Re: [Flexradio] Has anyone seen this CW Transmit problem?

2006-05-25 Thread James Courtier-Dutton
Jeff Anderson wrote:
 Hi James,

 At this QTH the problem is definitely at the computer output and *not* at
 the SDR1K itself.

   
So, the problem is now narrowed down a bit.
The problem is now computer hardware or software.
So, what spec machine are you using, CPU (hyperthreading, multicore 
enabled y/n etc.), MEM, HD, Sound card
Which software, Flex version, OS version, patches installed etc.

One might be able to narrow down the problem if enough people respond.
As only a few people apparently see the problem, I would suspect the 
sound card.

James


___
FlexRadio mailing list
FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz
http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz
Archive Link: http://mail.flex-radio.biz/pipermail/flexradio_flex-radio.biz/
FlexRadio Homepage: http://www.flex-radio.com


Re: [Flexradio] Has anyone seen this CW Transmit problem?

2006-05-25 Thread Eric Wachsmann - FlexRadio
Based on the information we have been presented with, this is definitely
a software issue (because the two reported systems are nothing like each
other).  However, the basic start to any troubleshooting is being able
to reproduce the issue.  And unfortunately, we have not been able to do
so here.  Nor has N4HY been able to duplicate the issue.

Fortunately we have two truly intelligent people that this is happening
to, and I suspect that we will find a resolution in time.  We have a
history of fixing subtle issues like this and the nice part is that the
fix will be as easy as downloading another version of the software.


Eric Wachsmann
FlexRadio Systems

 -Original Message-
 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
 radio.biz] On Behalf Of James Courtier-Dutton
 Sent: Thursday, May 25, 2006 4:51 AM
 To: Jeff Anderson
 Cc: Lee A Crocker; FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz
 Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Has anyone seen this CW Transmit problem?
 
 Jeff Anderson wrote:
  Hi James,
 
  At this QTH the problem is definitely at the computer output and
*not*
 at
  the SDR1K itself.
 
 
 So, the problem is now narrowed down a bit.
 The problem is now computer hardware or software.
 So, what spec machine are you using, CPU (hyperthreading, multicore
 enabled y/n etc.), MEM, HD, Sound card
 Which software, Flex version, OS version, patches installed etc.
 
 One might be able to narrow down the problem if enough people respond.
 As only a few people apparently see the problem, I would suspect the
 sound card.
 
 James
 
 
 ___
 FlexRadio mailing list
 FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz
 http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz
 Archive Link: http://mail.flex-radio.biz/pipermail/flexradio_flex-
 radio.biz/
 FlexRadio Homepage: http://www.flex-radio.com


___
FlexRadio mailing list
FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz
http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz
Archive Link: http://mail.flex-radio.biz/pipermail/flexradio_flex-radio.biz/
FlexRadio Homepage: http://www.flex-radio.com


Re: [Flexradio] Has anyone seen this CW Transmit problem?

2006-05-24 Thread James Courtier-Dutton
Jeff Anderson wrote:
 Hi Lee,

   Very interesting!

   I haven't been checking my power, so I just tried the following experiment:

   1.  Using an Autek WM-1 meter (in Peak Mode), set my SDR1K power to 10 
 watts when read on this meter.

   2.  Transmit CW:  observe RF envelope on an external oscilloscope and Power 
 on wattmeter.

   Results:

   Normal Operation:  Envelope is clean, and power on wattmeter is 10 watts.

   Screwy Operation:  Envelope appears to have modulation (as seen on scope), 
 and power on wattmeter can be anywhere from, say, 12 to 17 watts (depending 
 upon the apparent depth of the modulation on the signal).  (Note:  SDR1K 
 Fwd Power also shows a higher reading (15 watts in lieu of the normal  10 
 watts).

   So - I'd say there's a good chance you and I are experiencing similar 
 problems.

   Another strange thing that I've noticed is that, when this problem occurs, 
 there is a slight change in how I perceive the Transmit CW note from my SDR1K 
 speakers - it almost seems as though the note has shifted position spatially.

   Weird, eh?

