Semi-Hypothetical Question
Locked
 
|
Lets say during Field Day of this year I was using my K2 to help some older
tube type equipment to find eachother on frequency. Lets say then I made it a practice to turn the RF Gain down on the K2 when checking the transmitter frequency. Then lets say by accident one time I forgot to turn the RF Gain down on the K2 and it took a full blast (with the volume turned pretty far up) hit with the RF Gain all the way up due to being up all night working CW. Then after that the K2's receiver just doesn't sound the same, strong signals will just sound over driven.. like a speaker is blown or something. What kinds of things could have happened and what kinds of things would be good to start looking for? James Kern KB2FCV _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
|
|
On July 14th my k2 (along with my ts2000, ts450, tmd700) where damaged
when my next door neighbor's house got hit with lightning. Now my k2 will not put power out over 2 watts max it will adjust down but not up anyone got any idea where to begin to look at what took the damage. What stinks about this is the k2 was not hooked up to an antenna and it was turned off and the serial cable was not hooked to the computer that also got killed. So I am at a lost as to where to start. I sent an email to elecraft support but have not heard anything back yet so I thought I would ask this illustrouis group. _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
|
|
In reply to this post by James Kern
James Kern wrote: >Lets say during Field Day of this year I was using my K2 to help some older >tube type equipment to find eachother on frequency. Lets say then I made it >a practice to turn the RF Gain down on the K2 when checking the transmitter >frequency. Then lets say by accident one time I forgot to turn the RF Gain >down on the K2 and it took a full blast (with the volume turned pretty far >up) hit with the RF Gain all the way up due to being up all night working >CW. Then after that the K2's receiver just doesn't sound the same, strong >signals will just sound over driven.. like a speaker is blown or something. >What kinds of things could have happened and what kinds of things would be >good to start looking for? > >James Kern KB2FCV > > > 73 Hank K8DD -- 'Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level then beat you with experience.' -anon _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
|
|
In reply to this post by David-470
David wrote:
> On July 14th my k2 (along with my ts2000, ts450, tmd700) where damaged > when my next door neighbor's house got hit with lightning. Now my k2 > will not put power out over 2 watts max it will adjust down but not up > anyone got any idea where to begin to look at what took the damage. What > stinks about this is the k2 was not hooked up to an antenna and it was > turned off and the serial cable was not hooked to the computer that also > got killed. What WAS it connected to? Is it basic K2 or a K2/100? Could the power supply be damaged? -- 73, Vic, K2VCO Fresno CA http://www.qsl.net/k2vco _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
|
|
In reply to this post by David-470
David wrote:
> It still powers on and it receives okay I would still measure the power supply voltage, both on receive and with the key down. If the voltage is low or dropping under load you could have low power out. What was connected to the K2 when this happened? That will help us guess where there might be damage. -- 73, Vic, K2VCO Fresno CA http://www.qsl.net/k2vco _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
|
|
In reply to this post by David-470
David wrote:
> The astron rs35 power supply and battery and power stripe OK, I would assume that the static burst would be between the power and chassis, which may have been connected to another ground. Is this basic K2 or a K2/100? Hit Display to see the voltage and current. What do you get when it's putting out 2 watts CW? What band are you on? Have you tried other bands? -- 73, Vic, K2VCO Fresno CA http://www.qsl.net/k2vco _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
|
|
In reply to this post by David-470
David wrote:
> Well the astron rs 35 was also toasted by the lightning so I have been > using a deep cycle battery and a battery charger to keep the battery > charged but the voltage is rock solid on the meter on the power stripe See what the K2's DISPLAY command says. When you say that you can't get over 2 watts do you mean that a) when you turn the power control all the way up it says 2 watts on the display, or b) when you turn the power all the way up it says 15 watts, but your wattmeter shows only 2 watts? Are you testing it by holding the key down, or are you pressing TUNE? Tune limits the power to 2 watts with current ffirmware. -- 73, Vic, K2VCO Fresno CA http://www.qsl.net/k2vco _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
RE: Semi-Hypothetical Question
|
|
In reply to this post by James Kern
James, KB2FCV wrote:
