[BC] RE: Starlink Problems

[Lloyd Collins]

The Starlink discussion brought to mind a problem I had earlier this 
year with the T-1 version ( 9003T1). Intermittently the link audio would 
go away with the indication that the Starlink was not connected to the 
T1 radio. Wiggling the adapter ( DB15 hd to RJ) at the Mux module trunk 
connector would bring the connection back and it would hold for several 
days or even weeks. Thinking there was a problem with the adapter, I 
replaced the RJ45 connector on the Cat5 cable going to the radio with a 
mating DB connector and the problem seemed to go away--for a month or 
so. Then, the same thing started happening again. Wiggling the DB 
connector fixed things temporarily and I could not get the problem to 
repeat by further manipulation of the connector. Cable itself checked 
good, solder connections on the DB connector - good,  no adapter to 
worry about at the radio end, and the RJ45 plug on the radio end was 
well crimped.

After some discussion with  Dave and Andrew at Moseley, discovered the 
DB connector was not fully seating in its mate on the Mux card because 
the threaded spacers used to secure the connector to the module were 
just a bit ( about 1/16") too long for the panel thickness on the 
module. I filed the spacers down by 1/16" and have had no more trouble 
for the last 4 months. The screws that secure the connector still have 
room to fasten securely. That should probably be checked in each 
situation where the spacer is filed down since not all Chinese screws 
are the same ! I'm not sure if this affects any other DB connectors on 
the modules.  The Mux connector pins look like they are recessed a bit 
more in the connector body than the other connectors on the module.

Just got on the list. Lots of good information here. Best wishes to all---

Lloyd