Re: [Elecraft] Heil Pro 7 headset with KX3 - RF feedback?
And to conclude... in case someone else runs into a problem like this maybe they can sort it out faster. (Actually happened to a friend with a lightweight walkman style headset that had been worn ragged. Identical symptoms. He tossed them and used a new set.) Before sending in for repair a second time (thanks to Heil for their patience), I swapped everything one part at a time and using a KX2 to swap with my KX3. That narrowed it down to the headset and it's internal wiring fault causing I*R type coupling. Sure sounds like RF feedback, because it's quite similar in some ways. Opened up the box from the repair depot. No more wiring fault. No more feedback. I could crank up the monitor level etc with no problem. (I do like monitor for phone, but somewhere around 5, not the full scale 30.) Love the big bulky heavy over the ear headphones. :-) Best regards, Drew n7da On Sat, Jul 2, 2022 at 6:08 PM Drew Arnett wrote: > > Ignored this for quite a while, but came back to take a look this > morning. Sharing in case it helps someone else out in the future. > > I think the jack on the headset itself has an intermittent and/or > faulty connection. That's why trying the straight cable (which I > never use) as Heil suggested didn't help me narrow it down before. (I > always used the curly cable and left the straight one in the box.) > > Symptoms I see today: > > KX3 on battery. RF power level set to 0 watts (so no RF feedback of > course). Mon set to 4. > > Gear: Pro 7 headset. Heil Y cable (for mic/foot switch) but using > the little hand/button switch Heil includes, a cheap pair of Walkman > style earphones, and a homebrew electret handmic (that also requires > 5V bias). > > No difference between curly cord that I normally use and the straight > cable that I never took out of the box. > > In all cases, I use the Y cable. > > Notice the combinations that work and don't work: > * walkman head phones & homebrew handmic - works OK > * walkman head phones & pro 7 mic - works OK > * pro 7 headphones & homebrew handmic - works OK > * pro 7 headphones & pro 7 mic - ***PROBLEM*** > > I suspect the feedback path is due to wiring fault causing the > headphone audio return to share path with microphone return causing > IxR coupling. (I hate the term ground loop, but there you go.) > > Wiggle testing. Nothing at the jack/plug interfaces on the radio > (mic, headphone). Nothing on the jack/plug interfaces on the Y cable. > Ah, the jack/plug on the headset definitely has some sort of > mechanical intermittent at the least. And it does for both the curly > cable and the straight cable. So, it's the headset and not the cable. > :-( > > So, off to Heil for repair. (Looks like snap plastic/spudger tool > work, which I'm not really interested in doing.) Or to perhaps shop > for something more reliable? > > Best regards, > > Drew > n7da > > On Sat, Jul 3, 2021 at 9:05 PM Drew Arnett wrote: > > > > No luck sorting this out in the field during FD, especially with a > > workaround available. (Alternative mic.) I'd like to resolve it if > > possible before replacing the Pro 7, the KX3, or both. :-O So, now > > that I'm unpacked at home, I'll try a simple setup for debugging. > > > > Trouble shooting setup now: KX3 (with new, charged internal NiMH), > > Pro 7 with Y cable and that little clip on PTT switch they include, 3 > > FT coax to (shielded) dummy load. Electret mic element. MIC BIAS on, > > CMP 0, PWR 5, 14 MHz, SSB. > > > > With MON 0, no RF output indicated while transmitting and speaking or > > whistling for MIC GAIN 0 to 80. > > > > With MON 3 (a level I like for CW sidetone) and PTT on, doesn't matter > > if I'm speaking/whistling or not. The RF output indicates nothing > > until about MIC GAIN 70 when it abruptly comes up with a harsh sound. > > Other electret microphone sounds fine at MIC GAIN 60. > > > > This is probably something simple. I just haven't found it, yet. > > > > Thanks, > > > > Drew > > n7da > > > > On Thu, Jun 17, 2021 at 3:36 AM Drew Arnett wrote: > > > > > > Shield of mic jack goes to bare metal Elecraft thoughtfully left on > > > the chassis metal. 10 nF shunt to ground. (Need to see where that > > > is, but hopefully SMT and with very small loop area.) Sheet 9: > > > https://ftp.elecraft.com/KX3/Manuals%20Downloads/KX3SchematicDiagramDec2012.pdf > > > > > > Heil suggests on their tips page generous ferrite choking of all 3 > > > leads of their Y adapter cable: > > > https://heilhamradio.com/support/tips/ > > > > > > Drew
[Elecraft] KX3 full scale audio buzz
It's been 2 years now since I've reported this bug. :-( Drew n7da https://github.com/drewarnett/kx3-firmware-issues/issues/1 __ 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] KX3 full scale audio buzz
Still an open issue: https://github.com/drewarnett/kx3-firmware-issues/issues/1 The KX3 is a fantastic IF radio. Why? * 50 MHz IF frequency works great with the W1GHz transverter * SSB/CW/NBFM modes with great RX * push button carrier * CW-in-SSB * single RF port matches the W1GHZ transverter's single IF port * separate T/R output with configurable sequencing delay * transverter bands including offset (shows 10 GHz frequency directly on the display Wow!) * very accurate and conveniently low output of 20 dBm * internal or external battery * competitive price for new IF radio It'd be super fun to try a KX2 as an IF radio with its even more compact size. Another issue has been resolved which is fantastic! https://github.com/drewarnett/kx3-firmware-issues/issues/2 Feel free to participate: https://github.com/drewarnett/kx3-firmware-issues/issues Verifying, bisecting (determine revision that introduced issue), performing triage, detailing symptoms and documenting steps to reproduce is something you can do to help. Best regards, Drew n7da __ 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] Heil Pro 7 headset with KX3 - RF feedback?
Ignored this for quite a while, but came back to take a look this morning. Sharing in case it helps someone else out in the future. I think the jack on the headset itself has an intermittent and/or faulty connection. That's why trying the straight cable (which I never use) as Heil suggested didn't help me narrow it down before. (I always used the curly cable and left the straight one in the box.) Symptoms I see today: KX3 on battery. RF power level set to 0 watts (so no RF feedback of course). Mon set to 4. Gear: Pro 7 headset. Heil Y cable (for mic/foot switch) but using the little hand/button switch Heil includes, a cheap pair of Walkman style earphones, and a homebrew electret handmic (that also requires 5V bias). No difference between curly cord that I normally use and the straight cable that I never took out of the box. In all cases, I use the Y cable. Notice the combinations that work and don't work: * walkman head phones & homebrew handmic - works OK * walkman head phones & pro 7 mic - works OK * pro 7 headphones & homebrew handmic - works OK * pro 7 headphones & pro 7 mic - ***PROBLEM*** I suspect the feedback path is due to wiring fault causing the headphone audio return to share path with microphone return causing IxR coupling. (I hate the term ground loop, but there you go.) Wiggle testing. Nothing at the jack/plug interfaces on the radio (mic, headphone). Nothing on the jack/plug interfaces on the Y cable. Ah, the jack/plug on the headset definitely has some sort of mechanical intermittent at the least. And it does for both the curly cable and the straight cable. So, it's the headset and not the cable. :-( So, off to Heil for repair. (Looks like snap plastic/spudger tool work, which I'm not really interested in doing.) Or to perhaps shop for something more reliable? Best regards, Drew n7da On Sat, Jul 3, 2021 at 9:05 PM Drew Arnett wrote: > > No luck sorting this out in the field during FD, especially with a > workaround available. (Alternative mic.) I'd like to resolve it if > possible before replacing the Pro 7, the KX3, or both. :-O So, now > that I'm unpacked at home, I'll try a simple setup for debugging. > > Trouble shooting setup now: KX3 (with new, charged internal NiMH), > Pro 7 with Y cable and that little clip on PTT switch they include, 3 > FT coax to (shielded) dummy load. Electret mic element. MIC BIAS on, > CMP 0, PWR 5, 14 MHz, SSB. > > With MON 0, no RF output indicated while transmitting and speaking or > whistling for MIC GAIN 0 to 80. > > With MON 3 (a level I like for CW sidetone) and PTT on, doesn't matter > if I'm speaking/whistling or not. The RF output indicates nothing > until about MIC GAIN 70 when it abruptly comes up with a harsh sound. > Other electret microphone sounds fine at MIC GAIN 60. > > This is probably something simple. I just haven't found it, yet. > > Thanks, > > Drew > n7da > > On Thu, Jun 17, 2021 at 3:36 AM Drew Arnett wrote: > > > > Shield of mic jack goes to bare metal Elecraft thoughtfully left on > > the chassis metal. 10 nF shunt to ground. (Need to see where that > > is, but hopefully SMT and with very small loop area.) Sheet 9: > > https://ftp.elecraft.com/KX3/Manuals%20Downloads/KX3SchematicDiagramDec2012.pdf > > > > Heil suggests on their tips page generous ferrite choking of all 3 > > leads of their Y adapter cable: > > https://heilhamradio.com/support/tips/ > > > > Drew > > n7da > > > > On Thu, Jun 17, 2021 at 3:23 AM Drew Arnett wrote: > > > > > > Hi, > > > > > > In the KX3 for Field Day department, we plan to use it for the GOTA > > > station for phone on HF. (Yes, will have antennas not on top of each > > > other and bandpass filters on ALL radios.) Would be great to setup > > > with a headset and foot switch. > > > > > > Last weekend, I used my KX3 barefoot on 6 and with a > > > transverters-store.com transverter (also barefoot) for 2. 6m antenna > > > was 2 elements about 15 ft above the ground and 2m antenna 6 elements > > > at 10 feet above the ground. > > > > > > I worked a couple of contacts on 2m phone with the headset. Later, > > > when I tried to use the headset for phone on 6, seemed like I was > > > having a feedback problem. Cabling was the stock cabling that comes > > > with the Heil Pro 7 headset and a footswitch. Monitor was on and set > > > to 4. > > > > > > So, ALC didn't indicate anything at the normal level (60), and > > > increasing it very abruptly caused horrible sounding audio. (Yes, > > > acts like positive feedback.) > > > > > > I have a small electret mic on a 1/8 plu
[Elecraft] KX3 buzz if power up on transverter band
Still buzzing during this year's ARRL 10 GHz and Up contest. :-( https://github.com/drewarnett/kx3-firmware-issues/issues/1 Best regards, Drew n7da __ 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] Heil Pro 7 headset with KX3 - RF feedback?
