Mods to K3
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Has anyone upgraded the K3 with either KXV3B, KIO3B or both and any comments?
Thanks Hugh W4DRH ______________________________________________________________ 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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Hi Hugh,
I've summarized some of my thoughts here: http://www.ke7x.com/home/guide-to-the-k3/should-i-update-my-k3-with-k3s-parts Scroll down below the book order form. 73, Fred KE7X See www.ke7x.com for all KE7X Elecraft books. ________________________________________ From: Elecraft <[hidden email]> on behalf of SCDolphin0 <[hidden email]> Sent: Saturday, December 5, 2015 11:05 AM To: [hidden email] Subject: [Elecraft] Mods to K3 Has anyone upgraded the K3 with either KXV3B, KIO3B or both and any comments? Thanks Hugh W4DRH ______________________________________________________________ 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] ______________________________________________________________ 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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In reply to this post by SouthCarolinaDolphin
I upgraded the KXV3 to the A some time ago and in June, to the B model. What sold me on it was the second preamp for 6, 10, and 12m. There is little difference in price between the PR6-10 and the KXV3B.I had been waffling on the 6m preamp for years and when I saw the new XV board, I jumped. No regrets here. My noise floor is very low on 6, 10, and 12 so it does help a bit. Honestly though, I have seldom used the second preamp on 10 or 12 but 6m, definitely.
73,Jim, W5QM On Saturday, December 5, 2015 12:07 PM, SCDolphin0 <[hidden email]> wrote: Has anyone upgraded the K3 with either KXV3B, KIO3B or both and any comments? Thanks Hugh W4DRH ______________________________________________________________ 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] ______________________________________________________________ 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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In reply to this post by Cady, Fred-2
On Sat,12/5/2015 10:12 AM, Cady, Fred wrote:
> I've summarized some of my thoughts here: > http://www.ke7x.com/home/guide-to-the-k3/should-i-update-my-k3-with-k3s-parts I've upgraded my K3s with the new synth board and the KXV3B board. You don't need to buy a book to know what I think about it. I found both upgrades quite worthwhile. The synth board makes your signal cleaner and reduces RX phase noise when the band is full of strong signals. It can be a very big deal in contests and with big DX pileups. The new synth board, combined with a mod to the KBPF3, also enables high quality reception below 500 kHz. It's VERY easy to install. Guys running QRQ say that it improves high speed CW significantly (I rarely work above about 34 WPM). If you have the Sub-RX, you must install two of the new boards. The KXV3B includes the new preamp, which helps a lot with weak signals on 12, 10, and 6M. Installation is more of a challenge mechanically, because physical tolerances make it a bit of a "shoehorn job." That's as far as I've gone with upgrades -- I'll upgrade to the new KIO3B only if it corrects the glaring Pin One Problems present in the original KIO3, which I consider the biggest design mistake Elecraft ever made. 73, Jim K9YC ______________________________________________________________ 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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Hi Jim,
Well, I decided to upgrade to the K3S. The old K3 will replace my IC7200 as the "to-go" station. The 7200 is more than adequate for my use, but I have become so dependent on the panadapter with my K3(which the 7200 cannot support) that I decided on the upgrade. The "to-go" station is mostly used in the back yard deck on nice summer days. The new USB port is wonderful. I use it both for control (with HRD) and audio. One surprise I got was that the factory setting (010) for the line output (yes, that setting affects the USB audio level) was driving the audio right into clipping. I had to reduce it to 002 to be comfortably below clipping level. The audio is fairly clean: ab2tc.com/new_k3s_usb.png There is still some junk around 3.9kHz (it's always there regardless of whether there is a signal in the passband or not.) The test signal is a -73dBm signal from the XG3. The radio is in USB mode with passband 300-2700Hz. So, Jim, I would recommend the KIO3B. The pin one problems should be gone since you don't need the RS232 port and the line out anymore. I agree that the new preamp helps a lot on 10m (and undoubtedly on 6m which I don't use). I have the S-meter set for "absolute", but it does not yet work with new preamp. Hopefully Elecraft will correct that soon. I am a happy camper with my new K3S. AB2TC - Knut
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In reply to this post by SouthCarolinaDolphin
I've upgraded one of my K3s with KXV3B and KSYN3 (x 2) ... absolutely easy and worthwhile. I would not put USB control or sound into any rig as that makes operation of the rig dependent on drivers from the operating system vendor and OS support typically dies long before the rig is ready for the scrap heap. 73, ... Joe, W4TV On 12/5/2015 1:05 PM, SCDolphin0 wrote: > Has anyone upgraded the K3 with either KXV3B, KIO3B or both and any comments? > Thanks Hugh W4DRH > ______________________________________________________________ > 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] > 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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In reply to this post by ab2tc
