Re: [Elecraft] [K2] Overall adjustment - and a little bit more ..
Leif, The temperature stability of your K2 (after a 5 minute warmup period) should be within 20 Hz if the dial calibration and Filter BFO settings are correct. You can easily optimize your filters and calibrate the dial readings on your K2. The 4 MHz Reference Oscillator only needs to be correct just before running the CAL PLL and CAL FIL routines. At other times, it is not used dynamically and only serves as a clock for the MCU. The DAC values for the PLL and BFO are stored in EEPROM and are used in normal operation for displaying the K2 dial frequency, the 4 MHz Reference Oscillator is not used, and it can drift substantially and not cause any variation in the K2 frequency. The BFO stabilty should be good unless you have mounted L33 in a manner where the toroid can move with temperature, and the "Thermistor Board" provides good temperature stability for the PLL Reference Oscillator. If you experience extreme temperature swings when operating, you may be able to modify the amount of compensation by changing the value of RA on the thermistor board. Download the PLL Upgrade instructions from http://www.elecraft.com/manual/E740046%20PLL%20upgrd%20old%20K2s%20-%20Option%20Rev%20E.pdf for details on how to move the RA value. Your K2 should be frequency stable within a few HZ, but give it 5 minutes for initial warmup. There is information about setting the K2 dial calibration on my website www.w3fpr.com. For optimizing the filter response, the only equipment you need is an audio spectrum analyzer running on your computer, and a broadband noise source feeding the K2 antenna. Band noise on a portion of the band without signals can be used if you do not have a broadband noise generator such as the Elecraft N-Gen. Information about optimizing your K2 filters can be found both at my website and at http://www.mmccs.com/mmarc/n0ss/k2_filters_using_gram_v5r17.pdf If you are running a Windows computer and need Spectrogram, it is available on my website www.w3fpr.com. Scroll down on the opening page, the links are near the bottom. 73, Don W3FPR On 9/3/2018 6:28 PM, Leif Hoffmann wrote: From: SM4MNC, Leif Hoffmann I have just finished building K2 #7836. A very great pleasure and about a ton of fun too, and I sincerely hope that this "100% solder kit" will remain in the future! My kit was from the summer sale and contained the K2, the SSB- module, noise blanker and antenna tuner. Everything went almost flawless: Under Alignment and test, Part 2 there was absolutely nothing to be heard in the headphones! What now? The problem solved itself when I found the bag with the surface mount IF-amplifier U12. The step to mount it was described in the errata and I had just missed that small detail! When installed, there were no more problems here. I did the initial adjustments, the transmitter and receiver were functioning - perhaps the filters did not match perfectly, but that was a "software-problem" to be solved later! The SSB-unit, noise-blanker, and finally the antenna-tuner were built and put in the radio, and everything seemed to work as it should. What an amazing little radio this is!! Two more things: 1. In my K2 there is absolutely no space between the encoder and the front panel. Not even the best flush-cutter in the world will give enough space there. I have read in the Elecraft Archives of paper-bits etc. I have put on double layers of adhesive tape (tape for electrical purposes) with the advantage that it doesn't get dislodged when you remove the control board next time. 2. During the assembly there were some very small (in value) capacitors, that in my kit not were similar to the pictures in the parts list, but thanks to Stephanie, Leony, Johanna and all the other packers of the subassemblies, I could simply rely on the number of the remaining parts (no more - no less) and after a little examination of the parts, the problem got a solution and as the radio is functioning, it seems that I have got all parts in the right places! Overall I can say that building the hardware actually were "the easy part" and I have learned a lot in the process. Thanks, Elecraft! BUT: I have read, and re-read many times both in the main manual and the manual that comes with the KSB2 concerning the