K3: KXV3B in an Older K3

[dhhdeh]

Hi Wayne and all at Elecraft.

My K3 circa 2/2008 was originally purchased
without a KXV3.

I may be interested in the KXV3B for my K3 as the
K3S FAQ's indicate is possible to do.

But the KXV3B manual now on the download page Rev.
C dated May 27, 2015 does not mention anything
about the new 12,10 and 6m preamp being built-in
or how to activate or use it.

Can the KXV3B be used in an older K3 at this time
or is a future firmware release needed first?

Or am I misunderstanding something?

Thanks,

73 de N1LQ-Dave
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[Mike K2MK]

Hi Dave,

If the K3 is running Beta MCU 5.26 then there is a new configuration setting which applies when the KXV3B is installed. Here is the explanation from the 5.26 notes.

* PREAMP 2 and CONFIG:PREAMP2 MENU ENTRY (KXV3B):  This menu entry is only applicable if a KXV3B module is installed (supplied with the K3S). It also only applies if the current band is 12, 10, or 6 meters. If PREAMP2 is set to ON, then the PRE switch rotates through settings of OFF, PRE 1, and PRE 2 on the applicable band. PRE 2 turns on the low-noise preamp on the KXV3B module (+20 dB, with a typical NF of -144 dBm on 12/10/6 meters). When PRE 2 is selected, the PRE icon will flash slowly. Note: Do not use an external preamplifier (such as an Elecraft PR6 or PR6-10) when using the built-in low-noise preamp (PRE 2). This would result in excessive gain.

Here are two posts made by Wayne:

On 5/21/2015 7:42 AM, Wayne Burdick wrote:
>>>> The addition of the low-noise amplifier for 12-6 meters is the only
>> change.
>>>> The module is compatible with either the K3 or K3S. The manual will
>>>> be posted when it's complete.
>>>>
>>>> 73,
>>>> Wayne
>>>> N6KR


On 5/22/2015 5:07 PM, Wayne Burdick wrote:
> On May 22, 2015, at 12:41 PM, "N2TK, Tony" <[e-mail]> wrote:
>
> Preamp 2, on the KXV3B, is in addition to the normal preamp (preamp 1).
But firmware will only let you turn on one or the other -- not both. When
preamp 2 is ON, it totally dominates the noise figure equation, so there's
no value in also turning on preamp 1. Preamp 2 has a gain of 20 dB, while
preamp 1 has a gain of 10 dB.
>
> To turn preamp 2 ON, you first have to enable it on one or more of the
applicable bands using the CONFIG:PREAMP2 menu entry. You can enable it on
12, 10, and 6 meters.
>
> Once preamp 2 is enabled, tapping PRE cycles through OFF/PRE1/PRE2 on the
applicable band. Other bands will only show OFF/PRE1.
>
> When PRE2 is selected, the PRE icon flashes slowly as a reminder.
>
> 73,
> Wayne
> N6KR

73,
Mike K2MK