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I am new to collecting Drake radios but so far love the radios.? I have a R-4C & T-4xc(combo) and I also have a TR-4.? I am having the same issues with both so I am obviously doing something wrong.? Receiving is working fine on the C-Line and the TR-4.? I can also tune both of them as per manuals.? They are both putting out power on all bands.? CW seems to work fine and AM is clear when transmitting but on both when on SSB the signal is distorted and a lot of RFI.? I have tried the Heil AD-1-C with the Pro-7 Headphones and also a Shure SM7B microphone.? Then I talked to one of the engineers at Heil and I purchased the CC-1-C cable and the Gold Elite Vintage microphone and have the same issues.? What am I missing and where should I start?? Thanks for the help and look forward to hearing some things I should try.
Mark
KF0KZP
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Mark, when you say you're distorted on SSB, is that your monitoring on another receiver or are others saying that your signal sounds distorted?
Steve Wedge, W1ES/4
Time flies like an arrow.? Fruit flies like a banana.
Sent with secure email.
On Monday, February 19th, 2024 at 6:38 PM, Mark KF0KZP <fleischtpnl@...> wrote:
I am new to collecting Drake radios but so far love the radios.? I have a R-4C & T-4xc(combo) and I also have a TR-4.? I am having the same issues with both so I am obviously doing something wrong.? Receiving is working fine on the C-Line and the TR-4.? I can also tune both of them as per manuals.? They are both putting out power on all bands.? CW seems to work fine and AM is clear when transmitting but on both when on SSB the signal is distorted and a lot of RFI.? I have tried the Heil AD-1-C with the Pro-7 Headphones and also a Shure SM7B microphone.? Then I talked to one of the engineers at Heil and I purchased the CC-1-C cable and the Gold Elite Vintage microphone and have the same issues.? What am I missing and where should I start?? Thanks for the help and look forward to hearing some things I should try.
Mark
KF0KZP
|
Both.? I have listened on a couple different radios I have and have seen the signal on the waterfall on those radios.? I have also gotten a report back from another Ham who said there was to much RFI(noise) that he could hear me but it was so noisy.? When I key the mic in SSB the signal(on my other radios looks good but when I apply any audio the signal spreads out across both sides of the carrier(which isn't there for SSB) but looks almost the same as transmitting on AM.? Which again when I switch over to transmit in AM it sounds good.? The distortion sounds (I know not technical) like when you are tuning in a signal and you go from the high pitch past the good signal to the lower pitch.? I have run it through a manual tuner Drake RC-4 and through an automatic antenna tuner.? It is also the same if I run it into a dummy load or into an antenna.? I have read through the manuals and have watched some videos on YouTube and seem to be doing everything correctly.? ?Again, I'm hoping it is something simple that I'm missing.? Thanks for the help.
Mark??
On Mon, Feb 19, 2024 at 7:34?PM Steve Wedge, W1ES/4 via <w1es= [email protected]> wrote: Mark, when you say you're distorted on SSB, is that your monitoring on another receiver or are others saying that your signal sounds distorted?
Steve Wedge, W1ES/4
Time flies like an arrow.? Fruit flies like a banana.
Sent with secure email.
On Monday, February 19th, 2024 at 6:38 PM, Mark KF0KZP < fleischtpnl@...> wrote:
I am new to collecting Drake radios but so far love the radios.? I have a R-4C & T-4xc(combo) and I also have a TR-4.? I am having the same issues with both so I am obviously doing something wrong.? Receiving is working fine on the C-Line and the TR-4.? I can also tune both of them as per manuals.? They are both putting out power on all bands.? CW seems to work fine and AM is clear when transmitting but on both when on SSB the signal is distorted and a lot of RFI.? I have tried the Heil AD-1-C with the Pro-7 Headphones and also a Shure SM7B microphone.? Then I talked to one of the engineers at Heil and I purchased the CC-1-C cable and the Gold Elite Vintage microphone and have the same issues.? What am I missing and where should I start?? Thanks for the help and look forward to hearing some things I should try.
Mark
KF0KZP
-- Mark "Fleisch" Fleischer KF?KZP 
Public Address Announcer/Voice Over/Production Specialist:?
,?,?, ,?,?,?(Superior), and?(Proctor)
|
I will put up some pictures of my setup and what it looks like on my other radios later tonight when i get home or tomorrow morning.? Thanks for the help.
Mark
On Tue, Feb 20, 2024 at 8:55?AM Mark KF0KZP via <fleischtpnl= [email protected]> wrote: Both.? I have listened on a couple different radios I have and have seen the signal on the waterfall on those radios.? I have also gotten a report back from another Ham who said there was to much RFI(noise) that he could hear me but it was so noisy.? When I key the mic in SSB the signal(on my other radios looks good but when I apply any audio the signal spreads out across both sides of the carrier(which isn't there for SSB) but looks almost the same as transmitting on AM.? Which again when I switch over to transmit in AM it sounds good.? The distortion sounds (I know not technical) like when you are tuning in a signal and you go from the high pitch past the good signal to the lower pitch.? I have run it through a manual tuner Drake RC-4 and through an automatic antenna tuner.? It is also the same if I run it into a dummy load or into an antenna.? I have read through the manuals and have watched some videos on YouTube and seem to be doing everything correctly.? ?Again, I'm hoping it is something simple that I'm missing.? Thanks for the help.
