Re: [Elecraft] K3 Frequency Calibration

[Ray]

Gents
Go to a WWV signal, (5.00)  on a Good Strong Frequency.
Place the Mode To Upper SSB, Listen to the Beat note Tone Freq,
Now Move the Mode to Lower SSB. Adjust the  Ref. Cal. Osc. until the Beat Note 
is the Exact Same Freq
On Lower SSB and Upper SSB.   Done  
Ray WA6VAB  K3 


rom: Wes
Sent: Thursday, December 16, 2021 3:24 PM
To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Frequency Calibration

What are you using it for?

Wes  N7WS

On 12/16/2021 3:18 PM, John Stengrevics wrote:
> Hi Pete,
>
> The WWV method worked for me until it didn’t.  On the advice of one of the K3 
> gurus, I am now using a Leo Bodnar frequency source.  Works great.
>
> 73,
>
> John
> WA1EAZ
>
>> On Dec 16, 2021, at 4:34 PM, Pete Smith N4ZR  wrote:
>>
>> I've been wondering for some time if my 10-year-old K3's frequency 
>> calibration was off, because it seemed like most spots of me were well off 
>> when I clicked on them, usually in one direction.  Not having a frequency 
>> counter, I went to the alternative method outlined in page 49 of the manual. 
>>  I thought I did it all "by the book", but found that when I was done 15-MHz 
>> WWV's carrier frequency (determined by zero-beating the carrier) was almost 
>> 400 Hz low. Since I wasn't looking for FMT-level accuracy, I went back to 
>> WWV and adjusted the REF CAL setting by ear until 15.000 on my RX dial was 
>> as close to zero-beat with WWV as I could tell. We'll see how it worked out, 
>> but I wonder if I simply have some fundamental misunderstanding of what's 
>> involved.  Wouldn't be the first time...
>>
>> -- 
>> 73, Pete N4ZR
>> Check out the new Reverse Beacon Network
>> web server at .
>> For spots, please use your favorite
>> "retail" DX cluster.
>>

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Re: [Elecraft] K3 Frequency Calibration

[David Hachadorian]

You had it fixed, but then you broke it again. After doing the 
alternative method on page 49, when you tune in to 10. MHz in CW 
mode, you should hear a CW note at the same frequency as your PITCH 
selection.  I presume that is 400 Hz.


I got an extremely good score on last year's Frequency Measuring Test 
using only that alternative calibration method.


73

Dave Hachadorian, K6LL
Yuma, AZ

On 12/16/2021 2:34 PM, Pete Smith N4ZR wrote:
I've been wondering for some time if my 10-year-old K3's frequency 
calibration was off, because it seemed like most spots of me were well 
off when I clicked on them, usually in one direction.  Not having a 
frequency counter, I went to the alternative method outlined in page 
49 of the manual.  I thought I did it all "by the book", but found 
that when I was done 15-MHz WWV's carrier frequency (determined by 
zero-beating the carrier) was almost 400 Hz low. Since I wasn't 
looking for FMT-level accuracy, I went back to WWV and adjusted the 
REF CAL setting by ear until 15.000 on my RX dial was as close to 
zero-beat with WWV as I could tell. We'll see how it worked out, but I 
wonder if I simply have some fundamental misunderstanding of what's 
involved.  Wouldn't be the first time...



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Re: [Elecraft] K3 Frequency Calibration

[Don Wilhelm]

Pete,

When using WWV to set the K3 reference, make certain you are listening 
to the carrier.  WWV is an AM signal that is modulated by a 500 or 600 
Hz tone on alternate minutes (440 Hz 2 minutes after the hour).  That 
produces tones that are both above and below the carrier.
So be certain you are hearing the carrier and not one of the modulating 
tones.


73,
Don W3FPR

On 12/16/2021 4:34 PM, Pete Smith N4ZR wrote:
I've been wondering for some time if my 10-year-old K3's frequency 
calibration was off, because it seemed like most spots of me were well 
off when I clicked on them, usually in one direction.  Not having a 
frequency counter, I went to the alternative method outlined in page 
49 of the manual.  I thought I did it all "by the book", but found 
that when I was done 15-MHz WWV's carrier frequency (determined by 
zero-beating the carrier) was almost 400 Hz low. Since I wasn't 
looking for FMT-level accuracy, I went back to WWV and adjusted the 
REF CAL setting by ear until 15.000 on my RX dial was as close to 
zero-beat with WWV as I could tell. We'll see how it worked out, but I 
wonder if I simply have some fundamental misunderstanding of what's 
involved.  Wouldn't be the first time...




