[Elecraft] K1 Alignment Question

[Morrow, Michael A.]

Tim / N9PUZ wrote:

> When the K1 is powered up there is noise in the headphones 
> but it doesn't change when the coils are adjusted or the
> VFO frequency is changed. I do not hear any signals and
> notice no change when the antenna is connected and 
> disconnected.
> 
> Do I have a problem or are the four coils in each band just 
> so far out of alignment that nothing's getting through?

Most likely you are just still too far out of alignment.  IIRC, the
adjustment of the two-band board coils were pretty critical and sharp, plus
L1 will interact with L2, likewise L3/L3, L5/L6, and L7/L8 (You'll have to
go back and forth between the two until both are peaked).

The other thing you have to do is *find* the signal from the transmitting
source that generating a signal.  Until the VFO alignment is complete (later
in the alignment), your display can be off by about +/- 10 kHz.

> I can use the antenna and run another transmitter into my
> dummy load so I can get a strong signal source.

Run your test transmitter into the dummy load near the K1, and stick about
three feet of wire on the K1 antenna and drape it near the dummy load.  Set
your test transmitter at about 7050 and key it.  Then search for the signal
(it may be very weak) on your K1 display between 7040 to 7060.  Then peak
L1/L2 and L5/L6.  The battle is nearly won as soon as you can find the test
signal.  As you peak the coils, you'll pick up so much gain that you'll have
to move the K1 antenna, shorten it, reduce the test transmitter power to
minimum, etc. to keep from overloading the K1.

The receiver alignment just gets these coils in the alignment ballpark.  The
really critical adjustment of these same coils takes place during the
transmitter alignment.  I have found there to be significant effects on
power output for just slight re-adjustment of L1 to L8 during the
transmitter alignment, compared to their previously peaked valves from the
earlier receiver alignment.  Often the transmitter alignment results in even
better overall alignment for receive, but even if it didn't, the receiver
has a lot of gain to spare, and the transmit adjustments are much more
critical and important.

Keep us posted!

73,
Mike / KK5F