   - Jeff, K6JCA


 Lee A Crocker [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
   I have been fighting this problem for several months. 
 The problem started after 1.4.16. Prior to this
 release the situation was rock solid. I get precisely
 what you describe. Also my power output advances
 significantly from a nominal 100w to 135w when I get
 the modulation. The situation seems to be random and
 occurs about 10-20% of the time. It will on occasion
 correct itself during a transmission, or it will go
 into modulation mode during a transmission. Before
 it does that I can hear a crackle on the signal. It
 sometimes has variable penetrance, meaning instead of
 135W it may only be 110 or 120 and the modulated
 portion of the signal is audiably less. 

 I use a P4 3.3ghz with a firebox. I have 2 identical
 SDR systems including computer and firebox and it
 happens on both systems. 

 Also I have been told this problem has not occurred at
 flex headquarters so I am glad to see it is not
 peculiar to my system.

 73 Lee W9OY
   
Has anyone been able to narrow down the problem to the computer 
soundcard output, or is something going wrong inside the SDR1000 hardware.
This problem could be happening in the computer software or the sound 
card hardware, but identifying which part is wrong would be helpful.
There have been cases of some sound card hardware causing the left and 
right channel to be one sample out of sync.

James



___
FlexRadio mailing list
FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz
http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz
Archive Link: http://mail.flex-radio.biz/pipermail/flexradio_flex-radio.biz/
FlexRadio Homepage: http://www.flex-radio.com


Re: [Flexradio] Has anyone seen this CW Transmit problem?

2006-05-24 Thread Jeff Anderson
Hi James,

At this QTH the problem is definitely at the computer output and *not* at
the SDR1K itself.

I determined this by monitoring the soundcard's output with two channels of
an oscilloscope while observing the RF envelope of my transmitted signal on
a third channel.  In CW mode, the soundcard's outputs normally have a nice
90 degree phase relationship.  However, when I observed the screwy RF
envelope, this 90 degree relationship was lost, and the resultant phase
relationship between the two signals could be anything.

The erroneous phase shift was often much greater (in degrees) than one would
expect if the soundcard was one sample out-of-sync on either channel (at 96
ksps  such a slip would result in a delay shift of only 10 us - I had my
scope set to 2 ms per division, and so such a small delta would have been
imperceptible to me).

My gut feeling is that it's the software.  Otherwise, I would expect to
experience the same problem when running sideband.  But I ran an experiment
yesterday in which, while transmitting LSB, I monitored the USB side of my
signal with a seperate receiver, and I never heard a change (nor saw a
change on the other receiver's s-meter) in the level or quality of the USB
signal.  I cycled from receive to transmit at least 100 times, and all
appeared fine.

- Jeff, K6JCA

-Original Message-
From: James Courtier-Dutton [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2006 2:22 AM
To: Jeff Anderson
Cc: Lee A Crocker; FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz
Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Has anyone seen this CW Transmit problem?

Has anyone been able to narrow down the problem to the computer
soundcard output, or is something going wrong inside the SDR1000 hardware.
This problem could be happening in the computer software or the sound
card hardware, but identifying which part is wrong would be helpful.
There have been cases of some sound card hardware causing the left and
right channel to be one sample out of sync.

James



___
FlexRadio mailing list
FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz
http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz
Archive Link: http://mail.flex-radio.biz/pipermail/flexradio_flex-radio.biz/
FlexRadio Homepage: http://www.flex-radio.com


[Flexradio] Has anyone seen this CW Transmit problem?

2006-05-23 Thread Jeff Anderson
I recently came across a CW Transmit problem while running the official Flex 
1.6.1 code, and Eric at Flex has tried to replicate it but has not had any 
luck.  And I'm wondering if anyone else has seen it, or could keep a lookout 
for it occuring.
   
  The problem is this - sometimes (infrequently) when transmitting CW, the 
Transmit RF envelope will look as though it has AM modulation on it, rather 
than being a nice, clean continuous-wave envelope.
   
  Why is this a problem, you may ask?
   
  What seems to be happening is that, whenever the CW RF waveform appears to 
have modulation on its envelope, what's really occuring is that the Line Out 
Audio I  Q channels from the soundcard to the SDR1K radio no longer have a 90 
degree relationship.  The phase delta is something other than 90 degrees (and 
this new phase value appears to be random). 
   
