K3S vs K3 - upgradability

[Edward R Cole]

There are times that I am glad that I am four hours behind the East
Coast (and Dayton).

I've read the two links and see the upgrades the K3S has.  Here I
list them and show which I am likely to update on my 2010 K3 (ser 4043):
1. Ultra-low noise synth.  Boards obtainable for upgrading the K3 -
I'll do this (for both Rx).
2. Second Preamp - I have a 6m preamp so not sure I will get the
external PR6-10 - but maybe.
3. Multiple Atten Levels - not necessary for me.
4. USB/RS232 ports - I will not upgrade this.  I am not fond of RJ45
connectors and current RS232 is fine.
   Internal soundcard probably will not suit my use - I like having
the direct audio lines in/out.
5. KAT3 - not installed - no plan to do it now - I would like a two
antenna selectable system - but not end of world.
6. Redesigned speaker amp - probably not - cost factor of replacing
two DSP boards.
7. Fast T/R - I only do 15wpm - understand this is part of the synth upgrade.
8. Extended RX with modified KBPF3A - I understood a kit was
available for to DIY - I will get a kit
9. Enhanced Look/Feel - maybe the soft touch VFO knob - not an
important thing for me.

So doesn't seem to leave me behind in upgrading my K3 on those things
that are important to me.  With the improved boards that Elecraft has
recently released, the S version radio makes sense.  I like that they
offer upgrades for those who have the original radio so the
obsolescence is caused.

73, Ed - KL7UW
http://www.kl7uw.com
     "Kits made by KL7UW"
Dubus Mag business:
     [hidden email]

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[Ross Primrose]

On 5/14/2015 3:27 PM, Edward R Cole wrote:
>
> 8. Extended RX with modified KBPF3A - I understood a kit was available
> for to DIY - I will get a kit

I got the impression that new KBPF3As will have the necessary parts of
the mod, but as I recall when the mods were described a few weeks back
that there were changes that would also need to be made to the RF board
& KRX3.  Hopefully in the next few days there will be some clarification
on exactly what a K3 (no S) owner with no KBPF3s and the old synth(s)
needs to actually buy/mod to get on the bands below 500kHz...

73, Ross N4RP

--
FCC Section 97.313(a) “At all times, an amateur station must use the minimum transmitter power necessary to carry out the desired communications.”

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[Edward R Cole]

In my last post I meant to say in the last line: "...so the
obsolescence is NOT caused."

An in reply of others "this is my retirement radio" which I promised
my wife was the "last one".  Then I bought the KX3 in 2012 - he
he!  I think a KXPA-100 may be on my list for a later time...would
eliminate two current amps (actually three).

73, Ed - KL7UW
http://www.kl7uw.com
     "Kits made by KL7UW"
Dubus Mag business:
     [hidden email]

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[Joe Subich, W4TV-4]

On 2015-05-14 3:41 PM, Ross Primrose wrote:
>
> I got the impression that new KBPF3As will have the necessary parts of
> the mod, but as I recall when the mods were described a few weeks back
> that there were changes that would also need to be made to the RF board
> & KRX3.  Hopefully in the next few days there will be some clarification
> on exactly what a K3 (no S) owner with no KBPF3s and the old synth(s)
> needs to actually buy/mod to get on the bands below 500kHz...

To get on 630 meters no changes are likely to be needed.  The existing
KBPF3 is good down to 250 KHz or so and the internal noise is below the
"sky noise" there.  To get reasonable receive performance at 137 KHz,
both the filter and bypass mods (RF board/KRX3) will probably be needed.

I'm hoping that the bypass mods are a substantial portion of the "lower
RF and digital noise" in the new K3S RF board.  It would be a shame if
one needed to replace the K3 with a K3S because of a significant change
there.

73,

   ... Joe, W4TV
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[Phil Wheeler-2]

Here's what Wayne said in his first post here
(4/29) on this topic:

"Here's a summary of the changes required:

   RF board:              Add one leaded capacitor
   KRX3 (if applicable):  Add one leaded capacitor
   KBPF3:                 Remove two inductors; parallel three new capacitors

If you're interested in this low frequency range, and you'd like to try the mods, please email me directly.

Note: To tune this range with the K3, you'll need the new synth (KSYN3A), a KBPF3 module (on the main and/or sub receiver), and a KXV3 module. A KXV3 is required because the antenna for the 100-500 kHz range should be connected to RX ANT IN or XVTR IN. The ANT1/ANT2 path goes through the T/R switch, which has a high-pass filter to protect the K3's fast PIN-diode T/R circuitry"

And later he said (5/13):

"The modification only affects 500 kHz and lower. We'll have a modification kit ready in a week or two.

A few K3s have been modified so far, and all performed very well."

But that was yesterday, so it will be a while.

Phil W7OX


On 5/14/15 12:41 PM, Ross Primrose wrote:

> On 5/14/2015 3:27 PM, Edward R Cole wrote:
>>
>> 8. Extended RX with modified KBPF3A - I
>> understood a kit was available for to DIY - I
>> will get a kit
>
> I got the impression that new KBPF3As will have
> the necessary parts of the mod, but as I recall
> when the mods were described a few weeks back
> that there were changes that would also need to
> be made to the RF board & KRX3.  Hopefully in
> the next few days there will be some
> clarification on exactly what a K3 (no S) owner
> with no KBPF3s and the old synth(s) needs to
> actually buy/mod to get on the bands below
> 500kHz...
>
> 73, Ross N4RP
>

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[Elecraft mailing list]

You will need the general coverage board (KBPF3) and the parts kit.
But I believe the new General coverage boards (KBPF3A) have the necessary parts on them.
So it will be a matter of the New General coverage board (KBPF3) and Cap to be added to the Main board and the sub receiver).


I had not had the time to source the parts, then Elecraft said they will have a parts kit in the near future so I figure I'll just wait and get it from them.





      From: Ross Primrose <[hidden email]>
 To: Edward R Cole <[hidden email]>; [hidden email]
 Sent: Thursday, May 14, 2015 3:41 PM
 Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3S vs K3 - upgradability
   
On 5/14/2015 3:27 PM, Edward R Cole wrote:
>
> 8. Extended RX with modified KBPF3A - I understood a kit was available
> for to DIY - I will get a kit

I got the impression that new KBPF3As will have the necessary parts of
the mod, but as I recall when the mods were described a few weeks back
that there were changes that would also need to be made to the RF board
& KRX3.  Hopefully in the next few days there will be some clarification
on exactly what a K3 (no S) owner with no KBPF3s and the old synth(s)
needs to actually buy/mod to get on the bands below 500kHz...

73, Ross N4RP

--
FCC Section 97.313(a) “At all times, an amateur station must use the minimum transmitter power necessary to carry out the desired communications.”



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