[Premium-Rx] Cubic 3030 Rx

[Herschel McCullough]

Thank you John.. it was starting to look a little  " BASH 'E "  for the 3030
and 3030A  ..
mac/mc

----- Original Message -----
From: "refmon" <monitor at referencevideo.com>
To: <premium-rx at ml.skirrow.org>
Sent: Friday, September 12, 2003 6:18 PM
Subject: Fw: [Premium-Rx] Cubic 3030 Rx


> Hi Group,
>
> I had inadvertantly responded directly to Richard.  As I am always
trolling
> for ideas, I'd like it to go to the list in case there's any other 3030
work
> going on that I don't know about.  I have added a few additional points
> since my original note to Richard.
>
> Soooooooo.....
>
>
> > Hi Richard,
> >
> > I generally agree with the info you're receiving thus far as regards the
> Cubic
> > R3030 series receiver in it's stock form.  First warning---do not
confuse
> the
> > R3030 series with the current 3000 series receivers.
> >
> > Keeping in mind that many if not all Premium Receivers are intended to
run
> in
> > automated or semiautomated systems, here's what you can expect to
> > find, all of which are annoying from the perspective of a user who sits
at
> > the receiver for hours of weak signal searching:
> >
> > Idle gain on an empty channel is far too high by 30-35db...result is an
> > exhausting roar rather than the gentle rush with static crashes
> > intermingled.  This is can be fixed.
> >
> > AGC is the hang-type, and is set up such that return to "no signal" is
> quite
> > fast.  Result is severe pumping on SSB or CW signals.  This can be
cured.
> >
> > There is a heavy click when the receiver is hit with the leading edge of
a
> > strong signal.  This can be cured.
> >
> > The receiver radiates fairly heavy digital noise which in a home setting
> may
> > be picked up by your antenna.  This can be fixed.
> >
> > The R3030A, in particular, has bouncy keypads and often has loose keypad
> > legend overlays.  This can be fixed.
> >
> > The R3030, in particular, has no speaker outputs.  This can be fixed.
> >
> > I have never found any two receivers that track in terms of alignment or
> > meter readings.  This can be fixed.
> >
> > Hobbs-style hour meters tick rather loudly...slow torture...easily
fixed.
> >
> > Synthesizer phase noise is a little high ... mods are being considered.
> >
> > There are a few other issues that are no big deal.  By the way, this is
a
> > nitpicked list of items that I expect is no longer and is much simpler
to
> > deal with than with many other Premium Receivers.  Note that the Cubic
> > receiver, in spite of its sealed case, > does not suffer from overheat
and
> > meltdown.
> >
> > The great thing about this series of receiver is that it is built like a
> > battleship, uses discrete IC and transistor circuitry, so is easily
> modified
> > or repaired, and it uses plain old everyday parts.  I have developed and
> > installed modifications for each of these issues and will be releasing
> them
> > to the Premium-RX list.  Most of the modifications are resistor changes
or
> > additions, capacitor changes, addition of shielding.  Some of the
> > modifications require signal generator and spectrum analyzer or
> pan-adapter
> > for fine tuning, but I've gotten reasonable results without.  A couple
of
> > other list members have been digging around in these receivers and we've
> > been exchanging ideas on these mods.
> >
> > Note the AM demodulator is not all that great and modifications have not
> > been done at my location.
> >
> > I am currently working on LabView 7.0 applications which include the
> > R3030 control via GPIB.  The 3030A is by RS-232, which I have not
> > played with, although the protocols are quite straight forward.  My
> > applications currently concentrate on automated sweeps and record/plots,
> > scans with audio recording and logging, etc.  Also integrated into the
> system
> > are Watkins Johnson 86xx receivers, HP spectrum analyzers, etc.  In the
> end,
> > coming up with a control console for the R3030/R3030A should be fairly
> simple.
> > The problem will be that I am not in a position to develope a
> comprehensive
> > system...mine will be more task-specific.  I also cannot define a time
> frame,
> > as is evidenced by the time it has taken me to get my modifications
> package
> > "almost done".
> >
> > Spares for these receivers are pretty rare...that is, modules, boards,
etc
> > are few and far between.  The receivers are not particularly prolific
> > either, although there are occasional bursts of availability.  I'd
expect
> to
> > pay real money for these in good shape and intact.  Take a look at Ebay
> > prices asking and sold-for...surprisingly, these track private sales
> fairly
> > well.  Any sign of fiddling or missing modules and I'd cut the price big
> > time.  The point is, no need to buy a beater...patience will net you a
> good
> > condition, complete receiver.
> >
> > good luck in finding a receiver, whatever it may be
> >
> > John Collins
> > ______________________________________________
>
>
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