Aeroflex (IFR) Questions

This forum exists for the purposes for discussing service monitors (This includes but is not limited to Motorola, HP, Aeroflex, GD, etc). Additional topics allowed include test procedures, interpretation of test results, where to find information about specific tests, antenna VSWR, return loss testing, duplexer and filter alignment, etc.

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SmokChsr
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Com 120B Power Meter Reading Low

Post by SmokChsr »

Has any one experienced their Power meter all of a sudden reading around 50% of the actual power?

What scares me is I was working on a higher power transmitter, that should have had around 250W-350W capability. I had started it low but since it was only showing 150W on the IFR I kept cranking it up even with it showing 300 on the front panel.

I still kept it short, but still makes me nervous that I may have been hitting the RF in port with 150% of rated power.

I did a quick check the RF in post is reading right at 49.1 Ohms, not perfect but plenty good.

I Haven't gone inside yet to take a peek, but I would like to get it back to reading correctly. So looking for any thoughts on this as a problem.
JRayfield
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Re: Aeroflex (IFR) Questions

Post by JRayfield »

I have a Com120B which has lost the battery in the Real Time Clock. Getting that repaired won't be a big problem, but getting the options working again are a problem, as I never had the codes for those options.

I've seen that some people have come up with these option codes and so was wondering if anyone is around here that might be able to help me out.

John Rayfield, Jr.
Rayfield Communications
Rayfield Communications
Springfield, MO
www.rayfield.net
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Re: Aeroflex (IFR) Questions

Post by jry »

PM sent
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Re: Aeroflex (IFR) Questions

Post by jry »

On the COM-120B I would NEVER put that amount of power directly into any service monitor.

Always us a high power external attenuator. Those are cheap and easy to replace.

The power termination repair on any service monitor is extremely expensive and often the parts are NLA.

Did you verify that power on another wattmeter ?

The COM 120 takes the power reading directly off of the input attenuator and has three ranges .

Believe its like low -10dbm to 2W, 2W -20W and 20W to 200. That failure doesn't really align that well with how the metering typically works.

short version is anything is possible but you may want to verify with another device.
SmokChsr
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Com 120B Power Meter Reading Low

Post by SmokChsr »

Well it's like this, I don't think you read between the lines, I never would have put that much power in, had I known it was that much power.

I'm going to check it again closely and see if the error follows all ranges.

I do have an Anritsu 2721 Analyzer which can be used to read power very accurately. So yes I can verify the readings with high accuracy.

I was reading that there have been some meter readings that became inaccurate due to cap leakage on the board. Although I didn't see the power meter mentioned, I'll be taking a look at that as well. I wish I had a service manual on this one but I don't, so I'll have to fly a bit blind.

Other suspect things in my mind is the diode became leaky, or damage to the load. But I'm really not thinking that usually when they get too stressed the resistance changes dramatically. With only seeing a slight decrease from 50, that typically happens as the carbon ages, and fuses better than it should be.

The load is rated for 200W so I've never been worried about a short run of 150W. I do like to keep everything there or below. I'm pretty sure there is a Temp alarm on that load as well that I've NEVER tripped.
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Re: Aeroflex (IFR) Questions

Post by drb235 »

Hello, I finally was able to connect to my ifr com 120A via serial terminal and found no serial number or options. I used Wowbaggers post to replace my serial number and I went on to set the bandwidths on the if filters as his post but I get 102 syntax error every time. I was able to get the serial number back in the program. Can anyone help me with the right commands to set if filters bandwidth. Also would anyone have a maintenance manual for the ifr as I am in need of one. Thanks, David
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AdrianH
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Re: Aeroflex (IFR) Questions

Post by AdrianH »

Continuing to work on my 120B and to figure things out. As like many others the main concern in the RTC, so a while ago I ordered a couple of RTC's from Ebay and was wondering if one would really consider these being made in 2016?

Image

I have managed to read one as as some of the literature the battery is normally disconnected and the clock is not running. The next part is something I am dreading and that is removing the old 1995 and trying to read it so I could program the new one with the same information, if possible.

Anyone done this, how difficult is it to remove the old RTC in one piece?

