Elecraft

160 meter low transmit

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Don Clark-2

160 meter low transmit

I built and installed the 160 meter module in 2000, but didn't align 160 meters since I didn't have an antenna at the time. I have recently completed my KPA100 and before closing up the rig, I decided to align 160. I receive signals on 160, but can't get more than 1.4 watts out, even when setting the power to 10 watts. I have resoldered all the components on the module board and the RF board. I believe that my toroids are connected ok. I have full output on 80 meters.

Don - KA6AKH
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Don Wilhelm-3

RE: 160 meter low transmit

Don,

It would appear that you may have something wrong in the 160 meter low pass
filter. Count the turns on the toroids, and check the capacitors for the
correct values.

You are measuring the power output with a good 50 ohm dummy load, are you
not? If you are attempting to feed an antenna, the power output may be
real, but the problem is the feedpoint impedance of the antenna and not the
K2.

Please povide ua with more information of what does and does not work, if we
are to offer more specific assistance.

73,
Don W3FPR

> -----Original Message-----
>
> I built and installed the 160 meter module in 2000, but didn't
> align 160 meters since I didn't have an antenna at the time. I
> have recently completed my KPA100 and before closing up the rig,
> I decided to align 160. I receive signals on 160, but can't get
> more than 1.4 watts out, even when setting the power to 10 watts.
> I have resoldered all the components on the module board and the
> RF board. I believe that my toroids are connected ok. I have
> full output on 80 meters.
>
> Don - KA6AKH
>

--
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
Version: 7.0.344 / Virus Database: 267.10.15/81 - Release Date: 8/24/2005

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Don Clark-2

Re: 160 meter low transmit

My K2 is serial 1683. I built it in 2000. With my initial kit, I added the
SSB capability and the 160 capability; however, since I didn't have a 160
antenna then, I didn't complete the 160 alignment. I built the KPA100 over
the weekend and before closing up the rig, I decided to align 160. When
applying the 2 watts via the power dial and adjusting L3 and L4, I can get
no more than 1.3 to 1.4 watts out. I do receive 160 signals, and well at
that. I compared my K2 to my FT-1000D and the K2 signal is received more
strongly. I first reheated all the solder points including those mods that
were done to the RF board for the 160 capability and the pin connectors, but
no increase in power. I demounted the toroids on the module, retinned them
and put them back, but still no increase in power. I tested the toroids for
continutity on the tinned elements before remounting them, and they tested
fine.

I measure 1.3 to 3 volts at R30 from 1800 to 2000. I connected a dummy load
in front of the LPF and get the 1.2 watts there. Adjusting the power knob
doesn't change the output at all. I took apart the LPF and tested each Cap
and values are fine. L5 is the correct value. I pulled and test C75, C13,
and C14, all ok. All the Caps in the pre-driver, driver and power amp are
all the correct values. The only one I couldn't check is the one between
the 2 power transistors on the bottom of the board.

The resistance of my relay coils meets the specifications.

I checked the T4 as noted in the notes on 160 issues on the Elecraft
website, and mine is to spec with the 3 windings for points 3 and 4. My kit
didn't have the 39 pf cap for one near U5. It has a 68 pf.

I am outputting the K2 to a dummy load during my transmit tests. My power
supply is outputting 13.8 volts.

Don - KA6AKH

----- Original Message -----
From: "W3FPR - Don Wilhelm" <[hidden email]>
To: "Don Clark" <[hidden email]>; <[hidden email]>
Sent: Thursday, August 25, 2005 11:43 PM
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] 160 meter low transmit

> Don,
>
> It would appear that you may have something wrong in the 160 meter low
pass
> filter. Count the turns on the toroids, and check the capacitors for the
> correct values.
>
> You are measuring the power output with a good 50 ohm dummy load, are you
> not? If you are attempting to feed an antenna, the power output may be
> real, but the problem is the feedpoint impedance of the antenna and not
the
> K2.
>
> Please povide ua with more information of what does and does not work, if
we

