[SMCARA] PSK31 Question

Mon Aug 1 14:41:23 EDT 2011

Dan,

Glad that you localized it.  I know what you mean about service.  Unless
you have the parts and are micro-min certified, you don't stand a chance
on fixing it in your shop.  This isn't a soldering gun fix!

I had an Icom 745 a few years ago that started going squirrelly.  At
first it would lose lock on the higher freqs and eventually wouldn't
lock at all.  Sent it back to Icom and they replaced all the variable
caps in the VCO section.  Again, a known problem with substandard parts
from their supplier.  They replaced the plastic VC s with ceramic ones
and problem was gone forever! I bought an IC-746, which while newer with
more bells and whistles, did not represent a "quantum jump" in
capability.

BTW, the IC-745 and IC-751A are solid rigs if you ever get a chance to
pick one up reasonably.  Not as flashy as the new stuff, but solid rigs.

I still covet the K-3!

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: Monday, August 01, 2011 2:31 PM
To: smcara at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [SMCARA] PSK31 Question

It is the radio...known issue with ft-890(s). Search frequency shift
ft-890 and there are a few websites offering advice as to effect a quick
fix.
However after trying them I did not see a difference. The actual problem
is a variable cap in the main oscillator circuit that has gone bad. I am
trying to find repair shop that will fix it for less than I paid for it.

Dan- KB3UUN
On Aug 1, 2011 2:26 PM, "A.J. Farmer" <farmer.aj at gmail.com> wrote:
> 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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