[Elecraft] K3 construction problem
Dennis Wieck
dwieck at att.net
Fri Jun 12 19:58:07 EDT 2009
Since Garry suggested I ask the reflector I am posting the following
that we have been trying to figure out on my K3 kit. Any help would be
appreciated
Dennis
N4ZKR
Copies of messages below:
Gary Surrency wrote:
> OK. Let me know how the testing goes. I don't work on weekends, but
> will be back here come Monday morning at 8am MST.
>
> Someone else in tech support may reply in the interim though, and
> there is also the Elecraft reflector you can use as a resource. Use
> k3support at elecraft.com to be sure more than one person receives your
> emails.
>
> Many times, all that is wrong is there is a bent or misaligned pin, or
> a filter setup error. The K3 Utility makes it easy to check the filter
> setup, and to test if the serial port and firmware upgrade procedure
> works OK.
>
I have visually checked all of the pins and/or reinserted them
> Use care when handling and testing the boards so you do not damage
> anything with ESD. The SMT parts are also easy to knock loose from the
> PCB, so use care and be gentle. Examine the boards and parts closely
> with a bright light and a magnifier to see if there might be some
> damage or poorly soldered parts that came loose in handling, shipping,
> and during assembly.
>
EVERYTHING has been done with an ESD wrist strap attached to the radio
and on an ESD surface. I dont see anything broken or missing
> --
> 73, Gary AB7MY
> =========
> support at elecraft.com
> Elecraft Technical Support
>
> dwieck at cafes.net wrote:
>> I will check tonight. I am also rounding up a RS232 cable to try the
>> K3 Utility tonight also.
>> 73
>> Dennis
>
K3 utility verifies the filter settings.
>
>> On Fri Jun 12 12:14 , Gary Surrency <support at elecraft.com> sent:
>>
>>
>>> When the preamp is turned on, do you hear a slight increase in noise
>>> and hiss as it adds its gain into the signal path?
No increase with the preamp. No increase in noise when the antenna is
connected.
>>>
>>> A noticeable response in noise should result when you touch pins 1
>>> and 2 of the KR MXR board. Pin 1 is the round pin closer to the P1
>>> label (not the gold plated hole, but the pin next to it).
No increase in the noise
>>>
>>> --
>>> 73, Gary AB7MY
>>> =========
>>> support at elecraft.com
>>> Elecraft Technical Support
>>>
>>> Dennis Wieck wrote:
>>>
>>>> I did try the test points. The results are listed by each point. I
>>>> have rechecked the filter settings. I only have one installed at
>>>> present. It is the stock 2.7 in the first position.
>>>>
>>>> Gary Surrency wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Try those test points I mentioned, and be SURE the filter setup is
>>>>> correct. The K3 Utility helps a lot to do that.
>>>>>
>>>>> --
>>>>> 73, Gary AB7MY
>>>>> =========
>>>>> support at elecraft.com
>>>>> Elecraft Technical Support Dennis Wieck wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> It is pretty much deaf. There is no increase in noise when you
>>>>>> connect
>>>>>> an antenna
>>>>>> The only filter installed is the standard 2.7 at FL1
>>>>>> I will have to get a cable to do the computer interface.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Gary Surrency wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Complete the kit and setup/calibration that you can do, so you
>>>>>>> can see if it will transmit.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> It does not show any power out on my wattmeter
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Verify VCO CAL works OK.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> If this is the synthesizer cal this works right
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Look over all boards and connectors closely for correct assembly.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> Checked this
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> More:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> You can try the receiver troubleshooting steps I show below.