> are to offer more specific assistance.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> >
> > I built and installed the 160 meter module in 2000, but didn't
> > align 160 meters since I didn't have an antenna at the time. I
> > have recently completed my KPA100 and before closing up the rig,
> > I decided to align 160. I receive signals on 160, but can't get
> > more than 1.4 watts out, even when setting the power to 10 watts.
> > I have resoldered all the components on the module board and the
> > RF board. I believe that my toroids are connected ok. I have
> > full output on 80 meters.
> >
> > Don - KA6AKH
> >
> --
> No virus found in this outgoing message.
> Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
> Version: 7.0.344 / Virus Database: 267.10.15/81 - Release Date: 8/24/2005
>

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Don Wilhelm-3

RE: 160 meter low transmit

Don,

With that information, I would suspect the bandpass filter (even if it
receives 160 meters fine) - re-check C13 and C14 for the correct value of
1200 pf.

If that does not correct things, use an RF probe or 'scope and compare RF
Voltages between 160 meters and 80 meters with the power set at about 5
watts. Check at the following points (you can stop at the first one that is
substantially lower on 160) - cathode of D6 or D7 first - then at jumper
W6 - then the collector (case) of Q5 - next the collector (tab) of Q6 - then
the collector of Q7 and collector of Q8.

Let us know where the 160 meter RF is being lost (RF Voltage substantiallly
less than that on 80 meters) and we can likely home in on the problem area.

73,
Don W3FPR

> -----Original Message-----
>
> My K2 is serial 1683. I built it in 2000. With my initial kit,
> I added the
> SSB capability and the 160 capability; however, since I didn't have a 160
> antenna then, I didn't complete the 160 alignment. I built the
> KPA100 over
> the weekend and before closing up the rig, I decided to align 160. When
> applying the 2 watts via the power dial and adjusting L3 and L4, I can get
> no more than 1.3 to 1.4 watts out. I do receive 160 signals, and well at
> that. I compared my K2 to my FT-1000D and the K2 signal is received more
> strongly. I first reheated all the solder points including those
> mods that
> were done to the RF board for the 160 capability and the pin
> connectors, but
> no increase in power. I demounted the toroids on the module,
> retinned them
> and put them back, but still no increase in power. I tested the
> toroids for
> continutity on the tinned elements before remounting them, and they tested
> fine.
>
> I measure 1.3 to 3 volts at R30 from 1800 to 2000. I connected a
> dummy load
> in front of the LPF and get the 1.2 watts there. Adjusting the
> power knob
> doesn't change the output at all. I took apart the LPF and
> tested each Cap
> and values are fine. L5 is the correct value. I pulled and test
> C75, C13,
> and C14, all ok. All the Caps in the pre-driver, driver and power amp are
> all the correct values. The only one I couldn't check is the one between
> the 2 power transistors on the bottom of the board.
>
> The resistance of my relay coils meets the specifications.
>
> I checked the T4 as noted in the notes on 160 issues on the Elecraft
> website, and mine is to spec with the 3 windings for points 3 and
> 4. My kit
> didn't have the 39 pf cap for one near U5. It has a 68 pf.
>
> I am outputting the K2 to a dummy load during my transmit tests. My power
> supply is outputting 13.8 volts.
>
> Don - KA6AKH
>

Don Clark-2

Re: 160 meter low transmit

Don,

I pulled C13, 14 last night and both were 1300 pf on my meter.

I used the RF probe I contructed from the K2 Elecraft kit parts in 2000.

Voltage
Component 80m 160m

D6 40.7 mv 57.2 mv
D7 40.9 mv 57.8 mv
W6 21.6 mv 13.4 mv
Q5 298 mv 0
Q6 1.8 volts .9 volts

Don - KA6AKH

----- Original Message -----
From: "W3FPR - Don Wilhelm" <[hidden email]>
To: "Don Clark" <[hidden email]>; <[hidden email]>
Sent: Friday, August 26, 2005 7:42 AM
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] 160 meter low transmit

