[Elecraft] K3 6M problem

[James C. Hall, MD]

Hi Rich:

Yes, my problem is that I have terrible SWR when the ATU is in BYPASS and
the antenna is a known resonant load. I also tried to tune into a DL and DID
get a 1:1 SWR, but when returning to the antenna with the ATU in BYPASS, the
SWR was around 8:1.

I'll be opening up the K3 to inspect the L10/C10 area on KAT3. That appears
to be the problem area. Gary has sent me an email stating they now have
different parts for that area.

Thanks again.

73, Jamie
WB4YDL

-----Original Message-----
From: Rich - K1HTV [mailto:k1htv at comcast.net] 
Sent: Saturday, July 02, 2011 7:00 AM
To: 'James C. Hall, MD'; elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] K3 6M problem

Jamie,
   In your note on the 6M problem you didn't indicate if you tried the K3 in
the
ATU 'BYPASS' position. I had the problem of a high SWR on 6 Meters when the
ATU
tried to find a match on my 6M yagi with a known relatively good 1.2:1 SWR.
In
the BYPASS mode the SWR looked fine. Using the ATU produced a much higher
SWR on
50 MHz. 

If your K3 internal SWR display indicates a good SWR in the BYPASS mode, but
the
ATU cannot find a good match, there is a fix. I received a BETA firmware
update
along with suggested parameter changes of some of the hidden MENU settings
(need
to turn TECH MD on) which addressed the 6M ATU problem. The ATU in my K3 now
performs as it should on 6 Meters. Local friend K2PI also had the same
problem
which was resolved with the BETA firmware update.

If your 6M SWR is good in the ATU BYPASS mode, drop Elecraft tech support a
note.

73,
Rich - K1HTV

= = =  

-----Original Message-----
From: James C. Hall, MD [mailto:heartdoc at nwtcc.com] 
Sent: Friday, July 01, 2011 12:06 PM
To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Elecraft] K3 6M problem

Hello:

 

After returning my K3 back to the shack after Field Day, I have discovered
that
6M no longer transmits with low SWR. I checked all the rear panel
connections as
it is interfaced through a microham MK2R+ and Stationmaster band decoder.
However, I have the 6M antenna coax directly going to Antenna
2 on the radio. Using an antenna analyzer, the antenna shows excellent SWR.
Using a dummy load to each antenna port, all bands shows good SWR except 6M.
I updated the firmware and cycled the power but I still have the HI SWR
showing
with 6M.

 

I do have the PR6 pre-amp in line, but the problem is not receive.

 

I'm stumped. Any help appreciated.

 

73, Jamie

WB4YDL


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