K1 Revisions & Updates to K1-4

[Mike - NZ1MT]

Hi all,

I'm the proud owner of a K1-4  #1066 that appears to be working very well. Based on the K1 RF main board, KFL1-4, and KAT1 versions listed below I was wondering what other eprom revision updates and changes are available that I should implementing.


K1 RF 2000 Rev D - MCU 1.09e
KFL1-4 Rev B 1.00 (blue trimmers)

KAT1 Rev C 1.20
The K1 power output is showing a solid 5W to a dummy load when OUT is set at P7.0. Not sure if the output could be increased or if the KAT1 power measurement should just be re-calibrated.

Thanks & Happy Holidays


73,
Mike - NZ1MT
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[Mike Morrow-3]

Mike - NZ1MT wrote:

> Based on the K1 RF main board, KFL1-4, and KAT1 versions listed below
> I was wondering what other eprom revision updates and changes are
> available that I should implementing.
>
>K1 RF 2000 Rev D - MCU 1.09e

That's the latest version, AFAIK.  It's been unchanged since 2001.

>KFL1-4 Rev B 1.00 (blue trimmers)

That's the latest version, AFAIK.  It's been unchanged since 2001.

> KAT1 Rev C 1.20

There is at least one later version, rev. 1.30.  I upgraded from
rev. 1.10 about ten years ago, and noticed very little difference.

> The K1 power output is showing a solid 5W to a dummy load when
> OUT is set at P7.0. Not sure if the output could be increased
> or if the KAT1 power measurement should just be re-calibrated.

Whether or not any particular K1 will generate power levels much
above 5 watts depends:

1.  DC supply voltage needs to be around 14 vdc.
2.  All the filter board circuits must be peaked optimally.
3.  The KAT1 power detection must be properly adjusted.

Items 1 and 2 above are your first areas to check, since those
affect significantly the actual (as opposed to indiated) power
output.  Worry about the power indication accuracy afterwards.

Mike / KK5F
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[Don Wilhelm-4]

Mike,

You have already received information on the level of that K1, and I
would not see any need to upgrade the KAT1 firmware.

The maximum power output on 20 meters may be limited due to several
reasons, but the 5 watts does meet specifications.  If the actual power
output matches the OUT menu parameter when set to 5 watts or below, the
power control is working.
It is possible that the 22 MHz crystal on the 4 band board is a bit
weak, or you may be able to obtain greater output by aligning the
bandpass filters on the 2 band board.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 12/11/2013 12:34 PM, Mike - NZ1MT wrote:

> Hi all,
>
> I'm the proud owner of a K1-4  #1066 that appears to be working very well. Based on the K1 RF main board, KFL1-4, and KAT1 versions listed below I was wondering what other eprom revision updates and changes are available that I should implementing.
>
>
> K1 RF 2000 Rev D - MCU 1.09e
> KFL1-4 Rev B 1.00 (blue trimmers)
>
> KAT1 Rev C 1.20
> The K1 power output is showing a solid 5W to a dummy load when OUT is set at P7.0. Not sure if the output could be increased or if the KAT1 power measurement should just be re-calibrated.
>
>

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[Mike - NZ1MT]

Thanks for the fast reply Mike!

I forget to mention My power supply puts out a rock solid 13.8V, K1 display indicated 13.4V key down.

Will look into the other items thanks.

Mike - NZ1MT





On Wednesday, December 11, 2013 12:55 PM, Mike Morrow <[hidden email]> wrote:
 
Mike - NZ1MT wrote:

> Based on the K1 RF main board, KFL1-4, and KAT1 versions listed below
> I was wondering what other eprom revision updates and changes are
> available that I should implementing.
>
>K1 RF 2000 Rev D - MCU 1.09e

That's the latest version, AFAIK.  It's been unchanged since 2001.

>KFL1-4 Rev B 1.00 (blue trimmers)

That's the latest version, AFAIK.  It's been unchanged since 2001.

> KAT1 Rev C 1.20

There is at least one later version, rev. 1.30.  I upgraded from
rev. 1.10 about ten years ago, and noticed very little difference.

> The K1 power output is showing a solid 5W to a dummy load when
> OUT is set at P7.0. Not sure if the output could be increased
> or if the KAT1 power measurement should just be re-calibrated.

Whether or not any particular K1 will generate power levels much
above 5 watts depends:

1.  DC supply voltage needs to be around 14 vdc.
2.  All the filter board circuits must be peaked optimally.
3.  The KAT1 power detection must be properly adjusted.

Items 1 and 2 above are your first areas to check, since those
affect significantly the actual (as opposed to indiated) power
output.  Worry about the power indication accuracy afterwards.

Mike / KK5F
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[Mike Morrow-3]

Mike - NZ1MT wrote:

> ...My power supply puts out a rock solid 13.8V,
> K1 display indicated 13.4V key down.

You likely already know that those two different voltages are
due to the normal voltage drop across the reverse polarity
protection diode RF-D16.

I neglected to mention that

  http://www.elecraft.com/order_form_parts.htm

has ordering info for KAT1 version 1.30 firmware along with a
short description of the purpose of the last revision:

FWKAT1  KAT1 F/W Upgrade to 1.3.
Increases matching range for loads that caused Plo message.

The blue-trimmer KFL1-4 board alignment is very stable over time.
I re-align my K1 every three or four years...not because it needs
it, but just because I like tinkering with it!  However, if I wanted
to have maximum power outputs on each band in the 6 to 7 watt range,
I'd need to align more often for that last little bit.

The final alignment of the KFL1-4 filter board trimmers must be
performed for the transmit function, not for peak receive function.
The trimmer adjustments are far more critical for transmit output
performance than for receive, so spending much time to tweak the
receive alignment is wasted by the final adjustment of the *same*
trimmers for proper transmitter performance, which alters all
adjustments that had been made earlier in receive mode.

The technique in the KFL1-4 and K1 manuals works well...it is
important to align with the Pout set for 2 watts.

Your KFL1-4 appears to be well-aligned already...consider that any
further tweeking that you make is principally for educational
purposes. :-)

73,
Mike / KK5F
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