Messages

1

HF Mystery Signals / Re: No Idea What This Is

« on: February 14, 2019, 0136 UTC »

27185, or 27.185 MHz CB channel 19 - is one of the busiest frequencies in all of the HF spectrum.

Do you really mean all of the HF spectrum or just 26.965 - 27.405 ?
Stop in to 14.074 USB or 10.136 USB...maybe 7.074 and 3.573 ...all USB mode
Jim

2

Equipment / Re: Panaxis FME 500 issue

« on: January 09, 2019, 1803 UTC »

All old parts saved...gonna set this aside for now as I have other priorities to finish up with.
Sometimes working on something too long makes it worse.
I removed the DIP switch and realized I had not replaced it but only removed, cleaned and tested.
No change.
Going to walk away from it awhile.

3

Equipment / Re: Panaxis FME 500 issue

« on: January 09, 2019, 1355 UTC »

Amazing...emailed the Panaxis people and to my surprise,said he had just ONE original DS8907N PLL chip left from this kit.
Of course I bought it !!
When it arrived,plopped it in carefully,powered up and NOPE...still same thing...no locking.
Not being a professional having all the fancy test gear,it is much easier for me to just pull components and replace.
So far...replaced a bunch,cleaned and tested all there is on this thing.
Now...going to pull some common diodes and a 3904 transistor and just replace those too.
Soon,will be replacing all ceramic caps and chokes if I have to.
Pure insanity...but now a quest.
Jim

4

Equipment / Re: Panaxis FME 500 issue

« on: January 03, 2019, 1647 UTC »

I sent you a PM...let me know if it made it to you.

5

Equipment / Re: Panaxis FME 500 issue

« on: January 03, 2019, 1145 UTC »

I am also tempted to take up Radiorelay`s offer and send it to him...but not sure if I want to spend more money shipping and repairs.

6

Equipment / Re: Panaxis FME 500 issue

« on: January 03, 2019, 1142 UTC »

I stopped back in to see if a miracle came for 2019
Funny and interesting comments...haha.
I have without a doubt came close to setting it in my yard,pouring gasoline all over it and lighting it on fire to end the insanity.
Maybe make a You Tube video of it ...why not?
Sometimes it is time to let go when it goes from fun to frustration.I have done this with a Kenwood TS-520 radio some time ago,but a bit less violent...gave it to school to tinker with.
But soon as I burn it and upload the video,someone will say...TOO BAD ,I have a few PLL chips sitting here I would have sold you What I need is someone that has a working FME to test one of the DS8907J PLL chips I bought and will send to them at my cost just to see if they are the same as the DS8907N. I found one person that has one and sent them a note...see what happens.
Jim

7

Equipment / Re: Panaxis FME 500 issue

« on: October 01, 2018, 1740 UTC »

Finally,after a month of delay waiting for the new PLL chip to arrive,just installed it straight from package minutes ago and it made no change in operation.The only thing left I have not tried is the actual PLL chip sold for this unit and that is not going to happen as they are not available.DS8907N is original and DS8907J is all I can find...not even sure if it makes a difference but EVERYTHING is either new or tested as working on this PCB.Will changing all ceramic caps and resistors make a difference...most likely not.
Since I am not a fan of ART...this is now the most expensive piece of ART I have owned or ever WILL own
Now it will be tossed in a box and shown someday as a conversation piece and memory of something that once was!
I have lost total interest after all this...time to move on.
Thanks to all for your help and ideas.
Jim

8

Equipment / Re: Panaxis FME 500 issue

« on: September 10, 2018, 2355 UTC »

I would like to thank "JTA" group member for sending the diodes.
Dropped them in and still no change...all about that PLL chip I am afraid.
However,using the MV2115 diodes instead of 2113 did change the center tuneup frequency.Rather than center of band 100mhz it is now 85mhz.But this is fine as I use a low frequency anyhow where it is most quiet.
Without the PLL sucks...the drift is a bit too much to be usable.
Think I found a supplier for original DS8907N for 6 bucks each...shipping 3 times added to that
May pull the switch on one but will wait to try the DS8907J when it arrives first.
This is really frustrating.
Will post the conclusion soon.
Jim

9

Equipment / Re: Panaxis FME 500 issue

« on: September 01, 2018, 1834 UTC »

A few posts back I attached the schematic diagram.
Just noticed it shows TWO 74C74 IC chips but the diagram shows ONE 74C74.
One should be a 74C14...not that this changes anything,just noticed this.
Jim

10

Equipment / Re: Panaxis FME 500 issue

« on: September 01, 2018, 1741 UTC »

Lat IC came in today,plugged it in...still no change.
I have already spent more than I like on this thing so the last chance is the new PLL .
Then it becomes an expensive paperweight.
I have other projects to invest time and money into and this one is not priority.
Jim

