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Problems with K144XV Transverter for K3S - Can't Hear Anything

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stengrevics

Problems with K144XV Transverter for K3S - Can't Hear Anything

I have installed the transverter and phase lock option, and have enabled it successfully (per the instructions). I have an antenna whose SWR measures less than 1.2 across the band (confirmed with antenna analyzer). However, I can't hear anything on 2 meters. This was confirmed when I asked a ham located 5 miles away to meet me on 2 meters - nothing heard.

This leads me to think that the problem is somewhere in the internal TMP coax connections to the K144XV or to the phase lock option.

I have to say that the instructions for installing the K144XV cables were totally screwed up and I needed tech support to send me a picture of how they should go (which bore no resemblance to the instructions). I still have no confidence that I have these correctly installed.

I would appreciate any suggestions from anyone who may have experienced similar problems.

Thanks,

John WA1EAZ

Tony Scandurra K4QE

Re: Problems with K144XV Transverter for K3S - Can't Hear Anything

I have experienced the same thing. Please send your suggestions to the
reflector and not just to John privately.

Thank you.

73, Tony K4QE

On Mon, Jun 6, 2016 at 9:04 AM, stengrevics <[hidden email]>
wrote:

> I have installed the transverter and phase lock option, and have enabled it
> successfully (per the instructions). I have an antenna whose SWR measures
> less than 1.2 across the band (confirmed with antenna analyzer). However,
> I
> can't hear anything on 2 meters. This was confirmed when I asked a ham
> located 5 miles away to meet me on 2 meters - nothing heard.
>
> This leads me to think that the problem is somewhere in the internal TMP
> coax connections to the K144XV or to the phase lock option.
>
> I have to say that the instructions for installing the K144XV cables were
> totally screwed up and I needed tech support to send me a picture of how
> they should go (which bore no resemblance to the instructions). I still
> have no confidence that I have these correctly installed.
>
> I would appreciate any suggestions from anyone who may have experienced
> similar problems.
>
> Thanks,
>
> John WA1EAZ
>
>
>
> --
> View this message in context:
> http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/Problems-with-K144XV-Transverter-for-K3S-Can-t-Hear-Anything-tp7618553.html
> Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
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Bill Frantz

Re: Problems with K144XV Transverter for K3S - Can't Hear Anything

In reply to this post by stengrevics

[CCing Ron since he does documentation for Elecraft.]

I had similar problems when I installed the RefLock option in my
K3 with the new synth. If you have the new synth, use the
cabling diagrams from the new synth installation manual
<http://www.elecraft.com/manual/E740257%20KSYN3A%20Installation%20Rev%20A5.pdf>
see pages 15 and 16. As far as I can tell, the installation
manual for the RefLock hasn't been updated for the new synth.

I also think the the firmware "enable" option does not check for
signal on the RefLock input before signaling that the option is enabled.

73 Bill AE6JV

On 6/6/16 at 6:04 AM, [hidden email] (stengrevics) wrote:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bill Frantz |"Insofar as the propositions of mathematics
refer to
408-356-8506 | reality, they are not certain; and insofar
they are
www.pwpconsult.com | certain, they do not refer to reality.”
-- Einstein

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stengrevics

Re: Problems with K144XV Transverter for K3S - Can't Hear Anything

To all those having experienced this problem with the K144XV:

The problem I had was that the female connectors on the K144XV and the REFLOCK board into which the TMPs were supposed to be inserted did not accept the male and instead were pushed backward. Pushed backward = no connection = no 2 meters

One of the tech support guys said this was the most frequent K3/K3S return.

So, the K144XV & REFLOCK have to go back to Elecraft for repair.

I suggested that, if indeed this is the most frequent return, they simply ship the K144XV with the TMPs installed as they are next to impossible to connect.

When I get this back, I’m still not sure how I will connect them. Maybe take a pair of long nose in each hand, support the female while struggling to insert the male.

John
WA1EAZ

And, apparently, the enabling/testing procedures don’t find it. So, the only way you know you have this problem is if you can’t hear anything on 2 meters.

