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R+S SMG

Andy G4JNT
 

My Rhode and Schwarz SMG 100kHz to 1GHz signal generator ist kaput, it is a not-signal geneator, it has gone to meet its maker;  etc etc...
 
To be precise,  the controller card has died, and although I have the manual and have sort of looked at it,  really can't be bothered faffing any more , bearing in mind :
 
a)   The fault is not simple PSU related; is also not cured by wobbling things, and I don't have the extender cards for proper hot-testing.
b)   All the RF signal generator functions can be done with an LMX2541 or  AD9852 DDS  and an attenuator - all to hand here.
c)   Any modulation it could generate can probably be done in a PC with soundcard and upconverter.
 
SO:
 
Is it worth anything (a guarded, roundabout way of saying, anyone interested)  ?
or...  Is it worth more as the sum of its parts if I rip the good bits out, like the programmable attenuator (pulse relay switched, 5dB steps)  and the I/Q rotary encoder,  then scrap the rest ?   Can't think what else inside is worth salvaging.
 
Andy
G4JNT
 
 
 
Re: 3cm Beacon now on GM4CXM/B IO75tw 10368.9225

gm4cxm <gm4cxm@...>
 

Hi all,
I've put together a little more information on Alan's 3cm beacon that is located at my QTH.

http://www.rayjames.biz/gm4cxm/id31.html

Reception reports to Alan GM0USI would be appreciated.

73 Ray GM4CXM

--- In ukmicrowaves@..., Alan Dimmick <dimmickalan@...> wrote:


Hi there,
Just a note to inform you that thanks to Ray GM4CXM, I have put on a personal beacon at his QTH at IO75tw72es. The frequency is 10368.92256 but can have a variation of 300Hz or so. Hopefully it might be locked in the future with the possibility of JT4g.
It runs just under 3w to a slot antenna. Tony G4CBW has heard weakly and seen traces on AS already from IO83. Thanks to Ian GM0UHC and Mark GM4ISM for all their help on this project.
Any reports will be most welcome.
Finally, just a reminder I will be staying at the Mull of Galloway lighthouse IO74np from the 7th till 13th April with 9 and 3cm if anyone would like a sked...

Best 73 Alan GM0USI/P
Martlesham Microwave Round Table programme now published

John Quarmby
 

The programme for the Martlesham Microwave Round Table on 27/28th April is now online at: http://mmrt.homedns.org/?page_id=8

Registration is open, please go to http://mmrt.homedns.org/?page_id=2 to register for the event and for the Saturday evening dinner.

We look forward to seeing many of you at the Round Table in 4 weeks time.

73

John G3XDY
MMRT Organising Committee
Re: GM4CXM/b on 3cm

Brian Flynn GM8BJF
 

It is a good signal in Edinburgh on an old BSB 30 cm dish. I can also detect it using Spectran on an Rx based on a LNB just using its horn as the antenna. On the dish it is about s4-5. It is drifting very slightly and has an interesting "hunting" on its frequency. I assume it is the xtal oven cycling. Gives it a bit of "character". I am nearly LoS to Ray's QTH

GM8BJF

IO85JV

--- In ukmicrowaves@..., "Mark GM4ISM" <gm4ism@...> wrote:

Hi All
I am monitoring the beacon at Rays QTH
its is great to have a beacon again in the area. Thanks to Alan GM0USI and Ray GM4CXM and all others who have helped this project
It is 579 at best when i beam just slightly north of the direct heading, and can be detected al all points on the compass, being 519 to 529 in most directions

I am also monitoring the frequency.
My transverter is locked to GPS and the Lo is within 1Hz
The FT847 is not and does drift about a bit so to measure the frequency I inject a low level 2m signal from a 10MHz GPS locked sig generator and compare the tones received.
Thus the frequencies I am measuring are probably no worse that 10Hz out I could get more accurate but that takes some effort
The beacon drifts slightly with temperature, but seems to be settling with a lower range observed in the last 24 hours.
Last night at 3am it was on 10368.922,692. this morning at 08:00z it was on 10368.923,0 it has moved a few Hz lower again as i write.
There are some rapid step changes of tens of Hz occasionally and the keying does affect the frequency minutely but in general the beacon stability is very good.
The most important thing is that it seem to stay well within a typical receiver SSB bandwidth and with therefore appear on a waterfall display if you are looking for it.
Over the next few day I will report the maximum and minimum frequencies I observe and I will be able to then give a more accurate nominal frequency.

