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[K3] KXV3A fails 1 mW calibration

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Pierfrancesco Caci

[K3] KXV3A fails 1 mW calibration

I get the following error when trying the 1 mW calibration for a freshly
installed KXV3A:

Starting 1 milliwatt calibration.
Calibrating at 1.900 MHz
IsSamplingComplete: Unexpected response 'DB 0.10 MW;' to ''. State 220
Calibration power settled at ' 0.10 MW;'
1 milliwatt calibration failed.
Elapsed time: 19.2 secs

K3util is 1.4.1.8 for linux.

The dummy load is a tiny 50 ohm one directly made out of a bnc. I've
measured it at 51.8 ohm which, given that the reading with the probes
shorted is 1.5, is as close as I can get. Another bigger dummy with some
adapters and short cables gives the same error. I'd tend to rule out the
dummy load as the culprit.

Ideas?

Pf

--
Pierfrancesco Caci, ik5pvx
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Don Wilhelm-4

Re: [K3] KXV3A fails 1 mW calibration

Did you forget to cut the jumpers when you installed the KXV3A?

73,
Don W3FPR

On 2/12/2012 11:22 AM, Pierfrancesco Caci wrote:

> I get the following error when trying the 1 mW calibration for a freshly
> installed KXV3A:
>
> Starting 1 milliwatt calibration.
> Calibrating at 1.900 MHz
> IsSamplingComplete: Unexpected response 'DB 0.10 MW;' to ''. State 220
> Calibration power settled at ' 0.10 MW;'
> 1 milliwatt calibration failed.
> Elapsed time: 19.2 secs
>
>

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s57aw

Re: [K3] KXV3A fails 1 mW calibration

I do have the same problem with TX Gain Calibration, 5w and 50w calibration
goes well, but 1mW calibration fails, I am getting the error something
like: "Power set to 0.1 mW, 1.9 MHz, TX gain calibration failed because
transmit power did not reach the expected value".

I did reload FW, EE INIT, settings restore, nothing helps.

KXV3A is enabled and set to normal in config, no jumpers on W1 and W2, 50
Ohm dummy load on XVTR Out is OK. XV144 does not work properly, I believe
that is connected with XVTR Out problems. XVTR parameters in config are set
correctly.

Any ideas?

73 Robert

2012/2/12 Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]>

> Did you forget to cut the jumpers when you installed the KXV3A?
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> On 2/12/2012 11:22 AM, Pierfrancesco Caci wrote:
> > I get the following error when trying the 1 mW calibration for a freshly
> > installed KXV3A:
> >
> > Starting 1 milliwatt calibration.
> > Calibrating at 1.900 MHz
> > IsSamplingComplete: Unexpected response 'DB 0.10 MW;' to ''. State 220
> > Calibration power settled at ' 0.10 MW;'
> > 1 milliwatt calibration failed.
> > Elapsed time: 19.2 secs
> >
> >
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>

Gunnar Widell

Re: [K3] KXV3A fails 1 mW calibration

I also have the same problem. I got this information from Elecraft
support, but I have not been able to test yet since the radio is remote
(Running K3 Twin with Remoterig). See below:

Connect a bnc tee to the XVTR OUT jack, and a 50 ohm load or resistor to
one side of the tee.

Then use an RF probe to see if there is at least 0.224Vrms at the other
side of the tee. You could use an oscilloscope to do the measurement
too, but convert 0.224Vrms to peak to peak voltage for the scope.

Use Tune if the K3 Utility automated TX Gain calibration does not work.

Also, have a look in the manual, "Calibration Procedures" 1.0 Milliwatt
Meter Calibration.

73 de Gunnar SM3SGP @ SK3W

Robert Bajuk skrev 2012-02-12 18:51:

> I do have the same problem with TX Gain Calibration, 5w and 50w calibration
> goes well, but 1mW calibration fails, I am getting the error something
> like: "Power set to 0.1 mW, 1.9 MHz, TX gain calibration failed because
> transmit power did not reach the expected value".
>
> I did reload FW, EE INIT, settings restore, nothing helps.
>
> KXV3A is enabled and set to normal in config, no jumpers on W1 and W2, 50
> Ohm dummy load on XVTR Out is OK. XV144 does not work properly, I believe
> that is connected with XVTR Out problems. XVTR parameters in config are set
> correctly.
>
> Any ideas?
>
> 73 Robert
>
> 2012/2/12 Don Wilhelm<[hidden email]>
>
>> Did you forget to cut the jumpers when you installed the KXV3A?
>>
>> 73,
>> Don W3FPR
>>
>> On 2/12/2012 11:22 AM, Pierfrancesco Caci wrote:
>>> I get the following error when trying the 1 mW calibration for a freshly
>>> installed KXV3A:
>>>
>>> Starting 1 milliwatt calibration.
>>> Calibrating at 1.900 MHz
>>> IsSamplingComplete: Unexpected response 'DB 0.10 MW;' to ''. State 220
>>> Calibration power settled at ' 0.10 MW;'
>>> 1 milliwatt calibration failed.
>>> Elapsed time: 19.2 secs
>>>
>>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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
>>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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

Pierfrancesco Caci

Re: [K3] KXV3A fails 1 mW calibration

Thanks for this info. Now, please pardon my total ignorance in using
these instrument. If the scope has an input impedance of 1 Mohm, do I
still need to use the probe, or can I just use the BNC T ? I have the 50
ohm dummy on the other side of the T of course.
With the scope directly connected, I read slightly over 600 mV peak to
peak. Should be almost there, right?

