From: "Phillip Buckholdt" To: Date: Sat, 20 Apr 2002 09:22:13 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] RE: Parts -- snip -- I used one of their 5-30 pf caps in par w/a 100pf SM in both of my SSB mods. 73 Phil ++++++++++++++++++++ From: "Dick van Kuppevelt" To: "K2 List" Date: Fri, 26 Apr 2002 22:34:23 +0200 Subject: [Elecraft] Problem with ksb2 solved. Hi all, I noticed, a week or so ago, that my CW reception was suddenly much lower in strenght than the SSB reception. I took out the ksb2 and wired the w2 and w3 so I could check the CW reception in this way. That seemed to be OK. So, the problem had to be in the KSB2 module, I measured the switching networks around D10--D13 and around D6--D9. The values indicated were way off in the D6--D9 network. After further investigations I discovered that the junction of c10-R5-RFC2 whas at ground level. I thouht there was a short in C10, took it out, but the junction was still at ground level. R5 was OK and rfc2 could be the problem. By carefully inspecting the surroundings of RFC2 ( it is very near to the grounded can of X5 ) I found out that one of the windings made contact with the sharp edge of X5 thus shorting the junction to groundlevel. When I moved RFC2 a little, the problem was solved. Now there is a thick piece of plastic sheet between RFC2 and X5. End of story. ( So be carefull with the spacing between components and the sharp edges of those X-tal-cans.) 73 de PA3BPV, Dick, The Netherlands, K2#1959 ++++++++++++++++++ To: sholton at optonline.net, elecraft at mailman.qth.net Date: Thu, 30 May 2002 15:01:22 -0700 Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Toroids and SSB board From: k6se at juno.com Steve, N1NB wrote: "The toroid transformers T1 and T2 have 22 turns of red which are supposed to occupy 80-90% of the core. It seems hard for me to wind them short of almost 100% (but NOT overlapping) and still get a good fit with the board." ---------- I didn't have this problem when I wound T1 & T2. Make sure that the wire passes through the core only 22 times and the winding is tight. Also make sure you don't have the larger cores for T1/T2 reversed with the smaller cores for RFC1 & RFC2. Also make sure you're using the #28 AWG red enameled wire supplied with your KSB2 kit and not the #26 AWG red enameled wire that comes with the K2 kit. Anyway, you shouldn't allow the 22-turn winding on T1 & T2 have their turns overlap. ========== "The two rfcs are supposed to be mounted on the top of the board. The outline on the bottom shows a horizontal layout, but I can't see space on the top for anything but a vertical mounting between RP1 and X3. is vertical correct??" ---------- Yes, one of the toroidal RF chokes (on tiny cores) is mounted vertically between RP1 and X3 and the other is mounted vertically between RP2 and X5, both on top of the board. 73, de Earl, K6SE +++++++++++++++++++ Date: Thu, 11 Jul 2002 22:41:30 -0700 From: "John Grebenkemper, KI6WX" To: Elecraft Mailing List Subject: [Elecraft] Mods To The KSB2 For the last 6 months I have worked on a set of changes to the KSB2 that provide increased SSB performance for the K2. These changes are not required for the K2 to function well in the SSB mode, but are intended for those who wish to obtain the best possible performance. There are four major changes discussed in the document. The first allows the builder to select different SSB bandwidths for the KSB2 filter. This may be especially useful if you desire a wider SSB filter. The second improves the flatness of the 2nd Xtal Filter. I had posted this change to the reflector a few months ago and several people have implemented it in their K2. The change makes the LSB and USB response in receive nearly identical. The third change increases the RF gain of the KSB2 so that it will function with lower output microphones without resorting to various resistor changes that have been tried by a number of people. It also allows the K2 to achieve a slightly higher SSB output on 10 meters. The fourth change reduces the in-band audio intermodulation distortion that occurs in the KSB2 modulator by 15-20 dB. This change is most important for data modes, but should also increase the audio fidelity of the KSB2 in SSB transmissions. All of these changes are described in a document "Improving the Performance of the KSB2" which may be downloaded from my website at http://home.pacbell.net/johngreb/KI6WX.html -John KI6WX +++++++++++++++++++ From: "Don Brown" To: "Elecraft" Subject: Re: [Elecraft] need help