[Elecraft] K2 12m alignment

[Robert Kasten]

Indeed, I have the brown trimmers at C32/C34 as well as C44/C46. The latest
errata sheet from Nov 2016 says C44/C46 should have red bodies and be about
25pf. The ones I have do not go below low-30pf. Thanks for the help, Don!
Bob

On Sun, Feb 26, 2017 at 5:10 PM, Don Wilhelm <donwilh at embarqmail.com> wrote:

> Bob,
>
> You have too much capacitance at C32 and C34.
>
> Contact Elecraft support and ask them to send 2 trimmer caps to replace
> C44 and C46.  The ones you have with your kit do not have a small enough
> minimum capacitance.  The p/n you need is E540011 and the bodies were red
> the last time I saw them.
>
> The 35 to 70pF range you measured is higher than I would expect.  They
> should measure about 20pF to 45pF.
>
> If you have a similar problem with the maximum power on 18 MHz as well,
> ask for replacements for C32 and C34.  The part number is E540002 and they
> have yellow bodies.
>
> See the latest Errata page - download it from the Elecraft website.
> Trimmer capacitors have become a problem for Elecraft over the past 6
> months or so.  I believe you have brown body trimmers at C32, C34, C44 and
> C46.  Several of those were found not to meet the manufacturer's specs for
> capacitance range and were dropped.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
>
> On 2/26/2017 5:41 PM, Robert Kasten wrote:
>
>> Finished my K2 in the last few days and really enjoyed the build. It was
>> just like old times.
>>
>> All bands except 12m have aligned OK...but I cannot get any more than .5W
>> output on 12m - no matter the C44/46 trimmer cap settings or the power
>> setting. And while it not fun, I pulled components C42,C43,C44,C45,C46,C47
>> and C48 and they all showed fine on the cap tester. C32 and C34 are
>> adjustable from about 35pf to 70pf.
>>
>>