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Back in time question

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Doug Hensley

Back in time question

What test equipment is needed to accurately perform the alignment
and proper tuning of a used K1 or K2 ?

I'm not looking for minimum recommendations nor NIST-Traceable
recommendations; just what is needed to make sure they are up to
spec or up to speed for the guy who wants to enjoy what they are
capable of doing. I hope this is not a trick question.

If there is another list or email venue I should be using for this question,
please let me know. Thanks for reading.

Thank you.

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Don Wilhelm-4

Re: Back in time question

Doug,

This is the proper list for such questions.

A dummy load and a DMM are sufficient - just follow the instructions in
the manual. The K1 and the K2 both include provisions for reading the
internal frequencies as well as other built-in tools.

Of course there are other tools that can be helpful - Spectrogram is
useful for providing a visual display of the filters, especially on the
K2. Take a look at the K2 Dial Calibration article on my website
www.w3fpr.com. If you need Spectrogram, look for the links near the
bottom of my home page. The filter display works best if you inject
broadband noise from a noise generator such as the Elecraft N-Gen. If
you do not have a dummy load, consider the Elecraft DL1. A signal
generator that can provide a 50uV output is handy for setting the
S-meter (like the Elecraft XG1, XG2 or XG3).

An RF Probe can come in handy if you need to do troubleshooting. The
parts for an RF Probe are included with the K2 kit (but not the K1).

If you have the skills to operate it and interpret the display, an
oscilloscope with a 10X probe is a handy instrument to make the tasks
easier, but it is not required.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 3/4/2015 12:43 PM, Doug Hensley wrote:

> What test equipment is needed to accurately perform the alignment
> and proper tuning of a used K1 or K2 ?
>
> I'm not looking for minimum recommendations nor NIST-Traceable
> recommendations; just what is needed to make sure they are up to
> spec or up to speed for the guy who wants to enjoy what they are
> capable of doing. I hope this is not a trick question.
>
> If there is another list or email venue I should be using for this question,
> please let me know. Thanks for reading.
>
>

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vk2rq

Re: Back in time question

In reply to this post by Doug Hensley

For calibrating the dial frequency, a second AM SW receiver is helpful. Tune it in to WWV, then tune the K2 into WWV until the tones match exactly ("zero beat"), then run the calibration procedures. That will get you close enough that the K2's DACs become the limiting factor.

Spectrogram (free software on your PC that uses the sound card to display the audio coming out of your radio) can be helpful with the above if you don't have a musical ear, and I think it is pretty much essential for the filter calibration (you can use the default settings provided in the manual to get more or less in the ballpark, but they are far from ideal).

If you have an external power meter, that can be useful for peaking the band pass filters. A DL2 dummy load with DMM would also work, or you could even use the internal power meter (but the resolution is somewhat limited)

Don W3FPR has a web page that is a treasure trove of handy K2 information:
http://www.w3fpr.com/

73,
Matt VK2RQ

> On 5 Mar 2015, at 4:43 am, Doug Hensley <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>
> What test equipment is needed to accurately perform the alignment
> and proper tuning of a used K1 or K2 ?
>
> I'm not looking for minimum recommendations nor NIST-Traceable
> recommendations; just what is needed to make sure they are up to
> spec or up to speed for the guy who wants to enjoy what they are
> capable of doing. I hope this is not a trick question.
>
> If there is another list or email venue I should be using for this question,
> please let me know. Thanks for reading.
>
> Thank you.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

David Woolley (E.L)

Re: Back in time question

In reply to this post by Don Wilhelm-4

I'd also suggest an analogue volt meter, as they are generally better
when adjusting for minimum and maximum voltages.

And, although rather obvious, an antenna able to receive a transmission
with good frequency accuracy.

I used the Elecraft noise generator, a dummy load, a digital multimeter,
Spectrogram, and a wire antenna. I subsequently obtained a 50kopv
analogue meter and used it to refine some of the settings.

Incidentally, I don't understand how the subject summarises the question.

--
David Woolley
Owner K2 06123
On 04/03/15 18:27, Don Wilhelm wrote:

>
> A dummy load and a DMM are sufficient - just follow the instructions in
> the manual. The K1 and the K2 both include provisions for reading the
> internal frequencies as well as other built-in tools.
>
> Of course there are other tools that can be helpful - Spectrogram is
> useful for providing a visual display of the filters, especially on the
> K2. Take a look at the K2 Dial Calibration article on my website

> On 3/4/2015 12:43 PM, Doug Hensley wrote:

>> What test equipment is needed to accurately perform the alignment
>> and proper tuning of a used K1 or K2 ?

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