Dear OM Mark K1RX,
The tuning rate of the K3 RIT/XIT basically follows the rate of the main VFO.
Here are a few comments from one version of the operating manual:
VFOs and RIT/XIT
• RATE {21} selects 10 or 50 Hz VFO/RIT tuning. See VFO menu entries, pg. 57.
• FINE {21} selects 1-Hz steps.
Dear OM Peter MØRYB,
The adapter cable you describe is still available from Elecraft. Go to
https://elecraft.com/pages/parts-mod-kits
and search for KUSB. Its price is currently USD 42.95 plus shipping.
Alternatively, attached is a picture of my KUSB hardware and a scan of
its specs shown on
The K1's main tuning rate is partially determined by the choice of tuning
range, with the wider range obviously requiring a faster tuning rate for
complete traversal.
The K1 manual indicates that RF board capacitor C2 determines the main tuning
range, with C2 = 120 pF yielding about 150 kHz
Tony K2MO asked:
I noticed that the VFO on my 4-band K1 doesn't tune above 14062 and
21061.0 yet it tunes to 7068.6 on 40 meters. The tuning range on 30
meters is 85 kHz (10077 to 10162) so I'm assuming the rig had the
smaller tuning range crystal installed. Tuning range on 40 meters is:
The K3 is a QRP rig with a KPA3 100W option. Without the KPA3, the K3's
low-power amplifier becomes its final amplifier instead of being the KPA3's
driver.
I have the board you describe in front of me. Mine is 41 mm by 9mm. The board
is intended to pass the output of the low-power
Based on the description of your rig, you have the original synthesizer(s).
The noise mod involved adding some resistors and diodes to the K3 main board at
specific spots and making some firmware adjustments.
On the assumption that you have the resistors and diodes already, per your
Dear OM Pete N4ZR,
Instructions for removing and replacing the K3 front panel assembly are
included in the following two Elecraft documents, neither of which I was
able to find today on the Elecraft website. Copies of each are attached
for your use, but will of course be stripped from this
Because the KAT3A was marketed both as a replacement for the KAT3 and as
a component of new K3s rigs, its installation instructions show how to
remove the previous antenna tuner card, if necessary.
Please consult the first 10 pages of
Does your attenuator LED exhibit the same behavior? If so, check the menu LED
setting: they can be turned off to save battery.
73, Paul W8TM
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Help:
Erwin DK5EW sed:
Found out also that there is a brocken pin at the PA board at jumper at
P68A male connector. This brocken pin still remains in the according
female connector. So lots of problems.
***
Dear OM Erwin,
Information that may help you is in an Elecraft Note
W1SFR sed:
I recently purchased a K1 and found that the LED's for the RIT and ATTN
don't function correctly. When I turn on the rig the LED's cycle
correctly then go out. When I push either of the buttons and turn the
RIT or ATTN on, neither of the lights come on.
Since you recently bought
AI4NS sed:
K3 S/N 57xx shows ERR PL1 when I change bands. It goes away after a
couple
of seconds. I just built it.
Firmware is up to date.
***
Just built it? I hope that you have a K3 owner's manual, as the K3S
manual won't cover this. The SYN3A in the K3S
Hara Arena, the former venue of the Dayton Hamvention, sustained major
damage in a Memorial Day tornado.
Drone video at
https://www.daytondailynews.com/news/local/hara-arena-roof-blown-off-trotwood-schools-closed-after-tornadoes/5W7NpDohYwDBNwu9fp59bK/
If Hamvention hadn't already moved from
SPKRS can switch to 1 automatically if you use mono speakers or there is
an accidental short between the right speaker leads. Check your speaker
plug and wiring.
From firmware release notes:
**
MCU 3.14 / DSP 2.16, 5-9-2009
* SPEAKER PROTECTION: If you’re
K9OM sed:
I really like the idea of adding the capability to the K3 that allows us
to adjust the left and right channel volume.
Then W4TV sed:
It's already there. Please refer to the K3/K3S Owner's Manual and look
up CONFG:SUB AF.
But:
The SUB AF setting does nothing for my K3, probably
A quibble and a question regarding firmware beta version 5.67 for the
K3/K3S,
The firmware notes state that
"1 dB below 100 W is approx. 90 W."
In fact, 1 dB below 100 W is a shade less than 80 W.
The firmware notes also state that
"T/R TIMING IMPROVED. Adds more margin during KPA3A TX
The M1 - M4 switches can be used for two purposes:
(1) CW memories; and
(2) programmable functions or macros.
Might you have previously assigned some of them for such a purpose?