adjustments. The envelope with the filter crystals for the KSB2 were marked E850006 and 3228-1, 180611. I could not recognize any of these as a calibration number between 3.2 and 3.9, so I used 3.6 as described, and when I came to the filter setup I did exactly as shown in table 3 - with catastrophic result !! The FL1 - under OP1 and LSB- were so high-pitch that it was practically useless, and this is the filter-setting that I probably will use the most! With an antenna and the loudspeaker mounted I adjusted the freq. to more like 4914.1 - 4914.2 than the 4913.5 that comes from the table. The ideal would of course be to sweep the filters with appropriate
Re: [Elecraft] K3: Audio settings
Bill, Audio - If you are judging from the internal speaker, all I can say is "don't do that", the audio is not representative of what the K3 can do. Either use headphones or good quality external speakers for a good audio sound from the K3. The K3 to K3S options will not improve the K3 audio. The new synths will improve the RX and TX phase noise (and usable sensitivity) considerably, and the KXV3B will improve the preamp selection on the higher bands. The KIO3B is more of an operating convenience IMHO by virtue of its internal USB to USB converter and the internal soundcard. Worthy of adding if you do not have RS-232 ports on your computer. If your operation is mainly casual, you will not notice the difference, but if you are into contesting and DXing, the ability to "saddle up" to a strong station close to your operating frequency will be quite noticeable. 73, Don W3FPR On 9/3/2018 2:46 PM, Bill wrote: In the real world, is that "theoretical" improvement noticeable? The improvement I am looking for is significant - not small or incremental. Perhaps it is more than the K3 can provide? __ 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: Audio settings
My uses are pretty similar to Josh's. As soon as they were available,I added the new synth boards, and the KXVB board to get the better preamp to my early (2008) K3s . Like Josh, I have several good USB audio interfaces, including a Tascam US100 and Numark Stereo I/O. 73, Jim K9YC On 9/3/2018 1:36 PM, Josh Fiden wrote: Embedded comments. I'm a contester & weak signal VHF exclusively. YMMV Sent from my mobile device On Sep 3, 2018, at 1:08 PM, Bob McGraw K4TAX wrote: Don't shortchange yourself by looking at only 1 or 2 parameters. Here's the list. Some items can be upgraded in a K3 to make it almost to the level of a K3S. ** Ultra low-noise synthesizer for exceptional strong-signal receive performance and transmit signal purity (KSYN3A) Agree, have the upgrade. ** USB port–integrates remote control and line-level audio, eliminating the need for a PC sound card and audio cables Don't care, no performance improvement. ** Second preamp for 12-6 m weak signal work (on included KXV3B module) Have outboard preamp. No performance improvement from what I have, yes? If I wanted to improve on this I'd get a better outboard preamp or use something mast mounted for 6m. However, already running fairly short 1-1/4 Heliax so minimal improvement doesn't justify the complexity. ** Multiple attenuators, providing steps of -5/-10/-15 dB You got me here. Stock single setting attenuator seems fine, but maybe I'd love having 3 steps on HF? ** Enhanced look and feel, with new LCD bezel, soft-touch VFO knob Function over form for me! Decidedly don't care!! ** Lower-Loss ATU option with true bypass relay (KAT3A) The only time I've used internal ATU is at Field Day. Running LP I use KAT500 since it has my antennas memorized. Plus another outboard tuner for legal limit. Am I missing anything? ** Redesigned AF output circuitry for outstanding speaker audio As noted only use the speaker for beeps (JT, RTTY, ..). ** Accurate, high-speed CW transmit even in SPLIT mode I thought this came with the new synthesizer? Am I missing something here? High speed CW for me is low 30s ;) ** Coverage of the 630-meter band (~470 kHz), and lower1 I'm more a VHF guy than VLF, hi. Isn't this available with new synth? Are there any 630m contests? 73 Josh __ 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 j...@audiosystemsgroup.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
[Elecraft] [K2] Overall adjustment - and a little bit more ..
