[Elecraft] KX3-2M module?

[Bob]

Hi Dave,

              I'm not sure if I'm understanding your statement correctly.  I 
think the big variable is the local oscillator chain in the transverter not the 
KX3.  The drift of a few at 144mc is added to the LO freq not multiplied in any 
way.   Depending on the direction of the drifts it could be subtractive and 
improve the stability too.

73,
Bob
K2TK  ex KN2TKR (1956) & K2TKR


On 4/8/2014 4:29 PM, Dave wrote:
> Yes, and No, to be unhelpfully exact...
>
> My TS2000X is "off" by about 1.7kHz compared to other peoples 'dial' settings 
> on 1296MHz.  I know this and I compensate, but the higher up the chain you go, 
> the worse the problem gets...
>
> Since I have another radio to "do" 2M on (TS2000X) I'm only looking to use the 
> KX3-2M for two things.  1. The occasional use in the field, or from a hotel 
> room (though not so much that to be honest) where I agree, I can probably 
> compensate manually, as long as it doesn't drift too far, too fast but the 
> other reason may be a game killer, as far as I'm concerned.
>
> and 2. As the IF for a 24GHz narrowband transverter.  Now here things do get 
> critical. a few Hz on 2M equates to a heck of a lot of kHz on 24GHz after 
> transverting and taking the stability, or lack of it, of the 24GHz gear as well.
>
> So, no, some of us do care and unless the KX3-2M can at least match something 
> like the 2M stability of the FT817 (which isn't all that great anyway) then 
> this wont be something that many serious users of 2M gear will accept as being 
> "OK".
>
> Back in the 1980s there were radios on 2M which were well known for their 
> drift and lack of a good output on 2M, even on SSB, and I'd hate to put out a 
> poor signal on 2M CW from an Elecraft bit of kit.  That really could damage 
> the company name with potential future customers and provide amunition to 
> their competitors, in my opinion.
>
> Dave (G0DJA)
>
> ----- Original Message ----- Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2014 6:23 PM
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX3-2M module?
>
>
>> Hello,
>>
>> Why would a little instability be a problem on CW or SSB?
>> I mean, you could be off 200Hz in CW and that wouldn't be too much of a
>> problem. I used to own a K1 and it was all over the place until it
>> warmed up, never prevented me from making contact and rag-chewing..
>> Same for SSB.. You just need to turn the knob a little until the
>> temperature stabilizes. It's a DDS VFO, still much better than a regular
>> one. For some digital modes, I understand, but otherwise, who cares...?
>>
>> Gil.
>