No luck sorting this out in the field during FD, especially with a workaround available. (Alternative mic.) I'd like to resolve it if possible before replacing the Pro 7, the KX3, or both. :-O So, now that I'm unpacked at home, I'll try a simple setup for debugging. Trouble shooting setup now: KX3 (with new, charged internal NiMH), Pro 7 with Y cable and that little clip on PTT switch they include, 3 FT coax to (shielded) dummy load. Electret mic element. MIC BIAS on, CMP 0, PWR 5, 14 MHz, SSB. With MON 0, no RF output indicated while transmitting and speaking or whistling for MIC GAIN 0 to 80. With MON 3 (a level I like for CW sidetone) and PTT on, doesn't matter if I'm speaking/whistling or not. The RF output indicates nothing until about MIC GAIN 70 when it abruptly comes up with a harsh sound. Other electret microphone sounds fine at MIC GAIN 60. This is probably something simple. I just haven't found it, yet. Thanks, Drew n7da On Thu, Jun 17, 2021 at 3:36 AM Drew Arnett wrote: > > Shield of mic jack goes to bare metal Elecraft thoughtfully left on > the chassis metal. 10 nF shunt to ground. (Need to see where that > is, but hopefully SMT and with very small loop area.) Sheet 9: > https://ftp.elecraft.com/KX3/Manuals%20Downloads/KX3SchematicDiagramDec2012.pdf > > Heil suggests on their tips page generous ferrite choking of all 3 > leads of their Y adapter cable: > https://heilhamradio.com/support/tips/ > > Drew > n7da > > On Thu, Jun 17, 2021 at 3:23 AM Drew Arnett wrote: > > > > Hi, > > > > In the KX3 for Field Day department, we plan to use it for the GOTA > > station for phone on HF. (Yes, will have antennas not on top of each > > other and bandpass filters on ALL radios.) Would be great to setup > > with a headset and foot switch. > > > > Last weekend, I used my KX3 barefoot on 6 and with a > > transverters-store.com transverter (also barefoot) for 2. 6m antenna > > was 2 elements about 15 ft above the ground and 2m antenna 6 elements > > at 10 feet above the ground. > > > > I worked a couple of contacts on 2m phone with the headset. Later, > > when I tried to use the headset for phone on 6, seemed like I was > > having a feedback problem. Cabling was the stock cabling that comes > > with the Heil Pro 7 headset and a footswitch. Monitor was on and set > > to 4. > > > > So, ALC didn't indicate anything at the normal level (60), and > > increasing it very abruptly caused horrible sounding audio. (Yes, > > acts like positive feedback.) > > > > I have a small electret mic on a 1/8 plug thing I bought some time ago > > from the computer store. (Meant at the time for adding mic to > > laptops.) I have a 1/8" audio extension cable for it. I plugged that > > in instead of the headset mic and it seemed to act normally. > > > > Is this purely an RF from the TX antenna getting into the mic audio > > problem or is it something else? > > > > Best practice to avoid this problem? > > > > On my todo list: > > - ask here > > - look at KX3 schematic to see if it has RF ingress mitigation on the mic > > jack > > - ask Heil > > - unplug the Heil mic element and gator clip my cheap electret mic on > > instead and try on 6m in driveway with identical antenna/mast/radio > > setup > > - look for or assemble an RF filter to inline with the mic jack (tough > > to do with this little time > > before field day) > > > > Thanks and best regards, > > > > Drew > > n7da > > > > ps. Other than this, KX3 was great in the VHF test. Worked great > > with the transverter on 2 and was a lot of fun running barefoot with > > the sporadic E opening Saturday afternoon & evening. __ 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] KX-3/KXPA100 for multi-multi contesting?
To follow up. Had a 20m cw station 3 elements 56 ft up. I spent some time with the GOTA station using my KX3 on 20m phone with 3 elements 30 ft up. Preamp off, att off. 210 ft separation. Could faintly hear the CW as broad background noise, but only detectable, not strong or bothersome. No thumping. Could have been a function of how clean/dirty the CW transmitter is than anything else. So, in this situation, completely fine coexistence. Yes, I'd still prefer a richer set of performance numbers from bench measurement of both radios, but then it's like work instead of hobby. :-) Anyway, the GOTA operator who had never made a QSO before was tossed into the deep end of the pool of trying to work SSB phone during the madhouse that we call Field Day. :-) When he was done, he said he wasn't a fan of the extreme challenge of FD contesting. I told him he should try any other day of the year. And I'm sure he will. Could be he's really a CW op. Maybe he'll find out. Sitting with him and coaching him through the patience and the 20 million subtleties, I was impressed watching him bust through the pileups some of the loud stations on 20 had going. Got one by pausing before dropping call and another by picking up on an out of rhythm cue. When he was picked out of the horde, the QSOs themselves were easy. Best regards, Drew n7da On Wed, Jun 2, 2021 at 2:23 AM Drew Arnett wrote: > > Anyone try a KX-3/KXPA100 for multi-multi HF contesting like Field > Day? How does the RX hold up with loud signals on other bands? Plan > to run external band pass filters of course. The KX-3 is so great at > everything else. And it's great for single op HF contesting. Just > wondering if it will fold in a strong signal environment. > > Thanks and best regards, > > Drew > n7da __ 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] Heil Pro 7 headset with KX3 - RF feedback?
Shield of mic jack goes to bare metal Elecraft thoughtfully left on the chassis metal. 10 nF shunt to ground. (Need to see where that is, but hopefully SMT and with very small loop area.) Sheet 9: https://ftp.elecraft.com/KX3/Manuals%20Downloads/KX3SchematicDiagramDec2012.pdf Heil suggests on their tips page generous ferrite choking of all 3 leads of their Y adapter cable: https://heilhamradio.com/support/tips/ Drew n7da On Thu, Jun 17, 2021 at 3:23 AM Drew Arnett wrote: > > Hi, > > In the KX3 for Field Day department, we plan to use it for the GOTA > station for phone on HF. (Yes, will have antennas not on top of each > other and bandpass filters on ALL radios.) Would be great to setup > with a headset and foot switch. > > Last weekend, I used my KX3 barefoot on 6 and with a > transverters-store.com transverter (also barefoot) for 2. 6m antenna > was 2 elements about 15 ft above the ground and 2m antenna 6 elements > at 10 feet above the ground. > > I worked a couple of contacts on 2m phone with the headset. Later, > when I tried to use the headset for phone on 6, seemed like I was > having a feedback problem. Cabling was the stock cabling that comes > with the Heil Pro 7 headset and a footswitch. Monitor was on and set > to 4. > > So, ALC didn't indicate anything at the normal level (60), and > increasing it very abruptly caused horrible sounding audio. (Yes, > acts like positive feedback.) > > I have a small electret mic on a 1/8 plug thing I bought some time ago > from the computer store. (Meant at the time for adding mic to > laptops.) I have a 1/8" audio extension cable for it. I plugged that > in instead of the headset mic and it seemed to act normally. > > Is this purely an RF from the TX antenna getting into the mic audio > problem or is it something else? > > Best practice to avoid this problem? > > On my todo list: > - ask here > - look at KX3 schematic to see if it has RF ingress mitigation on the mic jack > - ask Heil > - unplug the Heil mic element and gator clip my cheap electret mic on > instead and try on 6m in driveway with identical antenna/mast/radio > setup > - look for or assemble an RF filter to inline with the mic jack (tough > to do with this little time > before field day) > > Thanks and best regards, > > Drew > n7da > > ps. Other than this, KX3 was great in the VHF test. Worked great > with the transverter on 2 and was a lot of fun running barefoot with > the sporadic E opening Saturday afternoon & evening. __ 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] Heil Pro 7 headset with KX3 - RF feedback?
Hi, In the KX3 for Field Day department, we plan to use it for the GOTA station for phone on HF. (Yes, will have antennas not on top of each other and bandpass filters on ALL radios.) Would be great to setup with a headset and foot switch. Last weekend, I used my KX3 barefoot on 6 and with a transverters-store.com transverter (also barefoot) for 2. 6m antenna was 2 elements about 15 ft above the ground and 2m antenna 6 elements at 10 feet above the ground. I worked a couple of contacts on 2m phone with the headset. Later, when I tried to use the headset for phone on 6, seemed like I was having a feedback problem. Cabling was the stock cabling that comes with the Heil Pro 7 headset and a footswitch. Monitor was on and set to 4. So, ALC didn't indicate anything at the normal level (60), and increasing it very abruptly caused horrible sounding audio. (Yes, acts like positive feedback.) I have a small electret mic on a 1/8 plug thing I bought some time ago from the computer store. (Meant at the time for adding mic to laptops.) I have a 1/8" audio extension cable for it. I plugged that in instead of the headset mic and it seemed to act normally. Is this purely an RF from the TX antenna getting into the mic audio problem or is it something else? Best practice to avoid this problem? On my todo list: - ask here - look at KX3 schematic to see if it has RF ingress mitigation on the mic jack - ask Heil - unplug the Heil mic element and gator clip my cheap electret mic on instead and try on 6m in driveway with identical antenna/mast/radio setup - look for or assemble an RF filter to inline with the mic jack (tough to do with this little time before field day) Thanks and best regards, Drew n7da ps. Other than this, KX3 was great in the VHF test. Worked great with the transverter on 2 and was a lot of fun running barefoot with the sporadic E opening Saturday afternoon & evening. __ 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] KX-3/KXPA100 for multi-multi contesting?
