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| Figure 1: The gray, charred stump of the failed tantalum capacitor in the center of the image, just above the potentiometer shaft.) The original, nylon extension shaft broke several years ago and here, it is shown having been mended with two overlapping layers of heat-shrink tubing. Click on the image for a larger version. |
So, I plugged it in, turned it on and everything was fine until I flipped the switch to apply power to the 'scope. At this point the front panel lights dimmed momentarily, following by a loud bang (even though it was muffled by the unit's metal case) and smoke billowed out from every gap in the front panel along with a bright, flickering yellow light from a fiercely burning flame within.
Of course, I turned it off and fortunately, the flame quickly died out!
Hmmm...
Undoing about a dozen screws I soon had the cover off and discovered the culprit: A dipped tantalum capacitor (150uF, 15 volts) on the the high voltage power supply board for the oscilloscope had incinerated itself. Fortunately, aside from leaving a sticky, smoky residue on the nearby components, adjacent chassis panels and the inside of the wrap-around case, there didn't appear to be any real damage.
I should say that once I saw what had "flamed out" I wasn't too surprised: Dipped tantalum capacitors don't fail too often, but when they do, they usually fail spectacularly, often burning holes in the circuit board and destroying nearby components!
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| Figure 2: Inside the wrap-around cover - evidence of smoke and flames! Click on the image for a larger version. |
Carefully unsoldering the remnants of the capacitor (now a small chunk of charred tantalum) I shook out the other pieces of the capacitor that had fallen inside the unit and the powered it up.
Everything looked good!
Now, to replace the capacitor. The original was a dipped tantalum unit, this type chosen because of its low ESR (Equivalent Series Resistance) and its ability to effectively filter the high-frequency noise produced by the high voltage inverter. For this task I wasn't going use an "ordinary", cheap capacitor since its filtering ability may be somewhat diminished at the frequencies involved - around 20 kHz.
Back when the unit was made the best capacitors for high-frequency filtering were tantalum units or specially-made low-ESR electrolytics, but the latter weren't extremely common. These days, with the proliferation of switching power supplies it's quite common to find high-performance, low-ESR electrolytics designed for just this task so I rummaged around and found a 330uF, low-ESR 105C (high temperature) capacitor that appeared to be well-suited for the task.
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| Figure 3: The new (blue) CDE 330uF low-ESR electrolytic. Click on the image for a larger version. |
The upshot?
The unit is now working again and the new capacitor seems to be doing its job. If I have a reason to do so in the future, I'll pull the scope module go through it to remove the last traces of the smoky residue and, perhaps, preemptively replacing the other tantalum, but for now...
I still don't remember for certain the problem for which I was checking out the service monitor!
Additional random comments:
A few months later (8/13) I noticed that sometimes the IFR-1000S would hum when it was powered up - but not always. Clearly 120 Hz ripple, it was pervasive enough that it would register as 200-300 Hz of deviation on an otherwise unmodulated carrier, appearing as a "dirty" waveform on the output signal as well as being visible on the scope and audible via the speaker.
Taking the cover off, the hum stopped, but I checked the filter capacitors in the power supply (some of which I'd replaced a few years ago) and found them to be good. After having used it a few more times hum-free, the problem appeared again and this time I happened to notice, as I was picking it up while it was powered on, that the hum changed. Pushing on the case and wiggling things I discovered that the hum changed radically when I wiggled them main AC power connector - "Jones" plug.
Upon disassembling the unit I saw that the solder joints on the connector were just fine, but that the Battery - lead from this connector (which can be used to operate the unit from DC power) shared a heavy black lead that came from the main power supply, bonding it to the chassis.
Hmmm...
Grabbing a screwdriver, I immediately noticed that this screw was a bit loose. As it turned out it was this connection that was getting flaky, developing a slight amount of resistance. Since it came from the power supply this caused the regulation (and consequently, ripple rejection) to suffer. I put a drop of anti oxidant grease on the connections and properly tightened the screw, thus fixing the problem!
About the IFR-1000S:
This service monitor covers from a few hundred kHz to 999.9999 MHz in AM, FM and the reception of SSB and is able to both generate and analyze signals over this entire range. With its calibrated signal generator one can determine the performance of a receiver (sensitivity, distortion, alignment) and it can also test the power and modulation of a transmitter. Being the "S" version, it also has a built-in spectrum analyzer: Not really well-calibrated, but still very useful.
Being made in about 1980, it's pretty basic, having no computers in it and lots of analog circuitry, but it is fairly bulletproof and uses relatively few impossible-to-find components other than the obvious such as meter movements or the cathode-ray tube for the 'scope. Since most of the components are readily-available, off-the-shelf parts such as ICs, transistors, diodes - many of which are still made - it should be repairable for some time to come!