11

Equipment / Re: Panaxis FME 500 issue

« on: August 29, 2018, 2249 UTC »

Did another run through...all looks fine.
Put the PCB back into the casing and tried again,but this time,with the FM receiver without a antenna connected.
I use a Yaesu FT897 with no coax about 3 feet away.
I should have done this before to eliminate harmonics being so close.
Anyhow,I only find the signal strong near 100mhz right where it is supposed to be according to instructions BEFORE IC chips are installed.
I am to tweak a coil by squeezing it closed or open and using a variable resistor adjustment for 100 mhz with pot @ 12 `o clock.
Without trying,it was @ 101.3 mhz,twaeked it a bit for 100mhz and solid around there now.
But the IC`s are in place,so obviously,no PLL lock.
I am beginning to think the PLL is just bad...both of them.
It sure does work much better,except for the locking part.
I have one chip due here in a few days and will drop it in and try again for miracle...then have to wait for the other PLL.
I may as well try the MV2113/14 diodes...or 15`s at this point.
Jim

12

Equipment / Re: Panaxis FME 500 issue

« on: August 29, 2018, 2123 UTC »

Today the IC sockets arrived and soldered them all in nicely.
Inserted all chips that have arrived new except for one which I am still waiting for.
PCB is nice and clean and went through it with magnifying light with fine tooth comb for bridges,cold joints or broken traces.
Powered it up and still not locking !!
Running out of new stuff to try except all resistors and ceramic caps plus the pair of tuning diodes discussed earlier.
Could it be that last IC that I am waiting for?
Or could it be both PLL chips are DOA?
I just ordered yet another PLL but maybe it is not actually the same type?
I remember comparing datasheets between the original DS8907N vs DS8907J and finding them the same,but maybe I missed something here?
There is another company that sells the "N" type but minimal order is 2 pcs @ $112.00 each...they can keep them for that money.
I bought another one like this instead thinking whatever ruined the first did the same to the new before going through all the components.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Phase-Locked-Loop-Frequency-Synthesizer-IC-DS8907-DS8907J-NEW/222132344468?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649
Gonna be awhile for that to get here and the last thing I try.
Oddly,with all IC chips removed I am to tune for 100mhz,then insert all IC`s in sockets.What it is doing now is showing up on the frequency I have the DIP switches set to...weird because when I touch the finals,it drifts off freq.
Something is whacky...maybe me
Jim

13

Equipment / Re: Panaxis FME 500 issue

« on: August 26, 2018, 1229 UTC »

That is nice of you to offer.I also do not think they are the issue,but at this point in the game,willing to try anything.
the MV2115 may work,but lets see what happens when I replace the IC sockets and install all new IC chips.
Again,this thing worked 100% before it was put away for the last 18-20yrs.
Replacing caps seemed to be the obvious things to look at.But then again,maybe the caps being so poor over time destroyed other things when I powered it up?
I need to see if the PLL chip is good and the replacement I bought could have met the same fate and may need to hunt down another.
Will post more soon as I new materials show up here.
Jim

14

Equipment / Re: Panaxis FME 500 issue

« on: August 24, 2018, 1417 UTC »

Another fresh look this morning at this situation with a clear mind.
The 4 mhz crystal was replaced with new,but for fun tried another slightly different in freq,same results.
The oscillator works.
According to manual and "pre-flight testing" procedure,I am to power the circuit without IC`s installed and tune for 100mhz.
This is possible.
With all IC`s in place,it requires me to tune the output trimmer caps a bit and it transmits fine,but PLL is not locking.
I find harmonics of freq across some portions of the band but strongest @ near 100mhz.
I jiggled the PLL chip back and forth to see if it is bad connection and it does cut off and on and LED flickers.
Almost seems the IC sockets are dirty or worn and will order new as they are cheap and replace all sockets.
Looking over some ceramic caps,some looked a bit beaten from all the work being done,so replaced them anyhow.Mostly the oscillator stage caps which are .1uf.The other caps look fine physically.
Besides the pair of MV2113/14 diodes,going to leave those for the very last effort as they are costly.
Until the final 2 IC chips arrive and new sockets installed,will know more...going to be a week or 2 though.
Will post results ASAP.
Jim

15

Equipment / Re: Panaxis FME 500 issue

« on: August 24, 2018, 1249 UTC »

Here is a question.
The original PLL is a DS8907N.
I found some time ago a DS8907J and the datasheet looked the same to me,unless I am missing something here.
I just found this - https://www.ebay.com/itm/Phase-Locked-Loop-Frequency-Synthesizer-IC-DS8907-DS8907J-NEW-/222132344468http://
Is it safe to say they are the same part and function?
Jim