SWR issue with K3
Locked
 
|
While on 20m I tuned the MFJ 1788 to the lowest SWR which was 1.2:1. I did this using the tune button on the K3. I noticed the SWR on the K3 was bouncing around from 1.2, 1.3, 1.7, 1.4 and so on and never settling on just one reading. This only happens on 20m and no other band that I tuned on. Here is some of the trouble shooting I did.
1. I have a KX3 and hooked it up to the MFJ 1788 loop antenna and read the SWR. It showed 1.2:1 and no "bouncing" issues. I did remove the PL259 from the K3 ANT1 port and connected it to the KX3 so the test would include all that was in line with the K3. In line meaning coax, antenna switch and MFJ tuner box. 2. I opened up the K3 and tightened all screws ( boards, case, SO-239 and any checked out the seating of coax jumpers in the rig for a secure fit. 3. I tried the K3 on a dummy load and all was good. I am at a loss as to what is going on and am looking for some input? I check the rig again today on 20m and it's still having SWR bouncing issues. I have never had this in the past and am looking for feed back on things to check? Setup information Radio K3 with antenna tuner (not being used rig is on bypass) Antenna MFJ 1788 mag loop Power 5 watts QRP Coax RG 8X 30 ft Thanks in advance Mike VE3WDM ______________________________________________________________ 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] |
|
|
Mike,
What is the proximity of the magnetic loop antenna to the K3? I suspect RF feedback from the K3 being within the strong field of the magnetic loop. Try moving the loop further from the K3 or rotate it so the maximum RF is not directed at the K3. Yes, those RF problems can be present even at 5 watts. 73, Don W3FPR On 11/28/2016 4:56 PM, Mike Weir wrote: > While on 20m I tuned the MFJ 1788 to the lowest SWR which was 1.2:1. I did this using the tune button on the K3. I noticed the SWR on the K3 was bouncing around from 1.2, 1.3, 1.7, 1.4 and so on and never settling on just one reading. This only happens on 20m and no other band that I tuned on. Here is some of the trouble shooting I did. > > 1. I have a KX3 and hooked it up to the MFJ 1788 loop antenna and read the SWR. It showed 1.2:1 and no "bouncing" issues. I did remove the PL259 from the K3 ANT1 port and connected it to the KX3 so the test would include all that was in line with the K3. In line meaning coax, antenna switch and MFJ tuner box. > > 2. I opened up the K3 and tightened all screws ( boards, case, SO-239 and any checked out the seating of coax jumpers in the rig for a secure fit. > > 3. I tried the K3 on a dummy load and all was good. > > I am at a loss as to what is going on and am looking for some input? I check the rig again today on 20m and it's still having SWR bouncing issues. I have never had this in the past and am looking for feed back on things to check? > > > Setup information > > Radio K3 with antenna tuner (not being used rig is on bypass) > > Antenna MFJ 1788 mag loop > > Power 5 watts QRP > > Coax RG 8X 30 ft > > Thanks in advance > > Mike VE3WDM > > ______________________________________________________________ > 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] |
|
|
In reply to this post by VE3WDM
Are you "checking" with a constant CW carrier or voice?
