[Elecraft] K3 VFO tuning noise

[Edward R Cole]

Made a test tonight on my KX3 on 28-MHz:

First I tuned my triband yagi to SWR 1.5 using my Drake MN2000 
antenna tuner and then ran the KX3 auto-tuner to get a perfect 
match.  With preamp off I have to run AF gain up to 30 to hear 
background noise and when I tune the VFO there is a mild popping 
noise as the digital encoder it stepped up or down in frequency,.

Next I turned on PRE (set for 20 dB in the menu) and I can barely 
hear the VFO over the white band noise as I tune.  If I turn the AF 
gain down (to 18) to hear the same level of background noise as with 
the PRE off, then I am not able to hear any noise from the VFO.

Since I would normally use the preamp turned-on 10m, this says VFO 
tuning noise is a "non-issue".

If I disconnect the antenna then VFO tuning noise is present 
(background noise is down about 20-dB).

I use 28-MHz as my IF with a 2m transverter and never noted any noise 
from the VFO.  Conversion noise is higher than the VFO noise.

73, Ed - KL7UW
KX3-S/N 0475