> Don,
>
> With that information, I would suspect the bandpass filter (even if it
> receives 160 meters fine) - re-check C13 and C14 for the correct value of
> 1200 pf.
>
> If that does not correct things, use an RF probe or 'scope and compare RF
> Voltages between 160 meters and 80 meters with the power set at about 5
> watts. Check at the following points (you can stop at the first one that
is
> substantially lower on 160) - cathode of D6 or D7 first - then at jumper
> W6 - then the collector (case) of Q5 - next the collector (tab) of Q6 -
then
> the collector of Q7 and collector of Q8.
>
> Let us know where the 160 meter RF is being lost (RF Voltage
substantiallly
> less than that on 80 meters) and we can likely home in on the problem
area.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> >
> > My K2 is serial 1683. I built it in 2000. With my initial kit,
> > I added the
> > SSB capability and the 160 capability; however, since I didn't have a
160
> > antenna then, I didn't complete the 160 alignment. I built the
> > KPA100 over
> > the weekend and before closing up the rig, I decided to align 160. When
> > applying the 2 watts via the power dial and adjusting L3 and L4, I can
get
> > no more than 1.3 to 1.4 watts out. I do receive 160 signals, and well
at
> > that. I compared my K2 to my FT-1000D and the K2 signal is received
more
> > strongly. I first reheated all the solder points including those
> > mods that
> > were done to the RF board for the 160 capability and the pin
> > connectors, but
> > no increase in power. I demounted the toroids on the module,
> > retinned them
> > and put them back, but still no increase in power. I tested the
> > toroids for
> > continutity on the tinned elements before remounting them, and they
tested

> > fine.
> >
> > I measure 1.3 to 3 volts at R30 from 1800 to 2000. I connected a
> > dummy load
> > in front of the LPF and get the 1.2 watts there. Adjusting the
> > power knob
> > doesn't change the output at all. I took apart the LPF and
> > tested each Cap
> > and values are fine. L5 is the correct value. I pulled and test
> > C75, C13,
> > and C14, all ok. All the Caps in the pre-driver, driver and power amp

are
> > all the correct values. The only one I couldn't check is the one
between

> > the 2 power transistors on the bottom of the board.
> >
> > The resistance of my relay coils meets the specifications.
> >
> > I checked the T4 as noted in the notes on 160 issues on the Elecraft
> > website, and mine is to spec with the 3 windings for points 3 and
> > 4. My kit
> > didn't have the 39 pf cap for one near U5. It has a 68 pf.
> >
> > I am outputting the K2 to a dummy load during my transmit tests. My

power
> > supply is outputting 13.8 volts.
> >
> > Don - KA6AKH
> >
> --
> No virus found in this outgoing message.
> Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
> Version: 7.0.344 / Virus Database: 267.10.15/81 - Release Date: 8/24/2005
>

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Don Clark-2

Re: 160 meter low transmit

In reply to this post by Don Clark-2

One additional note. An additional note. When I tune on 160m, then tune on
80m, I get a Hi Cur on 80 m. If I turn the tune off on 80 then retune on 80
I get no Hi Cur. I do not get a hi Cur on 160 after tuning on 80m.

Don

----- Original Message -----
From: "Don Clark" <[hidden email]>
To: <[hidden email]>; <[hidden email]>
Sent: Friday, August 26, 2005 2:29 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] 160 meter low transmit

> Don,
>
> I pulled C13, 14 last night and both were 1300 pf on my meter.
>
> I used the RF probe I contructed from the K2 Elecraft kit parts in 2000.
>
> Voltage
> Component 80m 160m
>
> D6 40.7 mv 57.2 mv
> D7 40.9 mv 57.8 mv
> W6 21.6 mv 13.4 mv
> Q5 298 mv 0
> Q6 1.8 volts .9 volts
>
> Don - KA6AKH
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "W3FPR - Don Wilhelm" <[hidden email]>
> To: "Don Clark" <[hidden email]>; <[hidden email]>
> Sent: Friday, August 26, 2005 7:42 AM
> Subject: RE: [Elecraft] 160 meter low transmit
>
>
> > Don,
> >
> > With that information, I would suspect the bandpass filter (even if it
> > receives 160 meters fine) - re-check C13 and C14 for the correct value

of
> > 1200 pf.
> >
> > If that does not correct things, use an RF probe or 'scope and compare
RF
> > Voltages between 160 meters and 80 meters with the power set at about 5
> > watts. Check at the following points (you can stop at the first one
that