Please spot on beaconspot.eu
I note that one of my spots went to the cluster and got duplicated, the second 'version' had the last decimal place of the frequency truncated, apparently shifting the beacon 700Hz!
any one seen that before?

Regards
Mark GM4ISM
Re: rotators!

g4bao
 

Reg,
I have SPID Az-el (the small one) on my ground post mounted 1.9m Dish It's the D's B'S in terms of performance, but it is somewhat heavier than I expected expect and I wouldn't put it a the top of a 2 inch pole like you can a G650 etc! Sure it would be fine on a proper tower.

73
John

--- In ukmicrowaves@..., regwoolley@... wrote:

Hi all after over 35 years of service my rotator has at last died! I was
wondering if any of you have comments on either the Yeasu 1000 or a spid?

I know the latter is computer compatible. But can you use it with just the
controller or is it just computer only?

Any comments good or bad would be of use!

Reg G8VHI
Re: Rotators

Andy G4JNT
 

Or do a DIY job on any variable resistor feedback type
 
Andy
G4JNT


 

On 31 March 2013 15:56, dave powis <g4hup@...> wrote:
 

Hi Reg,

No experience with Spids or prosistel, but the Yaesu GX (and most other rotors) can be easily converted to PC interface using ERC controllers.  In the case of the G1000 type, the ERC unit sits inside the control box as a retro fit, and connects to an available 8 way strip inside the top.  I have one in my G1000, and I also use the ERC-M dual axis on my GR5600.

Have a look at schmidt-alba.de/eshop/index.php for further information, and  feel free to ask any questions  - I have both types in stock (unashamed plug!)

73,
Dave

From: Reg Woolley <regwoolley@...>
To: ukmicrowaves@...
Sent: Sunday, 31 March 2013, 11:09
Subject: Re: [ukmicrowaves] Rotators

 
Hi Chris thats not good. Thanks for the feedback.



-----Original Message-----
From: cbartram@...
To: ukmicrowaves
Sent: Sun, 31 Mar 2013 5:45
Subject: [ukmicrowaves] Rotators

 
Bore da, Reg!

In the eight years I had a Prosistel rotator up on the tower at my last
QTH, I found that the directional feedback pot needed to be replaced
three or four times. The problem was that the mounting arrangement used
by the manufacturer was putting significant axial loads on the pot
shaft. This caused the casing of the pot to spring apart ...

Hwyl fawr!

Chris

GW4DGU
Re: Rotators

dave powis <g4hup@...>
 

Hi Reg,

No experience with Spids or prosistel, but the Yaesu GX (and most other rotors) can be easily converted to PC interface using ERC controllers.  In the case of the G1000 type, the ERC unit sits inside the control box as a retro fit, and connects to an available 8 way strip inside the top.  I have one in my G1000, and I also use the ERC-M dual axis on my GR5600.

Have a look at schmidt-alba.de/eshop/index.php for further information, and  feel free to ask any questions  - I have both types in stock (unashamed plug!)

73,
Dave

From: Reg Woolley
To: ukmicrowaves@...
Sent: Sunday, 31 March 2013, 11:09
Subject: Re: [ukmicrowaves] Rotators

 
Hi Chris thats not good. Thanks for the feedback.



-----Original Message-----
From: cbartram@...
To: ukmicrowaves
Sent: Sun, 31 Mar 2013 5:45
Subject: [ukmicrowaves] Rotators

 
Bore da, Reg!

In the eight years I had a Prosistel rotator up on the tower at my last
QTH, I found that the directional feedback pot needed to be replaced
three or four times. The problem was that the mounting arrangement used
by the manufacturer was putting significant axial loads on the pot
shaft. This caused the casing of the pot to spring apart ...

Hwyl fawr!

Chris

GW4DGU
Re: Rotators

Reg Woolley <regwoolley@...>
 

Hi Chris thats not good. Thanks for the feedback.



-----Original Message-----
From: cbartram@...
To: ukmicrowaves
Sent: Sun, 31 Mar 2013 5:45
Subject: [ukmicrowaves] Rotators

 

Bore da, Reg!

In the eight years I had a Prosistel rotator up on the tower at my last
QTH, I found that the directional feedback pot needed to be replaced
three or four times. The problem was that the mounting arrangement used
by the manufacturer was putting significant axial loads on the pot
shaft. This caused the casing of the pot to spring apart ...

Hwyl fawr!

Chris

GW4DGU
Réf. : Re: rotators!