From: SM4MNC, Leif Hoffmann I have just finished building K2 #7836. A very great pleasure and about a ton of fun too, and I sincerely hope that this "100% solder kit" will remain in the future! My kit was from the summer sale and contained the K2, the SSB- module, noise blanker and antenna tuner. Everything went almost flawless: Under Alignment and test, Part 2 there was absolutely nothing to be heard in the headphones! What now? The problem solved itself when I found the bag with the surface mount IF-amplifier U12. The step to mount it was described in the errata and I had just missed that small detail! When installed, there were no more problems here. I did the initial adjustments, the transmitter and receiver were functioning - perhaps the filters did not match perfectly, but that was a "software-problem" to be solved later! The SSB-unit, noise-blanker, and finally the antenna-tuner were built and put in the radio, and everything seemed to work as it should. What an amazing little radio this is!! Two more things: 1. In my K2 there is absolutely no space between the encoder and the front panel. Not even the best flush-cutter in the world will give enough space there. I have read in the Elecraft Archives of paper-bits etc. I have put on double layers of adhesive tape (tape for electrical purposes) with the advantage that it doesn't get dislodged when you remove the control board next time. 2. During the assembly there were some very small (in value) capacitors, that in my kit not were similar to the pictures in the parts list, but thanks to Stephanie, Leony, Johanna and all the other packers of the subassemblies, I could simply rely on the number of the remaining parts (no more - no less) and after a little examination of the parts, the problem got a solution and as the radio is functioning, it seems that I have got all parts in the right places! Overall I can say that building the hardware actually were "the easy part" and I have learned a lot in the process. Thanks, Elecraft! BUT: I have read, and re-read many times both in the main manual and the manual that comes with the KSB2 concerning the adjustments. The envelope with the filter crystals for the KSB2 were marked E850006 and 3228-1, 180611. I could not recognize any of these as a calibration number between 3.2 and 3.9, so I used 3.6 as described, and when I came to the filter setup I did exactly as shown in table 3 - with catastrophic result !! The FL1 - under OP1 and LSB- were so high-pitch that it was practically useless, and this is the filter-setting that I probably will use the most! With an antenna and the loudspeaker mounted I adjusted the freq. to more like 4914.1 - 4914.2 than the 4913.5 that comes from the table. The ideal would of course be to sweep the filters with appropriate equipment - which I have none! So that now I have all the filters (both for SSB and CW) adjusted "by ear". I do have a radio that I can use, even if it's not optimal. It's pleasant to listen to and a couple of good reports "on air" too. I just wonder: How many of the previous kit-builders have experienced the same problems - and done what I have done? Finally: How accurate are the settings over time? The 4 MHz oscillator on the control board is of course the most critical part here. But - yesterday evening I had the radio adjusted to within +/- 10 Hz compared to my big transceiver. When I turned on the K2 today it was about 320 Hz high. I have - again - re-run the frequency calibration procedure, the CAL PLL and now again the display shows inside of +/- 20 Hz. Can this be a temperature problem? It was rather warm in my shack yesterday and pretty cold today when I came in. The small capacitor C22 is of course critical here! And a small suggestion: The adjustment would be much more calm if there were two trim-capacitors. One 8-50 pF(as C22 is), and in parallel with that another adjustable capacitor on 1-2 pF for the fine-adjustment. Naturally, I don't expect this little radio to have the same stability as my big radio, with its X-tal oven and that can zero-in on WWV to within +/- 1 Hz, but on the other hand, I don't know what to expect from the K2. Will it be within +/- 10 Hz, +/- 100 Hz or perhaps +/- 500 Hz? How will it perform under field conditions? Actually, it is not that very important, as long as my #7836 performs "as expected". Can you say anything about what stability I can expect from a K2? Yours, SM4MNC, Leif __ 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: Audio settings
