Re: [Elecraft] K3 loss of rx signal
Bill, Try using a sharp soldering aid to "tighten" the female connector contact on the K3 & P3. Pry the female center contacts inward just a bit. 73 George AI4VZ -Original Message- From: Bill Breeden Sent: Friday, April 7, 2017 1:18 PM To: Jim LeFevre Cc: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 loss of rx signal Jim, I too had an issue with a couple of cables between my K3 and P3. Had to wiggle the cable every few days to get rid of the extra noise on the P3. Finally replaced the cable with a 3 foot Amphenol BNC cable, part number 115101-30-36.00 and have never had the issue again. The cable is made with LMR-100, which is skinny and flexible. It's currently in stock at Mouser for $18.66. 73, Bill - NA5DX On 4/7/2017 11:09 AM, Jim LeFevre wrote: > I'm replying late to this subject as I've been out of town and have many > digests to go thru...speaking of Amphenol BNC's: I have had continuing > problems with the original cable to go from K3 to P3 from day one. Yes, > those great folks at Elecraft sent me a replacement cable gratis, but I > have to deal with this every time I'm on the radio. I've cleaned, tweaked > and replaced, and the display problems come back eventually. I'm shopping > for making my own, and want to use amphenol solder (clamp) style for > RG-58. I've boiled it down to 31-2 and 31-212 (not 31-212RFX). On the > technical drawings the pins are drawn as a different shape! I can't see > any other difference except for price. I plan on also cabling to the RX > ANT In. Several posts were made regarding this subject including a link to > the general amphenol BNC page, without sharing which specific part you > use. Could you please share the exact part you use and why? Thanks! Jim > WN8A __ 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 loss of rx signal
Jim, I too had an issue with a couple of cables between my K3 and P3. Had to wiggle the cable every few days to get rid of the extra noise on the P3. Finally replaced the cable with a 3 foot Amphenol BNC cable, part number 115101-30-36.00 and have never had the issue again. The cable is made with LMR-100, which is skinny and flexible. It's currently in stock at Mouser for $18.66. 73, Bill - NA5DX On 4/7/2017 11:09 AM, Jim LeFevre wrote: I'm replying late to this subject as I've been out of town and have many digests to go thru...speaking of Amphenol BNC's: I have had continuing problems with the original cable to go from K3 to P3 from day one. Yes, those great folks at Elecraft sent me a replacement cable gratis, but I have to deal with this every time I'm on the radio. I've cleaned, tweaked and replaced, and the display problems come back eventually. I'm shopping for making my own, and want to use amphenol solder (clamp) style for RG-58. I've boiled it down to 31-2 and 31-212 (not 31-212RFX). On the technical drawings the pins are drawn as a different shape! I can't see any other difference except for price. I plan on also cabling to the RX ANT In. Several posts were made regarding this subject including a link to the general amphenol BNC page, without sharing which specific part you use. Could you please share the exact part you use and why? Thanks! Jim WN8A __ 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 breede...@cableone.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 loss of rx signal (part# correction)
Oops, I meant 31-2 and 31-202, as the 31-212 is for rg 59. __ 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 loss of rx signal
I'm replying late to this subject as I've been out of town and have many digests to go thru...speaking of Amphenol BNC's: I have had continuing problems with the original cable to go from K3 to P3 from day one. Yes, those great folks at Elecraft sent me a replacement cable gratis, but I have to deal with this every time I'm on the radio. I've cleaned, tweaked and replaced, and the display problems come back eventually. I'm shopping for making my own, and want to use amphenol solder (clamp) style for RG-58. I've boiled it down to 31-2 and 31-212 (not 31-212RFX). On the technical drawings the pins are drawn as a different shape! I can't see any other difference except for price. I plan on also cabling to the RX ANT In. Several posts were made regarding this subject including a link to the general amphenol BNC page, without sharing which specific part you use. Could you please share the exact part you use and why? Thanks! Jim WN8A __ 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 loss of rx signal
