Re: [Elecraft] K3 Erratic Power Output

[Mike K8CN]

Larry, there's a good chance that the SWR bridge (FWD/REFL power measurement)
on the K3 RF Board has a problem with the level scaling feature that
switches on when you command a transmit power level above 12 watts.

Check the K3 RF Board schematic (here I'm presuming you have the K3 rather
than the K3S, but I think the SWR bridge circuits are similar), page 4 of
the schematic package, on the far right hand side for the SWR bridge
circuit.  Near the LM358 op amp voltage followers (outputs labeled VFWD and
VREFL) you'll see a pair of voltage dividers that are enabled by logic
signals /FSCL and /RSCL for higher output power levels.  

I'm going out on a limb here, but if /FSCL is not grounded when you command
an output power greater than 12 watts, the voltage follower on the FWD power
branch may saturate and effectively remove the feedback signal that the
power control loop requires to operate properly.  

The /FSCL signal is generated at the output of one flip-flop in an 8-bit
shift register - if that output won't pull down to ground R53, the lower arm
of the voltage divider in the FWD power level scaling circuit, that may
inhibit the necessary scaling of input voltage to the follower to keep it
from saturating.

The fact that the power control loop appears to work smoothly at commanded
power levels less than the 13 watts indicates that the SWR bridge rectifier
diodes are still functioning properly.  The jump to more than 100 watts
output when you command a power level just slightly greater than 13 watts
tells me the power control loop is getting different FWD power information
than what it expects to see.

Probing the SMD device leads to check that /FSCL is properly asserted when
you cross the 12 watt threshold? I'll leave that one to the pros!

73,
Mike, K8CN



--
Sent from: http://elecraft.365791.n2.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
Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com

[Elecraft] K3 Erratic Power Output

[Larry P. Greenberg]

Over the weekend I did some more testing.  Here are the results of my
testing.  The power display and SWR indication on the bar graphs are correct
and linear with the power encoder up to 12 watts.  When the PA engages at 13
watts the power goes up rapidly and the power and SWR indications on the bar
graph disappear.  I do not believe it is the encoder. My power readings were
taken with a Bird and a known dummy load.  The same thing happens on antenna
1 or 2.  The power rapidly climbs to over 100 watts as if the was no control
over the power level.  No display of power output or SWR.  

 

Ideas?  Perhaps a trip to California.  Would be warmer than in Illinois.  

 

Larry, WA9MAG

 

 

 

__
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

[Elecraft] K3 crazy power output fault

[Martin Sole]

My K3F/100 S/N 298 has suffered a power output failure. Switched off 
last night everything normal and full power out as has always been the 
case. Switched on this morning and essentially nothing. The power meter 
flicks up and down like crazy. It's literally all over the shop. ALC 
shows a steady 7 bars when keyed, RF power meter on the K3 follows the 
LP100A, the odd flicker but essentially nothing. This is CW keyed at 
26wpm power meter is LP100A, then dummy load. Identical to last use 
yesterday but now its going crazy.\


What' shappened?

Martin, HS0ZED


__
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

Re: [Elecraft] K3 Strange Power Output Problem

[donovanf]

Hi Bob, 


Thanks, I'll try your ideas. We have a year to get ready for our next 
NSS operation... 



NSS was a Field Day style operation with AB-577 towers, all of the 
NSS towers and buildings were demolished 20 years ago except for 
three 600 foot towers that are all in the red zone of a firing range! 
Because its a Field Day style operation, we don't have enough time 
to install separate receiving antennas despite our 500+ acre NSS site... 


Our objective is to transmit on our assigned MARS frequencies outside 
the ham bands (e.g., 9448 kHz) and listen inside the adjacent ham band 
(e.g., 10128 kHz). We don't need to listen to both frequencies at the 
same time. 



Our K3 main receiver and KRX3 subreceiver share the same antenna 
and the transceivers have KBPF3 bandpass filters installed in the 
main receiver only . 



Before we began NSS operations on Saturday morning we had no idea 
that the K3 could not perform out of ham band split operations without 
using the KRX3 sub receiver. When we realized that our transmit 
power output was severely reduced by using wide split (e.g., 
9448 / 10128 kHz) we started to search for a solution... 


We were not successful using the K3 transceivers with a wide split 
so on those bands with wide splits (e;g., 9448/10128) we removed 
the K3 transceivers and substituted our old FT-1000MPs instead. 
They worked very well and were very easy to use. The K3 is far 
from easy to use in this application! 


As was suggested, operation of the K3 transceiver to meet our needs is 
much easier if we install a KBPF3 in each KRX3 subreceiver, since 
K3 operators almost always use their KRX3 sub receiver with SPLIT 
enabled, which forces the transmitter to transmit on the sub receive 
frequency. But a KRX3 sub receiver with no KBPF3 installed 
can't listen outside the ham bands where we transmit. So the 
commonly used SPLIT operation with the KRX3 can't meet our needs 
with our K3 transceivers with no KBPF3 installed in our KRX3 sub receivers 


If I had known not to tap SPLIT as I've always done when not transmitting 
on MARS frequencies, I may have been successful since we would then 
have been transmitting through the Main Receiver KBPF3 on the 
VFO A MARS frequency, and listening to the KRX3 sub receiver 
in the ham bands. 


I'll try split operation on 9448/10128 well before next year by not using 
SPLIT and listening on 10128 with the KRX3 sub receiver... 


Thanks Bob, 


73 
Frank 
W3LPL 


- Original Message -

From: "Bob Wilson, N6TV" <n...@arrl.net> 
To: "Frank Donovan, W3LPL" <donov...@starpower.net>, "Elecraft Reflector" 
<Elecraft@mailman.qth.net> 
Sent: Monday, May 14, 2018 12:34:36 AM 
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Strange Power Output Problem 



On Sun, May 13, 2018 at 5:17 PM, < donov...@starpower.net > wrote: 


Its hard to devise a solution without this knowledge! 



Frank, 



It's also hard to suggest a solution without a clear understanding of the 
problem, which seems different than N3CW's original question. 


It's not clear to me what you need to achieve at NSS. I think you are saying 
you want listen to both widely-separated frequencies at the same time, using 
different antennas, one for the MAIN, one for the SUB? Or maybe you want to use 
the TX antenna for both receivers? Or maybe a separate RX antenna for both 
receivers? 


The SUB listens to either what is selected by MAIN (RX ANT or TX ANT) or to 
AUX, which is a totally separate RX ANT input that seems to bypass all the 
filters in the MAIN. With the SUB on, hold RX ANT to switch the SubRx to listen 
on AUX. This is a perfect input if your RX antenna is miles away from your TX 
antenna, which I assume is the case at NSS. 


Otherwise, if you want to listen to the TX ANT with both receivers, feed RX ANT 
OUT to both RX ANT IN and to AUX via an external 50 ohm splitter such as the 
Mini-Circuits ZFSC-2-6 , and now both receivers are listening to the same 
antenna, but with totally different receive paths. 


If you want to listen to a dedicated well-separated RX antenna in both 
receivers, instead of listening on the TX antenna , use an external splitter to 
feed the RX antenna to both RX ANT IN and to AUX. 


Repeating, do not use SPLIT mode, just tap SUB to TX on A, receive on both A 
and B, or just receive on B (CONFIG:L-MIX-R B B), whatever you require. 






73, 
Bob, N6TV 

On Sun, May 13, 2018 at 4:45 PM, < donov...@starpower.net > wrote: 


Hi Wayne, 


The MARS to ham band K3 cross-band problem affects every band, 
but it was extremely severe on 30 meters because the NSS assigned 
frequency -- 9448 kHz -- was almost 700 kHz from our typical 
10128 kHz receiving frequency. 


Since switching between the K3 bandpass filters and the KBPF3 
band pass filters at T/R rates isn't a workable solution, how about 
this external BNC cable solution since my K3 transceivers have 
KRX3 sub receivers? 


If I understand the K3 inte

Re: [Elecraft] K3 Strange Power Output Problem

[DaleJ]

I had this same problem operating split while listening to 18.150 and 
transmitting on 16.298.5 the K3s would show zero output.  However operating 
split from 20 meters to 16.298.5 worked.  Yes I have the KBPF3,  The other 
freq’s we used split worked fine.  

Dale, K9VUJ/AFA5DJ
__
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

Re: [Elecraft] K3 Strange Power Output Problem

[Bob Wilson, N6TV]

 On Sun, May 13, 2018 at 5:17 PM,  wrote:

> Its hard to devise a solution without this knowledge!


Frank,

It's also hard to suggest a solution without a clear understanding of the
problem, which seems different than N3CW's original question.

It's not clear to me what you need to achieve at NSS.  I think you are
saying you want listen to *both* widely-separated frequencies at the same
time, using different antennas, one for the MAIN, one for the SUB?  Or
maybe you want to use the TX antenna for both receivers?  Or maybe a
separate RX antenna for both receivers?

