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Info 080 and KPA100

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Joe Hetrick-2

Info 080 and KPA100

Greetings folks,

If I may interrupt the K3 threads for just a moment...

My K2 SN 4912 developed a fault sometime between last evening and
this evening! Upon jumping to the shack to
have a few relaxing QSO's before bed I was greeted by an INFO 080. I
figured I'd start by checking pins of RFU1 as in the
manual and pulled the KPA. I fired it up without the KPA, and,
problem disappears.

Casual inspection of the KPA shows no fault, searching the list turns
up no clues, and finally the KPA manual refers INFO 080 back to the
K2 manual.

If I had to guess, I'd say auxbus short.

With only the KPA connected (nothing external to the AUX RS232) fault
remains. Where should I start digging in the KPA?

73,

Joe, KC0VKN
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Don Wilhelm-4

Re: Info 080 and KPA100

Joe,

The info 080 message means that the K2 cannot communicate with some
other processor that is attached to the auxbus - in your case, the KPA100.

I would first check to see if there is 5 volts present at pin 1 of
KPA100 U1. If you have 5 volts there, then the problem can be found
somewhere on the AUXBUS signal itself between KPA100 U1 pin 28 and K2
Control Board U6 pin 40 - this path involves the ribbon cable and its
connectors, use the schematic to follow the path and check each point.
It may be that the KPA100 firmware chip has become damaged, and the
easiest way to determine that is to replace it.

If you do not have 5 volts at U1 pin 1, then there is a problem with the
5 volt rail in the KPA100. If you find zero volts, the regulator is
likely bad. OTOH, if you have a small voltage instead of 5 volts, the
usual cause is that something is loading down the regulator output -
remove U1 and check for voltage again - if that does not restore the 5
volt output, then one of the other chips is at fault and you will have
to remove them one at a time to determine which one is bad - the suspect
list (from most likely to least) is U4, U6 and U5. The KPA100 will work
without U4 installed (but will not have computer control functions
available), but if U5 or U6 are removed, the power control circuits will
not work and the KPA100 will develop full power output. If you realize
that, you should know that you can still test the KPA100 to see if the
info080 is gone, but do not expect power control until you replace U5
and U6.

73,
Don W3FPR

Joe Hetrick wrote:

> Greetings folks,
>
> If I may interrupt the K3 threads for just a moment...
>
> My K2 SN 4912 developed a fault sometime between last evening and this
> evening! Upon jumping to the shack to
> have a few relaxing QSO's before bed I was greeted by an INFO 080. I
> figured I'd start by checking pins of RFU1 as in the
> manual and pulled the KPA. I fired it up without the KPA, and,
> problem disappears.
>
> Casual inspection of the KPA shows no fault, searching the list turns
> up no clues, and finally the KPA manual refers INFO 080 back to the K2
> manual.
>
> If I had to guess, I'd say auxbus short.
>
> With only the KPA connected (nothing external to the AUX RS232) fault
> remains. Where should I start digging in the KPA?
>

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Joe Hetrick-2

Re: Info 080 and KPA100

Thanks Don (and Ken),

On Sep 26, 2007, at 9:13 AM, Don Wilhelm wrote:

> Joe,
>
> The info 080 message means that the K2 cannot communicate with some
> other processor that is attached to the auxbus - in your case, the
> KPA100.
>
> I would first check to see if there is 5 volts present at pin 1 of
> KPA100 U1. If you have 5 volts there, then the problem can be
> found somewhere on the AUXBUS signal itself between KPA100 U1 pin
> 28 and K2 Control Board U6 pin 40 - this path involves the ribbon
> cable and its connectors, use the schematic to follow the path and
> check each point. It may be that the KPA100 firmware chip has
> become damaged, and the easiest way to determine that is to replace
> it.

I started this process before I left for work. It was pointed out to
me that I hadn't dug hard enough in the archives; tried again and
found someone talking about problems with U6 causing this sort of
behavior. As an aside, I note one relay clacking when firing up the
KPA. There is a twitch of life.

What I noted is:

KPA U1 P1 has 4.9V
U6 pins 7 and 8 have 4.9V

I also walked down the MAX to see what I could find, and it has 13.8V
on P1. I didn't bring the list with me, so I'm working from memory.

I can wander down the rest of the AUXBUS chain as I go. I shall
start with U4 as you suggest below.