On Tue,4/4/2017 2:19 PM, donov...@starpower.net wrote: I'm sure the Amphenol connectors are very high quality and perhaps not as leaky and unreliable as generic (or worn) connectors The problem with that is that it assumes that the Amphenol connector you properly installed is mated to another Amphenol connector, properly installed. A few years ago, I added stubs to a couple of antennas for harmonic suppression, carefully placing them for optimum suppression, but didn't hear nearly as much suppression as I thought I should. One of the causes was rectification and re-radiation, as you had posted (thank you VERY much for that), but the other cause was leakage in the cabling that made up my antenna switching, and in the switching itself. Harmonic suppression can be a big deal if you're trying work SO2R on 40/80 and 40/20. The next summer, I bought a spool of BuryFlex and a bag of 83-1SPs and replaced every piece of coax in that system. I also replaced the 6x2 Array Solutions switch with the newest 4O3A 8x2 switch. Once that work was complete, harmonic suppression provided by the stubs was significantly better, and what I heard was down to the "gurgly" sounding rectification you described. 73, Jim K9YC __ 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 loss of rx signal
Frank, I have had intermittent problems with BNC and N connectors. It was a really subtle thing. The connectors were for 75 Ohm connection vice 50 Ohms. That meant the center pin was thinner which caused intermittent connections. After that, I've always checked to see that I didn't make that mistake again. 73, Barry K3NDM -- Original Message -- From: donov...@starpower.net To: "Elecraft Reflector" <elecraft@mailman.qth.net> Sent: 4/4/2017 5:19:47 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 loss of rx signal Hi Ron, If you've ever used BNC connectors in a lab environment -- especially above about 30 MHz -- you soon become aware of their shortcomings especially if they don't fit snugly. I've never noticed BNC problems at HF frequencies except for worn (or cheaply made) connectors that fit very loosely. I'm sure the Amphenol connectors are very high quality and perhaps not as leaky and unreliable as generic (or worn) connectors 73 Frank W3LPL - Original Message - From: "Ron D'Eau Claire" <r...@cobi.biz> To: donov...@starpower.net, "Elecraft Reflector" <elecraft@mailman.qth.net> Sent: Tuesday, April 4, 2017 9:09:32 PM Subject: RE: [Elecraft] K3 loss of rx signal Good point Frank. Amphenol specs leakage for their BNC connectors at 3GHz where they claim 55 dB. By comparison they claim 90 dB at 3 GHz for their type N connectors. I've never felt the need for the additional shielding in the shack. Of course these are Amphenol specs. Any other brand may have any other level of leakage. As many have noted, the extra price of a good connector is saved many times over chasing bad cable connections later. BNC specs http://www.amphenolrf.com/connectors/bnc.html N specs: http://www.amphenolrf.com/connectors/n-type.html 73, Ron AC7AC -Original Message- From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of donov...@starpower.net Sent: Monday, April 3, 2017 9:38 PM To: Elecraft Reflector Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 loss of rx signal BNC connectors rate high for convenience and low for performance, especially leakage performance. BNC connector leakage typicallymeasures in the range from -25 to -50 dB vs -60 to -90 dB for N connectors. Any BNC connector that does not fit snugly should replaced and discarded 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 k3...@comcast.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 loss of rx signal
I've pretty much standardized on Amphenol connectors. It's worth paying a little more and having less headaches. From: Ron D'Eau Claire <r...@cobi.biz> To: donov...@starpower.net; 'Elecraft Reflector' <elecraft@mailman.qth.net> Sent: Tuesday, April 4, 2017 5:12 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 loss of rx signal Good point Frank. Amphenol specs leakage for their BNC connectors at 3GHz where they claim 55 dB. By comparison they claim 90 dB at 3 GHz for their type N connectors. I've never felt the need for the additional shielding in the shack. Of course these are Amphenol specs. Any other brand may have any other level of leakage. As many have noted, the extra price of a good connector is saved many times over chasing bad cable connections later. BNC specs http://www.amphenolrf.com/connectors/bnc.html N specs: http://www.amphenolrf.com/connectors/n-type.html 73, Ron AC7AC __ 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 loss of rx signal
I would echo Frank's comments. I learned long ago that you never measure antenna gain with any BNC connectors in the signal path. Each joint would introduce intermittent loss depending on how much the cable moved. They are not very stable at VHF frequencies. They sure are convenient though for more simple tasks. Dave K1WHS On 4/4/2017 9:19 PM, donov...@starpower.net wrote: Hi Ron, If you've ever used BNC connectors in a lab environment -- especially above about 30 MHz -- you soon become aware of their shortcomings especially if they don't fit snugly. I've never noticed BNC problems at HF frequencies except for worn (or cheaply made) connectors that fit very loosely. I'm sure the Amphenol connectors are very high quality and perhaps not as leaky and unreliable as generic (or worn) connectors 73 Frank W3LPL - Original Message - From: "Ron D'Eau Claire" <r...@cobi.biz> To: donov...