The SUB listens to either what is selected by MAIN (RX ANT or TX ANT) or to
AUX, which is a totally separate RX ANT input that seems to bypass all the
filters in the MAIN.  With the SUB on, hold RX ANT to switch the SubRx to
listen on AUX.  This is a perfect input if your RX antenna is miles away
from your TX antenna, which I assume is the case at NSS.

Otherwise, if you want to listen to the TX ANT with both receivers, feed RX
ANT OUT to *both* RX ANT IN *and* to AUX via an external 50 ohm splitter
such as the Mini-Circuits ZFSC-2-6
, and now both receivers
are listening to the same antenna, but with totally different receive paths.

If you want to listen to a dedicated well-separated RX antenna in both
receivers, instead of listening on the TX antenna, use an external splitter
to feed the RX antenna to both RX ANT IN and to AUX.

Repeating, do not use SPLIT mode, just tap SUB to TX on A, receive on both
A and B, or just receive on B (CONFIG:L-MIX-R B B), whatever you require.

73,
Bob, N6TV

On Sun, May 13, 2018 at 4:45 PM,  wrote:

> Hi Wayne,
>
>
> The MARS to ham band K3 cross-band problem affects every band,
> but it was extremely severe on 30 meters because the NSS assigned
> frequency -- 9448 kHz -- was almost 700 kHz from our typical
> 10128 kHz receiving frequency.
>
>
> Since switching between the K3 bandpass filters and the KBPF3
> band pass filters at T/R rates isn't a workable solution, how about
> this external BNC cable solution since my K3 transceivers have
> KRX3 sub receivers?
>
>
> If I understand the K3 internal receiver antenna switching correctly
> a single external BNC jumper cable allows the K3 to transmit and
> receive on VFO A on MARS frequencies and listen to any amateur
> band on the sub receiver:
>
>
> - Connect the RX ANT OUT connector to the RX ANT IN connector
>
>
> - Tap the main RX ANT button which connects ANT 1 to the RX ANT OUT
> connector and switches the input of the main receiver to the RX ANT IN
> connector (connected by the external BNC cable to RX ANT OUT)
>
>
> - Tap SUB to turn the sub receiver on
>
>
> - Hold BSET and tap ANT to set the sub receiver input to MAIN. This
> allows the subreceiver to listen on the RX ANT connected to the main
> receiver.
>
>
> I'm sorry I didn't think of this yesterday...
>
>
> tks
>
>
> 73
> Frank
> W3LPL
__
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

Re: [Elecraft] K3 Strange Power Output Problem

[donovanf]

Hi Don, 


Fortunately I have a year to implement a solution! If worse comes 
to a worse, I could use a small external T/R relay to switch the 
antenna between K3 ANT1 and the KRX3 sub receiver AUX input... 



Is any publicly available performance data available for the low 
pass and bandpass filters in the K3 and the KBPF3? 


Its hard to devise a solution without this knowledge! 


Thanks for your help! 


73 
Frank 
W3LPL 




- Original Message -

From: "Don Wilhelm" <donw...@embarqmail.com> 
To: donov...@starpower.net, "Elecraft" <elecraft@mailman.qth.net> 
Sent: Monday, May 14, 2018 12:02:17 AM 
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Strange Power Output Problem 

Frank, 

You still have the K3 Low Pass Filters to deal with. 
The KBPF3 in the sub and the use of a separate RX antenna may produce 
better results. 

But then Wayne is the guy to say what other obstacles might be in the way. 

73, 
Don W3FPR 

On 5/13/2018 7:45 PM, donov...@starpower.net wrote: 
> Hi Wayne, 
> 
> 
> The MARS to ham band K3 cross-band problem affects every band, 
> but it was extremely severe on 30 meters because the NSS assigned 
> frequency -- 9448 kHz -- was almost 700 kHz from our typical 
> 10128 kHz receiving frequency. 
> 
> 
> Since switching between the K3 bandpass filters and the KBPF3 
> band pass filters at T/R rates isn't a workable solution, how about 
> this external BNC cable solution since my K3 transceivers have 
> KRX3 sub receivers? 
> 
> 
> If I understand the K3 internal receiver antenna switching correctly 
> a single external BNC jumper cable allows the K3 to transmit and 
> receive on VFO A on MARS frequencies and listen to any amateur 
> band on the sub receiver: 
> 
> 
> - Connect the RX ANT OUT connector to the RX ANT IN connector 
> 
> 
> - Tap the main RX ANT button which connects ANT 1 to the RX ANT OUT 
> connector and switches the input of the main receiver to the RX ANT IN 
> connector (connected by the external BNC cable to RX ANT OUT) 
> 
> 
> - Tap SUB to turn the sub receiver on 
> 
> 
> - Hold BSET and tap ANT to set the sub receiver input to MAIN. This 
> allows the subreceiver to listen on the RX ANT connected to the main 
> receiver. 
> 
> 
> I'm sorry I didn't think of this yesterday... 
> 
> 
> tks 
> 
> 
> 73 
> Frank 
> W3LPL 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> - Original Message - 
> 
> From: "Wayne Burdick" <n...@elecraft.com> 
> To: "Elecraft" <elecraft@mailman.qth.net> 
> Sent: Sunday, May 13, 2018 4:06:51 PM 
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Strange Power Output Problem 
> 
> I have to admit, operating SPLIT between a ham band and a MARS band that 
> falls outside the nearest ham-band filter isn’t something that occurred to me 
> when writing the firmware. But I can change the filter selection algorithm to 
> accommodate this case as long as a KBPF3 module is installed. 
> 
> Technical details: 
> 
> Since the K3/K3S is a downconversion superhet, we use very narrow ham-band 
> filters. One of the narrowest is the 30 meter filter. 
> 
> To preserve the rig’s exceptional dynamic range, we switch the band pass 
> filters with relays, not diodes. This means we can’t switch filters at T/R 
> rates. 
> 
> So to handle the case being discussed, we’d have to select the 7-10 MHz KBPF3 
> filter for both RX and TX. 
> 
> 73, 
> Wayne 
> N6KR 
> 
> 
>  
> http://www.elecraft.com 
> 
>> On May 13, 2018, at 6:10 AM, Wes Stewart <wes_n...@triconet.org> wrote: 
>> 
>> Another reading comprehension problem. 
>> 
>>> On 5/12/2018 1:36 PM, Mark E. Musick wrote: 
>>> Hi Ed, 
>>> You don't have a transmit problem at all. It is not an anomaly. 
>>> The amateur band starts at 10.100 MHz. You shouldn't be transmitting below 
>>> that frequency. 
>>> 
>>> Hello, 
>>> I noticed this power output anomaly today while trying to work the NSS 
>>> station. My K3 was in split mode, transmitting on 10.113.5. 
>> 
>> __ 
>> 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 n...@elecraft.com 
> __ 
> Elecraft mailing list 
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft 
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm 
> Post: mailto:Elecra

Re: [Elecraft] K3 Strange Power Output Problem

[Don Wilhelm]

Frank,

You still have the K3 Low Pass Filters to deal with.
The KBPF3 in the sub and the use of a separate RX antenna may produce 
better results.


But then Wayne is the guy to say what other obstacles might be in the way.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 5/13/2018 7:45 PM, donov...@starpower.net wrote:

Hi Wayne,


The MARS to ham band K3 cross-band problem affects every band,
but it was extremely severe on 30 meters because the NSS assigned
frequency -- 9448 kHz -- was almost 700 kHz from our typical
10128 kHz receiving frequency.


Since switching between the K3 bandpass filters and the KBPF3
band pass filters at T/R rates isn't a workable solution, how about
this external BNC cable solution since my K3 transceivers have
KRX3 sub receivers?


If I understand the K3 internal receiver antenna switching correctly
a single external BNC jumper cable allows the K3 to transmit and
receive on VFO A on MARS frequencies and listen to any amateur
band on the sub receiver:


- Connect the RX ANT OUT connector to the RX ANT IN connector


- Tap the main RX ANT button which connects ANT 1 to the RX ANT OUT
connector and switches the input of the main receiver to the RX ANT IN
connector (connected by the external BNC cable to RX ANT OUT)


- Tap SUB to turn the sub receiver on


- Hold BSET and tap ANT to set the sub receiver input to MAIN. This
allows the subreceiver to listen on the RX ANT connected to the main
receiver.


I'm sorry I didn't think of this yesterday...


tks


73
Frank
W3LPL







- Original Message -

From: "Wayne Burdick" <n...@elecraft.com>
To: "Elecraft" <elecraft@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Sunday, May 13, 2018 4:06:51 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Strange Power Output Problem

I have to admit, operating SPLIT between a ham band and a MARS band that falls 
outside the nearest ham-band filter isn’t something that occurred to me when 
writing the firmware. But I can change the filter selection algorithm to 
accommodate this case as long as a KBPF3 module is installed.

Technical details:

Since the K3/K3S is a downconversion superhet, we use very narrow ham-band 
filters. One of the narrowest is the 30 meter filter.

To preserve the rig’s exceptional dynamic range, we switch the band pass 
filters with relays, not diodes. This means we can’t switch filters at T/R 
rates.

So to handle the case being discussed, we’d have to select the 7-10 MHz KBPF3 
filter for both RX and TX.

73,
Wayne
N6KR



http://www.elecraft.com


On May 13, 2018, at 6:10 AM, Wes Stewart <wes_n...@triconet.org> wrote:

Another reading comprehension problem.


On 5/12/2018 1:36 PM, Mark E. Musick wrote:
Hi Ed,
You don't have a transmit problem at all. It is not an anomaly.
The amateur band starts at 10.100 MHz. You shouldn't be transmitting below that 
frequency.

Hello,
I noticed this power output anomaly today while trying to work the NSS station. 
My K3 was in split mode, transmitting on 10.113.5.


__
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 n...@elecraft.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 donov...@starpower.net
__
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 donw...@embarqmail.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

Re: [Elecraft] K3 Strange Power Output Problem

[donovanf]

Hi Wayne, 


The MARS to ham band K3 cross-band problem affects every band, 
but it was extremely severe on 30 meters because the NSS assigned 
frequency -- 9448 kHz -- was almost 700 kHz from our typical 
10128 kHz receiving frequency. 


Since switching between the K3 bandpass filters and the KBPF3 
band pass filters at T/R rates isn't a workable solution, how about 
this external BNC cable solution since my K3 transceivers have 
KRX3 sub receivers? 


If I understand the K3 internal receiver antenna switching correctly 
a single external BNC jumper cable allows the K3 to transmit and 
receive on VFO A on MARS frequencies and listen to any amateur 
band on the sub receiver: 


- Connect the RX ANT OUT connector to the RX ANT IN connector 


- Tap the main RX ANT button which connects ANT 1 to the RX ANT OUT 
connector and switches the input of the main receiver to the RX ANT IN 
connector (connected by the external BNC cable to RX ANT OUT) 


- Tap SUB to turn the sub receiver on 


- Hold BSET and tap ANT to set the sub receiver input to MAIN. This 
allows the subreceiver to listen on the RX ANT connected to the main 
receiver. 


I'm sorry I didn't think of this yesterday... 


tks 


73 
Frank 
W3LPL 







- Original Message -

From: "Wayne Burdick" <n...@elecraft.com> 
To: "Elecraft" <elecraft@mailman.qth.net> 
Sent: Sunday, May 13, 2018 4:06:51 PM 
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Strange Power Output Problem 

I have to admit, operating SPLIT between a ham band and a MARS band that falls 
outside the nearest ham-band filter isn’t something that occurred to me when 
writing the firmware. But I can change the filter selection algorithm to 
accommodate this case as long as a KBPF3 module is installed. 

Technical details: 

Since the K3/K3S is a downconversion superhet, we use very narrow ham-band 
filters. One of the narrowest is the 30 meter filter. 

To preserve the rig’s exceptional dynamic range, we switch the band pass 
filters with relays, not diodes. This means we can’t switch filters at T/R 
rates. 

So to handle the case being discussed, we’d have to select the 7-10 MHz KBPF3 
filter for both RX and TX. 

73, 
Wayne 
N6KR 


 
http://www.elecraft.com 

> On May 13, 2018, at 6:10 AM, Wes Stewart <wes_n...@triconet.org> wrote: 
> 
> Another reading comprehension problem. 
> 
>> On 5/12/2018 1:36 PM, Mark E. Musick wrote: 
>> Hi Ed, 
>> You don't have a transmit problem at all. It is not an anomaly. 
>> The amateur band starts at 10.100 MHz. You shouldn't be transmitting below 
>> that frequency. 
>> 
>> Hello, 
>> I noticed this power output anomaly today while trying to work the NSS 
>> station. My K3 was in split mode, transmitting on 10.113.5. 
> 
> __ 
> 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 n...@elecraft.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 donov...@starpower.net 
__
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

Re: [Elecraft] K3 Strange Power Output Problem

[Bob Wilson, N6TV]

I can't replicate this problem with the KBPF3 installed in the Sub Rx
instead of the main.  CONFIG:KBPF3 says "Not Inst", for main, "Sub Nor"
when I tap SUB.

If you have the KRX3 Sub Receiver installed, a possible workaround is to
operate with SPLIT *OFF*, SUB ON.  Now you're transmitting on A, listening
on both.

Try putting VFO A on 10.115 and listen with VFO B (SUB) on 9.448.  Perhaps
RX on Sub will be attenuated.  Tapping B-SET + Pre-Amp may help bring some
sensitivity back.

If you want to listen to VFO B with both ears, set *CONFIG:L-MIX-R* to *b
b*.

73,
Bob, N6TV

On Sat, May 12, 2018 at 11:36 PM,  wrote:

> It appears that when operating split and transmitting on VFO B on a
> MARS frequency, the K3 bandpass filter associated with the VFO A
> receiving VFO is always selected for use with the VFO B split transmitter
> outside the ham band. When VFO B is tuned to transmit outside the
> ham band (e.g. 9448 KHz and VFO A listening on 10113) the VFO B
> transmitted signal on 9448 kHz cannot pass through the standard 30 meter
> bandpass filter automatically selected by the K3 for use with VFO A.
>
__
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

Re: [Elecraft] K3 Strange Power Output Problem

[Wayne Burdick]

I have to admit, operating SPLIT between a ham band and a MARS band that falls 
outside the nearest ham-band filter isn’t something that occurred to me when 
writing the firmware. But I can change the filter selection algorithm to 
accommodate this case as long as a KBPF3 module is installed. 

Technical details:

Since the K3/K3S is a downconversion superhet, we use very narrow ham-band 
filters. One of the narrowest is the 30 meter filter. 

To preserve the rig’s exceptional dynamic range, we switch the band pass 
filters with relays, not diodes. This means we can’t switch filters at T/R 
rates. 

So to handle the case being discussed, we’d have to select the 7-10 MHz KBPF3 
filter for both RX and TX. 

73,
Wayne
N6KR



http://www.elecraft.com

> On May 13, 2018, at 6:10 AM, Wes Stewart  wrote:
> 
> Another reading comprehension problem.
> 
>> On 5/12/2018 1:36 PM, Mark E. Musick wrote:
>> Hi Ed,
>> You don't have a transmit problem at all. It is not an anomaly.
>> The amateur band starts at 10.100 MHz. You shouldn't be transmitting below 
>> that frequency.
>> 
>> Hello,
>>   I noticed this power output anomaly today while trying to work the NSS 
>> station. My K3 was in split mode, transmitting on 10.113.5.
> 
> __
> 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 n...@elecraft.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

Re: [Elecraft] K3 Strange Power Output Problem

[Wes Stewart]

Another reading comprehension problem.

On 5/12/2018 1:36 PM, Mark E. Musick wrote:

Hi Ed,
You don't have a transmit problem at all. It is not an anomaly.
The amateur band starts at 10.100 MHz. You shouldn't be transmitting below that 
frequency.

Hello,
   I noticed this power output anomaly today while trying to work the NSS 
station. My K3 was in split mode, transmitting on 10.113.5.


__
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

Re: [Elecraft] K3 Strange Power Output Problem

[donovanf]

Hi Ed, 


We had exactly the same problem with all six of our MARS modified 
K3 transceivers at NSS. 



We were forced to replace our MARS modified K3 transceiver transmitting 
on 9448 kHz with an old FT-1000MP... Only on other bands where our 
assigned MARS frequency was very close to the edge of the ham band did 
the K3 produce near normal RF output power but only if VFO A was 
set to listen just inside the edge of the ham band nearest to our MARS\ 
transmitting frequency on VFO B. 



This is the behavior we discovered with all of our K3 transceivers: 


- Transmitting on 9448 kHz or any other MARS frequency on either 
VFO A or VFO B works perfectly but only when not operating split . 


- Operating split with both VFO A and VFO B set for any 
frequencies within the same ham band works perfectly. 


However -- when selecting split operation -- VFO B RF output power 
steadily drops as VFO A is tuned to receive at an increasingly large 
frequency split relative to VFO B transmitting on a fixed MARS freq. 


It appears that when operating split and transmitting on VFO B on a 
MARS frequency, the K3 bandpass filter associated with the VFO A 
receiving VFO is always selected for use with the VFO B split transmitter 
outside the ham band. When VFO B is tuned to transmit outside the 
ham band (e.g. 9448 KHz and VFO A listening on 10113) the VFO B 
transmitted signal on 9448 kHz cannot pass through the standard 30 meter 
bandpass filter automatically selected by the K3 for use with VFO A. 


Proposed solution: the K3 must dynamically select the proper KBPF3 
bandpass filter before transmitting on a VFO B split frequency outside 
the ham bands. Then the K3 must dynamically switch back the stock 
K3 band pass filter each time the K3 switches from VFO B transmit 
to VFO A receive inside the ham band.. 


This exact same problem occurs on every band, not just 30 meters. For 
example on 80 meters NSS was transmitting with VFO B on 4038 kHz. 
We were forced listen with VFO A set just below 4000 kHz. As a 
result we were forced to ask CW stations to call us just below 4000 kHz, 
an unusual operating practice. If we tuned VFO A to receive on 3530 kHz 
the VFO B transmitter power output on 4038 kHz was dramatically lowered. 


N3CW experienced exactly the same problem when transmitting with 
inside the 30 meter ham band and listening on 9448 kHz. 


Hopefully the capability to dynamically select to proper bandpass 
filter before each transmission can be added to the K3 before the next 
Armed Forces Day Cross-Band Test in twelve months... 


73 
Frank 
W3LPL 








- Original Message -

From: "Ed G" <ed.n...@gmail.com> 
To: "Mark E. Musick" <markmus...@sbcglobal.net>, elecraft@mailman.qth.net 
Sent: Saturday, May 12, 2018 8:45:02 PM 
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Strange Power Output Problem 

Hi Mark! I am transmitting on 10.113, and I do not change this. I am in Split 
mode, listening for NSS (who is transmitting on 9.448). I am only seeing about 
20 watts out, even though the K3 Power setting says 100 watts. 

If I change my RECEIVE frequency – not my transmit frequency – once I get above 
9.850 on RECEIVE, my power out returns to the expected 100 watts. 

--Ed— 


Sent from Mail for Windows 10 

From: Mark E. Musick 
Sent: Saturday, May 12, 2018 4:36 PM 
To: 'Ed G'; elecraft@mailman.qth.net 
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] K3 Strange Power Output Problem 

Hi Ed, 
You don't have a transmit problem at all. It is not an anomaly. 
The amateur band starts at 10.100 MHz. You shouldn't be transmitting below that 
frequency. I'm surprised the K3 allowed you to do that. 
The K3/K3S gives an out of band error and won't transmit beyond some amount 
below and above the amateur band limits, I believe allowing for MARS 
frequencies. 
The reason for the relay click and your lower output is due to switching of the 
bandpass filters in the K3. They are not designed to transmit down there. This 
is also why you are seeing a reduction in receive sensitivity. You need the 
BPF3A to receive outside the ham bands. Again, because you are limited by the 
bandpass filters for the ham bands in the K3. 
If you have more questions, let us know here on the reflector and we will try 
to answer them for you. 

73, 
Mark, WB9CIF 


-Original Message- 
From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net <elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net> On 
Behalf Of Ed G 
Sent: Saturday, May 12, 2018 7:25 PM 
To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net 
Subject: [Elecraft] K3 Strange Power Output Problem 

Hello, 
I noticed this power output anomaly today while trying to work the NSS station. 
My K3 was in split mode, transmitting on 10.113.5. While I was listening on 
9.448 (the NSS transmit frequency), I noticed that even though my K3 power 
level was set at 100 watts, the K3 was only putting out about 20 watts. Two 
different power meters (the K3 internal meter and an outboard LP-100A) gave me 
the 20 watt reading. 
When I listened o

Re: [Elecraft] K3 Strange Power Output Problem

[Brian Hunt]

I ran into this today too, different frequencies though. I recently installed 
the KBPF3 module and have it enabled full time. I think what happened is the 
VFO-A frequency sets the BPF segment to be used and with the wide split, it's 
not the right one for the VFO-B TX frequency to use. Therefore you don't get 
enough drive through to the amplifier stages. The K3 will not switch BPF 
segments to go between RX and TX states. I got an ERR:TXG indicating something 
was afoul in the BPF setup. 

I tried to set the KBPF3 to 'not installed' but botched it since I didn't 
remember you had to cycle K3 power to reconfigure that option. By then NSS had 
faded into the noise. Oh well, got 'em on one band.  

73, Brian, K0DTJ
__
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

Re: [Elecraft] K3 Strange Power Output Problem

[Ed G]

Hi Mark!  I am transmitting on 10.113, and I do not change this.  I am in Split 
mode, listening for NSS (who is transmitting on 9.448).  I am only seeing about 
20 watts out, even though the K3 Power setting says 100 watts.

If I change my RECEIVE frequency – not my transmit frequency – once I get above 
9.850 on RECEIVE, my power out returns to the expected 100 watts.

--Ed—
 

Sent from Mail for Windows 10

From: Mark E. Musick
Sent: Saturday, May 12, 2018 4:36 PM
To: 'Ed G'; elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] K3 Strange Power Output Problem

Hi Ed,
You don't have a transmit problem at all. It is not an anomaly.
The amateur band starts at 10.100 MHz. You shouldn't be transmitting below that 
frequency. I'm surprised the K3 allowed you to do that.
The K3/K3S gives an out of band error and won't transmit beyond some amount 
below and above the amateur band limits, I believe allowing for MARS 
frequencies.
The reason for the relay click and your lower output is due to switching of the 
bandpass filters in the K3. They are not designed to transmit down there. This 
is also why you are seeing a reduction in receive sensitivity. You need the 
BPF3A to receive outside the ham bands. Again, because you are limited by the 
bandpass filters for the ham bands in the K3.
If you have more questions, let us know here on the reflector and we will try 
to answer them for you.

73,
Mark, WB9CIF


-Original Message-
From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net <elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net> On 
Behalf Of Ed G
Sent: Saturday, May 12, 2018 7:25 PM
To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Elecraft] K3 Strange Power Output Problem

Hello,
  I noticed this power output anomaly today while trying to work the NSS 
station. My K3 was in split mode, transmitting on 10.113.5.  While I was 
listening on 9.448 (the NSS transmit frequency), I noticed that even though my 
K3 power level was set at 100 watts, the K3 was only putting out about 20 
watts. Two different power meters (the K3 internal meter and an outboard 
LP-100A) gave me the 20 watt reading.
 When I listened on my transmit frequency of 10.113.5, I was getting the 
full 100 watts out.  A quick investigation showed that as I tuned my listening 
frequency down, I got the full 100 watts out until I got to about 9.850 mHz. 
When I listened below that, K3 transmit power on 10.113.5 dropped immediately 
down to 20 watts.
 Not sure why I am seeing this?  One additional note – I hear a relay click 
inside the K3 when I tune my receive frequency below 9.850. I see the anomaly 
with the subreceiver either on or off.
--Ed—



Sent from Mail for Windows 10




---
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
https://www.avast.com/antivirus
__
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 markmus...@sbcglobal.net


__
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

Re: [Elecraft] K3 Strange Power Output Problem

[Mark E. Musick]

Hi Ed,
You don't have a transmit problem at all. It is not an anomaly.
The amateur band starts at 10.100 MHz. You shouldn't be transmitting below that 
frequency. I'm surprised the K3 allowed you to do that.
The K3/K3S gives an out of band error and won't transmit beyond some amount 
below and above the amateur band limits, I believe allowing for MARS 
frequencies.
The reason for the relay click and your lower output is due to switching of the 
bandpass filters in the K3. They are not designed to transmit down there. This 
is also why you are seeing a reduction in receive sensitivity. You need the 
BPF3A to receive outside the ham bands. Again, because you are limited by the 
bandpass filters for the ham bands in the K3.
If you have more questions, let us know here on the reflector and we will try 
to answer them for you.

