Re: [Elecraft] 2T Gen problem
Well this post is 10 years old, but I am having the exact same problem. I have checked with a magnifying glass for any solder bridges or poor solder joints. Everything looks fine. I'd appreciate any further troubleshooting ideas. 73, Jeremy VA3ZTF -- Sent from: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/ __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KAT100 Tuning Failure
Ok, I received the new diodes today and have installed them into the KAT100. Running the tests in CAL mode has the LED indicators on the KAT100 matching what the display on the K2 reads, as well as matching the W2 watt meter. Is there anything else I should be looking at before starting to put things back together? -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KAT100-Tuning-Failure-tp7605018p7606189.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KAT100 Tuning Failure
Thanks Don. The KPA 100 is still disconnected. I have the base K2 with KAT2 connected to the KAT100 in the EC2 chassis. This normally has the KPA100 on top, but was removed as suggested to perform the troubleshooting. I don't have an extra dummy load at this time, but I am going to see if I can borrow one and test as you suggested. -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KAT100-Tuning-Failure-tp7605018p7606195.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KAT100 Tuning Failure
Parts are on order. I'll update once I have the diodes swapped. Thanks for the help thus far. -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KAT100-Tuning-Failure-tp7605018p7605262.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KAT100 Tuning Failure
Ok, so I've removed the KPA100 completely, and disconnected the KAT2 serial and RF connections. I connected my W2 watt meter on the output of ANT2 of the KAT100, and the LOAD side of the sensor to a 50 ohm dummy load. The readings and indications I got are as follows: 160M1.00:1 No LED indication on KAT100. K2 showed 1.0:1 80M 1.00:1 No LED indication on KAT100. K2 showed 1.0:1 60M 1.00:1 LEDs on KAT100 flickered a bit and remained off once tuning was finished. K2 showed 5.6:1 40M 1.00:1 LEDs on KAT100 flickered a bit and remained off once tuning was finished. K2 showed 5.6:1 30M 1.00:1 LEDs on KAT100 flickered a bit and finally lit 2. K2 showed 2.3:1 20M 1.00:1 LEDs on KAT100 lit as expected and finally lit 1. K2 showed 1.2:1 17M 1.00:1 LEDs on KAT100 lit as expected and finished at 1. K2 showed 1.0:1 15M 1.00:1 LEDs on KAT100 lit as expected and finished at 1. K2 showed 1.0:1 12M 1.05:1 LEDs on KAT100 lit as expected and finished at 1. K2 showed 1.0:1 10M 1.00:1 LEDs on KAT100 lit as expected and finished at 1. K2 showed 1.0:1 I'm still digging around for the diodes, but if I haven't found any by tomorrow I'll be putting in an order to digikey. -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KAT100-Tuning-Failure-tp7605018p7605163.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KAT100 Tuning Failure
Ok, redid the tests in CAL mode with the following results: 160M 1.03:1 No LED indication on KAT100. K2 showed 1.0:1 Hi Current warning 80M 1.03:1 No LED indication on KAT100. K2 showed 1.0:1 Hi Current warning 60M 1.02:1 No LED indication on KAT100. K2 showed 1.0:1 Hi Current warning 40M 1.03:1 LEDs on KAT100 lit up to 3. K2 showed 3.0:1 Hi Current warning 30M 1.03:1 LEDs on KAT100 lit up to 3. K2 showed 3.0:1 Hi Current warning 20M 1.00:1 LEDs on KAT100 lit up to 2.5. K2 showed 2.6:1 Hi Current warning 17M 1.04:1 LEDs on KAT100 lit up to 1.7. K2 showed 1.8:1 Hi Current warning 15M 1.04:1 LEDs on KAT100 lit up to 2. K2 showed 2.0:1 12M 1.05:1 LEDs on KAT100 lit up to 1.7. K2 showed 1.8:1 10M 1.06:1 LEDs on KAT100 lit up to 2. K2 showed 2.0:1 I guess ordering from Elecraft is the safest bet. It will take a bit longer, but so be it. -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KAT100-Tuning-Failure-tp7605018p7605174.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KAT100 Tuning Failure
The diodes I was looking at were 1N5711, but they were either 70V 15mA (http://www.digikey.ca/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?DetailitemSeq=176360177uq=635730153536694158) or 70V 33mA (http://www.digikey.ca/product-search/en/discrete-semiconductor-products/diodes-rectifiers-single/1376383?k=1n5711). I just want to make sure I get one with the proper rating. I did not have the KAT100 in CAL mode. Guess I'll be redoing the tests and posting the results shortly. -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KAT100-Tuning-Failure-tp7605018p7605170.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KAT100 Tuning Failure
What are the specs for the diodes? I'm seeing 70V 15mA as the common size. -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KAT100-Tuning-Failure-tp7605018p7605166.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] KAT100 Tuning Failure
