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K3 Setup Failing

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Brian F. Wruble-2

K3 Setup Failing

Hi guys,

I am in a fight with my just assembled K3. I have gone through all the
steps, and everything worked. However, I could not get the sub-receiver to
receive anything --- just noise.

So I figured I would put that aside for awhile and try transmitting into a
dummy load. I had already run the TX gain Calibration steps at 5watts and
50 watts, both with no problem.

I found that though I I can hear my audio (sounding good) in the XMIT
Monitor, I had little to no indication of RF out, either on the rig's meter
or an external meter.

So I reran XMIT gain calibration with this result:

OS Version 6.1 Build 7601 Windows 7/Windows Server 2008 R2
K3 MCU revision 04.67. RS-232 speed 4800 bit/s.
Starting 5 watt calibration
Calibrating at 1.900 MHz
Calibration power settled at " 0.0 W ;"
Elapsed time: 5 seconds
Tx Gain calibration failed because transmit power did not reach the
expected value

I saved my configuration, then did a reset. The result was the same. I
reloaded my configuration file, result the same. The 50 watt test gives a
similar error.

No smoke by the way.

What have I done?

Tnx de Brian W3BW

*Brian F. Wruble, C.F.A.

*70 is the new 40.*
*
Mail: 1107 Key Plaza, PMB 447 Key West, FL 33040-4077
Summers: P.O.Box 57, 7400 Augustine Herman Highway, Georgetown, MD 21930
eFax 305.768.0278
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James kvochick

Re: K3 Setup Failing

Is your transmitter in "tx test" mode?

Jim WB8AZP

Sent from my iPad

On May 25, 2013, at 5:58 PM, "Brian F. Wruble" <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Hi guys,
>
> I am in a fight with my just assembled K3. I have gone through all the
> steps, and everything worked. However, I could not get the sub-receiver to
> receive anything --- just noise.
>
> So I figured I would put that aside for awhile and try transmitting into a
> dummy load. I had already run the TX gain Calibration steps at 5watts and
> 50 watts, both with no problem.
>
> I found that though I I can hear my audio (sounding good) in the XMIT
> Monitor, I had little to no indication of RF out, either on the rig's meter
> or an external meter.
>
> So I reran XMIT gain calibration with this result:
>
> OS Version 6.1 Build 7601 Windows 7/Windows Server 2008 R2
> K3 MCU revision 04.67. RS-232 speed 4800 bit/s.
> Starting 5 watt calibration
> Calibrating at 1.900 MHz
> Calibration power settled at " 0.0 W ;"
> Elapsed time: 5 seconds
> Tx Gain calibration failed because transmit power did not reach the
> expected value
>
>
> I saved my configuration, then did a reset. The result was the same. I
> reloaded my configuration file, result the same. The 50 watt test gives a
> similar error.
>
> No smoke by the way.
>
> What have I done?
>
> Tnx de Brian W3BW
>
>
> *Brian F. Wruble, C.F.A.
>
> *70 is the new 40.*
> *
> Mail: 1107 Key Plaza, PMB 447 Key West, FL 33040-4077
> Summers: P.O.Box 57, 7400 Augustine Herman Highway, Georgetown, MD 21930
> eFax 305.768.0278
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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

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Brian F. Wruble-2

Re: K3 Setup Failing

No, unfortunately.

*Brian F. Wruble, C.F.A.

*70 is the new 40.*
*
Mail: 1107 Key Plaza, PMB 447 Key West, FL 33040-4077
Summers: P.O.Box 57, 7400 Augustine Herman Highway, Georgetown, MD 21930
eFax 305.768.0278

On Sat, May 25, 2013 at 6:02 PM, James kvochick <[hidden email]>wrote:

> Is your transmitter in "tx test" mode?
>
> Jim WB8AZP
>
> Sent from my iPad
>
> On May 25, 2013, at 5:58 PM, "Brian F. Wruble" <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> > Hi guys,
> >
> > I am in a fight with my just assembled K3. I have gone through all the
> > steps, and everything worked. However, I could not get the sub-receiver
> to
> > receive anything --- just noise.
> >
> > So I figured I would put that aside for awhile and try transmitting into
> a
> > dummy load. I had already run the TX gain Calibration steps at 5watts
> and
> > 50 watts, both with no problem.
> >
> > I found that though I I can hear my audio (sounding good) in the XMIT
> > Monitor, I had little to no indication of RF out, either on the rig's
> meter
> > or an external meter.
> >
> > So I reran XMIT gain calibration with this result:
> >
> > OS Version 6.1 Build 7601 Windows 7/Windows Server 2008 R2
> > K3 MCU revision 04.67. RS-232 speed 4800 bit/s.
> > Starting 5 watt calibration
> > Calibrating at 1.900 MHz
> > Calibration power settled at " 0.0 W ;"
> > Elapsed time: 5 seconds
> > Tx Gain calibration failed because transmit power did not reach the
> > expected value
> >
> >
> > I saved my configuration, then did a reset. The result was the same. I
> > reloaded my configuration file, result the same. The 50 watt test gives
> a
> > similar error.
> >
> > No smoke by the way.
> >
> > What have I done?
> >
> > Tnx de Brian W3BW
> >
> >
> > *Brian F. Wruble, C.F.A.
> >
> > *70 is the new 40.*
> > *
> > Mail: 1107 Key Plaza, PMB 447 Key West, FL 33040-4077
> > Summers: P.O.Box 57, 7400 Augustine Herman Highway, Georgetown, MD 21930
> > eFax 305.768.0278
> > ______________________________________________________________
> > 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
>

