[Elecraft] [K2] KAT100 error

W4HDM w4hdm at bellsouth.net
Thu Sep 24 07:43:51 EDT 2009


Good morning Don and thanks for the reply.

I ran the test on the K2 into a dummy load. It tunes great on all bands and
the only time I see the HiCUR message is if I max the power out setting.
Actually I think it starts at around 13.8 and above.

So, I pulled the Firmware to re-seat it and low and behold the number 1 slot
doesn't look quite right. I do get continuity from the socket's solder pad
to the pin on the firmware, but perhaps it is not enough?

I will order a new socket today and once that is installed I will go from
there. 

If this socket is in fact bad, could it have caused the firmware to go bad
as well ... should I also replace it? I only ask because of the time
involved for any orders to reach me from Elecraft.

Thanks for your help Don, I will post my results once I have replaced the
socket.



Don Wilhelm-4 wrote:
> 
> Damon,
> 
> Thanks for removing the KPA100 from the picture, now we know the problem 
> is the KAT100 or the base K2.  To eliminate the base K2 from suspicion, 
> test it into a dummy load and see if the HiCUR messages are still present.
> 
> While looking for solder problems,  first check pin 1 of the KAT100 
> firmware socket.
> What you are describing sounds a lot like a problem with the firmware
> chip.
> 
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
> 
> W4HDM wrote:
>> Don,
>>
>> Ok I removed the KPA100 and connected directly to the K2, I also tested
>> with
>> 2 different jumpers, as well as useing the RF in and the AUX connection.
>> All
>> give the same results:
>>
>> KAT100's relays sound and the K2 shows 1.0-1 swr. Lights on the KAT100 do
>> not light up on tune or TX. 
>> K2 reduced power on key up (at 10 watts setting and 5 watt setting).
>> Occasionally I get a High Current message. Current set at 3.50
>>
>> I checked the RS232 for continuity and it is OK.
>>
>> I started doing the test in the KAT100 Manual. When I set the antenna to
>> 2
>> and turn off the K2 and then back on I noted the antenna back on ANT 1 I
>> also noticed when first powered up the lights on the KAT100 are bright
>> but
>> then dim a bit.
>>
>> Maybe this will point towards the problem?
>>
>> I suspect I have a bad solder point somewhere in the KAT100.
>>
>> Don Wilhelm-4 wrote:
>>   
>>> Damon,
>>>
>>> First, remove the KPA100 from the picture (remove it from the EC2 
>>> enclosure) and connect the KAT100 directly to the base K2 and see if it 
>>> works OK - if my suspicion is correct, it will.
>>>
>>> If the KAT100 checks out, then check 2 things - first diodes D16 and D17 
>>> in the KPA100 and the short coax you are using between the KPA100 and 
>>> the KAT100.
>>>
>>> Let me know what you find.
>>>
>>> 73,
>>> Don W3FPR
>>>
>>> W4HDM wrote:
>>>     
>>>> My KAT100 was working fine then developed a problem recently.
>>>> For those wondering what happened to my for sale listing this is why I
>>>> removed it.
>>>>
>>>> At first the tune sequence would tune at times and other times it would
>>>> stay
>>>> at 9.9-1 and the lights would work most of the time. (Using a dummy
>>>> load
>>>> as
>>>> well as an antenna)
>>>>
>>>> I checked the solder connections in the KAT100 and retouched a few. I
>>>> noticed no change in behavior. I put the radio away for a few days and
>>>> revisited the problem today .... 
>>>>
>>>> Before doing anything I did a SWR Bridge alignment on the KPA100 just
>>>> to
>>>> be
>>>> sure nothing had changed. I adjusted for 0 voltage using a DMM as
>>>> instructed
>>>> in the manual.
>>>>
>>>> Currently, the tune sequence gives a 1.0-1 reading on the K2 meter but
>>>> the
>>>> scale lights on the KAT100 do not light up while tuning or when keying.
>>>> The
>>>> antenna and power lights are working properly.
>>>>
>>>> When keying 100 watts into a dummy load the power is reduced by various
>>>> amounts depending on the band and the K2 shows HI Refl, the same
>>>> symptoms
>>>> using an antenna. 
>>>>
>>>> Using the menu for tuner readings, after hitting tune in the dummy
>>>> load,
>>>> I
>>>> get:
>>>>
>>>> L00.4
>>>> C0.08
>>>> nET2
>>>> t 197
>>>> E243
>>>> Init
>>>> F1.05
>>>> L0-L8 get relay clicks as well as 
>>>> C0-C8 and
>>>> N1-N2
>>>>
>>>> I am using the The KAT100/KPA100 in their own enclosure.
>>>>
>>>> Any help on where I should start from here to solve the problem?
>>>>
>>>> Thanks,
>>>> Damon 
>>>>
>>>> (Don .. I sent you an email on this when the symptoms first started,
>>>> maybe
>>>> it was lost in SPAM)
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> -----
>>>> W4HDM-DAMON-K2#473 
>>>>   
>>>>
>>>>       
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>>>     
>>
>>
>> -----
>> W4HDM-DAMON-K2#473 
>>
>>
>>   
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-----
W4HDM-DAMON-K2#473 


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