K3 12m problem

[Barry Simpson]

I uploaded the latest beta release and found that there is a loud noise
(like electric motor interference) when tuning at the SSB end of 12m. The
noise stops when you stop tuning.

 

I hadn't noticed the problem before so I regressed to the previous beta
version but the noise is still there.

 

Has anyone else found this problem ?

 

I think I will check the situation with earlier versions.

 

73

 

Barry Simpson  VK2BJ

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[juergen piezo]

Hi Barry

I just updated our clubs K3's and none of them have this problem.  I even checked them into the dummyload.  We have  some early serial K3's and some fairly new ones.

I would use a simple receiver like the Degen and a simple 3 turn loop of about 30mm.  I would  sniff around the K3 and your shack. The K3 for whatever reason seems to be more sensitive to  radiated in-shack emissions. A lot of hash is radiated from the K3's front panel, it just might be a grounding screw thats not making proper contact.

On other radios my LCD monitors cause no problems however the K3 seems to pick up  some minor hash on 80 meters. I have common mode chokes on all the K3's inputs and outputs. It might not be a problem, it just might be that the K3 is so quite you notice every squeak  on the band. On other radios the phase noise might well be hiding all this crud. Its a double edge sword having a very good receiver!

One thing that I have noticed about the K3. Since I am a casual club K3 user  I use the K3's on and off. I have noticed that the receiver seems to be getting "warmer"  much like any old analogue radio. I see no discussions about this. In my opinion the receiver is sounding better than  anything else that I have heard. On early firmware versions the K3's sounded sharp and harsh. However in the last 3 or 4 firmware updates the receivers tone quality seems to be improved.

It may just be my imagination!????????

John

--- On Sat, 10/17/09, Barry Simpson <[hidden email]> wrote:

> From: Barry Simpson <[hidden email]>
> Subject: [Elecraft] K3 12m problem
> To: [hidden email]
> Date: Saturday, October 17, 2009, 4:18 PM
> I uploaded the latest beta release
> and found that there is a loud noise
> (like electric motor interference) when tuning at the SSB
> end of 12m. The
> noise stops when you stop tuning.
>
>  
>
> I hadn't noticed the problem before so I regressed to the
> previous beta
> version but the noise is still there.
>
>  
>
> Has anyone else found this problem ?
>
>  
>
> I think I will check the situation with earlier versions.
>
>  
>
> 73
>
>  
>
> Barry Simpson  VK2BJ
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>

     

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[N2TK]

Just checked 12M. Don't see the problem here on either rig.

N2TK, Tony
#311
#1435

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Barry Simpson
Sent: Saturday, October 17, 2009 7:19 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [Elecraft] K3 12m problem

I uploaded the latest beta release and found that there is a loud noise
(like electric motor interference) when tuning at the SSB end of 12m. The
noise stops when you stop tuning.

 

I hadn't noticed the problem before so I regressed to the previous beta
version but the noise is still there.

 

Has anyone else found this problem ?

 

I think I will check the situation with earlier versions.

 

73

 

Barry Simpson  VK2BJ

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[Laurent F6DEX]

Barry

I confirm : same behavior here without antenna connected, around 25.MHz. The noise while tuning is about S3 and stops as soon as you stop tuning. It is more pronounced if you turn the dial rapidly. However, I think I am not sure it is "new" ; I have seen something like that during first tests on 10m.

73, Laurent

<quote author="Barry Simpson">
I uploaded the latest beta release and found that there is a loud noise
(like electric motor interference) when tuning at the SSB end of 12m. The
noise stops when you stop tuning.

[Richard Squire - HB9ANM]

No such problem here either.
# 586 FW 3.34
Richard - HB9ANM

N2TK wrote

Just checked 12M. Don't see the problem here on either rig.

N2TK, Tony
#311
#1435

-----Original Message-----
From: [e-mail]
[mailto:[e-mail]] On Behalf Of Barry Simpson
Sent: Saturday, October 17, 2009 7:19 PM
To: [e-mail]
Subject: [Elecraft] K3 12m problem

I uploaded the latest beta release and found that there is a loud noise
(like electric motor interference) when tuning at the SSB end of 12m. The
noise stops when you stop tuning.

 

I hadn't noticed the problem before so I regressed to the previous beta
version but the noise is still there.

 

Has anyone else found this problem ?

 

I think I will check the situation with earlier versions.

 

73

 

Barry Simpson  VK2BJ

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[Joe Planisky]

Hi Barry,

 From your description, it sounds like you're hearing VFO tuning  
noise.  The original complaints mentioned 6m, 10m, and 60m, but not  
12m so I don't know if it's the same problem or not.

