Re: [Elecraft] K3S Audio buzz on transmit, especially AM

On 4/26/2019 10:44 PM, donov...@starpower.net wrote: Y our emails leave the impression that your approach isn't very methodical. Yes, but that lack of methodical troubleshooting is the result of most hams being weak on the fundamentals of fields and passive IM, instead seeing problems in the

Re: [Elecraft] Of words and such

I think that's incorrect...but little appreciated. https://writingexplained.org/biannual-vs-semiannual-difference [https://writingexplained.org/wp-content/uploads/biannual-versus-semiannual-meaning.png] Biannual vs. Semiannual – What

Re: [Elecraft] Of words and such

Now that is funny! 73s and thanks, Dave (NK7Z) https://www.nk7z.net ARRL Technical Specialist ARRL Volunteer Examiner ARRL Asst. Director, NW Division, Technical Resource On 4/26/19 3:08 PM, donov...@starpower.net wrote: It especially depends on what part of the world you're in... Years ago M

Re: [Elecraft] Of words and such

Phil, You nitpicker you! :) Was good to see you in PDX last week! 73s and thanks, Dave (NK7Z) https://www.nk7z.net ARRL Technical Specialist ARRL Volunteer Examiner ARRL Asst. Director, NW Division, Technical Resource On 4/26/19 11:22 AM, Phil Kane wrote: On 4/26/2019 11:01 AM, Wayne Burdick

[Elecraft] Of Words and such

When I first moved to northern Florida in the late 60/s I did a double take when someone riding with me asked if they could crack my window.Don, W4CBS Sent from my Sprint Samsung Galaxy Note9. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailma

Re: [Elecraft] Of words and such

It appears some members would excuse an obvious mistake, because they concur with what they believe is intended to be a compliment.   But how do we know for sure what the writer intended to convey?  After all, his words are, in fact, a slur. Words, in general, often often have very specific me

[Elecraft] K2 VCO Alignment Issue

Working on my 2nd K2 (S/N 7869) and have run into a problem with the VCO alignment. I'm getting a constant 8.37 V at R30 at 4.000 MHz.. I cannot change it with the full range of L30. Correct type inductor is installed at L30. Dropping the VFO down to 3.500 doesn't change it either. I have gone ba

Re: [Elecraft] K2 VCO Alignment Issue

John, That high voltage is trying to reduce the capacity of the varactors. Which means there is either too much capacity or too much inductance in the circuit. Check the value of C72 first - it should be marked "271". Then set the L30 slug to about mid-position and spread the red turns of T5

Re: [Elecraft] K3S Audio buzz on transmit, especially AM

I don't think that "collecting data" and "process of elimination" are particularly ANTI-methodical either. But the fact is that most people will never encounter this kind of problem and don't spend their days practicing how to troubleshoot it, so they seek advice from people who do have experience

Re: [Elecraft] K3S Audio buzz on transmit, especially AM

On 4/27/2019 11:31 AM, Nicklas Johnson wrote: To answer Jim's earlier question, yes, it does appear that transmitting an unmodulated AM carrier from the K3S into anything resembling an antenna yields a buzz on the KX3 receiver (and vice-versa). The buzz is NOT audible when listening to the K3S's

Re: [Elecraft] K3S Audio buzz on transmit, especially AM

What they are saying is that it is best to break things down into logical clear steps, isolating as much as possible to prove or eliminate cause and effect.  The issue are that some folks don't know enough to do this and some have issues trying to be logical; running in circles while others oft

[Elecraft] K2 - Bar Graph Erratic - New symptoms

I posted several days ago about the bar graph (s meter & w meter) on my K2 was erratic. I received suggestions suggesting changing the RF gain control and re-doing the S meter calibration. Today i did the following: 1. carefully monitored the audio from K2 as the RF gain control was rotated and

Re: [Elecraft] K2 VCO Alignment Issue

Hi Don, Thanks for the quick response. I did check C72 again. It is a 271 value. I then spread the red turns on T5 as far as I could. I'd say they cover about 90+% of the toroid. I put the L30 slug at mid-point of travel and measured voltage at R30 and it is still right at 8.37 V. While there I c

[Elecraft] KPA-1500 input too high

Hi All, KPA-1500 s/n 423 Operating 80 meter SSB running 20 watts drive with tuner engaged for about 1240 watts out PEP. Remote app shows maximum power handling of 1620 watts. Out of nowhere I got an input power too high alarm @ 191 watts! The radio is capable of 100 watts out max and verif

Re: [Elecraft] K2 VCO Alignment Issue

John, Both frequencies are too low. You have either too much capacitance or too much inductance in the VFO.  Count the number of times the red wire goes through the center of the T5 core - it should be 16. Check relays K13, K14 and K15 for solder bridges. Make sure the core of T5 is yellow.

