[Elecraft] Things to watch with the KRX3

Sat Dec 6 14:09:13 EST 2008

Thanks for sharing these items Bill.  I can add one to the list. 
Obviously most of us know that the widest filter we are using "HAS" to 
be first (lowest in number) slot.  Somehow and I have no idea how I 
accidentally started at FL5 thinking it was FL1. Of course when you put 
the top shield on you can not you made a mistake.  What makes it even 
more interesting there is no way to know they are wrong other than you 
don't hear anything as you do not get an error message with the KRX3. 
With filters in the wrong slot on the K3 main board you get an error 
message.  Also the K3 software utility when you go to the KRX3 will show 
them as you put them  in the software(it does not read the KRX3 
configuration-it just writes to it and there is no indication anything 
is wrong.  For example it appears you are making changes to FL1 which in 
my case there was no filter there.  The only way to get it right is to 
visually see that you have the filters where they are supposed to be. 
Fortunately when I pulled the top shield off I immediately spotted my 
stupid mistake.

On your last question if you hold down sub(longer than a tap) you toggle 
between link and unlink.  However when you go to link if you hold the 
sub button in longer you see the word link and a bit later that is 
replaced by word diversity.

Ed W0SD

William Evans wrote:
> 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
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