ELECRAFT PR6 Owner's Manual

6-meter receive preamplifier

PR6 6-Meter Receive Preamplifier

LECRAFT

Owner's Manual

Revision B, May 19, 2011

Introduction

The PR6 is a high-performance, low-noise 6-meter preamp that can be used with the Elecraft K3 or other

transceivers. It's especially well-suited to the K3, which has exceptional dynamic range, yet can benefit

from additional gain for 6-meter weak signal work. Adding the PR6 typically improves 6-meter MDS from

about -136 to -143 dBm. The noise figure of the preamp itself is typically 0.5 dB.

The PR6 can be connected directly to the RX ANT IN/OUT jacks on the K3's KXV3 module (required),

where it can be switched in automatically by the transceiver when operating on 6 meters. A second pair of

jacks is provided on the opposite side of the PR6 to allow use of the K3's normal RX ANT IN/OUT signal

path when the preamp is not in use.

Power for the PR6 can be obtained from any 11 to 14 VDC supply. When used with a K3, the PR6 can be

powered from the 12 VDC accessory output. It can be strapped permanently ON, or it can be turned on/off

externally from an open-source/open-drain logic signal. In the K3 case, the DIGOUT1 control line can be

used (on the 15-pin ACC jack), since it is stored on a per-band basis.

The PR6 is housed in a rugged, custom-machined enclosure.

Figure 1. Elecraft PR6 Low-Noise 6-Meter Receive Preamplifier.

Elecraft

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www.elecraft.com

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831-662-8345

Table of Contents

Do you have a question about the PR6 and is the answer not in the manual?

Page 1 Power for the PR6 can be obtained from any 11 to 14 VDC supply. When used with a K3, the PR6 can be powered from the 12 VDC accessory output. It can be strapped permanently ON, or it can be turned on/off externally from an open-source/open-drain logic signal.
Page 2: Specifications
On 6 meters, tap RX ANT to enable the preamplifier. If the control (CTRL) line is not used and jumper P2 is installed (see Figure 3), the PR6 will be switched into the circuit when the RX ANT button is pressed. The bypass antenna connections are not available unless power is removed from the PR6.
Page 3 P2 is removed, by applying +12 VDC and grounding the CTRL input. Jumper P2 is shown in Figure 3.  If used at a transceiver RF output, limit the RF power passing through the PR6 to 15 watts in bypass. RF power must not be present when relays switch. ...
Page 4: Circuit Description
It is capable of providing high gain and exceptionally low noise figure in the 6 meter band. In the PR6, the input L network and L4 in the source circuit provide a near optimum noise match to the ATF34143 from the PR6 50 ohm input. R2 is provided to set the drain current and is factory adjusted.
Page 5 PR6 6-Meter Receiver Preamplifier Owner’s Manua Page 5...