Re: [Elecraft] BNC connector oddity on KX3
The denouement to the story: I wrote to Elecraft and purchased P/N E850552, the KX3 Antenna Connector Assembly w/LPF. It arrived today. After the cub scout meeting tonight (my son went from Webelos to the local scout pack in the crossover ceremony tonight) I spent the last 20 minutes (and two slices of pizza) putting it in and swearing at not being able to line up the pins in the ATU in the KX3 radio. After several fits and starts, I attached the BNC and tuned immediately to 1:1 on 40 and 20 meters.Best $50 or so that I ever spent. Sometimes ya just gotta go for the gusto. Now to hook everything else back up from the trip to the mountain, and get on the air again! On Fri, Mar 9, 2018 at 6:04 PM, rich hurd WC3Twrote: > Thanks Don; I remember that we went over this earlier in the thread. > > Highly unlikely that I had legacy stuff as I became a ham in 2015 and > acquired most of my stuff new. > > I am inclined to think that it was more possibly an out of spec 50 ohm > connector or a manufacturing defect. I've already worked on the finger > bending thing but I ageee that given my lack of success that I'd be best > served by spending the $47 and just buying a new assembly and replacing it. > > > I appreciate all the help and suggestions from all the Elecraft community. > > > On Fri, Mar 9, 2018 at 17:48 Don Wilhelm wrote: > >> Rich, >> >> Since you have traced the problem to the contact between the female BNC >> and the male (yes your twisting and applying pressure confirms that is >> the problem). >> >> It is entirely possible that if you had some old cables made with old 75 >> ohm BNC male connectors, that they could have enlarged the female pin >> causing it to become marginal when used with the 50 ohm male connectors. >> >> You may have success with a very slender tool to bend the 'fingers' of >> the female connector toward the center, but the best cure is to replace >> that connector. >> >> Before we get into another long discussion of 50 ohm and 75 ohm center >> pin diameters, let me say that modern BNCs use the same diameter center >> pin for both. >> That was not always true, so beware when buying older BNC jumpers at >> hamfest flea markets - the old ones could be old 75 ohm BNCs with the >> larger center pin. Those less than 10 or 15 years old are OK. >> It may also be that *some* imported BNC connectors do not have the >> proper diameter. For best results, buy only Amphenol connectors or >> other trusted brands. >> >> 73, >> Don W3FPR >> >> On 3/9/2018 11:13 AM, rich hurd WC3T wrote: >> > I've pretty much exhausted most of the permutations of my cables and >> > connectors. The only persistent behavior is that if I apply slight >> > pressure to the side of the BNC connector where it plugs into the jack >> on >> > the KX3, or sometimes if I twist it and then apply slight pressure just >> so, >> > I see a jump in the noise floor and instead of the internal ATU wearing >> > itself out and giving up with a 9:1 or 7:1 SWR, it immediately tunes to >> 1.0 >> > or 1.1. I have removed/swapped all my the antenna leads. I have four >> of >> > them, all Cables On Demand (Amphenol) manufacture. I also have a >> number of >> > BNC to banana plug jacks, and even an MFJ-1899T. If I replace the leads >> > without doing the twisting-and-slight-pressure thing, I lose the RF >> > connection; the S meter has no indications on it, and the noise floor is >> > nonexistent. >> > >> > -- > 72, > Rich Hurd / WC3T / DMR: 3142737 > PA Army MARS, Northampton County RACES, EPA-ARRL Public Information > Officer for Scouting > Latitude: 40.761621 Longitude: -75.288988 (40°45.68' N 75°17.33' W) > Grid: *FN20is* > > -- 72, Rich Hurd / WC3T / DMR: 3142737 PA Army MARS, Northampton County RACES, EPA-ARRL Public Information Officer for Scouting Latitude: 40.761621 Longitude: -75.288988 (40°45.68' N 75°17.33' W) Grid: *FN20is* __ 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] BNC connector oddity on KX3
Thanks Don; I remember that we went over this earlier in the thread. Highly unlikely that I had legacy stuff as I became a ham in 2015 and acquired most of my stuff new. I am inclined to think that it was more possibly an out of spec 50 ohm connector or a manufacturing defect. I've already worked on the finger bending thing but I ageee that given my lack of success that I'd be best served by spending the $47 and just buying a new assembly and replacing it. I appreciate all the help and suggestions from all the Elecraft community. On Fri, Mar 9, 2018 at 17:48 Don Wilhelmwrote: > Rich, > > Since you have traced the problem to the contact between the female BNC > and the male (yes your twisting and applying pressure confirms that is > the problem). > > It is entirely possible