K3 Intermittent Transmit Problem

[David B. Ritchie]

While transmitting CW into an amp (KPA500, Alpha 78, Alpha 9500) and using
Writelog to key the K3 (happens on different computers) every once in a
while the transmission get garbled.  Hit escape and retransmit and its fine.
More power seems to make it happen more often.  I assume RF is getting into
the K3.  Has anyone experienced this problem and if so, what did you do to
fix it?  I've tried ferrites on most everything and that does not seem to
help.
Thanks David W6DR [AT] ARRL


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[Don Wilhelm-4]

David,

You can find out if it is an RF in the Shack problem or not by
transmitting into a dummy load.  If the problem goes away, you can blame
it on the RF.

If RF is a problem, the proper place for ferrites is on the antenna
feedline to choke RF common mode currents on the outside of the coax
shield.  Trap that RF before it gets to the shack.

73,,
Don W3FPR

On 2/18/2014 2:18 PM, David B. Ritchie wrote:
> While transmitting CW into an amp (KPA500, Alpha 78, Alpha 9500) and using
> Writelog to key the K3 (happens on different computers) every once in a
> while the transmission get garbled.  Hit escape and retransmit and its fine.
> More power seems to make it happen more often.  I assume RF is getting into
> the K3.  Has anyone experienced this problem and if so, what did you do to
> fix it?  I've tried ferrites on most everything and that does not seem to
> help.
>

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[Jack Brindle-2]

David;

Garbled how? Does it still send valid CW characters? Are you using a K1EL Winkeyer?  (I ask because WriteLog does not support the internal K3 key command).
Have you checked the connections between the computer, keyer and K3?

Many contest programs will send data to the WinKeyer, then edit it on the fly before it goes out. Is it possible that this is happening, and that the data going into the WinKeyer is getting messed up? I have seen RFI problems at times in my own Winkeyer.

Lots of questions, and the answers will lead a long ways to resolving the problem…

73,

Jack Brindle, W6FB

On Feb 18, 2014, at 11:18 AM, David B. Ritchie <[hidden email]> wrote:

> While transmitting CW into an amp (KPA500, Alpha 78, Alpha 9500) and using
> Writelog to key the K3 (happens on different computers) every once in a
> while the transmission get garbled.  Hit escape and retransmit and its fine.
> More power seems to make it happen more often.  I assume RF is getting into
> the K3.  Has anyone experienced this problem and if so, what did you do to
> fix it?  I've tried ferrites on most everything and that does not seem to
> help.
> Thanks David W6DR [AT] ARRL
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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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