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Microair 760, receiving problems

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Roland

Joined: 30 Nov 2009
Posts: 334
Location: EDLE

Posted: Tue Jun 18, 2013 1:56 am Post subject: Microair 760, receiving problems

Hi all,



maybe we have an avionics specialist here because we are running out of ideas. I have a Microair 760 installed in my Europa. My mate is ATC-engineer but he could not get hold of the following problem yet even when using the most expensive equipment (I have no clue at all about this strange matter). Of course I also will get in contact with Microair (I'm afraid they will ask me to ship the transceiver to Australia for check/repair, beside that I have to search for the serial number on the installed transceiver, which the previous owner did kindly not notice in the appropriate field on the manual). I need a 8,33 KHz transceiver anyway, but have time until 2018 and I am reluctant to spend the money now.



Okay - here comes his letter for Microair:

AGC-Trouble at Microair 760-Transceiver



Our Transceiver Microair 760 has a Trouble to receive signals from stations at ground with low power and great distance. 

The squelch (setting at Minimum) opens, the green LED is on, but there is no audiosignal to hear in the headsets. Some ATC-stations in Germany are not readable in the aircraft. The Stations can read our transmission loud and clear, so it seems to be only a Receiver-problem.



The Transceiver is properly installed in an aircraft Europa XS with Lambda/Half Copper-strip-Dipol in the Rudderfin, connected with 6 m Cable RG 58/U and BNC-Coax-Terminator. 

BNC-Terminator, Cable and Antenna are checked with Network-Analyzer Rhode&Schwarz FSH4, no unexpected reflection on the cable and the antenna is normal. The Reflection of Antenna was displayed at a distance of 6,5 m, that seems ok.



Then we tested the Microair 760 with an calibrated HP 8648 C Signalgenerator and RG58-Cble direct in the Aircraft. The AM-modulation was set to 50% with Frequencies 400 Hz and 1KHz.



These are the Measurement results:



Squelch-setting without signal at minimum, squelch is broken by RF-Signals from the generator greater than -121 dBm ( 0,22 µV ). We had no NF-Voltmeter to control the audio-signal, only Headset and subjective ears.



At this very low RF-inputlevel we can hear low noise and no modulation.

Pulling up the RF-Level to -110 dBm, low noise, and weak modulation.



At  -100 dBm  the noiselevel seems unchanged, the modulation is clear and loud.



By pulling up the RF-Inputlevel to values -90 dBm and -80 dBm, the noiselevel seems unchanged, but the audiolevel increases proportional to the RF-Inputlevel.



This effect is observerved up to Inputlevel of -40dBm to -35dBm, than we can hear unchanged and constant modulation signal at higher RF-Inputlevels up to -25 dBm.



This effect was measured at all Frequencys in the Airband from 118,00 MHz up to 136,00 MHz in 2 MHz Steps and selected Frequencys, were the Receive-Problems were reported.



With an Handheld-Transceiver Sportys, the Measurement was done in the same way to compare the results. This receiver is not so sensitive, his squelch opens at -110 dBm.

But here we have normal conditions, the noiselevel is high, the modulation is loud, but distorted. By increasing the RF-Inputlevel, the noiselevel is decreasing, modulation-level is unchanged. Proportional to the Inputlevel, the distortion of modulation decreases, the level is unchanged. This receiver operates normal.



So it seems there is an error in the AGC or in the interference part. The audiolevel follows the RF-Inputlevel.



How can we fix this problem, is there an easy way at a local Avionics service, or must the transceiver shipped to Australia?



Thanks for any ideas!



Roland

PH-ZTI

XS Trigear 914 



[/b]

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frans(at)privatepilots.nl
Guest

Posted: Tue Jun 18, 2013 2:58 am Post subject: Microair 760, receiving problems

On 06/18/2013 11:56 AM, Roland wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		   maybe we have an avionics specialist here because we are running out of ideas.


	


What's the problem here? The trancseiver is clearly broken and needs to

be repaired or replaced. Nothing else you can do.



Frans

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grahamsingleton(at)btinte
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Posted: Tue Jun 18, 2013 3:25 am Post subject: Microair 760, receiving problems

I'll be interested to know if Microair are still in business?

Graham





        From: Frans Veldman <frans(at)privatepilots.nl>

 To: europa-list(at)matronics.com 

 Sent: Tuesday, 18 June 2013, 11:58

 Subject: Re: Microair 760, receiving problems

  

 

--> Europa-List message posted by: Frans Veldman <frans(at)privatepilots.nl (frans(at)privatepilots.nl)>



On 06/18/2013 11:56 AM, Roland wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		   maybe we have an avionics specialist here because we are running out of ideas.