Embedded comments. I'm a contester & weak signal VHF exclusively. YMMV Sent from my mobile device > On Sep 3, 2018, at 1:08 PM, Bob McGraw K4TAX wrote: > > Don't shortchange yourself by looking at only 1 or 2 parameters. > > Here's the list. Some items can be upgraded in a K3 to make it almost to the > level of a K3S. > > > ** Ultra low-noise synthesizer for exceptional strong-signal receive > performance and transmit signal purity (KSYN3A) Agree, have the upgrade. > > ** USB port–integrates remote control and line-level audio, eliminating the > need for a PC sound card and audio cables Don't care, no performance improvement. > > ** Second preamp for 12-6 m weak signal work (on included KXV3B module) Have outboard preamp. No performance improvement from what I have, yes? If I wanted to improve on this I'd get a better outboard preamp or use something mast mounted for 6m. However, already running fairly short 1-1/4 Heliax so minimal improvement doesn't justify the complexity. > > ** Multiple attenuators, providing steps of -5/-10/-15 dB You got me here. Stock single setting attenuator seems fine, but maybe I'd love having 3 steps on HF? > > ** Enhanced look and feel, with new LCD bezel, soft-touch VFO knob Function over form for me! Decidedly don't care!! > > ** Lower-Loss ATU option with true bypass relay (KAT3A) The only time I've used internal ATU is at Field Day. Running LP I use KAT500 since it has my antennas memorized. Plus another outboard tuner for legal limit. Am I missing anything? > > ** Redesigned AF output circuitry for outstanding speaker audio As noted only use the speaker for beeps (JT, RTTY, ..). > > ** Accurate, high-speed CW transmit even in SPLIT mode I thought this came with the new synthesizer? Am I missing something here? High speed CW for me is low 30s ;) > > ** Coverage of the 630-meter band (~470 kHz), and lower1 I'm more a VHF guy than VLF, hi. Isn't this available with new synth? Are there any 630m contests? 73 Josh > > __ 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: Audio settings
Don't shortchange yourself by looking at only 1 or 2 parameters. Here's the list. Some items can be upgraded in a K3 to make it almost to the level of a K3S. ** Ultra low-noise synthesizer for exceptional strong-signal receive performance and transmit signal purity (KSYN3A) ** USB port–integrates remote control and line-level audio, eliminating the need for a PC sound card and audio cables ** Second preamp for 12-6 m weak signal work (on included KXV3B module) ** Multiple attenuators, providing steps of -5/-10/-15 dB ** Enhanced look and feel, with new LCD bezel, soft-touch VFO knob ** Lower-Loss ATU option with true bypass relay (KAT3A) ** Redesigned AF output circuitry for outstanding speaker audio ** Accurate, high-speed CW transmit even in SPLIT mode ** Coverage of the 630-meter band (~470 kHz), and lower1 Yes, I'm convinced there is a difference. 73 Bob, K4TAX __ 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: Audio settings
Feed the line-out into a P-P 6V6 amp (e.g., Eico HF-20, Heath A-9x, an old 6V6 PA amp, etc.) and into a pair (or one if your’e not using both output channels) of bass reflex speakers or AR-somethings. I did that with a string of pre-K3 “modern” radios (and quite a few vintage radios with puny audio output), including the K3 for a while, before a major downsizing of stuff. Worked and played great. Now I just use a pair of E’craft SP-3s on my K3, which work fine .. and are a lot easier to move around :-) I have no complaints about K3 audio. Since the days of big 6V6 audio in vintage gear (think SX-28, NC-183D, etc), radio vendors have mostly paid attention to everything but audio stage quality. Maybe the new output stage in the K3S makes a big difference .. not owning one, (unfortunately, E’craft didn't make the new main board available for upgrade) I couldn’t say. But if you pick the audio up at line-out and amplify it with a decent amp and good speakers, you won’t be disappointed with the result. Grant NQ5T K3 #2091 KX3 #8342 > On Sep 3, 2018, at 2:46 PM, Bill wrote: > > In the real world, is that "theoretical" improvement noticeable? The > improvement I am looking for is significant - not small or incremental. > Perhaps it is more than the K3 can provide? > __ 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: Audio settings