  The result is that I'm not just sending at one frequency, but two!  For 
example, if my CW Pitch is set to 600 Hz, I end up transmiting on both the 
intended frequency and one 1200 Hz (i.e. 2 * 600) away.  That is, I 
simultaneously transmit on CWL and CWU, rather than on only one or the other.  
   
  Clearly this is not a good thing to have happen. 
   
  When it occurs, this envelope-type effect will continue as long as the unit 
is in Transmit mode (affecting dots and dashes alike), but, if the SDR1000 then 
returns to receive, chances are, when I transmit again, it'll be back to normal.
   
  For example, I just ran a test on my radio.  From the time I left Standby 
mode, it took me 53 transmit-receive cycles (in which a cycle consists of 
going completely back to receive before retransmitting) before the problem 
occured.  It then occured again after another 34 cycles, and then again after 
another 83 cycles.
   
  Later it occured twice within 22 cycles, and once after only 5 cycles -  its 
occurance seems to be random.
   
  But it does occur, and because of that, it's keeping me off CW.
   
  I've also replicated this problem with the 1.6.0 release, but have not seen 
it with 1.4.4.
   
  I'm running a stock Dell computer that I purchased from Flex along with my 
SDR1K last October.  The only other software that's running is my wireless 
network software.  And I'm using the Delta 44 card.  So there's nothing about 
my system which would appear to me to be out of the ordinary.
   
  The radio itself is setup as follows:
   
  Audio:
Buffer:  2048
SoundCard:  Delta 44
Sample Ratte:  96 Ksps.
   
  DSP:  
Buffer Size: 2048 (but this doesn't seem to matter).
   
  Keyer:  
Primary:  SDR
Secondary:  None
   
Semi-Breakin:  Enabled
Weight:  50
Ramp:  5 ms.
   
  My paddles are plugged into the back of the SDR1K, and I've unchecked 
Iambic so that I can use them as a handkey.
   
  The only reliable way to observe if the problem is occuring is to monitor 
your RF with an oscilloscope (although you may also be able to see the problem 
if you have a good spectrum analyzer (or a second SDR1K)).   
   
  If you don't observe your RF waveform, you may never know if this problem is 
occuring !
   
  If you can monitor your transmit waveform, if/when this problem occurs you'll 
see what looks like AM modulation on the CW envelope.  (The depth of this 
modulation varies with the incorrectness of the phase delta between the I  Q 
signals.)
   
  I'm stumped as to what could be the cause of this problem.  I find it hard to 
imagine that it's something specific to my system, given that the system is 
stock, but then again, who knows!  
   
  Any comments or suggestions would be welcome.
   
  Thanks, and 73,
   
  - Jeff, K6JCA

   
   
   
  
 
-- next part --
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: 
http://mail.flex-radio.biz/pipermail/flexradio_flex-radio.biz/attachments/20060523/558654c2/attachment.html
___
FlexRadio mailing list
FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz
http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz
Archive Link: http://mail.flex-radio.biz/pipermail/flexradio_flex-radio.biz/
FlexRadio Homepage: http://www.flex-radio.com


Re: [Flexradio] Has anyone seen this CW Transmit problem?

2006-05-23 Thread Tom Thompson
Jeff,

Occasionally I have been transmitting SSB but what comes out is DSB.  
This can be cured by reseating the 3.5 mm connectors on the SDR.  This 
may be causing your intermittent CW problem.

Tom   W0IVJ


Jeff Anderson wrote:

I recently came across a CW Transmit problem while running the official Flex 
1.6.1 code, and Eric at Flex has tried to replicate it but has not had any 
luck.  And I'm wondering if anyone else has seen it, or could keep a lookout 
for it occuring.
   
  The problem is this - sometimes (infrequently) when transmitting CW, the 
 Transmit RF envelope will look as though it has AM modulation on it, rather 
 than being a nice, clean continuous-wave envelope.
   
  Why is this a problem, you may ask?
   
  What seems to be happening is that, whenever the CW RF waveform appears to 
 have modulation on its envelope, what's really occuring is that the Line Out 
 Audio I  Q channels from the soundcard to the SDR1K radio no longer have a 
 90 degree relationship.  The phase delta is something other than 90 degrees 
 (and this new phase value appears to be random). 
   
