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Re: #Z-817 random behavior when tuning
#Z-817
¿ªÔÆÌåÓýHi Thomas.? I¡¯ve been using the FT-817ND from about 2008 until just this year when I got the Icom IC-705.? I¡¯ve done many tests on the FT-817ND.? I have two.? One has the Collins 2.3 kHz SSB filter -AND- the Collins 500 Hz CW filter, a speech processor and an RX-DSP module.? With all of that, it is a very fine portable radio.? I never got the Z-817 tuner, I much preferred the Elecraft T1 because it was ? the size and ? the weight of the Z-817, and with a simple piece of STP and a push-button it could be a remote tuner. ? Or perhaps you recognize this one.? It is SOTA DM/HE-003, POTA DA-0034.? Grosser Feldberg, Hesse. ? ? Or my favorite location - SOTA DM/HE-001, POTA DA-0161.? Wasserkuppe ¨C Hesse. ? ? This morning on The Wasserkuppe I was active on all bands 80m through 70cm.? I tried 160m, but there were no callers.? I¡¯ve been active in DL, F, HB9, HB0, OE, OK, ON and PA.? I was a soldier on the Meiningen Gap for 8 years, and I have some family (wife) and many friends there. ? ? Vy73? ¨C? Mike? ¨C? KD5KC ¨C WRFF851 ¨C? El Paso ¨C Texas? ¨C? DM61.? ? The canyons are calling, colorful and deep.? But I have promises to keep. And miles to go still in my Jeep...?? And miles to go still in my Jeep... ? ? ADVENTURE:? The respectful pursuit of trouble.?? An EXIT is really an ENTRANCE to someplace new.? It isn¡¯t an ADVENTURE until something goes wrong! ? ? ? ? From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of DD1TA
Sent: Wednesday, December 28, 2022 8:54 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [ldgelectronics] #Z-817 random behavior when tuning ? Thanks Mike for taking the time to answer to my topic. I did not know about this weakness so thanks for bringing that up. I tried the relay F-R-F-R cycle and I clearly hear the relays working (no proof that they switching though) but I am hearing a change in the static noise at the same time so I trust that the relay is working alright. Nevertheless I did connect the Pigtail with a PL to BNC adapter to the front socket. No success |
Re: #Z-817 random behavior when tuning
#Z-817
Thanks Michael for taking the time. Much appreciated.
What you are saying makes a lot of sense but I wonder, how this equipment, which is designed to work with the Yaesu FT-818 runs into that SWR foldback trap. I sometimes see the "HighSWR" Warnung in the FT-818 Display which supports your theory.?? I have assembled a kit from QRP-Guys. Great designs however I had one terrible experience with really wobbly BNC sockets. Not usable. However the Tuning indicator uses other sockets so maybe I give it a try.? But what I do is to borrow a Power Meter from the club station to observe the power as you suggested, Thanks a lot!!? |
Re: Unexpected Z-817 behavior
¿ªÔÆÌåÓýThomas my z-817 tuner
will not go into PKT mode. I am sure I have it hooked
correctly. But then agn I will checked. On 12/28/2022 9:34 AM, DD1TA wrote:
Ken, the only hint I found is in the manual on page 11: "NOTE: Wait until the tuning cycle is complete before keying the radio or pushing the PTT button on the mic. Failure to do so will leave the radio in PKT mode upon completion of the tuning cycle."? -- 73'S DE NU4N DAVE |
Re: #Z-817 random behavior when tuning
#Z-817
FWIW, I have an original FT-817 (circa 2001) that I cannot easily use with an? ATU due to SWR foldback.?
What has happened to this rig is that at some point the SWR foldback operation became overly sensitive. The end result is that when I try to use an ATU the rig detects high SWR and folds the output power back so quickly that the ATU doesn't get enough power to execute a tune cycle.? This sounds a bit like what you are experiencing.?? My work around for this is? to insert a Tayloe SWR indicator/resistive bridge between the rig and the tuner.? With the? bridge in the "tune" position most of the output power goes into the resistive bridge but the rig itself sees an impedance close to 50 ohms so it doesn't initiate SWR foldback.? There is still enough power getting to the tuner to allow it to properly tune.? With the bridge in "operate" all of the power then goes into the tuner so I can operate as? normal.? QRP Guys sells this circuit as a kit that they call the LED Tuning indicator? ;?? Michael VE3WMB? P.S. Perhaps if you insert a sensitive QRP power meter between the rig and the ATU, you can observe the power out to determine if the rig is folding the output back.? |
Re: #Z-817 random behavior when tuning
#Z-817
Thanks Mike for taking the time to answer to my topic. I did not know about this weakness so thanks for bringing that up. I tried the relay F-R-F-R cycle and I clearly hear the relays working (no proof that they switching though) but I am hearing a change in the static noise at the same time so I trust that the relay is working alright. Nevertheless I did connect the Pigtail with a PL to BNC adapter to the front socket. No success
What is strange is that upon pushing the tune button it randomly doesn't turn to PKT as expected.? BTW: Switching from back to rear adds another 20 mA. So you are right: that adds up to the energy bill when doing QRP. Thanks a lot! |
Re: #Z-817 random behavior when tuning
#Z-817
¿ªÔÆÌåÓýUsing the rear connector reduces your operating time by about 7%.? In any case, that relay is known to develop dirty contacts and fail intermittently.? You might try cycling the relay F-R-F-R to see if the contacts making and breaking helps the contact, OR try using the front connector and see if your problem changes. ? Vy73 - Mike - KD5KC. El Paso, Texas - DM61rt. SOTA W5T-Texas Association Manager.
