ELECRAFT K3 Owner's Manual
High-performance 160 –6 meter transceiver
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Summary of Contents for ELECRAFT K3
- Page 1 LECRAFT ERFORMANCE 160 – 6 M ETER RANSCEIVER ’ WNER ANUAL Revision D1, July 27, 2008 Copyright © 2008, Elecraft, Inc. All Rights Reserved...
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Page 2: Table Of Contents
Scanning ............39 Quick-Start Guide..........4 M ain and Sub Receiver Antenna Routing..40 Introduction............7 Basic K3 (no KAT3 or KXV3) ...... 40 K3 Features.............7 K3 with KXV3 RF I/O Module ...... 40 Specifications..........8 K3 with KAT 3 AT U........41 Customer Service and Support......10... -
Page 3: A Note To K3 Owners
, w h e t h e r i t ’ s o u t t o y o u r b a c k p o r c h o r h a l f w a y a r o u n d t h e w o r l d . A n d i t ’ s t h e o n l y rig in its class that you can build yourself. Above all, we want the K3 to be ready for any operating s i t u a t i o n y o u e n c o u n t e r , a n d b e m o r e e n j o y a b l e t o u s e t h a n a n y t r a n s c e i v e r y o u ’... -
Page 4: Quick-Start Guide
Quick-Start Guide To get started using your K3 right away, please read this page and the two that follow, trying each of the controls. The text uses braces to refer to numbered elements in the front- and rear-panel illustrations below. For example, {1} refers to , the mic jack. - Page 5 Connect a power supply to the DC input jack {26} (see Specifications, pg. 8). Connections On the K3/100, a circuit breaker is provided on the fan panel for the 100-W stage {30}. You can power an accessory device from the switched DC output jack {38} (0.5 A max).
- Page 6 The ALARM function (MAIN:ALARM menu entry) can be used to remind you about a contest, net, or QSO schedule, and can even turn the K3 on at alarm time (pg. 36). The KIO3 module provides a rich set of AF {33} and digital {32} I/O (pg. 17).
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Page 7: Introduction
Configuration (pg. 45). manual fine-tuning display (pg. 30) K3 Features User Interface The K3 offers a number of advanced features that Dual VFOs with independent modes, simplify operation and enhance versatility. These bands, and filter settings (pg. 14) are listed below. Refer to the indicated pages for ... -
Page 8: Specifications
Battery: 3 V coin cell (see pg. 47 for replacement instructions). Supply Voltage 13.8 V nominal (11 V min, 15 V max). 17-22 A typical in TX for K3/100, 3-4 A /Current typical in TX for K3/10. 0.9A typical RX (less sub receiver). - Page 9 K3/100: 0.1 W – 100 W typ. (reduced power in AM mode). Output Power K3/10 (or K3/100 with PA bypassed): 0.1 W – 12 W, HF-10 m; 8W max on 6 m. XVTR OUT (KXV3 option): 0.1 to 1.5 mW (-10 to +1.8 dBm).
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Page 10: Customer Service And Support
Repair / Alignment Service If necessary, you may return your Elecraft product to us for repair or alignment. (Note: We offer unlimited email and phone support, so please try that route first as we can usually help you find the problem quickly.) IMPO RTANT: You must contact Ele craft before mailing your product to obtain authorization for the return, what address to ship it to and current information on repair fees and turn around times. -
Page 11: Front Panel
Front Panel This reference section describes all front panel controls, the liquid crystal display (LCD), LEDs, and connectors. Operating instructions are covered in later sections. Control Groups Primary Controls (pg 13): These controls Ke ypad (pg. 15): This group of switches is provide basic transceiver setup, including power numbered for use during memory store/recall and on/off, band, operating mode, AF and RF gain and... -
Page 12: Display
Display Multi-characte r displays: The 7-segment display VFO Icons: The icon and two arrows indicate (upper) shows the VFO A frequency. T he 13- which VFO is selected for transmit as shown below. segment display (lower) shows VFO B. In T XT EST mode, flashes (see TE S T Shows that VFO A or B is locked (see... -
Page 13: Leds
(see pinout below). T o select the front- or rear-panel mic, and to turn bias T urns the K3 on or off. Note : To ensure P O W E R on/off, use the MAIN:MIC SRC menu entry. -
Page 14: Multi-Function Controls
