The issue seems to be within the K3, likely the K3EXREF board? I just tried a different GPSDO for the 10MHz reference, a Trimble Thunderbolt. When I first connected the Thunderbolt I did get a rapid flashing asterisk.
Satisfied I went on to use the K3. On a hunch I went back to REF CAL and discovered the asterisk was now solid and not flashing. I restarted the radio and no asterisk in REF CAL. Neither GPSDO elicits a flashing asterisk but both are putting out a 10MHZ signal & the Thunderbolt for a short time, worked. Seeing as two different oscillators are not being recognized by the K3, I have to assume it is the K3EXREF board that is of issue. Can't be the .1 TXCO or the radio would fail. I'll have to contact Elecraft to see if it's worth sending the board in for repair. Back to the contest. 73, Gary KA1J > Ed, > > Thanks for the reply. I do need an > oscilloscope. The only frequency counter > at this QTH is this K3, my K3s is at the > factory for an issue with SSB. > > That said, there does appear to be a 10MHz > signal coming from the GPSDO. There's > enough bleed-through that when I tune to > 10MHz I can still pick up the ticks from > WWV, however removing power from the GPSDO > and the signal drops considerably. I > connected 10' of wire to the center > conductor of the SMA and the signal in the > K3 increased considerably and it was dead > on top of WWV. So I'm feeling it's putting > out a signal at 10MHV but the strength or > condition of the signal, I have no way to > tell. > > Looking at the info on the K3EXREF, the > Tech MD is on, REF CAL is displayed and I > need to engage keypad #2 to switch between > the EXREF being in or out, I have it > switched in. No asterisk. > > I have not been inside the radio since I > started using it a week ago and the > asterisk was flashing at that time. I > saved the current configuration and loaded > the configuration that was good the last > time I used the radio and that didn't > help. I can't imagine the cable in the > radio failed without any mechanical > action. I'll have to take a look and see > if anything has become somehow dislodged > though it's been just sitting on the > table. > > I was hoping it was something in a setting > that might have been altered and it seems > like that's not it. Thanks again for the > assistance. > > 73, > > Gary > KA1J > > > > > > Gary, > > > > Well first thing I would check is whether 10-MHz is present at the > > K3 EXREF sma jack. If you have a freq counter check for correct > > freq. No counter then use a radio that can tune 10-MHz for presence > > of signal on correct freq. > > > > Check for adequate reference level (I run 10mw which is more than > > adequate; probably will run with 3mw to 5mw). If you have no > > milliwatt meter then use an oscilloscope to measure RF voltage. Pav > > = Vrms^2/R or Vrms = 0.3535*Vp-p*probe multiplier. > > > > From: http://www.ab4oj.com/test/pwrmeas.html > > Pav = 10*10^-3 = 0.01 w , Vrms = sqrt(Pav*R) = 0.707v, Vp-p = > > 2,.828*Vrms = 2v > > > > If you are using a 10x probe Vp-p = 0.2v; Be sure to measure voltage > > across 50-ohm load connected to the REF input. > > > > If this is low or nonexistent try a different cable from the > > GPSDO. Also check 10-MHz output at the GPSDO. > > > > My guess either you have no 10-MHz ref signal or its off > > frequency. If that is good then recheck configuration to enable > > EXREF. Still bad: then check internal coax from EXREF connector to > > syn board. > > > > 73, Ed - KL7UW > > http://www.kl7uw.com > > Dubus-NA Business mail: > > dubus...@gmail.com > > > > ______________________________________________________________ > > Elecraft mailing list > > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > > Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > > > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > > Message delivered to g...@ka1j.com > > > > > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to g...@ka1j.com > ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
