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I got the pixie2 from halted.com and completed it today. After making the connection to my computer sound card via 1/8" phone plug cable I fired up ARGO and all I get is a steady clicking/popping sound. I don't have it connected to an antenna as yet. I'm still trying to figure out what type to construct. What have I done wrong? I have a pic of the pixie assembled and a wav file of the sound if that would help. Thanks to all of you elmers out there! |
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02/13/2009, John, after looking at the data sheet for the LM386 Low Voltage Audio Power Amplifier, the "Audio Output" on the Pixie2 Printed Circuit Board (PCB) is designed to drive a speaker or headphones. Hooking this 'Output' to a Computer Sound Card will be trying to drive an 'Output' connector on the sound card which is doing the same thing. The Soundcard output is used to drive headphones or a speaker also. Try disconnecting the Pixie2 from the computer soundcard output and connect an external speaker or headphones to the "Audio Out' on the PCB, and see if you hear the "Cliking'. John, after looking at www.halted.com at the PIXIE 2, this is a 200-300 Mw output from a 9V battery CW QRP rig. Does this rig require you to hook up to your computer to operate? If it is like most of the CW QRP rigs from Elecraft, MFJ, Ramsey, and Ten-Tec, they are all stand alone rigs. Please provide more information of why you hooking to your computer. This may help in diagnosis of your problem. Thanks Larry 1
A PC is not required,But I was hoping to connect it to be able to 'see' the CW coming in using ARGO. I also plugged in regular headphones (walkman type) and I hear the clicking there too. I'm not going to transmit on this as I don't have a ham license yet. i just want to listen for now while I study. That's definitely a good reason to connect to the computer! When you tested the transceiver with the headphones, were you far enough away from the computer? Some computers might not be shielded enough, to prevent interference. ---Michael I just tested as you suggested and it is still there. I did touch the solder points underneath the IC with a bare finger and it temporarily stops. Did you confirm the orientation of the components, meaning that they're all in the right location and direction? ---Michael Just rechecked again. Capacitors, Diode and IC are correct. and all the solder points are shiny and smooth This is what it sounds like: http://www.mediafire.com/file/mwgygldjktn/Pixie2 click sound.wav The Pixie2 kit does not include a crystal. Did you order a crystal separately when you purchased the kit, and is it mounted? Also, are you using a fresh 9v battery? ---Michael I installed a separatlet purchased 3.57954MHZ crystal and a fresh'ish' (8.8V) battery Well, John.... I'm not sure what else to suggest now. You have everything installed correctly, and you're probably not receiving any interference. I wonder whether that chip, or some other component, is defective. At this point, it might be necessary to contact Halted, or HSC (the manufacturer). I'm sorry I could not help more. ---Michael I was wondering. I have the battery connect at the 9v+ and one leg of the crystal as i saw suggested in an article on the pixie. Is this correct? The instruction don't say how to connect. Her's a pic: http://www.mediafire.com/file/zzm50aq4tgy/Pixie2.JPG I don't have experience with that circuit. I'm just doing my best to offer some basic troubleshooting. The negative side of the battery will go to ground, which will probably be a common lead to some or all of the components. You may be on to something if the instructions do not specify the connection points. ---Michael Besides a picture, do you have a schematic of the circuit available? ---Michael I'll scan the page.... Here: http://www.mediafire.com/file/jhkzbdgzmkh/scan0004.jpg Thank you. That's very helpful. The negative side of your 9v battery would go to where the ground is indicated, if you recognize the symbol. It's the symbol with three horizontal lines, shaped roughly like a triangle. The ground is common to where the crystal, C2, and R2 are connected. Is that where you have the negative lead? ---Michael Yes, I soldered a jump wire off of the crystal leg and attached to that. Actually, it appears that the board layout shows it differently. Look at the lower-right-hand corner of the component layout diagram. It shows "GND" (ground) on the left side of the audio-out connector. Plus, the schematic also shows the battery connected there, even though it shows it as 9VDC. Perhaps you should try there. ---Michael Still clicking..... If i short across pin 1-2 or 2-3 on the IC the clicking stops. But starts again when I remove the short Okay. That may be wrong afterall. I'm still looking at the schematic. On your board, is there a connection between where you have your +9v connected and the point where the audio out is located? Perhaps the 9vdc is to be connected at both points, with negative going to ground. ---Michael Shorting the pins is probably just interrupting the operation of the chip. It's probably not good for it anyway. ---Michael Just through R5 which connects underneath the board to the + side of C10 R5 comes up through the 9V 'hole' and I soldered the 9V+ to that Do you mean you soldered it there just now, or originally? ---Michael Originally soldered it there I just swapped the LM386 IC for a new one I got today. The clicking is still there, but louder and faster now I don't know what else to suggest now. It's late for me here, but I wanted to see what I could do to help. If I think of anything else, I'll write tomorrow, provided you are still having trouble. Good luck with your troubleshooting! ---Michael
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Hi John, Are you attaching your transceiver to your soundcard to play the audio through your computer speakers? If this is the case, you may be picking up interference from your computer, due to the proximity of the transceiver. The Pixie2 does not require a computer to operate. I suggest you test the transceiver with headphones, well away from the computer, to check whether the clicking/popping sound is still occurring. If the sound is NOT heard, then the problem was probably caused by the computer. If the sound is STILL heard, then the problem is with the transceiver. If this is the case, check to ensure that your components are all properly oriented on the board, and that your solder connections appear smooth and shiny, indicating good, electrical connections. ---Michael |
John, after looking at the data sheet for the LM386 Low Voltage Audio Power Amplifier, the "Audio Output" on the Pixie2 Printed Circuit Board (PCB) is designed to drive a speaker or headphones. Hooking this 'Output' to a Computer Sound Card will be trying to drive an 'Output' connector on the sound card which is doing the same thing. The Soundcard output is used to drive headphones or a speaker also. Try disconnecting it from the computer soundcard output and connect an external speaker or headphones to the "Audio Out' on the PCB, and see if you hear the "Cliking'.