Mail*Link(r) SMTP RE>Scout/Argo drift
I've had my Scout for quite a long time and have noticed no abnormal drift
activity. I use it mobile, and here in IA that means I turn it on at -10F at
times, and at +100F at other times. The major thing I have noticed under
these circumstances is that if I was on 3.970 MHz when I turned the radio off
after the morning mobile, it may be on 3.9716 MHz or so when I turn it on cold
in the evening. I then put it where I want it and it basically doesn't move
noticably. Sure beats the pants off my prior mobile rigs (TS-120 & TS-130
Kenwooods) in terms of stability!!!! I had to constantly "chase" them until
they warmed up, and generally they weren't on the freq they said they were
when cold. I have no complaints and have used it in many unusual situations.
It has a Samsonite suitcase "home" for travelling and has done alot of that.
I used it extensively under weird portable condtions in Europe this summer
with only one minor problem....that being that sometimes I was not getting
proper ALC indications on 75m (or at times NO ALC on 75m). BUT, one must
remember that I was using end-fed wires thrown anywhere handy, these wires
always being much less than anything resonant on 75m, and usually had no good
ground available. I proved the problem to be "grounding" by curing the
problem when it once appeared on 20m on the balcony of a 3rd floor apartment
in Salzburg, by using a WL/4 counterpoise as a ground. I just never had room
for a 75m counterpoise and spent little time on that band anyway.
So, in summary, here is one very satisfied user. And the sig reports I
receive are always excellent. I doubt if I ever get rid of it. [Put a set of
G4BPY (sub)miniature paddles with it and WOW!]
73 de Chuck
WA0ROI
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To: <tentec@contesting.com>
Date: 12/07/96 03:50 PM
To: Chuck Brudtkuhl
From: AE0Q / V31RY
A few weeks ago, Wayne Montague VE3EFJ posted an excellent analysis of the
drift problem in his Scout PTO. I had just decided to buy an Argo 556, and
was wondering if I would have to become intimate with it's PTO..
Wellll, I've run a few tests, and this particular PTO is rock-stable..
I've left it turned on for over an hour from cold a number of times, and the
FLS (Frequency Lock System) doesn't jump. I've cycled the power after
warmup, and also enabled the RIT to unlock the FLS after warmup, neither of
which shows any drift.. Hour-long QSO's on CW have not caused any drift,
but there isn't much heat generated by the 5w output..
Are there any other owners that have very stable units? After hearing
about the ones that DO drift and jump when the FLS is unlocked (when sending
cw), how many are there that DON'T do it?
73 -- Glenn
----------------------------
Duct Tape is like the Force: It has a light side, and a dark side,
and it holds the Universe together.
AE0Q / V31RY ex: GM5BKC, ZB2WZ, SV0WY, WA0VPK
v31ry@ix.netcom.com -- ARRL LM, QCWA LM, NCVA --
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