[Elecraft] K2 problems

[Allen Wisbey, W1SBY]

Don,

I finally got enough time to do some more tests. The KPA100 is putting 
out in excess of 100 watts on all bands when set for 30 watts. An 
interesting thing though... the  radio acted fine when I first started 
testing, then suddenly went to bad behavior.

So, my next question just to clarify; Replacing D16 & D17 should fix it? 
Also what may have happened to cause this?
You repaired and aligned this radio a couple months ago, (SSB chip was 
mounted backwards).  All was well until I moved my shack to a different 
room.
The ONLY difference in setup was I actually grounded the radio to a 
ground rod outside the new location.

73 de Allen, W1SBY

On 12/4/2010 12:00 AM, Don Wilhelm wrote:
> Sorry Alan,
> That was to be directed to you, and not to James.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------
>
>   James,
>
> Can you use an external wattmeter between the K2 and the dummy load?
> With the power control set at greater than 20 watts and less than 50 
> watts, what is the power read on the external wattmeter when you do a 
> TUNE?
> If it is 100 watts or greater, then you need to replace D16 and D17 in 
> the KPA100.
>
> If the actual power indicated above is in the range of 20 watts, and 
> you still get the HiCur messages, you will have to do a bit more 
> troubleshooting - remove the KPA100 (physically) and power the base K2 
> through the coaxial power connector and take the ouput to the dummy 
> load from the BNC antenna jack.  Set the power at 5 watts and do a 
> TUNE.  Do you see a HI CUR warning?  If so, what is the actual power 
> output?
> Next set the power knob to 12 watts and do a TUNE again - if you see 
> HiCur and the output is less than 12 watts, you have a problem with 
> the Low pass filter in the base K3 - but if it occurs on all bands, 
> look for the problem at T4 rather than the low pass filter.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> On 12/3/2010 11:06 PM, Allen Wisbey, W1SBY wrote:
>> Hi all,
>>
>> I am having problems with my K2 after moving it from one room to 
>> another.
>> K2/100 into a dummy load
>> On all bands I get a HiCur notice when I try to tune, when the PA is
>> disabled (10 watts or less) the SWR shows 1:1 OK
>> On all bands with the PA enabled (over 10 watts) I get the HiCur notice
>> and the SWR indicates a fluctuating range from 3:1 to 9.9 to one
>> depending on band and power setting.
>> In all instances the power out indication is markedly lower than the
>> setting. At 10 watts set, I show 4 watts, at 90 watts set I show 7 
>> watts.
>> I have misplaced my analog wattmeter during the moving process but my
>> LDG autotuner shows that output is actually near or above my settings.
>> Not a good diagnostic tool I know.
>> I think something has definitely gone awry, any ideas on where to start?
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Allen, W1SBY
>>
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