I forgot to turn the RF Gain down on the K2 and it took a full blast (with the volume turned pretty far up) hit with the RF Gain all the way up due to being up all night working CW. Then after that the K2's receiver just doesn't sound the same, strong signals will just sound over driven.. like a speaker is blown or something. What kinds of things could have happened and what kinds of things would be good to start looking for? ---------------------------- The RF Gain control in the K2 does not protect ANYTHING except maybe the loudspeaker. In the K2 what is called "RF Gain" is actually a manual I.F. Gain control, changing the amount of gain of the I.F. amplifier just like the AGC does. On a K2 the only control over the gain up at the antenna input is done by switching in or out the attenuator or the preamplifier. If you damaged something in the front end, you can expect the K2 to be uniformly deaf across all the bands. It wouldn't cause audio to be distorted. Check your audio with the phones. If they sound FB, you blew the speaker. Even that is a surprise. The K2 audio channel was designed for low current drain so it isn't exactly high-powered! Still, anything can happen. Ron AC7AC _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
|
|
In reply to this post by David-470
Dave:
Do you have a KAT2 installed in the K2 and are you using the tune button to key the K2? The KAT2 will automatically reduce the power to 2 watts when operating in the tune mode. Try using a hand key to key the K2. 73 Jim K4ZM Dave Wrote: On July 14th my k2 (along with my ts2000, ts450, tmd700) where damaged when my next door neighbor's house got hit with lightning. Now my k2 will not put power out over 2 watts max it will adjust down but not up anyone got any idea where to begin to look at what took the damage. What stinks about this is the k2 was not hooked up to an antenna and it was turned off and the serial cable was not hooked to the computer that also got killed. So I am at a lost as to where to start. I sent an email to elecraft support but have not heard anything back yet so I thought I would ask this illustrouis group. _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
Re: RE: Semi-Hypothetical Question
|
|
In reply to this post by James Kern
The mystery was solved!
I totally forgot the K2 took a 'header' off the table when some yutz was grabbing some feed line and the radio landed on it's back during field day. When I took the radio apart today I could see the speaker didn't look right. I installed an elecraft replacement speaker and it sounds as good as new, thanks guys! ----- Original Message ----- From: Ron D'Eau Claire <[hidden email]> Date: Friday, August 12, 2005 1:00 pm Subject: RE: [Elecraft] Semi-Hypothetical Question > It sure sounds like a zapped speaker! > > Ron AC7AC > > -----Original Message----- > From: James Kern [mailto:[hidden email]] > Sent: Friday, August 12, 2005 9:28 AM > To: 'Ron D'Eau Claire' > Subject: RE: [Elecraft] Semi-Hypothetical Question > > > Ron, > The K2 is definitely hearing like a hawk.. It has no problem > hearinganything, it's just that after the accident (caused by a > classic case of > field day sleep deprivation syndrome) the audio sounds crappy. I'll > definitely try the headphones tonight to see if there is a > difference and > I'll report back my results. Luckily I have a spare K2 speaker > just in case. > > > James Kern KB2FCV > www.kb2fcv.com > > > -----Original Message----- > From: [hidden email] > [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Ron D'Eau > ClaireSent: Friday, August 12, 2005 12:02 PM > To: 'Elecraft' > Subject: RE: [Elecraft] Semi-Hypothetical Question > > > James, KB2FCV wrote: > I forgot to turn the RF Gain down on the K2 and it took a full > blast (with > the volume turned pretty far > up) hit with the RF Gain all the way up due to being up all night > workingCW. Then after that the K2's receiver just doesn't sound > the same, strong > signals will just sound over driven.. like a speaker is blown or > something.What kinds of things could have happened and what kinds > of things would be > good to start looking for? > > ---------------------------- > > The RF Gain control in the K2 does not protect ANYTHING except > maybe the > loudspeaker. In the K2 what is called "RF Gain" is actually a > manual I.F. > Gain control, changing the amount of gain of the I.F. amplifier > just like > the AGC does. On a K2 the only control over the gain up at the > antenna input > is done by switching in or out the attenuator or the preamplifier. > > If you damaged something in the front end, you can expect the K2 > to be > uniformly deaf across all the bands. It wouldn't cause audio to be > distorted. > > Check your audio with the phones. If they sound FB, you blew the > speaker.Even that is a surprise. The K2 audio channel was designed > for low current > drain so it isn't exactly high-powered! Still, anything can happen. > > Ron AC7AC > > > > _______________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Post to: [hidden email] > You must be a subscriber to post to the list. > Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com > > > > > _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
RE: RE: Semi-Hypothetical Question
|
|
James wrote:
