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ELECRAFT K4 - User Manual

ELECRAFT K4
132 pages
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ELECRAFT K4
OPERATING MANUAL
Rev D6, May 3, 2024

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Summary

I. INTRODUCTION

USING THE BUILT-IN OPERATING MANUAL

Guides on navigating and using the transceiver's digital manual, including text styles and controls.

K4 TRANSCEIVER OVERVIEW

Provides a general description of the K4 transceiver's SDR capabilities, models, and features.

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

Orientation and Air Flow

Specifies proper spacing and ventilation requirements for the transceiver unit.

Power Supply

Details recommended DC supply voltage, current ratings, and cable specifications.

REAR PANEL CONNECTIONS

ANTENNA CONNECTORS

Describes the HF/6m transmit-receive antenna jacks (ANT 1, 2, 3, 4) and their uses.

POWER AND GROUND

Details the 12 VDC input/output connectors and the station ground connection.

DATA AND COMMUNICATION PORTS

Explains ETHERNET and USB rear panel connections for connectivity and data transfer.

II. FRONT PANEL REFERENCE

USING TAP, HOLD, and TOUCH CONTROLS

Explains the interaction methods for physical switches and touch screen controls.

FRONT PANEL OVERVIEW

Describes the K4's LCD interface, VFO displays, meters, icons, and primary function buttons.

LEFT-SIDE CONTROLS

POWER AND TUNE CONTROLS

Details the operation of the POWER on/off switch and the TUNE mode activation.

MULTI-FUNCTION CONTROLS

XMTR Knob

Adjusts transmit functions like power output, microphone gain, and sidetone pitch.

FILTER Knob

Controls receiver filter bandwidth, shift, hi-cut, and lo-cut settings.

RF;SQL Knob

Adjusts RF gain, squelch, and main/sub balance for receiver performance.

LCD AND ON-SCREEN CONTROLS

Info Button (?

Launches the built-in operating manual for context-sensitive help and information.

VFO A and B Displays

Describes the frequency displays, mode icons, and tuning rate adjustments for VFOs.

VFOs AND RIGHT-SIDE CONTROLS

VFO A and Numeric Keypad

Details VFO A controls, tuning rates, and the use of the numeric keypad for input.

III. OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

PRIMARY FUNCTIONS

Overview of the main function buttons for basic setup, transmit, receive, and panadapter operation.

MENU

Explains how to access and navigate the K4's configuration menu settings.

Fn

Describes access to special functions (F1-F14) for macros, screen capture, and software updates.

MAIN RX

CW

Details CW mode specific settings including keyer speed, sidetone pitch, and break-in operation.

PSK, FSK, AFSK

Covers settings for PSK, FSK, and AFSK data modes, including text decode and transmit options.

TX

CW, PSK, FSK

Describes transmit settings specific to CW, PSK, and FSK modes, including keyer functions.

SSB, AM, FM

Details transmit settings for SSB, AM, and FM modes, including bandwidth and deviation.

BAND SELECTION

BAND

Explains how to select HF bands, general coverage, memories, and transverter bands.

FREQ ENT

Describes direct numeric frequency entry for VFOs and scanning initiation.

RCL

Covers recalling frequencies from memory using the memory selection window.

ANTENNA SELECTION

TX Antenna

Details selecting the transmit antenna and its effect on receiver antenna defaults.

RX Antennas

Explains switching receivers to receive-only antennas and available selection options.

OPERATING MODES

CW MODE

Provides setup procedures for CW operation, including keyer settings and break-in modes.

VOICE MODES

Details setup for voice modes, including mic selection, gain, compression, and monitoring.

DATA MODES

Covers setup for data modes like DATA, AFSK, FSK, and PSK, and their connections.

RECEIVER SETTINGS

Receiver Configuration

Guides on configuring main and sub receivers for EQ, audio effects, and text decode.

Receiver Controls

Explains controls for optimizing receiver performance, including filter and RF/SQL knobs.

Front-End Gain Controls

Details preamp and attenuator settings to manage receiver sensitivity and overload.

TRANSMITTER SETTINGS

Transmitter Configuration

Covers TX EQ, LINE IN, microphone, and per-mode transmit settings.

Transmitter Controls

Explains use of the XMTR knob for power, mic gain, compression, and sidetone pitch.

TX AND RX METERING

Transmit Metering

Describes bar graphs for power, SWR, ALC, and speech compression during transmit.

S-Meters and High-Signal Indications

Explains S-meter calibration, signal levels, and indications for high signal conditions.

PANADAPTER

Panadapter Window

Describes the panadapter display, frequency markers, signal strength, and VFO association.

Mini-Pan Window

Explains the mini-pan for fine-tuning signals and its use with auto-spot.

DUAL RECEIVE

Dual Receive with K4 D;K4 HD

Details enhanced dual receive capabilities of K4D/K4HD models with independent filters.

DIVERSITY MODE

Explains diversity receive for improving copy of weak/fading signals using two antennas.

DIGITAL VOICE RECORDER (DVR)

Covers recording and playing receive audio, and DVR transmit messages functionality.

USING THE STATUS DISPLAY

Status Display Functions

Describes selecting and viewing system information like date, time, voltage, and signal levels.

FREQUENCY MEMORIES

Explains storing and recalling general-purpose and quick memories for frequencies and modes.

USING SPLIT

SPLIT

Details using SPLIT mode for transmitting on a different frequency than receive.

INTERNAL & EXTERNAL TRANSVERTERS

Dual Transverter Operation

Guides on connecting and operating two external transverters simultaneously.

REMOTE CONTROL

Software Application Control

Describes controlling the K4 via logging software using USB, Ethernet, or RS232.

Remote Front Panel Emulation

Explains accessing the K4's front panel remotely via network connection.

K4 Client Settings

Establishing a Client Connection

Steps to configure and establish a connection to a K4 server radio.

Connection Maintenance and Troubleshooting

Guides on terminating connections, resolving remote connection issues, and updating software.

MACRO PROGRAMMING

RTTY CONFIGURATION

Step-by-step instructions for configuring RTTY operation using audio or direct modulation.

FT8; JT; ETC. CONFIGURATION

Instructions for configuring weak-signal modes like FT8 and JT65 using DATA mode.

IV. MENU LISTING

Using the Menu

Explains how to navigate and select menu entries, including unlocking and editing parameters.

Menu Entries (Alphanumeric Order)

Lists and describes all menu parameters alphabetically for configuration.

AF Limiter (AGC off)

Sets the audio limiter threshold when AGC is disabled.

AGC Settings

Configures AGC attack, decay, hold time, noise pulse reject, slope, and threshold.

V. TROUBLESHOOTING

GENERAL

Addresses common power-up issues, stuck logos, and software update failures.

RECEIVE

Troubleshoots issues like no received signal, low signal levels, and audio artifacts.

TRANSMIT

Addresses problems with power output, transmit modes, and keying issues.

ERROR MESSAGES

Lists and explains various error codes and suggested corrective actions.

ELECRAFT K4 Specifications

General IconGeneral
ModesSSB, CW, AM, FM
Power Output100 W (adjustable)
DisplayHigh-resolution color
DSPYes
Antenna TunerInternal Automatic Antenna Tuner
TypeHF/50 MHz Transceiver
Receiver Sensitivity0.2 µV for 10 dB S/N (SSB, CW)
Supply Voltage13.8 VDC
InterfaceUSB, Ethernet, Audio In/Out
Frequency Range160-6 meters

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