[Elecraft] OT: Need advice
Can anyone give me some clue as to whether there is some sort of forum somewhere where I can get information on the disassembly of an old Kenwood dual band rig? I know what the problem is electronically, but I can't get the bleepy blank circuit board out of the unit. Much obliged. Vin Cortina KR2F K1 s/n: 1977 ___ 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
[Elecraft] It happened again!
Well, it has happened again. When I started building my K1 in the spring, I was all ready to enjoy the benefits of a pool of very knowlegeable people to help me diagnose the problems I would have. So what happened? It worked perfectly from the start, and I didn't have to ask for help. This weekend I finished the KAT1 and installed it into the K1. Guess what? Yep... it worked perfectly, first time. What do I have to do to have a little troubleshooting fun? Guess I'll go work on my tractor; it's always broken. Next, the KX-1, once I buy it. All the best, Vin Cortina KR2F Mount Tremper, N.Y. ___ 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
[Elecraft] No matter what I do...
Hi folks. Remember my last post about how the K1 I built in the spring and the KAT1 I built just now worked great, thereby depriving me of some fun troubleshooting? Well, you're NOT going to believe this. Since it really had no bearing on the story, I neglected to mention that I had a K1 tilt stand, an RF probe, and a DL-1 dummy load on order from Elecraft. Well, it arrived this morning (Monday the 5th). I discovered it when I was leaving the house, and since I had an armful of other items, I temporarily put it on the roof of the car. I know you know what's coming. My intentions were to stop by the local diner, grab some lunch, then double back to the Kingston area (the nearest city) for some quick shopping. Well I got about 3/4 the way to the diner, when it hit me. The box! Oh NO! The BOX! Obviously, I stopped immediately, and got out to check the roof, just in case it got caught on the roof rack, which obviously it did not. I then made a high-speed U turn, and began to trace my steps, as it were, in a desperate attempt to find my missing stuff. I got to the final county route which passes my property, and was only about 200 yards away from the tiny dead end cut-off to my driveway when it happened. Since I had placed the box on the right side of the roof, I was thinking maybe it would have fallen off onto the right shoulder of what is now the oncoming lane from my perspective. So, my eyes were firmly positioned to the far left of my lane, with regular glances in front of me to make sure I didn't crash. Suddenly, in one of my forward glances, I noticed an object in my MY LANE, just about lined up with my left tires. At 45+ M.P.H. and with the distance it was, avoiding it was impossible. The realization hit me just as the front tire of the Subaru whacked the package, followed only a few hundred milliseconds by the rear tire. I managed to stop about 70 yards downrange. I backed up (small county road, no one coming), and picked up the package. It had my name on it, and looked incredibly similar to the one I had just put on my roof only 5 minutes ago, except it had large tire marks on it, and looked like it had just been beaten up very badly. Guess what? I opened it up No damage whatsoever. So help me. The box and the little plastic peanuts had taken a severe pounding, but they gave their lives to protect the precious contents. The circuit boards were untouched. I even checked the diodes under a microscope, and they look OK. Heck, even if they're broken, I will gladly buy new ones. So it seems I won't be able to enjoy any troubleshooting fun no matter WHAT I do! I need a few days off. Vin Cortina KR2F ___ 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
[Elecraft] Actual power out and the WM-2
Hi everyone, I have been enjoying my K1-4 immensely for many months now, and am getting ready to build the KAT-1. But I decided to build my OHR WM-2 first, so as to get a good idea of how the antenna tuner is actually performing. Well, the meter went together on a Sunday afternoon/evening very nicely, but there is one thing I noticed. My K1 goes from 100 mW to about 7.1 W according to the front panel display (of the K1). Now, when I look at the power out on the meter, I see good agreement with that from around say 2 watts to about 5 watts. But at the low and high end, the meter reads high. Approximately 300 mW when the radio says 100 mW, and about 6 watts when the radio says 5 watts. At the top end, the difference is even a little worse, approx 8.5 watts on the WM-2 when the K1 says 7 watts. Yes, I definitely checked and re-checked the calibration of the meter according to the manufacturer's instructions. It occurred to me that maybe there is nothing really wrong, and that the K1 is just delivering more than it indicates at those levels. My years of training and experience in electronics tells me that that is probably not the case. The news is NEVER good. I am certain many of you use the WM-2 with your K1's, so certainly someone must have some info on this. And the bad news is...? VinKR2F K1 s/n: 1977 Vin Mount Tremper, NY ___ 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
[Elecraft] Quick question
Somewhat OT, but can someone email me off-list a few of my options for small paddles for my K1 field ops? I believe there is something like White Rook, or some such? Please don't tell me about handmade stuff. I do not do well with small, home-made items. Is the KX1 paddle a viable option? Thanks much. VinKR2F Mount Tremper, NY ___ 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
[Elecraft] The d at 7038 is growing
I've been meaning to ask about this for months. Not continuously, but consistently, there is a CW signal which just sends the letter d over and over, with an occasional other letter. This goes on day and night literally at any time. Now today at about 7038 I hear my old d friend, and now somebody else at nearly the same frequency sending p. Does anyone have any idea what the heck is going on? Vin KR2F Mount Tremper, NY K1 s/n: 1977 ___ 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
[Elecraft] For anyone who doubts QRP
Nothing earth shattering here. BUT. I just worked EA6UN on 40M at abt 0040 with 2W out of my K1-4 (s/n:1977) Granted I was using a 40M dipole up at 55 feet, but I was 569 there and he answered me on my FIRST CALL. I have literally gotten the operating bug again from this radio. I know I'll be ordering the antenna tuner very soon. I will definitely be on the trails this spring with it. Thanks to everyone who answered my questions during the assembly process. Vin KR2F Mount Tremper, NY ___ 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
[Elecraft] K1-4 S/N: 1977 ON THE AIR!
