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HARRIS Digit-CD revision incompatibility issues?

S

sotiris

Hi
I have here at Greece, yes that ancient Greece :) ... two HARRIS Digit exciter but each one is from different production batch. One is far newer (later) model (the Digit-CD renamed), made at 2007 with a Digital I/O in the aluminum enclosure installed from factory, while the other is from an earlier than 2002 version. The problem I'm having is that I want to install a digital I/O interface module to the older version. Currently has the analog I/O installed at it. The second exciter (newer version) has digital I/O from factory. I have another digital I/O module available here, this is the later version cased in plastic enclosure, and whne I hooked ot up at the older Digit-CD the exciter freezes! No LCD, no nothing! With its onw analog I/O everything works as it should! Also installing the Digital I/O with the plastic enclosure to my second & newer Digit-CD, replacing its own Digital I/O with that one, everything works OK! So, what I need to know are there any known revision incompatibility issues? Is there a way to work the Digit-CD digital I/O card to the Digit (non "CD" suffix) exciter? Or I'm stuck with the analog I/O for it?

Thank you in advance
Sotiris
 
sotiris said:
Hi
I have here at Greece, yes that ancient Greece :) ... two HARRIS Digit exciter but each one is from different production batch. One is far newer (later) model (the Digit-CD renamed), made at 2007 with a Digital I/O in the aluminum enclosure installed from factory, while the other is from an earlier than 2002 version. The problem I'm having is that I want to install a digital I/O interface module to the older version. Currently has the analog I/O installed at it. The second exciter (newer version) has digital I/O from factory. I have another digital I/O module available here, this is the later version cased in plastic enclosure, and whne I hooked ot up at the older Digit-CD the exciter freezes! No LCD, no nothing! With its onw analog I/O everything works as it should! Also installing the Digital I/O with the plastic enclosure to my second & newer Digit-CD, replacing its own Digital I/O with that one, everything works OK! So, what I need to know are there any known revision incompatibility issues? Is there a way to work the Digit-CD digital I/O card to the Digit (non "CD" suffix) exciter? Or I'm stuck with the analog I/O for it?

Thank you in advance
Sotiris
Click to expand...

Hi Sotiris, First of all, I love your country. My family and I have spent a great deal of time exploring Santorini, Mykomos, and my wife in particular (the amateur archeologist) Athens. Speaking for myself, I particularly enjoy the beaches.

I believe what you're running into with the Digit exciter, are different vintages of firmware in the exciters. The firmware of the exciter must support the vintage of digital I/O card, similar to trying to put a video card compatible with Windows 7-10 into an old PC running Windows XP. The problem is; GatesAir no longer supports many of the unique parts in the Digit, like CPU boards or processor chips. Chances are the older exciter without the AES board will have to remain composite-only.

BTW; while you have the exciter on the workbench, it would be a good time to replace most, if not all the electrolytic capacitors. Even running composite stereo, the audio quality and overall performance will be much improved. If certain capacitors age too much, you'll get the "Digit Whine", where the audio will pick up a high pitched whistle.
 
Kelly A said:
Hi Sotiris, First of all, I love your country. My family and I have spent a great deal of time exploring Santorini, Mykomos, and my wife in particular, the amateur archeologist; Athens. Speaking for myself, I particularly enjoy the beaches.

I believe what you're running into with the Digit exciter, are different vintages of firmware in the exciters. The firmware of the exciter must support the vintage of digital I/O card, similar to trying to put a video card compatible with Windows 7-10 into an old PC running Windows XP. The problem is; GatesAir no longer supports many of the unique parts in the Digit, like CPU boards or processor chips. Chances are the older exciter without the AES board will have to remain composite-only.

BTW; while you have the exciter on the workbench, it would be a good time to replace most, if not all the electrolytic capacitors. Even running composite stereo, the audio quality and overall performance will be much improved.
Click to expand...

Hi Kelly! thank you for your nice words about my country! next time here you may have to visit Sifnos island... near Paros and a bit northern than Thyra (Santorini)! :)
Well... I was almsot sure that there is an incompatibility between but had to ask, as there is not too much information about the DIGIT vs DIGITCD differences! I have worked with DigitCD in the past, repaired some of them, but this Digit older one is a first for me! So I guess next thing is to offer the owner to buy mine if he need it for working with AES/EBU input and keep the old digit here as a standby back up unit that I use to have for sending - loan - to stations who have failed exciters and send them in for repair!
So, i guess problem solved! :)

PS: I have already done a recap at it. and check it for spurious etc. faults at my lab.
IMHO those 'bricks" weren't so much of "Digit" or CD... quality transmitters! Too much of "this & that" but not leaving you a taste of the "THE" after all... for their price!
 
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