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R4B 80m not working


 

Good morning.

Late night in the shack and was listening to the bands with the B-line twins. Everything is working well with exception of the R4B on 80m.

Generally I run the twins with the proper injections cable with the T4XB setting of XVCR driving the injection to the R4B. All bands working correctly (including 80m) and providing proper output to the frequency counter as well.

When running the R4B as separate, RCVR, and also with the T4XB turned off, I get nothing on 80m. For 40m and all other bands, the preselector peaks the signal, proper frequency shows on the counter, and everything else works.

On 80m, with the R4B as master or separate I am not receiving signal, preselector doesn't affect peaks, and no output to the frequency counter. Also if I move the preselector close to 12 o'clock it will start to pickup signal close to the WWV 5Mhz but it doesn't align with the VFO dial.

Before I pop the hood, any thoughts? Before I got the T4XB I used this R4B with another TX. Was working fine at that time, and I haven't been doing anything inside the case since then.

Thank you for any thoughts, if you need any other information please let me know.

Thank you
Joe ki5o?


 

Joe,

It sounds like either you have dirty bandswitch on the?80m position or a bad crystal (14.6).?

73,

Steve Wedge, W1ES/4

Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.


Sent from for iOS


On Tue, Jan 16, 2024 at 10:19, Joe KI5O <ki5ojoe@...> wrote:
Good morning.

Late night in the shack and was listening to the bands with the B-line twins. Everything is working well with exception of the R4B on 80m.

Generally I run the twins with the proper injections cable with the T4XB setting of XVCR driving the injection to the R4B. All bands working correctly (including 80m) and providing proper output to the frequency counter as well.

When running the R4B as separate, RCVR, and also with the T4XB turned off, I get nothing on 80m. For 40m and all other bands, the preselector peaks the signal, proper frequency shows on the counter, and everything else works.

On 80m, with the R4B as master or separate I am not receiving signal, preselector doesn't affect peaks, and no output to the frequency counter. Also if I move the preselector close to 12 o'clock it will start to pickup signal close to the WWV 5Mhz but it doesn't align with the VFO dial.

Before I pop the hood, any thoughts? Before I got the T4XB I used this R4B with another TX. Was working fine at that time, and I haven't been doing anything inside the case since then.

Thank you for any thoughts, if you need any other information please let me know.

Thank you
Joe ki5o?


 

Great places to start looking. I appreciate your thoughts.

Joe ki5o?


 

If it's the crystal oscillator, try re-seating the crystal first.? If the crystal has failed, you may be able to revive it with a couple of hours in a 350F oven.

73,

Steve Wedge, W1ES/4

Time flies like an arrow.? Fruit flies like a banana.

Sent with secure email.

On Tuesday, January 16th, 2024 at 11:15 AM, Joe KI5O <ki5ojoe@...> wrote:

Great places to start looking. I appreciate your thoughts.

Joe ki5o?


 

Excellent Steve, that's funny I was thinking about baking it for an hour at 350 as well. I'll probably swap the crystal from the T4XB as well for comparison. Looking like it should be an easy solution. Appreciate your thoughts regarding this and other problems I've had in the past. This group is a great resource.

Joe ki5o?


 

You¡¯re welcome, Joe.?

Yes, swapping the crystal is the best way to determine a bad crystal.?

This is a great group and has been for a long time.?

Steve Wedge, W1ES/4

Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.


Sent from for iOS


On Tue, Jan 16, 2024 at 14:12, Joe KI5O <ki5ojoe@...> wrote:
Excellent Steve, that's funny I was thinking about baking it for an hour at 350 as well. I'll probably swap the crystal from the T4XB as well for comparison. Looking like it should be an easy solution. Appreciate your thoughts regarding this and other problems I've had in the past. This group is a great resource.

Joe ki5o?


 

On 2024-01-16 13:14, Steve Wedge, W1ES/4 via groups.io wrote:
You¡¯re welcome, Joe.
Yes, swapping the crystal is the best way to determine a bad crystal.
Crystals....