Hi again,
That link may not work with all browsers. Try this if it doesn't: http://ab2tc.com/new_k3s_usb.png
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In reply to this post by ab2tc
> So, Jim, I would recommend the KIO3B. The pin one problems should be > gone since you don't need the RS232 port and the line out anymore. The pin 1 problems continue to exist because the return of the line in, Line out, and rear panel mic jacks are not tied directly to the chassis. They still follow an indirect path through the jack board, a pin header, to the KIO3B and through another pin header to the RF board and finally to the main circuit common/chassis. Line in/Line out actually "float" through audio transformers ... USB does not have a pin 1 problem but that dos not resolve existing issues with the microphone input or the "pin 1" issues (failure to tie the signal returns to the chassis *at the jack*) for all of the other signals that pass through the KIO3B board. 73, ... Joe, W4TV On 12/5/2015 2:18 PM, ab2tc wrote: > Hi Jim, > > Well, I decided to upgrade to the K3S. The old K3 will replace my IC7200 as > the "to-go" station. The 7200 is more than adequate for my use, but I have > become so dependent on the panadapter with my K3(which the 7200 cannot > support) that I decided on the upgrade. The "to-go" station is mostly used > in the back yard deck on nice summer days. > > The new USB port is wonderful. I use it both for control (with HRD) and > audio. One surprise I got was that the factory setting (010) for the line > output (yes, that setting affects the USB audio level) was driving the audio > right into clipping. I had to reduce it to 002 to be comfortably below > clipping level. The audio is fairly clean: > > ab2tc.com/new_k3s_usb.png > > There is still some junk around 3.9kHz (it's always there regardless of > whether there is a signal in the passband or not.) The test signal is a > -73dBm signal from the XG3. The radio is in USB mode with passband > 300-2700Hz. > > So, Jim, I would recommend the KIO3B. The pin one problems should be gone > since you don't need the RS232 port and the line out anymore. > > I agree that the new preamp helps a lot on 10m (and undoubtedly on 6m which > I don't use). I have the S-meter set for "absolute", but it does not yet > work with new preamp. Hopefully Elecraft will correct that soon. > > I am a happy camper with my new K3S. > > AB2TC - Knut > > > > Jim Brown-10 wrote >> On Sat,12/5/2015 10:12 AM, Cady, Fred wrote: >>> I've summarized some of my thoughts here: >>> http://www.ke7x.com/home/guide-to-the-k3/should-i-update-my-k3-with-k3s-parts >> >> I've upgraded my K3s with the new synth board and the KXV3B board. You >> don't need to buy a book to know what I think about it. >> >> I found both upgrades quite worthwhile. The synth board makes your >> signal cleaner and reduces RX phase noise when the band is full of >> strong signals. It can be a very big deal in contests and with big DX >> pileups. The new synth board, combined with a mod to the KBPF3, also >> enables high quality reception below 500 kHz. >> >> It's VERY easy to install. Guys running QRQ say that it improves high >> speed CW significantly (I rarely work above about 34 WPM). If you have >> the Sub-RX, you must install two of the new boards. >> >> The KXV3B includes the new preamp, which helps a lot with weak signals >> on 12, 10, and 6M. Installation is more of a challenge mechanically, >> because physical tolerances make it a bit of a "shoehorn job." >> >> That's as far as I've gone with upgrades -- I'll upgrade to the new >> KIO3B only if it corrects the glaring Pin One Problems present in the >> original KIO3, which I consider the biggest design mistake Elecraft ever >> made. >> >> 73, Jim K9YC >> <snip> > > > > > > -- > View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/Mods-to-K3-tp7611137p7611142.html > Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. > ______________________________________________________________ > 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] > 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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On Sat,12/5/2015 11:30 AM, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote:
> The pin 1 problems continue to exist because the return of the line in, > Line out, and rear panel mic jacks are not tied directly to the chassis. Thanks for the update, Joe. Very depressing. Pin One Problems have been a major source of issues with my K3s. 73, Jim K9YC ______________________________________________________________ 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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In reply to this post by Joe Subich, W4TV-4
Hi Joe,
I don't share your pessimism about the future support of the USB devices (2) presented by the K3S. These are standard USB audio and comms devices supported by every OS and computing device in existence (including MACs). There is just no way that future devices and OS' will abandon these devices in the foreseeable future. Representatives of Elecraft made this same argument several years ago, but the fact that they are now offering the USB port, to me, means that they are now satisfied that this is not going to be a problem. There is absolutely no effort needed by Elecraft to keep this going into the foreseeable future. AB2TC - Knut
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…until said OS decides to change how they work with peripherals. “Every” and “no way” are absolutes like “always” and “never.”