Don Wilhelm-4

Re: K3 Setup Failing

In reply to this post by Brian F. Wruble-2

Brian,

Check your com port settings - the K3 normally connects at 38400 bps.
You indicate 4800 bps, so perhaps the computer port speed is
'throttling' the data. If you are using a USB to serial adapter, a low
speed like that can create errors in the data stream because the
responses are not fast enough. Real serial ports do not usually have
that problem, but USB to serial adapters often do.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 5/25/2013 5:58 PM, Brian F. Wruble wrote:

Ed-2

Re: K3 Setup Failing

In reply to this post by Brian F. Wruble-2

What Don is saying is true. My manual, page 58 shows the factory default as 4800 b. Try resetting it to 38400 using the “config” menu.
You will have to also do the same with your computer. Then try reloading the software. Anything you have saved with your present setup
could be corrupted so you may have to start over. 38400 is what the K3 and it’s companions want to communicate with. Also not
all RS232 to USB cables will work. A lot of them have something missing in the chip they use.
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Brian F. Wruble-2

Re: K3 Setup Failing

OK, I will head in this direction. I am using the USB to 232 cable from
Elecraft, and it was working fine at 4800.

I will report results. Thanks for your help.

Brian

*Brian F. Wruble, C.F.A.

*70 is the new 40.*
*
Mail: 1107 Key Plaza, PMB 447 Key West, FL 33040-4077
Summers: P.O.Box 57, 7400 Augustine Herman Highway, Georgetown, MD 21930
eFax 305.768.0278

On Sat, May 25, 2013 at 7:00 PM, Ed <[hidden email]> wrote:

> What Don is saying is true. My manual, page 58 shows the factory default
> as 4800 b. Try resetting it to 38400 using the “config” menu.
> You will have to also do the same with your computer. Then try reloading
> the software. Anything you have saved with your present setup
> could be corrupted so you may have to start over. 38400 is what the K3
> and it’s companions want to communicate with. Also not
> all RS232 to USB cables will work. A lot of them have something missing
> in the chip they use.
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>

Brian F. Wruble-2

Re: K3 Setup Failing

In reply to this post by Ed-2

OK, I am at 38,400, I reinstalled the utility software. I reloaded the
latest firmware. There is no change --- same result when I try to
calibrate XMTR gain.

"OS Version 6.1 Build 7601 Windows 7/Windows Server 2008 R2
K3 MCU revision 04.67. RS-232 speed 4800 bit/s.
Starting 5 watt calibration
Calibrating at 1.900 MHz
Calibration power settled at " 0.0 W ;"
Elapsed time: 5 seconds
Tx Gain calibration failed because transmit power did not reach the
expected value"

Is there another idea out there? I have solved the sub-receiver problem.
I am really close to home here!

Tnx de Brian W3BW

*Brian F. Wruble, C.F.A.

*70 is the new 40.*
*
Mail: 1107 Key Plaza, PMB 447 Key West, FL 33040-4077
Summers: P.O.Box 57, 7400 Augustine Herman Highway, Georgetown, MD 21930
eFax 305.768.0278

On Sat, May 25, 2013 at 7:00 PM, Ed <[hidden email]> wrote:

Dick Dievendorff

Re: K3 Setup Failing

In reply to this post by Ed-2

The K3 Utility finds the K3's RS-232 speed by trying them all. Config save is check summed and the RS-232 speed doesn't matter except that it takes longer at slower speeds.

Dick, K6KR

Dick

On May 25, 2013, at 16:00, "Ed" <[hidden email]> wrote:

> What Don is saying is true. My manual, page 58 shows the factory default as 4800 b. Try resetting it to 38400 using the “config” menu.
> You will have to also do the same with your computer. Then try reloading the software. Anything you have saved with your present setup
> could be corrupted so you may have to start over. 38400 is what the K3 and it’s companions want to communicate with. Also not
> all RS232 to USB cables will work. A lot of them have something missing in the chip they use.
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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

Ed-2

Re: K3 Setup Failing

In reply to this post by Brian F. Wruble-2

Brian

There are two other things you can check. On the K3, when pressing the “Xmit” button,
the one above the volume control, does the red “Xmit” LED light? It is located above the
“Phones” jack. If not look over on the extreme right of the display. There is an arrow
that indicates which VFO you are transmitting on. Just below, or above, the arrow will be
“TX”. If TX is steady in it’s state you should be seeing power out and the Xmit LED should
light. If the “TX” is flashing, this indicates that the K3 is in “Test Mode”. Test mode will
inhibit Xmit and the red LED will not light. This function is toggled pressing and holding
the grey “Mode” button.

