[Elecraft] K3 Frequency Calibration

[Bob McGraw]

The method I use seems to work great and be easy enough to do. No zero 
beating required and no external measurements required.

Put the radio in CW mode, tune to a WWV frequency and press and release 
SPOT.  The radio will automatically zero to the carrier with a tone that 
matches your preferred CW note.  Then via the CONFIG MENU go to REF CAL 
and adjust up or down with the VFO A knob,  the number of Hz error the 
previous SPOT routine disclosed.   A 10 Hz change on the REF CAL will 
equate to about 2 Hz at 10 MHz.    I find that checking several 
different WWV frequencies is even better using this method.   To make 
sure it is optimum, tune to 5 or 10 Hz above and below each of the WWV 
frequencies.  Press SPOT from both above and below and see how it 
resolves.   Usually I can get within 2 Hz or better on all of them.  You 
may need to do this several times.  Be sure the radio has been on for at 
least 1/2 hour to allow things to stabilize.

73

Bob, K4TAX


> Message: 4
> Date: Thu, 16 Dec 2021 18:46:59 -0500
> From: Don Wilhelm<don at w3fpr.com>
> To: Pete Smith N4ZR<pete.n4zr at gmail.com>,	Elecraft List
> 	<elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Frequency Calibration
> Message-ID:<81d4d693-6cd1-f11b-30b7-d4523ce74bb8 at w3fpr.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
>
> Pete,
>
> When using WWV to set the K3 reference, make certain you are listening
> to the carrier.? WWV is an AM signal that is modulated by a 500 or 600
> Hz tone on alternate minutes (440 Hz 2 minutes after the hour).? That
> produces tones that are both above and below the carrier.
> So be certain you are hearing the carrier and not one of the modulating
> tones.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> On 12/16/2021 4:34 PM, Pete Smith N4ZR wrote:
>> I've been wondering for some time if my 10-year-old K3's frequency
>> calibration was off, because it seemed like most spots of me were well
>> off when I clicked on them, usually in one direction.? Not having a
>> frequency counter, I went to the alternative method outlined in page
>> 49 of the manual.? I thought I did it all "by the book", but found
>> that when I was done 15-MHz WWV's carrier frequency (determined by
>> zero-beating the carrier) was almost 400 Hz low. Since I wasn't
>> looking for FMT-level accuracy, I went back to WWV and adjusted the
>> REF CAL setting by ear until 15.000 on my RX dial was as close to
>> zero-beat with WWV as I could tell. We'll see how it worked out, but I
>> wonder if I simply have some fundamental misunderstanding of what's
>> involved.? Wouldn't be the first time...
>>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 5
> Date: Thu, 16 Dec 2021 17:01:50 -0700
> From: David Hachadorian<k6ll.dave at gmail.com>
> To: Pete Smith N4ZR<pete.n4zr at gmail.com>,	Reflector Elecraft
> 	<elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Frequency Calibration
> Message-ID:<6453871f-7e7d-fa93-8a79-7b1efd5e4296 at gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
>
> You had it fixed, but then you broke it again. After doing the
> alternative method on page 49, when you tune in to 10.0000 MHz in CW
> mode, you should hear a CW note at the same frequency as your PITCH
> selection.? I presume that is 400 Hz.
>
> I got an extremely good score on last year's Frequency Measuring Test
> using only that alternative calibration method.
>
> 73
>
> Dave Hachadorian, K6LL
> Yuma, AZ
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 6
> Date: Thu, 16 Dec 2021 23:04:36 -0800
> From: Ray<wa6vab at gmail.com>
> To: Wes<wes_n7ws at triconet.org>, 	"elecraft at mailman.qth.net"
> 	<elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Frequency Calibration
> Message-ID:<61bc3686.1c69fb81.f8fd0.8d81 at mx.google.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>
> Gents
> Go to a WWV signal, (5.000000)  on a Good Strong Frequency.
> Place the Mode To Upper SSB, Listen to the Beat note Tone Freq,
> Now Move the Mode to Lower SSB. Adjust the  Ref. Cal. Osc. until the Beat Note is the Exact Same Freq
> On Lower SSB and Upper SSB.   Done
> Ray WA6VAB  K3
>
>
>
>