K2/KAT2: Problem on Ant Conn 2

[Mark S. Adams, P.E.]

Hi Gang,

Used my trusty K2 at the K2ZR 2A-Battery FD at the Buffalo Lighthouse
again this year. It bagged the lions share of our 1166 HF CW QSO's.

Murphy struck at the opening bell. In a nutshell, we had the CF ladder
dipole connected to ANT1 and the yagi to ANT2. The first op noticed poor
sensitivity (2-4 S-Units) and high noise (S2-5)on the beam. After a huge
fire drill, we found that whatever was connected to ANT2 had this
trouble. Tuning the antennas on ANT2 and menus checks did not indicate a
problem. So we ended up running only ANT1 and switching antennas the old
fashioned way.

Prior to FD, I had it setup at home in similar manner and did not notice
a problem. Any ideas on this one?  I opened the radio and did not find
anything loose, ajar, amiss, etc......

73,
Mark K2QO

_______________________________________________
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

[Don Wilhelm-3]

Mark,

The only electrical thing that could cause a difference between ANT1 and
ANT2 is the relay contacts of KAT2 K18.  Other than those contact
closures and the PC board traces there is nothing different between ANT1
and ANT2.  You might want to consult the schematic and do a continuity
test to see what may be the real source of the problem.  On the surface
of things and based on the information you have presented I would say
that K18 has a bad set of contacts on the ANT2 contacts.  A problem like
that could have been caused by a lightning surge - did you have a storm
early for FD?

73,
Don W3FPR

Mark Adams, PE wrote:

> Hi Gang,
>
> Used my trusty K2 at the K2ZR 2A-Battery FD at the Buffalo Lighthouse
> again this year. It bagged the lions share of our 1166 HF CW QSO's.
>
> Murphy struck at the opening bell. In a nutshell, we had the CF ladder
> dipole connected to ANT1 and the yagi to ANT2. The first op noticed poor
> sensitivity (2-4 S-Units) and high noise (S2-5)on the beam. After a huge
> fire drill, we found that whatever was connected to ANT2 had this
> trouble. Tuning the antennas on ANT2 and menus checks did not indicate a
> problem. So we ended up running only ANT1 and switching antennas the old
> fashioned way.
>

_______________________________________________
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