Anyone try a KX-3/KXPA100 for multi-multi HF contesting like Field Day? How does the RX hold up with loud signals on other bands? Plan to run external band pass filters of course. The KX-3 is so great at everything else. And it's great for single op HF contesting. Just wondering if it will fold in a strong signal environment. Thanks and best regards, Drew n7da __ 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] Elecraft Digest, Vol 205, Issue 18
Wayne, Does this mean my FD plans to hang a KX3/KXPA100 off of a shared tribander with triplexer and BPFs with a couple of K3s is a bad idea? Time to make different plans? The KX3 is a treat for HF contesting in a single radio setup. (SOTA radio, microwave IF radio, and HF contest radio all in one? I've been seriously spoiled!) Thanks and best regards, Drew n7da > > Message: 8 > Date: Fri, 28 May 2021 09:28:34 -0700 > From: Wayne Burdick > To: elecraft Reflector > Subject: [Elecraft] Elecraft K4 now in Rob Sherwood's RX performance > table > Message-ID: <6db64ad9-da8a-4f9e-a796-4ec087f29...@elecraft.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii > > Sherwood has posted his measurements of the K4D's receiver performance in his > table: > >http://www.sherweng.com/table.html > > We're quite pleased with his test results, which confirm that the K4/K4D is > near the top of its class (direct-sampling SDRs). A K4HD would provide > somewhat higher dynamic range for those stations in extreme signal > environments, but the vast majority of operators will find that the K4/K4D > more than meets their needs. > > I'd like to highlight a few important items in Rob's chart. > > First, the K4D has a high 2 and 20 kHz dynamic range value of 101 dB. Because > it's a direct-sampling radio, this figure will hold at nearly all offsets > from strong signals. Second is the block dynamic range number (128 dB), > higher than almost every other "pure" SDR measured. Finally, there's the LO > noise (local oscillator; 148 to 155 dB) -- again, very favorable compared to > all competing SDRs. This is an important number correlated with reciprocal > mixing dynamic range (RMDR). > > Taken together these demonstrate that the K4D will offer excellent > performance in crowded band conditions. > > Inevitably a question will arise regarding the chart position of the K4D > relative to a couple of our other transceivers: the K3S and KX3. There's a > bit of "apples to oranges" in both comparisons. > > The K3S uses a superhet receiver architecture. The K4HD will provide a > receive setting that emulates this superhet performance when and if it's > needed. But the "pure" (direct sampling) method used by the K4 (all models) > has many advantages. One is the elimination of artifacts associated with > crystal filters. Another is that, as a pure SDR, the K4 has a far more > flexible architecture. We'll be able to provide updates to the receive and > transmit digital signal chains that cannot be added to a superhet like the > K3S or its competitors. > > The KX3 is another Elecraft radio high on Sherwood's chart. Its performance > is excellent, especially at its price point. But its numbers relative to the > K4 are somewhat misleading, as hinted at by Rob's footnotes. The KX3 uses a > quadrature downsampling architecture, which digitally samples at baseband > audio rather than at RF. This is ideal for a radio like the KX3 that has to > have very low current drain for portable operations. The K4 uses a > direct-samping architecture that requires a higher power digital signal > chain, resulting in important benefits over quadrature downsampling including > much higher and more consistent opposite sideband image suppression and > 2nd-order intermod rejection. So the two are really designed for different > applications. > > Overall, this first independent test of the K4 validates the performance of > our SDR architecture. Feel free to send us any further performance questions. > > 73, > Wayne > N6KR > __ 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] Elecraft Digest, Vol 202, Issue 16
Hi Wayne, What are plans for KX3 FW bugs? There's a 10 GHz contest coming up around the corner. Bugs that I know about: https://github.com/drewarnett/kx3-firmware-issues/issues KX3 is a fantastic IF radio. I talked it up on the SMBS list last year: https://lists.altadena.net/pipermail/sbms/2020-December/010219.html Best regards, Drew n7da > Message: 22 > Date: Fri, 26 Feb 2021 13:14:48 -0800 > From: Wayne Burdick > To: Rich > Cc: elecraft@mailman.qth.net > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft Support? > Message-ID: <05bba79e-c0e6-4111-bbc9-522478ff8...@elecraft.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 > > Rich, > > This should be working and we should be responding. We?re looking into it. > > Meanwhile: what?s your question? I?m always available :) > > 73, > Wayne > N6KR > > > elecraft.com > > > On Feb 26, 2021, at 1:04 PM, Rich wrote: > > > > ?I used the on-line support form and have not heard a thing for weeks. > > > > I would think they would remove the on-line support if it is not longer > > available. > > > > Rich > > > > K3RWN > > > >> On 2/26/2021 15:51 PM, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote: > >> > >> Try k3supp...@elecraft.com > >> > >> 73, > >> > >>... Joe, W4TV > >> > >> > >>> On 2021-02-26 3:35 PM, Jay Radcliffe wrote: > >>> I have a K3 that I am having some trouble with (Low power output and > >>> 2m module no output). I have been emailing supp...@elecraft.com for > >>> weeks now and have gotten no response. > >>> > >>> 1. Is Elecraft Support still in business? Maybe I can get a better > >>> contact there? > >>> 2. Can someone recommend another repair center? > >>> > >>> Jay n8os > >>> > >>> > >>> Jay Radcliffe > >>> Twitter: @jradcliffe02 > >>> E-Mail: jay.radcli...@gmail.com > >>> LinkedIn + Resume: http://www.linkedin.com/in/jradcliffe02 > >> > >> > >> __ > >> 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 rwnewbo...@comcast.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 n...@elecraft.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] KX3 buzz if power up on transverter band
Meant to send this one to Elecraft support, not Elecraft list. Sorry. On Tue, Feb 16, 2021 at 4:10 PM Drew Arnett wrote: > > Hi, > > Thanks for the help with this so far. > > A year to resolve this issue is too long. (Dating to the RSA 10333 to > repair the TX when the FW was upgraded by you.) > > I would consider reverting to an earlier version of the firmware. Are > there any serious issues with installing older firmware? What version > should I install? > > 02.38/01.37 is what I had installed before RSA 10333. There have been > 10 releases since then. RSA 1033 installed 2.90/1.52. > > 2.95/1.52 > 2.90/1.52 RSA 1033 > 2.85/1.52 > 2.83/1.52 > 2.82/1.52 > 2.76/1.50 > 2.72/1.49 > 2.70/1.49 > 2.52/1.37 > 2.46/1.37 > 2.38/1.37 orig > > Should I just go back to 2.38/1.37 or should I try one of the other 8 > versions in between? > > Thanks and best regards, > > Drew > n7da __ 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] KX3 buzz if power up on transverter band
Hi, Thanks for the help with this so far. A year to resolve this issue is too long. (Dating to the RSA 10333 to repair the TX when the FW was upgraded by you.) I would consider reverting to an earlier version of the firmware. Are there any serious issues with installing older firmware? What version should I install? 02.38/01.37 is what I had installed before RSA 10333. There have been 10 releases since then. RSA 1033 installed 2.90/1.52. 2.95/1.52 2.90/1.52 RSA 1033 2.85/1.52 2.83/1.52 2.82/1.52 2.76/1.50 2.72/1.49 2.70/1.49 2.52/1.37 2.46/1.37 2.38/1.37 orig Should I just go back to 2.38/1.37 or should I try one of the other 8 versions in between? Thanks and best regards, Drew n7da On Fri, Jan 22, 2021 at 11:45 PM Drew Arnett wrote: > > https://github.com/drewarnett/kx3-firmware-issues/issues/1#issuecomment-765750316 > > On Wed, Jan 13, 2021 at 4:05 AM Drew Arnett wrote: > > > > Elecraft reported that they were able to reproduce the problem before > > the end of October. > > > > Haven't heard anything more, yet. > > > > On Sat, Sep 12, 2020 at 3:51 PM Drew Arnett wrote: > > > > > > Anybody have a chance to try this? Would be useful to know if someone > > > else cannot. Would be equally useful to know if someone can. Still > > > waiting to hear back from Elecraft. > > > > > > Thanks, > > > > > > Drew > > > n7da > > > > > > On Fri, Aug 21, 2020 at 3:22 PM Drew Arnett wrote: > > > > > > > > Oscilloscope "screenshot" of the offending waveform: > > > > > > > > https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-g9Met098lhncAcMtAAOvxWFDjf0NU_w?usp=sharing > > > > > > > > Can anyone try to reproduce this to rule out or confirm my suspicion > > > > it might be caused by firmware bug? > > > > > > > > You can imagine how fast I knocked my headphones off! :-O :-) > > > > > > > > Thanks and best regards, > > > > > > > > Drew > > > > n7da > > > > > > > > On Wed, Aug 19, 2020 at 2:49 PM Drew Arnett > > > > wrote: > > > > > > > > > > Hi, > > > > > > > > > > Weird problem. Anyone else try this and do or don't see this? > > > > > > > > > > Just got my KX3 back from repair. This included an upgrade to the > > > > > latest firmware. (Makes sense. Requirement for production test. I > > > > > hadn't upgraded to the very latest, because I had no need for the > > > > > latest improvements.) > > > > > > > > > > Set the radio back up for 10368 to 50 MHz transverter use on XVTR1 > > > > > band. Now, if I power up the radio when it was shut down on the XVTR > > > > > band, there is a crazy loud buzz on the audio output (and > > > > > corresponding response of the S meter.) If I switch to any other > > > > > non-XVTR band and then power up, no problem even if switching then to > > > > > the XVTR band. > > > > > > > > > > FW is now 2.90/1.52I got the radio back just before the 10 GHz > > > > > contest, so only made minimal changes to settings from the cleared > > > > > state it came back in. Changes made: > > > > > AFX mode off (was delay) > > > > > ATU bypass (can't remember if it came back this way or not. XVTR is > > > > > good 50 ohm load.) > > > > > BAT CHG off (was not inst) > > > > > BKLIGHT off (was on) > > > > > MIC BIAS off (I think came back on; used dynamic mic during contest) > > > > > MIC BTN Ptt (was up/down) > > > > > TX DLY 10 (was 5. abundance of caution as 5 is more than enough for > > > > > the 10 GHz rig I'm running) > > > > > XV1 on > > > > > XV1 RF 10368 > > > > > XV1 IF 50 > > > > > XV1 PWR 0.1 > > > > > XV1 OFS (set in field) 1.20 > > > > > XV1 ADR trn1 > > > > > set the clock. :-) > > > > > turned on the hidden in the menus CW-in-SSB feature > > > > > > > > > > I know I turned on or off a couple of front panel things as they left > > > > > it. Don't remember. Stuff like vox, pre, nr or nb. Definitely > > > > > adjusted mic gain and compression and keyer speed. :-) > > > > > > > > > > RX ISO changed to on during the contest, but problem occurs with it > > > >
