K2 K2/100 post FD review

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Re: K2 K2/100 post FD review

NJMike
Yep I’m familiar with that formula.

One of the tests in the assembly instructions was to test the current draw at 100w. It was 13A. The acceptable range was 13-18A so I thought that was a good result.

Thanks,
Mike NJ2OM

> On Jun 30, 2020, at 11:20 PM, Nr4c <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Watts is Volts X Amps.
> Fewer Volts means more Amps. More Amps means more work for power supply, leading to fewer Volts.  Fewer Volts means ...( you get the picture).
>
> Sent from my iPhone
> ...nr4c. bill
>
>
>> On Jun 30, 2020, at 8:37 PM, Mike Kopacki <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>> I didn’t have ring connectors big enough but I did have spade connectors. I crimped and soldered them but there was no change in the voltage readings during receive and transmit.
>>
>> Is it possible that the power supply is failing?
>>
>> Why, if the voltage drops during transmit to 11.6V, does the radio still put out 100W on 30, 40 and 80 meters?
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Mike NJ2OM
>>
>>>> On Jun 30, 2020, at 6:55 PM, Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>>
>>> Mike,
>>>
>>> The red and black assembly is an Anderson Power Pole connector - commonly called APP.
>>>
>>> For the small receive current drawn, the voltage drop in the wire and connectors should be close to zero, so the 0.2 volts is significant for #12 wire unless there is something not properly tightened on the connectors.  The drop will be more substantial with the increased current during transmit at 100 watts.
>>>
>>> Banana plugs and jacks can be used to carry a heavy current, but some of the ones I have seen have a poor contact method of fastening the wire to the banana plugs - properly installed wires on banana plugs are good for up to 30 to 50 amps.  Is there any way you can connect ring terminals onto those power supply terminals?  Like removing the outer nuts from the terminals - if so then switch to the ring terminals.
>>>
>>> 73,
>>> Don W3FPR
>>>
>>>>> On 6/30/2020 6:21 PM, Mike Kopacki wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Don, don’t know what you mean by the APP assembly.
>>>>
>>>> I can only see one metal part on the inside of the red and black connectors that plug into the K2.  I assume that is the “contact blade”?  I see nothing else on the inside.
>>>>
>>>> But here is a possible problem, that I will throw out, knowing full well that some will think I am not very smart…..I had to buy banana plugs to make the power cable, which is part of the KPA-100 assembly instructions. When I received them from MFJ, model MFJ-7713, it was a solderless type that I had never seen before.  I talked to three people at MFJ, none could explain how the wire attached to the plug.  The third guy hung up on me.
>>>>
>>>> So I connected the wire to the plug the only way I could see, but the configuration of the plug still eludes me.
>>>>
>>>> The P/S output is 13.6V.  I’m seeing 13.1V at the K2.  If the normal drop is .3V, it should read 13.3V at t
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Re: K2 K2/100 post FD review

NJMike
In reply to this post by Nr4c
Don, this is what you sent earlier:

“If the power supply voltage is not the problem, then remove the KPA100 from the base K2 and realign the bandpass filters.  Connect a dummy load to the base K2 BNC ANT jack.  After that, check the maximum power from the base K2 - you should have at least 10 watts on each band.  Record the power for each band.“

To be clear, are you saying to disconnect all 3 connections between the K2 and the KPA-100?  If there is 10+ watts out on each band, do I need to realign the band pass filters?  And I assume those would be on the K2-RF board, right?

