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XV144 calibration

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Michael Jensen

XV144 calibration

Hi

A question on the XV calibration.

I am trying to align the XV144 using K2 with XV60 to drive the
transverter. It is the QRP K2.

When doing the alignment, there are several times need to key the
K2 at the same time to tune on the transvert decided to use the tune on K2< TX until I press the key again. All tune aligned.

Now when I have connected a microphone to the K USB I seem to drive the XV144 power in the r turn down the power more then half to not have the red XV144 on. So when K2 can be less then the wanted power my the Power setting. Is
somet

If so what signal should I then use to tune the XV144 cw or a USB
wher

Thanks in advance

OZ1BZJ

Michael Jensen

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Don Wilhelm-3

RE: XV144 calibration

Michael,

Check the 'Firmware Requirements' section of the K60XV manual.
You must have Version 1.07 or later of the KSB2 firmware installed to
provide proper power level control when using SSB through the low-power
output.

It does sound like you have an earlier version of the KSB2 firmware.

73,
Don W3FPR

> -----Original Message-----
>
> A question on the XV calibration.
>
> I am trying to align the XV144 using K2 with XV60 to drive the
> transverter. It is the QRP K2.

> When doing the alignment, there are several times need to key the
> K2 at the same time to tune on the transvert=r. For that reason I
> decided to use the tune on K2<=st1:place> to transmit as it will
> TX until I press the key again. All tune= up and the 20 W out was
> aligned.
>
> Now when I have connected a microphone to the K= and try a little
> USB I seem to drive the XV144 power in the r=d area. And I need
> turn down the power more then half to not have the red =ed on the
> XV144 on. So when=PA100 is installed the power transmitted from
> K2 can be less then the wanted power my the Power setting. Is
> somet=ing similar the case using the LOW power output of XV60
>
> If so what signal should I then use to tune the XV144 cw or a USB
> wher= I talk to the microphone?
>

Thanks in advance

>
> OZ1BZJ
>
> Michael Jensen
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Post to: [hidden email]
> You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
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>
>
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>
>

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Michael Jensen

RE: XV144 calibration

In reply to this post by Michael Jensen

Thanks Don

Good point, i have proberly been a little careless on this SW requirement, as i got the K2#5111 with all options in one shipment from Elecraft. I
guess they normal take good care that the right versions are included when shiping together. But i will indeed check as soon i get home from
work if i got the right version.

If you are the owner of the XV144 and using it in the Low power setup, could i ask you to use the tune button to TX the transverter with the
power set to the full. and the see if your K2 display will show the 1 mW about. In my case it showed something like 0.17mW with the power set
to full 1mW, and i tuned the XV144 according to that. Only now i think about if that display was really true i have tuned the XV to deliver max
power at 1/5 input. Then maybe if Keying with the mike. are giving the 1mW no wonder i overload the XV.

Thanks in advance

OZ1BZJ

BR.

Michael

On Tue Feb 21 13:11 , "Don Wilhelm" sent:

Michael,

Check the 'Firmware Requirements' section of the K60XV manual.
You must have Version 1.07 or later of the KSB2 firmware installed to
provide proper power level control when using SSB through the low-power
output.

It does sound like you have an earlier version of the KSB2 firmware.

73,
Don W3FPR

> -----Original Message-----
>
> A question on the XV calibration.
>
> I am trying to align the XV144 using K2 with XV60 to drive the
> transverter. It is the QRP K2.

Thanks in advance

Michael Jensen

RE: XV144 calibration

In reply to this post by Michael Jensen

Proberly i should try this one on the hole list as well, sorry don for you
getting it twice.

Hi Don

again thanks

The SSB Firmware was ok, version 1.8 so no problem there.

Now i have found the issue on the K2, but not the solution. The desribed
issue seen on the low power out are comming from the 28-30 Mhz. if i check
indicated power by the internal powermeter it drops over the freq. with the
power set for 5W i do reach 5.4 W on 28 Mhz at 29 Mhz it is 4,9, still ok
but at 30 Mhz it is down at 0,3 W
So trying 10 W 29 Mhz only goes to same 4.9, so a rolloff on increasing
freq. are seen. Proberly normal, but passband seems to be to narrow ???

Any idea is this normal ??
Thanks in advance

Br.

OZ1BZJ
Michael
----- Original Message -----
From: Don Wilhelm
To: [hidden email]
Cc: Elecraft Support
Sent: Tuesday, February 21, 2006 3:52 PM
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] XV144 calibration

Michael,

If your K2 is SN 5111 and the KSB2 was ordered at the same time as your
K2, then you have the latest KSB2 firmware - Elecraft does not ship any
options with back level firmware.

