The radio will go out of band just fine to 443.000. Once you get into the 442's, the VCO starts un-locking. I have played around in the software and just do not understand how it works. Any ideas?
Tim
Tim
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Moving a TK 390 down to 440
- Thread starter timkilbride
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cabletech
Member
First off, this radio comes in 3 band splits, 403-430, 450-490, 470-512.
Now read the radio, in radio information, what modle information do you see?
What frequency's are you trying to put in?
If you have the mid split radio, then it should do most ham frequencys just fine.
I have found with a lot of radios, Moto, Icom, Vertex, Kenwood, Tekk, that if you try and take them more then about 8-10mz out of band then they do not like it and do all kinds of weird things.
Now read the radio, in radio information, what modle information do you see?
What frequency's are you trying to put in?
If you have the mid split radio, then it should do most ham frequencys just fine.
I have found with a lot of radios, Moto, Icom, Vertex, Kenwood, Tekk, that if you try and take them more then about 8-10mz out of band then they do not like it and do all kinds of weird things.
I have a 450-490 split radio. The radio works fine down to 443.000 with the factory tuning settings. I have several repeaters in the 442-443 range that I use often and would like to use this radio for that. In the tuning software, there are 2 adjustments for the VCO's and quite frankly I don't understand it. I'm used to moving radio's around with a screwdriver and the VCO mounted on the board. Not this software stuff. I can post screen shots of the adjustment menu if that would help?
Tim
WX9EMS
Member
That is what you have to do. Adjust the varicaps and read the voltage at test points TP1, TP2. I have one to refurbish, but I have not looked at it as of it yet, so I cannot give any real details. You will probably need a repair jig to power it up and be able to access the test points. Google the service manual, that will give you the specifics on how to do it. This operation seems to be done through panel tuning and not through the software from what I have read. You might be able to nudge it down a MHz or two.
What is the VCO shift point for? You can tune them either from the panel or software, I find the software easier. With the radio tore apart, you can still have your battery on the radio to power it up and still access TP1 and TP2.
Tim
WX9EMS
Member
Well,
I went through my 390 and it it works great down to 440 MHz with no big issues after realigning the VCO's.
What I did notice is that while transmitting on 445 MHz it was producing 2.09 watts and at 440 MHz it was producing 1.87 watts. Frequency error was at 0.05 KHz at either place.
On the receiver side, once again, no issues there. Sensitivity is about .39 mV throughout 440 – 445 MHz
So in a nutshell, it performs just as well down at 440 as it does at 449 MHz.
Tim, I am not sure what your voltages are for the varicap mid and high settings, but the varicap mid voltage should be –3 V and the varicap high should be –6 V at TP2. Both values should be within 0.1V
Both the volt change frequency low-mid and mid-high RX values should all be 4.15V, within 0.05V at TP1. The specs are the same for the volt change frequency low-mid and mid-high TX values as well.
I would go ahead and align these to spec and then see what happens, if you are comfortable with it. This is what I did, I realigned the VCO's and I have full coverage between 440 – 449 MHz on transmit and receive.
As with anything, your mileage may vary.
I went through my 390 and it it works great down to 440 MHz with no big issues after realigning the VCO's.
What I did notice is that while transmitting on 445 MHz it was producing 2.09 watts and at 440 MHz it was producing 1.87 watts. Frequency error was at 0.05 KHz at either place.
On the receiver side, once again, no issues there. Sensitivity is about .39 mV throughout 440 – 445 MHz
So in a nutshell, it performs just as well down at 440 as it does at 449 MHz.
Tim, I am not sure what your voltages are for the varicap mid and high settings, but the varicap mid voltage should be –3 V and the varicap high should be –6 V at TP2. Both values should be within 0.1V
Both the volt change frequency low-mid and mid-high RX values should all be 4.15V, within 0.05V at TP1. The specs are the same for the volt change frequency low-mid and mid-high TX values as well.
I would go ahead and align these to spec and then see what happens, if you are comfortable with it. This is what I did, I realigned the VCO's and I have full coverage between 440 – 449 MHz on transmit and receive.
As with anything, your mileage may vary.
Dan,
I aligned as you stated(and like the service manual) and the VCO is still unlocking at 442.650. Did you by chance write down all the data values? I know each radio will not be the same, but should be close. Mine are as follows:
VCO Voltage(Mid) - 470.100 RX - 470.000 TX - Data 84 -3v
VCO Voltage(High- 470.100 RX - 470.000 TX - Data 157 -6.01v
VCO Point (Lo-Mid) - 468.200 RX - 4.15v
VCO Point (Mid-Hi) - 481.300 RX - 4.15v
Tim
I aligned as you stated(and like the service manual) and the VCO is still unlocking at 442.650. Did you by chance write down all the data values? I know each radio will not be the same, but should be close. Mine are as follows:
VCO Voltage(Mid) - 470.100 RX - 470.000 TX - Data 84 -3v
VCO Voltage(High- 470.100 RX - 470.000 TX - Data 157 -6.01v
VCO Point (Lo-Mid) - 468.200 RX - 4.15v
VCO Point (Mid-Hi) - 481.300 RX - 4.15v
Tim
WX9EMS
Member
Tim,
I would have to look when I get home, but if memory serves me right, my VCO frequencies were down around 462 or 467.
What is your serial number, mine is an older unit I believe
I would have to look when I get home, but if memory serves me right, my VCO frequencies were down around 462 or 467.
What is your serial number, mine is an older unit I believe
WX9EMS
Member
My settings are:
VCO Shift Voltage (Mid) RX 470.1000 TX 470.0000 Data 74, volts as spec'd in manual
VCO Shift Voltage (High) RX 470.1000 TX 470.0000 Data 146, volts as spec'd in manual
VCO Shift Point (Lo-Mid) RX 464.2000 TX 462.0000 volts as spec'd in manual.
VCO Shift point (Mid-Hi) RX 479.1000 TX 479.5000 volts as spec'd in manual.
Quite a difference...
VCO Shift Voltage (Mid) RX 470.1000 TX 470.0000 Data 74, volts as spec'd in manual
VCO Shift Voltage (High) RX 470.1000 TX 470.0000 Data 146, volts as spec'd in manual
VCO Shift Point (Lo-Mid) RX 464.2000 TX 462.0000 volts as spec'd in manual.
VCO Shift point (Mid-Hi) RX 479.1000 TX 479.5000 volts as spec'd in manual.
Quite a difference...
WX9EMS
Member
Yeah, mine is 00100XXX...a real early bird.
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