Elecraft › [K3]

Need help operating K3 with Yaesu Quadra amplifier

Classic

List

Threaded

5 messages Options

K5LAD

Need help operating K3 with Yaesu Quadra amplifier

I'm trying to find the correct sequence of steps to make
sure my new Quadra amplifier is correctly adjusted to my
K3. I have it hooked through the Band-Data1 8-pin cable
and the Quadra does change bands correctly as it tracks
the K3. The Quadra also switches to the correctly
programmed input and/or output spigots. All that is fine.

Taken from the Quadra Operating Manual, "Drive power
must be at least 50 watts for accurate SWR detection,
and 70 to 80 watts for optimum tuner performance."

The problem is primarily in keying the K3 properly to allow
the Quadra's antenna tuner to adjust properly. The
Quadra requires 70-80 watts to tune correctly so I need to
key the K3 with the TUNE button which puts out 5 watts
as it's set up. (I realize that I could reset the TUNE output
to start at a higher rate but surely that's not the best way)
Otherwise, I must press TUNE, crank the PWR knob from
the 5 watts up to 70-80 watts, then press the TUNE button
on the Quadra but the amplifier keys for about a second
as the tuner starts to tune, then drops out, displaying the
message "ERROR" on the display. Now I'm back to 5
watts on the K3 again so after pressing the K3's TUNE
button again I must crank on the PWR knob again (which
is about 4 full revolutions). For as many times as I try
this, the K3 will not stay keyed up long enough for the
Quadra to tune the antenna. BTW - I don't see any error
messages from the K3 during this time.

Using the same amplifier but with my IC-756PRO as a
driver [in RTTY mode at about 70 watts -- with no physical
connections for band changing] it reads the
frequency/band and automatically changes bands and I
can press the Quadra's TUNE button and it tunes up
perfectly. Quickly, painlessly and correctly -- one easy
operation which takes, at most, about 5 seconds.

Realizing that all is normal with the Quadra, tuner and
antenna I switch the input of the Quadra back to the K3
(which changes the PTT, ALC and RF input lines), then I
try the K3 TUNE again. I crank up the PWR knob from 5
watts to 70-80 watts, press the Quadra's TUNE button but
I see the same thing: it trys to tune for about a second,
then drops back with the "ERROR" message. The K3 just
doesn't seem to want to stay in TUNE mode (which is
displaying CW) until the amplifier tuner can complete its
job. [It's not because it got tuned up properly with the
PRO as the Quadra will always reinitiate a tune when so
instructed with the TUNE button]

I've read everything I can find on hooking up the Quadra,
both to the K3 and to other transceivers. There's LOTS of
excellent documentation out there and I appreciate all the
work from those folks. I'm relatively sure that my hookup
between the two is fine.

I guess what I'm asking is -- What are the steps used by
other K3/Quadra users to change a band and make sure
the Quadra's tuner is properly tuned. What am I missing
to keep the K3 transmitting until the Quadra can complete
its tune operation? It's just so easy with the PRO and so
hard with the K3, but perhaps it's something I'm
overlooking or doing incorrectly (<-- major possibility)

BTW - The Quadra will memorize the tuning positions for
various frequencies for different antennas so I guess I
could let the IC-756PRO to do all the set up but I'm trying
to wean myself away from the 756PRO and do everything
on my K3. The K3 shines in SO MANY places, it just
should be able to be easy here too.

Also, last week on the
[hidden email], a fellow presented
a wonderful document listing, for someone else, on the
steps to tune up the Quadra to a couple of different
transceivers. It looked so neat and I thought it was
exactly what I needed. Unfortunately, it did not work for
my K3/Quadra combination............. rats!

Sorry for the long note but is there any hope for me? .......
let me re-phrase that ---- is there any HELP for me?

