| Author |
Message |
    
Alsworld
Advanced Member
Username: Alsworld
Post Number: 790
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Monday, May 03, 2004 - 9:31 pm: | 
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yup, being stupid not believing my meters, The SWR got quite high before I realized it, and now the power is reduced on SSB. Only swinging to 18 watts PEP, although AM power remains about the same (18 watts PEP).
For what it's worth, on my meters (Dosy test Center and a RS $30 special), it always showed SSB to peak around 25 watts. When I sent it back under warranty, Chris in CA put it on his Bird43 and it was hitting 32 SSB PEP he said. Just for comparison purposes.
It's a long story that took me days to finally find the culprit connection (of course at the highest place, the base of the antenna.  and Grrrrrr. Something so simple as SWR's kicked my butt and possibly hurt the radio. I went through three meters and for some reason, just could not accept the fact that they were wrong. Yes, I have a few choice names I'm calling myself, with Idiot! leading the pack.
Okay, the question: being SWR's are all fixed now, will any further damage be expected (besides shorter life of the transistors) or can I run it like this until I send it away some day? Besides reduced PEP power, it still operates fine. It seems I've only lost about 7 watts which isn't huge, but I know it's not right.
Feeling pretty dumb about now but at least I can say this is the first time I've done this so I'll chock it up as human error.
Suggestions?
Alsworld |
Applejack
Intermediate Member
Username: Applejack
Post Number: 152
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Monday, May 03, 2004 - 10:12 pm: |
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maybe we should start a club. i used my grant w/high swr in mobile for awhile, and now on antron it puts out 6 watts ssb. makes you feel real good. |
Kc0gxz
Advanced Member
Username: Kc0gxz
Post Number: 791
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Monday, May 03, 2004 - 10:57 pm: |
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Hey Al.
Are you home now or still on active duty?
Jeff. |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 2308
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Monday, May 03, 2004 - 11:13 pm: |
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Jeff,
Alan has been back about 2 week's now, and is back as CEF West Coast Net Control again.
2 weeks ago he was even nice enough to bring back some condition's for the CEF Net. 
Lon
Tech808 |
Alsworld
Advanced Member
Username: Alsworld
Post Number: 792
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 04, 2004 - 12:30 am: |
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Jeff,
both back in the states at home and still on active duty. Man I may never retire at this pace LOL!
Alsworld |
Tech8541
Moderator
Username: Tech8541
Post Number: 181
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 04, 2004 - 10:19 pm: |
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sounds like one of your finals went south with the high swr. disable one at a time and see which one leaves you with no output. that is the bad one. it is best to replace both with a matched set, but... |
Alsworld
Advanced Member
Username: Alsworld
Post Number: 793
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 05, 2004 - 12:27 am: |
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Great idea Tech8541. Once I have a little time I will try that. Now for a dumb question, what is the proper way to disable them (1 at a time).
If it's obvious when I take a look inside, then please disregard this question, although any tips appreciated. I (nor anyone else except Magnum and their warranty center) has not touched the inside of this radio except for the channel conversion. Never been peaked or tuned, no cut anything. Bought new from Copper, 2002 (latest) version.
Thank you for the help.
Alsworld |
Tech548
Moderator
Username: Tech548
Post Number: 5
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 05, 2004 - 9:10 pm: |
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Al
Just unsolder one final then fire it up and take a RF power reading. Reconnect the final then unsolder the other one and take notes on that one also. As Tech8541 said, one of them is more than likely trashed.
Jeff. |
Alsworld
Advanced Member
Username: Alsworld
Post Number: 794
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, May 06, 2004 - 8:43 pm: |
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Thanks for the assistance. I'll do this when I have some time with it.
I appreciate the feedback and instruction.
Alsworld |
Tech548
Moderator
Username: Tech548
Post Number: 25
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Friday, May 07, 2004 - 11:48 pm: |
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By the way Al, if you hang in there long enough, they might make you a General. I think we need more old Generals.
I'm glad to see you back. Now lets get down to business and get back to argueing about antennas.
Jeff. |
Alsworld
Advanced Member
Username: Alsworld
Post Number: 797
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, May 08, 2004 - 10:38 pm: |
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LOL !! I've got the 102" whip on top of the Silverado right now seeing how many trees I can hit. It's about 16 ft high to the top but there are no bridges on this island, just trees. I switch them out occasionally. Thank gawd for the spring with the 102".
As for the General, yes that's true. I would like to beat the deadline if at all possible and pass the test with CW if I can. I have all the study materials including the ARRL CW CD, but I am currently studying for a serious qualification at work now. I need to get this and it's one of the hardest oral boards I will ever go through. Once I blow them away, I'll re-start on the General and CW. One way or another, I'll become a General by summer. (Darn, my goal was this past winter but this other qual is something that takes six to nine months just to get all the prerequisets done). Been working it about 4 1/2 months and I'm well on my way.
Alsworld |
