[TenTec] Orion II 15 m CW Transmit Power Fluctuation

[Kimberly Elmore]

Thanks, Ron and Jim!

Last in, first out: Ron, the problem persists even at reduced power settings.

I'll open it up and take a careful look while gently poking and prodding. I don't recall seeing this before, but I haven't been very active on 15 m, so I can't be sure. I'll check more carefully for this on 17 m. I'm with you, in that because I see it both on an antenna and with a dummy load on a short cable, with no apparent difference in severity, I'm reluctant to settle on RFI. But, that being said...

Jim, if I read your post correctly, your concern is that the braid of all interconnecting coaxial cable (not just the transmission line) must be connected to the chassis. I haven't looked -- is this not the case with the O II? If so, then I take it your recommendation is to make sure every shield entering the rig is also physically connected to the chassis? The number of cables is most certainly finite, so if that needs to be done, I can certainly tackle it.

73,

Kim Elmore N5OP



----- Original Message ----
From: Ron Castro <ronc at sonic.net>
To: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment <tentec at contesting.com>
Sent: Wed, April 28, 2010 1:51:42 AM
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Orion II 15 m CW Transmit Power Fluctuation

Kim:

I would look at the low-pass filter board for the problem, especially if it 
also happens on 17 meters as well as 15, but not on other bands.  My first 
suspicion would be a cold solder joint on K10 or K11 on the A1 board, or on 
any of the associated components: C 21, 23, 48, 78 or L 12 or 16.  K10 or 
K11 could also have bad contacts.

Since this happens on CW and on both an antenna and dummy load, I would tend 
to discount an RFI related problem, although it certainly is a possibility. 
Try transmitting with the covers removed and tap the various components with 
a non-conducting tool and see if that makes the problem come and go.

Are there any other symptoms, such as more of a problem at 100 Watts than at 
a lower power?

            Ron N6IE
      www.N6IE.com

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Kim Elmore" <cw_de_n5op at sbcglobal.net>
To: <tentec at contesting.com>
Sent: Tuesday, April 27, 2010 6:20 PM
Subject: [TenTec] Orion II 15 m CW Transmit Power Fluctuation


>I have noticed a subtle characteristic with my OII on 15 m CW
> transmit: the power output varies in a random fashion key down CW.
> This happens whether I use a dummy load, tuner, or antenna. I noticed
> this with the V2.041XL firmware, and so went to the 2.039d firmware.
> Using V2.041XL on 15 m, with the power output is set to 100 the ALC
> light didn't illuminate, but did using V2.039d. I still, however, see
> the power output fluctuation with either firmware version. Using
> V2.041XL, I see this a bit on 12 m, too. I only see it on 15 m using 
> V2.039d.
>
> Has anyone else noticed this?
>
> Kim Elmore N5OP
>
> _______________________________________________
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> TenTec at contesting.com
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> 

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