Stewart,

That's a good question. Certainly lower RF output will generate less heat. One issue that would need to be determined is whether the 2M module has any operating mode which would result in a full output spike which would likely destroy 0 dBm input circuit components. This has been documented for many non-Elecraft radios.

But let's assume you can turn power to 0.1w at minimum (that is currently indicated on the KX3 PWR control). That would be 100mw or +20 dBm level. That can be attenuated to 0 dBm using a chip 50-ohm load or 20-dB attenuator (which I would be sure was rated for 3w - just in case). Design of transverter IF connections could either be common Rx/Tx or separate (preferred). If common, the transverter will have some sort of IF T/R control so load/atten. could be inserted on the Tx side. Inserting 20-dB attenuation on receive would affect receive sensitivity and possibly system NF. The circuit using a 50-ohm load would couple low power via a 10pF capacitor. You might need to have an adjustable drive level pot following this (make it an L-pad).

With operation at this level frequency drift characteristics will likely by the same for Rx and Tx. I can test this concept when I get the 2M module for testing on my bench.

73, Ed - KL7UW

------------------
Date: Wed, 9 Apr 2014 08:24:57 +0100
From: "stew...@g3ysx.org.uk" <stew...@g3ysx.org.uk>
To: Dave <d...@g0dja.co.uk>
Cc: "<elecraft@mailman.qth.net>" <elecraft@mailman.qth.net>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX3-2M module?
Message-ID: <967726d0-0801-494f-9816-88c484d22...@g3ysx.org.uk>
Content-Type: text/plain;       charset=us-ascii

When driving a transverter presumably you will be running at 0dbm rather than at 5W. I wonder if the KX3 still experience thermal drift due to PA heating at very low power?

Stewart/G3YSX
Sent from my iPad


73, Ed - KL7UW
http://www.kl7uw.com
    "Kits made by KL7UW"
Dubus Mag business:
    dubus...@gmail.com

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