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KRX3 Diversity Antenna

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John Huffman-3

KRX3 Diversity Antenna

I ordered the KRX3 today. I've been reading the manual and have a question.

I have two antennas hooked to my K3. Antenna 1 uses the internal ATU
and is hooked to the ANT1 connector. Antenna 2 is hooked to the ANT2
connector on the K3, but does not use the ATU.

Using this setup on my Orion, I can listen to antenna 1 on the main
receiver and antenna 2 on the sub receiver.

But, on the K3 it appears that I have to disconnect antenna 2 from the
ANT2 connector and connect it to the AUX connector in order to get
diversity receive. That seems inconvenient.

Is there a way to put ANT1 on the main and ANT2 on the sub in the K3? I
don't relish the idea that I have to crawl around behind the radio in
order to change connectors every time I want diversity receive.

73 de K1ESE
John
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Iain MacDonnell - N6ML-2

Re: KRX3 Diversity Antenna

Hi John,

You may want to review the section in the K3 Owner's Manual entitled
"Main and Sub Receiver Antenna Routing" - specifically the sub section
"K3 with KAT3 ATU". I believe it answers your question... ?

~Iain / N6ML

On Thu, Dec 3, 2009 at 2:35 PM, John Huffman <[hidden email]> wrote:

> I ordered the KRX3 today. I've been reading the manual and have a question.
>
> I have two antennas hooked to my K3. Antenna 1 uses the internal ATU
> and is hooked to the ANT1 connector. Antenna 2 is hooked to the ANT2
> connector on the K3, but does not use the ATU.
>
> Using this setup on my Orion, I can listen to antenna 1 on the main
> receiver and antenna 2 on the sub receiver.
>
> But, on the K3 it appears that I have to disconnect antenna 2 from the
> ANT2 connector and connect it to the AUX connector in order to get
> diversity receive. That seems inconvenient.
>
> Is there a way to put ANT1 on the main and ANT2 on the sub in the K3? I
> don't relish the idea that I have to crawl around behind the radio in
> order to change connectors every time I want diversity receive.
>
> 73 de K1ESE
> John
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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wayne burdick

Re: KRX3 Diversity Antenna

Administrator

In reply to this post by John Huffman-3

John,

If your only available independent receiving antenna for the sub
receiver is the antenna you have connected to ANT2, you may want to
use the "non-transmit ATU antenna" as your sub aux antenna, rather
than the BNC jack. ANT2 can then be the sub's antenna while ANT1 is
the main antenna, or vice-versa. Same as the Orion.

This is explained in the KRX3 manual. You'll need to use the TMP-TMP
coax cable supplied with the KRX3; connect it from the sub to the ATU.
You'll have to either remove the BNC cable assembly or coil it up and
tape it safely out of the way if you leave it installed.

73,
Wayne
N6KR

On Dec 3, 2009, at 2:35 PM, John Huffman wrote:

> I ordered the KRX3 today. I've been reading the manual and have a
> question.
>
> I have two antennas hooked to my K3. Antenna 1 uses the internal ATU
> and is hooked to the ANT1 connector. Antenna 2 is hooked to the ANT2
> connector on the K3, but does not use the ATU.
>
> Using this setup on my Orion, I can listen to antenna 1 on the main
> receiver and antenna 2 on the sub receiver.
>
> But, on the K3 it appears that I have to disconnect antenna 2 from the
> ANT2 connector and connect it to the AUX connector in order to get
> diversity receive. That seems inconvenient.
>
> Is there a way to put ANT1 on the main and ANT2 on the sub in the
> K3? I
> don't relish the idea that I have to crawl around behind the radio in
> order to change connectors every time I want diversity receive.
>
> 73 de K1ESE
> John
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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

Zoli Pitman HA1AG-2

First-timer's K3 experiences in WW CW

Hello,

I just received my K3 2 weeks before the WW CW so it was a rough transition taking this rig in use. Steve K6AW helped me a lot, spending lots of time with me on Skype explaining and giving tips about how to use the K3 in contesting optimally. (TNX!!) I took the K3 to Portugal where I had a mini M/S with Con DF4SA and Marq CT1BWW.

I was impressed by the RX, it worked ufb, I only had a few issues, which are either config
issues (most likely my pilot errors) and some are supposedly design issues, like:

- I
failed to find a way to get VFO-B freq permanently on display. My K3
keeps showing PA temp, time, PS current and voltage etc and it toggles
between these when I toss the dial of the sub-VFO. Having to push that
SUBVFO-SET button sucks. I would like to have the VFO-B dial to be used
only for VFO-B whenever the SUB-VFO is activated. I checked the manual back
and forth on the plane back and could not find such an option. What I
found is that I either tune VFO-A or press BSET (have to hold and not
even tap only!) and then and only then can change VFO-B freq. I badly missed the
capability of the MP to tune A and B independently and engage and
disengage dual-rx quickly.

