ELECRAFTK3HIGH-PERFORMANCE160 –6 METER TRANSCEIVEROWNER’S MANUALRevision D1, July 27, 2008Copyright © 2008, Elecraft, Inc.All Rights Reserved
10Customer Service and SupportTechnical AssistanceYou can send e-mail to [email protected] and we will respond quickly –typically the same dayMon
11Front PanelThis reference section describes all front panel controls, the liquid crystal display (LCD), LEDs, and connectors.Operating instructions
12DisplayMulti-character displays: The 7-segment display(upper) shows the VFO A frequency.The 13-segment display (lower) shows VFO B.Bar graph, receiv
13LEDsTX [Red] Turns on in transmit mode.∆F [Yellow] The Delta-F LED turns on iftransmit and receive frequencies or modes aredifferent due to the use
14Dual-Concentric PotentiometersAF — SUB AF gain controls for mainreceiver (inner, or smaller knob) and sub receiver(outer ring, or larger knob).RF /
15Direct Frequency EntryTo jumpto any frequency within the tuning rangeof the K3, tap FR EQ EN T , then enter 1 to 3 MHzdigits, a decimal point, and0
16Memory ControlsFrequency MemoriesThe K3 has 100 general-purpose memories (00-99),plus up to 80 per-band memories (M1-M4 on eachof 11 regular bands a
17Rear PanelConnector GroupsThe appearance of your rear panel may varydepending upon the options installed.Antennas: ANT1 (SO-239) is standard. ANT2(S
18KIO3 ModuleThe KIO3 provides serial I/O, control signals, audioin/out for use with sound cards, speaker outputs,and auxiliary headphone and mic jack
19Band Outputs (BAND0-BAND3)BAND0-3 provide band selection signals. Theirbehavior is determined by the CONFIG:KIO3menu entry. (See tables below.)BAND0
2ContentsA Noteto K3 Owners...3Key to Symbols and Text Styles...3Quick-Start Guide...
20SPKRSSTEREO or MONO; 4 to 8 ΩPlugging in external speaker(s) cuts off the internalspeaker. A stereo plug is recommended; tip is leftspeaker, ring is
21Basic OperationThis section covers the fundamentals of K3 receiveand transmit operation. It’ll also get you started using each ofthe major operating
22Band and Mode SelectionTap either end of the B AN D switch to select thedesired ham band (160 through 6 meters). You canalso go directly to any desi
23Receiver SetupThis section explains howto use basic receivercontrols. Setup for specific operating modes isdescribed in later sections; see Voice Mo
24Filter Presets (I/II)Each operating mode provides two ‘floating’ filter presets, I and II, which store filter settings on aper-VFO, per-mode basis (
25Reducing Interference and NoiseThe K3 provides several waysto cut interference,including DSP noise reduction, manual and autonotch, and noise blanki
26Transmitter SetupTransmit Crystal Filter ConsiderationsFor each operating mode, you must specify whichI.F. crystal filter to use for transmit using
27External ALCExternal ALC should only be used to protectyour amplifier during operation into a failedload, or during a prolonged overdrive condition.
