[Elecraft] KX3 Question

Sun Oct 14 00:34:16 EDT 2012

Guys,

I initiated this series of e-mails on this topic.  I had a simple question about an LED light I could see
on the inside of the KX3.  I mentioned I was about to do the calibration of the filter and someone
told me that I did not have to do this.  Others joined in and said that it was true that this step
was not needed if I ordered the KXFL3 at the same time as the KX3.  And, others said that this
was mentioned in the documentation.  I could not find that statement.  Even though someone
pointed me to the very page and the very paragraph, I could not find any statement that said
that "if I ordered my KXFL3 with my KX3 that I did not have to do any calibration".

Unfortunately, I will need to wait until Monday to call up Elecraft and talk to someone because
the more e-mails I see on this question, the more confusing and conflicting the information
becomes.

For example, on page 29 under CONFIGURATION section the bullet item that is associated
with the KXFL3 says this:  

      "You must then perform the Receive Sideband calibration procedure (pg. 32)."

No where that I can find is there a statement that says this does not need to be done.  Someone
did point me to the Calibration section but it did not say anything to contradict the quoted
statement above.

My assumption is that according to the writing of this owner manual, all who have the
KXFL3 Roofing Filter Module are expected to perform this calibration procedure.

So, my KX3 work is on hold until Monday.  That is OK, I can spend time doing something
else.

73, phil, K7PEH

On Oct 13, 2012, at 8:47 PM, John Strandberg <w4dx at arrl.net> wrote:

> I want to qualify my previous posts on this topic.  I translated
> information sent to me from Elecraft support to try to help.  What I wrote
> was not explicit from Vic or Elecraft.  It was only my interpretation of
> the communications I received in an attempt to help.
> 73 John W4DX
> 
> 
> On Sat, Oct 13, 2012 at 10:49 PM, Don Wilhelm <w3fpr at embarqmail.com> wrote:
> 
>> Mike and all,
>> 
>> Whatever options you ordered with your KX3 were pre-aligned.  BUT, can
>> you do a better job of it in your own shack after you assemble your
>> particular KX3 - the answer is a definite YES.  The alignment that comes
>> with your KX3 is good, but with care, you can always do better.  Just
>> how much care and effort you are willing to expend will depend on
>> whether you are willing to leave well enough alone or whether you want
>> to tweak it for more optimum performance.
>> 
>> I do work on the legacy Elecraft gear, and in the case of the K2 filter
>> alignment in particular, the manual gives you workable settings, but I
>> use Spectrogram to optimize the filter settings. Yes, my settings are
>> different from the manual settings, but I have never had a customer
>> complain about the settings I have used - Quite the contrary, I have
>> received many accolades about the K2 filter settings that I have used.
>> 
>> There is not a Spectrogram equal for the KX3, I only inject that as one
>> example that says "The manual settings are workable",  but there can be
>> optimization above and beyond the manual settings for those who want to
>> do refinement.  I recommend that all users do the refinement.
>> 
>> 73,
>> Don W3FPR
>> 
>> On 10/13/2012 9:43 PM, Mike wrote:
>>> Page 31 of the owner's manual states that if you install a KXFL3 during
>> kit
>>> assembly, you need to run the receive sideband calibration on page 32.
>> I don't
>>> think this was done at the factory, as my cal values were quite a bit
>> different
>>> from the default values in the rig.
>>> 
>>> Mike
>>> 
>>> On 10/13/2012 08:50 PM, Phil Hystad wrote:
>>>> OK but I just looked in the assembly manual and the user guide and I
>> did not see anything about NOT doing the configuration/calibration of the
>> filter.  Where is this located?  I mean, the instruction saying that
>> configuration/calibration of the filter is not required if shipped with the
>> KX3.  By the way, even though it was shipped, I did install it and the
>> configuration instructions say that the procedure must be performed
>> whenever the filter is removed or replaced.
>>>> 
>>>> What is this configuration file you mention that is associated with my
>> serial number.  Is this something I need to request?
>>>> 
>>>> Also, if this too is documented somewhere I must have missed that.  I
>> do admit to not reading the user guide cover to cover yet.
>>>> 
>>>> phil
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> On Oct 13, 2012, at 5:31 PM, John Strandberg <w4dx at arrl.net> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>>> Yes. This is correct and Elecraft has a configuration file for your
>> KX3 by your serial number including configuration/calibration data for any
>> options such as the filter.
>>>>> 
>>>>> On Sat, Oct 13, 2012 at 8:24 PM, hawley, charles j jr <
>> c-hawley at illinois.edu> wrote:
>>>>> Didn't the assembly manual say the if the filter is shipped with the
>> KX3, the filter doesn't need to be calibrated?
>>>>> 
>>>>> Sent from my iPad
>>>>> 
>>>>> On Oct 13, 2012, at 6:57 PM, "Phil Hystad" <phystad at mac.com> wrote:
>>>>> 
>>>>>> Gang, I just finished putting together my KX3 with the filter option,
>> ATU, and battery charger.  I am just about to do the calibration for the
>> filter but I noticed that there is an LED or something that flashes, maybe
>> once per 2 seconds?, inside the KX3.  I can see it through the key/paddle
>> plug opening.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Does anyone know what this is?  Is there meaning to the flash?  Is it
>> important?
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 73, phil, K7PEH
>>>>>> 
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