K3 / RF gain - S meter issue
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Looking for suggestions here from someone that might have experienced this
same issue - - I have (2) K3 units (not the S model) that are acting different when the RF gain adjustments are turned fully counter clockwise. Ø Unit one s/n 1062: When the RF gain is decreased to full counter clockwise position the S-Meter registers full scale (60db over S9) as expected. Ø Unit two s/n 1193: When the RF gain is decreased to full counter clockwise position the S-Meter registers only S8. Facts: Ø With the exception of the S-Meter readings with RF gain settings, both units are working fine Ø Both units have almost all mods installed. If not all, they are at least both the same. Ø Both units are running the same version of microcode (5.54) (2.88) (2.88) (1.26) Ø Both units seem to register very close actual RF gain of stations when connected when tested on the same antenna Ø Both units have the new synthesizers. Ø Both units have second RX Ø In both cases (both units) I can hear the audio level decreasing linearly as expected as the RF gain is turned counter clockwise I have tried to initialize the K3 and reload the firmware resulting in no change to the RF gain / S-Meter readings. Elecraft Tech Support suggested: Ø Calibrating the s-meter did nothing Ø Next suggestion send the rig to California. Anyone have this issue and fixed it?? 73, Bruce N1LN ______________________________________________________________ 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] |
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Are both units running exactly the same configuration, at least as far
as S meter and AGC parameters? 73, Scott K9MA On 12/13/2017 15:25, Bruce Meier wrote: > Looking for suggestions here from someone that might have experienced this > same issue - - > > > > I have (2) K3 units (not the S model) that are acting different when the RF > gain adjustments are turned fully counter clockwise. > > Ø Unit one – s/n 1062: When the RF gain is decreased to full counter > clockwise position the S-Meter registers full scale (60db over S9) as > expected. > > Ø Unit two – s/n 1193: When the RF gain is decreased to full counter > clockwise position the S-Meter registers only S8. > > Facts: > > Ø With the exception of the S-Meter readings with RF gain settings, both > units are working fine > > Ø Both units have ‘almost’ all mods installed. If not all, they are at > least both the same. > > Ø Both units are running the same version of microcode (5.54) (2.88) (2.88) > (1.26) > > Ø Both units seem to register very close actual RF gain of stations when > connected when tested on the same antenna > > Ø Both units have the new synthesizers. > > Ø Both units have second RX > > Ø In both cases (both units) I can hear the audio level decreasing linearly > as expected as the RF gain is turned counter clockwise > > I have tried to initialize the K3 and reload the firmware resulting in no > change to the RF gain / S-Meter readings. > > > > Elecraft Tech Support suggested: > > Ø Calibrating the s-meter – did nothing > > Ø Next suggestion – send the rig to California. > > > > Anyone have this issue and fixed it?? > > > > 73, > > Bruce N1LN > > > > ______________________________________________________________ > 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] -- Scott K9MA [hidden email] ______________________________________________________________ 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] |
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Check Config:S-Meter Mode on both K3s.
