Jim, Set the K3 to operate CW in SSB mode first. Hope this helps 73 Ken K5DNL ------------------------------------------------------
--- On Mon, 9/14/09, jpk5...@cox.net <jpk5...@cox.net> wrote: > From: jpk5...@cox.net <jpk5...@cox.net> > Subject: [Elecraft] Need help operating K3 with Yaesu Quadra amplifier > To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net > Date: Monday, September 14, 2009, 11:26 AM > I'm trying to find the correct > sequence of steps to make > sure my new Quadra amplifier is correctly adjusted to my > K3. I have it hooked through the Band-Data1 8-pin cable > and the Quadra does change bands correctly as it tracks > the K3. The Quadra also switches to the correctly > programmed input and/or output spigots. All that is > fine. > > Taken from the Quadra Operating Manual, "Drive power > must be at least 50 watts for accurate SWR detection, > and 70 to 80 watts for optimum tuner performance." > > The problem is primarily in keying the K3 properly to allow > > the Quadra's antenna tuner to adjust properly. The > Quadra requires 70-80 watts to tune correctly so I need to > > key the K3 with the TUNE button which puts out 5 watts > as it's set up. (I realize that I could reset the TUNE > output > to start at a higher rate but surely that's not the best > way) > Otherwise, I must press TUNE, crank the PWR knob from > the 5 watts up to 70-80 watts, then press the TUNE button > on the Quadra but the amplifier keys for about a second > as the tuner starts to tune, then drops out, displaying > the > message "ERROR" on the display. Now I'm back to 5 > watts on the K3 again so after pressing the K3's TUNE > button again I must crank on the PWR knob again (which > is about 4 full revolutions). For as many times as I try > > this, the K3 will not stay keyed up long enough for the > Quadra to tune the antenna. BTW - I don't see any error > messages from the K3 during this time. > > Using the same amplifier but with my IC-756PRO as a > driver [in RTTY mode at about 70 watts -- with no physical > > connections for band changing] it reads the > frequency/band and automatically changes bands and I > can press the Quadra's TUNE button and it tunes up > perfectly. Quickly, painlessly and correctly -- one easy > operation which takes, at most, about 5 seconds. > > Realizing that all is normal with the Quadra, tuner and > antenna I switch the input of the Quadra back to the K3 > (which changes the PTT, ALC and RF input lines), then I > try the K3 TUNE again. I crank up the PWR knob from 5 > watts to 70-80 watts, press the Quadra's TUNE button but > I see the same thing: it trys to tune for about a second, > > then drops back with the "ERROR" message. The K3 just > doesn't seem to want to stay in TUNE mode (which is > displaying CW) until the amplifier tuner can complete its > job. [It's not because it got tuned up properly with the > PRO as the Quadra will always reinitiate a tune when so > instructed with the TUNE button] > > I've read everything I can find on hooking up the Quadra, > both to the K3 and to other transceivers. There's LOTS of > > excellent documentation out there and I appreciate all the > > work from those folks. I'm relatively sure that my > hookup > between the two is fine. > > I guess what I'm asking is -- What are the steps used by > other K3/Quadra users to change a band and make sure > the Quadra's tuner is properly tuned. What am I missing > > to keep the K3 transmitting until the Quadra can complete > its tune operation? It's just so easy with the PRO and so > > hard with the K3, but perhaps it's something I'm > overlooking or doing incorrectly (<-- major > possibility) > > BTW - The Quadra will memorize the tuning positions for > various frequencies for different antennas so I guess I > could let the IC-756PRO to do all the set up but I'm trying > > to wean myself away from the 756PRO and do everything > on my K3. The K3 shines in SO MANY places, it just > should be able to be easy here too. > > Also, last week on the > yaesuqua...@yahoogroups.com, > a fellow presented > a wonderful document listing, for someone else, on the > steps to tune up the Quadra to a couple of different > transceivers. It looked so neat and I thought it was > exactly what I needed. Unfortunately, it did not work for > > my K3/Quadra combination............. rats! > > Sorry for the long note but is there any hope for me? > ....... > let me re-phrase that ---- is there any HELP for me? > > Thanks and 73, > Jim - K5LAD > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------- > > Growing old is like being increasingly > penalized for a crime you haven't committed. > -- Anthony Powell > ----------------------------------------------------------- > Visit my web page at: > www.hayseed.net/~jpk5lad/ > ============================= > > ______________________________________________________________ > 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 > ______________________________________________________________ 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