The mystery was solved! I totally forgot the K2 took a 'header' off the table when some yutz was grabbing some feed line and the radio landed on it's back during field day. When I took the radio apart today I could see the speaker didn't look right. I installed an elecraft replacement speaker and it sounds as good as new, thanks guys! ---------------------------- We've head stories (and I experienced it first-hand) of speakers apparently getting bent frames in shipment, but yours is the first I've heard of getting bent while installed in the rig! Good to know the K2 is stronger than the speaker <G>. Ron AC7AC _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
|
|
In reply to this post by Vic K2VCO
I've been thru this and found that most of the damage was to the
reflected/forward power measuring circuit and the antenna switching diodes. I would start there. Gregg R. Lengling, W9DHI, Un-Retired K2/100 SN 3075 http://www.milwaukeehdtv.org ----- Original Message ----- From: "Vic Rosenthal" <[hidden email]> To: "David" <[hidden email]>; "Elecraft Reflector" <[hidden email]> Sent: Friday, August 12, 2005 10:54 AM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] LIGHTNING Question > David wrote: >> Well the astron rs 35 was also toasted by the lightning so I have been >> using a deep cycle battery and a battery charger to keep the battery >> charged but the voltage is rock solid on the meter on the power stripe > > See what the K2's DISPLAY command says. > > When you say that you can't get over 2 watts do you mean that > > a) when you turn the power control all the way up it says 2 watts on the > display, or > > b) when you turn the power all the way up it says 15 watts, but your > wattmeter shows only 2 watts? > > Are you testing it by holding the key down, or are you pressing TUNE? Tune > limits the power to 2 watts with current ffirmware. > > -- > 73, > Vic, K2VCO > Fresno CA > http://www.qsl.net/k2vco > _______________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Post to: [hidden email] > You must be a subscriber to post to the list. > Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
|
|
Re-check the displayed power please - if it says 0.2 watts instead of 2
watts, there is actually no power at all - the 0.2 watt indication is residual in the power measuring circuits (a.k.a. noise) and at a glance it is easy to interpret as 2 watts. As Gregg stated, the most likely first 'attack' is D9 and the T/R switch components - arbitrarily replacing the diodes would be a sensible action because some may work now only to fail later, so it is inexpensive insurance (1N5711 and 1N4007 diodes are not costly). 73, Don W3FPR > -----Original Message----- > > I've been thru this and found that most of the damage was to the > reflected/forward power measuring circuit and the antenna > switching diodes. > I would start there. > > Gregg R. Lengling, W9DHI, Un-Retired > K2/100 SN 3075 > http://www.milwaukeehdtv.org > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Vic Rosenthal" <[hidden email]> > To: "David" <[hidden email]>; "Elecraft Reflector" > <[hidden email]> > Sent: Friday, August 12, 2005 10:54 AM > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] LIGHTNING Question > > > > David wrote: > >> Well the astron rs 35 was also toasted by the lightning so I have been > >> using a deep cycle battery and a battery charger to keep the battery > >> charged but the voltage is rock solid on the meter on the power stripe > > > > See what the K2's DISPLAY command says. > > > > When you say that you can't get over 2 watts do you mean that > > > > a) when you turn the power control all the way up it says 2 > watts on the > > display, or > > > > b) when you turn the power all the way up it says 15 watts, but your > > wattmeter shows only 2 watts? > > > > Are you testing it by holding the key down, or are you pressing > TUNE? Tune > > limits the power to 2 watts with current ffirmware. > > > > -- > > 73, > > Vic, K2VCO > > Fresno CA > > http://www.qsl.net/k2vco > > _______________________________________________ > > Elecraft mailing list > > Post to: [hidden email] > > You must be a subscriber to post to the list. > > Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): > > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm > > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com > > _______________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Post to: [hidden email] > You must be a subscriber to post to the list. > Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com > -- > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. > Version: 7.0.338 / Virus Database: 267.10.8/71 - Release Date: 8/12/2005 > No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.338 / Virus Database: 267.10.8/71 - Release Date: 8/12/2005 _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
|
|
In reply to this post by James Kern
James,
