[Elecraft] KX2 Starts Off with Low Output on 10M
Hello! I recently purchased a KX2 (#757) from a friendly member of this list. I have a local 10m meetup I attend frequently, and I noticed a strange behavior that I'm now able to replicate. When I first switch to 10m, I have extremely low output power (one bar on the RF meter), even when set to 10w. I have to keep transmitting for 30-60 seconds, and if I do, the output power starts to work its way up to the full 10w. As you talk, you'll see 2 bars, 3, then 5, etc eventually to the full 10w. If I switch back to another band and back immediately, it will display the same behavior (start on one bar and then climb slowly), but if I stay on 10m it will continue at full output for the QSO. I isolated this problem this morning and can now replicate at will. It's not just a display issue, my local meetup actually noticed it in audio (I start off in the noise, and come out to normal over time). I mailed Elecraft, and they suggested it was a hardware failure in the final stage. Before I return the radio for service, has anyone experienced this issue previously and found it to be a configuration issue that didn’t need hardware repair? Thank you in advance! Other than this issue, I absolutely love the KX2. It took me 3 small HF rigs to land on it, but it suits my needs perfectly. —Nate KE8QID Sent from my iPhone __ 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] KX2 Starts Off with Low Output on 10M
I have replicated this behavior both with the internal as well as the MH3 external mic. Of course set at different mic gain levels, always per the manual which as you said suggests 5 bars of ALC. I have tried lower and higher mic gain settings just for fun, with the same results. I don’t think this is an mic gain issue, as it does happen on any other band I’ve used (80, 40, 20) and only on 10m. I made a video showing the behavior here, let me know what you think: https://youtu.be/7wWd6vRYSxo I have had great QSOs on 40 and 20 so far, and feedback that my audio is extremely low on 10 until it “warms up” and then reports there are excellent, also. I usually talk on 10m for 45-60 minutes every weekend morning and it performs well once it’s up to power. Nate KE8QID Sent from my iPhone > On Feb 28, 2021, at 11:01 AM, Brian Hunt wrote: > > The KX2 uses a control loop to set power. Make sure you have sufficient > audio drive to energize the loop. Using the ALC display set the MIC GAIN so > you have 5-7 bars on voice peaks, per the manual. > > What MIC are you using? Have you tried the internal MIC? > > GL & 73, > Brian, K0DTJ > __ > 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 ndjedi...@gmail.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] KX2 Starts Off with Low Output on 10M
Unfortunately, this did not fix my particular KX2. TX Gain calibration was completed successfully, but the same issue persists. I also did the TX bias calibration, and noted that bis on Q6 took ~45 seconds to complete, vs the 3-10 the manual suggested. Q7 was fast. Q6 wavered a lot between .3-.7v. I suspect this suggests the problem is perhaps indeed hardware-related. Thank you to everyone on the list who responded with ideas to check. I’ll get this one packed up and sent back to Elecraft. —Nate KE8QID > On Mar 1, 2021, at 10:09 AM, Reed Fite wrote: > > Mine did the same thing. Did the TX gain calibration & that fixed it. > 73,Reed W4JZ > > __ > 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 ndjedi...@gmail.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] KX2 tx low power on 80M SSB
Dave, I have that exact problem with my KX2 on 10m. See my recent thread here: https://www.mail-archive.com/elecraft@mailman.qth.net/msg247537.html Elecraft support said that situation is indicative of a failure in the output stage, and my KX2 is currently back at elecraft for repair. I sent it back in early March. I will update my reflector thread with the outcome of the repair, so watch this list for details. I never use 80 on that radio, so I’m not sure if the issue existed there, unfortunately. Nate W1NAT Sent from my iPhone > On Mar 20, 2021, at 6:10 AM, Dave Jones wrote: > > Hello all I wonder if anyone has come across this problem that I have with > my KX2. After initial turn on or after changing bands to 80M the tx power > output is 2W if the power setting is 10W or above. If I keep talking into the > mic (MH3) and pressing and releasing the PTT then the power will gradually > increase to the correct level. If the power is set to any thing below 10W > then the power output level is correct. > > The CW power output on CW is not affected at all and if I enable the CW on > SSB feature not only does that give the correct carrier power output but the > SSB power level is also correct after a brief press on the key. Once this has > been done the power output is correct until the radio is turned off and then > back on or the band is changed to another band and then back to 80M. > > 80M is the only band affected, all other bands give the correct output. > Hopefully someone is able to help me with this problem. > > Thank you Dave VK4FD > > __ > 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 ndjedi...@gmail.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] KX2 tx low power on 80M SSB
Great to hear, Dave! I’ll be posting the outcome of my KX2’s trip back to elecraft, so watch the reflector if you’re interested in following along. As of now no ETA from elecraft, it’s been there about 2 weeks so far. Nate W1NAT Sent from my iPhone > On Mar 21, 2021, at 8:05 PM, Dave Jones wrote: > > Thank you to Nate W1NAT and Reed W4JZ for your quick responses to my post. I > have carried out the TX gain calibration as you have both suggested and that > has fixed the problem. I now have the correct power output on all bands from > 80 through to 12M. 10M is still a little low initially (about 4W) but the > power comes up with brief CW carrier or just as I talk on SSB to 10W. I can > live with that as I don't use 10M very often. > > Thanks Dave VK4FD > > __ > 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 ndjedi...@gmail.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] KX2 tx low power on 80M SSB
Elecraft indicated this behavior pointed to a failure in the output block. Since Elecraft has mine now for repair of this issue, we will get a definitive answer as to whether this is firmware or hardware. —Nate Sent from my iPhone > On Mar 22, 2021, at 12:02 AM, Reed Fite wrote: > > Dave, mine does the same thing on 10 meters. Wondering if a firmware change > might fix it. Press Tune for a second & the problem goes away. The KX3 > doesn't have this problem. > 73,Reed W4JZ > > > __ > 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 ndjedi...@gmail.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] FS: KX2 Shack-In-A-Box with Lots of Extras
Hello, all! Planning to list this on QRZ but thought I'd offer it here first. Everything you need for SOTA, POTA, Digi Modes. Open the box, and get started at home or afield! I've had great luck with this KX2, just not going to be using it much this year so I'd like it to go to someone who will. The only issue I've ever had was noting that on 10M, SSB power would start low and ramp up. I sent it back to Elecraft and they noted this is a software "feature" and no problem existed. However, it was also updated to most recent spec at that time and re-calibrated. A few light signs of use on the transceiver and accessories, but operationally as new. Elecraft KX2 #757 Back at factory 4/2021 for updating and calibration (harmonic suppression kit installed, C83/C98 caps updated, brought up to revision A7 from A1). Includes: KXPD2 Paddle KXAT2 Internal ATU KXIO2 Real Time Clock 2x KXBT2 Battery Packs KXBC2 Charger Quick Release Ground Plug MH3 mic LowePro Case AX1 Antenna with extra AX1E 40M extension and AXB1 Bipod BNC-BP for random-wire antennas SideKX heatsink, SideKX protective cover QRPWorks K-Board with keyboard Easy Digi for KX2 KXUSB Cable $2200 total value, for $1325 shipped. Please email me directly with questions or to make a purchase. I will not split up the bundle, no trades. Thank you! --Nate W1NAT __ 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