Thanks and 73,
Jim - K5LAD

-------------------------------------------------------------
Growing old is like being increasingly
penalized for a crime you haven't committed.
-- Anthony Powell
-----------------------------------------------------------
Visit my web page at:
www.hayseed.net/~jpk5lad/
=============================

______________________________________________________________
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

K5DNL

Re: Need help operating K3 with Yaesu Quadra amplifier

Jim,
Set the K3 to operate CW in SSB mode first.
Hope this helps
73 Ken K5DNL
------------------------------------------------------

--- On Mon, 9/14/09, [hidden email] <[hidden email]> wrote:

> From: [hidden email] <[hidden email]>
> Subject: [Elecraft] Need help operating K3 with Yaesu Quadra amplifier
> To: [hidden email]
> Date: Monday, September 14, 2009, 11:26 AM
> I'm trying to find the correct
> sequence of steps to make
> sure my new Quadra amplifier is correctly adjusted to my
> K3. I have it hooked through the Band-Data1 8-pin cable
> and the Quadra does change bands correctly as it tracks
> the K3. The Quadra also switches to the correctly
> programmed input and/or output spigots. All that is
> fine.
>
> Taken from the Quadra Operating Manual, "Drive power
> must be at least 50 watts for accurate SWR detection,
> and 70 to 80 watts for optimum tuner performance."
>
> The problem is primarily in keying the K3 properly to allow
>
> the Quadra's antenna tuner to adjust properly. The
> Quadra requires 70-80 watts to tune correctly so I need to
>
> key the K3 with the TUNE button which puts out 5 watts
> as it's set up. (I realize that I could reset the TUNE
> output
> to start at a higher rate but surely that's not the best
> way)
> Otherwise, I must press TUNE, crank the PWR knob from
> the 5 watts up to 70-80 watts, then press the TUNE button
> on the Quadra but the amplifier keys for about a second
> as the tuner starts to tune, then drops out, displaying
> the
> message "ERROR" on the display. Now I'm back to 5
> watts on the K3 again so after pressing the K3's TUNE
> button again I must crank on the PWR knob again (which
> is about 4 full revolutions). For as many times as I try
>
> this, the K3 will not stay keyed up long enough for the
> Quadra to tune the antenna. BTW - I don't see any error
> messages from the K3 during this time.
>
> Using the same amplifier but with my IC-756PRO as a
> driver [in RTTY mode at about 70 watts -- with no physical
>
> connections for band changing] it reads the
> frequency/band and automatically changes bands and I
> can press the Quadra's TUNE button and it tunes up
> perfectly. Quickly, painlessly and correctly -- one easy
> operation which takes, at most, about 5 seconds.
>
> Realizing that all is normal with the Quadra, tuner and
> antenna I switch the input of the Quadra back to the K3
> (which changes the PTT, ALC and RF input lines), then I
> try the K3 TUNE again. I crank up the PWR knob from 5
> watts to 70-80 watts, press the Quadra's TUNE button but
> I see the same thing: it trys to tune for about a second,
>
> then drops back with the "ERROR" message. The K3 just
> doesn't seem to want to stay in TUNE mode (which is
> displaying CW) until the amplifier tuner can complete its
> job. [It's not because it got tuned up properly with the
> PRO as the Quadra will always reinitiate a tune when so
> instructed with the TUNE button]
>
> I've read everything I can find on hooking up the Quadra,
> both to the K3 and to other transceivers. There's LOTS of
>
> excellent documentation out there and I appreciate all the
>
> work from those folks. I'm relatively sure that my
> hookup
> between the two is fine.
>
> I guess what I'm asking is -- What are the steps used by
> other K3/Quadra users to change a band and make sure
> the Quadra's tuner is properly tuned. What am I missing
>
> to keep the K3 transmitting until the Quadra can complete
> its tune operation? It's just so easy with the PRO and so
>
> hard with the K3, but perhaps it's something I'm
> overlooking or doing incorrectly (<-- major
> possibility)
>
> BTW - The Quadra will memorize the tuning positions for
> various frequencies for different antennas so I guess I
> could let the IC-756PRO to do all the set up but I'm trying
>
> to wean myself away from the 756PRO and do everything
> on my K3. The K3 shines in SO MANY places, it just
> should be able to be easy here too.
>
> Also, last week on the
> [hidden email],
> a fellow presented
> a wonderful document listing, for someone else, on the
> steps to tune up the Quadra to a couple of different
> transceivers. It looked so neat and I thought it was
> exactly what I needed. Unfortunately, it did not work for
>
> my K3/Quadra combination............. rats!
>
> Sorry for the long note but is there any hope for me?
> .......
> let me re-phrase that ---- is there any HELP for me?
>
> Thanks and 73,
> Jim - K5LAD
>
>
>
> -------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Growing old is like being increasingly
> penalized for a crime you haven't committed.
> -- Anthony Powell
> -----------------------------------------------------------
> Visit my web page at:
> www.hayseed.net/~jpk5lad/
> =============================
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>

