Re:K3 S-meter calibration
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Bryan
You can set the S-Meter to whatever you want, given that most other HF transceiver S-Meters are nowhere near as accurate as that in a K3. The recommended setting with firmware ver 1.66 is SMTR SC=14 and SMTR OF=24 (from the firmware notes), whether you calibrate yours with the pre-amp on or off is a personal choice depending on your use of the pre-amp. As I mostly use the bands from 80m to 20m without a pre-amp, I calibrated mine without the pre-amp. I find my K3 to have a very accurate S-Meter, when set for S9 = 50 uV pd (-73 dBm), S9 + 20 = -53 dBm, S9 + 40 = -33 dBm and S9 + 60 = -13 dBm. It's not bad down to about S6, but I'm not too concerned about that. 73 Dave, G4AON K3/100 #80 http://www.astromag.co.uk/k3/ ============================== I am fully satisfied with my K3 s/n 181, in every respect, it exceeds my expectations, thank you Elecraft and company. I am puzzled by the reference on page 9 to Nom S9=50microvolts, preamp on, and for the setup of [MAIN] SMTR SC. As arrived the settings gave me S9 as 50microvolts, preamp off, using my XG1. I seem to have been puzzled when I built my K2, s/n 4421 as well. Whats the correct method ? 73 Bryan GM3AKF _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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Hi Dave,
I am curious what version of firmware you're running in your K3. My K3 (SN 312) is running the latest firmware (MCU 1.66 & DSP1 1.52). I have CONFIG menu "SMTR OF = 024 & SMTR SC = 014) with PRE AMP on. As expected my S-Meter reads S9 with 50uv applied from a XG1 signal generator. However, when tuning in local broadcast stations, which are S9+50 db on three other receivers, my K3 only reads S9+20 db. In addition, if I turn my RF Gain Control fully counter clock wise (anti clock wise) the S-Meter only reads S7 rather then full scale. I thought this S-Meter performance was a known problem that was being address by Elecraft. However reading your post makes me think I have a serious AGC problem in my particular K3. Have any others experienced the same results I have or does your S-Meter read full scale with RF Gain turned all the way down? If you tune into nearby broadcast stations or have a signal generator what is the maximum your S-Meter reads with a given input? I'm returning my K3 to Elecraft for repair of an audio problem (no internal speaker or external speaker audio unless CONFIG menu "SPKR+PH=yes". Then I have audio. Acts like I always have headphones plugged in (which I do not). Also do not have "LIN OUT' audio when connected to known good computer soundcard. I figure while it's at Elecraft if I have an S-Meter/AGC problem I'll have that fixed too. So the question is: am I the only one who has an S-Meter response as described above? Thanks for any input, Frank - W6NEK
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Hi Frank, I'm on the Field Test team so I'm using 1.67/1.53. I've also made the Hardware AGC Mod G4AON described. Using the XG1 and Preamp On (following the manual S-Meter calibration procedure on page 48), I get SMTR OF = 030 (at the upper limit of adjustment) and SMTR SC = 014. I'm also experiencing the same issue you are with RF Gain full CCW resulting in only S7 on my meter. Only one other Field Tester (W0YK) responded to a query about my odd SMTR OF reading and both of his units were 22/14 and 24/14, which leaves me wondering if there is something wrong in mine. You comments make me think I may not be the only one with some sort of problem. For other K3 users ***who have actually followed the S-meter calibration procedure in the manual***, please send me your settings for SMTR OF and SMTR SC. I'll compile a list and post the results here. If you just used the recommended settings of 24/14, there is no need to reply. 73, Bill W4ZV |
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I got the following nearly instant response from Wayne: ********************************************* Bill, There's still one critical piece of firmware missing, and that is the cause of your S-meter calibration problems: the HAGC CAL routine. This compensates for variations in the hardware AGC curve in the I.F. amp. Until Lyle and I get this in, both the RF GAIN control and the upper end of the S-meter will read far off the mark on some units. This will be true whether or not the HAGC modifications have been made. In fact the HAGC CAL routine will have to be run again after the mod is made. Wayne **************************************************** So please everyone, don't bother responding to my original query and let's wait for Wayne and Lyle to provide the new firmware. 73, Bill W4ZV |
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In reply to this post by Bill W4ZV
Thanks for the info Bill,
That puts my mind at ease knowing that what I observed (below) is normal given the current state of firmware development. No problem, I'll just wait for the future firmware correction. By the way, my rig has the HAGC hardware mod installed. Best 73, Frank - W6NEK K3 312 ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bill W4ZV" <[hidden email]> To: <[hidden email]> Sent: Sunday, February 10, 2008 1:14 PM Subject: Re: Re:[Elecraft] K3 S-meter calibration > > > > W6NEK wrote: >> >> Hi Dave, >> I am curious what version of firmware you're running in your K3. My K3 >> (SN 312) is running the latest firmware (MCU 1.66 & DSP1 1.52). I have >> CONFIG menu "SMTR OF = 024 & SMTR SC = 014) with PRE AMP on. As expected >> my S-Meter reads S9 with 50uv applied from a XG1 signal generator. >> However, when tuning in local broadcast stations, which are S9+50 db on >> three other receivers, my K3 only reads S9+20 db. In addition, if I turn >> my RF Gain Control fully counter clock wise (anti clock wise) the S-Meter >> only reads S7 rather then full scale. >> >> <SNIP> >> >> So the question is: am I the only one who has an S-Meter response as >> described above? >> >> Thanks for any input, >> Frank - W6NEK >> >> > > Hi Frank, > > I'm on the Field Test team so I'm using 1.67/1.53. I've also made the > Hardware AGC Mod G4AON described. Using the XG1 and Preamp On (following > the manual S-Meter calibration procedure on page 48), I get SMTR OF = 030 > (at the upper limit of adjustment) and SMTR SC = 014. I'm also > experiencing > the same issue you are with RF Gain full CCW resulting in only S7 on my > meter. > > Only one other Field Tester (W0YK) responded to a query about my odd SMTR > OF > reading and both of his units were 22/14 and 24/14, which leaves me > wondering if there is something wrong in mine. You comments make me think > I > may not be the only one with some sort of problem. > > For other K3 users ***who have actually followed the S-meter calibration > procedure in the manual***, please send me your settings for SMTR OF and > SMTR SC. I'll compile a list and post the results here. If you just used > the recommended settings of 24/14, there is no need to reply. > > 73, Bill W4ZV > -- > View this message in context: > http://www.nabble.com/Re%3AK3-S-meter-calibration-tp15397426p15401475.html > Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. > > _______________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Post to: [hidden email] > You must be a subscriber to post to the list. > Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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