Pf

>>>>> "Gunnar" == Gunnar Widell <[hidden email]> writes:

Gunnar> I also have the same problem. I got this information from Elecraft
Gunnar> support, but I have not been able to test yet since the radio is remote
Gunnar> (Running K3 Twin with Remoterig). See below:

Gunnar> Connect a bnc tee to the XVTR OUT jack, and a 50 ohm load or resistor to
Gunnar> one side of the tee.

Gunnar> Then use an RF probe to see if there is at least 0.224Vrms at the other
Gunnar> side of the tee. You could use an oscilloscope to do the measurement
Gunnar> too, but convert 0.224Vrms to peak to peak voltage for the scope.

Gunnar> Use Tune if the K3 Utility automated TX Gain calibration does not work.

Gunnar> Also, have a look in the manual, "Calibration Procedures" 1.0 Milliwatt
Gunnar> Meter Calibration.

Gunnar> 73 de Gunnar SM3SGP @ SK3W

Gunnar> Robert Bajuk skrev 2012-02-12 18:51:
>> I do have the same problem with TX Gain Calibration, 5w and 50w calibration
>> goes well, but 1mW calibration fails, I am getting the error something
>> like: "Power set to 0.1 mW, 1.9 MHz, TX gain calibration failed because
>> transmit power did not reach the expected value".
>>
>> I did reload FW, EE INIT, settings restore, nothing helps.
>>
>> KXV3A is enabled and set to normal in config, no jumpers on W1 and W2, 50
>> Ohm dummy load on XVTR Out is OK. XV144 does not work properly, I believe
>> that is connected with XVTR Out problems. XVTR parameters in config are set
>> correctly.
>>
>> Any ideas?
>>
>> 73 Robert
>>
>> 2012/2/12 Don Wilhelm<[hidden email]>
>>
>>> Did you forget to cut the jumpers when you installed the KXV3A?
>>>
>>> 73,
>>> Don W3FPR
>>>
>>> On 2/12/2012 11:22 AM, Pierfrancesco Caci wrote:
>>>> I get the following error when trying the 1 mW calibration for a freshly
>>>> installed KXV3A:
>>>>
>>>> Starting 1 milliwatt calibration.
>>>> Calibrating at 1.900 MHz
>>>> IsSamplingComplete: Unexpected response 'DB 0.10 MW;' to ''. State 220
>>>> Calibration power settled at ' 0.10 MW;'
>>>> 1 milliwatt calibration failed.
>>>> Elapsed time: 19.2 secs
>>>>
>>>>
>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>> 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
>>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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

Gunnar> ______________________________________________________________
Gunnar> Elecraft mailing list
Gunnar> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Gunnar> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Gunnar> Post: mailto:[hidden email]

Gunnar> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Gunnar> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

--
Pierfrancesco Caci, ik5pvx
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Don Wilhelm-4

Re: [K3] KXV3A fails 1 mW calibration

Even if the scope has a 1 Mohm input, it has considerable capacitance,
so yes, you need a 10X probe.
is needed to display the proper amplitude of an RF voltage.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 2/12/2012 1:52 PM, Pierfrancesco Caci wrote:
> Thanks for this info. Now, please pardon my total ignorance in using
> these instrument. If the scope has an input impedance of 1 Mohm, do I
> still need to use the probe, or can I just use the BNC T ? I have the 50
> ohm dummy on the other side of the T of course.
> With the scope directly connected, I read slightly over 600 mV peak to
> peak. Should be almost there, right?
>
> Pf
>
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Pierfrancesco Caci

Re: [K3] KXV3A fails 1 mW calibration

Ok, I'm a step further now. I did the manual calibration as described in
the manual. Now the automatic one only fails on 50 MHz. I'm now going to
check with the miniVNA if the dummy load is indeed 50 ohm at 50 MHz,
just in case.

>>>>> "Don" == Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> writes:

Don> Even if the scope has a 1 Mohm input, it has considerable capacitance,
Don> so yes, you need a 10X probe.
Don> is needed to display the proper amplitude of an RF voltage.