F6DRO
 

Hi all ,

Spids are mechanicaly fine , but electronicaly rotten. Personnaly I use 3
of it , threw the control boxes in the trash can , and have built F1TE
control boxes.

73
Dom
Rotators

Christopher Bartram <cbartram@...>
 

Bore da, Reg!

In the eight years I had a Prosistel rotator up on the tower at my last QTH, I found that the directional feedback pot needed to be replaced three or four times. The problem was that the mounting arrangement used by the manufacturer was putting significant axial loads on the pot shaft. This caused the casing of the pot to spring apart ...

Hwyl fawr!

Chris

GW4DGU
GM4CXM/b on 3cm

Mark GM4ISM
 

Hi All
 I am monitoring the beacon at Rays QTH
its is great to have a beacon again in the area. Thanks to Alan GM0USI  and Ray GM4CXM and all others who have helped this project
It is 579 at best when i beam just slightly north of the direct heading, and can be detected al all points on the compass, being 519 to 529 in most directions
 
 I am also monitoring the frequency.
 My transverter is locked to GPS and the Lo is within 1Hz
 The FT847 is not and does drift about a bit  so to measure the frequency I inject a low level 2m signal from a 10MHz GPS locked sig generator and compare the tones received.
 Thus the frequencies I am measuring are probably no worse that 10Hz out  I could get more accurate but that takes some effort
The beacon drifts slightly with temperature, but seems to be settling with a lower range observed in the last 24 hours.
Last night at 3am it was on 10368.922,692. this morning at 08:00z it was on 10368.923,0  it has moved a few Hz lower again as i write.
 There are some rapid step changes of tens of Hz occasionally and the keying does affect the frequency minutely but in general the beacon stability is very good.
The most important thing is that it seem to stay well within a typical receiver SSB bandwidth and with therefore appear on a waterfall display if you are looking for it.
 Over the next few day I will report the maximum and minimum frequencies I observe and I will be able to then give a more accurate nominal frequency.
 
 Please spot on beaconspot.eu 
 I note that one of my spots went to the cluster and got duplicated, the second 'version' had the last decimal place of the frequency truncated, apparently shifting the beacon 700Hz! 
any one seen that before?
 
Regards
Mark GM4ISM
Re: rotators!

Reg Woolley <regwoolley@...>
 

Did have a pst sent it back. That was some years back. I bodged 2 old ones to make one that worked. Found the ost to be very poor. S9 noise turning aerial etc. So I wont go there again.

Reg



-----Original Message-----
From: conrad@...
To: ukmicrowaves
Sent: Sat, 30 Mar 2013 20:27
Subject: Re: [ukmicrowaves] rotators!

 

Spids are fine Reg, as are the prosistel rotators. If you are going to buy one buy something that is going to last you. PST61 would be good. Both can be used with or without computer control.

Conrad G0RUZ

PS Yes I have used both.


Hi all after over 35 years of service my rotator has at last died! I was wondering if any of you have comments on either the Yeasu 1000 or a spid?
 
I know the latter is computer compatible. But can you use it with just the controller or is it just computer only?
 
Any comments good or bad would be of use!
 
Reg G8VHI

Re: rotators!

Conrad Farlow <conrad@...>
 

Spids are fine Reg, as are the prosistel rotators. If you are going to buy one buy something that is going to last you. PST61 would be good. Both can be used with or without computer control.

Conrad G0RUZ

PS Yes I have used both.


Hi all after over 35 years of service my rotator has at last died! I was wondering if any of you have comments on either the Yeasu 1000 or a spid?
 
I know the latter is computer compatible. But can you use it with just the controller or is it just computer only?
 
Any comments good or bad would be of use!
 
Reg G8VHI

rotators!

regwoolley@...
 

Hi all after over 35 years of service my rotator has at last died! I was wondering if any of you have comments on either the Yeasu 1000 or a spid?
 
I know the latter is computer compatible. But can you use it with just the controller or is it just computer only?
 
Any comments good or bad would be of use!
 
Reg G8VHI

SBMS Newsletter for April 2013

rein0zn@...
 

Hello All,

The SBMS Newsletter for April 2013 can be downloaded from here:

http://www.ham-radio.com/sbms/newsletters/2013nwsltrs/04sbms2013.pdf

73 Rein W6SZ
3cm Beacon GM4CXM/B 10368.9225---reception report

David GM6BIG <freevil@...>
 

Hi Alan,
 
Now getting Ray's beacon at 10db S/N 100Hz BW.
 
