[Elecraft] No transmit SSB in K3 Rx works fine.

Bob Wilson, N6TV n6tv at arrl.net
Sat Jul 28 13:21:18 EDT 2018


Check MAIN:MIC SEL in the K3 menu.

If set to LINE IN (common for WSJT-X), the microphone inputs are bypassed.
Set MIC SEL to FP (front panel) or RP (rear panel), wherever you connected
your mic.

Furthermore, if you're using an Electret mic., you have to tap [2] while in
the MENU:MIC SEL menu to turn mic BIAS (DC power) ON, otherwise an electret
mic. won't produce any output at all.

You may also want to check MAIN:MIC+LIN to get both LINE and MIC working at
the same time (good for USB contesting, but not for WSJT-X).

Finally adjust MIC GAIN and and CMP GAIN as described in the K3 manual.

73,
Bob, N6TV

On Sat, Jul 28, 2018 at 10:01 AM, Gary Smith <Gary at ka1j.com> wrote:

> Sorry, should have worded the subject line
> better so I corrected it here...
>
> > Folks,
> >
> > Some history...
> >
> > I had to send my K3s to Elecraft for
> > repair. I purchased a K3 a couple years
> > back to set up for a close friend and
> > though it has all the factory updates, it
> > had a low serial # and he wanted one with
> > a high one. I sold him my equally updated
> > K3 with a higher Serial # and kept this
> > one. It has sat on the shelf as my backup
> > radio for the last two years
> >
> > I rarely use SSB, only CW & have maybe 3-4
> > SSB conversations/year. With the remote
> > preamp attached it became problematic to
> > the wiring and to simplify things I
> > updated the K3 with the new KXV3B and
> > KIO3B boards so it will match the
> > connections of the K3s and simplify wiring
> > issues and not need an external soundcard.
> >
> > I found I could not transmit with WSJT-X
> > but I could receive and decode just fine,
> > CAT and Test PTT worked perfectly,
> > clicking on tune showed the K3 led red as
> > in transmit but zero output regardless of
> > line level or power out adjustment. The
> > DATA MD is indeed set to DATA A. The
> > computer sound settings showed the K3s USB
> > was selected for default and the levels
> > were both at 52. I exhausted all I could
> > think of to do to get it to work but
> > nothing out.
> >
> > However, the K3 transmitted perfectly in
> > CW and the auto-tuner worked as expected.
> >
> > I discovered later that the K3 will not
> > transmit in SSB. In AM it sends out the
> > carrier appropriately proportional to the
> > power setting but nothing of audio was
> > transmitted.
> >
> > There is nothing plugged into the back of
> > the K3 in the audio/line KXV3B I/O module.
> >
> > I loaded the config from two years ago
> > when I brought it home and after changing
> > the config to see the new components there
> > were no changes in SSB transmission.
> >
> > I did a full EE factory reset, re-set the
> > configuration to reflect the new K3s
> > boards and still no SSB out.
> >
> > Since WSJT uses SSB to transmit, I assume
> > this is the cause of no transmit with that
> > software (it worked fine with the K3s).
> >
> > One assumption is the K3 I bought has a
> > defective component from when I bought it
> > and I didn't know that because I didn't
> > try SSB. I thought I had while setting it
> > up for my friend (now SK) but it was
> > awhile ago and I don't remember if I did
> > or not.
> >
> > -----
> >
> > So with all the history above, has anyone
> > had an issue like this that you found the
> > resolution to? Maybe there is some setting
> > in the K3 I need to engage? There's
> > nothing to unplug from the rear and
> > everything else works perfectly.
> >
> > Ideas & suggestions?
> >
> > Thanks & 73,
> >
> > Gary
> > KA1J


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