-
I also failed to find a way to put the CLAR offset permanently on
display. It keeps switching back to that PA temp etc. Sometimes I
wandered too much off my run freq without noticing it. Having the CLAR offset permanently displayed whenever activated would be a useful reminder. It seems
CLAR offset is only displayed when I change it.

- The hint to turn AGC off whenever possible and control with RF-gain was
really a good one. it really helped me to pick up the weaker USA calls
among the pile of EUs. It was a very enjoyable challange. However I
missed a sort of AGC in the audio stage, because when I got called by
some really strong stations my eardrums were in pain...

- I purchased
250/500 Hz CW filters. There is a dramatic change between those. In addition it seemed AGC was pumped badly when I went for a narrower DSP BW than the roofing filter. I
think for contesting I should put 250/400 and for casual DXing the
loose 500Hz filters are perfect. 250/400/500 would give me a very
gradual change. Lowbands in WW are the ultimate test for IF design I guess.

- Having optical encoders for speed and power is
not optimal in my opinion. First I don't need the capability to set 56
instead of 57 Watts, second, those buttons are very close and roll very
easily so I happened to change accidentally the power when I only
wanted to change keying speed even though I do not have a big hand.
Plus they lack the visual indication (possible with a simple potmeter)
which would come handy for a simple visual sanity check for the sleep deprived mind.

-
If I understand correctly I need to buy the KXV3A module just to
have an RX antenna capability. Maybe there is a workaround to connect RX
ant to the AUX ANT connector and use the SUB RX for RX and the main RX
to TX or vica versa, but I need to figure out exactly how. Or I need to
build in a relay and add an extra connector to the place of ANT2 or 3.
Something I need to put in later.

Any feedback would be gratefully appreciated, 73!

zoli HA1AG (CR5X in WWCW)

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M0XDF

Re: First-timer's K3 experiences in WW CW

I recommend you download http://www.elecraft.com/manual/K3_Owner's_Man_Rev_D5_Hi_Res.pdf
or the lower res http://www.elecraft.com/manual/K3_Owner's_Man_Rev_D5_web_res.pdf

and search DISPLAY in there, but see below for specifics ...

73 de M0XDF, K3 #174
--
Men build too many walls and not enough bridges.
-Isaac Newton, philosopher and mathematician (1642-1727)

On 4 Dec 2009, at 11:47, Zoli Pitman HA1AG wrote:

> Hello,
>
> I just received my K3 2 weeks before the WW CW so it was a rough
> transition taking this rig in use. Steve K6AW helped me a lot,
> spending lots of time with me on Skype explaining and giving tips
> about how to use the K3 in contesting optimally. (TNX!!) I took the
> K3 to Portugal where I had a mini M/S with Con DF4SA and Marq CT1BWW.
>
> I was impressed by the RX, it worked ufb, I only had a few issues,
> which are either config
> issues (most likely my pilot errors) and some are supposedly design
> issues, like:
>
> - I
> failed to find a way to get VFO-B freq permanently on display.

Use the DISPLAY button, in one setting it displays data about the rig
(temp etc) in the other it displays VFO B (all the time).

Quote from pg 21 of Owners Manual:
The VFO B display can show a variety of
useful parameters in addition to the normal
frequency display. To see these, tap DISP (left
of the display), then rotate the VFO B knob.
The VFO B display will cycle through time,
date, RIT/XIT offset, supply voltage, current
drain, etc. (pg. 36).switches, PF1 , PF2 , and M1 – M4 (tap or hold).
Function menu entries can only be used via such
a switch assignment. (Examples, from the CONFIG
menu: VFO B->A and TTY LTR.)
To set up a programmable function switch, first use

> Having to push that
> SUBVFO-SET button sucks. I would like to have the VFO-B dial to be
> used
> only for VFO-B whenever the SUB-VFO is activated.

VFO-B is active all the time I believe and you just change it with the
VFO-B knob

> press BSET (have to hold and not
> even tap only!)

BSET changes the VFO that all the controls affect, so by default they
change VFO-A, hold BSET and now everything that controlled VFO-A
(including the large VFO-A knob) now affects VFO-B (or the sub Rx if
fitted) instead.

> I also failed to find a way to put the CLAR offset permanently on
> display. It keeps switching back to that PA temp etc.

This is because you've got the DISPLAY set to show that, just try
tapping it.

