[Elecraft] P3 for other uses

[Alan Bloom]

There actually is an undocumented feature that makes it easy to tune the
P3 to any frequency in its range (a couple hundred kHz to 22 MHz or so).
In the "Xcvr Sel" MENU item, select the last item in the list (labeled 0
Hz).  The indicated frequency is now the actual input frequency.  The
tuning rate depends on the SPAN.  Select 200 kHz span for fast tuning or
a narrow span for fine tuning.

However...

On Sat, 2011-07-23 at 19:55 -0700, Vic K2VCO wrote:
> Yes, it would probably work. But I recall reading a note from Eric that there is no static 
> protection for the 'antenna' input and it is /very/ easy to blow the front end connecting 
> it to external things -- so be careful.

That's right.  If you do this I strongly recommend you put a pair of
back-to-back diodes in parallel with the input to protect it from static
discharge.   Eric blew up an RF input board when he was walking around
the roof of the factory with a P3 looking for the source of some RF
interference.  Apparently he touched the whip antenna he was using to
something metal which caused a static zap.

If you don't want to modify the P3 you could wire up a plug-in diode
protector using a BNC T connector that can then be disconnected when you
want to use the P3 with a K3 again.  That will also prevent the diodes
from degrading the P3's dynamic range in normal K3 mode.

Alan N1AL


> On 7/23/2011 2:56 PM, Merv Schweigert wrote:
> > Has anyone used the P3 for an "external" signal finding or noise
> > finding tool?
> > I was wondering if a tuned circuit for 1.8 mhz fed into the input
> > with the IF set for 1.8 would be enough to show any signal?
> >
> > I need to locate a signal on 160 meters that is caused by two BC
> > stations mixing due to a connection being made when the wind
> > blows and something contacts and creates a "diode" in my antenna/ground
> > system.
> >
> > Thanks  73 Merv K9FD/KH6