P3 Anomoly

[Jim AB3CV]

I'm finding my P3 is doing something new and unpleasant. It keeps dropping
it's senstivity after a few minutes. The noise level is visible normally
above a -140db threshold on most bands but right now I need to move the REF
LVL to -160 to show noise on 20m. If I turn it off and on again the noise
level sensitivity goes back to 140ish as it should.

I've not figured out what triggers this behavior.

Anyone else?

FWIW, setup is K3/P3/KPA500 (currently in standby). K3 in Test mode.

jim
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[Jim AB3CV]

Appears to be bad BNC-BNC cable that was supplied with P3. Easy to replace.

jim ab3cv
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[N4OI - Ken]

Jim AB3CV wrote

Appears to be bad BNC-BNC cable that was supplied with P3. Easy to replace.

Yes, I just assembled my P3 a few weeks ago and noticed that the BNC cable ends had a very loose fit on both the P3 and K3 BNC connectors.  Although I did not experience a problem, I replaced it with a good quality cable I had in a drawer.  

My K3/P3 experience has been first-rate, but I suggest Elecraft should take a look at their BNC cable supplier and consider upgrading for future shipments.  

73 ES GOD BLESS U ES URS DE KEN - N4OI

[ke9uw]

I didn't use mine either...seemed too cheaply made.

Sent from my iPad
Chuck, KE9UW
(Jack for BMW motorcycles)

On Oct 26, 2012, at 5:46 AM, "N4OI - Ken" <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Jim AB3CV wrote
>> Appears to be bad BNC-BNC cable that was supplied with P3. Easy to
>> replace.
>
> Yes, I just assembled my P3 a few weeks ago and noticed that the BNC cable
> ends had a very loose fit on both the P3 and K3 BNC connectors.  Although I
> did not experience a problem, I replaced it with a good quality cable I had
> in a drawer.  
>
> My K3/P3 experience has been first-rate, but I suggest Elecraft should take
> a look at their BNC cable supplier and consider upgrading for future
> shipments.  
>
> 73 ES GOD BLESS U ES URS DE KEN - N4OI
>
>
>
> --
> View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/P3-Anomoly-tp7564531p7564597.html
> Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
> ______________________________________________________________
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[gm3sek]

N4OI - Ken wrote:
>> Appears to be bad BNC-BNC cable that was supplied with P3. Easy to
>> replace.
>
>Yes, I just assembled my P3 a few weeks ago and noticed that the BNC
>cable ends had a very loose fit on both the P3 and K3 BNC connectors.
>Although I did not experience a problem, I replaced it with a good
>quality cable I had in a drawer.
>
Me too. On a fixed-tuned display, the P3 and P3SVGA waterfalls were
displaying drifting bars of noise that moved with the VFOs, but could
not actually be heard on either receiver of the K3 - in other words,
they were internally generated spurious signals. When I replaced the
supplied BNC cable with a disreputable-looking patch cable from the junk
box, the problem disappeared.

On cutting away the plastic covers from the BNC crimp connectors, the
metal sleeve on both connectors was found to be incorrectly crimped. The
tool had been applied too far away from the connector body so that the
crimp was squeezing mostly the soft cable, but failing to provide a
solid 360deg clamping pressure onto the braid.

>
>My K3/P3 experience has been first-rate, but I suggest Elecraft should
>take a look at their BNC cable supplier and consider upgrading for
>future shipments.
>
Agreed.


--

73 from Ian GM3SEK
http://www.ifwtech.co.uk/g3sek
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[Jack Berry]

I have been chasing the poor BNC cable issue as well. I have been using the DeoxIT-D100L product that many suggested. I thought for a while that it was fixed but the problem has returned inspite of several applications and attempts to clean both male & female connectors.

God Bless & 73!Jack - WE5ST

________________________________
 From: Ian White GM3SEK <[hidden email]>
To: [hidden email]
Sent: Friday, October 26, 2012 5:06 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] P3 Anomoly
 
N4OI - Ken wrote:
>> Appears to be bad BNC-BNC cable that was supplied with P3. Easy to
>> replace.
>
>Yes, I just assembled my P3 a few weeks ago and noticed that the BNC
>cable ends had a very loose fit on both the P3 and K3 BNC connectors.
>Although I did not experience a problem, I replaced it with a good
>quality cable I had in a drawer.
>
Me too. On a fixed-tuned display, the P3 and P3SVGA waterfalls were
displaying drifting bars of noise that moved with the VFOs, but could
not actually be heard on either receiver of the K3 - in other words,
they were internally generated spurious signals. When I replaced the
supplied BNC cable with a disreputable-looking patch cable from the junk
box, the problem disappeared.

On cutting away the plastic covers from the BNC crimp connectors, the
metal sleeve on both connectors was found to be incorrectly crimped. The
tool had been applied too far away from the connector body so that the
crimp was squeezing mostly the soft cable, but failing to provide a
solid 360deg clamping pressure onto the braid.

>
>My K3/P3 experience has been first-rate, but I suggest Elecraft should
>take a look at their BNC cable supplier and consider upgrading for
>future shipments.
>
Agreed.


--

73 from Ian GM3SEK
http://www.ifwtech.co.uk/g3sek
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