  The result is that I'm not just sending at one frequency, but two!  For 
 example, if my CW Pitch is set to 600 Hz, I end up transmiting on both the 
 intended frequency and one 1200 Hz (i.e. 2 * 600) away.  That is, I 
 simultaneously transmit on CWL and CWU, rather than on only one or the other. 
  
   
  Clearly this is not a good thing to have happen. 
   
  When it occurs, this envelope-type effect will continue as long as the unit 
 is in Transmit mode (affecting dots and dashes alike), but, if the SDR1000 
 then returns to receive, chances are, when I transmit again, it'll be back to 
 normal.
   
  For example, I just ran a test on my radio.  From the time I left Standby 
 mode, it took me 53 transmit-receive cycles (in which a cycle consists of 
 going completely back to receive before retransmitting) before the problem 
 occured.  It then occured again after another 34 cycles, and then again after 
 another 83 cycles.
   
  Later it occured twice within 22 cycles, and once after only 5 cycles -  its 
 occurance seems to be random.
   
  But it does occur, and because of that, it's keeping me off CW.
   
  I've also replicated this problem with the 1.6.0 release, but have not seen 
 it with 1.4.4.
   
  I'm running a stock Dell computer that I purchased from Flex along with my 
 SDR1K last October.  The only other software that's running is my wireless 
 network software.  And I'm using the Delta 44 card.  So there's nothing about 
 my system which would appear to me to be out of the ordinary.
   
  The radio itself is setup as follows:
   
  Audio:
Buffer:  2048
SoundCard:  Delta 44
Sample Ratte:  96 Ksps.
   
  DSP:  
Buffer Size: 2048 (but this doesn't seem to matter).
   
  Keyer:  
Primary:  SDR
Secondary:  None
   
Semi-Breakin:  Enabled
Weight:  50
Ramp:  5 ms.
   
  My paddles are plugged into the back of the SDR1K, and I've unchecked 
 Iambic so that I can use them as a handkey.
   
  The only reliable way to observe if the problem is occuring is to monitor 
 your RF with an oscilloscope (although you may also be able to see the 
 problem if you have a good spectrum analyzer (or a second SDR1K)).   
   
  If you don't observe your RF waveform, you may never know if this problem is 
 occuring !
   
  If you can monitor your transmit waveform, if/when this problem occurs 
 you'll see what looks like AM modulation on the CW envelope.  (The depth of 
 this modulation varies with the incorrectness of the phase delta between 
 the I  Q signals.)
   
  I'm stumped as to what could be the cause of this problem.  I find it hard 
 to imagine that it's something specific to my system, given that the system 
 is stock, but then again, who knows!  
   
  Any comments or suggestions would be welcome.
   
  Thanks, and 73,
   
  - Jeff, K6JCA

   
   
   
  
 
-- next part --
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: 
http://mail.flex-radio.biz/pipermail/flexradio_flex-radio.biz/attachments/20060523/558654c2/attachment.html
___
FlexRadio mailing list
FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz
http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz
Archive Link: http://mail.flex-radio.biz/pipermail/flexradio_flex-radio.biz/
FlexRadio Homepage: http://www.flex-radio.com


  



___
FlexRadio mailing list
FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz
http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz
Archive Link: http://mail.flex-radio.biz/pipermail/flexradio_flex-radio.biz/
FlexRadio Homepage: http://www.flex-radio.com


Re: [Flexradio] Has anyone seen this CW Transmit problem?

2006-05-23 Thread Mel Whitten
A cleaner, enhancer  preservative for connectors called DeoxIT will
ensure a good connection when using 3.5mm stereo connectors. Radio
Shack may still sell it.  A vendor was at Dayton again this year for it. 
This
stuff has been used by techs for many years and really does work.
Mel
k0pfx

- Original Message - 
From: Tom Thompson [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: Jeff Anderson [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Cc: FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz
Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2006 3:46 PM
Subject: Re: [Flexradio] Has anyone seen this CW Transmit problem?


 Jeff,

 Occasionally I have been transmitting SSB but what comes out is DSB.
 This can be cured by reseating the 3.5 mm connectors on the SDR.  This
 may be causing your intermittent CW problem.

