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UL3S transmits continuously in RUN mode
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I have just completed building a new Ultimate 3s firmware version v3.12a.? I have install a TCXO and GPS with 1PPS connection only.? The GPS is updating correctly and the frequency is accurate and stable.? ?My intention is to use it as a more stable automated 10 meter CW beacon as a replacement for a converted CB that drifts dramatically with temperature swings but whenever I push the right button at the end of the menu and it goes into run mode, it transmits continuously on the frequency I programmed into it instead of sending CW.? I programmed in the beacon message AC5JM/B AC5JM/B? EM26AR? OK but it just dead keys.? I don't think it is a wiring error because the MPU is able to turn on the transmitter on the programmed frequency when it is in RUN mode and it turns it off when I push the left button to go into setup mode.? I am running in CW mode, but it seems to do the same thing in any mode I operate in.? I searched the groups.io subjects for this problem and so far have been unable to find anyone that has had this same problem.? ?Is there a setting which could cause it to just sit there and transmit continuously?? I apologize in advance if this has been asked 10,000 times before but I have so far been unable to find an answer and reading the manual multiple times has not so far revealed an obvious programming solution. Thanks, Jerry AC5JM |
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Well, I kept dinking with it and figured out a couple of things.? I set the Frame / Start was set to 001 01 because the manual says that for GPS stabilization it must be non-zero.? I wasn't aware that those settings had anything to do with CW and I don't think it is in the manual.? When I changed it to 000 01 it started sending CW.? When I changed it to 000 00 it gave me a Frame Error, so I left it at 000 01.? Unfortunately for a beacon this leaves a long period of silence between CW messages and I'm not sure the GPS is going to work now.? I'll keep you all posted. -Jerry AC5JM
On Tuesday, September 19, 2023 at 05:09:59 PM CDT, Jerry Moyer via groups.io <ac5jm@...> wrote:
I have just completed building a new Ultimate 3s firmware version v3.12a.? I have install a TCXO and GPS with 1PPS connection only.? The GPS is updating correctly and the frequency is accurate and stable.? ?My intention is to use it as a more stable automated 10 meter CW beacon as a replacement for a converted CB that drifts dramatically with temperature swings but whenever I push the right button at the end of the menu and it goes into run mode, it transmits continuously on the frequency I programmed into it instead of sending CW.? I programmed in the beacon message AC5JM/B AC5JM/B? EM26AR? OK but it just dead keys.? I don't think it is a wiring error because the MPU is able to turn on the transmitter on the programmed frequency when it is in RUN mode and it turns it off when I push the left button to go into setup mode.? I am running in CW mode, but it seems to do the same thing in any mode I operate in.? I searched the groups.io subjects for this problem and so far have been unable to find anyone that has had this same problem.? ?Is there a setting which could cause it to just sit there and transmit continuously?? I apologize in advance if this has been asked 10,000 times before but I have so far been unable to find an answer and reading the manual multiple times has not so far revealed an obvious programming solution. Thanks, Jerry AC5JM |
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I suspect that you're problem is with the frame start setting. Try setting it to 02 04 to see if it transmits every 4 minutes.?
If it does set start appropriately for your requirements, eg if you want the beacon to send 10 times per hour set it to 06. It will then tx at 6 minutes past the hour and every 6 minutes thereafter.? Andy? -- The universe is made up of Protons, Neutrons, Electrons but contains only one M0RON. |
¿ªÔÆÌåÓýAndy,Thanks for the help. ?I found out that what I thought was the radio transmitting continuously was actually just the Si5351 running but not actually keying the amp. ?I was listening to it on a nearby receiver but not monitoring power. ?Now I¡¯ve got it hooked up to a wattmeter and can see when it actually keys. ?It makes sense now that given that the transmission has to be interrupted for GPS synchronization that the frame size and schedule is critical. ?It¡¯s also a very clever reuse of a digital mode feature. ?Anyway I somehow got it working but not quite the way I want yet by using a frame setting of 01 01 and it transmits my message for 40 seconds, syncs for 10 seconds and then idle for 10 seconds. ?I want to reduce the silent period a little bit and I don¡¯t think the GPS needs to do its thing every single minute, especially since I also have a TCXO. I will try your recommendation and see what I end up with. ?It¡¯s a very flexible and clever design once you conquer the learning curve. 73, Jerry AC5JM? On Sep 20, 2023, at 2:27 AM, M0RON <eustace.andy@...> wrote:
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Progress.?
