K3 Assembly Question

[Dave, W8OV]

I'm considering ordering a K3 kit soon.  I wonder how 'optional' these
items listed in the assembly manual really are:

Optional Equipment:
1.  RF Power Meter with accurate readout from 1 mW to 5 watts, minimum.
2.  Signal generator with calibrated 50 uV output at 20 or 40 meters.

I have a Bird 43 wattmeter, but don't know of any element in the HF
range that would read 1 mW.

--Dave, W8OV
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[Dick Dievendorff]

You don't need a wattmeter.  If you have one, you can set the K3 so that its
internal watt meter matches yours (at 5 and/or 50 watts).

You don't need a 1 mw wattmeter.

You don't really need a signal generator.

Dick, K6KR


-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Dave, W8OV
Sent: Tuesday, May 26, 2009 8:48 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [Elecraft] K3 Assembly Question

I'm considering ordering a K3 kit soon.  I wonder how 'optional' these
items listed in the assembly manual really are:

Optional Equipment:
1.  RF Power Meter with accurate readout from 1 mW to 5 watts, minimum.
2.  Signal generator with calibrated 50 uV output at 20 or 40 meters.

I have a Bird 43 wattmeter, but don't know of any element in the HF
range that would read 1 mW.

--Dave, W8OV
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[Don Wilhelm-4]

Dave,

Those pieces of equipment are entirely "optional".  They are not
required at all.  In fact the 1 mW level is only used if you include the
KXV3 option.

The Power Meter can be used to obtain more accurate power calibration
(but the K3 does a good job of it without that meter), and the signal
generator is only used to obtain precise adjustment of the S-meter
response - again, the stock S-meter response is adequate for most
purposes - if you want a truly calibrated S-meter, then the generator
can be used - the Elecraft XG2 will do that job nicely.

73,
Don W3FPR

Dave, W8OV wrote:

> I'm considering ordering a K3 kit soon.  I wonder how 'optional' these
> items listed in the assembly manual really are:
>
> Optional Equipment:
> 1.  RF Power Meter with accurate readout from 1 mW to 5 watts, minimum.
> 2.  Signal generator with calibrated 50 uV output at 20 or 40 meters.
>
> I have a Bird 43 wattmeter, but don't know of any element in the HF
> range that would read 1 mW.
>
> --Dave, W8OV
>  
>

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[AC7AC]

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[Mike Harris-9]

Serious QRO.

| perform the calibration procedures requiring them anyway. There are a
| variety of ways to measure 1 MW other than an actual power meter. A good
| oscilloscope is one option.

Regards,

Mike VP8NO

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[AC7AC]

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[Dave, W8OV]

Dave, W8OV wrote:
> I'm considering ordering a K3 kit soon.  I wonder how 'optional' these
> items listed in the assembly manual really are:
>
> Optional Equipment:
> 1.  RF Power Meter with accurate readout from 1 mW to 5 watts, minimum.
> 2.  Signal generator with calibrated 50 uV output at 20 or 40 meters.

Thanks to all who have responded in such a helpful manner.

73 de Dave, W8OV
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