 Tom   W0IVJ


 Jeff Anderson wrote:

I recently came across a CW Transmit problem while running the official 
Flex 1.6.1 code, and Eric at Flex has tried to replicate it but has not 
had any luck.  And I'm wondering if anyone else has seen it, or could keep 
a lookout for it occuring.

  The problem is this - sometimes (infrequently) when transmitting CW, the 
 Transmit RF envelope will look as though it has AM modulation on it, 
 rather than being a nice, clean continuous-wave envelope.

  Why is this a problem, you may ask?

  What seems to be happening is that, whenever the CW RF waveform appears 
 to have modulation on its envelope, what's really occuring is that the 
 Line Out Audio I  Q channels from the soundcard to the SDR1K radio no 
 longer have a 90 degree relationship.  The phase delta is something other 
 than 90 degrees (and this new phase value appears to be random).

  The result is that I'm not just sending at one frequency, but two!  For 
 example, if my CW Pitch is set to 600 Hz, I end up transmiting on both 
 the intended frequency and one 1200 Hz (i.e. 2 * 600) away.  That is, I 
 simultaneously transmit on CWL and CWU, rather than on only one or the 
 other.

  Clearly this is not a good thing to have happen.

  When it occurs, this envelope-type effect will continue as long as the 
 unit is in Transmit mode (affecting dots and dashes alike), but, if the 
 SDR1000 then returns to receive, chances are, when I transmit again, 
 it'll be back to normal.

  For example, I just ran a test on my radio.  From the time I left 
 Standby mode, it took me 53 transmit-receive cycles (in which a cycle 
 consists of going completely back to receive before retransmitting) 
 before the problem occured.  It then occured again after another 34 
 cycles, and then again after another 83 cycles.

  Later it occured twice within 22 cycles, and once after only 5 cycles - 
 its occurance seems to be random.

  But it does occur, and because of that, it's keeping me off CW.

  I've also replicated this problem with the 1.6.0 release, but have not 
 seen it with 1.4.4.

  I'm running a stock Dell computer that I purchased from Flex along with 
 my SDR1K last October.  The only other software that's running is my 
 wireless network software.  And I'm using the Delta 44 card.  So there's 
 nothing about my system which would appear to me to be out of the 
 ordinary.

  The radio itself is setup as follows:

  Audio:
Buffer:  2048
SoundCard:  Delta 44
Sample Ratte:  96 Ksps.

  DSP:
Buffer Size: 2048 (but this doesn't seem to matter).

  Keyer:
Primary:  SDR
Secondary:  None

Semi-Breakin:  Enabled
Weight:  50
Ramp:  5 ms.

  My paddles are plugged into the back of the SDR1K, and I've unchecked 
 Iambic so that I can use them as a handkey.

  The only reliable way to observe if the problem is occuring is to 
 monitor your RF with an oscilloscope (although you may also be able to 
 see the problem if you have a good spectrum analyzer (or a second 
 SDR1K)).

  If you don't observe your RF waveform, you may never know if this 
 problem is occuring !

  If you can monitor your transmit waveform, if/when this problem occurs 
 you'll see what looks like AM modulation on the CW envelope.  (The 
 depth of this modulation varies with the incorrectness of the phase 
 delta between the I  Q signals.)

  I'm stumped as to what could be the cause of this problem.  I find it 
 hard to imagine that it's something specific to my system, given that the 
 system is stock, but then again, who knows!

  Any comments or suggestions would be welcome.

  Thanks, and 73,

  - Jeff, K6JCA






-- next part --
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: 
http://mail.flex-radio.biz/pipermail/flexradio_flex-radio.biz/attachments/20060523/558654c2/attachment.html
___
FlexRadio mailing list
FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz
http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz
Archive Link: 
http://mail.flex-radio.biz/pipermail/flexradio_flex-radio.biz/
FlexRadio Homepage: http://www.flex-radio.com






 ___
 FlexRadio mailing list
 FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz
 http://mail.flex

Re: [Flexradio] Has anyone seen this CW Transmit problem?

2006-05-23 Thread Jeff Anderson
Thanks for the note, Tom.  
   
