OK, after reading a good number of post on aligning the K2 transmitter, and adding my own observations, I think I finally have my head around the process.
I don't know that this has been summarized in a single post, and the intent of this post is to verify what I think I now know, plus provide some information for future builders. Firstly, I am not a heavyweight (or even a lightweight for that matter) in RF electronics or circuitry, but I obviously know enough to be able to assemble a kit such as the K2. Having said (typed?) that, if I am off base with my assumptions and observations about the alignment process, would those in the know please point out the errors in my logic. There are two key points about the alignment process. First, from what I have read here on the reflector, it appears that the ALC circuit is bypassed whenever the K2 is placed into 'tune' mode. Because of this, there is a good chance you will see different power level readings on the internal watt meter each time the K2 is place into 'tune'. These different power levels are also reflected on an external watt meter (I'm using an OHR WM-2 ). In my own case I was seeing three different ranges of power output (roughly 1.4-1.7, 2.2-2.7, 3.8-4.1). Second, and this is the important one, these power level fluctuations really don't matter because the process is really not about setting the output power level. The goal is to peak the inductors. And this can be done no matter what power level is showing on the watt meter. Having the OM-2 did help make sense of the process. No matter what the power level was, the peak spot for the inductor was consistent across the various levels. In other words, you adjust the inductor/caps to achieve the peak level of power for whatever range of power is showing on the watt meter. In normal use, I'm achieving an output level consistent with what I have dialed power control to. It seems my reception has also improved. Hopefully this will help make some sense of the transmitter alignment process. And again, if I am off base in any way, please point this out. 73 Don Herring W4DHH ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
