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K3 and MicroHam USB 3 issue

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Keith Heimbold

K3 and MicroHam USB 3 issue

I am going to send this out to both reflectors, Elecraft and MicroHam because I am not sure where I have set up the system incorrectly. The system does work intermittently and I have had successful QSOs with it on both CW and digital modes.

Setup; K3, MicroHam USB 3, Y cable to ACC to USB 3 and Yaesu Quadra amp, new Asus PC running 64 bit win 7 O/S with 12 gigs of RAM.

Issue: I have intermittent performance with the USB 3 and my k3. At times when using the device with FLDigi software the transceiver ends up locking up on transmit and I usually have to exit out of FLDigi to stop the transmit cycle as none of the buttons will work. This has happened in all fldigi digital modes but is most prevalent during CW.

I am also very uncertain about the knob position on the front of the USB 3. Sorry but I can't find where the position should be in the manual. Plus I cannot seem to get five bars on the ALC meter of my K3 no matter what I try.

I am not sure if this is a K3 or USB 3 setup issue. I need a little help. It does work about 50% of the time.

Thanks,

Keith
AG6AZ

Sent from my iPhone please excuse typos
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Don Wilhelm-4

Re: K3 and MicroHam USB 3 issue

Keith,

I cna perhaps help with your inability to get 4 bars on the ALC meter
with the 5th bar flickering - not that the 5th bar indicates the onset
of ALC, those bars below the 5th are an aid to setting the proper audio
level.

I suspect you are connected to the K3 Line In jack. That means it needs
line level audio, and your MicroHam is probably still plugged for
microphone level. Refer to the MicroHam documentation and change the
jumper to increase the audio level.

I would like to also point out that the proper audio drive level is
quite important for the K3. Ignore the usual advice that tells you to
adjust the audio to control the power output - that will result in poor
power control of the K3. Set the audio level to 4 bars solid 5th bar
flickering and then use the power knob to set the desired power level.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 9/22/2012 8:27 AM, Keith Heimbold wrote:

> I am going to send this out to both reflectors, Elecraft and MicroHam because I am not sure where I have set up the system incorrectly. The system does work intermittently and I have had successful QSOs with it on both CW and digital modes.
>
> Setup; K3, MicroHam USB 3, Y cable to ACC to USB 3 and Yaesu Quadra amp, new Asus PC running 64 bit win 7 O/S with 12 gigs of RAM.
>
> Issue: I have intermittent performance with the USB 3 and my k3. At times when using the device with FLDigi software the transceiver ends up locking up on transmit and I usually have to exit out of FLDigi to stop the transmit cycle as none of the buttons will work. This has happened in all fldigi digital modes but is most prevalent during CW.
>
> I am also very uncertain about the knob position on the front of the USB 3. Sorry but I can't find where the position should be in the manual. Plus I cannot seem to get five bars on the ALC meter of my K3 no matter what I try.
>
> I am not sure if this is a K3 or USB 3 setup issue. I need a little help. It does work about 50% of the time.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Keith
> AG6AZ
>
> Sent from my iPhone please excuse typos
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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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Joe Subich, W4TV-4

Re: K3 and MicroHam USB 3 issue

In reply to this post by Keith Heimbold

> Issue: I have intermittent performance with the USB 3 and my k3. At
> times when using the device with FLDigi software the transceiver ends
> up locking up on transmit and I usually have to exit out of FLDigi to
> stop the transmit cycle as none of the buttons will work. This has
> happened in all fldigi digital modes but is most prevalent during
> CW.

How are you generating PTT? Are you using command based PTT *and*
hard keying (PTT from the RTS line on a serial port) at the same
time? If so, *disable* the command PTT. There is a *RACE* condition
when using both PTT sources (it effects several radios - not just the
K3).

> I am also very uncertain about the knob position on the front of the
> USB 3.

TX audio knob, the Windows Mixer level for the *specific software*
you are using, and the K3 Line In (mic) level *all* need to be set
in conjunction with each other for five bars of ALC.

73,

... Joe Subich, W4TV
microHAM America, LLC.
http://www.microHAM-USA.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/microHAM

On 9/22/2012 8:27 AM, Keith Heimbold wrote:

> I am going to send this out to both reflectors, Elecraft and MicroHam
> because I am not sure where I have set up the system incorrectly. The
> system does work intermittently and I have had successful QSOs with
> it on both CW and digital modes.
>
> Setup; K3, MicroHam USB 3, Y cable to ACC to USB 3 and Yaesu Quadra
> amp, new Asus PC running 64 bit win 7 O/S with 12 gigs of RAM.
>
> Issue: I have intermittent performance with the USB 3 and my k3. At
> times when using the device with FLDigi software the transceiver ends
> up locking up on transmit and I usually have to exit out of FLDigi to
> stop the transmit cycle as none of the buttons will work. This has
> happened in all fldigi digital modes but is most prevalent during
> CW.
>
> I am also very uncertain about the knob position on the front of the
> USB 3. Sorry but I can't find where the position should be in the
> manual. Plus I cannot seem to get five bars on the ALC meter of my K3
> no matter what I try.
>
> I am not sure if this is a K3 or USB 3 setup issue. I need a little
> help. It does work about 50% of the time.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Keith AG6AZ
>
> Sent from my iPhone please excuse typos
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>

LA8OKA

Vedr: K3 and MicroHam USB 3 issue

In reply to this post by Keith Heimbold

Hi Keith.