that if you had some old cables made with old 75 > ohm BNC male connectors, that they could have enlarged the female pin > causing it to become marginal when used with the 50 ohm male connectors. > > You may have success with a very slender tool to bend the 'fingers' of > the female connector toward the center, but the best cure is to replace > that connector. > > Before we get into another long discussion of 50 ohm and 75 ohm center > pin diameters, let me say that modern BNCs use the same diameter center > pin for both. > That was not always true, so beware when buying older BNC jumpers at > hamfest flea markets - the old ones could be old 75 ohm BNCs with the > larger center pin. Those less than 10 or 15 years old are OK. > It may also be that *some* imported BNC connectors do not have the > proper diameter. For best results, buy only Amphenol connectors or > other trusted brands. > > 73, > Don W3FPR > > On 3/9/2018 11:13 AM, rich hurd WC3T wrote: > > I've pretty much exhausted most of the permutations of my cables and > > connectors. The only persistent behavior is that if I apply slight > > pressure to the side of the BNC connector where it plugs into the jack on > > the KX3, or sometimes if I twist it and then apply slight pressure just > so, > > I see a jump in the noise floor and instead of the internal ATU wearing > > itself out and giving up with a 9:1 or 7:1 SWR, it immediately tunes to > 1.0 > > or 1.1. I have removed/swapped all my the antenna leads. I have four > of > > them, all Cables On Demand (Amphenol) manufacture. I also have a number > of > > BNC to banana plug jacks, and even an MFJ-1899T. If I replace the leads > > without doing the twisting-and-slight-pressure thing, I lose the RF > > connection; the S meter has no indications on it, and the noise floor is > > nonexistent. > > > -- 72, Rich Hurd / WC3T / DMR: 3142737 PA Army MARS, Northampton County RACES, EPA-ARRL Public Information Officer for Scouting Latitude: 40.761621 Longitude: -75.288988 (40°45.68' N 75°17.33' W) Grid: *FN20is* __ 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] BNC connector oddity on KX3
Rich, Since you have traced the problem to the contact between the female BNC and the male (yes your twisting and applying pressure confirms that is the problem). It is entirely possible that if you had some old cables made with old 75 ohm BNC male connectors, that they could have enlarged the female pin causing it to become marginal when used with the 50 ohm male connectors. You may have success with a very slender tool to bend the 'fingers' of the female connector toward the center, but the best cure is to replace that connector. Before we get into another long discussion of 50 ohm and 75 ohm center pin diameters, let me say that modern BNCs use the same diameter center pin for both. That was not always true, so beware when buying older BNC jumpers at hamfest flea markets - the old ones could be old 75 ohm BNCs with the larger center pin. Those less than 10 or 15 years old are OK. It may also be that *some* imported BNC connectors do not have the proper diameter. For best results, buy only Amphenol connectors or other trusted brands. 73, Don W3FPR On 3/9/2018 11:13 AM, rich hurd WC3T wrote: I've pretty much exhausted most of the permutations of my cables and connectors. The only persistent behavior is that if I apply slight pressure to the side of the BNC connector where it plugs into the jack on the KX3, or sometimes if I twist it and then apply slight pressure just so, I see a jump in the noise floor and instead of the internal ATU wearing itself out and giving up with a 9:1 or 7:1 SWR, it immediately tunes to 1.0 or 1.1. I have removed/swapped all my the antenna leads. I have four of them, all Cables On Demand (Amphenol) manufacture. I also have a number of BNC to banana plug jacks, and even an MFJ-1899T. If I replace the leads without doing the twisting-and-slight-pressure thing, I lose the RF connection; the S meter has no indications on it, and the noise floor is nonexistent. __ 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] BNC connector oddity on KX3
