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K3 VFO A encoder noise

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ve3dvy

K3 VFO A encoder noise

Is this normal?
I'm getting a strange noise when turning the VFO A on 10m at around
28.000 to 28.007 then again at 28.037 to 28.045 as I turn the VFO I
get a buzz or rattle from the speaker or in the headphones. hard to
describe but much like the sound of a needle scratching across a
record. if I rock the VFO back and forth its like scratching the
needle back and forth across the record grooves. when I turn it slowly
it makes one click per VFO step. if I set it to fine its a click per
1hz step then normal its a click per 10hzstep and so on. its not
loud and registers about s2 on the meter. with no antenna attached
and is barely noticeable with an antenna as its almost below the noise
at least here in the city. I havent noticed it elsewhere or on other
bands.
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Don Wilhelm-4

Re: K3 VFO A encoder noise

Elecraft is trying to improve this VFO tuning noise. It is worse on
some KX3s than others, and I expect it is a function of the strong
signals in your particular area (but I have no confirmation of that
simple guess).

The VFO tuning noise (gets more noticeable at higher frequencies) can be
reduces with the VFO NR menu item (that is a per band setting). If that
is not enough, add RX SHIFT (also a per band setting).

Use these temporary mitigation tools and keep your eyes peeled to the
firmware release notes to see if anything has been added to reduce that
noise and return your KX3 to the more normal settings.

Note that both those menu items are locked, and must be unlocked before
the parameters can be changed.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 7/10/2012 9:54 PM, David Moes wrote:

> Is this normal?
> I'm getting a strange noise when turning the VFO A on 10m at around
> 28.000 to 28.007 then again at 28.037 to 28.045 as I turn the VFO I
> get a buzz or rattle from the speaker or in the headphones. hard to
> describe but much like the sound of a needle scratching across a
> record. if I rock the VFO back and forth its like scratching the
> needle back and forth across the record grooves. when I turn it slowly
> it makes one click per VFO step. if I set it to fine its a click per
> 1hz step then normal its a click per 10hzstep and so on. its not
> loud and registers about s2 on the meter. with no antenna attached
> and is barely noticeable with an antenna as its almost below the noise
> at least here in the city. I havent noticed it elsewhere or on other
> bands.
>

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Lyle Johnson

Re: K3 VFO A encoder noise

It isn't normal.

Might try running VCO calibration, based on your description of a couple
of small band segments. I'm assuming this is not a diversity with
second receiver; if so, you might want to do VCO cal on the second Rx as
well.

73,

Lyle KK7P

>> Is this normal?
>> I'm getting a strange noise when turning the VFO A on 10m at around
>> 28.000 to 28.007 then again at 28.037 to 28.045 as I turn the VFO I
>> get a buzz or rattle from the speaker or in the headphones. hard to
>> describe but much like the sound of a needle scratching across a
>> record. if I rock the VFO back and forth its like scratching the
>> needle back and forth across the record grooves. when I turn it slowly
>> it makes one click per VFO step. if I set it to fine its a click per
>> 1hz step then normal its a click per 10hzstep and so on. its not
>> loud and registers about s2 on the meter. with no antenna attached
>> and is barely noticeable with an antenna as its almost below the noise
>> at least here in the city. I havent noticed it elsewhere or on other
>> bands.
>>

Don Wilhelm-4

Re: K3 VFO A encoder noise

In reply to this post by Don Wilhelm-4

Sorry, right answer, but wrong radio.
The KX3 has a similar situation that is being worked on.
For the K3, that should not be a problem

Ignore my last post on the subject.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 7/10/2012 10:52 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote:

> Elecraft is trying to improve this VFO tuning noise. It is worse on
> some KX3s than others, and I expect it is a function of the strong
> signals in your particular area (but I have no confirmation of that
> simple guess).
>
> The VFO tuning noise (gets more noticeable at higher frequencies) can be
> reduces with the VFO NR menu item (that is a per band setting). If that
> is not enough, add RX SHIFT (also a per band setting).
>
> Use these temporary mitigation tools and keep your eyes peeled to the
> firmware release notes to see if anything has been added to reduce that
> noise and return your KX3 to the more normal settings.
>
> Note that both those menu items are locked, and must be unlocked before
> the parameters can be changed.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> On 7/10/2012 9:54 PM, David Moes wrote:
>> Is this normal?
>> I'm getting a strange noise when turning the VFO A on 10m at around
>> 28.000 to 28.007 then again at 28.037 to 28.045 as I turn the VFO I
>> get a buzz or rattle from the speaker or in the headphones. hard to
>> describe but much like the sound of a needle scratching across a
>> record. if I rock the VFO back and forth its like scratching the
>> needle back and forth across the record grooves. when I turn it slowly
>> it makes one click per VFO step. if I set it to fine its a click per
>> 1hz step then normal its a click per 10hzstep and so on. its not
>> loud and registers about s2 on the meter. with no antenna attached
>> and is barely noticeable with an antenna as its almost below the noise
>> at least here in the city. I havent noticed it elsewhere or on other
>> bands.
>>
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>
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Howard Stephenson

Re: K3 VFO A encoder noise

In reply to this post by ve3dvy

David,

Try [CONFIG] VCO MD tap the 1 keypad switch until you
see SPI 2; this selects the new bus clock rate. (The default setting is
SPI 1.)

--
------
73's Howard Stephenson K6IA
Customer Support
------

ve3dvy

Re: K3 VFO A encoder noise

Thanks Howard

Changing this made a difference but did not fix it. it just moved the
noise to elsewhere on the band. I did the Cal again and its still
there but seems much quieter not sure if thats just me or the Cal made a
real difference. since its not really audible with band noise and only
when the antenna is disconnected I'm not really going to worry about it
to much as long as its not predictor of other problems or future issues.

On 7/10/2012 11:25 PM, Howard Stephenson wrote:
> David,
>
> Try [CONFIG] VCO MD tap the 1 keypad switch until you
> see SPI 2; this selects the new bus clock rate. (The default setting is
> SPI 1.)
>

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