Dual-Concentric Potentiometers Transmit Controls — AF gain controls for main The primary functions of the transmit controls are: receiver (inner, or smaller knob) and sub receiver Keyer speed in WPM, 8-50 S P E E D (outer ring, or larger knob). Mic gain MI C —... -
Page 15: Keypad
Receiver Control & Misc. (Lower Rows) To jump to any frequency within the tuning range Receiver control functions normally apply to of the K3, tap , then enter 1 to 3 MHz FR E Q EN T VFO A. If... -
Page 16: Memory Controls
Memory Controls T wo switches are dedicated to the DVR (KDVR3 Frequency Memories option). The K3 has 100 general-purpose memories (00-99), Start / stop audio record AF R E C plus up to 80 per-band memories (M1-M4 on each of 11 regular bands and 9 transverter bands). Each... -
Page 17: Rear Panel
RFI. keying output, capable of keying up to +200VDC @ 5A. KPA3: This option panel is blank in the K3/10. In the K3/100, the blank panel is replaced with the fan REF IN (SMA): Input for external standard panel shown, which includes a circuit breake r. -
Page 18: Kio3 Module
If a PC or othe r de vice asse rts RTS or DTR DIGO UT 1 while y o u ’ r e i n t h e PTT-KEY menu entry, the K3 will enter TEST mode as a pre caution. - Page 19 In the tables below, 0 = 0 VDC, and 1 = device Normally, when the K3 is turned on, a 5-VDC logic supply voltage. signal appears on ACC pin 7 (K3 ON). T his could be used with Elecraft XV transverters as an enable With CONFIG:KIO3 se t to...
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Page 20: Line Out
PTT IN jack or the PTT line on the ACC connector (pg. 18). pickup. If your laptop has only a mic input, you may want to add a resistive attenuator between the K3 and the laptop to keep the signal-to-noise level high. -
Page 21: Basic Operation
T ap to access the main menu. (Tapping ME NU This section covers the fundamentals of K3 receive again exits the menu.) ME N U a n d t r a n s mi t o p e r a t i o n . I t ’ l l a l s o g e t y o u s t a r t e d ... - Page 22 With the KXV3 installed, you can tap to select LEDs show whether the offset is 0, (-) or (+). a receive-only antenna (RX ANT IN). The K3 also has an RX ANT OUT jack for use with in-line T ap to zero the RIT /XIT offset.
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Page 23: Receiver Setup
I /I I sets the DSP passband to match the crystal filter, and removes any passband shift or lowcut/hicut. The K3 will also select the most appropriate crystal filters automatically as you adjust the S H I F T , and controls. - Page 24 Custom Settings (NO RM1 and NORM2) In addition to the K3's standard "NORM" values, E a c h o p e r a t i n g m o d e p r o v i d e s t w o ‘ f l o a t i n g ’ f i l t e r...
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Page 25: Reducing Interference And Noise
’ t b e a c t i v a t e d b y s i g n a l s o u t s i d e t h e c r y s t a l The K3 provides several ways to cut interference, filter passband. -
Page 26: Transmitter Setup
If you have a KXV3 installed, you can use Multifunction Transmit Controls milliwatt-le vel power output. This is intended for use with transverters, but it can also allow the K3 to There are two multifunction transmit controls. Their act as a very stable, very low-noise signal generator. - Page 27 K3 powe r output control. for those who use QRP levels on one band and D O N OT s e t t h e K 3 ’ s p o w e r l e v e l t o QRO on another.
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Page 28: Voice Modes (Ssb, Am, Fm)
X MI T wattmete r, adjust powe r such that spee ch peaks You can either leave the K3 in T X TEST mode remain at or below your de sire d powe r le vel. T he or go back to normaltransmit (hold ) as K 3 ’... - Page 29 2.00 seconds. The lower the setting, the When listening to AM signals, you can hold AL T faster the K3 will return to receive mode after a select envelope detection ( ) or synchronous pause in speech. See (pg 14).
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Page 30: Cw Mode
With semi break-in selected ( icon off), the QS K of 4. Buffers hold 250 characters each. To switch K3 returns to receive mode after a time delay you banks, hold R EC set using . T his is a compromise between... -
Page 31: Data Modes
. The present D AT A MD easier when using the K3’ s t e x t d e c o d e r . data mode is shown on VFO B, and can be changed by rotating the VFO B knob. - Page 32 K 3 ’ s l i g h t w e i g h t a n d excellent receive performance are advantageous. General information regarding K3 set up for these modes appears below.
