[TenTec] trouble shooting OMNI SIX<<<URGENT>>>

[Steve N4LQ]

Robert:
Just to let you know. Although TenTec might read this reflector, they have 
nothing to do with it. You are not really talking to TenTec here, just to 
other TenTec owners. You should give them a call tomorrow.

Steve N4LQ
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Linda" <dlrwild1 at comcast.net>
To: <service at tentec.com>
Cc: <tentec at contesting.com>
Sent: Monday, October 25, 2004 6:59 PM
Subject: [TenTec] trouble shooting OMNI SIX<<<URGENT>>>


Re: OMNI SIX problem

I own a Ten Tec OMNI SIX which has been upgraded to the OMNI SIX PLUS 
version. It has been working perfectly for several years until a few days 
ago. I noticed that my SWR readings on the transceiver meter are very high; 
increasing the output power from 10 watts to 100 watts causing the SWR to be 
over 3:1. As I increase the power, the SWR increases dramatically. I know 
SWR readings are not a function of the power output; the SWR should be same 
at any power level (10 to 100 watts barefoot with the OMNI SIX).

I have tried to load the transceiver in to several different antennas that I 
know are not shorted at the antenna or in the feedline. All my other radios 
work with those antennas very well. I even loaded the OMNI SIX in to my 50 
ohm dummy load, but the SWR remains very high.

When using my OMNI SIX with my Hercules II amplifier, the overdrive light 
comes on when the power exceeds 300 watts; the RF deck makes a crackling 
sound on the lower right side of the RF deck. The amp seems to load up to 
full power while increasing the drive on the transceiver. The SWR meter on 
the Hercules II is also reading a high SWR. I am worried that I may have 
also damaged the Hercules II RF deck in some way by loading the transceiver 
in to it with high SWR? Normally, I can drive the Hercules II amp to full 
500 watt power using only 50 watts or so from the OMNI SIX. I have never 
observed the overdrive light coming on before, nor any of this high SWR at 
the rig or at the amp.

I can receive signals using the OMNI SIX without problems on all bands; the 
output seems to fold back somewhat when the SWR increases. I also hear a 
slight crackling sound coming from my 961 power supply/speaker, but the crow 
bar protection circuit on the 961 does not kick-in. The transceiver seems to 
function normally in ever other way except the high SWR.

Can the trouble be caused from a stuck relay inside the transceiver? Can the 
problem be caused from one of the circuit boards inside the radio that has a 
bad solder joint, a loose cable connecting boards?

I do not believe that any of the coax jumper cables connecting the rig to 
the amp, then from the amp to the auto 253 tuner are at fault.

What are your service department rates per hour on repairing amateur gear? 
Do you have any repair backlog at the moment? What is the turn-around time 
for repairs?

If you would like me to try some other test(s) to help diagnose my problem, 
please let me know. Thank you very much for your help and time. I am looking 
forward to hearing from you very soon. I have always enjoyed using and 
buying Ten Tec products. I know your service department is the best!

Thank you,
Robert N. Wilderman, K3SRO
dlrwild1 at comcast.net

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