RE: [Elecraft] KSB2 Problem: Big attenuation of received signals SOLVED
Thanks for the suggestions. I followed them all. I found some 27 AWG red enamel wire and re-wound RFC1 2, and I believe this is what fixed my problem. The enamel on the wire that came with the KSB2 kit, seemed to shear off with the sharp edges of the toroid cores, and this may have been causing a short to the crystal can. The new wire seemed to be a little thinner, even though it was smaller guage (27 vs. 28 - go figure), and the enamel seemed to stay on it a little better. Perhaps the enamel on the new wire was thinner. The KSB2 option is now installed, aligned, and working! Thanks, -Andrew KF7HB --- Ron D'Eau Claire [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: The problem is that the receiver became very quiet. I could still hear the strongest signals if I turn the AF Gain way up, and instead of S9 on the meter, they're way down to S1. The KSB2 manual specifically states (page 15, final step of initial test) this should not happen, and if it does, to go to the troubleshooting section. Andrew: Don's suggestions are right on track. I have one to add, assuming this is a new build. Check for d-c continuity from each pin of each crystal to ground. It should be an open circuit for d-c. If not then most likely you used enough solder to form a small fillet around the pad. On the crystal side of the pad, the fillet easily shorts the signal path to the crystal case and so to ground. If so, then remove the crystal involved, clean off the solder, the carefully replace it, using a minimum of solder. (Note that you have jumpers across a couple of capacitor locations, so a short there will require that you open the jumper to see which crystal is involved). Ron AC7AC __ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Small Business - Try our new resources site! http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/resources/ ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net 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: [Elecraft] KSB2 Problem: Big attenuation of received signals
Andrew, Plug the KSB2 in again and be certain that it is properly positioned on the headers. It is easy to misplug the KSB2 - if you see the standoff and TP2 properly aligned with the holes in the SSB board, it probably is mounted correctly. As a check (but not a permanent fix) slide a small sheet of paper between RFC1 and RFC2 and the adjacent crystal cans. That is a quick check of whether or not the windings of the chokes are shorting to the crystals - if they are, rewind the chokes being careful not to scrape the insulation on the wire. Check the orientation of the diodes - all of them should have the banded end away from the board. Lastly (or maybe best doen first) check the soldering carefully, particularly in the crystal filter area. 73, Don W3FPR -Original Message- The problem is that the receiver became very quiet. I could still hear the strongest signals if I turn the AF Gain way up, and instead of S9 on the meter, they're way down to S1. The KSB2 manual specifically states (page 15, final step of initial test) this should not happen, and if it does, to go to the troubleshooting section. I confirmed about half of the DC measurements in the troubleshooting section. I noticed when I jiggle around RFC2 I get some noise in the receiver, and those little RFC1 2 toroids on the KSB board were a challenge to wind, so I'm wondering if I have a problem there. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net 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: [Elecraft] KSB2 Problem: Big attenuation of received signals
Andrew Meier wrote: I noticed when I jiggle around RFC2 I get some noise in the receiver, and those little RFC1 2 toroids on the KSB board were a challenge to wind, so I'm wondering if I have a problem there. Be sure to check for PTTL (Poorly Tinned Toroid Leads). -- 73, Vic, K2VCO Fresno CA http://www.qsl.net/k2vco ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net 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: [Elecraft] KSB2 Problem: Big attenuation of received signals
The problem is that the receiver became very quiet. I could still hear the strongest signals if I turn the AF Gain way up, and instead of S9 on the meter, they're way down to S1. The KSB2 manual specifically states (page 15, final step of initial test) this should not happen, and if it does, to go to the troubleshooting section. Andrew: Don's suggestions are right on track. I have one to add, assuming this is a new build. Check for d-c continuity from each pin of each crystal to ground. It should be an open circuit for d-c. If not then most likely you used enough solder to form a small fillet around the pad. On the crystal side of the pad, the fillet easily shorts the signal path to the crystal case and so to ground. If so, then remove the crystal involved, clean off the solder, the carefully replace it, using a minimum of solder. (Note that you have jumpers across a couple of capacitor locations, so a short there will require that you open the jumper to see which crystal is involved). Ron AC7AC ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net 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
