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ProgRock2 programming??
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I am a newbie and have purchased three of the ProgRock2 units and planned to use them as crystal substitutes for some HC6/U crystals I’m unable to obtain (without waiting a long time for these to be built). Frequencies between 8 and 20 mhz are needed for a WWV receiver I’m restoring.
I’ve gone to the QRPLabs site for instructions but unable to follow what I need to do. I’m using a Windows 10 desktop computer and have the USB cable with the proper connector to plug into the ProgRock2 connection. The online instructions appear to be using a Linux app that I can’t find on my Windows computer. What I need is a “cookbook” process for programming the ProgRock2 to the frequencies I need. I realize the output is a square wave and this may be a problem but first I would like to get them set up for my needed frequency before dealing with any square issues. Any help with this would be greatly appreciated. Tom N5AMA |
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On 31/03/2025 13:01, Tom Smith via groups.io wrote:
The online instructions appear to be using a Linux app that I can’t find on my Windows computer.Tom, The Windows version is identical except that you enter a COM port number seen in Device Manager when you plug in the Progrock.. The instructions in the manual should be enough, or ask for any obscure detail. 73 Alan G4ZFQ |
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Thanks so much Alan! I’ll give that a try.
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73 Tom N5AMA On Mar 31, 2025, at 8:56?AM, Alan G4ZFQ via groups.io <alan4alan@...> wrote: |
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On Mar 31, 2025, at 12:17?PM, Muhsin TA1MHS via groups.io <muhsin.dogrular@...> wrote:
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Hi Alan,
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Well, I thought I had the ProgRock2 programmed for the 6.6khz frequency, installed it with the two pins of a HC6 crystal base with a backside ground terminal soldered to the holder base. I plugged it into the equipment and it seemed to work for a few minutes then stopped. I’m not sure why but I’ll set up another unit for another frequency and see if it does the same thing. It may be something in the equipment oscillator circuitry killing the PR2 (maybe a voltage issue), so I’ll check that and see. It seems strange that the unit would work for a minute or two before dying. Thanks again for your help! Tom N5AMA On Mar 31, 2025, at 8:56?AM, Alan G4ZFQ via groups.io <alan4alan@...> wrote: |
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On 02/04/2025 13:54, Tom Smith via groups.io wrote:
I plugged it into the equipment and it seemed to work for a few minutes then stopped. I’m not sure why but I’ll set up another unit for another frequency and see if it does the same thing. It may be something in the equipment oscillator circuitry killing the PR2 (maybe a voltage issue)Tom, I think I'm right in saying there are no isolation capacitors on the Progrock's outputs. I hope you added one. Any voltage on the equipment's crystal socket could damage the 5351. 73 Alan G4ZFQ |
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I didn't add one. How does it work without some DC going to pad 6 of the unit? It seems the unit would need the pad 6 to be connected to a voltage source. Tom
On Wednesday, April 2, 2025 at 09:16:32 AM CDT, Alan G4ZFQ via groups.io <alan4alan@...> wrote:
On 02/04/2025 13:54, Tom Smith via groups.io wrote: > I plugged it into the equipment and it seemed to work for a few minutes then stopped. I’m not sure why but I’ll set up another unit for another frequency and see if it does the same thing. It may be something in the equipment oscillator circuitry killing the PR2 (maybe a voltage issue) Tom, I think I'm right in saying there are no isolation capacitors on the Progrock's outputs. I hope you added one. Any voltage on the equipment's crystal socket could damage the 5351. 73 Alan G4ZFQ |
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Two comments here:
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- Yes, the ProgRock2 (nor the original) have coupling capacitors on their outputs.? If you aren't sure if you need one, add one!? Don't go overboard with the capacitance - perhaps a value that will provide an Xc (reactance) equal to or greater than 1/3 of the expected load impedance at the lowest frequency.?
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- Even though they are "rated" for "12 volts" don't even think about running one at that voltage:? I'd avoid going above 10.0 volts.? Either put a voltage regulator there (anything from 5 to 10 volts is fine - there's no point in more than 5) or if you do have a fairly stable 10-12 volts, a 47-68 ohm, 1/2 watt resistor in series with each (expect 40-60mA consumption - do the math) to limit the voltage.? I "discovered" that even when running from 12.0 volts (from a 7812) that the ProgRock ran very hot - and two of them failed in quick succession, hence the warning.? 5.0-9.0 volts is more or less the sweet spot.
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73,
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Clint, KA7OEI
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On 02/04/2025 14:33, Tom Smith via groups.io wrote:
How does it work without some DC going to pad 6 of the unit? It seems the unit would need the pad 6 to be connected to a voltage source.Tom, Yes, pin 6 or 12 needs say 5-12 volts to power the Progrock's 3.3 volt regulator But the output of the 5351 pin 7 must not have an external voltage connected. If there is voltage a capacitor is required. Ground is connected separately. 73 Alan G4ZFQ . |
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On 02/04/2025 14:59, cct314159 via groups.io wrote:
- Even though they are "rated" for "12 volts" *don't even think about running one at that voltage:*? I'd avoid going above 10.0 volts.Yes, that reminds me. I tested with 12 volts and it certainly got a lot hotter than I expected. The ones I use are fed from 5 volts and keep cool. 73 Alan G4ZFQ |
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Thanks Alan, I’ll measure the xtal socket and see what’s on each pin. I’ll have to be careful to put the voltage pin on a socket with 5v regulated voltage.
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73 Tom On Apr 2, 2025, at 1:50?PM, Alan G4ZFQ via groups.io <alan4alan@...> wrote: |
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?Hi Alan,
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I measured the voltage on the HC6 socket and found negative .1 volts on one side and zero on the other. All the sockets measure the same negative voltage in the instrument. This obviously isn’t an over voltage issue for the PR2 and maybe the negative voltage killed the one I configured for the frequency I needed. Like I said, it appeared to work for a minute or so, then stopped. I’m not sure what I can do here other than pull filament voltage (tube equipment) rectify it and then put a 5 volt regulator on the rectified voltage. I would do that only on the three crystals I planned to use the PR2. I’ve got plenty of room under the chassis for the extra components but the time needed to get the 5v regulator (I don’t know if I have one handy) just adds time to my solution and in hindsight I may have been better off just ordering the crystals. Thanks, Tom N5AMA On Apr 2, 2025, at 7:12?PM, Tom Smith <n5ama@...> wrote: |
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?Hi Alan,
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I measured the voltage on the HC6 socket and found negative .1 volts on one side and zero on the other. All the sockets measure the same negative voltage in the instrument. This obviously isn’t an over voltage issue for the PR2 and maybe the negative voltage killed the one I configured for the frequency I needed. Like I said, it appeared to work for a minute or so, then stopped. I’m not sure what I can do here other than pull filament voltage (tube equipment) rectify it and then put a 5 volt regulator on the rectified voltage. I would do that only on the three crystals I planned to use the PR2. I’ve got plenty of room under the chassis for the extra components but the time needed to get the 5v regulator (I don’t know if I have one handy) just adds time to my solution and in hindsight I may have been better off just ordering the crystals. Thanks, Tom N5AMA On Apr 2, 2025, at 7:12?PM, Tom Smith <n5ama@...> wrote: |
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