You also have to take into account the calibration time. If you were to set the calibration parameters to say, 10 060 and frame 02 start 02 it should transmit for your 40 second, calibrate for 1 minute then idle for 20 seconds before repeating.? Once you understand these 2 menus the rest is easy.? Andy? -- The universe is made up of Protons, Neutrons, Electrons but contains only one M0RON. |
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Jerry,
I have only used my U3S for digital modes (mostly WSPR), but I am pretty sure the TX time is based on the length of the message. With WSPR, that message is set at about 1minute 50 seconds or TX time. So, according to your message, you are sending: "AC5JM/B AC5JM/B? EM26AR? OK" and it appears to take about 40 seconds to transmit that message. The buffer is up to 511 characters, so to increase the TX time, you need to increase the length of your "message". ? ?I didn't see a repeat (other than FRAME), so you need to repeat the same message inside the buffer ? ?If you change make it something like?"AC5JM/B AC5JM/B? EM26AR OK? ? ? ? ??AC5JM/B AC5JM/B? EM26AR OK" ? ?Note - 10 spaces for a 'short pause', then the same message. This should more than double the 40 seconds. ? ? Don't forget to alter your FRAME to give a pause, then?use the message length to fill up as much of the FRAME as you want. The CAL section is during the pause part of the FRAME, so that will be less often as well. ------- Rob KB8RCO |
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I do not want that much downtime.? During 10 meter E-skip conditions propagation can come and go several times in a minute and it decreases the value of having a propagation beacon in the first place.? What I want is 1 - 3 minutes and 50 seconds of CW churning away at about 15 WPM and then at most 10 seconds of calibration.? With a TCXO it surely doesn't need more calibration time than that.? But I still don't grasp the relationships between Frame length, starting time, GPS calibration time, GPS step size, CW speed, and CW message length well enough to make it all work together like I want. It appears to be a complex relationship.? I don't understand how It can work at say 13 WPM but when I increase the speed to 15 WPM without increasing the message length it fails.? I just spent several hours of trial and error and have not been able to figure it out.? I'm just about ready to hook up my Arduino keyer externally instead but I hate to lose GPS frequency sync capability.?? Thanks, Jerry- AC5JM
On Wednesday, September 20, 2023 at 10:13:43 AM CDT, M0RON <eustace.andy@...> wrote:
Progress.? You also have to take into account the calibration time. If you were to set the calibration parameters to say, 10 060 and frame 02 start 02 it should transmit for your 40 second, calibrate for 1 minute then idle for 20 seconds before repeating.? Once you understand these 2 menus the rest is easy.? Andy? -- The universe is made up of Protons, Neutrons, Electrons but contains only one M0RON. |
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Well Andy, I figured it out. Actually I accidentally stumbled onto a solution that causes the UL3S to do what I want it to do.? I've got 13 WPM CW for 1 minute, 30 seconds, then 20 seconds of calibration, about 5 seconds of silence and it repeats.? If anyone else is doing a CW beacon and needs the setup let me know and I'll be happy to share my settings.?? 73, Jerry AC5JM
On Wednesday, September 20, 2023 at 04:04:25 PM CDT, Jerry Moyer via groups.io <ac5jm@...> wrote:
I do not want that much downtime.? During 10 meter E-skip conditions propagation can come and go several times in a minute and it decreases the value of having a propagation beacon in the first place.? What I want is 1 - 3 minutes and 50 seconds of CW churning away at about 15 WPM and then at most 10 seconds of calibration.? With a TCXO it surely doesn't need more calibration time than that.? But I still don't grasp the relationships between Frame length, starting time, GPS calibration time, GPS step size, CW speed, and CW message length well enough to make it all work together like I want. It appears to be a complex relationship.? I don't understand how It can work at say 13 WPM but when I increase the speed to 15 WPM without increasing the message length it fails.? I just spent several hours of trial and error and have not been able to figure it out.? I'm just about ready to hook up my Arduino keyer externally instead but I hate to lose GPS frequency sync capability.?? Thanks, Jerry- AC5JM
On Wednesday, September 20, 2023 at 10:13:43 AM CDT, M0RON <eustace.andy@...> wrote:
Progress.? You also have to take into account the calibration time. If you were to set the calibration parameters to say, 10 060 and frame 02 start 02 it should transmit for your 40 second, calibrate for 1 minute then idle for 20 seconds before repeating.? Once you understand these 2 menus the rest is easy.? Andy? -- The universe is made up of Protons, Neutrons, Electrons but contains only one M0RON. |
M0RON
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