______________________________________________________________
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

K5DNL

Re: Need help operating K3 with Yaesu Quadra amplifier

Jim,
This will key the K3 and it will put out whatever power you
have it set for, I set mine for 55 watts.
73 Ken K5DNL

-----------------------------------------------

--- On Mon, 9/14/09, Ken Roberson <[hidden email]> wrote:

> From: Ken Roberson <[hidden email]>
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Need help operating K3 with Yaesu Quadra amplifier
> To: [hidden email], [hidden email]
> Date: Monday, September 14, 2009, 1:07 PM
> Jim,
> Set the K3 to operate CW in SSB mode first.
> Hope this helps
> 73 Ken K5DNL
> ------------------------------------------------------
>
> --- On Mon, 9/14/09, [hidden email]
> <[hidden email]>
> wrote:
>
> > From: [hidden email]
> <[hidden email]>
> > Subject: [Elecraft] Need help operating K3 with Yaesu
> Quadra amplifier
> > To: [hidden email]
> > Date: Monday, September 14, 2009, 11:26 AM
> > I'm trying to find the correct
> > sequence of steps to make
> > sure my new Quadra amplifier is correctly adjusted to
> my
> > K3. I have it hooked through the Band-Data1 8-pin
> cable
> > and the Quadra does change bands correctly as it
> tracks
> > the K3. The Quadra also switches to the correctly
> > programmed input and/or output spigots. All that is
> > fine.
> >
> > Taken from the Quadra Operating Manual, "Drive power
> > must be at least 50 watts for accurate SWR detection,
>
> > and 70 to 80 watts for optimum tuner performance."
> >
> > The problem is primarily in keying the K3 properly to
> allow
> >
> > the Quadra's antenna tuner to adjust properly. The
> > Quadra requires 70-80 watts to tune correctly so I
> need to
> >
> > key the K3 with the TUNE button which puts out 5 watts
>
> > as it's set up. (I realize that I could reset the
> TUNE
> > output
> > to start at a higher rate but surely that's not the
> best
> > way)
> > Otherwise, I must press TUNE, crank the PWR knob from
>
> > the 5 watts up to 70-80 watts, then press the TUNE
> button
> > on the Quadra but the amplifier keys for about
> a second
> > as the tuner starts to tune, then drops out,
> displaying
> > the
> > message "ERROR" on the display. Now I'm back to 5
> > watts on the K3 again so after pressing the K3's TUNE
>
> > button again I must crank on the PWR knob again (which
>
> > is about 4 full revolutions). For as many times as I
> try
> >
> > this, the K3 will not stay keyed up long enough for
> the
> > Quadra to tune the antenna. BTW - I don't see any
> error
> > messages from the K3 during this time.
> >
> > Using the same amplifier but with my IC-756PRO as a
> > driver [in RTTY mode at about 70 watts -- with no
> physical
> >
> > connections for band changing] it reads the
> > frequency/band and automatically changes bands and I
> > can press the Quadra's TUNE button and it tunes up
> > perfectly. Quickly, painlessly and correctly -- one
> easy
> > operation which takes, at most, about 5 seconds.
> >
> > Realizing that all is normal with the Quadra, tuner
> and
> > antenna I switch the input of the Quadra back to the
> K3
> > (which changes the PTT, ALC and RF input lines), then
> I
> > try the K3 TUNE again. I crank up the PWR knob from
> 5
> > watts to 70-80 watts, press the Quadra's TUNE button
> but
> > I see the same thing: it trys to tune for about a
> second,
> >
> > then drops back with the "ERROR" message. The K3
> just
> > doesn't seem to want to stay in TUNE mode (which is
> > displaying CW) until the amplifier tuner can complete
> its
> > job. [It's not because it got tuned up properly with
> the
> > PRO as the Quadra will always reinitiate a tune when
> so
> > instructed with the TUNE button]
> >
> > I've read everything I can find on hooking up the
> Quadra,
> > both to the K3 and to other transceivers. There's
> LOTS of
> >
> > excellent documentation out there and I appreciate all
> the
> >
> > work from those folks. I'm relatively sure that my
> > hookup
> > between the two is fine.
> >
> > I guess what I'm asking is -- What are the steps used
> by
> > other K3/Quadra users to change a band and make sure
> > the Quadra's tuner is properly tuned. What am I
> missing
> >
> > to keep the K3 transmitting until the Quadra can
> complete
> > its tune operation? It's just so easy with the PRO
> and so
> >
> > hard with the K3, but perhaps it's something I'm
> > overlooking or doing incorrectly (<-- major
> > possibility)
> >
> > BTW - The Quadra will memorize the tuning positions
> for
> > various frequencies for different antennas so I guess
> I
> > could let the IC-756PRO to do all the set up but I'm
> trying
> >
> > to wean myself away from the 756PRO and do everything
>
> > on my K3. The K3 shines in SO MANY places, it just
> > should be able to be easy here too.
> >
> > Also, last week on the
> > [hidden email],
> > a fellow presented
> > a wonderful document listing, for someone else, on the
>
> > steps to tune up the Quadra to a couple of different
> > transceivers. It looked so neat and I thought it was
>
> > exactly what I needed. Unfortunately, it did not
> work for
> >
> > my K3/Quadra combination............. rats!
> >
> > Sorry for the long note but is there any hope for
> me?
> > .......
> > let me re-phrase that ---- is there any HELP for me?
> >
> > Thanks and 73,
> > Jim - K5LAD
> >
> >
> >
> >
> -------------------------------------------------------------
> >
> > Growing old is like being increasingly
> > penalized for a crime you haven't committed.
> > -- Anthony Powell
> >
> -----------------------------------------------------------
> > Visit my web page at:
> > www.hayseed.net/~jpk5lad/
> > =============================
> >
> >
> ______________________________________________________________
> > 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
> >
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>

