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RF attenuation question

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Andrew Thall
Andrew Thall Member ✭✭
edited February 2019 in FLEX-6000 Signature Series
I have a 6300.  Is there any way to attenuate signals?  I am an ARRL Official Observer.  Occasionally, there is a very strong signal that I'd like to attenuate so that I can examine it.  Thanks for any help/suggestions.
Andy, k2oo

Answers

  • Bill W2PKY
    Bill W2PKY Member ✭✭
    edited March 2017
    Options
    Connect a variable/fixed attenuation to the loop circuit
  • Tim - W4TME
    Tim - W4TME Administrator, FlexRadio Employee admin
    edited December 2016
    Options
    The 6300 does not have an RX loop
  • Tim - W4TME
    Tim - W4TME Administrator, FlexRadio Employee admin
    edited March 2017
    Options
    Andy - the 6300 does not have an RF attenuator.  

    If you can't visually see the full magnitude of the signal, you can change the vertical scale.
  • Michael Coslo
    Michael Coslo Member ✭✭
    edited October 2016
    Options
    I used a decade attenuator between the antenna and radio a few years back when doing vertical vs horizontal antenna work. 
  • Dewey WØYWW
    Dewey WØYWW Member ✭✭✭
    edited February 2019
    Options
    I thought I remember seeing a SmartSDR antenna preamp gain setting of -10dB.  That might help some.
  • Tim - W4TME
    Tim - W4TME Administrator, FlexRadio Employee admin
    edited December 2016
    Options
    Only on the 6500 and 6700
  • Andrew Thall
    Andrew Thall Member ✭✭
    edited November 2016
    Options
    Thank you for your answer. If, down the road, a software solution is a possible, I would be happy to pay for it.
  • DH2ID
    DH2ID Member ✭✭✭
    edited March 2017
    Options
    For attenuation purposes I use a HP 355D switchable attenuator from 0 to -120 dB.
    I got it in very good condition from a German ham for 50€. Be careful to take it out
    if you're transmitting with more than 1W.
  • Bill W2PKY
    Bill W2PKY Member ✭✭
    edited October 2016
    Options
    May want to connect this to the Transverter Port
  • W9OY
    W9OY Member ✭✭
    edited February 2018
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    I don't understand why you need to attenuate.  You have like 130dB of dynamic range, just look at the screen.   I've never seen a signal that comes within 30dB of overload

    73  W9OY 
  • Andrew Thall
    Andrew Thall Member ✭✭
    edited November 2016
    Options
    As an ARRL Official Observer, I sometimes need to determine if a signal is out of band.  By attenuating a signal, I can more precisely determine if a signal is too wide and out of band/sub-band.
  • Bill -VA3WTB
    Bill -VA3WTB Member ✭✭✭
    edited December 2016
    Options
    On the Flex, this information is very clear on the panadaptor. with or without attenuating. And you can zoom in on the signal?
  • Tim - W4TME
    Tim - W4TME Administrator, FlexRadio Employee admin
    edited December 2016
    Options
    Attenuation will not change the width of the signal, just the magnitude.  I would think that if you are looking to see if the signal is out of band, that zooming and changing the vertical scale would provide a more accurate determination of the operators RF emissions.

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