last night no TA decodes i.e. WD2XSH/17 not seen anymore
heard by SV8RV/1 and EA7HPM just over 2000km
but surprize this morning 28MHz open to VK
| 2017-03-05 09:30 | VK3KCX | 28.126060 | +3 | 0 | QF22qd | 10 | PG0DX | JO33ce | 16471 | 312 |
| 2017-03-05 09:30 | VK3KCX | 28.126030 | -8 | 1 | QF22qd | 10 | PG0DX/1 | JO33ce | 16471 | 312 |
| 2017-03-05 09:16 | PG0DX | 28.126136 | -12 | 1 | JO33ce | 200 | VK3KCX | QF22qd | 16471 | 78 |
| 2017-03-05 09:20 | PG0DX | 28.126135 | -4 | -1 | JO33ce | 200 | VK3KCX | QF22qd | 16471 | 78 |
| 2017-03-05 09:18 | VK3KCX | 28.126062 | -8 | 0 | QF22qd | 10 | PG0DX | JO33ce | 16471 | 312 |
| 2017-03-05 09:30 | VK3KCX | 28.126058 | -13 | -2 | QF22qd | 10 | PA0O | JO33hg | 16442 | 312 |
| 2017-03-05 09:28 | PD0OHW | 28.126174 | -27 | 0 | JO33lc | 5 | VK3KCX | QF22qd | 16424 | 79 |
| 2017-03-05 09:24 | VK2KRR | 28.126164 | -23 | 0 | QF34mr | 10 | PE1MPX | JO32gc | 16392 | 313 |
| 2017-03-05 09:24 | VK2KRR | 28.126110 | -11 | 4 | QF34mr | 10 | PG0DX/1 | JO33ce | 16380 | 316 |
| 2017-03-05 09:20 | PG0DX | 28.126119 | -1 | 0 | JO33ce | 200 | VK2KRR | QF34mr | 16380 | 73 |
| 2017-03-05 09:24 | VK2KRR | 28.126150 | 0 | -1 | QF34mr | 10 | PG0DX | JO33ce | 16380 | 316 |
| 2017-03-05 09:24 | VK2KRR | 28.126138 | -21 | 0 | QF34mr | 10 | PI4THT | JO32kf | 16367 | 314 |
| 2017-03-05 09:24 | VK2KRR | 28.126147 | -16 | 0 | QF34mr | 10 | PA0O | JO33hg | 16351 | 316 |
U3S continued
First attempt to replace it on the older 2015 version Si-board that came with the progrock.
Sudden it had no more RF on any of the 3 ports and no I2C init. Possible ESD damage?
B.t.w i gave up to use the Progrock as 96.000MHz l.o. for the 23cm XVTR The result was even worse then with the original 96 Xtal 96MHz was random jumping and not on freq.
Managed to replace the Si chip it was not easy, this thing is really small.
Normaly only handled by pick and place robots and not by an om.
After replacing the Si chip and checking the 10 pin chip conections with improvised needle test pins
and yes 1 pin needed reflow..
But.. testing on Progrock it still does not finish initial I2C communication check with the Si5351a
The LED stays red, it does not flicker at boot time and goes off as indication of completed I2C connection.
The other Si-unit a newer V4 with TCXO option pads does communicate with the Progrock I2C
But when this one is plugged in the U3S, the display say Error: Si5351A No Clk
I do not know exactly what "clk" is missing it can not be the I2C that is present and the 27MHz clock also it must refer to the U3S output signal then but RF is on all its 3 ports when in the Progrock.
The ports work.
What is wrong with the 2 units is still misty for me
Measuring the I2C SDA SCL levels i see a constant communication data stream on the not working unit.
I2C bit time about 3.6us # 180kb/s
The Progrock does not recognize this data?
The other unit shows short data activity just after boot.
Then the RED led flickers and goes off like that is how it should be.
The level is perfect 5V ttl shape on both units. the pattern seems not much different in timing.
An I2C data analyser it would be nice to have one
So the Si5351A seems to work normal, the level shift BS170 okay 2-way data.
All is normal.. but the unit fails no clue yet
The 3rd Si5351a unit QRP-LABS send a free replace for the progrock.
2015 Si-unit version without the TCXO option.
2015 Si-unit version without the TCXO option.
It it the only left that works with the U3S after I added the LM317 needed for use with U3S
but Progrock has its own special low noise 3V3 circuit.
but Progrock has its own special low noise 3V3 circuit.
However this Si works on both boards with the LM317.
It all looks nice blue LCD in the U3S case the QLG1 extern over a 4wire extention cable on a shelf.
But the WSPR signal from the U3S on 12m 10m and 6m does freeze the WSJT-x and also WSPR 2.21!
Many IMD products and drifting like a free running VFO..
I did not yet dare to go on air with this signals.
Band filters can not filter the close IMD products of course.
The BS170 "PA" is in class A but with switched off BS170 5V
IMD is present on the Si5351A ports
Now I wonder why do i have this trouble? am I the only one?
Not seen other hams with this U3 experience
Only LA3JJ Jon Ove describes how to stabilize the drift on 28MHz
but i could not fix that.
And PA3FYM Remco noticed Progrock output glitches during I2C comunication.
All other hams using the U3s have perfect working stable devices...
This U3S still is an nice project
Reading my experience could give an other impression.
Until the breadboard 5V went wild all was going fine.
With the spare Si5351a unit it worked.
I still hope to get a reliable working Beacon with clean reasonable 5W output
.
Comments
I have been pulling my hair out trying to get the Progrock to get some where near the frequency required ( 30.2 MHz for locking Icom IC 910H ) for use on 1296 MHz JT65D
using my local beacon which is GPS locked to 1296.474 ( using 1296.473 usb ) get a line down
the screen supposedly on 1296.473 at the 1000 hz marker but is about 170hz off .
checking the 144.474 beacon it is off by 15 Hz .
tried various resets on the reference ( register2) using a tcxo 27mhz ( 26.9998)
sent email to Hans about the problem of better adjustability but must be in the too hard basket. Bryan VK7KWB Tasmania Australia