¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

ctrl + shift + ? for shortcuts
© 2025 Groups.io
  1. Softrock40
  2. Topics

Ensemble II RX problem

 

I recently purchased an assembled ensemble II HF Rx.?? It seems to function below 10Mhz but not at all above that.? In other words, anything above 40m.? I have tried both a Hustler 6BTV and a general discone and get the same results.? Has anyone else seen this problem?
 

That sounds like the LF model....

I am not 100% sure of this, but in the Config program/driver that is used to make this radio work there is an option to initialize it as HF or LF model, maybe that is the problem?? I don't have all the driver names/options tabs in front of me or I could go into more detail.
 

I checked the Init in CFGSR and it is set to 'Ensemble RX II LF/HF(HF)'??? I also set it for (LF) to see if that would make a diff but it did not.? I have reset if back to the (HF) setting.?? I am beginning to believe tha the board is defective!?? I have ordered a RTL2832 dongle which should arrive in a couple of days in order to have another check of the system.? If it works then I'll assume that the Ensemble bd is?bad.

Thanks for the reply!
EB4APL
 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

The Ensemble II HF Rx has 4 "superbands" implemented as 4 bandpass filters that are switched in and out the antenna signal path to the quadrature mixer.? The filters switching points are, by design:

- Superband 0: 0 -? 4 MHz
- Superband 1: 4 -? 8 MHz
- Superband 2: 8 - 16 MHz
- Superband 3:16 -? ¡Þ MHz

They are switched automatically by the ATtiny? 85 microcontroller . The switching points can be changed? but not recommended, invoking the configuration utility clicking on ExtIO button,? ABPF tab.? Be sure that the Enable Filter box is ticked, if not it could give the symptoms that you have.
If the configuration is ok, then there is a problem with the filters for the 2 upper bands, either there is a problem with a coil solder or the IC switches are not working, it can be caused by a bad solder, a bad switch or an bad optoisolator.? If you are comfortable using a voltmenter you can measure the continuity of the signal path through the coils and check the signals that drive the switches.

Regards,
Ignacio EB4APL

On 04/04/2014 2:05, tng5737@... wrote:

?

I recently purchased an assembled ensemble II HF Rx.?? It seems to function below 10Mhz but not at all above that.? In other words, anything above 40m.? I have tried both a Hustler 6BTV and a general discone and get the same results.? Has anyone else seen this problem?

__._
 

I have shipped the unit back - Tony has graciously agreed to 'check out' the unit'? I will wait to see? what he finds.? As far a I know I have not changed any settings in the CFGSR except for the INIT setting for the proper model Ensemble RX.?? Thanks for the reply
 

Just an update... Tony checked out the board and all was well.? When I received it back I tried using a cheap (VERY CHEAP) USB soundcard and while not optimal the RX at least worked.? So it appears that the soundcard on my ASUS which uses a REALTEK ALC1150 was at fault all along.? I will continue my search for a better USB soundcard.? Thanks to all for their suggestions.
John Williams
 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Creative Xfi is my choice...sometimes avail on Creative website as a refurb - what I bought...

John - ke5ssh
On 4/13/2014 8:05 PM, tng5737@... wrote:
?

Just an update... Tony checked out the board and all was well.? When I received it back I tried using a cheap (VERY CHEAP) USB soundcard and while not optimal the RX at least worked.? So it appears that the soundcard on my ASUS which uses a REALTEK ALC1150 was at fault all along.? I will continue my search for a better USB soundcard.? Thanks to all for their suggestions.



-- 

John Williams

KE5SSH - ham since 2007
WQKA523 - GMRS for family use on the farm

Alan
 

Original Message -----
Subject: Re: [softrock40] Ensemble II RX problem


Just an update... Tony checked out the board and all was well. When I received it back I tried using a cheap (VERY CHEAP) USB soundcard and while not optimal the RX at least worked. So it appears that the soundcard on my ASUS which uses a REALTEK ALC1150 was at fault all along. I will continue my search for a better USB soundcard. Thanks to all for their suggestions.

Looking at your first post I cannot see how the soundcard could be responsible for only getting reception below 10MHz.
The REALTEK ALC1150 has the potential of being a reasonably good system.
I suggest trying again, maybe digging into it's configuration. It is a complex device and wrong settings can make problems with SDR.

73 Alan G4ZFQ

1 - 8 of 8