I have the new synth boards, since that was clearly worthwhile. Already have outboard preamp & don't care about USB since at this point seems like I've accumulated a herd of USB/RS232 converters that work fine, plus Tascam audio interface. I'll have to check DSP board rev. Was there a specific serial number for that changeover? Thanks for the info! 73, Josh W6XU Sent from my mobile device > On Sep 3, 2018, at 8:40 AM, Don Wilhelm wrote: > > Josh, > > Yes, the K3S has some improvement to the audio in that there is an extra gain > stage that distributes the audio gain a bit better. I do not consider it > worthwhile for my K3 - the DSP board would have to be replaced. There was a > change to the K3 DSP board much earlier that added a low pass filter as well > as lower frequency audio response to the original K3 audio. For a time, > there wa a DSP board swap program to upgrade the DSP board, but that has now > been retired, but you can still purchase the low pass filter add-on. If you > have the Rev D DSP board, it is already installed. > > The new synthesizer will get you the most "bang for the buck" improvement in > the K3 RF performance, and the new KXV3B adds the 20 dB preamp for 17 meters > and above. The KIO3B can add the USB interface rather than the RS-232 as > well as an internal soundcard. > > 73, > Don W3FPR >> __ 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: Audio settings
The only thing I use the speaker for is monitoring digital modes where as long as I hear beeps, it's all good :) My operating on CW & phone is exclusively headphones. So, if the improvement is exclusive to driving low impedance loads at higher power, doesn't matter. 73 Josh W6XU Sent from my mobile device > On Sep 3, 2018, at 8:48 AM, Bob McGraw K4TAX wrote: > > Here is a link to the K3S as originally announced. Note that it has; " > Redesigned AF output circuitry for outstanding speaker audio" among other > added items. > > http://www.elecraft.com/manual/k3s%20data%20sheet_Rev_A2%20.pdf > > 73 > > Bob, K4TAX > > >> On 9/3/2018 9:56 AM, Josh Fiden wrote: >> I have two original K3. Wondering if I missed something. The "S" has >> improvements to receive audio? Or is this just referring to the new >> synthesizer? >> >> Thanks & 73, >> Josh W6XU >> >> Sent from my mobile device >> >>> On Sep 3, 2018, at 7:24 AM, Bob McGraw K4TAX >>> Then came along the K3S with its advertised improvements. Namely in >>> receive audio. >> > > __ 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: Audio settings
Personally having used two different K3 radios and then my K3S, the
difference was enough for me to buy a new K3S. Small or
incrementalnah, very noticeable specially coming from someone
{me} who worked in professional audio and recording studio environment
most of my career. Of course you may have other objectives. Operator
skill and correctly setting up the radio parameters is a major key to
ones overall success and satisfaction. In fact, one can adjust the
various parameters where the radio sounds and performs poorly. That's
not the radio's fault.
I'll say the overall performance enhancements and difference is indeed
a complication of improvements, not just solely the audio.
With a compilation of older and newer radios, a IC-756pro II, a
TS-590S, and an Orion at my disposal, they don't stand anywhere near the
performance and overall signal quality of the K3S. As to whistles and
bells offered by the others.toot toot and ding-a-ling. They
don't impress me.
73
Bob, K4TAX
On 9/3/2018 1:46 PM, Bill wrote:
In the real world, is that "theoretical" improvement noticeable? The
improvement I am looking for is significant - not small or
incremental. Perhaps it is more than the K3 can provide?
