[Elecraft] XV432 Alignment Problems - Help!

[Mark Adams]

Don,

I rearranged the XV432 to be driven at 5W with my FT817 (my uW IF radio).
Now, all the tests up to the one originally in question, were fine. I still
have 0 Volts at TP5.

What is new: When I rotate R22 CW while feeding 5W from the 817, at about
25% rotation of R22, the overload LEDs on the main board light. I rechecked
the pin headers and shorting blocks and they are correct.

Myron,

You suggested the following:

1.  Check the bias voltage to the PA.  TP5 samples the PA output.  Is the
bias voltage still the same as when you set it previously.

YES.

2.  Check the local LO.  If your adjustment of that stage ended up right on
the edge, sometimes it will stop oscillating and will need re-adjustment.

The LO starts AOK each time I power it up.

3.  Make sure the XVTR is in transmit mode while making these adjustments.

YES. It was. All set there.

I found that some adjustments when peaking TP5 voltage didn't seem to do
much.  Even sometimes a bad coax between the rig IF and the XVTR can cause
systems like you describe.

I tried 2 different coax jumpers with no change.

73,
Mark K2QO
FN03ra



On Sun, Sep 5, 2010 at 5:13 PM, Don Wilhelm <w3fpr at embarqmail.com> wrote:

>  Mark,
>
> I am going to guess that you are plagued with the gremlin of 432 MHz energy
> getting back to the K60XV and interfering with its power measurement
> mechanism.
>
> Plug the XV432 for high power input and drive it from the BNC on the K2
> until you get it aligned.
> If all goes well when connected that way, put a 30 or 50 MHz low pass
> filter between the K60XV output and the transverter(s).  One of the little
> in-line Mini-Circuits filters works well.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
>
> On 9/5/2010 4:54 PM, Mark Adams wrote:
>
>> Hi Gang,
>>
>> Just finished my XV432 expecting to use it next weekend in the ARRL VHF in
>> my rover setup. Murphy has hit and maybe someone can give me a hand.
>>
>> My setup is a K2/XV60/IO module running xverter duty with an XV222 using
>> the
>> split IF, Elecraft control cable, etc. I've used this for a few years and
>> it
>> works FB.
>>
>> Now for the XV432. I am on page 29 running Part VI-Filter Alignment. All
>> is
>> good up to the last checkbox at the bottom right of the page. I key the
>> rig
>> and get a 2V. On page 30, I continue with adjustment of L15, L16, L17. The
>> readings are changing as expected. Then I go on to FL1 and FL2 to get a
>> higher reading at TP5. At the first FL and turn of the screw, the voltage
>> at
>> TP5 goes to 0. And that is all. I cannot get volts at TP5. I checked to
>> make
>> sure the K2 is putting out power and I have milliVolts at the TX in
>> connector.
>>
>> I did use a small metal Stanley screwdriver to make the fateful
>> adjustment,
>> but cannot see how this might matter. It would help to have a bunch of RF
>> voltages to check to determine my problem.
>>
>> If I do not have this up and running by Thursday, my big rove plans will
>> be
>> shot as I've revamped the rover setup to include this transverter.
>>
>>
>> 73,
>> Mark K2QO
>> FN03ra
>>
>>