>From a version of the K3 manual:
Any M1 M4 switch that is used as a
programmable function switch will not be
Because I didn't notice anyone mentioning it, I will point to the
manual's
description of the menu entry
CONFIG: CW WGHT
where it says
"Tap 4 to select VOX NOR (default) or AUTO OFF. The AUTO OFF setting
turns CW vox off on power-up, avoiding accidental keying by attached
PCs, etc."
The AUTO OFF
My K3 1322 has an original KAT3 and firmware 5.38 2.86 1.25.
Last night I tried to use the LCSET feature of the KAT3 item on the
Configuration menu. I have used this successfully in the past, but no
luck this time.
I was able to make the L and C values show on the display, but rotating
the
I vaguely recall reading a post that at narrow CW bandwidths the RX EQ
is turned off automatically.
That can result in a pop as bandwidth is changed if RX EQ is not flat
near the chosen sidetone pitch, with the severity of the pop depending
on your RX EQ settings.
This predated the new synth,
There have been some posts where it was asserted that pushing the Print
Screen key fails in Windows.
This is not quite correct: pushing the Print Screen key in Windows
puts a copy of the current screen onto the Clipboard, which can then be
pasted into any picture-editing software, like the
My K3 serial number is 1322; it is of 2008 vintage. I loaded beta 5.26
firmware because I installed a newly purchased KXV3B transverter/preamp
board.
Today I noticed that new firmware version 5.29 was available. When I
read the release notes, it looked like the release would not affect my
old
Bill AA4LR got the following message from the K3 Utility:
17:13:54 Sending firmware file hfpf0115.hex to FPF
17:14:16 Send FPF firmware failed at load addresst 43
17:14:19 FPF firmware load failed
You can get more detail about the problem by pulling down the View
menu in the K3 Utility and
Those who want a PDF version of FCC regs (47 CFR 97) can get an annual
update from the Government Printing Office at
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/search/submitcitation.action?publication=CFR
by searching for the Most Recent Title 47 Part 97. The result will be
in a pop-up browser window, from which
Consider re-calibrating the temperature sensors in your K3 before
getting too alarmed about the readings.
From the Owner's Manual:
Front Panel Temperature Sensor
Turn the K3 OFF. Allow about 15 minutes for
the radio to cool to room temperature.
Turn the K3 ON.
Locate the CONFIG:FP TEMP
The 4.81 firmware release notes as downloaded from the FTP site show
only the following for version 4.81:
* XVTR IF BAND CAN NOW BE 10 OR 18 MHZ (in addition to the original
selections).
Expansion of the release notes at least to list the steps to set the CW
XFIL LO would be appreciated.
73,
Oops, I now see that the necessary information is listed in the release
notes, but under an earlier beta that I seem not to have.
Sorry.
73, Paul W8TM
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Wayne N6KR has addressed the matter of K1 transmit efficiency in his
note at
http://www.elecraft.com/TechNotes/k1_battery_op.htm
Wayne's formula shows the most efficient power setting as a function of
supply voltage. It's easy to remember: square the supply voltage and
divide by 25.
Basically,
Sam K5OAI sed:
room temp 27.7 F
Unless the room is in an igloo, he probably meant 27.7C = 82F.
Good temperature benchmarks to keep in mind are:
(a) 20C = 68F is normal room temperature; and
(b) 37C = 98.6F is normal body temperature.
Naturally, the K3 temperatures will be higher than the
Last August, Wayne N6KR posted:
The mod I was talking about is newer (2010, I believe). It involves a
pair of very small-valued resistors in series with the AF output
coupling capacitors. This, too, is in production.
However, I just looked on the K3 mods page, and it appears that we
Check to be sure that you have set the correct 30-meter band edge (10.0
or 10.1, depending on your chosen VFO range). See the manual's
instructions for setting the Bx parameters.
Some years ago I had a problem similar to your first one. It turned
out to be a defective pair of relay contacts on
N0CE asked:
My K3 shows 15.4 amps at key down in CW at 100 watts with a P3
attached.
A dummy load was used.
How does that compare with your K3's, please?
Please be aware that the transmit current drawn by the K3 depends
significantly on the band. On some bands, my K3 draws upwards of 20
Clint KI6SSN sed:
I just received my BL2 kit. I want to weatherproof it. I am going to
replace
the BNC with a UHF (mounted on the enclosure) and maybe do something
different with the balanced line connectors.
My questions are: Can I enclose it in a die cast aluminum box or
should I
use
It appears that the folks who can't hear the wow-wow zero beat note are
failing to turn on SPOT as specified in the K3 Owner's Manual for
Method 2.
