[Elecraft] K3 Error question

[Phil & Debbie Salas]

"Hi guys, I just got around to building my K3, awesome
kit!

Anyhow, I was wondering if someone can help me out a
little bit until I can talk to customer support on
Monday.

While doing the initial synthesizer calibration I keep
getting an error message. I get "Error VCO" and the
error code is "00003". When I turn the rid on I get
the "Error PL1" message.  I did check jumpers and the
crystal as suggested and they are correct. Any ideas?

Rich"

Hi Rich - I had the same problem.  It is probably the same issue - the KSYN3
card VCO inductor is slightly offset.  Elecraft offered to replace the card,
or I could try to adjust the range by tweaking the VCO coil.  Per their
instructions, I removed the sleeve around the coil (unscrew the nylon nut)
and slightly expanded the turns on the coil, and then reassembled the sleeve
(they told me I should expand the turns slightly).  I went too far and got a
different VCO error message.  So I tried again and this time compressed the
turns slightly in between where they had been and my first attempt.  That
fixed the problem - my synthesizer calibrated fine.  If you do this, just
very slightly expand the turns on the torroid.  You can also see your PLL
voltages on each band using the DISP function when you are in the TECH MD
mode.  The PLL voltages on each band should be between 1-6.7VDC.  Probably
the best thing to do is to record these voltages (and you'll probably see
where the problem is).  Tweak the VCO coil and look at the voltages again
and see where they shifted.  Good luck.  

Phil - AD5X