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Re: [Elecraft] K2 BFO problem

[Don Wilhelm]

Snowy,

It sounds as though you have the proper BFO crystals installed at X3 and X4.

Do check the values of C173 and C174 first
Then check L33 to make certain it is well soldered and the leads are 
attached to the 1/8 watt resistor leads.
Check D37 and D38 to be certain they are oriented properly and well 
soldered.


Lastly, lift one side of L33 (and its resistor and remove the rubber pad 
- check the resistance of the pad itself - there were a few (a while 
ago) that were found to be conductive causing problems such as yours.  
Since you did not state the vintage (or serial number of the K2), do 
that check if those items above do not correct the problem.


While you have the rubber pad out, make certain that about 1/2 of the 
stem has been cut away.  That is to allow the 1/8 watt resistor to be 
pushed down into the center of L33 to tighten the leads and hold L33 
securely in place.


If the rubber pad under L33 is found to be conductive, get a new one 
from Elecraft, or -- If you have an unassembled KAT2, you will find 
several of the rubber bumpers in that kit - a conductive one will work 
fine in the KAT2, but not in the BFO circuit.


73,
Don W3FPR

On 12/16/2021 5:35 PM, ROLAND HOWELL via Elecraft wrote:


having repaired my PLL problem with a great deal of help and advice 
from Dave at tech support, Elecraft i moved onto the next set of tests 
which was the bfo frequencies, on selecting CAL, Counter i get a 
reading of 4.9136, on pressing either the band up or down all i get is 
zero's.

Fitted crystals are 4.91s in X3 and X4 positions
Have checked all the details in the trouble shooting paragraph, i can 
find no fault with any of the components, all values and positions are 
correct.

I have to add that this was purchased as a non-runner.
Any advice appreciated
Snowy,G0HZE
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Re: [Elecraft] K3 Frequency Calibration

[Wes]

What are you using it for?

Wes  N7WS

On 12/16/2021 3:18 PM, John Stengrevics wrote:

Hi Pete,

The WWV method worked for me until it didn’t.  On the advice of one of the K3 
gurus, I am now using a Leo Bodnar frequency source.  Works great.

73,

John
WA1EAZ


On Dec 16, 2021, at 4:34 PM, Pete Smith N4ZR  wrote:

I've been wondering for some time if my 10-year-old K3's frequency calibration was off, 
because it seemed like most spots of me were well off when I clicked on them, usually in 
one direction.  Not having a frequency counter, I went to the alternative method outlined 
in page 49 of the manual.  I thought I did it all "by the book", but found that 
when I was done 15-MHz WWV's carrier frequency (determined by zero-beating the carrier) 
was almost 400 Hz low. Since I wasn't looking for FMT-level accuracy, I went back to WWV 
and adjusted the REF CAL setting by ear until 15.000 on my RX dial was as close to 
zero-beat with WWV as I could tell. We'll see how it worked out, but I wonder if I simply 
have some fundamental misunderstanding of what's involved.  Wouldn't be the first time...

--
73, Pete N4ZR
Check out the new Reverse Beacon Network
web server at .
For spots, please use your favorite
"retail" DX cluster.



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[Elecraft] K2 BFO problem

[ROLAND HOWELL via Elecraft]

having repaired my PLL problem with a great deal of help and advice from 
Dave at tech support, Elecraft i moved onto the next set of tests which 
was the bfo frequencies, on selecting CAL, Counter i get a reading of 
4.9136, on pressing either the band up or down all i get is zero's.

Fitted crystals are 4.91s in X3 and X4 positions
Have checked all the details in the trouble shooting paragraph, i can 
find no fault with any of the components, all values and positions are 
correct.

