Spectra RF Board modding fun
Posted: Fri Jun 02, 2006 8:53 pm
Because my project has been delayed for 6 months, the project being to build an 800Mhz Astro Spectra radio out of an analog spectra and Astro Spectra donor radio, I set foot into uncharted territory and "surface mount soldering"... something not in my vocabulary before today.
Anyhow, I took an HRN6014A (VHF Wide-band RF board), HRN6020 (UHF RF board) and a couple components from the HRN6009E (800Mhz analog Spectra RF board) to build what is a make-shift HRN6019 800Mhz Astro Spectra RF board.
The board I made is based off of the VHF RF board because it needed the fewest tweaks to make it work for 800, to make the UHF one work 800, I'd apparently had to replace some ICs per the schematic I was looking at (yes, I have the Astro Spectra comprehensive manual).
At any rate, I did the required mods with the exception of one capacitor located underneath a sheild which I didn't want to tear up, I figured it probably wouldn't make that big a difference, but did it?
The radio works, sorta... I'm rather disappointed because it should work pretty darn good. I did a decent job soldering, and all but one component *(mentioned already) is specified for 800Mhz.
I've noticed that reception is HORRIBLE. Conventional channels seem to have the effect of birdies, and cannot be quieted even when the squelch is up high, but I can transmit to the radio in both analog and digital using my XTS3k, I haven't tested TX on the spectra because it doesn't much matter to me that it can.
On trunking ops, it's hit or miss. I can hear what I want to, sometimes... other times I get "out rge" and this is a system I can rx with no antenna on the XTS.. when outside, it's very strong, it works fantastic.
Prior to doing the mods, all RF boards with the exception of the VHF one the whole thing was based off of was tested and working. The VHF board was bought from Seth here on the board, so I'm sure it was peachy and dandy..
What should I really check for? I'm hoping to some day get a real RF board, should one EVER become available, so far my luck has been limited.
Reception is all over the place, very limited definitly, very high bit-error. Most of the time it shows out of range, it comes and goes. Sometimes it works better when it's off longer, my guess is maybe some sort of caps or the 16.8Mhz crystal? Is it an 800Mhz specific abacus thingy that makes it or breaks it?
durr....
With no 800Mhz (even analog only) RF boards right now, this radioi is shelf-bound until a workable solution is worked up.
Nobody has an HRN6019 for sale? lol
-Josh
Anyhow, I took an HRN6014A (VHF Wide-band RF board), HRN6020 (UHF RF board) and a couple components from the HRN6009E (800Mhz analog Spectra RF board) to build what is a make-shift HRN6019 800Mhz Astro Spectra RF board.
The board I made is based off of the VHF RF board because it needed the fewest tweaks to make it work for 800, to make the UHF one work 800, I'd apparently had to replace some ICs per the schematic I was looking at (yes, I have the Astro Spectra comprehensive manual).
At any rate, I did the required mods with the exception of one capacitor located underneath a sheild which I didn't want to tear up, I figured it probably wouldn't make that big a difference, but did it?
The radio works, sorta... I'm rather disappointed because it should work pretty darn good. I did a decent job soldering, and all but one component *(mentioned already) is specified for 800Mhz.
I've noticed that reception is HORRIBLE. Conventional channels seem to have the effect of birdies, and cannot be quieted even when the squelch is up high, but I can transmit to the radio in both analog and digital using my XTS3k, I haven't tested TX on the spectra because it doesn't much matter to me that it can.
On trunking ops, it's hit or miss. I can hear what I want to, sometimes... other times I get "out rge" and this is a system I can rx with no antenna on the XTS.. when outside, it's very strong, it works fantastic.
Prior to doing the mods, all RF boards with the exception of the VHF one the whole thing was based off of was tested and working. The VHF board was bought from Seth here on the board, so I'm sure it was peachy and dandy..
What should I really check for? I'm hoping to some day get a real RF board, should one EVER become available, so far my luck has been limited.
Reception is all over the place, very limited definitly, very high bit-error. Most of the time it shows out of range, it comes and goes. Sometimes it works better when it's off longer, my guess is maybe some sort of caps or the 16.8Mhz crystal? Is it an 800Mhz specific abacus thingy that makes it or breaks it?
durr....
With no 800Mhz (even analog only) RF boards right now, this radioi is shelf-bound until a workable solution is worked up.
Nobody has an HRN6019 for sale? lol
-Josh