Zero-Beat Procedure for the Elecraft K3s (DRAFT)

[Clay Autery-2]

It was not until recently that I acquired the TMP connectors and crimp
tool to make a proper jumper cable from my K3s' J1 connector on my K3s’
TXCO (TMP) to my frequency counter (BNC), so I have always used the
"zero-beat" method.  Periodically, I go back and repeat the TXCO
calibration using a modified "Method 2 (Zero-Beating)" procedure (K3s
Owner's Manual, Rev A1, p.53).  It originated (and grew) from a post
snippet from this reflector. (Thanks Scott, K9MA)  IF you have an
Elecraft P3 Panadapter, or other, connected to the K3s’ IF Out, you can
use it to great facility in visualizing and verifying what "is" and what
you "do".  I have written this procedure with the assumption that the P3
is not present or is not being actively used beyond observation.  I may
write an addendum later to include the active use of the panadapter vs.
as an observational tool only.

For obvious reasons, the manual says to use the highest WWV frequency
available, and references 10, 15, and 20 MHz.  Just in case you missed
it, NIST put WWV at 25 MHz back on the air sometime in 2015, but they
switched it to circular polarization around July of 2017.  Link:
http://www.arrl.org/news/wwv-25-mhz-signal-swapped-to-circular-polarization 
OR, back to the half-wave dipole depending on which reference you read. 
<confused>  Point is, that I am having great luck using it as a
reference signal.

Of interest to some may be the inclusion of a very simple equation that
tells you how much and which way to adjust REF CAL in one shot.  No
fuss, no muss, no futzing around and back and forth. You make one
observation, one calculation, one input and you're done.  (Usually) 
MOST of the procedure is in the setup.

Go here to grab a PDF of the DRAFT document of the procedure I use:
http://www.montac.com/pdfs/Elecraft_K3_Zero_Beat.pdf

73,

--
______________________
Clay Autery, KY5G
[phone]

______________________________________________________________
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]

[Don Wilhelm]

Clay and all,

That is good work, but I feel it is overly complex.

The secret to using the zero-beat method for the Reference Oscillator is
in the ability to correctly tune WWV (or other standard station) to
zero-beat.

I make use of an audio spectrum analyzer running with my PC and
soundcard.  Spectrum Lab will do fine, but I use Spectrogram v16.  For
those who want Spectrogram 16 or 5.17, they are available on my website
www.w3fpr.com - scroll down near the bottom of the opening page and you
will find the links.  Those files are local to my website and have been
scrubbed many times for virus.

With Spectrogram running, first tune WWV and feed the K3 audio to the
soundcard input using SSB mode.  Knowing that WWV transmits 500 and 600
Hz tones with a 1 second 1kHz tone at the start of each minute, it is
easy to properly tune WWV (in SSB mode).

Now switch the K3 to CW mode, and you should see the carrier displayed
at your sidetone pitch on the Spectrogram screen.  Adjust the tuning
slightly if not true.

Now that WWV (or other standard station) is tuned properly, lock the VFO
and follow the other instructions in the Zero-Beat (Method 2) in the manual.

All done.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 6/4/2018 12:32 AM, Clay Autery wrote:

> It was not until recently that I acquired the TMP connectors and crimp
> tool to make a proper jumper cable from my K3s' J1 connector on my K3s’
> TXCO (TMP) to my frequency counter (BNC), so I have always used the
> "zero-beat" method.  Periodically, I go back and repeat the TXCO
> calibration using a modified "Method 2 (Zero-Beating)" procedure (K3s
> Owner's Manual, Rev A1, p.53).  It originated (and grew) from a post
> snippet from this reflector. (Thanks Scott, K9MA)  IF you have an
> Elecraft P3 Panadapter, or other, connected to the K3s’ IF Out, you can
> use it to great facility in visualizing and verifying what "is" and what
> you "do".  I have written this procedure with the assumption that the P3
> is not present or is not being actively used beyond observation.  I may
> write an addendum later to include the active use of the panadapter vs.
> as an observational tool only.
>
> For obvious reasons, the manual says to use the highest WWV frequency
> available, and references 10, 15, and 20 MHz.  Just in case you missed
> it, NIST put WWV at 25 MHz back on the air sometime in 2015, but they
> switched it to circular polarization around July of 2017.  Link:
> http://www.arrl.org/news/wwv-25-mhz-signal-swapped-to-circular-polarization 
> OR, back to the half-wave dipole depending on which reference you read.
> <confused>  Point is, that I am having great luck using it as a
> reference signal.
>
> Of interest to some may be the inclusion of a very simple equation that
> tells you how much and which way to adjust REF CAL in one shot.  No
> fuss, no muss, no futzing around and back and forth. You make one
> observation, one calculation, one input and you're done.  (Usually) MOST
> of the procedure is in the setup.
>
> Go here to grab a PDF of the DRAFT document of the procedure I use:
> http://www.montac.com/pdfs/Elecraft_K3_Zero_Beat.pdf
>
> 73,
>

______________________________________________________________
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]

[Clay Autery-2]

LOL!  Well, it really isn't nearly as "complex" as it may look/read.

The complexity is largely "self-inflicted" due to:

a) the inclusion of a number of steps that for "normal" (aka: non-OCD)
folks are OPTIONAL,
b) my tendency to use 10 words when 2 will suffice, and <smile>
c) the inclusion of many "beginner" button/dial instructions that most
K3 ops wouldn't need.

I wrote that specific procedure to amplify what the manual says about
"Method 2", and for use without any external instruments/devices.  I
even wrote it to exclude more than a passing mention of the P3, which
can be used to great assistance IMHO.

While using Spectogram is certainly an option, I would prefer not to
insert anymore uncalibrated devices/items into the signal path than
necessary.
If I were going to use an external instrument, I'd just hook it up to
the HP5335a counter or the VNA.  Most folks don't have these things.

Perhaps a second draft noting which steps are, strictly speaking,
"optional, and an abbreviated section that excludes all of the
"beginner" instructions for "Tap", "Hold" and button and dial callouts.
That would make the text a great deal less daunting. <smile>

Thanks for the feedback!

73,

______________________
Clay Autery, KY5G
[phone]

On 06/04/18 09:31, Don Wilhelm wrote:

> Clay and all,
>
> That is good work, but I feel it is overly complex.
>
> The secret to using the zero-beat method for the Reference Oscillator
> is in the ability to correctly tune WWV (or other standard station) to
> zero-beat.
>
> I make use of an audio spectrum analyzer running with my PC and
> soundcard.  Spectrum Lab will do fine, but I use Spectrogram v16. For
> those who want Spectrogram 16 or 5.17, they are available on my
> website www.w3fpr.com - scroll down near the bottom of the opening
> page and you will find the links.  Those files are local to my website
> and have been scrubbed many times for virus.
>
> With Spectrogram running, first tune WWV and feed the K3 audio to the
> soundcard input using SSB mode.  Knowing that WWV transmits 500 and
> 600 Hz tones with a 1 second 1kHz tone at the start of each minute, it
> is easy to properly tune WWV (in SSB mode).
>
> Now switch the K3 to CW mode, and you should see the carrier displayed
> at your sidetone pitch on the Spectrogram screen. Adjust the tuning
> slightly if not true.
>
> Now that WWV (or other standard station) is tuned properly, lock the
> VFO and follow the other instructions in the Zero-Beat (Method 2) in
> the manual.
>
> All done.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> On 6/4/2018 12:32 AM, Clay Autery wrote:
>> It was not until recently that I acquired the TMP connectors and
>> crimp tool to make a proper jumper cable from my K3s' J1 connector on
>> my K3s’ TXCO (TMP) to my frequency counter (BNC), so I have always
>> used the "zero-beat" method. Periodically, I go back and repeat the
>> TXCO calibration using a modified "Method 2 (Zero-Beating)" procedure
>> (K3s Owner's Manual, Rev A1, p.53).  It originated (and grew) from a
>> post snippet from this reflector. (Thanks Scott, K9MA)  IF you have
>> an Elecraft P3 Panadapter, or other, connected to the K3s’ IF Out,
>> you can use it to great facility in visualizing and verifying what
>> "is" and what you "do".  I have written this procedure with the
>> assumption that the P3 is not present or is not being actively used
>> beyond observation.  I may write an addendum later to include the
>> active use of the panadapter vs. as an observational tool only.
>>
>> For obvious reasons, the manual says to use the highest WWV frequency
>> available, and references 10, 15, and 20 MHz.  Just in case you
>> missed it, NIST put WWV at 25 MHz back on the air sometime in 2015,
>> but they switched it to circular polarization around July of 2017. 
>> Link:
>> http://www.arrl.org/news/wwv-25-mhz-signal-swapped-to-circular-polarization 
>> OR, back to the half-wave dipole depending on which reference you
>> read. <confused>  Point is, that I am having great luck using it as a
>> reference signal.
>>
>> Of interest to some may be the inclusion of a very simple equation
>> that tells you how much and which way to adjust REF CAL in one shot. 
>> No fuss, no muss, no futzing around and back and forth. You make one
>> observation, one calculation, one input and you're done.  (Usually)
>> MOST of the procedure is in the setup.
>>
>> Go here to grab a PDF of the DRAFT document of the procedure I use:
>> http://www.montac.com/pdfs/Elecraft_K3_Zero_Beat.pdf
>>
>> 73,

______________________________________________________________
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]

[Bob McGraw - K4TAX]

The article I wrote and was published in QST, September 2015, gives
guidance to a method to determine the accuracy or lack there off, of
ones radio.    Later the Freq CAL mode now available in WSJT-X does and
even better job.    I've used this latest method, WSJT-X Freq CAL,  with
a high degree of accuracy with my K3S. Simple, easy, fast and done with
most likely available software and computer configuration.

73

Bob, K4TAX



On 6/4/2018 9:31 AM, Don Wilhelm wrote:

> Clay and all,
>
> That is good work, but I feel it is overly complex.
>
> The secret to using the zero-beat method for the Reference Oscillator
> is in the ability to correctly tune WWV (or other standard station) to
> zero-beat.
>
> I make use of an audio spectrum analyzer running with my PC and
> soundcard.  Spectrum Lab will do fine, but I use Spectrogram v16. For
> those who want Spectrogram 16 or 5.17, they are available on my
> website www.w3fpr.com - scroll down near the bottom of the opening
> page and you will find the links.  Those files are local to my website
> and have been scrubbed many times for virus.
>
> With Spectrogram running, first tune WWV and feed the K3 audio to the
> soundcard input using SSB mode.  Knowing that WWV transmits 500 and
> 600 Hz tones with a 1 second 1kHz tone at the start of each minute, it
> is easy to properly tune WWV (in SSB mode).
>
> Now switch the K3 to CW mode, and you should see the carrier displayed
> at your sidetone pitch on the Spectrogram screen. Adjust the tuning
> slightly if not true.
>
> Now that WWV (or other standard station) is tuned properly, lock the
> VFO and follow the other instructions in the Zero-Beat (Method 2) in
> the manual.
>
> All done.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> On 6/4/2018 12:32 AM, Clay Autery wrote:
>> It was not until recently that I acquired the TMP connectors and
>> crimp tool to make a proper jumper cable from my K3s' J1 connector on
>> my K3s’ TXCO (TMP) to my frequency counter (BNC), so I have always
>> used the "zero-beat" method. Periodically, I go back and repeat the
>> TXCO calibration using a modified "Method 2 (Zero-Beating)" procedure
>> (K3s Owner's Manual, Rev A1, p.53).  It originated (and grew) from a
>> post snippet from this reflector. (Thanks Scott, K9MA)  IF you have
>> an Elecraft P3 Panadapter, or other, connected to the K3s’ IF Out,
>> you can use it to great facility in visualizing and verifying what
>> "is" and what you "do".  I have written this procedure with the
>> assumption that the P3 is not present or is not being actively used
>> beyond observation.  I may write an addendum later to include the
>> active use of the panadapter vs. as an observational tool only.
>>
>> For obvious reasons, the manual says to use the highest WWV frequency
>> available, and references 10, 15, and 20 MHz.  Just in case you
>> missed it, NIST put WWV at 25 MHz back on the air sometime in 2015,
>> but they switched it to circular polarization around July of 2017. 
>> Link:
>> http://www.arrl.org/news/wwv-25-mhz-signal-swapped-to-circular-polarization 
>> OR, back to the half-wave dipole depending on which reference you
>> read. <confused>  Point is, that I am having great luck using it as a
>> reference signal.
>>
>> Of interest to some may be the inclusion of a very simple equation
>> that tells you how much and which way to adjust REF CAL in one shot. 
>> No fuss, no muss, no futzing around and back and forth. You make one
>> observation, one calculation, one input and you're done.  (Usually)
>> MOST of the procedure is in the setup.
>>
>> Go here to grab a PDF of the DRAFT document of the procedure I use:
>> http://www.montac.com/pdfs/Elecraft_K3_Zero_Beat.pdf
>>
>> 73,
>>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]

[Grant Youngman-2]

I’ve filed this away in case I ever need it.  In fact, I’m going to try it step by step (makes it easier to understand than just reading it).

The simplest approach though, if you’re OCD about cal, is to install the K3XREF and plug in a decent GPSDO :-)

Grant NQ5T
K3 #2091, KX3 #8342

>
>
> LOL!  Well, it really isn't nearly as "complex" as it may look/read.
>

______________________________________________________________
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]

[Clay Autery-2]

I have both the EXREF and a GPSDO, which I plan to start using as soon
as I make the correct cable.

I wrote this procedure for the guy/gal who is new and/or doesn't have a
10MHz reference, or a lab full of instruments.  <smile>

It is MUCH less complex than it looks...

I will do a second draft with a distilled version of each iteration that
omits the commentary, beginner instructions, and labels the "optional"
steps.

73,

______________________
Clay Autery, KY5G
[phone]

On 06/04/18 10:17, Grant Youngman wrote:
> I’ve filed this away in case I ever need it.  In fact, I’m going to try it step by step (makes it easier to understand than just reading it).
>
> The simplest approach though, if you’re OCD about cal, is to install the K3XREF and plug in a decent GPSDO :-)
>
> Grant NQ5T
> K3 #2091, KX3 #8342

______________________________________________________________
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]

Newbie question however what is the effect of NOT having the calibration done on a regular basis?

Thanks in advance!
Michael
KK6RWK

> On Jun 4, 2018, at 4:06 PM, Clay Autery <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> I have both the EXREF and a GPSDO, which I plan to start using as soon as I make the correct cable.
>
> I wrote this procedure for the guy/gal who is new and/or doesn't have a 10MHz reference, or a lab full of instruments.  <smile>
>
> It is MUCH less complex than it looks...
>
> I will do a second draft with a distilled version of each iteration that omits the commentary, beginner instructions, and labels the "optional" steps.
>
> 73,
>
> ______________________
> Clay Autery, KY5G
> [phone]
>
> On 06/04/18 10:17, Grant Youngman wrote:
>> I’ve filed this away in case I ever need it.  In fact, I’m going to try it step by step (makes it easier to understand than just reading it).
>>
>> The simplest approach though, if you’re OCD about cal, is to install the K3XREF and plug in a decent GPSDO :-)
>>
>> Grant NQ5T
>> K3 #2091, KX3 #8342
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]

[Clay Autery-2]

Probably not a lot other than your transmit and receive frequency NOT
being what is displayed on the VFO display.  I'm not a digital guy, but
I suspect that it is perhaps more a concern for those guys.

I like to know that I am transmitting as close as I can to "on-freq", so
if I am receiving reports of frequency issues that it is either the
OTHER guy that is calibrated wrong, or I have another issue like an
RIT/XIT offset uncleared.  I DON'T have to worry about my local cal.

As an aside...  AFTER setting REF CAL as accurately as possible using 25
MHz, I then go and calibrate the P3 to set the center freq. precisely at
the peak of the incoming signal from WWV.

As I am about to start feeding my K3s with 10 MHz from a GPSDO, REF CAL
will be largely a thing moot concern, but I still do it periodically to
monitor the aging process on my TXCO.

73,

______________________
Clay Autery, KY5G
[phone]

On 06/05/18 07:39, Michael Gillen via Elecraft wrote:

> Newbie question however what is the effect of NOT having the calibration done on a regular basis?
>
> Thanks in advance!
> Michael
> KK6RWK
>
>
>> On Jun 4, 2018, at 4:06 PM, Clay Autery <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>> I have both the EXREF and a GPSDO, which I plan to start using as soon as I make the correct cable.
>>
>> I wrote this procedure for the guy/gal who is new and/or doesn't have a 10MHz reference, or a lab full of instruments.  <smile>
>>
>> It is MUCH less complex than it looks...
>>
>> I will do a second draft with a distilled version of each iteration that omits the commentary, beginner instructions, and labels the "optional" steps.
>>
>> 73,
>>
>> ______________________
>> Clay Autery, KY5G
>> [phone]
>>
>> On 06/04/18 10:17, Grant Youngman wrote:
>>> I’ve filed this away in case I ever need it.  In fact, I’m going to try it step by step (makes it easier to understand than just reading it).
>>>
>>> The simplest approach though, if you’re OCD about cal, is to install the K3XREF and plug in a decent GPSDO :-)
>>>
>>> Grant NQ5T
>>> K3 #2091, KX3 #8342
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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]

______________________________________________________________
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]