Unfortunately there are some really crappy (cheap) BNC connectors out there, some with too large centre pins. Using one of those even once may be enought to damage the female side :-( So when you get a new female for your KX3, have a look at all your cables and adapters and make sure all of them are good quality. 73 de Johan, SM0XHJ On Friday, 9 March 2018 17:13:58 CET rich hurd WC3T wrote: > I've pretty much exhausted most of the permutations of my cables and > connectors. The only persistent behavior is that if I apply slight > pressure to the side of the BNC connector where it plugs into the jack on > the KX3, or sometimes if I twist it and then apply slight pressure just so, > I see a jump in the noise floor and instead of the internal ATU wearing > itself out and giving up with a 9:1 or 7:1 SWR, it immediately tunes to 1.0 > or 1.1. I have removed/swapped all my the antenna leads. I have four of > them, all Cables On Demand (Amphenol) manufacture. I also have a number of > BNC to banana plug jacks, and even an MFJ-1899T. If I replace the leads > without doing the twisting-and-slight-pressure thing, I lose the RF > connection; the S meter has no indications on it, and the noise floor is > nonexistent. > > As the old saw goes "The only common thing about all of your dysfunctional > relationships... is you." I can extrapolate that to "the only common > thing about all my poor connections is the BNC jack on the KX3." Yes, I > have cracked the case, confirmed that all connections are firmly seated; > all mechanical connections are sound and tightly made. I have a jeweler's > screwdriver that I have used to slightly bend the female 'fingers' in for a > better contact as well; they bend inward, and then spring back into place > again. > > It's about time to consider a new jack. Frustrating, but I've now spent > three or so hours finagling this and given the bench rate of an RF tech, > I'm wasting money (and time.) > __ 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] BNC connector oddity on KX3
I've pretty much exhausted most of the permutations of my cables and connectors. The only persistent behavior is that if I apply slight pressure to the side of the BNC connector where it plugs into the jack on the KX3, or sometimes if I twist it and then apply slight pressure just so, I see a jump in the noise floor and instead of the internal ATU wearing itself out and giving up with a 9:1 or 7:1 SWR, it immediately tunes to 1.0 or 1.1. I have removed/swapped all my the antenna leads. I have four of them, all Cables On Demand (Amphenol) manufacture. I also have a number of BNC to banana plug jacks, and even an MFJ-1899T. If I replace the leads without doing the twisting-and-slight-pressure thing, I lose the RF connection; the S meter has no indications on it, and the noise floor is nonexistent. As the old saw goes "The only common thing about all of your dysfunctional relationships... is you." I can extrapolate that to "the only common thing about all my poor connections is the BNC jack on the KX3." Yes, I have cracked the case, confirmed that all connections are firmly seated; all mechanical connections are sound and tightly made. I have a jeweler's screwdriver that I have used to slightly bend the female 'fingers' in for a better contact as well; they bend inward, and then spring back into place again. It's about time to consider a new jack. Frustrating, but I've now spent three or so hours finagling this and given the bench rate of an RF tech, I'm wasting money (and time.) On Fri, Mar 9, 2018 at 10:32 AM, Ignacywrote: > I use many BNC connectors, some at KW level, and nearly all of them are > good. > But occasionally some do not make a good contact and need to be thrown away > ASAP. The best way to check is to try another cable. > > Recently I bought a large number of cheap RG-58 cables with BNC connectors > from showmecables.com. The cables turned out to be 60 Ohm and many > connectors are poor. > > I like cables at hamfests from old professional equipment. > > Ignacy, NO9E > > > > -- > 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 r...@wc3t.us > -- 72, Rich Hurd / WC3T / DMR: 3142737 PA Army MARS, Northampton County RACES, EPA-ARRL Public Information Officer for Scouting Latitude: 40.761621 Longitude: -75.288988 (40°45.68' N 75°17.33' W) Grid: *FN20is* __ 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] BNC connector oddity on KX3
I use many BNC connectors, some at KW level, and nearly all of them are good. But occasionally some do not make a good contact and need to be thrown away ASAP. The best way to check is to try another cable. Recently I bought a large number of cheap RG-58 cables with BNC connectors from showmecables.com. The cables turned out to be 60 Ohm and many connectors are poor. I like cables at hamfests from old professional equipment. Ignacy, NO9E -- 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
Re: [Elecraft] BNC connector oddity on KX3