28Voice Modes (SSB, AM, FM)Mode SelectionTap either end of MOD E to select LSB/USB,AM , or FM mode. Holdingthe left end of thiscontrol, AL T , selects
29Voice Mode VOX SetupVOX selectsPTT (push-to-talk) or voice-operated(VOX) transmit (VOX icon on).The VOX delay can be set from 0.05 seconds (50ms) to
3A Note to K3 OwnersOn behalf of our entire design team, we’d like to thank you for choosing the Elecraft K3 transceiver. The K3—like its predecessor,
30CW ModeCW Normal and ReverseSelect CW mode by tapping either end of MOD E .Hold AL T to alternate between CW normal andCW reverse (REV icon). CW rev
31Data ModesYou don’t need a computer to get started with datamodes on the K3: it can decode and display RTTYand PSK31 on its LCD (pg. 33). You can tr
32RTTY Dual-Tone Filter (DTF)Hold DUAL PB to turn on the RTTY dual-tonefilter (DTF). This creates two filters, one centeredon the marktone, the other
33Advanced Operating FeaturesText Decode And DisplayThe K3 can decode CW, PSK31 and RTTY.Decoded text is displayed on VFO B. In datamodes, you can use
34CW-to-DATAYou can use data modes completely stand-alone(i.e., without a computer). Just turn on text decode(pg. 33), and send CW using the internal
35Audio Effects (AFX)If you have stereo headphones or stereo externalspeakers, you can take advantage of the K3’s DSP audio effects. These create an i
36SPLIT and Cross-Mode OperationNormally, VFO A is used for both receive andtransmit. When SPL I T mode is selected, VFO Bbecomes thetransmit VFO. In
37Using the Sub ReceiverThe KRX3 option adds an independent, high-performance sub receiver tothe K3. Sub receiverinstallation is covered in the KRX3 m
38Receive Antenna In/OutThe RX ANTIN/OUT jacks, supplied with theKXV3 option, have various uses: Low-noise receiving antenna: Some operatorsuse a Bev
39ScanningThe K3's scanning features let the K3 tune any bandsegment continuously, with or without the receivermuted (Some bands may be excluded
4Quick-Start GuideTo get started using your K3 right away, please readthis page andthe two that follow, trying each of thecontrols. The text uses brac
40Main and Sub Receiver Antenna RoutingThe simplified block diagrams in this section show how antennas are routedto the main and sub receivers.Heavy l
41KANT3Ant. Input ModuleMain RXAnt 1KRX3RX Ant.KXV3Sub RXK2K1**SA4*Includes C.O.R.Aux RFSA1SA3Figure 2. Main/Sub Receiver Routing with KXV3 InstalledK
42K3 with KAT3 and KXV3Figure 4 shows the antenna possibilities with both the KAT3 and KXV3 installed. The main receiver can useANT 1, 2, or RX ANT IN
43Remote Control of the K3With appropriate software, any computer with anRS232 port (or a USB-to-RS232 adapter) can beused to control the K3. Connecti
44OptionsK3 option modules and crystal filters addsignificant new capabilities tothe transceiver.Theycan be installed at any time (see pg. 45). Allmod
45ConfigurationConfiguring your K3 involves installing options andcrystal filters, then customizing menu settings.Options come with their own installa
46Transmit Crystal Filter Selection (Per-Mode)This step applies only to filters on the RF board. Select CW mode by tapping MOD E . Use VFO B to find
47VFO A Knob Friction AdjustmentThe VFO A knob’s spin rate can be adjusted by movingthe knob in or out slightly. The rubberfinger grip on the VFO A kn
48Calibration ProceduresAll calibration procedures are firmware-based. Please do not adjust any of the trimmercapacitors or potentiometers inside the
49High Power (50 W) TX Gain CalibrationThis applies to the K3/100 only. Use the sameprocedure as shown for 5 watts, but set power to 50W, and use a 50
5Connections Connect a power supply to the DC input jack {26} (see Specifications, pg. 8). On the K3/100, a circuit breaker is provided on the fan p
50Front Panel Temperature Sensor Turn the K3 OFF. Allow about 15 minutes forthe radio to cool to room temperature. Turn the K3 ON. Locate the CONFI
51Menu FunctionsThere are two groups of menu functions: MAIN andCONFIG. Tap MENU to accessthe MAIN menu; holdC ONF I G to accessthe CONFIG menu. You c
52CONFIG MenuTech Mode EntriesMenu entries that include [T] are tech mode entries. These are only visible if CONFIG:TECH MD is set to ON.They are norm
53CW IAMB A Iambic keying mode (A or B). Both modes produce self-completing dots anddashes. Mode B is more efficient for operators who use “squeeze” k
54FLTX{md} FL1 (allmodes)Used to specify which crystal filter to use during TX. {md} = CW/SB/AM /FM.Choose filters with bandwidths as follows: SSB, 2.