Thanks,
Mike NJ2OM

> On Jun 30, 2020, at 11:20 PM, Nr4c <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Watts is Volts X Amps.
> Fewer Volts means more Amps. More Amps means more work for power supply, leading to fewer Volts.  Fewer Volts means ...( you get the picture).
>
> Sent from my iPhone
> ...nr4c. bill
>
>
>> On Jun 30, 2020, at 8:37 PM, Mike Kopacki <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>> I didn’t have ring connectors big enough but I did have spade connectors. I crimped and soldered them but there was no change in the voltage readings during receive and transmit.
>>
>> Is it possible that the power supply is failing?
>>
>> Why, if the voltage drops during transmit to 11.6V, does the radio still put out 100W on 30, 40 and 80 meters?
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Mike NJ2OM
>>
>>>> On Jun 30, 2020, at 6:55 PM, Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>>
>>> Mike,
>>>
>>> The red and black assembly is an Anderson Power Pole connector - commonly called APP.
>>>
>>> For the small receive current drawn, the voltage drop in the wire and connectors should be close to zero, so the 0.2 volts is significant for #12 wire unless there is something not properly tightened on the connectors.  The drop will be more substantial with the increased current during transmit at 100 watts.
>>>
>>> Banana plugs and jacks can be used to carry a heavy current, but some of the ones I have seen have a poor contact method of fastening the wire to the banana plugs - properly installed wires on banana plugs are good for up to 30 to 50 amps.  Is there any way you can connect ring terminals onto those power supply terminals?  Like removing the outer nuts from the terminals - if so then switch to the ring terminals.
>>>
>>> 73,
>>> Don W3FPR
>>>
>>>>> On 6/30/2020 6:21 PM, Mike Kopacki wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Don, don’t know what you mean by the APP assembly.
>>>>
>>>> I can only see one metal part on the inside of the red and black connectors that plug into the K2.  I assume that is the “contact blade”?  I see nothing else on the inside.
>>>>
>>>> But here is a possible problem, that I will throw out, knowing full well that some will think I am not very smart…..I had to buy banana plugs to make the power cable, which is part of the KPA-100 assembly instructions. When I received them from MFJ, model MFJ-7713, it was a solderless type that I had never seen before.  I talked to three people at MFJ, none could explain how the wire attached to the plug.  The third guy hung up on me.
>>>>
>>>> So I connected the wire to the plug the only way I could see, but the configuration of the plug still eludes me.
>>>>
>>>> The P/S output is 13.6V.  I’m seeing 13.1V at the K2.  If the normal drop is .3V, it should read 13.3V at t
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Re: K2 K2/100 post FD review

Elecraft mailing list
In reply to this post by NJMike
Mike,

You are the only one who can determine this. Everyone else is reduced to
guessing because they don't have access to your PSU/K2/power lead.

Simple:

Measure the PSU voltage on RX at the PUS terminals.
Measure the PSU voltage on TX set to 100W at the PSU terminals.

Compare both of these with the internal K2 voltage display.

Report the findings.

Regards,

Mike VP8NO



On 30/06/2020 21:34, Mike Kopacki wrote:
> I didn’t have ring connectors big enough but I did have spade connectors. I crimped and soldered them but there was no change in the voltage readings during receive and transmit.
>
> Is it possible that the power supply is failing?
>
> Why, if the voltage drops during transmit to 11.6V, does the radio still put out 100W on 30, 40 and 80 meters?
>
> Thanks,
> Mike NJ2OM
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Re: K2 K2/100 post FD review

NJMike
Final update...

After several weeks of troubleshooting, led by Don, W3FPR, of realigning bandpass filters, checking RF and DC voltages per the K2 manual, and finally confirming that the bias voltages were correct to the Q7 & Q8 finals, Don suggested ordering the K2PAKIT and replacing the finals.

I did that this morning and that corrected the problem. I’m now getting over 100w out on all bands except 10m where I’m getting 94w!

Don deserves all the credit and Don, I can’t thank you enough!  You are The Man!

If anybody catches up with Don, please buy him a beer on my behalf!

Thanks,
Mike NJ2OM

> On Jul 1, 2020, at 8:49 AM, Mike Harris via Elecraft <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Mike,
>
> You are the only one who can determine this. Everyone else is reduced to guessing because they don't have access to your PSU/K2/power lead.
>
> Simple:
>
> Measure the PSU voltage on RX at the PUS terminals.
> Measure the PSU voltage on TX set to 100W at the PSU terminals.
>
> Compare both of these with the internal K2 voltage display.
>
> Report the findings.
>
> Regards,
>
> Mike VP8NO
>
>
>
>> On 30/06/2020 21:34, Mike Kopacki wrote:
>> I didn’t have ring connectors big enough but I did have spade connectors. I crimped and soldered them but there was no change in the voltage readings during receive and transmit.
>> Is it possible that the power supply is failing?
>> Why, if the voltage drops during transmit to 11.6V, does the radio still put out 100W on 30, 40 and 80 meters?
>> Thanks,
>> Mike NJ2OM
> ______________________________________________________________
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P3 SVGA board blinking red light

Elecraft mailing list
My P3SVGA board is acting up and there is a blinking red light on the board (did not notice that before because the lid was always on).

Is the blinking red light bad? If yes, is there something I can do about it?

My symptoms are that I am unable to successfully load the FPGAx firmware - it fails for all FPGA’s with “block 657 write failed”.