? ? ? From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of DD1TA
Sent: Wednesday, December 28, 2022 8:23 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [ldgelectronics] #Z-817 random behavior when tuning ? On Wed, Dec 28, 2022 at 02:51 PM, Mike Olbrisch wrote:
Mike, I use the Rear PL-Socket. It is connected to the tuner with a 50cm Pigtail. And yes, the Antenna is set to Rear (= R in the Display)? |
Re: #Z-817 random behavior when tuning
#Z-817
On Wed, Dec 28, 2022 at 02:51 PM, Mike Olbrisch wrote:
Which Antenna-Port on the FT-817 are you using?? FRONT or REAR?Mike, I use the Rear PL-Socket. It is connected to the tuner with a 50cm Pigtail. And yes, the Antenna is set to Rear (= R in the Display)? |
Re: #Z-817 random behavior when tuning
#Z-817
On Wed, Dec 28, 2022 at 02:02 PM, Dave Tucker Nu4N wrote:
I also have the same problem. Let me know if you all figure this out.Will do, Dave! |
Re: #Z-817 random behavior when tuning
#Z-817
¿ªÔÆÌåÓýWhich Antenna-Port on the FT-817 are you using?? FRONT or REAR? ? ? ? Vy73? ¨C? Mike? ¨C? KD5KC ¨C WRFF851 ¨C? El Paso ¨C Texas? ¨C? DM61.? ? The canyons are calling, colorful and deep.? But I have promises to keep. And miles to go still in my Jeep...?? And miles to go still in my Jeep... ? ? ADVENTURE:? The respectful pursuit of trouble.?? An EXIT is really an ENTRANCE to someplace new.? It isn¡¯t an ADVENTURE until something goes wrong! ? ? ? ? From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of DD1TA
Sent: Tuesday, December 27, 2022 4:04 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [ldgelectronics] #Z-817 random behavior when tuning ? [Edited Message Follows] Dear Groupmembers, My setup:? ? I use it with a Yaesu FT-818ND. A Pigtail ist connected between the TX-Out of the Radio and the "TX" Connector of the Tuner. The Antenna (Dipole for 20m) is connected to the ANT Connector of the tuner. The mini DIN cable connects the ACC-Port of the radio with the port named "Radio" of the tuner. The CAT rate is set to 38.400 kbps using Menu #14. I believe I made the setup in accordance with the manual and I checked it over and over again.? ? ? ? The behavior is as follows: ? When I press the "tune" knob on the tuner the radio goes into TX and the tuner lights the red LED but no tuning cycle is performed. No green LED but 5 short red blinks indicating "no RF detected". Also I do not see the mode change to "PKT" ? To verify whether a carrier is transmitted I placed a SW Receiver next to the tuner and set RX to the same Frequency as the Transceiver. During the tuning process I hear the tuning tone indicating that the TX is producing RF bit maybe not enough to run the tuner.? ? When I then start the forced full circle, same behavior. But when I do the second full circle on the same frequency right after the to above mentioned failed attempts I sometimes have success meaning that the tuner executes the full circle and I hear the relays working and i am rewarded with some green LED lights indicating that I have a reasonable SWR.? ? The builtin SWR indicator of the transceiver confirms that and also a cross check using my antenna analyzer confirms that the established Z-Match produces the match for the frequency I tuned for.? ? So the device technically somewhat randomly works but not reliable. Also I do not experience the "memory function" meaning even if I had once successfully tuned to say 14.180 MHz and return to the Frequency and push "tune" for three second I see the red LED but I do not hear the relays reestablishing the memory setting. ? What I did for troubleshooting so far: ? 1. Changed the battery 2. Examined the circuit board for obvious damages 3. examined the ACC cable for bended or broken pins? 4. tightened the nuts of the PL Antenna sockets. (They tend to get loose from time to time. 5. Separated the tuner from the Transceiver (Within the limits of the cables.? 6. Detached the CAT Cable to the computer 7. Tested both with the transceiver on battery power and external power supply powersupply 8. Read the manual over and over again ? I also can confirm that the TX of the Transceiver is working because I can make QSOs successfully and I crosschecked with the SW-Receiver.? |
Re: #Z-817 random behavior when tuning
#Z-817
¿ªÔÆÌåÓýI also have the same problem. Let me know if you all figure this
out.
