Tune Failed: No RF Detected

[KN4RFT]

Has anyone else experienced this issue and if so, what was their fix?

When I press the ATU button in KE9NS's version of PowerSDR, my Flex 3000 clicks like it is beginning the tuning process but an error message immediately pops up stating "ATU Feedback Tune Failed: No RF Detected". I am using a fan dipole that is resonant on 40/20/10 meters. The error message appears when I attempt to tune USB, CW, or DigitalUSB on 20m and 10m. Strangely, I can change to 40m LSB and the error does not appear. Error also does not appear on 40 CW or DigitalUSB. No forward power is shown if I press the Tune button on 20m or 10 m. Forward power is shown when I press Tune on 40 m.

I believe this issue started after I installed WSJT-X on the computer controlling the Flex 3000. I have tried uninstalling WSJT-X and disabling Omnirig, but the issue persists. I have found if I press the tune button on WSJT-X, the Flex 3000 does produce forward power. At this point Flex 3000 is able to Autotune and the ATU button process begins to work. Launching PowerSDR then launching WSJT-X just to use the transceiver on SSB is very inconvenient and I feel like I am overriding something in the KE9NS PowerSDR software when I press the tune button on WSJT-X.

Is there something I need to change in either PowerSDR, Omnirig, or WSJT-X?

Thank you,
Ben Davis KN4RFT

[ke9ns]

PowerSDR ATU should not be effected by outside programs, but something may have happened to the PowerSDR database.
To test you can do a setup->factory defaults and/or go into the ATU screen and also reset it.


Darrin
ke9ns

[KN4RFT]

Darrin,

Thank you for your reply. Today I booted up my PC, powered on the Flex 3000, and launched PowerSDR. I was able to press the ATU button on 40m and the 3000 tuned up. I switched to 20m and received the "No RF Detected" error when I press the ATU. I first tried ATU Menu>Reset ATU Database, but the issue persisted. I next tried Setup Menu>Factory Defaults. After reopening PowerSDR, I can confirm the error still occurs on 20m.

Next I imported my setting from a previously created database and for a test I started WSJT-X. With WSJT-X running and VAC1 selected, the ATU tunes correctly. With WSJT-X running and VAC1 not selected, I get the "No RF Detected" error when I press ATU and pressing the Tune button does not produce forward power. Once I press VAC1, with WSJT-X not running, the 3000 tunes on pressing ATU.

This also may be of interest: if I key my PTT with VAC1 selected, the Forward Power jumps up to 80 watts then rolls back. If I key the PTT without VAC1 selected, the Forward Power starts at 0 Watts and only increase when I speak into the mic.

Could it be something in my VAC settings?

[ke9ns]

Make sure The TUNE slider is at 10 or higher when you hit the ATU button, and stays up during the tuning.
The tuner will not function under 10 watts. Its possible that some other program is sending a CAT command to turn down the drive of the TUNE?

Makes no sense about needing VAC1 ON to allow the tuner to work?

[KN4RFT]

I agree the VAC1 needing to be on for TUNE to produce audio does not make sense. The tuning power is set to 10 watts on all bands.

I have now verified the Flex 3000 ATU button will initiate a tuning cycle with no additional selections on 40 and 80 meters. Switching to 20 meters, the ATU button yields the stated error and the TUNE button does not show forward power. When I select VAC1, the ATU button runs the tune cycle and the Forward Power appears to jump up to 80 watts then roll back to 10 watts and finally decrease to 0 watts. If I press the PTT button with VAC1 selected, the Forward Power Jumps up to 80 watts, then gradually decreases to 0 watts. If I press the PTT button with VAC1 off, the Forward Power starts at watts until I make noise into the mic.

Is it possible that I have a separate issue that is preventing Tune from producing a tone on 20 or 10 meters and the VAC1 is overriding something in the PowerSDR software?

Thank you,
Ben KN4RFT

[ke9ns]

Thats got me puzzled. Makes no sense.

My 3000 runs just fine with my current software.

If it were happening to my 3000:
I would install v2.7.2 (it installs in a separate folder) and see what happens?
Next I would put the FireWire card into another computer (with no other ham radio programs installed) and see what happens?
Make sure the Volts is reading around 13.8.

If it still goofed up, I would contact Toby (towards the top of my webpage). See if he has any ideas.


Darrin
ke9ns