Re: [Elecraft] KX3 buzz if power up on transverter band
https://github.com/drewarnett/kx3-firmware-issues/issues/1#issuecomment-765750316 On Wed, Jan 13, 2021 at 4:05 AM Drew Arnett wrote: > > Elecraft reported that they were able to reproduce the problem before > the end of October. > > Haven't heard anything more, yet. > > On Sat, Sep 12, 2020 at 3:51 PM Drew Arnett wrote: > > > > Anybody have a chance to try this? Would be useful to know if someone > > else cannot. Would be equally useful to know if someone can. Still > > waiting to hear back from Elecraft. > > > > Thanks, > > > > Drew > > n7da > > > > On Fri, Aug 21, 2020 at 3:22 PM Drew Arnett wrote: > > > > > > Oscilloscope "screenshot" of the offending waveform: > > > > > > https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-g9Met098lhncAcMtAAOvxWFDjf0NU_w?usp=sharing > > > > > > Can anyone try to reproduce this to rule out or confirm my suspicion > > > it might be caused by firmware bug? > > > > > > You can imagine how fast I knocked my headphones off! :-O :-) > > > > > > Thanks and best regards, > > > > > > Drew > > > n7da > > > > > > On Wed, Aug 19, 2020 at 2:49 PM Drew Arnett wrote: > > > > > > > > Hi, > > > > > > > > Weird problem. Anyone else try this and do or don't see this? > > > > > > > > Just got my KX3 back from repair. This included an upgrade to the > > > > latest firmware. (Makes sense. Requirement for production test. I > > > > hadn't upgraded to the very latest, because I had no need for the > > > > latest improvements.) > > > > > > > > Set the radio back up for 10368 to 50 MHz transverter use on XVTR1 > > > > band. Now, if I power up the radio when it was shut down on the XVTR > > > > band, there is a crazy loud buzz on the audio output (and > > > > corresponding response of the S meter.) If I switch to any other > > > > non-XVTR band and then power up, no problem even if switching then to > > > > the XVTR band. > > > > > > > > FW is now 2.90/1.52I got the radio back just before the 10 GHz > > > > contest, so only made minimal changes to settings from the cleared > > > > state it came back in. Changes made: > > > > AFX mode off (was delay) > > > > ATU bypass (can't remember if it came back this way or not. XVTR is > > > > good 50 ohm load.) > > > > BAT CHG off (was not inst) > > > > BKLIGHT off (was on) > > > > MIC BIAS off (I think came back on; used dynamic mic during contest) > > > > MIC BTN Ptt (was up/down) > > > > TX DLY 10 (was 5. abundance of caution as 5 is more than enough for > > > > the 10 GHz rig I'm running) > > > > XV1 on > > > > XV1 RF 10368 > > > > XV1 IF 50 > > > > XV1 PWR 0.1 > > > > XV1 OFS (set in field) 1.20 > > > > XV1 ADR trn1 > > > > set the clock. :-) > > > > turned on the hidden in the menus CW-in-SSB feature > > > > > > > > I know I turned on or off a couple of front panel things as they left > > > > it. Don't remember. Stuff like vox, pre, nr or nb. Definitely > > > > adjusted mic gain and compression and keyer speed. :-) > > > > > > > > RX ISO changed to on during the contest, but problem occurs with it on > > > > or off > > > > > > > > What does the headphone jack output look like? Power up in bad state. > > > > Set volume control to 20. With no load other than 10X scope probe, > > > > the AC component is identical for left and right. Tip has about 0 V > > > > DC offset. Ring has about + 0.5 V DC offset. AC component looks like > > > > a the differential of a square wave. Peak to peak amplitude is 220 > > > > mV. (This follows volume control. Didn't check to see if DC offset > > > > follows volume control.) 12.2 millisecond repetition rate for > > > > positive and negative pulses. Negative pulse leads positive pulse by > > > > 2.2 ms, so 10 ms from positive pulse to negative. Very small AC > > > > ripple on that with a period of about 0.4 ms. > > > > > > > > I was very happy to find a sequence to avoid the problem (as described > > > > above.) To trouble shoot, I tried to rule out a number of things. > > > > Unplugged ALL cables from
Re: [Elecraft] KX3 buzz if power up on transverter band
Elecraft reported that they were able to reproduce the problem before the end of October. Haven't heard anything more, yet. On Sat, Sep 12, 2020 at 3:51 PM Drew Arnett wrote: > > Anybody have a chance to try this? Would be useful to know if someone > else cannot. Would be equally useful to know if someone can. Still > waiting to hear back from Elecraft. > > Thanks, > > Drew > n7da > > On Fri, Aug 21, 2020 at 3:22 PM Drew Arnett wrote: > > > > Oscilloscope "screenshot" of the offending waveform: > > > > https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-g9Met098lhncAcMtAAOvxWFDjf0NU_w?usp=sharing > > > > Can anyone try to reproduce this to rule out or confirm my suspicion > > it might be caused by firmware bug? > > > > You can imagine how fast I knocked my headphones off! :-O :-) > > > > Thanks and best regards, > > > > Drew > > n7da > > > > On Wed, Aug 19, 2020 at 2:49 PM Drew Arnett wrote: > > > > > > Hi, > > > > > > Weird problem. Anyone else try this and do or don't see this? > > > > > > Just got my KX3 back from repair. This included an upgrade to the > > > latest firmware. (Makes sense. Requirement for production test. I > > > hadn't upgraded to the very latest, because I had no need for the > > > latest improvements.) > > > > > > Set the radio back up for 10368 to 50 MHz transverter use on XVTR1 > > > band. Now, if I power up the radio when it was shut down on the XVTR > > > band, there is a crazy loud buzz on the audio output (and > > > corresponding response of the S meter.) If I switch to any other > > > non-XVTR band and then power up, no problem even if switching then to > > > the XVTR band. > > > > > > FW is now 2.90/1.52I got the radio back just before the 10 GHz > > > contest, so only made minimal changes to settings from the cleared > > > state it came back in. Changes made: > > > AFX mode off (was delay) > > > ATU bypass (can't remember if it came back this way or not. XVTR is > > > good 50 ohm load.) > > > BAT CHG off (was not inst) > > > BKLIGHT off (was on) > > > MIC BIAS off (I think came back on; used dynamic mic during contest) > > > MIC BTN Ptt (was up/down) > > > TX DLY 10 (was 5. abundance of caution as 5 is more than enough for > > > the 10 GHz rig I'm running) > > > XV1 on > > > XV1 RF 10368 > > > XV1 IF 50 > > > XV1 PWR 0.1 > > > XV1 OFS (set in field) 1.20 > > > XV1 ADR trn1 > > > set the clock. :-) > > > turned on the hidden in the menus CW-in-SSB feature > > > > > > I know I turned on or off a couple of front panel things as they left > > > it. Don't remember. Stuff like vox, pre, nr or nb. Definitely > > > adjusted mic gain and compression and keyer speed. :-) > > > > > > RX ISO changed to on during the contest, but problem occurs with it on or > > > off > > > > > > What does the headphone jack output look like? Power up in bad state. > > > Set volume control to 20. With no load other than 10X scope probe, > > > the AC component is identical for left and right. Tip has about 0 V > > > DC offset. Ring has about + 0.5 V DC offset. AC component looks like > > > a the differential of a square wave. Peak to peak amplitude is 220 > > > mV. (This follows volume control. Didn't check to see if DC offset > > > follows volume control.) 12.2 millisecond repetition rate for > > > positive and negative pulses. Negative pulse leads positive pulse by > > > 2.2 ms, so 10 ms from positive pulse to negative. Very small AC > > > ripple on that with a period of about 0.4 ms. > > > > > > I was very happy to find a sequence to avoid the problem (as described > > > above.) To trouble shoot, I tried to rule out a number of things. > > > Unplugged ALL cables from the KX3. That did not resolve. Tried > > > external 12.4 V (battery on hand) and internal battery removed. Tried > > > internal battery (charged) and nothing plugged in. No dice. > > > > > > Given that it's just back from repair, that sequencing gets it in a > > > bad state, FW was upgraded to a new version, and audio path goes > > > through FW, seems reasonable to ask if this is a known FW issue or if > > > someone can try to reproduce this. > > > > > > Hoping to figure this out before the Sept VHF, the Sept 10 GHz contest > > > weekend, and of course the HF contests coming up later this fall. :-) > > > With my workaround, I was able to participate in the Aug 10 GHz > > > weekend without interruption. I ran a W1GHZ XVTR barefoot (+5 dBm > > > Pout) for best DX of 379 km. How much fun can you have with a KX3? > > > Lots! :-) > > > > > > Thanks and best regards, > > > > > > Drew > > > n7da __ 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] KX3 firmware issue?