on ssb module k2 Date: Sun, 6 Oct 2002 17:51:25 -0500 Hi If the SSB module is not communicating with the K2 then the problem is so= mething with the AUX buss or the MPU on the SSB module. You may have a ba= d or un-programmed MPU or the ceramic resonator may be bad. If you have a= scope look at pin 10 of the MPU and you should see a burst of 4 mhz sine= wave at about 5 volts each time you press the mode button on the front p= anel. If not you may have a bad resonator. Look at pin 28 (AUX buss) and = you should see data pulses each time you press the mode button. If not yo= u may have a bad connection in the AUX buss circuit from the K2. The AUX = buss wakes up this MPU so it can make needed changes on the SSB board whe= n something is changed on the front panel then the MPU goes to sleep, so = the clock signal on pin 10 is only there for a few milliseconds. Don Brown KD5NDB ----- Original Message ----- From: ken cubilo electric Sent: Sunday, October 06, 2002 5:23 PM To: George, W5YR Cc: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] need help on ssb module k2 Hi George yes I sure did ken w8ob "George, W5YR" wrote: > =20 > Did you remove the capacitor that bridges the SSB module? > =20 > 73/72, George > Amateur Radio W5YR - the Yellow Rose of Texas > In the 57th year and it just keeps getting better! > Fairview, TX 30 mi NE of Dallas in Collin county EM13qe > K2 #489 Icom IC-765 #2349 Icom IC-756 PRO #2121 > =20 > ken cubilo electric wrote: > > > > I have just installed the ssb module in k2 #2864 and find that the ri= g > > refuses to recognize the module as being connected. I have checked ou= t > > all circuit wiring and eliminated the obvious such as IC's backwards, > > diodes etc. I find measuring voltages on U1 that they appear pretty m= uch > > normal except for pin 14 which should be 6.0 v is a big fat zero. Do = I > > have a mentally handicapped MCU here? any suggestions would be > > appreciated. > > thanks > > ken w8ob +++++++++++++++++ Reply-To: From: "Ron D'Eau Claire" To: Subject: RE: [Elecraft] SSB - Fooie! Date: Tue, 8 Oct 2002 18:20:50 -0700 John - KC4KGU wrote: ... If you just enjoy CW, that's one thing but, it's kinda hard to screw up pulsing a carrier.... -------------------------------- Then why was it necessary to simplify the CW test so much over the years in order for people to be able to pass it? And once learned... well... I guess you haven't had the practice trying to copy some of the "fists" that I have... Bless every one of them though for putting in the effort that learn it takes to send well -even with the help of a keyer. You are right about there being more variables in SSB transmission - starting with a 20 dB or more disadvantage in signal to noise ratio compared to CW. And I'll add to that in support of your comment that I've heard a few AWFUL sounding K2's out there on SSB. In general, the BFO is not set right, producing a very bassy, muddy audio or a very tinny "weak" audio. Figuring out how to properly adjust things is part of the challenge and the fun of building your own rig. And it can't be ignored any more than learning CW can be ignored if you want to use a key. I strongly recommend to any op running SSB to listen to yourself on an auxiliary receiver at the first opportunity and record your voice to see if you really like what you hear. Shoot, I've got probably a whole day invested in "tweaking" the BFO settings and microphone for the best audio and the only SSB QSO's I've had were with other K2 owners while I was doing the tweaking! Ron AC7AC K2 # 1289 +++++++++++++++++ Date: Fri, 18 Oct 2002 16:51:06 -0700 From: Eric Swartz WA6HHQ - Elecraft Organization: Elecraft To: Fred Bennett N9TA Cc: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Carrier Balance question No. The balance control only impacts the amplitude of the residual carrier in SSB. It has nothing to do with the location of the carrier with respect to the filter edges. 73, ERic WA6HHQ =============== Fred Bennett N9TA wrote: > > Hi Gang > > I got a "on the air" comment about my carrier balance seeming to be off. > Upon re-checking, I found the comment to be correct.....the carrier balance > WAS quite a bit (must have jostled it upon one of the MANY MANY times > I've taken the poor critter appart to add stuff). I reset the carrier balance as per > the instructions. My question for the assembled masses is: Do I need to > re-calibrate the filters now?? > > Fred........Nashville, Indiana > N9TA......K2#242 +++++++++++++++++ Date: Fri, 18 Oct 2002 17:44:23 -0700 From: Eric Swartz WA6HHQ - Elecraft Organization: Elecraft To: Fred Bennett N9TA Cc: Elecraft List Subject: Re: [Elecraft] The Plot Thickens....Carrier Bal Question Pick the median between USB and LSB on 40M and you should be in good shape. 