That's one thing I was able to check; connector is tightened securely on the shell of the KX3. Thanks. On Thu, Mar 8, 2018 at 3:44 PM, Don Wilhelmwrote: > Rich, > > If the BNC connector rotates even a wee bit, that is the problem - tighten > the BNC jack. A good connection to the jack shell is required. > "Opening it up" is not a big deal - unless you have the 2 meter option - > just remove the bottom cover, no more complicated than changing batteries. > > 73, > Don W3FPR > > > On 3/8/2018 3:20 PM, rich hurd WC3T wrote: > >> I have three more days of checking various configurations including >> binding >> post antennas, end fed half waves, opening the damn thing up... Thanks >> all for the suggestions. >> >> On Thu, Mar 8, 2018 at 2:50 PM, Walter Underwood >> wrote: >> >> Open it up and make sure that the antenna connector is securely connected >>> to the ATU board. >>> >>> wunder >>> K6WRU >>> Walter Underwood >>> CM87wj >>> http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) >>> >>> On Mar 8, 2018, at 11:46 AM, GRANT YOUNGMAN >>> wrote: >>> So was the antenna and related cabling/connectors good as verified by >>> your analyzer at the point of the radio connection? In some 60 years of >>> doing this, I have yet to find the radio to be the problem when it tells >>> me >>> it’s looking into high SWR. There’s a first time for everything, course >>> :-) >>> On Mar 8, 2018, at 2:23 PM, rich hurd WC3T wrote: > > Okay, so I took the plunge and disconnected the KX3 to take with me on > vacation. Hooking it back up proved to be a tad problematic - SWRs of > 25:1 and no signals from any bands, anywhere. I'm now working through > what >>> options I have, starting with checking female connector deformation and > doing what I can to examine oxidation, and general quarrantining of > wires >>> and connectors. > > I also wrote to Elecraft to get a quote for a replacement BNC connector > with the LPF installed - worst case is I'll just start over again with > a > new chassis connector. > > Ain't radio fun? :) > > Grant NQ5T K3 #2091, KX3 #8342 __ 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 wun...@wunderwood.org >>> >>> __ >>> 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 r...@wc3t.us >>> >>> >> >> >> -- 72, Rich Hurd / WC3T / DMR: 3142737 PA Army MARS, Northampton County RACES, EPA-ARRL Public Information Officer for Scouting Latitude: 40.761621 Longitude: -75.288988 (40°45.68' N 75°17.33' W) Grid: *FN20is* __ 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] BNC connector oddity on KX3
Rich, If the BNC connector rotates even a wee bit, that is the problem - tighten the BNC jack. A good connection to the jack shell is required. "Opening it up" is not a big deal - unless you have the 2 meter option - just remove the bottom cover, no more complicated than changing batteries. 73, Don W3FPR On 3/8/2018 3:20 PM, rich hurd WC3T wrote: I have three more days of checking various configurations including binding post antennas, end fed half waves, opening the damn thing up... Thanks all for the suggestions. On Thu, Mar 8, 2018 at 2:50 PM, Walter Underwoodwrote: Open it up and make sure that the antenna connector is securely connected to the ATU board. wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) On Mar 8, 2018, at 11:46 AM, GRANT YOUNGMAN wrote: So was the antenna and related cabling/connectors good as verified by your analyzer at the point of the radio connection? In some 60 years of doing this, I have yet to find the radio to be the problem when it tells me it’s looking into high SWR. There’s a first time for everything, course :-) On Mar 8, 2018, at 2:23 PM, rich hurd WC3T wrote: Okay, so I took the plunge and disconnected the KX3 to take with me on vacation. Hooking it back up proved to be a tad problematic - SWRs of 25:1 and no signals from any bands, anywhere. I'm now working through what options I have, starting with checking female connector deformation and doing what I can to examine oxidation, and general quarrantining of wires and connectors. I also wrote to Elecraft to get a quote for a replacement BNC connector with the LPF installed - worst case is I'll just start over again with a new chassis connector. Ain't radio fun? :) Grant NQ5T K3 #2091, KX3 #8342 __ 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 wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 r...@wc3t.us __ 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] BNC connector oddity on KX3
I have three more days of checking various configurations including binding post antennas, end fed half waves, opening the damn thing up... Thanks all for the suggestions. On Thu, Mar 8, 2018 at 2:50 PM, Walter Underwoodwrote: > Open it up and make sure that the antenna connector is securely connected > to the ATU board. > > wunder > K6WRU > Walter Underwood > CM87wj > http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > > > On Mar 8, 2018, at 11:46 AM, GRANT YOUNGMAN > wrote: > > > > So was the antenna and related cabling/connectors good as verified by > your analyzer at the point of the radio connection? In some 60 years of > doing this, I have yet to find the radio to be the problem when it tells me > it’s looking into high SWR. There’s