On 12/27/2022 5:03 AM, DD1TA wrote:
-- 73'S DE NU4N DAVE |
#Z-817 random behavior when tuning
#Z-817
Dear Groupmembers,
the issue below has been sent to LDG Support. However I trust that this comunity may have a hint too. Thanks for any hints. My setup:?
?
I use it with a Yaesu FT-818ND. A Pigtail ist connected between the
TX-Out of the Radio and the "TX" Connector of the Tuner. The Antenna
(Dipole for 20m) is connected to the ANT Connector of the tuner. The
mini DIN cable connects the ACC-Port of the radio with the port
named "Radio" of the tuner. The CAT rate is set to 38.400 kbps
using Menu #14. I believe I made the setup in accordance with the
manual and I checked it over and over again.? ? ?
?
The behavior is as follows:
?
When I press the "tune" knob on the tuner the radio goes into TX and
the tuner lights the red LED but no tuning cycle is performed. No green
LED but 5 short red blinks indicating "no RF detected". Also I do not
see the mode change to "PKT"
?
To verify whether a carrier is transmitted I placed a SW Receiver next
to the tuner and set RX to the same Frequency as the Transceiver.
During the tuning process I hear the tuning tone indicating that the TX
is producing RF bit maybe not enough to run the tuner.?
?
When I then start the forced full circle, same behavior. But when I do
the second full circle on the same frequency right after the to above
mentioned failed attempts I sometimes have success meaning that the
tuner executes the full circle and I hear the relays working and i am
rewarded with some green LED lights indicating that I have a
reasonable SWR.?
?
The builtin SWR indicator of the transceiver confirms that and also a
cross check using my antenna analyzer confirms that the established
Z-Match produces the match for the frequency I tuned for.?
?
So the device technically somewhat randomly works but not reliable. Also
I do not experience the "memory function" meaning even if I had once
successfully tuned to say 14.180 MHz and return to the Frequency and
push "tune" for three second I see the red LED but I do not hear the
relays reestablishing the memory setting.
?
What I did for troubleshooting so far:
?
1. Changed the battery
2. Examined the circuit board for obvious damages
3. examined the ACC cable for bended or broken pins?
4. tightened the nuts of the PL Antenna sockets. (They tend to get loose
from time to time.
5. Separated the tuner from the Transceiver (Within the limits of the
cables.?
6. Detached the CAT Cable to the computer
7. Tested both with the transceiver on battery power and external power
supply powersupply
8. Read the manual over and over again
?
I also can confirm that the TX of the Transceiver is working because
I can make QSOs successfully and I crosschecked with the SW-Receiver.? EDIT 28th Dec 2022: I crosschecked in manual mode (as described in the manual for operating the tuner with other transceivers than the YAESU FT-817 or FT-818): It seems that the tuner makes matches in that mode with no problem at all. Tried 4 bands (40, 30, 20, 17), So the assumption is that the automode is malfunctioning. I am node able to swap the Accessory cable since I do not have a spare? at hand. However I have a USB-62C from RT Systems connected from my computer to the computer port of the tuner that is connected through to transceiver (as described in the manual). And I have no trouble to use CAT control for example with WSJTX or FLDIGI. So I believe that the Data Cable should be working. As stated above malfunction happens randomly be it with connected computer or without. Is there a way to reset the microcontroller?? |
Re: Just a note to LDG users that have tuners that act funny.
My AT1000 Pro IIbhad some weird things going on too, one of them was to turn the unit OFF, I had to hold the PWR switch in, as I did this, some relays would click away, then the unit would power down, lived with it for a year and finally sent it in to LDG, got it back a month or so later fixed... no charge. John VE7KKQ On Tue, Dec 27, 2022 at 8:44 AM J.D. Barron <jeter.d.barron@...> wrote: SV8YM has an article on an LDG AT-1000 that did not tune or acted weird. |
Re: DIY YACC-2
David Salomon, AG4F
Do you have first had experience with the mAT-Y200 or mAT-30 working with the FT-710?? I have a new FT-710 and several posts on that group indicate that it does NOT work with either of those tuners.? The posts go on to say that emails with the mAT manufacturer indicate that neither tuner currently works with the FT-710, but that they are working on it.
I want to buy the mAT-Y200 because of it's higher digital handling capability, but won't until I am sure it will work.? If it's simply a control cable issue, I can re-solder a cable. 73 - David, AG4F |