After many months of flawless operation, my KAT100 is starting to have trouble tuning up, particularly on 40 and 80M. It even has trouble tuning up a 50 ohm dummy load on these bands. My normal setup is a 10W K2 with a KAT2, connected on the ANT 1 port to the AUX RF port of the KAT100 (mounted in an EC2 case with the KPA100). This is internally connected to the KPA100. The RF out from the KPA100 is then connected to the RF IN on the KAT100. ANT 1 is connected to a DX-CC and ANT 2 is connected to an 80M Carolina Windom. The first signs of trouble started when the SWR LEDs only lit intermittently. The ANTENNA and PWR RANGE LEDs lit and operated correctly. Gradually I stared seeing higher and higher SWR readings. In order to narrow down the issue, I removed the KPA100 from the setup by connecting the KAT2 ANT 1 port directly to the KAT100 RF IN. I disconnected the power from the KPA100 and independently powered the KAT100. I removed the Windom from ANT 2 and connected a 50 ohm dummy load to see how the tuning compared with the antenna and the dummy load. On 80M the dummy load gets 3:1 SWR with the DX-CC tuning up the same. 60M gets 2.3:1 for both. 40M gets 1.2 for the dummy load and 3:1 for the DX-CC. 30M and up seem to tune ok. I tried doing the troubleshooting steps in the manual, starting with ATU INIT. I scrolled through L0-L8 and C0-C8 and N1-N2 and the relays functioned for each. I tried doing the individual test for the inductors and relays, but there was no change in SWR with multiple components, so either I was doing it wrong, or the fault is bigger than a single component. I've tried to be as detailed as possible here, so any help is appreciated, and if there are any suggestions or any other info required please let me know. I'd like to get this back on the air as its my only radio! -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KAT100-Tuning-Failure-tp7605018.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KAT100 Power Calibration Problem
I'm only running 10W through it. I've just gone through the complete instruction manual to ensure I haven't missed anything. Everything checks out. I've just finished the SWR Bridge Null test and am down to 0.018VDC. Jeremy VA3ZTF Don Wilhelm-4 wrote Jeremy, How much power are you sending through that wattmeter? If it is 20 watts or more, it may just be that 30 mV is OK. 73, Don W3FPR -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KAT100-Power-Calibration-Problem-tp7584832p7584892.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] KAT100 Power Calibration Problem
Correction, 0.018 was at 5W. 10W still gives 0.036VDC Jeremy JeremyJones wrote I'm only running 10W through it. I've just gone through the complete instruction manual to ensure I haven't missed anything. Everything checks out. I've just finished the SWR Bridge Null test and am down to 0.018VDC. Jeremy VA3ZTF -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KAT100-Power-Calibration-Problem-tp7584832p7584893.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] KAT100 Power Calibration Problem
Checked my dummy load with an MFJ-259 and it is 50 ohms resistive, no capacitive. Rechecked all soldering with a lighted magnifying glass and cleaned up a couple of joints. Rewound T1 just to be sure it wasn't shorted in the windings. Still the same results of 0.035VDC on pin 3 of U5. Jeremy VA3ZTF Don wrote Jeremy, Check the soldering on all the relays, inductors and capacitors - particularly the relays. If the relays are not well soldered, there can be an inductor or capacitor in the path that will prevent you from getting a good null. Another thing that will prevent a null is an inductive or capacitive reactance in your dummy load. You might want to check that with an antenna analyzer to be certain it is a pure resistance. 73, Don W3FPR -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KAT100-Power-Calibration-Problem-tp7584832p7584894.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] KAT100 Power Calibration Problem
I was only able to get U5 pin3 down to 0.03VDC during the SWR Bridge Null test. Is that low enough? The manual says 0 volts or close to it. Jeremy VA3ZTF Don Wilhelm-4 wrote Jeremy, You did not mention it, so I have to ask - when connected as you describe, did you first obtain a good null at U5 pin 3 (by adjusting C31)? That is a necessary first step. If you did not get a voltage measurement in the single digit millivolt range (less than 10 millivolts), then 'all bets are off' and you need to first resolve that problem. -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KAT100-Power-Calibration-Problem-tp7584832p7584864.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] KAT100 Power Calibration Problem
I just reread Dons post, and he says less than 10mV, so I guess I have some trouble shooting to do with that first, Jeremy VA3ZTF -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KAT100-Power-Calibration-Problem-tp7584832p7584865.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] KAT100 Power Calibration Problem
I've taken the watt meter out of the loop, and have the K2 set for 10W. Double checked the windings and solder on T1, and it still won't go below 30mV. I definitely have C31 at the low spot as the voltage climbs on either side. I still can't get anywhere the voltage needed at U5 pin 5 for the power calibration. Jeremy VA3ZTF Don Wilhelm-4 wrote Jeremy, Tune the capacitor very slowly and use a non-metallic tool. The null is sharp and deep. You must have a good 50 ohm dummy load connected. You may want to take your external wattmeter out of line to do the nulling. The actual voltage will depend on the power level, at 5 watts it should be less than 10 mV, but you should be able to get it below 15 or 20 mV if the power is 10 watts. If you are using 20 watts or more from the KPA100, then your 30 mV is probably OK. Ideally, the voltage should go to zero, but being practical, one may not be able to adjust the capacitor in fine enough increments to achieve that goal. 73, Don W3FPR On 2/28/2014 4:32 PM, JeremyJones wrote: I just reread Dons post, and he says less than 10mV, so I guess I have some trouble shooting to do with that first, Jeremy VA3ZTF -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KAT100-Power-Calibration-Problem-tp7584832p7584865.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: Elecraft@.qth This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: Elecraft@.qth This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KAT100-Power-Calibration-Problem-tp7584832p7584881.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ 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