>>>>>>> This testing is done in the reverse order of normal signal flow,
>>>>>>> from the AF to IF to RF circuits.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> You can do this without even having any test equipment. Just use
>>>>>>> care to not accidentally short or drop anything inside the rig,
>>>>>>> and ground yourself against ESD.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Try touching these points using an insulated meter test probe
>>>>>>> from your VOM or DMM to couple in a little noise to see if the
>>>>>>> stages are working. Select a noisy band such as 40m and have the
>>>>>>> preamp ON.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> The M1, M2 pads near the far right of the RF board should
>>>>>>> produce a click when touched.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> This worked
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Both of the right hand most pins of the currently selected
>>>>>>> crystal filter for the sub should make noise when touched. Make
>>>>>>> sure the filter setup is correct. It is easier to see and modify
>>>>>>> all of the filter setups in the K3 Utility, under the
>>>>>>> Configuration/Edit Crystal Filters button. Incorrect filter
>>>>>>> setup is one of the most common errors, as there are lots of
>>>>>>> settings to do by mode and by filter position.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> This worked
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Pins 1 and 7 of the KNB3 should make a little noise when touched.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> Nothing at pin 1 or 7. Removed and reinserted with no change
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Check for about the same response for pins 1 and 2 of the KR MXR
>>>>>>> and jumper W1 on the RF board just below the KR MXR. This board
>>>>>>> is very fragile so handle and test on it with care.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> Nothing at KR MXR If W1 is the one labeled IF it does make noise
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Also try touching the tiny pin to the side of the trimmer caps
>>>>>>> for the band that is currently selected, in the band pass filter
>>>>>>> area on the left side of the RF board.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> Nothing
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Touching the adjustment screw of the white IF trap trimmer cap
>>>>>>> at C218 should produce quite a bit of noise
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> Nothing
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Many problems are due to having the connector pins not well
>>>>>>> aligned and mated on one of the boards. Check for that.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> I checked them
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> If there is no KPA3 installed, either the KPA3 jumper block must
>>>>>>> be installed, or the KPAIO3 board with the KPA3 menu set to PAio
>>>>>>> ON to bypass the missing KPA3.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> It is installed
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> If there is no KXV3 installed, wire jumpers must be in RF board
>>>>>>> connector J66 pins 8-10 and 13-15, behind the KIO3 main board.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> These are present
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>> 73, Gary AB7MY
>>>>>>> =========
>>>>>>> support at elecraft.com
>>>>>>> Elecraft Technical Support Dennis Wieck wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I will not be back in town until tomorrow night so I cant check
>>>>>>>> until then
>>>>>>>> Some answers below
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Gary Surrency wrote:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Dennnis,
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Does the rig receive or transmit OK?
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I have not tried transmitting. I am at the Ref Cal stage of
>>>>>>>> construction
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Can you tune in WWV at 10MHz?
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> No. I don't hear anything at any of the WWV frequencies ( or
>>>>>>>> anywhere else fo that matter)
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Are all TMP cables in the right connectors, and fully seated?
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I think so but will check when I get home
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Did you verify all of the crystal filter setups are correct?
>>>>>>>>> It is easier to see and modify all of the filter setups in the
>>>>>>>>> K3 Utility, under the Configuration/Edit Crystal Filters button.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Yes but I will check again
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> REF CAL is currently best done by using Method #2 on page 47
>>>>>>>>> of the Owner's manual. Turn the VFO A knob to adjust, and do
>>>>>>>>> not press 1 or 2 on the front panel. First set the VFO readout
>>>>>>>>> to exactly 10.0MHz and then adjust the VFO until WWV is at
>>>>>>>>> zero beat in both LSB and USB, not CW or data modes.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>>>> 73, Gary AB7MY
>>>>>>>>> =========
>>>>>>>>> support at elecraft.com
>>>>>>>>> Elecraft Technical Support Dennis Wieck wrote:
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> I am at the Reference Oscillator Calibration part of my kit
>>>>>>>>>> assembly ( SN 3098).
>>>>>>>>>> I am trying to do the method 2 (Zero-Beating) method. The
>>>>>>>>>> problem is that I cannot hear any signal to zero-beat to.
>>>>>>>>>> Everything up to this point has gone by the book. I loked at
>>>>>>>>>> the troubleshooting section but did not find anything that
>>>>>>>>>> applied. Power supply voltage is correct.
>>>>>>>>>> Can you suggest where to go from here?
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Thanks
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Dennis
>>>>>>>>>> N4ZKR
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>
>>
>
>
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