Modifying the GE DELTA S/SX for HAM band and PacketRadio Operation!
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Parts and
components used in the modification of these radios: |
May the ''DELTA'' force be with you!
In an effort to replace some of our network low power (10 to 25 watt nodes), radios with 60 + watt transceivers, I began a search for some GE Phoenix SX transceivers. I had learned of a bid sale from a local railroad system and some others from the forestry service. I was able to get ten Phoenix SX on one bid, but lost on the other.
Then a friend told me about another radio that would better serve our purpose. It is an GE (ERICSSON) 110 watt, transceiver called the "DELTA," and it is of recent vintage.
The GE DELTA "S" (narrow-band) with an "SX" (wide-band) PROM will function well in a high RF environment. Mostly because the "S" model utilizes cavity resonators in the front-end (receive RF section), and with the "SX" Micro (PROM), it will easily move into the 136 to 150 MHz region.
In addition, the Delta's I found, run 110 plus watts! These are radios that were just removed from commercial service and are in very good condition.
The DELTA "S" and "SX" was built in three band cuts... e.g.; Low band (29 to 50 MHz), High band.. low split 136-155 MHz, high split 152-174 MHz, and UHF. Best remembered because it came in two power levels for VHF and mainly because it was built to withstand heavy abuse. The two VHF versions were 50 watt and 110 watts "output".
The DELTA was somewhat ahead of its time because it applied the same surface mount device technology that are used in today's communications assemblies.
These 110 watt, DELTA "S" ''Narrowband'' are the version with the "SX" micro installed.
NOTE: FYI, I have listed the MICRO part numbers for most GE DELTA and ERICSSON Ranger below:
19A703241G1-G8 DELTA/S UHF/VHF MICRO
19A703868G1-G5 & G7 DELTA/SX UHF/VHF MICRO
19A703244G20-G23 DELTA/SX UHF/VHF and RANGR VHF MICRO
19A703868G6 Special for RANGR UHF only
19C851149G1-G4 DELTA/S Low Band MICRO
19C851149G5-G12 DELTA/SX Low Band MICRO
19C851591G1 DELTA/S Low Band MICRO (SOLDER IN FIELD KIT)
19C851591G2-G3 DELTA/SX Low Band MICRO (SOLDER IN FIELD KIT)
By using the narrow band "S" DELTA with the "SX" PROM, I can set it for single frequency node use and tune the helical resonators in the RF section for a "hot" front end at 145.770 MHz that works great in an RF rich environment.
In a similar fashion, but with a few more parts and tuning procedures, I can make it into a full blown, 110 watt, 16 channel Packet Radio. More on the sixteen channel mod later..
FIRST THINGS, FIRST:
I first test the radio to insure that I have a good "working" radio, then I begin my modifications to the Delta. If you perform the modifications shown in this article, you will NOT need the cables, and control head accessories for the DELTA.
You can test the DELTA by building an interface cable similar to that shown at figure one. This connector (P1) uses (GE/ERICSSON Part number(s) (cover=19C850508P1), (connector=19D900037P1), and (housing=19D900015P1), I cannot supply these parts.
I do not use the "P1" connector; Instead I build the interface I've drawn as figure two. I do a bit of surgery to the front of the DELTA (see figure 3), and insert the TNC cable at the DELTA front. Then I make a couple of 3/16th inch holes for the DC power input wires at the rear (see figure 4).
THERE IS POW! POWER IN THE DELTA:
If you know the "personality" (frequency, usually 16 channels) of the radio you are working with, you can build the simple test interface that I have drawn at figure one. Although I am showing the DELTA "P1" plug interfaced to the MFJ-1270 connector, this same plug and five pin DIN combo can easily be used to test the operability of the GE DELTA radios.
Always perform a preliminary test of the radio, and do so into a purely resistive dummy load... rated at more than the power output of the radio... e.g. 110 watts... PLUS. Just so you know... I've seen much more than 150 watts out of some of these radios!... so do beware, and remember R23.. more on the application of R23 later. While making modifications to several of the GE/ERICSSON DELTA radios, I've been able to crank as high as 175 watts of power output from them. Yes, I know... the temptation is to run the power up, but the high powered VHF DELTA radio is spec'd at 110 watts output. BUT REMEMBER, you will need a 25 to 30 ampere, 13 Volt DC supply for this high powered beast!
OK, so we are using the DELTA in the Packet radio service, so maybe I will crank it up a tad more... but not much over... a hundred and .."rty" watts. AND only because I know that in Packet Radio service, "the 110 watt DELTA will only be keyed for a few seconds at time." Let's keep in mind that if 110 watts don't get you there, then the target node or Packet station is; 1) deaf, or 2) too far away.
Here is how to maintain power control of the DELTA 110 watt radio. If the radio is running over ... let's say; 140 watts, the power can be reduced by turning R23 counter-clockwise. R23 is located in the RF PA compartment at the left side of the DELTA (component side up) radio. If the metal cover is in place on the RF PA, there will be a single hole near the right front of the RF PA cover.
Once you have the interface complete as shown in figure two, use pin 3 of the 5 pin DIN to ground to test (PTT) the transmit of the DELTA. Use a small amplifier (or earphone) attached to pin 4 of the 5 pin DIN to check the receive. As shown, the pin connection I've used to attach for TNC receive audio is "unsquelched" allowing you to hear white noise on the test speaker. The audio receive ground will be to pin 2 of the 5 pin DIN connector. This is one reason I recommend the MFJ-1270B, or C, TNC for X1J4 node service, as it will operate with radios that have "open" or unsquelched receive audio.
