KX1 alignment and testing guidance
Locked
 
|
Hi folks. I'm in the final steps for getting my KX1 working and am kind of stuck. Since Elecraft is closed until Wednesday I thought I'd check with y'all for a few ideas before then.
Q1). What exactly is TUNE mode supposed to do? For me it doesn't appear to do anything. BTW, I'm trying to align the thing and I have a random wire dipole fed directly to the antenna jack. I have the KXAT1 ATU option assembled but it's not installed in the rig yet. Also, tuning around I hear almost no CW or Phone signals on either the 40 or the 20 meter bands. My antenna is 70 feet long and I just kind of tossed it all through my house floor. It's raining here in Texas so I don't want to get outside and hang it in a tree if not required I do hear some irritating tones spread across both bands, but that's about it. I'm wondering if you have any ideas on how to proceed, or what my trouble could be. Thank you, Paul ______________________________________________________________ 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] |
Re: KX1 alignment and testing guidance
|
|
Paul,
At this time during the sunspot cycle, and especially over a holiday weekend, you are not likely to hear many signals from a random wire unless you have some way of tuning it - that is doubly a problem if it is just strung out on the house floor. Being 70 feet long, it is likely presenting a high impedance at the end approaching 4000 ohms, where a lower impedance (ideally 50 ohms) is needed. The TUNE buttons put the KX1 into transmit, but you should be operating into a 50 ohm load. Can you obtain or borrow a 50 ohm dummy load? That and some means of indicating power output is necessary. For receive, a signal generator of some type is a real asset if you do not have a good resonant antenna with a 50 ohm feedline. I suggest you contact some of the local hams who might have some test equipment and dummy loads to help you out. 73, Don W3FPR On 12/26/2016 1:48 AM, Paul C wrote: > Hi folks. I'm in the final steps for getting my KX1 working and am kind of stuck. Since Elecraft is closed until Wednesday I thought I'd check with y'all for a few ideas before then. > > Q1). What exactly is TUNE mode supposed to do? For me it doesn't appear to do anything. > > BTW, I'm trying to align the thing and I have a random wire dipole fed directly to the antenna jack. I have the KXAT1 ATU option assembled but it's not installed in the rig yet. > ______________________________________________________________ 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] |
|
|
Thanks, Don. I think I can get a dummy load from HRO today and can probably borrow a transceiver from my local club. My random wire is 34 ' each leg, which is close to what the manual suggests.
I have a signal generator which I forgot about. It goes into the MHz range. I've never used it on a radio before. I guess I can just attach it to the antenna jack. This a really neat radio. Construction took longer than I anticipated but went well. I wanted to have it going before my backpacking trip to New Mexico, but I'm running out of time now. I appreciate the ideas you mentioned. 73, Paul KG5KXG -----Original Message----- From: "Don Wilhelm" <[hidden email]> Sent: 12/26/2016 7:47 AM To: "Paul C" <[hidden email]>; "[hidden email]" <[hidden email]> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX1 alignment and testing guidance Paul, At this time during the sunspot cycle, and especially over a holiday weekend, you are not likely to hear many signals from a random wire unless you have some way of tuning it - that is doubly a problem if it is just strung out on the house floor. Being 70 feet long, it is likely presenting a high impedance at the end approaching 4000 ohms, where a lower impedance (ideally 50 ohms) is needed. The TUNE buttons put the KX1 into transmit, but you should be operating into a 50 ohm load. Can you obtain or borrow a 50 ohm dummy load? That and some means of indicating power output is necessary. For receive, a signal generator of some type is a real asset if you do not have a good resonant antenna with a 50 ohm feedline. I suggest you contact some of the local hams who might have some test equipment and dummy loads to help you out. 73, Don W3FPR On 12/26/2016 1:48 AM, Paul C wrote: > Hi folks. I'm in the final steps for getting my KX1 working and am kind of stuck. Since Elecraft is closed until Wednesday I thought I'd check with y'all for a few ideas before then. > > Q1). What exactly is TUNE mode supposed to do? For me it doesn't appear to do anything. > > BTW, I'm trying to align the thing and I have a random wire dipole fed directly to the antenna jack. I have the KXAT1 ATU option assembled but it's not installed in the rig yet. > ______________________________________________________________ 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] |
|
|
In reply to this post by Paul C
I have SN 31, I recently finished our house and setup the shack. Radios
been boxed about a year since we moved. It was a desk rig at the last house with a occasional trip to the back yard. When I plug it in to 12v I get nothing. I unplugged and plugged it in several times and got voltage to charge the batts. Looking in the hole it appears the sockets got one leg loose on the board. Was that a issue or am I one of the special kids? :) Mark Hogan N5OBC ______________________________________________________________ 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] |
|
|
Mark,
It's happened before, usually because the power cable was pulled out with too much side (off-axis) force. I don't know of any other cause. 73, matt W6NIA On 12/26/2016 4:45 PM, Mark Hogan wrote: > I have SN 31, I recently finished our house and setup the shack. Radios > been boxed about a year since we moved. It was a desk rig at the last > house with a occasional trip to the back yard. > When I plug it in to 12v I get nothing. I unplugged and plugged it in > several times and got voltage to charge the batts. Looking in the hole it > appears the sockets got one leg loose on the board. Was that a issue or am > I one of the special kids? :) > > Mark Hogan N5OBC > ______________________________________________________________ > 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] -- Matt Zilmer, W6NIA www.elecraft.com Office: 831-763-4211 x125 Mobile: 909-730-6552 [Shiraz] ______________________________________________________________ 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] |
|
|
In reply to this post by Mark Hogan
I think you should contact customer support at Elecraft. I believe there was an issue with early radios not being epoxied to the pcb.
