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Author Topic: Rig Frequency accuracy on 10m?.  (Read 282 times)

ZS5WC

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Rig Frequency accuracy on 10m?.
« on: November 18, 2022, 11:35:35 AM »

 ???With 10m running again I notice something interesting. I know VFOs mean rigs are not channelised, but for some reason, 50% of the stations on 10m seem 150 to 100HZ high in frequency.
I then checked my rig, FT2000 on AM into dummy, and it was about 12Hz low on frequency counter.
Seems some ops are just 100hz high, whilst their displays show no decimal numbers, ie according to them they are spot on.
I know its an silly observation but found it interesting.
Wonder if the carrier shift inside most rigs today wont do this?.
73 de William, ZS4L
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KF4RQH

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Re: Rig Frequency accuracy on 10m?.
« Reply #1 on: November 18, 2022, 02:40:54 PM »

Very well could be those 50% are running glorified cb's and took them to their local cb hack repair person , just my two cents .
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AI5BC

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Re: Rig Frequency accuracy on 10m?.
« Reply #2 on: November 18, 2022, 04:09:29 PM »

First mistake you is assuming you have an accurate time base, you most like do not. Is all your equipment synced to a GPS or iridium clock? Sammu hammy is not synced to anything except the oscillator the radio came with.
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WA3SKN

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Re: Rig Frequency accuracy on 10m?.
« Reply #3 on: November 19, 2022, 09:43:48 AM »

What is your reference?  You can calibrate within Hz with WWV and a scope.

-Mike.
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AC2EU

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Re: Rig Frequency accuracy on 10m?.
« Reply #4 on: November 19, 2022, 11:12:28 AM »

Something does,'t ring true here.
The FT2000 is a modern synthesized rig, so it should be on frequency within a few Hz !
That is, unless someone got inside with a golden screwdriver.

Why do think you are off by that much? Some ham with a 1949 Hammerlund tell you that?
Also your frequency counter may need calibration. You have too many variables which could be contributing to your "problem".
I like the suggestion to tune onto the WWV or other similar time standard station to check your radio.
I. bet it will be where it's supposed to be.

WB6BYU

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Re: Rig Frequency accuracy on 10m?.
« Reply #5 on: November 19, 2022, 12:39:19 PM »

Some people don't have a good ear for zero-beating an SSB
signal.  If it sounds "good enough" to be understood, that
may be close enough for their ear.  Particularly for those of
us who grew up with analog dials, the exact frequency didn't
matter, as long as it was within the band segment.  Unless
you are setting the frequency to an exact value for a net
or such, I'd never know the exact frequency, let alone if
the other station was slightly off - 100 Hz one way or the
other might be cause for tweaking the RIT if it was too
annoying on the ears, but nothing more than that.

ZS5WC

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Re: Rig Frequency accuracy on 10m?.
« Reply #6 on: November 19, 2022, 11:45:27 PM »

 :)Thanks for all the replies, all valid.
I just think we all have not been on 10m so long that we might need to check our master oscillators for 10 and 6m.
This is where any inaccuracies will show up as it gets closer to the master osc. frequency.
Most older rigs you can do this either on front panel or aperture on bottom of the rig.
Ts-590s at bottom, IC-781 on front face for instance.
FT-2000, well that is set in the menu as far as I can see.
Not an issue, just thought would be interesting to mention, as freq. accuracy should be the mainstay of any Ham Shack.
Regards, William
ZS4L / ZS5WC
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G4AON

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Re: Rig Frequency accuracy on 10m?.
« Reply #7 on: November 20, 2022, 03:23:06 AM »

William, what frequency reference are you using? If you are just using a frequency counter, that will be no more accurate than your transceiver unless it is calibrated against a GPS derived oscillator, or similar known accurate standard.

You might check out a few short wave broadcast stations to see if they appear to be on their allocated frequency by zero beating CW, or switching USB/LSB to hear them sounding natural on both sidebands.

Leo Bodnar have excellent GPS standards at very reasonable prices, see:
http://www.leobodnar.com/

They have a dual output one and a single output one.

73 Dave
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HB9PJT

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Re: Rig Frequency accuracy on 10m?.
« Reply #8 on: November 20, 2022, 04:39:56 AM »

Transceivers without TCXO are often specified 5 ppm accuracy. This means that at 28 MHz 140 Hz deviation corresponds to the specifications. At 50 MHz it is 250 Hz.

73, Peter - HB9PJT
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KD7RDZI2

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Re: Rig Frequency accuracy on 10m?.
« Reply #9 on: November 20, 2022, 07:59:19 AM »

What is your reference?  You can calibrate within Hz with WWV and a scope.

-Mike.
I always check WWV zerobeating at 10 Mhz and other time signals. My uBitx ver3 factory shipped was off 50 he on 10 Mhz and is about 150 hz off on 28 Mhz.
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