Similar 80cm dish, but at ground level with some clutter (TC dish here is 2M higher and in the clear).
 
Like GB3TC, I am receiving it off a reflection 180 deg off. Bouncing straight back.
 
Direct bearings from here are about 30deg apart, so are the reflected bearings I am getting.
So reflecting back off quite different hills.
 
Cheers, David
 
 

----- Original Message -----
Sent: Saturday, March 30, 2013 1:32 PM
Subject: Re: [gmbeacon] 3cm Beacon GM4CXM/B 10368.9225---reception report

Hi Alan,
 
I am very sheilded in Ray's direction but I am receiving it by reflection at 6db SN in 100Hz BW on a fixed 80cm dish.
 
The 80cm dish is fixed on GB3TC pointing South,not North (I only get TC by reflection) so its not optimised for Ray.
Am trying to sort out a temporary steerable dish on my tripod to experiment a bit, to see if I can find a better reflection.
 
Wish it would stop snowing !
 
Cheers, David
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Saturday, March 30, 2013 12:41 PM
Subject: [gmbeacon] 3cm Beacon GM4CXM/B 10368.9225 IO75tw now on [1 Attachment]

Hi there,

Just a note to inform you that thanks to Ray GM4CXM, I have put on a personal beacon at his QTH at IO75tw72es. The frequency is 10368.92256 but can have a variation of 300Hz or so.  Hopefully it might be locked in the future with the possibility of JT4g.

It runs just under 3w to a slot antenna.  Tony G4CBW has heard weakly  and  seen traces on AS already from IO83. Thanks also to Ian GM0UHC and Mark GM4ISM for all their help on this project.

Any reports will be most welcome.

Finally,  just a reminde r I will be staying at the Mull of Galloway lighthouse IO74np from the 7th till 13th April with 9 and 3cm if anyone would like a sked...


Best 73 Alan GM0USI/P
Re: [gmbeacon] 3cm Beacon GM4CXM/B 10368.9225---reception report

David GM6BIG <freevil@...>
 

Hi Alan,
 
I am very sheilded in Ray's direction but I am receiving it by reflection at 6db SN in 100Hz BW on a fixed 80cm dish.
 
The 80cm dish is fixed on GB3TC pointing South,not North (I only get TC by reflection) so its not optimised for Ray.
Am trying to sort out a temporary steerable dish on my tripod to experiment a bit, to see if I can find a better reflection.
 
Wish it would stop snowing !
 
Cheers, David

----- Original Message -----
Sent: Saturday, March 30, 2013 12:41 PM
Subject: [gmbeacon] 3cm Beacon GM4CXM/B 10368.9225 IO75tw now on [1 Attachment]

Hi there,

Just a note to inform you that thanks to Ray GM4CXM, I have put on a personal beacon at his QTH at IO75tw72es. The frequency is 10368.92256 but can have a variation of 300Hz or so.  Hopefully it might be locked in the future with the possibility of JT4g.

It runs just under 3w to a slot antenna.  Tony G4CBW has heard weakly  and  seen traces on AS already from IO83. Thanks also to Ian GM0UHC and Mark GM4ISM for all their help on this project.

Any reports will be most welcome.

Finally,  just a reminde r I will be staying at the Mull of Galloway lighthouse IO74np from the 7th till 13th April with 9 and 3cm if anyone would like a sked...


Best 73 Alan GM0USI/P
3cm Beacon now on GM4CXM/B IO75tw 10368.9225

Alan
 

Hi there,

Just a note to inform you that thanks to Ray GM4CXM, I have put on a personal beacon at his QTH at IO75tw72es. The frequency is 10368.92256 but can have a variation of 300Hz or so.  Hopefully it might be locked in the future with the possibility of JT4g.

It runs just under 3w to a slot antenna.  Tony G4CBW has heard weakly  and  seen traces on AS already from IO83. Thanks to Ian GM0UHC and Mark GM4ISM for all their help on this project.

Any reports will be most welcome.

Finally,  just a reminder I will be staying at the Mull of Galloway lighthouse IO74np from the 7th till 13th April with 9 and 3cm if anyone would like a sked...


Best 73 Alan GM0USI/P
OMG!

John Newman <g0vdu@...>
 

Re: ux910 frequency adjustment

G4WIM KT6UK
 

I modified my IC-910 to accept and external ref freq source which is itself locked to a 10MHz GPSDO - rock steady now with very little impact to the phase noise.

Used a Hi-Q VCTCXO combined with a few 74AC series gates to make the PLL system.

73 Tim
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