[Elecraft] Re? K3 TXCO

[Don Wilhelm]

I see that we are mixing terms in this thread.  *Stability* and 
*Accuracy* are two different things, and one does not imply the other.  
Those expecting better *accuracy*  with the addition of software 
compensation may be dissapointed (read on for more info).

 The high stability TCXO will not necessarily provide better *accuracy* 
than the standard TCXO, and method 3 will also not necessarily provide 
better accuracy.  Method 3 will only provide tighter control over 
temperature excursions. 

Accuracy is the ability to hit the target in the center of the 
bullseye.  Method 2 will provide accuracy just as close as Method 3, but 
Method 2 lacks the temperature compensation part.

Stability is the ability to hit the target at the *same* place all the 
time - even though that may be far from the bullseye.  And that is the 
part that will be improved with the software temperature compensation.

What the high stability TCXO offers is *stability* over a temperature 
range.  If your K3 is never subjected to great temperature excursions, 
there may be little or no difference between the 2 Elecraft TCXO 
offerings (yes, both are TCXOs, but one is spec'ed at 1% while the other 
is spec'ed at 5% by the TCXO manufacturer).  The 1% spec'ed TCXO was to 
provide an overall 0.5% stability over temperature for the entire K3.

The high stability TCXO already provides the K3 with its advertised 0.5% 
stability, so what Wayne and Eric envisioned as needing software 
compensation to provide the 0.5% stability 'does the deed' even without 
that compensation.  But Wayne has stepped up to the plate and offered a 
software compensated stability of up to twice the specified value - so 
just wait a while.  You have all that was advertised already, but it 
will get better than that if one is patient.

73,
Don W3FPR

Radio Amateur N5GE wrote:
> I think you and Gary missed the point, Johnny.  The optional TCXO was
> advertised to provide a certain better accuracy with software aid, but
> as it turns out, the optional TCXO, doesn't need the firmware upgrade
> to provide the advertised accuracy made possible by the firmware
> upgrade.
>   
>