Thanks guys!
Michael
KK6RWK

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Re: P3 SVGA board blinking red light

Grant Youngman-2
The blinking red light is normal.  Indicates the onboard processor is working.

Grant NQ5T

> On Jul 25, 2020, at 12:48 PM, Michael Gillen via Elecraft <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> My P3SVGA board is acting up and there is a blinking red light on the board (did not notice that before because the lid was always on).
>
> Is the blinking red light bad? If yes, is there something I can do about it?
>
> My symptoms are that I am unable to successfully load the FPGAx firmware - it fails for all FPGA’s with “block 657 write failed”.
>
>
> Thanks guys!
> Michael
> KK6RWK
>
> ______________________________________________________________
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Re: P3 SVGA board blinking red light

Elecraft mailing list
OK thank you.


> On Jul 25, 2020, at 9:56 AM, Grant Youngman <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> The blinking red light is normal.  Indicates the onboard processor is working.
>
> Grant NQ5T
>
>> On Jul 25, 2020, at 12:48 PM, Michael Gillen via Elecraft <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>> My P3SVGA board is acting up and there is a blinking red light on the board (did not notice that before because the lid was always on).
>>
>> Is the blinking red light bad? If yes, is there something I can do about it?
>>
>> My symptoms are that I am unable to successfully load the FPGAx firmware - it fails for all FPGA’s with “block 657 write failed”.
>>
>>
>> Thanks guys!
>> Michael
>> KK6RWK
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
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>>
>> 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]
>

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Re: K2 K2/100 post FD review

NJMike
In reply to this post by NJMike
So I’m just gonna say this:

He’s Don the Mon (that’s Spanish for ‘man’)!

