[Elecraft] Want Pro test/alignment Insts. for K2

[Wallace, Andy]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: phoon.usinet [mailto:phoon@attglobal.net]
>
> Another issue:  The K2 alignment instructions seem "kludgy".

Hi, uh...Peter? I know I sent you a reply on this subject when I
saw your musings on it several weeks back, and I just forget your first
name.

> Also, have the designers published expected AF/RF voltages=20
> (or dbm) for given frequency(s) at:

You'd need to know what level signal input or power output to
set up for, but --
=20
> VCO Input to Rcv mixer?
> Lo input to Rcv mixer?
> Output from Rcv mixer?
> LO input to Tx mixer?
> VCO input to Tx mixer?
> Output of Tx mixer?
> Input to 4.915 Mhz Xtal filter
> Output from 4.915 Mhz Xtal filter?
> IF amp input?
> IF amp output?
> Product detector input?
> Product detector output?
> Pre Driver input?
> Driver input?
> PA input?
> PA output?
> For 1000 Hz input, what is expected AF output?

-- those are all good points to know about. In fact, they would
have helped me when my newly-built K2 had low sensitivity
that seemed to center around Q22.=20

I am sure Eric and Wayne haven't published such a list (or even better
yet, some digital oscilloscope captures) because in general, the K2
alignment consists of "peak-for-max" or "set for this DMM value" and
the 3500+ (isn't that neat?) K2s out there work fine when aligned
that way. And they're too busy making new products! Or perhaps having
a life. It's easy to forget that the Elecraft company isn't a team of
a dozen or more designers.=20

But your point (and my experience) are well taken: when the rig is
suspected of NOT performing up to par, such a table would be a great
help. It could also save a field return from going to Gary Surrency.

There is the genesis of such a list in the back of the K2 manual, in
the signal tracing section, where you build a simple oscillator and
check voltages with the Elecraft RF probe supplied with the K2s.
I wound up using an old military signal generator to do my tracing.

There are also some scope-shots on the Elecraft site someplace,
under "signal tracing," done by a K2 owner.=20

(Here's a suggestion: I think it's Don Brown who does the noise source
kits - why not spin a new version that also has a 7 MHz xtal osc for
just such a purpose?)

Peter, it sounds like YOU will have the equipment to take such =
measurements.
Maybe, after your K2 is built, you could check those signals and publish
them for everyone? It wouldn't be as good as hearing it directly from
Elecraft, but it would be "something." My gut feeling is that your K2,
like the 3500 others, would be performing fine and your table or scope
shots would be "good" ones. It's a start. I certainly wouldn't lean on
Elecraft to provide such a list unless they have run out of new things=20
to design and are bored in the lab. :-)=20

Andy