> On Jun 6, 2016, at 11:30 AM, Bill Frantz <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> [CCing Ron since he does documentation for Elecraft.]
>
> I had similar problems when I installed the RefLock option in my K3 with the new synth. If you have the new synth, use the cabling diagrams from the new synth installation manual <http://www.elecraft.com/manual/E740257%20KSYN3A%20Installation%20Rev%20A5.pdf <http://www.elecraft.com/manual/E740257%20KSYN3A%20Installation%20Rev%20A5.pdf>> see pages 15 and 16. As far as I can tell, the installation manual for the RefLock hasn't been updated for the new synth.
>
> I also think the the firmware "enable" option does not check for signal on the RefLock input before signaling that the option is enabled.
>
> 73 Bill AE6JV
>
>
> On 6/6/16 at 6:04 AM, [hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]> (stengrevics) wrote:
>
>> I have installed the transverter and phase lock option, and have enabled it
>> successfully (per the instructions). I have an antenna whose SWR measures
>> less than 1.2 across the band (confirmed with antenna analyzer). However, I
>> can't hear anything on 2 meters. This was confirmed when I asked a ham
>> located 5 miles away to meet me on 2 meters - nothing heard.
>>
>> This leads me to think that the problem is somewhere in the internal TMP
>> coax connections to the K144XV or to the phase lock option.
>>
>> I have to say that the instructions for installing the K144XV cables were
>> totally screwed up and I needed tech support to send me a picture of how
>> they should go (which bore no resemblance to the instructions). I still
>> have no confidence that I have these correctly installed.
>>
>> I would appreciate any suggestions from anyone who may have experienced
>> similar problems.
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Bill Frantz |"Insofar as the propositions of mathematics refer to
> 408-356-8506 | reality, they are not certain; and insofar they are
> www.pwpconsult.com <http://www.pwpconsult.com/> | certain, they do not refer to reality.” -- Einstein

James Bennett

Re: Problems with K144XV Transverter for K3S - Can't Hear Anything

John - that is EXACTLY how I got mine inserted a year or so ago, and the 2 meter module has been working flawlessly ever since. It’s a darn tight fit and if one does not support/backup the female part, bad things happen when inserting the male counterpart.

Jim / W6JHB

> On Monday, Jun 6, 2016, at Monday, 6:49 PM, John Stengrevics <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> To all those having experienced this problem with the K144XV:
>
> The problem I had was that the female connectors on the K144XV and the REFLOCK board into which the TMPs were supposed to be inserted did not accept the male and instead were pushed backward. Pushed backward = no connection = no 2 meters
>
> One of the tech support guys said this was the most frequent K3/K3S return.
>
> So, the K144XV & REFLOCK have to go back to Elecraft for repair.
>
> I suggested that, if indeed this is the most frequent return, they simply ship the K144XV with the TMPs installed as they are next to impossible to connect.
>
> When I get this back, I’m still not sure how I will connect them. Maybe take a pair of long nose in each hand, support the female while struggling to insert the male.
>
> John
> WA1EAZ
>
>
> And, apparently, the enabling/testing procedures don’t find it. So, the only way you know you have this problem is if you can’t hear anything on 2 meters.
>> On Jun 6, 2016, at 11:30 AM, Bill Frantz <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>> [CCing Ron since he does documentation for Elecraft.]
>>
>> I had similar problems when I installed the RefLock option in my K3 with the new synth. If you have the new synth, use the cabling diagrams from the new synth installation manual <http://www.elecraft.com/manual/E740257%20KSYN3A%20Installation%20Rev%20A5.pdf <http://www.elecraft.com/manual/E740257%20KSYN3A%20Installation%20Rev%20A5.pdf>> see pages 15 and 16. As far as I can tell, the installation manual for the RefLock hasn't been updated for the new synth.
>>
>> I also think the the firmware "enable" option does not check for signal on the RefLock input before signaling that the option is enabled.
>>
>> 73 Bill AE6JV
>>
>>
>> On 6/6/16 at 6:04 AM, [hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]> (stengrevics) wrote:
>>
>>> I have installed the transverter and phase lock option, and have enabled it
>>> successfully (per the instructions). I have an antenna whose SWR measures
>>> less than 1.2 across the band (confirmed with antenna analyzer). However, I
>>> can't hear anything on 2 meters. This was confirmed when I asked a ham
>>> located 5 miles away to meet me on 2 meters - nothing heard.
>>>
>>> This leads me to think that the problem is somewhere in the internal TMP
>>> coax connections to the K144XV or to the phase lock option.
>>>
>>> I have to say that the instructions for installing the K144XV cables were
>>> totally screwed up and I needed tech support to send me a picture of how
>>> they should go (which bore no resemblance to the instructions). I still
>>> have no confidence that I have these correctly installed.
>>>
>>> I would appreciate any suggestions from anyone who may have experienced
>>> similar problems.
>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>> Bill Frantz |"Insofar as the propositions of mathematics refer to
>> 408-356-8506 | reality, they are not certain; and insofar they are
>> www.pwpconsult.com <http://www.pwpconsult.com/> | certain, they do not refer to reality.” -- Einstein
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
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> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

