Don and Chuck, Thanks for the explanations. I will probably get the XG2 kit just because it is yet another kit to build but I doubt that I will get such a meter. Well, maybe I will if I can find a cheap working on somewhere. No rush though. I just realized though that I doubt that I have anything that can measure under 5 watts with any degree of accuracy.
phil On Dec 12, 2009, at 4:04 AM, Don Wilhelm wrote: > Phil, > > Those optional tools are for those who are not satisfied with the default > settings - in the case of the 50 uV signal generator, it will allow you to > set your S-meter at the S-9 point. My K3 was 'right on' with the default > settings, but since I have an XG2, I checked it anyway. > > The 1 mW, 5 W power meter is for calibrating the wattmeter - if you do not > have the KXV3 option, the 1 mW output is not available. Again, the default > settings will be very close. > > So, the question becomes - What degree of accuracy in power output and > S-meter reading do you wish to achieve? The default settings will be very > close, but with the added instruments, one can achieve a higher degree of > confidence in those parameters. > Warning - power measurement instruments normally available to hams can vary a > lot (up to 20% of full scale), so unless you have something comparable to the > Elecraft DL2, Elecraft W2 or a calibrated LP-100 from TelePost, the K3 > default setting for the wattmeter are likely to be as good as or better than > your ability to read power output. > > 73, > Don W3FPR > > Phil Hystad wrote: >> Don, >> >> Thanks for the pointer to the XG2 -- yes, that is what I was trying to think >> of. About them being optional, I did see that but I was curious as to what >> what gains by the "precise adjustments". If the default settings give you a >> fully working K3, what is being done by those who are making precise >> adjustments? >> >> phil >> >> >> On Dec 11, 2009, at 10:29 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote: >> >> >>> Phil, >>> >>> Note that those are optional - not required, but they are useful if one >>> wants to do the precise adjustments - the default settings will give you a >>> fully working K3. >>> >>> The Elecraft XG2 has a 50 uV output level, look at the Mini Kits. >>> >>> 73, >>> Don W3FPR >>> >>> Phil Hystad wrote: >>> >>>> The K3 Assembly guide says that you would need a accurate power meter >>>> measuring 1 mW to 5 W. Also, a signal generator calibrated 50 microVolts >>>> output at 20 or 40 meters. I have a signal generator that goes up to 5 >>>> MHz but I am pretty certain that the voltage adjust does not go down to 50 >>>> microVolts (it is pretty cheap). >>>> >>>> So, where does one get these things. >>>> >>>> I thought I remember someone telling me that there was a signal generator >>>> kit for generating the test signals needed for K3 assembly but I just can >>>> grab enough of that memory to do anything with it. >>>> >>>> Also, these tools are marked optional. Why are they optional and if they >>>> are useful for a particular purpose why would it not be a required tool to >>>> achieve the best of whatever they are being used for. >>>> >>>> >> ______________________________________________________________ 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
