Re the switches,
have a look at
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Addition to "Further Notes" note 4;
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A friend of mine had an FRG-7 with the new-style switch levers, red for power, black for light (not grey). He bought in new (here in Aus) and it was never modified.
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Cheers,
Steve
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I have an FRG-7 in very good condition which I aligned twice. Once to do it and once to be sure ;-)
The results were the same.
I also have the full docs. If someone hasn't already documented this on youtu.be I'll be happy to help you, though not on youtu.be. It's very simple with a nanoVNA.
It's a bit strange of a radio.
Have Fun!
Reg
On Friday, January 10, 2025 at 01:32:02 PM CST, Miguel Frutos via groups.io <m.frutos@...> wrote:
Hello,
I collected a FRG-7 yesterday. I thought it was in better shape and probably overpaid?for it (EUR100).
The overall aesthetic condition can be improved: - It's painted in black.
- The power switch cover is missing. And the light dim cover and shafts are missing.
- the rubber feet, from bottom and side are missing.
- The carrying handle is missing.
- The rear lugs to keep the power cord are missing.
I think all this can be improved. When switching on I can't tune anything, although the previous?owner sent me a video of it working fine, so I guess I have not been lucky yet.
There is something under the power capacitors, I'm not sure if this is because they are leaking. Also, some pads seem to be missing in the PCBs (not sure if this is a concern or not).
I think everything is fixable. I appreciate?any help or hints you can provide.
Regards, Miguel
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Hello,
I collected a FRG-7 yesterday. I thought it was in better shape and probably overpaid?for it (EUR100).
The overall aesthetic condition can be improved: - It's painted in black.
- The power switch cover is missing. And the light dim cover and shafts are missing.
- the rubber feet, from bottom and side are missing.
- The carrying handle is missing.
- The rear lugs to keep the power cord are missing.
I think all this can be improved. When switching on I can't tune anything, although the previous?owner sent me a video of it working fine, so I guess I have not been lucky yet.
There is something under the power capacitors, I'm not sure if this is because they are leaking. Also, some pads seem to be missing in the PCBs (not sure if this is a concern or not).
I think everything is fixable. I appreciate?any help or hints you can provide.
Regards, Miguel
|
Re: New FRG7 display from Marcel
No problem Pentagrid,I don't see it as criticism. It's the perfectionist in me who wants to get rid of the burdies. To use the light switch is a nice solution.
Enjoy your FRG-7.
Kind regards,
Marcel
Marcel, my comment was by no means meant as a criticism, it is almost impossible to marry any digital circuitry into a radio without some interaction. The oscillator in the micro is a square wave generator, and will spatter harmonics all through the SW spectrum. I am suprised how few birdies there are. It could be MUCH worse.......
I am perfectly happy to switch the Arduino section off when the rare occasion that a birdie will trash the signal I am receiving, a small compromise really.
On Wed, Nov 6, 2024, at 1:48 AM, Marcel, de PA8MA wrote:
Hi Pentagrid,
?
I've noticed the burdies as well, which I don't like at all. I've tried to reduce them by sending only the necessarry data to the display and use some ferrite in the flatcable, but the Arduino itself procudes burdies. I think the only solution would be shielding of the PCB. I gonna try that as well.
I will let you know about my results.
?
Kind regards,
Marcel
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Re: New FRG7 display from Marcel
Marcel, my comment was by no means meant as a criticism, it is almost impossible to marry any digital circuitry into a radio without some interaction. The oscillator in the micro is a square wave generator, and will spatter harmonics all through the SW spectrum. I am suprised how few birdies there are. It could be MUCH worse.......
I am perfectly happy to switch the Arduino section off when the rare occasion that a birdie will trash the signal I am receiving, a small compromise really.
On Wed, Nov 6, 2024, at 1:48 AM, Marcel, de PA8MA wrote:
Hi Pentagrid,
?
I've noticed the burdies as well, which I don't like at all. I've tried to reduce them by sending only the necessarry data to the display and use some ferrite in the flatcable, but the Arduino itself procudes burdies. I think the only solution would be shielding of the PCB. I gonna try that as well.