Mark??
On Mon, Feb 19, 2024 at 7:34?PM Steve Wedge, W1ES/4 via <w1es= [email protected]> wrote: Mark, when you say you're distorted on SSB, is that your monitoring on another receiver or are others saying that your signal sounds distorted?
Steve Wedge, W1ES/4
Time flies like an arrow.? Fruit flies like a banana.
Sent with secure email.
On Monday, February 19th, 2024 at 6:38 PM, Mark KF0KZP < fleischtpnl@...> wrote:
I am new to collecting Drake radios but so far love the radios.? I have a R-4C & T-4xc(combo) and I also have a TR-4.? I am having the same issues with both so I am obviously doing something wrong.? Receiving is working fine on the C-Line and the TR-4.? I can also tune both of them as per manuals.? They are both putting out power on all bands.? CW seems to work fine and AM is clear when transmitting but on both when on SSB the signal is distorted and a lot of RFI.? I have tried the Heil AD-1-C with the Pro-7 Headphones and also a Shure SM7B microphone.? Then I talked to one of the engineers at Heil and I purchased the CC-1-C cable and the Gold Elite Vintage microphone and have the same issues.? What am I missing and where should I start?? Thanks for the help and look forward to hearing some things I should try.
Mark
KF0KZP
--
Mark "Fleisch" Fleischer KF?KZP
Public Address Announcer/Voice Over/Production Specialist:?
,?,?, ,?,?,?(Superior), and?(Proctor)
-- Mark "Fleisch" Fleischer KF?KZP
Public Address Announcer/Voice Over/Production Specialist:?
,?,?, ,?,?,?(Superior), and?(Proctor)
|
Hmmm. ?On two different transmitters, with a diverse collection of mics¡
Did you do alignments on both? ?I¡¯m trying to find a common thread.?
How is the carrier balance? ?I set carrier balance with an oscilloscope, which is much easier than their plate current procedure.?
73,
Steve Wedge, W1ES/4
Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.
On Tue, Feb 20, 2024 at 10:06, Mark KF0KZP < fleischtpnl@...> wrote: I will put up some pictures of my setup and what it looks like on my other radios later tonight when i get home or tomorrow morning. Thanks for the help.
Mark
On Tue, Feb 20, 2024 at 8:55?AM Mark KF0KZP via <fleischtpnl= [email protected]> wrote: Both. I have listened on a couple different radios I have and have seen the signal on the waterfall on those radios. I have also gotten a report back from another Ham who said there was to much RFI(noise) that he could hear me but it was so noisy. When I key the mic in SSB the signal(on my other radios looks good but when I apply any audio the signal spreads out across both sides of the carrier(which isn't there for SSB) but looks almost the same as transmitting on AM. Which again when I switch over to transmit in AM it sounds good. The distortion sounds (I know not technical) like when you are tuning in a signal and you go from the high pitch past the good signal to the lower pitch. I have run it through a manual tuner Drake RC-4 and through an automatic antenna tuner. It is also the same if I run it into a dummy load or into an antenna. I have read through the manuals and have watched some videos on YouTube and seem to be doing everything correctly. Again, I'm hoping it is something simple that I'm missing. Thanks for the help.
Mark
On Mon, Feb 19, 2024 at 7:34?PM Steve Wedge, W1ES/4 via <w1es= [email protected]> wrote: Mark, when you say you're distorted on SSB, is that your monitoring on another receiver or are others saying that your signal sounds distorted?
Steve Wedge, W1ES/4
Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.
Sent with secure email.
On Monday, February 19th, 2024 at 6:38 PM, Mark KF0KZP < fleischtpnl@...> wrote:
I am new to collecting Drake radios but so far love the radios. I have a R-4C & T-4xc(combo) and I also have a TR-4. I am having the same issues with both so I am obviously doing something wrong. Receiving is working fine on the C-Line and the TR-4. I can also tune both of them as per manuals. They are both putting out power on all bands. CW seems to work fine and AM is clear when transmitting but on both when on SSB the signal is distorted and a lot of RFI. I have tried the Heil AD-1-C with the Pro-7 Headphones and also a Shure SM7B microphone. Then I talked to one of the engineers at Heil and I purchased the CC-1-C cable and the Gold Elite Vintage microphone and have the same issues. What am I missing and where should I start? Thanks for the help and look forward to hearing some things I should try.
