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K2 S-meter adjustment

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Chris Kimball

K2 S-meter adjustment

Just took out the old K2 from storage and it works great, perhaps better than
my memory of how to us it!

Seems like the S-meter is insensitive. With the Preamp on the meter works
as expected, but otherwise no indication at all, even for signals with very
good S/N.

Is there an adjustment or parameter change to make the S-meter more
sensitive?

Thanks,

Chris

NQ8Z

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Martin Sole-3

Re: K2 S-meter adjustment

Did you check the S meter calibration in the menu?

It could also be the age setting has moved a bit, I find mine is quite sensitive to that.

Martin, HS0ZED

Sent from my iPhone

> On 27 Aug 2018, at 23:38, Chris Kimball <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Just took out the old K2 from storage and it works great, perhaps better than
> my memory of how to us it!
>
> Seems like the S-meter is insensitive. With the Preamp on the meter works
> as expected, but otherwise no indication at all, even for signals with very
> good S/N.
>
> Is there an adjustment or parameter change to make the S-meter more
> sensitive?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Chris
>
> NQ8Z
>
>
>
> --
> Sent from: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> 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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Don Wilhelm

Re: K2 S-meter adjustment

In reply to this post by Chris Kimball

Chris,

On older K2s, there is no adjustment for AGC Threshold kike is found
with the newer ones which have a pot to set the AGC Threshold. R1 on the
control board - which is normally adjusted to produce 3.8 volts at CB U2
pin 5.

You can always set the CAL S LO menu parameter and CAL S HI to produce
no bars with no signal and an S-9 indication with an S9 signal. The
latter is normally set with the preamp turned on, but preamp off can
also be used.

We are in a sunspot low, so signals may not be as strong right now,
particularly on the bands above 30 meters.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 8/27/2018 12:38 PM, Chris Kimball wrote:

> Just took out the old K2 from storage and it works great, perhaps better than
> my memory of how to us it!
>
> Seems like the S-meter is insensitive. With the Preamp on the meter works
> as expected, but otherwise no indication at all, even for signals with very
> good S/N.
>
> Is there an adjustment or parameter change to make the S-meter more
> sensitive?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Chris
>
> NQ8Z
>
>
>
> --
> Sent from: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> 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]
>

Chris Kimball

Re: K2 S-meter adjustment

Thanks to Martin and Don.

Yep, the age setting had mysteriously advanced while in storage.

I had forgotten about the CAL submenu. Messing with the settings got me
some more reasonable S-meter action. Apparently the S LO should be greater
than S HI in normal operation.

Best wishes,

Chris
NQ8Z

--
Sent from: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/
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Don Wilhelm

Re: K2 S-meter adjustment

Chris,

The CAL S LO and CAL S HI values are as you observed.

Turn the RF Gain to full clockwise, and remove the antenna. Turn the
preamp on. Adjust CAL S LO first so there are no bargraph LEDs illuminated.
Then tune in an S-9 signal (preamp on or off, your choice), and adjust
cal S HI for an S-9 indication in the bargraph. Usually that value will
be between 23 and 19.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 8/27/2018 2:13 PM, Chris Kimball wrote:
> Thanks to Martin and Don.
>
> Yep, the age setting had mysteriously advanced while in storage.
>
> I had forgotten about the CAL submenu. Messing with the settings got me
> some more reasonable S-meter action. Apparently the S LO should be greater
> than S HI in normal operation.
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