Hi Dave, Any news on the audio manual & remote control issue? I found that the mailing list wasn't that helpful for technical issues. I found a FW issue, which took some time to get confirmed. (WIll it get fixed?) Someone else reported a possible FW issue not long ago, so I reproduced it to help them rule out HW. (Will it get fixed?) I saw your report of a FW issue and thought I'd check with you to see if there was any progress or if you would still like someone to reproduce to confirm that it is a FW and not HW issue? Best regards, Drew Arnett n7da > Message: 21 > Date: Thu, 24 Dec 2020 17:34:47 + > From: Dave B > To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net > Subject: [Elecraft] KX3 firmware issue? > Message-ID: > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 > > Hi. > > I'm seeing strangeness between the command values used to set the AF > Gain, and what is returned when you query it, even using the KX3 utility > software (v1.2.12.21) > > The front panel control range is 0 to 60.? The values returned when > querying the radio follow that just fine as you query it while twiddling > that knob. > > But... Sending the command AG060; does not result in maximum AF Gain.? > For that, it needs AG100; sent to the radio. > > If you send AG060; (or AG60;) then the "volume" is about 50% of maximum > (by ear.)? Poll the radio with AG; and it returns AG060; > > But, if you gently turn the AF Gain control counter-clockwise, the front > panel volume setting shows AF 59, but the volume (by ear) goes UP.? > Turning the control clockwise, will also bring the volume up, but the > value stays at 60. > > If you send AG100; to get maximum volume, and then send (for example) > AG070; to reduce it, it does reduce.? But, if you query the radio with > AG;? It returns AG060; > > As before, all of the above is when using the KX3utility, to send and > receive commands and parameters between PC and radio. > > PC's OS is LinuxMint 19.3 64 bit all up-to-date.? Also using a genuine > KXUSB cable, FTDI chipset version. > > My KX3 MCU firmware is Rev 02.95 and DSP firmware is 01.52 > > MCU or DSP Firmware issues? > > I Initially found this, when investigating to "adjust" Flrig to work > correctly with the KX3, using the radio's native parameter values.? > Currently it seems to use K3 remote command values for most things. > > As anyone who has messed with the remote control of these radios will > know, a KX3 is very different in detail, to the K3 in many command > parameters. > > Seasons Greetings etc. > > 73. > > Dave G8KBV > __ 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] KX3 metering and old batteries
I've had my KX3 for about 6 years now and a single set of NiMH AA batteries. (Energizer 2300 mAh stamped "C1 1-14 UJP", so 6 years is right.) I set those aside a year or two ago, as I wasn't operating portable with the internal pack at the time. I also was a bit suspicious of the battery capacity at the time. Recently, I put them back in for some portable play and found out they are in poor shape. How poor? Bad enough to trip the KX3's low voltage detection. The built in metering (V, I) is great, so I used that to measure internal resistance with a dummy load. I had to go to a lower frequency band and/or reduce TX power to avoid sagging to the point of tripping the low voltage detector. 10 MHz and 1 W worked in my case. Idle: 9.9 V 0.175 A TX carrier: 8.5 V 0.579 A --> Rs = 3.5 Ohms or 440 milliOhms per cell Not good. Picked up the same brand same with the same capacity from a local retailer, again. (That's all they had. Stamped "0720CP14", sounds new.) Popped those in. Idle: 9.8 V 0.174 A TX carrier: 9.4 V 0.583 A --> Rs = 0.98 Ohms or 120 milliOhms per cell A few TX cycles and I see: Idle: 9.6 V 0.174 A TX carrier: 9.4 V 0.582 A --> 0.49 Ohms or 61 milliOhms per cell Looks good! The built in metering is so useful. Love the clock, too, for logging during SOTA activations. Best regards, Drew n7da __ 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] KX3 FW - N0UK tx inhibit & CW sidetone bug reproduced
I was able to reproduce the bug Chris, N0UK, reported with tx inhibit and CW sidetone on the KX3. To be thorough, the FW as just installed by Elecraft, is uC 02.90 anddsp 01.52which is the latest. I have cabling for the ACC2 port, as I use ring contact to PTT a transverter and also to PTT a KXPA100. Menus have had minimal configuration post service from elecraft, just enough to setup for transverter operation in the 10 GHz contest. Mode is CW and VOX is on of course. ACC2 Inhibit = Low. I used a paddle on the KXPD paddle port (key 2). Was able to get the stuck sidetone as you describe while sending dits or sending dahs by. (Key 2 left = dot.) For kicks, changed to Key 2 = hand. Found that if the key is released before inhibit is released, the sidetone does not stick. The value of inhibit when the key is initially asserted is not buggy. Saw the same behavior with menu setting inhibit high. inhibit low key - inhibit - inhibit release - key release --> sidetone stuck key - inhibit - key release - inhibit release --> sidetone OK inhibit - key - inhibit release - key release --> sidetone stuck inhibit - key - key release - inhibit release --> sidetone OK inhibit high key - inhibit - inhibit release - key release --> sidetone stuck key - inhibit - key release - inhibit release --> sidetone OK inhibit - key - inhibit release - key release --> sidetone stuck inhibit - key - key release - inhibit release --> sidetone OK The behavior is a problem is in the firmware at the inhibit released event. A thorough bug report would also include observations of the PTT output and actual RF output. Best regards, Drew n7da >6. Continuing saga with Tx Inhibit and the KX3 - possible > firmware bug? (Chris Cox, N0UK) > 16. KX3 Tx Inhibit CW-VOX problem (Chris Cox, N0UK) > > > Message: 6 > Date: Mon, 14 Sep 2020 16:14:57 -0500 > From: "Chris Cox, N0UK" > To: elecraft...@groups.io > Cc: elecraft@mailman.qth.net > Subject: [Elecraft] Continuing saga with Tx Inhibit and the KX3 - > possiblefirmware bug? > Message-ID: <583cb8e7-8618-4c4e-a630-8ccaacb9e...@chris.org> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 > > Having solved the need for getting +Ve Tx Inhibit working on my KX3/10GHz > Transverter integration using a mosfet switch to invert the signal and > configured the KX3 for 0v Tx Inhibit, I had opportunity to test it out this > afternoon. > > The solution seemed to work fine on SSB but I now have a weird issue when > using the rig on CW. > > If I manually select transmit with the microphone PTT and then wait for the > transverter sequencing to remove Tx Inhibit and then key CW with the paddles, > the system works as desired. > > If I key the system using VOX, the Tx Inhibit functions correctly, fully > disabling the transmitter from producing RF until TxInhibit is removed BUT > the CW sidetone becomes permanently on from the moment TXInh disappears > regardless of whether I am sending or not. It stays present until I press > any of the buttons on the KX3. This happens regardless of which band is > enabled, but occurs whenever TxInhibit is present. > > If I remove the TXInh fro the GPIO input (but leave the option enabled in the > KX3 config) the rig operates normally. > > Can anyone else replicate this oddball behavior? It seems to be a firmware > bug. I have tried removing power but that does not alter the effect. > > Again, all works just fine if I don?t try to key the paddles before PTT > sequencing has changed over. > > Chris Cox, N0UK > chr...@chris.org > > > > > > > Message: 16 > Date: Tue, 15 Sep 2020 08:10:31 -0500 > From: "Chris Cox, N0UK" > To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net > Subject: [Elecraft] KX3 Tx Inhibit CW-VOX problem > Message-ID: <66381756-c09a-4a99-8aa5-1e015b182...@chris.org> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 > > Having solved the need for getting +Ve Tx Inhibit working on my KX3/10GHz > Transverter integration using a MOSFET switch to invert the logic level > coming from the 10GHz transverter and configured the KX3 for 0v Tx Inhibit, I > had the opportunity to test it out yesterday afternoon. > > The solution seemed to work fine on SSB but I now have a weird issue when > using the rig on CW. > > If I manually select transmit with the microphone PTT (didn?t try the XMIT > key) and then wait for the transverter sequencing to remove Tx Inhibit and > then key CW with the paddles, the system works as desired. > > If I key the system using CW VOX, the Tx Inhibit functions correctly, fully > disabling the transmitter from producing RF until TxInhibit is removed by the > transverter?s sequencing logic BUT then the CW sidetone becomes permanently > on from the moment TXInh disappears, regardless of whether I am keying or > not. It stays present until I press any of the buttons on the KX3. This > happens regardless of which band is enabled, but occurs whenever TxInhibit is > initially present. > > If I remove the TXInh fro
Re: [Elecraft] KX3 SWR meter accuracy on 50 MHz?