Yes, if you could achieve only 0.17 mW from the K60XV in TUNE with a 1mV
MENU setting, that is the problem that must be resolved first.
I believe you have something wrong with the K60XV, and I am stumped at the
moment. I do not have the setup to try what you suggested here at this
time, but the behavior you describe is not normal.

Perhaps Gary Surrency can provide some further information and guidance.
I am copying Gary on this email.

73,
Don W3FPR
-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]]
Sent: Tuesday, February 21, 2006 9:30 AM
To: [hidden email]; [hidden email]; 'Don Wilhelm'
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] XV144 calibration

Thanks Don

Good point, i have proberly been a little careless on this SW
requirement, as i got the K2#5111 with all options in one shipment from
Elecraft. I guess they normal take good care that the right versions are
included when shiping together. But i will indeed check as soon i get home
from work.

If you are the owner of the XV144 and using it in the Low power setup,
could i ask you to use the tune button to TX the transverter with the power
set to the full. and the see if your K2 display will show the 1 mW about.
In my case it showed something like 0.17mW with the power set to full 1mW,
and i tuned the XV144 according to that. Only now i think about if that
display was really true i have tuned the XV to deliver max power at 1/5
input. Then maybe if Keying with the mike. are giving the 1mW no wonder i
overload the XV.

Thanks in advance

OZ1BZJ

BR.

Michael

On Tue Feb 21 13:11 , "Don Wilhelm" sent:

Michael,

Check the 'Firmware Requirements' section of the K60XV manual.
You must have Version 1.07 or later of the KSB2 firmware installed to
provide proper power level control when using SSB through the
low-power
output.

It does sound like you have an earlier version of the KSB2 firmware.

73,
Don W3FPR

> -----Original Message-----
>
> A question on the XV calibration.
>
> I am trying to align the XV144 using K2 with XV60 to drive the
> transverter. It is the QRP K2.

> When doing the alignment, there are several times need to key the
> K2 at the same time to tune on the transvert=r. For that reason I
> decided to use the tune on K2<=st1:place> to transmit as it will
> TX until I press the key again. All tune= up and the 20 W out was
> aligned.
>
> Now when I have connected a microphone to the K= and try a little
> USB I seem to drive the XV144 power in the r=d area. And I need
> turn down the power more then half to not have the red =ed on the
> XV144 on. So when=PA100 is installed the power transmitted from
> K2 can be less then the wanted power my the Power setting. Is
> somet=ing similar the case using the LOW power output of XV60
>
> If so what signal should I then use to tune the XV144 cw or a USB
> wher= I talk to the microphone?
>
Thanks in advance
>
> OZ1BZJ
>
> Michael Jensen
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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 Free Edition.
> Version: 7.1.375 / Virus Database: 267.15.11/264 - Release Date:
2/17/2006
>
>

=

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Matt Osborn

Re: XV144 calibration

In reply to this post by Michael Jensen

On Tue, 21 Feb 2006 10:58:58 +0100, <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Hi
>
> A question on the XV calibration.
>
> I am trying to align the XV144 using K2 with XV60 to drive the
> transverter. It is the QRP K2.
>
> When doing the alignment, there are several times need to key the
> K2 at the same time to tune on the transvert= er. For that reason I
> decided to use the tune on K2<= /st1:place> to transmit as it will
> TX until I press the key again. All tune= d up and the 20 W out was
> aligned.
>
> Now when I have connected a microphone to the K= 2 and try a little
> USB I seem to drive the XV144 power in the r= ed area. And I need
> turn down the power more then half to not have the red = led on the
> XV144 on. So when= KPA100 is installed the power transmitted from
> K2 can be less then the wanted power my the Power setting. Is
> somet= hing similar the case using the LOW power output of XV60
>
> If so what signal should I then use to tune the XV144 cw or a USB
> wher= e I talk to the microphone?

The XV144 has a wider bandpass (2MHz) than the K2 10 meter band
(800KHz). The assembly manual suggests using 145.5MHz to adjust the
XV144 power out.

At 145.5MHz, the K2 is actually at 29.5MHz, well outside its optimal
range. Check your power out on the K2 front panel to see what the
actual power out is. If it is less than 1.0, you will be overdriving
the XV144 at lower frequencies where the K2 does produce 1.0.

Try adjusting setting the power out at a lower frequency. 144.8MHz is
a good compromise. In any case, ensure that the K2 actually produces
1.0 power at the frequency you use to adjust XV144 power out.

If you have an accurate RF Meter (I use the M3 FPM-1 from M Cubed
Electronix) you can measure the actual power at the XV60 output jack.
It should read 0 DBM (1mw) at whatever frequency you choose to adjust
the XV144 power.
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Don Wilhelm-3

RE: XV144 calibration

In reply to this post by Michael Jensen

Michael,

That is normal - the K2 spec for 10 meter coverage is 28.0 to 28.8 MHz at 10
watts output and it falls off more rapidly at the high frequency end than
the low end.
You may be able to increase the usable coverage at the expense of the
maximum available output by peaking the 10 meter bandpass filter at some
frequency higher than the 28.2 point that is indicated in the manual. I
would suggest peaking at 28.8 or even higher if you need to achieve good
power output over the entire 28.0 to 30.0 MHz. If you do that, check the
maximum power output at both ends of your chosen band and try to balance the
maximum available power at both ends - adjust the peaking frequency up or
down to achieve good coverage over your desired range.