Although labeled as a "1000S", it was apparently factory-upgraded by a previous owner and is, in fact, really an 1100S - a slightly fancier model that saw widespread use in the military and aeronautics industry. The main differences between the 1000S and 1100S are the way the audio synthesizers work (the variable and fixed 1 kHz), the change of a few front-panel controls and input/output connections and also the fact that the 1100S has an additional amplifier allowing it to produce up to at least 0dBm (1 milliwatt) of RF output - about 40dB more signal than the standard IFR-1000 and the power supply. Soon after I got the unit I replaced the remaining incandescent indicators with red, green and yellow LEDs as appropriate, just like the factory 1100S.
The only thing that the factory seemed to have missed was the connecting of the output of the fixed 1 kHz tone generator (prior to the output level control) to the front-panel accessory connector that is used to interface the (optional) MM-100E meter unit: Without this connection having been made I pulled my hair out trying to figure out why the SINAD and distortion meters didn't work before finally realizing that this reference signal was missing!
[End]
This page stolen from ka7oei.blogspot.com
I also have a IFR1000S which has been rock solid. However, lately I have noticed a "warble" in the signal generator. It is very much like the note you hear from a receiver if you tune the receiver under test to say 455khz, THEN change the output of the IFR from some other frequency to 455khz. It occurs randomly and powering off/on seems to fix it for a while. I have never had the case off so I thought I would run this by you first before I start trouble shooting.
ReplyDeleteThanks es 73,
Pat AA4PG
Pat,
ReplyDeleteI was brought an IFR-1000 that had a severe "warble" problem a few years ago. After checking out the power supply capacitors (just to make sure that they were OK - the warble did not have much 120 Hz ripple on it) we traced it down to one of the VCOs: This was the one in a rectangular metal can and not the one in the machined aluminum turret. (I don't have a service manual for it handy so I'm going by memory.) I believe that the status of this "other" VCO is indicated directly by one of the two "lock" lights on the front panel - which didn't really go out as this unit warbled.
What it turned out to be was a flaky potentiometer. Inside the VCO box is a "sub" regulator that takes the voltage from the main supply down to a slightly lower voltage (say, 12 volts down to 9-10 volts - I don't remember the exact voltage.) What had happened was that this voltage had crept up due to the pot going somewhat noisy so the originally-lower voltage was now (approximately) the same as that of the '1000's main supply, which itself is not really all that well-regulated. Fortunately this module was relatively easy to access and it could be operated while least one of the covers was removed.
What was done was to work some "potentiometer and switch cleaner" into the pot (a drop was put onto the adjustment slot) and the pot was then exercised by rotating it several dozen times, both cleaning it by abrasion and working a small amount of the cleaner into it as evidenced by the fact that it became easier to rotate. After doing that the voltage was then set to the 'spec in the manual and the unit worked normally. We did not replace the pot since we didn't have one of the exact same size on hand: If it happens again, we'll know where to go first when tracking the culprit.
Having worked on several IFR-1000s I know that the "CW Note" on these is very slightly warbly even when they are working fine, but good enough that SSB may be demodulated: Before we found this problem there was no way that SSB could be demodulated as the frequency was wandering all over the place (e.g. +/- 1-2 kHz).
I hope that this helps.
73,
Clint
KA7OEI
LOCK Lamp IFR FM/AM-1200S always flash, do you have sugestion for me?
DeleteNot quite enough detail to diagnose properly, but I would first check that the power supplies are at the proper voltage and "clean".
DeleteI had a 1000s with what could be called a "warble". It turned out to be a "Microphonic" problem due to a loose sma connector. Check to make sure all are snug.
DeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI just finished refurbishing a 1000s that lay derelict for some time. It was in a pretty poor state and was destined for the scrapheap so I decided to have a look at it to see if it was recoverable and if I could get it running for our local radio club to use.
It had that 'dark brown smell' and on opening it up, I found that the primary power supply had failed. Both of the 0.1ohm resistors on the main bridge rectifier supply lines were burned out. These are intended to fail in an over-current situation so they were replaced and I proceeded with caution.
The 1000s fired up and receive functions all seemed OK but there was no GEN output on either Normal, uVx100 or Hi LVL ranges. The 0.1ohm resistors I replaced were getting hot when the GEN was on and the output range switch set to Hi LVL. This was quickly traced to a faulty high level amplifier module which was loading down the +11V rail. With that isolated, I looked at why there was no RF output in the GEN mode. This was traced to a faulty 120MHz AM/FM Generator module.
I removed the module and applied +11V to it to simulate a GEN on situation and it was clear that the 54.78MHz oscillator wasn't starting. When I looked inside the module, it was obvious that somebody had been there before me. After replacing the oscillator transistor (wrong type fitted by the last guy although it measured OK) and the bias resistors, tantalum bypass capacitor, RFCs and feedback capacitors, the oscillator would run, but only sometimes.
I did a bit more work to tidy up the carnage from the previous guy and clean all the excess solder and flux off the board. The oscillator was still reluctant to start sometimes and adjustment of L5 was very critical. Maybe the crystal was a bit lazy, who knows? So I replaced the 330pf capacitor in the feedback divider with 270pf for a bit more feedback. The oscillator started nicely after that and L5 had much more range. Anyway, it seemed to start and run reliably, on frequency and with plenty of output, so I left it at that. While I was at it, I also replaced a couple of the feed-thru capacitors on the module because they were cracked and crumbling away. I had some solder-in 1000pf feed-thrus on hand anyway so it was easy enough to do.