Brett Howard

Re: Need help operating K3 with Yaesu Quadra amplifier

No actually you have to set the tun pwr config setting to NOR (I
believe) in order to get that to happen...

On Mon, 2009-09-14 at 11:10 -0700, Ken Roberson wrote:
> Jim,
> This will key the K3 and it will put out whatever power you
> have it set for, I set mine for 55 watts.
> 73 Ken K5DNL

______________________________________________________________
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

Don Wilhelm-4

Re: Need help operating K3 with Yaesu Quadra amplifier

In reply to this post by K5LAD

Jim,

I do not have a Quadra, but I can think of at least 2 ways to accomplish
what you are trying to do. Neither of which involve using the TUNE button.
1) Switch to CW mode - set the Power knob to the 70 to 80 watt range and
close the key (it does not have to be a key, just a switch or pushbutton
plugged into the KEY jack (but a straight key will do if you have one).
2) Set the K3 for CW in SSB (so you will not have to change to CW mode)
and close the key or switch as above.

73,
Don W3FPR

[hidden email] wrote:

> I'm trying to find the correct sequence of steps to make
> sure my new Quadra amplifier is correctly adjusted to my
> K3. I have it hooked through the Band-Data1 8-pin cable
> and the Quadra does change bands correctly as it tracks
> the K3. The Quadra also switches to the correctly
> programmed input and/or output spigots. All that is fine.
>
> Taken from the Quadra Operating Manual, "Drive power
> must be at least 50 watts for accurate SWR detection,
> and 70 to 80 watts for optimum tuner performance."
>
> The problem is primarily in keying the K3 properly to allow
> the Quadra's antenna tuner to adjust properly. The
> Quadra requires 70-80 watts to tune correctly so I need to
> key the K3 with the TUNE button which puts out 5 watts
> as it's set up. (I realize that I could reset the TUNE output
> to start at a higher rate but surely that's not the best way)
> Otherwise, I must press TUNE, crank the PWR knob from
> the 5 watts up to 70-80 watts, then press the TUNE button
> on the Quadra but the amplifier keys for about a second
> as the tuner starts to tune, then drops out, displaying the
> message "ERROR" on the display. Now I'm back to 5
> watts on the K3 again so after pressing the K3's TUNE
> button again I must crank on the PWR knob again (which
> is about 4 full revolutions). For as many times as I try
> this, the K3 will not stay keyed up long enough for the
> Quadra to tune the antenna. BTW - I don't see any error
> messages from the K3 during this time.
>
>