There is another caveat to keep in mind when using the K3 in transverter mode. Sensitivity will be subject to the ham band BPFs, so a preamp may be needed if the "IF" freq. falls well outside the BPF passband unless a general coverage module (KBPF3) is installed. The KBPF3 works fine if the KXV3 is in TEST mode but the K3 is not setup with a transverter band, ie. you're parked on 10.500 MHz for 500 kHz conversion. However, when using a transverter band (ie. direct freq. readout using IF=10, RF=0), the KBPF3 is not switched in when it should be. I have brought this to the attention of support/development since it is clearly a bug and there should be no need for a preamp with the KBPF3 installed. In the meantime, I use IF=14 and RF=0 for a transverter band and get direct freq. readout. The 20M ham BPF is wide enough that there isn't a significant amount of attenuation at 14.500 MHz.
Having both 3.5 MHz and 10 MHz would be good additions to the transverter IF selections. The former because there are numerous converter circuits published or were/are commercially available based on 3.5 MHz, the latter because it is a defacto reference freq. 73 - Eric NO3M (WD2XSH/46 - ARRL 600M Experimental Group) ---------- Eric, Thanks for reminding that a KBPF3 is needed for general frequency use in TEST mode. I chose to install one when I bought my K3/10 because I was going to operate on 500-KHz with my K3. It is not operating in transverter mode but in TEST mode as RF output is at the transverter output RF jack and not at ANT. So there is no need to use transverter mode. Frequency would read 10.472 when on 472-KHz. I think that much easier than having to build a stable xtal LO on either 3.5 or 7.0 MHz. I bought my OCXO on e-bay for $42 and drifts about 1-Hz every 4-6 months. But that is just my opinion. 73, Ed My prototype transverter uses a SBL-1 mixer from mini-circuits and a 2N3906 buffer amp into a three-pole filter. That has enough RF to drive my 500-KHz linear amp. Others will need to come up with linear's to provide at least 25w to take advantage of the expected 1 ERP limitation on 630m. With my antenna efficiency 100w => 4.15w ERP on 500-KHz. ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