With the higher power and even though they are syntheized, the DELTA does exhibit a fast rise-time to full power, and they do have a very fast antenna change-over relay, so the TXDelay of the node will not change from the TXDelay of 35 that we now use with the 1200 baud node radios.
DEALING WITH FIGURE TWO:
An alternate method to interface the DELTA to an MFJ-1270B or C TNC is shown in figure two. This is how I interface all my DELTA to X1J4 nodes. One caveat... If you make the mod as I have, using the interface at figure 2, then be sure to cover, or use heat shrink tubing to cover pins 37, 16, and 19 on the front (J601) radio connector. The location of these pins are shown and labeled in figure one (1).
After you're confident that you have a good working DELTA, the next step is to remove power, and remove any tone (Channel Guard) board from the radio (if it has one). Toss it away.... far away, you will no longer have a use for this PCB. To remove the CG PC board, open the top of the DELTA. The "CG" PCB is located near the front of the DELTA in the left front section with the solder traces exposed or facing up. Remove the four (4) TORX retaining screws. Now lift.. that is, it may need a slight tug, to remove the CG PCB. Remove the small "extender" PCB also.
Next; Locate jumper pins J608 and J609. These pins will be directly below where the CG PC board was located. If the radio was equipped with channel guard, then a jumper (strapping option) will be present on J609. Move (remove) the jumper (P609) from pins J609 and move it left to J608. place the jumper on J608 where it becomes "P608."
ADDRESSING THE EEPROM:
At socket U706 is the IC 2212 EEPROM. This is where the "personality" of the DELTA is stored. If you have a friend who has the GE "suitcase" programmer, have the friend burn the 16 Packet channels of your choice into it.
When making the program selection in the "suitcase programmer," I use the "high-split" (152-174) version selection. We can force the radio (EEPROM) to accept frequencies down to 144.5 MHz. To do this, use the "insert" key on the programmer instead of the <Enter> key.
WE'VE GOT "PERSONALITY:"
In the following table, I have provided a set of the frequencies that I put into most of my EEPROMs. This set of frequencies include the APRS frequency of 144.390 as channel 1.
* I MAKE NO PROMISES THAT THESE RADIOS WILL PERFORM BELOW 145 MHz.
1 *144.390 144.390 APRS
2 145.010 145.010
3 145.030 145.030
4 145.050 145.050
5 145.070 145.070
6 145.090 145.090
7 145.570 145.570
8 145.610 145.610
9 145.630 145.630
10 145.650 145.650
11 145.670 145.670
12 145.690 145.690
13 145.710 145.710
14 145.730 145.730
15 145.750 145.750
16 145.770 145.770
TABLE 1
You can configure your radio personality in whatever sequence you wish.
SYSTEM ALIGNMENT:
Now that we have the EEPROM programmed and installed at U706, it is time to do the final touchup to the DELTA. You may wish to make a copy of this SEDANewsLetter so you can switch between pages and text to view the next alignment procedure or test point.
I am a strong believer in, " A picture is worth 10,000 words. So to make your life easier, I have drawn an extensive overview of the DELTA radio tuning points and voltage monitoring points within the radio (see figure 5). Stop for a moment and study the drawing at figure five and the steps I have outlined. By reviewing this drawing now, may save some time later when you get into the nitty-gritty of the modification.
First and foremost, read the text box shown in the upper right corner of figure 5. This section is first because you must be sure you have frequency lock of both the DELTA receive and transmit VCO's.
It is important that you use a DVM with the readout set for the 1 to 10 volt "DC" scale.... or that the DVM will auto-range to the scale you require.
SIXTEEN CANDLES:
As you become more familiar with your DELTA radio, you will soon learn how easy it is to make the DELTA into a 16 channel, 110 watt Packet Radio. We've discussed the use of the DELTA as a single channel mountain top node radio, but now let's talk about utilizing the fuller potential of the Delta's sixteen channel capability.
At figure 6, I've outlined a simple BCD switching arrangement that will enable you to "switch" to any one of the sixteen channels programmed into your 2212 EEPROM (U706). I'm including the "truth table" that supports this switching arrangement.
FB1, FB2, FB3, and FB4 are the pin identifiers for pins 1, 2, 3, and 4 at J601. Now that we are beginning to see the relationship between the channel numbers and the truth table, let's look at the switch configuration for the truth table and the list of frequencies that I use for Packet operation in the DELTA, shown as TABLE 3.
* CAVEAT...Frequency FB1 FB2 FB3 FB4 1. 144.390 ON OFF OFF OFF
2. 145.010 OFF ON OFF OFF
3. 145.030 ON ON OFF OFF
4. 145.050 OFF OFF ON OFF
5. 145.070 ON OFF ON OFF
6. 145.090 OFF ON ON OFF
7. 145.570 ON ON ON OFF
8. 145.610 OFF OFF OFF ON
9. 145.630 ON OFF OFF ON
10. 145.650 OFF ON OFF ON
11. 145.670 ON ON OFF ON
12. 145.690 OFF OFF ON ON
13. 145.710 ON OFF ON ON
14. 145.730 OFF ON ON ON
15. 145.750 ON ON ON ON
16. 145.770 OFF OFF OFF OFF
TABLE 3
I MAKE NO PROMISES THAT THE DELTA WILL OPERATE BELOW 145 MHz.
FIGURE 1
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 4
FIGURE 5
FIGURE 6
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Parts and
components used in the modification of these radios: |
BucK4ABT
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