a first time for everything, course :-) > > > > > >> On Mar 8, 2018, at 2:23 PM, rich hurd WC3T wrote: > >> > >> Okay, so I took the plunge and disconnected the KX3 to take with me on > >> vacation. Hooking it back up proved to be a tad problematic - SWRs of > >> 25:1 and no signals from any bands, anywhere. I'm now working through > what > >> options I have, starting with checking female connector deformation and > >> doing what I can to examine oxidation, and general quarrantining of > wires > >> and connectors. > >> > >> I also wrote to Elecraft to get a quote for a replacement BNC connector > >> with the LPF installed - worst case is I'll just start over again with a > >> new chassis connector. > >> > >> Ain't radio fun? :) > >> > > > > Grant NQ5T > > K3 #2091, KX3 #8342 > > > > > > > > __ > > 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 wun...@wunderwood.org > > __ > 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 r...@wc3t.us > -- 72, Rich Hurd / WC3T / DMR: 3142737 PA Army MARS, Northampton County RACES, EPA-ARRL Public Information Officer for Scouting Latitude: 40.761621 Longitude: -75.288988 (40°45.68' N 75°17.33' W) Grid: *FN20is* __ 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] BNC connector oddity on KX3
Open it up and make sure that the antenna connector is securely connected to the ATU board. wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Mar 8, 2018, at 11:46 AM, GRANT YOUNGMANwrote: > > So was the antenna and related cabling/connectors good as verified by your > analyzer at the point of the radio connection? In some 60 years of doing > this, I have yet to find the radio to be the problem when it tells me it’s > looking into high SWR. There’s a first time for everything, course :-) > > >> On Mar 8, 2018, at 2:23 PM, rich hurd WC3T wrote: >> >> Okay, so I took the plunge and disconnected the KX3 to take with me on >> vacation. Hooking it back up proved to be a tad problematic - SWRs of >> 25:1 and no signals from any bands, anywhere. I'm now working through what >> options I have, starting with checking female connector deformation and >> doing what I can to examine oxidation, and general quarrantining of wires >> and connectors. >> >> I also wrote to Elecraft to get a quote for a replacement BNC connector >> with the LPF installed - worst case is I'll just start over again with a >> new chassis connector. >> >> Ain't radio fun? :) >> > > Grant NQ5T > K3 #2091, KX3 #8342 > > > > __ > 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 wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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] BNC connector oddity on KX3
So was the antenna and related cabling/connectors good as verified by your analyzer at the point of the radio connection? In some 60 years of doing this, I have yet to find the radio to be the problem when it tells me it’s looking into high SWR. There’s a first time for everything, course :-) > On Mar 8, 2018, at 2:23 PM, rich hurd WC3Twrote: > > Okay, so I took the plunge and disconnected the KX3 to take with me on > vacation. Hooking it back up proved to be a tad problematic - SWRs of > 25:1 and no signals from any bands, anywhere. I'm now working through what > options I have, starting with checking female connector deformation and > doing what I can to examine oxidation, and general quarrantining of wires > and connectors. > > I also wrote to Elecraft to get a quote for a replacement BNC connector > with the LPF installed - worst case is I'll just start over again with a > new chassis connector. > > Ain't radio fun? :) > Grant NQ5T K3 #2091, KX3 #8342 __ 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] BNC connector oddity on KX3
Okay, so I took the plunge and disconnected the KX3 to take with me on vacation. Hooking it back up proved to be a tad problematic - SWRs of 25:1 and no signals from any bands, anywhere. I'm now working through what options I have, starting with checking female connector deformation and doing what I can to examine oxidation, and general quarrantining of wires and connectors. I also wrote to Elecraft to get a quote for a replacement BNC connector with the LPF installed - worst case is I'll just start over again with a new chassis connector. Ain't radio fun? :) On Mon, Feb 19, 2018 at 11:54 AM, rich hurd WC3Twrote: > Hi, > > I had an oddity with hooking an antenna to the BNC connector on my KX3 > that happened enough times to be chalked up to something other than random > chance.Looking for opinions on whether my solution aligned to your > experience(s). > > I have a complete station - a KX3, a PX3, and a KXPA100. The KXPA100 is > connected via a Cables On Demand connector with a PL259 on one end and a > BNC connector on the other end. All other