Adrian
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Re: Aeroflex (IFR) Questions

Post by AdrianH »

Hello David;

I can verify the same problem when trying to set the ifbw0 ifbw1 etc.

I was hoping to get my RTC out, put a socket in and then refit, but either the heat of un soldering or what have you has meant I also lost the battery in the RTC.

I had been getting the odd error that I had put down to possibly the battery or the front panel processor, so took the gamble and lost.

I replaced the RTC with one I just got from Ebay, I managed to re-enter the serial number and it reports that correctly, my run time has gone into the thousands of hours from the 670 that were on the machine, but that was one of the issues I was having, correct then not.

I hope there is someone out there that can help us, I do have saved details from before listing serial number and options.

So if anyone can help it would be appreciated very much

Cheers

Adrian
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Re: Aeroflex (IFR) Questions

Post by LZ1IM »

Hi, AdrianH,
At which step You lost the options and S/N? Just after desoldering and put RTC in soldered socket, or after trying to read RTC RAM with some kind of programmer?
Sorry if I doubled my post, but THAT checking! and make decision to show EVERY! post, make me nervous. Seems we are in strategical research center!
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Re: Aeroflex (IFR) Questions

Post by AdrianH »

Long post sorry, maybe of interest to some!

I believe it went after de-soldering, I did read the chip and found the /esoc bit was high as I found in the new chips I bought.
The original plan was to de-solder, read and then replace the original chip, but when I read it and found erroneous times in there and bits set wrong I had a gut feeling it had failed.

I put the chip back in and verified the situation. I bought two RTC's and have had them for around 5 days, in that time I had been programming one of them setting bits, and the time, taking the chip out of the reader and coming back a day later to check it still had the correct time etc. programming high and low the user bits etc.

Last night with nothing to loose I started again and filled all locations from Hex 0E to 3F with Zero's (00). Re-fitted to the 120B, Set the serial number set the time and date, powered off, back on and checked all running. left running for a few minutes. (The zero'ing had got my run time down to zero hours from the high number so leaving the new chip as it comes was not an option.) So at a run time of 9 minutes I powered off, removed the RTC and again read it.

I can see where the serial number is stored, I can see where the run time is stored, but there are also what I would call check bits being set and without the rules can not determine how to work them out, so the idea of trying to program Options (locations unknow) in the chip seems to be a non starter, but I think the idea of reading one and saving the con-fig and blowing into a replacement chip could have been a good idea, unfortunately for me it was not, but there was no guarantee how long after 13 years the existing chip would have lasted.

If Wowbagger was still around or anyone else that could provide the passcodes to bring back the options it would not have been an issue, unfortunately for me I came late to the party as I only got the 120B test set this March, so never had the opportunity to ask the questions.

Also worth noting was that I was not trying to reverse engineer the options, just keep the set working as I got it. Caps have been replaced on the base band board as they had also leaked.

The strange thing is that two definite faults I used to have on start up have also cleared, at least temporarily.

1) I would get after a short power off of the test set a message saying 'REINITIALIZING CALS TO FRONT PANEL' then at the end get a Keyboard error which meant I had to power off and quickly power back on to get the set to work.

2) The second fault I got was an overload alarm saying I had to much RF on the input high temps etc type message. That has also at least for now gone.

I was planning on sending the front panel to a member from this group to replace the TMS370C256 processor, I may have to hold on that awaiting to see if the first fault does come back

There are other faults on the test set such as the battery does not seem to be charging as the voltage never seems to get above 12.6 Volts, but again as there are no circuits for the power sections it is a bit difficult to figure what is what.

Now and this may be helpful to others, I have the maintenance manual, I do not think it is a good manual in that there are no descriptions of how it works, just board layouts and some but not all circuits. (i.e the front panel circuits are not there it seems in any manuals?), It already seems to be a scanned copy.

But I am slowly going to start scanning the document in sections at a time and unless anyone can say why I should not, will make it available to anyone with a test set that asks. I would only ask a few things in return:

a) That when done and I send out a copy I do not then find it on the web with someone asking for money to pass it on.

b) Please consider helping me get my test set and any others members test sets up and running. I will say the same for any make model etc, these are not really commercially viable any longer, support has gone and they are generally held by radio amateurs and general radio engineers like me that constantly play but do not have the cash to buy newer boxes.

