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Fw: Err Pl2

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K8RDD

Fw: Err Pl2

Found the problem.

Randy

K8RDD

----- Original Message -----

From: [hidden email]

To: [hidden email]

Sent: Sunday, December 21, 2008 1:45 PM

Subject: Err Pl2

Just installed the KRX3 and I am getting PL2 error on the sub on 10 and 12 meters. I did the adc cal on pin 2 on acc jack. It measured 4.91 and I set the config. parameter accordingly. I'll email Aptos and see what they say. It works fine on other bands. Checked connections etc. to no avail. Any ideas?

Randy

K8RDD

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K8RDD

Re: Fw: Err Pl2

Thought I found the problem. I had pulled the top off and found a tmp cable resting on the toroid on the bottom of the 2nd synth board. It ran for several hours with no problem after moving the cable. THEN I put the top back on. It failed when the fp temp got to 37 deg c. If I leave the top off it won't fail. The fp stays at 34deg c. It's thermal whatever it is. I'll email Aptos. Ken have you tried it with the top off? Maybe yours is thermal also.

Randy

K8RDD

----- Original Message -----

From: [hidden email]

To: [hidden email]

Sent: Sunday, December 21, 2008 5:38 PM

Subject: RE: [Elecraft] Fw: Err Pl2

Hi Randy,

I would be quite interested in what you found regarding this problem. I encountered the same problem yesterday after having my KRX3 for about 2 months. It only would give the error message you mentioned when trying to get the sub to either of those two bands. Following a suggestion in the owners manual under the error codes, I did a CONFIG:VCO MD CAL, and it began to work on 10M, still failing on 12M. At the conclusion of the CAL routine, however, it gives the error code "ERR VCO E00228". I have sent info this to Elecraft to see what I should do next and expect to hear back tomorrow. But I would love to know what you have found as the problem seems the same as mine. Thanks for any insight.

73,

Ken, NU4I

From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Randy Downs
Sent: Sunday, December 21, 2008 2:24 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [Elecraft] Fw: Err Pl2

Found the problem.

Randy

K8RDD

----- Original Message -----

From: [hidden email]

To: [hidden email]

Sent: Sunday, December 21, 2008 1:45 PM

Subject: Err Pl2

Just installed the KRX3 and I am getting PL2 error on the sub on 10 and 12 meters. I did the adc cal on pin 2 on acc jack. It measured 4.91 and I set the config. parameter accordingly. I'll email Aptos and see what they say. It works fine on other bands. Checked connections etc. to no avail. Any ideas?

Randy

K8RDD

wayne burdick

ERR PL2 (or ERR PL1, or ERR VCO): tentative solution

Administrator

Randy Downs wrote:

> Thought I found the problem....THEN I put the top back on. It failed
> when the fp temp got to 37 deg c. If I leave the top off it won't
> fail. The fp stays at 34 deg c. It's thermal whatever it is.

Randy,

Coincidentally, I just e-mailed you tentative instructions on how to
fix this. It takes one resistor. Please give it a try.

I discovered the problem Friday night. In rare cases, VCO operating
current may be inadequate on the highest bands once the rig has warmed
up. This can be cured by increasing the nominal current supplied to the
oscillator JFET (Q1). To do this, R10 is reduced in value from 82 K to
about 56 K.

Here are the rough instructions if anyone else needs them now (or you
can wait for the official modification doc):

1. Turn off the K3 and remove the affected KSYN3 module. (Note: If you
saw ERR PL1, it's the main synth; ERR PL2 is the sub synth.)

2. Locate a 1/8-watt or 1/4-watt 180 K resistor (or any value from 150
to 200 K). Solder it on the top side of the KSYN3 PC board, between the
pad marked "DET" and the pad closest to it (going in the direction of
J83, not the pad labeled "G"). [Photo to be supplied in the
modification doc.] Technical note: This resistor will be in parallel
with R10, resulting in a value of around 56 K rather than the original
180 K.

3. Re-install the synth board and turn the rig back on.

4. Make sure your K3 firmware is at rev 2.73 or later. If you haven't
adjusted the CONFIG:ADC REF menu parameter, do so now, using the
instructions in the revision 2.73 firmware release notes (accessible
from within K3 Utility).

5. Re-run VCO CAL (remember to tap SUB within the VCO MD menu entry if
you're calibrating the second synth).

This change can be safely made to any synthesizer module.

73,
Wayne
N6KR

---

http://www.elecraft.com

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