Re: Topband: Amp tripping SWR ** progress**
Hi SPE using a smal coax RG58 as capacitor in the RF detection / SWR system I seen this melted!!! This made SWR trip & go bananas…. Open the amp and check it Just my two cent….. Best Regards, Stein-Roar Brobakken s...@lb3re.com LB3RE LC0X K3RAG Skype: lb3re.rag > 30. okt. 2021 kl. 02:42 skrev Adrian : > > Sounds like you are still unsure, and that is a guess. You said the swr is > 1.4:1 , I guess this what the SPE shows with SPE in standby, and txcr keyed ? > > If so when switched to operate, you should be able to gradually increase > drive power form a very low level and raise until you see the output power > > level where SPE indicated swr suddenly increases and trips the amp? Or is the > alarm instant regardless low low drive is in low power profile. > > Test in FT8 in ssb is one good way to go from 0 output & up using audio level > adjustment modulating the drive. > > The SPE can be controlled from a few watts output smoothly through to the > point where issues occur. > > If the swr holds good until a output power level point where it fails, then > it provides more clues to the problem. > > An instant swr trip to standby regardless of drive level however low or 0, is > another issue. > > > vk4tux > > >> On 30/10/21 09:54, WW3S wrote: >> With the help of #1 son, during a lull in the monsoons, we isolated it to my >> KK1L 2x6 box, mounted on the outside of the house. Sounds like maybe some >> relays clicking and clacking, probably rfi coming thru the control cables, >> despite clamp on toroids everywhere and the cables wrapped numerous times >> thru double ferrite cores. I do have a couple of unused ports, I wonder if >> it will help if I terminate those with dummy loads? >> >> Sent from my iPad >> _ >> Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector > _ > Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Amp tripping SWR ** progress**
It doesn't need much swr increase to trip, A rise to 1.7:1 will do it despite that swr fine for use. You did not comment on the SPE indicated swr. Can you see it rise just before it trips with gradual drive increase ? vk4tux On 30/10/21 10:59, WW3S wrote: yep,, did thatdoesnt trip until somewhere between 300 and 400 watts.and the alarm is instant.I suspect what is happening, based on my sons observation, and his recording the soundis RF is telling the relays on the switch to switch, and the 160 probably goes openI inserted a barrel connector and all is wellexcept on stuck on 160.tomorrow, in between other projects, I think we will swap out all the control cables - _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Amp tripping SWR ** progress**
yep,, did thatdoesnt trip until somewhere between 300 and 400 watts.and the alarm is instant.I suspect what is happening, based on my sons observation, and his recording the soundis RF is telling the relays on the switch to switch, and the 160 probably goes openI inserted a barrel connector and all is wellexcept on stuck on 160.tomorrow, in between other projects, I think we will swap out all the control cables -- Original Message -- From: "Adrian" To: "WW3S" ; "topBand List" Sent: 10/29/2021 8:42:08 PM Subject: Re: Topband: Amp tripping SWR ** progress** Sounds like you are still unsure, and that is a guess. You said the swr is 1.4:1 , I guess this what the SPE shows with SPE in standby, and txcr keyed ? If so when switched to operate, you should be able to gradually increase drive power form a very low level and raise until you see the output power level where SPE indicated swr suddenly increases and trips the amp? Or is the alarm instant regardless low low drive is in low power profile. Test in FT8 in ssb is one good way to go from 0 output & up using audio level adjustment modulating the drive. The SPE can be controlled from a few watts output smoothly through to the point where issues occur. If the swr holds good until a output power level point where it fails, then it provides more clues to the problem. An instant swr trip to standby regardless of drive level however low or 0, is another issue. vk4tux On 30/10/21 09:54, WW3S wrote: With the help of #1 son, during a lull in the monsoons, we isolated it to my KK1L 2x6 box, mounted on the outside of the house. Sounds like maybe some relays clicking and clacking, probably rfi coming thru the control cables, despite clamp on toroids everywhere and the cables wrapped numerous times thru double ferrite cores. I do have a couple of unused ports, I wonder if it will help if I terminate those with dummy loads? Sent from my iPad _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Amp tripping SWR ** progress**