73,
Mark, WB9CIF


-Original Message-
From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net <elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net> On 
Behalf Of Ed G
Sent: Saturday, May 12, 2018 7:25 PM
To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Elecraft] K3 Strange Power Output Problem

Hello,
  I noticed this power output anomaly today while trying to work the NSS 
station. My K3 was in split mode, transmitting on 10.113.5.  While I was 
listening on 9.448 (the NSS transmit frequency), I noticed that even though my 
K3 power level was set at 100 watts, the K3 was only putting out about 20 
watts. Two different power meters (the K3 internal meter and an outboard 
LP-100A) gave me the 20 watt reading.
 When I listened on my transmit frequency of 10.113.5, I was getting the 
full 100 watts out.  A quick investigation showed that as I tuned my listening 
frequency down, I got the full 100 watts out until I got to about 9.850 mHz. 
When I listened below that, K3 transmit power on 10.113.5 dropped immediately 
down to 20 watts.
 Not sure why I am seeing this?  One additional note – I hear a relay click 
inside the K3 when I tune my receive frequency below 9.850. I see the anomaly 
with the subreceiver either on or off.
--Ed—



Sent from Mail for Windows 10




---
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
https://www.avast.com/antivirus
__
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 markmus...@sbcglobal.net

__
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

[Elecraft] K3 Strange Power Output Problem

[Ed G]

Hello,
  I noticed this power output anomaly today while trying to work the NSS 
station. My K3 was in split mode, transmitting on 10.113.5.  While I was 
listening on 9.448 (the NSS transmit frequency), I noticed that even though my 
K3 power level was set at 100 watts, the K3 was only putting out about 20 
watts. Two different power meters (the K3 internal meter and an outboard 
LP-100A) gave me the 20 watt reading.
 When I listened on my transmit frequency of 10.113.5, I was getting the 
full 100 watts out.  A quick investigation showed that as I tuned my listening 
frequency down, I got the full 100 watts out until I got to about 9.850 mHz. 
When I listened below that, K3 transmit power on 10.113.5 dropped immediately 
down to 20 watts.
 Not sure why I am seeing this?  One additional note – I hear a relay click 
inside the K3 when I tune my receive frequency below 9.850. I see the anomaly 
with the subreceiver either on or off.
--Ed—



Sent from Mail for Windows 10




---
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
https://www.avast.com/antivirus
__
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

[Elecraft] K3-KXV3A Power output

[Peter Torry]

Having just completed a recalibration of the power levels I noticed that 
the 28MHz transverter output only varies by approx. 4dB when the front 
panel power control is rotated from 0  to -10dB. Has anyone else 
experienced this and is it usual or just in my K3?  Does anyone have any 
suggestions to improve the power control range assuming its not a fault, 
or feature.


73

Peter

G3SMT
__
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

[Elecraft] K3 no power output

[Stephen Reichlyn]

Hi, Don:

While using K3 (S/N 855) today, the power out of the K3 dropped to 
'0' in mid-sentence. I was putting out about 50 watts
driving an ACOM 2000A. I checked all the obvious things, short of 
resetting the rig. From the rig straight to a dummy load
(by passing the ACOM  amp, etc.) there is still zero output in all 
modes. I'm thinking that I might have popped the low output
(10W) finals since there is zero output (If I had popped the finals, 
I guess that I should still have 10w out).


Any ideas before I ship it back to the factory?

Cheers,
Steve Reichlyn AA4V
843-834-1616

PS the XV144 that you built for me works great.

__
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] [K3] K3 Power Output

[hb9brj]

hb9ari wrote:
 
 I work essentially with JT65A mode; as this mode
 is a single tone mode, i've set the modulation
 level just before full ALC and power to 50W
 (for DX only...). At the beginning of a
 JT65A transmit sequence, the power start
 at ~ 25W and go up to ~ 48W in 3 to 5 sec.
 

I'm active in WSPR mode, which is a single tone as well.
Mode = DATA A, ALC = 4 bars, PWR = 5W.
An external wattmeter shows an absolutely steady power throughout the entire
2-minute TX cycle.
The bottom cover just underneath the LPA gets pretty hot, but at 5W the KPA3
is bypassed.
Will run a test at higher power to see whether or not it makes a difference.

73, Markus HB9BRJ
-- 
View this message in context: 
http://n2.nabble.com/K3-Power-Output-tp3563445p3565519.html
Sent from the [K3] 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] [K3] K3 Power Output

[Julian, G4ILO]

hb9ari wrote:
 
 Hi Trev,
 
 Since the beginning, i always get the same behavior
 with my K3 #1212 (factory build). I work
 essentially with JT65A mode; as this mode
 is a single tone mode, i've set the modulation
 level just before full ALC and power to 50W
 (for DX only...). At the beginning of a
 JT65A transmit sequence, the power start
 at ~ 25W and go up to ~ 48W in 3 to 5 sec.
 If  the PA temperature is at ~ 40 to 46°C,
 the power variation is lower and power
 output start at ~40W; i'm certainly
 wrong, but i've always thought that this
 was related to PA temp and, as i never get
 an output power higher then selected,
 this was not a problem in my case.
 
 What is a problem for me is the transmit
 audio response; i've tried to adjust XTAL filter
 without success; TX EQU compensation
 too. As my VFO working frequency
 is always set to the JT65A preferred
 frequency, it's the audio frequency who
 defines the actual output spectrum;
 for some audio values, i get well over 3dB
 output power variations between some
 JT65A instantaneous frequencies;  for example,
 with a 45W max power, for somes frequencies,
 level go under 20W;  i work  with this since more
 then one year and i'm always hoping that
 the AGC of my correspondent can handle
 a little ~3dB RF input variation (the QSB
 is generally higher...)
 
 Sorry for this time and bandwidth consuming
 message.
 
 73 QRO de Rudolf, hb9ari
 
 

Are you not using DATA A for this, Rudolph? If so, you can set the audio
drive for a steady 4 bars in the ALC scale and the K3 will adjust the
power for the value selected across the whole range of the audio spectrum
(that you might reasonably want to use.)

It didn't always work like this, but it has for many months now. Using PSK31
I can click on a signal anywhere from about 300Hz to 2700Hz, call them and
get exactly the power requested (within reason, of course.)

-
Julian, G4ILO. K2 #392  K3 #222.
* G4ILO's Shack - http://www.g4ilo.com
* KComm - http://www.g4ilo.com/kcomm.html
* KTune - http://www.g4ilo.com/ktune.html

-- 
View this message in context: 
http://n2.nabble.com/K3-Power-Output-tp3563445p3565662.html
Sent from the [K3] 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] [K3] K3 Power Output

[Julian, G4ILO]

hb9brj wrote:
 
 I'm active in WSPR mode, which is a single tone as well.
 Mode = DATA A, ALC = 4 bars, PWR = 5W.
 An external wattmeter shows an absolutely steady power throughout the
 entire 2-minute TX cycle.
 The bottom cover just underneath the LPA gets pretty hot, but at 5W the
 KPA3 is bypassed.
 Will run a test at higher power to see whether or not it makes a
 difference.
 

It would be nice to have the option to leave the KPA3 in at low power. I
avoid using QRP for high duty cycle modes because I'm afraid it stresses the
radio more than using 12W does.

-
Julian, G4ILO. K2 #392  K3 #222.
* G4ILO's Shack - http://www.g4ilo.com
* KComm - http://www.g4ilo.com/kcomm.html
* KTune - http://www.g4ilo.com/ktune.html

-- 
View this message in context: 
http://n2.nabble.com/K3-Power-Output-tp3563445p3565678.html
Sent from the [K3] 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] [K3] K3 Power Output

[Alexandr Kobranov]

Hi Markus,
you prabably know but maybe good for the others trying WSJT/WSPR:
You can try very simply power levels per tone by using WSJT menu Setup 
- Generate messages for test tones.
Then you have @A - @D and @1000 and @2000 in TX1 - TX6 windows
You can test each tone separately and try to adjust level of TX EQ to 
obtain the best distribution.
Yes, there are differencies, very big sometimes.
Maybe later when TX EQ will be -per mode- saved and (if any chance) 
user selected  frq of setting point possible there will be better game 
with it.

Good luck,
73!
Lexa, ok1dst
K3/10 #727



hb9brj napsal(a):
 
 hb9ari wrote:
 I work essentially with JT65A mode; as this mode
 is a single tone mode, i've set the modulation
 level just before full ALC and power to 50W
 (for DX only...). At the beginning of a
 JT65A transmit sequence, the power start
 at ~ 25W and go up to ~ 48W in 3 to 5 sec.

 
 I'm active in WSPR mode, which is a single tone as well.
 Mode = DATA A, ALC = 4 bars, PWR = 5W.
 An external wattmeter shows an absolutely steady power throughout the entire
 2-minute TX cycle.
 The bottom cover just underneath the LPA gets pretty hot, but at 5W the KPA3
 is bypassed.
 Will run a test at higher power to see whether or not it makes a difference.
 
 73, Markus HB9BRJ
__
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] [K3] K3 Power Output

[hb9ari]

Hi Julian,

I don't remember the reason(...) but i work
in USB mode. I will try to work in DATA A
mode this week-end and at the same time,
recover the reason for the USB mode choice!
(i read that somewhere!)

For the ALC, i set the level just before the
end of variation (if i'm correct, as i'm not
in my shack, it should be 4 steady bars and
the 5th flashing?)
ele
Thank you for the info.

73 QRO de Rudolf, HB9ARI



Julian, G4ILO wrote:

 hb9ari wrote:
   
 Hi Trev,

 Since the beginning, i always get the same behavior
 with my K3 #1212 (factory build). I work
 essentially with JT65A mode; as this mode
 is a single tone mode, i've set the modulation
 level just before full ALC and power to 50W
 (for DX only...). At the beginning of a
 JT65A transmit sequence, the power start
 at ~ 25W and go up to ~ 48W in 3 to 5 sec.
 If  the PA temperature is at ~ 40 to 46°C,
 the power variation is lower and power
 output start at ~40W; i'm certainly
 wrong, but i've always thought that this
 was related to PA temp and, as i never get
 an output power higher then selected,
 this was not a problem in my case.

