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KX2 "HI CUR" Warning

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Chris (KD2FLH)

KX2 "HI CUR" Warning

My KX2 started now only reports 25.4-1 when attempting to tune my antenna. The value does not fluctuate during the tuning process.

During some transmit attempts (SSB, Power set to 3.0W), I received the "HI CUR"message. In general, my reported power output never gets above 0.5W, no matter what power settings are used.

Any help would be appreicated.

--Chris (KD2FLH)
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Nr4c

Re: KX2 "HI CUR" Warning

Check every connection in any system. VSWR of 25.1 is normal for an “no antenna” condition at any connector. Something is disconnected.

WIt’s this HI SWR you will get HI CUR warming as radio tries to develop power into the non-existing antenna. And you will not get much power developed.

Sent from my iPhone
...nr4c. bill

> On Mar 25, 2018, at 9:32 AM, Chris <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> My KX2 started now only reports 25.4-1 when attempting to tune my antenna. The value does not fluctuate during the tuning process.
>
> During some transmit attempts (SSB, Power set to 3.0W), I received the "HI CUR"message. In general, my reported power output never gets above 0.5W, no matter what power settings are used.
>
> Any help would be appreicated.
>
> --Chris (KD2FLH)
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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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rich hurd WC3T

Re: KX2 "HI CUR" Warning

I recently corrected such a fault on my KX3 by replacing the BNC chassis
connector. I had tried all other suspects: cables, faulty connectors,
cheap crap from Fleabay rather than a reputable source, even different
(previously working) antennas; nothing worked. My misadventures are
chronicled on the reflector archives somewhere. :)

Once I replaced the BNC chassis connector, the rig returned to its normal
stellar performance.

Thanks Bill for the tip about 25.4-1. Didn't know that. It would have
accelerated the troubleshooting process. :)

On Sun, Mar 25, 2018 at 10:18 Nr4c <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Check every connection in any system. VSWR of 25.1 is normal for an “no
> antenna” condition at any connector. Something is disconnected.
>
> WIt’s this HI SWR you will get HI CUR warming as radio tries to develop
> power into the non-existing antenna. And you will not get much power
> developed.
>
> Sent from my iPhone
> ...nr4c. bill
>
>
> > On Mar 25, 2018, at 9:32 AM, Chris <[hidden email]> wrote:
> >
> > My KX2 started now only reports 25.4-1 when attempting to tune my
> antenna. The value does not fluctuate during the tuning process.
> >
> > During some transmit attempts (SSB, Power set to 3.0W), I received the
> "HI CUR"message. In general, my reported power output never gets above
> 0.5W, no matter what power settings are used.
> >
> > Any help would be appreicated.
> >
> > --Chris (KD2FLH)
> > ______________________________________________________________
> > 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]

--
72,
Rich Hurd / WC3T / DMR: 3142737
PA Army MARS, Northampton County RACES, EPA-ARRL Public Information Officer
for Scouting
Latitude: 40.761621 Longitude: -75.288988 (40°45.68' N 75°17.33' W) Grid:
*FN20is*
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Chris (KD2FLH)

Re: KX2 "HI CUR" Warning

In reply to this post by Nr4c

Bill,

Thanks for your response. I tried tuning into a 50 ohm dummy load (using known good cables), and see the same issue.

Neither the BNC nor the internal cables look damaged in any way.

I'll note I never use an internal battery, so I rarely open the unit.

-- Chris (KD2FLH)

On March 25, 2018 10:18:15 AM EDT, Nr4c <[hidden email]> wrote:

>Check every connection in any system. VSWR of 25.1 is normal for an “no
>antenna” condition at any connector. Something is disconnected.
>
>WIt’s this HI SWR you will get HI CUR warming as radio tries to develop
>power into the non-existing antenna. And you will not get much power
>developed.
>
>Sent from my iPhone
>...nr4c. bill
>
>
>> On Mar 25, 2018, at 9:32 AM, Chris <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>> My KX2 started now only reports 25.4-1 when attempting to tune my
>antenna. The value does not fluctuate during the tuning process.
>>
>> During some transmit attempts (SSB, Power set to 3.0W), I received
>the "HI CUR"message. In general, my reported power output never gets
>above 0.5W, no matter what power settings are used.
>>
>> Any help would be appreicated.
>>
>> --Chris (KD2FLH)
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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]

Johan Ymerson

Re: KX2 "HI CUR" Warning

Hi,

Since it is displaying HI CUR it is more likely a short.
I am not familiar with the KX2, but other Elecraft rigs has a spark gap across
the antenna input. These devices are designed to fail safe, ie short, if
overloaded. Not sure how to check that on a KX2 though.

