[SMCARA] PSK31 Question

[A.J. Farmer]

Yeah, I was actually wondering if a ground loop or lack of adequate
ground may be the culprit.

On Mon, Aug 1, 2011 at 2:23 PM, Clarke, Tom   AIR4.0P NATOPS
<frederic.clarke at navy.mil> wrote:
> 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
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