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#1
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SEA-235 SSB Tuner Problem
I just got down to my boat on the Rio Dulce in Guatemala and found
that my SEA-235 SSB tuner isn't tuning. The tuner should automatically tune after switching frequencies and transmitting. Also, by grounding the Demand Tune (DMD TUN) signal wire, the tuner should tune. This is accomplished by pressing the Function (FNC) key while pressing PTT. When I do so, I see the demand tune signal drop, but no tuning takes place. I either get NO TUNE displayed on the transmitter display or I get a very high SWR (7 to 8+) The tuner correctly runs through its initialization as shown by the configuration of the tuner relays after powering up. I've carefully cleaned and checked all of the connections and my ground connections are bright copper. I had this problem once before, but it mysteriously cleared up just as it appeared. On past occassions I've heard the tuner relays chattering while transmitting. This also comes and goes. I've corresponded with SEA about this and have shipped the radio back to them, but they found nothing with the radio. I can receive and transmit, and I've been told that my signal is clean, but weak as I'm at low power. I can send and receive e-mail via SailMail reasonably well (the propagation on the Rio Dulce is always a problem). What I'd like to know is what other tests can I run to diagnose the problem. Could it be the antennae? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Just remember that I'm in the middle of nowhere. Thanks, Geoff |
#3
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SEA-235 SSB Tuner Problem
Brian Whatcott wrote: old uncle tom cobley an all You gotta be a Brit. Don't think I have ever heard that expression this side of the pond. -- Glenn Ashmore I'm building a 45' cutter in strip/composite. Watch my progress (or lack there of) at: http://www.rutuonline.com Shameless Commercial Division: http://www.spade-anchor-us.com |
#4
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SEA-235 SSB Tuner Problem
you didn't say what the antenna is - assuming sailboat backstay -
maybe check the condition of the HT wire from the tuner to the backstay? On 3 Jan 2004 11:25:06 -0800, (GeoffSchultz) wrote: I just got down to my boat on the Rio Dulce in Guatemala and found that my SEA-235 SSB tuner isn't tuning. The tuner should automatically tune |
#5
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SEA-235 SSB Tuner Problem
I lived there many years: still have to think about fenders versus
"wings". "Tom Cobley" was a snatch from a folk story in verse from the edge of Dartmoor where Sherlock Holmes' Hound (of the Baskervilles) was set.... Here's one of the verses: When the wind whistles cold on the moor of the night All along, down along, out along, lee, Tom Pearce's old mare doth appear ghastly white, With Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney, Peter Davy, Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawke, Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all, Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all." Brian W On Sat, 03 Jan 2004 21:42:31 -0500, Glenn Ashmore wrote: Brian Whatcott wrote: old uncle tom cobley an all You gotta be a Brit. Don't think I have ever heard that expression this side of the pond. |
#6
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SEA-235 SSB Tuner Problem
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#7
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SEA-235 SSB Tuner Problem
The antenna is a 23 foot Shakespeare whip. I´ve checked the
connections to it and they appear to be good. I´ve been told that my signal sounds good although I can only transmit at low power. I would have thought that at some frequency that the antenna would be tuned. -- Geoff Freebee wrote in message . .. you didn't say what the antenna is - assuming sailboat backstay - maybe check the condition of the HT wire from the tuner to the backstay? On 3 Jan 2004 11:25:06 -0800, (GeoffSchultz) wrote: I just got down to my boat on the Rio Dulce in Guatemala and found that my SEA-235 SSB tuner isn't tuning. The tuner should automatically tune |
#8
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SEA-235 SSB Tuner Problem
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#9
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SEA-235 SSB Tuner Problem
On Sun, 04 Jan 2004 14:02:31 GMT, (Larry W4CSC) wrote:
On 4 Jan 2004 05:28:37 -0800, (GeoffSchultz) wrote: The antenna is a 23 foot Shakespeare whip. I´ve checked the connections to it and they appear to be good. I´ve been told that my signal sounds good although I can only transmit at low power. I would have thought that at some frequency that the antenna would be tuned. -- Geoff The wire inside the fiberglass whip has broken and is making intermittent contact. The only thing that's inside the fiberglass is a piece of hookup wire wrapped around a form then fiberglassed to form a continuously loaded shortened whip. They break. Disconnect the whip from the tuner and haul up a 40-50' piece of wire hooked to the tuner's high voltage output with insulating line on the outer end. Any wire will do, even a dropcord. At your dock, haul it up your neighbor's mast or anything you can get to. Once set, try to see if the tuner will load the longwire. This will separate the possible whip problem from the possible tuner problem so we can determine which of them is the true problem. Don't let the longwire get near any metal objects. Stand it off any rigging with a boat cushion or insulating pole if you have to. It also doesn't need to be string tight. If it tunes, the whip is toast. If it doesn't send the tuner to the shop. I've been away from the radio shack too long. Good advice. Later, Tom S. Woodstock, CT ---------- "We may say of angling as Dr. Boteler said of strawberries: Doubtless God could have made a better berry, but doubtless God never did and so, if I might be judge, God never did make a more calm, quiet, innocent recreation than angling." Izaak Walton "The Compleat Angler"(1653) |
#10
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SEA-235 SSB Tuner Problem
Lessee: 23 feet, say 7 meters is a quarter wave
so a wavelength is 28 meters. 300/28 = 10.7 MHz or a little lower.... The wire in a glass whip can break. Checking it for resonance would eliminate this possibility. Brian W On 4 Jan 2004 05:28:37 -0800, (GeoffSchultz) wrote: The antenna is a 23 foot Shakespeare whip. I´ve checked the connections to it and they appear to be good. I´ve been told that my signal sounds good although I can only transmit at low power. I would have thought that at some frequency that the antenna would be tuned. -- Geoff Freebee wrote in message . .. you didn't say what the antenna is - assuming sailboat backstay - maybe check the condition of the HT wire from the tuner to the backstay? On 3 Jan 2004 11:25:06 -0800, (GeoffSchultz) wrote: I just got down to my boat on the Rio Dulce in Guatemala and found that my SEA-235 SSB tuner isn't tuning. The tuner should automatically tune |
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