Cheers

Adrian
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Re: Aeroflex (IFR) Questions

Post by LZ1IM »

Hi, Adrian,
Sorry for late responce. I try to "compile" all furum responces about COM120 /A,B or C/.

First of all, I think that loosing of options was at the moment of reading with your Programmer. It is interesting at what level was WE\ pin of DS1286 /or You left them float?/. At datasheet from Maxim/Dallas we see that there is another pin, RCLR\, which is not existed in EDIP socket /that is, with Internal Battery/, anyway it is exist on the crystal, and activated with '0' set all 50 bytes of RAM to 0xFF.

So, am I right or not, it's does'nt matter. You loose your options. Sad! Naw You have a couple of ways:

1. At the topic "Lovingly restored COM-120A" there is thing called "Option String", and as You Loose nothing, maybe with that Option String, and of course with S/N of the instrument of VK3GJM, You may activate some options /see topic/, but not all!
2. If You make procedure before loose the options, that is: *idn, *opt, maybe Wowbegger, or some other, maybe jry would help to retrieve your options.
3. I, personally, planned to make same procedure, as You, Extremally Carefully, but I also have not Your Instrument options, only couple of them.

Pavel
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AdrianH
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Re: Aeroflex (IFR) Questions

Post by AdrianH »

Well one of the fixes was not to be!

I left the test set with no internal battery and no mains connected for 24 hours and on re-applying power and starting up I got the restoring cals to front panel message. So looks like the board will be getting sent off for a replacement processor after all.

Oh well :cry:

Adrian
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Re: Aeroflex (IFR) Questions

Post by AdrianH »

Hi Pavel;

It could be possible the problems was on my read, it is always possible.

I took another reading of the new RTC last night and have that saved with 2 hours plus run time, that is now saved on file.

Yes I could try the numbers from that post, it could be a start I guess. My own sets previous responses where:
!*idn?
IFR Americas Inc,COM-120B,1938,0415-0410-0412-0301
!*opt?
95220

To be honest for some reason in my mind I had it that the 120A and 120B being different processors would have different strings, so I had in my grey matter decided not to try, but nothing to loose, at the moment I have removed the front panel logic board as that is being sent off for the replacement processor.

So it will be a while before it comes back and I can plug it in.

Thanks for your thoughts

Adrian
SmokChsr
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Re: Aeroflex (IFR) Questions

Post by SmokChsr »

AdrianH wrote:Continuing to work on my 120B and to figure things out. As like many others the main concern in the RTC, so a while ago I ordered a couple of RTC's from Ebay and was wondering if one would really consider these being made in 2016?
Is the DS 1286 the part that is the original RTC?

If so from the data sheet it looks like we can put an external 3V lithium between P25 and ground to protect the Memory.
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Re: Aeroflex (IFR) Questions

Post by AdrianH »

Unfortunately on the DS1286 Pin 25 is not present, the device is basically the DS1284 with several pins bent up, such as pins 2 and 3 for a crystal and Pins 21 gnd and 25 bat + are not present as these are used for the battery. Another pin which on the 1284 that is not brought out is Pin 24 /RCLR as that is designed to clear the 50 bytes of user ram:-
'Active-Low RAM Clear. Used to clear (set to logic 1) all 50 bytes of user NV RAM, but does not affect the registers involved with time, alarm, and watchdog functions.
To clear the RAM, RCLR must be forced to an input logic 0 (-0.3V to +0.8V) during battery-backup mode when VCC is not applied.
The RCLR function is designed to be used via human interface (shorting to ground or by switch) and not be driven with external buffers. This pin is internally pulled up and should be left floating when not in use.

What my plan is at the very end is to replace the DS1286 with a DS1284, with pin24 cut off and the rest bent up so I can fit an external crystal and battery holder.

What some other have done, is to grind away at the resin it is all potted in to get to the pins and add an external battery. Not sure you would be doing that with the chip on the board, but it is a case sometimes of needs must.

