[Elecraft] Transverter use with KX3

[Edward R Cole]

Page Two (of the story):

Over the last couple days I have completed modification to my 
low-power Down East Microwave (DEMI) transverter for use with the 
KX3.  Early tests had been using my K3 for Tx drive on 28-MHz.

One issue I hit was being unable to transmit above 29.700 MHz with 
the K3, so I was concerned if The KX3 had a similar restriction 
(none).  I set up XV1 in menu to operate with IF=28-MHz converting to 
144-MHz.  I first encountered XV1=NO which was locked.  Press-Hold 
the KHZ button unlocks the use of XVn.   But then I found I had no RF 
output on 28-MHz when selecting a transverter channel (programmed 
with the Freq. Memory Editor).  I discovered that XV1 PWR was locked 
at 0.1w which also unlocks with Press-Hold KHZ for three seconds.

I could see RF output on 28-MHz (into my Bird43 power meter with 
load) when selecting memory for any 2m channel.  I measured the 
output witn my counter to verify it was actually on 28-MHz.

So imagine my dismay when testing the KX3 connected to my transverter 
produced NO RF whatsoever  on 2m.  I had a probe for my Freq. counter 
lying across the open chassis of the transverter and it even picked 
up the 116-MHz LO when in receive...but not a "whif" of 144-MHz RF 
(note the LO is running only 50mw and was picked up by the counter).

A few more unsuccessful attempts and I decided to try running the KX3 
on ten meters at 28-MHz directly; it drives the transverter 
fine.  I'm guessing something still remains to fully activate the 
transverter mode in the KX3!

I went back into Freq. Memory Editor and changed all my memory 
frequencies from 144.xxx to 28.xxx.  The transverter is functional 
when driven from ten meters by the KX3.

I was pleased to get full output from the 13w RA13H1317M RF module 
installed in my transverter with only 0.5w drive on 28-MHz.  I set up 
the KX3+DEMI 144-28 for a net I host on Saturday mornings on 2m.  It 
worked well except in receive.  Tonight I troubleshot the transverter 
RX ckts and found the BNC to coax connection had a cold solder 
junction.  I tweaked-in the Rx adjustable caps in the transverter 
with the weak signal from my XG3 (-107 dBm) on both 144.200 and 147.270 MHz.

ON air test was good on a repeater 80-mi distant using as little as 
5w output on 2m into a 17-foot collinear vertical base antenna (9dB 
gain).  The repeater is low power (5w) located at 4400 feet above sea 
level on a mountain NW of Anchorage.

So I am still in a quandary how to get the transverter mode (XVn) 
working on the KX3?