2014 Radio Checkup Clinic


The NSARC meeting held on January 2, 2014 provided the opportunity to do basic testing of members’ radios using a HP8921A Communications Service Monitor. There was an enthusiastic response from the members in bringing in equipment for test. Our members Alex VE7DXW and Adam VA7OJ ran the radio testing session.

HP 8921A Communications Service Monitor
HP 8921A Communications Service Monitor

The summary test results are given in Tables 1 and 2 below for those who missed the meeting. These should not be regarded as definitive due to the informal nature of the tests.

Table 1: VHF/UHF Radios
Radio Frequency Carrier Freq. Error Po (Nominal) Deviation Sensitivity1
MHz Hz W kHz μV
Wouxun UX3R 144 -131 1.63 (2) 2.1 0.28
440 -400 1.4 (2) 2.2 0.22
Alinco DJ196 440 -440 0.8 (LOW) 4.5 0.16
Wouxun KG-669 146 -122 4.6 (5) 3.5 0.11
Kenwood TH-G71 146 -760 4 (5) 3.5 0.16
Icom F3021T2 146 +200   4.5  
Wouxun KG-UV1D 146 -30 4 4.1 1.63
Baofeng UV-5R 146 -77 4.8 (4) 3.2 0.14
Icom IC-P7A 146 -260 1.3 3.8 0.15
Icom IC-208H 146 -750 52 (50) 4.2 0.14
440 -1.8k3 35 (35) 4.2 0.14
Icom IC-7000 146 +100 42 (50) 4.21 0.5/0.224
440 400 30 (35) 4.3 0.73/0.34

Notes:

  1. 12 dB SINAD or 20 dB quieting.
  2. It was not possible to connect to the test set (proprietary antenna connector.)
  3. Out of spec.
  4. Preamp on.
Table 2: HF Radios
Radio Frequency Carrier Freq. Error Po (Nominal) Sensitivity1
MHz Hz W μV
Kenwood TS-530 14.1 -110 94 (100) 0.35
Icom IC-745 14.1 -6 75 (100) 0.89/0.352
Heathkit SB-101 14.1 +1.5k 110 (100) 0.25
Icom IC-7000 14.1 +12 102 (100) 0.5/0.142

Notes:

  1. 12 dB SINAD.
  2. Preamp on.

Link:

View a slide show of the Clinic.


   

This page last updated: 2017-08-03