KX3 - After temperature compensation procedure - continues to show drift?

[Mike Parkes]

The other day I finally  got up the nerve to perform the temp compensation
procedure on my KX3. The process went fine as far as I could tell (the
Elecraft instructions we great), I tried very hard to limit the temp rise
to only one degree every min or two. So then this morning, I am looking at
my WSPR mode results on 80 meters. At 2 watts I am still being occasionally
reported as drifting 1hz drift, mostly negative, (and saw one -2 hz
drift). I seldom run more than 2 watts any more, and the rig only gets
barely warm at 2.  So I guess I am trying to understand what is within spec
as regards these FT8 / wspr types of modes and performing the temp comp
procedure. Is all well now and these are only anomalies? I will wait until
I can get some reports on 20 meters wspr, because I know it was showing 2-4
hertz drift/minute drift on that band at 2 watts, it will be interesting to
see what it shows now if the band opens some. Is it possible to go back to
the original temp compensation values?
Thanks for any thoughts if you have any and 73's from snowy Spokane (we are
really seeing the snow pile up here it actually looks like winter out there
:)
Mike AB7RU
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[ve3ibw]

Hi Mike,

I had to perform the temp compensation a few times.  A couple of those
times necessitated a retry due to operator error in the setup :-)  I
eventually achieved a level of proficiency in preparing to apply the heat
source.  Initially, I used a hair dryer the first couple of times.  But the
drift was still present.  I then used an incandescent light bulb (60W I
believe) in a small articulated desk lamp.  This worked much better as the
temp rise was more consistent over a longer period of time.  After that
successful calibration, I have yet to see any drift or be called out for
having drift by another ham.

The KX3 temp compensation is brilliant for a fanless rig once it is
calibrated correctly.

regards,
Brian
VE3IBW

On Thu, Feb 28, 2019 at 9:07 AM Mike Parkes <[hidden email]> wrote:

> The other day I finally  got up the nerve to perform the temp compensation
> procedure on my KX3. The process went fine as far as I could tell (the
> Elecraft instructions we great), I tried very hard to limit the temp rise
> to only one degree every min or two. So then this morning, I am looking at
> my WSPR mode results on 80 meters. At 2 watts I am still being occasionally
> reported as drifting 1hz drift, mostly negative, (and saw one -2 hz
> drift). I seldom run more than 2 watts any more, and the rig only gets
> barely warm at 2.  So I guess I am trying to understand what is within spec
> as regards these FT8 / wspr types of modes and performing the temp comp
> procedure. Is all well now and these are only anomalies? I will wait until
> I can get some reports on 20 meters wspr, because I know it was showing 2-4
> hertz drift/minute drift on that band at 2 watts, it will be interesting to
> see what it shows now if the band opens some. Is it possible to go back to
> the original temp compensation values?
> Thanks for any thoughts if you have any and 73's from snowy Spokane (we are
> really seeing the snow pile up here it actually looks like winter out there
> :)
> Mike AB7RU
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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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