55LIN OUT NOR 010 Sets the LINE OUT level. LINE OUT connections go to PC soundcard inputs.Settings above 10 may result in overdrive of the soundcard o
56SER NUM N/A Your K3’s serial number, e.g. 02000. Cannot be changed.SMTR OFSUB024 S-Meter offset; see calibration procedure (pg. 50).SMTR SCSUB014 S-
57TX DLY NOR 008 (Advanced) For use with external amplifiers that have slow relays; setsthe timefrom KEY OUT jack (active low) to first RF in 1-ms ste
58XVx RF 144 Lower edge for xvtr band x (1-9); 0-999 MHz. For frequencies above 999 MHz,use only the MHz digits (e.g., for 1296 MHz, use 296 MHz). Tap
59TroubleshootingThe most common symptoms and their causes are listed below, in three categories (general,transmit, andreceive). Most problems are rel
6VFOsand RIT/XIT R ATE {21} selects 10 or 50 Hz VFO/RIT tuning. See VFO menu entries, pg. 52. F IN E {21} selects 1-Hz steps. C OAR SE selects large
60impedance. Allow heatsink to cool. Reduce power if necessary. Make sure the CONFIG:PA TEMP menuentry is calibrated (allow heatsink to cool to room t
61Parameter InitializationMenu parameters are stored in non-volatile memory (EEPROM and/or FLASH). It is possible, though rare, forparameters to becom
62Module TroubleshootingThe K3 is a highly modular transceiver. With the information provided here, you’ll be troubleshooting to the module level, not
63Error Message List* =See module de-installation instructions on previous page.Error Msg Problem Troubleshooting stepsERR 12V The circuit breaker on
64ERR IF1 RF board IF GROUP not responding (A6810or KNB3-U2)*De-install the KNB3 module on RFboard. Note: The K3 cannot be operatedwithout a KNB3, bec
65ERR REF Missing KREF3 module Verify that the oscillator can ontheKREF3 is fully plugged in. Make sure allinternal cables are plugged in between theK
66Theory Of OperationPlease referto the block diagram of the K3 shown at the end of this section. Schematics and additional detailscan be found onthe
67main BPF array, and due to its very short connections, has no effect on the performance of the main BPFsduring ham-band operation.First I.F. StagesT
68through of the local oscillator (synthesizer) signal. The mixer also incorporates a balanced VHF low-pass filterto suppress both internally and exte
69indicators. Mic and headphones can be plugged into the front panel, or optionally at the rear panel (see KIO3description, pg. 68).The Front Panel PC
7IntroductionThis comprehensive manual covers all the featuresand capabilities ofthe Elecraft K3transceiver. Werecommend that you begin with the Quick
70board. The KREF3 obtains its DC and low-frequency I/O signals via an 8-pin connector on the RF board, but itsRF outputs are fedto the RF board(and s
71K3 Block Diagram
72Appendix A: Crystal Filter InstallationDamage to your K3 due to electrostatic discharge (ESD) can occur if you don’t take proper precautions. Such d
73Locatethe crystal filters you presently have installed in slots FL1 - FL5 on the RF board (or sub receiver).There may be a mix of 5-pole filters (be
74Fill in the table below (include sub receiver info, if applicable). Use pencil, since you may change theconfiguration later. BANDWIDTH can be obtain
75Turn the K3 right side up. Unplug all filters to be repositioned (those whose mounting screws have beenremoved). Lift the filters at each end carefu
76Index12 VDC IN, 1712 VDC OUT, 171-Hz Tuning, 226-Meter Preamp (PR6), 44Accessory 12 VDC Output, 17Accessory I/O (ACC), 18AFSK A Mode, 31AFV (Audio V
77IF OUT, 38Intermediate Frequency (I.F.), 23, 67K3 Utility PC Application, 43, 44, 45, 59, 61KANT3, 2, 40, 41, 63, 66, 68KAT3, 2, 8, 22, 41, 46, 53,
78TCXO, 8, 32, 44, 49, 54, 69Temperature Sensor, 50, 54, 55, 59Terminal Emulator, 43Text Decode and Display, 2, 23, 30, 33Theory Of Operation, 2, 66Ti
8SpecificationsSome specifications apply only if the corresponding option modules are installed (see Options, pg. 44).GENERALFrequency Range Main and
9RECEIVER (Main and Sub)*Sensitivity (MDS) -136 dBm (typ.), preamp on, 500 Hz b/w. Reduced sensitivity near 8.2 MHz (firstI.F.). 6 m MDS with PR6 opti
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