[Elecraft] K3 PRECAUTIONS FOR FIELD DAY

[K9ZTV]

Two precautions to consider for FD:

(1)  It would be very wise to connect a 100 watt dummy load to ANT 2 if it is not being used.  The front panel ANT button is directly below the ATU TUNE button.  We lost a K3 one year because the operator mistakenly hit ANT instead of ATU TUNE and proceeded to call CQ without an antenna.  This innocent mistake quickly took out the finals.  Being on six meters at the time, there was little change in background noise to alert him.  A 100 watt dummy load will protect the rig if that ever happens (and it will).

(2)  While the K3 has a carrier operated relay (COR) to protect its front end when in high RF environments like FD, and while judicious separation and orientation of antennas is always warranted, the addition of bandpass filters to each rig should be seriously contemplated.

This is especially so since most FD transceivers are loaned by private individuals whose generosity soon evaporates when told their four thousand dollar radio just got fried.  

While automatic band-changing bandpass filters on all transceivers can be expensive, it's a worthwhile, legitimate, and (in my opinion) mandatory one-time club expenditure.

73,
Kent
K9ZTV