Tech support said they saw 1.5 to 1 on 50 MHz with their dummy load. HF looked great, of course. They didn't mention if they also used a microwave load. :-) Best regards, Drew n7da On Sun, Sep 13, 2020 at 2:20 AM Drew Arnett wrote: > > I did before shipping in for repair with a directional coupler. Looked great. > > On Sat, Sep 12, 2020 at 7:13 PM Nr4c wrote: > > > > Well, it depends on the “Dummy” load. Have you swept the load with a good > > spectrum analyzer or VNA? It may not be 50 ohms at 50 MHz > > > > > > > > Sent from my iPhone > > ...nr4c. bill > > > > > > > On Sep 12, 2020, at 11:51 AM, Drew Arnett wrote: > > > > > > After getting my KX3 back from repair (before my next planned contest > > > operation, thanks!), I ran some measurements to both see how great the > > > repairs were and to get a new baseline for future measurements. TX > > > efficiency problem was gone. > > > > > > However, I'm left to wonder about the accuracy of the internal SWR > > > meter for 50 MHz. Using a microwave dummy load of adequate power > > > rating and just a coaxial adapter, I measured the following: > > > > > > 14 MHz @ 1 W setting > > > VSWR 1.0 to 1 (per KX3) > > > > > > 28 MHz @ 1 W setting > > > VSWR 1.0 to 1 > > > > > > 50 MHz @ 1 W setting > > > VSWR 1.5 to 1 > > > > > > 50 MHz @ 4 W setting > > > VSWR 1.6 to 1 > > > > > > Not horrible. Not great. > > > > > > It's fine if it's not as accurate on 50 MHz. I just want to know if > > > this is normal. Has anyone else looked at that and can share what > > > they see? > > > > > > Thanks and best regards, > > > > > > Drew > > > n7da > > > __ > > > 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...@widomaker.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] KX3 SWR meter accuracy on 50 MHz?
I did before shipping in for repair with a directional coupler. Looked great. On Sat, Sep 12, 2020 at 7:13 PM Nr4c wrote: > > Well, it depends on the “Dummy” load. Have you swept the load with a good > spectrum analyzer or VNA? It may not be 50 ohms at 50 MHz > > > > Sent from my iPhone > ...nr4c. bill > > > > On Sep 12, 2020, at 11:51 AM, Drew Arnett wrote: > > > > After getting my KX3 back from repair (before my next planned contest > > operation, thanks!), I ran some measurements to both see how great the > > repairs were and to get a new baseline for future measurements. TX > > efficiency problem was gone. > > > > However, I'm left to wonder about the accuracy of the internal SWR > > meter for 50 MHz. Using a microwave dummy load of adequate power > > rating and just a coaxial adapter, I measured the following: > > > > 14 MHz @ 1 W setting > > VSWR 1.0 to 1 (per KX3) > > > > 28 MHz @ 1 W setting > > VSWR 1.0 to 1 > > > > 50 MHz @ 1 W setting > > VSWR 1.5 to 1 > > > > 50 MHz @ 4 W setting > > VSWR 1.6 to 1 > > > > Not horrible. Not great. > > > > It's fine if it's not as accurate on 50 MHz. I just want to know if > > this is normal. Has anyone else looked at that and can share what > > they see? > > > > Thanks and best regards, > > > > Drew > > n7da > > __ > > 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...@widomaker.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] KX3 buzz if power up on transverter band
Anybody have a chance to try this? Would be useful to know if someone else cannot. Would be equally useful to know if someone can. Still waiting to hear back from Elecraft. Thanks, Drew n7da On Fri, Aug 21, 2020 at 3:22 PM Drew Arnett wrote: > > Oscilloscope "screenshot" of the offending waveform: > > https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-g9Met098lhncAcMtAAOvxWFDjf0NU_w?usp=sharing > > Can anyone try to reproduce this to rule out or confirm my suspicion > it might be caused by firmware bug? > > You can imagine how fast I knocked my headphones off! :-O :-) > > Thanks and best regards, > > Drew > n7da > > On Wed, Aug 19, 2020 at 2:49 PM Drew Arnett wrote: > > > > Hi, > > > > Weird problem. Anyone else try this and do or don't see this? > > > > Just got my KX3 back from repair. This included an upgrade to the > > latest firmware. (Makes sense. Requirement for production test. I > > hadn't upgraded to the very latest, because I had no need for the > > latest improvements.) > > > > Set the radio back up for 10368 to 50 MHz transverter use on XVTR1 > > band. Now, if I power up the radio when it was shut down on the XVTR > > band, there is a crazy loud buzz on the audio output (and > > corresponding response of the S meter.) If I switch to any other > > non-XVTR band and then power up, no problem even if switching then to > > the XVTR band. > > > > FW is now 2.90/1.52I got the radio back just before the 10 GHz > > contest, so only made minimal changes to settings from the cleared > > state it came back in. Changes made: > > AFX mode off (was delay) > > ATU bypass (can't remember if it came back this way or not. XVTR is > > good 50 ohm load.) > > BAT CHG off (was not inst) > > BKLIGHT off (was on) > > MIC BIAS off (I think came back on; used dynamic mic during contest) > > MIC BTN Ptt (was up/down) > > TX DLY 10 (was 5. abundance of caution as 5 is more than enough for > > the 10 GHz rig I'm running) > > XV1 on > > XV1 RF 10368 > > XV1 IF 50 > > XV1 PWR 0.1 > > XV1 OFS (set in field) 1.20 > > XV1 ADR trn1 > > set the clock. :-) > > turned on the hidden in the menus CW-in-SSB feature > > > > I know I turned on or off a couple of front panel things as they left > > it. Don't remember. Stuff like vox, pre, nr or nb. Definitely > > adjusted mic gain and compression and keyer speed. :-) > > > > RX ISO changed to on during the contest, but problem occurs with it on or > > off > > > > What does the headphone jack output look like? Power up in bad state. > > Set volume control to 20. With no load other than 10X scope probe, > > the AC component is identical for left and right. Tip has about 0 V > > DC offset. Ring has about + 0.5 V DC offset. AC component looks like > > a the differential of a square wave. Peak to peak amplitude is 220 > > mV. (This follows volume control. Didn't check to see if DC offset > > follows volume control.) 12.2 millisecond repetition rate for > > positive and negative pulses. Negative pulse leads positive pulse by > > 2.2 ms, so 10 ms from positive pulse to negative. Very small AC > > ripple on that with a period of about 0.4 ms. > > > > I was very happy to find a sequence to avoid the problem (as described > > above.) To trouble shoot, I tried to rule out a number of things. > > Unplugged ALL cables from the KX3. That did not resolve. Tried > > external 12.4 V (battery on hand) and internal battery removed. Tried > > internal battery (charged) and nothing plugged in. No dice. > > > > Given that it's just back from repair, that sequencing gets it in a > > bad state, FW was upgraded to a new version, and audio path goes > > through FW, seems reasonable to ask if this is a known FW issue or if > > someone can try to reproduce this. > > > > Hoping to figure this out before the Sept VHF, the Sept 10 GHz contest > > weekend, and of course the HF contests coming up later this fall. :-) > > With my workaround, I was able to participate in the Aug 10 GHz > > weekend without interruption. I ran a W1GHZ XVTR barefoot (+5 dBm > > Pout) for best DX of 379 km. How much fun can you have with a KX3? > > Lots! :-) > > > > Thanks and best regards, > > > > Drew > > n7da __ 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] KX3 SWR meter accuracy on 50 MHz?
After getting my KX3 back from repair (before my next planned contest operation, thanks!), I ran some measurements to both see how great the repairs were and to get a new baseline for future measurements. TX efficiency problem was gone. However, I'm left to wonder about the accuracy of the internal SWR meter for 50 MHz. Using a microwave dummy load of adequate power rating and just a coaxial adapter, I measured the following: 14 MHz @ 1 W setting VSWR 1.0 to 1 (per KX3) 28 MHz @ 1 W setting VSWR 1.0 to 1 50 MHz @ 1 W setting VSWR 1.5 to 1 50 MHz @ 4 W setting VSWR 1.6 to 1 Not horrible. Not great. It's fine if it's not as accurate on 50 MHz. I just want to know if this is normal. Has anyone else looked at that and can share what they see? Thanks and best regards, Drew n7da __ 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] KX-3 TX current draw?