Zero-beating the SPOT sidetone against the signal doesn't require
hearing
low tones, only hearing the amplitude modulation (wow-wow) of the
sidetone
N4ZR sed:
When I jump to a Reverse Beacon
Network spot (on CW), the perceived audio tone of the station's CW is
almost always higher than where I have my Pitch set, so in order to
center the signal, I wind up tuning up-frequency perhaps 100-200 Hz.
It sounds like you are using the
FO/F5LCI sed:
Here is the situation : I am on a DX dream island (HAO, OC066), I try
to find
a free QRG, and don't want to move.
So I lock the VFO.
But it locks the RIT, too.
My wish : to keep the RIT unlocked.
In this situation, why not lock VFO B and operate split?
From the KX3 manual:
Your RADIO ONE TYPE line is missing its equal sign.
Try adding it. Likewise for the BAUD RATE line.
Alternatively, you might want to try a different radio type.
I have had good luck with
RADIO ONE TYPE = K2
RADIO ONE BAUD RATE = 4800
RADIO ONE CONTROL PORT = SERIAL 1
KEYER RADIO ONE OUTPUT
Windows 7 Update advises me that an optional update is available for
Fluke - Other hardware - USB Serial Converter 706 KB
Windows says that this update was published Yesterday, i.e., 9/22/11.
The only USB Serial Converter that I have is the FTDI KUSB purchased
from Elecraft on last January
To modify K1 2-band modules, first buy parts for the desired bands at
http://www.elecraft.com/order_form_parts.htm#K1 Parts
Then change (only) the necessary parts on the 2-band module. For 80, I
believe that you have to modify the main K1 board as well.
You will need the K1 manual to set up the
KE7TR asked:
I am assuming one needs the DVR option to make
the [CW] memory keyer function work. Is this true?
No. The V in DVR stands for Voice. The DVR
is not necessary for CW.
how does one store what one wants in the memory?
Find the CW Mode section of the Owner's Manual.
See the CW
ST0R (zero, not letter O) is a DXpedition to South Sudan, a brand-new
country.
http://www.dxfriends.com/SouthernSudan2011/
73, Paul W8TM
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Help:
At Dayton, I asked that question and was told less than $800 base
for the screwdriver kit KX3 that will be available by the end of
2011.
For comparison, May QST quotes the upgradeable 10W model of the K3
at $1499.
73, Paul W8TM
K7DNP asked:
Does anyone have a cost guess?
I believe that you need only to change KFL1-4 crystal X1 from 29.000 MHz to
26.050 MHz, then realign both 17M and 20M.
I'm guessing that you didn't save the extra crystal when you assembled the
KFL1-4.
You can ask pa...@elecraft.com if they would sell the crystal separately, or
get one (with
Sorry, correction necessary: I got the bands backward.
I believe that you need only to change KFL1-4 crystal X1 from 26.050 MHz to
29.000 MHz, then realign both 15M and 20M.
I'm guessing that you didn't save the extra crystal when you assembled the
KFL1-4.
You can ask pa...@elecraft.com if
Phillippe A65BI asked:
Is it possible to increase the speed of the the PWR knob ?
I believe that the answer is no.
However, you can instead define a few simple macros like
pc000;
pc070;
pc005;
pc100;
and assign each to a front-panel key. I think that the K3 Utility is the
easiest way to
The fans that cool the K3's 100-watt amplifier are thermostatically controlled.
All thermostats have a temperature spread so that they do not cycle on and off
constantly; for example, a thermostat might be set to turn on a cooling fan at
38 and off at 35.
I would like to suggest that
There are indeed two ways to eliminate fan cycling. K2AV suggests one
approach, to run the fans all the time. Another approach is to run
QRP all the time. Neither of those extremities appeals to me.
The K3 necessarily has a temperature spread (which seems to be small)
between fan-on and
See CONFIG: NB SAVE
73, Paul W8TM
W0MU asked:
Why does the radio shut off the nb when changing bands? Is there a way
to tell the radio not to do this?
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A friend of mine had a problem very similar to yours; his K3 couldn't hear
anything. He brought it to my QTH for testing and comparison to my K3.
It turned out that he had not correctly set up his receive crystal filters. Be
sure that you have done the crystal filter setup, on page 46 of the
Your original problem (VOX=OFF and beep) could have been caused by
key-down at power-up.
Check and/or disconnect your keying lines. The K3 may then start OK.
If you key via the RS-232 port, you may have a computer or cable problem.
