[TowerTalk] ICE 419-B info.

Sat Apr 27 21:51:46 EDT 2019

The ICE419 now on Array Solutions website looks substantially different than the unit seen in Jim’s comparison. Anyone know if it’s any better?

73, kelly, ve4xt 

Sent from my iPhone

> On Apr 27, 2019, at 20:46, Grant Saviers <grants2 at pacbell.net> wrote:
> 
> The OMpower OM6BPF looks like an excellent copy of my 5B4AGN filter sets, or perhaps it was licensed to them.  Array solutions is selling them  https://www.arraysolutions.com/filters/om6bpf
> 
> One difference in the implementations visible in the photo is what appears to be SMD multi layer ceramic caps (MLCCs) paralleled either for current or to achieve a specific capacitance.  The ones Bob 5B4AGN sourced in the UK are precision (1%?) silver mica, exact values for each filter section.  Otherwise, they appear identical.  The "right" MLCC might be ok, but there are risks vs silver mica.  Here is what Kemet has to say https://ec.kemet.com/mlcc-dielectric-differences
> 
> Now and then there are unbuilt 5B4AGN filter sets advertised.  Be prepared for some sore fingers from winding the inductors.  Having a VNA is essential for tuning and from my experience it is always a good idea to verify that commercial filters have been properly tuned as it is time consuming and tricky to get each inductor to the best value.
> 
> Grant KZ1W
> 
>> On 4/27/2019 5:40 AM, Martin Sole wrote:
>> Jim's review,
>> http://k9yc.com/BandpassFilterSurvey.pdf
>> Is pretty much the seminal work on switched bandpass filter selection. Well worth the read.
>> Unfortunately I think the super 5B4AGN filters are no longer available, unless they are now sold by a commercial outfit perhaps?
>> Martin, HS0ZED
>>> On 27/04/2019 19:37, Keith Dutson wrote:
>>> Bottom of the barrel??? What did you replace then with?
>>> 
>>> I have four of these filters, and take them on DXpeditions.?? Each has had a
>>> failure (mostly on 10 meters) due to operator error switching bands without
>>> switching the filter.?? Since then I use the WX0B Bandmaster to switch the
>>> filters automatically with the radio.
>>> 
>>> After repairing each one, I found a set of caps that will handle the 200
>>> watts used with my Kenwood 480HX.?? Only have had two relays fail out of all
>>> four units.?? Wish I had a permanent fix for those.?? Actually, I would
>>> replace all of these if I could find a reliable unit for similar cost.
>>> 
>>> 73, Keith NM5G
>>> 
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: TowerTalk <towertalk-bounces at contesting.com> On Behalf Of Jim Brown
>>> Sent: Friday, April 26, 2019 1:04 PM
>>> To: towertalk at contesting.com
>>> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] ICE 419-B info.
>>> 
>>> The ICE 419-series BPF sets are the bottom of the barrel. They don't handle
>>> power or SWR, so they're very easy to blow, which requires difficult
>>> disassembly and realignment. And when you do all that, you still have a
>>> lousy filter set. And if that isn't enough, the relays also go intermittent,
>>> also require that disassembly.
>>> 
>>> My measurements of BPF filter sets used within NCCC were published in NCJ
>>> about four years ago. The review is on my website.
>>> http://k9yc.com/BandpassFilterSurvey.pdf
>>> The report is based on measured data using a VNWA3e Vector Network Analyzer,
>>> and plots of the data for each filter can be accessed for each unit on each
>>> band from this webpage.
>>> http://audiosystemsgroup.com/BandpassFilterData.htm
>>> 
>>> My advice is that if you have a problem with the ICE filter set, bite the
>>> bullet and replace it. The two I owned are long gone.
>>> 
>>> 73, Jim K9YC
>>> 
>>>> On 4/26/2019 9:14 AM, Jon Zaimes via TowerTalk wrote:
>>>> Wayne,
>>>> 
>>>> This Green Heron datasheet has the Ice 419 pinout:
>>>> 
>>>> https://www.greenheronengineering.com/prod_documents/ghEveryware/app_n
>>>> otes/I
>>>> CE_419_BPF.pdf
>>>> 
>>>> 73/Jon
>>>> 
>>>> Jon P. Zaimes, AA1K
>>>> Tower climber for hire
>>>> http://www.aa1k.us/
>>>> Cell: 302-632-2353
>>>> 
>>>> Reviews of AA1K tower work on eham website:
>>>> http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/12922
>>>> 
>>>> Hug your favorite tower every day, and always stay connected to it.
>>>> 
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: TowerTalk <towertalk-bounces at contesting.com> On Behalf Of Wayne
>>>> Kline
>>>> Sent: Thursday, April 25, 2019 11:08 PM
>>>> To: towertalk at contesting.com
>>>> Subject: [TowerTalk] ICE 419-B info.
>>>> 
>>>> The 8 pin din on an ICE 419-B bandpass filter.?? Would anyone have a
>>>> manual the could scan?? me a PDF ?
>>>> 
>>>> Wayne?????? W3EA
>>>> 
>>>> Sent from Mail<https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=550986> for
>>>> Windows
>>>> 10
>>>> 
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