RE: [Elecraft] K3 Configuration Cookbook?
New video: The making of... K3 #1255 A 7 minute impression of building a K3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PD8QNVkIirc 73, Arie PA3A ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 Configuration Cookbook?
Lets try this again with further explanation. I am retired and do not have an endless budget to upgrade the K3. The upgrades I make will depend on their cost – yet I want to progress toward the “ultimate” K3 and not end up with a box of high dollar “junk.” I would like to know what I need to do certain things and not buy unnecessary parts and/or not have everything I need. I have read here that if you want the 8-pole filter on the second receiver that you need to have an 8-pole filter on the main receiver. Perhaps a few (but not every) examples will give you the idea. I do not think these are correct – that is why I am asking. 1. Second receiver used only as general coverage receiver – desire to listen to AM, FM, and CW. The following is needed, at a minimum - a. KRX3, b. KBF3, c. KFL3B-FM, d. KFL3A-6K - ??, e. KFL3A-2.7 - ??. 2. No second Receiver – Desire to add FM a. KFL3B-FM b. ??? 3. No second receiver – desire to add second receiver WITH 2.8 8 pole filter a. KRX3, b. KFL3A-2.8 c. KFL3A-2.8 – for main receiver - ?? d. What do I do with the old 5 pole filter, e. Or should I just order the 5-pole filter. Does this give you a better idea? As you can see, looking at all of the options and various configurations you (almost) need a spreadsheet! Thanks Rich Looking at all of the options and various configurations you almost need a spreadsheet! Thanks Rich Rich wrote: I have tried searching the Elecraft WebPages and manual and can not find complete ,concise, information as to the minimum required components (above the basic K3) for each of the various different modes. Is this posted somewhere or can someone provide a cookbook of recipes for each of the various different non Basic modes (e.g. FM, AM, SWL, etc.)? Should include Basic K3 and additional requirements for KRX3. Do I need 8 pole filters on both? Thanks, Rich, KE0X -- View this message in context: http://n2.nabble.com/K3-Configuration-Cookbook--tp728066p737145.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 Configuration Cookbook?
Rich, I suggest you consider your need for the 8 pole 2.8 filter first - remember that it is the DSP that does the real filtering, the roofing filter is only to keep strong offending signals out of the DSP front end. On that basis, consider your operating desires - if you are heavy into SSB DX chasing or contesting where you will be operating on very crowded bands, then the 2.8 kHz filter may provide you with some small extra benefit, but if your operation is more casual than that, the 2.7 kHz filter should be adequate. I believe once you answer the question about the 2.7 vs. the 2.8 filter, the rest of your considerations will come naturally. Actually the filters in the sub-receiver do not have to be matched unless you will be using diversity receive where the two receivers ideally would be matched not only in frequency, but in phase. You will not notice any slight differences in the filter centers unless you use diversity receive. If immediate budget is a concern, I suggest you consider the following: Basic K3/10 or K3/100 with the 2.7 kHz filter. Add the FM filter when you want to add FM capability (receive or transmit or both) - the FM filter can also be used for AM receive (the 6 kHz filter is required for AM transmit) Then add the KBF3 to give you general coverage and take full advantage of the AM receive capability. At that point, decide whether you really need the sub-receiver. You should also know enough by that time to select the needed filters for the subreceiver. Add narrow filters as needed to support your operating conditions and desires. Of course, all this ignores things like the KXV3 and the KAT3, but your station requirements for these will likely be different than anyone else's - look at the features each adds and select them on the basis of cost vs. utility in your station. That is similar to my personal upgrade path for the K3 except I do not think I will ever want the general coverage because I have several transceivers that are capable of general coverage already and I will not be hunting for weak SW BC stations. I am not likely to add the sub-RX because my casual operation does not provide enough added utility to justify the cost - but it may be added much later down the road 'just because'. I hope that helps a bit - your choices will not be the same as mine, but perhaps this gives you some clues to the reasons why each option or filter is to be added. 73, Don W3FPR Rich wrote: Lets try this again with further explanation. I am retired and do not have an endless budget to upgrade the K3. The upgrades I make will depend on their cost – yet I want to progress toward the “ultimate” K3 and not end up with a box of high dollar “junk.” I would like to know what I need to do certain things and not buy unnecessary parts and/or not have everything I need. I have read here that if you want the 8-pole filter on the second receiver that you need to have an 8-pole filter on the main receiver. Perhaps a few (but not every) examples will give you the idea. I do not think these are correct – that is why I am asking. 1. Second receiver used only as general coverage receiver – desire to listen to AM, FM, and CW. The following is needed, at a minimum - a. KRX3, b. KBF3, c. KFL3B-FM, d. KFL3A-6K - ??, e. KFL3A-2.7 - ??. 2. No second Receiver – Desire to add FM a. KFL3B-FM b. ??? 3. No second receiver – desire to add second receiver WITH 2.8 8 pole filter a. KRX3, b. KFL3A-2.8 c. KFL3A-2.8 – for main receiver - ?? d. What do I do with the old 5 pole filter, e. Or should I just order the 5-pole filter. Does this give you a better idea? As you can see, looking at all of the options and various configurations you (almost) need a spreadsheet! ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] K3 Configuration Cookbook?
