[Elecraft] OT: troubleshooting "gotcha's"
AS I read "Re: [Elecraft] KAT100 project - removing the control board", Stan related his troubleshooting adventure and found that his assumptions led him astray. That is one of the cardinal issues with troubleshooting - do not assume. As soon as you assume soemthing is OK that will be what you eventually will find wrong. Case in point was a problem I was seeing with SWR read by the KX3 at some frequencies in the HB TR switch that I was testing. On HF I figured there would be little distributed inductance and reactance in the pc board. I tested at 10w using the KX3 on the work bench and got excellent SWR and transmission loss thru the pc board relays until I got to 17m, 15m, and 12m. Strangely, 10m tested good? On those three bands the SWR went to heck. Trying several things to compensate got me nowhere. I finally reconnected the input coax at the same land as the output coax and still was seeing this effect - huh? I began to suspect the KX3 internal circuits had gone bad on those bands. So I connected a coax direct to the power meter and 50-ohm load (SWR still high). Then is dawned on me. I was running with the ATU enabled and it had memory of previous loads that were not 50-ohm.duh! I switched to BYP and retested and the SWR problem went away for nearly all bands. There was a little creep up on the highest frequency (12m and 10m), but that is expected as circuit dimensions become significant in wavelength. From the workbench, 73, Ed - KL7UW __ 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] KX-3 Fast AGC setting
Hello folks KX-3 latest firmware. Don't seem to be able to get fast AGC to work ok on narrow CW bandwidth. Sounds quite rough on low bands with high local noise. Slow AGC is very smooth, seems like the fast setting is not tracking properly on narrow bandwidth ? Using earphones no problem with audio level. cheers Paul zl1ajy -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KX-3-Fast-AGC-setting-tp7573471.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.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
Re: [Elecraft] [K2] KAT2 trouble shooting
Brian, Yes, you can separate the two halves and use only the Control Board. Before you separate them, make certain ANT1 is selected - then power off and separate them. Put a long jumper between J4 pin 2 and J6 pin 15 (that is next to the last pins on both ends). If you still cannot balance the wattmeter in that configuration, you most likely problem is with T1 - it must be EXACTLY like shown in the manual diagram including the winding direction, and the leads must be in the correct holes. If the tests go OK without the L-C section, suspect an unsoldered relay pin on the L-C board. You will have the repeat the bridge null adjustment once the L-C section is back in place to account for any residual reactance. 73, Don W3FPR On 5/6/2013 11:27 PM, Brian Denley wrote: Don: Built a KAT2 and all went well but no response at the first test. Question: can I separate the two halves and remove the L-C board and still power the KAT2 for trouble shooting? Should the processor board still respond? Any tips? __ 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] New K3 and KX3 Utilities
New versions of the K3 and KX3 Utilities for Windows, Mac, and Linux are now available on the Elecraft website. There have been a few reports of problems with the Linux versions that should be resolved by updating to the new releases. Everyone should update before installing new firmware. K3 Utility 1.13.4.15 http://www.elecraft.com/K3/k3_software.htm KX3 Utility 1.13.4.29 http://www.elecraft.com/KX3/KX3_software.htm 73, David, W4SMT __ 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] New KX3 Utility should be used to load latest KX3 beta firmware
In rare cases, KX3 beta firmware rev 1.47 or later may not load correctly using older releases of KX3 Utility. We suggest using the latest release of the Utility, rev 1.13.4.29, which is available on our KX3 software page: http://www.elecraft.com/KX3/KX3_software.htm#kx3util If you've already loaded rev. 1.47 KX3 firmware without any issues, you don't need to reload. But if you see error messages such as "ERR DSX" or other odd behavior, you should get the new version of the Utility, then reload the firmware. 73, Wayne N6KR __ 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] KX3 SWR issues when running through powered-off KPA500
I drive my KPA500 with a KX3. The KPA 500 has the January release firmware (sorry I don't have the number and I'm not at my QTH). I generally have the tuner in the KX3 disabled because it should be when running throught the KPA500, and isn't needed when operating directly into my resonant fan dipoles. In normal operation I see about the same SWR in both modes: say 1.3:1 on the low end of 20. However, if I've been using the KPA 500, then turn both it and the KX3 off, then turn the KX3 on to use it without the amp, I'll see a very high SWR at the KX3. Power cyclking the KPA500 via the front panel switch does not clear the issue (I don't think I've tried it by turning off the master power switch onthe rear and I'm 3000 niles from the home QTH as I write this). To clear it, I need to set the KPA500 to operate and briefly transmit - even a single dit is enough. At that point the KX3 sees a normal SWR and I can turn the KPA 500 off and continue to see a normal SWR. This behavior is mildly annoying and doesn't seem right. Can anyone shed some light on this? 73, Chris NW6V __ 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] Problems with New KX3 Utility
