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Power out

Paul F6EXV
Paul F6EXV Member ✭✭
in SmartSDR for Windows

Hi all

I have a x 6500, running on SmartSDR 4.1.5 Win 10 machine.

Yesterday, when switching the rig on, I noticed the power out was not what it should be… It is set to 100W, and the display shows just about 55W out.

When trying the tuine button, set to 100W, it shows the same. The strange thing is, when I stop the tune, the SWR will go all the way up to infinite and slow drop to zero and a half seconds.

Reeception also seams to be affected (or is it propagation ?).

What would you recommend me to do, to check what went wrong ?

TU + 73

Paul F6EXV

Comments

  • Mike-VA3MW
    Mike-VA3MW Administrator, FlexRadio Employee, Community Manager, Super Elmer, Moderator admin

    Often, when this happens, the DC power on the back of the radio is low.

    If you use FRStack to measure the internal DC power while in TX with TUNE set to 100%, what do you get for a voltage reading?

  • VE7ATJ_Don
    VE7ATJ_Don Member ✭✭✭✭

    Hi Paul… first, let's check that the rig itself is OK. If you have a dummy load available, attach that to the Flex and try again. If you're still not getting a full 100W output (or close to it), then I would open up a Help Desk Ticket.

    If everything is OK with the dummy load, then it's likely something in your antenna system after the rig. The Flex will 'fold back' power to protect the finals if the SWR is too high. You may be seeing something like this.

  • Paul F6EXV
    Paul F6EXV Member ✭✭
    edited February 7

    Hi Mike

    I installed FRStack…

    I read 13.2 V at rest, and when I start TXing (100W on the tune power) it drops to 12.4V... and stays there.

    There is no reflected power at all… The temp at rest is just over 100° ( I trust it's farenheit) and up to 130 immediately when TXing.

    So ?

    TU + 73

    Paul F6EXV

  • VE7ATJ_Don
    VE7ATJ_Don Member ✭✭✭✭
    edited February 8

    Hmmmm… 12.4V is a bit low for full output. I believe Flex recommends at least 13.4V at full power. If nothing else has changed, check the power cable and the connections at both ends — sometimes corrosion can seep in and cause drops in delivered voltage.

    Do you have another power supply available to check whether that might be the problem?

    I still recommend trying a dummy load on the output to check there isn't an antenna problem as well.

  • Geoff AB6BT
    Geoff AB6BT Member ✭✭✭

    Paul…In FRStack the temperature displays °C or °F. You can change between them by right clicking the temperature in the display window. I hope it is not 100 °C!

  • Paul F6EXV
    Paul F6EXV Member ✭✭

    Don and Geoff

    Thanks for answers.

    I do not have a dummy load here, but the is no reflected power, so I trust this would make no difference. I will try another power supply.

    Geoff, I did not notice the possibility to change scale, but I would hope it is not 100°°C, this wouyd be a good fryer for eggs !

    73

  • Mike-VA3MW
    Mike-VA3MW Administrator, FlexRadio Employee, Community Manager, Super Elmer, Moderator admin

    55 watts at 12.4V seems low. Open a support ticket.

  • Paul F6EXV
    Paul F6EXV Member ✭✭

    Problem solved !

  • Geoff AB6BT
    Geoff AB6BT Member ✭✭✭

    Paul…OK, what was it?

  • Paul F6EXV
    Paul F6EXV Member ✭✭

    Yes, solved … SWR was infinite, but did not show properly… Remote coax switch wen dead…

    Si I am happy again !

    73

    Paul F6EXV

  • Geoff AB6BT
    Geoff AB6BT Member ✭✭✭

    Glad you found it!

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