[Skimmertalk] RU9CZD skimmer QS1R died in the recent thunderstorm. Help needed.

[Jeffrey Maass]

At PJ2T, we’ve standardized on the DX Engineering HD-5000HD receiver protection devices. 

 

Here is a link to an article done by Jim W8WTS, comparing the old DEO RG-2000U device sold by Universal Radio and the DXE RG-5000 device (slightly older design than the current HD-5000HD. Both are still available.)

http://www.k8nd.com/Radio/CW_Skimmer/W8WTS_Comparison_RG-2000_RG-5000.pd <http://www.k8nd.com/Radio/CW_Skimmer/W8WTS_Comparison_RG-2000_RG-5000.pdf> 

 

73,  Jeff  K8ND

 

From: Skimmertalk [mailto:skimmertalk-bounces+jmaass=k8nd.com at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Pete Smith N4ZR
Sent: Wednesday, September 15, 2021 2:58 PM
To: skimmertalk at contesting.com
Subject: Re: [Skimmertalk] RU9CZD skimmer QS1R died in the recent thunderstorm. Help needed.

 

Another option would be a receiver protector like the AS-RXFEP from Array Solutions.  It uses a gas tube across the input to ground, a high voltage blocking capacitor on the input, and a 1:1 transformer. The company claims it will limit signals to 0.3 volts PEP and protect against nearby lightning.

73, Pete N4ZR
Check out the new Reverse Beacon Network
web server at  <http://beta.reversebeacon.net> <http://beta.reversebeacon.net>.
For spots, please use your favorite 
"retail" DX cluster.

On 9/15/2021 1:04 PM, Igor Sokolov wrote:

Thanks to all who helped us. Indeed only USB chip was damaged. It was replaced and QS1R is working now. We are looking for a new location for RU9CZD skimmer. It will probably be some rural place with less man made noise. In order to protect the receiver from static in the future we plan to put a cathode follower between the antenna and QS1R. Does anybody have experience using this type of protection? Do you think it is a good idea? 

73, Igor UA9CDC 


13.08.2021 17:35, Prasad VU2PTT пишет: 



Igor, 

I had lost the USB chip in the QS1R here from a very nearby lightning strike some time back. Replacing it worked - nothing else was affected on the board. Lost many other things too but the QS1R had only this part damaged. 

Good luck! 

73, 

Prasad VU2PTT. 

On Fri, 13 Aug 2021 at 6:58 AM, Igor Sokolov <ua9cdc at gmail.com <mailto:ua9cdc at gmail.com>   <mailto:ua9cdc at gmail.com> <mailto:ua9cdc at gmail.com>> wrote: 

    Thank you guys. Visual inspection did no reveal any damage. The radio 
    does not respond when connected to computer USB. That is why we 
    thought 
    may be only USB was affected. IF the USB chip CY7C6813A does not 
    require 
    firmware we will try to substitute it first. 

    13.08.2021 0:01, Pete Smith N4ZR пишет: 
    > 
    > Amen.  I thought mine had a USB transceiver problem, but when I 
    looked 
    > more closely, the ADC chip - still a $105 part - showed severe 
    burning 
    > and bubbling on its top surface.  Since there is very little 
    between 
    > the antenna input and the ADC, it's not hard to imagine 
    lightning damage. 
    > 
    > 73, Pete N4ZR 
    > Check out the new Reverse Beacon Network 
    > web server at<http://beta.reversebeacon.net 
     <http://beta.reversebeacon.net> <http://beta.reversebeacon.net>>. 
    > For spots, please use your favorite 
    > "retail" DX cluster. 
    > On 8/12/2021 2:50 PM, Bob Wilson, N6TV wrote: 
    >> That is the USB transceiver chip, so I imagine it does not need 
    any 
    >> firmware installed. 
    >> 
    >> But if there was lightning nearby while the antenna was connected, 
    >> many more chips could be damaged. 
    >> 
    >> 73, 
    >> Bob, N6TV 
    >> 
    >> 
    >> On Thu, Aug 12, 2021 at 11:20 AM Igor Sokolov <ua9cdc at gmail.com <mailto:ua9cdc at gmail.com>  
     <mailto:ua9cdc at gmail.com> <mailto:ua9cdc at gmail.com> 
    >> <mailto:ua9cdc at gmail.com  <mailto:ua9cdc at gmail.com> <mailto:ua9cdc at gmail.com>>> wrote: 
    >> 
    >>     RU9CZD skimmer is off line as our trusted QS1R that have been 
    >>     serving us 
    >>     for many years went out of order during recent thunderstorm. We 
    >>     would 
    >>     like to try and fix it. The suspect is CY7C6813A. This chip is 
    >>     available 
    >>     locally but the question is, does it need some sort of firmware 
    >>     installed prior to soldering it in. Is this firmware 
    available from 
    >>     somewhere? Help would be highly appreciated. 
    >> 
    >> 
    >>     73, Igor UA9CDC 
    >> 
    >>     _______________________________________________ 



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