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Re: [TenTec] ARGONAUT 515 problem

To: "Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment" <tentec@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TenTec] ARGONAUT 515 problem
From: Lee <lee@wa3fiy.com>
Reply-to: Lee <lee@wa3fiy.com>, Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment <tentec@contesting.com>
Date: Mon, 05 Sep 2016 15:44:49 +0000
List-post: <tentec@contesting.com">mailto:tentec@contesting.com>
Rick, your DVM will be fine to check the voltage at "LSB". The circuit impedance is around 1K so the DVM will have VERY little effect on the reading...and the actual voltage is not at all critical. That 1K resistor you see on the diagram feeds "LSB" which feeds Q2 through another 1K resistor in series. The voltage at "LSB" will likely be just under 1/2 your supply voltage or around 6 to 7 volts.

I agree with you about the puzzle about why it is switching sidebands between 80 and 40. The manual states "...SB-N is the sideband normally in use on all bands..." That is what I remember about using my 515 also.

I'm thinking you may already have enough test equipment in the DVM and frequency counter to solve this. The voltage at "LSB" should stay the same on both 80 and 40 and the BFO frequency measured at the top of R7 should also stay the same. Sounds like a fun projecct. :-)

73,

-Lee-
WA3FIY

------ Original Message ------
From: "rick@dj0ip.de" <Rick@dj0ip.de>
To: "'Lee'" <lee@wa3fiy.com>; "'Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment'" <tentec@contesting.com>
Sent: 9/5/2016 10:58:14 AM
Subject: Re: [TenTec] ARGONAUT 515 problem

I haven't taken the radio apart yet, Lee.
Yes, the LSB pin has a direct connection to +12v through a pull-up resistor,
and the mode switch grounds the pin for SB-R.

Last time I worked on Argonauts I had a scope, VTVM, signal generator, freq.
counter, etc.
Today I only have a DVM and a freq. counter.

What's blowing my mind is that it works normal on 40m and reversed on 80m.
I can't see how the band would have anything to do with it.

I can borrow a scope from our ham club and perhaps use a QRP rig as a signal
generator.
I need to check how high the impedance is on my DVM. Dunno if I can use
that instead of a VTVM or not.

There's always a reason and once you find it, it usually makes sense. Right
now it makes no sense to me.

73 - Rick, DJ0IP
(Nr. Frankfurt, Germany)



-----Original Message-----
From: TenTec [mailto:tentec-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Lee
Sent: Monday, September 05, 2016 4:49 PM
To: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment
Subject: Re: [TenTec] ARGONAUT 515 problem

Congratulations on getting a 515 Rick.   Bet you'll have lots of fun
with that radio.

You are correct about leaving the mode switch in "Normal" position on all
bands normally...hehe.

You probably found the problem by now but if not, check the voltage at "LSB" on the SSB GENERATOR board. It should be a positive voltage in "NOR" mode and ground in "REV" mode. Doesn't look to me like that changes on any band.

73,

-Lee-


------ Original Message ------
From: "rick@dj0ip.de" <Rick@dj0ip.de>
To: n4py3@earthlink.net; "'Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment'"
<tentec@contesting.com>
Sent: 9/5/2016 8:14:20 AM
Subject: Re: [TenTec] ARGONAUT 515 problem

Gm Carl,

It's the other way around by me.  I leave it in "Normal" for all bands
except 80m.  On 80 I have to switch to Reverse.  I have owned 4 pyjrt
Argonauts including one other 515 and none of them worked like this.

73 - Rick, DJ0IP
(Nr. Frankfurt, Germany)


-----Original Message-----
From: TenTec [mailto:tentec-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Carl
Moreschi
Sent: Monday, September 05, 2016 1:52 PM
To: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment
Subject: Re: [TenTec] ARGONAUT 515 problem

Rick,  I think this is normal.  The mixing scheme works such that LSB
comes out as normal on 80 meters.  I seem to recall that my Omni A
worked the same way.  I think they use the same crystal for 20 and 80
meters to get to the IF and this yields USB on 20 meters and LSB on 80
meters.

Carl Moreschi N4PY
58 Hogwood Rd
Louisburg, NC 27549
www.n4py.com

On 9/4/2016 10:51 PM, rick@dj0ip.de wrote:
  Meanwhile, back at Ten-Tec . . .



  I have just received an Argonaut 515 in fairly good shape, just
 needing a tune-up.

  However it does have one minor issue which has me stumped.



  On 80m I could hear lots of strong signals but all sounding like
 Donald Duck.

  I switched to SB-R which should normally place the rig in USB mode
and
  everything worked just fine.

On 40m, and all other bands, I switch back to SB-N and everything is
fine.



  I haven't checked transmit yet to see if the wrong mode is only
 selected in RX or if it is also during TX.



  What is curious to me is, the mode switch is labeled for SB-Normal
and
  SB-Reverse, yet the signal input to the SSB generator board for
  switching these is simply called LSB.



  What I am unable to find is how the position of the bandswitch can
 pass a signal through the mode switch to tell it when to enable or
 disable this LSB line.  That must be the source of the problem.



  I believe  this is very similar to the Triton IV so perhaps someone
 with that radio understands how this works.



  Tnx.



  73

  Rick, DJ0IP

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