apache-labs.com

I have a query regarding the software control of power output using Thetis when in transverter mode.

It appears that the control of power out in transverter mode has only 4/5 step changes in power out as you vary the drive control from 0 – 100. In the HF mode (on 10M) you have a reasonably fine control of power out as you vary the drive control from 0 - 100 .

I wonder if anyone has any thoughts on this please?

Many thanks Jeff GW3UZS

Jeff,

I am not quite shure whether this is is an issue of the ANAN hardware.
I am using the 7000DLE. Increasing the PA settings in order to reduce the transverter output to 0dBm or even lower will lead to only 2 steps!!
Absolutely not useable. To avoid this I increased the output level to abt 50mW and added a fixed value attenuator. But at output levels greater than 30mW IM3 is only -28dBc. Not good enough.

73

Volker

DL4ZBG

Hi Volker,
Thanks for your reply. As you say it could be a problem in the Apache labs Orion MKII SDR board which I am using in my home brew set up ( See GW3UZS -QRZ.com for more info). However, I suppose it could also be a software issue when set up for the Anan 7000 which my home brew set up is emulating.
I have a friend who has a Hermes SDR board (same as the Anan 100) and is using the latest Thetis software in transverter mode (but set up for Hermes/ Anan100 of course) and this problem does not arise.

I have also tried using the earlier 32 bit Thetis v2.7.0 software and this presents the same problem.

It is not a big issue for me but a smoother variable drive control as is the case for HF mode would be very helpful.

I wonder if anyone else has a comment on this.

73 Jeff GW3UZS

Hi Jeff

I'm using a rebuilt TRX from an Orion MK 1 board taken from an ANAN 200D (to be seen on my QRZ.com page). Before the last version of FW (1.9 for Orion) I had trouble with the transverter function. Which FW version are you running ?. Make sure you flash the latest Protocol 2 FW for your radio which is different from mine. You should be able to adjust CONTINUOUSLY the power on the XVTR TX output with the drive slider from zero to maximum. Maximum will be adjustable int Setrup/PA Settings for different transverters you operate. On 145 MHz I could output about a 13 dBm (20 mW) signal very clean and linear. Don't forget to check the Disable PA box in the XVTR Setup menu from the Thetis main GUI. On the latter menu you can also compensate the RX Gain from your transverter.
If the issue is still there it could be a FW issue.
I looked at your fine pictures on QRZ.com, congratulations for your outstandong job.

Edit : On the ANAN 200D/Orion MK1 firmware transverter operation was not fully implemented untill version Orion_NP_v1.9 pre3metis.rbf



73s Phil FM5GB

Hi Phil,
Thanks for your comments regarding the FW version. As far as I know the latest firmware for the Orion MKII board is v2.0b but I have tried this and unfortunately I have the same problem. However many thanks for your thoughts.

73 Jeff GW3UZS

Running firmware version 2 here and do not see to have this issue

Hi Tony,
Thanks for the comment but I I wonder which Anan hardware you are using. I am using the Orion MKII sdr board?
Regards

jeff GW3UZS

Sorry should have said its 7000DLE Mk2 so Orion Mk 2

Tony,
So are you using the XVTR TX out jack and if so have you measured the Pout and its 'step size'?

I ask because I'm considering doing 23cm EME and would have a transverter of course to do that. I need to know what to expect from that Orion MKII XVTR TX output jack. [rig is 8000 but of course same HW]

thanks

Gary
K9RX

Hi Gary , yes I am using Xverter out but not measured anything I'm afraid.

Hi all,

Thank you to all that replied to my original query.

I now have the answer - it appears that steps in the power control bar widen as you increase the thumbwheel setting number in the PA setting menu. They get progressively wider above a setting of 60. Mine was set to 73 for 2M band transverter mode because I needed less than about 2.6 dBm (1.8mW) drive at 28MHz into my transverter.

Therefore, if your transverter needs to be driven at much lower level of drive than your normal settings for 28MHz when in transverter mode then I think you will experience the same problem has I have. I will be able to resolve this in course with a change to my homebrew hardware.

Many thank again.

Jeff GW3UZS

Hi Jeff
Yes, I have observed exactly the same as you when setting up my transverters. Very confusing initially when I was adjusting the VHF PA gain settings. The gain value I settled on was 55.0 for my 2m and 4m transverters. I was able to make a compromise setting to have about two drive units for one increment in power output.
73 Dave G3ZQH

I know this is an old post, but wondered if a solution had been found?

I have just updated from a 100D to a 7000DLE Mk2, both using the latest protocol versions available.

Using either a Pihpsdr controller or a pc running the latest Thetis the 100D has a smooth PA setting control over the transverter output using any 28Mhz or 14Mhz IF.

But when I use the 7000 the PA setting for a VHF transverter using an 14mhz IF, it only has 2 settings <87.2 is off and >87.3 full on and any other value makes no difference to o/p. Unfortunately full o/p is too high a drive for my VHF transverter.

What is very strange is when I do the same for my UHF transverter which has a 28Mhz IF the PA setting works as expected, so there seems to be an issue only when adjusting the XVRT PA setting when the IF is 14Mhz.

I have checked the 14Mhz PA setting and that works as expected, it only when trying to set the PA setting for use with the Transverter o/p.

I mainly us the Anan as a transverter driver and I starting to think that may of been a rather expensive upgrade.

Any thoughts/help/suggestions greatly received.

Anthony G7LRQ