  It isn't a problem with the seating of the connector at the SDR1K - when the 
problem occurts, I can observe that the Line Out I  Q signals lose their 90 
degree phase relationship prior to these connectors.
   
  73,
   
  - Jeff, K6JCA

Tom Thompson [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
  Jeff,

Occasionally I have been transmitting SSB but what comes out is DSB. 
This can be cured by reseating the 3.5 mm connectors on the SDR. This 
may be causing your intermittent CW problem.

Tom W0IVJ
-- next part --
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: 
http://mail.flex-radio.biz/pipermail/flexradio_flex-radio.biz/attachments/20060523/27c684df/attachment.html
___
FlexRadio mailing list
FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz
http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz
Archive Link: http://mail.flex-radio.biz/pipermail/flexradio_flex-radio.biz/
FlexRadio Homepage: http://www.flex-radio.com


[Flexradio] Has anyone seen this CW Transmit problem?

2006-05-23 Thread Lee A Crocker
I have been fighting this problem for several months. 
The problem started after 1.4.16.  Prior to this
release the situation was rock solid.  I get precisely
what you describe.  Also my power output advances
significantly from a nominal 100w to 135w when I get
the modulation.  The situation seems to be random and
occurs about 10-20% of the time.  It will on occasion
correct itself during a transmission, or it will go
into modulation mode during a transmission.  Before
it does that I can hear a crackle on the signal.  It
sometimes has variable penetrance, meaning instead of
135W it may only be 110 or 120 and the modulated
portion of the signal is audiably less.  

I use a P4 3.3ghz with a firebox.  I have 2 identical
SDR systems including computer and firebox and it
happens on both systems.  

Also I have been told this problem has not occurred at
flex headquarters so I am glad to see it is not
peculiar to my system.

73  Lee W9OY

__
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around 
http://mail.yahoo.com 

___
FlexRadio mailing list
FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz
http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz
Archive Link: http://mail.flex-radio.biz/pipermail/flexradio_flex-radio.biz/
FlexRadio Homepage: http://www.flex-radio.com


Re: [Flexradio] Has anyone seen this CW Transmit problem?

2006-05-23 Thread lloen
 I have been fighting this problem for several months.

I have not seen this problem and (as you well know) I operate CW regularly.

However, I also operate (for a variety of reasons, such as feeding my HF
amplifier) at lower power levels.

Have you tried running with, say, 60 or 80 watts and still see the problem?

I'm an ECO level or two behind still.  Are you more up to date?


Larry  WO0Z


___
FlexRadio mailing list
FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz
http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz
Archive Link: http://mail.flex-radio.biz/pipermail/flexradio_flex-radio.biz/
FlexRadio Homepage: http://www.flex-radio.com


Re: [Flexradio] Has anyone seen this CW Transmit problem?

2006-05-23 Thread Jeff Anderson
Hi Lee,
   
  Very interesting!
   
  I haven't been checking my power, so I just tried the following experiment:
   
  1.  Using an Autek WM-1 meter (in Peak Mode), set my SDR1K power to 10 watts 
when read on this meter.
   
  2.  Transmit CW:  observe RF envelope on an external oscilloscope and Power 
on wattmeter.
   
  Results:
   
  Normal Operation:  Envelope is clean, and power on wattmeter is 10 watts.
   
  Screwy Operation:  Envelope appears to have modulation (as seen on scope), 
and power on wattmeter can be anywhere from, say, 12 to 17 watts (depending 
upon the apparent depth of the modulation on the signal).  (Note:  SDR1K Fwd 
Power also shows a higher reading (15 watts in lieu of the normal  10 watts).
   
  So - I'd say there's a good chance you and I are experiencing similar 
problems.
   
  Another strange thing that I've noticed is that, when this problem occurs, 
there is a slight change in how I perceive the Transmit CW note from my SDR1K 
speakers - it almost seems as though the note has shifted position spatially.
   
  Weird, eh?
   
  - Jeff, K6JCA


Lee A Crocker [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
  I have been fighting this problem for several months. 
The problem started after 1.4.16. Prior to this
release the situation was rock solid. I get precisely
what you describe. Also my power output advances
significantly from a nominal 100w to 135w when I get
the modulation. The situation seems to be random and
occurs about 10-20% of the time. It will on occasion
correct itself during a transmission, or it will go
into modulation mode during a transmission. Before
it does that I can hear a crackle on the signal. It
sometimes has variable penetrance, meaning instead of
135W it may only be 110 or 120 and the modulated
portion of the signal is audiably less. 

