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8600 GPDSO / 10 MHz Reference

Mick W8BE
Mick W8BE Member ✭✭
in FLEX-8000 Signature Series

I am able to sync up the gpsdo …

image.png

and the radio is locked (blue light on pwr button). However when looking at the 10 MHz Reference in Auto it shows searching…

image.png

Not sure why it does not lock. It does show lock if I choose the txco.

regards

Best Answer

  • Mick W8BE
    Mick W8BE Member ✭✭
    Answer ✓

    Len,

    I have been working with Tim on this. He just replied and said that they are going to send me a replacement GPDSO..

    thx

Answers

  • Mick W8BE
    Mick W8BE Member ✭✭

    So I did some more research and leaving the 10Mhz on Auto screws up the frequency offset. I found out by monitoring FT8 transmissions and it looked like signals were out of the 3KC bandpass range. When I switched back to TXCO the 10MHZ locks and FT8 signals look normal on the waterfall. Here is 40 meters with the TXCO

    image.png

    Now with the 10 MHz Reference to Auto

    image.png

    The gpdso shows searching…

  • Trucker
    Trucker Member ✭✭✭✭

    Is there a different setting other than Auto in the Reference drop down box that you can select? Maybe one specifically for the GNSS receiver.

    James

    WD5GWY

  • Mick W8BE
    Mick W8BE Member ✭✭

    yes . Auto, gpdso, or txco. It only locks on txco. I have a support ticket in.

    Thx

  • Mick W8BE
    Mick W8BE Member ✭✭

    Here is what you see when gpdso is selected…

    image.png

    Here is the gps status

    image.png
  • johnn1jm
    johnn1jm Member ✭✭✭

    Can you still lock to WWV? Is that what TXCO is?

    John N1JM

  • Mick W8BE
    Mick W8BE Member ✭✭

    Yes the TXCO lock is fine. It's just the gpdso lock that the 10mhz reference will not lock on..

  • Mick W8BE
    Mick W8BE Member ✭✭

    So here is the issue I am currently locked on my gpdso on about 13 - 15 satellites out of 30

    image.png

    However the 10 MHz Reference source will not lock on the GPDSO. It does not even see the GPDSO.

    image.png

    I assume if it finds the GPDSO the button will be blue not grey. Can anyone tell me if there is any other status other than searching or locked?

  • KD0RC
    KD0RC Member, Super Elmer Moderator

    Hi Mick, what John is asking is if there is still a WWV calibration available to adjust the TXCO. That is how it is done on 6000 series radios.

  • Mick W8BE
    Mick W8BE Member ✭✭
    edited March 25

    Len,

    yes you can use the txco to do a calibration . From what I read a 6xxx radio with gpdso can also be used for the 10 MHz Reference. For what it is worth I am up to 16 - 17 tracked satellites and with no sync on the 10 MHz Reference. I don't understand why the 10Mhz does not even see the GPDSO.

    Here is the txco being used…

    image.png

    Now here is where the reference does not even see the GPDSO.

    image.png

    There is also this note…

    image.png

    However the slice frequency readout is about 1KC off when I try to use the GPDSO .

  • KD0RC
    KD0RC Member, Super Elmer Moderator

    Ah, ok, I see. I would submit a help desk ticket.

  • Deroy
    Deroy Member ✭
    My 8600 with the GPSDO has never worked. Here is the latest info
    "
    Tim Ellison (FlexRadio HelpDesk)

    Feb 17, 2025, 8:12 AM CST
    Deroy,

    I wanted to provide you with an update on your current RMA. What we discovered testing your unit is the issue, which presented itself as a hardware problem, is actually a firmware issue designated as SMART-10785. We have also determined the root cause of the problem. It has been addressed in the upcoming SmartSDR v3.9 firmware release. Once you install the SmartSDR v3.9 firmware, it will restore the 10 MHz GPSDO output."

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