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K3 - No RF output

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G4BVH

K3 - No RF output

Hi,

I have had a fault develop on my K3 whereby there is no RF being produced. I
have emailed the details to Elecraft support and am hoping to receive a
reply with suggestions. However, I thought I would also send the details
here in case anyone can suggest something to try or investigate further.

I have a K3, serial number 6482 which I built from a kit. It has worked
flawlessly since I built it. I have the 400Hz and 2.7kHz (2.8kHz?) filters
fitted and the 100W module but no other additions.

A few days ago, it was running 20W of FT8 and I suddenly discovered that it
hadn't been transmitting. Everything appeared that it should be
transmitting: the red TX LED was lit, it was not in TEST mode (TX not
flashing) but there was no RF output displayed on the bar graph and
definitely nothing coming out on any mode. There is no RF if I wind down the
power below the 10W level, there is the usual relay click going through 12W
- 13W and still no RF above this level, ie on towards 100W.

The K3 metering shows 13.5V and 0.84 on receive, 0.97A on the lower power
level setting and 1.18A on the higher power setting on transmit. The RF
output bar graph always displays 1 bar on transmit no matter what the power
level is set but there is no RF coming out.

I tried the TX calibration but it fails saying the power level didn't reach
that required.

The receiver works fine and I can hear the CW side tone and SSB, AM and FM
audio monitoring as normal.

I have removed and reseated the front panel and also the 3 coax patch leads
behind the front panel but this made no difference. There is a yellow LED,
D33, on the main board which is lit on receive and goes out on transmit.

The latest firmware is installed - I updated this a month or so ago.

TX inhibit is OFF and the 20A breaker has not tripped.

Any thoughts or suggestions gratefully received.

Very many thanks and 73,

Peter, G4BVH

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Dick Dievendorff-4

Re: K3 - No RF output

Is TX test on?

73 de Dick, K6KR

> On Jun 15, 2020, at 01:06, G4BVH <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
>
>
> I have had a fault develop on my K3 whereby there is no RF being produced. I
> have emailed the details to Elecraft support and am hoping to receive a
> reply with suggestions. However, I thought I would also send the details
> here in case anyone can suggest something to try or investigate further.
>
>
>
> I have a K3, serial number 6482 which I built from a kit. It has worked
> flawlessly since I built it. I have the 400Hz and 2.7kHz (2.8kHz?) filters
> fitted and the 100W module but no other additions.
>
>
>
> A few days ago, it was running 20W of FT8 and I suddenly discovered that it
> hadn't been transmitting. Everything appeared that it should be
> transmitting: the red TX LED was lit, it was not in TEST mode (TX not
> flashing) but there was no RF output displayed on the bar graph and
> definitely nothing coming out on any mode. There is no RF if I wind down the
> power below the 10W level, there is the usual relay click going through 12W
> - 13W and still no RF above this level, ie on towards 100W.
>
>
>
> The K3 metering shows 13.5V and 0.84 on receive, 0.97A on the lower power
> level setting and 1.18A on the higher power setting on transmit. The RF
> output bar graph always displays 1 bar on transmit no matter what the power
> level is set but there is no RF coming out.
>
>
>
> I tried the TX calibration but it fails saying the power level didn't reach
> that required.
>
>
>
> The receiver works fine and I can hear the CW side tone and SSB, AM and FM
> audio monitoring as normal.
>
>
>
> I have removed and reseated the front panel and also the 3 coax patch leads
> behind the front panel but this made no difference. There is a yellow LED,
> D33, on the main board which is lit on receive and goes out on transmit.
>
>
>
> The latest firmware is installed - I updated this a month or so ago.
>
>
>
> TX inhibit is OFF and the 20A breaker has not tripped.
>
>
>
> Any thoughts or suggestions gratefully received.
>
>
>
> Very many thanks and 73,
>
>
>
> Peter, G4BVH
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> --
> This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
> https://www.avast.com/antivirus
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
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> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

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WILLIE BABER

Re: K3 - No RF output

In reply to this post by G4BVH

I had a problem with no output, but the radio was keying. I reseated all cables going to the synthesizer, and rf output returned.

73, Will, wj9b

CWops #1085
CWA Advisor levels II and III
http://cwops.org/
On Monday, June 15, 2020, 01:04:50 AM PDT, G4BVH <[hidden email]> wrote:

Hi,

I have had a fault develop on my K3 whereby there is no RF being produced. I
have emailed the details to Elecraft support and am hoping to receive a
reply with suggestions. However, I thought I would also send the details
here in case anyone can suggest something to try or investigate further.