73, Eric WA6HHQ ========= Fred Bennett N9TA wrote: > > As a matter of fact, it balances out at different settings on just about > ALL the bands !!! > +++++++++++++++ From: "Lyle Johnson" To: "Elecraft List" Subject: RE: [Elecraft] The Plot Thickens....Carrier Bal Question Date: Fri, 18 Oct 2002 18:31:00 -0700 Hello Fred! > So the carrier balance > seems to be at different settings of R1 for LSB and USB. Is this > a problem? No, it is normal. Follow the directions on page 19 of your KSB2 manual. The carrier balance adjustment is a compromise for carrier suppression between LSB and USB. It only works at IF. Your external receiver is coupled MUCH closer to your transmitter than any receiver will be in the field, don't get too worried about it. 72, Lyle KK7P +++++++++++++++ From: "Rod N0RC" To: "Tom" , Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KSB2 Mod Date: Sat, 16 Nov 2002 12:02:17 -0700 Tom, Check the errata sheet, also available at: http://www.elecraft.com/manual/KNB2_errata_C-1.pdf. If the parts you have are the same as on the errata, your SSB module has the proper parts for the PSK IMD mod. 73, Rod N0RC ----- Original Message ----- From: "Tom" To: Sent: Saturday, November 16, 2002 11:50 AM Subject: [Elecraft] KSB2 Mod > Hi Gang, > > Still getting ready to build the KSB2 SSB add-on and I have a question. > > I went to the Elecraft web site and read about a Mod that was posted to > help improve IMD when operating PSK31. I thought I read also that the > KSB2's shipped after September 2001 included this mod. Can someone verify ... ++++++++++++++++ Reply-To: From: "Ron D'Eau Claire" To: "'Helmut Usbeck'" , Subject: RE: [Elecraft] ssb problem Date: Sun, 1 Dec 2002 16:54:20 -0800 That has been a problem with a number of K2's for two reasons. First, is the proper setting of the BFO in relation to the filter bandpass. Setting the BFO by Spectrogram is NOT a good way to be sure that you have a good signal. On mine, with a fairly bassy voice, I have the bandpass set considerable further "up" from the carrier than the sample plots (or the SSB module instructions) suggest. As they say in the SSB module book, it is a good idea to make the final adjustments by listening to yourself on the air. I recorded myself on an auxiliary receiver and made the final adjustment accordingly. Secondly, a number of K2's have SSB (OPT1) filters that are simply too narrow. Elecraft designed for a very narrow SSB filter - something close to 2 kHz. That produces more audio "punch" for a QRP rig, but it's on the edge of becoming too sharp. IF it's too narrow, your audio will either sound muffled or very tinny and "thin". Elecraft sells a replacement set of crystals that are more carefully matched, if that's you problem. I had a narrow filter that wouldn't sound decent and a new set of crystals fixed the problem. Also, John, KI6WX, has some mods posted on his web site (and on the Elecraft site I think) that discuss ways to open up the filter bandpass a little more if you want more fidelity. That's of special interest to the K2/100 operators on SSB out there. If you replace the crystals, you will have to replace all 14 OPT 1 and CW filter crystals so they will match up when switching modes. Ron AC7AC K2 # 1289 -------------- Ever since I purchased and installed the KSB2, and using the MH2 mike I've gotten audio quality reports being muffled, bassy, sounds like you've got a hankerchief over the mike, lacking highs...etc. Checking into it today the problem is still with me.(been on seedub for awhile) I've had several QSO's today using different mikes so I don't think that's the problem. I've gotten these reports on both USB and LSB. Any ideas? Thanks. Regards, Helm. WB2ADT ++++++++++++++ Date: Sun, 12 Jan 2003 12:52:12 -0600 To: jragsdale at navix.net, elecraft at mailman.qth.net From: Tom Hammond =?iso-8859-1?Q?N=D8SS?= Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KSB2 - D5 Hi John: Well, you're certainly right... I was just looking in the WRONG place for=20 the diagram. Usually such drawings have been placed at the back of the=20 manual, instead of at the front... my error. I suspect that the parts placement diagram was merely COPYed from one=20 document to the other, and the addition of the 'new' component was= overlooked. D5 was added subsequent to the version of the KSB PC board prior to yours,= =20 and I feel it was just an error of omission on the part of Elecraft when=20 the new manual was prepared. Proceed to INSTALL D5. 