[Elecraft] KAT100 Power Calibration Problem
I have just finished my KAT100, and am having an issue during the Power Calibration of R3 and R4. I am using a K2 with KAT2. I have a cable running from the Ant 1 jack of the KAT2 to the Ant 1 jack of the KAT100. The KAT100 RF In jack is connected to the Transmitter jack of the power sensor of my W2. The Load jack of the W2 sensor is connected to a 250W, 50 ohm dummy load. The K2 is set for 10W. The W2 is inline only to check the actual power out, due to the strange readings I was getting. When I hit TUNE, I can only get a voltage range of 0.0 to 0.07 VDC at U5 pin 5 while adjusting R4. The table in the manual indicates that I need to set R4 so that I get 1.8V at U5 pin 5. I have double checked the orientation of the diodes, everything checkout in the previous tests. T4 has the correct windings, and continuity between pads 1 and 4 is good. What else should I be looking at. Thanks for any help, Jeremy VA3ZTF -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KAT100-Power-Calibration-Problem-tp7584832.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K2 Won't power on
Q7, Q8, Q11 and Q13 are all now replaced, and everything seems to be working normally again. Thanks everyone for all the help. 73, Jeremy VA3ZTF JeremyJones wrote Yes that was an Alkaline battery. That makes me feel better about installing the new finals once they arrive. In the mean time I have a KAT100 and KPA100 to build. Jeremy -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K2-Won-t-power-on-tp7584083p7584533.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K2 Won't power on
I don't know how much over 0.64 volts is bad, but I am getting 0.656. I didn't realize that a web reply was cutting off what I was replying to. I always hit the reply button and assumed it included the original text. Jeremy Don Wilhelm-4 wrote Jeremy, A power reading of 0.1, 0.2 or 0.3 is only residual noise on the power detection circuits. Since you do not have Q7 and Q8 installed, your real power output is zero. Yes, go ahead and change Q11 and Q13. That is not certain to change anything, but it will do no harm. A slightly lower than normal bias voltage for the PA transistors is not a problem, but if it is higher than 0.64 volts, that is a problem that should warn you not to install Q7 and Q8 until it is resolved. 73, Don W3FPR -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K2-Won-t-power-on-tp7584083p7584407.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K2 Won't power on
A new AA battery right from the package is giving me 1.615V on the fluke meter. This is a newer K2 (#7405). I had some issues when building it which caused me to go through a couple of sets of PA finals before I had to send it to you to get sorted out. It was working great until now, so hopefully there isn't something residual that is creeping up now. The resistor values are all correct according to the manual. R59 4.7k R60 100 R61 120 R62 2.7k R63 220 I am performing the voltage measurement on the Base pad of where Q8 would go, and pressing and holding the Tune button on the front of the radio. Jeremy Don Wilhelm-4 wrote Jeremy, Make a quick check on your voltmeter - measure a new Alkaline battery, you should see quite close to 1.50 volts. Are you making the measurement by using TUNE? If not, you should be. Is this an older K2 with a trimpot at R60? If so, it should be turned fully counterclockwise. Check the resistors R59 through R63 to be certain they are the correct values. I would be puzzled about a bias voltage higher than 0.64 volts because it could lead to higher current and the resulting heat dissipation in the PA transistors. Thank you for adding a bit of the prior post that you are responding to - it helps a lot. 73, Don W3FPR On 2/18/2014 4:46 PM, JeremyJones wrote: I don't know how much over 0.64 volts is bad, but I am getting 0.656. I didn't realize that a web reply was cutting off what I was replying to. I always hit the reply button and assumed it included the original text. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: Elecraft@.qth This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K2-Won-t-power-on-tp7584083p7584416.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K2 Won't power on
Yes that was an Alkaline battery. That makes me feel better about installing the new finals once they arrive. In the mean time I have a KAT100 and KPA100 to build. Jeremy Don Wilhelm-4 wrote Jeremy, That voltage is close to what I would expect from a new Lithium battery. If you are measuring an Alkaline battery, then your voltmeter is a bit on the high side. So if Alkaline battery, then your 0.65 measurement is likely OK, but if that battery is a Lithium type, the bias is a bit high and you may have to experiment with slightly different values at R60 to bring the bias voltage down a bit. 73, Don W3FPR On 2/18/2014 6:58 PM, JeremyJones wrote: A new AA battery right from the package is giving me 1.615V on the fluke meter. This is a newer K2 (#7405). I had some issues when building it which caused me to go through a couple of sets of PA finals before I had to send it to you to get sorted out. It was working great until now, so hopefully there isn't something residual that is creeping up now. The resistor values are all correct according to the manual. R59 4.7k R60 100 R61 120 R62 2.7k R63 220 I am performing the voltage measurement on the Base pad of where Q8 would go, and pressing and holding the Tune button on the front of the radio. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: Elecraft@.qth This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K2-Won-t-power-on-tp7584083p7584419.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K2 Won't power on