Just to follow up. When I talked to support, they recommended sending in for service. After getting the rig back, I've only used it for IF at 100 mW on 50 MHz with transverter. And had a weird loud audio buzz problem. See separate email describing that. Have reported to Elecraft; still waiting for a response. Assuming the buzz problem is unrelated, here's a set of new measurements made this morning to show post repair performance for TX. ATU bypassed. Bench DC supply. Excellent dummy load. No coax, just a couple of coax adapters between rig and dummy load. 14 MHz @ 1 W setting 13.6 V RX (per KX3) 13.4 V TX (per KX3) 0.660 A TX (per KX3) VSWR 1.0 (per KX3) 28 MHz @ 1 W setting 13.6 V RX 13.4 V TX 0.765 A TX VSWR 1.0 50 MHz @ 1 W setting 13.6 V RX 13.2 V TX 1.040 A TX VSWR 1.5 50 MHz @ 4 W setting 13.6 V RX 13.0 V TX 1.710 A TX VSWR 1.6 That looks MUCH better. Efficiency on 50 MHz @ 4 W is > 18% and on par with the one other reported measurement. Huge thanks to Elecraft for getting the repair done before my next major contesting event, the first weekend of the 10 GHz and Up. (Hmm. Some HF contesting coming up soon. Amazing how many different kinds of fun you can have with a KX3!) I am a bit disappointed with the SWR meter on 50 MHz. Makes me wonder how to operate safely on 50 MHz without an external meter or when using the internal ATU. FYI if anyone else runs into this issue, the repair report: Repair(s) performed: Replaced Q6-Q7 (E850047) Current draw at 2.90 amps or below is acceptable. - Updates performed: Control panel: Updated firmware. Updated Q9 (part change) RF Board: Replaced C1U and C1P (value change) Best regards, Drew n7da On Sat, May 16, 2020 at 5:25 PM Drew Arnett wrote: > > To follow up on Victor's point, did some more measurements this morning. > > Setup: > KX-3 minimal adapters to 40 dB directional coupler to load > terminated unused port of coupler > measured port through 3 ft patch to Kanga US AD8307 RF power meter > > I have good calibration data for the power meter, but for the purpose > at hand, I won't correct the meter readings. 60 on the scale is about > -20 dBm. Every 10 on the scale is actually 10.7 dB. Good enough. > > Internal tuner bypassed. > > Measurements: > > Note: RX current in RX was between about .15 and .19 A for all 3 bands. > > 14 MHz @ 1 W setting > 13.7 V RX (per KX3) > 13.4 V TX (per KX3) > 1.15 A TX (per KX3) > VSWR 1.3 (per KX3) > FWD 67 (on power meter display, very close to expected) > REV 30 (on power meter display) > --> return loss approx 37 dB > > 28 MHz @ 1 W setting > 13.7 V RX > 13.4 V TX > 1.15 A TX > 1.3 VSWR > FWD 67 > REV 30 > --> return loss approx 37 dB > > 50 MHz @ 1 W setting > 13.7 V RX > 12.9 V TX > 2.9 A TX > 1.6 VSWR > FWD 71 > REV 35 > --> return loss approx 36 dB > > Hmm. So, I'm seeing 3% or less efficiency. Only one respondent on my > query about TX current draw, and he was getting 15%+ efficiency. No > wonder my PA temp shoots up. > > Thanks, > > Drew > n7da > > On Sat, May 9, 2020 at 11:25 AM Drew Arnett wrote: > > > > Good point, Victor. And why I included that SWR reading. Other bands > > read fine. I have high confidence in the load and adapter (tried > > swapping both just in case). I could measure the load and adapter the > > next time I'm in the lab at work if I want to be absolutely thorough, > > but it is a microwave load and just adapting from BNC to N (no coax). > > > > SWR looks fine on other bands. > > > > Thanks, > > > > Drew > > n7da > > > > On Sat, May 9, 2020 at 4:57 AM Victor Rosenthal wrote: > > > > > > I think 1.6:1 is high for that kind of dummy load, if it's in good shape. > > > Should be close to 1:1. > > > Anyway, you can't really say there is a problem unless you have a better > > > match. Current draw is sensitive to mismatch. > > > -- > > > Vic > > > > > > On May 9, 2020 2:32:15 AM GMT+03:00, Drew Arnett > > > wrote: > > >> > > >> Walter, > > >> > > >> 50 MHz TX constant 4 W carrier measures 13.53 V on DMM (outside the DC > > >> power plug), 13.3 V on KX3 meter, 2.9 A on KX3 meter and 1.6 to 1 VSWR > > >> on KX3 meter. Microwave dummy load with BNC to N adapter. > > >> > > >> I didn't measure all of this when the rig was new, so have no baseline > > >> to know what is normal. :-( > > >> > > >> Thanks, > > >> > > >> Drew > > >> n7da > > >> > > >> On Fri, May 8, 2020 at 11:19 PM
Re: [Elecraft] KX3 buzz if power up on transverter band
Oscilloscope "screenshot" of the offending waveform: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-g9Met098lhncAcMtAAOvxWFDjf0NU_w?usp=sharing Can anyone try to reproduce this to rule out or confirm my suspicion it might be caused by firmware bug? You can imagine how fast I knocked my headphones off! :-O :-) Thanks and best regards, Drew n7da On Wed, Aug 19, 2020 at 2:49 PM Drew Arnett wrote: > > Hi, > > Weird problem. Anyone else try this and do or don't see this? > > Just got my KX3 back from repair. This included an upgrade to the > latest firmware. (Makes sense. Requirement for production test. I > hadn't upgraded to the very latest, because I had no need for the > latest improvements.) > > Set the radio back up for 10368 to 50 MHz transverter use on XVTR1 > band. Now, if I power up the radio when it was shut down on the XVTR > band, there is a crazy loud buzz on the audio output (and > corresponding response of the S meter.) If I switch to any other > non-XVTR band and then power up, no problem even if switching then to > the XVTR band. > > FW is now 2.90/1.52I got the radio back just before the 10 GHz > contest, so only made minimal changes to settings from the cleared > state it came back in. Changes made: > AFX mode off (was delay) > ATU bypass (can't remember if it came back this way or not. XVTR is > good 50 ohm load.) > BAT CHG off (was not inst) > BKLIGHT off (was on) > MIC BIAS off (I think came back on; used dynamic mic during contest) > MIC BTN Ptt (was up/down) > TX DLY 10 (was 5. abundance of caution as 5 is more than enough for > the 10 GHz rig I'm running) > XV1 on > XV1 RF 10368 > XV1 IF 50 > XV1 PWR 0.1 > XV1 OFS (set in field) 1.20 > XV1 ADR trn1 > set the clock. :-) > turned on the hidden in the menus CW-in-SSB feature > > I know I turned on or off a couple of front panel things as they left > it. Don't remember. Stuff like vox, pre, nr or nb. Definitely > adjusted mic gain and compression and keyer speed. :-) > > RX ISO changed to on during the contest, but problem occurs with it on or off > > What does the headphone jack output look like? Power up in bad state. > Set volume control to 20. With no load other than 10X scope probe, > the AC component is identical for left and right. Tip has about 0 V > DC offset. Ring has about + 0.5 V DC offset. AC component looks like > a the differential of a square wave. Peak to peak amplitude is 220 > mV. (This follows volume control. Didn't check to see if DC offset > follows volume control.) 12.2 millisecond repetition rate for > positive and negative pulses. Negative pulse leads positive pulse by > 2.2 ms, so 10 ms from positive pulse to negative. Very small AC > ripple on that with a period of about 0.4 ms. > > I was very happy to find a sequence to avoid the problem (as described > above.) To trouble shoot, I tried to rule out a number of things. > Unplugged ALL cables from the KX3. That did not resolve. Tried > external 12.4 V (battery on hand) and internal battery removed. Tried > internal battery (charged) and nothing plugged in. No dice. > > Given that it's just back from repair, that sequencing gets it in a > bad state, FW was upgraded to a new version, and audio path goes > through FW, seems reasonable to ask if this is a known FW issue or if > someone can try to reproduce this. > > Hoping to figure this out before the Sept VHF, the Sept 10 GHz contest > weekend, and of course the HF contests coming up later this fall. :-) > With my workaround, I was able to participate in the Aug 10 GHz > weekend without interruption. I ran a W1GHZ XVTR barefoot (+5 dBm > Pout) for best DX of 379 km. How much fun can you have with a KX3? > Lots! :-) > > Thanks and best regards, > > Drew > n7da __ 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] KX3 buzz if power up on transverter band
Hi, Weird problem. Anyone else try this and do or don't see this? Just got my KX3 back from repair. This included an upgrade to the latest firmware. (Makes sense. Requirement for production test. I hadn't upgraded to the very latest, because I had no need for the latest improvements.) Set the radio back up for 10368 to 50 MHz transverter use on XVTR1 band. Now, if I power up the radio when it was shut down on the XVTR band, there is a crazy loud buzz on the audio output (and corresponding response of the S meter.) If I switch to any other non-XVTR band and then power up, no problem even if switching then to the XVTR band. FW is now 2.90/1.52I got the radio back just before the 10 GHz contest, so only made minimal changes to settings from the cleared state it came back in. Changes made: AFX mode off (was delay) ATU bypass (can't remember if it came back this way or not. XVTR is good 50 ohm load.) BAT CHG off (was not inst) BKLIGHT off (was on) MIC BIAS off (I think came back on; used dynamic mic during contest) MIC BTN Ptt (was up/down) TX DLY 10 (was 5. abundance of caution as 5 is more than enough for the 10 GHz rig I'm running) XV1 on XV1 RF 10368 XV1 IF 50 XV1 PWR 0.1 XV1 OFS (set in field) 1.20 XV1 ADR trn1 set the clock. :-) turned on the hidden in the menus CW-in-SSB feature I know I turned on or off a couple of front panel things as they left it. Don't remember. Stuff like vox, pre, nr or nb. Definitely adjusted mic gain and compression and keyer speed. :-) RX ISO changed to on during the contest, but problem occurs with it on or off What does the headphone jack output look like? Power up in bad state. Set volume control to 20. With no load other than 10X scope probe, the AC component is identical for left and right. Tip has about 0 V DC offset. Ring has about + 0.5 V DC offset. AC component looks like a the differential of a square wave. Peak to peak amplitude is 220 mV. (This follows volume control. Didn't check to see if DC offset follows volume control.) 12.2 millisecond repetition rate for positive and negative pulses. Negative pulse leads positive pulse by 2.2 ms, so 10 ms from positive pulse to negative. Very small AC ripple on that with a period of about 0.4 ms. I was very happy to find a sequence to avoid the problem (as described above.) To trouble shoot, I tried to rule out a number of things. Unplugged ALL cables from the KX3. That did not resolve. Tried external 12.4 V (battery on hand) and internal battery removed. Tried internal battery (charged) and nothing plugged in. No dice. Given that it's just back from repair, that sequencing gets it in a bad state, FW was upgraded to a new version, and audio path goes through FW, seems reasonable to ask if this is a known FW issue or if someone can try to reproduce this. Hoping to figure this out before the Sept VHF, the Sept 10 GHz contest weekend, and of course the HF contests coming up later this fall. :-) With my workaround, I was able to participate in the Aug 10 GHz weekend without interruption. I ran a W1GHZ XVTR barefoot (+5 dBm Pout) for best DX of 379 km. How much fun can you have with a KX3? Lots! :-) Thanks and best regards, Drew n7da __ 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] KX-3 TX current draw?
