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Re: KAT100 error

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Don Wilhelm-4

Re: KAT100 error

Damon,

First, remove the KPA100 from the picture (remove it from the EC2
enclosure) and connect the KAT100 directly to the base K2 and see if it
works OK - if my suspicion is correct, it will.

If the KAT100 checks out, then check 2 things - first diodes D16 and D17
in the KPA100 and the short coax you are using between the KPA100 and
the KAT100.

Let me know what you find.

73,
Don W3FPR

W4HDM wrote:

> My KAT100 was working fine then developed a problem recently.
> For those wondering what happened to my for sale listing this is why I
> removed it.
>
> At first the tune sequence would tune at times and other times it would stay
> at 9.9-1 and the lights would work most of the time. (Using a dummy load as
> well as an antenna)
>
> I checked the solder connections in the KAT100 and retouched a few. I
> noticed no change in behavior. I put the radio away for a few days and
> revisited the problem today ....
>
> Before doing anything I did a SWR Bridge alignment on the KPA100 just to be
> sure nothing had changed. I adjusted for 0 voltage using a DMM as instructed
> in the manual.
>
> Currently, the tune sequence gives a 1.0-1 reading on the K2 meter but the
> scale lights on the KAT100 do not light up while tuning or when keying. The
> antenna and power lights are working properly.
>
> When keying 100 watts into a dummy load the power is reduced by various
> amounts depending on the band and the K2 shows HI Refl, the same symptoms
> using an antenna.
>
> Using the menu for tuner readings, after hitting tune in the dummy load, I
> get:
>
> L00.4
> C0.08
> nET2
> t 197
> E243
> Init
> F1.05
> L0-L8 get relay clicks as well as
> C0-C8 and
> N1-N2
>
> I am using the The KAT100/KPA100 in their own enclosure.
>
> Any help on where I should start from here to solve the problem?
>
> Thanks,
> Damon
>
> (Don .. I sent you an email on this when the symptoms first started, maybe
> it was lost in SPAM)
>
>
> -----
> W4HDM-DAMON-K2#473
>
>

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KARL MARDERIAN

Re: KAT100 error

Hi, n6xvt Karl.
1 is the cable from radio to dummy load good?
2 is the dummy load any good?
73 n6xvt
Sent from my iPhone

On Sep 22, 2009, at 6:41 PM, W4HDM <[hidden email]> wrote:

>
> My KAT100 was working fine then developed a problem recently.
> For those wondering what happened to my for sale listing this is why I
> removed it.
>
> At first the tune sequence would tune at times and other times it
> would stay
> at 9.9-1 and the lights would work most of the time. (Using a dummy
> load as
> well as an antenna)
>
> I checked the solder connections in the KAT100 and retouched a few. I
> noticed no change in behavior. I put the radio away for a few days and
> revisited the problem today ....
>
> Before doing anything I did a SWR Bridge alignment on the KPA100
> just to be
> sure nothing had changed. I adjusted for 0 voltage using a DMM as
> instructed
> in the manual.
>
> Currently, the tune sequence gives a 1.0-1 reading on the K2 meter
> but the
> scale lights on the KAT100 do not light up while tuning or when
> keying. The
> antenna and power lights are working properly.
>
> When keying 100 watts into a dummy load the power is reduced by
> various
> amounts depending on the band and the K2 shows HI Refl, the same
> symptoms
> using an antenna.
>
> Using the menu for tuner readings, after hitting tune in the dummy
> load, I
> get:
>
> L00.4
> C0.08
> nET2
> t 197
> E243
> Init
> F1.05
> L0-L8 get relay clicks as well as
> C0-C8 and
> N1-N2
>
> I am using the The KAT100/KPA100 in their own enclosure.
>
> Any help on where I should start from here to solve the problem?
>
> Thanks,
> Damon
>
> (Don .. I sent you an email on this when the symptoms first started,
> maybe
> it was lost in SPAM)
>
>
> -----
> W4HDM-DAMON-K2#473
>
>
> --
> View this message in context: http://n2.nabble.com/KAT100-error-tp3696887p3696887.html
> Sent from the [K2] mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
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> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
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>
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> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

Don Wilhelm-4

Re: KAT100 error

In reply to this post by Don Wilhelm-4

Damon,

Thanks for removing the KPA100 from the picture, now we know the problem
is the KAT100 or the base K2. To eliminate the base K2 from suspicion,
test it into a dummy load and see if the HiCUR messages are still present.