Re: [Elecraft] KPA-1500 input too high

What are you using to drive the KPA1500? Connect the driving transceiver to an external wattmeter, and then to a dummy load. Do a KeyDown in CW mode and see what the actual power output is shown on the external wattmeter. My thinking is that your driving transceiver has lost its ability to

Re: [Elecraft] K2 VCO Alignment Issue

Hi Don, I’m sure you remember that my K2 kit (serial 7818) experienced the exact same issue. I went through all of your suggestions without any success. My K2 is now in the hands of Elecraft Support. I’m hoping they will find a solution to my (and John’s) issue. Just a FYI. Many thanks for all

Re: [Elecraft] KPA-1500 input too high

Try it in to a dummy load. - Paul At 02:48 PM 4/27/2019, rocke...@gmail.com wrote: Hi All, KPA-1500 s/n 423 Operating 80 meter SSB running 20 watts drive with tuner engaged for about 1240 watts out PEP. Remote app shows maximum power handling of 1620 watts. Out of nowhere I got an input

Re: [Elecraft] KPA-1500 input too high

Don, first thing I did. Radio is indeed sending 20 watts on 80 meters. Is a Flex 6600, not capable of 191 watts the amp said it was seeing. The 3 watt, 3k Ohm resistor on the filter board is discolored and one side desoldered itself. This provides RF to the onboard frequency counter. This is th

Re: [Elecraft] KPA-1500 input too high

The input too high only happens into a non-resonant load (tuner in circuit). Also noticed on 20 now when tuner is in operate there is a 3 dB drop in noise floor. This is the second time the 3 watt resistor has desoldered itself from the board and both times the resistor is discolored. Only one RF

Re: [Elecraft] KPA-1500 input too high

Dave, Time to contact supp...@elecraft.com. Unfortunately, they are only open for the next 45 minutes (unless someone is working late), so be patient while the support folks enjoy their weekend. 73, Don W3FPR On 4/27/2019 6:48 PM, rocke...@gmail.com wrote: The input too high only happens in

Re: [Elecraft] K3S Audio buzz on transmit, especially AM

Hi Nick, You've done a good job organizing your tests and test results. One more question: how far is your transmitting antenna from your ham shack and other nearby homes? Very telling is this comment at the end of your email: "Transmitting into a dummy load *while* turning off all nearb

Re: [Elecraft] KPA-1500 input too high

I can wait until tomorrow. Won’t bother them on Sunday. The symptom this time is different than last. Last time was amp acting like tuner not tuned. This time showing excessive input power even though actual power is fine. Let’s see what happens. Dave wo2x Sent from my waxed string and tin

Re: [Elecraft] KPA-1500 input too high

They are going to want to know what is going on with the input power. The burned resistor (twice!) is a very good indication that there is indeed too much power flowing into the KPA’s front end at times. It is quite possible for any transmitter to put out more power than spec at times, especiall

Re: [Elecraft] KPA-1500 input too high

Hi Jack, No indication suggests the radio is putting out excessive power. To prove the point I used two different radios (Flex 6600 and Anan 7000dle. Anan has PA power calibrated.) Flex Power Genius XL has lightning fast protection and never shows spikes. Array Solutions Power Master II does n

[Elecraft] New KX2/KX3 firmware improves ATU tuning with low battery voltages

We have a new field test revision of KX2 / KX3 firmware ready that provides much more accurate ATU tuning when the transceiver is operated from low power supply / solar panel / battery voltages. For example, if you're using 8 NiMH or alkaline batteries, ATU tunes should now be reliable down to

[Elecraft] Elecraft CW Net Announcement

Good Evening, The last of the neotenous flowers are blooming before the alder close the canopy.  Hummingbirds have ceased gathering cobwebs from around my windows.  Bracken fern are growing rapidly; not yet unrolling but over a foot tall.  Yesterday they were only lumps pushing out of the soil

Re: [Elecraft] K3 - DVR installation question

Did you build your K3? If so, it’s no big deal. You do have to remove the from panel but it’s easy and trust me. The first time you installed the panel it was tricky. But after that it’s not hard at all. FYI: I bought a 10 Watt/ no ATU kit in August or 2009. I went into the thing every weeken