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Page 33: Advanced Operating Features
If you assign CONFIG:TTY LTR to a To decode very fast CW, use CW 3 0 -90 programmable function switch, you can tap it to quickly shift back to letters. T he K3 uses slow AGC during CW text decode, overriding the selected AGC setting. -
Page 34: Cw-To-Data
(Also see DTF, pg. 32, that reply (especially important for PS K D and CONFIG:TTY LTR.) Whenever you pause, the K3 will remain in a data idle state for about 4 seconds before Manual SPOT dropping. To extend the timeout, send BT,... -
Page 35: Audio Effects (Afx)
If you have stereo headphones or stereo external The K3 provides 8 bands of receive audio speakers, y o u c a n t a k e a d v a n t a g e o f t h e K 3 ’ s D S P equalization via the MAIN:RX EQ menu entry. -
Page 36: Split And Cross-Mode Operation
When an alarm is set, (*) appears in the time display. (T ime can be displayed by tapping DI S P T he K3 will turn ON automatically if it was off at alarm time. It will be on the last-used band. -
Page 37: Using The Sub Receiver
The KRX3 option adds an independent, high- main receiver (sharing ANT 1-2 or RX ANT IN), or performance sub receiver to the K3. Sub receiver from its auxiliary antenna input. (Also see pg. 40.) installation is covered in the KRX3 manual. -
Page 38: Receive Antenna In/Out
’ s o s c i l l a t o r / mu l t i p l i e r c h a i n . I f y o u ’ r e c o m p a r i n g the K3 to a transceiver and The value shown is in kHz. -
Page 39: Scanning
This is included in muted ( Some bands may be excluded from scanning for the K3 primarily for use on 60 meters, 6 meters, and Scanning can be used to monitor regulatory reasons.) transverter bands, although it can be used on any any portion of a band, from a 1-2 kHz range where band. -
Page 40: Main And Sub Receiver Antenna Routing
Basic K3 (no KAT3 or KXV3) As shown in Figure 1, the basic K3 is supplied with one antenna jack (ANT1, SO239). The signal from ANT 1 is routed through the antenna input module (KANT3) to the main receiver (as well as to the transmitter). The KRX3 sub receiver, if installed, can share the ANT 1 signal via a passive splitter and relay K1. -
Page 41: K3 With Kat3 Atu
The KAT3 internal AT U, which replaces the KANT3 antenna input module, provides a second SO239 antenna jack (ANT 2). As shown in Figure 3, relay K3 routes either ANT 1 or ANT 2 to the main RF path. T he antenna not routed to the main path (the non-transmit a n t e n n a ) c a n o p t i o n a l l y b e u s e d a s t h e s u b r e c e i v e r ’... -
Page 42: K3 With Kat3 And Kxv3
K3 with KAT3 and KXV3 Figure 4 shows the antenna possibilities with both the KAT3 and KXV3 installed. The main receiver can use ANT 1, 2, or RX ANT IN. The sub receiver can either s h a r e t h e ma i n r e c e i v e r ’ s R F s o u r c e , o r u s e i t s A U X R F input. -
Page 43: Remote Control Of The K3
(ACC connector, pg. 18) to turn the used to control the K3. Connections needed for K3 O N. To turn it O FF, the controller must send t h e K 3 a “ PS0;” r e m o t e -control command via the RS232 communications are covered on pg. -
Page 44: Options
KBPF3: General-coverage band-pass filter array number of your transceiver, if needed, can be that allows the K3 main or sub receiver to cover the obtained using the SER NUM menu entry. entire LF and HF range of 0.5 to 30 MHz. (If you... -
Page 45: Configuration
8215.0 kHz. Most 5- Configuring your K3 involves installing options and p o l e f i l t e r s w i l l h a v e a n o f f s e t , e . g . “ -0 . 9 1 ” . -
Page 46: Option Module Enables
VFO Setup below). Then turn the K3 off for 5 seconds, and Several CONFIG menu entries are provided to back on. This allows the K3 to find and test the module . control VFO behavior: VFO CRS sets up the per-mode C O AR S E ... -
Page 47: Vfo A Knob Friction Adjustment
Real Time Clock Battery Replacement K3 components or module s can be e asily be damage d by ESD (electrostatic discharge). To avoid this, put on a grounde d wrist strap (with 1... -