Adrian
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Re: Aeroflex (IFR) Questions

Post by drb235 »

Hello, I have been working on my Ifr com 120A it has developed a bad noise when receiving a signal and the spectrum analyzer goes crazy. It passes all self test fine. I took it apart and inspected each board and found a ls412c chip that had spewed on the digital board so I ordered on and replaced it but it didn’t help my issue. Can anyone point me in the right direction to go next. Thanks, David
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Re: Aeroflex (IFR) Questions

Post by ablitz »

They are notorious for bad caps on the baseband tray. Check for leakage from capacitors
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Re: Aeroflex (IFR) Questions

Post by jry »

the cap near the LM412 failed.

The cap failures need more than just replacement you often have to pull and clean the surrounding components as well.

There are a number of boards in the COM-120 that can have cap issues.
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Re: Aeroflex (IFR) Questions

Post by jry »

the cap near the LM412 failed.

The cap failures need more than just replacement you often have to pull and clean the surrounding components as well.

There are a number of boards in the COM-120 that can have cap issues.
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Re: Aeroflex (IFR) Questions

Post by drb235 »

Hello, can someone please send a pictures of th caps that fail and the description of them so I can order them. Thanks, David
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Re: Aeroflex (IFR) Questions

Post by AdrianH »

Image
Image
These are the sort of caps that go the small metal can electrolitics, there is a range of sizes and also there are some non polarized on boards as well generally the ones with out the negative black band. In the pictures as D1V, 10, 16V, I found there are several sizes on the broadband board shown in the picture, the non polarized may be hard to find I could use a typical Farnell here in the UK for the most of them then had to go to a specialist for the others.

Not sure where you would go across the water.

Adrian

Part number I got for the non polarized was:
647-UUP1C100MCL1GS from mouser
And from cpc.farnell.com I got these

Order Code Mftr. Part No Manufacturer / Description Qty Ordered Line Price
CA05528 ECEV0JA101SP PANASONIC ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS ECEV0JA101SP Capacitor, Case D 100uF 6.3V
CA07879 EEEFK1V470P PANASONIC ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS EEEFK1V470P Capacitor, Case D, 47uF, 35V
CA07894 EEEFK1E100R PANASONIC ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS EEEFK1E100R Capacitor, Case B, 10uF, 25V
CA05538 ECEV1HA010SR PANASONIC ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS ECEV1HA010SR Capacitor, Case B 1uF 50V
drb235
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Re: Aeroflex (IFR) Questions

Post by drb235 »

Hello and thanks for the assistance I have ordered some new capacitors from Mouser and will get them soldered in when they get here. I really appreciate all the help that I get here. Thanks again, David
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Re: Aeroflex (IFR) Questions

Post by drb235 »

Hello Everyone, well I got my capacitors in and replaced all of them on the digital board and I fired it up and I still have the bad noise when receiving a signal. It passes all self test just fine. All other functions seem to work fine. When I go to receive and type in the weather channel for my area I can hear it but it has a bad squill with it with the same noise on all frequencies. I pulled every board and inspected each one really well and I am unable to find anything wrong. It passes all self test every time with no issues and I am at a loss to know what to do next. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, David
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Re: Aeroflex (IFR) Questions

Post by ablitz »

Wowbagger wrote:There is a single file that contains the options information for the unit, and it is tied to the CPU. If that file is not corrupted, and you place that file on the image, you should be fine for your options.
If you still have the original option install files from Aeroflex, once the unit has had the proper serial number reset, you could re-apply the options.
Otherwise, your options will not be valid - I deliberately designed the option system to account for people trying to clone hard disks to allow many units to share one serial number and thus share options.

I also had a thought yesterday while talking about this problem with Carl. The issue with the different hard disks is getting the right geometry data into the boot sector. I realize that it might be possible to write a program in DOS that would read the geometry data from the BIOS (thus getting the correct lie from LBA) and write that to the hard disk's partition table, and thus enable the system to boot from any size hard disk. It would be a bit tricky, as I don't have a working 2975 to test on, but in theory it could be done and that would enable any size hard disk to be used.
Hello Wowbagger
I just bought 2 2975s and both need the kontron modules replaced(both s/n last 4 2967 and 3114 are close).i am obtaining them and hope they will work. I see that the cpu s/n is tied to the hd software and only s/n 3114 has options for remote cal and EVM which i do not need. Will everything else work such as tracking generator and SA? Is there anyway for me to editit the options and change the original processor S/N?

