[10gigs] Power loss thru T/R relay

[Jim Froemke]

Sounds like we could use another "tune up" session before the next 10GHz &
up. W0JT's (SK) antenna was 10 dB down from what we all expected. 
73, Jim

-----Original Message-----
From: 10gigs <10gigs-bounces at www.chris.org> On Behalf Of WA2VOI, Donn via
10gigs
Sent: Thursday, February 13, 2020 3:57 PM
To: Jon Platt <w0zq at aol.com>; Tactical mail/notification list for
coordinating and discussing 10GHz operating topics. <10gigs at www.chris.org>
Subject: Re: [10gigs] Power loss thru T/R relay

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Quick question, Jon:  Do you have any kind of sequencer in the system ?  Its
possible the loss is due to (at least) partial "hot switching" whicl can
(will) pit the surfaces of the TX-side contact.  Is it possible to get
inside the relay to look ?

In any case, good luck.

73 Donn
WA2VOI/0

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jon Platt via 10gigs" <10gigs at www.chris.org>
To: <10gigs at www.chris.org>
Sent: Thursday, February 13, 2020 9:49 PM
Subject: [10gigs] Power loss thru T/R relay


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> *** NLRS Area 10GHz Alert ***
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Most of you are familiar with my portable 10 GHz system .... a DB6NT
transverter with a 
DK2FD 6.2 watt amp on a 65cm dish. Looking back through my documents I see
the 6.2 watt 
amplifier was purchased in early 2004, and although I can't find my original
DB6NT 
information, I think that it was purchased a full year prior to that, 2003
or 2002.  In 
any case, since 2004, my system has been unchanged, aka 16 years or so. Â
Over those 16 
years I estimate maybe 7,000 to 10,000 Q's, most during the 10 GHz contest
but also 
including RS Q's, June & September VHF, Aug UHF, and SBMS. Â
During last falls 10 GHz contest some commented that my signal wasn't as
strong as usual 
compared to other stations .... not terrible but perhaps noticeably down. I
finally got 
to looking into things and discovered that there is about a 4 dB loss going
through the 
transmit side of the original SMA T/R relay so my 6 watts was maybe around 2
watts. 
Again, not terrible but noticeable.  Receive seems OK, its the transmit
side.  So 
tomorrow I will replace that SMA T/R relay and see where we stand. Â
I suppose it pays to actually check things out every once in a while, not
every 16 years.
73, JonW0ZQ


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