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KX3 VFO tuning noise...an observation...

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VK7JB

KX3 VFO tuning noise...an observation...

Hi Group,

FWIW, I have an observation about the KX3 VFO tuning noise.

I assembled my #2511 (absent any options) from the kit. Over
a month of use, I noticed the raspy VFO tuning noise only on 10m, in
quiet band conditions. I couldn't hear it anywhere else.

I later received the internal ATU, battery charger and the filter
module options and installed these all together in one session.

After adding these modules, I have noticable tuning noise on all
bands 17m and above. It is reduced but not eliminated by the VFO NR
menu setting.

On 20m, I can hear the artefact, but it is less noticable and has a
different quality: softer and more like a pulsing shift in amplitude
of the background band noise as the VFO is turned.

None of this stops me enjoying my KX3, but for some reason, the
artefact became noticable on my KX3 only after installation of my
options.

This is a "cosmetic" issue, without any functional impairment, but
it's un-attractive and I'm hoping a fix might be found some day.

73,

John

VK7JB

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wayne burdick

Re: KX3 VFO tuning noise...an observation...

Administrator

John,

Did you try setting RX SHFT to 8.0 on affected bands?

Wayne
N6KR

On Dec 18, 2012, at 3:05 PM, [hidden email] wrote:

>
>
> Hi Group,
>
> FWIW, I have an observation about the KX3 VFO tuning noise.
>
>
>
> I assembled my #2511 (absent any options) from the kit. Over
> a month of use, I noticed the raspy VFO tuning noise only on 10m, in
> quiet band conditions. I couldn't hear it anywhere else.
>
> I later received the internal ATU, battery charger and the filter
> module options and installed these all together in one session.
>
>
>
> After adding these modules, I have noticable tuning noise on all
> bands 17m and above. It is reduced but not eliminated by the VFO NR
> menu setting.
>
> On 20m, I can hear the artefact, but it is less noticable and has a
> different quality: softer and more like a pulsing shift in amplitude
> of the background band noise as the VFO is turned.
>
>
>
> None of this stops me enjoying my KX3, but for some reason, the
> artefact became noticable on my KX3 only after installation of my
> options.
>
> This is a "cosmetic" issue, without any functional impairment, but
> it's un-attractive and I'm hoping a fix might be found some day.
>
>
>
> 73,
>
> John
>
> VK7JB
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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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David Moorman

Re: KX3 VFO tuning noise...an observation...

In reply to this post by VK7JB

Try turning "VFO NR" to "ON".

Dave K9SW

On Dec 18, 2012, at 5:05 PM, [hidden email] wrote:

VK7JB

Re: KX3 VFO tuning noise...an observation...

In reply to this post by wayne burdick

Hi Wayne and group,

Thanks for replies and suggestions. Sorry, I forgot to mention:
the VFO NR menu item does reduce the amplitude of the artefact, but
doesn't eliminate it. The RX SHIFT to 8.0 is effective too, but with
that selected, I give up the dual rx feature.

I'm not complaining about this, just offering an observation. It
really is a matter of auditory cosmesis and I've been spoilt because
my K3 and K2 and K1 have not the slightest VFO noise.

Cheers,

John

VK7JB

----- Original Message -----
From: "Wayne Burdick"
To:
Cc:"Elecraft Group"
Sent:Tue, 18 Dec 2012 15:11:54 -0800
Subject:Re: [Elecraft] KX3 VFO tuning noise...an observation...

John,

Did you try setting RX SHFT to 8.0 on affected bands?

Wayne
N6KR

On Dec 18, 2012, at 3:05 PM, [hidden email] wrote:

>
>
> Hi Group,
>
> FWIW, I have an observation about the KX3 VFO tuning noise.
>
>
>
> I assembled my #2511 (absent any options) from the kit. Over
> a month of use, I noticed the raspy VFO tuning noise only on 10m,
in
> quiet band conditions. I couldn't hear it anywhere else.
>
> I later received the internal ATU, battery charger and the filter
> module options and installed these all together in one session.
>
>
>
> After adding these modules, I have noticable tuning noise on all
> bands 17m and above. It is reduced but not eliminated by the VFO NR
> menu setting.
>
> On 20m, I can hear the artefact, but it is less noticable and has a
> different quality: softer and more like a pulsing shift in
amplitude
> of the background band noise as the VFO is turned.
>
>
>
> None of this stops me enjoying my KX3, but for some reason, the
> artefact became noticable on my KX3 only after installation of my
> options.
>
> This is a "cosmetic" issue, without any functional impairment, but
> it's un-attractive and I'm hoping a fix might be found some day.
>
>
>
> 73,
>
> John
>
> VK7JB
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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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Edward R Cole

Re: KX3 VFO tuning noise...an observation...

In reply to this post by VK7JB

VFO NR=ON silenced VFO tuning noise on 28-MHz. I had to increase AF
gain to 40 to listen and there may be a hint of it there with no
antenna connected. NO way I will operate with Volume set this
high. Typical AF Gain = 18 to 20 (using amplified computer speakers).

73, Ed - KL7UW

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VK7JB

Re: KX3 VFO tuning noise...an observation...

In reply to this post by VK7JB

Then you are a lucky fellow, Ed. My VFO NR=ON is not nearly so
effective and neither can I advance the AF gain to 40 without horrible
distortion - my usual audio gain runs around 20 and the artefact is
clearly audible at that level.

I guess this suggests some considerable variation between units. You
are fortunate.