Sounds like you are still unsure, and that is a guess. You said the swr is 1.4:1 , I guess this what the SPE shows with SPE in standby, and txcr keyed ? If so when switched to operate, you should be able to gradually increase drive power form a very low level and raise until you see the output power level where SPE indicated swr suddenly increases and trips the amp? Or is the alarm instant regardless low low drive is in low power profile. Test in FT8 in ssb is one good way to go from 0 output & up using audio level adjustment modulating the drive. The SPE can be controlled from a few watts output smoothly through to the point where issues occur. If the swr holds good until a output power level point where it fails, then it provides more clues to the problem. An instant swr trip to standby regardless of drive level however low or 0, is another issue. vk4tux On 30/10/21 09:54, WW3S wrote: With the help of #1 son, during a lull in the monsoons, we isolated it to my KK1L 2x6 box, mounted on the outside of the house. Sounds like maybe some relays clicking and clacking, probably rfi coming thru the control cables, despite clamp on toroids everywhere and the cables wrapped numerous times thru double ferrite cores. I do have a couple of unused ports, I wonder if it will help if I terminate those with dummy loads? Sent from my iPad _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Topband: Amp tripping SWR ** progress**
With the help of #1 son, during a lull in the monsoons, we isolated it to my KK1L 2x6 box, mounted on the outside of the house. Sounds like maybe some relays clicking and clacking, probably rfi coming thru the control cables, despite clamp on toroids everywhere and the cables wrapped numerous times thru double ferrite cores. I do have a couple of unused ports, I wonder if it will help if I terminate those with dummy loads? Sent from my iPad _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: amp tripping on 160
The amp is doing its job, and the swr trip threshold is 1.6:1. It is best to set the SPE atu toi bypass if used, and use an external eg; Palstar manual tuner to tune the SPE display 1.10:1 or better on standby TX and in operate, adj the Tuner input/output capacitors for best under power, leaving the roller inductor alone. After taking a 157m Helium balloon antenna off a 630m session last night , I was able use it for 160m last night with the SPE / Palstar, with max 400w using this method, with the SPE happy. If I had removed 40m off the lower suspended antenna line (easy enough to do) I could have used USA power limits. For a dedicated 160m antenna this treatment to allow the SPE to see a more favorable swr without trip will be good for 1kw +. The SPE antenna programming for the output to the Palstar will be set 1b etc (b for bypass). Again the tuner should be a manual like the AT2K, AT4K etc. Nothing to do with an unreliable amp, SPE are very swr sensitive for good reason. In any case I advise using low power profile if you feel the antenna has a risk, as the LDMOS is much more likely to survive a sudden load impedance change. Just need to know how to set it up to keep it happy, I have no doubt the nearby AM station would not be an issue with above procedure. vk4tux On 30/10/21 04:46, Ian Fugler wrote: I'm afraid that I as soon as I saw the email header I guessed there would be mention of an Expert amp. If you have the opportunity to borrow a more reliable amp and try that, I would be interested in your results, please. 73, Ian G4iiY -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-bounces+zen90387=zen.co...