Sent from my iPhone ...nr4c. bill > On Nov 28, 2016, at 4:56 PM, Mike Weir <[hidden email]> wrote: > > While on 20m I tuned the MFJ 1788 to the lowest SWR which was 1.2:1. I did this using the tune button on the K3. I noticed the SWR on the K3 was bouncing around from 1.2, 1.3, 1.7, 1.4 and so on and never settling on just one reading. This only happens on 20m and no other band that I tuned on. Here is some of the trouble shooting I did. > > 1. I have a KX3 and hooked it up to the MFJ 1788 loop antenna and read the SWR. It showed 1.2:1 and no "bouncing" issues. I did remove the PL259 from the K3 ANT1 port and connected it to the KX3 so the test would include all that was in line with the K3. In line meaning coax, antenna switch and MFJ tuner box. > > 2. I opened up the K3 and tightened all screws ( boards, case, SO-239 and any checked out the seating of coax jumpers in the rig for a secure fit. > > 3. I tried the K3 on a dummy load and all was good. > > I am at a loss as to what is going on and am looking for some input? I check the rig again today on 20m and it's still having SWR bouncing issues. I have never had this in the past and am looking for feed back on things to check? > > > Setup information > > Radio K3 with antenna tuner (not being used rig is on bypass) > > Antenna MFJ 1788 mag loop > > Power 5 watts QRP > > Coax RG 8X 30 ft > > Thanks in advance > > Mike VE3WDM > > ______________________________________________________________ > 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] > While on 20m I tuned the MFJ 1788 to the lowest SWR which was 1.2:1. I did this using the tune button on the K3. I noticed the SWR on the K3 was bouncing around from 1.2, 1.3, 1.7, 1.4 and so on and never settling on just one reading. This only happens on 20m and no other band that I tuned on. Here is some of the trouble shooting I did. > > 1. I have a KX3 and hooked it up to the MFJ 1788 loop antenna and read the SWR. It showed 1.2:1 and no "bouncing" issues. I did remove the PL259 from the K3 ANT1 port and connected it to the KX3 so the test would include all that was in line with the K3. In line meaning coax, antenna switch and MFJ tuner box. > > 2. I opened up the K3 and tightened all screws ( boards, case, SO-239 and any checked out the seating of coax jumpers in the rig for a secure fit. > > 3. I tried the K3 on a dummy load and all was good. > > I am at a loss as to what is going on and am looking for some input? I check the rig again today on 20m and it's still having SWR bouncing issues. I have never had this in the past and am looking for feed back on things to check? > > > Setup information > > Radio K3 with antenna tuner (not being used rig is on bypass) > > Antenna MFJ 1788 mag loop > > Power 5 watts QRP > > Coax RG 8X 30 ft > > Thanks in advance > > Mike VE3WDM > > ______________________________________________________________ > 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] |
|
|
In reply to this post by VE3WDM
I just wanted to give an update to my SWR issue and thank everyone for their time and helpful input. I solved the issue and the SWR on 20m is back to normal now. What i did was this......I never had this issue in the past which had me sitting down and thinking "what has changed"? The only thing that was done was I put up the Christmas lights on our balcony. After the process of elimination I found the extension cord feeding the lights was the issue! When the extension cord is removed from the balcony the issue is solved. As a matter of fact all that has to be done is unpluging it from the outlet on the balcony.
73 Mike VE3WDM |
|
|
hello
talking about SWR issue, I had a issue that took my attention many moths ago but since I can solve it, now just I have the concern to know why this happens Some times i notice high SWR on the K3 (2.4:1) and normal on my LP100 (1.3:1). So i turn on the ATU, adjust SWR on the K3 with ATU TUNE and it´s now normal on the K3 (1.3:1). then I turn off ATU and SWR remain good in 1.3:1 So why this first reading of 2.4:1? really strange 73, Jorge CX6VM/CW5W 2016-11-30 9:30 GMT-03:00 VE3WDM <[hidden email]>: > I just wanted to give an update to my SWR issue and thank everyone for > their > time and helpful input. I solved the issue and the SWR on 20m is back to > normal now. What i did was this......I never had this issue in the past > which had me sitting down and thinking "what has changed"? The only thing > that was done was I put up the Christmas lights on our balcony. After the > process of elimination I found the extension cord feeding the lights was > the > issue! When the extension cord is removed from the balcony the issue is > solved. As a matter of fact all that has to be done is unpluging it from > the > outlet on the balcony. > 73 > Mike > VE3WDM > > > > -- > View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2. > nabble.com/SWR-issue-with-K3-tp7624316p7624363.html > Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. > ______________________________________________________________ > 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] > -- 73, Jorge CX6VM/CW5W ______________________________________________________________ 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] |
|
|
In reply to this post by VE3WDM
Note to self: When asked "What did you change since it worked before?" Is not restricted to the radio system!
