Hello Robert
I would suggest a longer TX delay. With the open frame T/R relays more like
15 or 20 mS should work better
73
Tim K3LR
-----Original Message-----
From: Amps [mailto:amps-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Robert W5AJ
Sent: Wednesday, December 8, 2021 2:32 AM
To: Rob Atkinson
Cc: amps@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [Amps] AL82 pi network C2 failure
Initial arc(s) occurred with the phased HF2V array on 80 meters (HF2V array
not used on 40)
Think a key is doesn't arc on other antennas/bands, initially.
first amp that failed output loading capacitor had Vacuum relaying on
output, reed relay on input.
wouldn't arc on other bands initially but over time, a blob/damage appears
on one of the capacitor plates, then it was pointless.
filing off bad parts was also futile fix.
Before capacitor plate was damaged, could run 1000watts out for a few
seconds before the capacitor would arc over.
AL82 has clanker relays for T/R switching. My rig has a "TX DLY" which
delays RF by the setting (8ms) after KEY OUT jack closes.
After 1st amp failure, changed insulators on HF2V using longer distance
between AL sections but those those insulators show black marks (RTTY
Contest failure). Replacement of insulators with some insulating material
is next but it's getting old....
oh, me too.
My guess is WX had some play in the insulators failure/arc.
failure is on loading variable capacitor.
since I'm going to be taking AL82 apart, anything else I should be looking
for while in there???
73 Robert W5AJ
I have met Death many times,
Someday Death will win
BUT NOT TODAY
On Tue, Dec 7, 2021 at 8:30 PM Rob Atkinson <ranchorobbo@gmail.com> wrote:
> My guess is that you are not sequencing your station, or you are, but
> there's a timing problem. When you run high power you have to have a
> sequencer so everything that changes state can do so and pull in
> before RF gets generated. The idea is that for example, your
> receivers mute, VFO comes on, receive preamps power down, antenna
> change over happens, and any switching out at your antenna feedpoint
> is done before the transmitter RF comes on. Then when going to
> receive, RF drops first, and everything else flips back over next. It
> seems like there's something hot switching, some relay maybe is a few
> milliseconds too slow out at your antenna so for an instant, your
> power amplifier sees an infinite impedance. That will flash over
> somewhere. A vac. cap won't save a hot switched relay or contactor in
> your system. You need to delay your RF on make, and have it drop
> first on break.
>
> 73
> Rob
> K5UJ
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