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ELECRAFT K3 User Manual

ELECRAFT K3
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ELECRAFT
K3
HIGH-PERFORMANCE
160 6 METER TRANSCEIVER
OWNERS MANUAL
Revision D1, July 27, 2008
Copyright © 2008, Elecraft, Inc.
All Rights Reserved

Table of Contents

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ELECRAFT K3 Specifications

General IconGeneral
DSPYes
TypeHF/6M Transceiver
IF Rejection>80 dB
Image Rejection>80 dB
DisplayLCD
Weight8.5 lbs (3.9 kg)
Power Supply13.8 VDC
Current Consumption (Transmit)20 A
ModesSSB, CW, AM, FM
Power Output100 W (adjustable)
Receiver TypeSuperheterodyne
Receiver Sensitivity0.15 μV for 10 dB S/N
IF Frequencies455 kHz
IF BandwidthsVariable, 50 Hz to 4.0 kHz
Current Consumption (Receive)1.2 A

Summary

Introduction and Symbols

A Note to K3 Owners

Introductory message from Elecraft.

Key to Symbols and Text Styles

Explains symbols and text conventions used in the manual.

Quick-Start Guide

Basic Operation: Controls and Modes

Connections

Describes how to connect power and antennas.

The Basics

Explains powering on and basic band/mode selection.

Filter Controls

Details how to adjust receiver passband filters.

Voice, CW, and Data Modes

Introduces operation in voice, CW, and data modes.

Advanced Controls and Features

VFOS and RIT/XIT

Explains VFO usage and Receive/Transmit Incremental Tuning.

Memories, Messages, and DVR

Details memory storage, message recording, and audio playback.

Menus

Explains how to navigate and use the MAIN and CONFIG menus.

Introduction and K3 Features Overview

K3 Features

Lists the key features of the K3 transceiver.

Receiver Features

Describes receiver capabilities like filters and diversity.

DSP and User Interface

Details DSP capabilities and front panel operation.

Connectivity Features

Describes external interfaces and remote control.

Specifications

Receiver and Transmitter Specifications

Receiver Specifications

Details sensitivity, dynamic range, and audio output for receivers.

Transmitter Specifications

Details output power, duty cycle, and RF speech processing.

Customer Support and Warranty

Technical Assistance and Repair

Contact methods for support and returning for service.

Elecraft 1-Year Limited Warranty

Details of the product warranty coverage and limitations.

Front Panel Controls Overview

Control Groups

Organizes controls into logical groups on the front panel.

Primary Controls

Explains essential controls like power, mode, and tuning.

Display and Multi-Function Controls

Details the LCD display and multi-function control operations.

VFOs and RIT/XIT

Describes the main tuning knobs and RIT/XIT controls.

Display Details and Icons

Display Elements and Graphics

Explains VFO icons, filter graphics, and filter/mode icons.

Front Panel LEDs and Connectors

LEDs

Explains the meaning of the TX, AF, and Multifunction Control LEDs.

Front Panel Connectors

Details the PHONES, MIC, and FP ACC connectors.

Primary Controls Functionality

Describes the function of each primary control switch.

Control Functions Explained

Potentiometers and Filters

Explains AF/RF gain, filter controls, and normalization.

Transmit and VFO Controls

Details transmit controls and VFO tuning controls.

Keypad Functions and Controls

Direct Frequency Entry

How to enter frequencies directly using the keypad.

Receiver Controls

Explains controls for PRE, ATT, AGC, XFIL, NB, NR, etc.

VFO Controls

Describes A/B, BSET, REV, SPLIT functions.

Memory and Recorder Operations

Memory Controls

Explains frequency memory storage and recall.

Digital Voice/Audio Recorder Functions

Details the DVR functions for recording and playback.

RIT and XIT Controls

Details RIT/XIT on/off and CLR functions.

Rear Panel Connectors

Connector Groups and Keying

Organizes rear panel connectors by function and describes keying inputs.

Antenna and DC Connectors

Details ANT1, ANT2, AUX RF, and DC connectors.

Module Connectors (KPA3, KIO3, KXV3)

Information on KPA3, KIO3, and KXV3 option module connectors.

KIO3 Module and Accessory I/O

KIO3 Module Details

Details on the KIO3 audio and digital I/O module.

RS232 Port

Details the RS232 port and its wiring.

ACC Connector and FSK Input

Explains the ACC connector pinouts and FSK input.

Band Outputs and Transverter Control

Band Outputs and Transverter Control

Explains band output signals and transverter control settings.

TXINH and KRC2

Explains transmit inhibit and KRC2 band decoder.

Audio Output and Input Connectors

Speaker, Phone, and Mic Connections

Explains speaker, headphone, and microphone connections.

Line Input and Output

Explains the computer line input and output connections.