@starpower.net, "Elecraft Reflector" <elecraft@mailman.qth.net> Sent: Tuesday, April 4, 2017 9:09:32 PM Subject: RE: [Elecraft] K3 loss of rx signal Good point Frank. Amphenol specs leakage for their BNC connectors at 3GHz where they claim 55 dB. By comparison they claim 90 dB at 3 GHz for their type N connectors. I've never felt the need for the additional shielding in the shack. Of course these are Amphenol specs. Any other brand may have any other level of leakage. As many have noted, the extra price of a good connector is saved many times over chasing bad cable connections later. BNC specs http://www.amphenolrf.com/connectors/bnc.html N specs: http://www.amphenolrf.com/connectors/n-type.html 73, Ron AC7AC -Original Message- From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of donov...@starpower.net Sent: Monday, April 3, 2017 9:38 PM To: Elecraft Reflector Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 loss of rx signal BNC connectors rate high for convenience and low for performance, especially leakage performance. BNC connector leakage typicallymeasures in the range from -25 to -50 dB vs -60 to -90 dB for N connectors. Any BNC connector that does not fit snugly should replaced and discarded 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 k1...@metrocast.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 loss of rx signal
Hi Ron, If you've ever used BNC connectors in a lab environment -- especially above about 30 MHz -- you soon become aware of their shortcomings especially if they don't fit snugly. I've never noticed BNC problems at HF frequencies except for worn (or cheaply made) connectors that fit very loosely. I'm sure the Amphenol connectors are very high quality and perhaps not as leaky and unreliable as generic (or worn) connectors 73 Frank W3LPL - Original Message - From: "Ron D'Eau Claire" <r...@cobi.biz> To: donov...@starpower.net, "Elecraft Reflector" <elecraft@mailman.qth.net> Sent: Tuesday, April 4, 2017 9:09:32 PM Subject: RE: [Elecraft] K3 loss of rx signal Good point Frank. Amphenol specs leakage for their BNC connectors at 3GHz where they claim 55 dB. By comparison they claim 90 dB at 3 GHz for their type N connectors. I've never felt the need for the additional shielding in the shack. Of course these are Amphenol specs. Any other brand may have any other level of leakage. As many have noted, the extra price of a good connector is saved many times over chasing bad cable connections later. BNC specs http://www.amphenolrf.com/connectors/bnc.html N specs: http://www.amphenolrf.com/connectors/n-type.html 73, Ron AC7AC -Original Message- From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of donov...@starpower.net Sent: Monday, April 3, 2017 9:38 PM To: Elecraft Reflector Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 loss of rx signal BNC connectors rate high for convenience and low for performance, especially leakage performance. BNC connector leakage typicallymeasures in the range from -25 to -50 dB vs -60 to -90 dB for N connectors. Any BNC connector that does not fit snugly should replaced and discarded 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 loss of rx signal
Good point Frank. Amphenol specs leakage for their BNC connectors at 3GHz where they claim 55 dB. By comparison they claim 90 dB at 3 GHz for their type N connectors. I've never felt the need for the additional shielding in the shack. Of course these are Amphenol specs. Any other brand may have any other level of leakage. As many have noted, the extra price of a good connector is saved many times over chasing bad cable connections later. BNC specs http://www.amphenolrf.com/connectors/bnc.html N specs: http://www.amphenolrf.com/connectors/n-type.html 73, Ron AC7AC -Original Message- From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of donov...@starpower.net Sent: Monday, April 3, 2017 9:38 PM To: Elecraft Reflector Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 loss of rx signal BNC connectors rate high for convenience and low for performance, especially leakage performance. BNC connector leakage typicallymeasures in the range from -25 to -50 dB vs -60 to -90 dB for N connectors. Any BNC connector that does not fit snugly should replaced and discarded 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 loss of rx signal
BNC connectors rate high for convenience and low for performance, especially leakage performance. BNC connector leakage typicallymeasures in the range from -25 to -50 dB vs -60 to -90 dB for N connectors. Any BNC connector that does not fit snugly should replaced and discarded 73 Frank W3LPL - Original Message - From: "Ron D'Eau Claire" <r...@cobi.biz> To: "Edward R Cole" <kl...