K3 #222 alive and well

[Julian, G4ILO]

I'm happy to report that K3 #222 is alive and well, and none the worse for the surgery on the internal screen as a result of the missing threaded insert. So I didn't get to wind any toroids but I did get to do some chassis metalwork. :)

A couple of questions for others who have "been there". I have the 1ppm TCXO option. I tried to calibrate it using Method 3 (entering the data on the calibration sheet) but When I get to RF CAL and tap [1] which is supposed to change to REF xxC, it doesn't. I understand you need to have configured the FP TEMP sensor but I have set that option. What am I doing wrong?

I like to use the Coarse tuning option when surfing the short wave bands. It seems to go in 5KHz steps from whatever frequency I am on. Is there a way to quickly zeroise out the last digits so that I am always on an exact multiple of 5KHz when using 5KHz steps?

The PWR control has a very fine resolution. It is a lot of turns to reduce power to 1W for tuning with the external tuner and then turn the power back up again for operation. Is there an easier way to do this?

I'd still like to see ATU Auto or Bypass settings stored seperately for ANT1 and ANT2.

I can't connect the K3 to the computer for a firmware update because the cable I bought from Maplin has male plugs on each end, and my PC serial port is also male. So I'll have to make my own cable like I was originally going to. Why would Maplin sell a serial cable that doesn't mate with a PC?

I do want to say thanks to Wayne and Eric for making the K3 possible. It has certainly been a long wait, and I was disappointed to have two faulty parts in my kit, but having now experienced the K3 for myself I have only one word for it - awesome!

[M0XDF]

Congrats, see embedded comments...

On 15/1/08 21:42, "G4ILO" <[hidden email]> sent:

> A couple of questions for others who have "been there". I have the 1ppm TCXO
> option. I tried to calibrate it using Method 3 (entering the data on the
> calibration sheet) but When I get to RF CAL and tap [1] which is supposed to
> change to REF xxC, it doesn't. I understand you need to have configured the
> FP TEMP sensor but I have set that option. What am I doing wrong?

Firmware does not support method 3 yet, use method 1 or 2
 
> I like to use the Coarse tuning option when surfing the short wave bands. It
> seems to go in 5KHz steps from whatever frequency I am on. Is there a way to
> quickly zeroise out the last digits so that I am always on an exact multiple
> of 5KHz when using 5KHz steps?

No, but you can set if up so the RIT/XIT control acts as course tuning when
RIT or XIT buttons are not pressed
Set CONFIG:VFO OFS to ON

Then you just need to start on a multiple
I haven't found another way yet, other than via logging program

> The PWR control has a very fine resolution. It is a lot of turns to reduce
> power to 1W for tuning with the external tuner and then turn the power back
> up again for operation. Is there an easier way to do this?

Not yet, Wayne has said this feature will be coming.
Another way is to do it though some CAT command from a control probram, even
the download utility

> I'd still like to see ATU Auto or Bypass settings stored seperately for ANT1
> and ANT2.

That is coming too
 
> I can't connect the K3 to the computer for a firmware update because the
> cable I bought from Maplin has male plugs on each end, and my PC serial port
> is also male. So I'll have to make my own cable like I was originally going
> to. Why would Maplin sell a serial cable that doesn't mate with a PC?

Because they are C**P ?
Perhaps not far, they are ok for some stuff

--
A good cook is like a sorceress who dispenses happiness.
-Elsa Schiaparelli, fashion designer (1890-1973)



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[AC7AC]

CONTENTS DELETED

The author has deleted this message.

[dave.wilburn]

Look for "gender changers", they will fix your RS-232 problem.

Such as:

http://www.techonweb.com/products/productdetail.aspx?id=A12379

Plugging gender changers into google generates lots of appropriate
hits.  But the URL doesn't translate the mail program well.  Enjoy.


