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ARC-16 XMTR Remote Control Problem

R

Robert Bass

I’ve noticed some strange, intermittent behavior from an ARC-16 xmtr remote control unit. When the box is dialed in to get meter readings, something strange occasionally occurs when any given channel contains the number 3 (be it the channel numbers or the reading on the channels). Once the female voice says "3", occasionally the box halts for about a second or so, and then gives the reading for channel #5.

For example, the main xmtr’s temperature reading is on channel #12. Let’s say the temp is 103.7 degrees. Here’s what happens after requesting a reading from this channel, “TWELVE A, MAIN TRANSMITTER TEMPERATURE EQUALS ONE ZERO THREE…. FIVE A, AUXILLARY PLATE CURRENT EQUALS ZERO POINT ZERO ZERO TWO AMPS”

Channel 5 is wired for turning on the backup transmitter’s filament. So far this only seems to occur when the main transmitter is on and the backup transmitter is off. Has anyone else encountered this type of problem?

Thanks,

R
 
> I’ve noticed some strange, intermittent behavior from an
> ARC-16 xmtr remote control unit. When the box is dialed in
> to get meter readings, something strange occasionally occurs
> when any given channel contains the number 3 (be it the
> channel numbers or the reading on the channels). Once the
> female voice says "3", occasionally the box halts for about
> a second or so, and then gives the reading for channel #5.
>
> For example, the main xmtr’s temperature reading is on
> channel #12. Let’s say the temp is 103.7 degrees. Here’s
> what happens after requesting a reading from this channel,
> “TWELVE A, MAIN TRANSMITTER TEMPERATURE EQUALS ONE ZERO
> THREE…. FIVE A, AUXILLARY PLATE CURRENT EQUALS ZERO POINT
> ZERO ZERO TWO AMPS”
>
> Channel 5 is wired for turning on the backup transmitter’s
> filament. So far this only seems to occur when the main
> transmitter is on and the backup transmitter is off. Has
> anyone else encountered this type of problem?
>
> Thanks,
>
> R
>

Actually, I have! I was a few years back, though. I don't remember if replacing the firmware or the ESI fixed the problem, though.<P ID="signature">______________
</P>
 
> For example, the main xmtr’s temperature reading is on
> channel #12. Let’s say the temp is 103.7 degrees. Here’s
> what happens after requesting a reading from this channel,
> “TWELVE A, MAIN TRANSMITTER TEMPERATURE EQUALS ONE ZERO
> THREE…. FIVE A, AUXILLARY PLATE CURRENT EQUALS ZERO POINT
> ZERO ZERO TWO AMPS”
>

Sorry, my bad, I hooked the red wire to the black wire

*grin*
<P ID="signature">______________
vide0 killed the radi0 star</P>
 
Dang! I have one that does that NOW. It's been going on for years. Burk was once called about it, but I don't remember what they told me. I thought something might be goofy with the faked land-line we use to get into it. I use a Telular GSM cell box to provide dial tone and ringer. I guess I'm not alone..

df



> > I’ve noticed some strange, intermittent behavior from an
> > ARC-16 xmtr remote control unit. When the box is dialed
> in
> > to get meter readings, something strange occasionally
> occurs
> > when any given channel contains the number 3 (be it the
> > channel numbers or the reading on the channels). Once the
>
> > female voice says "3", occasionally the box halts for
> about
> > a second or so, and then gives the reading for channel #5.
>
> >
> > For example, the main xmtr’s temperature reading is on
> > channel #12. Let’s say the temp is 103.7 degrees. Here’s
>
> > what happens after requesting a reading from this channel,
>
> > “TWELVE A, MAIN TRANSMITTER TEMPERATURE EQUALS ONE ZERO
> > THREE…. FIVE A, AUXILLARY PLATE CURRENT EQUALS ZERO POINT
> > ZERO ZERO TWO AMPS”
> >
> > Channel 5 is wired for turning on the backup transmitter’s
>
> > filament. So far this only seems to occur when the main
> > transmitter is on and the backup transmitter is off. Has
> > anyone else encountered this type of problem?
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > R
> >
>
> Actually, I have! I was a few years back, though. I don't
> remember if replacing the firmware or the ESI fixed the
> problem, though.
>
 
> > For example, the main xmtr’s temperature reading is on
> > channel #12. Let’s say the temp is 103.7 degrees. Here’s
>
> > what happens after requesting a reading from this channel,
>
> > “TWELVE A, MAIN TRANSMITTER TEMPERATURE EQUALS ONE ZERO
> > THREE…. FIVE A, AUXILLARY PLATE CURRENT EQUALS ZERO POINT
> > ZERO ZERO TWO AMPS”
> >
>
> Sorry, my bad, I hooked the red wire to the black wire
>
> *grin*
>

No, if you did that you'd hear:

"TWELVE A, MAIN TRANSMITTER TEMPERATURE EQUALS ONE ZERO THREE… <pause> DAVE? DAVE? WHAT ARE YOU DOING DAVE? I CAN NOT ALLOW YOU TO DO THAT, DAVE..."<P ID="signature">______________
</P>
 