Thanks,
Mike NJ2OM

> On Jul 26, 2020, at 10:54 AM, Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Mike,
>
> That is good news - it sounds like you are back in business with the K2/100.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
>> On 7/25/2020 12:19 PM, Mike Kopacki wrote:
>> Well, Don, it looks like the problem were the finals. I’m getting over 100 watts on all bands except 10 meters where I’m getting 94.
>>
>> I can’t thank you enough for helping me. I wouldn’t have been able to track it down without your help!
>>
>> Maybe our paths will cross some day and I can buy you a beer!
>>
>> I will post a final update to the forum.
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Mike NJ2OM
>>
>>>> On Jul 25, 2020, at 9:23 AM, Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>>
>>> Mike,
>>>
>>> If your R50 is a half watt resistor, there should be no need to replace it.
>>>
>>> 73,
>>> Don W3FPR
>>>
>>>> On 7/25/2020 8:07 AM, Mike Kopacki wrote:
>>>> Good morning, Don.
>>>>
>>>> The PAkit includes a replacement for R50. Should I replace that?
>>>>
>>>> Thanks,
>>>> Mike NJ2OM
>>>>
>>>>>> On Jul 21, 2020, at 5:56 PM, Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>>>> Mike,
>>>>>
>>>>> I am just trying to determine if the PA transistors are the original Mitsubishi or the batch that Elecraft ordered after Mitsubishi stopped making them.  The originals did not have to be matched, and the batch after that were initially not matched - I found that the Hfe varied greatly resulting in many PA transistor failures, and after that finding, they were matched by Elecraft.
>>>>>
>>>>> So if the PA transistors you took out were marked as Mitsubishi, they may have been OK, but early 2000's says that they may have been the mismatched transistor pair.  I can't recall the year I discovered that problem - it was likely 2008 or so.
>>>>>
>>>>> I suspect yours may be in the time after the Mitsubishi and were not matched at the time.
>>>>>
>>>>> 73,
>>>>> Don W3FPR
>>>>>
>>>>>> On 7/21/2020 5:33 PM, Mike Kopacki wrote:
>>>>>> I probably built it in the early 2000’s. But I’ve been off the air for a good 15 years.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> What are you thinking?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>>> Mike NJ2OM
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On Jul 21, 2020, at 4:01 PM, Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>>>>>> Mike,
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Good, but if the new PA transistors don't fix it,  there is not much more to check in the PA circuit.
>>>>>>> How old is this K2?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> 73,
>>>>>>> Don W3FPR
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On 7/21/2020 3:57 PM, Mike Kopacki wrote:
>>>>>>>> I got an email from Elecraft right after I sent you the voltages, saying the PAkit has been shipped. So I’m keeping my fingers crossed that a new set of transistors will fix it.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>>>>> Mike NJ2OM
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> On Jul 21, 2020, at 2:42 PM, Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>>>>>>>> Mike,
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> That is good - right where it needs to be.
>>>>>>>>> I would still replace Q7 and Q8.  From all the measurements you made, they appear to be weak at higher frequencies.
>>>>>>>>> I sure don't know why that should be so, but it apparently is true.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> 73,
>>>>>>>>> Don W3FPR
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> On 7/21/2020 2:33 PM, Mike Kopacki wrote:
>>>>>>>>>> Haha, my bad again!  It’s .625v!
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>>>>>>> Mike NJ2OM
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> On Jul 21, 2020, at 12:29 PM, Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>> Mike,
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Did you misplace the decimal?  It should be between 0.60 and 0.64 volts.
>>>>>>>>>>> If it really is over 6 volts, then you have a problem with Q11 and Q13.
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> There are few methods to reliably test those transistors at RF levels.
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> 73,
>>>>>>>>>>> Don W3FPR
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> On 7/21/2020 11:41 AM, Mike Kopacki wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>> Q7 & Q8 removed.
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> DC voltage, measured from the Base pads of both Q7 & Q8 during TUNE, is 6.25V for both.
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> If you then believe Q7 and/or Q8 are bad, is there a way to check them when out of the circuit?
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> Elecraft has not yet shipped the PAkit.
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>>>>>>>>> Mike NJ2OM
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> On Jul 19, 2020, at 5:38 PM, Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mike,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> If Q11 and Q13 are smack down on the board, to change them, crush the transistor bodies Pliers, cutters, anything that works - there should be enough lead left to pull it out of the hole.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> 73,
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Don W3FPR
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> On 7/19/2020 5:32 PM, Mike Kopacki wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I will try to desolder them first, in case it’s Q11 & Q13 that’s bad. If I can’t I will sacrifice the PA transistors.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mike NJ2OM
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> On Jul 19, 2020, at 1:27 PM, Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mike,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> If you do not have good desoldering tools, cut the leads off near the transistor body and remove them one at a time.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Clean up with solder wick, and if solder is left in the holes, heat the pad and push it out with a wooden toothpick.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 73,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Don W3FPR
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> On 7/19/2020 1:20 PM, Mike Kopacki wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I ordered the K2PAKIT. Tomorrow I’m planning to remove Q7 & Q8 and recheck the bias voltages per your instructions.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mike NJ2OM
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> On Jul 18, 2020, at 3:20 PM, Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mike,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> OK, yes there is a flat fiber washer, but it goes next the board - the phenolic standoff goes over it.  See the diagram for PA transistor mounting in the manual.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> DO NOT OPERATE THE K2 IN TRANSMIT (or tune) WITH THE HEATSINK REMOVED.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Do check the bias voltage with your DMM again.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Yes, Q11 and Q13 (and their circuits) set the bias voltage for the PA transistors.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> It MAY be that the PA transistors are OK, but the low bias voltage is what is causing low output on the high bands.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> One thing that may cause the low base voltage is base to emitter leakage in the PA transistors.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> The gain at the lower bands is greater, and may overcome the low bias voltage.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Check the resistor values in the Q11 and Q13 circuit - see the schematic to identify them and their values.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> The easiest way to check the bias voltage when the PA transistors are suspect is to remove the PA transistors, then do a TUNE while measuring the DC voltage on the PA base solder pads.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> If it is then OK, put in new PA transistors.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> If still not OK, then look at the Q11 and Q13 circuits.  If you find all resistor values are correct, replace Q11 and Q13 and retest.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Once the bias voltage is correct, put the PA transistors in.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> The K2PAKIT contains a matched pair of PA transistors and replacements for Q11 and Q13 as well as some additional parts such as PA mounting hardware.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 73,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Don W3FPR
