background image

FR146 

 21 

FR146 TROUBLESHOOTING HINTS 

 
Ramsey FR-series FM receivers are among our most widely-used and popular 
kits. The circuit itself, assembly and use are "cut-and-dried." If your receiver 
does not work, there is probably either an error in assembly or a defective part. 
Following is some help in case you experience difficulty.   

 
Problem: 

Receiver completely "dead"- no sound at all.  

Check the following:  

ˆ

First, the cable or plug adapter leading to speaker or phones!   

ˆ

Battery condition and battery wire polarity and soldering at S1.   

ˆ

Connections associated with U3, the LM386 audio output IC.   

 
Problem: 

Receiver "hisses", but NO signals are heard, not even a signal 

generator 2 inches away.   
First, you need to verify that the local oscillator (NE602, L3, etc.) is operating. 
Use another VHF receiver or a frequency counter to verify oscillator operation. 
Next, make sure that the 10.24 MHz. crystal oscillator is running by tuning a 
general purpose HF ("shortwave") receiver to that frequency. If either oscillator 
is not running, re-check correctness of parts and solder joints associated with 
both oscillator circuits. Further signal-path tracing may be necessary to find 
your problem.   
 

Problem: 

Very weak signals  

If Q1 is defective or incorrectly installed, very little signal energy will reach the 
NE602. If Q2 is defective or installed incorrectly, very little of the NE602's 10.7 
MHz output is getting to the MC3359. Also, be sure that L4 is peaked correctly.   
 

Problem: 

Considerable frequency drift or shifting   

First, make sure that L3 is soldered securely to the PC board. If you plan to use 
the receiver "on the go", you may wish to secure the base of the coil to the 
board with reinforcing glue. If the receiver drifts, check all wiring and 
components associated with AFC Q3 and pin 11 of the MC3359.   
 

Problem: 

Squelch does not function   

Re-check all connections and components associated with pins 10 through 16 
of  the MC3359. Check polarity of C27 and D2. C27 sets the time constant for 
the squelch circuit.   
 

SOME NOTES FOR ADVANCED USERS

   

 
Unlike Ramsey HF receivers and transmitters, the FR-series of VHF receivers 
do not offer much PC board space or real need for customization or other 
modifications. These receivers do what they are intended to do at the lowest 
price that we are aware of for a tuneable VHF FM receiver with squelch, AFC 
and generous audio output. Therefore, while we are certainly interested in  

Содержание FR146

Страница 1: ...1 uV sensitivity Tuned input low noise preamp stage True Dual conversion superhet design with 2 pole Ceramic High IF and 6 pole Ceramic low IF filters Front Panel Volume Squelch and Tuning controls E...

Страница 2: ...SEY AMATEUR RADIO KITS HR Series HF All Mode Receivers QRP Series HF CW Transmitters DDF1 Doppler Direction Finder CPO3 Code Practice Oscillator QRP Power Amplifiers RAMSEY MINI KITS Many other kits a...

Страница 3: ...o the FR146 4 Circuit Description 5 Parts List 6 Simplified Block Diagram 8 Parts Layout Diagram 9 FR146 Assembly Instructions 10 Schematic Diagram 12 Testing and Alignment 18 Enclosure Ideas 20 Troub...

Страница 4: ...eceiver to take on trips keep in a briefcase or to watch for band openings Before beginning the project or even studying the circuit description it is worthwhile to develop some prior respect for how...

Страница 5: ...D1 and varied by R1 The output from pin 4 of the SA602 passes through a ceramic 10 7 MHz filter amplified by transistor Q2 and applied to input pin 18 of U2 Q3 provides AFC Automatic Frequency Control...

Страница 6: ...black square FL2 Fixed Resistors 1 2 ohm red black gold R22 3 270 ohm red violet brown R6 9 20 1 470 ohm yellow violet brown R5 2 1K ohm brown black red R11 12 3 10K ohm brown black orange R7 17 19 1...

Страница 7: ...subminiature 2 5 mm 3 32 audio output jack which mates with commonly available earphone plugs and adapters available at Radio Shack such as 274 290 plug or 274 327 adapter for 1 8 mono plug If you pr...

Страница 8: ...FR146 8 U2 3359 FR146 BLOCK DIAGRAM U1 SA602 MIXER...

Страница 9: ...FR146 9 FR146 PARTS LAYOUT DIAGRAM...

Страница 10: ...component 5 Trim or nip excess wire lengths after soldering NOTE Save some of the longer wire scraps nipped from resistors and capacitors These will be used to form wire jumpers JMP1 etc to be soldere...

Страница 11: ...mum amount of wire lead is exposed above the board In soldering don t be afraid to use enough heat to make good clean connections 13 Install R4 47K yellow violet orange just to the left of Q1 14 Insta...

Страница 12: ...FR146 12...

Страница 13: ...FR146 13...

Страница 14: ...the PC board for mechanical stability which directly affects the frequency stability of the receiver Make good solid solder connections 27 Install C12 8 2 pF 28 Install varactor diode D1 marked BB505...

Страница 15: ...LS 36 Install Q2 a 2N3904 transistor Correctly position the flat side 37 Install R13 47K ohms yellow violet orange 38 Install C20 001 uf marked 001 or 102 39 Install R12 1K ohms brown black red 40 Ins...

Страница 16: ...yout diagram Solder each of the 18 connections carefully Make sure you have good lighting as well as good technique to make sure that no solder bridges flow between the connections 62 Install C22 100...

Страница 17: ...33 100 to 220 uF electrolytic observe polarity 80 Install the battery snap terminal in the two holes below S1 making sure that the positive red lead is inserted into the hole on the PC board 81 The ba...

Страница 18: ...rified reliable reception of your regional NOAA station adjustment to your desired listening range will become easier 2 L3 Alignment Tool If you do not already have a set of plastic or nylon coil alig...

Страница 19: ...s without an antenna connected You can expect to monitor local repeater and simplex transmissions easily using a simple groundplane style antenna The receiver also responds very well to the addition o...

Страница 20: ...ght be planning to combine several Ramsey circuit boards in a single enclosure Use of the inexpensive and attractive Ramsey case and knob kit will give your unit that finished look and increase its re...

Страница 21: ...s Further signal path tracing may be necessary to find your problem Problem Very weak signals If Q1 is defective or incorrectly installed very little signal energy will reach the NE602 If Q2 is defect...

Страница 22: ...rolled oscillator configurations was written by Michael A Covington with acknowledged assistance from Signetics personnel published with good circuit illustrations in Radio Electronics magazine for Ap...

Страница 23: ...h be assured that the 1K ohm resistors are actually the missing 10 K parts Hum m m I guess the red band really does look orange Ramsey Electronics project kits are packed with pride in the USA If you...

Страница 24: ...e 5 00 Ramsey Publication No FR 146 Assembly and Instruction manual for RAMSEY MODEL NO FR146 2 METER FM RECEIVER KIT REQUIRED TOOLS Soldering Iron Ramsey WLC100 Thin Rosin Core Solder Ramsey RTS12 Ne...

Отзывы: