[Elecraft] KXV3B install - no problems

Sat Jun 20 16:59:16 EDT 2015

Udo,

I just tested a KXV3B fresh off the production line. Results: 1.0 mW TX GAIN cal completed without error, and the XVTR IN jack is within half a dB of both the RX ANT IN jack and the main antenna jacks (ANT1/ANT2). 

I suspect that your KXV3B was damaged in transit, etc., but we won't know until we can get a look at it. 

Meanwhile, please contact the distributor so we can arrange for an immediate replacement. Our apologies for the inconvenience.

73,
Wayne
N6KR

On Jun 19, 2015, at 1:46 PM, Udo Langenohl - DK5YA <dk5ya at dk5ya.de> wrote:

> Just got my KXV3-B as a replacement of the former KXV3-A. Installing complete after 1 hour. Removing the back panel makes things much easier btw. But there's an issue. The 1 mW calibration fails. Thats what the Elecraft Utility says:
> 
> Elecraft K3 Utility Revision 1.13.5.9
> OS Version 6.1 Build 7601 Windows 7/Windows Server 2008 R2
> K3 MCU revision 05.26. RS-232 speed 38400 bit/s.
> Starting 1 milliwatt calibration
> Calibrating at 1.900 MHz
> Calibration power settled at " 1.800.00;"
> Elapsed time: 5 seconds
> Tx Gain calibration failed because transmit power did not reach the expected value
> 1 milliwatt calibration failed
> 
> Wait, there's more to come. I made a replacement because my guess was: KXV3-A has a damage.
> I use my K3 mostly on VHF with transverters, especially on 144 MHz EME. I'm running a Xpol configuration with 4 antennas on 144 EME with two identical transverters, both in phase and locked by a common external LO with 10 MHz GPS control for Hpol and Vpol.
> HPol RX is fed to the KXV3 XVTR In/Out while Vpol is fed to the AUX RF input. I can listen to both planes simultaneously using diversity receive.
> But something very strange happens when I compare signals on both planes. I have a 144 MHz beacon nearby (just 25 miles away). That beacon is running 8 W on a Hpol antenna. On my Hpol (main RX via KXV3) input this beacon comes up to S9+35 dB while on Vpol (second RX via AUX) it's endstop (S9 +60dB). The beacon is in the line of sight, there's a lot of RF on my location from this beacon.
> It's definetely not from the transverters or from mismatched antennas because when I change inputs and connect the Hpol transverter output to the AUX RF it's suddenly S9 +60 dB too. Both main and sub RX are exactly in the same configuration, filters, bandwidth, NB Off, etc..
> I checked S/N on KXVR3-A (old board) and AUX few days ago with my HP8664A signal generator.
> On 28.200 (TVTR IF) I measured:
> Top values:
> KXV3-A TVTR IN:   	-10dBm = S9+25dB
> AUX IN:     		-10dBm = S9+60dB (!)
> KXV3-A TVTR IN:      	+3dBm = S9+60dB
> Huge difference of 13dBm
> Low values:
> KXV3-A TVTR IN:  	-134dBm = signal detectable
> KXV3-A TVTR IN:     	-140dBm = none
> AUX IN:        		-140dBm = signal detectable
> Again a difference of at least 6dB or more.
> 
> Now, with the new KXV3-B it's even worse, at least 22 dB difference between the AUX IN and TVTR IN.
> 
> What the heck is going wrong here? MAIN RX dead?
> 
> 73 Udo, DK5YA
> 
> 
> Am 19.06.2015 um 12:04 schrieb Barry Simpson:
>> I have just completed installing the KXV3B in my K3 s/n 1397. It already
>> had a KXV3 in it (and a sub receiver which had to be removed and put back)
>> and I am pleased to report that it all went together quite easily.
>> 
>> I updated the firmware to the required beta version and the new preamp 2
>> seems to work perfectly although no signals yet heard on 6/10/12m.
>> 
>> I was initially troubled by the pre flashing on the display and thought
>> there was some fault. However, I assume that it is an indicator that Pre 2
>> is turned on. Please can you remove that feature as I find it mildly
>> irritating.
>> 
>> Mine is an early serial number K3 that I built around August/September 2008
>> and until installing the KXV3B today, I had not even taken the top cover
>> off for several years. It was a pleasant surprise to find the interior of
>> the K3 looking absolutely pristine and dust free, other than for a very
>> light coating on the PA heat sink, which I cleaned off. I also took the
>> opportunity of replacing the battery (the original) although the voltage
>> still showed 2.97 after all that time when I tested it.
>> 
>> 
>> 73
>> 
>> Barry Simpson  VK2BJ
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