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> On 7/18/2020 1:15 PM, Mike Kopacki wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> The black washer is not a Shoulder washer. The shoulder washers were both still in the holes. There’s a flat black fiber washer that sits on the top of the brown phenolic standoff.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> As far as Q7 & Q8 goes, is there a reason why both would be bad?  Is it something that I may have caused?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I can’t help but wonder if this problem has existed since I built the K2 but never noticed it, maybe because I didn't get on higher bands or just didn’t check the power out, and just assumed that it was the same as the requested power.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> If it existed since the beginning, then I only see 2 possible explanations- the transistors were both bad when delivered to me (unlikely) or I I caused the problem during assembly, which would be more likely.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> In that case, I just don’t want to make the same mistake again.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Other questions:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 1- are Q11 & Q13 the bias transistors?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 2- I did not check Q 7 & Q8 in TUNE mode, since the top cover was removed. Instead, I keyed down with my paddles. Would that make a difference?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 3- last, if both Q7 & Q8 are bad, why is the power out normal on 20m and below?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mike NJ2OM
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> On Jul 18, 2020, at 11:42 AM, Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> That washer has a shoulder on it which fits the hole in the PA transistor tab.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 73,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Don W3FPR
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> On 7/18/2020 10:07 AM, Mike Kopacki wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Don, I forgot to mention that I am not aware of any special T-4 windings for 5w efficiency. The manual does not mention anything about that in the T-4 winding instructions. I did the windings according to the instructions 3-2-1-1.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Also I see that the flat black washer goes on top of the spacers for Q 7 & 8.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mike NJ2OM
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> On Jul 17, 2020, at 5:15 PM, Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mike,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Sorry for the delayed response.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Higher RF voltage at those points is not a problem.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> That is not good.  Were the RF voltage values on the base of Q7/Q8 OK?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> If they were, try rewinding T4 following the instructions in the manual.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Is there any chance you wound T4 for "best efficiency at 5 watts"?  If so restore the 2:3:1:1 ratio to keep the power from becoming random above 5 watts - it should never be used with the KSB2 or KPA100 installed.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> You could have bad PA transistors, or the bias is not right. Measure the DC voltage at the base of Q7 or Q8 during a TUNE.  If it is not in the range of 0.60 to 0.64 volts, change Q11 and Q13 and recheck.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 73,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Don W3FPR
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> On 7/16/2020 6:55 PM, Mike Kopacki wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Sorry, Dan, my bad.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I continued with the next section - Pre-driver, Driver, and PA.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> The first 5 steps checked higher than expected.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> The 6th step - RF Detector Input - measured 1.5v and the expected is 2.0.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> At first that didn’t seem like a big difference so I decided to repeat that test on all the bands. This is what I found:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Band   RF voltage
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 10              1.4
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 12              1.4
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 15              1.4
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 17              1.8
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 20             2.0
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 30             2.0
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 40             2.0
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 80             2.1
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 160           1.5
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mike NJ2OM
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> On Jul 16, 2020, at 4:21 PM, Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mike,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> As I indicated, when measuring points prior to the fault, you will find higher than expected values.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Keep going until you find one that is lower than expected - that is the stage to look at.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 73,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Don W3FPR
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> On 7/16/2020 3:35 PM, Mike Kopacki wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Don, I’ve done the first 5 steps on P. 14, middle of left hand column.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Setup
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> - Band 10m, freq 28200.00
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> - Power requested set to 5.0
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> - FCTR cable connected to TP2
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> - .001 mF capacitor across pins 7 & 12 of J11
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> - DMM - auto range
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Readings On 4 back to back measurements
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Step 2 - .110, .104, .070, .076
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Step 3 - 1.4v, 1.4v, 1.4v, 1.4v
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Step 4 - .205, .201, .200, .197
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Step 5 - .195, .194, .192, .192
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> These readings are so far off the expected that I don’t know what they mean.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I will stop here until I hear back from you.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mike NJ2OM
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> On Jul 15, 2020, at 5:51 PM, Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mike,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> OK, now that you have good RF voltage out of the BFO, you can skip to the tests starting in the middle of the left column on page 14.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Use a band where the output is low.  If you find RF Voltage values that are greater than the expected, ignore them.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> You are searching for the stage where the RF voltage is significantly less (10% or more) less than the expected value. When you find that point, stop and tell me where it is (I do not need a list of the good values).