/Johan

On Sunday, 25 March 2018 16:53:14 CEST Chris wrote:

> Bill,
>
> Thanks for your response. I tried tuning into a 50 ohm dummy load (using
> known good cables), and see the same issue.
>
> Neither the BNC nor the internal cables look damaged in any way.
>
> I'll note I never use an internal battery, so I rarely open the unit.
>
> -- Chris (KD2FLH)
>
> On March 25, 2018 10:18:15 AM EDT, Nr4c <[hidden email]> wrote:
> >Check every connection in any system. VSWR of 25.1 is normal for an “no
> >antenna” condition at any connector. Something is disconnected.
> >
> >WIt’s this HI SWR you will get HI CUR warming as radio tries to develop
> >power into the non-existing antenna. And you will not get much power
> >developed.
> >
> >Sent from my iPhone
> >...nr4c. bill
> >
> >> On Mar 25, 2018, at 9:32 AM, Chris <[hidden email]> wrote:
> >>
> >> My KX2 started now only reports 25.4-1 when attempting to tune my
> >
> >antenna. The value does not fluctuate during the tuning process.
> >
> >> During some transmit attempts (SSB, Power set to 3.0W), I received
> >
> >the "HI CUR"message. In general, my reported power output never gets
> >above 0.5W, no matter what power settings are used.
> >
> >> Any help would be appreicated.
> >>
> >> --Chris (KD2FLH)
> >> ______________________________________________________________
> >> 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]

Don Wilhelm

Re: KX2 "HI CUR" Warning

In reply to this post by Chris (KD2FLH)

Chris,

That high SWR indication along with the HI CUR warning usually means
that there is no antenna or dummy load electrically connected.
Check the cable from the KXAT3 to the BNC jack to be certain it is
properly seated.

Did you ever connect an old 75 ohm BNC connector to the KX3? Modern 75
ohm BNC connectors have the same size center pin as the 50 ohm
connectors, but older ones may have a larger center pin.
If you used one of those old 75 ohm connectors, you may have enlarged
the center conductor of the KX3 BNC jack and then later using a 50 ohm
connector, there will be a break in the continuity.

You may be able to bend the fingers of the female BNC jack inward, but
if that is not feasible, replace the BNC jack.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 3/25/2018 10:53 AM, Chris wrote:
> Bill,
>
> Thanks for your response. I tried tuning into a 50 ohm dummy load (using known good cables), and see the same issue.
>
> Neither the BNC nor the internal cables look damaged in any way.
>
> I'll note I never use an internal battery, so I rarely open the unit.
>
______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Message delivered to [hidden email]

Chris (KD2FLH)

Re: KX2 "HI CUR" Warning

Thanks to everyone for your assistance. After exhausting the ideas
suggested in this thread, I did have to send my KX2 to Elecraft for
service. They determined the issue was "U20, U22 drivers for PA at fault."

Looking at the schematic, these two components appear to drive the final
FETs.

Does anyone have any ideas as to what may have caused this failure? It's
not clear to me whether a high SWR could have provoked this.

Note: U20 and U22 are located on schematic "Assembly E850729", Sheet 3
of 4. It has these as SGA7489, but this part may be discontinued.
Elecraft replaced both of these with part E600447/ GALI-84+.

73,
Chris (KD2FLH)

On 03/25/2018 12:35 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote:

> Chris,
>
> That high SWR indication along with the HI CUR warning usually means
> that there is no antenna or dummy load electrically connected.
> Check the cable from the KXAT3 to the BNC jack to be certain it is
> properly seated.
>
> Did you ever connect an old 75 ohm BNC connector to the KX3? Modern 75
> ohm BNC connectors have the same size center pin as the 50 ohm
> connectors, but older ones may have a larger center pin.
> If you used one of those old 75 ohm connectors, you may have enlarged
> the center conductor of the KX3 BNC jack and then later using a 50 ohm
> connector, there will be a break in the continuity.
>
> You may be able to bend the fingers of the female BNC jack inward, but
> if that is not feasible, replace the BNC jack.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> On 3/25/2018 10:53 AM, Chris wrote:
>> Bill,
>>
>> Thanks for your response. I tried tuning into a 50 ohm dummy load
>> (using known good cables), and see the same issue.
>>
>> Neither the BNC nor the internal cables look damaged in any way.
>>
>> I'll note I never use an internal battery, so I rarely open the unit.
>>
>