[Elecraft] Things to watch with the KRX3

[William Evans]

Hello,
I received my KRX3 two weeks ago, and, after much difficulty, have  
finally got it installed and working. Here are the problems I  
encountered (All due to my incompetence, but maybe this will help  
others)

1)  If you place the screws, washers and sleeves in a tin muffin pan  
for sorting, be sure the pan is securely fastened to the desk or table  
so you will not knock it off, scattering all the tiny pieces. (Ask me  
why this one if first!)

2)  When you place the plastic shield over the battery, use another  
piece of tape to hold the shield on the circuit board.  Otherwise it  
can be pulled off the battery while installing the KRX3 in the K3. You  
will know that the battery cover came off when all the panel lights go  
out when you attempt to turn on the K3.

3)  When placing the top shield in the KRX3, be sure not to pinch L33  
between the shield and the circuit board.  This WILL break the lead on  
L33.

4)  Check at least 5 times to be sure the pins line up correctly when  
you place the KRX3 into the radio.  Of course on the last attempt to  
line up all pins you will get them one off.

5)  Go to CONFIG:KRX3 and select either ANT=BNC or ANT=ATU, depending  
upon how you have selected the received signal to enter the SUB  
receiver.  If you do not do this, the SUB Receiver will seem to not  
have an antenna connected to it. (Mainly because it really WON'T have  
an antenna connected to it!)

6)  If you have not already done so, go to Elecraft's web site and  
download the software and INCLUDE the software for the DSP2.

7)  If you selected to use the AUX antenna input, and wired it for  
that mode( and selected CONFIG:KRX3:ANT=BNC), you MUST go to EACH  
BAND, select BSET and then select the AUX antenna for that band.   
Otherwise, you will not have any antenna connected to the SUB receiver.

8)  If the sensitivity is low on both the Main Receiver and the SUB  
receiver, check the 6" TMP cable from J5 on the KREF3 board to J82 on  
the KRX3.  If the shield is broken, the S meter is reduced by at least  
5 S units and you cannot, no matter how many times you try, increase  
the S meter reading by calibrating it.

9)  If you are listening to the SUB receiver and attempt to change  
mode, it will not change unless you select BSET first.  Do not keep  
pushing the mode button, wondering why it is not working!

10)  Always remember to plug the speaker back in before tightening all  
nine screws in the top.  And while you have the top cover off, check  
to be sure all screws are connected to the stiffening bar. (You did  
remember to replace that, didn't you?)

Finally it seems to be working... but I have one question.  Why, on  
one occasion as I was pushing the SUB button, did the word "diversity"  
appear, but I have not seen it at any other time?  What am I doing/not  
doing right this time?

BTW, with my record of stupid mistakes, I would probably be a good  
candidate to beta test the writing of the manuals!

Bill
W4ISH