Don> 73,
Don> Don W3FPR

Don> On 2/12/2012 1:52 PM, Pierfrancesco Caci wrote:
>> Thanks for this info. Now, please pardon my total ignorance in using
>> these instrument. If the scope has an input impedance of 1 Mohm, do I
>> still need to use the probe, or can I just use the BNC T ? I have the 50
>> ohm dummy on the other side of the T of course.
>> With the scope directly connected, I read slightly over 600 mV peak to
>> peak. Should be almost there, right?
>>
>> Pf
>>

--
Pierfrancesco Caci, ik5pvx
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Matt Zilmer

Re: [K3] KXV3A fails 1 mW calibration

In reply to this post by Pierfrancesco Caci

630 mV pk-pk would be exactly 0.224 Vrms.

matt W6NIA

On Sun, 12 Feb 2012 19:52:06 +0100, you wrote:

>
>Thanks for this info. Now, please pardon my total ignorance in using
>these instrument. If the scope has an input impedance of 1 Mohm, do I
>still need to use the probe, or can I just use the BNC T ? I have the 50
>ohm dummy on the other side of the T of course.
>With the scope directly connected, I read slightly over 600 mV peak to
>peak. Should be almost there, right?
>
>Pf
>
>
>
>
>>>>>> "Gunnar" == Gunnar Widell <[hidden email]> writes:
>
>
> Gunnar> I also have the same problem. I got this information from Elecraft
> Gunnar> support, but I have not been able to test yet since the radio is remote
> Gunnar> (Running K3 Twin with Remoterig). See below:
>
> Gunnar> Connect a bnc tee to the XVTR OUT jack, and a 50 ohm load or resistor to
> Gunnar> one side of the tee.
>
> Gunnar> Then use an RF probe to see if there is at least 0.224Vrms at the other
> Gunnar> side of the tee. You could use an oscilloscope to do the measurement
> Gunnar> too, but convert 0.224Vrms to peak to peak voltage for the scope.
>
> Gunnar> Use Tune if the K3 Utility automated TX Gain calibration does not work.
>
> Gunnar> Also, have a look in the manual, "Calibration Procedures" 1.0 Milliwatt
> Gunnar> Meter Calibration.
>
> Gunnar> 73 de Gunnar SM3SGP @ SK3W
>
> Gunnar> Robert Bajuk skrev 2012-02-12 18:51:
> >> I do have the same problem with TX Gain Calibration, 5w and 50w calibration
> >> goes well, but 1mW calibration fails, I am getting the error something
> >> like: "Power set to 0.1 mW, 1.9 MHz, TX gain calibration failed because
> >> transmit power did not reach the expected value".
> >>
> >> I did reload FW, EE INIT, settings restore, nothing helps.
> >>
> >> KXV3A is enabled and set to normal in config, no jumpers on W1 and W2, 50
> >> Ohm dummy load on XVTR Out is OK. XV144 does not work properly, I believe
> >> that is connected with XVTR Out problems. XVTR parameters in config are set
> >> correctly.
> >>
> >> Any ideas?
> >>
> >> 73 Robert
> >>
> >> 2012/2/12 Don Wilhelm<[hidden email]>
> >>
> >>> Did you forget to cut the jumpers when you installed the KXV3A?
> >>>
> >>> 73,
> >>> Don W3FPR
> >>>
> >>> On 2/12/2012 11:22 AM, Pierfrancesco Caci wrote:
> >>>> I get the following error when trying the 1 mW calibration for a freshly
> >>>> installed KXV3A:
> >>>>
> >>>> Starting 1 milliwatt calibration.
> >>>> Calibrating at 1.900 MHz
> >>>> IsSamplingComplete: Unexpected response 'DB 0.10 MW;' to ''. State 220
> >>>> Calibration power settled at ' 0.10 MW;'
> >>>> 1 milliwatt calibration failed.
> >>>> Elapsed time: 19.2 secs
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>> ______________________________________________________________
> >>> 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
> >>>
> >> ______________________________________________________________
> >> 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
>
> Gunnar> ______________________________________________________________
> Gunnar> Elecraft mailing list
> Gunnar> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Gunnar> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Gunnar> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> Gunnar> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Gunnar> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

Scott-2

Re: [K3] KXV3A fails 1 mW calibration

In reply to this post by s57aw

I too have the same problem with the same error print out. It passed
all THREE TX GAIN calibration tests just fine when I built the radio
last year. Subsequently I received an on air report the transmitter was
off freq by a small amount. Soooo, I ran the TX gain calibration. It
passed lo and hi but failed the KXV3A using the Elecraft K3 Utility. I
did not try to do a manual calibration. I sent an email to Elecraft on
7 Nov 11 but received no response. I'm sure they were very busy ramping
up for Xmas and all.

I have not changed any settings that affect the KXV3A as I have no XVTRS
in/attached to the radio. My P3 works just fine. I did update all
firmware and then this problem cropped up but I doubt it's a firmware
issue. It's probably operator error but I sure don't know what I did to
cause the KXV3A milliwatt TX Gain calibration to fail, either that, or
I've some hardware failure in the KXV3A that fails to transmit but is
still ok for P3 operation.

I suppose it could be the BNC cable between the KXV3A and the DL. I'll
swap that out and report back.

73
Scott
KF5MHS

On 2/12/2012 11:51 AM, Robert Bajuk wrote: