Amps
[Top] [All Lists]

Re: [Amps] RF probe and SSB (may be a little OT)

To: W2RU - Bud Hippisley <W2RU@frontiernet.net>
Subject: Re: [Amps] RF probe and SSB (may be a little OT)
From: Bob Tortajada <n6ri@rtort.com>
Date: Sat, 11 Mar 2006 21:06:38 -0800
List-post: <mailto:amps@contesting.com>
Bud, thanks for a bunch of good information. I really want to make sure 
I have clean audio.  I have some comments below.
W2RU - Bud Hippisley wrote:

> One of the best ways of checking the effect of your amplifier tuning 
> on your signal quality is to use a "monitor" scope in the so-called 
> "trapezoidal" pattern mode.  The Heathkit SB-610, in matching cabinet 
> to your SB-220, is ideal for this if you can find one in the used 
> marketplace.  I have exactly this combination of amplifier and scope 
> here.
>
Yea, I was looking for that scope. I thought I had one, but it turned 
out to be a sb-620 when I got it home. :( I should get a 610 just to 
match at this point. 

> Most regular oscilloscopes allow you get directly at the deflection 
> plates, so the vertical part is pretty easy.  I don't have any 
> generalizations about the horizontal input, since that would depend on 
> the scope and its frequency response.  If you had a good 100 MHz scope 
> with matching probes, you could go in that way both horizontally and 
> vertically, I suppose.  Perhaps others on this reflector can comment 
> on clever techniques for this with an ordinary scope.
>
I have a Tek-475, just no probes or manual. The manual I can get from 
the internet, but the plethora of knobs and buttons on the 475 has 
humbled me. To be honest, I have no idea what most of them do.

I know I need a RF probe, but not sure if that is something easy to 
build or buy.

> The other half of your concern should be whether you're creating too 
> much distortion within the transceiver itself.  The easiest way to 
> monitor this situation is to use the "Compression" and "ALC" metering 
> that may be available in your transceiver.  Typically you should be 
> making those two voltages peak at half or less of their total range.  

My pegasus just has a ALC light. Not a very good indicator of what is 
going on. That is why I am looking for a monitor.



Bob - N6RI
_______________________________________________
Amps mailing list
Amps@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/amps

<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>