Sent from my iPhone ...nr4c. bill > On Dec 26, 2016, at 7:45 PM, Mark Hogan <[hidden email]> wrote: > > I have SN 31, I recently finished our house and setup the shack. Radios > been boxed about a year since we moved. It was a desk rig at the last > house with a occasional trip to the back yard. > When I plug it in to 12v I get nothing. I unplugged and plugged it in > several times and got voltage to charge the batts. Looking in the hole it > appears the sockets got one leg loose on the board. Was that a issue or am > I one of the special kids? :) > > Mark Hogan N5OBC > ______________________________________________________________ > 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] ______________________________________________________________ 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] |
|
|
In reply to this post by Matt Zilmer-2
Thanks folks, Well I got a 125’ end fed hung this morning, actually added wire to my old 53’ and my home brew EARCHI balun from the last house. The KX3 is tuning it well 40 and below, struggled on 80/160 but made 2.4 and 2.6 on each. I’ll probably mess with that more later. Now for chores around here and tonight I’ll look inside to see what the damage is and see can I get it with my WTCPT and the tiny tip. I should be up on the SKCC frees tonight or in a day or so. Need to find myself before K3Y starts :) Mark Hogan N5OBC > On Dec 26, 2016, at 7:28 PM, Matt Zilmer <[hidden email]> wrote: > > Mark, > > It's happened before, usually because the power cable was pulled out with too much side (off-axis) force. I don't know of any other cause. > > 73, > > matt W6NIA > > > On 12/26/2016 4:45 PM, Mark Hogan wrote: >> I have SN 31, I recently finished our house and setup the shack. Radios >> been boxed about a year since we moved. It was a desk rig at the last >> house with a occasional trip to the back yard. >> When I plug it in to 12v I get nothing. I unplugged and plugged it in >> several times and got voltage to charge the batts. Looking in the hole it >> appears the sockets got one leg loose on the board. Was that a issue or am >> I one of the special kids? :) >> >> Mark Hogan N5OBC >> ______________________________________________________________ >> 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] > > -- > Matt Zilmer, W6NIA > www.elecraft.com > Office: 831-763-4211 x125 > Mobile: 909-730-6552 > [Shiraz] > > ______________________________________________________________ > 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] ______________________________________________________________ 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] |
|
|
No such luck. Looks like two of the pads lifted off the board. The little tyke has to go to the mothership for repairs :( and they’re closed today so there will be another delay till tomorrow to send it in.
