[Elecraft] Low SSB drive on K2

Sun Dec 14 13:24:03 2003

Rich, it does sound like you may have a drive problem in SSB. One thing I 
did to prove beyond a doubt I did have a problem was to borrow an RF scope 
(Heathkit vintage) and compared my CW output to SSB.

Long story short, I had a cold-solder joint on the SSB board that once I 
found it (not easy) now, according to the RF waveform, my audio peaks equal 
my key down and CW outputs!

Given the instanteous nature of voice peaks, I don't trust anything else but 
an RF scope to determine my real output.....and, as a bonus, you can see if 
you've got other problems with your SSB output like splatter....etc....

Good luck....ed

>From: "Rich McCabe" <[email protected]>
>To: <[email protected]>
>Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Low SSB drive on K2
>Date: Sun, 14 Dec 2003 11:38:32 -0600
>
>Tom,
>
>The meter I am using is PEP and I have it in that mode. Comparing the K2 to
>my Pegasus, I get only 10-15 watts on the K2 and 70-80 doing the same 
>"Hello
>Radio" on the Peg.
>
>So this tells me the K2 is not operating as it should.
>
>Thanks and 73,
>
>Rich
>kd0zv
>
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Tom Hammond" <[email protected]>
>To: "Rich McCabe" <[email protected]>; <[email protected]>
>Sent: Sunday, December 14, 2003 11:07 AM
>Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Low SSB drive on K2
>
>
> > Rich:
> >
> > >But still it does not drive well even at SSBA setting 3. A normal 
>"hello
> > >radio" might get between 10 and 15 real watts on the external meter 
>while
> > >the internal shows between 70 and 100. Definitly not 15.
> >
> > This is due to the ballistics of analog meters... the 'swing' of the 
>meter
> > needle is (more or less) AVERAGED by the damping of the meter itself.
> > Unless the meter includes PEP metering, it's very normal for the meter 
>to
> > indicate a SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER level when it's being driven by SSB voice
> > than CW.
> >
> > >In CW the meters are similar. If anything the external shows slightly
> > >higher. But it is hard to be exact since this K2 has the normal power 
>out
> > >fluctuation where the output jumps around !!
> >
> > This supports the comments made above.
> >
> > Sounds like you're in good shape.
> >
> > 73,
> >
> > Tom   N0SS

_________________________________________________________________
Cell phone �switch� rules are taking effect � find out more here. 
http://special.msn.com/msnbc/consumeradvocate.armx