A corrected version of QST's KSYN3A in K3 review

Hi,

there is the link for corrected version of QST's KSYN3A board review which is replacing the erroneous TX phase noise plot in their last QST article:


http://www.elecraft.com/K3/QST%20KSYN3A%20revised.pdf

Figures 10 and 11 have been updated by the ARRL to show the KSYN3A's actual transmit phase noise. As you can see, relative to the original synth, the KSYN3A has far lower noise at close offsets (toward the left end of the graph), and nearly identical noise at wider offsets (toward the right).

As Wayne, N6KR mentioned previously, this is a *transmit* phase noise plot. Phase noise is even lower right at the output of the synth module itself, accounting for the KSYN3A's outstanding RMDR (reciprocal mixing dynamic range, which applies to receive mode).
 
There is also explanation of their mistake in LF bands performance (500kHz/137kHz) measurement due to lack of proper modification on tested K3!

Thanks to Wayne, N6KR for sharing the link...

Hope it helps,


73 - Petr, OK1RP

TMP-K01X-A1 connectors and cables for Elecraft K3

Dears,

as it was hard to find the TMP connectors for making the calibration  of K3 in Czech even in nearest Europe in the past I tried to looking for distributor world-wide. I realized that some sales contacts does not work or links fails so I sumarized the actual links and informations again. 

BTW: What is the TMP connector or even TMP cable in K3 transceiver...?

It is one of the cables used for the second receiver module KRX3.
If you have the receiver module then you can start reading at page 22 of the installation and operation manual (assuming Rev. B of manual). Also it is used for KSYN3A, KAT3 to AUX and other modules inside of K3. You are not aware if you ordered K3-F (factory assembled) unit :) but for all those assembled their K3s by themself it is very known...
 
The TMP cable 12" is the Elecraft part: #E850339.

For all who would like to make coaxial cable for calibration of K3 instead of some temporary solution there are useful informations I guess:

Type: TMP-K01X-A1 connector 50ohms for RG-174/U coaxial cable type

Assembly Standard:
http://www.scsiglobal.com/TaikoDenki/Documents/TMP-K-WorkingStandardWithAssembly.pdf

Quick assembly reference:
http://www.scsiglobal.com/TaikoDenki/Documents/TMP%20Recommended%20Cable%20Assembly-QUICK%20REFERENCE.pdf

Sales links:
http://www.hdcom.com/mmconn.html
http://therfc.com/taiko.htm
http://www.inrad.net/product.php?productid=336&cat=163&page=1

on eBay:
http://www.ebay.it/itm/Taiko-Denki-TMP-K01X-A1-RF-Coaxial-Plug-TMP-Connector-Plug-x2-/111778478751?hash=item1a06843a9f

http://www.ebay.it/sch/sis.html?_nkw=TMP%20Plug%20Connector%20to%20Open%20wire%2030cm%20Length%20RG174%20Coax%20TMP%20K01X%20A1&_itemId=121636263595

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TMP-Plug-Connector-to-Open-wire-30cm-Length-RG174-Coax-TMP-K01X-A1-/111781981751?hash=item1a06b9ae37:g:LPkAAOSw-jhUHbiB

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TMP-Plug-Connector-to-BNC-Female-Connector-1m-Length-RG174-Coax-TMP-K01X-A1-/121776411269?hash=item1c5a709285:g:qDsAAOSwEK9UHbp4

or here:
http://www.ebay.it/itm/TMP-Plug-Connector-to-Open-wire-30cm-Length-RG174-Coax-TMP-K01X-A1-/111781981751?hash=item1a06b9ae37

http://www.ebay.it/itm/TMP-Plug-Connector-to-BNC-Female-Connector-1m-Length-RG174-Coax-TMP-K01X-A1-/121776411269?hash=item1c5a709285

Hand-crimp-tool to buy:
http://www.scsiglobal.com/TaikoDenki/hand_crimp_tool.htm

The tips and hints discussed here:
http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K3-No-Receive-No-Transmit-SOLVED-td7609301.html

The most important is to be ensured that the center pin is in it's socket properly, not bended, not misaligned during installation and as Guy, K2AV is saying..."The outer shell of the TMP plug can be connected without being fully inserted into the TMP connector. This can result in an intermittent on the center conductor that comes and goes with temperature change, or breathing hard, or changes in phases of the moon. The little flanges on the TMP plug should be nearly up to the TMP connector shell when fully inserted."

When it is in use I am recommending to check time to time (you do not need to do it before "each flight" :) the connectors if all of them are correctly inserted and if there is no rust, corrosion or silver coated TMP connectors are not becoming black...

Hope it helps.


73 - Petr, OK1RP

QST Review of KSYN3A synth in K3 has erroneous TX phase noise plot

Hi all,

although I am not re-posting the articles from the other sources to my blog over here in that case I am doing it as it is very important for many of Elecraft K3 users.

In order to better understaning the situation about the KSYN3A boards and parameters after the upgrade and for explaining the QST Review results there is the latest statement from Wayne, N6KR...