I suppose I’ll take advantage of that to have the two meter board added and see if theres other things that should or can be updated while its there for repairs. I’ll have to find the box I saw that SGC 2020 in and pull it into service. That or hang with my single band rigs. Mark Hogan N5OBC > On Dec 27, 2016, at 10:33 AM, Mark Hogan <[hidden email]> wrote: > > > Thanks folks, > > Well I got a 125’ end fed hung this morning, actually added wire to my old 53’ and my home brew EARCHI balun from the last house. The KX3 is tuning it well 40 and below, struggled on 80/160 but made 2.4 and 2.6 on each. I’ll probably mess with that more later. Now for chores around here and tonight I’ll look inside to see what the damage is and see can I get it with my WTCPT and the tiny tip. I should be up on the SKCC frees tonight or in a day or so. Need to find myself before K3Y starts :) > > Mark Hogan N5OBC > > > >> On Dec 26, 2016, at 7:28 PM, Matt Zilmer <[hidden email]> wrote: >> >> Mark, >> >> It's happened before, usually because the power cable was pulled out with too much side (off-axis) force. I don't know of any other cause. >> >> 73, >> >> matt W6NIA >> >> >> On 12/26/2016 4:45 PM, Mark Hogan wrote: >>> I have SN 31, I recently finished our house and setup the shack. Radios >>> been boxed about a year since we moved. It was a desk rig at the last >>> house with a occasional trip to the back yard. >>> When I plug it in to 12v I get nothing. I unplugged and plugged it in >>> several times and got voltage to charge the batts. Looking in the hole it >>> appears the sockets got one leg loose on the board. Was that a issue or am >>> I one of the special kids? :) >>> >>> Mark Hogan N5OBC >>> ______________________________________________________________ >>> 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] >> >> -- >> Matt Zilmer, W6NIA >> www.elecraft.com >> Office: 831-763-4211 x125 >> Mobile: 909-730-6552 >> [Shiraz] >> >> ______________________________________________________________ >> 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] > ______________________________________________________________ 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] |
|
|
Mikes 90 degree plug
> On Dec 27, 2016, at 4:46 PM, Frank Krozel <[hidden email]> wrote: > > Everyone having issues with the power plug…. Does your plug that sticks into the radio have a right angle on it or is it a straight affair? > > > > Sincerely, Frank Krozel t: 1-630-924-1600 [hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]> > BSEE, AASEET, FCC Lic.# PG-18-19178, KG9H > Electronic Instrument Associates - Central, Inc. ...since 1971 > w: www.electronicinstrument.com <http://www.electronicinstrument.com/> > d/l our new linecard at http://www.electronicinstrument.com/lc.pdf <http://www.electronicinstrument.com/lc.pdf> > >> On Dec 27, 2016, at 10:55 AM, Mark Hogan <[hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]>> wrote: >> >> No such luck. Looks like two of the pads lifted off the board. The little tyke has to go to the mothership for repairs :( and they’re closed today so there will be another delay till tomorrow to send it in. >> >> >> I suppose I’ll take advantage of that to have the two meter board added and see if theres other things that should or can be updated while its there for repairs. >> >> I’ll have to find the box I saw that SGC 2020 in and pull it into service. That or hang with my single band rigs. >> >> Mark Hogan N5OBC >> >> >> >>> On Dec 27, 2016, at 10:33 AM, Mark Hogan <[hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]>> wrote: >>> >>> >>> Thanks folks, >>> >>> Well I got a 125’ end fed hung this morning, actually added wire to my old 53’ and my home brew EARCHI balun from the last house. The KX3 is tuning it well 40 and below, struggled on 80/160 but made 2.4 and 2.6 on each. I’ll probably mess with that more later. Now for chores around here and tonight I’ll look inside to see what the damage is and see can I get it with my WTCPT and the tiny tip. I should be up on the SKCC frees tonight or in a day or so. Need to find myself before K3Y starts :) >>> >>> Mark Hogan N5OBC >>> >>> >>> >>>> On Dec 26, 2016, at 7:28 PM, Matt Zilmer <[hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]>> wrote: >>>> >>>> Mark, >>>> >>>> It's happened before, usually because the power cable was pulled out with too much side (off-axis) force. I don't know of any other cause. >>>> >>>> 73, >>>> >>>> matt W6NIA >>>> >>>> >>>> On 12/26/2016 4:45 PM, Mark Hogan wrote: >>>>> I have SN 31, I recently finished our house and setup the shack. Radios >>>>> been boxed about a year since we moved. It was a desk rig at the last >>>>> house with a occasional trip to the back yard. >>>>> When I plug it in to 12v I get nothing. I unplugged and plugged it in >>>>> several times and got voltage to charge the batts. Looking in the hole it >>>>> appears the sockets got one leg loose on the board. Was that a issue or am >>>>> I one of the special kids? :) >>>>> >>>>> Mark Hogan N5OBC >>>>> ______________________________________________________________ >>>>> Elecraft mailing list >>>>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft <http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft> >>>>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm <http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm> >>>>> Post: mailto:[hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]> >>>>> >>>>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net <http://www.qsl.net/> >>>>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html <http://www.qsl.net/donate.html> >>>>> Message delivered