Elecraft

No output on K3

Classic

List

Threaded

6 messages Options

Bruce Miller

No output on K3

I’ve been working in vain over the past few days to get my K3 up and running digital modes (other than CW). Several years ago I had things working with a Navigator interface and my 756 Pro II, but it got fried by a lightening strike and I’m just now trying to get things working again.

Here’s my setup:

Full K-Line (K3)
MicroHam MicroKeyer II
Heil ProSet Plus (non-ic version)
DXLab software (but I’ve tried FLDigi and several other programs as well with the same results)
Symptoms:

CW transmit and receive works well, both from the key and the software
On other digital modes and voice, transmitter keys properly, but no power is transmitted
The signal is making it out of the MicroKeyer interface (I plugged the cable that normally plugs into the Line In on the K3 into speakers and could hear the signal coming from the computer and interface)
The signal is making it into the K3 (By enabling the MON, I was able to hear the signal through my headphones attached to the K3)
Using the K3 utility, I can transmit in CW, RTTY and PSK
I think this narrows things down to settings on the K3. The question remains, why am I not getting any output. Here are some relevant settings:

Menu: MIC SEL: LINE IN
Config: PTT-KEY: RTS-OFF (I’ve tried all settings)
Mic Gain: 10 (I’ve tried increasing this with no change)
I’ve also tried increasing the TX Level on the MicroKeyer with no change
I’ve tried playing around with these settings but the results are still the same; power out with CW (but that is not coming through the Line In connection because I can disconnect it and I still have CW power), but no output on any other mode (unless I’m using the K3 Utility program, where I can get output on CW, RTTY, and PSK—but again, it is not through the Line In connection because it can be disconnected).

Your thoughts and suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

73,
Bruce K7EY
______________________________________________________________
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]

Don Wilhelm

Re: No output on K3

Bruce,

The most probable answer is that you are not driving sufficient audio
into the K3. You must have 4 bars solid on the K3 ALC meter with the
5th bar flashing - this is the NO ALC point for the K3, ignore the
internet advice which applies to non-Elecraft transceivers.

The fact that you can hear the signal says it is getting to the K3, but
says nothing about the level.

Adjust the soundcard slider in your computer to about 75%.

Make certain the Navigator is set for Line Level output and not MIC level.

Then you should be able to adjust the K3 MIC Gain (really Line In gain)
to achieve the required number of ALC bars.
You can do that setup in TX TEST so you are not generating RF, or
connect the K3 to a dummy load.

Once you achieve the proper audio level, set your desired power level
with the POWER knob.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 1/14/2017 9:00 AM, Bruce Miller wrote:

______________________________________________________________
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]

Ross Primrose

Re: No output on K3

In reply to this post by Bruce Miller

What mode do you have the K3 in when you're trying to do this? It needs
to be in DATA-A mode. Good info on setup for digital modes here:
http://www.elecraft.com/K3/k3_operating_tips.htm#psk audio

73, Ross N4RP

On 1/14/2017 9:00 AM, Bruce Miller wrote:

> I’ve been working in vain over the past few days to get my K3 up and running digital modes (other than CW). Several years ago I had things working with a Navigator interface and my 756 Pro II, but it got fried by a lightening strike and I’m just now trying to get things working again.
>
> Here’s my setup:
>
> Full K-Line (K3)
> MicroHam MicroKeyer II
> Heil ProSet Plus (non-ic version)
> DXLab software (but I’ve tried FLDigi and several other programs as well with the same results)
> Symptoms:
>
> CW transmit and receive works well, both from the key and the software
> On other digital modes and voice, transmitter keys properly, but no power is transmitted
> The signal is making it out of the MicroKeyer interface (I plugged the cable that normally plugs into the Line In on the K3 into speakers and could hear the signal coming from the computer and interface)
> The signal is making it into the K3 (By enabling the MON, I was able to hear the signal through my headphones attached to the K3)
> Using the K3 utility, I can transmit in CW, RTTY and PSK
> I think this narrows things down to settings on the K3. The question remains, why am I not getting any output. Here are some relevant settings:
>
> Menu: MIC SEL: LINE IN
> Config: PTT-KEY: RTS-OFF (I’ve tried all settings)
> Mic Gain: 10 (I’ve tried increasing this with no change)
> I’ve also tried increasing the TX Level on the MicroKeyer with no change
> I’ve tried playing around with these settings but the results are still the same; power out with CW (but that is not coming through the Line In connection because I can disconnect it and I still have CW power), but no output on any other mode (unless I’m using the K3 Utility program, where I can get output on CW, RTTY, and PSK—but again, it is not through the Line In connection because it can be disconnected).
>
> Your thoughts and suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
>
> 73,
> Bruce K7EY
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]

--
FCC Section 97.313(a) “At all times, an amateur station must use the minimum transmitter power necessary to carry out the desired communications.”