With the tuner disconnected, I'm still getting 600mV at the base of Q8 while doing a tune. The display on the radio shows power of 0.3. -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K2-Won-t-power-on-tp7584083p7584365.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K2 Won't power on
I'm still getting 600mV and LowP during the tune, so it looks like I'll be replacing Q11 and Q13 as well. -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K2-Won-t-power-on-tp7584083p7584328.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K2 Won't power on
There is no indication on the cheap meter for an out of scale reading. I've borrowed a Fluke meter from work, and after watching the capacitors charge up, the resistance reading is 2.7k ohm. This is will all of the resistors still connected as above. I'll reconnect them one by one and check the readings to ensure there is no issue. PA parts are on order and should be here next week I hope. -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K2-Won-t-power-on-tp7584083p7584245.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K2 Won't power on
So after reassembling everything minus Q7/8, resistance from ground to collector pad for Q7/8 starts at 600k ohm then gradually drops down to 54k ohm before reseting and spiking back up to 600k and dropping again. I believe this would be a capacitor charging up and then biasing a transistor? -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K2-Won-t-power-on-tp7584083p7584247.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K2 Won't power on
Yes it is a digital multimeter, but I only paid about $10 for it. What resistance should I be seeing. I have noticed some drastic variations as I change the scale on my meter. The 200 ohm scale gives a reading of 91 ohms 2000 ohms scale reads 1500 20K scale reads 3.7 200k scale reads 10.7 What other symptoms might I look for to check for an issue in the power rail. I'm not sure if setting the scale to within the expected range will provide a useful reading or not. I think I'll borrow on of the Fluke meters from work this weekend. -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K2-Won-t-power-on-tp7584083p7584195.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K2 Won't power on
With Q7/Q8 removed, the resistance from the Collector solder pad to ground on both is 70 ohms. Doing a Tune with Q7/Q8 removed results in 1.0V on the Base pads and a Low P on the display. I do have the KAT2 installed, just in case this makes a difference. This was done into a dummy load. The antenna that I normally run is an 80m Carolina Windom strung up between a tree in my front yard to a tree in my backyard. I have no additional grounding to it, just the baluns that are part of the normal antenna design. I am very cautious of lightning in the summer, and leave the antennas disconnected when not using the radio, however given that its winter here and sub zero temperatures, I didn't worry about it. I had never heard of static caused by the wind. What is a good way to protect against this? Thanks, Jeremy VA3ZTF -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K2-Won-t-power-on-tp7584083p7584107.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K2 Won't power on
Lifting one end of R45 still showed 70 ohms. Lifting one end of RFC4 increased to 87 ohms. I left the leg of R45 disconnected when taking this measurement, and I want to confirm whether I should leave the components disconnected as I go through, or reconnect them before moving on to the next. Thanks, Jeremy VA3ZTF -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K2-Won-t-power-on-tp7584083p7584150.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K2 Won't power on
I have lifted R45, RFC4, R74, R82 and R97, with only a slight increase from 70 ohms to 87 ohms after lifting RFC4. I'll continue troubleshooting tomorrow by removing any capacitors connected to 12V. I also want to confirm that I should be doing these resistance checks with no power applied. Also, I am using an inexpensive ohm meter. Will that have enough power to charge the capacitors up enough to show the expected resistance? Thanks, Jeremy VA3ZTF -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K2-Won-t-power-on-tp7584083p7584157.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ 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
[Elecraft] K2 Won't power on
So my K2, which has been running great for almost a year, no longer powers on. I had left it powered on and connected via the serial cable to a computer so that I could do PSK-31 contacts remotely while I was away from home. Unfortunately I never got the chance, and upon my return home, my K2 was no longer working (no lights or any indication of life). I shut it off for a couple of hours, and upon turning it back on, I got a loud buzz, then everything shut down again. There was no lightning or power outages while I was gone, and unless the computer somehow put the radio into transmit, it should only have been receiving. Any ideas on where I should start to look to trouble shoot this? Thanks for any help, Jeremy VA3ZTF -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K2-Won-t-power-on-tp7584083.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K2 Won't power on