> is
> > substantially lower on 160) - cathode of D6 or D7 first - then at jumper
> > W6 - then the collector (case) of Q5 - next the collector (tab) of Q6 -
> then
> > the collector of Q7 and collector of Q8.
> >
> > Let us know where the 160 meter RF is being lost (RF Voltage
> substantiallly
> > less than that on 80 meters) and we can likely home in on the problem
> area.
> >
> > 73,
> > Don W3FPR
> >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > >
> > > My K2 is serial 1683. I built it in 2000. With my initial kit,
> > > I added the
> > > SSB capability and the 160 capability; however, since I didn't have a
> 160
> > > antenna then, I didn't complete the 160 alignment. I built the
> > > KPA100 over
> > > the weekend and before closing up the rig, I decided to align 160.

When

> > > applying the 2 watts via the power dial and adjusting L3 and L4, I can
> get
> > > no more than 1.3 to 1.4 watts out. I do receive 160 signals, and well
> at
> > > that. I compared my K2 to my FT-1000D and the K2 signal is received
> more
> > > strongly. I first reheated all the solder points including those
> > > mods that
> > > were done to the RF board for the 160 capability and the pin
> > > connectors, but
> > > no increase in power. I demounted the toroids on the module,
> > > retinned them
> > > and put them back, but still no increase in power. I tested the
> > > toroids for
> > > continutity on the tinned elements before remounting them, and they
> tested
> > > fine.
> > >
> > > I measure 1.3 to 3 volts at R30 from 1800 to 2000. I connected a
> > > dummy load
> > > in front of the LPF and get the 1.2 watts there. Adjusting the
> > > power knob
> > > doesn't change the output at all. I took apart the LPF and
> > > tested each Cap
> > > and values are fine. L5 is the correct value. I pulled and test
> > > C75, C13,
> > > and C14, all ok. All the Caps in the pre-driver, driver and power amp
> are
> > > all the correct values. The only one I couldn't check is the one
> between
> > > the 2 power transistors on the bottom of the board.
> > >
> > > The resistance of my relay coils meets the specifications.
> > >
> > > I checked the T4 as noted in the notes on 160 issues on the Elecraft
> > > website, and mine is to spec with the 3 windings for points 3 and
> > > 4. My kit
> > > didn't have the 39 pf cap for one near U5. It has a 68 pf.
> > >
> > > I am outputting the K2 to a dummy load during my transmit tests. My
> power
> > > supply is outputting 13.8 volts.
> > >
> > > Don - KA6AKH
> > >
> > --
> > No virus found in this outgoing message.
> > Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
> > Version: 7.0.344 / Virus Database: 267.10.15/81 - Release Date:

8/24/2005
> >
>

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Don Wilhelm-3

RE: 160 meter low transmit

Don,

Until we get a handle on what is really happening, set CAL CUR to 4 amps for
now. It won't really hurt anything as long as we keep the power down to
about 5 watts.

I don't have an immediate answer for why the HI CUR messages are behaving
that way, but we will check it after 160 meters is working - it may be
related, but right now it is not informative.

We can do the detail de-bugging off-reflector and then you can report the
results after it is cured.

