K3 clicks on release

[W8JI]

I'm working on duplexing on 160 meters, so I have not checked other bands.

When the key line on the K3 is released, there is a very broad bandwidth
click on a receiver. This is with a transmit antenna about 1000-3000 feet
from the RX antenna. I am in a good low noise location.

This click occurs:

1.) with the K3 VOX on or off. That's right, it happens with sidetone only
and no RF!!

2.) It goes away when I pull the RF output coax from the K3, so it is out
the antenna port.

3.) The click extends up to around 1980 kHz, and is unaffected by the VFO
frequency in the K3 (this makes some sense, since no real RF is involved)

 4.) Level increases as I lower RX  frequency from 1980 kHz or so down to
about 1800 kHz, then it starts rolling off again (but that could likely be
because I have HP filters for the AM BCB). It is pretty strong at 1800 kHz,
I'd guess about 40 dB out of noise floor or more.

5.) I hear a similar click when I change bands in the K3 without actually
transmitting!!! When I hear the K3 relays change something inside going from
160 to 40, the other outside receivers "pop" and the S meters go over S 9 in
the pop.

6.) It pops going from 20 meters to 30 meters (either direction), without
transmitting. This goes away when I take the TX antenna off the K3. The same
is true for 30 to 40. 40-80, but NOT so much if at all between 80-160.

7.) Some really loud relay in the K3 is clicking when this happens, but the
same mechanical noise happens going from 160-80 with no radio click.

8.) This happens with VOX on or off on CW.

9.) This happens in SSB mode or any other mode

10.) This happens when I change bands with the memory

11.)  Don't hear it on 80 at all.

12.) on 160 meters, with VOX off on CW mode, I can hear like a loud wide
phase or composite noise while sending!! With the K3 on 1805 kHz the noise
is from 1803.6 to about 1806 kHz.  This noise always follows the VFO around,
while the click does not. Even with no RF output (the VOX is off) I have
this noise.

I have the latest firmware and reset, etc etc. It did it with old firmware
that was about a year old. No change.

Any ideas??

73 Tom









______________________________________________________________
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

[W8JI]

Locking the K3 on TX prevents the click on key release. Of course the
receiver does not work well with the TX locked on. :-)

Any help or suggestions appreciated.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Tom W8JI" <[hidden email]>
To: <[hidden email]>
Sent: Sunday, November 20, 2011 1:10 PM
Subject: [Elecraft] K3 clicks on release

> I'm working on duplexing on 160 meters, so I have not checked other bands.
>
> When the key line on the K3 is released, there is a very broad bandwidth
> click on a receiver. This is with a transmit antenna about 1000-3000 feet
> from the RX antenna. I am in a good low noise location.
>
> This click occurs:
>
> 1.) with the K3 VOX on or off. That's right, it happens with sidetone only
> and no RF!!
>
> 2.) It goes away when I pull the RF output coax from the K3, so it is out
> the antenna port.
>
> 3.) The click extends up to around 1980 kHz, and is unaffected by the VFO
> frequency in the K3 (this makes some sense, since no real RF is involved)
>
> 4.) Level increases as I lower RX  frequency from 1980 kHz or so down to
> about 1800 kHz, then it starts rolling off again (but that could likely be
> because I have HP filters for the AM BCB). It is pretty strong at 1800
> kHz,
> I'd guess about 40 dB out of noise floor or more.
>
> 5.) I hear a similar click when I change bands in the K3 without actually
> transmitting!!! When I hear the K3 relays change something inside going
> from
> 160 to 40, the other outside receivers "pop" and the S meters go over S 9
> in
> the pop.
>
> 6.) It pops going from 20 meters to 30 meters (either direction), without
> transmitting. This goes away when I take the TX antenna off the K3. The
> same
> is true for 30 to 40. 40-80, but NOT so much if at all between 80-160.
>
> 7.) Some really loud relay in the K3 is clicking when this happens, but
> the
> same mechanical noise happens going from 160-80 with no radio click.
>
> 8.) This happens with VOX on or off on CW.
>
> 9.) This happens in SSB mode or any other mode
>
> 10.) This happens when I change bands with the memory
>
> 11.)  Don't hear it on 80 at all.
>
> 12.) on 160 meters, with VOX off on CW mode, I can hear like a loud wide
> phase or composite noise while sending!! With the K3 on 1805 kHz the noise
> is from 1803.6 to about 1806 kHz.  This noise always follows the VFO
> around,
> while the click does not. Even with no RF output (the VOX is off) I have
> this noise.
>
> I have the latest firmware and reset, etc etc. It did it with old firmware
> that was about a year old. No change.
>
> Any ideas??
>
> 73 Tom
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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