Basic Operation and Menu Navigation

Initial Power-Up and Tap/Hold Switches

Steps for powering on and using tap/hold switch functions.

Using the Menus

How to access and navigate MAIN and CONFIG menus.

Programmable Functions

Assigning functions to PF and memory switches.

Band, Mode, and VFO Operations

Band, Mode, and Antenna Selection

Tapping BAND, MODE, ANT, and ATU controls.

Using the VFOs

Explains VFO A, VFO B, A/B, REV, and SUB functions.

RIT and XIT Controls

Covers adjusting RIT/XIT offset and CLR function.

Receiver Setup and Filters

Receiver Gain Controls

Adjusting AF and RF gain levels.

Crystal Filter Selection

Installing and selecting crystal filters.

Filter Passband Controls

Using SHIFT, WIDTH, HICUT, LOCUT controls.

Filter Presets and Normalization

Filter Presets and Normalization

Using filter presets and setting normalization values.

Narrow DSP Filter Types

Selecting FIR or IIR filters for DSP.

Reducing Interference and Noise

Noise Blanking

Enabling and adjusting DSP and IF noise blankers.

Noise Reduction

Using NR for random background noise reduction.

Notch Filtering

Using auto and manual notch filters for carriers.

Transmitter Setup and Controls

Transmit Crystal Filter Considerations

Selecting transmit filters based on mode.

Transmit Controls and Modes

Details transmit controls and VOX, PTT, QSK modes.

Off-Air Transmit Testing

Performing transmit tests without broadcasting.

Advanced Transmitter Settings

External ALC and Power Control

Using external ALC and per-band power control.

TUNE Power Level and RF Delay

Setting TUNE power and transmitter RF delay.

Voice Modes Operation

Mode Selection and Microphone

Selecting modes and choosing microphone input.

Voice Monitoring and Mic Settings

Monitoring voice and adjusting mic gain/compression.

Voice Mode Power Level

Setting transmit power for voice modes.

Voice Mode Specifics

Voice Mode VOX Setup

Configuring VOX gain and ANTIVOX.

Digital Voice Recorder (DVR)

Recording and playing voice messages.

AM and FM Operation

Specifics for AM and FM transmit and receive.

CW Mode Operations

CW Controls and Modes

Using MON, PITCH, QSK, TEST, and CW modes.

Tuning Aids and Text Decode

Using CWT, SPOT, and CW text decode.

CW Message Handling

Recording and playing CW messages.

Data Modes Operations

Data Modes Overview

Overview of available data modes and connections.

Data Mode Selection

Choosing between DATA A, AFSK A, FSK D, PSK D.

Mark/Shift and Pitch Selection

Adjusting mark tone/shift for data modes.

Data Mode Specifics

RTTY Filter and FSK Polarity

Using DTF and setting FSK transmit polarity.

Mic Gain and AMTOR/PacTOR

Setting gain for data modes and using AMTOR/PacTOR.

Advanced Features: Text Decode

Text Decode Setup for CW

Configuring CW text decode parameters.

Text Decode Setup for Data Modes

Configuring data mode text decode parameters.

CW-to-DATA and Tuning Aids

CW-to-DATA Operation

Sending CW messages for data transmission.

Tuning Aids: CWT and SPOT

Using CWT and SPOT for signal tuning.

Audio Effects and Filtering

Audio Effects and Filtering

Applying stereo effects, dual passband filters, and EQ.

Advanced Receive Modes

SPLIT, ESSB, and General Coverage

Using SPLIT, ESSB, and KBPF3 filters.

VFO B Displays and Alarms

VFO B alternate displays and alarm functions.

Using the Sub Receiver

Sub Receiver Controls and Antennas

Using SUB, BSET controls and selecting sub receiver antennas.

Sub Receiver Band Independence and Diversity

Setting independent bands and diversity receive.

Antenna and Transverter Connections

Receive Antenna In/Out

Uses for RX ANT IN/OUT jacks with KXV3.

Buffered I.F. Output and Transverters

IF output and transverter connection details.

Scanning and Channel Hopping

Scanning Features

Setting up and initiating band scanning.

Channel Hopping

Manually tuning or scanning memory ranges.

Receiver Antenna Routing Diagrams

Antenna Routing Diagrams

General diagrams of antenna signal paths.

Basic K3 Routing

Antenna routing for a basic K3 setup.

Receiver Antenna Routing with Options

K3 with KXV3 RF I/O Module

Antenna routing with KXV3 option installed.

K3 with KAT3 ATU

Antenna routing with KAT3 ATU option installed.

Receiver Antenna Routing with Multiple Options

K3 with KAT3 and KXV3 Routing

Antenna possibilities with both KAT3 and KXV3.

Remote Control and Terminal Applications

Remote Control Operations

Controlling the K3 via RS232 or USB, including commands and power control.