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Jose_Carlos Sent: 29 October 2021 16:17 To: WW3S; FZ Bruce Cc: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: amp tripping on 160 My old friend N8PR(SK) had a similar problem. Peter QTH was few miles for a AM station. The SPE amp is very sensitive, the signal from the AM station was strong enough to trip the amp. The solution was a 2 KW high pass filter to attenuate 30 db the signal from the AM station. Keep attenuation only as necessary to avoid the amp to trip and keep insertion loss very low.. You can use few 10W 10db attenuator to figure out now much attenuation you need. If it is external signal coming in, you don’t need to transmit, the amp will trip just actuating the PTT. 73’s JC N4IS Sent from Mail for Windows From: WW3S Sent: Friday, October 29, 2021 11:06 AM To: FZ Bruce Cc: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: amp tripping on 160 I have toroids on all the cables….and even started pulling cables out of the shack to see if it made a difference….im beginning to wonder if the amp has a fault…. Sent from my iPad On Oct 29, 2021, at 10:57 AM, FZ Bruce wrote: It is likely RF traveling into the amp via multiple wires, cables. Recommend you put RFI cores on the coax between the radio and amp, and on the antenna coax near the amp. ( also possible getting on power supply connections) 73 Bruce-K1FZ - From: "WW3S" To: "topband@contesting.com" Cc: Sent: Friday October 29 2021 10:44:39AM Subject: Topband: amp tripping on 160 After two great nights of being able to receive, I am beyond frustrated, as I cannot transmitsomething happened recently, and I cannot figure it out... I suspect its RFI, but not sure why.as soon as I transmit on my Inverted L, my SPE 1.3KFA amp trips, saying SWRT exceeds limits.yet the SWR displayed is 1.46 to 1.new to me, but not new to this season is my tower which holds my Inverted L.it was 50' of Rohn 25, with a Hazer, its now a Alumnatower 48', with a wonderpole...but.that setup did work, as I worked S9OK and 3DA0RU with itI added a second receiving loop in the front yard, so thought that was it, but I took those cables out from the shack and still have a problemyesterday morning, I found the short piece of coax had a nick in it, from the mower I guess, so replaced it, and shortened my L a bit to bring the SWR a bit further up the band.I tested yesterday morning and it was great, low , mid and high power, even 1300 watts of RTTY, no failure, I tried several times during the day and all was great until darkness, and as soon as I keyed the amp, failure.I pulled out what little I have left of my hair trying to figure this out..the wonderpole is grounded and I "assume" the tower is grounded thru that..should I separately ground the tower? Doing so will complicate tilting it over, plus I only have copper grounding attachments, I thought I read where I shouldn't use dissimilar metals.but willing to try anything to get my 160 TX ability back...thoughts? _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archi
Re: Topband: Preliminary PreStew / Lowband Jack scores
Try doing a refresh of the page. Looks okay here. Tree On Fri, Oct 29, 2021 at 10:22 AM David Olean wrote: > It looks like the Summer Stew scores duplicated. (?) OOPS! > > Dave K1WHS > > On 10/29/2021 11:37 AM, Tree wrote: > > Sorry for the delay with this - but the preliminary scores for the recent > > Stew Perry are now posted. > > > > www.kkn.net/stew > > > > 73 Tree N6TR > > _ > > Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband > Reflector > _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Amp tripping on TB
Just had a sudden isssue of my ACOM 1000 tripping due to high swr. It had been fine, then began an intermittent, come and go problem. I checked the feed point for my 160 and 80m wires at the base of a 45' tall walnut tree. Cut out some wire and replaced it. Disconnected the current balun. Tightened all the radials where they come together in a large bus bar. Shook, rattled and twisted the inductor and all wires. The problem came and went. At low power it was ok but with the amp it tripped. I have two INV-L's supported by the same tree. Been up and running for six years. Finally got the binoculars out and noticed the two wires seemed to cross each other up at 50 ft. And by judicially rerouting several wires and guy ropes, finally got them uncrossed. The AA54 tested fine at the base/feed point, so I headed in to apply full power. No more problems as of 4 pm yesterday! Apparently the wind had shifted the two wires enough to where they crossed each other, and despite the pvc jackets, high power caused a short. Spent a lot of time on 160 and 80 last night, with no issues, so I should be good for the CQWW. So my issue points to a loose or floppy wire crossing onto another antenna. In your case, a loose wire could be making contact with the tower ( or another wire?) Also, is your current balun ok? And then theres the old classic of water getting into your coax, or into those nasty barrel connectors and causing corrosion/discontinuities? Good luck. _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: amp tripping on 160