But you can't be sure until the K3 is unkeyed.
73, Paul W8TM
I did a quick Internet search for Windows 7 Power Management.
Windows 7 Power Management is pretty complex, with many possible settings:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/features/power-management.aspx
The Device Manager Properties for USB hubs on my Win 7/64 desktop has a
Power tab,
: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Paul Kirley
Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2011 10:43 AM
To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Elecraft] K3 Utility Going Bonkers
I did a quick Internet search for Windows 7 Power Management.
Windows 7 Power
I have a desktop running Win 7/64 and a FTDI KUSB. But when I looked per
W4TV's note below, I couldn't find Power Management. Might you two both
be using laptops, so that the problem is limited to battery power?
73, Paul W8TM
*
Frank MacDonell wrote:
Joe - I think
Implementation of Method 3 would improve the stability of all K3s,
not only those with the optional TCXO.
Calculation of a drift-correction table via repeated Method 1 or 2
calibrations (as the K3 warms up) can be performed by the owner for
any reference oscillator, whether stock or optional.
I SAVed CW NORM2 to include APF. Now rotating the SHIFT control doesn't
remove the wings from the filter passband graphic, as it would without APF.
Thus it isn't possible to tell from the display if the filter is still
normalized to NORM2.
Is this intended?
73, Paul W8TM
Recalling NORM2 changes the APF shift back to its normalized setting.
But the wings don't change when that happens.
73, Paul W8TM
At 11:57 AM 11/5/10 -0400, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote:
When APF is engaged, the shift knob no longer shifts the IF/DSP -
it moves (shifts) the audio peak within the IF
Does this mean that we all need to redo the K3 RF Gain Calibration after
installing Utility 1.3.10.11?
73, Paul W8TM
Dick, K6KR sed:
This version corrects a bug in RF Gain calibration: The calibration data was
not being correctly saved to EEPROM, and RF Gain calibration data was lost
after a
There are various ways for a computer to key a rig.
(1) From the computer's parallel port, using a transistor/resistor
combination to translate parallel-port levels to typical +5 volt
straight-keying line level. The cable runs from the parallel port
to the rig's straight-key jack.
(2) From
A little over a year ago, I got the following string of error messages
from the firmware update utility.
Problem solved by using a different cable from the computer to the K3.
No recurrence since then.
73, Paul W8TM
19:44:34 Sending firmware file hfpf0102.hex to FPF
19:45:15 Retry 1
I did another .NET download (v. 2.0) and installation, followed by an attempt
to
install the K3 Frequency Memory Editor on my Win98SE machine.
The resulting error messages are below; apparently some step continues to
require
Windows Installer 3.1, apparently part of Win2K.
73, Paul W8TM
Installation of the .zip version of the Freq Mem Editor failed on my Win98SE
machine. I unzipped in my own temporary directory (nonstandard name) and
double-clicked setup.exe as instructed.
Is there some special place where the .msi file should be placed? I believe
that I already have some
I downloaded the .NET stuff from Windows Update and reran your setup.exe, but
got the same error messages, because
(1) the .NET version available for Win98 is 1.1; and
(2) the msiexec.exe version likewise is 2.0.
73, Paul W8TM
Error messages on second try (which differ only in the name of the
See CONFIG: NB SAVE menu item.
73, Paul W8TM
John AE5X asked:
Is there a way to override the fact that the NB needs to be turned on again
each time you change bands? My AGC On/Off setting stays the same regardless
of band changes or powering the rig on off - I'd like the NB to stay in
the
When assembling APP connectors, I prefer to jam a wooden toothpick
tightly into the hole and cut off both ends. No risk of a short.
73, Paul W8TM
Don W3FPR sed:
If you mean that the red and black housings come apart, put a drop of
superglue on the mating surfaces and they should be tight.
I'm considering the best way to approach the mods to my KSYN3 board. Doing
nothing or buying a second receiver are possibilities (the second receiver's
up-to-date KSYN3 could be installed as the main one). But if I decide to mod
my KSYN3 without spending a lot, a question arises.
Left over from
The most recent mod to the KSYN3 board(s) is the third mod to that board. The
second mod potentially undoes and redoes the first mod (unless you chose to do
the first mod via SMD change).
First mod, applicable to all K3s shipped before 12/22/08:
The most recent mod to the KSYN3 board(s) is the third mod to that board. The
second mod potentially undoes and redoes the first mod (unless you chose to do
the first mod via SMD change).
