[10gigs] [Midwest-Microwave] N0UK DemI on the mend

[Chris Cox, N0UK]

Hi, Gedas.

I don’t know exactly what happened with the transverter but I initially noticed that there was a problem about a week ago.

I usually leave the rig powered up here in my office monitoring the local beacon, with the volume turned down low.  It’s not usually copyable, but comes up out of the noise with any hint of rain or snow-scatter.

However, I had powered it off for a few weeks and then turned it back on a few weeks ago.

During the big snow storm last week, I realized that I had not heard anything whilst I was working and took a closer look.  I found that when toggling power to the transverter itself or removing the 10MHz reference, there was no accompanying change in background noise on the receiver - not good.  Oddly, a very similar state that the portable unit I was building started exhibiting during the contest last year, and that I still need to get back to.

However, unlike the portable rig which is just having issues on receive, this is impacting transmit as well on the prime rig.  Basic troubleshooting did not turn up any specific fault.  I tried replacing the various RF cables, hardline, connectors, etc all to no avail.  I also noticed that on transmit, there was a very low level signal emitted, but way down on full power.

So, from the various symptoms, I suspect that the fault is with either the LO multiplier chain, mixer, or possibly a common power supply line.

I don’t have much time to troubleshoot further, so I’m going to ship it back to DEMI to work on.

I do still have my loaner rig available down in storage, but it only puts out about 900mW and the receiver isn’t quite as hot.

Chris Cox, N0UK
chrisc at chris.org
https://www.credly.com/go/IR77aRbH2rFDdOiymuxu2w



> On Mar 01, 2023, at 10:14, Gedas <w8bya at mchsi.com> wrote:
> 
> Chris, Dr. Steve will make everything right just in time for our 2nd QSO. What seems to be or was the problem and how did it happen?  73
> 
> Gedas, W8BYA EN70JT
> 
> Gallery at 
> http://w8bya.com
> 
> Light travels faster than sound....
> This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
> 
> On 3/1/2023 7:27 AM, Chris Cox N0UK wrote:
>> I’m itching to get on again but my main transverter is complaining about a bellyache and needs to go and see Dr Steve.
>> 
>> 73!  Chris Cox, N0UK
>> chrisc at chris.org or chrisc at BritishCarAndDriver.com
>> 
>> 
>>> On Feb 28, 2023, at 22:55, Gedas <w8bya at mchsi.com> wrote:
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Hi Pete.  That is wonderful and very inspiring. Congrats to both of you.
>>> 
>>> It just goes to show how amazing this band is.....always full of surprises (and smiles).  Hope to work all 3 of you this season. 73
>>> 
>>> Gedas, W8BYA EN70JT
>>> 
>>> Gallery at 
>>> http://w8bya.com
>>> 
>>> Light travels faster than sound....
>>> This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
>>> 
>>> On 2/28/2023 11:45 PM, Pete N0OY via groups.io wrote:
>>>> ...active 10ghz stations in Kansas.
>>>> 
>>>> I received Steve,  WB0DBS EM17, Q5 signal and he received mine this afternoon from EM18, at 130km.
>>>> 
>>>> Steve has a very unique operating location in the middle of Wichita.  His house is on the 
>>>> historical record so to get the signal out without an external antenna, his station is inside the 4th floor attic's cupulo, completely 
>>>> hidden from outside view. He has several large glass windows that do not show much attenuation when closed and he can
>>>> point most directions.  Dish and radio are mounted on a heavy duty tripod that is on a sturdy roll around 'table'  that requires
>>>> a 6 foot ladder to access the controls.... some clever engineering to get on 10ghz.
>>>> 
>>>> Keep us in mind when wanting to work a Kansas 3cm.trifecta.
>>>> 
>>>> WQ0P in EM19  (8 watts, 2 ft soon to be on the tower on a hill)
>>>> WB0DBS in EM17 (5 watts, 2ft)
>>>> N0OY in EM18  (7 watts, 4ft, )
>>>> 
>>>> All of us are locked and retired.... 
>>>> 
>>>> 73,  Pete
>>>> NØOY
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