73,
Don W3FPR

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Don Clark [mailto:[hidden email]]
> Sent: Friday, August 26, 2005 3:03 PM
> To: [hidden email]; [hidden email]
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] 160 meter low transmit
>
>
> One additional note. An additional note. When I tune on 160m,
> then tune on
> 80m, I get a Hi Cur on 80 m. If I turn the tune off on 80 then
> retune on 80
> I get no Hi Cur. I do not get a hi Cur on 160 after tuning on 80m.
>
> Don
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Don Clark" <[hidden email]>
> To: <[hidden email]>; <[hidden email]>
> Sent: Friday, August 26, 2005 2:29 PM
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] 160 meter low transmit
>
>
> > Don,
> >
> > I pulled C13, 14 last night and both were 1300 pf on my meter.
> >
> > I used the RF probe I contructed from the K2 Elecraft kit parts in 2000.
> >
> > Voltage
> > Component 80m 160m
> >
> > D6 40.7 mv 57.2 mv
> > D7 40.9 mv 57.8 mv
> > W6 21.6 mv 13.4 mv
> > Q5 298 mv 0
> > Q6 1.8 volts .9 volts
> >
> > Don - KA6AKH
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "W3FPR - Don Wilhelm" <[hidden email]>
> > To: "Don Clark" <[hidden email]>; <[hidden email]>
> > Sent: Friday, August 26, 2005 7:42 AM
> > Subject: RE: [Elecraft] 160 meter low transmit
> >
> >
> > > Don,
> > >
> > > With that information, I would suspect the bandpass filter (even if it
> > > receives 160 meters fine) - re-check C13 and C14 for the correct value
> of
> > > 1200 pf.
> > >
> > > If that does not correct things, use an RF probe or 'scope and compare
> RF
> > > Voltages between 160 meters and 80 meters with the power set
> at about 5
> > > watts. Check at the following points (you can stop at the first one
> that
> > is
> > > substantially lower on 160) - cathode of D6 or D7 first -
> then at jumper
> > > W6 - then the collector (case) of Q5 - next the collector
> (tab) of Q6 -
> > then
> > > the collector of Q7 and collector of Q8.
> > >
> > > Let us know where the 160 meter RF is being lost (RF Voltage
> > substantiallly
> > > less than that on 80 meters) and we can likely home in on the problem
> > area.
> > >
> > > 73,
> > > Don W3FPR
> > >
> > > > -----Original Message-----
> > > >
> > > > My K2 is serial 1683. I built it in 2000. With my initial kit,
> > > > I added the
> > > > SSB capability and the 160 capability; however, since I
> didn't have a
> > 160
> > > > antenna then, I didn't complete the 160 alignment. I built the
> > > > KPA100 over
> > > > the weekend and before closing up the rig, I decided to align 160.
> When
> > > > applying the 2 watts via the power dial and adjusting L3
> and L4, I can
> > get
> > > > no more than 1.3 to 1.4 watts out. I do receive 160
> signals, and well
> > at
> > > > that. I compared my K2 to my FT-1000D and the K2 signal is received
> > more
> > > > strongly. I first reheated all the solder points including those
> > > > mods that
> > > > were done to the RF board for the 160 capability and the pin
> > > > connectors, but
> > > > no increase in power. I demounted the toroids on the module,
> > > > retinned them
> > > > and put them back, but still no increase in power. I tested the
> > > > toroids for
> > > > continutity on the tinned elements before remounting them, and they
> > tested
> > > > fine.
> > > >
> > > > I measure 1.3 to 3 volts at R30 from 1800 to 2000. I connected a
> > > > dummy load
> > > > in front of the LPF and get the 1.2 watts there. Adjusting the
> > > > power knob
> > > > doesn't change the output at all. I took apart the LPF and
> > > > tested each Cap
> > > > and values are fine. L5 is the correct value. I pulled and test
> > > > C75, C13,
> > > > and C14, all ok. All the Caps in the pre-driver, driver
> and power amp
> > are
> > > > all the correct values. The only one I couldn't check is the one
> > between
> > > > the 2 power transistors on the bottom of the board.
> > > >
> > > > The resistance of my relay coils meets the specifications.
> > > >
> > > > I checked the T4 as noted in the notes on 160 issues on the Elecraft
> > > > website, and mine is to spec with the 3 windings for points 3 and
> > > > 4. My kit
> > > > didn't have the 39 pf cap for one near U5. It has a 68 pf.
> > > >
> > > > I am outputting the K2 to a dummy load during my transmit tests. My
> > power
> > > > supply is outputting 13.8 volts.
> > > >
> > > > Don - KA6AKH
> > > >
> > > --
> > > No virus found in this outgoing message.
> > > Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
> > > Version: 7.0.344 / Virus Database: 267.10.15/81 - Release Date:
> 8/24/2005
> > >
> >
>
> --
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
> Version: 7.0.344 / Virus Database: 267.10.15/82 - Release Date: 8/25/2005
>

--
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
Version: 7.0.344 / Virus Database: 267.10.15/82 - Release Date: 8/25/2005

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