Elecraft KX3 Owner's Manual Bedienungsanleitung

ELECRAFT® KX3 ULTRA-PORTABLE 160-6 METER, ALL-MODE TRANSCEIVER OWNER’S MANUAL Revision C5, June 16, 2014 Copyright © 2014, Elecraft

10 Band Selection The KX3 covers the 160-6 m amateur bands. Characteristics of each band are summarized below. For further information, see

11 VFOs A and B The KX3 provides two VFOs (see glossary, pg. 52). Use of VFO B is optional. The VFO knobs are located in the area shown bel

12 Receive Settings The RX control group, shown below, is used to set up the KX3’s receiver. Directly above these controls is the filter pa

13 Preamp and Attenuator PRE turns on the RF preamp. It should be used only when signals are very weak. Preamp gain can be set on a per-ban

14 Transmit Settings The TX control group is used to set up the KX3’s transmitter. The TX LED turns on during transmit. Caution: Also fo

15 Voice Modes (SSB, AM, FM) Basic Voice-Mode Setup To avoid transmitting a signal during voice-mode setup, you can set PWR to 0.0 wa

16 CW Mode Basic CW-Mode Setup ! Mode selection: Tap MODE to select CW (CW normal). In some cases an interfering received signal can be el

17 Advanced Operating Features Frequency Memories The KX3 has 100 general-purpose frequency memories (00-99), plus four quick memories

18 Data Modes The KX3 supports data operation via a computer and special software. But it can also be used in RTTY and PSK31 modes without

19 Text Decode And Display The KX3 can decode CW, PSK31 (PSK D) and RTTY (FSK D). CW speeds from about 8 to 70 WPM can be decoded. Decoded

2 Contents Introduction ... 3!Key to Symbols and Text Styles ...3!

20 Audio Effects If you have stereo headphones or stereo external speakers, you can take advantage of the KX3’s DSP audio effects (AFX). Th

21 SSB/CW VFO Offset The KX3 can automatically offset the VFO frequency when you switch from SSB to CW mode, so other stations will hear th

22 Special VFO B Displays The KX3 can continuously display time of day or one of several operational parameters on the VFO B display. To ac

23 Internal Batteries The KX3’s internal battery pack can be used with eight 1.2-1.6 volt AA cells of any type. The pack typically provid

24 To maximize Battery Life: ! Set power to 3.0 W or less when possible. This uses a high-efficiency transmit mode. ! Turn off the backli

25 Options and Accessories This section describes all available KX3 options and accessories. Option modules are easily user-installable, in

26 SDR Applications The KX3 provides a special receiver output jack, RX I/Q, for use with the Elecraft PX3 Panadapter. The RX I/Q

27 including the apparent noise floor of the receiver, will “roll off” by these amounts. ! If you have an accurate signal level source (su

28 Remote Control of the KX3 Computer Control and Logging With appropriate software, any computer with an RS232 or USB port can be used to

29 Configuration You’ll need to set up Option Module Enables (see below) anytime you add one or more option modules. This is done at the fa

3 Introduction On behalf of our entire design team, we’d like to thank you for choosing the Elecraft KX3. The KX3 is a compact, 160-6 mete

30 Band Map If there are some bands you don’t plan to use, you can remove them from the band-switch rotation using BND MAP. This can save t

31 Calibration Most calibration steps are performed at the factory for both kit and assembled KX3s. There is one exception: If you ins

32 Receive Sideband Receive sideband calibration nulls (rejects) the opposite-sideband image. This image is a weak audible side-effect of v

33 Transmit Gain This procedure compensates for per-band transmit gain variations at two different power levels, and must be done on every

34 Transmit Carrier In SSB and some data modes, a transmitter’s primary signal may be accompanied by a weak unmodulated signal called a car

35 Menu Functions Hold MENU to enter the KX3’s menu. Tap or hold this switch to exit. Menu entries that you’d like quick access to can be

36 AFX MD Delay Sets up stereo audio effects (requires stereo headphones or dual external speakers). Set to OFF for no effects. DELAY is q