I have a K3, serial number 6482 which I built from a kit. It has worked
flawlessly since I built it. I have the 400Hz and 2.7kHz (2.8kHz?) filters
fitted and the 100W module but no other additions.

A few days ago, it was running 20W of FT8 and I suddenly discovered that it
hadn't been transmitting. Everything appeared that it should be
transmitting: the red TX LED was lit, it was not in TEST mode (TX not
flashing) but there was no RF output displayed on the bar graph and
definitely nothing coming out on any mode. There is no RF if I wind down the
power below the 10W level, there is the usual relay click going through 12W
- 13W and still no RF above this level, ie on towards 100W.

The K3 metering shows 13.5V and 0.84 on receive, 0.97A on the lower power
level setting and 1.18A on the higher power setting on transmit. The RF
output bar graph always displays 1 bar on transmit no matter what the power
level is set but there is no RF coming out.

I tried the TX calibration but it fails saying the power level didn't reach
that required.

The receiver works fine and I can hear the CW side tone and SSB, AM and FM
audio monitoring as normal.

I have removed and reseated the front panel and also the 3 coax patch leads
behind the front panel but this made no difference. There is a yellow LED,
D33, on the main board which is lit on receive and goes out on transmit.

The latest firmware is installed - I updated this a month or so ago.

TX inhibit is OFF and the 20A breaker has not tripped.

Any thoughts or suggestions gratefully received.

Very many thanks and 73,

Peter, G4BVH

--
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______________________________________________________________
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Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

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Wes Stewart-2

Re: K3 - No RF output

In reply to this post by Dick Dievendorff-4

On 6/15/2020 1:10 AM, Dick Dievendorff wrote:

> Is TX test on?
>
> 73 de Dick, K6KR
>
>> On Jun 15, 2020, at 01:06, G4BVH <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>> Hi,
>>
>>
>>
>> I have had a fault develop on my K3 whereby there is no RF being produced. I
>> have emailed the details to Elecraft support and am hoping to receive a
>> reply with suggestions. However, I thought I would also send the details
>> here in case anyone can suggest something to try or investigate further.
>>
>>
>>
>> I have a K3, serial number 6482 which I built from a kit. It has worked
>> flawlessly since I built it. I have the 400Hz and 2.7kHz (2.8kHz?) filters
>> fitted and the 100W module but no other additions.
>>
>>
>>
>> A few days ago, it was running 20W of FT8 and I suddenly discovered that it
>> hadn't been transmitting. Everything appeared that it should be
>> transmitting: the red TX LED was lit,_it was not in TEST mode (TX not flashing)_ but there was no RF output displayed on the bar graph and
>> definitely nothing coming out on any mode. There is no RF if I wind down the
>> power below the 10W level, there is the usual relay click going through 12W
>> - 13W and still no RF above this level, ie on towards 100W.
>>
>>
>>
>> The K3 metering shows 13.5V and 0.84 on receive, 0.97A on the lower power
>> level setting and 1.18A on the higher power setting on transmit. The RF
>> output bar graph always displays 1 bar on transmit no matter what the power
>> level is set but there is no RF coming out.
>>
>>
>>
>> I tried the TX calibration but it fails saying the power level didn't reach
>> that required.
>>
>>
>>
>> The receiver works fine and I can hear the CW side tone and SSB, AM and FM
>> audio monitoring as normal.
>>
>>
>>
>> I have removed and reseated the front panel and also the 3 coax patch leads
>> behind the front panel but this made no difference. There is a yellow LED,
>> D33, on the main board which is lit on receive and goes out on transmit.
>>
>>
>>
>> The latest firmware is installed - I updated this a month or so ago.
>>
>>
>>
>> TX inhibit is OFF and the 20A breaker has not tripped.
>>
>>
>>
>> Any thoughts or suggestions gratefully received.
>>
>>
>>
>> Very many thanks and 73,
>>
>>
>>
>> Peter, G4BVH
>>
>>
>>
>>

Bill Steffey NY9H

Re: K3 - No RF output

In reply to this post by G4BVH

DOES k3 xmit ssb with a mic in usb ?

what mode ( TXDATA) are you using ...

usually when I have that symptom, turns out that computer sound card is
NOT putting out TX audio to rig.

