EI4RF/B QRV again

[EI2GLB]

EI4RF 4m beacon on 70.130 is back QRV after many years. It is on a high site over looking the Irish sea and has a sequenced output to 2 x 3el yagis.

I have to get more info on the QRB of the yagis but I think the are pointing NE and SE

power is about 10w

There seems to be some sort of drift on it and it produces an intresting tone.

can anyone who hears it please spot it and report it here if possible.

I would be greatful for a few video clips of it if anyone can help me.

thanks
Trevor
EI2GLB
IRTS VHF Manager

[G0UWK]

It was 59+10db here most days during last week and as you say appears to make an odd change in note on the keying- strangely amusing to say the least

Glad its back on the air.

I'll you tube it for you when my rig gets back from icom

[EI2GLB]

Thanks Ian

Sorry to hear about the Rig hope its nothing to serious.

Trevor
EI2GLB

[G0UWK]

Thanks Trevor,
Unstable transverter drive level one minuet it's -10dbm the next it's -30dbm then -5dbm, thermal runaway.
99.9% of owners would never have seen this issue as I guess very few people ever put them on a transverter, just my luck

[EI2GLB]

Here is a video I recorded of EI4RF

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84hZvuIm_hg

[G3TCT]

Hmm
Nice to have it back on, but is the frequency meant to be jumping around over ~100Hz? It's very musical, but probably not intended.

73
Graham

[EI2GLB]

Hi Graham

No there is a problem that only showed up when connected to the Yagi's

under test on a dummy load it was perfect.

anyone have any ideas what could cause this

thanks


Trevor
EI2GLB

[G3TCT]

Hi Trevor
It's very strange - the carrier it sends at the end of the sequence is always steady, but not always on the same frequency. And the different frequencies it sends seem very stable.

How is the frequency generated - is it synthesised? In which case it looks like some bits are getting corrupted somehow - RF in the shack? Voltage regulation?

HTH
Graham

[G3TCT]

Spectrum of EI4RF taken at the end of the sequence can be seen here:-
http://www.g3tct.co.uk/files/EI4RF_150611.jpg

73
Graham

[G3PTU]

Points I would look at (already touched on in posts)
Rf Feedback
Wacky 230v >> voltage regulation drop out.

Most lickley - Sod; Murphy what ever you like to call it.
David g3PTU

[EI2GLB]

Thanks for the replies, I don't know too much about the beacon but I belive it is based on the UKSMG beacon project

http://www.uksmg.org/content/6metrebeacon.htm

I will ask if the same PSU was used during testing and final install as it might be an issue.

anything else I should get them to check.

Trevor

[GW8IZR]

matrix in keyer is drawing different currents as it generates characters, the keying line isn't properly referenced to the rf exciter and the varying dc potential is pulling the varicap to different capacitance values - hence varied but stable frequencies.

[EI2GLB]

Thanks for the reply Paul I will be honest and say I dont really understand how the beacon works but I know the Keeper is a member on here and Is working on a fix at present.

Thanks
Trevor
EI2GLB

[G8HUY]

Hi have just got onto 4m for the first time today. Your beacon is reaching my /p QTH which is a village called Elleton upon Swale,Scorton just east of Cattrick in North Yorkshire.

It was S3 at times with QSB to zero. My gear is a 4m Spectrum Transverter to 10m on a IC7000, antenna a simple dipole at 12 feet, QTH is just 35m asl,

I have it all on video but don't know how to get it up on this forum' I'm using my blackberry phone, very fiddly with my big old thumbs.

I have been calling CQ on both SSB 70.2 and 70.45 for hours today but I have still to have my first ever QSO on four.

73s John

[G0UWK]

Trevor,
Rig now back, here is the video I promised.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4w3i67ZRcfs

John I'll be looking your way in the next few hours.