SmartSDR FT causing odd issue with 6400M on transmit

Rollerbones · May 14

Not sure if I have something dialed incorrectly or another issue going on.

When using FT8 within SMARTSDR the radio pulsates and the amp output on power supply bounces all over for a bit on Tx. I have attached a video link to show what it's doing and screenshots of my settings.

I am sure I may just have something wrong or missing something. This only does this using FT8.

Video:

https://youtu.be/h5jp475xOk4

Trucker · May 14

The red light on the power button indicates low voltage. I would check your power cable and Anderson Power Pole connectors. And it may be a problem with your power supply not delivering enough current.

James

WD5GWY

Rollerbones · May 15

Thanks but isn't that normal for Tx, I read this:

"SOLID BRIGHT RED: Transmitting on PA"

Trucker · May 15

My bad,you are correct. The power button will light up solid red on transmit. All the same, I would still check cables and power supply for a bad connection or the power supply not delivering enough current during transmit. If you don't find the problem I would suggest opening a Help Desk ticket. It may take a few days for a response as nearly all the Flex employees are in Xenia for Hamvention. But, going ahead and starting the ticket will get you a response sooner.

Good luck.

James

WD5GWY

K3SF · May 15

video of macssdr screen during transmit would help debug

would be good to see voltage reading during transmit as seen by macssdr

as seen on upper right part of macsssr screen

however

…not sure why you put the 6400m receiver on same freq as macssdr slice

you maybe seeing the receiver in protect mode, due to high RF being detected

this results in shutting down transmit which causes the hight rf detect to go away

and

then allows it to transmit again…Oscillating back and forth between rcv/xmit/rcv/xmit

my suggestion would be dont use 6400m front panel slice on same band as macssdr slice

and see what results

Paul K3SF

Rollerbones · May 15

Thanks for suggestions ,It just happened to be turned there when I did video but I have tried non-multiflex so the front panel is doing nothing, I have also tried having in 40m and same issue either way.

Voltage stays consistent even on Tx. Here is link to screen recording during Tx.

https://youtu.be/i2w-JRl37MY

Rollerbones · May 15

Also, I have tried from Windows with the same result, needle bouncing (only FT8) and waterfall pulsing.

I just started to use the FT8 and everything else is fine. Kind of makes me think it could be a setting within the 6400m itself since it happens on MAC or Windows version. Voltage stays at 13.8 from both when Tx.

Only other thing that happened recently was radio lost power on boot and was at a Windows restore screen until I rebooted and came back fine.

Rollerbones · May 15

Ok, I believe this is my antenna issue. I made a 10m antenna and stretched on floor and all was perfect, once I connect up the attic antenna it bounces again.

Guess I will climb…. :) Its an Alpha Delta Dipole DX-EE 40' running on a LMR400 to my office so I will check that out.

Mike Steventon · May 15

Nasty RF coming back down the line?? Maybe put a common mode choke in at the feed point of antenna??

Rollerbones · May 15

Also, If I keep the power at 15w or less all is good…I go up from there and the bouncing starts.

This is only using FT8, voice is fine.

SmartSDR FT causing odd issue with 6400M on transmit

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