Page 48: Calibration Procedures
K3 circuitry involved, this must be transmit gain variation, and must be done on e ve ry done at 5.0 W, at 50 W (K3/100 only), and at 1.00 band. (The resulting calibration data can be viewed using CONFIG:TXGN, but this is not necessary.) -
Page 49: Reference Oscillator
Set power to exactly 1.00 milliwatts (0 dBm). a significant amount.) Hold T une the K3 to a strong broadcast station or a ; output power should be about 1 TU N E mW. T hen tap to exit TUNE. -
Page 50: Front Panel Temperature Sensor
AG C-S Front Panel Temperature Sensor AG C Bypass the ATU, if installed, by holding T urn the K3 OFF. Allow about 15 minutes for Set the radio to cool to room temperature. RF GAIN to maximum (fully clockwise). -
Page 51: Menu Functions
Menu Functions There are two groups of menu functions: MAIN and CO NFIG. Tap to access the MAIN menu; hold ME NU to access the CONFIG menu. You can also hold to switch from one menu to the other. Menu C O NF I G C ON FI G e n t r i e s t h a t y o u ’... -
Page 52: Config Menu
AUTO 1 , the K3 will send band data on its RS232 port for u s e w i t h d e v i c e s s u c h a s t h e S t e p p I R ™ a n t e n n a o n e v e r y b a n d c h a n g e . ( N o t e : This setting may not be compatible with PC software applications that use the “... - Page 53 Elecraft 5-pole, 200-H z f i l t e r w e r e l a b e l e d “ -0 . 9 1 ”...
- Page 54 IN/OUT ), and a buffered I.F. output. If KXV3 is set to , the K3 will use low power (0.10 to 1.50 mW) on all TE S T bands, including HF and transverter bands. RF input/output is via the XVT R IN/OUT jacks in this case.
- Page 55 MIC BT N Set to K 3 ’ s f r o n t -panel mic jack. Not applicable to the Elecraft MH2 or MD2 microphones. Mic FUNCT ION button not presently supported. Tapping UP or DOWN once will move the VFO up or down one step (based on the current tuning rate);...
- Page 56 Y o u r K 3 ’ s s e r i a l n u mb e r , e . g . SER NUM . Cannot be changed. 0 20 0 0 SMT R OF S-Meter offset; see calibration procedure (pg. 50). SMT R SC S-Meter scale;...
- Page 57 T X DLY NOR 008 (Advance d) For use with external amplifiers that have slow relays; sets the time from KEY OUT jack (active low) to first RF in 1-ms steps. To minimize loss of QSK speed, use the shortest delay that works with your amp. Most will work with the default (minimum) setting of 8 ms.
- Page 58 MHz digits (e.g., for 1296 MHz, use MHz). Tap to select 29 6 xvtr band. – XVx IF Specify K3 band to use as the I.F. for transverter band x ( . Tap select xvtr band. I.F. band selections include , and MHz. – XVx PWR L .01...
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Page 59: Troubleshooting
K 3 ’... - Page 60 ANT1 or 2 input signal exceeds about 1 to 2 W. You can disable the warning (set CONFIG:RFI DET to ), but eliminating the over-coupling will ensure no damage to K3 components. O FF No re ceive d signal: Possibilities include (1) receiver being squelched (if RF/SQL controls are assigned to squelch via CONFIG:SQ MAIN or SQ SUB, rotate squelch controls fully counter-clockwise);...
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Page 61: Parameter Initialization
(or re-do all configuration steps manually; no test equipment is required). If you have a computer available to do configuration save and restore, run the K3 Utility program, then use the Configuration function to save your present firmware configuration. -
Page 62: Module Troubleshooting
(pg. 44) or initializing parameters to factory defaults (see below). A full set of schematics can be found on our web site. Due to the use of fine -pitch ICs in the K3, most signal tracing must be done ve ry care fully using fine-tip probes. Please do not attempt this unless you have experience in troubleshooting surface-mount assemblies;... - Page 63 KPA3 module. Set CONFIG:KPA3 to . While P AIO NO R waiting for a replacement, you can use the K3 at reduced power. ERR AT3 KAT3 not responding *De -install the KAT3 module (see above). If this eliminates the error message, the KAT3 may be defective.
