[Elecraft] K2 problem, troubleshooting (alignment and signal tracing)

[David A.Belsley]

> Connected to a dummy load, I do not get a HI CUR message at 5W.  When 
> I crank up the power to 15W, I get the HI CUR message at first, then 
> it goes away.

Jason:  It's probably not that the HI CUR situation "goes away."  The 
power is likely responding to the HI CUR by resetting itself to a lower 
level.  However, it is not uncommon for the HI CUR to occur at 15w with 
the default limit setting of 2.5amps.  You can check the current draw 
using DISPLAY to see if it exceeds the 2.5amp limit just before the HI 
CUR state arises.  It is not likely to exceed 3.25, however.   So, once 
you get a decent antenna going, raise the HI CUR limit to 3 or 3.25 
amps and enjoy.


>  My K2 has the HI CUR setting at 2.5 amps (default).  Maybe I'll try 
> again with a higher value as suggested.  I was getting the HI CUR 
> message most of the time when hooked up to a yagi at my club's 
> station.  I'm not sure what the SWR of that antenna is, tho I wouldn't 
> be surprised if it's over 1.5:1.  I set the power there to 5W, and hit 
> my CQ message and was getting HI CUR a lot of the time.

Well, that remains to be seen just what the swr of that yagi was. You 
have a lot more faith than I have.  In any event, if you can drive your 
dummy load to 15w with the HI CUR set to 3.25 amps, then you're most 
likely just fine.  Give that a try.  You can monitor the situation 
using the K2's current meter which shows when you hit DISPLAY.    If 
the rig is drawing much more than 3.25 at 12-15w, you may have other 
problems.  This is easy enough to check out.

best wishes,

dave belsley, w1euy