Return-Path: X-Spam-DCC: paranoid 1290; Body=2 Fuz1=2 Fuz2=2 X-Spam-Checker-Version: SpamAssassin 3.1.3 (2006-06-01) on lipkowski.org X-Spam-Level: X-Spam-Status: No, score=-2.4 required=5.0 tests=BAYES_00,DNS_FROM_AHBL_RHSBL autolearn=no version=3.1.3 Received: from post.thorcom.com (post.thorcom.com [195.171.43.25]) by paranoid.lipkowski.org (8.13.7/8.13.7) with ESMTP id t9G8qvtq016371 for ; Fri, 16 Oct 2015 10:52:57 +0200 Received: from majordom by post.thorcom.com with local (Exim 4.14) id 1Zn0i4-00033K-20 for rs_out_1@blacksheep.org; Fri, 16 Oct 2015 09:49:56 +0100 Received: from [195.171.43.32] (helo=relay1.thorcom.net) by post.thorcom.com with esmtp (Exim 4.14) id 1Zn0i3-000334-E1 for rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org; Fri, 16 Oct 2015 09:49:55 +0100 Received: from smarthost01b.mail.zen.net.uk ([212.23.1.3]) by relay1.thorcom.net with esmtp (Exim 4.86) (envelope-from ) id 1Zn0gz-00054r-TQ for rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org; Fri, 16 Oct 2015 09:49:54 +0100 Received: from [82.70.254.222] (helo=[192.168.1.64]) by smarthost01b.mail.zen.net.uk with esmtp (Exim 4.80) (envelope-from ) id 1Zn0gk-000GTL-6u for rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org; Fri, 16 Oct 2015 08:48:34 +0000 Date: Fri, 16 Oct 2015 09:48:32 +0100 From: Chris Wilson Organization: Gatesgarth Developments X-Priority: 3 (Normal) Message-ID: <867200100.20151016094832@chriswilson.tv> To: Alan Melia In-Reply-To: <57405F26C6A94F04B25E124CC1F9814B@gnat> References: <1541636554.20151013163425@chriswilson.tv> <43464DACBFAA49C08A73FB93FFF52105@gnat> <603371935.20151014123307@chriswilson.tv> <9E19F2EA072B4AE3A7A112534A29B460@gnat> <323462263.20151015234436@chriswilson.tv> <57405F26C6A94F04B25E124CC1F9814B@gnat> MIME-Version: 1.0 X-Originating-smarthost01b-IP: [82.70.254.222] X-Scan-Signature: ebba021850e0a5d4120636e52401e975 Subject: Re: LF: Re: Should I be aiming for a better match than this? Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-SA-Exim-Scanned: Yes Sender: owner-rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org Precedence: bulk Reply-To: rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org X-Listname: rsgb_lf_group X-SA-Exim-Rcpt-To: rs_out_1@blacksheep.org X-SA-Exim-Scanned: No; SAEximRunCond expanded to false X-Scanned-By: MIMEDefang 2.56 on 10.1.3.10 Status: O X-Status: X-Keywords: X-UID: 4403 Hello Alan, Friday, October 16, 2015 Things took a sorry turn late last night, when making a final TX I noticed the meter in the G3YXM amp that switches between FWD / REF and measuring DC volts was reading low. Waveform voltages from the Scopematch looked much as always, but when changing the switch between forward and reflected power the forward power was perhaps less than a third on full power, and the reflected power was the converse and up a lot. I tried into the dummy load, which uses a different co-ax and it was the same. It was still putting a signal out into Germany, although the WSPR reporter networks seemed to show a big drop in received signal level. I am wondering if this feedback or whatever sometimes happens has damaged a FET, can one or more of the 4 fail and still leave it operational, but with reduced power and more reflected power? The failure I had with the output stage in the early stages of working with this was spectacular, noisy, smoky and terminal, leaving no output at all. For convenience the circuit is at: http://www.chriswilson.tv/amp.doc With regard to your advice below, I don't have a clamp on current meter, but did pick up a suitable little meter movement at the Newbury Rally to build one, so I will get one knocked together. I am suspecting my toroidal auto transforming matching transformer, it seems to need a bizarre feed tap, just one turn from the earthy end, and get pretty warm. I may build a galvanically isolated one like John Rabson has suggested. But first I need to find out what mischief I have done to the amp! I have now experienced the transmissions tripping the main house distribution RCD several times, and have realised that the recent random going off of the workshop alarm (panel shows a window knock sensor has set it off, but I am sure it's RF) coincides with transmission when the signal shows odd on the Scopematch. Thanks Alan. > Hi Chris Im glad the tap idea helped. It is quite difficult at a distance to > think of things that might cause the effects but it looks like we nailed > one. > Your suggestion of RF getting into the system is a good one. It is always > difficult with a short antenna because you have a lot of radiation near the > equipment.When I started using a 130ft end fed wire on HF with an FT-101 and > its low-Z dynamic mic I got terrible problems not seen when I used a > Heathkit HW100 with a crystal mic. The latter was a lot easier to by-pass > for RF. Eventually a trial with a ferrite rod (ex MW aerial ferrite) pushed > into the coils of the curly lead completely stopped the problem. I had no > trouble on CW....only when the mic was in. > What you need to find is where the RF is affecting, then how its getting in. > It may well be that some of the chassis' is going live to RF ....if that is > the case you may even feel it :-(( > Try to make sure that the RF stays outside the shack if you can. Ground the > antenna end of the coax......try to run the coax at right angles to the > aerial as it leaves the coil. Possibly put some beads on the the remote end > of the coax or a couple of turns through a torroid. I think you have a > ferrite coupled current meter?? put it over the coax when you are using the > dummy load. You shoud see very little current indicated, do the same with > the aerial/tuner connected and I guess you will see a lot more. That (if it > is the case) will give you something to aim at. Get the readings similar to > those on the dummy load. I think the RF is probably comming back on the coax > braid. > That's my best guess at the moment.....my, you are learning a lot of > practical radio in a short time :-)) I may be totally off target but it a > good place to start. > Best of Luck > Alan > G3NYK -- Best regards, Chris mailto:chris@chriswilson.tv