Wayne, I downloaded the new KX3 Utility and it will not work with my version (10.5.8 ) of MAC System X. I had to reload the older version wihich was working fine. Did you change things so older Sys X on MAC will not work? 73 Mike KF6KXG __ 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] Fwd: WTT TS-480 for K2
I have a TS-480 with CW filter excess to my needs and would like to trade for a K2. Mike AI4NS __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Problems with New KX3 Utility
Hi Mike, The new versions of the KX3 and K3 Utility have been compiled using Apple's Cocoa framework. This was done for a number of reason, not the least of which is that Apple will eventually deprecate the old Carbon framework. Because of this, the new Utilities require OS X Snow Leopard (10.6) or later to run. I have compiled a Carbon version of the KX3 Utility that should run on your Leopard (10.5) system. But you might want to consider upgrading your system to at least Snow Leopard, but preferably Lion or Mountain Lion. You can download the Carbon version of the latest KX3 Utility from this link: http://w4smt.com/KX3/4-29-13/KX3UtilityOSX_1_13_4_29_carbon.zip This should run on your 10.5 system. If anyone needs a Carbon version of the K3 Utility, let me know. 73, David, W4SMT From: Mike Lichtman To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Tuesday, May 7, 2013 1:41 PM Subject: [Elecraft] Problems with New KX3 Utility Wayne, I downloaded the new KX3 Utility and it will not work with my version (10.5.8 ) of MAC System X. I had to reload the older version wihich was working fine. Did you change things so older Sys X on MAC will not work? 73 Mike KF6KXG __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] OT: troubleshooting "gotcha's"
That observation extends to a variety of "things that should work but don't," not just electronics. Over the years, I've noted several troubleshooting rules in my engineering notebooks. Some examples: 1. Unless there was a fire, and sometimes even then, it usually is *not* the worst possible problem although that seems to be a common assumption at first. "Nuts! I must have blown the PA's," when the fuse to the PA power supply just quit [they actually do that]. 2. If it worked fine for a long time, and no one changed any of the code, it is very unlikely to be a programming bug so don't start tweaking and recompiling. 3. If it worked fine for a long time and "no one changed anything," the odds are very very high it's pilot error. If your K3 receiver seems dead on one band, check the ANT 1/2 switch setting on that band first. The radio remembers it by band, you may not. 4. If someone gave me a buck for every time I spent days or weeks and exhausted every source trying to debug a function, only to ultimately discover that the code actually doesn't call that function anymore, I'd have retired much earlier. 5. Is it plugged in? 73, Fred K6DGW - Northern California Contest Club - CU in the 2013 Cal QSO Party 5-6 Oct 2013 - www.cqp.org On 5/7/2013 3:32 AM, Edward R Cole wrote: AS I read "Re: [Elecraft] KAT100 project - removing the control board", Stan related his troubleshooting adventure and found that his assumptions led him astray. That is one of the cardinal issues with troubleshooting - do not assume. As soon as you assume soemthing is OK that will be what you eventually will find wrong. __ 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] KX3 Filter
What is the OSB rejection WITH the NB 'on' Bruce W8RA __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] KX3 Filter
When strong signals are present, the current NB (which is just on or off) can cause transient audio artifacts related to the opposite-sideband image. The new, adjustable NB uses a different algorithm with fewer artifacts, and in many cases no artifacts at all when lower settings are used. This adjustable NB is in the works. 73, Wayne N6KR On May 7, 2013, at 12:39 PM, bruce whitney wrote: > What is the OSB rejection WITH the NB 'on' > Bruce W8RA > __ > 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
[Elecraft] GPD 10 MHZ Reference
What are you using as a 10 MHz source for the K3EXREF..?? Clyde scott - W4CCS __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] KX3 SWR issues when running through powered-off KPA500
On Tue, 7 May 2013 09:24:00 -0700, Chris Rutkowski wrote: > This behavior is mildly annoying and doesn't seem right. Just for the record, I recently had a one-time occurrence of this sort of thing. It was on 6 meters and the reflected power into the TS-590 was quite high. That was something I didn't expect, so didn't check input SWR quite as quickly as I should have. I simply noticed the output power on the radio was less than half and wouldn't go up. When I did look at the SWR reading at the radio, it was high inline, as well as in stby, and (I believe) power off (front panel). I checked other bands, all good. Came back to 6M, and it was too. ??? This brings up another thing. With the pin-diode switching, the antenna analyzer is not happy at all, especially on six. It is useless for looking at the antenna through the amp. One could say "of course", but it just needs to be noted that there are devices inline, even when turned "off" or stby. Gary -- http://ag0n.net 3055: http://ag0n.net/irlp/3055 NodeOp Help Page: http://ag0n.net/irlp __ 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] K2 - KSB2
Hello list, in manufacturing manual it says: Locate the envelope containing the matched SSB filter crystals (X1-X7). On the outside of the envelope you'll find a calibration number that ranges between 3.2and 3.9. Record the number: __. Note: If the envelope is unmarked, use 3.6 in the accompanying photo, you have the crystal frequency and envelope http://cjoint.com/?CEhv7pSidri is what I used 3.6? or the quartz frequency? I do not really understand then before making silliness 73 , Christophe F8ACF K2 #7369 in progress __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K2 - KSB2