Have you tried without the Y-cable?
Have you tried with lower output?
I think that either the Y-cable is messig up things, or that you have an RFI problem.

There are no definitive answer of what the positions on the volum knobs on the front shall be as they have to be adjusted depending on the software used, the soundcard settings and the transceiver used.

Martin Storli
LA8OKA
Oslo, Norway

ARCTICPEAK's Radio pages!
http://www.arcticpeak.com/radio.htm

________________________________
Fra: Keith Heimbold <[hidden email]>
Til: Elecraft Group <[hidden email]>
Sendt: Lørdag, 22. september 2012 14.27
Emne: [Elecraft] K3 and MicroHam USB 3 issue

I am going to send this out to both reflectors, Elecraft and MicroHam because I am not sure where I have set up the system incorrectly. The system does work intermittently and I have had successful QSOs with it on both CW and digital modes.

Setup; K3, MicroHam USB 3, Y cable to ACC to USB 3 and Yaesu Quadra amp, new Asus PC running 64 bit win 7 O/S with 12 gigs of RAM.

Issue: I have intermittent performance with the USB 3 and my k3. At times when using the device with FLDigi software the transceiver ends up locking up on transmit and I usually have to exit out of FLDigi to stop the transmit cycle as none of the buttons will work. This has happened in all fldigi digital modes but is most prevalent during CW.

I am also very uncertain about the knob position on the front of the USB 3. Sorry but I can't find where the position should be in the manual. Plus I cannot seem to get five bars on the ALC meter of my K3 no matter what I try.

I am not sure if this is a K3 or USB 3 setup issue. I need a little help. It does work about 50% of the time.

Thanks,

Keith
AG6AZ

Sent from my iPhone please excuse typos
______________________________________________________________
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
______________________________________________________________
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

Keith Heimbold

Re: Vedr: K3 and MicroHam USB 3 issue

Martin,

I had it working on my other K3 real well with DM780 except for CW and then when I wanted to get CW working it seemed to mess with digital modes. The Y connector is from the recommended vendor. And I have NR had significant rfi issues in a long while but I will check it out. I generally run all digital modes at approximately 50W or so.

I will try without the Y cable. And investigate rfi issues.

Thanks,

Keith

Sent from my iPhone please excuse typos

On Sep 22, 2012, at 1:07 PM, "Martin Storli - LA8OKA" <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Hi Keith.
>
> Have you tried without the Y-cable?
> Have you tried with lower output?
> I think that either the Y-cable is messig up things, or that you have an RFI problem.
>
> There are no definitive answer of what the positions on the volum knobs on the front shall be as they have to be adjusted depending on the software used, the soundcard settings and the transceiver used.
>
> Martin Storli
> LA8OKA
> Oslo, Norway
>
> ARCTICPEAK's Radio pages!
> http://www.arcticpeak.com/radio.htm
>
> Fra: Keith Heimbold <[hidden email]>
> Til: Elecraft Group <[hidden email]>
> Sendt: Lørdag, 22. september 2012 14.27
> Emne: [Elecraft] K3 and MicroHam USB 3 issue
>
> I am going to send this out to both reflectors, Elecraft and MicroHam because I am not sure where I have set up the system incorrectly. The system does work intermittently and I have had successful QSOs with it on both CW and digital modes.
>
> Setup; K3, MicroHam USB 3, Y cable to ACC to USB 3 and Yaesu Quadra amp, new Asus PC running 64 bit win 7 O/S with 12 gigs of RAM.
>
> Issue: I have intermittent performance with the USB 3 and my k3. At times when using the device with FLDigi software the transceiver ends up locking up on transmit and I usually have to exit out of FLDigi to stop the transmit cycle as none of the buttons will work. This has happened in all fldigi digital modes but is most prevalent during CW.
>
> I am also very uncertain about the knob position on the front of the USB 3. Sorry but I can't find where the position should be in the manual. Plus I cannot seem to get five bars on the ALC meter of my K3 no matter what I try.
>
> I am not sure if this is a K3 or USB 3 setup issue. I need a little help. It does work about 50% of the time.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Keith
> AG6AZ
>
> Sent from my iPhone please excuse typos
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>
>

Keith Heimbold

Re: Vedr: K3 and MicroHam USB 3 issue

In reply to this post by LA8OKA

Hi Martin,

I decided to take a break in troubleshooting for another weekend and enjoy the fact that I got the USB III working well with fldigi for CW.

