[Elecraft] KX3: Preamp shuts itself off

[Josh Lehan]

On 09/21/2012 12:23 AM, Edward R Cole wrote:
> I have been running my KX3 as 28-MHz IF for my 144-28 transverter and 
> the transverter is a little gain deficient in Rx so I turn on the 
> preamp in the KX3 too boost the level a tad.  Unfortunately after a 
> few minutes the preamp shuts off by itself.  KX3 is sitting in Rx 
> monitoring a 2m FM frequency (29.210+116=145.210).
> 
> I had the preamp set to 30-dB gain so thought maybe that was 
> overloading the receiver and the radio automatically adjusted for 
> overdriving.  So I set the preamp to 10-dB gain.  It still shuts off 
> by itself after a few minutes.
> 
> Anyone see this happening?
> 73, Ed - KL7UW

I've seen that happen as well.  If I have the preamp on, and tune a
strong nearby station in the AM broadcast band, a little message like
"HI SIGNAL" (I forgot the exact wording) will appear, and the preamp
will turn itself off.  Good thing, IMO, if it protects against
overloading the receiver.  It's easy to turn back on again, simply hit PRE.

The message only flashes for a few seconds, so it's easy to miss.  I
kind of wish that alerts/warnings like this would stay on the screen
longer, or at least until a control is pressed, so that they're not
missed if the radio isn't actively being looked at right at that moment.

Josh
KJ6PVN