Playing with my KX3-2M

[Edward R Cole]

Finally hit a breather in my busy schedule* to spend a little time
with the new 2M transverter module. *Just wound up running a week of
W1AW/KL7 for 2m eme.

My unit was one of the few that had to have the Rx fixed as result of
field testing.  Came back in great shape and verified the RF output
to be 3w.  I still don't have enough time to make the exhaustive
frequency measurements that I want to evaluate for use with mw
transverters that commonly use 144 as IF, but

...made some local 2m-FM contacts and noticed the receiver audio
seemed "scratchy", sort of like one would see with poor
signals.  That got me curious to make some tests with my other 2m-FM
rig and that also seemed off.

At the same time I decided to program the KX3 with the local NOAA Wx
station (162.475) and it was terrible.  I switched to my standard
vertical dual-band base station whip and NOAA came at S6 "loud and
clear" -wow!  Quick check of the tower-mounted preamp shows its
blown.  It reverts to bypass by removing 12v power.  BTW the preamp
is connected to a yagi pointed toward Anchorage 70-mi north.  The
NOAA station is 20mi south.

But the thing I wanted to say is KX3-2M Rx sensitivity at 162 MHz
appears pretty good!  Quick check of 2m Rx sensitivity was made using
my XG3+30 dB step-attenuator and good it was hearing down to -137 dBm
in SSB bandwidth.

Now I am fixing a RFConcepts 2-23 30w linear amp to be driven by the
KX3-2M.  This amp is a very nice brick which is small enough to take
on a plane in a briefcase when traveling.  Being linear it can be
used on 2m-SSB with the KX3-2M.  Check out my new webpage for the 2M module:
http://www.kl7uw.com/KX3-2M.htm

73, Ed - KL7UW
http://www.kl7uw.com
     "Kits made by KL7UW"
Dubus Mag business:
     [hidden email]

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[David Pratt]

Very interesting, Ed, and your web page is too.

I see that the KX3-2M is in a screened box positioned immediately on top
of the ATU.  Does the position of it have any detrimental affect on the
operation of the ATU on the normal KX3 bands (1.8 to 50MHz)?  I do not
see any mention of this in the FAQ.

It is good to see that progress is being made. I have one on order which
I hope to use on my overseas vacation in September.

73 de David G4DMP

In a recent message, Edward R Cole <[hidden email]> writes
[snip]
>But the thing I wanted to say is KX3-2M Rx sensitivity at 162 MHz
>appears pretty good!  Quick check of 2m Rx sensitivity was made using
>my XG3+30 dB step-attenuator and good it was hearing down to -137 dBm
>in SSB bandwidth.
[snip]
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 | David M Pratt, Kippax, Leeds.   |
 | Website: http://www.g4dmp.co.uk |
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[David Pratt]

Many thanks, Ed, it is thankful to know that the operation of the ATU is
unaffected.

73 de David G4DMP

In a recent message, Edward R Cole <[hidden email]> writes
>I should have taken a photo before installing the shield.  No it has no
>effect on the ATU if you follow instructions on routing the mini-coax
>which connects LO and ANT.  It is important to orient the shield
>properly there is little cutout of the lip of the shield which prevents
>shorting the 3w PA transistor (TO-220).  Do not use the print on the
>label as a guide for which way the shield in installed.  It took my
>about an hour and ten minutes to install the 2M.

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 | David M Pratt, Kippax, Leeds.   |
 | Website: http://www.g4dmp.co.uk |
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