I'm afraid that I as soon as I saw the email header I guessed there would be mention of an Expert amp. If you have the opportunity to borrow a more reliable amp and try that, I would be interested in your results, please. 73, Ian G4iiY -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-bounces+zen90387=zen.co...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Jose_Carlos Sent: 29 October 2021 16:17 To: WW3S; FZ Bruce Cc: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: amp tripping on 160 My old friend N8PR(SK) had a similar problem. Peter QTH was few miles for a AM station. The SPE amp is very sensitive, the signal from the AM station was strong enough to trip the amp. The solution was a 2 KW high pass filter to attenuate 30 db the signal from the AM station. Keep attenuation only as necessary to avoid the amp to trip and keep insertion loss very low.. You can use few 10W 10db attenuator to figure out now much attenuation you need. If it is external signal coming in, you don’t need to transmit, the amp will trip just actuating the PTT. 73’s JC N4IS Sent from Mail for Windows From: WW3S Sent: Friday, October 29, 2021 11:06 AM To: FZ Bruce Cc: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: amp tripping on 160 I have toroids on all the cables….and even started pulling cables out of the shack to see if it made a difference….im beginning to wonder if the amp has a fault…. Sent from my iPad > On Oct 29, 2021, at 10:57 AM, FZ Bruce wrote: > > It is likely RF traveling into the amp via multiple wires, cables. Recommend > you put RFI cores on the coax between the radio and amp, and on the antenna > coax near the amp. > > ( also possible getting on power supply connections) > > 73 > Bruce-K1FZ > > - > > From: "WW3S" > To: "topband@contesting.com" > Cc: > Sent: Friday October 29 2021 10:44:39AM > Subject: Topband: amp tripping on 160 > > After two great nights of being able to receive, I am beyond frustrated, > as I cannot transmitsomething happened recently, and I cannot figure > it out... I suspect its RFI, but not sure why.as soon as I transmit > on my Inverted L, my SPE 1.3KFA amp trips, saying SWRT exceeds > limits.yet the SWR displayed is 1.46 to 1.new to me, but not > new to this season is my tower which holds my Inverted L.it was 50' > of Rohn 25, with a Hazer, its now a Alumnatower 48', with a > wonderpole...but.that setup did work, as I worked S9OK and > 3DA0RU with itI added a second receiving loop in the front yard, so > thought that was it, but I took those cables out from the shack and > still have a problemyesterday morning, I found the short piece of > coax had a nick in it, from the mower I guess, so replaced it, and > shortened my L a bit to bring the SWR a bit further up the band.I > tested yesterday morning and it was great, low , mid and high power, > even 1300 watts of RTTY, no failure, I tried several times during the > day and all was great until darkness, and as soon as I keyed the amp, > failure.I pulled out what little I have left of my hair trying to > figure this out..the wonderpole is grounded and I "assume" the tower > is grounded thru that..should I separately ground the tower? Doing > so will complicate tilting it over, plus I only have copper grounding > attachments, I thought I read where I shouldn't use dissimilar > metals.but willing to try anything to get my 160 TX ability > back...thoughts? > _ > Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector -- This email has been checked for viruses by AVG. https://www.avg.com _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: Preliminary PreStew / Lowband Jack scores
It looks like the Summer Stew scores duplicated. (?) OOPS! Dave K1WHS On 10/29/2021 11:37 AM, Tree wrote: Sorry for the delay with this - but the preliminary scores for the recent Stew Perry are now posted. www.kkn.net/stew 73 Tree N6TR _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: FW: Re: amp tripping on 160