> I’ve noticed some strange, intermittent behavior from an
> ARC-16 xmtr remote control unit. When the box is dialed in
> to get meter readings, something strange occasionally occurs
> when any given channel contains the number 3 (be it the
> channel numbers or the reading on the channels). Once the
> female voice says "3", occasionally the box halts for about
> a second or so, and then gives the reading for channel #5.
>
> For example, the main xmtr’s temperature reading is on
> channel #12. Let’s say the temp is 103.7 degrees. Here’s
> what happens after requesting a reading from this channel,
> “TWELVE A, MAIN TRANSMITTER TEMPERATURE EQUALS ONE ZERO
> THREE…. FIVE A, AUXILLARY PLATE CURRENT EQUALS ZERO POINT
> ZERO ZERO TWO AMPS”
>
> Channel 5 is wired for turning on the backup transmitter’s
> filament. So far this only seems to occur when the main
> transmitter is on and the backup transmitter is off. Has
> anyone else encountered this type of problem?
>
> Thanks,
>
> R

And I always thought it was my phone.
>
 
> I’ve noticed some strange, intermittent behavior from an
> ARC-16 xmtr remote control unit. When the box is dialed in
> to get meter readings, something strange occasionally occurs
> when any given channel contains the number 3 (be it the
> channel numbers or the reading on the channels). Once the
> female voice says "3", occasionally the box halts for about
> a second or so, and then gives the reading for channel #5.
>
> For example, the main xmtr’s temperature reading is on
> channel #12. Let’s say the temp is 103.7 degrees. Here’s
> what happens after requesting a reading from this channel,
> “TWELVE A, MAIN TRANSMITTER TEMPERATURE EQUALS ONE ZERO
> THREE…. FIVE A, AUXILLARY PLATE CURRENT EQUALS ZERO POINT
> ZERO ZERO TWO AMPS”
>
> Channel 5 is wired for turning on the backup transmitter’s
> filament. So far this only seems to occur when the main
> transmitter is on and the backup transmitter is off. Has
> anyone else encountered this type of problem?

Yep...the DTMF decoder is falsing..this happens a lot on DTMF decoders, especially on female voices....Get with Burk and find out how to reduce the speech level or to lower the input level to the DTMF decoder...Older 2500 series phones put DTMF out at 10dB hotter than voice to prevent this (the older decoders could ignore voice in that method) but most single IC DTMF decoders tend to work with DTMF levels equal with or lower than voice..(they were designed for radio use...but they DO false a bit more)..

evidently yours thinks the female "3" is equal to a DTMF 5 :)
 
Someone already said it, but you need to futz with the DTMF decoder IC. There was a fix for Sine Systems involving a resistor somewhere in there to assist it.

I have a problem no matter which unit I call...Genter, Sine or Burk. The issue is that when you're on a mobile phone, the tone isn't always complete. Sometimes the signal breaks up in the middle so that--to the decoder--it appears you hit the number twice.<P ID="signature">______________
</P>
 
> I’ve noticed some strange, intermittent behavior from an
> ARC-16 xmtr remote control unit. When the box is dialed in
> to get meter readings, something strange occasionally occurs
> when any given channel contains the number 3 (be it the
> channel numbers or the reading on the channels). Once the
> female voice says "3", occasionally the box halts for about
> a second or so, and then gives the reading for channel #5.
>
> For example, the main xmtr’s temperature reading is on
> channel #12. Let’s say the temp is 103.7 degrees. Here’s
> what happens after requesting a reading from this channel,
> “TWELVE A, MAIN TRANSMITTER TEMPERATURE EQUALS ONE ZERO
> THREE…. FIVE A, AUXILLARY PLATE CURRENT EQUALS ZERO POINT
> ZERO ZERO TWO AMPS”
>
> Channel 5 is wired for turning on the backup transmitter’s
> filament. So far this only seems to occur when the main
> transmitter is on and the backup transmitter is off. Has
> anyone else encountered this type of problem?
>
> Thanks,
>
> R
>

I still think mine doesn't work right...it just calls with problems, not solutions! I wait for the day when I can hear this:

"This is the Burk ARC-16. A little while ago your forward power dropped below 90%. Don't worry, though. Seems as if the tube is going soft. I increased the filament voltage and called Econco. The tube should be here Tuesday, and I'll have installed that night.

Have a great weekend!"<P ID="signature">______________
</P>
 
> I still think mine doesn't work right...it just calls with
> problems, not solutions! I wait for the day when I can hear
> this:
>
> "This is the Burk ARC-16. A little while ago your forward
> power dropped below 90%. Don't worry, though. Seems as if
> the tube is going soft. I increased the filament voltage
> and called Econco. The tube should be here Tuesday, and
> I'll have installed that night.
>
> Have a great weekend!"
>


That's my job!
 
> Yep...the DTMF decoder is falsing..this happens a lot on
> DTMF decoders, especially on female voices....Get with Burk
> and find out how to reduce the speech level or to lower the
> input level to the DTMF decoder...Older 2500 series phones
> put DTMF out at 10dB hotter than voice to prevent this (the
> older decoders could ignore voice in that method) but most
> single IC DTMF decoders tend to work with DTMF levels equal
> with or lower than voice..(they were designed for radio
> use...but they DO false a bit more)..
>
> evidently yours thinks the female "3" is equal to a DTMF 5
> :)

If this problem just started after the Burk has been working correctly for awhile it may be the phone line. I would think if the line is acting strange, as in poping, frying, echoing, ringing, the resulting artifacts could be causing strange harmonic results. For grins, maybe stop by the Shack and pick up a DSL filter for the transmitter site - which is usually located in an area that the phone company isn't going to run a brand new hunk of cable for a few POTS lines.

My 2¢

EN
 
> Wash out the mouse pee and put screening over the open slots
> in the rear.

I'm starting a new campaign to stop the usage of mouse poison at xmtr sites. Nothing wakes you up like opening the xmtr door to 2 week old warm dead mouse smell.

Use traps. Then you don't have to search for the dead bodies.<P ID="signature">______________
</P>
 
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