Thanks

Andy
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Re: Aeroflex (IFR) Questions

Post by ablitz »

Wowbagger wrote:Things are moving solid state, but I don't know that I would say solid state is much more durable than spinning rust - I have seen SSDs fail from too many writes just as much as I have seen disks fail.
The single biggest lesson learned is to use off-the-shelf as much as possible - buy your CPU boards, buy(1) your OS, buy any libraries, buy tools. Do what you do best and buy the rest. Design in the biggest FPGAs, fastest microcontrollers, largest flash you can, because by the time you go to market, it will be middle of the road rather than "not recommended for new designs". Where possible, make the hardware modular so that as things go obsolete you can replace them with minimal problems. Make the software modular so that it can accommodate the changes in hardware. Security must be a design requirement that management buys into - backdoors are to be banned because they will leak. The only thing that is constant is change - don't fear it, use it.
(1) or use FLOSS, and abide by the licenses.
Is there anyway to re-enable options on a 2975 that had the Kontron processors replaced?
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Re: Aeroflex (IFR) Questions

Post by Tech255 »

For all those who are interested i have recently taken the plunge and removed the RTC chip from my IFR com 120A and read it the original chip which is a dallas ds1286 was made about 23 years ago so im surprised the battery has lasted this long, anyway using a TL866 programmer set to 28c64 i was able to read the chip save an image and them program it back into a newer chip all without loosing any info this means my options are safe and if in future i do lose them i have a copy of the chip in order to put them back.
Many thanks to ArianH for his assistance along the way.
While Wowbagger was prominant on this site it was possible for him to generate codes to reset your options but as hes not been on since xmas last year i would urge all those with older machines to attach a serial lead and read the option string and id and save them in case he reappears, reading and saving the chip was a big gamble but for me one that paid off.
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Re: Aeroflex (IFR) Questions

Post by AdrianH »

We have helped each other and I was glad to assist.

The main worry is the gamble it will always work, for me it failed, you managed to keep and read them safely.

Adrian
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Re: Aeroflex (IFR) Questions

Post by mogman »

Wowbagger, I sent you a PM but for some reason it sits in my outbox instead of the sent box, did you receive a PM from me?
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Re: Aeroflex (IFR) Questions

Post by xmo »

Tech255 wrote: "...While Wowbagger was prominant on this site it was possible for him to generate codes to reset your options but as hes not been on since xmas last year..."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Perhaps he's not there anymore? There's been a lot of change at the test equipment company formerly known as IFR.

IFR -> Aeroflex -> Cobham -> Avcomm -> Viavi

And just think of the poor guys at Marconi. Maybe the employees are issued business cards that are blank at the top so you can pencil in the owner of the week.
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COM120B Power Meter Calibration

Post by LZ1IM »

Hello to All!
I am a relatively new user of COM120B /from about Year and a half/. With all functions that instrument have, I just remember to check PowerMeter, and when I at last checked /about 3 Watts at T/R/, it shows some milliwatts. Next, Checing of the multiplexer before ADC, cable to the Power Termination Unit, and the output of latter it seems all OK! Next step was to check-out calibration screen, and I see that the instrument is calibrated only for Low-power /that is, 2-5-10-20 mW/. Trying to calibrate at home /not exact calibration, still to make sure that there is not damages/, I plug 1.5W at T/R and instruments "says" "working", and after couple of seconds "saving", then "failed". Of course Mid Power menu is still without "calibrated", message, anyway instrument start to measure that 3 Watts. Now, question was:"is EEPROM of Keyboard Processor failed?". Trying to calibrate DVM, at DC Voltage,
I perform success calibration with "calibrated" message at the end of procedure. So, I think that EEPROM have "dead" cells. What are you going to advise me about? Change the processor /TMS370C256/, and if I make that, can I expect that the calibrations constants will "flow" to the new processor?
Pavel Pavlov, LZ1IM
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Re: Aeroflex (IFR) Questions

Post by AdrianH »

Hello Pavell

I know that I have had the keyboard processor replaced and that has cured an issue for me but I was getting a message reporting "Restoring calibration to front panel"
There are Wowbagger posts that says the calibration details are kept in two places one is on the digital card and is battery backed by the green Lithium round cell on there, and the other in the eeprom of the keyboard processor, if either one fails then it should still be held and restored from the other as they must have respective checksums stored with the calibration data.