"Hi all,

You may have noticed that QST recently reviewed the K3's performance before/after swapping in a new KSYN3A synthesizer. While the review text was accurate (and complimentary), there was a significant error in the KSYN3A TX phase noise plot (Figure 10). This error made it appear as if the original synthesizer had lower (better) wide-spaced phase noise than the KSYN3A (starting where the plot lines cross), which is not the case.

We should have caught this ourselves before the article went to print. We greatly appreciated the League's efforts to determine the source of error -- equipment setup -- and re-test. The digital-print version of QST will be corrected, and a correction will also appear in the December QST.

The ARRL sent us the revised TX phase noise plot for the K3+KSYN3A that they tested. You can see it here: 

http://www.elecraft.com/specs/Joel's%20K3%2010-19-15%2020%20meter%20phase%20noise.BMP

In addition they're testing a K3S. Its TX phase noise plot looks as good or slightly better: 

 

 

http://www.elecraft.com/specs/K3S%2010-19-15%20%2020%20meter%20phase%20noise.BMP

These plots (used with permission) were for 20 meters, and are also representative of the other bands, including 6 meters. The bottom line is that the K3S, or a K3 with a KSYN3A, has extremely low phase noise at both close and narrow spacings. In the case of narrow spacings, the new synth also significantly improves the RMDR (reciprocal mixing dynamic range) over the original, as described in the article.

Note that the above plots show *transmit* phase noise. In receive mode, phase noise with the new synth is even lower, especially at close spacings (under 3 kHz from the carrier).

There's one other measurement in the QST review that needs a disclaimer. As you may know, the KSYN3A allows the K3 (or K3S) to be tuned down to as low as 100 kHz, thus including the 137 kHz band. The review showed an MDS of -44 dBm at this frequency, while in fact it is more like -115 dBm. It appears that the K3 under test didn't have the RF board modification required, or the modified KBPF3A filter module.

73,
Wayne
N6KR"

I hope it helps and it will clarify more the results and measurement done by labs reviewed in QST magazine.


73 - Petr, OK1RP

Elecraft K3 fans noise & FP high temp cure - Part I. (Intro)

Hi all,

after 7 yrs of daily operation of my K3 the fans sounds noisy. Even the rattling on low speeds (FAN1 mode) is noticeable and its getting me bothered. I asked Elecraft service for their kind help and they immediately offered me the replacement. So it was an excellent after sale service support, no complaint at all and I am waiting for arrival of the new fans to be replaced. 

The links for fans noise threats on Elecraft list:
http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K3-Fan-noise-cure-td7606186.html
http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K3-K3-fan-noise-part-XXLIV-td5091127.html

At the same time I realized that my K3 after huge upgrade and now fully loaded is quite hot even in idle (RX mode). The temperature sensors in machine does not reporting any oddities and the PA/FP temp is stabilized between 38-40C in RX idle when the FAN1 speed is selected but...

When I am touching the cabinet's side it is quite hot as same as the right side of the front panel. The main reason is that 5V and 8V voltage stabilizators located on the right side close to FP are using the cabinet as heatsink! So I started to thinking about more CFM powerfull and even quieter fan which looks like very good upgrade option solving both issues together.

The link for Noctua fans replacement threat on Elecraft list: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K3-Fan-Replacement-td7592075.html#a7592266


An early K3 machines fans version was an Elina HDF6015L-12LB by Inaba Denki Sangyo, Japan. 

 
Specs:
Airflow: 10.5 cmf
Noise: 21 dB
Speed: 2800 RPM
Static Pressure: 1.5mm
Current: 75 mA http://www.farnell.com/datasheets/1600097.pdf


Later K3 machines are equipped with fans UTEC AT6015L-12L2B-ND2 or ND5 by United Thermal Engineering Corp., Japan/Taiwan/China.

 

Specs:
Airflow: 15.4 cmf at 24.8db
Noise: 24.8
Speed: 3000 RPM (at 12v)
Static Pressure: 2.21mm Current: 100 mA
http://www.utecusa.com/products/pdffiles/pid_1-45-152_%28SPEC%29AT6015L-12L2B%20ND1%2812-22-08%29.pdf
http://usquarecorp.com/products/pdffiles/pid_1-45-152_(SPEC)AT6015L-12L2B%20ND1(12-22-08).pdf

According to informations collected by Joe, KB8AP it looks like the Elina fans were used on earlier K3 machines with serial numbers <900 or so which is my case also (#778).


New possible replacement fan type is Noctua NF-A6x25 FLX by Noctua, Austria (probably it's not EU production also)

Specs:
Airflow: 17CFM (29.2 m3h converted to cfm)
Noise: 19.3db
Speed: 3000 RPM (at 12 v)
Static Pressure: 2.18 mm Cutent: 120 mA (.12 A)
http://www.noctua.at/pdf/infosheets/noctua_nf_a6x25_flx_datasheet_en.pdf
http://www.noctua.at/pdf/manuals/noctua_nf_a6x25_flx_manual_en.pdf

The "6" number means 60mm size, "25" means 25mm tickness and FLX means Flexibility as fan can be fine-tuned for superior airflow or maximum quietness.

