[TenTec] RF Getting back into Rig Problem

[Barry LaZar]

Fellas,
     Interesting. Yesterday for the first time, My Orion II reflected the same symptoms. Howevewr it was at the 35 watt level that my transmitter locked on. It required a power off to stop it. 
     I run three different wire antennas, but only the one with a really good RF choke caused the problem. The antenna is an OCF dipole with a choke 18 feet down from the feet point, a Carolina Windom knock off. 
     From what I could see, the problem is RF getting into the control processor. It was also apparent in the sound of the side tone. I'm looking to see why I'm having a problem now since I've not had the problem before yesterday. I think this is something that Tentec needs to look at.

Barry
K3NDM



>From: joel hallas <jrhallas at optonline.net>
>Date: Mon Mar 20 07:51:29 CST 2006
>To: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment <tentec at contesting.com>
>Subject: Re: [TenTec] RF Getting back into Rig Problem

>Dave,
>
>It certainly sounds like RF getting into the radio!
>
>Sometimes good grounding helps, but it is often even more important to 
>find out how the RF is getting there and stop it from doing so. The 
>possible sources that occur to me:
>
>RF on the coax shield - a good ground at the rig might make a big 
>difference here. Also check that the coax connector backshell on the rig 
>is tight. Finding out if you have the problem with a dummy load instead 
>of the antenna (unlikely) may be worth knowing.
>Power leads, possibly coupled directly from the antenna if it's close or 
>more likely from the power wiring. Try a different source, shorter 
>leads, better a car battery close to the radio.
>Speaker or key  or mic (even if on cw) leads. Unlikely, but easy to 
>eliminate or, for the key, make very short.
>Computer connections. This can get coupled from phone lines if you have 
>a modem, power wiring, etc. Easy to pull off and see.
>
>Once you know where it's getting in, you can address the problem more 
>directly with a coax  choke (6 to 10 turns of coax 10 " in diam, for 
>example) on the feedline, ferrite beads on other wires, etc.
>
>Having a good ground is not a bad idea, however, you may already have a 
>fair ground through the green wire of the ac line, if you're close to 
>your power panel and it's installed properly. It will help some but not 
>all of the sources above, and could even make some worse, depending on 
>how the rig wiring is set up.
>
>Just my $0.02.
>
>73, Joel
>
>Dave Tipton wrote:
>
>> 
>>  The facts:
>>  Rig: Jupiter with Auto Tuner
>>  Antenna: 40M dipole at about 20 feet.
>>  Coax: 100 Feet of RG8X
>>  Keyer: MFJ Memory Keyer
>>   
>>  Over the weekend, we had some horrendous rain storms.  This is the first time I've ever encountered this issue, so I question whether that had something to do with it.
>>   
>>  Now, I'll be the first to admit, I do not have a ground on my rig.  That's a problem, I'm working out this week.  (10 inches of rain this weekend should help that actually)
>>   
>>  Whenever I ran more than 50 watts, CW, the rig would key and then lock in a transmit position.  Turning it off and then back on would release it.
>>   
>>  My question(s):  Is this merely a grounding problem, or am I overlooking something else?   Has anyone else ever experienced this?
>>   
>>  Thanks,
>>  Dave, W3DMT
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>>  
>>
>
>
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