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Re: [TenTec] Paragon Finals and other woes

To: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment <tentec@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Paragon Finals and other woes
From: ROLAND HOWELL via TenTec <tentec@contesting.com>
Reply-to: ROLAND HOWELL <snowy.howell@btinternet.com>, Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment <tentec@contesting.com>
Date: Tue, 29 Jan 2019 08:37:14 +0000 (UTC)
List-post: <mailto:tentec@contesting.com>
Hi Bob
I have put my paragon 1 away for ever, it becomes a door stopper now, such a 
shame, beautiful radio but the dreaded PLL unlock has put paid to its working 
career.
I had spent well over 30hours trying to sort the unlock problem, got it very 
briefly but then it unlocked again.
sorry to be the bearer of bad news.
maybe you can find a junker ( I think that's the term you use there across the 
pond, here in the UK its 'spares or repair') with good finals.
good luck
73
Snowy G0HZE
--------------------------------------------
On Tue, 29/1/19, Bwana Bob <wb2vuf@verizon.net> wrote:

 Subject: [TenTec] Paragon Finals and other woes
 To: "Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment" <tentec@contesting.com>
 Date: Tuesday, 29 January, 2019, 2:35
 
 Hi, all,
 
 I'm trying to fix a Paragon for one of
 the OTs here.  I just can't keep 
 it running for more than a couple of
 weeks at a time. I fixed multiple 
 PLL problems and got it running
 nicely.  Then, the Ten Tec power supply 
 blew (looks like both pass transistors
 went), so an Astron power supply 
 was substituted.  The Paragon kept
 shutting down until the owner cranked 
 up the voltage all the way.  I
 determined that there was too much 
 voltage drop (about 2 volts, key down)
 in the power cable, which was 
 relatively long, with multiple splices.
 I suggested shortening it.  This 
 was done and now the rig won't power on
 at all.  I went back and did 
 some more troubleshooting. I found that
 the power switch ground return 
 on the power control board was open. 
 I fixed that, but found a short on 
 the 13.8 V bus.  I haven't dug into it
 yet, but fear that the Astron 
 supply zapped the finals.
 
 R.F. Parts still carries the Motorola
 MRF458 at a reasonable price, but 
 would I need a matched pair?
 
 I also have a couple of questions on
 the power control board:  The 
 manual states that the fuse is an
 AGC-25, which is fast-acting, but the 
 schematic shows an MDL-25 fuse, which
 is time-delayed. Which is correct, 
 or is it non-critical?  I also notice,
 comparing schematics, that the 
 Omni V has an additional circuit on the
 power control board that delays 
 closure of the power relay.  I don't
 know what purpose this serves or if 
 it is worth adding to the Paragon.
 
 Finally, there is the question that at
 what point does it not pay to fix 
 a Paragon.  I've fixed my own Paragon
 a few times and it works fine, but 
 this other one is a nightmare!  It
 might be better to look for a parts 
 unit or a used one in better shape, and
 keep this one as a parts rig!
 
 73,
 
 Bob WB2VUF
 
 
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