I have to add that this was purchased as a non-runner.
Any advice appreciated
Snowy,G0HZE
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Re: [Elecraft] K3 Frequency Calibration

[John Stengrevics]

Hi Pete,

The WWV method worked for me until it didn’t.  On the advice of one of the K3 
gurus, I am now using a Leo Bodnar frequency source.  Works great.

73,

John
WA1EAZ

> On Dec 16, 2021, at 4:34 PM, Pete Smith N4ZR  wrote:
> 
> I've been wondering for some time if my 10-year-old K3's frequency 
> calibration was off, because it seemed like most spots of me were well off 
> when I clicked on them, usually in one direction.  Not having a frequency 
> counter, I went to the alternative method outlined in page 49 of the manual.  
> I thought I did it all "by the book", but found that when I was done 15-MHz 
> WWV's carrier frequency (determined by zero-beating the carrier) was almost 
> 400 Hz low. Since I wasn't looking for FMT-level accuracy, I went back to WWV 
> and adjusted the REF CAL setting by ear until 15.000 on my RX dial was as 
> close to zero-beat with WWV as I could tell. We'll see how it worked out, but 
> I wonder if I simply have some fundamental misunderstanding of what's 
> involved.  Wouldn't be the first time...
> 
> -- 
> 73, Pete N4ZR
> Check out the new Reverse Beacon Network
> web server at .
> For spots, please use your favorite
> "retail" DX cluster.
> 
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> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
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> Message delivered to jstengrev...@comcast.net

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[Elecraft] K3 Frequency Calibration

[Pete Smith N4ZR]

I've been wondering for some time if my 10-year-old K3's frequency 
calibration was off, because it seemed like most spots of me were well 
off when I clicked on them, usually in one direction.  Not having a 
frequency counter, I went to the alternative method outlined in page 49 
of the manual.  I thought I did it all "by the book", but found that 
when I was done 15-MHz WWV's carrier frequency (determined by 
zero-beating the carrier) was almost 400 Hz low. Since I wasn't looking 
for FMT-level accuracy, I went back to WWV and adjusted the REF CAL 
setting by ear until 15.000 on my RX dial was as close to zero-beat with 
WWV as I could tell. We'll see how it worked out, but I wonder if I 
simply have some fundamental misunderstanding of what's involved.  
Wouldn't be the first time...


--
73, Pete N4ZR
Check out the new Reverse Beacon Network
web server at .
For spots, please use your favorite
"retail" DX cluster.

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Re: [Elecraft] K3 Noise Reduction

[Bob Schwerdlin]

For me, the best noise blanker was on my old Drake R4C.  That thing 
worked GREAT!


Bob, WG9L


On 12/15/2021 1:14 PM, Fred Jensen wrote:
I find both the NB and NR on my K3 to be moderately underwhelming, not 
sure why.  Ignition noise used to predominate in urban and suburban 
areas and blankers like the one in the 75A4 were very effective.  I 
don't know what Detroit did, but I haven't heard ignition noise in 
years.  A general rule of thumb has always been to use blanking in 
wider bandwidths which sort of makes sense I guess ... the blanking 
pulses consume a smaller fraction of the overall signal passband.  My 
understanding of the K3 NR is that the DSP processor tries to build a 
matched filter around the signal on the fly.  It may be a bit too much 
for the algorithms, I've never had much success with it on broader 
noise such as power mains hash.  Backing off the RF gain seems to be 
more effective.


The best noise reduction I've ever encountered was on the receivers in 
the transportable AN/TRC-96 2.5 KW HF ISB system back in the 60's.  3 
voice channels and 16 TTY channels on the 4th. Don't remember the mfr 
and don't know how they did it but you could literally make noise 
disappear with minimal effects on the signals.


73,

Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW
Sparks NV DM09dn
Washoe County

Jim Brown wrote on 12/15/2021 10:16 AM:
Lots of good advice here. A major problem with the K3 NB is the way 
it is described on screen and in the manual. There are two blankers, 
one ahead of the crystal roofing filters, one after them. Each has 
multiple tweaks. In contest conditions, I've found good noise 
reduction from using the one AFTER the roofing filter, and set for 
the greatest depth and shortest time. I THINK it's called the DSP 
Blanker.


Yes, by their nature, NBs will modulate signals by the noise.

Let's hope the NB in the K4 is better.

73, Jim K9YC







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