Elecraft published a mod. note describing a combination hardware/
firmware fix for this at

http://www.elecraft.com/K3/mods/K3_vfo_noise_mod_Rev_C.pdf

In my case, I had the noise at the bottom end of 10m.  Initially, the  
hardware/firmware mod didn't seem to help much, but after going back  
in and tightening up all the screws and rearranging some TMP cables,  
the noise went away completely.

73
--
Joe KB8AP


On Oct 17, 2009, at 4:18 PM, Barry Simpson wrote:

> I uploaded the latest beta release and found that there is a loud  
> noise
> (like electric motor interference) when tuning at the SSB end of  
> 12m. The
> noise stops when you stop tuning.

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[Richard Squire - HB9ANM]

Correction: my FW release is 3.44 not 3.34

Richard Squire wrote

No such problem here either.
# 586 FW 3.34
Richard - HB9ANM

N2TK wrote

Just checked 12M. Don't see the problem here on either rig.

N2TK, Tony
#311
#1435

-----Original Message-----
From: [e-mail]
[mailto:[e-mail]] On Behalf Of Barry Simpson
Sent: Saturday, October 17, 2009 7:19 PM
To: [e-mail]
Subject: [Elecraft] K3 12m problem

I uploaded the latest beta release and found that there is a loud noise
(like electric motor interference) when tuning at the SSB end of 12m. The
noise stops when you stop tuning.

 

I hadn't noticed the problem before so I regressed to the previous beta
version but the noise is still there.

 

Has anyone else found this problem ?

 

I think I will check the situation with earlier versions.

 

73

 

Barry Simpson  VK2BJ

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[E72X]

Hi, I can confirm same situacion here..

73,

E72X

--- On Sun, 10/18/09, Laurent F6DEX <[hidden email]> wrote:

From: Laurent F6DEX <[hidden email]>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 12m problem
To: [hidden email]
Date: Sunday, October 18, 2009, 4:00 PM


Barry

I confirm : same behavior here without antenna connected, around 25.MHz. The
noise while tuning is about S3 and stops as soon as you stop tuning. It is
more pronounced if you turn the dial rapidly. However, I think I am not sure
it is "new" ; I have seen something like that during first tests on 10m.

73, Laurent


I uploaded the latest beta release and found that there is a loud noise
(like electric motor interference) when tuning at the SSB end of 12m. The
noise stops when you stop tuning.

--
View this message in context: http://n2.nabble.com/K3-12m-problem-tp3842534p3844264.html
Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
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[E72X]

I have mod already correct installed..

73,
--- On Sun, 10/18/09, Joe Planisky <[hidden email]> wrote:

From: Joe Planisky <[hidden email]>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 12m problem
To: "Barry Simpson" <[hidden email]>
Cc: [hidden email]
Date: Sunday, October 18, 2009, 5:19 PM

Hi Barry,

 From your description, it sounds like you're hearing VFO tuning 
noise.  The original complaints mentioned 6m, 10m, and 60m, but not 
12m so I don't know if it's the same problem or not.

Elecraft published a mod. note describing a combination hardware/
firmware fix for this at

http://www.elecraft.com/K3/mods/K3_vfo_noise_mod_Rev_C.pdf

In my case, I had the noise at the bottom end of 10m.  Initially, the 
hardware/firmware mod didn't seem to help much, but after going back 
in and tightening up all the screws and rearranging some TMP cables, 
the noise went away completely.

73
--
Joe KB8AP


On Oct 17, 2009, at 4:18 PM, Barry Simpson wrote:

> I uploaded the latest beta release and found that there is a loud 
> noise
> (like electric motor interference) when tuning at the SSB end of 
> 12m. The
> noise stops when you stop tuning.

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[DaveL G3TJP]

Barry, it sounds like you need to install the K3VFOFILTERKIT, see here:

http://www.elecraft.com/order_form_parts.htm#K3 Parts

I had a lot of tuning noise on several bands.  All my screws are nice and snug and my TMP cables run as per Elecraft's recommendations.  Post-modification, I still get some tuning noise but on most bands (except 6m and the CW end of 10m) it's below the band's noise level.

Take a look at the instructions, dig out two 470 ohm resistors and two diodes and save yourself $10.  It's an easy mod to apply, but don't forget the firmware change, quote:

1. Download and install firmware revision 3.24 or later. Refer to the K3 software page for instructions.
2. IMPORTANT: Locate the CONFIG:VCO MD menu entry, and tap the 1 keypad switch until you see SPI 2; this selects the new bus clock rate. (The default setting is SPI 1.)

I'm still waiting for Elecraft's suggestions to improve the hash level, but must admit, I haven't checked 12m YET because of antenna restrictions.

73 DaveL  G3TJP
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[Laurent F6DEX]

Hello

Yes, it is not new but not very annoying since it is below the noise floor and only while you move the dial rapidly. I have also this behavior on some parts of 10m. I will do the mod the next time I add a module to the K3.

73, Laurent