I use a P4 3.3ghz with a firebox. I have 2 identical
SDR systems including computer and firebox and it
happens on both systems. 

Also I have been told this problem has not occurred at
flex headquarters so I am glad to see it is not
peculiar to my system.

73 Lee W9OY

__
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around 
http://mail.yahoo.com 

___
FlexRadio mailing list
FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz
http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz
Archive Link: http://mail.flex-radio.biz/pipermail/flexradio_flex-radio.biz/
FlexRadio Homepage: http://www.flex-radio.com

-- next part --
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: 
http://mail.flex-radio.biz/pipermail/flexradio_flex-radio.biz/attachments/20060523/3da4979a/attachment.html
___
FlexRadio mailing list
FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz
http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz
Archive Link: http://mail.flex-radio.biz/pipermail/flexradio_flex-radio.biz/
FlexRadio Homepage: http://www.flex-radio.com


Re: [Flexradio] Has anyone seen this CW Transmit problem?

2006-05-23 Thread Jeff Anderson
Eric can't replicate it either, which is what makes this problem particularly 
frustrating for me.
   
  One thing worth mentioning:  unless you monitor your Transmit signal with an 
external oscilloscope, you could experience this problem and not be aware of 
it.  (Although Lee has pointed out that there's a shift in output power when 
this problem occurs, and I've confirmed his observation here.  But unless 
you're concentrating on  the power meter rather than what you're sending, this 
could be easily missed.)
   
  - Jeff, K6JCA

[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
   I have been fighting this problem for several months.

I have not seen this problem and (as you well know) I operate CW regularly.

However, I also operate (for a variety of reasons, such as feeding my HF
amplifier) at lower power levels.

Have you tried running with, say, 60 or 80 watts and still see the problem?

I'm an ECO level or two behind still. Are you more up to date?


Larry WO0Z


___
FlexRadio mailing list
FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz
http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz
Archive Link: http://mail.flex-radio.biz/pipermail/flexradio_flex-radio.biz/
FlexRadio Homepage: http://www.flex-radio.com

-- next part --
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: 
http://mail.flex-radio.biz/pipermail/flexradio_flex-radio.biz/attachments/20060523/686887c0/attachment.html
___
FlexRadio mailing list
FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz
http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz
Archive Link: http://mail.flex-radio.biz/pipermail/flexradio_flex-radio.biz/
FlexRadio Homepage: http://www.flex-radio.com


[Flexradio] Has anyone seen this CW Transmit problem?

2006-05-23 Thread Lee A Crocker
The situation is unrelated to RFI.  It happens as low
as 10W barefoot or at 1500W.  It happens on all bands
I have antenna for (160 through 20)and it happens on
all of my antennas.  It happens into a precision dummy
load.

I have about 20lbs of ferrite hanging off the SDR just
to be sure, and I have tried several different cables.
 This is a software issue.  It changed between 1.4.16
and all that followed.  My impression is it is somehow
related to a feedback loop, carried on the parallel
port.  I have the flex USB-parallel adapter as well as
a hard wired parallel port and the phenom occurs on
both types.

Lee W9OY  



__
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around 
http://mail.yahoo.com 

___
FlexRadio mailing list
FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz
http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz
Archive Link: http://mail.flex-radio.biz/pipermail/flexradio_flex-radio.biz/
FlexRadio Homepage: http://www.flex-radio.com


[Flexradio] Has anyone seen this CW Transmit problem?

2006-05-23 Thread Lee A Crocker
I don't have a scope but I do have another RX and it
is clearly discernable on the second RX (aka the
transmitted signal).  It is also clearly discernable
in the monitor when it occurs.

Lee

__
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around 
http://mail.yahoo.com 

___
FlexRadio mailing list
FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz
http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz
Archive Link: http://mail.flex-radio.biz/pipermail/flexradio_flex-radio.biz/
FlexRadio Homepage: http://www.flex-radio.com