On 6/15/2020 4:04 AM, G4BVH wrote:

> Hi,
>
>
>
> I have had a fault develop on my K3 whereby there is no RF being produced. I
> have emailed the details to Elecraft support and am hoping to receive a
> reply with suggestions. However, I thought I would also send the details
> here in case anyone can suggest something to try or investigate further.
>
>
>
> I have a K3, serial number 6482 which I built from a kit. It has worked
> flawlessly since I built it. I have the 400Hz and 2.7kHz (2.8kHz?) filters
> fitted and the 100W module but no other additions.
>
>
>
> A few days ago, it was running 20W of FT8 and I suddenly discovered that it
> hadn't been transmitting. Everything appeared that it should be
> transmitting: the red TX LED was lit, it was not in TEST mode (TX not
> flashing) but there was no RF output displayed on the bar graph and
> definitely nothing coming out on any mode. There is no RF if I wind down the
> power below the 10W level, there is the usual relay click going through 12W
> - 13W and still no RF above this level, ie on towards 100W.
>
>
>
> The K3 metering shows 13.5V and 0.84 on receive, 0.97A on the lower power
> level setting and 1.18A on the higher power setting on transmit. The RF
> output bar graph always displays 1 bar on transmit no matter what the power
> level is set but there is no RF coming out.
>
>
>
> I tried the TX calibration but it fails saying the power level didn't reach
> that required.
>
>
>
> The receiver works fine and I can hear the CW side tone and SSB, AM and FM
> audio monitoring as normal.
>
>
>
> I have removed and reseated the front panel and also the 3 coax patch leads
> behind the front panel but this made no difference. There is a yellow LED,
> D33, on the main board which is lit on receive and goes out on transmit.
>
>
>
> The latest firmware is installed - I updated this a month or so ago.
>
>
>
> TX inhibit is OFF and the 20A breaker has not tripped.
>
>
>
> Any thoughts or suggestions gratefully received.
>
>
>
> Very many thanks and 73,
>
>
>
> Peter, G4BVH
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

G4BVH

Re: K3 - No RF output

Hi Bill,The rig does not produce any RF out in any mode. Everything looks normal on the display, LEDs etc, the rig keys via mic or paddle but just no RF.Some have suggested a bad internal cable connection or bad board edge connector. I am working my way through those. 73, Peter G4BVH

Get Outlook for iOS

On Mon, Jun 15, 2020 at 2:45 PM +0100, "Bill Steffey NY9H" <[hidden email]> wrote:

DOES k3 xmit ssb with a mic in usb ?

what mode ( TXDATA) are you using ...

usually when I have that symptom, turns out that computer sound card is
NOT putting out TX audio to rig.

On 6/15/2020 4:04 AM, G4BVH wrote:

Vic Rosenthal

Re: K3 - No RF output

Check that TX INHIBIT is off in the menu.

