A9 capacitors have been replaced.
Sorry, should have said so in the email.
Bob, w3idt
.......
. Robert F. Teitel, W3IDT
.
. w3idt@comcast.net
. w3idt@arrl.net
........
On 9/23/2022 4:05 PM, dukeshifi wrote:
If an Orion is voltage sensitive in any way, change the electrolytic capacitors
on the A9 Power Distribution Board, ALL OF THEM.
90% of the time, tis will resolve the issues.
Gary
W0DVN
PS: This is the same advice you would get from Ten Tec service, back when you
could call them on the phone...
On Sep 23, 2022, at 1:35 PM, Bob, W3IDT <w3idt@comcast.net> wrote:
Some time ago I asked about an issue I was having with my Orion II:
The RX would stop after TX with FT* or SSB above about 10 watts (CW at 100
watts was fine). Only a power down/up cycle would unlock the RX. RFI was
suspected, but it is not the cause.
Steve, NY3A, with a complete test shop, has been digging into the issue.
He has discovered two problems. I am asking for any knowledge or advice on
either one.
1. The problem almost never happens if the input power supply is below about
13volts. Almost always happens at 14.5volts. So, there is something that seems
very input voltage sensitive, though the various voltage regulators all seem OK.
2. The proximate cause of the RX shutdown is the "REF-IN" signal from the CPU going
"low"... As Steve says,
---------------
VCO1 and 2 are unlocking. The reason they're unlocking is their reference is
going away. The reference is a DDS, direct digital synthesizer. The reason it's
going away is the REF_EN signal is going low. This removes a crystal oscillator
reference signal from the DDS. This REF_EN sig comes directly from the
microprocessor board.
--------------------
Steve's complete message (and earlier messages) copied below.
Does anyone have a clue as to the cause of the REF-IN signal going low? OR
about the voltage sensitivity?
Any advice greatly appreciated.
Bob, w3idt
.......
. Robert F. Teitel, W3IDT
.
. w3idt@comcast.net
. w3idt@arrl.net
........
-------- Forwarded Message --------
Subject: RE: Status /Orion II
Date: Thu, 25 Aug 2022 21:42:30 +0000
From: Steve S <NY3A@hotmail.com>
To: w3idt@comcast.net <w3idt@comcast.net>
Made progress today.
VCO1 and 2 are unlocking. The reason they're unlocking is their reference is
going away. The reference is a DDS, direct digital synthesizer. The reason it's
going away is the REF_EN signal is going low. This removes a crystal oscillator
reference signal from the DDS. This REF_EN sig comes directly from the
microprocessor board.
This happens only at higher Power Supply voltage. I've been testing it at
14.5-14.7V. The manual says the upper limit is 15V. It unlocks is either rcv or
xmit at this higher voltage.
So why is the micro pulling this sig low at higher PS voltage? Sometimes there
is a PLL unlock signal which if true, triggers radio shutdown. I see no such
signal from the PLL. Bottom line is I don't know right now. If Ten Tec was
around I'd send email that software guy would eventually see, and he could tell
me.
I started signup for Ten Tec group on Groups.io forum and will ask what
triggers Ref En shutdown and will see if anyone knows. Odds are slim, but
hopeful.
Possibly there is A/D monitoring PS voltage through voltage divider somewhere,
or micro PS may have issue. This seems unlikely since micro seems to be running
fine otherwise.
In any case, standby...
-------- Original message --------
From: "Bob, W3IDT" <w3idt@comcast.net>
Date: 8/25/22 4:49 PM (GMT-05:00)
To: Steve S <ny3a@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Status /Orion II
Thanks for the update.
Hope you're considering it a technical challenge.
Certainly far beyond me.
Should I post something in the Orion reflector?
Maybe someone else has had this issue.
Bob, w3idt
.......
. Robert F. Teitel, W3IDT
.
. w3idt@comcast.net
. w3idt@arrl.net
........
On 8/25/2022 1:59 PM, Steve S wrote:
Hi Bob
Just a note...
I replaced final amp caps, no change.
I've noticed running at higher PS voltage, 14.5V, will make unit unlock quickly
when xmit SSB,CW or even occasionally even in RX. Lower PS voltage, 13V, never
seems to unlock.
I've checked input 1st stage voltage regulators on PLL, and looks ok. Almost
all of PLL is double regulated so those should be ok. Mystery right now why PS
voltage influences unlock if PLL Vregs don't change. Wondering if PLL control
getting messed up somewhere else.
Ten Tec has info in manual on PLL control details in manual, per band. I'm just
starting to get into PLL details to see if I can learn more. e.g. which VCO is
unlocking and why.
Next Wed or Thurs I'm heading to NC for Shelby hamfest, then continuing to FL
for relative visit. Should be back in couple weeks.
73
Steve
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