Elecraft KX3-4M User Manual
Elecraft® KX3
KX3-2M 2-Meter and KX3-4M 4-Meter
Transverter Options
Installation and Operating Instructions
Revision A5, September 5, 2014
Copyright © 2014, Elecraft, Inc., All Rights Reserved
Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 2
Specifications ................................................................................................................................... 2
Setup and Operation ......................................................................................................................... 3
Configuring the KX3 for the KX3-2M or KX3-4M Module ..................................................................... 3
Antennas ..................................................................................................................................................... 3
Operation .................................................................................................................................................... 4
Frequency Stability ................................................................................................................................ 4
VHF Operating Frequencies ................................................................................................................... 4
KX3-2M/4M Tuning .............................................................................................................................. 5
FM Operation ......................................................................................................................................... 5
Basic Setup ......................................................................................................................................... 5
Repeater Operation ............................................................................................................................. 6
Sending DTMF Tones ........................................................................................................................ 9
Channel Hopping (Scanning) ............................................................................................................. 9
Monitoring the Repeater Input Frequency ......................................................................................... 9
Sleep Mode ....................................................................................................................................... 10
Troubleshooting .............................................................................................................................. 10
Circuit Description ......................................................................................................................... 11
Installing the KX3-2M or 4M Module ........................................................................................... 12
Preparing for Installation .......................................................................................................................... 12
Preventing Electrostatic Discharge Damage ........................................................................................ 12
Choosing an Anti-Static Mat ................................................................................................................ 12
Tools Required ......................................................................................................................................... 13
Parts Supplied ........................................................................................................................................... 13
KX3-2M or 4M Transverter Assembly Bag (E850580) ....................................................................... 13
Adapter Board ...................................................................................................................................... 13
Hardware Bag, KX3-2M or 4M (E850635) ......................................................................................... 14
Installation Procedure ............................................................................................................................... 15
Separate the Case Halves ..................................................................................................................... 15
Install the Internal Coaxial Cables ....................................................................................................... 16
Installing the Antenna Coaxial Cable ............................................................................................... 17
Installing the Local Oscillator Coaxial Cable .................................................................................. 20
Prepare the KX3 for the KX3-2M or 4M Module ................................................................................ 23
Installing the KX3-2M or 4M Board .................................................................................................... 25
Customer Service and Support ....................................................................................................... 30
Technical Assistance ............................................................................................................................ 30
Repair / Alignment Service .................................................................................................................. 30
1
Introduction
The KX3-2M or 4M transverter extends the frequency range of the KX3 to include the 2 meter or 4 meter
Amateur bands and allows reception on frequencies near those bands. Either the 2-meter or the 4-meter
transverter may be installed. The transverter plugs into existing connectors inside the KX3. All KX3
functions and modes are available when using either transverter. The KX3-2M or KX3-4M transverter uses
a separate antenna connector that bypasses the KXAT3.
CAUTION
The KX3-2M or KX3-4M module and many components inside your KX3 may
be damaged by Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) simply by touching them or a
circuit board containing them unless you take specific steps to prevent such
damage. If you are installing the KX3-2M or KX3-4M module yourself, see
Preventing Electrostatic Discharge Damage on page 12 before opening the
package containing the KX3-2M or KX3-4M module or working inside your
KX3.
Specifications
General
Transmit Frequency Range: KX3-2M: 144 MHz – 148 MHz
Receive Frequency Range: KX3-2M: 120 MHz – 150 MHz, typical, with reduced
Power Consumption:
Receiver, 2M and 4M
Sensitivity: MDS -144 dBm, typical, at 500 Hz bandwidth.
Transmitter, 2M and 4M
Output Power: 2.5 W Minimum with 13.8 Vdc supply (2.5 to 3 watts typical)
KX3-4M: 69.9 MHz – 70.6 MHz (covers all known 4-meter
frequency allocations)
sensitivity outside of 144-148 MHz
KX3-4M: 65 MHz – 72 MHz, typical, with reduced sensitivity
outside of 69.9-71 MHz.
120 mA receive, squelch open, typical, in addition to the
normal KX3 current demand whenever the 2 meter or 4 meter
band is selected.
Sleep Mode (see page 10) can reduce the overall radio
current to about 150-180 mA in FM Mode (squelched).
1.7 A at 3W output, total radio current, typical for the KX3
when transmitting on 2M or 4M.
2 W Maximum with 11 Vdc supply
1.5 W Maximum with 9 Vdc supply
2
Setup and Operation
If you haven’t already done so, follow the instructions starting on page 12 to install the KX3-2M or KX34M module.