Bill W2BLC K-Line
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Re: [Elecraft] K3: Audio settings
In the real world, is that "theoretical" improvement noticeable? The improvement I am looking for is significant - not small or incremental. Perhaps it is more than the K3 can provide? Bill W2BLC K-Line __ 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] KX2 KXIO2 RTC Adjustment
Thank you Don and Richard. The KXIO2 clock is working properly again. I do not know if it was one of the things below or the combination of all of them but I'll share what I did in hopes it might help someone else. My KX2 was purchased used so I do not know if it was assembled by the original owner or by Elecraft. Step 1: I removed external power and the internal battery. Then I let the radio sit for a couple of days so the backup cap could discharge and things would really be "off". Step 2: I removed the KXIO2 board using the installation instructions as a guide. I carefully applied a small amount of DeoxIT "D Series" cleaner to the contacts on the four headers. (Use VERY little, I could barely see that I had applied any.) This was in case there might be any small amount of corrosion that was not visible. Step 3: I reassembled everything, put the battery back in and connected external power. Then, I used the KX2 utility program to set the clock to match my PC with the "calibration value set to "0". I turned the radio off. Step 4: About a day or so later I compared the two times. The KX2 was a few seconds fast so I bumped the calibration to "1". Having done all of that the radio seems to be about a minute fast after a week. Plenty good enough for me and well within what Elecraft claims it should do. Tim N9PUZ On 8/26/2018 11:00 AM, Don Wilhelm wrote: Tim, I would suggest trying again to recalibrate it. The recalibration can be a long process of trial and error with the results measured over several days. That is a lot less expensive than buying a new one or sending it to Elecraft. I do not expect the long term accuracy of any rig's real time clock to be correct over a period of days. Even gaining a minute a day is sufficient for logging during an outing. Actually, I do not use it, I use the Timex on my wrist for accurate timekeeping, and it is easier for me than pulling up the RTC display on the KX2 when doing paper logging. 73, Don W3FPR On 8/25/2018 5:20 PM, Tim McDonough N9PUZ wrote: I have a KX2 with the internal tuner and the KXIO2 clock module which I purchased used and it is long out of warranty. The clock gains a nearly minute per day in spite of having performed the calibration/adjustment. Elecraft advised that while they are more than happy to repair it by the time I pay for labor and shipping both ways it is probably better to buy a new KXIO2 module which will have a warranty. I can appreciate that and don't fault them a bit for the price but I'm just wondering if anyone has a suggestion for a DIY repair. I spend plenty of money on the hobby but am just wondering if I can get a working internal clock for less than $80 plus shipping? __ 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: Audio settings
Josh, Theoretically, the answer is yes. From the FAQ blurb on the Elecraft site: "Redesigned speakeramplifier - Stereo speaker outputs now have lower total harmonic distortion(THD) for reduced listening fatigue". Dick, K8ZTT On Monday, September 3, 2018, 8:56:45 AM MDT, Josh Fiden wrote: I have two original K3. Wondering if I missed something. The "S" has improvements to receive audio? Or is this just referring to the new synthesizer? Thanks & 73, Josh W6XU Sent from my mobile device > On Sep 3, 2018, at 7:24 AM, Bob McGraw K4TAX > Then came along the K3S with its advertised improvements. Namely in receive > audio. __ 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 richarddw1...@yahoo.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: Audio settings
Don, I have some P3 displays of what happens when two stations upgrade to the new Synthesizers at: https://www.nk7z.net/ Just select the top blog entry. There are some P3 graphs there showing just how much improvement the new synthesizers actually add. Two of us upgraded, and we did it in stages, I managed to document most of the changes in steps, showing the RX station, then the TX stations, etc. It was all quite interesting, and a big improvement as the numbers show. 73s and thanks, Dave (NK7Z/NNR0DC) https://www.nk7z.net ARRL Technical Specialist On 09/03/2018 08:40 AM, Don Wilhelm wrote: The new synthesizer will get you the most "bang for the buck" improvement in the K3 RF performance 73, Don W3FPR __ 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: Audio settings