@acsalaska.net>, "Elecraft Reflector" <elecraft@mailman.qth.net> Sent: Tuesday, April 4, 2017 2:12:03 AM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 loss of rx signal Note that BNC connectors can easily handle a kW of RF power unless there is a high SWR on the line. They are rated for 500V. 73 Ron AC7AC -Original Message- From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Edward R Cole Sent: Monday, April 3, 2017 6:24 PM To: Elecraft Reflector Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 loss of rx signal Simple - use something better than PL-259's: I mainly use N connectors for low loss/high power and BNC for low power inside the shack connections. I also have TNC and sma connectors. Most connectors need a 1/4 turn beyond finger tight for reliable connections. Sure cure for loose connectors is heat shrink over them. Not only seals from wx but also loosening due to vibration. Want to see what vibration does? Install a radio in a D8 cat without some kind of vibration damping. I did long ago, and the Motorola 100w VHF radio was a cabinet full of loose parts after 8-hours running of the cat. Wonder why military radios are full of glyptol, or completely potted in plastic? 73, Ed - KL7UW http://www.kl7uw.com Dubus-NA Business mail: dubus...@gmail.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 r...@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 loss of rx signal
When I was plugging and unplugging stubs and traps chasing the broadcast interference problem and testing mitigations, it got a lot easier when I add a bunch of adapters to make the process attaching a BNC instead of a UHF. UHF connectors seem easier to fit onto 1/2 inch coax though. 73 Bill AE6JV On 4/3/17 at 7:18 PM, wun...@wunderwood.org (Walter Underwood) wrote: According to Amphenol, UHF connectors have the same rating as BNC, 500V. Type N connectors can handle 1500V. I use BNC and N connectors wherever possible. --- Bill Frantz| Re: Computer reliability, performance, and security: 408-356-8506 | The guy who *is* wearing a parachute is *not* the www.pwpconsult.com | first to reach the ground. - Terence Kelly __ 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 loss of rx signal
According to Amphenol, UHF connectors have the same rating as BNC, 500V. Type N connectors can handle 1500V. I use BNC and N connectors wherever possible. wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Apr 3, 2017, at 7:12 PM, Ron D'Eau Claire <r...@cobi.biz> wrote: > > Note that BNC connectors can easily handle a kW of RF power unless there is > a high SWR on the line. They are rated for 500V. > > 73 Ron AC7AC > > -Original Message- > From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Edward > R Cole > Sent: Monday, April 3, 2017 6:24 PM > To: Elecraft Reflector > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 loss of rx signal > > Simple - use something better than PL-259's: > > I mainly use N connectors for low loss/high power and BNC for low power > inside the shack connections. I also have TNC and sma connectors. > > Most connectors need a 1/4 turn beyond finger tight for reliable > connections. Sure cure for loose connectors is heat shrink over them. Not > only seals from wx but also loosening due to vibration. > > Want to see what vibration does? Install a radio in a D8 cat without some > kind of vibration damping. I did long ago, and the Motorola 100w VHF radio > was a cabinet full of loose parts after 8-hours running of the cat. Wonder > why military radios are full of glyptol, or completely potted in plastic? > > 73, Ed - KL7UW > http://www.kl7uw.com > Dubus-NA Business mail: > dubus...@gmail.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 r...@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 wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 loss of rx signal
Note that BNC connectors can easily handle a kW of RF power unless there is a high SWR on the line. They are rated for 500V. 73 Ron AC7AC -Original Message- From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Edward R Cole Sent: Monday, April 3, 2017 6:24 PM To: Elecraft Reflector Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 loss of rx signal Simple - use something better than PL-259's: I mainly use N connectors for low loss/high power and BNC for low power inside the shack connections. I also have TNC and sma connectors. Most connectors need a 1/4 turn beyond finger tight for reliable connections. Sure cure for loose connectors is heat shrink over them. Not only seals from wx but also loosening due to vibration. Want to see what vibration does? Install a radio in a D8 cat without some kind of vibration damping. I did long ago, and the Motorola 100w VHF radio was a cabinet full of loose parts after 8-hours running of the cat. Wonder why military radios are full of glyptol, or completely potted in plastic? 73, Ed - KL7UW http://www.kl7uw.com Dubus-NA Business mail: dubus...@gmail.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 r...@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 loss of rx signal
