160 module fustration

[George Cortez Jr]

Hi folks

Im starting to wonder if the 160 module is bad.
The antenna switch only works if it is in preamp mode
If  the preamp is switched on with the r ant on the r ant will not
switch off or on.

Also large attenuation of signals when it is on the standard
antenna. When switched to the r ant  with an antenna on the r ant
signals are strong. When switched to the standard antenna with an
antenna still attached to the r ant, signals are still strong.

I hear relays clicking  ( I was not hearing that before)  but I fear
that the relays contacts are shorted. It has already been replaced once
and the board cant take much more abuse. This was a brand new module.
also replaced the relay driver chip and the mcu. There is nothing else!

I think im going to get another 160 module and start over.
Its cheap enough.

George NE2I






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[Daems Johan]

Hello George,

Did you remove RF board jumper W1?

73,
Johan - on4aeb

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[Don Wilhelm-3]

George,

There is not an obvious connection between the Rant and the PreAmp - unless
you have something shorted to an adjacent circuit.  Check the soldering on
the header below the RF Board and on the 160 meter board.  The only thing on
the 160 meter board are the relays and the low pass filter for the 160 meter
band - not much to go wrong.  You may also want to check the RF board
carefully in the area where you added the additional capacitors for 160
meters.

The relays are the latching type, so you can set the K2 to the 160 meter
band and use an ohmmeter to see if the proper paths are established through
the relay contacts - use the schematic as a guide to see where you should
meter the path.

73,
Don W3FPR

> -----Original Message-----
>
> Im starting to wonder if the 160 module is bad.
> The antenna switch only works if it is in preamp mode
> If  the preamp is switched on with the r ant on the r ant will not
> switch off or on.
>
> Also large attenuation of signals when it is on the standard
> antenna. When switched to the r ant  with an antenna on the r ant
> signals are strong. When switched to the standard antenna with an
> antenna still attached to the r ant, signals are still strong.
>
> I hear relays clicking  ( I was not hearing that before)  but I fear
> that the relays contacts are shorted. It has already been replaced once
> and the board cant take much more abuse. This was a brand new module.
> also replaced the relay driver chip and the mcu. There is nothing else!
>
> I think im going to get another 160 module and start over.
> Its cheap enough.
>
> George NE2I
>
>

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[George Cortez Jr]

Yes the Jumper has been removed
I took the board out and checked the
relay out using the relay schematic and found the
relay was not unlatching from the rant position
Another one bites the dust!

George NE2I



Daems Johan wrote:

> Hello George,
>
> Did you remove RF board jumper W1?
>
> 73,
> Johan - on4aeb
>
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[wayne burdick]

George,

The K2's preamp setting is stored on a per-RANT-setting basis. You may
have a low-noise receiving antenna on 160 m that requires the preamp,
but want to turn RANT off to listen on a regular station antenna that
does not need the preamp.

So, if you switch to RANT and the preamp turns off, you can just turn
the preamp ON. The K2 will then remember this combination. This
behavior is pre-band.

Not sure if this is (or is related to) your problem.

73,
Wayne
N6KR

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[wayne burdick]

>  This behavior is pre-band.

Typo. I meant, of course, "per-band."

Wayne


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[Daems Johan]

George, when the relay is not unlatching from the rant position, there must be something wrong with U1 - pin 2 or with connector
J14 - pin 3.
When you switch rant off then you must have a short peak of 6 volt on pin 2 from U1 the I/O Controller.
Maybe there is a short or bad solder.

73, Johan on4aeb

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[Daems Johan]

Correction, it is not J14 - pin 3 but pin16.
I better go to sleep now, HI.

73, Johan on4aeb

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