[Elecraft] [K3] Problems abound

[Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft]

The  '- -' display usually happens when there is not enough power to 
tune and generate a proper SWR.

73, Eric

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www.elecraft.com


On 10/17/2011 4:23 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote:
> Shane,
>
> I believe the "- -" display means that the KAT3 is not being properly
> recognized as being installed.  That fact alone may complicate the
> results of your other observations.
>
> You may not be able to TUNE the dummy load to 1:1 SWR - the tuning
> mechanism may quit tuning if the SWR is below 1.3 or 1.2 (although it
> usually will tune to 1.0).  If you want TO ASSURE 1:1 results, you will
> have to bypass the KAT3 rather than TUNing intp the dummy load.
>
> If your TX Gain calibration data is not being remembered, that is a
> different problem, and should be addressed to K3support at elecraft.com.
> It does seem that is your problem source.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> On 10/17/2011 5:56 PM, Shane DeSeranno wrote:
>> Hello everyone,
>>
>> I’m a newer K3 owner and I’m loving the heck out of the device, but recently I noticed a strange problem.  It started behaving as though my MIC wasn’t working correctly.
>>
>> [All tests from this point out will be into a DUMMY LOAD that is rated up to 300W.]
>>
>> I would notice that if I used 100W and tried to send, the power draw was never more than 4 amps, and the RF display wouldn’t go above 5 or 10W.  After some troubleshooting, I ‘recalibrated’ the TX gain, and this fixed it... until I leave and come back later.  Then I’m required to recalibrate the TX gain.  I know this isn’t the expected behavior, so I suspect something is amiss.
>>
>> Another problem that has cropped up at the same time (and is likely related) is my ATU inability to tune correctly.  I should be able to “tune” the dummy load 1:1 on all bands (except maybe 10m and 6m), but when I try to tune, I hear the relays click, but after a short wait the K3 beeps and displays “- -“.  I’m guessing this is because the TX gain calibration is wacky and thus the ATU ability to read the SWR might be out of whack.
>>
>> All this said, I’m really stumped and was hoping for suggestions and ideas?  I have tried reloading settings from when my device was first brought online, but that didn’t have any effect.