73, Tom Hammond N0SS At 12:26 PM 1/12/03, John Ragsdale wrote: >Tom, > >Thanks for responding. > >My Revised C Manual has a parts placement drawing on page 5. The circuit=20 >board puts D5 between C34 and C19. Nothing is shown between them in the= parts >placement drawing. > >73 > >John N=D8NF > >On Sun, 12 Jan 2003 11:18:33 -0600, you wrote: > > >Hi John: > > > >>My KSB2 Kit includes D5. The instructions say to it install it. The= circuit > >>board has a place for it. The parts placement diagram in the manual=20 > does not > >>show it. > >> > >>Do I install D5? > > > >Which parts placement diagram are you referring to? I don't see one in= the > >Rev C version of the KSB2 manual. > > > >73, > > > >Tom N0SS ++++++++++++++++++ To: jragsdale at navix.net, elecraft at mailman.qth.net Cc: support at elecraft.com Date: Sun, 12 Jan 2003 10:56:48 -0800 Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KSB2 - D5 From: k6se at juno.com jragsdale at navix.net wrote: "My KSB2 Kit includes D5. The instructions say to it install it. The circuit board has a place for it. The parts placement diagram in the manual does not show it. Do I install D5?" ========== The parts placement drawing on page 5 of the KSB2 manual is in error because it does not show diode D5. This error should be added to the errata sheet. Yes, you should install D5. D5, a 1N4148 diode, is located between capacitors C34 (electrolytic) and C19 (small blue) about 1-1/2" from the left edge of the board and about 1" from the front of the board. 73, de Earl, K6SE +++++++++++++++ From: edkess at pa.net To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Date: Mon, 13 Jan 2003 23:01:42 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] Celebrating!!! Good evening, Celebrations and confessions! I'm mostly a CW op, but I decided that after owning my K2 for several years, that I'd like to try SSB for a change of venue. I built the SSB module years ago, installed it, but only used it once to test the thing. Well, to make a long story short, after trying all sorts of mics and SSB settings, going over the board with a fine-toothed comb, talking to Gary Surrency etc. etc., I kept getting terrible signal reports. Four days ago, I had enough! I took out the module, my soldering iron and my headset magnifyer with this attitude: "if it doesn't work this time, I'm tossing it and buying a new one." . . . . . . . I don't know how I missed it earlier, but I had wound T2 with three too many link turns. (Confession time.) I had wound it identically the same as T1. It's amazing what an extra three turns does to the impedance match and drive level of the product detector. Should've known better. And now, guess what, it works. Audio reports are good and I'm having fun with my K2 again. Anybody need a stack of mics. Hi. 73 Ed AA3SJ K2 #656 P.S. This is the ONLY glitch I've had with my K2. Everything else has been absolutely perfect. ++++++++++++++++++ From: "Tom Buchanan" To: Date: Thu, 23 Jan 2003 20:34:26 -0600 Subject: [Elecraft] No Tx on ssb (fixed) After 3 evenings looking at the KSB2 ssb adapter I found the problem. Seems I forgot to put jumpers at CD & CL between the crystals...oops. Thanks for all the suggestions in trying to find the problem. K2 #2688 is ready for some air time now. :) 73, Tom KG4KGY ++++++++++++++++++ Date: Mon, 27 Jan 2003 10:57:04 -0800 From: Eric Swartz WA6HHQ - Elecraft Organization: Elecraft To: "George, W5YR" Cc: Elecraft List , "Julian (G4ILO)" Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Speech Processors The finals in both the K2 and K2/100 are certainly 'up to the strain' :^). We designed them to handle way more than you will normally hit them with in a processed SSB conversation. In the case of the K2/100 the finals can handle a significantly higher temperature than we let them go to in firmware. The heatsink and PAs are Ok even when the heatsink is almost too hot to touch. At that point we still have a 50 degree safety overhead on the transistors and will reduce power automatically before we get much closer to that point. I've never seen that happen in normal or contest operation. When the K2's speech compressor is turned on we actually get some additional RF compression by slightly overdriving the '602 balanced modulator (on purpose). The resulting out of band IMD is filtered out by the SSB filter, resulting in our characteristic punchy SSB sound. I'd expect little improvement (and a lot more distortion) from any additional processing. 