[Elecraft] Upgrading K3 s/n 11xx to operate on the 472KHz

[Mark E. Musick]

Jack,
This should get you started. This is from the KSYN3A FAQ dated February 13,
2015.

8. What is required to use the 600-meter band?    a. This band is available
in some countries, often on an experimental basis. Specific restrictions may
apply. A K3 fitted with a KSYN3A, as well as a KXV3 and KBPF3A, can receive
signals on this band, and can put out about 1 milliwatt of transmit power.
An external amplifier will be needed, connected to the XVTR OUT jack. At
present we don't have information on such amplifiers. You can also get on
this band using an upconversion transverter whose output is on a low HF band
(also not presently supplied by Elecraft). For a general introduction to the
600-meter band, see:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/600-meter_amateur_radio_band   
   
9. Can a transverter I.F. of "0" be defined as an alternative to setting
CONFIG:KXV3 to TEST?    a. Not at this time, though we hope to add this
capability. Those who frequently alternate between TEST and NOR modes can
assign the KXV3 menu entry to a programmable 
function switch, or write a switch macro to change this menu setting as well
as set up the VFO, preamp, etc., for this band.

*** Here is information provided by Wayne in an e-mail to the reflector on
9/16/2017:

Here's some info to get you started on 630 meters with the K3S or K3. For
receive purposes, either transceiver is fully self-contained. For transmit,
you'll need an external amp of some kind.

RECEIVE

The K3S, or a modified K3, will receive on this band via the XVTR IN jack
(or RX ANT IN). You'll need:

  - A KXV3 transverter interface module (standard with the K3S but optional
for the K3)

  - A KBPF3A filter module, or a KBPF3 with a small mod (see KBPF3MDKT). The
KBPF3A mod kit also comes with a capacitor to be installed on the K3's RF
board to suppress LF noise.

RX performance is quite good on 630 meters. 

Note: The XVTR IN and RX ANT IN jacks work on 630 meters (472 kHz) because
both are post-TR switch. The TR switch has high-pass filtering that rolls
off starting around 1 MHz, so you can't use ANT 1 or ANT 2.

TRANSMIT

You can get a transmit signal out on 630 meters using the XVTR OUT jack
(same requirements as above). Our initial tests shows about 0.5 milliwatts.
In this case you'd use XVTR IN for receive, not RX ANT IN. 

You'll then need an external amplifier. It could be keyed using the rig's
KEY OUT jack. This signal could also be used to control a T/R switch if you
needed to use the same antenna for both transmit and receive. If you use two
different antennas, you'll still have to cut the RX antenna off during TX,
most likely.

Firmware configuration:

To use XVTR IN and OUT on this band, set up the radio for 160 meters, then
set the CONFIG:KXV3 menu entry to TEST. This is necessary because 160 meter
isn't available as a transverter IF selection (yet).

73,
Wayne
N6KR


Mark, WB9CIF     

-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Jack Colson
Sent: Sunday, October 1, 2017 10:59 PM
To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Elecraft] Upgrading K3 s/n 11xx to operate on the 472KHz

What needs to be upgraded or added to a stock K3 s/n 11xx to
receive/transmit on 472KHz?
Thank you,
73,
Jack, W3TMZ
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