[Elecraft] Quick survey: Need a 0-dBm transverter interface module for the KX3? (KXXV3)

[Wayne Burdick]

Hi all,

We've had a couple of requests for a 0-dBm transverter I.F. module for  
the KX3. Normally the lowest power level the KX3 can put out is 0.1  
watts, so the I.F. module would drop the signal by 20 dB. Such a  
module could easily be designed, but there's one catch (I'll get to  
that).

A composite RF detector on the module would provide accurate  
measurement of the RF output signal level from about -10 to +2 dBm,  
probably). The KX3's normal TUNE power display in watts would change  
to milliwatts and dBm rather than watts and SWR. (The K3 does the same  
thing when a KXV3 module is in use.)

An SMA connector on the right side panel would serve as the  
transverter I.F. input/output. There would *not* be both RX and TX  
jacks, so all external transverters would have to have their own T/R  
path switching. We would provide a DC voltage on the SMA output jack  
(some transverters use this for signaling).

We also plan to do transverter band switching via the GPIO signal on  
the ACC2 jack. This could control Elecraft XV-series transverters. The  
other pin on the ACC2 jack is a keying output which many transverters  
also need. Note that the XV-series can use a 0.1-watt I.F. signal, so  
technically a KXXV3 is not needed in that case. But the KXXV3 would  
allow you to keep an HF antenna connected to the BNC antenna jack  
while transverters are connected to the SMA jack. It would also  
provide better control over the drive level on bands where you've  
selected the 0-dBm output.

The KX3 has up to 9 programmable transverter band displays, and a  
choice of 40/20/15/10/6 meters as the I.F., selected on a per- 
transverter-band basis. 10 meters is used for most trnasverters.

Here's the catch:

The only place such a module could go would be the same place where we  
plan to mount the 2-meter transverter, so the two would be mutually  
exclusive.

Please let me know if you could definitely use a KXXV3. If there's  
enough interest we'll add it to the list of future options.

73,
Wayne
N6KR