SmartSDR v3.8.19 and the SmartSDR v3.8.19 Release Notes | SmartSDR v2.12.1 and the SmartSDR v2.12.1 Release Notes
SmartSDR v1.12.1 and the SmartSDR v1.12.1 Release Notes
Power Genius XL Utility v3.8.8 and the Power Genius XL Release Notes v3.8.8
Tuner Genius XL Utility v1.2.11 and the Tuner Genius XL Release Notes v1.2.11
Antenna Genius Utility v4.1.8
Need technical support from FlexRadio? It's as simple as Creating a HelpDesk ticket.
Recently repaired 6400 is having problems with power and disconnects
In July 2024 I got my 6400 serviced by Flex for a couple of issues wich resulted on a new LPF board and a new PA100 board too. Once received, everything was working fine for a couple of weeks, until recently the radio is behaving weird:
- The radio is disconnecting from SmartSDR due to low voltage when in TX (meters shows it drops down to 11 volts during tx from 13.6 during rx).
- After this happens radio disconnects from SmartSDR and have to reboot the radio
- On 6m radio does not get to 100w (I'm afraid it was the reason we had to change the PA100 in the first place. new one on the horizon???)
- TGXL works fine connected to the same power supply
- Power Supply is an Astron SS-30M
- Tried with a Samlex 1235 with the same behaviour
- Checked both power supplies and they are working fine
Running latest SmartSDR software.
Any idea on what this could be before I open a ticket and inquiry on the previous service.
73, Santiago
Answers
-
Personally speaking, and others may disagree but this is what I find with my 6400, 13.6 V on RX is not enough to maintain normal operation of the radio on TX. I now have 14.3V on RX.
2 -
Hi Santiago, I agree with Erik. If you can move your voltage up, it will help.
What size wire are you using and how long is it? A 2.6 V drop is a LOT. This can be caused by too small and/or too long of a power cable. It can also be dirty or loose connectors, including the fuse.
1 -
Santiago,
Here is some detailed info on voltage setup, cable size, and troubleshooting on my web page.
Link:
Al / NN4ZZ
1 -
Thanks for your comments and suggestions. I'm using the original cable that came with the radio. Nonetheless, I will re check cables and will into upping the power supply voltage.
73, Santiago
0 -
check at the back of the radio with a voltmeter with probes into the Power Poles. Use FRStack, Node Red, or other utility to measure the internal voltage of the radio. Do this on receive and transmit.
Over time the Power Poles develop slight corrosion and can cause resistance to have a significant voltage drop.
73 Dave wo2x
2 -
Following on this matter. Astron is giving 14.3 on RX and 13.6 on TX at the PS and at the 6400, Next step is to check internal fuse and change power cable (in the process of ordering a new one from Flex). Hopefully this solve the issue and wont require another trip to Texas for the radio.
73, Santiago
0 -
Before you take the radio apart, load FRStack, put the radio into 100% tune and see what voltage is returned while in TX.
On mine, I was getting a 2V drop. When I added some Deoxit (or similar) to the power poles, the voltage drop was 0.1V.
0 -
Thanks Mike. I did that, and voltage while tx drops down to 10v on FRstack and SDR Monitor, while the Astron PS reads 14.3 thw whole time. Nonetheless, I prepared a new power cable with new powerpoles to check it out before opening the radio.
Santiago
1 -
Don't forget the Dexoit or something similar. Your voltage drop is likely due to some corrosion on the PP connectors. It only takes about 0.5 ohms of resistance to make a big difference in the supply voltage into the radio.
We have seen this before and it has always been corrosion on the power poles. Even if you change the cable, that is only 1/2 the connection, so keep that in mind.
0 -
excellent point. Thanks Mike.
0 -
Other items to check are: Using the minimum length of power cable, minimize the ohmic loss at the connection to the power supply, using ring connectors if possible, rather than power poles, confirm the power supply has adequate capacity for the radio (25 amp minimum).
0 -
Good morning. Went to the remote site yesterday and checked up on the 6400 issue. Still same results, with new shortest cable possible. Checked and cleaned power poles, checked different power supplies. I guess only thing left to do is open up the radio (which I'm reluctant to do) to see the fuse. Left my backup rig (Yaesu 991) working for the moment and brought the Flex home because I didn't want to open it on the remote site.
73, Santiago
0
Leave a Comment
Categories
- All Categories
- 280 Community Topics
- 2.1K New Ideas
- 524 The Flea Market
- 7.5K Software
- 6K SmartSDR for Windows
- 144 SmartSDR for Maestro and M models
- 350 SmartSDR for Mac
- 248 SmartSDR for iOS
- 228 SmartSDR CAT
- 168 DAX
- 351 SmartSDR API
- 8.7K Radios and Accessories
- 7K FLEX-6000 Signature Series
- 839 Maestro
- 43 FlexControl
- 842 FLEX Series (Legacy) Radios
- 786 Genius Products
- 413 Power Genius XL Amplifier
- 274 Tuner Genius XL
- 99 Antenna Genius
- 238 Shack Infrastructure
- 162 Networking
- 398 Remote Operation (SmartLink)
- 124 Contesting
- 618 Peripherals & Station Integration
- 122 Amateur Radio Interests
- 856 Third-Party Software