[Elecraft] K3 - Power cable voltage drop

[Bob McGraw K4TAX]

A good, known accurate DVM is an asset to any station.  Use it to determine if the others are accurate.  There are several good brands available.   A DVM that is not accurate is worse than no DVM at all.   

My choice of many years ago is my Fluke 77.   After I tapped it with too much voltage, I sent it to Fluke for repair and calibration.  I am confident when I make a measurement it is accurate without question. 

Bob, K4TAX


Sent from my iPhone

> On Dec 23, 2019, at 2:12 PM, Buck <radiok4ia at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> The reliable place to measure the voltage at the K3x is using the supply voltage display meter in the radio.  I was surprised to find mine was significantly low.  I thought it was voltage drop but changing the supply cable didn't make much difference.
> 
> Turns out the Astron power supply was more than a volt low and the meter on the supply had been cranked up to make it appear to be correct.  I used two separate VOMs to set the power supply and then adjusted the meter to make it agree.
> 
> Moral of the story: don't rely on the meter on the power supply and assume a low reading at the radio is due solely to voltage drop.
> 
> 
> 
> Buck, k4ia
> Honor Roll
> 8BDXCC
> EasyWayHamBooks.com
> 
>> On 12/23/2019 2:26 PM, Phil Kane wrote:
>>> On 12/22/2019 9:44 AM, Bob McGraw wrote:
>>> I also added a dedicated ground between the ground screw on the back of
>>> the radio to the ground screw on the power supply.
>> That's for "bonding".  Where do you pick up "ground" - at the radio, at
>> the PS, or at some other point?
>> 73 de K2ASP - Phil Kane
>> Elecraft K2/100   s/n 5402
>> From a Clearing in the Silicon Forest
>> Beaverton (Washington County) Oregon
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