One thing that may be worth while checking is to connect a RS232 terminal (hyperterm etc) to the serial port and then boot up the Com120 as it also seems to spit out error messages during boot via the serial port, not always to screen.
I hope others have better ideas, there are much more enlightened user of the 120 on here then me.


Adrian
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Re: Aeroflex (IFR) Questions

Post by LZ1IM »

Hello to all,

Does anybody heard about COM120B with 2.5 GHz option?
Thanks.
LZ1IM
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Re: Aeroflex (IFR) Questions

Post by lc4600 »

While the options are stored in the RTC memory, the cals are store in the purple Tadiran tl-5135 battery on the CPU module. If the purple battery is dead, the cals will be retrieved from the front panel controller until replaced and the unit recalibrated. IFR never made COM-120S that went above 1ghz. Not to say a 3rd party didn't try. I have been replacing the purple battery(1.7Ah ) and diode summing its output to the RTC battery so one battery does all. It takes 2 diodes(1N4148) to drop the 3.6v of the purple battery to a safe voltage(<3.2v >2.8v) which is connected to exposed + pin of the RTC chip.
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Re: Aeroflex (IFR) Questions

Post by LZ1IM »

Hi lc4600,

Thanks for reply. Well, my case is exactly reverse. That means: I make calibration, it is writed to the SRAM, powered by purple battery, BUT! after "saving" /which, I suppose is on EEPROM of keyboard controller/, instrument "say" "Failed". And it is only when try to calibrate Power, it is not the case, when try to calibrate DVM, as example. So, I decide to change the TMS370, /I buy it from ebay, and it will come after two weeks/, and wait for message "Restoring calibrations TO the front panel".

About 2.5 GHz option, there are a guy from Italy at the ebay, and he sell COM120B with that option, I never hearded. That is the reason of my question.
There are photos on the ebay, but I don't know how to append .JPG to the post.

Pavel
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Re: Aeroflex (IFR) Questions

Post by giancom120b »

lc4600 wrote:While the options are stored in the RTC memory, the cals are store in the purple Tadiran tl-5135 battery on the CPU module. If the purple battery is dead, the cals will be retrieved from the front panel controller until replaced and the unit recalibrated. IFR never made COM-120S that went above 1ghz. Not to say a 3rd party didn't try. I have been replacing the purple battery(1.7Ah ) and diode summing its output to the RTC battery so one battery does all. It takes 2 diodes(1N4148) to drop the 3.6v of the purple battery to a safe voltage(<3.2v >2.8v) which is connected to exposed + pin of the RTC chip.

Hi to all, COM 120-B on ebay is mine,the option measure :
-Power
-Deviation
-Frequency error
guaranted measure of 2,5 GHz.

This mods consist on PLL DOWN CONVERTER realized from MPG INSTRUMENT, in Senago Milano Italy.(official technical assistence for Italy IFR Aeroflex)
Required macro app. "mpg analyzer", switch radiall and key to insert in mic acc.

(Attacched photo on ebay)

The input 1-3GHz (N connector)is mounted on rear the instrument.

This option is good working!
Best regard
Gianfranco
Freddy
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Re: Aeroflex (IFR) Questions

Post by Freddy »

IFR 1600 / TS4317.

I have a very big problem. On my IFR 1600 (EGA Video) runs software from 2008. TS4317 17V.6.07.04 I Played arround in the AUX menü and pushed CD-)TS. The Screen Prints "erasing". In this moment i got panic an turned the machine off. i know, please dont laugh, this was a ver big mistake.

Now it beeps only one time an repeats one beep all second.

How can i get back the firmware, or restore the old if possible. I have a second TS4317 which has the same software but now i dont want to make no experiments !!

USB Stick possible or SCSI CD Rom Possible? Boot CD?