someone mentioned arc/flash over..and that may be a problemI am using a different standoff on this tower than previously..using a 4' fiberglass mast section..is the military surplus green fiberglass mast conductive at RF? It secured to the tower with deltec cable straps and has a stainless pulley at the end with the rope to pull the antenna up and down. -- Original Message -- From: "FZ Bruce" To: "'topband@contesting.com'" Sent: 10/29/2021 11:32:27 AM Subject: Re: Topband: FW: Re: amp tripping on 160 To: "WW3S" Cc: Sent: Friday October 29 2021 11:16:58AM Subject: Re: Topband: amp tripping on 160 The "L" needs grounds to be efficient when near the earth. Try some radials to the coax shield connection at the "L" antenna end. Signal should come up, as stray RF comes down. 73 Bruce-K1FZ - From: "WW3S" To: "FZ Bruce" Cc: topband@contesting.com Sent: Friday October 29 2021 11:05:55AM Subject: Re: Topband: amp tripping on 160 I have toroids on all the cables….and even started pulling cables out of the shack to see if it made a difference….im beginning to wonder if the amp has a fault…. Sent from my iPad > On Oct 29, 2021, at 10:57 AM, FZ Bruce wrote: > > It is likely RF traveling into the amp via multiple wires, cables. Recommend you put RFI cores on the coax between the radio and amp, and on the antenna coax near the amp. > > ( also possible getting on power supply connections) > > 73 > Bruce-K1FZ > > - > > From: "WW3S" > To: "topband@contesting.com" > Cc: > Sent: Friday October 29 2021 10:44:39AM > Subject: Topband: amp tripping on 160 > > After two great nights of being able to receive, I am beyond frustrated, > as I cannot transmitsomething happened recently, and I cannot figure > it out... I suspect its RFI, but not sure why.as soon as I transmit > on my Inverted L, my SPE 1.3KFA amp trips, saying SWRT exceeds > limits.yet the SWR displayed is 1.46 to 1new to me, but not > new to this season is my tower which holds my Inverted L.it was 50' > of Rohn 25, with a Hazer, its now a Alumnatower 48', with a > wonderpole...but.that setup did work, as I worked S9OK and > 3DA0RU with itI added a second receiving loop in the front yard, so > thought that was it, but I took those cables out from the shack and > still have a problemyesterday morning, I found the short piece of > coax had a nick in it, from the mower I guess, so replaced it, and > shortened my L a bit to bring the SWR a bit further up the band.I > tested yesterday morning and it was great, low , mid and high power, > even 1300 watts of RTTY, no failure, I tried several times during the > day and all was great until darkness, and as soon as I keyed the amp, > failureI pulled out what little I have left of my hair trying to > figure this out..the wonderpole is grounded and I "assume" the tower > is grounded thru that..should I separately ground the tower? Doing > so will complicate tilting it over, plus I only have copper grounding > attachments, I thought I read where I shouldn't use dissimilar > metals.but willing to try anything to get my 160 TX ability > back...thoughts? > _ > Searchable Archives: [1] [2]http://www.contesting.com/_topband [3] - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: [4] [5]http://www.contesting.com/_topband [6] - Topband Reflector Links: -- [1] http://www.contesting.com/_topband [2] http://www.contesting.com/_topband [3] http://www.contesting.com/_topband [4] http://www.contesting.com/_topband [5] http://www.contesting.com/_topband [6] http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Topband: Preliminary PreStew / Lowband Jack scores
Sorry for the delay with this - but the preliminary scores for the recent Stew Perry are now posted. www.kkn.net/stew 73 Tree N6TR _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: FW: Re: amp tripping on 160
To: "WW3S" Cc: Sent: Friday October 29 2021 11:16:58AM Subject: Re: Topband: amp tripping on 160 The "L" needs grounds to be efficient when near the earth. Try some radials to the coax shield connection at the "L" antenna end. Signal should come up, as stray RF comes down. 73 Bruce-K1FZ - From: "WW3S" To: "FZ Bruce" Cc: topband@contesting.com Sent: Friday October 29 2021 11:05:55AM Subject: Re: Topband: amp tripping on 160 I have toroids on all the cables….and even started pulling cables out of the shack to see if it made a difference….im beginning to wonder if the amp has a fault…. Sent from my iPad > On Oct 29, 2021, at 10:57 AM, FZ Bruce wrote: > > It is likely RF traveling into the amp via multiple wires, cables. Recommend you put RFI cores on the coax between the radio