Sent from my iPhone ...nr4c. bill > On Nov 30, 2016, at 7:30 AM, VE3WDM <[hidden email]> wrote: > > I just wanted to give an update to my SWR issue and thank everyone for their > time and helpful input. I solved the issue and the SWR on 20m is back to > normal now. What i did was this......I never had this issue in the past > which had me sitting down and thinking "what has changed"? The only thing > that was done was I put up the Christmas lights on our balcony. After the > process of elimination I found the extension cord feeding the lights was the > issue! When the extension cord is removed from the balcony the issue is > solved. As a matter of fact all that has to be done is unpluging it from the > outlet on the balcony. > 73 > Mike > VE3WDM > > > > -- > View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/SWR-issue-with-K3-tp7624316p7624363.html > Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. > ______________________________________________________________ > 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] |
|
|
Howdy y'all. Happy day. Do hope your holiday season is nicely warming up
and causing a smile or two. Mike wrote: >The only thing > that was done was I put up the Christmas lights on our balcony. After the > process of elimination I found the extension cord feeding the lights was the > issue! When the extension cord is removed from the balcony the issue is > solved. As a matter of fact all that has to be done is unpluging it from the > outlet on the balcony. > 73 > Mike > VE3WDM I have watched over the years, with amusement, with exasperation and about everything in between as people blame the little black K3 box in front of them for what was ailing them, even though a little minor statistical work in the Elecraft archives should give them a real distrust of that gut lurch. There is a well-founded reason for that instinctive gut lurch, methinks. Humans have been around way way longer than recorded history, and way, way, way, way longer than electronically equipped humans. Instinctive behavior is formed by an eon of humans making the wrong decision in the instant, and paying for it with their lives. That in turn meant that any progeny with the same unuseful inherited instincts were reduced, perished because of lack of support, or never happened in the first place. The ones with the correct gut lurch lived to have grandchildren. If there actually will be any change in normative instinctive behavior because of electronics in our lives, for sure none of us will be around to see it. Neither will our great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandchildren. No effect on whether we die, no opportunity for any Darwinian effect. So we are stuck with our instinctive gut lurches. One of those instinctive gut lurches is that the thing right in front of us is the problem. Actually that's a good one, if we look over the entire time span of human population. That mean, hungry-looking sabre-tooth tiger right in front of us REALLY IS the problem. The gut lurch that swings into action before we have time to think, it's a life-saver. Then understanding ourselves, if we do not train ourselves to look around when something goes wrong, INSTINCT will direct us to tear apart the K3, just because it's the thing in front of us, even when the trouble is the 15 meter resonant piece of the Christmas decorations. Oh lordy, I love that story. I just about choked on my coffee when I read it. An electronic parable for the ages. 73, y'all and remember to look outside the box before shipping it to Watsonville. Guy K2AV ______________________________________________________________ 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] |
|
|
In reply to this post by VE3WDM
Date: Thu, 1 Dec 2016 13:00:02 -0500
From: Guy Olinger K2AV <[hidden email]> To: Elecraft Reflector <[hidden email]> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] SWR issue with K3 Except those that grab the cover off the HVPS and then Darwin "laughs"! No progeny afterward! Applies to tower work, too! Don't bat that hornet's nest. Up here in Alaska we say "grinin never works on ole grizz", better a loaded shotgun. Read instructions before firing. Well they're napping for the winter: 21F and a few inches of snow So as the squad room police Sargent says: "Be careful there, today!" ==snip If there actually will be any change in normative instinctive behavior because of electronics in our lives, for sure none of us will be around to see it. Neither will our great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandchildren. No effect on whether we die, no opportunity for any Darwinian effect. ==snip 73, Ed - KL7UW http://www.kl7uw.com Dubus Magazine business: dubususa@gmail,com ______________________________________________________________ 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] |
«
Return to Elecraft
|
1 view|%1 views
| Free forum by Nabble | Edit this page |