Ok.. My K3 has done something similar recently. When you suspect that the RX has gone dead, try holding the Tune button and force the radio to transmit a CW carrier. I suspect you'll find that you will get no output power aswell... In this case the problem is with the local oscillator and you won't see any error codes on the display either. In my case I'd run into trouble with low out of from the KREF3 reference oscillator which was fixed with a resistor change as per these instructions ( http://www.elecraft.com/manual/E740278%20KREF3%20Output%20Level%20Modification.pdf). From memory the green LED on the top of the KSYN3A I'd installed would not light when it decided it didn't like the look of the reference oscillator, hence no LO would be generated and the symptoms were similar to the ones you described. It was intermittent and could be solved by power cycling the radio a few times, I could have sworn the odd "calibrated bump" would restore operation as well but I'm not so sure. Otherwise I'd be cleaning all of the TMP connectors with something like deoxit and making sure all of the LO and Reference oscillator connections are right. I certainly hope that you find the gremlin in your radio. 73 Matthew VK5ZM On 3 April 2017 at 18:11, LA7NOwrote: > Hello group, > > I have several times experienced that the K3 receiver goes 100% dead. Same > as if no antenna was connected. > A smart bump on the K3 brings it back to normal. > > I suspect a relay. The question is which one? > Suggestion anyone? > > 73, > > Per-Tore / LA7NO > > > > > -- > View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2. > nabble.com/K3-loss-of-rx-signal-tp7628912.html > Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. > __ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to vk...@bistre.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 loss of rx signal
Simple - use something better than PL-259's: I mainly use N connectors for low loss/high power and BNC for low power inside the shack connections. I also have TNC and sma connectors. Most connectors need a 1/4 turn beyond finger tight for reliable connections. Sure cure for loose connectors is heat shrink over them. Not only seals from wx but also loosening due to vibration. Want to see what vibration does? Install a radio in a D8 cat without some kind of vibration damping. I did long ago, and the Motorola 100w VHF radio was a cabinet full of loose parts after 8-hours running of the cat. Wonder why military radios are full of glyptol, or completely potted in plastic? 73, Ed - KL7UW http://www.kl7uw.com Dubus-NA Business mail: dubus...@gmail.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 loss of rx signal
When that happens, the connector inside the radio is either of inferior quality or the installation method is wrong. A PROPER chassis-mount female UHF connector either has four mounting screws to prevent it from rotating . While there are also connectors without those mounting screws with a square side to their circular body, they must be mounted on a chassis with a hole of the same shape, and the chassis must be "hard" enough that the connector cannot rotate. Any connector that rotates when pliers are used to tighten or remove a mating connector is WRONG! 73, Jim K9YC On Mon,4/3/2017 8:50 AM, George Thornton wrote: Exerting too much force with PL259’s can put stress on the radio SO 239 connectors, I have had some of the internal mounts work loose over time. __ 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 loss of rx signal
There's a difference in snug and tight. Sent from my iPhone ...nr4c. bill > On Apr 3, 2017, at 10:19 AM, Phil Hystadwrote: > > >> On Apr 3, 2017, at 5:25 AM, Nr4c wrote: >> >> Don't overlook the obvious. Check to make sure the connectors are all very >> tight. "Hand snug" is not good enough! >> >> Sent from my iPad >> ...bc nr4c > > What do you mean “Hand Snug” is not good enough? I don’t remember any > connectors in the K3 that required a wrench to tighten nor do I ever use any > wrenches or even screwdrivers on any of the connectors outside the box (Coax, > RS232 serial, etc.). > > Curious in Rainy Kirkland (nr Seattle)… > > 73, phil, K7PEH > __ 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 loss of rx signal
I would have thought the center pin would be smaller for higher Z connections (???). Look at the size of the center conductor in a piece of RG-59/U. Although, as usual I may have that completely wrong. 73, Charlie k3ICH -Original Message- From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of danny.higg...@keme.co.uk Sent: Monday, April 03, 2017 8:43 AM To: Guy Olinger K2AV <k2av@gmail.com>; LA7NO <p...@ieee.org>; elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 loss of rx signal I had a similar frustrating problem with a BNC patch lead. I bought some cheap leads at a rally and I didn’t notice that the plugs were 75 Ohms. The leads worked OK, but the centre pin was thicker than the 50 Ohm version and it splayed out the centre connector of the socket, so when I plugged a 50 Ohm patch cable back in, the centre pin did not make contact any more. It took me a long time to find the cause, and now all the 75 Ohm leads are in the bin. 73, Danny, G3XVR __ 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 pin...@erols.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 loss of rx signal