Here is a link to the K3S as originally announced. Note that it has; " Redesigned AF output circuitry for outstanding speaker audio" among other added items. http://www.elecraft.com/manual/k3s%20data%20sheet_Rev_A2%20.pdf 73 Bob, K4TAX On 9/3/2018 9:56 AM, Josh Fiden wrote: I have two original K3. Wondering if I missed something. The "S" has improvements to receive audio? Or is this just referring to the new synthesizer? Thanks & 73, Josh W6XU Sent from my mobile device On Sep 3, 2018, at 7:24 AM, Bob McGraw K4TAX Then came along the K3S with its advertised improvements. Namely in receive audio. __ 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: Audio settings
Josh, Yes, the K3S has some improvement to the audio in that there is an extra gain stage that distributes the audio gain a bit better. I do not consider it worthwhile for my K3 - the DSP board would have to be replaced. There was a change to the K3 DSP board much earlier that added a low pass filter as well as lower frequency audio response to the original K3 audio. For a time, there wa a DSP board swap program to upgrade the DSP board, but that has now been retired, but you can still purchase the low pass filter add-on. If you have the Rev D DSP board, it is already installed. The new synthesizer will get you the most "bang for the buck" improvement in the K3 RF performance, and the new KXV3B adds the 20 dB preamp for 17 meters and above. The KIO3B can add the USB interface rather than the RS-232 as well as an internal soundcard. 73, Don W3FPR On 9/3/2018 10:56 AM, Josh Fiden wrote: I have two original K3. Wondering if I missed something. The "S" has improvements to receive audio? Or is this just referring to the new synthesizer? __ 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: Audio settings
I have two original K3. Wondering if I missed something. The "S" has improvements to receive audio? Or is this just referring to the new synthesizer? Thanks & 73, Josh W6XU Sent from my mobile device > On Sep 3, 2018, at 7:24 AM, Bob McGraw K4TAX > Then came along the K3S with its advertised improvements. Namely in receive > audio. __ 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: Audio settings
I had assembled two K3 radios for friends that didn't believe they were competent to do so. In doing this, I was able to use these radios for a few weeks. I noted some artifacts regarding the receive audio and elected not to purchase one for my station at that time. Then came along the K3S with its advertised improvements. Namely in receive audio. I opted to purchase one and I am totally delighted that I waited. The RX audio performance is outstanding in all respects. I know this is not the answer you wanted to read. However, Don, W3FPR has an excellent paper on his site that details adjustments regarding the K3 and its "noisy audio". Without a doubt, a correctly configured radio will offer outstanding performance. My 55 year ham history comes from a long line of Tentec, Kenwood, ICOM, and Yaesu radios. Needless to say, I find the K3S is superior to anything I've had access to use. 73 Bob, K4TAX On 9/3/2018 8:48 AM, Bill wrote: I have been using my K3/P3 since new in early 2013. Initially, I had a devil of a time getting the RX audio to sound pleasing. Understand - that is pleasing to me. There was always a high percentage of background white noise. Eventually, after a lot of experimentation, I settled on various EQ, AGC, ATT, RF Gain etc. All this was to make it comfortable for long-term armchair copy on 40, 75, and 160 meters. I also bought a pair of Behringer MS40 speakers to improve things. All told, I was relatively pleased with the results - - - until.. I bought an Icom 7300. The 7300 is quiet. Nearly zero background noise - signals just jump out. During the daytime it is close to that of 2-meter FM. Understand that my QTH has nearly zero noise. Where am I going with this? Simple - I am looking for suggestions on eliminating the K3's white noise problem. Please do not email, as I am sure I am not the only K3 user similarly interested. Sharing would be great. Thanks, Bill W2BLC K-Line __ 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 rmcg...@blomand.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: Audio settings