If nothing here helps I suggest calling Elecraft for help. They will treat you very well.
______________________________________________________________
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Brian F. Wruble-2

Re: K3 Setup Failing

Thanks. That is not the answer, but please keep thinking!

It worked once, and I have obviously set something wrong.

Brian

--
70 is the new 40.

Brian F. Wruble, C.F.A.
1107 Key Plaza, PMB 447 Key West, FL 33040
Summers: P.O.Box 57, 7400 Augustine Herman Highway, Georgetown, MD 21930
eFax 305.768.0278 Skype bwruble

On May 25, 2013, at 9:04 PM, "Ed" <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Brian
>
> There are two other things you can check. On the K3, when pressing the “Xmit” button,
> the one above the volume control, does the red “Xmit” LED light? It is located above the
> “Phones” jack. If not look over on the extreme right of the display. There is an arrow
> that indicates which VFO you are transmitting on. Just below, or above, the arrow will be
> “TX”. If TX is steady in it’s state you should be seeing power out and the Xmit LED should
> light. If the “TX” is flashing, this indicates that the K3 is in “Test Mode”. Test mode will
> inhibit Xmit and the red LED will not light. This function is toggled pressing and holding
> the grey “Mode” button.
>
> If nothing here helps I suggest calling Elecraft for help. They will treat you very well.
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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

Ed-2

Re: K3 Setup Failing

In reply to this post by Brian F. Wruble-2

Brian

What does the display show when you manipulate the power control knob.
It must have the green LED lit indicating “PWR” above the knob. If I
remember correctly the calibration process will set the output to “0” after
calibration.
______________________________________________________________
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Brian F. Wruble-2

Re: K3 Setup Failing

That control acts normally. I can set the power from 0 to 100+ watts, and
the green light is on. After the calibration run, power = 0.0.briefly
flashes up, and then it goes to where I had the power set before the run
--- 5.0 watts in my case.

*Brian F. Wruble, C.F.A.

*70 is the new 40.*
*
Mail: 1107 Key Plaza, PMB 447 Key West, FL 33040-4077
Summers: P.O.Box 57, 7400 Augustine Herman Highway, Georgetown, MD 21930
eFax 305.768.0278

On Sat, May 25, 2013 at 9:59 PM, Ed <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Brian
>
> What does the display show when you manipulate the power control knob.
> It must have the green LED lit indicating “PWR” above the knob. If I
> remember correctly the calibration process will set the output to “0” after
> calibration.
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>

Brian F. Wruble-2

Re: K3 Setup Failing

In reply to this post by Ed-2

Red light, yes.
Arrow points to VFO A
TX is steady

*Brian F. Wruble, C.F.A.

*70 is the new 40.*
*
Mail: 1107 Key Plaza, PMB 447 Key West, FL 33040-4077
Summers: P.O.Box 57, 7400 Augustine Herman Highway, Georgetown, MD 21930
eFax 305.768.0278

On Sat, May 25, 2013 at 9:04 PM, Ed <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Brian
>
> There are two other things you can check. On the K3, when pressing the
> “Xmit” button,
> the one above the volume control, does the red “Xmit” LED light? It is
> located above the
> “Phones” jack. If not look over on the extreme right of the display.
> There is an arrow
> that indicates which VFO you are transmitting on. Just below, or above,
> the arrow will be
> “TX”. If TX is steady in it’s state you should be seeing power out and
> the Xmit LED should
> light. If the “TX” is flashing, this indicates that the K3 is in “Test
> Mode”. Test mode will
> inhibit Xmit and the red LED will not light. This function is toggled
> pressing and holding
> the grey “Mode” button.
>
> If nothing here helps I suggest calling Elecraft for help. They will
> treat you very well.
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>

Andy Wood

Re: K3 Setup Failing

Hi Brian,

Try running VCO MD CAL again. I have had problems with this in the past.

Andy VK4KY

Brian F. Wruble-2

Re: K3 Setup Failing

I have done it several times with no change in the result. Tnx.

*Brian F. Wruble, C.F.A.

*70 is the new 40.*
*
Mail: 1107 Key Plaza, PMB 447 Key West, FL 33040-4077
Summers: P.O.Box 57, 7400 Augustine Herman Highway, Georgetown, MD 21930
eFax 305.768.0278

On Sun, May 26, 2013 at 1:34 AM, Andy Wood <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Hi Brian,
>
> Try running VCO MD CAL again. I have had problems with this in the past.
>
> Andy VK4KY
>
>
>
> --
> View this message in context:
> http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K3-Setup-Failing-tp7574207p7574246.html
> Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
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>
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> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>