SDU5000 bulletin page

The SDU5000 spectrum display unit has been provided with several versions of internal firmware, the history is as follows:

Original release: Supported the AOR AR3000A only for 'active operation', other receivers with a suitable 10.7MHz I.F. output can be connected for 'passive' bandscope operation.

ICOM only CPU: A substitute CPU was provided as an option. The original socketed CPU being replaced. This provided support for the IC-R7000, IC-R7100 & IC-R9000 receivers. The IC-R8500 can be controlled by setting its interface address as per the ICR-7100 receiver... refer to the addendum at the end of the later SDU5000 operating manual.

Version 7: The final release CPU supported many radio types: AOR AR3000A, AOR AR5000 (includes AR5000+3), ICOM ICR-7100, IC-R7100 & IC-R9000 receivers. The IC-R8500 can be controlled by setting its interface address as per the ICR-7100 receiver... refer to the addendum at the end of the later SDU5000 operating manual.

The following information is based on feedback from an SDU5000 owner, his posting was also made to the AR5000 re-mailer on 09.07.2002, Jason Reilly <jasonreilly@primus.com.au>

I had a problem where my SDU5000 was reluctant to fire up its display. Occasionally it would start to work after a few minutes, sometimes not at all. The problem got progressively worse. The problem ended up being high voltage arcing across C118, a 0.01uF disc ceramic on the 'high voltage DC-DC converter' board, that sits vertically on one side of the SDU5000. The arcing produced a carbon track across the capacitor, allowing the voltage to start leaking across the capacitor, and to other parts of the circuit. My unit showed moderate burning of a few tracks where carbon tracks had heated up due to the current leaks. If unchecked, this problem could have lead to eventual destruction of other components [and even fire! - not sure about this - ed]...

I replaced my C118 with a disc ceramic of the same value but a higher voltage rating, and removed the burnt tracks and replaced with some insulated wire, and all is now working.

Due to continuous developments, AOR reserves the right to make design and specification changes for product improvement without prior notice. The performance specification figures indicated are nominal values of production units. There may be some deviation from these values in individual units.

SDU5000 Bulletin Page