______________________________________________________________
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]

Bruce Miller

Re: No output on K3

In reply to this post by Don Wilhelm

Thank you to both Ross and Don for your suggestions. It looks like Don had the right diagnosis—by turning the Windows and the MicroKeyer drive levels up to about 75%, and then restarting everything, I started getting power out on all digital modes. I then adjusted the MIC Gain as Don suggested and things are working well. THANKS!

My only remaining problem is that I am still not getting any output on Voice mode, but that seems to be related to the MicroKeyer (I can’t hear anything when I plug the Line In cable into speakers and try transmitting). Unless someone here has a similar setup and can advise me, I’ll just continue to work on it. I have the Mic connector from my Proset Plus headset plugged into the front Mic connector on the MicroKeyer, and the headset connector plugged into the back of the K3—which is what the MicroKeyer instructions seem to direct.

Thanks again for the help in getting my digital modes transmitting!

73,
Bruce K7EY

> On Jan 14, 2017, at 7:28 AM, Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Bruce,
>
> The most probable answer is that you are not driving sufficient audio into the K3. You must have 4 bars solid on the K3 ALC meter with the 5th bar flashing - this is the NO ALC point for the K3, ignore the internet advice which applies to non-Elecraft transceivers.
>
> The fact that you can hear the signal says it is getting to the K3, but says nothing about the level.
>
> Adjust the soundcard slider in your computer to about 75%.
>
> Make certain the Navigator is set for Line Level output and not MIC level.
>
> Then you should be able to adjust the K3 MIC Gain (really Line In gain) to achieve the required number of ALC bars.
> You can do that setup in TX TEST so you are not generating RF, or connect the K3 to a dummy load.
>
> Once you achieve the proper audio level, set your desired power level with the POWER knob.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
>
> On 1/14/2017 9:00 AM, Bruce Miller wrote:
>> I’ve been working in vain over the past few days to get my K3 up and running digital modes (other than CW). Several years ago I had things working with a Navigator interface and my 756 Pro II, but it got fried by a lightening strike and I’m just now trying to get things working again.
>>
>> Here’s my setup:
>>
>> Full K-Line (K3)
>> MicroHam MicroKeyer II
>> Heil ProSet Plus (non-ic version)
>> DXLab software (but I’ve tried FLDigi and several other programs as well with the same results)
>> Symptoms:
>>
>> CW transmit and receive works well, both from the key and the software
>> On other digital modes and voice, transmitter keys properly, but no power is transmitted
>> The signal is making it out of the MicroKeyer interface (I plugged the cable that normally plugs into the Line In on the K3 into speakers and could hear the signal coming from the computer and interface)
>> The signal is making it into the K3 (By enabling the MON, I was able to hear the signal through my headphones attached to the K3)
>> Using the K3 utility, I can transmit in CW, RTTY and PSK

Don Wilhelm

Re: No output on K3

Bruce,

Check the mic element in that ProSet - the type is normally printed
where the microphone boom attaches to the headphones.
If it is an "iC" type, you need to turn bias on.

If there is a capacitor in series with the AF line in the MicroKeyer,
then setting bias on in the K3 will not be effective because the
capacitor will block the bias voltage. Joe Subich can tell you about that.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 1/14/2017 11:30 AM, Bruce Miller wrote:
> Thank you to both Ross and Don for your suggestions. It looks like Don had the right diagnosis—by turning the Windows and the MicroKeyer drive levels up to about 75%, and then restarting everything, I started getting power out on all digital modes. I then adjusted the MIC Gain as Don suggested and things are working well. THANKS!
>
> My only remaining problem is that I am still not getting any output on Voice mode, but that seems to be related to the MicroKeyer (I can’t hear anything when I plug the Line In cable into speakers and try transmitting). Unless someone here has a similar setup and can advise me, I’ll just continue to work on it. I have the Mic connector from my Proset Plus headset plugged into the front Mic connector on the MicroKeyer, and the headset connector plugged into the back of the K3—which is what the MicroKeyer instructions seem to direct.
>
> Thanks again for the help in getting my digital modes transmitting!
>
______________________________________________________________
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]