 What is a problem for me is the transmit
 audio response; i've tried to adjust XTAL filter
 without success; TX EQU compensation
 too. As my VFO working frequency
 is always set to the JT65A preferred
 frequency, it's the audio frequency who
 defines the actual output spectrum;
 for some audio values, i get well over 3dB
 output power variations between some
 JT65A instantaneous frequencies;  for example,
 with a 45W max power, for somes frequencies,
 level go under 20W;  i work  with this since more
 then one year and i'm always hoping that
 the AGC of my correspondent can handle
 a little ~3dB RF input variation (the QSB
 is generally higher...)

 Sorry for this time and bandwidth consuming
 message.

 73 QRO de Rudolf, hb9ari


 

 Are you not using DATA A for this, Rudolph? If so, you can set the audio
 drive for a steady 4 bars in the ALC scale and the K3 will adjust the
 power for the value selected across the whole range of the audio spectrum
 (that you might reasonably want to use.)

 It didn't always work like this, but it has for many months now. Using PSK31
 I can click on a signal anywhere from about 300Hz to 2700Hz, call them and
 get exactly the power requested (within reason, of course.)

 -
 Julian, G4ILO. K2 #392  K3 #222.
 * G4ILO's Shack - http://www.g4ilo.com
 * KComm - http://www.g4ilo.com/kcomm.html
 * KTune - http://www.g4ilo.com/ktune.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] [K3] K3 Power Output

[hb9ari]

Hi Lexa,

Very good info, i will do some tests this week-end.

At the same time, a verification of the audio level
response (WSJT/Sound card) should be a good precaution...

73 QRO de Rudolf, HB9ARI

Alexandr Kobranov wrote:
 Hi Markus,
 you prabably know but maybe good for the others trying WSJT/WSPR:
 You can try very simply power levels per tone by using WSJT menu Setup 
 - Generate messages for test tones.
 Then you have @A - @D and @1000 and @2000 in TX1 - TX6 windows
 You can test each tone separately and try to adjust level of TX EQ to 
 obtain the best distribution.
 Yes, there are differencies, very big sometimes.
 Maybe later when TX EQ will be -per mode- saved and (if any chance) 
 user selected  frq of setting point possible there will be better game 
 with it.

 Good luck,
 73!
 Lexa, ok1dst
 K3/10 #727



 hb9brj napsal(a):
   
 hb9ari wrote:
 
 I work essentially with JT65A mode; as this mode
 is a single tone mode, i've set the modulation
 level just before full ALC and power to 50W
 (for DX only...). At the beginning of a
 JT65A transmit sequence, the power start
 at ~ 25W and go up to ~ 48W in 3 to 5 sec.

   
 I'm active in WSPR mode, which is a single tone as well.
 Mode = DATA A, ALC = 4 bars, PWR = 5W.
 An external wattmeter shows an absolutely steady power throughout the entire
 2-minute TX cycle.
 The bottom cover just underneath the LPA gets pretty hot, but at 5W the KPA3
 is bypassed.
 Will run a test at higher power to see whether or not it makes a difference.

 73, Markus HB9BRJ
 
 __
 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] [K3] K3 Power Output

[hb9brj]

Julian, G4ILO wrote:
 
 It would be nice to have the option to leave the KPA3 in at low power. I
 avoid using QRP for high duty cycle modes because I'm afraid it stresses
 the radio more than using 12W does.
 

Julian, you can force the KPA3 to stay on by means of a workaround:
Set PWR = 15W, then define actual TX power using MIC gain.

73, Markus HB9BRJ


-- 
View this message in context: 
http://n2.nabble.com/K3-Power-Output-tp3563445p3566192.html
Sent from the [K3] 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] [K3] K3 Power Output

[hb9ari]

Ok! It's in the to do list!

73,
Rudolf

Alexandr Kobranov wrote:
 Absolutely!
 One thing is to have uniformity of power out (this is what we need as 
 a final), the other is to know levels of AF out per tone from the 
 sound card and then characteristic of the rest of line.

 Let me know your results, my setting was very fast and without any 
 remarks so no table of tone/af level/power out level per WSJTx mode 
 done yet. Will try in some spare time and we can compare :-)

 73!
 L. -dst-

 hb9ari napsal(a):
 Hi Lexa,

 Very good info, i will do some tests this week-end.

 At the same time, a verification of the audio level
 response (WSJT/Sound card) should be a good precaution...

 73 QRO de Rudolf, HB9ARI

 Alexandr Kobranov wrote:
 Hi Markus,
 you prabably know but maybe good for the others trying WSJT/WSPR:
 You can try very simply power levels per tone by using WSJT menu 
 Setup - Generate messages for test tones.
 Then you have @A - @D and @1000 and @2000 in TX1 - TX6 windows
 You can test each tone separately and try to adjust level of TX EQ 
 to obtain the best distribution.
 Yes, there are differencies, very big sometimes.
 Maybe later when TX EQ will be -per mode- saved and (if any chance) 
 user selected  frq of setting point possible there will be better 
 game with it.

 Good luck,
 73!
 Lexa, ok1dst
 K3/10 #727



 hb9brj napsal(a):
  
 hb9ari wrote:

 I work essentially with JT65A mode; as this mode
 is a single tone mode, i've set the modulation
 level just before full ALC and power to 50W
 (for DX only...). At the beginning of a
 JT65A transmit sequence, the power start
 at ~ 25W and go up to ~ 48W in 3 to 5 sec.

   
 I'm active in WSPR mode, which is a single tone as well.
 Mode = DATA A, ALC = 4 bars, PWR = 5W.
 An external wattmeter shows an absolutely steady power throughout 
 the entire
 2-minute TX cycle.
 The bottom cover just underneath the LPA gets pretty hot, but at 5W 
 the KPA3
 is bypassed.
 Will run a test at higher power to see whether or not it makes a 
 difference.

 73, Markus HB9BRJ
 
 __
 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

Re: [Elecraft] [K3] K3 Power Output

[Lyle Johnson]

 ...you can force the KPA3 to stay on by means of a workaround:
 Set PWR = 15W, then define actual TX power using MIC gain.
 

This will most likely result in the radio's long term ALC gradually 
increasing gain in the transmit path until it either (a) runs out of 
gain or (b) hits it internal limits.

Not recommended.

73,

Lyle KK7P

__
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] K3 3.04 Power Output After Tune

[wayne burdick]

We'll have a new beta release, probably tomorrow, that should correct 
all of the observed issues with power control. About 70 K3 owners are 
field-testing it.

73,
Wayne
N6KR

e72x wrote:


 Yes, I've had the same problem, after I tune , I get low power out 
 indicated

 Gordan,
 e72x,


---

http://www.elecraft.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

[Elecraft] [K3] No Power Output

[KB1PXD]

Hello everyone,
as of last evening, my K3 is no longer indicating any
power output on the RF meter during transmit.  I've
tried both PTT and VOX, as well as 2 different antennas.
(dipole  beam)  When selecting ATU TUNE, I see the
RF meter go to 5W as expected, but the SWR indicator
above only displays - -.  I've gone through all the settings
and they look correct.  The PWR knob is fully clockwise,
I'm not in test mode, etc., etc.  I've sent an email to Elecraft
but I thought I'd check here as well to see if anyone has 
seen this behavior.  

Thanks,
- Bill
KB1PXD
-- 
View this message in context: 
http://n2.nabble.com/No-Power-Output-tp2517063p2517063.html
Sent from the [K3] 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] [K3] No Power Output

[Arie Kleingeld PA3A]

Bill,

Had the same thing once.
Reloaded the firmware and that solved the problem here.

73
Arie PA3A

-Oorspronkelijk bericht-
Van: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] Namens KB1PXD
Verzonden: zondag 22 maart 2009 15:07
Aan: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Onderwerp: [Elecraft] [K3] No Power Output



Hello everyone,
as of last evening, my K3 is no longer indicating any
power output on the RF meter during transmit.  I've
tried both PTT and VOX, as well as 2 different antennas. (dipole  beam)
When selecting ATU TUNE, I see the RF meter go to 5W as expected, but
the SWR indicator above only displays - -.  I've gone through all the
settings and they look correct.  The PWR knob is fully clockwise, I'm
not in test mode, etc., etc.  I've sent an email to Elecraft but I
thought I'd check here as well to see if anyone has 
seen this behavior.  