Sent from my iPhone ...nr4c. bill > On Dec 13, 2017, at 6:11 PM, K9MA <[hidden email]> wrote: > > Are both units running exactly the same configuration, at least as far as S meter and AGC parameters? > > 73, > Scott K9MA > > >> On 12/13/2017 15:25, Bruce Meier wrote: >> Looking for suggestions here from someone that might have experienced this >> same issue - - >> >> >> I have (2) K3 units (not the S model) that are acting different when the RF >> gain adjustments are turned fully counter clockwise. >> >> Ø Unit one – s/n 1062: When the RF gain is decreased to full counter >> clockwise position the S-Meter registers full scale (60db over S9) as >> expected. >> >> Ø Unit two – s/n 1193: When the RF gain is decreased to full counter >> clockwise position the S-Meter registers only S8. >> >> Facts: >> >> Ø With the exception of the S-Meter readings with RF gain settings, both >> units are working fine >> >> Ø Both units have ‘almost’ all mods installed. If not all, they are at >> least both the same. >> >> Ø Both units are running the same version of microcode (5.54) (2.88) (2.88) >> (1.26) >> >> Ø Both units seem to register very close actual RF gain of stations when >> connected when tested on the same antenna >> >> Ø Both units have the new synthesizers. >> >> Ø Both units have second RX >> >> Ø In both cases (both units) I can hear the audio level decreasing linearly >> as expected as the RF gain is turned counter clockwise >> >> I have tried to initialize the K3 and reload the firmware resulting in no >> change to the RF gain / S-Meter readings. >> >> >> Elecraft Tech Support suggested: >> >> Ø Calibrating the s-meter – did nothing >> >> Ø Next suggestion – send the rig to California. >> >> >> Anyone have this issue and fixed it?? >> >> >> 73, >> >> Bruce N1LN >> >> >> ______________________________________________________________ >> 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] > > > -- > Scott K9MA > > [hidden email] > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://ma ______________________________________________________________ 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] |
Re: K3 / RF gain - S meter issue
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In reply to this post by Bruce Meier-2
I would first perform the RF Gain calibration using the K3 Utility. The
calibration program measures gain characteristics and applies software correction. Then run the S-meter calibration. Wes N7WS On 12/13/2017 2:25 PM, Bruce Meier wrote: > Looking for suggestions here from someone that might have experienced this > same issue - - > > > > I have (2) K3 units (not the S model) that are acting different when the RF > gain adjustments are turned fully counter clockwise. > > Ø Unit one – s/n 1062: When the RF gain is decreased to full counter > clockwise position the S-Meter registers full scale (60db over S9) as > expected. > > Ø Unit two – s/n 1193: When the RF gain is decreased to full counter > clockwise position the S-Meter registers only S8. > > Facts: > > Ø With the exception of the S-Meter readings with RF gain settings, both > units are working fine > > Ø Both units have ‘almost’ all mods installed. If not all, they are at > least both the same. > > Ø Both units are running the same version of microcode (5.54) (2.88) (2.88) > (1.26) > > Ø Both units seem to register very close actual RF gain of stations when > connected when tested on the same antenna > > Ø Both units have the new synthesizers. > > Ø Both units have second RX > > Ø In both cases (both units) I can hear the audio level decreasing linearly > as expected as the RF gain is turned counter clockwise > > I have tried to initialize the K3 and reload the firmware resulting in no > change to the RF gain / S-Meter readings. > > > > Elecraft Tech Support suggested: > > Ø Calibrating the s-meter – did nothing > > Ø Next suggestion – send the rig to California. > > > > Anyone have this issue and fixed it?? > > > > 73, > > Bruce N1LN ______________________________________________________________ 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] |
Re: K3 / RF gain - S meter issue
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Is the S meter supposed to read 60 over 9 when the RF gain is turned all the way
down? Mine reads 30db! 73, Roger On 12/13/2017 9:10 PM, Wes Stewart wrote: > I would first perform the RF Gain calibration using the K3 Utility. The > calibration program measures gain characteristics and applies software > correction. > > Then run the S-meter calibration. > > Wes N7WS > > On 12/13/2017 2:25 PM, Bruce Meier wrote: >> Looking for suggestions here from someone that might have experienced this >> same issue - - >> >> >> I have (2) K3 units (not the S model) that are acting different when the RF >> gain adjustments are turned fully counter clockwise. >> >> Ø Unit one – s/n 1062: When the RF gain is decreased to full counter >> clockwise position the S-Meter registers full scale (60db over S9) as >> expected. >> >> Ø Unit two – s/n 1193: When the RF gain is decreased to full counter >> clockwise position the S-Meter registers only S8. >> >> Facts: >> >> Ø With the exception of the S-Meter readings with RF gain settings, both >> units are working fine >> >> Ø Both units have ‘almost’ all mods installed. If not all, they are at >> least both the same. >> >> Ø Both units are running the same version of microcode (5.54) (2.88) (2.88) >> (1.26) >> >> Ø Both units seem to register very close actual RF gain of stations when >> connected when tested on the same antenna >> >> Ø Both units have the new synthesizers. >> >> Ø Both units have second RX >> >> Ø In both cases (both units) I can hear the audio level decreasing linearly >> as expected as the RF gain is turned counter clockwise >> >> I have tried to initialize the K3 and reload the firmware resulting in no >> change to the RF gain / S-Meter readings. >> >> >> Elecraft Tech Support suggested: >> >> Ø Calibrating the s-meter – did nothing >> >> Ø Next suggestion – send the rig to California. >> >> >> Anyone have this issue and fixed it?? >> >> >> 73, >> >> Bruce N1LN > > ______________________________________________________________ > 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] 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] |
Re: K3 / RF gain - S meter issue
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Both of mine do.