With the module reassembled, I fitted it back into the 1000s and powered it up. It produced the requisite outputs on the Norm and uVx100 ranges but no Hi LVL output at all as expected. I checked the Norm and uVx100 levels on an Anritsu 412 spectrum analyser and they were within +/- 3dB at the cardinal points which is acceptable.
I removed the hi level amplifier module and had a look inside and it didn't look good. It was a carbon-copy (literally) of the photos posted by John Kuivinen, WB6IQS on the Repeater Builder website. It seems the MRF816 bipolar devices used in this module are NLA which means I'm unlikely to ever get it going again. John suggests replacing the module with a separate after-market gain stage but I'm not all that bothered about producing that sort of RF level from this machine. I'm happy with just the lower ranges for now.
While I had the thing in pieces, I also replaced all the incandescent globes with LEDs, this is pretty easy and worthwhile to do (I used 270ohm resistors for the LEDs).
With a bit of work and some perseverance, this venerable old tool is back in action and the club has a useful instrument to add to its workshop inventory.
Hi Bert,
DeleteWhen I got my IFR-1000S (which appears to have been factory-modified to have the features of an 1100S) I had a problem with a crystal (around 116 MHz, IIRC) that had simply gone bad: About $25 got another one from ICM (now defunct) and I was back in business.
An item to check would be the tiny (#2) screws and nuts that hold the multi-wafer selector switches together. These tend to work their way loose and if that happens, these switches quit working: I've seen several where the tiny nut has dropped off somewhere, requiring rummaging to find a replacement - and in some cases, getting it all reassembled required a considerable tear-down behind the front panel. Once reassembled, a dab of glue was applied to the end of the screw to prevent it from disappearing again: One has to be careful with thread-locker as it will disintegrate most plastics that it touches.
As far as the MRF816, there's likely a modern bipolar device that will do the trick - but WB6IQS points out, there are many modern MMIC devices that will also work very well, such as the GALI 74+ that should be able to handle 0dBm at 1 GHz without even breaking a sweat.
Thanks for the run-down on your repair!
Clint
KA7OEI
We have a 1200S, so it not work. After power on, no display at all. Arrow at maximum, oscillator is good.
ReplyDeleteReseach found bad proceccor U1 in PC board. But changed processor work 2 day and dead again. Power 5V in power Supply is ok.
Anyone can help me?
As noted on this page:
Deletehttp://ka7oei.blogspot.com/2014/10/what-to-do-if-your-ifr-1200-service.html
A common fault is the capacitors on the reset line holding the CPU in reset - a problem that affects the older and newer boards. I would also verify that the crystal oscillator is operating.
Best of luck.
FWIW, a version of the 80C188 may be found here: https://www.jameco.com/z/R80C188-Intel-Corporation-CHMOS-High-Integration-16-Bit-Microprocessor_2286759.html
DeleteI don't know if this is the correct package for the IFR-1200 that uses this CPU.
Having issues with scope on the 1100s when I turned on I heard a squeal and scope didn't light up, opened up unit and tried again only to see arching and a little smoke on the high voltage board the crt plugs into,, I removed the scope section to investigate, found 1/4 WATT resister burnt and figured crt went bad and took it out, tested the CRT in old RCA oscilloscope and it works just fine, so it's not the CRT,, looking further I found a cold solder joint on the 500k focus pot,, could this have caused the failure?? I visually inspected the high v coil and it appears to look normal. Which I've been told is usually the main causes of failures on these scopes,, before I put out a hundred dollars to replace said coil thought I put this out here, maybe someone can shed some light on this before I go any further thanks. Kevin
ReplyDeleteI would check every capacitor in the HV supply before going any farther - and if you haven't yet replaced all electrolytics with low-ESR, 105C caps, I would do so. In particular, if there was a failure of the capacitor on the +12 volt line feeding the HV inverter (C3432 or C10, depending on the version of the board) all bets would be off when it comes to operating properly.
DeleteI have seen either the intensity or the focus potentiometer on these units fail, but smoke was involved and it was pretty obvious.
I have a 1100s, turned on the scope and heard a high pitched squeal, turn off and opened up cover to find out what was happening, while turning back on the scope the squeal was heard only noe I saw arching and a little bit of smoke, coming from the high voltage board that CRT is plugged into. I removed the entire scope section and investigated visually noticed a burnt resister and assumed this was caused by crt going out.. no problem I have another in my stash,, but first I tested the CRT in an old RCA oscilloscope I have and too my surprise the CRT is good came right up no problems so it wasn't the CRT gone south, so I'm I bit stumped as to what caused this failure, visually looking at the high voltage coil appears to be ok, there was however a cold solder joint on the 500k focus pot.. was wondering if any one knows of my problem and could offer some advise as to what to replace.
ReplyDelete