While looking for solder problems, first check pin 1 of the KAT100
firmware socket.
What you are describing sounds a lot like a problem with the firmware chip.

73,
Don W3FPR

W4HDM wrote:

> Don,
>
> Ok I removed the KPA100 and connected directly to the K2, I also tested with
> 2 different jumpers, as well as useing the RF in and the AUX connection. All
> give the same results:
>
> KAT100's relays sound and the K2 shows 1.0-1 swr. Lights on the KAT100 do
> not light up on tune or TX.
> K2 reduced power on key up (at 10 watts setting and 5 watt setting).
> Occasionally I get a High Current message. Current set at 3.50
>
> I checked the RS232 for continuity and it is OK.
>
> I started doing the test in the KAT100 Manual. When I set the antenna to 2
> and turn off the K2 and then back on I noted the antenna back on ANT 1 I
> also noticed when first powered up the lights on the KAT100 are bright but
> then dim a bit.
>
> Maybe this will point towards the problem?
>
> I suspect I have a bad solder point somewhere in the KAT100.
>
> Don Wilhelm-4 wrote:
>
>> Damon,
>>
>> First, remove the KPA100 from the picture (remove it from the EC2
>> enclosure) and connect the KAT100 directly to the base K2 and see if it
>> works OK - if my suspicion is correct, it will.
>>
>> If the KAT100 checks out, then check 2 things - first diodes D16 and D17
>> in the KPA100 and the short coax you are using between the KPA100 and
>> the KAT100.
>>
>> Let me know what you find.
>>
>> 73,
>> Don W3FPR
>>
>> W4HDM wrote:
>>
>>> My KAT100 was working fine then developed a problem recently.
>>> For those wondering what happened to my for sale listing this is why I
>>> removed it.
>>>
>>> At first the tune sequence would tune at times and other times it would
>>> stay
>>> at 9.9-1 and the lights would work most of the time. (Using a dummy load
>>> as
>>> well as an antenna)
>>>
>>> I checked the solder connections in the KAT100 and retouched a few. I
>>> noticed no change in behavior. I put the radio away for a few days and
>>> revisited the problem today ....
>>>
>>> Before doing anything I did a SWR Bridge alignment on the KPA100 just to
>>> be
>>> sure nothing had changed. I adjusted for 0 voltage using a DMM as
>>> instructed
>>> in the manual.
>>>
>>> Currently, the tune sequence gives a 1.0-1 reading on the K2 meter but
>>> the
>>> scale lights on the KAT100 do not light up while tuning or when keying.
>>> The
>>> antenna and power lights are working properly.
>>>
>>> When keying 100 watts into a dummy load the power is reduced by various
>>> amounts depending on the band and the K2 shows HI Refl, the same symptoms
>>> using an antenna.
>>>
>>> Using the menu for tuner readings, after hitting tune in the dummy load,
>>> I
>>> get:
>>>
>>> L00.4
>>> C0.08
>>> nET2
>>> t 197
>>> E243
>>> Init
>>> F1.05
>>> L0-L8 get relay clicks as well as
>>> C0-C8 and
>>> N1-N2
>>>
>>> I am using the The KAT100/KPA100 in their own enclosure.
>>>
>>> Any help on where I should start from here to solve the problem?
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>> Damon
>>>
>>> (Don .. I sent you an email on this when the symptoms first started,
>>> maybe
>>> it was lost in SPAM)
>>>
>>>
>>> -----
>>> W4HDM-DAMON-K2#473
>>>
>>>
>>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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
>>
>>
>>
>
>
> -----
> W4HDM-DAMON-K2#473
>
>
>
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