On 12/14/2017 6:38 AM, Roger D Johnson wrote: > Is the S meter supposed to read 60 over 9 when the RF gain is turned all the > way down? > > Mine reads 30db! > > 73, Roger > ______________________________________________________________ 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] |
Re: K3 / RF gain - S meter issue
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In reply to this post by Roger D Johnson
Hi Bruce,
try to reload the factory data calibration before doing the calibration with a generator. Usually it works. 73, Carlo Carlo Bianconi Telecomunicazioni Official Elecraft Dealer Via O.Trebbi 8/B 40127 Bologna - Italy Ph. 0515878825 mail [hidden email] www.carlobianconi.com Il 14/12/2017 14:38, Roger D Johnson ha scritto: > Is the S meter supposed to read 60 over 9 when the RF gain is turned > all the way down? > > Mine reads 30db! > > 73, Roger > > > > On 12/13/2017 9:10 PM, Wes Stewart wrote: >> I would first perform the RF Gain calibration using the K3 Utility. >> The calibration program measures gain characteristics and applies >> software correction. >> >> Then run the S-meter calibration. >> >> Wes N7WS >> >> On 12/13/2017 2:25 PM, Bruce Meier wrote: >>> Looking for suggestions here from someone that might have >>> experienced this >>> same issue - - >>> >>> >>> I have (2) K3 units (not the S model) that are acting different when >>> the RF >>> gain adjustments are turned fully counter clockwise. >>> >>> Ø Unit one – s/n 1062: When the RF gain is decreased to full counter >>> clockwise position the S-Meter registers full scale (60db over S9) as >>> expected. >>> >>> Ø Unit two – s/n 1193: When the RF gain is decreased to full counter >>> clockwise position the S-Meter registers only S8. >>> >>> Facts: >>> >>> Ø With the exception of the S-Meter readings with RF gain settings, >>> both >>> units are working fine >>> >>> Ø Both units have ‘almost’ all mods installed. If not all, they >>> are at >>> least both the same. >>> >>> Ø Both units are running the same version of microcode (5.54) >>> (2.88) (2.88) >>> (1.26) >>> >>> Ø Both units seem to register very close actual RF gain of stations >>> when >>> connected when tested on the same antenna >>> >>> Ø Both units have the new synthesizers. >>> >>> Ø Both units have second RX >>> >>> Ø In both cases (both units) I can hear the audio level decreasing >>> linearly >>> as expected as the RF gain is turned counter clockwise >>> >>> I have tried to initialize the K3 and reload the firmware resulting >>> in no >>> change to the RF gain / S-Meter readings. >>> >>> >>> Elecraft Tech Support suggested: >>> >>> Ø Calibrating the s-meter – did nothing >>> >>> Ø Next suggestion – send the rig to California. >>> >>> >>> Anyone have this issue and fixed it?? >>> >>> >>> 73, >>> >>> Bruce N1LN >> >> ______________________________________________________________ >> 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] > > 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] 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] |
Re: K3 / RF gain - S meter issue
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In reply to this post by Bruce Meier-2
Thanks for the responses here are the answers to the questions and
suggestions and a new piece of DATA associated with selecting the SUB-RX. 1. I checked the S-Meter configs for both of my K3s they are exactly the same. a. SMTR OF 016 b. SMTR SC 016 c. SMTR PK OFF d. SMTR MD ABS 2. I then ran RF Gain calibration using Factory default RF Gain Calibration data as I dont have the necessary test equipment a. Ran for both main and sub-RX Ø No change to the symptom on the suspect K3 3. Just for the heck of it I reloaded the currently installed firmware using the K3 Utility 1.15.12.7 a. MCU: 05.54 b. DSP (both main/sub): 2.88 c. FPF: 01.26 Ø NO CHANGE 4. I then downloaded the most recent firmware only change MCU is now 05.60 Ø No change 5. I then selected the SUB RX not sure why.... just did it. a. When I turn the RF gain counter clockwise the S-Meter increases to 60db over S9 b. When I turn the Sub RX off the S-Meter only increases to S7 NOTE: I never tried this before, but it appears to be an interesting piece of data. Does this now point toward the Main RX in some way? 73, Bruce N1LN ______________________________________________________________ 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] |
