LAB RULES AND TIPS
Here are the transmitter, receiver and vfo blocks and basic signals you should be observing if the blocks are working properly. Note that these are the thing you should know.
Solving a problem requires 2 main steps: Finding the cause of the problem and finding a solution to it ("my VFO doesn't work" or "I hear no sound" means you haven't identified the problem yet. These are just observations). Finding the source of the problem requires a narrowing down process. E.g: If the supply voltages are OK then the problem is not caused by the power supply block.
Testing you blocks:
Does your VFO work properly? Does the oscillation start? Does it cover 12-13.7 MHz? Can you vary the frequency with R128?
Does your transmitter work properly? Do you have 16 MHz %50 modulation over L12? Does your 16MHz oscillator work? Can you mix 16MHz AM signal with the VFO signal to obtain 29MHz AM signal at IC10 output? Are C65 and C69 properly tuned? Is your switch properly placed? Have you successfully completed 7.34?
Does your receiver work properly? Do you successfully observe a 16MHz AM signal at the output of IC13 when VFO is properly tuned? Are C92 and C104 properly tuned to 29MHz and 16MHz respectively? Do you detect the envelope of the signal at D9 cathode? Did you seccessfully compete 7.41-7.45?
Read the textbook.
The labs start at 8:40 for morning sessions and 13:40 for afternoon sessions. Don't come late. Attendance will be taken at 9:00 and 14:00 for the mentioned sessions. Who doesn't sign the attendance sheet will be considered absent for the respective lab session. Assistants may take several attendances whenever they think it is neccessary.
Come prepared. Make sure you have read the whole chapter including experimental section. It is advised that you underline those parts where you should take measurements or write comments. This way you don't skip a part and complete the experiment faster. Make sure you understant what is being asked from you. If not, ask the assistant. Don't copy what your friend has done.
Read the textbook.
You are responsible to bring your own kit and tools. To borrow tools from somebody else is forbidden.
There is no general pauses during the lab. You may take a pause by yourself. Try to be not too generous to yourself about your pauses.
Read the tetbook.
Safety is the most important point. Follow the lab safety rules. Never make practical jokes to your friends with your tools.
If you complete the eperiments, start with the lab report belonging to that chapter. If you are allowed, proceed with the next chapter.
Read the textbook.
Make sure you solder the right components. Check every resistor with your Ohmmeter. Be warned that not every resistor you take from 1kOhm box is surely a 1kOhm.
Never ask the asistants what the next step of the experiment is. Everything you need to know (and you have to know) is written in your text book. Wrong answers to these questions is not the responsibility of the assistant.
Read the textbook.
If you are faced with a problem, try first to solve it by yourself. An important part of your education is to analyse problems and to find solutions to it. To 90% of all problems you can find a solution by yourself. Be sure you have followed the correct steps in the correct order. Check all connections and supply voltages. Chack all the components in the problematic are and be sure they have the correct values. Only after then, if you cannot solve the problem, ask your assistant for help.
The circuit diagrams at the end of the book is your most precious helper. It is advised that you take a copy of the diagrams and have it infront of you during the lab.
Be sure you understand what the building blocks of TRC-10 are and what they do. You should be able to say what kind of signals are present at a particular point of the circuit. This way, you encounter less problems, solve more problems, and benefit from the lab in the best way.
Read the textbook.
