[Elecraft] KRX3 Install Comments

[Kenneth Lopez]

A few observations regarding the successful installation of the KRX3.

As another poster said, organize!   I used a plastic drawer liner  
with slots for forks. knives, etc.  I made little partitions to  
create more spaces.  Anything similar will do the trick.

Inventory!  This cannot be over emphasized.   I had two missing  
standoffs that caused quite a bit of delay.

Organization!  Group each set of screws and hardware in order when  
you take the K3 apart.  Reverse the order when you reassemble it.

Measure!   Even though I did this to all screws and standoffs for  
both the K3 and KRX3, I got a bit lazy at the end.  That, coupled  
with the missing standoffs caused lots of aggravation.  Self  
inflicted, mostly.

Work with plenty of light!  Also a powerful small flashlight is  
useful to help see if pins are correctly mated.

Leave the left side off while seating the KRX3!   It allows you to  
see the cables and pins mating and lots of other clearances.

Use the search function on the Elecraft Reflector!  I can't stress  
this enough.  If you have a problem, it is likely that someone else  
has as well.   Look through the comments and try the various  
solutions that worked for others.  That's what I did.

The Reflector helped me solve an error message and problem  
calibrating the Synth.  I took the lid off, re seated the connector,  
added a lock washer to space away from the front panel a tad, and  
that fixed it.  The sub receiver synth calibrated with no problem  
after that.

Filters!   Make sure you mark your filter type and location  
correctly, and put them in the right slots!   Don't mistake slot #1  
for #5 as others have done.

If your KRX3 works but doesn't hear signals, try using the utility to  
set filters.  Try different location set ups in the Utility to make  
sure you have them where you think you do.  I had originally put the  
2.7 in #2, then changed my mind and moved it to #1 without noting  
that in the manual.  Guess what, no signals, till I tried set up in  
slot #1.

If in doubt, open up the rig and KRX3 and double check.   Using the  
Utility is actually easier.

That's it!  I'm really enjoying the new features.  I didn't upgrade  
firmware for quite a while and am VERY pleasantly surprised with new  
features and implementation improvements of older ones.  The DSP NR  
is improved, and the rig generally "sounds" better.

Oh, and I read the keying loop comments and just hooked up to my TT  
amp directly.   Works QSK like a charm.  12ms delay does it just fine.

Great radio that keeps getting better, great supportive company,  
great community of helpful folks on the Reflector.  What more could  
you want.?

  73,

Ken N6TZV  K3 # 951