and amp, and on the antenna coax near the amp. > > ( also possible getting on power supply connections) > > 73 > Bruce-K1FZ > > - > > From: "WW3S" > To: "topband@contesting.com" > Cc: > Sent: Friday October 29 2021 10:44:39AM > Subject: Topband: amp tripping on 160 > > After two great nights of being able to receive, I am beyond frustrated, > as I cannot transmitsomething happened recently, and I cannot figure > it out... I suspect its RFI, but not sure why.as soon as I transmit > on my Inverted L, my SPE 1.3KFA amp trips, saying SWRT exceeds > limits.yet the SWR displayed is 1.46 to 1new to me, but not > new to this season is my tower which holds my Inverted L.it was 50' > of Rohn 25, with a Hazer, its now a Alumnatower 48', with a > wonderpole...but.that setup did work, as I worked S9OK and > 3DA0RU with itI added a second receiving loop in the front yard, so > thought that was it, but I took those cables out from the shack and > still have a problemyesterday morning, I found the short piece of > coax had a nick in it, from the mower I guess, so replaced it, and > shortened my L a bit to bring the SWR a bit further up the band.I > tested yesterday morning and it was great, low , mid and high power, > even 1300 watts of RTTY, no failure, I tried several times during the > day and all was great until darkness, and as soon as I keyed the amp, > failureI pulled out what little I have left of my hair trying to > figure this out..the wonderpole is grounded and I "assume" the tower > is grounded thru that..should I separately ground the tower? Doing > so will complicate tilting it over, plus I only have copper grounding > attachments, I thought I read where I shouldn't use dissimilar > metals.but willing to try anything to get my 160 TX ability > back...thoughts? > _ > Searchable Archives: [1] [2]http://www.contesting.com/_topband [3] - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: [4] [5]http://www.contesting.com/_topband [6] - Topband Reflector Links: -- [1] http://www.contesting.com/_topband [2] http://www.contesting.com/_topband [3] http://www.contesting.com/_topband [4] http://www.contesting.com/_topband [5] http://www.contesting.com/_topband [6] http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: amp tripping on 160
My old friend N8PR(SK) had a similar problem. Peter QTH was few miles for a AM station. The SPE amp is very sensitive, the signal from the AM station was strong enough to trip the amp. The solution was a 2 KW high pass filter to attenuate 30 db the signal from the AM station. Keep attenuation only as necessary to avoid the amp to trip and keep insertion loss very low.. You can use few 10W 10db attenuator to figure out now much attenuation you need. If it is external signal coming in, you don’t need to transmit, the amp will trip just actuating the PTT. 73’s JC N4IS Sent from Mail for Windows From: WW3S Sent: Friday, October 29, 2021 11:06 AM To: FZ Bruce Cc: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: amp tripping on 160 I have toroids on all the cables….and even started pulling cables out of the shack to see if it made a difference….im beginning to wonder if the amp has a fault…. Sent from my iPad > On Oct 29, 2021, at 10:57 AM, FZ Bruce wrote: > > It is likely RF traveling into the amp via multiple wires, cables. Recommend > you put RFI cores on the coax between the radio and amp, and on the antenna > coax near the amp. > > ( also possible getting on power supply connections) > > 73 > Bruce-K1FZ > > - > > From: "WW3S" > To: "topband@contesting.com" > Cc: > Sent: Friday October 29 2021 10:44:39AM > Subject: Topband: amp tripping on 160 > > After two great nights of being able to receive, I am beyond frustrated, > as I cannot transmitsomething happened recently, and I cannot figure > it out... I suspect its RFI, but not sure why.as soon as I transmit > on my Inverted L, my SPE 1.3KFA amp trips, saying SWRT exceeds > limits.yet the SWR displayed is 1.46 to 1.new to me, but not > new to this season is my tower which holds my Inverted L.it was 50' > of Rohn 25, with a Hazer, its now a Alumnatower 48', with a > wonderpole...but.that setup did work, as I worked S9OK and > 3DA0RU with itI added a second receiving loop in the front yard, so > thought that was it, but I took those cables out from the shack and > still have a problemyesterday morning, I found the short piece of > coax had a nick