Mark
KF0KZP
--
Mark "Fleisch" Fleischer KF?KZP
Public Address Announcer/Voice Over/Production Specialist:
, , , , , , (Superior), and (Proctor)
--
Mark "Fleisch" Fleischer KF?KZP
Public Address Announcer/Voice Over/Production Specialist:
, , , , , , (Superior), and (Proctor)
|
I have been working on the TR-4 and after going through the manual and tuning everything up as directed I have found the problem but not exactly sure where I should look or adjust.? As stated above when on CW and AM it it on frequency but when LSB or USB the frequencies are shifted up .895.? So for example if on frequency 21.300.000. AM carrier and CW are on frequency.? Checked with frequency counter and another radio.? But to get the USB to work correctly and on frequency to sound good I have to tune my other radio to 21.300.895.? You can see the frequency difference on the images attached.? IMG 1422 is USB and IMG 1423 is LSB on the frequency 21.300.000.? How or where can I make the adjustment?? Any help would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Mark
KF0KZP
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Mark,
Forget the new radio and just look at the TR-4.
Use the calibrator and adjust the dial so? the calibrator is zero beat and the dial reads 21.300.
Now, you are receiving exactly on 21.300.? In USB and LSB your are transmitting on exactly 21.300.
If you now go to CW or AM, the carrier is offset from 14.300 by probably the 895Hz so you are transmitting on 21.300.895.
This is done for the dual purpose that the carrier needs to go through the crystal filter and for CW you need to tune off off zero beat to hear received signals.
Your TR-4 is normal.
73,
Gary
WB6OGD
?
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Thanks Gary!
That makes me feel much better.? Will try it and let you know the?outcome.? Really appreciate the help!
Mark
Mark,
Forget the new radio and just look at the TR-4.
Use the calibrator and adjust the dial so? the calibrator is zero beat and the dial reads 21.300.
Now, you are receiving exactly on 21.300.? In USB and LSB your are transmitting on exactly 21.300.
If you now go to CW or AM, the carrier is offset from 14.300 by probably the 895Hz so you are transmitting on 21.300.895.
This is done for the dual purpose that the carrier needs to go through the crystal filter and for CW you need to tune off off zero beat to hear received signals.
Your TR-4 is normal.
73,
Gary
WB6OGD
?
-- Mark "Fleisch" Fleischer KF?KZP
Public Address Announcer/Voice Over/Production Specialist:?
,?,?, ,?,?,?(Superior), and?(Proctor)
|
Remember also that the accuracy of the frequency readout is +/- 1kHz. I think we have all become accustomed to super-accurate readouts on our newer gear.?
And yes, that approximately 900 Hz offset is completely normal and expected.?
73,
Steve Wedge, W1ES/4
Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.
On Fri, Feb 23, 2024 at 09:24, Mark KF0KZP < fleischtpnl@...> wrote: Thanks Gary!
That makes me feel much better. Will try it and let you know the outcome. Really appreciate the help!
Mark
Mark,
Forget the new radio and just look at the TR-4.
Use the calibrator and adjust the dial so the calibrator is zero beat and the dial reads 21.300.
Now, you are receiving exactly on 21.300. In USB and LSB your are transmitting on exactly 21.300.
If you now go to CW or AM, the carrier is offset from 14.300 by probably the 895Hz so you are transmitting on 21.300.895.
This is done for the dual purpose that the carrier needs to go through the crystal filter and for CW you need to tune off off zero beat to hear received signals.
Your TR-4 is normal.
73,
Gary
WB6OGD
--
Mark "Fleisch" Fleischer KF?KZP
Public Address Announcer/Voice Over/Production Specialist:
, , , , , , (Superior), and (Proctor)
|
Mark,
Ah ha...? I just looked at? the original post.
I think you have a problem with your carrier oscillator alignment.
When you look at your signal on the new rig with the panadapter...
When you transmit USB, the audio should be higher frequency than the (suppressed) carrier.
In LSB the audio should be lower in frequency.
I see that in the two photos you provided.? BUT, both sidebands should look the same, just on opposite sides of the carrier.
Yours do NOT!? If you listen, one sideband should sound high (tinny) and the other low (bassy).? Both should sound the same when the carrier oscillator is adjusted
properly.? SO, do the adjustment as shown in the manual and all should be better.
73,
Gary
WB6OGD
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Mark,
Thinking about this more...
Forget that last analysis, I think your carrier oscillator is fine (and you indicate you did the manual alignments).
Your audio on the panadapter does look good on both sidebands.? The signal is just shifted, just like YOU pointed out.
The problem is probably with the K2 relay.? This relay shifts the carrier for CW and AM, to offset the oscillator by the 900Hz you measured.
The carrier should NOT be shifted between USB and LSB.
Probably the K2 relay IS switching, the problem probably is that it switches when it should NOT.?
I would try to verify that, watch its contacts maybe.
Then we need to figure out why.. maybe the mode switch or the sideband switch?
Do you see any mods or previous faulty repairs in there?
ANYONE else have an idea?
73,
Gary
WB6OGD
?
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Gary WB6OGD