[Elecraft] KX3-2M module?

[Wayne Burdick]

The K144XV's REF LOCK option uses phase-locking (via a PLL IC) to the 49.380-MHz reference (TXCO). This is extremely stable.

The KX3-2M module, when used with the KX3's extended temperature compensation, uses frequency locking (via firmware and a temp-sense IC). So it will "jump" in small increments, typically +/- 3 Hz. This may not be compatible with JT65, though I haven't tried it myself.

Wayne
N6KR
 
On Apr 8, 2014, at 3:41 PM, Oliver Dröse <droese at necg.de> wrote:

> 
> Hi Dave,
> 
> for me the most important reason to buy the KX3 was the 2 m option, too. If Wayne says the frequency will be stable +/- 3 Hz I think nobody will hear that in CW/SSB, you will not even recognize, be it in a contest or while working D4 on double hop ES on 2 m. ;-) Likewise with "normal" transverter use on 10 GHz which we plan to do, too (if the LO is stable enough ... you know there are 2 factors influencing things: freq stability of the KX3 itself which the temp correction takes care of *and* LO stability in the KX3-2M transverter itself).
> 
> JT65 could be a different matter if the frequency will be corrected every second or such. Even then it might be good enough. +/- 3 Hz is well within the tolerance of JT65. What might be a problem is that JT65's tolerance is for drifting signals, not "jumping" signals. So we will have to see how that works. For comparison the frequency stabilization of the K3+K144XV with the K144RFLK is using a comparable method and I do not have problems on JT65b. But "comparable" is not "similar", of course, i.e. no temp curve correction from memory but a real reference lock. Nevertheless the final effect seems to be the same for me. Maybe Wayne can shine in on that point again.
> 
> 73, Olli - DH8BQA