Bill, The AGC Threshold has a lot to do with it. Check out the "Noisy K3" article on my website www.w3fpr.com. Set it to suit the noise at your QTH, there is no 'one size to fit all'. 73, Don W3FPR On 9/3/2018 9:48 AM, Bill wrote: I have been using my K3/P3 since new in early 2013. Initially, I had a devil of a time getting the RX audio to sound pleasing. Understand - that is pleasing to me. There was always a high percentage of background white noise. Eventually, after a lot of experimentation, I settled on various EQ, AGC, ATT, RF Gain etc. All this was to make it comfortable for long-term armchair copy on 40, 75, and 160 meters. I also bought a pair of Behringer MS40 speakers to improve things. All told, I was relatively pleased with the results - - - until.. I bought an Icom 7300. The 7300 is quiet. Nearly zero background noise - signals just jump out. During the daytime it is close to that of 2-meter FM. Understand that my QTH has nearly zero noise. Where am I going with this? Simple - I am looking for suggestions on eliminating the K3's white noise problem. Please do not email, as I am sure I am not the only K3 user similarly interested. Sharing would be great. Thanks, Bill W2BLC K-Line __ 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 donw...@embarqmail.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
[Elecraft] K3: Audio settings
I have been using my K3/P3 since new in early 2013. Initially, I had a devil of a time getting the RX audio to sound pleasing. Understand - that is pleasing to me. There was always a high percentage of background white noise. Eventually, after a lot of experimentation, I settled on various EQ, AGC, ATT, RF Gain etc. All this was to make it comfortable for long-term armchair copy on 40, 75, and 160 meters. I also bought a pair of Behringer MS40 speakers to improve things. All told, I was relatively pleased with the results - - - until.. I bought an Icom 7300. The 7300 is quiet. Nearly zero background noise - signals just jump out. During the daytime it is close to that of 2-meter FM. Understand that my QTH has nearly zero noise. Where am I going with this? Simple - I am looking for suggestions on eliminating the K3's white noise problem. Please do not email, as I am sure I am not the only K3 user similarly interested. Sharing would be great. Thanks, Bill W2BLC K-Line __ 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] Why some satellites reverse the sidebands
Though there may be technical reasons behind it, the biggest reason is practical. If you don't invert the sidebands, the total Doppler shift is the sum of the shift on two bands. For a satellite in a standard LEO orbit with an uplink at 2 meters and downlink at 70 cm, the total Doppler shift is +/- 3.5 kHz on 2 meters and +/- 10 kHz on 70 cm. If the sidebands were not inverted, the total Doppler shift through the pass would be +/- 13.5 kHz. If you invert the sidebands, the total Doppler shift is the difference between the shift on two bands, or +/- 6.5 kHz. That's far easier to deal with if you're compensating for the Doppler shift manually. 73, Paul, N8HM On Mon, Sep 3, 2018 at 9:13 AM Jim Rogers wrote: > > A common LO (local Oscillator) for the receiver and the transmitter is > the only reason I can think of. > > Jim > > __ > 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...@arrl.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
[Elecraft] KPA500 intermittent LCD & Keying issues
Hello all, My KPA500 # 1090 (driven by K3 & followed by KAT500) basically functions as advertised at 12-35w input level. BUT the following occurs randomly (no matter band \ mode \ power) with a tendency to repeat more often, from day to day : 1. At some point in the operating cycle (minutes from "ON" - can be 3 or 43) the amp will not key when triggered by my K3. There is a "double click" sound similar to a relay bounce. Usually On the next PTT from the K3 it will key as before, and perhaps a few cycles later this might happen again. 2. Either starting the amp from cold or after some idle time the LCD characters dim, become unreadable and finally disappear. The LCD remains lit but empty. This might or might not fix itself when powering the amp off and on again. At the time of writing this post it is the steady state. 3. The keying issue in "1" above isn't necessarily linked to issue "2", but sometimes both occur at the same time. 4. So far even with empty LCD the amp is amplifying; RF & SWR LEDs indicate expected readings. Any ideas please? TIA & 73 Isaac, 4Z1TL --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus __ 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
[Elecraft] Why some satellites reverse the sidebands
A common LO (local Oscillator) for the receiver and the transmitter is the only reason I can think of. Jim __ 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] KAT1 f/w revision
Graziano, not so much info about that but what I found on Elecraft pages is: KAT1 F/W Upgrade to 1.3. "Increases matching range for loads that caused PLO message." - 73 - Petr, OK1RP "Apple & Elecraft freak" B:http://ok1rp.blogspot.com G+:http://goo.gl/w3u2s9 G+: http://goo.gl/gP99xq -- Sent from: http://elecraft.365791.n2.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
