K144XV output power range

[Stan Gibbs, KR7C]

My external watt meter does not agree with the power output bar graph display on the K3 except in the very middle of the power range.  While turning the power control from 0.1 to 1.0 W., the bar graph shows the expected 1 to 10 display.  But my watt meter display goes from about 5.8 to 7.5 W.

Does my watt meter really suck, or is this a behavior that others have seen?  The K144XV manual suggests that an upper value of 7.5 W is not unreasonable given the accuracy of most meters.  But 5.8 W for a minimum output power seems way too high.

Anybody have numbers to compare?

[Johnny Siu]

Hello Stan,
 
I got 1-9 watt output on my Kuranichi meter.  I would suggest check the sitting of the TMP cables.  I once managed to deform the TMP socket by inserting the cable incorrectly.
 
Since that time, I open up the top cover of the K144XV to check the cabling whether I re-sit the K144XV into my K3 after dismantling.  In other words, I do all my cabling work with top cover opened and cover it after visual inspection.

TNX & 73,


Johnny VR2XMC

從︰ Stan Gibbs <[hidden email]>
收件人︰ [hidden email]
傳送日期︰ 2011年08月9日 (週二) 6:48 AM
主題︰ [Elecraft] K144XV output power range

My external watt meter does not agree with the power output bar graph display
on the K3 except in the very middle of the power range.  While turning the
power control from 0.1 to 1.0 W., the bar graph shows the expected 1 to 10
display.  But my watt meter display goes from about 5.8 to 7.5 W.

Does my watt meter really suck, or is this a behavior that others have seen?
The K144XV manual suggests that an upper value of 7.5 W is not unreasonable
given the accuracy of most meters.  But 5.8 W for a minimum output power
seems way too high.

Anybody have numbers to compare?


-----
73, Stan - KR7C
--
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[John Lemay]

Stan

I missed your original post, so I'm appending to this one.

My K144XV can be controlled from about 2w to 9w. I would hazard a guess that you may be overdriving and sending something into compression in an attempt to get more power out.

It would also help if you could borrow another external meter to see if yours has a problem.

Good luck

John G4ZTR


-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Johnny Siu
Sent: 09 August 2011 01:24
To: Stan Gibbs; [hidden email]
Subject: [Elecraft] K144XV output power range

Hello Stan,
 
I got 1-9 watt output on my Kuranichi meter.  I would suggest check the sitting of the TMP cables.  I once managed to deform the TMP socket by inserting the cable incorrectly.
 
Since that time, I open up the top cover of the K144XV to check the cabling whether I re-sit the K144XV into my K3 after dismantling.  In other words, I do all my cabling work with top cover opened and cover it after visual inspection.

TNX & 73,


Johnny VR2XMC

從︰ Stan Gibbs <[hidden email]>
收件人︰ [hidden email]
傳送日期︰ 2011年08月9日 (週二) 6:48 AM
主題︰ [Elecraft] K144XV output power range

My external watt meter does not agree with the power output bar graph display
on the K3 except in the very middle of the power range.  While turning the
power control from 0.1 to 1.0 W., the bar graph shows the expected 1 to 10
display.  But my watt meter display goes from about 5.8 to 7.5 W.

Does my watt meter really suck, or is this a behavior that others have seen?
The K144XV manual suggests that an upper value of 7.5 W is not unreasonable
given the accuracy of most meters.  But 5.8 W for a minimum output power
seems way too high.

Anybody have numbers to compare?


-----
73, Stan - KR7C
--
View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K144XV-output-power-range-tp6666166p6666166.html
Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
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[Jeff Cochrane - VK4XA]

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[Stan Gibbs, KR7C]

Thanks to those who responded.  It is evident that my K144XV is not responding as expected to the K3's front-panel power control byreducing output down to approximately 1.0 W at a drive level of 0.1 mW.

While it would be easy to blame my power meter, I have also noted this behavior with an attached power amplifier.  The minimum output power floor was no where near what I would have expected from a 1 W drive if the K144XV had been providing that.

I have my CONFIG: XV1 PWR value set to L 1.0.  I do have a K144REFLK option installed.

Anyone have an idea as to what might cause this behavior?  I really need to be able to provide a reliable 5 W output from my K144XV.

If the routing of the TMP cables to the K144REFLK board is critical, how should they be routed?  The assembly manual is mum on this question.