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[TenTec] Frequency Readout; Omni, Corsair, etc...

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Subject: [TenTec] Frequency Readout; Omni, Corsair, etc...
From: mrhinkel@ix.netcom.com (Mark Hinkel)
Date: Mon, 30 Sep 2002 19:40:39 -0400
Hi Geo., Larry, and the list,

Very good discussions about why we need to watch our transmit
frequency.  (I enjoyed reading your comments)

My Corsair II reads very close to the operating frequencies of most
nets.  When I do get on the air and check in, I set my transmit
frequency to what ever net control says, "your slightly off...   move up
100 Hz".  In other words, I leave the "Offset" in the receive position
"RX", and use the knob as "RIT" control.  This allows me to tune other
stations who may be slightly high or low.  (I think that's what most
people do)

The Corsair II only reads down to the 100 Hz column, so I guess I'm in
the same boat.  WWV comes in with the readout between 9.999.9 and
10.000.0.  That's 50 to 75 Hz low.

Chapter 3 in the manual (3-29) covers the digital readout.  Among other
things, it says, "If the frequency of the BFO is properly set, and the
counter is properly preset, the resulting frequency displayed will be
within plus or minus 100 Hz of the actual frequency after proper
adjustment of the counter timebase."  Wow!!  That's a mouthful...

Now read on a little further, "To adjust the timebase, turn the
bandswitch to 10 Mhz and adjust the WWV at 10.0000 Mhz.  Tune the signal
for maximum voice clarity during the time announcement.  After adjusting
the tuning, if the frequency display in SB-N mode is not 10 Mhz exactly,
then adjust capacitor C1 through the access hole on the left side of the
counter enclosure to adjust the display so it reads 10.000.0 Mhz."  Now
isn't that easy...

As I understand it, that will adjust the display counter, and NOT the
actual transmit frequency.  To check that, we really do need a frequency
counter.

Earlier this year, I bought a older Dana frequency counter that had just
come out of aviation service.  (E-Bay -- $95 plus shipping)  The "C"
band reads up to 512 Mhz;  nice for the 440 FM equipment.  The "A" or
"B" band reads up to 150 or 175 Mhz;  great for 2m.  Someday, I'll bring
it up out of the basement and check the Ten Tec...   but for now, I
think it's within specs.

Mark Hinkel   WA3QVU
Willow Grove, Pa.


PS:  Now my question;  Since the Corsair doesn't have AM receive
capability, I've found it very annoying to listen to the SW band with
the mode set to either SSB selections.

Instead, I use the CW selection;  leave the Pass Band set to "0", the
Band Pass Filter "Out", and turn the Notch up a bit.  The AM stations
come in pretty well.

I also have a JPS "NIR-10".  The DSP works very well on AM stations, but
not in the "NIR" mode.  I set the switch to "Band Pass", and turn up the
"BP Shift" knob (counter clockwise) to the 1 or 2 o'clock position.  The
news sounds good...   music leaves something to be desired...   it's no
FM radio.

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