37 AUTO INF NOR If set to ANT CTRL, the KX3 will send band data (“automatic info”) to its ACC1 jack for use with devices such as SteppIR™

38 DUAL RX OFF Set to AUTO to enable Dual Watch (pg. 20). The SUB icon will turn on. If the VFOs are not within the required range, the SUB

39 PBT SSB Lo-Hi Cut Sets up the PBT I and II receive filter functions for SSB mode. Lo Cut and Hi Cut (functions I and II, respectively) a

4 Installation CAUTION ! Be careful when plugging in cables. Avoid applying sideways pressure that might damage the KX3’s left-side ja

40 RX ISO OFF Set to ON if you’re using the KX3 nearby other receivers operating on the same band, and a strong carrier from the KX3 is h

41 TECH MD OFF Set to ON to view Tech Mode menu entries (those marked with in this list). TIME N/A Real-time-clock view/set. Tap 1 / 2

42 TX GATE OFF 0 The TX noise gate can be used to suppress transmitted audio below a certain level, e.g. that of an amplifier fan. Tap 1

43 XVn ADR TRNn Assigns optional band-decode addresses to transverter bands. Addresses TRN1-7 can be used to select Elecraft XV-series t

44 Troubleshooting The most common symptoms and their causes are listed below, in three categories (general, transmit, and receive). Mos

45 ! TX LED on all the time: This could indicate that PTT is being held on by external equipment. Try disconnecting everything connected t

46 ! Received signal level too low: (1) check headphone and speaker plugs and cables; (2) make sure that MENU:RX EQ has not been set for l

47 Error Messages (ERR nnn) Error messages may be displayed on VFO B at power-up or during normal operation. In many cases error messages a

48 ERR FW2 Firmware error or EEPROM configuration error. d=nnn identifies the type of error (corrective actions shown at right). For

49 Theory Of Operation This section includes: ! a functional description of the KX3’s RF, control panel, and option PC boards ! block dia

5 Avoid using bulky connectors or adapters that could put excessive stress on side-panel jacks. Lightweight cables, preferably with right

50 MOSFETS allows automatic reduction of power if they become too hot during long transmit periods at high power levels and high ambient te

51 KX3 Block Diagram

52 Glossary of Selected Terms The following terms are often used in the discussion of amateur radio transceivers and related equipment. All

53 to great lengths to minimize distortion, trading off circuit cost and complexity against the benefit of reduced interference. Keyer: A

54 Specifications GENERAL Frequency Range 310 kHz - 32 MHz and 44-54 MHz; 120-168 MHz with KX3-2M; 65-72 MHz with KX3-4M. Transmit exclusio

55 Customer Service and Support Technical Assistance You can send e-mail to [email protected] and we will respond quickly – typically

56 Index ACC1 and ACC2 Jacks, 5 Advanced Operating Features, 17 AF Gain Control, 12 AF Limiter, 35 AFSK A Mode, 18 AFV, 22 AFX (Audio Effects), 2

57 KDVR3, 21 Keyboard, 28 Keyer, 14, 53 Keyer Paddle, 4, 16, 37 Keying Weight, 16 KX3 Utility PC Application, 25, 28, 46 KX3-2M, 25 KXAT3, 25, 29

58 Standing Wave Ratio (SWR), 6 Switch Test, 40 Switch Tones, 30, 40 Synthesizer, 51 TCXO, 54 Tech Mode Menu Entries, 41 Terminal Emulator, 28 Te

6 Antennas You can use any resonant antenna having a 50-ohm (approximate) load impedance with the KX3. Examples can be found in the ARRL An

7 Control Panel Reference This section summarizes all KX3 controls. For details, see Basic Operation and Advanced Operating Features. To Tu

8 Display (LCD) Bar graph, receive mode: Shows RX signal strength in S-units (S-meter). If CWT is turned on, the right half of the S-meter

9 Basic Operation This section describes basic KX3 controls and features. Once you’ve mastered the basics, you’ll be ready to explore the A