[Elecraft] K2 100 Watt Pa Problem

[DW Holtman]

Hello,

I just noticed something else on this problem. The whole radio resets, like 
turning it off then on again. The word Elecraft pops up on the LCD and the 
DSP red light blinks on, just like I turned it off then on again.

Any suggestions?

Best,
DW Holtman
WB7SSN

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "DW Holtman" <tubestuff at comcast.net>
To: <Elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Sunday, March 30, 2008 2:09 PM
Subject: [Elecraft] K2 100 Watt Pa Problem


> Hello,
>
> I was wondering if anyone else has had a problem like ythis one?
>
> I'm was in the process of finishing up my KPA 100. All of the power 
> supply, bias adjustments etc went as per the book. When I got to page 50 
> in the manual to test the transmitter at high power the problem shows up.
>
> With the Power out turned to around 11 watts, the relay clicks and the 
> power out is taken over by the KPA 100. Every thing works great until I 
> get to right at 20 watts. Any power level 20 watts or over, when it is 
> keyed, a relay klicks, power out shuts off and nothing out. At 18 watts 
> the power out from the KPA 100 is fine. There are no error messages that I 
> can find, even on the secondary message menus.
>
> Any suggestions why the PA works up to 20 watts then shuts down with no 
> error message?
>
> Best,
> DW Holtman
> WB7SSN
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Ron D'Eau Claire" <ron at cobi.biz>
> To: "'Nelson Wittstock'" <k8djc at zoominternet.net>; 
> <Elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Sunday, March 30, 2008 2:00 PM
> Subject: RE: [Elecraft] Soldering station
>
>
> I just ordered the new KXV3 RXA board for my K3.  The instructions state
> requirements for the soldering station to be used in the installation of 
> the
>
> new board.  My workshop has never had need for "high tech" soldering and
> consequently I do not own a soldering station.   I have several assorted
> soldering irons and guns that have served me well in the past but I guess 
> I
> will have to join the modern world.  Since I would like to keep updating 
> my
> K3 it looks like I will need to buy a soldering station.  In looking 
> through
>
> Googled references I see many stations in the $100 and up range.  Is it
> absolutely necessary to spend that much to ensure the safety of my radio 
> or
> are there some less expensive suitable alternatives?
>
> Nelson - K8DJC
>
> ------------------------------------------
>
> That mod is one of the easiest in terms of soldering. You are soldering 
> two
> fine wires to closely-spaced connector terminals that, if overheated, will
> melt the connector header or lift traces. But it's not nearly as critical 
> as
> many component installations in other locations. Two more leads are
> connected to BNC connector terminals that require significant heat in any
> case. The RXA board comes with the leads pre-attached, so there's no
> soldering to do to the RXA board itself.
>
> It's a judgment call. Elecraft wants you to be successful and your chance 
> of
> having trouble is greatly reduced by using the right tools, and a good
> soldering station is a tool you'll use again and again if you do any work 
> on
> your rigs.
>
> You can get away with less. I've repaired a lot of SMD circuit boards
> sitting cross-legged on the deck in the navigating bridge of a ship using 
> a
> portable butane-powered soldering iron while holding a flashlight in my
> teeth.
>
> I've also had lots and lots of practice over decades of soldering that 
> lets
> me judge the temperature of the tip by the smell and, by being very, very
> careful, I've yet to destroy a board or parts. I did have the advantage of
> "growing up" with the pc board industry, first working on boards back in 
> the
> 1960s that had large push-in pins to which leads were soldered, then 
> boards
> with big thick, wide traces that have slowly evolved into the tissue-thin,
> tiny traces we find on many boards today.
>
> Even so, whenever possible I'll use a temperature-controlled soldering
> station in a comfortable, well-lit shop.
>
> Over time, I've found that a good soldering station costs me pennies a 
> month
> to own and use. I don't consider that too much to spend to protect circuit
> boards, almost any one of which is worth more than the iron.
>
> I currently have a Hakko 936 that cost me less than $100 several years ago
> from www.tequipment.net.
>
> Bottom line, it's a matter of how skilled you are at soldering and how 
> much
> risk you are comfortable taking with the pc board and components.
>
> Ron AC7AC
>
>
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