Exerting too much force with PL259’s can put stress on the radio SO 239 connectors, I have had some of the internal mounts work loose over time. Top quality Amphenol connectors are more precisely machined, fit better and are much easier to work with. I don’t get failures with these and hand tightening seems to be sufficient in most situations. From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Guy Olinger K2AV Sent: Monday, April 3, 2017 8:04 AM To: Phil Hystad <phys...@mac.com> Cc: Elecraft Reflector <elecraft@mailman.qth.net> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 loss of rx signal On Mon, Apr 3, 2017 at 10:19 AM, Phil Hystad <phys...@mac.com><mailto:phys...@mac.com%3e> wrote: > What do you mean “Hand Snug” is not good enough? Lordee, I've seen, done, and heard of these things so many times... PL259 the worst offender, with BNC close second. Mini-coax TMP in a class by itself. On the PL259, if the teeth around the edge of the mating shell aren't aligned to move down into the teeth of the SO239, you can "tighten" the PL259 to what seems tight, but a temperature change or a jiggle will let the teeth align. The connector is now loose. A variety of "false snugs" can occur with PL259, barrel, SO239 that have been outdoors and gotten stuff in threads. BNC's, if not inserted straight on, can seem snug, but not go down all the way. Then the twist shell can go a distance and won't seem to want to go any farther. It's very easy to not have enough finger strength to twist the shell enough to go all the way down. Mini-coax TMP connectors are bad because if the center pin does not match inside the socket it won't go down and cause an infamous intermittent that many have experienced. The flares on the male TMP have to go down until they are prevented from further insertion by the socket. 73, Guy K2AV __ 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 gthorn...@thorntonmostullaw.com<mailto:gthorn...@thorntonmostullaw.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 loss of rx signal
Outdoors, PL259 tightened by hand in cool/cold weather will come loose in warm weather. This is particularly vexing when the connection is up on a tower out on a boom to a balun on the driven element. Pliers plus maxi-sealing against the weather is the rule for these. The teeth can be misaligned with stiff coax where you have to twist the coax a bit to get the teeth. Then there are the female UHF connections where there are only FOUR notches on the female connection for the two teeth on the male connector. That's very easy to get wrong. 73, Guy K2AV On Mon, Apr 3, 2017 at 10:58 AM, Phil Hystadwrote: > Don, > > In my experience, PL-259s do not get tightened properly when the little teeth > on the end do not engage properly. So, when I tighten PL-259s, I make sure > that the teeth fit in together properly and this always gives a snug fit. > Note: I am not sure if these are called teeth or not. > > In almost 60 years of dealing with PL-259s the only time I needed pliers was > to undo the PL-259 connector that I had on my truck that had sealant on it > (it was very much in the weather) and stuck besides. > > Then again, I don’t ever remember having any loose connection problems with > PL-259s either. > > 73, phil, K7PEH > > >> On Apr 3, 2017, at 7:42 AM, Don Wilhelm wrote: >> >> Phil, >> >> PL-259s depend on tightness to make a good connection to the shield. >> This is an often overlooked cause of problems. >> After hand tightening, snug them up just a bit more with pliers if you want >> them to be reliable. >> >> 73, >> Don W3FPR >> >> On 4/3/2017 10:19 AM, Phil Hystad wrote: >>> On Apr 3, 2017, at 5:25 AM, Nr4c wrote: Don't overlook the obvious. Check to make sure the connectors are all very tight. "Hand snug" is not good enough! Sent from my iPad ...bc nr4c >>> >>> What do you mean “Hand Snug” is not good enough? > > __ > 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 k2av@gmail.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 loss of rx signal
On Mon, Apr 3, 2017 at 10:19 AM, Phil Hystadwrote: > What do you mean “Hand Snug” is not good enough? Lordee, I've seen, done, and heard of these things so many times... PL259 the worst offender, with BNC close second. Mini-coax TMP in a class by itself. On the PL259, if the teeth around the edge of the mating shell aren't aligned to move down into the teeth of the SO239, you can "tighten" the PL259 to what seems tight, but a temperature change or a jiggle will let the teeth align. The connector is now loose. A variety of "false snugs" can occur with PL259, barrel, SO239 that have been outdoors and gotten stuff in threads. BNC's, if not inserted straight on, can seem snug, but not go down all the way. Then the twist shell can go a distance and won't seem to want to go any farther. It's very easy to not have enough finger strength to twist the shell enough to go all the way down. Mini-coax TMP connectors are bad because if the center pin does not match inside the socket it won't go down and cause an infamous intermittent that many have experienced. The flares on the male TMP have to go down until they are prevented from further insertion by the socket. 73, Guy K2AV __ 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 loss of rx signal