73,

Joe, KC0VKN

>
> If you do not have 5 volts at U1 pin 1, then there is a problem
> with the 5 volt rail in the KPA100. If you find zero volts, the
> regulator is likely bad. OTOH, if you have a small voltage instead
> of 5 volts, the usual cause is that something is loading down the
> regulator output - remove U1 and check for voltage again - if that
> does not restore the 5 volt output, then one of the other chips is
> at fault and you will have to remove them one at a time to
> determine which one is bad - the suspect list (from most likely to
> least) is U4, U6 and U5. The KPA100 will work without U4 installed
> (but will not have computer control functions available), but if U5
> or U6 are removed, the power control circuits will not work and the
> KPA100 will develop full power output. If you realize that, you
> should know that you can still test the KPA100 to see if the
> info080 is gone, but do not expect power control until you replace
> U5 and U6.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
>
>
> Joe Hetrick wrote:
>> Greetings folks,
>>
>> If I may interrupt the K3 threads for just a moment...
>>
>> My K2 SN 4912 developed a fault sometime between last evening and
>> this evening! Upon jumping to the shack to
>> have a few relaxing QSO's before bed I was greeted by an INFO
>> 080. I figured I'd start by checking pins of RFU1 as in the
>> manual and pulled the KPA. I fired it up without the KPA, and,
>> problem disappears.
>>
>> Casual inspection of the KPA shows no fault, searching the list
>> turns up no clues, and finally the KPA manual refers INFO 080 back
>> to the K2 manual.
>>
>> If I had to guess, I'd say auxbus short.
>>
>> With only the KPA connected (nothing external to the AUX RS232)
>> fault remains. Where should I start digging in the KPA?
>>

Don Wilhelm-4

Re: Info 080 and KPA100

Joe,

No need to 'start with U4' since you have 5 volts at U1 pin 1. Check my
conditional statements - U4 and the others were *only* to be
investigated *if* there was a low voltage at U1 pin 1 - 4.9 volts is
well within the tolerance for the 5 volt regulator output, so the 5 volt
rail is fine. Your problem is either with a break in the AUXBUS signal
line back to the K2 (do continuity checks) *or* a bad firmware chip in
the KPA100.

73,
Don W3FPR

Joe Hetrick wrote:

> Thanks Don (and Ken),
>
> On Sep 26, 2007, at 9:13 AM, Don Wilhelm wrote:
>
>> Joe,
>>
>> The info 080 message means that the K2 cannot communicate with some
>> other processor that is attached to the auxbus - in your case, the
>> KPA100.
>>
>> I would first check to see if there is 5 volts present at pin 1 of
>> KPA100 U1. If you have 5 volts there, then the problem can be found
>> somewhere on the AUXBUS signal itself between KPA100 U1 pin 28 and K2
>> Control Board U6 pin 40 - this path involves the ribbon cable and its
>> connectors, use the schematic to follow the path and check each
>> point. It may be that the KPA100 firmware chip has become damaged,
>> and the easiest way to determine that is to replace it.
>
> I started this process before I left for work. It was pointed out to
> me that I hadn't dug hard enough in the archives; tried again and
> found someone talking about problems with U6 causing this sort of
> behavior. As an aside, I note one relay clacking when firing up the
> KPA. There is a twitch of life.
>
> What I noted is:
>
> KPA U1 P1 has 4.9V
> U6 pins 7 and 8 have 4.9V
>
> I also walked down the MAX to see what I could find, and it has 13.8V
> on P1. I didn't bring the list with me, so I'm working from memory.
>
> I can wander down the rest of the AUXBUS chain as I go. I shall start
> with U4 as you suggest below.
>
> 73,
>
> Joe, KC0VKN
>
>>
>> If you do not have 5 volts at U1 pin 1, then there is a problem with
>> the 5 volt rail in the KPA100. If you find zero volts, the regulator
>> is likely bad. OTOH, if you have a small voltage instead of 5 volts,
>> the usual cause is that something is loading down the regulator
>> output - remove U1 and check for voltage again - if that does not
>> restore the 5 volt output, then one of the other chips is at fault
>> and you will have to remove them one at a time to determine which one
>> is bad - the suspect list (from most likely to least) is U4, U6 and
>> U5. The KPA100 will work without U4 installed (but will not have
>> computer control functions available), but if U5 or U6 are removed,
>> the power control circuits will not work and the KPA100 will develop
>> full power output. If you realize that, you should know that you
>> can still test the KPA100 to see if the info080 is gone, but do not
>> expect power control until you replace U5 and U6.
>>
>> 73,
>> Don W3FPR
>>
>>
>>
>> Joe Hetrick wrote:
>>> Greetings folks,
>>>
>>> If I may interrupt the K3 threads for just a moment...
>>>
>>> My K2 SN 4912 developed a fault sometime between last evening and
>>> this evening! Upon jumping to the shack to
>>> have a few relaxing QSO's before bed I was greeted by an INFO 080.
>>> I figured I'd start by checking pins of RFU1 as in the
>>> manual and pulled the KPA. I fired it up without the KPA, and,
>>> problem disappears.
>>>
>>> Casual inspection of the KPA shows no fault, searching the list
>>> turns up no clues, and finally the KPA manual refers INFO 080 back
>>> to the K2 manual.
>>>
>>> If I had to guess, I'd say auxbus short.
>>>
>>> With only the KPA connected (nothing external to the AUX RS232)
>>> fault remains. Where should I start digging in the KPA?
>>>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Post to: [hidden email]
> You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
> Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
>
>

Joe Hetrick-2

Re: Info 080 and KPA100

Don,
Thanks. Morning < optimal coffee intake here.