73, Eric WA6HHQ Elecraft George, W5YR wrote: > > Frankly, the issue for me is whether or not the finals can stand the > increased duty ratio involved in producing 3 to 6 dB more average > power output. If they can, then the addition of an rf-based processor, > such as the Comdel design I described (also used by Drake and Ten Tec) > or the Vomax audio split-band design, could make a favorable > difference in the received signal strength and perceived > intelligibility and "loudness" of the audio. ++++++++++++++++++ From: "George, W5YR" To: "Eric Swartz WA6HHQ - Elecraft" Cc: "Elecraft List" , "Julian (G4ILO)" Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Speech Processors Date: Mon, 27 Jan 2003 20:32:57 -0600 Many thanks, Eric, for the words of comfort on the K2 finals. I did not intend to give the impression that I could hardly wait to hook up one of my processors and thereby "greatly enhance" the K2 SSB performance. Thus far, my SSB operation has perhaps lasted 5 minutes and that was during some checkout testing. As far as I could tell at the time, monitoring on another K2, the first level of compression worked well for my voice and the MH-2 microphone. My interest in my original posting was to alert those unfamiliar with speech processing that it can place additional demand on the final amp. Since I cannot recall seeing a duty cycle spec on the K2, I took the conservative view that the finals could probably stand normal CW and SSB operation with an adequate safety factor, but could not necessarily stand up to a 6 dB increase in average power. Also I was unaware that you are already employing a form of r-f clipping and filtering in the balanced modulator - I wonder if you have an estimate of the increased average power level obtained in that manner? "In the interests of science" I might see how the Comdel/K2 combination works out, judging the output both by monitor receiver and scope examination of the r-f output envelope with two-tone testing, etc. With any processed speech, the final arbiter is the tradeoff between distortion and increases in intelligibility and average power levels. Thanks for the information, Eric. 73/72, George Amateur Radio W5YR - the Yellow Rose of Texas In the 57th year and it just keeps getting better! Fairview, TX 30 mi NE of Dallas in Collin county EM13qe K2 #489 IC-765 #2349 IC-756 PRO #2121 IC-756 PRO2 #3235 +++++++++++++++++ From: "Robert Parker" To: "Dwight N4GSD" , Subject: Re: [Elecraft] lsb usb questions Date: Sat, 22 Feb 2003 23:01:07 -0500 Sounds like your filter in the SSB unit needs alignment using spetrogram. I had the same problem. I aligned it with the program and no more problem. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Dwight N4GSD" To: Sent: Saturday, February 22, 2003 10:55 PM Subject: [Elecraft] lsb usb questions > Group, > > Not sure if its a problem, but my k2 sounds tinny on USB? Not even sure how > to descibe that. > > > > Dwight N4GSD > K2 # 3183 // KSB2 // KAT2 > Nuts 4 German Shepherd Dogs! ++++++++++++++++++ Reply-To: From: "Ron D'Eau Claire" To: Subject: RE: [Elecraft] lsb usb questions Date: Sat, 22 Feb 2003 20:16:13 -0800 Pre-s/n 3000 K2's had that problem because of a "tilt" in the 2nd Xfil bandpass. A mod was created to fix that and I understood that the mod was incorporated in the S/N 3000 and on versions of the r-f board. Unless something is wrong with a transistor switch associated with the 2nd Xfil board so it is not working, I recommend taking a close look at your BFO frequency settings for the Upper sideband. The "pitch" of the received audio will shift downward as you move the BFO frequency in CAL FIL nearer to the filter bandpass and it will shift upward as you move it further from the filter bandpass. You can hear this very plainly by hooking up the counter probe and going into CAL FIL while listening to a station and then adjusting your BFO frequency. It's much like "passband tuning". How is your transmit audio? Keep in mind that FL1 (OPT1) is ALWAYS used for transmitting, no matter which filter is selected for receiving. So if you know that your transmit audio is just what you want, only try messing with FL2, 3 or 4 BFO frequencies. That way you won't mess up the transmit audio. If you aren't sure about your transmit audio, NOW is the time to check it out . Ron AC7AC -----Original Message----- Group, Not sure if its a problem, but my k2 sounds tinny on USB? Not even sure how to descibe that. Dwight N4GSD +++++++++++++++++ From: "Don Wilhelm" To: "Dwight N4GSD" , Subject: Re: [Elecraft] lsb usb questions Date: Sun, 23 Feb 2003 10:02:34 -0500 Dwight, All crystal filters display a steeper slope on the low frequency side as compared to the high frequency end, so what you are hearing may just be "the way things are". OTOH, a careful alignment with Spectrogram may help to improve things for you. But some questions first 1. Are you having the problem with the SSB OP1 filter? If you are using the varaible filter in the base K2 such behaviior is to be expected. 