Victor 4X6GP

> On 16 Jun 2020, at 0:35, G4BVH <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Hi Bill,The rig doesnot produce any RF out in any mode. Everything looks normal on the display, LEDs etc, the rig keys via mic or paddle but just no RF.Some have suggested a bad internal cable connection or bad board edge connector. I am working my way through those. 73, Peter G4BVH
>
>
>
> Get Outlook for iOS
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Mon, Jun 15, 2020 at 2:45 PM +0100, "Bill Steffey NY9H" <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> DOES k3 xmit ssb with a mic in usb ?
>
> what mode ( TXDATA) are you using ...
>
> usually when I have that symptom, turns out that computer sound card is
> NOT putting out TX audio to rig.
>
>
>> On 6/15/2020 4:04 AM, G4BVH wrote:
>> Hi,
>>
>>
>>
>> I have had a fault develop on my K3 whereby there is no RF being produced. I
>> have emailed the details to Elecraft support and am hoping to receive a
>> reply with suggestions. However, I thought I would also send the details
>> here in case anyone can suggest something to try or investigate further.
>>
>>
>>
>> I have a K3, serial number 6482 which I built from a kit. It has worked
>> flawlessly since I built it. I have the 400Hz and 2.7kHz (2.8kHz?) filters
>> fitted and the 100W module but no other additions.
>>
>>
>>
>> A few days ago, it was running 20W of FT8 and I suddenly discovered that it
>> hadn't been transmitting. Everything appeared that it should be
>> transmitting: the red TX LED was lit, it was not in TEST mode (TX not
>> flashing) but there was no RF output displayed on the bar graph and
>> definitely nothing coming out on any mode. There is no RF if I wind down the
>> power below the 10W level, there is the usual relay click going through 12W
>> - 13W and still no RF above this level, ie on towards 100W.
>>
>>
>>
>> The K3 metering shows 13.5V and 0.84 on receive, 0.97A on the lower power
>> level setting and 1.18A on the higher power setting on transmit. The RF
>> output bar graph always displays 1 bar on transmit no matter what the power
>> level is set but there is no RF coming out.
>>
>>
>>
>> I tried the TX calibration but it fails saying the power level didn't reach
>> that required.
>>
>>
>>
>> The receiver works fine and I can hear the CW side tone and SSB, AM and FM
>> audio monitoring as normal.
>>
>>
>>
>> I have removed and reseated the front panel and also the 3 coax patch leads
>> behind the front panel but this made no difference. There is a yellow LED,
>> D33, on the main board which is lit on receive and goes out on transmit.
>>
>>
>>
>> The latest firmware is installed - I updated this a month or so ago.
>>
>>
>>
>> TX inhibit is OFF and the 20A breaker has not tripped.
>>
>>
>>
>> Any thoughts or suggestions gratefully received.
>>
>>
>>
>> Very many thanks and 73,
>>
>>
>>
>> Peter, G4BVH
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
> --
> This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
> https://www.avast.com/antivirus
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>
>
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
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> Message delivered to [hidden email]

G4BVH

Re: K3 - No RF output - Fault resolved

In reply to this post by G4BVH

Very many thanks to everyone who responded to my request for help. Happily
the fault turned out to be something very simple. Rob at Elecraft suggested
the LPA FETs may have failed as the current measurements I had taken
indicated the FETs were not drawing the bias current they should be. I
checked the voltage on the FETs on the LPA module and found it to be 6.5V.
Looking at the circuit diagram this should have been 12V as the supply to
them comes directly from the 12V supply. I noticed the 12 pin edge connector
on the module did not seem to be fully seated. I eased it into place, the
FET voltage returned to a solid 12V and the rig is now functioning normally.

Again thanks to everyone who replied.

73, Peter, G4BVH

On 6/15/2020 4:04 AM, G4BVH wrote:
> Hi,
>
>
>
> I have had a fault develop on my K3 whereby there is no RF being produced.
I

> have emailed the details to Elecraft support and am hoping to receive a
> reply with suggestions. However, I thought I would also send the details
> here in case anyone can suggest something to try or investigate further.
>
>
>
> I have a K3, serial number 6482 which I built from a kit. It has worked
> flawlessly since I built it. I have the 400Hz and 2.7kHz (2.8kHz?) filters
> fitted and the 100W module but no other additions.
>
>
>
> A few days ago, it was running 20W of FT8 and I suddenly discovered that

it
> hadn't been transmitting. Everything appeared that it should be
> transmitting: the red TX LED was lit, it was not in TEST mode (TX not
> flashing) but there was no RF output displayed on the bar graph and
> definitely nothing coming out on any mode. There is no RF if I wind down
the
> power below the 10W level, there is the usual relay click going through
12W
> - 13W and still no RF above this level, ie on towards 100W.
>
>
>
> The K3 metering shows 13.5V and 0.84 on receive, 0.97A on the lower power
> level setting and 1.18A on the higher power setting on transmit. The RF
> output bar graph always displays 1 bar on transmit no matter what the
power
> level is set but there is no RF coming out.
>
>
>
> I tried the TX calibration but it fails saying the power level didn't
reach

> that required.
>
>
>
> The receiver works fine and I can hear the CW side tone and SSB, AM and FM
> audio monitoring as normal.
>
>
>
> I have removed and reseated the front panel and also the 3 coax patch

leads

> behind the front panel but this made no difference. There is a yellow LED,
> D33, on the main board which is lit on receive and goes out on transmit.
>
>
>
> The latest firmware is installed - I updated this a month or so ago.
>
>
>
> TX inhibit is OFF and the 20A breaker has not tripped.
>
>
>
> Any thoughts or suggestions gratefully received.
>
>
>
> Very many thanks and 73,
>
>
>
> Peter, G4BVH
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

--
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______________________________________________________________
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Post: mailto:[hidden email]

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