[Elecraft] K2 Transmitter Problems

[Jerry Rheinschmidt]

Hi All,

  I am building a K2 and am having problems with the TX alignment. 
Alignment and Test parts I & II went fairly smoothly.  On Part III I 
never got past 40M transmitter alignment on page 72 of the Rev C Apr 
2000 Owner's Manual. The K2 is barefoot and there is no atu.  I am 
using an external wattmeter and an old Drake DL 1000 dummy load. The 
dummy load measures a dc resistance of 48 ohms with a DVM. The 
display voltage and current reads a stable 13.6v and 0.16 amps on RX. 
I am using an external Pyramid model PS-14KX 14 amp power supply. I 
set the K2 power knob to display 2.0 watts.  When I press tune the 
display reads 11.1 watts and the external watt meter reads 5.9 watts. 
After 15 to 30 seconds the display alternates between 12.7 watts and 
Hi current.  The external watt meter at this time surges/fluxuates 
back and forth between 6 and 10 watts. Meanwhile, the voltage and 
current display readings rapidly change between 10.3v and 12.0v and 
the current between 2.2amps and 3.2 amps. Moving the power knob only 
changes the display reading on RX.  The output power is the same as 
described above.  So the power output displayed does not track the 
power knob setting display. Also turning L1 and L2 seem to have 
little or no effect on the output power. I am stumped and would 
appreciate any help in resolving my problems.  The RX side seems to 
work ok and I can copy cw signals on 40M.  The CAL Cur is set to 3.2 
amps.  The book mentions 3.0 amps for 10 watts output.

Thanks es 73s
Jerry WA0BFD
K2 #2655