I will get back to it next weekend and drive towards some type of resolution.

Thanks again,

Keith
AG6AZ

Sent from my iPhone please excuse typos

On Sep 22, 2012, at 1:07 PM, "Martin Storli - LA8OKA" <[hidden email]> wrote:

Keith Heimbold

Re: Vedr: K3 and MicroHam USB 3 issue

In reply to this post by LA8OKA

Martin-

I decided to swap out the Microham usb 3 to use my other not so loaded K3 serial 1526 and in a matter of minutes with similar K3 and Microham settings everything is working perfectly well.

The decode is also much better with both dm780 and fldigi and the Quadra is working with the Y connector with 1526.

I am not sure what is going on but three weeks ago I did do a full reset on my serial 1391 and reconfigured everything as per the manual.

I know this sounds drastic but I am considering stripping down the fully loaded K3 and install all the goodness into 1526 and purchase the 1.8 kHz filter I have been eyeballing for awhile.

Maybe I am missing a setting or something in the slightly older K3. Need to go through the set up again most likely.

Keith
AG6AZ

Sent from my iPhone please excuse typos

On Sep 22, 2012, at 1:07 PM, "Martin Storli - LA8OKA" <[hidden email]> wrote:

Guy, K2AV

Re: Vedr: K3 and MicroHam USB 3 issue

Hmmm. RF in the shack is famous for causing troubles that make no sense
whatsoever and go away when substituting things, or changing cables, etc.
See if the problems stop if you reduce power to 5 or 10 watts. If it's
really RFI, you will chase your tail forever with the other changes. One
person who shall remain nameless was going to send his K3 back, because a
problem in his digital setup would go away when he put his hand on top of
the K3.

73, Guy.

On Sat, Sep 29, 2012 at 11:50 AM, Keith Heimbold <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Martin-
>
> I decided to swap out the Microham usb 3 to use my other not so loaded K3
> serial 1526 and in a matter of minutes with similar K3 and Microham
> settings everything is working perfectly well.
>
> The decode is also much better with both dm780 and fldigi and the Quadra
> is working with the Y connector with 1526.
>
> I am not sure what is going on but three weeks ago I did do a full reset
> on my serial 1391 and reconfigured everything as per the manual.
>
> I know this sounds drastic but I am considering stripping down the fully
> loaded K3 and install all the goodness into 1526 and purchase the 1.8 kHz
> filter I have been eyeballing for awhile.
>
> Maybe I am missing a setting or something in the slightly older K3. Need
> to go through the set up again most likely.
>
> Keith
> AG6AZ
>
> Sent from my iPhone please excuse typos
>
> On Sep 22, 2012, at 1:07 PM, "Martin Storli - LA8OKA" <[hidden email]>
> wrote:
>
> > Hi Keith.
> >
> > Have you tried without the Y-cable?
> > Have you tried with lower output?
> > I think that either the Y-cable is messig up things, or that you have an
> RFI problem.
> >
> > There are no definitive answer of what the positions on the volum knobs
> on the front shall be as they have to be adjusted depending on the software
> used, the soundcard settings and the transceiver used.
> >
> > Martin Storli
> > LA8OKA
> > Oslo, Norway
> >
> > ARCTICPEAK's Radio pages!
> > http://www.arcticpeak.com/radio.htm
> >
> > Fra: Keith Heimbold <[hidden email]>
> > Til: Elecraft Group <[hidden email]>
> > Sendt: Lørdag, 22. september 2012 14.27
> > Emne: [Elecraft] K3 and MicroHam USB 3 issue
> >
> > I am going to send this out to both reflectors, Elecraft and MicroHam
> because I am not sure where I have set up the system incorrectly. The
> system does work intermittently and I have had successful QSOs with it on
> both CW and digital modes.
> >
> > Setup; K3, MicroHam USB 3, Y cable to ACC to USB 3 and Yaesu Quadra
> amp, new Asus PC running 64 bit win 7 O/S with 12 gigs of RAM.
> >
> > Issue: I have intermittent performance with the USB 3 and my k3. At
> times when using the device with FLDigi software the transceiver ends up
> locking up on transmit and I usually have to exit out of FLDigi to stop the
> transmit cycle as none of the buttons will work. This has happened in all
> fldigi digital modes but is most prevalent during CW.
> >
> > I am also very uncertain about the knob position on the front of the USB
> 3. Sorry but I can't find where the position should be in the manual. Plus
> I cannot seem to get five bars on the ALC meter of my K3 no matter what I
> try.
> >
> > I am not sure if this is a K3 or USB 3 setup issue. I need a little
> help. It does work about 50% of the time.
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Keith
> > AG6AZ
> >
> > Sent from my iPhone please excuse typos
> > ______________________________________________________________
> > 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
> >
> >
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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