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 73,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Don W3FPR
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> On 7/15/2020 5:36 PM, Mike Kopacki wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Now that I’m recovered from yesterday....I think my head is clear...I didn’t fully understand your directions above.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> But I replaced the .001 capacitor across pins 7 & 12 of U4. The first capacitor may not have been making good contact because the leads may be too short.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> It’s Also possible that I had exited CAL FCTR before I did the first BFO Output check.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> So I redid the BFO Output check with CAL FCTR (0000.00 on the display, the FCTR cable was not connected at TP2) and got a value midrange - 51mV.  So I think that check now passes.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Now, to your last instructions...
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Are you saying to do DC voltage checks on Q24 with a DMM ..... or RF voltage checks with the RF probe?  And should I also be in the CAL FCTR menu displaying the frequency as I described above while I am checking the Q24 voltages?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Last, you said to then continue with the transmitter signal tracing on P. 11. But, as I said earlier, I already did the BFO checks on P. 11. That’s all the transmitter checks I thought you meant for me to do. Are you saying now to continue with all the checks AFTER the BFO checks.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I apologize for the long email but I am anal about communication and need to be sure I’m doing what you intend for me to do. :)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mike NJ2OM
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> On Jul 14, 2020, at 4:08 PM, Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mike,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Do DC voltage checks on Q24.  Make certain you were in CAL FCTR while checking the RF voltage, otherwise the Q24 drain voltage will be small.  Once you resolve that, you can skip to page 11 and do the Transmit Signal
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Tracing.  Make certain you put a .001uF capacitor between pins 7 and 12 of J11.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 73,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Don W3FPR
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> On 7/14/2020 3:12 PM, Mike Kopacki wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Ok......
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I did all the transmitter signal tracing steps, step 1 through 13.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Step 5 sends you to the Receiver Signal Tracing procedure.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I did all 10 steps of the Receiver preparation and all 5 steps of the PLL reference oscillator and VCO procedures.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I then did the 4 steps of the BFO procedure.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Of all the steps mentioned above, the only one that I could not get the expected value was step 3 of the BFO procedure - BFO Buffer Output. The expected value range is listed as 0.025-0.070 Vrms.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> That’s 25mV - 70mV.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> My reading was less than 1mV - .000-.001.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I’m assuming that I checked it correctly. I had no problems checking all the steps, except for U4 pin1 which was very difficult to get to because of the two pc boards above U4 that are attached to the control board.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mike NJ2OM
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> On Jul 14, 2020, at 1:40 PM, Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mike,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> You can skip most of the RX tracing, but do verify that the VFO and BFO are working correctly.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> The 5v and 8v regulators are on the control board - lower right corner with the front of the K2 facing you.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 73,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Don W3FPR
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> On 7/14/2020 1:22 PM, Mike Kopacki wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Step 5 of the transmitter signal tracing process says to go back and do all the receiver signal tracing.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Should I do all that?  Step 2 of that process says to check the 5v and 8v regulator outputs.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I don’t know what that refers to.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mike NJ2OM
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> On Jul 14, 2020, at 11:08 AM, Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mike,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> The jumpers can be bent wire - they go into pins 1 and 3 - the outer pins of the header.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 73,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Don W3FPR
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> On 7/14/2020 8:57 AM, Mike Kopacki wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> The first step in signal tracing is to remove the KSB2 board and install jumpers at J9 & J10.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> What does that mean?  They both have 3 pins. Where do the jumpers go?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mike NJ2OM
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> On Jul 13, 2020, at 5:37 PM, Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mike,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> If you are seeing a .5 volt drop at the low current for receive, check the connections to the power supply.  Make sure all connections are tight - finger tight is not good enough.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I am sure there is much more drop in transmit and a likely reason for the 160m HiCur.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> The way the K2 controls power, if the voltage is low, more current must be drawn to maintain the proper power output.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Yes, do the steps in the Transmit Signal Tracing.  Do it first on 40 meters, like the manual says (it will likely be OK), but then repeat on one of the bands giving lower output than the requested power setting.  You will have to set the power above the actual power output, do it so you will be able to see the failure point.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 73,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Don W3FPR
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> On 7/13/2020 4:44 PM, Mike Kopacki wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> CAL CUR has always been set to 3.5.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> L1 and L2 on the 160m board have the correct number of turns.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I checked RFC3, 11, 14 & 16. All have the correct number of turns and continuity (checked from the non-component side of the board).
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Supply voltage is 13.82. Voltage at the end of the P/S cable Is 13.82.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> K2 shows 13.3v in receive mode. Is this a clue?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> There is no change in power output on the higher bands.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I found a procedure called “Preparation for Transmitter Signal Tracing” in Appendix E.  I will start on that next.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mike NJ2OM