stengrevics

Re: Problems with K144XV Transverter for K3S - Can't Hear Anything

In reply to this post by stengrevics

Really don’t see how that is possible to do with the cover on - see James Bennett’s comments that he used two sets of needle nose to get the connectors to mate.

I did not have any “loose wire ends” sticking out. Accordingly, I asked that they ship the repaired boards back to me with TMP cables pre-installed. I have no idea if they will do that.

I also asked for an up-to-date and correct installation manual and testing instructions.

73 John WA1EAZ

> On Jun 6, 2016, at 11:10 PM, Ron D'Eau Claire <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> This is a new issue to me. Be sure you do not have any loose wire ends sticking out of the male TMP (See Figure 5 in the Ref Lock installation manual). Then, when the connector is properly aligned, it should slip in. It's snug but it should not require a lot of force. Using long nose pliers to hold the male in alignment is fine. You do NOT need to support the female connector. Indeed, the K144XV cover must be in place before connecting the cables.
>
> 73 Ron AC7AC
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Elecraft [mailto:[hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]>] On Behalf Of John Stengrevics
> Sent: Monday, June 6, 2016 6:50 PM
> To: Bill Frantz
> Cc: [hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]>
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Problems with K144XV Transverter for K3S - Can't Hear Anything
>
> To all those having experienced this problem with the K144XV:
>
> The problem I had was that the female connectors on the K144XV and the REFLOCK board into which the TMPs were supposed to be inserted did not accept the male and instead were pushed backward. Pushed backward = no connection = no 2 meters
>
> One of the tech support guys said this was the most frequent K3/K3S return.
>
> So, the K144XV & REFLOCK have to go back to Elecraft for repair.
>
> I suggested that, if indeed this is the most frequent return, they simply ship the K144XV with the TMPs installed as they are next to impossible to connect.
>
> When I get this back, I’m still not sure how I will connect them. Maybe take a pair of long nose in each hand, support the female while struggling to insert the male.
>
> John
> WA1EAZ
>
>
> And, apparently, the enabling/testing procedures don’t find it. So, the only way you know you have this problem is if you can’t hear anything on 2 meters.
>> On Jun 6, 2016, at 11:30 AM, Bill Frantz <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>> [CCing Ron since he does documentation for Elecraft.]
>>
>> I had similar problems when I installed the RefLock option in my K3 with the new synth. If you have the new synth, use the cabling diagrams from the new synth installation manual <http://www.elecraft.com/manual/E740257%20KSYN3A%20Installation%20Rev%20A5.pdf <http://www.elecraft.com/manual/E740257%20KSYN3A%20Installation%20Rev%20A5.pdf>> see pages 15 and 16. As far as I can tell, the installation manual for the RefLock hasn't been updated for the new synth.
>>
>> I also think the the firmware "enable" option does not check for signal on the RefLock input before signaling that the option is enabled.
>>
>> 73 Bill AE6JV
>>
>>
>> On 6/6/16 at 6:04 AM, [hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]> (stengrevics) wrote:
>>
>>> I have installed the transverter and phase lock option, and have
>>> enabled it successfully (per the instructions). I have an antenna
>>> whose SWR measures less than 1.2 across the band (confirmed with
>>> antenna analyzer). However, I can't hear anything on 2 meters. This
>>> was confirmed when I asked a ham located 5 miles away to meet me on 2 meters - nothing heard.
>>>
>>> This leads me to think that the problem is somewhere in the internal
>>> TMP coax connections to the K144XV or to the phase lock option.
>>>
>>> I have to say that the instructions for installing the K144XV cables
>>> were totally screwed up and I needed tech support to send me a
>>> picture of how they should go (which bore no resemblance to the
>>> instructions). I still have no confidence that I have these correctly installed.
>>>
>>> I would appreciate any suggestions from anyone who may have
>>> experienced similar problems.
>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>> Bill Frantz |"Insofar as the propositions of mathematics refer to
>> 408-356-8506 | reality, they are not certain; and insofar they are
>> www.pwpconsult.com <http://www.pwpconsult.com/> | certain, they do not
>> refer to reality.” -- Einstein
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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 <http://www.qsl.net/donate.html> Message delivered to [hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]>