The link for Noctua supplier: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608032

The link for Noctua manufacturer: http://www.noctua.at/main.php?show=productview&products_id=48&lng=en


I am thinking about the replacement and I am collecting as much as possible reviews or experiences from current users.


73 - Petr, OK1RP

DXSummit updated - any other solution?

Hello,

are you also disgusted with an updated DXSummit cluster? Even although I do not using the cluster so often I am really bothered with flashing banners, advertisement and complicated filters etc. So I looked for another solution months ago and found several different but nice options.

If you have the same feeling and you are looking for another way then try following solutions:

http://dxlite.g7vjr.org/

More informations is available here:
http://g7vjr.org/dxlite/
https://clublog.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/articles/53364-dxlite

or

http://dxcluster.ham-radio.ch/top_50_1.8_MHz.html

In that case just replace the band MHz value in between the underscore characters directly in the link... that's all.

or

http://www.sk6aw.net/cluster/

or

http://www.dxcluster.co.uk/


I like the DXLite because of it's FOC filter feature and it works perfectly on the mobile devices and also UK cluster because of it's simplicity and clarity...

Hope it helps.


73 - Petr, OK1RP

I am back on the air with K3 upgraded...

Hello all,

 

my K3 just arrived back from the Elecraft service where it was repaired and mainly completely upgraded. As I purchased my K3 early in 2008 and radio has never been upgraded or modified from that time so it was really neccessary. Now it is up to date with current production release, some strange issues are repaired and even more...

 

Second receiver KRX3A is installed with additional CW filters, new KBPF3A is installed too, KTCXO3-1 and K3EXREF is added also and mainly the newest KSYN3A synthesizers are installed. All is installed in both receivers, all is fully adjusted, tweaked and tested by Elecraft service guy. So I am able to come back on the air after months with somethink like the new K3S...!?

 

The shipping and repairing story is long and could be bothering so I will not talk so much about it over here. Shipping overseas is always nightmare and very dangerous. So I used double packaging. Inside of really big hard card box filled with huge foam padding was inserted the suitcase. The K3 was inside again loaded with foam padding.

 

 

The K3 luckily survived both overseas ways (sounds like that after turning radio ON...) even although the suitcase is ready to be scrapped after arrival!

 

 

The most important information and hint for readers! If You are looking for suitcase for Your radio then be very careful. Most of cheap suitcases are made just from pressed/moulded paper and covered by tiny (believe me... really tiny) aluminium foil. It looks like rugged box but it isn't!

 

 

My K3 had hard life on the way overseas...

 

Even also the padding inside of the cheap Chineese's "Alu boxes" are really tiny. Just few milimetres of the foam on the pressed/moulded paper cover can not provide enough protection for Your radio.

My K3 after arrival from the Elecraft, unboxed and removed from paddings. Still protected in plastic bag as the production released new radios.  

Well finally the radio survived it and I am going to testing all of the new h/w, features, functions and tools. I decided to install K3EXREF because I have working Rubidium FE5680A unit. So I am planning to put my K3 on that clock refference in the future. Also I decided to install the KBPF3A general coverage BPF into both receivers as I like lowbands and I would like to play with 500/137kHz bands using my K3. In my case I have external antenna BNC antenna input used for second KRX3A receiver as I really like to have all receiving pathes separated on the BNC connctors.

 

Fully loaded K3 rear panel looks nice, isn't it? :)

I would like to thanks a lot to Rene, K6XW from Elecraft for his exceptional effort and personal attitude in order to repair and upgrade my K3. Also I would like to thanks to Martin, OK1RR for his help with latest fw/sw release and personal macros uploading to my K3.

I will post my experiences with "quite new" K3 radio after huge upgrade soon. I have to learn all of the features and functionalities a bit...


73 - Petr, OK1RP

RX ANTs switching topology for SO2R or M/2 contesting

Hello,

as I was asked by several friends how I am handling more receiving antennas for lowbands in my setup I decided to share first version of my solution which I used last year.(now under reworking)

                                       

              The RX antennas switching topology layout ver.1.1

The very first version of the switching solution was developed for OK5T contesting team and it used blue SO-239 CX-xxx serie manual antenna's switches. The home made bandpass filters were simple 5-poles or 7-poles elyptic filters in aluminium boxes.

The most famous part of this solution were KD9SV front-end savers which I used in this solution with Martin's, OK1RR modification and worked like champ.

http://ok1rp.blogspot.com/2015/03/front-end-saver-for-lb-antennas.html

In general this solution allowed operator(s) to use any kind of 2-RX antennas on one of three lowbands 160/80/40m.

After some time I realized that I need to improve several things in this solution so now it is under reworking state. There is too many manual switches which is not so comfortable for operator during the contest. It is the 2-antennas solution only. There is no enough separation for SO2R operation etc.

...but maybe it will help to someone as it is so simple and cheap solution.

73 - Petr, OK1RP