All those voltages look OK to me. The voltage on pin 11 is dependent on the state of the signal at pin 6. If you wish to test it, pull pin 6 to a negative level (jumper from pin 8 to 6) and you should see pin 11 go to 5 volts - a positive voltage on pin 6 should produce a 0 volt signal on pin 11. The reason you see zero volts there now is that the chip is interpreting the floating state of RXD at pin 6 as a positive voltage - all that is OK because voltages between -3 and +3 volts on the RS-232 signals are in a region of uncertainty. Your problem likely lies with an unsoldered connection somewhere or a broken inductor - check the miniature inductors for continuity. You had previously reported 0 volts on pin 2 of the 9 pin connector, but you have -9.85 volts on pin 5 of U1 - the only series element between those points is an inductor and it is likely the path is open if the voltages at the two points are substantially different. 73, Don W3FPR > -----Original Message----- > > Alright, I followed the steps for "No (-) supply at U1-8" and this is > what I got: > > The oscillator was oscillating at 16.292 mhz > > I took the voltage readings of U1. > Pin 1 = 12.32 > Pin 2 = 0 > Pin 3 = 11.80 > Pin 4 = 0 > Pin 5 = -9.85 > Pin 6 = 0 > Pin 7 = 11.79 > Pin 8 = -9.85 > Pin 9 = 0 > Pin 10 = 0 > Pin 11 = 0 (This is supposed to have 5?) > Pin 12 = 5.06 > Pin 13 = 4.8 > Pin 14 = 0 > Pin 15 = 4.81 > Pin 16 = 4.81 > > The serial port is enabled in the menu. > > > No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.338 / Virus Database: 267.10.10/73 - Release Date: 8/15/2005 _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
|
|
In reply to this post by James Kern
I agree with Don's analysis. Everything looks good around the MAX1406
transceiver. Since you have -9 volts or so at the output (pin 5), and zero on the pin it feeds, there must be something amiss in between. The small inductors are easy to break - this might be the problem, as could be missing or 'bad' solder joints on either side of the inductor or at J1 pin 2 itself. Use a VOM or ZDVM to make sure that L2 has continuity (might as well check L3 and L4 at the same time), then recheck the solder joints. If the inductor is bad, I'm sure Scott will be happy to get you going with a good one... Good luck! - Jack Brindle, W6FB ------------------------------------------------------------------------ --------------------- _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
|
|
Wow you guys are good! Heh, can't believe I missed that, but then again
I build better than I diagnose! It was L2. No continuity at all. I checked the other inductors and they are fine. I called up Elecraft and tommorrow they will be sending a new one (or two) in the mail. Hopefully that will solve the problem as everything else voltage-wise checks out as it should. Thanks to all and I will update when I get the replacement part installed. 73, James KB2FCV ----- Original Message ----- From: Jack Brindle <[hidden email]> Date: Wednesday, August 17, 2005 12:38 pm Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KIO2 not working > I agree with Don's analysis. Everything looks good around the > MAX1406 > transceiver. Since you have -9 volts or so at the output (pin 5), > and > zero on the pin it feeds, there must be something amiss in between. > > The small inductors are easy to break - this might be the problem, > as > could be missing or 'bad' solder joints on either side of the > inductor or at J1 pin 2 itself. Use a VOM or ZDVM to make sure that > > L2 has continuity (might as well check L3 and L4 at the same time), > > then recheck the solder joints. If the inductor is bad, I'm sure > Scott will be happy to get you going with a good one... > > Good luck! > > - Jack Brindle, W6FB > -------------------------------------------------------------------- > ---- > --------------------- > > > _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
|
|
James,
Of course, we have been around this stuff for a while - that provides us with a BIG advantage. Glad you found it - looking forward to bigger and better things after you get that KIO2 up and running. 73, Don W3FPR > -----Original Message----- > > Wow you guys are good! Heh, can't believe I missed that, but then again > I build better than I diagnose! It was L2. No continuity at all. I > checked the other inductors and they are fine. I called up Elecraft and > tommorrow they will be sending a new one (or two) in the mail. Hopefully > that will solve the problem as everything else voltage-wise checks out > as it should. Thanks to all and I will update when I get the replacement > part installed. 73, > > James KB2FCV > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Jack Brindle <[hidden email]> > Date: Wednesday, August 17, 2005 12:38 pm > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KIO2 not working > > > I agree with Don's analysis. Everything looks good around the > > MAX1406 > > transceiver. Since you have -9 volts or so at the output (pin 5), > > and > > zero on the pin it feeds, there must be something amiss in between. > > > > The small inductors are easy to break - this might be the problem, > > as > > could be missing or 'bad' solder joints on either side of the > > inductor or at J1 pin 2 itself. Use a VOM or ZDVM to make sure that > > > > L2 has continuity (might as well check L3 and L4 at the same time), > > > > then recheck the solder joints. If the inductor is bad, I'm sure > > Scott will be happy to get you going with a good one... > > > > Good luck! > > > > - Jack Brindle, W6FB > No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.338 / Virus Database: 267.10.10/73 - Release Date: 8/15/2005 _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
«
Return to Elecraft
|
1 view|%1 views
| Free forum by Nabble | Edit this page |