Don Wilhelm

Inserting TMP cables - was: Problems with K144XV Transverter for K3S - Can't Hear Anything

I agree that TMP cables can be difficult to insert, but here is how I
proceed:
First make sure there are no strands hanging out of the center conductor.
Then look at the very tip of the center conductor. If it appears that
the crimping process has produced two "ears" that extend outside the
diameter of the center pin, you can use long nose pliers to reduce the
width of those ears just a bit. In other words, you are 'rounding" the
tip slightly - do not take this to extremes and crush the tip, a gently
'rounding' is all that it takes.

Then insert the male TMP into the female - look at the shell - if there
is a gap between the male and female shells, the center conductor of the
male tip is not yet started into the center conductor of the female
jack. Do not push yet, but twist and 'wiggle' the connector until the
center conductor is started on its proper path.
Once the shell of the female closes the gap to the male connector shell,
the center conductor has found its home. Then is the time to push it
home - a bit of a twist will help.

If you push hard on the connector before the center conductor has 'found
its home', you will end up pushing the jack off its mounting lugs.
Pressure toward the jack will not help until the center pin has begun
seating.

73,
Don W3FPR

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Elecraft mailing list

Inserting TMP cables - was: Problems with K144XV Transverter for K3S - Can't Hear Anything

In the installation of TMP of K144XV, I opened up the top cover of K144XV to do the installation so that I could ensure what I did was fine. After that, I closed the top cover.
73
Johnny VR2XMC

寄件人︰ Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]>
收件人︰ [hidden email]
傳送日期︰ 2016年06月7日 (週二) 11:41 AM
主題︰ [Elecraft] Inserting TMP cables - was: Problems with K144XV Transverter for K3S - Can't Hear Anything

I agree that TMP cables can be difficult to insert, but here is how I
proceed:
First make sure there are no strands hanging out of the center conductor.
Then look at the very tip of the center conductor. If it appears that
the crimping process has produced two "ears" that extend outside the
diameter of the center pin, you can use long nose pliers to reduce the
width of those ears just a bit. In other words, you are 'rounding" the
tip slightly - do not take this to extremes and crush the tip, a gently
'rounding' is all that it takes.

Then insert the male TMP into the female - look at the shell - if there
is a gap between the male and female shells, the center conductor of the
male tip is not yet started into the center conductor of the female
jack. Do not push yet, but twist and 'wiggle' the connector until the
center conductor is started on its proper path.
Once the shell of the female closes the gap to the male connector shell,
the center conductor has found its home. Then is the time to push it
home - a bit of a twist will help.

If you push hard on the connector before the center conductor has 'found
its home', you will end up pushing the jack off its mounting lugs.
Pressure toward the jack will not help until the center pin has begun
seating.

73,
Don W3FPR

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