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[TenTec] Off-Topic Swan/Cubic Astro 150

To: <tentec@contesting.com>
Subject: [TenTec] Off-Topic Swan/Cubic Astro 150
From: dslosty@pipeline.com (dslosty)
Date: Tue, 14 Sep 1999 14:00:25 -0700
>From: "Ken Graham" <k5id@ipa.net>
>Subject: [TenTec] FS:Iambic KR-40

>Hi Folks,

>I have for sale a TT KR-40 Iambic keyer in nice condition.  There was a =
>hole in one
>side, nicely covered by a "walnut vinyl" patch.(like the top and sides). =
>This keyer is functional, and is an 8 out of ten.   $40 plus $5 =
>postage.

>Off topic:  Anyone know where I can get schematic for Swan Astro 150, or =
>whether there is a suitable reflector for swan/cubic??

>Regards,   Ken   K5ID

Ken,

I'm something of a self-appointed expert on the Astro-150.
:-)

I've recently and laboriously restored two to full operation.
I do have the technical manual but there isn't a single
schematic. Instead there are bunches of schematics covering all
the boards, etc in a 75 or so page manual. Swan/Cubic sold the
tech manual separately from the included operator's manual.

You can get a complete tech manual copy for around $35 or so
from several manual sources, including W7FG manuals (W7FG.com).
The schematics are fold outs and it would be pretty hard for me
to do a complete photocopy.

I like the Astro 150 quite a bit for CW work. Its synthesizer is quieter
than many more modern rigs. Once one gets used to the tuning system,
the rig is almost as enjoyable to use as my Ten-Tec Omni-D.
The full QSK is great. The built in 500HZ CW filter is fairly decent
and the rig is rock stable due to its fully synthesized system. 

If I can help with any troubleshooting problems, feel free to ask.
Once consistent trouble is the large value, blue tantalum cap in the
major-loop filter pcb (the small board that is bolted into place near
the right side vertically on the chassis. That cap changes value and/or 
leaky and the loop won't lock. DON'T try diddling the adjustments
without the tech manual and a scope/freq counter.

All parts for the rig can be obtained except perhaps for the custom
programmed 8048 processor chip. You can get blank chips but I've yet
to find anyone with an eprom programmer capable of reading/writing
a new chip. Even ex-Swan era employees of Cubic have no knowledge
of what happened to the source code.  Fortunately, that 8048 almost
never fails.

There is a Swan reflector but there's little activity on it and most 
of the guys seem more concerned with the older tube rigs.

73,
Doug/WA1TUT

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