Joe Subich, W4TV-4

Re: No output on K3

In reply to this post by Bruce Miller

On 1/14/2017 11:30 AM, Bruce Miller wrote:

> Thank you to both Ross and Don for your suggestions. It looks like
> Don had the right diagnosis—by turning the Windows and the MicroKeyer
> drive levels up to about 75%, and then restarting everything, I
> started getting power out on all digital modes. I then adjusted the
> MIC Gain asDon suggested and things are working well. THANKS!
>
> My only remaining problem is that I am still not getting any output
> on Voice mode, but that seems to be related to the MicroKeyer (I
> can’t hear anything when I plug the Line In cable into speakers and
> try transmitting). Unless someone here has a similar setup and can
> advise me, I’ll just continue to work on it. I have the Mic
> connector from my Proset Plus headset plugged into the front Mic
> connector on the MicroKeyer, and the headset connector plugged into
> the back of the K3—which is what the MicroKeyer instructions seem to
> direct.

*PLEASE!* Follow the instructions in the "Setting Audio Levels"
section of the microHAM microKEYER II Users Manual. Those step-by-
step instructions will set the mic preamps in MK II, the Windows
sound card output levels, the MK II output levels, *and* both the
mic and line input levels of the transceiver for correct operation
*in all modes*.

73,

... Joe, W4TV

On 1/14/2017 11:30 AM, Bruce Miller wrote:

> Thank you to both Ross and Don for your suggestions. It looks like Don had the right diagnosis—by turning the Windows and the MicroKeyer drive levels up to about 75%, and then restarting everything, I started getting power out on all digital modes. I then adjusted the MIC Gain as Don suggested and things are working well. THANKS!
>
> My only remaining problem is that I am still not getting any output on Voice mode, but that seems to be related to the MicroKeyer (I can’t hear anything when I plug the Line In cable into speakers and try transmitting). Unless someone here has a similar setup and can advise me, I’ll just continue to work on it. I have the Mic connector from my Proset Plus headset plugged into the front Mic connector on the MicroKeyer, and the headset connector plugged into the back of the K3—which is what the MicroKeyer instructions seem to direct.
>
> Thanks again for the help in getting my digital modes transmitting!
>
> 73,
> Bruce K7EY
>
>
>> On Jan 14, 2017, at 7:28 AM, Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>> Bruce,
>>
>> The most probable answer is that you are not driving sufficient audio into the K3. You must have 4 bars solid on the K3 ALC meter with the 5th bar flashing - this is the NO ALC point for the K3, ignore the internet advice which applies to non-Elecraft transceivers.
>>
>> The fact that you can hear the signal says it is getting to the K3, but says nothing about the level.
>>
>> Adjust the soundcard slider in your computer to about 75%.
>>
>> Make certain the Navigator is set for Line Level output and not MIC level.
>>
>> Then you should be able to adjust the K3 MIC Gain (really Line In gain) to achieve the required number of ALC bars.
>> You can do that setup in TX TEST so you are not generating RF, or connect the K3 to a dummy load.
>>
>> Once you achieve the proper audio level, set your desired power level with the POWER knob.
>>
>> 73,
>> Don W3FPR
>>
>>
>> On 1/14/2017 9:00 AM, Bruce Miller wrote:
>>> I’ve been working in vain over the past few days to get my K3 up and running digital modes (other than CW). Several years ago I had things working with a Navigator interface and my 756 Pro II, but it got fried by a lightening strike and I’m just now trying to get things working again.
>>>
>>> Here’s my setup:
>>>
>>> Full K-Line (K3)
>>> MicroHam MicroKeyer II
>>> Heil ProSet Plus (non-ic version)
>>> DXLab software (but I’ve tried FLDigi and several other programs as well with the same results)
>>> Symptoms:
>>>
>>> CW transmit and receive works well, both from the key and the software
>>> On other digital modes and voice, transmitter keys properly, but no power is transmitted
>>> The signal is making it out of the MicroKeyer interface (I plugged the cable that normally plugs into the Line In on the K3 into speakers and could hear the signal coming from the computer and interface)
>>> The signal is making it into the K3 (By enabling the MON, I was able to hear the signal through my headphones attached to the K3)
>>> Using the K3 utility, I can transmit in CW, RTTY and PSK
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]
>