to [hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]> >>>> >>>> -- >>>> Matt Zilmer, W6NIA >>>> www.elecraft.com <http://www.elecraft.com/> >>>> Office: 831-763-4211 x125 >>>> Mobile: 909-730-6552 >>>> [Shiraz] >>>> >>>> ______________________________________________________________ >>>> 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] >>> >> >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft <http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft> >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm <http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm> >> Post: mailto:[hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]> >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net <http://www.qsl.net/> >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html <http://www.qsl.net/donate.html> >> Message delivered to [hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]> ______________________________________________________________ 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] |
|
|
A 90 degree plug may not resolve the problem. The early KX3s did not
have the power plug glued to the PC board and could break the connections between the power plug and the board. If you can wiggle the power cord and cause the KX3 to power off, then you have the problem. With a new power jack from Elecraft, I was successful in removing the power jack from my KX3 and soldering in a new jack (after applying a small amount of epoxy glue beneath the jack). At first it looked like the PC pads had broken free of the board, and in fact one did, but a bit of wire repaired that connection easily. I have the first KX3 shipped off the production line, so any changes that were applied to the KX3 are applicable to mine. Elecraft has updated my KX3 to current level a few months ago but the power connector gluing and repair was done long prior to sending it to Elecraft. So if you have an older KX3 where the power jack is not glued to the PC board, you may have that problem. Sorry, but I do not have the serial number when the glue was first used. 73, Don W3FPR On 12/27/2016 6:40 PM, Mark Hogan wrote: > Mikes 90 degree plug > >> On Dec 27, 2016, at 4:46 PM, Frank Krozel <[hidden email]> wrote: >> >> Everyone having issues with the power plug…. Does your plug that sticks into the radio have a right angle on it or is it a straight affair? >> ______________________________________________________________ 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] |
|
|
Thanks Don Mines defiantly not glued to the board. I think I’ll call in the morning and send it in for the fix, then like I said update as needed but for sure the 2m board while its there. I need to read up, We have been building the new house and had no radio since last Dec 6. I haven’t even read anything in a while. Just clearing land, building and such Later and Happy New Year Mark Hogan N5OBC > On Dec 27, 2016, at 6:04 PM, Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> wrote: > > A 90 degree plug may not resolve the problem. The early KX3s did not have the power plug glued to the PC board and could break the connections between the power plug and the board. If you can wiggle the power cord and cause the KX3 to power off, then you have the problem. > > With a new power jack from Elecraft, I was successful in removing the power jack from my KX3 and soldering in a new jack (after applying a small amount of epoxy glue beneath the jack). > > At first it looked like the PC pads had broken free of the board, and in fact one did, but a bit of wire repaired that connection easily. > > I have the first KX3 shipped off the production line, so any changes that were applied to the KX3 are applicable to mine. Elecraft has updated my KX3 to current level a few months ago but the power connector gluing and repair was done long prior to sending it to Elecraft. > > So if you have an older KX3 where the power jack is not glued to the PC board, you may have that problem. Sorry, but I do not have the serial number when the glue was first used. > > 73, > Don W3FPR > > On 12/27/2016 6:40 PM, Mark Hogan wrote: >> Mikes 90 degree plug >> >>> On Dec 27, 2016, at 4:46 PM, Frank Krozel <[hidden email]> wrote: >>> >>> Everyone having issues with the power plug…. Does your plug that sticks into the radio have a right angle on it or is it a straight affair? >>> > ______________________________________________________________ > 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] ______________________________________________________________ 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] |
|
|
Mark,
I remember those house building times well. We started in 2001 and started building - many things by our own hands and sweat. finally in 2004 we were able to move into our own house. Radio stuff had to be put aside for that period, but now that things are settled, radio is at the forefront of my retirement years. Happy New Year to you and yours. 73, Don W3FPR On 12/27/2016 8:13 PM, Mark Hogan wrote: > > Thanks Don > > Mines defiantly not glued to the board. I think I’ll call in the morning and send it in for the fix, then like I said update as needed but for sure the 2m board while its there. I need to read up, We have been building the new house and had no radio since last Dec 6. I haven’t even read anything in a while. Just clearing land, building and such > > Later and Happy New Year > > Mark Hogan N5OBC > ______________________________________________________________ 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] |
«
Return to Elecraft
|
1 view|%1 views
| Free forum by Nabble | Edit this page |