[Elecraft] P3 - spikes that never move

[Vic K2VCO]

This is at least the third message from you that I have seen in which you claim that the 
spurs you are seeing are an inherent defect of the P3.

Others report either that spurs do not appear, or are caused by a cable with a bad braid 
connection, poor grounding, etc. I personally cannot find such spurs when I disconnect my 
antenna.

So it seems obvious that there is a malfunction in your P3. Several people have suggested 
that you contact K3 support to get it fixed, which they would undoubtedly do at no 
charge.  But you respond that there is an "anomaly in the P3" and that it isn't "right for 
the $$$."

Let me add that I had an SM-220, and it wasn't all that 'great'. It certainly didn't come 
close to the functionality and performance of the P3!

On 2/28/2013 4:13 AM, Bill Clarke wrote:
> This morning I removed the entire shack from AC and left only the K3/P3 on battery and 
> the antennas disconnected. No change on the screen. Bunch of work for nothing and was 
> exactly what I expected.
>
> Of note: The ghosts vanish when the band is active - covered by the ambient background 
> noise level. During the day, when the band is "dead," this is not the case and the 
> spikes can be seen. Remember, I can not tune to them as they remain in a static location 
> on the scope. Signals move through them as you tune.
>
> Having used other forms of band-scopes over the years (including the great SM-220) that 
> only displayed what was actually RF on a band, I am convinced this is something 
> internally generated within the P3. If it was outside of the P3, it would tune (move 
> when the VFO is moved). Perhaps the P3 is overkill and does, or is capable of, way more 
> than what a simple band-scope really needs to do. Such is the day and age of 
> microprocessors - simplicity has been left in the dust of bells and whistles.
>
> Rather than continue to worry about this, I am just going to accept it as an anomaly of 
> the P3. It really has no effect other than appearing as signals that are not really 
> there. Once you know what they are, you won't bother trying to tune to them. Does this 
> make it right for the $$$? No, of course not, but it is the easy way out for an old guy 
> that only rag chews on 75 and 40.
>
> Thanks for all the comments,
>
> Bill W2BLC
>
>

-- 
Vic, K2VCO
Fresno CA
http://www.qsl.net/k2vco/