in it, from the mower I guess, so replaced it, and > shortened my L a bit to bring the SWR a bit further up the band.I > tested yesterday morning and it was great, low , mid and high power, > even 1300 watts of RTTY, no failure, I tried several times during the > day and all was great until darkness, and as soon as I keyed the amp, > failure.I pulled out what little I have left of my hair trying to > figure this out..the wonderpole is grounded and I "assume" the tower > is grounded thru that..should I separately ground the tower? Doing > so will complicate tilting it over, plus I only have copper grounding > attachments, I thought I read where I shouldn't use dissimilar > metals.but willing to try anything to get my 160 TX ability > back...thoughts? > _ > Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: amp tripping on 160
I have toroids on all the cables….and even started pulling cables out of the shack to see if it made a difference….im beginning to wonder if the amp has a fault…. Sent from my iPad > On Oct 29, 2021, at 10:57 AM, FZ Bruce wrote: > > It is likely RF traveling into the amp via multiple wires, cables. Recommend > you put RFI cores on the coax between the radio and amp, and on the antenna > coax near the amp. > > ( also possible getting on power supply connections) > > 73 > Bruce-K1FZ > > - > > From: "WW3S" > To: "topband@contesting.com" > Cc: > Sent: Friday October 29 2021 10:44:39AM > Subject: Topband: amp tripping on 160 > > After two great nights of being able to receive, I am beyond frustrated, > as I cannot transmitsomething happened recently, and I cannot figure > it out... I suspect its RFI, but not sure why.as soon as I transmit > on my Inverted L, my SPE 1.3KFA amp trips, saying SWRT exceeds > limits.yet the SWR displayed is 1.46 to 1.new to me, but not > new to this season is my tower which holds my Inverted L.it was 50' > of Rohn 25, with a Hazer, its now a Alumnatower 48', with a > wonderpole...but.that setup did work, as I worked S9OK and > 3DA0RU with itI added a second receiving loop in the front yard, so > thought that was it, but I took those cables out from the shack and > still have a problemyesterday morning, I found the short piece of > coax had a nick in it, from the mower I guess, so replaced it, and > shortened my L a bit to bring the SWR a bit further up the band.I > tested yesterday morning and it was great, low , mid and high power, > even 1300 watts of RTTY, no failure, I tried several times during the > day and all was great until darkness, and as soon as I keyed the amp, > failure.I pulled out what little I have left of my hair trying to > figure this out..the wonderpole is grounded and I "assume" the tower > is grounded thru that..should I separately ground the tower? Doing > so will complicate tilting it over, plus I only have copper grounding > attachments, I thought I read where I shouldn't use dissimilar > metals.but willing to try anything to get my 160 TX ability > back...thoughts? > _ > Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: amp tripping on 160
It is likely RF traveling into the amp via multiple wires, cables. Recommend you put RFI cores on the coax between the radio and amp, and on the antenna coax near the amp. ( also possible getting on power supply connections) 73Bruce-K1FZ -From: "WW3S" To: "topband@contesting.com" Cc: Sent: Friday October 29 2021 10:44:39AM Subject: Topband: amp tripping on 160 After two great nights of being able to receive, I am beyond frustrated, as I cannot transmitsomething happened recently, and I cannot figure it out... I suspect its RFI, but not sure why.as soon as I transmit on my Inverted L, my SPE 1.3KFA amp trips, saying SWRT exceeds limits.yet the SWR displayed is 1.46 to 1..new to me, but not new to this season is my tower which holds my Inverted L.it was 50' of Rohn 25, with a Hazer, its now a Alumnatower 48', with a wonderpole...but.that setup did work, as I worked S9OK and 3DA0RU with itI added a second receiving loop in the front yard, so thought that was it, but I took those cables out from the shack and still have a problem.yesterday morning, I found the short piece of coax had a nick in it, from the mower I guess, so replaced it, and shortened my L a bit to bring the SWR a bit further up the band.I tested yesterday morning and it was great, low , mid and high power, even 1300 watts of RTTY, no failure, I