[Elecraft] K3 / RF gain - S meter issue

[Bruce Meier]

Looking for suggestions here from someone that might have experienced this
same issue - - 

 

I have (2) K3 units (not the S model) that are acting different when the RF
gain adjustments are turned fully counter clockwise.

Ø  Unit one – s/n 1062: When the RF gain is decreased to full counter
clockwise position the S-Meter registers full scale (60db over S9) as
expected.

Ø  Unit two – s/n 1193:  When the RF gain is decreased to full counter
clockwise position the S-Meter registers only S8.

 Facts: 

Ø  With the exception of the S-Meter readings with RF gain settings, both
units are working fine

Ø  Both units have ‘almost’ all mods installed.  If not all, they are at
least both the same.

Ø  Both units are running the same version of microcode (5.54) (2.88) (2.88)
(1.26)

Ø  Both units seem to register very close actual RF gain of stations when
connected when tested on the same antenna

Ø  Both units have the new synthesizers.

Ø  Both units have second RX

Ø  In both cases (both units) I can hear the audio level decreasing linearly
as expected as the RF gain is turned counter clockwise

I have tried to initialize the K3 and reload the firmware resulting in no
change to the RF gain / S-Meter readings.

 

Elecraft Tech Support suggested:

Ø  Calibrating the s-meter – did nothing

Ø  Next suggestion – send the rig to California.

 

Anyone have this issue and fixed it??

 

73,

Bruce N1LN