Christophe, Look on the other side of that crystal envelope. You should find a number penned in by hand. That is the number you need. It is the nearest 100 Hz increment that the crystals were matched to. The crystals are actually matched closer than that (I recall matched to 10 Hz), but that number is sufficient for setting the filter properly later in the alignment procedure. 73, Don W3FPR On 5/7/2013 4:04 PM, Christophe F8ACF-56 wrote: Hello list, in manufacturing manual it says: Locate the envelope containing the matched SSB filter crystals (X1-X7). On the outside of the envelope you'll find a calibration number that ranges between 3.2and 3.9. Record the number: __. Note: If the envelope is unmarked, use 3.6 in the accompanying photo, you have the crystal frequency and envelope __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] OT: troubleshooting "gotcha's"
There is/was a flowchart for this type of troubleshooting. It used coarse language, but followed this same type of logic. 73, matt W6NIA On Tue, 07 May 2013 12:17:05 -0700, you wrote: >That observation extends to a variety of "things that should work but >don't," not just electronics. Over the years, I've noted several >troubleshooting rules in my engineering notebooks. Some examples: > >1. Unless there was a fire, and sometimes even then, it usually is >*not* the worst possible problem although that seems to be a common >assumption at first. "Nuts! I must have blown the PA's," when the fuse >to the PA power supply just quit [they actually do that]. > >2. If it worked fine for a long time, and no one changed any of the >code, it is very unlikely to be a programming bug so don't start >tweaking and recompiling. > >3. If it worked fine for a long time and "no one changed anything," the >odds are very very high it's pilot error. If your K3 receiver seems >dead on one band, check the ANT 1/2 switch setting on that band first. >The radio remembers it by band, you may not. > >4. If someone gave me a buck for every time I spent days or weeks and >exhausted every source trying to debug a function, only to ultimately >discover that the code actually doesn't call that function anymore, I'd >have retired much earlier. > >5. Is it plugged in? > >73, > >Fred K6DGW >- Northern California Contest Club >- CU in the 2013 Cal QSO Party 5-6 Oct 2013 >- www.cqp.org > >On 5/7/2013 3:32 AM, Edward R Cole wrote: >> AS I read "Re: [Elecraft] KAT100 project - removing the control board", >> Stan related his troubleshooting adventure and found that his >> assumptions led him astray. That is one of the cardinal issues with >> troubleshooting - do not assume. As soon as you assume soemthing is OK >> that will be what you eventually will find wrong. > > >__ >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
Re: [Elecraft] GPD 10 MHZ Reference
In my case, a GPS disciplined oscillator. There are a number of these floating around on eBay. The one I selected is the Trimble Thunderbolt, because I know one of the firmware engineers that worked on it. There is also a FB program called, "Lady Heather's Disciplined Oscillator Control Program" which allows you to monitor the Thunderbolt's operation. Trimble also has a program posted on their website, used for Thunderbolt configuration/set up, and status monitoring. 73, matt W6NIA On Tue, 07 May 2013 15:53:48 -0400, you wrote: >What are you using as a 10 MHz source for the K3EXREF..?? > > > >Clyde scott - W4CCS > > > >__ >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
Re: [Elecraft] GPD 10 MHZ Reference
Thanks to all who replied.. I just had a friend of mine give me an HP 58503A. Think I'm going to give it a try.. W4CCS >What are you using as a 10 MHz source for the K3EXREF..?? > > > >Clyde scott - W4CCS > > > >__ >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
Re: [Elecraft] GPD 10 MHZ Reference
Make sure the HP's output signal level is about right (~12.5 dBm, I think...) before using it. If it's a square wave output at 5V/0V, you're supposed to add a series resistor. I think this is all in the K3EXREF manual. 73, Matt W6NIA -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of W4CCS Sent: Tuesday, May 07, 2013 2:05 PM To: 'Matt Zilmer' Cc: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] GPD 10 MHZ Reference Thanks to all who replied.. I just had a friend of mine give me an HP 58503A. Think I'm going to give it a try.. W4CCS >What are you using as a 10 MHz source for the K3EXREF..?? > > > >Clyde scott - W4CCS > > > >__ >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 __ 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] Dayton booth help
Going to the Dayton Hamvention? If you would like to help out in the Elecraft booth for an hour or two any of the three days, just let me know and we'll sign you up. All it requires is your enthusiasm and hands on knowledge of any of our products ( and comfy shoes ). Please email me directly- l...@elecraft.com- and let me know what day and time works for you. Look forward to seeing you all there! Lisa -- Lisa Jones Elecraft, Inc. (831) 763-4211 __ 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] Let me build you a new K2!
Just completed another K2/100 build for an amateur radio operator #7439 is now on the air! If anyone would like me to build one for you let me know and we can start things rolling! http://n2zdb.com/n2zdb _mtrager1@windstream.net_ (mailto:mtrag...@windstream.net) Please contact me off the list using the above email address. 73's Michael n2zdb __ 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