tried several times during the day and all was great until darkness, and as soon as I keyed the amp, failure.I pulled out what little I have left of my hair trying to figure this out..the wonderpole is grounded and I "assume" the tower is grounded thru that..should I separately ground the tower? Doing so will complicate tilting it over, plus I only have copper grounding attachments, I thought I read where I shouldn't use dissimilar metals.but willing to try anything to get my 160 TX ability back...thoughts? _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband [1] - Topband Reflector Links: -- [1] http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Re: Topband: amp tripping on 160
If everything is fine at lower power but trips at higher power, it could be RFI. But I would suspect an arcover somewhere. It sounds like your feedpoint is low impedance but there can be arcovers on the insulator at the end of your L, too. Or if your L is spaced off from the tower with insulators, those could be arcing over. And those may be more susceptible to moisture so might happen depending on temperature and humidity. Tim N3QE On Fri, Oct 29, 2021 at 10:44 AM WW3S wrote: > After two great nights of being able to receive, I am beyond frustrated, > as I cannot transmitsomething happened recently, and I cannot figure > it out... I suspect its RFI, but not sure why.as soon as I transmit > on my Inverted L, my SPE 1.3KFA amp trips, saying SWRT exceeds > limits.yet the SWR displayed is 1.46 to 1..new to me, but not > new to this season is my tower which holds my Inverted L.it was 50' > of Rohn 25, with a Hazer, its now a Alumnatower 48', with a > wonderpole...but.that setup did work, as I worked S9OK and > 3DA0RU with itI added a second receiving loop in the front yard, so > thought that was it, but I took those cables out from the shack and > still have a problem.yesterday morning, I found the short piece of > coax had a nick in it, from the mower I guess, so replaced it, and > shortened my L a bit to bring the SWR a bit further up the band.I > tested yesterday morning and it was great, low , mid and high power, > even 1300 watts of RTTY, no failure, I tried several times during the > day and all was great until darkness, and as soon as I keyed the amp, > failure.I pulled out what little I have left of my hair trying to > figure this out..the wonderpole is grounded and I "assume" the tower > is grounded thru that..should I separately ground the tower? Doing > so will complicate tilting it over, plus I only have copper grounding > attachments, I thought I read where I shouldn't use dissimilar > metals.but willing to try anything to get my 160 TX ability > back...thoughts? > _ > Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband > Reflector > _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
Topband: amp tripping on 160
After two great nights of being able to receive, I am beyond frustrated, as I cannot transmitsomething happened recently, and I cannot figure it out... I suspect its RFI, but not sure why.as soon as I transmit on my Inverted L, my SPE 1.3KFA amp trips, saying SWRT exceeds limits.yet the SWR displayed is 1.46 to 1..new to me, but not new to this season is my tower which holds my Inverted L.it was 50' of Rohn 25, with a Hazer, its now a Alumnatower 48', with a wonderpole...but.that setup did work, as I worked S9OK and 3DA0RU with itI added a second receiving loop in the front yard, so thought that was it, but I took those cables out from the shack and still have a problem.yesterday morning, I found the short piece of coax had a nick in it, from the mower I guess, so replaced it, and shortened my L a bit to bring the SWR a bit further up the band.I tested yesterday morning and it was great, low , mid and high power, even 1300 watts of RTTY, no failure, I tried several times during the day and all was great until darkness, and as soon as I keyed the amp, failure.I pulled out what little I have left of my hair trying to figure this out..the wonderpole is grounded and I "assume" the tower is grounded thru that..should I separately ground the tower? Doing so will complicate tilting it over, plus I only have copper grounding attachments, I thought I read where I shouldn't use dissimilar metals.but willing to try anything to get my 160 TX ability back...thoughts? _ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