I have tried searching the Elecraft WebPages and manual and can not find complete ,concise, information as to the minimum required components (above the basic K3) for each of the various different modes. Is this posted somewhere or can someone provide a cookbook of recipes for each of the various different non Basic modes (e.g. FM, AM, SWL, etc.)? Should include Basic K3 and additional requirements for KRX3. Do I need 8 pole filters on both? Thanks, Rich, KE0X -- View this message in context: http://n2.nabble.com/K3-Configuration-Cookbook--tp728066p728066.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
RE: [Elecraft] K3 Configuration Cookbook?
If you require general-coverage receive capability, you should order the KBPF3 General Coverage RX Bandpass Filter Module. The band pass filters are the very first filters in the radio, they're LC filters and cover the whole band. Ham band capability comes with the stock K3. The KBPF3 provides band pass filter capability for other frequencies. The first IF filter, at around 8 mHz, is a crystal filter, sometimes called a roofing filter. The K3 supports up to 5 of these in the main receiver and an additional 5 in the subreceiver. If you require FM transmit capability, you'll want the 13.0 kHz KFL3B-FM filter. I do not know if FM reception is possible with any of the other filters, but I would guess the fidelity would be very limited if it worked at all. If you require AM or ESSB transmit capability, you'll want the KFL3A-6K filter. You may receive AM with the stock 2.7 kHz filter that comes with the radio by tuning to one sideband. Some users prefer a wider bandwidth for improved AM fidelity and as I understand that listening to both sidebands in some situations might reduce selective sideband fading. If you're an occasional AM listener but don't need to transmit on AM, you may be fine without the 6.0 Khz AM filter. Some filters are available only in 5 pole and others only in 8 pole. The skirts are steeper for the 8 pole filters, and they're slightly more expensive. I chose 8 pole filters. I've seen data from people whose opinion I value that suggests that 5 poles are certainly enough. The performance differences are minor, but measurable. The main K3 may have up to 5 crystal filters. The main RF board filters are used for transmit as well as receive. You select the filter to be used for each mode of transmission, but the choices are limited. CW, SSB, and Data modes must use a 2.7 kHz (5 pole) or 2.8 kHz (8 pole) filter. FM transmit must use a 13 kHz FM filter. AM transmit must use a 6K AM filter. The KRX3 subreceiver may have 1 to 5 additional crystal filters. You should put filters into the KRX3 to support your dual-receive requirements. For many, that's only filters for CW and SSB. I would suggest not purchasing both the 250 hZ and 400 hZ filters. The actual widths aren't different enough. If you want both 400 and a narrower filter, I would recommend using the 5-pole 200 hZ filter for very narrow CW. You may do very well with a minimum of crystal filters, because the DSP provides selectivity down to 50 hZ. The crystal filters are useful in crowded band conditions (particularly contests). Narrow crystal filters help most when the desired signal is very near a very loud interfering signal, and by using a narrow crystal filter you can bring the desired signal inside the crystal filter passband and the undesired signal outside. If you plan to use your KRX3 for diversity, there are advantages to having the crystal filters match one another. 8 pole filters are recommended here because the 5 pole filters have a frequency offset that you would prefer to have match. Elecraft will provide matched pairs of 2.7 kHz 5 pole filters. But it's only slightly more to get two 8 pole 2.8 kHz filters that have no frequency offset. You can always add filters at a later time; you might consider using the radio a while before filling it up with filters that you're not sure you need. I didn't do this myself, but it seems like a good idea to me. Dick, K6KR -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Rich Sent: Saturday, August 16, 2008 10:48 AM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] K3 Configuration Cookbook? I have tried searching the Elecraft WebPages and manual and can not find complete ,concise, information as to the minimum required components (above the basic K3) for each of the various different modes. Is this posted somewhere or can someone provide a cookbook of recipes for each of the various different non Basic modes (e.g. FM, AM, SWL, etc.)? Should include Basic K3 and additional requirements for KRX3. Do I need 8 pole filters on both? Thanks, Rich, KE0X -- View this message in context: http://n2.nabble.com/K3-Configuration-Cookbook--tp728066p728066.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
