[Elecraft] Other uses of P3 ? ham's experiment?

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

1) Back in the 50's a common bit of bench test equipment was the "signal
tracer". It allowed one to start at the audio output of a non-functioning
receiver and inject a test signal  - a tone or RF signal. If it worked at
the audio stage, one moved forward stage-by-stage all the way to the first
RF (if necessary) until the signal disappeared. At that point you knew it
was the current stage that had the problem. 

The K3 can do that for receivers with an I.F. in its tuning range,
particularly if you have the KXV3 (you don't want a lot of RF - a bit of a
milliwatt will do). Audio can be tested using the phones output and the K3's
sidetone. Make up a coaxial test cable that can connect to the phones jack
and one to connect to the KXV3 RF out with a blocking capacitor at the
"probe" end. 0.1 uf or so will do at audio, 0.001 at RF. That protects the
K3 from any possible DC on the probe from the receiver under test.

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2) The K3 makes an excellent RF signal generator for all frequencies in its
tuning range, again especially with the KXV3 output.

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3) With the audio voltmeter capabilities of the K3, it makes a useful
voltmeter for measuring the relative  strength of signals within its tuning
range for checking stage gains, etc. (Turn the AGC off) Is that what you
were doing with "signal tracking"?

Ron AC7AC

 

-----Original Message-----

Hello Group,

In the past, I used a good atttenuator + IC7800 as a kind of causal repair
tools 
for signal tracking during some radio repair work.  Basically, I use the
band 
spectrum of IC7800 as some sort of spectrum analyser because I feel
confident 
with frequency accuracy and stabiltiy of IC7800.

I suppose K3+P3 is also a very capable radio.  Apparently, P3 is even more 
powerful in terms of function.  Therefore, do you have any idea of using
K3+P3 
as a kind of causal repair tools for some radio repair work?

As a ham, we do sometimes try to think about other areas for experiment. 
Any 
ideas from the group for possible alternative use of our K3+P3?

cheers,

Johnny VR2XMC