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In reply to this post by Bruce Meier-2
Hello Bruce,
Just to rule out any electrical or mechanical discontinuities in the RF gain control itself, you can use the CONFIG > SW TEST > SCN ADC option to examine the ADC reading as a function of rotation position for both RF gain pots and both AF gain pots. In order to be able to see the "SW TEST" option, you will first have enable "TECH MODE" by setting "CONFIG > TECH MD to 'ON' Once you've selected SW TEST > SCN ADC, slowly rotate your rf gain control from one extreme to the other while watching the 'steps' in the VFO B display, looking for any sudden step changes. The values I observe run contiguously from 002 at full CCW to 239 or 240 at full CW. Good luck with your troubleshooting. 73, Dale - WA8SRA On Wed, Dec 13, 2017 at 4:25 PM, Bruce Meier <[hidden email]> wrote: > Looking for suggestions here from someone that might have experienced this > same issue - - > > > > I have (2) K3 units (not the S model) that are acting different when the RF > gain adjustments are turned fully counter clockwise. > > Ø Unit one – s/n 1062: When the RF gain is decreased to full counter > clockwise position the S-Meter registers full scale (60db over S9) as > expected. > > Ø Unit two – s/n 1193: When the RF gain is decreased to full counter > clockwise position the S-Meter registers only S8. > > Facts: > > Ø With the exception of the S-Meter readings with RF gain settings, both > units are working fine > > Ø Both units have ‘almost’ all mods installed. If not all, they are at > least both the same. > > Ø Both units are running the same version of microcode (5.54) (2.88) > (2.88) > (1.26) > > Ø Both units seem to register very close actual RF gain of stations when > connected when tested on the same antenna > > Ø Both units have the new synthesizers. > > Ø Both units have second RX > > Ø In both cases (both units) I can hear the audio level decreasing > linearly > as expected as the RF gain is turned counter clockwise > > I have tried to initialize the K3 and reload the firmware resulting in no > change to the RF gain / S-Meter readings. > > > > Elecraft Tech Support suggested: > > Ø Calibrating the s-meter – did nothing > > Ø Next suggestion – send the rig to California. > > > > Anyone have this issue and fixed it?? > > > > 73, > > Bruce N1LN > > > > ______________________________________________________________ > 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] |
Re: K3 / RF gain - S meter issue
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In reply to this post by Bruce Meier-2
Dale,
Thanks for the suggestion. I ran the test on both K3s and they are exactly the same. The range is from 240 (fully clockwise) to 02 (fully counterclockwise) If I turn the RF gain slow enough I can see both rigs incrementing or decrementing (depending on turning direction) 1 count at a time. /Bruce From: Dale Boresz [mailto:[hidden email]] Sent: Friday, December 15, 2017 10:12 AM To: Bruce Meier Cc: Elecraft Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 / RF gain - S meter issue Hello Bruce, Just to rule out any electrical or mechanical discontinuities in the RF gain control itself, you can use the CONFIG > SW TEST > SCN ADC option to examine the ADC reading as a function of rotation position for both RF gain pots and both AF gain pots. In order to be able to see the "SW TEST" option, you will first have enable "TECH MODE" by setting "CONFIG > TECH MD to 'ON' Once you've selected SW TEST > SCN ADC, slowly rotate your rf gain control from one extreme to the other while watching the 'steps' in the VFO B display, looking for any sudden step changes. The values I observe run contiguously from 002 at full CCW to 239 or 240 at full CW. Good luck with your troubleshooting. 73, Dale - WA8SRA ______________________________________________________________ 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] |
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