Ramsey Electronics SS70A - Manual (Page 16)

SS70A • 16
TROUBLESHOOTING INSTRUCTIONS
Since this circuit contains relatively few components, problems are usually
due to mental errors rather than component failures. The most common
errors are in assembly, especially with the IC chips. Check for solder bridges
or splashes. Check your parts placement, “Hmmm... is that resistor in the
correct holes?” Have the electrolytic capacitors been installed the right way?
Check also for “cold” (dull or “bumpy” looking ) solder connections.
If you have looked it all over and cannot find the problem, another idea is to
have a friend check it as well. We’ve all looked at a board with an obvious
problem but seemed to have a “mental block” when we looked at our error
over and over.
If you own some test equipment (such as a VOM or oscilloscope) use some
good, logical trouble-shooting methods. Verify that the voltage regulator is
working correctly and that power is supplied to all the power “busses” shown
on the schematic. A scope can be used to trace the audio signals through
the forward and reverse paths of the circuit. Loop the audio through the SS-
70A, having it scramble and unscramble, compare to see where a problem
lies.
It’s maddening to us all to have a kit not work initially. Please understand
that, unfortunately, it is nearly impossible to troubleshoot over the phone,
and the best solution is to work the step-by-step assembly instructions
backwards to verify parts placement. This method usually solves the
problem.
WHAT IF I CAN’T DESCRAMBLE SOMETHING I HEAR?
Although the SS-70A utilizes the most common form of scrambling, it won’t
be able to decode all styles of scrambling. Let’s look at it realistically, do you
really think an expensive, truly secure communications link would be so
easily decoded - by a $50 kit no less? Communications is scrambled for a
reason, and that’s to keep other folks from listening in! In many cases,
simple speech inversion (as used in the SS-70A) provides enough security to
keep things private. When National security is at risk, only the most complex
and expensive schemes will do. Your local police department may fall
somewhere in between.