Shame on me....
LZ1IM
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Re: Aeroflex (IFR) Questions

Post by LZ1IM »

Hi to All,
After long time waiting, I finally receive TMS370C256 controller, desolder old one from the keyboard PCB, solder new one, and /a miracle!/ see on the screen pf COM120B "Restoring the cals to the front panel". Next, trying to make calibration of Power meter, and again success! ..."Saving"..."Calibrated".
So, my saga with calibration of the instrument is at the end. Now I start to look for appropriate replacement of Planar EL560.400 display. It works good for me, anyway in event of "sudden death", or dead pixels possible replacement with some 4:3 TFT /or even LCD/ would be desirable. More info, would come later...
bruza
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Re: Aeroflex (IFR) Questions

Post by bruza »

The analyzer turns on but shows no signal on the screen. Everything else seems to respond correctly (navigation in the menu, keypad, etc).
Opening the analyzer casing you can see 5 LEDs that apparently indicate the state of the equipment. One of the yellow LEDs is lit (middle yellow LED in the image), and one of the red LEDs blinks (the one beside the yellow LED in the image).
There is no IF output signal, nor TRIGGER signal, and the output video signal from the rear connector does not match what was expected. The on-screen signal level is at -106dBm
The calibration signal works correctly (40MHz and -30dBm) but nothing is displayed on the screen, nor is the IF signal at the output of the RF module.
If one removes the RF, IF and Video modules from the analyzer and leaves only the processor module the analyzer indicates the alignment mode on the screen. The odd thing is that when you install the RF and IF modules, the analyzer in alignment mode indicates YIG .... PASS, SPAN ... FAIL, RBW ... PASS, etc. but when I insert the video module and I connect everything in the analyzer the alignment mode is not displayed when the analyzer is started and no signal is displayed.

Could you give me some clue as to what the 5 LEDs mean?
Could you give me some idea where to start testing to be able to repair the analyzer?
Your third photo shows Marker 1 visible at the bottom (the diamond) and you mentioned a reading of -106dbm sig level.
I have just bought one of these which works fine for what I will want but won't go into standby. If you've managed to get your hands on a service manual can you point me in the right direction.
I will have a play with mine and get the marker to show the same as in your photo and then will see if the trace can be moved up or down.
mrp
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Re: Aeroflex (IFR) Questions

Post by mrp »

My apologies for the subtopic, which was already discussed on the forum before. I'm looking an advice on what options are available today to upgrate the firmware on the Com-120B instrument? I called VIAVI Solutions Inc and their support centre in Wichita, but Com-120B/C systems are completely out of support from January 2016 and VIAVI does not hold any RMA materials on that product line any more.

73

p.s.
One of concerns is how to handle the calibration data between different versions, does it require the recalibration of instrument?
mrp
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Re: Aeroflex (IFR) Questions

Post by mrp »

My question is how to properly change the control board on the instrument and do not mess up with calibration data. This issue was caused by the practical situation - it is necessary to replace the control unit. Based on the earlier discussions of the Com-120 boards, any instrument holds two copies of the calibration data, the primary one is on the control board, and the backup is on the panel. The next question is puzzling: how does the software choose which copy of calibration data will use when initializing the instrument? And what would be the appropriate procedure for replacing control board?

Thanks.
ve2rfi
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Re: Aeroflex (IFR) Questions

Post by ve2rfi »

LZ1IM wrote:Hi to All,
After long time waiting, I finally receive TMS370C256 controller, desolder old one from the keyboard PCB, solder new one, and /a miracle!/ see on the screen pf COM120B "Restoring the cals to the front panel". Next, trying to make calibration of Power meter, and again success! ..."Saving"..."Calibrated".
So, my saga with calibration of the instrument is at the end. Now I start to look for appropriate replacement of Planar EL560.400 display. It works good for me, anyway in event of "sudden death", or dead pixels possible replacement with some 4:3 TFT /or even LCD/ would be desirable. More info, would come later...
Hello Pavel, thanks for all your contributions. Let us know when you figure out a fix for the EL560.400 display. I have a COM120B with a bad display and would like to change it for a LCD one day.

Charles
mrp
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Re: Aeroflex (IFR) Questions

Post by mrp »

Here is the continuation of the story, I was able to re-flash the system on my instrument using system images.