- Page 64 ERR IO3 KIO3 not responding The KIO3 may be defective. Note : The K3 can be operated temporarily without the K I O 3 i n s t a l l e d . Y o u ’ l l n e e d t o u s e headphones, and there will be no computer or AF I/O available on the rear panel.
- Page 65 K R E F 3 a n d o t h e r m o d u l e s . I f t h i s d o e s n ’ t help, the problem may be on the KREF3 module or the RF board. Note: The K3 cannot be used without a KREF3 module.
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Page 66: Theory Of Operation
Low Power Amplifier (LPA) The low-power amplifier module is capable of up to 12 W power output, and in the case of the K3/10, is the final amplifier stage. In the K3/100, it provides drive to the KPA3 module. The LPA has three gain stages, the last two of which use high-power MOSFET transistors to allow coverage up through 6 meters. - Page 67 Noise Blanker There are two noise blanker subsystems in the K3: the KNB3 module, and a DSP-based blanker (see DSP on pg. 69). The KNB3 is a narrow I.F. pulse blanker that plugs into the RF board. Its broad input bandwidth ensures minimu m s t r e t c h i n g o f f a s t n o i s e p u l s e s , s o i t ’...
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Page 68: Kant3 And Kat3
The basic K3/10 includes a KANT 3 a n t e n n a i n p u t mo d u l e . I f y o u ’... -
Page 69: Kref3
68). The Front Panel PCB also includes the microcontroller unit (MCU), which manages the operation of the K3. All inputs, whether from a switch, knob or external PC, are recognized and acted on by the MCU. All control outputs –... -
Page 70: Ksyn3
board. T he KREF3 obtains its DC and low-frequency I/O signals via an 8-pin connector on the RF board, but its RF outputs are fed to the RF board (and sub receiver, if applicable) via coax cable assemblies. KSYN3 L o w p h a s e n o i s e i s k e y t o b o t h r e c e i v e r a n d t r a n s mi t t e r p e r f o r ma n c e . I n t h e K 3 ’ s s y n t h e s i z e r module (KSYN3), we start with a clean, wide-range voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO). -
Page 71: K3 Block Diagram
K3 Block Diagram... -
Page 72: Appendix A: Crystal Filter Installation
T he screws that hold the top cover in place are an important p a r t o f t h e K 3 ’ s s t r u c t u r a l d e s i g n . P l e a s e b e sure to re-install all of them afterward. Put on your wrist strap or touch a grounde d surface before touching any K3 components or modules in the following ste ps. - Page 73 T here may be a mix of 5-pole filters (below left) and 8-pole filters (right). Review the information below to ensure that your crystal filter setup conforms to K3 requirements. You can install up to five crystal filters (FL1-FL5) on the RF board, and five on the sub receiver (KRX3). FM operation requires a 13 kHz wide filter.
- Page 74 I f y o u ’ l l b e c h a n g i n g R F b o a r d f i l t e r s : T urn the K3 upside down, placing a soft cloth beneath it.
- Page 75 Crystal Filte r Se tup and follow all instructions for the sub receiver. Position the top cover on the K3, with its rear tab inserted under the top edge of the rear panel. Then plug the speaker wire into P25 on the KIO3 board at the left rear of the K3.
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Page 76: Index
Index 12 VDC IN, 17 Crystal Filte r, Transmit, 26, 46, 65 12 VDC O UT, 17 Crystal Filte r, Variable Bandwidth, 23, 67, 73 1-Hz Tuning, 22 Current Drain, 7, 21, 36 6-Me te r Pre amp (PR6), 44 Customer Support, 2, 10, 44, 64 Accessory 12 VDC Output, 17 CW Ke ying Weight, 30, 36, 53... - Page 77 Pre sets, 24 Inte rme diate Fre quency (I.F.), 23, 67 Primary Controls, 2, 11, 13 K3 Utility PC Application, 43, 44, 45, 59, 61 Programmable Function Switch, 6, 11, 16, 21, 29, KANT3, 2, 40, 41, 63, 66, 68...
- Page 78 TCXO , 8, 32, 44, 49, 54, 69 TX LED, 6, 26, 44, 59 Te mpe rature Sensor, 50, 54, 55, 59 TX TES T, 5, 12, 18, 26, 28, 30, 34, 55 Te rminal Emulator, 43 TXGN, 48, 57 Te xt De code and Display, 2, 23, 30, 33 VFO B Alternate Displays, 2, 36 The ory Of O peration, 2, 66...
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