Well, I am still learning some of the subtlies of its operation, but K1-4 S/N: 1977 is on the air. First contact was with K8SYH/4 in Virginia. He was operating the Virginia QSO party, but it made no matter. He was loud and clear, and so was I. The only minor problem I have is power on 30M is about 4.3W when all others are 5.0W. I definitely checked the turns count on the toroids, so I'm guessing it's probably a simple matter of spacing on L5's turns. No big deal. As if you didn't already know... I love this radio. Next will be the antenna tuner, then a KX1. And someday... Vin KR2F Mount Tremper, NY K1-4 S/N: 1977 ___ 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
[Elecraft] K1-4 S/N:1977 coming along
Little by little, we are getting there. I have conducted numerous tests, including the first power applied test, and EVERYTHING is perfect. I have a few pix here http://home.hvc.rr.com/kr2f/kr2f_K1-4.html I'm looking forward to the true test coming up soon. Vin KR2F ___ 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
[Elecraft] Regarding Toroids and Transformers
As I mentioned in an earlier message, K1-4 S/N:1977 is coming along. I do have some questions/observations which I would like to put out here. Having done a few of the toroids now, I have noticed some things. I am NOT having that much trouble stripping/tinning the leads, but I notice sometimes, no matter how much I strip (I use the solder blob method), the wire always seems to be dull, as if the solder just doesn't want to stick to it. I am certain I have burned off all the insulation. In fact, on two occassions, I heated them til they got brittle, and fell off. Also, just how critical is the tightness of the winding, and how precise must the equal spacing of the windings be? When doing transformers, the instructions specifically tell you to intertwine the windings, and some you can just wind over the previous one. But when I do that, the second wire tends to get in between the first anyway. Problem there? I get this terrible, nagging feeling I am gonna be buying more red and green wire soon. ;-) But man, am I lovin' this. Vin KR2F Mount Tremper, NY ___ 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
[Elecraft] Pulpit Rock
Just for the record, everyone. I heard Ed on 40M CW from the Rock but he was Q1 to occasionally Q2, so I couldn't work him. I did, however, hear EVERYBODY else talking to him very well! Oh well, next time ;-) Vin KR2F Mount Tremper, NY ___ 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
[Elecraft] Re: K1-4 trimmer cap confusion -- an idea
I realize that you may not have seen my original post in its entirety as you may have read a cut version within someone else's reply to me. I did use the DMM and in my overtired stupor managed to actually misinterpret what I saw. I even made a phone call to Gary, and while on the line, I realized the error of my ways. Check, double check and check again. Thanks for taking the time to advise me, though. I always appreciate it. Vin KR2F ___ 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
[Elecraft] 1/2W instead of 1/4 W
Hi gang, My first question in the building of K1-4 s/n:1977. Since R8 of the Front Panel Board was not what it was supposed to be (I got a 220 OHM instead of a 22 OHM), I figured I'd pick it up at the local Radio Shack. Well, I did, and it is a 22 OHM, 5% tolerance. But the unit calls for a 1/4 W and RS only had 1/2W. Now OBVIOUSLY this is fine electronically, but what about mechanically? Will the larger size be a show stopper, or will it be no big deal? It looks OK on the board (See appendix F in manual), but I am afraid of final assy and something bumping up against it. Can anyone dissipate my resistance to inserting this component? Thanks everyone in advance. I have become so used to overwhelming response on this reflector, I have to brace for the surge of replies. Vin KR2F Mount Tremper, NY ___ 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
[Elecraft] Tech Notes Page
Hey folks! Quickly, K1 serial #1977 is just about fully inventoried, and the construction will soon begin. But that is not why I am here now. Is it me, or is there something amiss with the links to the Cheap and Dirty Signal Tracing for both the K1 and the K2? When I click on them, I get just a blank screen, very similar to what I see when I tell my kids to clean their rooms. If I click on anything else on that or any other page, everything seems fine. Just thought I'd check. Vin KR2F Mount Tremper, NY ___ 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
[Elecraft] S/N:1977 Inventory done
Having worked in electronics for over 25 years, I want to compliment Elecraft on the parts packing for my K1-4. In all of the parts in this kit, including the 4 band module kit, the only discrepancy was R8 on the Front Panel Board which is supposed to be a 22 Ohm, was instead sent as a 220 Ohm. That is amazing, plain and simple. I can remember the days of ordering ONE critical component for a multi-million dollar IC test system, having the parts guy verify its description to me over the phone, only to have the wrong thing show up the next day on site. That was ONE part. Since R8 is a simple and common 5% tolerance resistor, I am sure I can pick one up at Radio Shack, so no replacement is necessary. Many thanks to the Elecraft folks, and especially Christine and Walter who packed S/N: 1977. Now all I have to do is build it. We'll be talkin'. ;-) Vin KR2F Mount Tremper, NY ___ 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
[Elecraft] K1-4 Ant Tuner Question
Hi everyone. I have been on and off the list for a while, and I have just gotten back on, because I think I might finally be ready to get started on a K1. I have one question for now (although, I am sure that number will increase within a month or so. Due to limited $$$ up front, I am thinking of buying the K1-4 first, then acquiring the antenna tuner at a later date when I fall into a few more pieces of eight. Is adding the AT well after the main radio is completed any more difficult or time consuming (read partial disassembly), or is it no different than having it all at the same time? I assume it doesn't matter, but it would KILL me to have the K1 sitting here for months and not be able to assemble it. Thanks for your attention. Regards, Vin KR2F ___ 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
