KX3 Operating Tip: VFO Lock

[wayne burdick]

This is the first in a series of operating tips I'll be posting for  
the KX3 that will eventually be incorporated into an FAQ page on our  
website.

If you have tips of your own to share with the list, feel free.

* * *

VFO LOCK

Locking the VFO can be useful when operating mobile or portable, or if  
you just want to stay parked on one frequency for a long time and  
don't want to accidentally change it.

The KX3 doesn't have a dedicated VFO lock control. To lock it, hold  
the KHZ switch in for about 3 seconds. You'll hear a beep if switch  
tones are enabled (MENU:SW TONE), and a lock icon will appear above  
the "A" on the LCD.

This locks only VFO A, not VFO B. To lock VFO B, first swap it to VFO  
A (using the A/B switch), then lock, then swap it back. The VFO B lock  
icon will now appear below the "B". You can lock both VFOs if required.

To unlock VFO A, tap RATE or do normal hold of KHZ (about 1/2 second).

If you only want to slow the VFO down a bit rather than lock it, you  
can increase the friction. See page 24 of the current KX3 owner's  
manual. You can also decrease the number of VFO counts per knob  
revolution (see MENU:VFO CTS).

73,
Wayne
N6KR

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[Edward R Cole]

Wayne,

With the forthcoming KX3-2M module and operation on 2m-FM channels,
having memory freq. be locked in FM would be very handy for
portable/mobile operation.  I wonder it that could be accomplished in
firmware when FM mode it added to the firmware.  I am only suggesting
this for FM memory channels.  One can always go to VFO if tuning the
FM freq. was desired.  That was a feature that was much appreciated
in the FT-817 (one could lock the VFO and tune memories without fear
of bumping the knob).

A similar issue will be entering repeater pair frequencies and
subaudible tones (CTCSS), manually.  So far with my K3 I have only
been able to enter new repeater pairs by using the utility (which is
easy), but the KX3 will see much port/mobile use where access to a
computer may not exist.

I am still waiting delivery of my KX3 so expect to be more familiar
with its operation once it has arrived.


73, Ed - KL7UW, WD2XSH/45
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