[Elecraft] KX-1 Q6 and Power Questions

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

Since I wrote that instruction, I've fielded a LOT of questions about =
odd
shorts that SOME ops have while others (like me) have disassembled their
KX1's dozens of times without a single short.

One op turned up what might be happening. His KX1 had a large enough =
hole
for the flat-head screw so that, when the screw was tightened, it =
allowed
the beveled part of the screw to "reach" through the clearance in the =
hole
and touch the metal tab on the transistor. See if that's what is =
happening
to you!=20

If so, a flat-head screw will solve it in the short term, and it'll =
confirm
a possible issue with the hole size in some of the cases.=20

The output power is VERY sensitive to your supply voltage. What are you
using?=20

Ron AC7AC=20


-----Original Message-----
...I have 2 questions:

1.  The chassis screw that goes through the shoulder washer and secures =
Q6
is very sensitive to being screwed in too far.  The Q6 tab shorts to =
ground
with the screw still extremely loose, almost falling out.  The =
positioning
of the thermal pad looks exactly right, but it acts like a little bit of
additional screw tightness is somehow causing the tab to get past the
thermal pad to the metal case.  I simply cannot figure out how this is
happening.  I am concerned that a little inadvertant hand pressure on =
the
case while operating might cause a catastrophic short.  Any suggestions?

I used my DMM and the DL1 dummy load to measure power on the 3 bands (I =
have
the 30M module installed).  I get

20M 2.50W
30M 3.38W
40M 3.26W

Are these ok, or can I do something to get closer to 4Watts?  I do not =
yet
have the antenna tuner installed, that's next.

Tnx.  73 de Brian W3BW