[SMCARA] PSK31 Question

[Clarke, Tom AIR4.0P NATOPS]

That doesn't sound too good!  

If all the signals shift, then your radio is at fault.  Check your power
supply first to make sure it is regulating at 13.6 or whatever it's
rating. Try a different PS or a stiff battery source.  Chances are the
antenna is not on the list of suspects, unless you have some serious RF
feedback which could cause the PS to lose regulation or the radio's PLL
to unlock .  If you are using computer control of your radio (for
tuning), disable that and go strictly manual for tuning in case the
computer is randomly shifting the rx frequency.

If it turns out to be a RF feedback issue, the mantra is "ground,
ground, ground".  Also add torroids to power lines, signal lines, and
coax runs.  Don't overlook the mic input as there may be a "sneak path"
there also.

Has anyone else had similar problems around town?

73 Tom/W4OKW

-----Original Message-----
From: smcara-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:smcara-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Daniel Metcalf
Sent: Sunday, July 31, 2011 10:27 AM
To: smcara at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [SMCARA] PSK31 Question

While playing with PSK31 this weekend I have noticed that every so often
I see huge frequency shifts in the "waterfall" and when I turn the
volume up on my radio I can hear the tones shifting. So to the Question:
Are the frequency shifts normal or should I start looking into issues
with power, antenna, or heaven forbid radio?

My current configuration:

Radio / Antenna:
Huslter 6BTV (just recently moved to a new spot in the yard this past
Wednesday) is connected to a feed through by a 100Ft piece of Low Loss
400 from JefaTech.
>From the feed through to the radio is another 50ft piece of Low Loss 
>400
from JefaTech.

For power I have two supplies 1st is an MFJ 15A cont. 17A surge that I
had bought for the FT-8800R but works great for the FT-890 in QRP'ish
power settings.
I also acquired a power supply rated at 20 watts cont. and 25 surge from
the Club meeting in June. Both seem to be working while I have had the
meters connected.

The Radio itself is the FT-890 with the Auto Tuner installed.


Computer:
Dell Latitude D830 connected to the FT-890 via
1) CAT cable (USB to 6 pin mini-din)
2) Home brew audio cable that takes the audio from the data port on the
radio to the sound card in the laptop.

Running Windows 7 Pro with HRD 5.



Thanks,
Dan -- KB3UUN
______________________________________________________________
SMCARA mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/smcara
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:SMCARA at mailman.qth.net

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html