73,
Don W3FPR

> -----Original Message-----
>
> The SSB Firmware was ok, version 1.8 so no problem there.
>
> Now i have found the issue on the K2, but not the solution. The desribed
> issue seen on the low power out are comming from the 28-30 Mhz.
> if i check
> indicated power by the internal powermeter it drops over the
> freq. with the
> power set for 5W i do reach 5.4 W on 28 Mhz at 29 Mhz it is 4,9, still ok
> but at 30 Mhz it is down at 0,3 W
> So trying 10 W 29 Mhz only goes to same 4.9, so a rolloff on increasing
> freq. are seen. Proberly normal, but passband seems to be to narrow ???
>
>
> Any idea is this normal ??
> Thanks in advance
>
> Br.
>
> OZ1BZJ
> Michael
>

Michael Jensen

RE: XV144 calibration

In reply to this post by Michael Jensen

Hi Guys

Thanks Don, Matt and others answering on my issue.

I have now seen the light. I was deeply in to a engineering mode, where i tried to do everything according to spec. The spec on the XV144 say
IF input from 28MHz to 30MHz and a output from 144-146 MHz. Then the thing need to operate in that area and the natural place for alignment
would be 145MHz in the midt of the window. And being in engineering mode my thinking was that the K2 was designed to match the XV144

Now you guys brought me back to real world. Why would I run the transverter with K2 That do not do FM above 144.8, that in Denmark are
the border line to the the FM area (144.8 and up.)

So trying to cover most used areas for CW and SSB i should properly align at 144.3. Where the output from K2 should be at full level and no
issues should be seen.

Sometime i guess my education is of no use where looking at all the spec and stuff are the thing to do, when just a little common sense it
needed. :-)

Br.

OZ1BZJ Michael

A engineer proberly expirence what one rock band has called a Momentary Lapse of Reason

On Tue Feb 21 23:15 , "Don Wilhelm" sent:

Michael,

That is normal - the K2 spec for 10 meter coverage is 28.0 to 28.8 MHz at 10
watts output and it falls off more rapidly at the high frequency end than
the low end.
You may be able to increase the usable coverage at the expense of the
maximum available output by peaking the 10 meter bandpass filter at some
frequency higher than the 28.2 point that is indicated in the manual. I
would suggest peaking at 28.8 or even higher if you need to achieve good
power output over the entire 28.0 to 30.0 MHz. If you do that, check the
maximum power output at both ends of your chosen band and try to balance the
maximum available power at both ends - adjust the peaking frequency up or
down to achieve good coverage over your desired range.

73,
Don W3FPR

zeke7237

Re: XV144 calibration

My understanding is that you peak the gain at 145.5 in order to
achieve a reasonable compromise between gain and noise figure at the
low end of 144 ..

de w1rt/john

On 2/22/06, [hidden email] <[hidden email]> wrote:

>
> Hi Guys
>
> Thanks Don, Matt and others answering on my issue.
>
> I have now seen the light. I was deeply in to a engineering mode, where i tried to do everything according to spec. The spec on the XV144 say
> IF input from 28MHz to 30MHz and a output from 144-146 MHz. Then the thing need to operate in that area and the natural place for alignment
> would be 145MHz in the midt of the window. And being in engineering mode my thinking was that the K2 was designed to match the XV144
>
> Now you guys brought me back to real world. Why would I run the transverter with K2 That do not do FM above 144.8, that in Denmark are
> the border line to the the FM area (144.8 and up.)
>
> So trying to cover most used areas for CW and SSB i should properly align at 144.3. Where the output from K2 should be at full level and no
> issues should be seen.
>
> Sometime i guess my education is of no use where looking at all the spec and stuff are the thing to do, when just a little common sense it
> needed. :-)
>
> Br.
>
> OZ1BZJ Michael
>
> A engineer proberly expirence what one rock band has called a Momentary Lapse of Reason
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Tue Feb 21 23:15 , "Don Wilhelm" sent:
>
>
> Michael,
>
> That is normal - the K2 spec for 10 meter coverage is 28.0 to 28.8 MHz at 10
> watts output and it falls off more rapidly at the high frequency end than
> the low end.
> You may be able to increase the usable coverage at the expense of the
> maximum available output by peaking the 10 meter bandpass filter at some
> frequency higher than the 28.2 point that is indicated in the manual. I
> would suggest peaking at 28.8 or even higher if you need to achieve good
> power output over the entire 28.0 to 30.0 MHz. If you do that, check the
> maximum power output at both ends of your chosen band and try to balance the
> maximum available power at both ends - adjust the peaking frequency up or
> down to achieve good coverage over your desired range.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> >
> > The SSB Firmware was ok, version 1.8 so no problem there.
> >
> > Now i have found the issue on the K2, but not the solution. The desribed
> > issue seen on the low power out are comming from the 28-30 Mhz.
> > if i check
> > indicated power by the internal powermeter it drops over the
> > freq. with the
> > power set for 5W i do reach 5.4 W on 28 Mhz at 29 Mhz it is 4,9, still ok
> > but at 30 Mhz it is down at 0,3 W
> > So trying 10 W 29 Mhz only goes to same 4.9, so a rolloff on increasing
> > freq. are seen. Proberly normal, but passband seems to be to narrow ???
> >
> >
> > Any idea is this normal ??
> > Thanks in advance
> >
> > Br.
> >
> > OZ1BZJ
> > Michael
> >
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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
>