Terminal Applications

Using RS232 for CW/DATA text communication.

Options and Firmware Management

K3 Option Modules

Descriptions of available K3 option modules.

Firmware Updates and Management

How to obtain and install firmware updates and perform self-tests.

Configuration Procedures

Crystal Filter Setup and Bandwidth

Installing and setting up crystal filters, including bandwidth.

Filter Frequency Offset and Enables

Adjusting filter offsets and enabling filters per mode.

Filter Loss Compensation

Compensating for narrow filter loss with gain.

Transmit Filter and Option Configuration

Transmit Crystal Filter Selection

Selecting transmit filters for each mode.

Option Module Enables

Enabling installed K3 option modules.

Miscellaneous Configuration Settings

Key configuration settings like mic gain, AF gain, time, and VFO setup.

Knob Friction and Battery Replacement

VFO Knob Friction Adjustment

Adjusting the spin rate of the VFO knobs.

Real Time Clock Battery Replacement

Procedure for replacing the RTC battery.

Calibration Procedures - Synthesizer and Wattmeter

Synthesizer Calibration

Calibrating the main and sub receiver synthesizers.

Wattmeter Calibration

Calibrating the wattmeter for accurate power readings.

Transmitter Gain

Compensating for per-band transmit gain variations.

Calibration Procedures - TX Gain and Oscillator

TX Gain Calibration

Compensating for per-band transmit gain variations.

Reference Oscillator Calibration

Calibrating the K3's reference oscillator.

Sensor and S-Meter Calibration

Temperature Sensor Calibration

Calibrating front panel and PA temperature sensors.

S-Meter Calibration

Calibrating the S-meter for accurate readings.

MAIN Menu Functions

MAIN Menu Parameters

List and description of MAIN menu parameters.

CONFIG Menu Functions

CONFIG Menu Overview

Explanation of tech mode and sub receiver settings.

Sub Receiver Settings

Configuration settings specific to the sub receiver.

Configuration: CW, Data, and Filters

CW and Data Configuration

Settings for CW keying, data modes, and DIGOUT1.

Filter Configuration

Setting filter bandwidth, offset, enables, and loss compensation.

Configuration: Modes and Options

Mode and Option Configuration

Configuring transmit filters, FM deviation, and option modules.

Configuration: I/O and Calibration Settings

I/O and Safety Configuration

Settings for LINE OUT, MIC BTN, NB SAVE, PA TEMP, PTT-KEY, PTT RLS.

Power, Reference, and RFI Settings

Settings for PWR SET, REF CAL, RFI DET, and RS232.

Additional Configuration Settings

Meter, Split, and Audio Settings

Settings for S-meter, SPLIT, speakers, and squelch.

Test Modes and Sync Data

Settings for test modes, sync data, and clock.

Advanced Configuration: TX and VFO Settings

Transmit and VCO Configuration

Settings for TXDLY, TXESSB, TXINH, TXGN, TXG VCE, VCO MD.

VFO and Transverter Configuration

Settings for VFO B->A, VFO CRS/CTS/FST/IND/OFS, WMTR, XVX ON.

Transverter Band Configuration

Transverter Band Settings

Configuring RF, IF, PWR, OFS, and ADR for transverter bands.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

General Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting general issues like error messages and power problems.

Transmit Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting transmit-related issues.

More Troubleshooting Scenarios

Receive Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting receive problems like no signal or RFI.

Parameter Initialization and Troubleshooting

Parameter Initialization Procedure

Resetting parameters to default or restoring saved settings.

Module Troubleshooting

Module Removal for Troubleshooting

Procedure for de-installing modules to identify faults.

Error Message List - Part 1

Error Message List - Part 2

Error Message List - Part 3

Theory of Operation - RF Board

RF Board Overview

Overview of the main RF Printed Circuit Board.

RF Board Filters and Amplifiers

Details LPFs, amplifier modules, and BPFs.

RF Board Subsystems

IF Stages and Crystal Filters

Details IF circuitry, crystal filters, and the second IF stage.

Support Circuitry and Noise Blanker

Explains support circuitry and the noise blanker system.

Module Descriptions

Antenna Input and KIO3 Modules

Description of antenna input modules and KIO3 module.

Front Panel and DSP Board

Describes the front panel and DSP board assembly.

DSP Board Functionality

DSP Board Capabilities

Details the Digital Signal Processing capabilities.

Synthesizer Modules

KREF3 and KSYN3 Synthesizers

Describes the reference oscillator and synthesizer modules.

K3 Block Diagram

Appendix A: Crystal Filter Installation

Installation Procedure

Instructions for safely opening the K3 and handling components.

Crystal Filter Placement and Rules

Filter Locations and Rules

Filter slot locations and installation guidelines.

Filter Configuration Table

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