[Elecraft] K2 Transmitter Alignment problems

[Don Wilhelm]

Ron,

Does the receiver work on all bands? You can tell even if there are no 
signals available - turn the gain up to the point where you can hear a 
bit of noise with no antenna connected. Then connect an antenna - if the 
noise level increases, then the receiver is working. It may or may not 
be working well, but at least you can get a signal through it, and that 
is one giant step.

If the receiver works on all bands, then you do not need a signal 
generator - the transmit stages serve to provide the RF signal, and yes, 
you do need to measure it. So you need an RF Probe. The parts required 
to construct an RF Probe were included with your K2 kit.

Backing up a bit - if the receiver does not work, yes you will need a 
signal generator of some sort to make troubleshooting easier. But first 
try the K1 and K2 Cheap and Dirty Signal Tracing technique. Look on the 
Elecraft website Builder's Resource page.

73,
Don W3FPR

Ron McCurdy wrote:
>
> I’ve done all the construction up to the transmitter alignment on the 
> base K2. I do not have a signal generator that puts out 0.14 volts. 
> Bought the N-Gen and it doesn’t provide a strong enough signal for 
> signal tracing. So, how do I find my problems cure?
>
> Transmit on 40 meters, 30 meters & 20 meters works perfectly. i.e. I 
> can align for 2 watts out.
>
> Transmit on all other bands will not show more than 0.2 watts out.
>
> I’ve re-soldered all joints in the LPF and BPF circuits. I’ve checked 
> the values of all capacitors in those areas. Any ideas? Do I need a 
> signal generator to signal trace?
>
> Ron, KE5QDA
>
> K2 6575 under construction
>
>