Michael Jensen

Re: XV144 calibration

In reply to this post by Michael Jensen

HI

That is also excatly what the userguide are saying. But if it is true what mentioned in this thread, that the power fall off fast approaching
29MHZ then it is hard to do with the K2, as mentioned i can hardly get 1/3 of the 1 mW out at the 145.5 on the Xv or 29.5 on the low power
from the K2. and about 1-2 W on a 10 W setting on high power out.
So if this is normal behaivur of the K2, then it do not make much sense to me to align at 29.5 MHz. Ofcause the option is that the band filter on
my K2 is having wrong centre and that the power fall off quicker then on other K2.

So there for my idea of tunning the XV with in the good area of the K2, that still cover all the CW and SSB part in OZ.

A issue that would be good to get clear on as i have a XV50 comming to me soon.

OZ1BZJ..

Michael.

On Wed Feb 22 13:38 , "John D"Ausilio" sent:

My understanding is that you peak the gain at 145.5 in order to
achieve a reasonable compromise between gain and noise figure at the
low end of 144 ..

de w1rt/john

On 2/22/06, [hidden email] <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Hi Guys
>
> Thanks Don, Matt and others answering on my issue.
>
> I have now seen the light. I was deeply in to a engineering mode, where i tried to do everything according to spec. The spec on the XV144
say
> IF input from 28MHz to 30MHz and a output from 144-146 MHz. Then the thing need to operate in that area and the natural place for
alignment

> would be 145MHz in the midt of the window. And being in engineering mode my thinking was that the K2 was designed to match the XV144
>
> Now you guys brought me back to real world. Why would I run the transverter with K2 That do not do FM above 144.8, that in Denmark are
> the border line to the the FM area (144.8 and up.)
>
> So trying to cover most used areas for CW and SSB i should properly align at 144.3. Where the output from K2 should be at full level and no
> issues should be seen.
>
> Sometime i guess my education is of no use where looking at all the spec and stuff are the thing to do, when just a little common sense it
> needed. :-)
>
> Br.
>
> OZ1BZJ Michael
>
> A engineer proberly expirence what one rock band has called a Momentary Lapse of Reason
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Tue Feb 21 23:15 , "Don Wilhelm" sent:
>
>
> Michael,
>
> That is normal - the K2 spec for 10 meter coverage is 28.0 to 28.8 MHz at 10
> watts output and it falls off more rapidly at the high frequency end than
> the low end.
> You may be able to increase the usable coverage at the expense of the
> maximum available output by peaking the 10 meter bandpass filter at some
> frequency higher than the 28.2 point that is indicated in the manual. I
> would suggest peaking at 28.8 or even higher if you need to achieve good
> power output over the entire 28.0 to 30.0 MHz. If you do that, check the
> maximum power output at both ends of your chosen band and try to balance the
> maximum available power at both ends - adjust the peaking frequency up or
> down to achieve good coverage over your desired range.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> >
> > The SSB Firmware was ok, version 1.8 so no problem there.
> >
> > Now i have found the issue on the K2, but not the solution. The desribed
> > issue seen on the low power out are comming from the 28-30 Mhz.
> > if i check
> > indicated power by the internal powermeter it drops over the
> > freq. with the
> > power set for 5W i do reach 5.4 W on 28 Mhz at 29 Mhz it is 4,9, still ok
> > but at 30 Mhz it is down at 0,3 W
> > So trying 10 W 29 Mhz only goes to same 4.9, so a rolloff on increasing
> > freq. are seen. Proberly normal, but passband seems to be to narrow ???
> >
> >
> > Any idea is this normal ??
> > Thanks in advance
> >
> > Br.
> >
> > OZ1BZJ
> > Michael
> >
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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
>