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> On Jul 13, 2020, at 3:19 PM, Mike Kopacki <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I touched up the solder on RFC3 although I didn’t think that was the problem because I measured 7.84v from the gate of Q2.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I have a new problem - when I removed the bottom panel so I could resolver RFC3, a 1/4” black washer fell out from somewhere. I’ve been through the parts list several times but don’t see it listed.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I want to put the bottom rear panel back on but I’m hesitating because if the washer issue.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mike NJ2OM
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> On Jul 12, 2020, at 7:48 PM, Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mike,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> That is great!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Set CAL CUR to 3.5 amps.  It takes a bit more than 2.5 amps on 160 meters, the HiCur should go away.  If it does not, check the Low Pass Filter on the K160RX board - count the toroid turns carefully.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> The falloff of power output on bands 20 meters and up is likely a fault in the T/R switch - refer to the schematic and check each of the RFCs for continuity.  In particular, check RFC3 (a toroid) for good leads that are well soldered - you should see a bit of tinned wire on the toroid side of the board.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> If you cannot find the problem, you will have to do the Transmit Signal Tracing listed in appendix E of the manual. Use 15 meters instead of the 40 meters recommended.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> When you find the actual RF voltage is substantially less than the Expected value, you have found the failing stage.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Since the K2 cannot develop full power output, you can ignore the RF voltages that are greater than the Expected value.  The low power stages will increase the drive to try to increase the output - that is normal behavior.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 73,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Don W3FPR
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> On 7/11/2020 1:27 PM, Mike Kopacki wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> After a lot of realigning, I believe I’ve gotten it back to where it was before I started working on it.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> With a requested power of 10.0, these are the current Po readings according to the K2’s internal wattmeter when read in the TUNE mode:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Band  Po
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 10       2.7
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 12       3.3
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 15       4.3
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 17       5.3
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 20      8.3
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 30     10.0
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 40     10.0
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 80     10.5
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 160   HiCur
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mike NJ2OM
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> On Jul 11, 2020, at 11:35 AM, Mike Kopacki <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I have disconnected the top cover of the K2 and gone through the bandpass filter alignments.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> It’s a frustrating exercise because the values never remain consistent.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> For example, using 40 meters as an example, I adjust L1 and the K2 wattmeter shows a power out of 2.7.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Then I go to adjust L2, but when I enter TUNE mode, the wattmeter reads now 2.1. So I adjust L2 to it’s highest value, say 2.4.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> When I go back to adjust L1 again and enter TUNE, it reads 2.0.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> So I am constantly adjusting for Max output, only to find the value that I just reached to be different when I adjust the next inductor (or capacitor).
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Very frustrating.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Also, the power out drifts upwards as long as it is in TUNE mode. So it might be 2.1 when I start tuning, but 10 seconds later it might be 2.7.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Which value is the correct one?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mike NJ2OM
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> On Jul 10, 2020, at 6:04 PM, Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mike,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Sorry, but I thought you had the top cover off the base K2 and all cables to the top cover disconnected.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> That is normally the best way to get to the components on the RF board for measurement.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> What you describe is normal if you have the KAT2 (or KPA100) installed.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Put it in that configuration for troubleshooting, and the BNC connector on the lower panel is the proper place to connect the dummy load for testing.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Once the problem with the base K2 has been resolved, you can go back to the normal configuration.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 73,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Don W3FPR
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> On 7/10/2020 5:36 PM, Mike Kopacki wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Don I am back at it. You said to connect the dummy to the BNC connector on the back of the K2.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> There are 3 BNC connectors- ant1, ant2 and the 50 ohm ant.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I ask because I get what appears to be normal wattmeter readings when I connect to ant1 but the wattmeter pegs at max range when connected to the 50 ohm BNC connector.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mike NJ2OM
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> On Jul 2, 2020, at 2:03 PM, Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mike,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> That indicates RFC3 is OK.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 73,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Don W3FPR
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> On 7/2/2020 1:51 PM, Mike Kopacki wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Q2’s gate measures 7.84V to ground.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mike NJ2OM
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> On Jul 1, 2020, at 10:14 PM, Mike Kopacki <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> No. My dummy load is not good,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I found out. I just ordered a new one.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mike NJ2OM
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> On Jul 1, 2020, at 9:56 PM, Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mike,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Are you operating into a good 50 ohm dummy load - connected to the base K2 BNC jack with the KPA100 physically removed?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> If not, that may be the reason for the HiCur messages.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 73,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Don W3FPR
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> On 7/1/2020 8:18 PM, Mike Kopacki wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Yep I know the HiCur means a problem. But I didn’t have that message before. I was able to rotate the power knob all the way and get 12.2 out. So I can’t understand why the problem only occurred after I start realignment.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I followed the steps - in order - from the manual.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I found RFC3 and Q2. Which pin is referred to as the gate - emitter, base or collector?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mike NJ2OM
