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Old 13th Jun 2008, 8:31 am   #14
Skywave
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Chard, South Somerset, UK.
Posts: 7,457
Thumbs up Re: Racal RA17L BFO behaviour

Hi - yes, it's me again

I'm very pleased to see that you have found a temporary fix - and also that you were not afraid to do the mechanical detective work on the suspect component. Quite a few people would have said "right, it's got to be the coil. I'm not going any further with this until I get a new one!". And the receiver just sits there - and waits - and waits. To delve into a component such as this requires a certain amount of bravery, since there is always the risk that you might make matters worse in so doing (speaks from bitter experience)

As regards the problem of resolving strong ssb signals on the Racal, it is my experience that this is about normal: hence, the use of the IF gain control in the MANual op. mode - as you have found. It must be remembered that the RA-17 was designed in the years when ssb transmissions were far less common than they are today. Plus, Racal did make a range of external 'bolt-on' ssb adapters for this receiver - which, I feel, proves the point.

Anyway, well done & good luck with it.

Al.
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