HQCT Module (new thread following HU RDS/RDBS)

**TheLlama** · 05-23-2006, 12:21 AM

Just so you know, I am continuing any discussion on the Linux driver on the Linux forum.

**aeroanderz** · 05-23-2006, 08:21 AM

Update on my "missing RDS blocks" problem:

Why am I missing so many blocks?.. I can only interpret a message with a complete set of blocks, A through D, but there are lots and lots of A blocks received... ?

I really need to talk to an RDS expert... hmm..

Anyway, If a tuned station only sends one AF header, I successfully receive it now. I have also added autodetection of A and B modes of AF sending.. but since I am missing all those blocks, the block sequence I get does not seem to be without holes when several AF headers are used.. (I get frequencies from one header into others since I miss the header switch.. )

**Vish** · 05-23-2006, 10:44 AM

For those of you still strugling to get any reception should read this...

I narrowed down the problem with my HQCT setup. The problem was the faulty (poor soldering) of the SMB to Motorolla cable that I ordered with the HQCT module. After trying all different things I was finally able to get some reception when I hold and jugled around the Motorolla female end of the cable with the Motorolla male end from my car antenna (i had to hold them together very tightly). I opened the Motorolla female end of the cable and saw the poor soldering.

Also, another thing I noticed was that you have to apply some force to take out the SMB end of the cable from the HQCT board. I would rather prefer SMA male and female connectors instead of SMB. The SMA connectors are screw on type rather than push in/out type like SMB. I plan on ordering SMA female gold connector and solder it on the board, and then crimp SMA male gold connector on the cable coming from the antenna.

This should improve the reception noticebly. Any thoughts or suggestions anybody??

**Ti-ejtsch** · 05-23-2006, 11:42 AM

Hello,

what could that be?

In front of my garage, the signal is perect. When I drive away, sometimes the signal is perfect, sometimes (most time) the signal is terrible. I think the signal should be good all the time, because it´s a local station. This problem I don´t have with my HU.

Ti-ejtsch

**lifeboat** · 05-23-2006, 03:53 PM

Originally Posted by Vish

For those of you still strugling to get any reception should read this...

I narrowed down the problem with my HQCT setup. The problem was the faulty (poor soldering) of the SMB to Motorolla cable that I ordered with the HQCT module. After trying all different things I was finally able to get some reception when I hold and jugled around the Motorolla female end of the cable with the Motorolla male end from my car antenna (i had to hold them together very tightly). I opened the Motorolla female end of the cable and saw the poor soldering.

Also, another thing I noticed was that you have to apply some force to take out the SMB end of the cable from the HQCT board. I would rather prefer SMA male and female connectors instead of SMB. The SMA connectors are screw on type rather than push in/out type like SMB. I plan on ordering SMA female gold connector and solder it on the board, and then crimp SMA male gold connector on the cable coming from the antenna.

This should improve the reception noticebly. Any thoughts or suggestions anybody??

I had the same problem with the Motorola connector, the one they use is not really suitable for the small size of the SMB cable. So I cut the end off of another Motorola cable and spliced it onto the SMB cable, and now my reception is good. I don't see any benefit to switching over to SMA connectors, seems like extra work for nothing to me.

**Vish** · 05-23-2006, 04:33 PM

Originally Posted by lifeboat

.... I don't see any benefit to switching over to SMA connectors, seems like extra work for nothing to me.

have you tried pulling out the SMB connector from the HQCT board? once it's in there it's very firm and you have to apply some force to take it out. When I tried taking it out the cable broke and came out of the crimped SMB connector head but the SMB male did not want to get out of the SMB female end

so i personally think that the advantage of having a SMA set of connectors is that it can easily be screwed on and off.

**bigbun** · 05-23-2006, 04:52 PM

i thought i messed my adaptor cable up......now im thinking it wasnt my fault after all and the adaptor cables are crap?
I plan to buy some rg316 cable with a female smb on the end and screw the other end into the motorola adaptor? Will this be ok or what other cable should i use as im having some reception problems still?

**Diogenes** · 05-23-2006, 05:31 PM

bigbun

i thought i messed my adaptor cable up......now im thinking it wasnt my fault after all and the adaptor cables are crap?
I plan to buy some rg316 cable with a female smb on the end and screw the other end into the motorola adaptor? Will this be ok or what other cable should i use as im having some reception problems still?

that should be OK, best result with 50 Ohm cable assembly, we are still trying to locate a supplier for (good) SMB to Motorola adapter cables...

Diogenes

**lifeboat** · 05-23-2006, 05:36 PM

Originally Posted by Vish

have you tried pulling out the SMB connector from the HQCT board? once it's in there it's very firm and you have to apply some force to take it out. When I tried taking it out the cable broke and came out of the crimped SMB connector head but the SMB male did not want to get out of the SMB female end

so i personally think that the advantage of having a SMA set of connectors is that it can easily be screwed on and off.

Yeah I noticed it is difficult to remove, sucks that you pulled your cable apart. Maybe SMA is something they should consider for future revisions. Still not worth the time IMO to retrofit it if one isn't having problems. But hey tinkering with stuff is what this hobby is about.

**lifeboat** · 05-23-2006, 07:41 PM

Well I built the USB relay thingy and while testing it, discovered that the PCI-USB card I was using is not powered all the time (i.e. off during hibernate or reboot). This caused a power sequencing problem with the HQCT. I switched the USB connection to one of the mainboard USB ports that does remain powered and I have had no further problems through several restarts and hibernations.

For those folks still having problems even though you are using a mainboard port, you might want to try disabling power management for the USB Root Hub(s) in Device Manager. That should in theory keep your ports powered during hibernation/standby. I'll be curious to hear if this solves the problem for anyone...

Very happy to have radio in the car again!