	


What's the problem here? The trancseiver is clearly broken and needs to

be repaired or replaced. Nothing else you ca========================http://forums.matronics                    &nbsptronics.com/contribution" target="_blank">http://www.matronics.com/contri================

 

  

  

 [quote][b]

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Roland

Joined: 30 Nov 2009
Posts: 334
Location: EDLE

Posted: Tue Jun 18, 2013 3:34 am Post subject: Re: Microair 760, receiving problems

Okay, thanks anyway for this idea 



In that case - has maybe anyone on this forum experience in shipping a Microair to the factory for repair? Of special interest is for me, how long it takes and how much they charge (if the problem was comparable of course).

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rlborger(at)mac.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Jun 18, 2013 3:56 am Post subject: Microair 760, receiving problems

Roland,



The MicroAir website is http://www.microair.com.au



There is a "CONTACT US" link in the upper left bunch of links.  



I have used the contact form and they have responded the next day.  They can probably provide you with a local service center if one is available.



I have never had to ship a unit back for repair so I can not provide that information.



Blue skies & tailwinds,

Bob Borger

Europa XS Tri, Rotax 914, Airmaster C/S Prop.

Little Toot Sport Biplane, Lycoming Thunderbolt AEIO-320 EXP

3705 Lynchburg Dr.

Corinth, TX  76208-5331

Cel: 817-992-1117

rlborger(at)mac.com



On Jun 18, 2013, at 6:34 AM, Roland <schmidtroland(at)web.de> wrote:






Okay, thanks anyway for this idea 



In that case - has maybe anyone on this forum experience in shipping a Microair to the factory for repair? Of special interest is for me, how long it takes and how much they charge (if the problem was comparable of course).

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christoph.both(at)acadiau
Guest

Posted: Tue Jun 18, 2013 4:05 am Post subject: Microair 760, receiving problems

Hi Roland:

I sent my transponder from Canada to Australia last year for an upgrade.

It is very important that you have the shipment accompanied with a special

form they can email to you claiming that you are the owner and merely

shipping it to them for repair as confusion can arise from customs on both

sides if this is merchandise potentially sold, and therefore triggering

import taxes. Microair has the form, just ask for it. Also, unless you

need fast turn around, avoid shipping using a courier service like  FedEx

or Purolator as they might charge significant "handling fees" on both

sides for border crossing paperwork. While fast and very professional,

they are also very expensive, especially to Australia. I specifically

asked Microair to return to me via air mail by Postal service. It came to

app. $40 each way, and postal service in Canada handled all paperwork

without charge, just the VAT, sales tax was added to the repair cost,

which Microair will declare in the paperwork, and you must pay for.

However, I have received postal service in the past and customs did not

even bother to collect. With FedEx & Co you will always pay. Yes, turn

around took about 4 weeks, but saved a lot of money. It is also a good

idea to request an estimate from Microair before shipping, and another one

from them once the shipment has been received. We had discussions about an

initially too high estimate and they became more reasonable after

discussion.

I have both the old 760COM and TFSL transponder, the latter being part of

my panel, the 760 exchanged for a new MGL V-6 Com which has a lot of

features the old 760 can not provide. Did you have a look at the new DYNON

radio? One could have two radios side by side taking the place of one 2.25

radio stack space...

Christoph Both

#223 readying for final inspection

Wolfville, Canada



On 13-06-18 8:34 AM, "Roland" <schmidtroland(at)web.de> wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		  



Okay, thanks anyway for this idea 



In that case - has maybe anyone on this forum experience in shipping a

Microair to the factory for repair? Of special interest is for me, how

long it takes and how much they charge (if the problem was comparable of

course).





Read this topic online here:



http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=402929#402929

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pete(at)lawless.info
Guest

Posted: Tue Jun 18, 2013 4:25 am Post subject: Microair 760, receiving problems

Hi Roland



When my Microair caused problems Microair put me in contact Alan Mothersdale

here in the UK.  He used to be the UK support man for Microair and fixed my

set under warrantee.



Worth asking him, although it was about 5 years ago when I last had dealings

with him.



Land line +441480810544

Mobile +447721759749



Regards



Pete



--

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Roland

Joined: 30 Nov 2009
Posts: 334
Location: EDLE

Posted: Tue Jun 18, 2013 6:56 am Post subject: Re: Microair 760, receiving problems

Gentlemen,



thank you all for your replies!



Bob, I also found this form on the Microair website but still have to search for the serial number which they ask for (only have it on the transceiver and unfortunately I don’t have the quick removable subpanels in my cockpit).



Christoph, shipping and repair seem to add up to a pretty amount of money, plus I would have to disclaim on flying for at least four weeks without express postage. I also can make use of the Microair only for a few years to come, so I doubt if this pays off. 



Pete, I’ll also take into consideration to get in contact with Alan if I decide to repair it.



Regards

Roland

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