2. Do you have a K2 SN below 3000? If you do, have you installed the 2nd filter flattening mod? That mod will help a lot and is included in K2s above SN 3000. 3. Is your transmit audio on 20 meters (normally USB) good or does it sound 'tinny' on the receiving end? If your transmit audio is good, use SSB FL2 with OP1 selected for reception and set the BFOs to produce receive audio that is pleasing to your ears. Set this up initially with Spectrogram with markers at 300 and 2300 Hz, then center the displayed passband for the most symetrical fit between the markers - that will produce usable results, and you can move the passband up or down from that point by shifting the BFO frequencies until it sounds right for your ears. 4. If you are using the variable filter in the base K2, you may find better results with a bandpass much more narrow than usually used for SSB, try 1700 or 1800 Hz for the bandpass and see if the clarity improves - it does on my K2. 73, Don W3FPR +++++++++++++++++ From: "Don Brown" To: "Dwight N4GSD" , Subject: Re: [Elecraft] k2 ssb question Date: Wed, 19 Mar 2003 06:54:27 -0600 Hi One of the common problems with this board is reversed toroids. The windings are opposite from each other. The green windings are close to the outside of the board on both toroids. If you installed the toroids the same way then you will have low power out. The red windings are both 22 turns but T1 has 7 turns of green and T2 has 4 turns of green. Also make sure the RFC1 and RFC2 toroids leads do not short to the crystal cans. Its OK for them to touch the crystals on the enamel part just make sure the stripped part does not touch. Don Brown KD5NDB ----- Original Message ----- From: "Dwight N4GSD" To: Sent: Tuesday, March 18, 2003 7:27 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] k2 ssb question > Showed my radio to a couple of guru's from the club, they sugested my proble > could be the result of off wound toroids. Anyone have pictures of the ssb > toroids I could compair with? My personal email will take large files. -- snip -- ++++++++++++++++ From: "Lyle Johnson" To: "Kent" , Subject: RE: [Elecraft] Dead SSB2 Date: Tue, 25 Mar 2003 21:05:53 -0800 Hello Kent! > I just changed all the crystals in the K2 and SSb2 adapter and > now have only low level ssb. Am I missing something here?? When I did the upgrade, I had almost no output from my SSB module. Turned out that one of the small toroid transformers between a crystal and a resistor network got scratched and the wire in the transformer was shorting to the crystal case and thus to ground. Once found, easy to fix. Hope this helps! 73, Lyle KK7P +++++++++++++++++++ Date: Wed, 26 Mar 2003 14:52:14 -0800 To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net From: Eric Manning Subject: [Elecraft] troubleshooting I removed my K2 top cover [antenna tuner, computer port & Battery] and accessory boards, and made some changes to the VFO AGC circuit. Put it all back together and -- VERY weak receiver audio. No noise increase when an antenna was connected - bad sign. LO BATT message. Audio filter OK but No real time clock. ARRGH! Guess what it was? VFO -- NOPE. Component failure? Nope again. Much simpler. 1]When I plugged the SSB board back in, all appeared to be OK , and the big plug and one little one WERE OK, but the other little plug's pins were beside its socket, not in it. The receiver signal path goes right thru the SSB board. No connections, no signal path. 2] When you plug the antenna tuner/ serial port cable into the control board, your finger is right next to a TINY slide switch which connects the builtin voltmeter to P5 or to +12V. My finger bumped the slide switch. 