amp relay sticks

[sp5it]

Is relay also "sticking" when you transmit into dummy load?

 

[groundwire]

Is relay also "sticking" when you transmit into dummy load?

that is on my list to try tomorrow. its raining hard and cold outside right now and almost dark so i will have to wait.

 

[Shadetree Mechanic]

output swr stays the same with different drive levels,
input swr is flat (1/10 of a watt reflect)
pass thru tune is flat
all the combiners stay cool and even temperature. same with the output transistors.
is there supposed to be a resistor in the keying circuit?

I am not sure if there is supposed to be a resistor in the keying circuit, I am not that familiar with the big amps.

It's really strange that it worked ok at first, and now it doesn't. What could have changed either inside or outside of the amp?

 

[groundwire]

I am not sure if there is supposed to be a resistor in the keying circuit, I am not that familiar with the big amps.

It's really strange that it worked ok at first, and now it doesn't. What could have changed either inside or outside of the amp?

i know, that has me stumped. maybe the keying transistor is going bad? or a components value changed somewhere? i have no clue

 

[brandon7861]

Scope the collector of the keying transistor. Set your trigger to 40v and see if it captures any spikes when you key up. I have a homemade TDR using a 3904 in avalanche mode and it only takes about 80v for it to avalanche and stay conducting until the source voltage is gone. There are a lot of pills in there and stray RF may be enough to avalanche it.

 

[groundwire]

Scope the collector of the keying transistor. Set your trigger to 40v and see if it captures any spikes when you key up. I have a homemade TDR using a 3904 in avalanche mode and it only takes about 80v for it to avalanche and stay conducting until the source voltage is gone. There are a lot of pills in there and stray RF may be enough to avalanche it.

ok, i will do that tomorrow and report back with my findings

 

[linearone]

i just got done going thru the whole amp. i literally checked every single solder joint, connection, wire, transformer wrap, component, relay, relay contacts etc. i checked for shorts, opens, ground continuity throughout the whole amp, etc with a vom. everything checks out perfect. still like brand new. relay contacts are brand new, not a mark on them. i cranked down every single nut, bolt and screw. so as far as all that stuff goes, the amp is perfect like new. i will put the thing back in line tomorrow and see if it still acts weird. im going to guess it will, because my last hopper 32pill was a complete lemon and a basket case so why would this one be any different lol. i hear of alot of people have problems with anything bigger than a 6pill from nate. ridiculous

But you didn't do what I said to do, right?

 

[groundwire]

But you didn't do what I said to do, right?

i dont have any components. i have to order everything. and i have no clue on what relay to buy and from where. i dont build these things i just run em

 

[linearone]

i dont have any components. i have to order everything. and i have no clue on what relay to buy and from where. i dont build these things i just run em

If you leave the relay, and truth be told it's likely not the relay, do the other stuff I said. Also. Is each transistor section fed by a choke?

 

[linearone]

If you leave the relay, and truth be told it's likely not the relay, do the other stuff I said. Also. Is each transistor section fed by a choke?

Ok, I just looked at your pics. That seems fine but your output is right on top of the wire that feeds the high side of the relay. Take those wires, extend them, wrap them 3-4 times around a #43 ferrite ring and put a .01uf 3kv cap from it to ground, keep it all short.
Put a diode with the banded end toward the high side to the side with the keying circuit.
Try it again. Also rebuild keying circuit.

 

[groundwire]

Ok, I just looked at your pics. That seems fine but your output is right on top of the wire that feeds the high side of the relay. Take those wires, extend them, wrap them 3-4 times around a #43 ferrite ring and put a .01uf 3kv cap from it to ground, keep it all short.
Put a diode with the banded end toward the high side to the side with the keying circuit.
Try it again. Also rebuild keying circuit.

ok i will give it a try

 

[groundwire]

Ok, I just looked at your pics. That seems fine but your output is right on top of the wire that feeds the high side of the relay. Take those wires, extend them, wrap them 3-4 times around a #43 ferrite ring and put a .01uf 3kv cap from it to ground, keep it all short.
Put a diode with the banded end toward the high side to the side with the keying circuit.
Try it again. Also rebuild keying circuit.

does the cap connect to the relay where the wire that feeds the high side connects to the relay?
ceramic disc capacitor correct?
what diode would be best, 1N4001, 1N4002, 1N4003 or?

 

[nomadradio]

The thing I forgot to ask.

If you remove the power, does this bring back the receive side?

73

 

[groundwire]

The thing I forgot to ask.

If you remove the power, does this bring back the receive side?

73

i haven't tried that. its in the back of the suburban so i would have to run around and jump in the back and unbolt the hot line. its not on a quick disconnect.

 

[nomadradio]

Wouldn't the standby switch do the same thing?

73