I will let you know about my results.
?
Kind regards,
Marcel
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Re: New FRG7 display from Marcel
Hi Pentagrid,
?
I've noticed the burdies as well, which I don't like at all. I've tried to reduce them by sending only the necessarry data to the display and use some ferrite in the flatcable, but the Arduino itself procudes burdies. I think the only solution would be shielding of the PCB. I gonna try that as well.
I will let you know about my results.
?
Kind regards,
Marcel
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Re: New FRG7 display from Marcel
Thanks for the credits Bob. I'm always glad the hear when someone starts enjoying the FRG-7 again.
This give me energy to go continue. Apart from the FRG-7, I'm also busy making a display for the RA17 and the Deltahet.
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Regards, Marcel
?
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Re: New FRG7 display from Marcel
Sadly, its RAINING here in NZ today, so installed the new display..... If it rained more, I would be even happier.
Having fat fingers meant it was easier for me to remove the front plastic bezel/faceplate to better access the Smeter area from the front..... just the three knobs and 3 screws need be removed.? Be aware of the lock LED wires when moving the panel outwards.
The display? powered on immediately and works very well indeed.;? I did opt to power the display via the lighting circuit, this allows it to be switched off if the interference obscures a wanted signal. This is really the result of the always unhappy marriage with digital and analog circuits, and several birdies will be noticed as you tune the upper bands. These are spurs generated by the processor, and unless radical shielding measures are taken, its something to be tolerated.
This is a great addition to the FRG7.? ?
Thank you Marcel.
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Re: New FRG7 display from Marcel
I did check WWV 10mhz and it was spot on.
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Bob
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Re: New FRG7 display from Marcel
Hi Bob,
How about accuracy checking against WWV on 10 MHz and 15 MHz and reporting the results?
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73 Roger VE7LB Group Owner
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Re: New FRG7 display from Marcel
I just finished installing this great digital display in my Sears version of the FRG-7.? Took about 1.5 hours and it works flawlessly just as designed. What a great update to this old reliable multi-band receiver.? Thanks Marcel.
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New FRG7 display from Marcel
Today the package arrived, awesome job by the postal system and our overworked customs. They are overworked because of our greedy government wanting all kinds of taxes from anything crossing our shores.
The kit is of very good quality, and is very compact, well packaged and thought out. Marcel has done a very good job with this, I hope many take the opportunity to buy one, that helps creators continue to create niche products that big companies would not bother with.
Tomorrow I hope to get time to install it into my FRG7, that can only happen if its raining, Im told the lawns need mowing............
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Re: New digital readout for the FRG-7
Hi Steve, thanks for the compliments
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Re: New digital readout for the FRG-7
Hi Randy,
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Yes, that is the new version. But I can make you a better offer than on Ebay. The expenses at Ebay are rather high and I try to reduce the cost for the buyer.
Regards, Marcel
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Re: New digital readout for the FRG-7
Sorry, I thought the kit wasn¡¯t available yet, but I think I see it on eBay. Is this the same one? Link: https://www.ebay.com/itm/145745777645
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Re: New digital readout for the FRG-7
I¡¯d like to buy a v2 kit as well!
Randy
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Re: New digital readout for the FRG-7
This is a beautiful upgrade to a classic receiver. ?Great design!
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Re: New digital readout for the FRG-7
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Re: New digital readout for the FRG-7
The FRG-7 display is in production. For the RA-17 I would like to 3D-print the housing of the S-meter, with the display integraded.
Like with the FRG-7, it is my goal to bring it back to its original state within a half hour.
But it will take a while before this kit is ready.
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Re: New digital readout for the FRG-7
That is awesome, I am sure these will be very popular. I want two when you are in production.? The display is likely a tad small given the bulk of the Racal RA17 front panel, I would envisage it being mounted externally . However, I am impressed very much with your design.
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Randy K7RAN
Steve Betza KK2CW