Quick review of the new preamps in KXV3B

[Jim Sheldon]

Right now 6 meters is marginally open between KS and the Southeast US.
(NC down to FL).  First chance I've had to check out the "Preamp 2"
function on the new KX3VB.  Boy what a difference it makes.  Had it set
to Preamp 1 and just barely hearing signals so went to Preamp 2 and
really good copy on everyone I could hear.  Makes a really decent 6
meter rig out of an older K3 without the PR6.

Have not had a chance to test it on 10 and 12 meters other than
observing a very distinct increase in background noise with it in Preamp
2 mode as both bands were not open when I tested the KXV3B after finally
getting it enabled yesterday.  This morning 6 is open so that one gets
tested first.

Overall I'm very pleased with the operation of this board and no
negative issues noted other than the initial lack of information in the
documentation on how to enable it.

Jim - W0EB

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[Sebastian, W4AS]

A very similar experience here as well.

One thing I dislike, is the flashing PRE when preamp 2 is on.  It is annoying to see the constant flashing, to me that generally means there is something wrong.  But it looks like that part of the K3’s display doesn’t have the ability to display something else.  

It should be treated the same as the noise blanker for example, which has multiple settings, yet only NB displays when it is on.

73 de Sebastian, W4AS

> On Jun 7, 2015, at 10:07 AM, Jim Sheldon <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Right now 6 meters is marginally open between KS and the Southeast US. (NC down to FL).  First chance I've had to check out the "Preamp 2" function on the new KX3VB.  Boy what a difference it makes.  Had it set to Preamp 1 and just barely hearing signals so went to Preamp 2 and really good copy on everyone I could hear.  Makes a really decent 6 meter rig out of an older K3 without the PR6.
>
> Have not had a chance to test it on 10 and 12 meters other than observing a very distinct increase in background noise with it in Preamp 2 mode as both bands were not open when I tested the KXV3B after finally getting it enabled yesterday.  This morning 6 is open so that one gets tested first.
>
> Overall I'm very pleased with the operation of this board and no negative issues noted other than the initial lack of information in the documentation on how to enable it.
>
> Jim - W0EB

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[Mike Harris-9]

It appears that the gain of the Pre-2 has not been factored into the
S-meter ABS setting unlike that of the Pre-1.  I can understand this
being the case with the outboard amps, PR-6 and family.  However, given
that this function ins now internal maybe it could be taken into account.

Regards,

Mike VP8NO

On 07/06/2015 11:27, Sebastian wrote:

> A very similar experience here as well.
>
> One thing I dislike, is the flashing PRE when preamp 2 is on.  It is annoying to see the constant flashing, to me that generally means there is something wrong.  But it looks like that part of the K3’s display doesn’t have the ability to display something else.
>
> It should be treated the same as the noise blanker for example, which has multiple settings, yet only NB displays when it is on.
>
> 73 de Sebastian, W4AS
>
>> On Jun 7, 2015, at 10:07 AM, Jim Sheldon <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>> Right now 6 meters is marginally open between KS and the Southeast US. (NC down to FL).  First chance I've had to check out the "Preamp 2" function on the new KX3VB.  Boy what a difference it makes.  Had it set to Preamp 1 and just barely hearing signals so went to Preamp 2 and really good copy on everyone I could hear.  Makes a really decent 6 meter rig out of an older K3 without the PR6.
>>
>> Have not had a chance to test it on 10 and 12 meters other than observing a very distinct increase in background noise with it in Preamp 2 mode as both bands were not open when I tested the KXV3B after finally getting it enabled yesterday.  This morning 6 is open so that one gets tested first.
>>
>> Overall I'm very pleased with the operation of this board and no negative issues noted other than the initial lack of information in the documentation on how to enable it.
>>
>> Jim - W0EB

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[wayne burdick]

Mike,

We'll take preamp 2's gain into account for SMTR ABS in an upcoming firmware release. We also need to account for the 5/10/15 dB attenuation steps available in the K3S.

By the way, the MDS on 12/10/6 meters with preamp 2 engaged is a blistering 145 dBm, typical! Have fun--

Wayne
N6KR


On Jun 7, 2015, at 7:57 AM, Mike Harris <[hidden email]> wrote:

> It appears that the gain of the Pre-2 has not been factored into the S-meter ABS setting unlike that of the Pre-1.  I can understand this being the case with the outboard amps, PR-6 and family.  However, given that this function ins now internal maybe it could be taken into account.
>
> Regards,
>
> Mike VP8NO
>
> On 07/06/2015 11:27, Sebastian wrote:
>> A very similar experience here as well.
>>
>> One thing I dislike, is the flashing PRE when preamp 2 is on.  It is annoying to see the constant flashing, to me that generally means there is something wrong.  But it looks like that part of the K3’s display doesn’t have the ability to display something else.
>>
>> It should be treated the same as the noise blanker for example, which has multiple settings, yet only NB displays when it is on.
>>
>> 73 de Sebastian, W4AS
>>
>>> On Jun 7, 2015, at 10:07 AM, Jim Sheldon <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>>
>>> Right now 6 meters is marginally open between KS and the Southeast US. (NC down to FL).  First chance I've had to check out the "Preamp 2" function on the new KX3VB.  Boy what a difference it makes.  Had it set to Preamp 1 and just barely hearing signals so went to Preamp 2 and really good copy on everyone I could hear.  Makes a really decent 6 meter rig out of an older K3 without the PR6.
>>>
>>> Have not had a chance to test it on 10 and 12 meters other than observing a very distinct increase in background noise with it in Preamp 2 mode as both bands were not open when I tested the KXV3B after finally getting it enabled yesterday.  This morning 6 is open so that one gets tested first.
>>>
>>> Overall I'm very pleased with the operation of this board and no negative issues noted other than the initial lack of information in the documentation on how to enable it.
>>>
>>> Jim - W0EB
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[K6ER]

I'd like to ask for help from the group.

I installed the new KXV3B module in my K3 and I cannot select preamp 2.

I set config/KXV3B to "nor" and selected "9" to change from KXV3 to KXV3B.
I have config/preamp2  "on" for each band 12-6m.
I have the latest firmware, 5.33 installed.

Tapping "PRE" only cycles "PRE 1" on or off.  I do not see preamp 2 or the flashing PRE on the LCD.

What could I have forgotten?

Erick, K6ER

[K6ER]

Answering my own thread about preamp2

My preamp 2 would not enable.  I turned off the SUB receiver and tried it and preamp 2 worked.  I turned the SUB receiver back on and it still worked!

Erick K6ER