[Elecraft] RF into K3 via serial port?

[Kjeld Holm]

Dear Bill, 

 

I too have had (have) something of the same problem. 

 

For a long time I could transmit 20 W only on digital modes on 80 meters. If
transmitting more power the K3 would lock in transmit mode and I would have
to turn it off to stop it transmitting. 

 

Now I have bought a pair of Line In Line Out cables with very good
shielding. I can now transmit at least 250 W without locking the K3 in
transmit mode. 

 

My next problem is that when using Ham Radio deluxe (HRD) to control the K3
the HRD  locks up so I have to close the program and start again if I want
to do any changes in frequency, power or whatever. Other programs running on
the computer at the same time do not lock up. So my guess is that it is my
COM port that locks up. I may try using some better shielded cable for the
COM port. I haven't had the time yet. 

 

Best regards

OZ1CCM Kjeld

 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Bill Davis
Sent: 6. april 2014 02:10
To: Elecraft Mailer
Subject: [Elecraft] RF into K3 via serial port?

 

  In my transition to Win7, I added a 2 port serial PCI card (NewEgg
purchase -- Sunix 5037A) to my Dell PC. I was going to use one of these 2
ports to communicate with my K3 Utility terminal program. Very handy CW /
RTTY application. Shortly after installation I made a nice contact on 30m
RTTY and then moved to 80m RTTY. SURPRISE!!  During TX the K3 hung in TX and
only a couple of characters (if that) were ever transmitted. I was
attempting to run about 70watts or so. Only by reducing power to a few watts
would the RTTY transmission seemingly be successful.

 

  The 80m antenna is resonate and very low SWR even without the KXPA100
tuner. (My K3/10 is for VHF/UHF/Microwave IF use mostly, hence the external
PA/Tuner).

 

  So RF is getting back into the K3 .. odd ... nothing is "hot" in the shack
at all. My workaround is to use the new serial ports for other
hardware/applications and use the one serial port in the Dell Dimension 4700
for the K3 / terminal program. Things are happy that way.

 

  I may investigate and try a ferrite core on the serial cable. But I will
need to get an "HF" core since all of mine are for higher freq use. I just
thought this was really odd. My serial cable is "homebrew" minimum conductor
cable and I don't recall if it is shielded or not.

 

 

  Anyone else had any similar experiences??

 

73 Bill  K0AWU

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