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KX3 Feature Ask

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Dave AD6A

KX3 Feature Ask

If at all possible I'd like the KX3 to have a 10MHz frequency reference input. What are the chances? Maybe this is something I could add as a mod?

Cheers es 72,
Dave AD6A

Sent from my  iPhone 7 Plus
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wayne burdick

Re: KX3 Feature Ask

Administrator

Hi Dave,

The synthesizer used in the KX3 doesn’t have means for locking to an external reference. However, if you do the extended VFO temperature compensation, then calibrate the reference to WWV (etc.), you’ll typically be within +/- 1 or 2 Hz of your actual target frequency on all bands, over a wide temperature range.

73,
Wayne
N6KR

> On Jan 21, 2018, at 10:38 AM, Dave AD6A <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> If at all possible I'd like the KX3 to have a 10MHz frequency reference input. What are the chances? Maybe this is something I could add as a mod?
>
> Cheers es 72,
> Dave AD6A
>
> Sent from my  iPhone 7 Plus

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Dave AD6A

Re: KX3 Feature Ask

Thanks Wayne, I'll try doing the extended VFO temp comp procedure. Sounds like that will get me close enough.

Cheers,
Dave AD6A

Sent from my  iPhone 7 Plus

On Jan 22, 2018, at 8:04 AM, Wayne Burdick <[hidden email]> wrote:

Hi Dave,

The synthesizer used in the KX3 doesn’t have means for locking to an external reference. However, if you do the extended VFO temperature compensation, then calibrate the reference to WWV (etc.), you’ll typically be within +/- 1 or 2 Hz of your actual target frequency on all bands, over a wide temperature range.

73,
Wayne
N6KR

> On Jan 21, 2018, at 10:38 AM, Dave AD6A <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> If at all possible I'd like the KX3 to have a 10MHz frequency reference input. What are the chances? Maybe this is something I could add as a mod?
>
> Cheers es 72,
> Dave AD6A
>
> Sent from my  iPhone 7 Plus

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wayne burdick

Re: KX3 Feature Ask

Administrator

This should do it. Actually, once the temp comp procedure has been completed, you’ll have the equivalent of a very expensive TCXO (about +/- 0.2 PPM).

Wayne
N6KR

> On Jan 22, 2018, at 4:59 PM, Dave AD6A <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Thanks Wayne, I'll try doing the extended VFO temp comp procedure. Sounds like that will get me close enough.
>
> Cheers,
> Dave AD6A
>
> Sent from my  iPhone 7 Plus
>
> On Jan 22, 2018, at 8:04 AM, Wayne Burdick <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Hi Dave,
>
> The synthesizer used in the KX3 doesn’t have means for locking to an external reference. However, if you do the extended VFO temperature compensation, then calibrate the reference to WWV (etc.), you’ll typically be within +/- 1 or 2 Hz of your actual target frequency on all bands, over a wide temperature range.
>
> 73,
> Wayne
> N6KR
>
>
>> On Jan 21, 2018, at 10:38 AM, Dave AD6A <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>> If at all possible I'd like the KX3 to have a 10MHz frequency reference input. What are the chances? Maybe this is something I could add as a mod?
>>
>> Cheers es 72,
>> Dave AD6A
>>
>> Sent from my  iPhone 7 Plus
>
>

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Nr4c

Re: KX3 Feature Ask

In reply to this post by Dave AD6A

Come on. This is a great little radio. But it’s designed to be s great “little” portable radio. How many will carry a 10 MHz ref oscillator to a mountain top.

If you’re looking for a full fledged base station with all the options, get a K3S.

Sent from my iPhone
...nr4c. bill

> On Jan 21, 2018, at 1:38 PM, Dave AD6A <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> If at all possible I'd like the KX3 to have a 10MHz frequency reference input. What are the chances? Maybe this is something I could add as a mod?
>
> Cheers es 72,
> Dave AD6A
>
> Sent from my  iPhone 7 Plus
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

Dave AD6A

Re: KX3 Feature Ask

A great little radio it is, agreed. I have two of them that I use as I.F. radios on my 10 & 24GHz portable microwave station setups. They are perfect for that function, using the 2m option as the I.F. especially when mated with a PX3. I drag my microwave gear all over the place, including mountain tops. I phase lock my microwave transverters to a GPS disciplined 10MHz OCXO and would simply like to be able to do the same with the I.F. radio so that I know exactly what frequency I'm on, especially when looking for exceedingly weak transmissions. I know for sure there are many of us microwavers that do the same thing.

FWIW I have a fully loaded K3s in my home station that's also locked to a GPS standard, as is all my RF test equipment.

Regards,
Dave AD6A

Sent from my  iPhone 7 Plus

On Jan 22, 2018, at 6:36 PM, Nr4c <[hidden email]> wrote:

Come on. This is a great little radio. But it’s designed to be s great “little” portable radio. How many will carry a 10 MHz ref oscillator to a mountain top.

If you’re looking for a full fledged base station with all the options, get a K3S.

Sent from my iPhone
...nr4c. bill

Edward R Cole

Re: KX3 Feature Ask

In reply to this post by Dave AD6A

Dave,

I bought my KX3 primarily for use as144-MHz mw IF. I did some
extensive freq measurements at 6m (before the 2m module was
available). I added an aftermarket heat sink and then ran the temp
comp routine. I simulated running JT65, which has continuous carrier
for 50 seconds out of 2 minute sequences and found max drift was
about 12-Hz. That existed for the first two sequences and then drift
dropped down to about 5-Hz (apparently residual heat held the offset
for a longer time).

Since the 2m module utilizes a 55-MHz IF I would expect about the
same performance. Actually depends on power output and 2m max is 3w
vs the 5w test I ran on 6m. Seems 12-Hz variation on 10-GHz would
not be troublesome if the mw LO was phase locked to a reference. I
have measured my 10-GHz LO to be about 17-Hz off frequency (no
discernable drift) mainly due to frequency error in my OCXO on 10-MHz
(which is multiplied to 10,224.000 MHz from 1,036 MHz). I drive my
DEMI 10G transverter at 1w on 144-MHz so drift would even be better.

So freq accuracy is < 17+12 Hz at 10,368 MHz. Much better than the
old Xosc system with the FT-817 which could be several KHz off freq.

I use an EIP538 mw freq counter which I check against a Rb source (5x E-11).

73, Ed - KL7UW

From: Dave AD6A <[hidden email]>
To: Nr4c <[hidden email]>
Cc: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX3 Feature Ask

A great little radio it is, agreed. I have two of them that I use as
I.F. radios on my 10 & 24GHz portable microwave station setups. They
are perfect for that function, using the 2m option as the I.F.
especially when mated with a PX3. I drag my microwave gear all over
the place, including mountain tops. I phase lock my microwave
transverters to a GPS disciplined 10MHz OCXO and would simply like to
be able to do the same with the I.F. radio so that I know exactly
what frequency I'm on, especially when looking for exceedingly weak
transmissions. I know for sure there are many of us microwavers that
do the same thing.

FWIW I have a fully loaded K3s in my home station that's also locked
to a GPS standard, as is all my RF test equipment.

Regards,
Dave AD6A

73, Ed - KL7UW
http://www.kl7uw.com
Dubus-NA Business mail:
[hidden email]

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