Q7 and Q8 both read 12.3 ohms from collector to ground. The symptoms definitely resemble blown finals, as I experienced the same thing when I was building the kit, including the over current tripping the resettable fuse. I just didn't expect that from a receive only condition. Jeremy VA3ZTF -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K2-Won-t-power-on-tp7584083p7584087.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Low P, 160M only
Upon opening the radio to follow some of the trouble shooting advice given, the fault was easy to spot. The wire on the L2 torroid had broken. A quick rewind and reinstall, and everything is working fine now. Thanks for all the help, Jeremy VA3ZTF -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/Low-P-160M-only-tp7572970p7573011.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ 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
[Elecraft] Low P, 160M only
So I was out on Sunday trying to make some contacts for the Rookie Roundup, as well as generally learning the ins and outs of my K2, and I found that when I try to tune on 160M I get the Low P error. I've tried using a dummy load, 20M long wire dipole, and buddypole setup for both vertical and dipole at 40M, all with the same error. I have the K2 power set at 10W, so I'm not sure if its just a poor antenna thats causing it, or should I be checking something else? Jeremy VA3ZTF -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/Low-P-160M-only-tp7572970.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K2 Low Power Out / Hi Current
Don, I suspected something might be wrong with the watt meter, as it was borrowed from work and had not been used in a while. I was able to listen to quite a few signals last night, however I wasn't able to make any contacts. I brought my radio into work and tested it on a Rhode and Schwartz FSH8 with power sensor to double check the original power meter and the radio. Even with the radio set to 10W I was showing no power out. I don't have the schematic handy, but can I do some signal tracing from between where the K2 takes its power reading and the BNC output? -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K2-Low-Power-Out-Hi-Current-tp7570850p7570930.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K2 Low Power Out / Hi Current
So, I have learned another lesson on paying attention to details. Seems the analog watt meter I was using is only rated as low as 20mhz, and the digital Rhode and Schwartz actually had a 200Mhz sensor on it. No wonder the readings were bad. I did go back to the analog meter on 15M, 12M, and 10M. At 10W on the radio I was showing 3.5W on the analog meter. It has a correction factor of +40% for 20Mhz, so that would be a reading of 5W, about half of what it should be. I did the signal tracing from the manual. Some values were considerably low, while other were quite close. Xmit mixer out read .002 vice .016 Buffer Output was .107 vice .200. Predriver Output .65 vice .120 Driver input .008 vice .026 -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K2-Low-Power-Out-Hi-Current-tp7570850p7570959.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K2 Low Power Out / Hi Current
Looks like a bad coax was indeed causing the high current issue. I've resolved that, but I'm still show no power out on the external watt meter, while the internal is reading 2.4. Jeremy VA3ZTF -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K2-Low-Power-Out-Hi-Current-tp7570850p7570905.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K2 Low Power Out / Hi Current
The watt meter has a 5, 15, 50, 100W ranges, and I was using the 15 and 5 to try and get measurements. Carrying on with calibration using the internal meter yielded the expected results. I may actually be able get this on the air tonight! Thanks for the help, Jeremy VA3ZTF -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K2-Low-Power-Out-Hi-Current-tp7570850p7570907.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ 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
[Elecraft] K2 Low Power Out / Hi Current
I'm trying to complete the stage 3 transmitter alignment on my K2 and have run into a bit of a snag. The 40M check looks good according to the built in power meter, however with an external watt meter connected to a dummy load, I am getting less than 1W on the with the K2 set at 2W, and about 2W when set for 10W. Moving on to 80M at 2W I get a high current warning. I checked the voltages on Q5, Q6, Q7 and Q8 as per the manual trouble shooting. All of the collectors are at 15.12V, and all emitters and bases are at 0v. My transformers look like the diagrams and have the proper number of turns. What else should I be looking at? Thanks Jeremy VA3ZTF -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K2-Low-Power-Out-Hi-Current-tp7570850.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K2 Low Power Out / Hi Current
Hi Don, The capacitors all look good, and I found one issue with a toroid and corrected it, but the issue remains. T4 is wound with proper number of turns, but wires do overlap some instead of being stacked neatly. Not sure if this could cause an issue or not. T4 is also standing off the board a bit, rather than being snug to the screws underneath. Jeremy VA3ZTF -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K2-Low-Power-Out-Hi-Current-tp7570850p7570857.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K2 VCO Alignment only 0.02V @ R30 - Solved!
