[K2] single tone test - output seems amplitude-modulated

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[K2] single tone test - output seems amplitude-modulated

dl0tuh
Hi,

my question originates from recent one in this list, but I'd like to put it in into
a new thread, to avoid confusions.

Intending to do a two-tone test of my K2, I decided to try a 1000 Hz single tone
first. On the ocsilloscope on antenna jack I expected a signal much like when holding
key down in CW.

Instead, I get something like an AM signal. It's modulated with the frequency of the
single tone test signal.

AntJack_1_watt_1_tone_1000Hz.jpg

To see if it is really the test tone frequency or may be +-50 or 100 Hz, I checked
RF board D9 cathode (out detector) and registered 1kHz sine overlayed on DC level.
 
RF_D9_catode_1_watt_1_tone_1000Hz.jpg

I varied the test tone and cross-checked oscilloscope's time base, it really seems to
be the test tone frequency.

Emitter of Q8 on control board (ALC) has a constant level.

In CW - nice constant amplitude and usual K2's outstanding shaping.

I hope somebody can help me explaining the first oscillogram - where is this AM
coming from?

I did balance the carrier on KSB2 successfully. With mic jack disconnected, RF
amplitude is less than 100mV (checked both with the same scope probe and K2's RF
probe). Filters were aligned with noise generator and Spectran, lower roll-off freq of FL1
is about 400 Hz.

Test conditions: PC as tone generator, K2 power set to 1 watt, CAL probe removed, 40m
band, both LSB and USB tried, ALC shows one LED, dummy load on antenna jack, K2
powered from a 12V 7Ah battery. KPA100 removed; KSB2, KNB2 and K160RX are in.

73! Oleg
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Re: [K2] single tone test - output seems amplitude-modulated

Geoffrey Mackenzie-Kennedy
Hi Oleg,

One possible cause for the modulation you see could be a test tone harmonic
generated by your PC, or by the K2's audio circuits.

If, for example, your PC is generating a 1000 Hz  test tone *and* a 2000 Hz
harmonic, then the output of the transmitter in SSB mode will be a carrier
modulated by a 1000 Hz signal. The output carrier is the 1000 Hz tone
translated up to RF, and the 1000 Hz "modulation" is caused by the 2000 Hz
harmonic translated up to RF.

Can you look at the output spectrum of your PC when it is generating a 1000
Hz test tone (disconnected from the K2) and measure the level of any
harmonics relative to the level of the 1000 Hz tone?

73,

Geoff
GM4ESD



dl0tuh wrote on Wednesday, March 10, 2010 at 12:00 AM:

<snip>


 > I hope somebody can help me explaining the first oscillogram - where is
this
> AM
> coming from?




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