[Elecraft] Problems with K144XV Transverter for K3S - Can't Hear Anything

[John Stengrevics]

Really don’t see how that is possible to do with the cover on - see James Bennett’s comments that he used two sets of needle nose to get the connectors to mate.

 I did not have any “loose wire ends” sticking out.  Accordingly, I asked that they ship the repaired boards back to me with TMP cables pre-installed.  I have no idea if they will do that.

I also asked for an up-to-date and correct installation manual and testing instructions.

73 John  WA1EAZ

> On Jun 6, 2016, at 11:10 PM, Ron D'Eau Claire <ron at cobi.biz> wrote:
> 
> This is a new issue to me. Be sure you do not have any loose wire ends sticking out of the male TMP (See Figure 5 in the Ref Lock installation manual). Then, when the connector is properly aligned, it should slip in. It's snug but it should not require a lot of force. Using long nose pliers to hold the male in alignment is fine. You do NOT need to support the female connector. Indeed, the K144XV cover must be in place before connecting the cables. 
> 
> 73 Ron AC7AC
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net <mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net>] On Behalf Of John Stengrevics
> Sent: Monday, June 6, 2016 6:50 PM
> To: Bill Frantz
> Cc: elecraft at mailman.qth.net <mailto:elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Problems with K144XV Transverter for K3S - Can't Hear Anything
> 
> To all those having experienced this problem with the K144XV:
> 
> The problem I had was that the female connectors on the K144XV and the REFLOCK board into which the TMPs were supposed to be inserted did not accept the male and instead were pushed backward.  Pushed backward = no connection = no 2 meters
> 
> One of the tech support guys said this was the most frequent K3/K3S return.
> 
> So, the K144XV & REFLOCK have to go back to Elecraft for repair.
> 
> I suggested that, if indeed this is the most frequent return, they simply ship the K144XV with the TMPs installed as they are next to impossible to connect.
> 
> When I get this back, I’m still not sure how I will connect them.  Maybe take a pair of long nose in each hand, support the female while struggling to insert the male.
> 
> John
> WA1EAZ
> 
> 
> And, apparently, the enabling/testing procedures don’t find it.  So, the only way you know you have this problem is if you can’t hear anything on 2 meters.
>> On Jun 6, 2016, at 11:30 AM, Bill Frantz <frantz at pwpconsult.com> wrote:
>> 
>> [CCing Ron since he does documentation for Elecraft.]
>> 
>> I had similar problems when I installed the RefLock option in my K3 with the new synth. If you have the new synth, use the cabling diagrams from the new synth installation manual <http://www.elecraft.com/manual/E740257%20KSYN3A%20Installation%20Rev%20A5.pdf <http://www.elecraft.com/manual/E740257%20KSYN3A%20Installation%20Rev%20A5.pdf>> see pages 15 and 16. As far as I can tell, the installation manual for the RefLock hasn't been updated for the new synth.
>> 
>> I also think the the firmware "enable" option does not check for signal on the RefLock input before signaling that the option is enabled.
>> 
>> 73 Bill AE6JV
>> 
>> 
>> On 6/6/16 at 6:04 AM, jstengrevics at comcast.net <mailto:jstengrevics at comcast.net> (stengrevics) wrote:
>> 
>>> I have installed the transverter and phase lock option, and have 
>>> enabled it successfully (per the instructions).  I have an antenna 
>>> whose SWR measures less than 1.2 across the band (confirmed with 
>>> antenna analyzer).  However, I can't hear anything on 2 meters.  This 
>>> was confirmed when I asked a ham located 5 miles away to meet me on 2 meters - nothing heard.
>>> 
>>> This leads me to think that the problem is somewhere in the internal 
>>> TMP coax connections to the K144XV or to the phase lock option.
>>> 
>>> I have to say that the instructions for installing the K144XV cables 
>>> were totally screwed up and I needed tech support to send me a 
>>> picture of how they should go (which bore no resemblance to the 
>>> instructions).  I still have no confidence that I have these correctly installed.
>>> 
>>> I would appreciate any suggestions from anyone who may have 
>>> experienced similar problems.
>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>> Bill Frantz        |"Insofar as the propositions of mathematics refer to
>> 408-356-8506       | reality, they are not certain; and insofar they are
>> www.pwpconsult.com <http://www.pwpconsult.com/> | certain, they do not 
>> refer to reality.” -- Einstein
> 
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