[K3] low audio volume and low s meter readings

[Elecraft mailing list]

I took my k3 to Belize for ARRL DX CW and pre contest worked a few contacts all of which told me I had a great signal while I could barely hear them.  A couple I knew were KW stations and I was concerned I wasn't hearing well.  Performance during the contest seemed to  confirm that I was being heard better then I was hearing.  I had the af gain at max for most of the time.
At home I've set up my k3 next to my k3s for comparison testing.  The k3 definitely has lower volume and the S meter is reading low.  
The K3S has an ambient noise level of about s6 on 20M while the K3 S meter shows an ambient noise level of 0.The K3S has a comfortable af gain level of about noon while K3 is comfortable with af gain fully clockwise (both with rf gain at max)Signals seem to be stronger on the K3S.
I've been through the 'Receive:Receive signal level too low' section of the troubleshooting guide in the manual and all seems good (didn't try to change config:REF CAL but its value was very close to the default).
Would appreciate any wisdom before I resort to sending it in for a tune up.
Thanks,
Gary KT0A
 
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[Buck]

Try running the Rx Gain calibration routine in the K3 Utility?

k4ia, Buck
K3# 101
Honor Roll  8B DXCC
EasyWayHamBooks.com

On 2/25/2018 6:12 PM, Gary Slagel via Elecraft wrote:

> I took my k3 to Belize for ARRL DX CW and pre contest worked a few contacts all of which told me I had a great signal while I could barely hear them.  A couple I knew were KW stations and I was concerned I wasn't hearing well.  Performance during the contest seemed to  confirm that I was being heard better then I was hearing.  I had the af gain at max for most of the time.
> At home I've set up my k3 next to my k3s for comparison testing.  The k3 definitely has lower volume and the S meter is reading low.
> The K3S has an ambient noise level of about s6 on 20M while the K3 S meter shows an ambient noise level of 0.The K3S has a comfortable af gain level of about noon while K3 is comfortable with af gain fully clockwise (both with rf gain at max)Signals seem to be stronger on the K3S.
> I've been through the 'Receive:Receive signal level too low' section of the troubleshooting guide in the manual and all seems good (didn't try to change config:REF CAL but its value was very close to the default).
> Would appreciate any wisdom before I resort to sending it in for a tune up.
> Thanks,
> Gary KT0A
>  
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> Elecraft mailing list
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[Vic Owen KB7GL]

Gary --

Did you get your problem resolved?

I have a K3 that has low sensitivity on 20 Meters. For comparison, on a
given signal, my Icom 756P3 shows S5-7, my KX3 will be showing 5-6 bars on
the meter and the K3 will be showing 1 bar or less. With the Preamp ON, I
get 2 bars.

I did the factory calibration reset, with no change. I also did a recent
version update from Elecraft. Seems like it's weak only on 20M...the other
bands appear normal.

73, Vic KB7GL




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