The idea is based on the information in the message from wagbagger, where he specified specific memory ranges on the 486 control panel and commands on the SysVue monitor:

viewtopic.php?f=42&t=80947&p=487896&hilit=XRCV#p487896,

Typically, SysVue is unavailable, but it is called by the software for incurable exceptions. It has a built-in command line interpreter and commands. Keep in mind that SysVue is a low level monitor and it is not "foolproof", so it can be a very dangerous tool, and then your instrument can be dead as a "brick". SysVue supports the Xmodem protocol in both directions,
For data receipt, it provides the XRCV command, and for the transfer, the XSEND command. After the system is restarted, I found that some data is lost, but calibration (in this particular case) is preserved. My instrument has lost: the current setting and all the saved settings, including the frequency table, but it's nothing compared to the fact that it still works. Thanks to all who helped and participated.
BigDuke
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Re: Aeroflex (IFR) Questions

Post by BigDuke »

Hi Everyone,

my IFR-1600 (Aeroflex TS-4317 firmware and hardware, firmware revision V.6.07.04) doesn't keep the time during power off anymore. There seems to be a Dallas RTC (processor board) and a Smart Battery (memory board) installed inside the unit. I'd like to modify the RTC (battery mod: http://www.mcamafia.de/mcapage0/dsrework.htm) and replace the Smart Battery, but i'm a bit scared of corrupting the calibration data or the firmware. What can go wrong when changing one of the batteries or both?

Another question is: Is there a way to reload the firmware, if necessary? I have the original Aeroflex USB / SCSI Interface Adapter for the TS-4317 an the Calibration Lockout Key, maybe this helps?

Any suggestions?

Christian
DO7CS
jeryray
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Re: Aeroflex (IFR) Questions

Post by jeryray »

SmokChsr wrote:
AdrianH wrote:Continuing to work on my 120B and to figure things out. As like many others the main concern in the RTC, so a while ago I ordered a couple of RTC's from Ebay and was wondering if one would really consider these being made in 2016?
Is the DS 1286 the part that is the original RTC?

If so from the data sheet it looks like we can put an external 3V lithium between P25 and ground to protect the Memory.
Can anyone confirm pin 25, seems alike a good Idea to protect the Nvram.
I have 3 120b and 1 120c with options I don't want to lose.
Tech255
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Re: Aeroflex (IFR) Questions

Post by Tech255 »

Ive got an ifr2399b spectrum analyzer and it fails the self tests on yaw filter and sometimes the others anyone got any ideas where the problem might lay.
I cant seem to find a service manual anywhere.
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AdrianH
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Re: Aeroflex (IFR) Questions

Post by AdrianH »

The DS1286 is the type of RTC originally fitted to a Com120B that basically is just a DS1284 with a pin bent out of the way and a crystal and battery soldered to pins of the Chip then the whole lot potted and a cover on the top.

What ever you do follow the instructions within the post regards making a note of the serial number and option numbers when checked with external serial port before you mess or try anything with the RTC. there could be a good chance you will loose contents and then it is a case of how good are your nerves!

Adrian
jeryray
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Re: Aeroflex (IFR) Questions

Post by jeryray »

Anyone who has lost the NVRAM RTC DS1286, been able to enter their serial number?

Do you use the whole number or just the last 4 digits?
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fineshot1
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Re: Aeroflex (IFR) Questions

Post by fineshot1 »

IFR 1900CSA question: This is just out of curiosity.
Does anyone know what the source is of the internal 10Mhz reference ?
I have pictures of the inside is of the 1900CSA and it is not immediately clear
after looking at the various modules and boards plugged into the motherboard.
fineshot1
NJ USA
jry
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Re: Aeroflex (IFR) Questions

Post by jry »

same as the 1600 ( more or less ) ...10 Mhz oscillator mounted on rear panel....1900 has a bracket around it
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fineshot1
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Re: Aeroflex (IFR) Questions

Post by fineshot1 »

jry wrote:same as the 1600 ( more or less ) ...10 Mhz oscillator mounted on rear panel....1900 has a bracket around it
Yes - I see it now but its tough to see on my one pic that would show it due to the the pic is too dark and not enough light.
Now out of curiosity as well just would like to identify if its one of the commonly made oscillators such as
Toyo, Isotemp, Morion, Piezo, Vectron, etc or perhaps it was made by IFR?

Thanks
fineshot1
NJ USA
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