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> On Jul 1, 2020, at 7:32 PM, Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mike,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> The HiCur messages say that you have some other problem in that K2.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> You should do all the tuning in TUNE mode (which is CW transmit). If you cannot see a peak on the power output, use an RF Probe placed at W6 and tune for maximum RF voltage.  For that, you can set the power to zero.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Did you do the bandpass filter alignment only in transmit?  If you tried it in receive first, that may have thrown you off - use transmit, it is more obvious when the peak occurs.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Align 40 meters first, then 80 (and 160 if you have the K160RX option - you may have to compromise between the inductor settings for the 2 bands).  Then align the inductors for 30 meters, then the capacitor trimmers for 20m.  Then adjust the inductors for 15 meters, and the trimmer capacitors for 17 meters.  Lastly, align the inductors for 10 meters, and then the trimmer capacitors for 12 meters.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Failure to follow that band order (inductors first, then trimmer capacitors) will result in failure.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> RFC3 is located quite near the rear panel toward the right as you look with the front panel facing you.  You can check for a bad RFC3 by measuring the voltage at the gate of Q2 during receive - it should be near 8 volts.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 73,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Don W3FPR
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> On 7/1/2020 5:34 PM, Mike Kopacki wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Don, it’s been a helluva afternoon. I realigned the band pass filters, following the K2 manual.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I ended up losing max output on all bands.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> For example, prior to realigning I was able to get 12.2w out on 40 meters when I adjusted the power knob to 15.2 watts. Now, I can’t get past 8.7 without getting a high current message.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Also I couldn’t find RFC3.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> It was a lot of years ago that I built the K2 but I don’t remember having this much problem with the alignments. Each time I adjust L1 or L2, when I tune again the output is different. It’s never where I left it after the last adjustment.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I’ve had enough for today. I’ll pick it up tomorrow although I don’t know what to do differently.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mike NJ2OM
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> On Jul 1, 2020, at 3:03 PM, Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mike,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I have seen a few K2s that have power falloff at 20 meters and above due to a broken lead on RFC3.  Check yours to make certain both leads have been well stripped and soldered - you should see a bit of tinned wire above the board.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 73,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Don W3FPR
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> On 7/1/2020 1:19 PM, Mike Kopacki wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Don, I decided to check the maximum power output before making any changes to the band pass filters. I got the following results:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Band   Po (watts)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 10m - 2.2
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 12m - 3.1
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 15m - 4.4
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 17m - 5.6
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 20m - 7.2
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 30m - 13.2
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 40m - 12.2
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 80m - 12.2
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Does this indicate that the band pass filters for 10-20 meters need to be realigned?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I will review the K2 manual on how to do that while I wait for your answer.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> And if I haven’t said it yet, I can’t thank you enough for helping. It’s great to have someone who’s “in the know” when you need help!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mike NJ2OM
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> On Jul 1, 2020, at 11:55 AM, Mike Kopacki <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Don, it looks like you replied only to me. I was getting concerned about all the other replies and really only want to work with you to resolve the issue.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> If that’s ok, we’ll continue with private emails. When it’s all over, I will update the group.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mike NJ2OM
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> On Jul 1, 2020, at 11:31 AM, Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mike,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Methodical testing done properly will reveal the source of your problem.  Much better than guessing and trying to do things out of order.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Yes, completely remove the KPA100.  Unplug the cables and set it aside.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Yes, the bandpass filters are on the RF board.  Do check the alignment at 2 watts output - be certain to follow the band order listed in the manual.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Then check to be sure the maximum power is at least 10 watts on all bands - if not, find the problem.  The actual maximum power may go as high as 15 watts - record the power for each band.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Then put the KPA100 back on and with power applied to the base K2 only, check the power output from the KPA100 ANT jack.  It should be almost the same as you recorded with the base K2 only.  If not, you have a problem in the KPA100 Low Pass Filter.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> If that is all good, the base K2 should drive the KPA100 to at least 100 watts output (into a dummy load) if your power supply voltage is at least 12.6 volts during transmit (as displayed by the K2).
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> If you show less than 12.6 volts on the K2 display, then check your power supply and the connecting power cable at full transmit power.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 73,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Don W3FPR
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> On 7/1/2020 8:34 AM, Mike Kopacki wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Don, this is what you sent earlier:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> “If the power supply voltage is not the problem, then remove the KPA100 from the base K2 and realign the bandpass filters.  Connect a dummy load to the base K2 BNC ANT jack.  After that, check the maximum power from the base K2 - you should have at least 10 watts on each band.  Record the power for each band.“
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> To be clear, are you saying to disconnect all 3 connections between the K2 and the KPA-100?  If there is 10+ watts out on each band, do I need to realign the band pass filters?  And I assume those would be on the K2-RF board, right?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mike NJ2OM
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>
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