Thanks,
- Bill
KB1PXD
-- 
View this message in context:
http://n2.nabble.com/No-Power-Output-tp2517063p2517063.html
Sent from the [K3] 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

__
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] [K3] No Power Output

[KB1PXD]

Thanks for the quick response Arie.  I tried upgrading
my firmware from 2.67 to 2.78 but I'm still seeing the
same results. (RF meter remains at 0 when transmitting)

- Bill


Arie Kleingeld PA3A-2 wrote:
 
 Bill,
 
 Had the same thing once.
 Reloaded the firmware and that solved the problem here.
 
 73
 Arie PA3A
 
 -Oorspronkelijk bericht-
 Van: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net
 [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] Namens KB1PXD
 Verzonden: zondag 22 maart 2009 15:07
 Aan: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
 Onderwerp: [Elecraft] [K3] No Power Output
 
 
 
 Hello everyone,
 as of last evening, my K3 is no longer indicating any
 power output on the RF meter during transmit.  I've
 tried both PTT and VOX, as well as 2 different antennas. (dipole  beam)
 When selecting ATU TUNE, I see the RF meter go to 5W as expected, but
 the SWR indicator above only displays - -.  I've gone through all the
 settings and they look correct.  The PWR knob is fully clockwise, I'm
 not in test mode, etc., etc.  I've sent an email to Elecraft but I
 thought I'd check here as well to see if anyone has 
 seen this behavior.  
 
 Thanks,
 - Bill
 KB1PXD
 -- 
 View this message in context:
 http://n2.nabble.com/No-Power-Output-tp2517063p2517063.html
 Sent from the [K3] 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
 
 __
 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
 
 

-- 
View this message in context: 
http://n2.nabble.com/No-Power-Output-tp2517063p2517202.html
Sent from the [K3] 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] [K3] No Power Output

[David Yarnes]

I apologize if this sounds like I am suggesting the obvious, 
but you didn't happen to accidentally put it in test mode 
did you?  Press and hold the right side of the mode button 
to return to operating mode.  Just a thought.

Dave W7AQK


- Original Message - 
From: KB1PXD bill.kim...@gmail.com
To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Sent: Sunday, March 22, 2009 7:06 AM
Subject: [Elecraft] [K3] No Power Output



 Hello everyone,
 as of last evening, my K3 is no longer indicating any
 power output on the RF meter during transmit.  I've
 tried both PTT and VOX, as well as 2 different antennas.
 (dipole  beam)  When selecting ATU TUNE, I see the
 RF meter go to 5W as expected, but the SWR indicator
 above only displays - -.  I've gone through all the 
 settings
 and they look correct.  The PWR knob is fully clockwise,
 I'm not in test mode, etc., etc.  I've sent an email to 
 Elecraft
 but I thought I'd check here as well to see if anyone has
 seen this behavior.

 Thanks,
 - Bill
 KB1PXD
 -- 
 View this message in context: 
 http://n2.nabble.com/No-Power-Output-tp2517063p2517063.html
 Sent from the [K3] 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
 


__
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] [K3] No Power Output

[KB1PXD]

Thanks for the reply Dave but I had already checked that.

- Bill


dyarnes-2 wrote:
 
 I apologize if this sounds like I am suggesting the obvious, 
 but you didn't happen to accidentally put it in test mode 
 did you?  Press and hold the right side of the mode button 
 to return to operating mode.  Just a thought.
 
 Dave W7AQK
 
 
 - Original Message - 
 From: KB1PXD bill.kim...@gmail.com
 To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
 Sent: Sunday, March 22, 2009 7:06 AM
 Subject: [Elecraft] [K3] No Power Output
 
 

 Hello everyone,
 as of last evening, my K3 is no longer indicating any
 power output on the RF meter during transmit.  I've
 tried both PTT and VOX, as well as 2 different antennas.
 (dipole  beam)  When selecting ATU TUNE, I see the
 RF meter go to 5W as expected, but the SWR indicator
 above only displays - -.  I've gone through all the 
 settings
 and they look correct.  The PWR knob is fully clockwise,
 I'm not in test mode, etc., etc.  I've sent an email to 
 Elecraft
 but I thought I'd check here as well to see if anyone has
 seen this behavior.

 Thanks,
 - Bill
 KB1PXD
 -- 
 View this message in context: 
 http://n2.nabble.com/No-Power-Output-tp2517063p2517063.html
 Sent from the [K3] 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
 
 
 
 __
 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
 
 

-- 
View this message in context: 
http://n2.nabble.com/No-Power-Output-tp2517063p2517719.html
Sent from the [K3] 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] K3 no power output

[Steven . Zabarnick]

Make sure that you are not in test mode. Is the TX panel indicator
flashing? If so press and hold TEST to turn it off.

Steve N9SZ



Dave N1IX wrote:


-I just received a new to me K3. It is a recent serial number 18XX.
-The receiver works fine but there is no output power. It goes into
transmit the \
-transmit light illuminates.? but no power at all in any mode or on any
band nada, \
-nil,? zero!!!? I have checked all the obvious things. I took the covers
off and could \
-see nothing that looked wrong. Anyone have any ideas?
-
-Also, I have a second K3 that I have been using as my primary radio for 3
months. \
-When I moved it to test the new k3 I heard something rattling around. I
removed the \
-top cover, turned it over and out fell a wound torroid. I can's see where
it is \
-missing? It is green colored with just a few windings.
-
-Both of these K3s were factory assembled and tested!!!
-Needless to say I am having a very bad day!!
-
-Dave N1IX

__
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] K3 no power output

[Vic K2VCO]

n1...@aol.com wrote:
 I just received a new to me K3. It is a recent serial number 18XX. The 
 receiver works
 fine but there is no output power. It goes into transmit the transmit light
 illuminates.? but no power at all in any mode or on any band nada, nil,? 
 zero!!!? I
 have checked all the obvious things. I took the covers off and could see 
 nothing that
 looked wrong. Anyone have any ideas?

Make sure CONFIG: TX INH is OFF. Either Hi or Lo will prevent transmi if the TX 
INH pin on 
the accessory socket is not connected.

If you connect a paddle, do get a sidetone when you key it?

If you are trying to transmit SSB, are you sure the correct mic connector and 
bias setting 
is selected?
-- 
73,
Vic, K2VCO
Fresno CA
http://www.qsl.net/k2vco
__
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] K3 no power output

[n1ix1]

 
Vic, 

The TX INH is set to off. Yes, I do get a sidetone and the first bar of the RF 
meter scale is also set. 
There is no power indication on my external digital wattmeter. I also had 
another ham less than 1 mile away listen, nothing heard.

Dave 


 


 

-Original Message-
From: Vic K2VCO v...@rakefet.com
To: n1...@aol.com
Cc: Elecraft Reflector elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Sent: Tue, 10 Feb 2009 10:39 pm
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 no power output









n1...@aol.com wrote:?

 I just received a new to me K3. It is a recent serial number 18XX. The 
 receiver works?

 fine but there is no output power. It goes into transmit the transmit light?

 illuminates.? but no power at all in any mode or on any band nada, nil,? 
 zero!!!? I?

 have checked all the obvious things. I took the covers off and could see 
 nothing that?

 looked wrong. Anyone have any ideas??
?

Make sure CONFIG: TX INH is OFF. Either Hi or Lo will prevent transmi if the TX 
INH pin on 
the accessory socket is not connected.?
?

If you connect a paddle, do get a sidetone when you key it??
?

If you are trying to transmit SSB, are you sure the correct mic connector and 
bias setting 
is selected??

-- 
73,?

Vic, K2VCO?

Fresno CA?

http://www.qsl.net/k2vco?



 

__
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] K3 Measured Power Output versus Commanded Power Output

[Jack Smith]

I've recently run a series of measurements comparing the commanded power
output with measured power output for my K3, using an HP437B/8482A power
meter.

The details are at
http://www.cliftonlaboratories.com/k3_power_setting_accuracy.htm

After updating my K3's firmware to the most recent beta releases and
running the calibration procedure, I found a considerable improvement
over the as received K3. There's still some frequency and power level
dependency in the K3's wattmeter, but it isn't too bad, with almost all
frequencies and power levels being within +/- 10%.

Jack K8ZOA
www.cliftonlaboratories.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] K3 variable power output

[Bob Towers]

Many thanks to Mike, N5WNG, and Jeff, W7BRS, for comments.

I'm measuring the output power on an external power meter and the 
internal power meter is pretty well spot on. I have a KAT3 and I've been 
doing the ATU TUNE (10W) before I key at 50W or whatever.


I noticed that the PA TEMP was set quite high (27 deg C) so I turned it 
down to 22.


I've just upgraded the firmware to 2.63 and it hasn't solved the problem!

73

Bob MM0RKT


___
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 variable power output

[Bob Towers]

I'm running firmware 2.57 and I've recently noticed this...

