KX3: advise for setting up for WSJT-X

[Edward R Cole]

Firstly, I am quite comfortable/experienced running JT65 with my K3,
so hopefully some of that will transfer to setting up the KX3.

I have ordered a West Mountain "RIGblaster Plug & Play" with
RJ45-to-4 ring mic jack optional cable for interfacing my laptop to
the KX3.  I still have to download latest vers of WSJT-X.  Hopefully
includes a version that has test tones for setting levels.

I note the DATA button on the KX3 and guess one uses either headphone
audio or IQ output from  ACC2.  Not sure which is used by the West
Mountain  I/F.

Any advice from KX3 users of digital modes (particularly on 6m) would
be appreciated.  It can be off-list as this as probably been "hashed
over" before (I just didn't pay attention).

We are departing with our 5th wheel trailer for a 2-month+ 9,000-mile
trip to lower-48 within a week.

Major operating plans: CQ-VHF Contest July 21/20 (6m/2m) from
Longmont, CO, and
ARRL 10-GHz Up Contest from Copper Harbor, MI (shore of Lake
Superior), August 17/18.

KX3 with KXPA100 will be used for both plus mobile on the trip ,
occasionally from RV parks.  I have 80m & 20m Hamsticks, plus 6m
Moxon and 2M7 yagi.  APRS tracking when underway.

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

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[Jim Brown-10]

On 6/18/2018 10:20 AM, Edward R Cole wrote:
> Any advice from KX3 users of digital modes (particularly on 6m) would
> be appreciated.  It can be off-list as this as probably been "hashed
> over" before (I just didn't pay attention).

I'll stick to the list. First, temperature stability is a MAJOR issue on
the higher bands, especially 6M, for early serial number KX3s. As an
introduction, skim this page.
http://www.bigskyspaces.com/w7gj/KX3HeatSinks.htm

After Lance's KX3 was built and after he made Elecraft aware of the
issues, the main board was redesigned to eliminate the problem he
highlighted, and the heat sink was beefed up. Elecraft also built into
the firmware support for a temperature compensation procedure to be done
by users.

The good news is that, IF the TC run is done, a current production KX3
with these running production changes works very well for MSK and FT8 on
6M. The bad news is that while the main board can be replaced, it is
VERY expensive. Better to sell your older KX3 and buy a new one. :)

73, Jim K9YC


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[Don Wilhelm]

Ed,

The audio settings for the K3 and K3 are the same, control the audio so
you have 4 bars solid on the ALC meter with the 5th bar flashing.
Use the computer output controls to establish that level with the KX3
Mic Gain set to mid-range.

You will want to use the headphone output of the KX3 rather than the IQ
output.  The IQ output is at too low a level to drive the soundcard
input for DATA modes.

73,
Don W3FPR


On 6/18/2018 1:20 PM, Edward R Cole wrote:

> Firstly, I am quite comfortable/experienced running JT65 with my K3, so
> hopefully some of that will transfer to setting up the KX3.
>
> I have ordered a West Mountain "RIGblaster Plug & Play" with RJ45-to-4
> ring mic jack optional cable for interfacing my laptop to the KX3.  I
> still have to download latest vers of WSJT-X.  Hopefully includes a
> version that has test tones for setting levels.
>
> I note the DATA button on the KX3 and guess one uses either headphone
> audio or IQ output from  ACC2.  Not sure which is used by the West
> Mountain  I/F.
>
> Any advice from KX3 users of digital modes (particularly on 6m) would be
> appreciated.  It can be off-list as this as probably been "hashed over"
> before (I just didn't pay attention).
>
> We are departing with our 5th wheel trailer for a 2-month+ 9,000-mile
> trip to lower-48 within a week.
>
> Major operating plans: CQ-VHF Contest July 21/20 (6m/2m) from Longmont,
> CO, and
> ARRL 10-GHz Up Contest from Copper Harbor, MI (shore of Lake Superior),
> August 17/18.
>
> KX3 with KXPA100 will be used for both plus mobile on the trip ,
> occasionally from RV parks.  I have 80m & 20m Hamsticks, plus 6m Moxon
> and 2M7 yagi.  APRS tracking when underway.
>
> 73, Ed - KL7UW
>    http://www.kl7uw.com
> Dubus-NA Business mail:
>    [hidden email]
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]
>

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