I once got a tremendous flea market deal on a Galaxy V transceiver.
It was mint condition - absolutely brand new - the seller said that he had
taken the packing tape off the tubes. It had no power supply, and I built
one by rewinding a low-voltage power transformer.

Never really got any use out of that nice transceiver, because the BFO
crystals had wandered off frequency, and you couldn't trim them to frequency
without the amplitude going way down.

I had no clue how to source crystals that would work. This was before
the Internet, and one found stuff by perusing ads in printed magazines,
and making long distance phone calls.

I've been thinking: now there are programmable VFO chips (si5351a etc )
that can make any frequency you want. And they are seriously tiny. I bet
I could package one with a small CPU and a buffer amp. Might even be small
enough to replace a HC6/U.

- Jerry, KF6VB


 

Steve I just got home. Moved the Band switch back and forth a few times with no change. Pulled the top off then removed and reseated the 14.6 crystal several times and am now getting full injection signal, peaking on the preselector, and great output on both separate and running as master into the T4XB. Problem is completely resolved.

Thank you!
Joe ki5o?


 

It's great when the simplest and cheapest fix is the one!

I understand that some like adding new tech to these rigs but that's not my "thing".? I want to use them more or less how they were made (though replacing components becomes necessary over time).? I saw the pic of the solid state 2-B and it looks like a really cool exercise in converting from old to new.? I have newer rigs, though, and use them for extreme pileups, digital modes and occasional casual operating.

The old stuff is like driving an old car for me.? I want to have the warts and all.? It reminds us of how far we've come.

And there are no transistors on earth that smell like warm tubes !

73,

Steve Wedge, W1ES/4

Time flies like an arrow.? Fruit flies like a banana.

Sent with secure email.

On Tuesday, January 16th, 2024 at 4:39 PM, Joe KI5O <ki5ojoe@...> wrote:

Steve I just got home. Moved the Band switch back and forth a few times with no change. Pulled the top off then removed and reseated the 14.6 crystal several times and am now getting full injection signal, peaking on the preselector, and great output on both separate and running as master into the T4XB. Problem is completely resolved.

Thank you!
Joe ki5o?


 

Cheap and easy is always preferable!

Agreed regarding these older sets. I've always been drawn to tubes but didn't get involved with them until the last several years. Fortunately I have found resources and people willing to help me learn.

Thank you again, have a great evening.

Joe ki5o?


 

Cheers!

Steve Wedge, W1ES/4

Time flies like an arrow.? Fruit flies like a banana.

Sent with secure email.

On Tuesday, January 16th, 2024 at 5:06 PM, Joe KI5O <ki5ojoe@...> wrote:

Cheap and easy is always preferable!

Agreed regarding these older sets. I've always been drawn to tubes but didn't get involved with them until the last several years. Fortunately I have found resources and people willing to help me learn.

Thank you again, have a great evening.

Joe ki5o?


 

Amen brother.

David Assaf III
W5XU??? VP8RXU

On Tue, Jan 16, 2024, 3:56 PM Steve Wedge, W1ES/4 via <w1es=[email protected]> wrote:
It's great when the simplest and cheapest fix is the one!

I understand that some like adding new tech to these rigs but that's not my "thing".? I want to use them more or less how they were made (though replacing components becomes necessary over time).? I saw the pic of the solid state 2-B and it looks like a really cool exercise in converting from old to new.? I have newer rigs, though, and use them for extreme pileups, digital modes and occasional casual operating.

The old stuff is like driving an old car for me.? I want to have the warts and all.? It reminds us of how far we've come.

And there are no transistors on earth that smell like warm tubes !

73,

Steve Wedge, W1ES/4

Time flies like an arrow.? Fruit flies like a banana.

Sent with secure email.

On Tuesday, January 16th, 2024 at 4:39 PM, Joe KI5O <ki5ojoe@...> wrote:

Steve I just got home. Moved the Band switch back and forth a few times with no change. Pulled the top off then removed and reseated the 14.6 crystal several times and am now getting full injection signal, peaking on the preselector, and great output on both separate and running as master into the T4XB. Problem is completely resolved.

Thank you!
Joe ki5o?