[PCR-1000] Re: PCR-1000 power on wait

[machine1]

>
> Message: 1
> Date: Thu, 29 Mar 2007 22:09:17 +0200
> From: MN <haltich at yahoo.de>
> Subject: [PCR-1000] still power on problem
> To: Discussion of PCR-1000 by Icom <pcr-1000 at mailman.qth.net>
> Message-ID: <460C1CED.6050403 at yahoo.de>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-15; format=flowed
>
> hello, i postet this already in the yahoo-prc1k-group,
> and try it here again, maybe anybody has a good idea
> whats wrong...
>
> hey folks
>
> some weeks ago i asked here because my pcr-1k needs some
> minutes to lock onto the right frequency after power-on.
>
> i checked the power supply, changed it against a stabilised
> 13.8V/6A laboratory-powersupply. without any effect.
>
> the pcr needs still some minutes (from 5 up to 15 or 20) after
> switching it on to tune the correct frequency.
>
> some more ideas? i use it in the near of my pc, with a
> desktop discone connected with a very short rg-59 cable
> (around 0.5 meters).
>
> after the first minutes it works perfect... like i told in the last
> message...
>
> thanks for your help
>
> 73,
> marcus


Three or four years ago I had one that did something similar-
it would take 4-5 minutes to start- and in use, every hour or
so it would drift way off frequency and come slowly back.

After a couple hours of tinkering with the service manual,
the setup software, an oscilloscope and a voltmeter, I found
the Phase Locked Loop was unlocked during these
off-frequency excursions.

I don't have surface mount tools so I broke down and
shipped it off to Icom.

19 days and $112 later I had my PCR-1000 back and
they had replaced a PLL IC, a diode and a capacitor.
Problem solved.

If you're good with surface mount repairs and have the
right tools, the service manual and the setup software
are both available on the internet.
Google is your friend in finding them.

About your antenna: If I were you, I would get a longer
cable for your antenna and move the antenna as far away
as you can from the computer. The PCR-1000 is very
sensitive and electronic noise from the computer will
cover up many signals the radio would normally hear.

4 or 5 meters away would be good, but anything more
than .5m will help. With the discone, just a bit of height
above the computer will make a difference.  I have a
discone antenna on the top shelf of a closet about 3m
away and 1m above the computer and it works so much
better than when I had the antenna closer to the computer.
I tucked the cable in around the edge of the carpet so the
hidden cable and closet antenna reduces complaints from
the wife!

Cheers!
Brian

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