Strange behaviour xv144 and K3

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Strange behaviour xv144 and K3

Giulio Pico - IW3HVB
I've found something weird working with this setup:
K3 and XV interface connected to an XV144 via ACC cable and if cables.
Once set up the sw parameters the xverter seems to work fine at home.
If I change band on the K3 the XV144 turns up when I switch band on 144
MHz and vice versa (sounds normal according to the manuals).

The strange thing happened in two different contests on our portable
location, where the XV144 doesn't turn up every time.
If the K3 is turned off when in 144 MHz, with the XV144 turned on,
everything goes off. Ok.
When the K3 is turned back on the XV144 front label flashes for a moment
then goes off, and the transverter remains dead.
At this point a band switch to HF and back again turns on the
transverter.....

I am not able to reproduce the issue at home, so there are two possible
explanations....
1) The /P location is filled with gremlins....
2) There is something else located there that influences the
communication between the radio and the transverter.

Just for the record, I've double checked the connections between the
radio and the XV, and they are ok.
The radio is powered via the same switching power supply both at home
and on the /P station.
The main difference is on the AC, as on the /P location we use an
inverter power generator (honda, gasoline, 4strokes).

Any clues?

73 de Giulio IW3HVB
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Re: Strange behaviour xv144 and K3

AD6XY
This may be related to your problem, or possibly not. Is sounds like the transverter is not communicating properly with the K3.

The XV series transverters use a very high value of pull up resistor on the key lines. The K3 line is an open drain FET - or perhaps a logic line, in any case it has no pull up to 5V. The pull up resistor is inside each XV transverter. This pull up is AFAICR 1Meg.

I have found this can give problems, the connection needs to be very good, other loading on the line, e.g. a KRC2 can cause strange behaviour and it is susceptible to noise. I would recommend reducing the value of the pull up from 1M to 10K.  

Mike