This leaves the ribbon cable between KPA and K2, or U1 firmware.
Probably best to call Elecraft and get a replacement to verify this,
then.

Joe, KC0VKN
On Sep 26, 2007, at 10:21 AM, Don Wilhelm wrote:

> Joe,
>
> No need to 'start with U4' since you have 5 volts at U1 pin 1.
> Check my conditional statements - U4 and the others were *only* to
> be investigated *if* there was a low voltage at U1 pin 1 - 4.9
> volts is well within the tolerance for the 5 volt regulator output,
> so the 5 volt rail is fine. Your problem is either with a break in
> the AUXBUS signal line back to the K2 (do continuity checks) *or* a
> bad firmware chip in the KPA100.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> Joe Hetrick wrote:
>> Thanks Don (and Ken),
>>
>> On Sep 26, 2007, at 9:13 AM, Don Wilhelm wrote:
>>
>>> Joe,
>>>
>>> The info 080 message means that the K2 cannot communicate with
>>> some other processor that is attached to the auxbus - in your
>>> case, the KPA100.
>>>
>>> I would first check to see if there is 5 volts present at pin 1
>>> of KPA100 U1. If you have 5 volts there, then the problem can be
>>> found somewhere on the AUXBUS signal itself between KPA100 U1 pin
>>> 28 and K2 Control Board U6 pin 40 - this path involves the ribbon
>>> cable and its connectors, use the schematic to follow the path
>>> and check each point. It may be that the KPA100 firmware chip
>>> has become damaged, and the easiest way to determine that is to
>>> replace it.
>>
>> I started this process before I left for work. It was pointed out
>> to me that I hadn't dug hard enough in the archives; tried again
>> and found someone talking about problems with U6 causing this sort
>> of behavior. As an aside, I note one relay clacking when firing
>> up the KPA. There is a twitch of life.
>>
>> What I noted is:
>>
>> KPA U1 P1 has 4.9V
>> U6 pins 7 and 8 have 4.9V
>>
>> I also walked down the MAX to see what I could find, and it has
>> 13.8V on P1. I didn't bring the list with me, so I'm working from
>> memory.
>>
>> I can wander down the rest of the AUXBUS chain as I go. I shall
>> start with U4 as you suggest below.
>>
>> 73,
>>
>> Joe, KC0VKN
>>
>>>
>>> If you do not have 5 volts at U1 pin 1, then there is a problem
>>> with the 5 volt rail in the KPA100. If you find zero volts, the
>>> regulator is likely bad. OTOH, if you have a small voltage
>>> instead of 5 volts, the usual cause is that something is loading
>>> down the regulator output - remove U1 and check for voltage again
>>> - if that does not restore the 5 volt output, then one of the
>>> other chips is at fault and you will have to remove them one at a
>>> time to determine which one is bad - the suspect list (from most
>>> likely to least) is U4, U6 and U5. The KPA100 will work without
>>> U4 installed (but will not have computer control functions
>>> available), but if U5 or U6 are removed, the power control
>>> circuits will not work and the KPA100 will develop full power
>>> output. If you realize that, you should know that you can still
>>> test the KPA100 to see if the info080 is gone, but do not expect
>>> power control until you replace U5 and U6.
>>>
>>> 73,
>>> Don W3FPR
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Joe Hetrick wrote:
>>>> Greetings folks,
>>>>
>>>> If I may interrupt the K3 threads for just a moment...
>>>>
>>>> My K2 SN 4912 developed a fault sometime between last evening
>>>> and this evening! Upon jumping to the shack to
>>>> have a few relaxing QSO's before bed I was greeted by an INFO
>>>> 080. I figured I'd start by checking pins of RFU1 as in the
>>>> manual and pulled the KPA. I fired it up without the KPA, and,
>>>> problem disappears.
>>>>
>>>> Casual inspection of the KPA shows no fault, searching the list
>>>> turns up no clues, and finally the KPA manual refers INFO 080
>>>> back to the K2 manual.
>>>>
>>>> If I had to guess, I'd say auxbus short.
>>>>
>>>> With only the KPA connected (nothing external to the AUX RS232)
>>>> fault remains. Where should I start digging in the KPA?
>>>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Post to: [hidden email]
>> You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
>> Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
>> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://
>> mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
>> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
>>
>>

Joe Hetrick-2

Re: Info 080 and KPA100 Additional

I think I found the real root of the problem. I hadn't notice this
before.

We had storms here night before last. K2 was disconnected from power
and antenna, but, not computer.
Looking at the shack Mac, i discover that the USB-->Serial dongle
isn't visible, further inspection reveals that
the dongle is FB, but, the USB port it lived in, is not.

If I had to guess, I'd say something nasty came in via shack machine,
but managed not to kill anything (or even cause it to hiccup) *but*
unspecified bits in the K2/KPA, and, the USB port.

I've got KPA U1 ordered from elecraft. I can add to that. I'd
assume safe bet may be the serial chain in the KPA, what about bits
on the control board? Anyone had this happen to them?

Obviously, no visible damage/magic smoke smell.

73,

Joe, KC0VKN

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