After some more trouble shooting with Gary from Elecraft, he decided to send me a new U4. After installing it, all tests and alignment for step 2 went off without any issues at all. -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K2-VCO-Alignment-only-0-02V-R30-tp7569523p7569882.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K2 VCO Alignment only 0.02V @ R30
So Gary from Elecraft gave me some things to check today. Heres where I am at for the moment. T5 is back to 15 turns of red. This brings the frequency close to spec @ TP1. Pulled C72 and measured its value at 273pF. U6 has 4V @ pin5 and pin1 goes from 7.5 to 0V when doing the PLL range test. T5 lead 3 is showing 2.4V TP1 is reading 0.686V with the RF probe. TP1 is reading 8179.89 @ 4000.10 There is 5V on both sides of RFC15. Cal PLL gives me info 232 even with TP1 @11915.60 tuned to 7000.00 Seems I'm going in a bit of a circle, but thats how things are at the moment. I'm letting the unit sit powered up for a while before I try Cal PLL again. -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K2-VCO-Alignment-only-0-02V-R30-tp7569523p7569605.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K2 VCO Alignment only 0.02V @ R30
So Cal PLL is still not working. The 5V from U4 pin13 makes it all the way to U6 pin 6, but is blocked by C94 on the other branch. Still only 0.020V at R30. -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K2-VCO-Alignment-only-0-02V-R30-tp7569523p7569616.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K2 VCO Alignment only 0.02V @ R30
So this morning I started rechecking everything. I've found that the 5V on U4 pin 5 is intermittent. Not in a way that would indicate a loose or poor connection, but either that it is there, or it isn't (mostly isn't) when powering up the unit. U7 always has the 5V on pin2. I checked the resistance between U7 pin2 and U4 pin 5 and found about 300k. Looking at the schematics however, it looks like U4 pin5 is actually connected to U7 pin5 (SDO). There is less than 1 ohm of resistance between U4 pin5 and U7 pin5, so it would appear that U7 may have an issue. The other odd thing is that even when there is 5V coming into U4 pin5, the symptoms at R30 (0.020V) and the low band frequencies are still there. It looks like U7 may provide U4 a clock signal as well. I was seeing the 8V at R30 after reflowing all of the joints near the PLL Reference. Could the increase in temperature in the are have triggered the thermistor? The only thing changed between having the 8V at R30 last night and then losing it was the rewinding of T5 to bring it back up to 16 turns of red. The continuity checks are good through it, and L30 still changes the frequency when adjusted. -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K2-VCO-Alignment-only-0-02V-R30-tp7569523p7569573.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K2 VCO Alignment only 0.02V @ R30
Looking over the board I did find that I had U8 C45 connected to pin7 instead of pin6. That has been corrected. U6 pin 24 to U4 pin5 is less than 1 ohm, however U6 pin24 to U7 pin2 is 300k ohm. I don't see any damage on the board. I also noticed going back to the beginning for the resistance checks on the control board that Q1 collector should be great than 1M, but is reading 5k. -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K2-VCO-Alignment-only-0-02V-R30-tp7569523p7569578.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K2 VCO Alignment only 0.02V @ R30
Rechecked the resistance, and indeed there is 300k from U6 pin 24 to U7 pin2. Looking at the schematic in the manual, it shows U6 pin24 connected to U7 pin5 and U8 pin11. At this point I do have less than 1 ohm. The schematic shows U6 pin23 connected to U7 pin2 which is reading less than 1 ohm. The control board was removed when checking Q1, and it is showing 4.2k to ground. -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K2-VCO-Alignment-only-0-02V-R30-tp7569523p7569582.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K2 VCO Alignment only 0.02V @ R30
No problem Don, you've been a huge help. So I went back to the beginning and did all resistance checks in the manual up to this point and everything is good. PLL range test @ 7100.00khz gives me 12099.13 high and 12086.33 low. VCO @ 4000.10 gives me 7840.33 I do still have some bad voltages on U4 and U6 which I'm tracing now to see where everything goes to and comes from. -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K2-VCO-Alignment-only-0-02V-R30-tp7569523p7569586.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K2 VCO Alignment only 0.02V @ R30