I have a USB device that is not recognized in OS X 10.11. Well, that’s not entirely true. It’s recognized for how it connects (via USB) but not for what it is (an audio device). I cannot upgrade unless I upgrade (buy new) the device. The manufacturer has not made new drivers for it as of this past week sometime. It has something to do with something called the “USB stack.” I am not a programmer nor do I pretend to know how an OS interfaces with the hardware on a computer. What I do know is that my E-MU 0204 sound card does not work in OS X 10.11. So, if Apple (or Microsoft or any OS) decides to change the way the OS operates with peripherals and manufacturers of devices won’t make a new driver, you’re hosed. Knut, I have to respectfully disagree based on my own experience just the past couple of months. 73, Joel - W4JBB > On Dec 5, 2015, at 4:27 PM, ab2tc <[hidden email]> wrote: > > Hi Joe, > > I don't share your pessimism about the future support of the USB devices (2) > presented by the K3S. These are standard USB audio and comms devices > supported by every OS and computing device in existence (including MACs). > There is just no way that future devices and OS' will abandon these devices > in the foreseeable future. Representatives of Elecraft made this same > argument several years ago, but the fact that they are now offering the USB > port, to me, means that they are now satisfied that this is not going to be > a problem. There is absolutely no effort needed by Elecraft to keep this > going into the foreseeable future. > > AB2TC - Knut > > > Joe Subich, W4TV-4 wrote >> I've upgraded one of my K3s with KXV3B and KSYN3 (x 2) ... absolutely >> easy and worthwhile. I would not put USB control or sound into any >> rig as that makes operation of the rig dependent on drivers from the >> operating system vendor and OS support typically dies long before the >> rig is ready for the scrap heap. >> >> 73, >> >> ... Joe, W4TV >> <snip> > > > > > > -- > View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/Mods-to-K3-tp7611137p7611157.html > Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. > ______________________________________________________________ > 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] ______________________________________________________________ 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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Getting “hosed” can be a self-inflicted wound. Early adoption of the latest and greatest OS always has it’s risks especially if you don’t immediately need the OS upgrade enhancements. Always make sure that all critical applications and hardware drivers you use are compatible with any new OS before upgrading. Many hw drivers often lag an OS release. Always make a complete system backup to allow reverting to an earlier OS version if disaster strikes. If the're going to be any problems others will have discovered them first. Then plan for sw and hw upgrades accordingly.
Caveat emptor. 73 - Steve WB6RSE > > On Dec 5, 2015, at 3:35 PM, Joel Black <[hidden email]> wrote: > > So, if Apple (or Microsoft or any OS) decides to change the way the OS operates with peripherals and manufacturers of devices won’t make a new driver, you’re hosed. > ______________________________________________________________ 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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In reply to this post by Jim Brown-10
I have an old K3 with the original synthesizer (first one with the stiffener)
and a new K3S. I'm not a really fast CW op but do chase DX and let the memories send for me sometimes. I intend to do an A to B comparison, to get a more definitive answer, but at first blush, I'm really underwhelmed with the QSK on the K3S and think it's no better, or perhaps worse that the old K3. Lotsa pops and clicks. On 12/5/2015 11:28 AM, Jim Brown wrote: > > > It's VERY easy to install. Guys running QRQ say that it improves high speed CW > significantly (I rarely work above about 34 WPM). If you have the Sub-RX, you > must install two of the new boards. ______________________________________________________________ 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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