K3, RF gain acts funny

[Dave Anderson, K4SV]

Hi All,

I have joined the ranks of K3 owners and bought a kit which arrived late last week.  Got it assembled and working late last night. 

My K3 is equipped as follows
100w
Second receiver
ATU
RX antenna/Xverter ports

Filter
2.7 SSB (stock)
400hz 8 pole

Appears to work OK but when I reduce the RF gain normally the S meter will increase as I turn down the gain.  On my main receiver this does not work correctly.  As I turn down the RF gain, CCW, the S meter increases until it reaches S4 and stops increasing.  By ear the RF gain continues to be reduced but it acts funny.

My second receiver works as you would expect it should where the S meter increases until it reaches 60 over 9.

Has any one seen this before?  Corrective action?

Cute little radio so far.

Thanks in advance,
 
Dave Anderson, K4SV
Tryon, NC
 828 777-5088
 
www.K4SV.com
______________________________________________________________
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

[Julius Fazekas n2wn]

Dave,

I had a similar problem.

I hate to suggest this out of turn, because it involves pulling the front panel, but if you're game...

Remove the front panel so you can see the three solder terminals of the RF gain pot. Look at them closely and confirm the solder connection is good on all three. If the connection looks bad, re solder it.

On my K3 I noticed that the center pin did not look like the solder took to the wire. This may or may not have caused my problem, but it is worth a looksee, and may fix your problem.

I'd be curious to know what you find.

73,
Julius
n2wn

Dave Anderson, K4SV wrote

Hi All,

I have joined the ranks of K3 owners and bought a kit which arrived late last week.  Got it assembled and working late last night. 

My K3 is equipped as follows
100w
Second receiver
ATU
RX antenna/Xverter ports

Filter
2.7 SSB (stock)
400hz 8 pole

Appears to work OK but when I reduce the RF gain normally the S meter will increase as I turn down the gain.  On my main receiver this does not work correctly.  As I turn down the RF gain, CCW, the S meter increases until it reaches S4 and stops increasing.  By ear the RF gain continues to be reduced but it acts funny.

My second receiver works as you would expect it should where the S meter increases until it reaches 60 over 9.

Has any one seen this before?  Corrective action?

Cute little radio so far.

Thanks in advance,
 
Dave Anderson, K4SV
Tryon, NC
 828 777-5088
 
www.K4SV.com
______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[e-mail]

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

[Julius Fazekas n2wn]

My gain did not work at all and the S-Meter never adjusted lower than S9 ... so your problem may be different.

Still it may be worth a look, if no one has a better suggestion.

73,
Julius
n2wn

Dave Anderson, K4SV wrote

Hi All,

I have joined the ranks of K3 owners and bought a kit which arrived late last week.  Got it assembled and working late last night. 

My K3 is equipped as follows
100w
Second receiver
ATU
RX antenna/Xverter ports

Filter
2.7 SSB (stock)
400hz 8 pole

Appears to work OK but when I reduce the RF gain normally the S meter will increase as I turn down the gain.  On my main receiver this does not work correctly.  As I turn down the RF gain, CCW, the S meter increases until it reaches S4 and stops increasing.  By ear the RF gain continues to be reduced but it acts funny.

My second receiver works as you would expect it should where the S meter increases until it reaches 60 over 9.

Has any one seen this before?  Corrective action?

Cute little radio so far.

Thanks in advance,
 
Dave Anderson, K4SV
Tryon, NC
 828 777-5088
 
www.K4SV.com
______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[e-mail]

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