To follow up on Victor's point, did some more measurements this morning. Setup: KX-3 minimal adapters to 40 dB directional coupler to load terminated unused port of coupler measured port through 3 ft patch to Kanga US AD8307 RF power meter I have good calibration data for the power meter, but for the purpose at hand, I won't correct the meter readings. 60 on the scale is about -20 dBm. Every 10 on the scale is actually 10.7 dB. Good enough. Internal tuner bypassed. Measurements: Note: RX current in RX was between about .15 and .19 A for all 3 bands. 14 MHz @ 1 W setting 13.7 V RX (per KX3) 13.4 V TX (per KX3) 1.15 A TX (per KX3) VSWR 1.3 (per KX3) FWD 67 (on power meter display, very close to expected) REV 30 (on power meter display) --> return loss approx 37 dB 28 MHz @ 1 W setting 13.7 V RX 13.4 V TX 1.15 A TX 1.3 VSWR FWD 67 REV 30 --> return loss approx 37 dB 50 MHz @ 1 W setting 13.7 V RX 12.9 V TX 2.9 A TX 1.6 VSWR FWD 71 REV 35 --> return loss approx 36 dB Hmm. So, I'm seeing 3% or less efficiency. Only one respondent on my query about TX current draw, and he was getting 15%+ efficiency. No wonder my PA temp shoots up. Thanks, Drew n7da On Sat, May 9, 2020 at 11:25 AM Drew Arnett wrote: > > Good point, Victor. And why I included that SWR reading. Other bands > read fine. I have high confidence in the load and adapter (tried > swapping both just in case). I could measure the load and adapter the > next time I'm in the lab at work if I want to be absolutely thorough, > but it is a microwave load and just adapting from BNC to N (no coax). > > SWR looks fine on other bands. > > Thanks, > > Drew > n7da > > On Sat, May 9, 2020 at 4:57 AM Victor Rosenthal wrote: > > > > I think 1.6:1 is high for that kind of dummy load, if it's in good shape. > > Should be close to 1:1. > > Anyway, you can't really say there is a problem unless you have a better > > match. Current draw is sensitive to mismatch. > > -- > > Vic > > > > On May 9, 2020 2:32:15 AM GMT+03:00, Drew Arnett > > wrote: > >> > >> Walter, > >> > >> 50 MHz TX constant 4 W carrier measures 13.53 V on DMM (outside the DC > >> power plug), 13.3 V on KX3 meter, 2.9 A on KX3 meter and 1.6 to 1 VSWR > >> on KX3 meter. Microwave dummy load with BNC to N adapter. > >> > >> I didn't measure all of this when the rig was new, so have no baseline > >> to know what is normal. :-( > >> > >> Thanks, > >> > >> Drew > >> n7da > >> > >> On Fri, May 8, 2020 at 11:19 PM Drew Arnett wrote: > >>> > >>> > >>> What do you see for current draw on the KX-3? Manual says 1 to 2 A > >>> typical. > >>> > >>> I'm seeing 3 A at less than full power on one band. Yikes! Makes me > >>> wonder if the repair shop is open? Elecraft website says hunkered > >>> down and mostly work from home. > >>> > >>> Thanks and best regards, > >>> > >>> Drew > >>> n7da > >> > >> > >> 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 k2vco@gmail.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] KX-3 TX current draw?
Good point, Victor. And why I included that SWR reading. Other bands read fine. I have high confidence in the load and adapter (tried swapping both just in case). I could measure the load and adapter the next time I'm in the lab at work if I want to be absolutely thorough, but it is a microwave load and just adapting from BNC to N (no coax). SWR looks fine on other bands. Thanks, Drew n7da On Sat, May 9, 2020 at 4:57 AM Victor Rosenthal wrote: > > I think 1.6:1 is high for that kind of dummy load, if it's in good shape. > Should be close to 1:1. > Anyway, you can't really say there is a problem unless you have a better > match. Current draw is sensitive to mismatch. > -- > Vic > > On May 9, 2020 2:32:15 AM GMT+03:00, Drew Arnett > wrote: >> >> Walter, >> >> 50 MHz TX constant 4 W carrier measures 13.53 V on DMM (outside the DC >> power plug), 13.3 V on KX3 meter, 2.9 A on KX3 meter and 1.6 to 1 VSWR >> on KX3 meter. Microwave dummy load with BNC to N adapter. >> >> I didn't measure all of this when the rig was new, so have no baseline >> to know what is normal. :-( >> >> Thanks, >> >> Drew >> n7da >> >> On Fri, May 8, 2020 at 11:19 PM Drew Arnett wrote: >>> >>> >>> What do you see for current draw on the KX-3? Manual says 1 to 2 A >>> typical. >>> >>> I'm seeing 3 A at less than full power on one band. Yikes! Makes me >>> wonder if the repair shop is open? Elecraft website says hunkered >>> down and mostly work from home. >>> >>> Thanks and best regards, >>> >>> Drew >>> n7da >> >> >> 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 k2vco@gmail.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] KX-3 TX current draw?
Walter, 50 MHz TX constant 4 W carrier measures 13.53 V on DMM (outside the DC power plug), 13.3 V on KX3 meter, 2.9 A on KX3 meter and 1.6 to 1 VSWR on KX3 meter. Microwave dummy load with BNC to N adapter. I didn't measure all of this when the rig was new, so have no baseline to know what is normal. :-( Thanks, Drew n7da On Fri, May 8, 2020 at 11:19 PM Drew Arnett wrote: > > What do you see for current draw on the KX-3? Manual says 1 to 2 A typical. > > I'm seeing 3 A at less than full power on one band. Yikes! Makes me > wonder if the repair shop is open? Elecraft website says hunkered > down and mostly work from home. > > Thanks and best regards, > > Drew > n7da __ 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] KX-3 TX current draw?
What do you see for current draw on the KX-3? Manual says 1 to 2 A typical. I'm seeing 3 A at less than full power on one band. Yikes! Makes me wonder if the repair shop is open? Elecraft website says hunkered down and mostly work from home. Thanks and best regards, Drew n7da __ 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] KX-3 ERR TXG on 50MHz
Hi, This radio has been problem free. (And a heck of a lot of fun!!!) I've never recalibrated anything, as per the manual, there has been no need. I have done FW upgrade at least once and that is currently 02.38/01.37. Just started getting "ERR TXG" on 50 MHz. Have seen several values in the D=xxx message as well. Manual has: - Error msg: ERR TX Problem: Transmit gain constant out of range Troubleshooting steps: If this only occurs on one or two bands, there could be a problem with a band-pass or low-pass filter. Also try re-doing Transmit Gain calibration (pg. 33). - Did some bench testing with a dummy load. I checked and problem only occurs on 50 MHz. Suspect degradation. Would be nice to resolve before the June VHF! :-) Did not try redoing the transmit gain calibration, as the troubleshooting steps suggests otherwise. With tech support, got as far as the suggestion of reducing power supply sag. Did have some IR drop, especially on 50 MHz, so swapped for lower IR drop power supply cable. Confirmed bench supply itself isn't sagging. So, what I measure now: At 28 MHz RX mode measures 13.60 V on DMM (on outside of DC coaxial power plug), 13.8 V on KX3 meter, and 0.17 A on KX3 meter. At 28 MHz TX constant 4 W carrier measures 13.55 V on DMM (on outside of DC coaxial power plug), 13.4 V on KX3 meter, 2.18 A on KX3 meter and 1.2 to 1 VSWR on KX3 meter. At 50 MHz RX mode measures 13.60 V on DMM, 13.8 V on KX3, 0.19 A on KX3. At 50 MHz TX constant 4 W carrier measures 13.53 V on DMM, 13.3 V on KX3, 2.9 A on KX3 and 1.6 to 1 VSWR on KX3 meter. VSWR is better of course below 28 MHz. (Microwave dummy load.) Of course, I don't have baseline measurements from when I first received the radio to compare against. If anyone can make similar measurements of their KX3 for comparison, that would be very interesting. Want to know about TX current draw and the 1.6 to 1 VSWR. Manual specs "1 to 2 A typical in transmit". Current is on the high side of that at 28 MHz even with the power backoff. 3A on 50 MHz, though? And, yes, the PA temp climbs quite quickly. Needs to go in for repair? No problem with that if that's the thing to do. (Schedule is probably too tight for June VHF, and I'm sure the stay at home order doesn't help.) I can do some trouble shooting and component swap here, no problem. My biggest limitations are time (work seems even busier with stay at home) and lack of a body of knowledge regarding this specific radio. I haven't popped it open for visual inspection, yet. Probably should do that especially around the 6m filters and the active and electromechanical RF switches. If I don't have a backup rig, I'm either not a serious contester, or i'm wating for a K4. Not sure. :-) Again, this radio has been a ton of fun! A little sad to run into my first problem with it, but it's a field radio, and I don't expect miracles. Thanks in advance, Drew n7da San Diego __ 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
