idling for a while and is hot to the touch (on the tube side) then it keys up more consistanly, but still, not always. So whatever the problem is, maybe it is affected by the temperature inside the amp.
There is one final note to add to this mess...
Sometimes the keying relay (R-50, on the right-upper side of the small PC board) FAILS to switch properly when I key up, and when it does fail, my SWR's stay FLAT, and my radio puts out the 2 and 1/2 watts that it should, but of course R-10 doesn't key and the amp puts out just what my radio is feeding it.
Is it possible that the keying relay has something wrong with it that manifests itself even when the physical contacts DO switch as they should? Or is it more likely that I have TWO seperate problems... one of them causing intermittent operation of the relay, and one of them causing the Skyrocketing SWR/power-drop-out intermittent problem, even when the relay is visibly functioning?
Or, is it more likely that this problem is being caused by just one failed component?
I'd really like to get this problem solved. Can anybody that is knowledgable with this amp help me out here?
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Tech8541
Moderator
Username: Tech8541
Post Number: 173
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, April 25, 2004 - 10:42 am: |
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i have seen your post about this on other parts of the forum. so that you will know that i am not ignoring you let me say that i can't help you with that amp. |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 2231
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, April 25, 2004 - 2:13 pm: |
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Legend,
Sorry but I can't help on the Skipper either.
Maybe one of the Fouum Member's who have owned or own one can help.
Lon
Tech808 |
Highlander
Intermediate Member
Username: Highlander
Post Number: 488
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, April 25, 2004 - 4:03 pm: |
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Is it one of the older ones or the new ones that are showing up on yahoo auctions? What tubes are in it? |
Buck
Advanced Member
Username: Buck
Post Number: 877
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, April 25, 2004 - 4:48 pm: |
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I got one and it does the same thing sometimes....I will see what I can find out
Buck |
Cm3885
Intermediate Member
Username: Cm3885
Post Number: 372
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, April 25, 2004 - 7:30 pm: |
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Do U have the skipper 300 or the 300A? I have a skipper 300 that works fine but the output on low is pretty much nothing. On high it does 150 key and swing to 500 or so..
Im really suprised none of the techs that frequent the forum can help you, man. Keep looking imsure someone will be able to help you out... |
Nobody--77 (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Sunday, April 25, 2004 - 8:15 pm: |
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Try cleaning the relays with contact cleaner and also look for cold solder joints on the relay leads. It sounds like the relay contact points are tarnished or cold soldered causing the problem to only happen sometimes. This would also explane the high SWR when the PO is blocked, the relay in the Standby position connects the inout/output antenna jacks allowing your signal to pass, but when in Keyed mode the singal is stuck by the dirty contacts, thus showing you a high SWR
Good Luck |
Legend
Junior Member
Username: Legend
Post Number: 48
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, April 25, 2004 - 9:37 pm: |
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Quote:
"Is it one of the older ones or the new ones that are showing up on yahoo auctions? What tubes are in it?"
It is an older Skipper (still in great condition) and it has a new set of 8950's in it.
Quote:
"Do U have the skipper 300 or the 300A?"
It is a Palomar Skipper 300 with the blue face.
Quote:
"Try cleaning the relays with contact cleaner"
I've already done that, with no effect.
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Dindin
Member
Username: Dindin
Post Number: 79
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Monday, April 26, 2004 - 9:25 pm: |
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Legend,power down the amp,discharge the capacitors then do a continuity test on the high/low switch in both positions.rf does travel through that switch and it could have crispy contacts.The relay in question would be the one connected directly to the xmit rf connector.i have seen relays that would pass an ohmmeter check but still not pass rf. |