3] The new software has an RTC parameter which must be set to ON to activate the clock. THat's it == one connector mismated, one switch bumped by accident, and one overlooked software parameter. I hope this will help someone else. When in doubt, suspect connectors. -- Eric Manning VA7DZ VE3DPV K2 #2561 "Pauline" ++++++++++++++++++++ From: "Mike Harris" To: , "Eric Manning" Subject: Re: [Elecraft] troubleshooting Date: Thu, 27 Mar 2003 09:34:32 -0300 G'day, > 1]When I plugged the SSB board back in, all appeared to be OK , and > the big plug and one little one WERE OK, but the other little plug's > pins were beside its socket, not in it. The receiver signal path goes > right thru the SSB board. No connections, no signal path. A good visual check on this one is to make sure the hole in the middle of the module lines up centrally with the yellow test point. Regards, Mike VP8NO +++++++++++++++++++++ From: "Don Brown" To: "Charles Esch" , Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K2 signal at 14,361.4 khz Date: Mon, 7 Apr 2003 14:41:02 -0500 Hi The signal at 4.000 mhz is the MPU clock but it is outside the ham bands so is 14.36. The last several K2's I have built had the low R30 voltage I rewound T5 with 17 turns (one more turn) and the problem was corrected. Squeezing the turns is also ok to get the voltage up. Don Brown KD5NDB ----- Original Message ----- From: "Charles Esch" To: Sent: Monday, April 07, 2003 2:01 PM Subject: [Elecraft] K2 signal at 14,361.4 khz > Hi, > > I have an almost completed #3315 K2 and I just installed SB board. > > All has gone quite well in building except for a few problems. > > 1. I have a strong signal ocurring at 14.36140 mhz that is about S1-2. > As I tune down in frequency a few hundered cycles, in any mode, the > signal drops off abruptly. > > I also have a less strong signal at 4.000 mhz that does not have this > abrupt drop in the signal. > > I don't know if this was present before I installed the sideband board > as I am not sure if I have listened at these frequency before. > > 2. The only other problem I have had was with VCO alignment. > I was not able to get the voltage at R30 up to the 6 volt point with the > L30 inductor adjustment. > I found that if I compress the windings on T5 I was able to get there. > The only problem, if it is a problem, is that the windings cover about > 65% of the core rather than the 85% required. Rechecked components > related, but did not find any problems. > > Thanks for any suggestions you have. > > Chuck W0KZM ++++++++++++++++++ Reply-To: From: "Sverre Holm - LA3ZA" To: , , Subject: RE: [Elecraft] K2 signal at 14,361.4 khz Date: Mon, 7 Apr 2003 22:02:16 +0200 The tone at 14361 kHz was discussed a few weeks ago. Here is the explanation: The image frequency corresponding to a dial setting of 14361 is: 14361 + 2*4915 = 24191 Compare that to the 2. harmonic of the PLL reference oscillator which is in the range 12080 - 12100 -> 24160 - 24200. Therefore the 2. harmonic hits the image response. The 14361 kHz birdie tunes much slower than ordinary signals, because as you tune, the PLL is pulled up at almost the same rate, until you hit the point where the division count in the PLL loop changes by one count, and the PLL reference oscillator jumps back to a lower frequency. Well, this may sound a bit complex, but the essence is that this is part of the oscillator design of the K2 and for that reason it is outside the ham band. 73 Sverre LA3ZA ++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Wed, 21 May 2003 15:25:36 -0700 From: Bob Nielsen To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K2 - Full power carrier in SSB Yes, that was the problem. Thanks for the quick response. I guess I needed this to remind me to pay more attention to the instructions. The checkout and alignment has just been too non-eventful so far. Now I know why C167 had such long leads. 73, Bob, N7XY - org msg - Date: Wed, 21 May 2003 14:45:06 -0700 From: Eric Swartz WA6HHQ - Elecraft Organization: Elecraft To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K2 - Full power carrier in SSB Did you forget to remove C167 when you installed the KSB2? If so that will route carrier RF around the SSB adapter and create the symptom you are observing. 73, Eric WA6HHQ ----- > On May 3, 2003, JR Groeger wrote: > >> I have completed a minimum, plain vanilla configuration (PTT, AF, GND >> only) of the microphone header and successfully set (I think) the >> coarse carrier balance adjustment. But I am unable to do the fine >> carrier adjustment. When the TX is keyed in either LSB or USB I get a >> steady carrier at > 10 watts irrespective of the power control >> setting, no audio. ++++++++++++++++++++