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PGXL intermittently fails to key up when transmitting on 6400m. Suggestions?

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K7KKR
K7KKR Member ✭
in Power Genius XL Amplifier
I have a 6400M connected to a PGXL amplifier via ethernet. Both are connected to a TP-Link TL-SG105 powered network switch. All equipment is in close proximity in my radio room. I read in the forums it might be RFI entering the switch through the power cable. I installed a ferrite on the power supply cable with no success. The amp will key up normally dozens or hundreds of times then suddenly won't key. When it occurs, I release the transmit, then immediately re-key and the amplifier engages properly. Any suggestions?
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  • K7KKR
    K7KKR Member ✭
    Answer ✓
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    Thanks for your comments. I tried Cat 8 Ethernet cables (double shielding and shielded plugs) with no success. I updated the 6400M to firmware to version 3.3.33 which seemed to solve the problem. Previous version was 3.3.29. I’ve run three radio nets (3+ hours each) with no instances of the PGXL failing to key.

Answers

  • KD0RC
    KD0RC Member, Super Elmer Moderator
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    It can be RF getting into any number of cables, including the ethernet cables themselves. Other cabling can contribute as well. Things like mic cables, key cables, an unrelated 2 meter antenna, etc etc. It can find sneaky paths that don't seem radio related, so it can be very difficult to track down.

    I usually have to start disconnecting things one at a time until I find the culprit. I have recently taken a brute force approach and put ferrites everywhere. I still have a minor problem on 20 Meters where I never had a problem before, but 40, where I had a bad problem is now totally clean. You just never know with RF...

    Because like you, my problem is intermittent, it is really hard to track down. I recently got a clamp-on RF ammeter, so I will go through all my cabling to see if I can sniff out some 20 Meter RF and concentrate my efforts there.

    Best of luck tracking this down.

  • Mike Steventon
    Mike Steventon Member ✭✭✭
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    You could try some of these:

    https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/dxe-iso-plus-2

    I swear by them!!

    73 Mike

  • KD0RC
    KD0RC Member, Super Elmer Moderator
    Options

    Excellent! I am glad that you got it working.

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