[Elecraft] K3 a few new user questions

Richard Ferch ve3iay at storm.ca
Tue Mar 6 12:21:51 EST 2012


Re Qu. 1: Note that QSK requires that both the VOX and the QSK 
indicators be activated; if QSK is visible on the K3's display but VOX 
is not, QSK will not work. Hold the left end of the band switch for VOX 
and the right end for QSK. Also, do you have PTT enabled in the microHam 
Router? You will have to disable PTT in the microHam Router to allow 
either semi-breakin or full breakin to work.

Re Qu. 2: Which switch are you using for Reverse? The mode reverse 
switch is labelled ALT; it is activated by holding the left end of the 
mode switch. The switch labelled REV between A/B and A>B is actually a 
momentary-contact version of A/B. If the ALT switch is not switching 
between USB and LSB, then you might have a hardware problem with the switch.

Re Qu. 3: The only programs I know of that can use PSK D are the K3 
Utility and G4ILO's KComm. The vast majority of PSK31 programs (Digipan, 
DM780, Fldigi, MixW, MMVARI, WinWarbler, and many others) only work with 
an audio mode such as DATA A. With the K3 in DATA A, check that MAIN:MIC 
SEL is set to LINE IN (this is remembered per-mode, so this won't upset 
your SSB settings), then use the K3's MIC control to adjust the Line In 
level. Put the K3's meter in ALC mode and adjust the Line In level so 
that the ALC meter reads 4-5 bars on an idling PSK31 signal. Use the PWR 
control to set power (use no more than 50 watts for good linearity). The 
settings that work in DATA A for PSK31 will also work in AFSK A for 
RTTY, except that you don't need to worry about non-linearity and you 
can run the power up to 100 watts for RTTY.

73,
Rich VE3KI

Ray, G3XLG wrote:

> I have a few queries re operating my new K3/100  (# 6231). I am using it
> with the P3 + Microham MK II for all modes - CW, SSB, RTTY & PSK31. It also
> has the KAT3 ant tuner. I am in a monthly series of UK 80 metre contests
> where each week you use a different mode but I have some problems:-
>
>
>
> Qu. 1  For CW, whilst holding down the Band switch does indeed bring QSK
> onto the LED screen, it does not in fact switch full break in on, & the rig
> remains at semi break in. What else do I need to do to get full QSK?
>
>
>
> Qu.2  On 80 metres SSB, I can only get USB displayed & even using the
> Reverse switch does not bring in LSB. Could this be related to me also using
> PSK on 80M too? There is no trouble with USB/LSB on other bands.
>
>
>
> Qu.3  RTTY operates fine on 80 metres using the FSK-D mode, but what is the
> best method for PSK? Is it the PSK-D mode or the DATA A mode, as so far, I'm
> not having much success setting up either of them?


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