Don, In my experience, PL-259s do not get tightened properly when the little teeth on the end do not engage properly. So, when I tighten PL-259s, I make sure that the teeth fit in together properly and this always gives a snug fit. Note: I am not sure if these are called teeth or not. In almost 60 years of dealing with PL-259s the only time I needed pliers was to undo the PL-259 connector that I had on my truck that had sealant on it (it was very much in the weather) and stuck besides. Then again, I don’t ever remember having any loose connection problems with PL-259s either. 73, phil, K7PEH > On Apr 3, 2017, at 7:42 AM, Don Wilhelmwrote: > > Phil, > > PL-259s depend on tightness to make a good connection to the shield. > This is an often overlooked cause of problems. > After hand tightening, snug them up just a bit more with pliers if you want > them to be reliable. > > 73, > Don W3FPR > > On 4/3/2017 10:19 AM, Phil Hystad wrote: >> >>> On Apr 3, 2017, at 5:25 AM, Nr4c wrote: >>> >>> Don't overlook the obvious. Check to make sure the connectors are all very >>> tight. "Hand snug" is not good enough! >>> >>> Sent from my iPad >>> ...bc nr4c >> >> What do you mean “Hand Snug” is not good enough? __ 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 loss of rx signal
Phil, PL-259s depend on tightness to make a good connection to the shield. This is an often overlooked cause of problems. After hand tightening, snug them up just a bit more with pliers if you want them to be reliable. 73, Don W3FPR On 4/3/2017 10:19 AM, Phil Hystad wrote: On Apr 3, 2017, at 5:25 AM, Nr4cwrote: Don't overlook the obvious. Check to make sure the connectors are all very tight. "Hand snug" is not good enough! Sent from my iPad ...bc nr4c What do you mean “Hand Snug” is not good enough? __ 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 loss of rx signal
You may want to tap individual connectors carefully so “just one gets tapped”. Frank KG9H > On Apr 3, 2017, at 9:26 AM, LA7NOwrote: > > Thanks for the suggestions. You are of course right. > > The antenna connector is good, so I'll have to open up the K3 and check > around here and there. > It is quite 'full' with 2nd rx, PA and tuner, so some dismantling could be > required to check most connections. > > > > > > - > 73, > > Per-Tore / LA7NO > > -- > View this message in context: > http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K3-loss-of-rx-signal-tp7628912p7628922.html > Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. > __ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to kg9hfr...@gmail.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 loss of rx signal
Thanks for the suggestions. You are of course right. The antenna connector is good, so I'll have to open up the K3 and check around here and there. It is quite 'full' with 2nd rx, PA and tuner, so some dismantling could be required to check most connections. - 73, Per-Tore / LA7NO -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K3-loss-of-rx-signal-tp7628912p7628922.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 loss of rx signal
> On Apr 3, 2017, at 5:25 AM, Nr4cwrote: > > Don't overlook the obvious. Check to make sure the connectors are all very > tight. "Hand snug" is not good enough! > > Sent from my iPad > ...bc nr4c What do you mean “Hand Snug” is not good enough? I don’t remember any connectors in the K3 that required a wrench to tighten nor do I ever use any wrenches or even screwdrivers on any of the connectors outside the box (Coax, RS232 serial, etc.). Curious in Rainy Kirkland (nr Seattle)… 73, phil, K7PEH __ 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 loss of rx signal
I had a similar frustrating problem with a BNC patch lead. I bought some cheap leads at a rally and I didn’t notice that the plugs were 75 Ohms. The leads worked OK, but the centre pin was thicker than the 50 Ohm version and it splayed out the centre connector of the socket, so when I plugged a 50 Ohm patch cable back in, the centre pin did not make contact any more. It took me a long time to find the cause, and now all the 75 Ohm leads are in the bin. 73, Danny, G3XVR From: Guy Olinger K2AV Sent: 03 April 2017 11:56 To: LA7NO; elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 loss of rx signal Could be a relay, however The most common source of intermittents is cords and connectors that are either only partially connected or have had wires stressed past breaking but held together intermittently by insulation, or were never soldered, or were poorly crimped in manufacture. Banging on the K3 jiggles all the connections on the back of the K3. Then there's RCA connectors not pushed in all the way or with too-short pins for the socket and BNC connectors not twisted home. RULE OUT the connections before tearing apart your K3. Then inside there are the TMP mini coax connectors inside the K3 not seated properly. Then pin connections to reseat several times. All these before relays. Relays will usually close again by repeatedly going TX RX TX RX TX RX Don't ask me how much I tore apart before I figured it out or how close I came to putting the K3 in the shipping box.. 73, Guy K2AV __ 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 loss of rx signal
