[Elecraft] CW and VOX

[John Gaynard]

Yesterday, suddenly my K3 had no RF output on CW.  It had been a few days
since I was on so I was kind of mystified since it worked fine last week.
The TX light was flashing, and I could hear the TX relay in the PW-1 amp
clicking.  In desperation, I went to SSB mode and there was full output
power when I spoke into the MIC since obviously VOX was on in SSB mode..  I
did not consciously notice the VOX missing on the display in CW mode.  I
went back to CW, and then I noticed the VOX was not displaying.  I never
consciously turn off VOX but obviously I held the Band switch a bit too long
and turned off VOX during a band switch last week.  I never use the QSK
option.  So I experimented a little bit.  I turned on VOX and QSK then I
turned off VOX, then turned off QSK, and SEMI appeared in the VFO B display
briefly for about a second.  I keyed the K3 and the TX light flashed and no
RF output.  Am I correct in thinking that you cannot be/should not be in
SEMI mode unless VOX is turned on.  I am on firmware level 2.38.  Without
VOX or QSK turned on, you should not be able to put the rig in transmit mode
by touching the key.  I generally glace at the new firmware releases to see
if there are any relevant fixes I'm interested in.  If not, I just choose
not to upgrade firmware.  The funny thing was that I did remember to make
sure I was not in TEST mode since that essentially does the same thing.
Essentially, if VOX is off, QSK is off, and you are in CW mode, you are in
TEST mode by default.  Has this been fixed in a subsequent firmware release.
It can be disconcerting to suddenly turn on the K3, get ready to chase a DX
station, only to find you have no RF output, but everything looks normal.
If in TEST mode, at least the TX symbol flashes.

 

John K8WDN

K3 #157