Dave Wilburn
K4DGW
K2/100 - S/N 5982


Ron D'Eau Claire wrote:

> I can help with two of those Julian:
>
> The method 3 Ref Cal is not yet implemented in firmware. For now you have a
> TCXO that is 5 times more stable in frequency as the rig temperature changes
> (1 ppm compared to 5 ppm for the "stock" oscillator).
>
> Wayne's firmware - when it's released - will use the temperature chart data
> that shows the remaining drift vs. temperature to further reduce the drift
> to perhaps as little as 0.5 ppm by having the firmware automatically adjust
> the reference oscillator frequency based on the internal temperature
> reported by the front panel temperature sensor.
>
> I, too, spin the POWER control a lot since I use and external tuner. Wayne
> has said that an automatic power reduction when going into TUNE to adjust an
> external tuner is on his "to do" list.
>
> Ron AC7AC
>  
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email]
> [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of G4ILO
> Sent: Tuesday, January 15, 2008 1:42 PM
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: [Elecraft] K3 #222 alive and well
>
>
>
> I'm happy to report that K3 #222 is alive and well, and none the worse for
> the surgery on the internal screen as a result of the missing threaded
> insert. So I didn't get to wind any toroids but I did get to do some chassis
> metalwork. :)
>
> A couple of questions for others who have "been there". I have the 1ppm TCXO
> option. I tried to calibrate it using Method 3 (entering the data on the
> calibration sheet) but When I get to RF CAL and tap [1] which is supposed to
> change to REF xxC, it doesn't. I understand you need to have configured the
> FP TEMP sensor but I have set that option. What am I doing wrong?
>
> I like to use the Coarse tuning option when surfing the short wave bands. It
> seems to go in 5KHz steps from whatever frequency I am on. Is there a way to
> quickly zeroise out the last digits so that I am always on an exact multiple
> of 5KHz when using 5KHz steps?
>
> The PWR control has a very fine resolution. It is a lot of turns to reduce
> power to 1W for tuning with the external tuner and then turn the power back
> up again for operation. Is there an easier way to do this?
>
> I'd still like to see ATU Auto or Bypass settings stored seperately for ANT1
> and ANT2.
>
> I can't connect the K3 to the computer for a firmware update because the
> cable I bought from Maplin has male plugs on each end, and my PC serial port
> is also male. So I'll have to make my own cable like I was originally going
> to. Why would Maplin sell a serial cable that doesn't mate with a PC?
>
> I do want to say thanks to Wayne and Eric for making the K3 possible. It has
> certainly been a long wait, and I was disappointed to have two faulty parts
> in my kit, but having now experienced the K3 for myself I have only one word
> for it - awesome!
>
> -----
> Julian, G4ILO K2 s/n: 392  K3 s/n: 222
> G4ILO's Shack: www.g4ilo.com
> Zerobeat Ham Forums: www.zerobeat.net/smf

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[Julian, G4ILO]

Ron D'Eau Claire wrote

I, too, spin the POWER control a lot since I use and external tuner. Wayne
has said that an automatic power reduction when going into TUNE to adjust an
external tuner is on his "to do" list.

That would be a help. But I'm just used to going from full power to one or two watts with a single twist of the K2 power knob. I don't really need to adjust the power in 0.1W increments (except, perhaps, below 1W). A "coarse" power option, perhaps selectable from the CONFIG menu, would be really nice.

[Wilfried Haeusle]

Julian,

On 15.01.2008, at 22:42, G4ILO wrote:

> I can't connect the K3 to the computer for a firmware update because  
> the
> cable I bought from Maplin has male plugs on each end, and my PC  
> serial port
> is also male. So I'll have to make my own cable like I was  
> originally going
> to. Why would Maplin sell a serial cable that doesn't mate with a PC?

i think you have got a crossover cable, which is intend to connect a  
PC to another PC.
What you need is a "normal" straight cable.

73, Wil / OE9WLJ

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[Robert Allbright]

I purchased both a female to female RS232 cable
and also a gender changer from Maplins (hunt around the shelves for  
the gender changer) and all is well.
73 Rob G3RCE K2 #5219 and TenTec OMNI VII
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