Don't overlook the obvious. Check to make sure the connectors are all very tight. "Hand snug" is not good enough! Sent from my iPad ...bc nr4c > On Apr 3, 2017, at 4:41 AM, LA7NOwrote: > > Hello group, > > I have several times experienced that the K3 receiver goes 100% dead. Same > as if no antenna was connected. > A smart bump on the K3 brings it back to normal. > > I suspect a relay. The question is which one? > Suggestion anyone? > > 73, > > Per-Tore / LA7NO > > > > > -- > View this message in context: > http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K3-loss-of-rx-signal-tp7628912.html > Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. > __ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to n...@widomaker.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 loss of rx signal
Could be a relay, however The most common source of intermittents is cords and connectors that are either only partially connected or have had wires stressed past breaking but held together intermittently by insulation, or were never soldered, or were poorly crimped in manufacture. Banging on the K3 jiggles all the connections on the back of the K3. Then there's RCA connectors not pushed in all the way or with too-short pins for the socket and BNC connectors not twisted home. RULE OUT the connections before tearing apart your K3. Then inside there are the TMP mini coax connectors inside the K3 not seated properly. Then pin connections to reseat several times. All these before relays. Relays will usually close again by repeatedly going TX RX TX RX TX RX Don't ask me how much I tore apart before I figured it out or how close I came to putting the K3 in the shipping box.. 73, Guy K2AV On Mon, Apr 3, 2017 at 4:43 AM LA7NOwrote: > Hello group, > > I have several times experienced that the K3 receiver goes 100% dead. Same > as if no antenna was connected. > A smart bump on the K3 brings it back to normal. > > I suspect a relay. The question is which one? > Suggestion anyone? > > 73, > > Per-Tore / LA7NO > > > > > -- > View this message in context: > http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K3-loss-of-rx-signal-tp7628912.html > Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. > __ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to k2av@gmail.com > -- Sent via Gmail Mobile on my iPhone __ 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: Loss of rx signal
Rick, In one way I am sorry to hear that you have a problem with occasional loss of RX after TX, however I am pleased that I am now not the only one to report this problem ! I was hoping that the new F/W releases would rid my K3 of this annoying phenomenon, but that did not happen... I have a sequence which I can use to reproduce the loss of RX, and you might like to try it. POWER 80m LSB 3780 NOR LO CUT=0.15 SAV ALT1 NOR TX ON/OFF ALT1 TX ON/OFF Receive may be dead at this point If not continue with Select USB ALT1 TX ON/OFF Receive dead Of course Y.M.M.V. 73 Stewart G3RXQ On Sun, 4 May 2008 20:51:52 -0700 (PDT), AI1V wrote: When running some CW contacts on 40m, I had the unpleasant experience of having the rx go almost totally dead (very low noise level - no signals) immediately after calling a station. Nothing seemed to recover it so I power cycled the radio in time to hear the other station send ..--.. This happened a couple more times. I hadn't notice this happening before. The only new thing I had recently tried was the ALT1/ALT2 filter settings (pretty cool feature). While it is somewhat unpredictable, the phenomenon appears to be strongly correlated with the use of this feature. I have also found that I can recover from the dead rx condition by tweaking the shift or sometimes the width, but sometimes that doesn't work and I need to power cycle. Since then I've stopped using ALT1/ALT2 and haven't had it recur. Note: this problem appears in the new firmware as well as the last revision. On a possibly related note - I was running the hi and low power tx gain cal procedure after updating the firmware. By mistake I spun the width knob instead of the pwr knob to adjust the power. At some point the filter setup got quite hosed - the width display showed around 4 khz, but the passband display was at minimum width. The next time I tried keying (holding tune) I got the nefarious ERR TXF message! I also noticed that the noise level on the rx was way down (I was connected to a dummy load) from where it was earlier. Power cycling the radio brought everything back to normal and I completed the cal. It appears that something is whacking filter parameters in the DSP - or at least that's what it's acting like. I've reported this to support at elecraft. Nevertheless, the radio kicks butt. The mojo is alive and well - worked 18 states this weekend including the west coast on 40CW loading my rain gutter through an SGC tuner! Rick AI1V K3 728 ___ 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