First mod, applicable to all K3s shipped before 12/22/08:
You might want to read Wayne's reply to my similar question
http://mailman.qth.net/pipermail/elecraft/2009-October/118055.html
and a follow-up
http://mailman.qth.net/pipermail/elecraft/2009-October/118068.html
73, Paul W8TM
*
M0XDF asked:
I still wish I had a few
I certainly hope that this modified algorithm will not prevent me
from using my inverted vee (fed with ladder line) on some bands.
My trap hasn't fried (a year and a half), and I'd rather replace
it repeatedly--or bypass it--than be forced off some bands.
I'm surprised that it's at the output
Because I had been considering a new Owner's Manual for some time,
I chose to bundle that with a Handbook. The combined shipping
wasn't a lot more than the Manual alone, which is obviously available
only from Elecraft.
73, Paul W8TM
The K3 is capable of displaying frequencies to 1 Hz. It can
be calibrated to somewhat less than 1 Hz against WWV (method 2).
Because I wanted to see if my K3 serial 1322 was capable of
measuring frequency to its displayed precision, I decided to
attempt the November 11/12 ARRL Frequency
K9VUJ sed:
*
I'd like to be able to turn on the monitor without having to adjust
the monitor level up then down when I'm finished. When I forget and
leave the monitor level at say 27 and push hold the monitor control I
get feedback from the speaker when I transmit in SSB
I have just updated my K3 Utility and Firmware to 1.2.10.27 and 3.52,
respectively.
I wrote two simple macros, which I put into the Utility's
Macro1 and Macro2 spots. They are:
Pwr=4 pc004;
and
Pwr=100 pc100;
These are intended to save wear and tear on the encoder when switching
to
Wayne sed:
When you assign an Mx switch to a macro (or as a menu shortcut), the
firmware checks to see if that Mx switch now has *both* tap and hold
functions assigned. If not, it sets both of them to the same
assignment (the macro or the menu shortcut). This avoids some
potential side
EI6IZ sed:
*
If you look at the sheet that came with your TCXO you might notice that
it does a good deal better than 0.5ppm without any calibration over the
temperature range that your radio goes through during operation.
The TCXO in my k3 is better than 0.5ppm over the temp range
Today I did a comparison of notch and autonotch in FW 3.25.
K3 serial 1322, FW 3.25. Heterodyne source a 50 microV signal generator on
about 7040 kHz.
Mode LSB, tuned off about 1300 Hz from the carrier to give a target for the
notch.
NB and NR off, AGC-S, DSP and roofing 2.1 kHz.
After
VE2SHF sed:
One think worth mentioning: I had to apply significant pressure on the
three transistors mounted on LPA board when I installed the lower bottom
panel because the transistors raised slightly above the bottom panel level.
I don't know if it is normal (ensure good thermal
Before you reach a decision on battery packs, be sure to read Wayne's Tech Note
at
http://www.elecraft.com/TechNotes/k1_battery_op.htm
Basically, the principle of impedance matching applies to both input and output
of a rig. A DC input mismatch results in waste heat, which is usually not a
During the WPX SSB contest I have noticed the same low output that others have
noticed after ATU TUNE. I just wanted to add one comment.
After low output is remedied with TUNE, the firmware seems to remember that
fact. That is, when I return to that vicinity after SP QSOs elsewhere (ATU
Firmware beta 3.03 significantly increases the number of settings automatically
stored for the KAT3.
Are the settings stored on the KAT3 board, or is general storage used?
The KAT3 schematic shows three critters, but it's not clear to me if they are
capable of both storage and relay control,
The file K3UtilityVersionInfo.txt included in K3fw2r78.zip is out of date. It
shows
CurrentVersion = 1.1.10.17
Its namesake in the released directory shows
CurrentVersion = 1.2.1.6
Dunno if that might have an effect on the upgrade process to beta 2.78. I will
fix my copy before upgrading.
Dick K6KR sed:
If you're moving up in version numbers, for example as you're doing today,
then uninstall is not required before install. Just close the K3 Utility
before trying to replace it.
I must disagree. I have just performed the install routine for K3 Utility
1.1.12.22 and have found
A recent query about the calibration process for the KTCX03-1 1 ppm TCXO option
prompted me to compare my TCXO data sheet with the (yet to be implemented)
Reference Oscillator Method 3 procedure in the Owner's Manual. It became
apparent that the procedure in the Manual does not support the
When I tried setting K3 CONFIG:SMTR MD to ABS, I found that the S-meter reading
then stayed constant regardless of the setting of the preamp/attenuator, in
agreement with the Owner's Manual addendum.
However, the reading for a 50-microvolt input signal (with the preamp on and
attenuator off)
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