[Elecraft] K3 SMTR Settings for S9

[Don Wilhelm]

Clark,

It is difficult to say whether you have a receive problem or not from 
that information.
Since you have the XG3, use the -107dBm level and measure the MDS of 
your K3.  You can make the audio output measurements as indicated in the 
XG3 manual or better yet, use the dBV indication of the K3 display.

If you have a receiver problem, it will show up in an MDS measurement - 
compare your result with the K3 spec. and/or Sherwood's MDS listings for 
the K3.

The real determination of receiver sensitivity will be revealed by how 
well it can receive weak signals.  The fact that your setting for the 
S-9 level does not agree with the default is not a large concern, 
especially when using SMTR MD = ABS.
The factory default is for SMTR MD = NORmal.

Note that all the above has to do with the K3 display S-meter reading.  
It has nothing to do with soundcard levels or the level of the signal on 
whatever software you are using for the panadapter display.  First 
adjust the K3 for proper S-9 reading on the K3 S-meter and after that, 
use the soundcard gain controls and the controls in the panadapter 
software to adjust that applications display as you wish.  There is a 
lot of information about the levels shown in the panadapter display at 
N8LP's website www.telepostinc.com.  You can also signup for the LP-Pan 
yahoo group and ask questions related to LP-Pan and the various software 
applications that provide the panadapter display.

73,
Don W3FPR

73,
Don W3FPR

On 3/10/2015 9:35 AM, engineercm wrote:
> Last night I was adjusting the sound levels into my sound card from a new
> LP-Pan2 and could not get to S9 using my XG3 at -73 dbm unless the preamp is
> ON.  I also noticed the S meter was reading S7.  I checked the S meter
> calibration using the procedure in the manual and found I needed to adjust
> SMTR OF to 20 instead of the default 24.  I checked two bands 20m and 40m
> and got the same results.  The XG3 is connected to the RX Ant and the ATU is
> BYPASS.
>
> My K3 has all of the latest firmware updates. SMTR MD is ABS so the preamp
> is OFF.   I've triple checked the settings on the rig to see if there is
> something I missed (like RF gain) but all check out.  Should the SMTR OF
> setting that is almost 20% off the factory default be an indication that
> something is amiss in the receiver gain chain?  As far as I can tell, the K3
> is working fine except I can't drive the sound card output to S9 without the
> preamp?
>
>