I'm trying to find the correct sequence of steps to make sure my new Quadra amplifier is correctly adjusted to my K3. I have it hooked through the Band-Data1 8-pin cable and the Quadra does change bands correctly as it tracks the K3. The Quadra also switches to the correctly programmed input and/or output spigots. All that is fine.
Taken from the Quadra Operating Manual, "Drive power must be at least 50 watts for accurate SWR detection, and 70 to 80 watts for optimum tuner performance." The problem is primarily in keying the K3 properly to allow the Quadra's antenna tuner to adjust properly. The Quadra requires 70-80 watts to tune correctly so I need to key the K3 with the TUNE button which puts out 5 watts as it's set up. (I realize that I could reset the TUNE output to start at a higher rate but surely that's not the best way) Otherwise, I must press TUNE, crank the PWR knob from the 5 watts up to 70-80 watts, then press the TUNE button on the Quadra but the amplifier keys for about a second as the tuner starts to tune, then drops out, displaying the message "ERROR" on the display. Now I'm back to 5 watts on the K3 again so after pressing the K3's TUNE button again I must crank on the PWR knob again (which is about 4 full revolutions). For as many times as I try this, the K3 will not stay keyed up long enough for the Quadra to tune the antenna. BTW - I don't see any error messages from the K3 during this time. Using the same amplifier but with my IC-756PRO as a driver [in RTTY mode at about 70 watts -- with no physical connections for band changing] it reads the frequency/band and automatically changes bands and I can press the Quadra's TUNE button and it tunes up perfectly. Quickly, painlessly and correctly -- one easy operation which takes, at most, about 5 seconds. Realizing that all is normal with the Quadra, tuner and antenna I switch the input of the Quadra back to the K3 (which changes the PTT, ALC and RF input lines), then I try the K3 TUNE again. I crank up the PWR knob from 5 watts to 70-80 watts, press the Quadra's TUNE button but I see the same thing: it trys to tune for about a second, then drops back with the "ERROR" message. The K3 just doesn't seem to want to stay in TUNE mode (which is displaying CW) until the amplifier tuner can complete its job. [It's not because it got tuned up properly with the PRO as the Quadra will always reinitiate a tune when so instructed with the TUNE button] I've read everything I can find on hooking up the Quadra, both to the K3 and to other transceivers. There's LOTS of excellent documentation out there and I appreciate all the work from those folks. I'm relatively sure that my hookup between the two is fine. I guess what I'm asking is -- What are the steps used by other K3/Quadra users to change a band and make sure the Quadra's tuner is properly tuned. What am I missing to keep the K3 transmitting until the Quadra can complete its tune operation? It's just so easy with the PRO and so hard with the K3, but perhaps it's something I'm overlooking or doing incorrectly (<-- major possibility) BTW - The Quadra will memorize the tuning positions for various frequencies for different antennas so I guess I could let the IC-756PRO to do all the set up but I'm trying to wean myself away from the 756PRO and do everything on my K3. The K3 shines in SO MANY places, it just should be able to be easy here too. Also, last week on the [email protected], a fellow presented a wonderful document listing, for someone else, on the steps to tune up the Quadra to a couple of different transceivers. It looked so neat and I thought it was exactly what I needed. Unfortunately, it did not work for my K3/Quadra combination............. rats! Sorry for the long note but is there any hope for me? ....... let me re-phrase that ---- is there any HELP for me? Thanks and 73, Jim - K5LAD ------------------------------------------------------------- Growing old is like being increasingly penalized for a crime you haven't committed. -- Anthony Powell ----------------------------------------------------------- Visit my web page at: www.hayseed.net/~jpk5lad/ ============================= ______________________________________________________________ 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
