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Author Topic: Radio Shack HTX-100: Report of “RF” on my Transmitted SSB Audio  (Read 337 times)

WA4ZYN

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Hello.  I have an almost-new-looking Radio Shack HTX-100 I was checking out to re-sell.  I don’t want to sell something unless I can say I used it and it works.  I had to wait for a 10-meter band opening, which occurred finally today.  I had a pleasant QSO, but the other ham told me I had “RF” on my SSB audio.  I changed microphones, and he said I still had the issue.  Has anyone experienced this?  Any suggestions of where to start?

Thank you for reading my post, and for any and all input.

73, es tnx agn.
Francis WA4ZYN
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GRUMPY2021

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Re: Radio Shack HTX-100: Report of “RF” on my Transmitted SSB Audio
« Reply #1 on: August 06, 2022, 07:17:39 PM »

I've never heard of "RF in your signal". The signal is RF. It doesn't make any sense.  Now if they explain what they mean that's a different can of worms.    I would try a different QSO and ask for an audio report.   My guess is they don't have a clue what they are even talking about.   
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KU4UV

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Re: Radio Shack HTX-100: Report of “RF” on my Transmitted SSB Audio
« Reply #2 on: August 06, 2022, 07:25:46 PM »

Not sure what the problem could be.  How is the radio being powered, and what type of antenna/proximity to the radio is in use?
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WA4ZYN

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Re: Radio Shack HTX-100: Report of “RF” on my Transmitted SSB Audio
« Reply #3 on: August 06, 2022, 07:33:53 PM »

Hello and thank you for replying.  I’m using an Astron RS-35 power supply.  Dipole is about 50 feet away, though the last storm brought it down to about 10 feet off the ground.  And, in answer to previous response (Grumpy?), I didn’t get a more specific description;  just said there was “something” on my audio, and later said it sounded like RF getting into my audio.  I’m puzzled by that too.  I tried both microphones I had, and he said “it was still there.”  I will make another QSO next band opening and try to get a more specific description, and then will post again. 

Thank you again.  I’ll be back with more specifics.
73,
Francis WA4ZYN
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WD4AOG

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Re: Radio Shack HTX-100: Report of “RF” on my Transmitted SSB Audio
« Reply #4 on: August 06, 2022, 07:49:44 PM »

Try this:

https://www.hamuniverse.com/balun.html

It worked when I had RF getting into my audio on HF.

73
Michael
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WA4ZYN

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Re: Radio Shack HTX-100: Report of “RF” on my Transmitted SSB Audio
« Reply #5 on: August 06, 2022, 08:02:30 PM »

Thanks, Michael.  I appreciate the suggestion.  Looks like a great balun.  I have a choke at the feedpoint of the antenna already (a series of toroids I think) that I purchased with the antenna (NI4L OCF dipole).  Perhaps I also need a choke at the shack end of the coax too.  Or perhaps my antenna now being about 10 feet off the ground might be causing RF to be where it shouldn’t? 

Heading to bed now.  Will contemplate overnight. 
73 es tnx agn.
Francis WA4ZYN
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WB0CJB

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Re: Radio Shack HTX-100: Report of “RF” on my Transmitted SSB Audio
« Reply #6 on: August 06, 2022, 10:06:36 PM »

Touch up the ground connections in your microphone. Chances are there are some cold solder joints on the PCB where the mic cable attaches.
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WA4ZYN

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Re: Radio Shack HTX-100: Report of “RF” on my Transmitted SSB Audio
« Reply #7 on: August 07, 2022, 06:07:57 AM »

Will do!  Thanks!
73,
Francis WA4ZYN
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WA3SKN

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Re: Radio Shack HTX-100: Report of “RF” on my Transmitted SSB Audio
« Reply #8 on: August 07, 2022, 09:17:46 AM »

OK, the term implies that RF is getting into the mic input and causing distorted audio.
First thing is to replace the antenna with a known good dummy load.  Then listen with  headphones and a receiver nearby while transmitting and talking into the radio.  You will then KNOW what your transmitted audio sounds like!
If it is distorted the problem is in the radio.  If not, RF may be getting in... how close is the antenna to the radio?

-Mike.
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WA4ZYN

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Re: Radio Shack HTX-100: Report of “RF” on my Transmitted SSB Audio
« Reply #9 on: August 07, 2022, 11:21:08 AM »

Hey, Mike and everyone.  I tried your suggestion, Mike, with my headphones, and the result is that there is NOTHING wrong with my transmitted audio.  I don’t know what the other fellow was hearing on my signal, but I don’t hear it.  Thank you, everyone, for helping me with this.  Now I have an HTX-100 available if anyone needs one!

73,
Francis WA4ZYN
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N8YX

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Re: Radio Shack HTX-100: Report of “RF” on my Transmitted SSB Audio
« Reply #10 on: August 09, 2022, 10:03:00 AM »

Option B:

The station which gave you the bad report had their receiver's noise blanker activated and the threshold set to a level which would clip the incoming signal, modulating it with noise.

Not the first time it has happened. Won't be the last, either.
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WA4ZYN

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Re: Radio Shack HTX-100: Report of “RF” on my Transmitted SSB Audio
« Reply #11 on: August 09, 2022, 10:07:47 AM »

Thanks, N8YX.  Someone yesterday told me the same thing.

73,
Francs WA4ZYN
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