interface cables are Elecraft > standard. > > This is NOT the first BNC connector that I've used. Prior to this last > acquisition I had a couple of other BNC to PL259 jumpers that I was using, > and the usual smattering of connectors and adapters in the junque box. > > No matter which one I used, If I removed the BNC connector from the rig > (maybe to go portable, for example, or the last time it was because I > installed Eneloop Pro batteries to the internal battery holders) I would > put everything back together, and then would have severe - almost > debilitating - signal attenuation when I got the rig fired up. If I > twisted and spun the BNC connector on the jack, it would improve, and then > get bad again more often than not. It could take up to 20 minutes to get > everything "dialed in" so that the signal was appearing again. God help me > if I accidentally moved something after that. And of course, while all > this was happening the ATU was having fits, with 99:1 SWR readings and the > amp was going offline; all kinds of weirdnesses. After things calmed > down. the ATU behaved itself, the amp stopped being pouty, and all was then > good. > > Thankfully, now that I have the Cables On Demand product, things seem to > have quieted down - although I still don't disconnect without provocation. > :) Though I'm desperately afraid of when I start to go mobile after the > snow melts and the weather gets nice again. :)Hope I can get my IC706 > fixed and back in service as my base station before that occurs. > > My question was going to be in desperation more than anything else if this > last cable didn't work, but thankfully, that's been the only cable vendor > that I trust for any of my specialized cables and they haven't failed me > even with this one. > > Are BNC connectors that finicky? Is it possible that I just had a bad > batch of low quality jumpers? I'm just wondering if anyone else has had > excessive fiddling with their BNC connections. > > --- > 72, > Rich Hurd / WC3T / DMR: 3142737 > PA Army MARS, Northampton County RACES, EPA-ARRL Public Information > Officer for Scouting > Latitude: 40.761621 Longitude: -75.288988 (40°45.68' N 75°17.33' W) > Grid: *FN20is* > > -- 72, Rich Hurd / WC3T / DMR: 3142737 PA Army MARS, Northampton County RACES, EPA-ARRL Public Information Officer for Scouting Latitude: 40.761621 Longitude: -75.288988 (40°45.68' N 75°17.33' W) Grid: *FN20is* __ 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] BNC connector oddity on KX3
Hi Rich, Your problem is almost certainly caused by using obsolete 75 ohm BNC male connectors on your coaxial cables. During the 1960s, the easiest way to manufacture 75 ohm BNC connectors was to significantly reduce the center pin diameter from the 0.053 +/- 0.001 inch diameter specified by M IL - C - 39012. The problem is that the non-standard smaller pin does not fit properly into 50 ohm sockets or modern 75 ohm sockets using the standard 0.053 inch center pin opening. Modern 75 ohm BNC connectors now use the standard 0.053 inch center pin diameter. Unfortunately some cheap import BNC connectors and inter-series adapters still use non-standard small diameter center pins. If you have any obsolete 75 ohm BNC connectors (male or female) its best to throw them in the trash before you accidentally introduce them into your station, causing unreliability exactly as you describe in your email. Some readers will insist that BNC connectors were never manufactured with small diameter pins, but I have a few that I keep on hand -- that I clearly marked as "do not use" -- just to prove the point. 73 Frank W3LPL - Original Message - From: "rich hurd WC3T"To: k...@yahoogroups.com, elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Monday, February 19, 2018 4:54:37 PM Subject: [Elecraft] BNC connector oddity on KX3 Hi, I had an oddity with hooking an antenna to the BNC connector on my KX3 that happened enough times to be chalked up to something other than random chance. Looking for opinions on whether my solution aligned to your experience(s). I have a complete station - a KX3, a PX3, and a KXPA100. The KXPA100 is connected via a Cables On Demand connector with a PL259 on one end and a BNC connector on the other end. All other interface cables are Elecraft standard. This is NOT the first BNC connector that I've used. Prior to this last acquisition I had a couple of other BNC to PL259 jumpers that I was using, and the usual smattering of connectors and adapters in the junque box. No matter which one I used, If I removed the BNC connector from the rig (maybe to go portable, for example, or the last time it was because I installed Eneloop Pro batteries to the internal battery holders) I would put everything back together, and then would have