Just a note:
Wayne and Eric (and everyone else involved with design etc) are radio
amatures too, so if something doesn't work the way it normally would,
chances are you're doing something wrong. The do get things wrong
sometimes, they are human as well :-)
But generally, they know how a rig should work and how everyone will
want it to work

73 de M0XDF
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Don Wilhelm-4

Re: First-timer's K3 experiences in WW CW

In reply to this post by Zoli Pitman HA1AG-2

Zoli,

The solution to your VFO B display request is easy - just tap the DISP
button.

73,
Don W3FPR

Zoli Pitman HA1AG wrote:

> - I
> failed to find a way to get VFO-B freq permanently on display. My K3
> keeps showing PA temp, time, PS current and voltage etc and it toggles
> between these when I toss the dial of the sub-VFO. Having to push that
> SUBVFO-SET button sucks. I would like to have the VFO-B dial to be used
> only for VFO-B whenever the SUB-VFO is activated. I checked the manual back
> and forth on the plane back and could not find such an option. What I
> found is that I either tune VFO-A or press BSET (have to hold and not
> even tap only!) and then and only then can change VFO-B freq. I badly missed the
> capability of the MP to tune A and B independently and engage and
> disengage dual-rx quickly.
>
>
>

drewko

Re: First-timer's K3 experiences in WW CW

In reply to this post by Zoli Pitman HA1AG-2

You can set the SLOPE to minimum value and THR to maximum value for a
more "non-AGC" AGC.

Also, set AF LIM to a setting that will protect your ears when the AGC
is turned off; this will clip excessive volume (and therefore it will
sound distorted) but does save your ear drums

VFOB can be made to permanently display with the DISP control.

I also would like to have the receive antenna but have no use for KXV3
otherwise.

--
73,
Drew
AF2Z

On Fri, 04 Dec 2009 03:47:14 -0800 (PST), you wrote:

>Hello,
>
>I just received my K3 2 weeks before the WW CW so it was a rough transition taking this rig in use. Steve K6AW helped me a lot, spending lots of time with me on Skype explaining and giving tips about how to use the K3 in contesting optimally. (TNX!!) I took the K3 to Portugal where I had a mini M/S with Con DF4SA and Marq CT1BWW.
>
>I was impressed by the RX, it worked ufb, I only had a few issues, which are either config
>issues (most likely my pilot errors) and some are supposedly design issues, like:
>
>- I
>failed to find a way to get VFO-B freq permanently on display. My K3
>keeps showing PA temp, time, PS current and voltage etc and it toggles
>between these when I toss the dial of the sub-VFO. Having to push that
>SUBVFO-SET button sucks. I would like to have the VFO-B dial to be used
>only for VFO-B whenever the SUB-VFO is activated. I checked the manual back
>and forth on the plane back and could not find such an option. What I
>found is that I either tune VFO-A or press BSET (have to hold and not
>even tap only!) and then and only then can change VFO-B freq. I badly missed the
>capability of the MP to tune A and B independently and engage and
>disengage dual-rx quickly.
>
>-
>I also failed to find a way to put the CLAR offset permanently on
>display. It keeps switching back to that PA temp etc. Sometimes I
>wandered too much off my run freq without noticing it. Having the CLAR offset permanently displayed whenever activated would be a useful reminder. It seems
>CLAR offset is only displayed when I change it.
>
>- The hint to turn AGC off whenever possible and control with RF-gain was
>really a good one. it really helped me to pick up the weaker USA calls
>among the pile of EUs. It was a very enjoyable challange. However I
>missed a sort of AGC in the audio stage, because when I got called by
>some really strong stations my eardrums were in pain...
>
>- I purchased
>250/500 Hz CW filters. There is a dramatic change between those. In addition it seemed AGC was pumped badly when I went for a narrower DSP BW than the roofing filter. I
>think for contesting I should put 250/400 and for casual DXing the
>loose 500Hz filters are perfect. 250/400/500 would give me a very
>gradual change. Lowbands in WW are the ultimate test for IF design I guess.
>
>- Having optical encoders for speed and power is
>not optimal in my opinion. First I don't need the capability to set 56
>instead of 57 Watts, second, those buttons are very close and roll very
>easily so I happened to change accidentally the power when I only
>wanted to change keying speed even though I do not have a big hand.
>Plus they lack the visual indication (possible with a simple potmeter)
>which would come handy for a simple visual sanity check for the sleep deprived mind.
>
>-
>If I understand correctly I need to buy the KXV3A module just to
>have an RX antenna capability. Maybe there is a workaround to connect RX
>ant to the AUX ANT connector and use the SUB RX for RX and the main RX
>to TX or vica versa, but I need to figure out exactly how. Or I need to
>build in a relay and add an extra connector to the place of ANT2 or 3.
>Something I need to put in later.
>
>Any feedback would be gratefully appreciated, 73!
>
>zoli HA1AG (CR5X in WWCW)
>
>
>
>
>______________________________________________________________
>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