So I really thing that U4 is faulty. It's putting out 5.029V on pin13 when that should only be 4V. All the components surrounding it seem to have the correct voltages according to the manual. I think I'll replace that and see how things look after. -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K2-VCO-Alignment-only-0-02V-R30-tp7569523p7569588.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ 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
[Elecraft] K2 VCO Alignment only 0.02V @ R30
I'm in the process of building a K2 and am having trouble at the Alignment and Test part 2. I've gone through at ton of previous posts here an have been talking with Gary at Elecraft but no luck so far. The main issues are C22 only has adjustment less than 1khz (12085-12086) @ TP3, and R30 which should have 6V only has 0.02V. Below is the email chain (bottom to top) with the trouble shooting Gary and I went through. Wonder if anyone has any ideas of what the issue might be, or further trouble shooting steps to isolate the problem. Thanks, Jeremy From Jeremy To Gary Adjusting the windings on T5 and moving the slug in T30 up has given me 11914khz on 40m. The other bands are still way off. Cal PLL still gives error 232. I've tried running it at 7000, 7050, and 7100khz. Checked the diodes and all are correct and in the right spot. Oddly enough I was able to get it to run Cal PLL by turning T30 until I got 12003khz at TP1. Came across this by forgetting the probe in TP3 and running Cal PLL. Moved the probe to TP1 and adjusted T30 and Cal PLL ran. C22 only has an adjustment of less than 1khz (12085-12086) @ TP3. R30 which should have 6V only has 0.02V. Sent from my iPad On 2013-02-01, at 5:11 PM, Gary Surrency g...@elecraft.com wrote: The freq. is still too low at TP1. The PLL cannot lock and the VCO will not be on freq. unless it can tune to approximately the freq.'s shown in the VFO Table. Err 232 is what you will see when the TP1 freq. is not close enough for the PLL/VCO to lock onto the expected freq. Something still seems to be wrong too, with the VCO freq.'s on the upper bands. Too low of freq. means there is either too much inductance or too much capacitance in the T5 circuit. If it is not T5 and some bands are OK or close to OK, then it is likely that for some reason, there is too much C in the circuit still. This could be from an incorrect cap, a VCO relay is not releasing some of the caps, or the varactor diodes are of the wrong type or are in the wrong places. Check to see if maybe you mixed up the MV209 diodes with the 1SV149 diodes. Try expanding the red turns on T5 as much as possible, and turn the slug in L30 so it is near the top of the coil. See if then the VCO freq. will come close enough to the stated freq.'s for the PLL to lock when you do CAL PLL which is done only on 40m. If it is not within about 5-10kHz, CAL PLL will not succeed. -- 73, Gary AB7MY = supp...@elecraft.com Elecraft Technical Support On 2/1/2013 4:52 PM, Jeremy Jones wrote: Understand totally on the capability of the radios. We're going to be using them as an easy way to practice and test improvised antennas. And if all goes well ill be passing my civilian amateur exam next week. Did the hard reset. U6 pin1 checks out good. U6 pin 5 is 4v. RFC 15 shows 2.3ohms. No marks on any relays. Removed 1 turn from T5. VCO test now gives 8040khz, which is now in spec. Still only 20mV on R30. All capacitors correct according to the VCO table. Still get error 232 when trying Cal PLL. New VCO freqs 3500khz = 8067 7000khz = 11734 10100khz = 13820 14000khz = 16559 18068khz = 18407 21000khz = 14847 24890khz = 16558 28000khz = 18405 Those are up from what you said was already high. What next :) Sent from my iPad On 2013-02-01, at 3:38 PM, Gary Surrency g...@elecraft.com wrote: Hi Jeremy, OK on the civilian call sign. Note that our radios are primarily intended to cover the US ham bands, and there is limited freq. coverage outside of those ranges due to the design of the VCO/PLL. The K2 is not general coverage. You might first try doing a hard reset by holding down the 4,5,6 buttons all at the same time when the power is turned on. This ensures the IOC sets the freq. boundaries correctly and all of the defaults are set. Release the buttons in 2-3 seconds and then wait about 10 seconds for the INFO 201 initialization to complete normally. This is usually done the first time the rig is turned on, but if it was interrupter or did not complete for some reason, the rig could be in an indeterminate state. The VCO frequencies you stated are too high. Try expanding the red turns on VCO inductor T5, or if necessary - remove a turn. Use care to not damage the plated through holes if you do need to remove T5 to rewind it. Be sure there is no mistake in ID-ing the caps in the VCO circuit too, and make sure none of the VCO relays have any soldering iron burns to their case, they are not reversed on the PCB, and the pins are well soldered. See the VCO Table again for which caps are used on which bands, and verify those are all correct, and they are well soldered, as well as the VCO relays that switch them. Check each and every part and soldered connection in the VCO / PLL area. Check that U6 pin 1 (LMC662) on the RF Board moves between 0VDC and about 7.5VDC when you do the PLL range test. If not, there is probably a problem with the little PLL reference oscillator thermistor board, usually a