severe - almost debilitating - signal attenuation when I got the rig fired up. If I twisted and spun the BNC connector on the jack, it would improve, and then get bad again more often than not. It could take up to 20 minutes to get everything "dialed in" so that the signal was appearing again. God help me if I accidentally moved something after that. And of course, while all this was happening the ATU was having fits, with 99:1 SWR readings and the amp was going offline; all kinds of weirdnesses. After things calmed down. the ATU behaved itself, the amp stopped being pouty, and all was then good. Thankfully, now that I have the Cables On Demand product, things seem to have quieted down - although I still don't disconnect without provocation. :) Though I'm desperately afraid of when I start to go mobile after the snow melts and the weather gets nice again. :) Hope I can get my IC706 fixed and back in service as my base station before that occurs. My question was going to be in desperation more than anything else if this last cable didn't work, but thankfully, that's been the only cable vendor that I trust for any of my specialized cables and they haven't failed me even with this one. Are BNC connectors that finicky? Is it possible that I just had a bad batch of low quality jumpers? I'm just wondering if anyone else has had excessive fiddling with their BNC connections. --- 72, Rich Hurd / WC3T / DMR: 3142737 PA Army MARS, Northampton County RACES, EPA-ARRL Public Information Officer for Scouting Latitude: 40.761621 Longitude: -75.288988 (40°45.68' N 75°17.33' W) Grid: *FN20is* __ 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 donov...@starpower.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] BNC connector oddity on KX3
Sometimes the center pin of the male BNC will get pushed back into the Teflon insulator. Run your thumb nail over the end of the connector. Your nail should touch the end of the pin. 73's Dick KN6AA On Feb 19, 2018 08:55, "rich hurd WC3T"wrote: > Hi, > > I had an oddity with hooking an antenna to the BNC connector on my KX3 that > happened enough times to be chalked up to something other than random > chance.Looking for opinions on whether my solution aligned to your > experience(s). > > I have a complete station - a KX3, a PX3, and a KXPA100. The KXPA100 is > connected via a Cables On Demand connector with a PL259 on one end and a > BNC connector on the other end. All other interface cables are Elecraft > standard. > > This is NOT the first BNC connector that I've used. Prior to this last > acquisition I had a couple of other BNC to PL259 jumpers that I was using, > and the usual smattering of connectors and adapters in the junque box. > > No matter which one I used, If I removed the BNC connector from the rig > (maybe to go portable, for example, or the last time it was because I > installed Eneloop Pro batteries to the internal battery holders) I would > put everything back together, and then would have severe - almost > debilitating - signal attenuation when I got the rig fired up. If I > twisted and spun the BNC connector on the jack, it would improve, and then > get bad again more often than not. It could take up to 20 minutes to get > everything "dialed in" so that the signal was appearing again. God help me > if I accidentally moved something after that. And of course, while all > this was happening the ATU was having fits, with 99:1 SWR readings and the > amp was going offline; all kinds of weirdnesses. After things calmed > down. the ATU behaved itself, the amp stopped being pouty, and all was then > good. > > Thankfully, now that I have the Cables On Demand product, things seem to > have quieted down - although I still don't disconnect without provocation. > :) Though I'm desperately afraid of when I start to go mobile after the > snow melts and the weather gets nice again. :)Hope I can get my IC706 > fixed and back in service as my base station before that occurs. > > My question was going to be in desperation more than anything else if this > last cable didn't work, but thankfully, that's been the only cable vendor > that I trust for any of my specialized cables and they haven't failed me > even with this one. > > Are BNC connectors that finicky? Is it possible that I just had a bad > batch of low quality jumpers? I'm just wondering if anyone else has had > excessive fiddling with their BNC connections. > > --- > 72, > Rich Hurd / WC3T / DMR: 3142737 > PA Army MARS, Northampton County RACES, EPA-ARRL Public Information Officer > for Scouting > Latitude: 40.761621 Longitude: -75.288988 (40°45.68' N 75°17.33' W) Grid: > *FN20is* > __ > 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 dick93...@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