[Elecraft] ERR PL1 K3

[Paul Kirley]

AI4NS sed:

K3 S/N 57xx shows ERR PL1 when I change bands. It goes away after a 
couple
of seconds. I just built it.

Firmware is up to date.
*******************************

Just built it?  I hope that you have a K3 owner's manual, as the K3S 
manual won't cover this.  The SYN3A in the K3S doesn't have a PLL or 
related error messages.

For ERR PL1/2 (1/2 for main or sub receiver), the K3 owner's manual Rev. 
D10 says that the error means that:

VPLL out of range on band change (to view
actual PLL voltage, set CONFIG: TECH MD
to ON, then tap DISP and use VFO B to locate
the PLL1 and PLL2 voltage displays).

It lists the following actions to be tried:

Verify that the oscillator can on the
KREF3 is fully plugged in and is not in
backwards. Make sure all internal cables
are plugged in, specifically the cables
between the KREF3 and KSYN3 modules
(synthesizers). Try re-calibrating the
applicable VCO (CONFIG:VCO MD) (tap
SUB within the menu entry if you saw
ERR PL2, to make sure you’re calibrating
the sub receiver’s synthesizer). If this
doesn’t work, try removing the 2nd
synthesizer (for the sub receiver), and set
CONFIG:KRX3 to NOT INST. If this
eliminates the error, the sub synth may be
defective. You can also try swapping it
with the main synth to see if it can be
calibrated in this slot.

Re-calibration of the VCO is in the manual's Calibration Procedures 
section:

Most calibration procedures use Tech-Mode menu
entries. To enable these, set CONFIG:TECH MD
to ON. Set TECH MD to OFF afterward.

Synthesizer
This procedure is normally done at assembly time
or by the factory.
• Hold CONFIG and find the CONFIG:VCO
MD menu entry. Set the parameter fully
clockwise to CAL. Exit the menu. The
synthesizer will be tested and calibrated.
• To calibrate the 2nd synthesizer (for the sub
receiver), locate CONFIG:VCO MD and set
the parameter to CAL, tap SUB to turn on the
SUB icon, then exit the menu.

Good luck and 73,
Paul W8TM