KX1 Help

[Jason Hissong]

Hi guys,

Well, I am at Phase II alignment and I have some interesting troubles.

First, the Side Tone Level test:
When I am setting the side tone level, the side tone volume does not
change.  It stays the same except for setting two, the side tone is off
completely.  So for 0, 1, and 3 have side tone at the same volume, 2 it
is off.  Side tone level

Second, I am experiencing some weird receiver issues:
20M is deaf, but 40M seems to work sometimes, and sometimes it is as
deaf as 20M.  Also, when I change frequency, nothing happens.  The LED
displays the frequency change, but I don't hear anything changing (when
40M is working).  When 40M is working, I hear static crashes and
atmosphere noise.  I don't know where on the band I am though and no CW
or SSB signals are heard.  The RF gain works fine when 40M is working.  
RF gain does not work at all on 20M and when 40M is deaf.  The filter
seems to work.

Now, C1 I think had some problems because when I was trying work C1 so
that the bottom of the cap touched the board, the cap material crumbled
and exposed some of the inside of the cap.  I replaced it with another
one I had in my junkbox (it was a tad smaller anyway, don't know if that
matters).  That did not seem to help any.

I checked relay K1A (where C26 is placed).  Pins 7 and 6 seem to be
shorted all the time (I checked for a solder bridge when connecting C26
and it does not appear to be any).  From what the circuit diagram says,
C26 is placed in parallel with CA when activated.  Maybe this is my
problem?  A bad relay perhaps?

I have built two K2s without much issue and this is my first KX1 and I
am stumped.  I went back and rechecked my work and I don't see any
obvious problems.

After troubleshooting some more, the relays are only occasionally
working.  I wonder if I zapped the processor?  sigh...

With the intermittent problems, I am suspected a bad solder joint somewhere.

Thanks for any tips or assistance.

73,
Jason Hissong N8XE

--

"A long journey starts with the first step and an understanding spouse."
http://www.undermidnight.com - astronomy and astrophotography
http://www.n8xe.com - ham radio
http://www.jasonhissong.com - electronic music composition

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[Jason Hissong]

I fixed the problem (posting here for the benefit of others searching
the list):

The problems were getting really erratic and going through the build
steps, something reminded me of weird problems being a result of bad
solder joints on the main processor socket.  I looked at the socket
solder joints and sure enough, some of them were "bubbled over".  So I
decided to take the main processor out so that I can avoid potentially
damaging the chip from reheating the solder joints.  I should have left
the chip in there because in the process of pulling the chip back out, I
broke pin 1 off.  After much angst, I tacked a resistor lead to where
pin 1 was on the chip (after I placed it back in the socket).

The radio works fine now.  I finished it up and have already made a
contact on it.

Crisis averted.

I think I purchase a replacement chip as I don't know if the tacked lead
will hold up for long.

73
Jason N8XE

Jason Hissong wrote:

> Hi guys,
>
> Well, I am at Phase II alignment and I have some interesting troubles.
>
> First, the Side Tone Level test:
> When I am setting the side tone level, the side tone volume does not
> change.  It stays the same except for setting two, the side tone is
> off completely.  So for 0, 1, and 3 have side tone at the same volume,
> 2 it is off.  Side tone level
>
> Second, I am experiencing some weird receiver issues:
> 20M is deaf, but 40M seems to work sometimes, and sometimes it is as
> deaf as 20M.  Also, when I change frequency, nothing happens.  The LED
> displays the frequency change, but I don't hear anything changing
> (when 40M is working).  When 40M is working, I hear static crashes and
> atmosphere noise.  I don't know where on the band I am though and no
> CW or SSB signals are heard.  The RF gain works fine when 40M is
> working.  RF gain does not work at all on 20M and when 40M is deaf.  
> The filter seems to work.
>
> Now, C1 I think had some problems because when I was trying work C1 so
> that the bottom of the cap touched the board, the cap material
> crumbled and exposed some of the inside of the cap.  I replaced it
> with another one I had in my junkbox (it was a tad smaller anyway,
> don't know if that matters).  That did not seem to help any.
>
> I checked relay K1A (where C26 is placed).  Pins 7 and 6 seem to be
> shorted all the time (I checked for a solder bridge when connecting
> C26 and it does not appear to be any).  From what the circuit diagram
> says, C26 is placed in parallel with CA when activated.  Maybe this is
> my problem?  A bad relay perhaps?
>
> I have built two K2s without much issue and this is my first KX1 and I
> am stumped.  I went back and rechecked my work and I don't see any
> obvious problems.
>
> After troubleshooting some more, the relays are only occasionally
> working.  I wonder if I zapped the processor?  sigh...
>
> With the intermittent problems, I am suspected a bad solder joint
> somewhere.
>
> Thanks for any tips or assistance.
>
> 73,
> Jason Hissong N8XE
>

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