Elecraft

PX3: Possible problem with display

Classic

List

Threaded

3 messages Options

w4sc-2

PX3: Possible problem with display

Larry,

Read the PX3 OSB null procedure carefully.

Check/do the following:

1) Clean the cable connectors contact area with alcohol applied to a clean cloth, removing oil, grease, dirt, ect. Cleaning the connector in the KX3/PX3 is more of an issue, and I haven’t found a good way to clean those. I use 91% isopropyl available at any drug store.
2) Ensure the cables are plugged and seated in completely
3) Make sure f/w setting RX-SHIFT is set to NOR. This is a per-band setting. I had trouble on a single band with obtaining a good null, and this turned out to be the issue. This is not noted in the nulling instructions.
4) Make sure f/w setting DUAL RX is set to OFF. This is a per-band setting. Suspect this could also cause an issue.

Bonding the two chassis will also help (Don).

I have had trouble with these connections many times, as just moving the cables can spoil the PX3 OSB Rejection.

73 de Ben W4SC
______________________________________________________________
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]

tomb18

Re: PX3: Possible problem with display

HiSince you are finding that the peaks diminish when the cables are removed it would seem that the cables are picking up signals from your environment. What happens if everything in your house is turned off except for the px3?I know my p3 will show fixed peaks that don't change with tuning if I have certain other equipment on that is close to the px3.If you find a culprit try putting ferrite on the cables.73

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone.
-------- Original message --------From: Larry Naumann <[hidden email]> Date: 2016-09-09 11:31 AM (GMT-05:00) To: [hidden email], [hidden email] Subject: Re: [Elecraft] PX3: Possible problem with display
Don
Thanks for the suggestion but that does not fix/improve the situation.
Looking at it further I also have spikes at roughly 23, 30 and 52Khz
above and below my cursor. The 52 Khz signal is at S4 the other two are
about S2. I can turn on the PX3 and look at the display with no antenna
connected and see these spikes on every band. If I disconnect the cables
to the KX3 the signals are still there but go down to S1 in strength. I
have even tried running both on separate battery supplies but the
problem is the same. The spikes are there even if I disconnect the I/Q
cable but the spikes are very small, as soon as the I/Q cable is plugged
in the spikes increase.
Larry
n0sa
On 9/9/2016 9:22 AM, Don Wilhelm wrote:

> Larry,
>
> I suspect hum, buzz, and noise pickup on the RX I/Q cable shield
> between the KX3 and the PX3.
> Try "Bonding" - run a heavy wire or strap between the KX3 and the PX3
> in parallel with the RX I/Q cable. The shield from old RG-8 coax
> works well.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> On 9/9/2016 10:12 AM, Larry Naumann wrote:
>> I have just recently noticed that there is a continual spike that
>> follows my cursor. It is internally generated. In CW mode it is away
>> from my tuned signal by the amount of my CW side tone setting and can
>> be switched to above or below the cursor depending on if I am in CW
>> or CW-R.
>> These spikes occur with no antenna connected and are S4 to S5 in
>> strength depending on band.
>> I did the Opposite Sideband Rejection adjustment but show no
>> improvement.
>> I think something is either set wrong or I have an issue.
>> Any help or ideas are appreciated.
>>
>
>

______________________________________________________________
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]

N0SA

Re: PX3: Possible problem with display

I am pretty sure they are internally generated, plus they move with the cursor. They are mirrored above and below the cursor. I ran everything on batteries and took it for a walk outside. No change in signals. The S1-2 spikes aren't bad as band noise will mostly cover them, it is the S4 spikes that are concerning. No amount of OSN makes any difference as far as I can tell. No change while fiddling, moving or twisting cables either.
Larry
n0sa

Sent from my iPad

> On Sep 9, 2016, at 11:24 AM, tomb18 <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Hi
> Since you are finding that the peaks diminish when the cables are removed it would seem that the cables are picking up signals from your environment.
> What happens if everything in your house is turned off except for the px3?
> I know my p3 will show fixed peaks that don't change with tuning if I have certain other equipment on that is close to the px3.
> If you find a culprit try putting ferrite on the cables.
> 73
>
>
>
> Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone.
>
> -------- Original message --------
> From: Larry Naumann <[hidden email]>
> Date: 2016-09-09 11:31 AM (GMT-05:00)
> To: [hidden email], [hidden email]
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] PX3: Possible problem with display
>
> Don
> Thanks for the suggestion but that does not fix/improve the situation.
> Looking at it further I also have spikes at roughly 23, 30 and 52Khz
> above and below my cursor. The 52 Khz signal is at S4 the other two are
> about S2. I can turn on the PX3 and look at the display with no antenna
> connected and see these spikes on every band. If I disconnect the cables
> to the KX3 the signals are still there but go down to S1 in strength. I
> have even tried running both on separate battery supplies but the
> problem is the same. The spikes are there even if I disconnect the I/Q
> cable but the spikes are very small, as soon as the I/Q cable is plugged
> in the spikes increase.
> Larry
> n0sa
> On 9/9/2016 9:22 AM, Don Wilhelm wrote:
> > Larry,
> >
> > I suspect hum, buzz, and noise pickup on the RX I/Q cable shield
> > between the KX3 and the PX3.
> > Try "Bonding" - run a heavy wire or strap between the KX3 and the PX3
> > in parallel with the RX I/Q cable. The shield from old RG-8 coax
> > works well.
> >
> > 73,
> > Don W3FPR
> >
> > On 9/9/2016 10:12 AM, Larry Naumann wrote:
> >> I have just recently noticed that there is a continual spike that
> >> follows my cursor. It is internally generated. In CW mode it is away
> >> from my tuned signal by the amount of my CW side tone setting and can
> >> be switched to above or below the cursor depending on if I am in CW
> >> or CW-R.
> >> These spikes occur with no antenna connected and are S4 to S5 in
> >> strength depending on band.
> >> I did the Opposite Sideband Rejection adjustment but show no
> >> improvement.
> >> I think something is either set wrong or I have an issue.
> >> Any help or ideas are appreciated.
> >>
> >
> >
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]