The URLs below refer to the photos of the amp./"pallet" and the exciter inside the box.
The amp. is not shown inside the box yet because I wanted to use the exciter alone first, and then install the amp. for which the cooling fan is visible too, yet not connected.
In the amp. photo, a circle shows those two SMD components.
The last URL refers to the schematics I made for RFsource.
I hope those will help, and I'll most grateful, if the bunch is clear enough to explain something I may have done wrong.
Note: the somewhat crude heat sink I used for the "pallet" is in fact half of a heatsink salvaged from a old computer PSU. The PCB comes with a 4.9 mm thick aluminium plate to help cooling, but that isn't enough for heat dissipation.
The first e-mail to RFsource was on 8th March, so quite a long time ago. As I said, if one can find April posts at their Facebook page, then Mr Thedoros Kotsalidis must be "alive & kicking", but doesn't bother to provide needed assistance. Interesting to note he's not only advertising his products via RFsource webpage but also via eBay (!)...
The .pdf data you saw on the RFsource webpage doesn't not show the 6-conductor ribbon cable that came already soldered onto the exciter board and which is meant to be connected to the amp. and thereby control it. Only 5 conductors are used.
I have checked the photos I sent Theodoros, and can see all connections are pretty visible. Please let me prepare everything and come back with the photos, hopefully tomorrow.
I'm glad, that there was finally one reply to my RFsource issue.
Thank you!
No, there was no polarity change. I connected the antenna first, left the modul. & RF controls as they were (fully counterclockwise, just as they were when I received the items), then applied 12V= to the exciter alone., i.e. w/o the amp. being connected at all, but the display & LEDs remained unlit. Needless to say the dispaly ribbon cable *was* connected to the exciter.
After that, I wired the amp. to the exc. & ant. socket, then applied 12 V=, and that's when those 2 SMD components right near the +/- solder contacts on the "pallet" got smoky... I think I was careful enough when connected the 12 V=. I would have already replaced the SMDs, if the diagram had any component details.
Apart from all that, I suppose, and expected, the seller would provide some assistance, or at least would reply to the new customer's question... I even sent them photos of it all so that they could examine everything, and then report back: surely, that wouldn't take them too much time, and would work in favor or their reputation.
In the absence of RFsource's reply, I'd be most pleased, if a member also using the "pallet" could help me identifying those bloody SMDs.
One last note: I was tipped about not feeling surprised, if the exciter doesn't work *if* the ribbon cable to control the amp./"pallet" is not connected to it - but it was when the SMDs "experienced" a sudden heat blow.
I am newcomer to this Forum which I was very pleased to find on the internet, and got even more pleased when I read a message from a Danish member, Lisa, who happens to use an amp. I recently bought from RFsource, Greece, together with her SSTRAM, mod. AMT3000, tx
That made drop her a line, and while I await her reply, maybe I can in the meantime ask you members a question precisely about RFsource envolving their “SDH203M”, a 400 mW PLL exciter, and the “PM62FDC Those should be a giant’s step as compared to the tiny “iTx” valve tx I am using for nearly a year.
In early March, after installing and wiring the exciter, there was no reaction after applying 12 V= as the display indicates nothing & the 2 control LEDs are off.The exciter does bring a ribbon cable with a socket meant for the amp. but I suppose the exciter should work alone as the amp. is merely an extra: in fact, it’s the amp. that needs an exciter!
After connecting the amp. to the exciter, I applied 12 V= to it, and... two of the SMD components (resistors?) to the left of the +/- 28 V/.3.3 A connection simply burned. I have no means to know their values and replace them.I explained Mr Theodoros Kotsalidis I could use 12V= for the both items or then 12V= for the exciter and managed 24 V= for the “pallet”, the amp.
Sadly, the leaflets coming with both items, exciter & amp., are meagre in details, and the circuit diagram don’t have component values, and on top of all this, RFsource doesn’t reply to my repeated mails, either because it’s no more working, which I very much doubt as several recent searches led me to www.facebook.com/RFsource
where we can see there are messages dated 9th April which is an indication they’re alive, or then simply because they simply don't care.
Does anyone has any experience with this PLL exciter?I will highly appreciate your help so that I can finally put the box into work.Thank you very much in advance.
I hope Lisa also replies so that I can get a tip on those two burned SMD components.