73,
John
VK7JB

>>VFO NR=ON silenced VFO tuning noise on 28-MHz. I had to increase AF
gain to 40 to listen and there may be a hint of it there with no
antenna connected. NO way I will operate with Volume set this high.
Typical AF Gain = 18 to 20 (using amplified computer speakers).

73, Ed - KL7UW
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zlham

Re: KX3 VFO tuning noise...an observation...

In reply to this post by VK7JB

I agree the noise got MUCH worse when I installed the ATU and roofing filter kits. Is there any earthing or whatever I can add to quieten it down again? The noise was acceptable before I installed the additional cards now it is very annoying. I have the NR menu setting set to on but it is still horrible. I hope a firmware update will sort out the problem.

Other than that the KX3 has the best receiver i have ever used.

ZL3DW

wayne burdick

Re: KX3 VFO tuning noise...an observation...

Administrator

I've never noticed an increase in noise when installing either option, but just to be sure, we're going to test it again. I"ll get back to you ASAP if we think your KX3 may have an anomaly of some kind.

73,
Wayne
N6KR

On Jun 18, 2013, at 9:06 PM, zlham <[hidden email]> wrote:

> I agree the noise got MUCH worse when I installed the ATU and roofing filter
> kits. Is there any earthing or whatever I can add to quieten it down again?
> The noise was acceptable before I installed the additional cards now it is
> very annoying. I have the NR menu setting set to on but it is still
> horrible. I hope a firmware update will sort out the problem.
>
> Other than that the KX3 has the best receiver i have ever used.
>
> ZL3DW
>
>
>
> --
> View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KX3-VFO-tuning-noise-an-observation-tp7567365p7575490.html
> Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
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Fred Smith-2

Re: KX3 VFO tuning noise...an observation...

In reply to this post by zlham

I'm a little late on this but my KX3 a (F) unit came loaded mine has never
made the noise you describe.

73,
Fred/N0AZZ
K3 Ser #'s 6730/5299--KX3 # 2573--K2/100 # 6470-KAT100
P3/SVGA--KPA500--KAT500--W2

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of zlham
Sent: Tuesday, June 18, 2013 11:06 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX3 VFO tuning noise...an observation...

I agree the noise got MUCH worse when I installed the ATU and roofing filter
kits. Is there any earthing or whatever I can add to quieten it down again?

The noise was acceptable before I installed the additional cards now it is
very annoying. I have the NR menu setting set to on but it is still
horrible. I hope a firmware update will sort out the problem.

Other than that the KX3 has the best receiver i have ever used.

ZL3DW

--
View this message in context:
http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KX3-VFO-tuning-noise-an-observation-tp7
567365p7575490.html
Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
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DaveL G3TJP

Re: KX3 VFO tuning noise...an observation...

In reply to this post by VK7JB

I built mine, complete with auto ATU and roofing filters, so at this stage
I'd have to take the rig apart to see if the peripherals contribute to the
tuning hash, but even with noise reduction on, tuning makes quite a
swooshing noise and gets louder as the tuning rate is increased. When my K3
still emitted some tuning hash after the mods to suppress it, I thought I
must be quite sensitive to it, but the KX3 is much louder. I hadn't said
anything before because of experience with my K3 but as it's been raised, I
thought I'd "come out" about it. My K3 is a little noisy, but I'd still
expect to hear signals from workable stations as I tune through, however,
the KX3 could readily miss ones that are workable above the band noise level
unless I was tuning slowly.

73 Dave G3TJP

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wayne burdick

Re: KX3 VFO tuning noise...an observation...

Administrator

Dave,

Have you tried turning on VFO NR and/or setting RX SHFT to 8.0 on the affected bands?

Wayne
N6KR

On Jun 19, 2013, at 9:16 AM, "Dave Lankshear" <[hidden email]> wrote:

> I built mine, complete with auto ATU and roofing filters, so at this stage
> I'd have to take the rig apart to see if the peripherals contribute to the
> tuning hash, but even with noise reduction on, tuning makes quite a
> swooshing noise and gets louder as the tuning rate is increased. When my K3
> still emitted some tuning hash after the mods to suppress it, I thought I
> must be quite sensitive to it, but the KX3 is much louder. I hadn't said
> anything before because of experience with my K3 but as it's been raised, I
> thought I'd "come out" about it. My K3 is a little noisy, but I'd still
> expect to hear signals from workable stations as I tune through, however,
> the KX3 could readily miss ones that are workable above the band noise level
> unless I was tuning slowly.
>
>
>
> 73 Dave G3TJP
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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DaveL G3TJP

Re: KX3 VFO tuning noise...an observation...

In reply to this post by VK7JB

I've been into the shack and checked.

VFO NR was on but with an antenna connected, the noise level on all bands
was greater than the tuning hash. The bands were all seem extra noisy
today.

I removed the antenna and set Rx Shift to 8 on the bands where tuning hash
was apparent and it has pretty well done the trick. Thanks, Wayne.

73 Dave G3TJP

P.S. Wayne, the shack now has the smell of burning, so it's like the rest of
the house Hi!

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Chris Del Plato KQ2RP

Re: KX3 VFO tuning noise...an observation...

In reply to this post by VK7JB

I've found this noise on mine was mainly limited to the higher bands 10 &
6m. The RX SHFT set to 8.0 pretty much eliminates the noise, but if I
recall this also disables the roofing filter, which is a bit of a bummer.

72,
Chris KQ2RP
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