An odd effect with the output power: it builds up from 5W to the 
dialled in power over the course of about 5 QSOs after I  change 
bands. If I stay in a band and increase the power from, say, 50 to 70 
watts, the output immediately drops to around 5W and then increases to 
70W in the next 5 or so QSOs. If I drop the power, the same thing happens.


I originally thought it might have been heating up - or something - of 
the the new balun on my Windom antenna, but it does it with a dummy load 
as well.


Any help would be appreciated.

73

Bob MM0RKT
K2 #5339
K3 #1456

___
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 variable power output

[Greg]

Don't know if you got a reply on this yet or not.  But try doing the TX Gain
calibration described in the manual again on ALL bands at exactly 5W and
50W.

73
Greg
AB7R


-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Bob Towers
Sent: Monday, November 24, 2008 8:07 AM
To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Elecraft] K3 variable power output


I'm running firmware 2.57 and I've recently noticed this...

An odd effect with the output power: it builds up from 5W to the
dialled in power over the course of about 5 QSOs after I  change
bands. If I stay in a band and increase the power from, say, 50 to 70
watts, the output immediately drops to around 5W and then increases to
70W in the next 5 or so QSOs. If I drop the power, the same thing happens.

I originally thought it might have been heating up - or something - of
the the new balun on my Windom antenna, but it does it with a dummy load
as well.

Any help would be appreciated.

73

Bob MM0RKT
K2 #5339
K3 #1456

___
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

[Elecraft] K3: No Power Output

[William Evans]

Ok, I need some help.
My K3 has been working great, even though I have not found much time  
recently to operate.  I listen more than I talk, and everything has  
been great.  Today I sit down after work and turn it on and attempt to  
transmit.  No power output.  The display reads zero watts, and has two  
dashes where the SWR normally resides.  The TX icon is flashing on  
and off.  Here is what I have done:


1)  Checked to make sure it was not in test mode.  That was Okay.
2)  Checked to make sure that I have not routed RF through the KXV3's  
XVTR IN/OUT jacks by accidently switching to a transverter band.  That  
was okay.

3)  Checked that CONFIG:KXV3 was not set to TEST.  That was okay.
4)  Attempted to recalibrate the power on all bands via the manual.   
Got no output when pressing the TUNE button.


We have not had any power outages, nor have we had any thunderstorms  
(Almost wish we would, because we could use the rain, it is so dry  
here in Kentucky!)


The K3 is a K3-100 with KXV3 board, the 13KHz, 2.8KHz and 400Hz  
filters, KAT3 board.  I have hooked it to an external power meter (the  
LP-100) and dummy load to be sure it was not putting out any power, so  
the cables have all been switched and have been eliminated as  
problems.  The receiver was operating, although it's gain did not seem  
to be quite what it has been. (This may be a clue?)


So, I am asking the collective wisdom of this list-serve, What else  
do I check?


There are 10 types of people in the world -- those who understand  
binary and those who don't.


William Evans
[EMAIL PROTECTED]

___
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: No Power Output

[Lyle Johnson]

...The TX icon is flashing on and off.


This means the radio is in TX TEST mode.

Hold the TEST button (the right side of the MODE switch) to cancel TX 
TEST mode and return to normal transmit operation.


73,

Lyle KK7P
___
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: No Power Output

[William Evans]

Thanks Lyle, but I have already tried that, and the K3 is NOT in test  
mode.


On Oct 17, 2008, at 7:26 PM, Lyle Johnson wrote:


...The TX icon is flashing on and off.


This means the radio is in TX TEST mode.

Hold the TEST button (the right side of the MODE switch) to cancel TX  
TEST mode and return to normal transmit operation.


73,

Lyle KK7P


There are 10 types of people in the world -- those who understand  
binary and those who don't.


William Evans
[EMAIL PROTECTED]

___
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: No Power Output

[Vic K2VCO]

William Evans wrote:

Thanks Lyle, but I have already tried that, and the K3 is NOT in test mode.


Check CONFIG TX INH. If it isn't off and the TX INHIBIT pin is floating, 
it might cause the symptom you have.

--
73,
Vic, K2VCO
Fresno CA
http://www.qsl.net/k2vco
___
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: No Power Output

[William Evans]

Thanks Vic... that was it.  Somehow TX INH had been set to LO=INH.  I  
set it back to OFF, and power suddenly returned.  Thanks again for the  
wisdom of this group!


Bill
W4ish
On Oct 17, 2008, at 7:37 PM, Vic K2VCO wrote:

William Evans wrote:
Thanks Lyle, but I have already tried that, and the K3 is NOT in  
test mode.


Check CONFIG TX INH. If it isn't off and the TX INHIBIT pin is  
floating, it might cause the symptom you have.

--
73,
Vic, K2VCO
Fresno CA
http://www.qsl.net/k2vco


There are 10 types of people in the world -- those who understand  
binary and those who don't.


William Evans
[EMAIL PROTECTED]

___
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 erratic power output

[GW0ETF]

k7ca wrote:
 
 Hello All,
   I just received K3 kit serial # 1253 with KPA3, KBPF3, KXV3 and 
 KUSB options.  The kit was very well thought out and was a pleasure 
 to assemble.  It went together in under 8 hours.  Everything 
 seemed to calibrate well and work perfectly except for the 100 watt 
 PA.  When running 12 watts or less (8 watts on 6m) output is good and 
  stable.  When power is set higher which causes the 100 W PA to turn 
 on, output power is not stable.  On 20m thru 6m with key down the  
 power output takes about 6 or 7 seconds to stablize.  For example, 
 when the power control is set for 50 watts it first comes up to 35 
 watts, then slowly goes up to 60 or 70 watts, then slowly comes down 
 to 50 watts where is is stable.  It seems like the power control 
 zero's in on the correct power but very slowly.  With CW it never 
 gets there. This happens every time the key is opened and then closed 
  again.  On 40m the same thing happens but there is about a 3 second 
 delay after key closure before any output is seen.  There is no power 
  output at all on 80m and 160m even though with less than 12 watts 
 set on the power control there is normal power output. I haven't had 
 the time to look into the schematic yet so thought I'd see if any of 
 the list readers have had a similar experience or may have some idea 
 of a good place to start.Thanks, Al K7CA
 
 

Al,

There have been posts previously about erratic power output but maybe not
describing such an extreme situation as yours - no output (high) at all on
some bands suggests something more serious than erratic power control:-(

I have occasionally found the power output to suddenly start changing (CW)
but it has happened only rarely and never sure if it is connected to a
software upgrade or not. Mostly it manifests in the power indication
dropping from the '100 watt' level to anything from 35 watts to 80 but it
always seems to recover quickly; it is a genuine power variation as checked
against an external power meter. Once when I was using my amp it went the
other way and increased up towards full power which meant I was briefly
knocking out about 1200 watts - I wondered whether Elecraft would bail me
out if a man in a grey suit came knocking complaining about me operating
outside my licence conditions...:-)

It happened again fairly recently and I went back to the last full firmware
version (2.02 I think) and I've not noticed it since. I'm not convinced
though that it is linked to software but I've not even thought about
hardware yet 'cos I'm waiting for a KRX3 which will involve some dismantling
and checking of connections etc.

Can't be a widespread problem though in view of the dearth of posts on this
but it does seem to exist and hopefully if it is a 'real' problem compared
to dodgy contacts somewhere, it will be resolved soon. I do wonder if the
lack of reporting is because of the fact that it will be much more obvious
in CW and may well go unnoticed in ssb.

Good luck,

Stewart Rolfe, GW0ETF (K3/100 145)
-- 
View this message in context: 
http://n2.nabble.com/K3-erratic-power-output-tp577207p578001.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] K3 erratic power output

[k7ca]

Hello All,
  I just received K3 kit serial # 1253 with KPA3, KBPF3, KXV3 and 
KUSB options.  The kit was very well thought out and was a pleasure 
to assemble.  It went together in under 8 hours.  Everything 
seemed to calibrate well and work perfectly except for the 100 watt 
PA.  When running 12 watts or less (8 watts on 6m) output is good and 
 stable.  When power is set higher which causes the 100 W PA to turn 
on, output power is not stable.  On 20m thru 6m with key down the  
power output takes about 6 or 7 seconds to stablize.  For example, 
when the power control is set for 50 watts it first comes up to 35 
watts, then slowly goes up to 60 or 70 watts, then slowly comes down 
to 50 watts where is is stable.  It seems like the power control 
zero's in on the correct power but very slowly.  With CW it never 
gets there. This happens every time the key is opened and then closed 
 again.  On 40m the same thing happens but there is about a 3 second 
delay after key closure before any output is seen.  There is no power 
 output at all on 80m and 160m even though with less than 12 watts 
set on the power control there is normal power output. I haven't had 
the time to look into the schematic yet so thought I'd see if any of 
the list readers have had a similar experience or may have some idea 
of a good place to start.Thanks, Al K7CA
___
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