Re: [Elecraft] K2 VCO Alignment only 0.02V @ R30
Hi Don, I set C22 to midway. PLL @ TP3 is 12099.12 - 12086.32. T5 is a yellow core, wound with 15 turns red and 4 green. I had to bring it down to 15 turns as recommended by Gary to get 8253.86khz @ TP1 when tuned to 4000.10 for the VCO test. It was around 7694.39 with 16 turns. L30 is the correct part, and all diodes have been checked to ensure the correct part and placement. Soldering has been checked. Verified C67, C65, C64, C68, D13, Q18 for value and orientation. Relays click when changing bands. Still getting the following readings. 3500 = 8248.42 7000 = 12010.78 10100 = 14157.67 14000 = 16976.67 18068 = 18878.23 21000 = 15211.55 24890 = 16977.38 28000 = 18878.84 I am at a loss for what to look for next. Everything seems to check out, but my readings are still off. Anyway I can try to isolate a faulty component? -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K2-VCO-Alignment-only-0-02V-R30-tp7569523p7569533.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K2 VCO Alignment only 0.02V @ R30
Don, Checked D19 is n in the secondary menu. L30 does change frequency. Soldering iron is set to 775F. I'm using one of those illuminated workbench magnifying lamps to examine my work. Even still I reflowed the solder on all joints to be sure. U6 circuit components are the correct values and orientation. U6 pin 5 reads 4V. Bridged the pins between L30 and T5 and resistance is 0. Checked before bridging and it was as well, but wanted to be sure. I am at a loss.. Jeremy -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K2-VCO-Alignment-only-0-02V-R30-tp7569523p7569541.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K2 VCO Alignment only 0.02V @ R30
U4 pin13 = 5.029V U6 pin6 = 5.026V U6 pin7 = 0.020V L30 with 1 red lead removed = 0.5ohm -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K2-VCO-Alignment-only-0-02V-R30-tp7569523p7569545.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K2 VCO Alignment only 0.02V @ R30
C62 is correct, and the path is intact. Reflowed the solder on all connections just to be sure. U4 readings are as follows Pin1 = 0.111 Pin2 = 0.339 Pin3 = 0.006 Pin4 = 2.363 Pin5 = 4.99 Pin6 = 4.99 Pin7 = 4.99 Pin8 = 4.99 Pin9 = 0.001 Pin10 = 0.001 Pin11 = 0.000 Pin12 = 0.000 Pin13 = 5.029 Pin14 = 5.029 Pin15 = 5.029 Pin16 = 5.029 Pins 1, 2, 7, 8, 12, and 13 are not within the specs in the manual. Is this a bad U4, or should I start tracing backwards? -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K2-VCO-Alignment-only-0-02V-R30-tp7569523p7569548.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K2 VCO Alignment only 0.02V @ R30
So I started tracing back and checking joints and reflowing solder. I now have 0.760 @ pin8, 0.000 @ pin 13, and 0.00 @ pin 15. R30 is now showing 8.04V, but 40M is reading in the 13000khz range, with L30 able to adjust frequency but not voltage. I'm thinking I may need to add back in the turn that was removed from T5 earlier to bring everything into spec? -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K2-VCO-Alignment-only-0-02V-R30-tp7569523p7569551.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K2 VCO Alignment only 0.02V @ R30
Thanks Don, I'll rewind T5 and see where that gets me. U4 pins 1 and 2 are still low (no change), and U7 pin2 and U4 pin5 are equal. Do you still suspect there may be an issue with U4? -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K2-VCO-Alignment-only-0-02V-R30-tp7569523p7569557.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K2 VCO Alignment only 0.02V @ R30
Rewound T5 and now I seem to be back at square 1. U4 pin13 is high again @5.029V when tuned to 7100khz. R30 is back to 0.02V 40M is at 11351.25 L30 still changes frequency. The VCO test at 4000.10 results in 7794.5 @ TP1. U7 pin2 and U4 pin5 are both 4.99V. I think I'll call it quits for tonight and see if tomorrow brings better luck. Thanks for all your help, Jeremy -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K2-VCO-Alignment-only-0-02V-R30-tp7569523p7569565.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ 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