Before you can use the KX3-2M or KX3-4M module, you must configure the KX3 as follows.
Configuring the KX3 for the KX3-2M or KX3-4M Module
Attach power to the KX3 and tap BAND – and ATU TUNE switches simultaneously to turn it on.
With the KX3 on, hold the MENU switch to enter the menu.
Turn the VFO knob to FW REVS . The LCD will display the revision of the firmware installed.
It must be
described in the KX3 Owner’s manual under Firmware Upgrades.
uC 02.18 or later (a higher number). If not, download and install the latest firmware as
Turn the VFO
Turn the VFO
The remaining steps require you to unlock the VFO
VFO
small padlock symbol in the upper right corner of the display will disappear when VFO
unlocked.
Turn the VFO
the internal 2M or 4M module. You can assign any number from 1 to 9 by tapping the
switches that you have not assigned to an external transverter. The default is 1. After entering the
number turn the VFO
Turn the VFO
70 if installing the 4 meter module.
Turn the VFO
if using the 4 meter module.
Turn the VFO
Turn the VFO
internal module. If there is a frequency error, use the
Manual.
Turn the VFO
knob by holding
knob to 2M/4M MODE and turn the VFO knob to nor.
knob to TECH MD and turn the VFO knob if needed to On.
knob for each setting. Unlock the
KHZ until UNLOCK appears briefly in the VFO B display area. A
knob to XVn ON . n is the number of the transverter band you wish to assign to
1 through 9
knob to
knob to XV n RF and turn the VFO knob to 144 if using the 2 meter module or
knob to XV n IF and turn the VFO knob to 50 if using the 2 meter module or 21
knob to XV n PWR and turn the VFO knob to H 3.0.
knob to XV n OFS and turn the VFO knob to 0.00. Offset is not used with the
knob to XV n ADR and turn the VFO knob to Int. trn0.
YES. In the following steps n is the transverter number you chose.
REF CAL procedure in your KX3 Owner’s
is
Tap the MENU switch to exit the menu.
(Continued on next page)
3
Turn the KX3 power off, then on again by tapping the
simultaneously for the changes to take effect.
1) Do not turn off your power supply. Always use the front panel switches to turn power
on and off. Although disconnecting your external power supply when no batteries are
installed in the KX3 will often cause no harm, certain parameter changes may not be saved
and it is possible to corrupt some data that could require you to reload the firmware.
After cycling power hold MENU to re-enter the menu and then turn the VFO knob to BND MAP.
Tap the BAND– and BAND+ switches as needed to display 144 for the 2 meter module or 70 for
the 4 meter module and then turn the VFO knob, if needed, to display In.
Tap the MENU switch to exit the menu.
BAND– and ATU TUNE switches
Antennas
Connect your 2 or 4 meter antenna to the female SMA connector mounted on the KX3’s right end plate.
Note that when you select the 2 or 4 meter bands,
connector is in use (see Figure 1 on page 5). The BNC connector is used only for the 160 through 6 meter
bands.
The antenna system must present a load very close to 50 ohms (have a low SWR) for full power output and
efficient operation. The KXAT3 Automatic Tuner option, if installed, does not function on 2 or 4 meters.
The 2 or 4 meter RF output is completely separate from the KXAT3 signal path.
ANT2 appears on the LCD indicating that the SMA
Antenna polarization (vertical or horizontal) has more effect on signal strengths in the VHF range than it
does on the HF bands. Vertical polarization is normally used for FM communications to match the
polarization of mobile whips and ‘rubber duck’ antennas on hand held radios. Horizontal polarization is
most common for SSB, AM, CW and Data modes.
Operation
Complete operating information is included in your KX3 Owner’s Manual. The following is specifically to
help you get the most from your KX3-2M or KX3-4M in FM mode. Additional information about your
KX3-2M or 4M may be found in the FAQ on the Elecraft web site:
http://www.elecraft.com/manual/KX3-2M%20FAQ.htm
Frequency Stability
The standard (uncompensated) frequency stability is sufficient for FM or AM operation. For CW, SSB or
Data use, it will be necessary to perform the KX3 extended VFO temperature compensation procedure,
providing typical stability of about ± 10 Hz on 2 or 4 meters. This is compatible with 170-Hz-shift RTTY
but may not be compatible with some narrowband modes such as JT65 or WSPR. The extended
temperature compensation procedure is available on the Elecraft web site:
http://www.elecraft.com/manual/KX3%20Custom%20VFO%20TC%20rev%20A9.pdf
VHF Operating Frequencies
The VHF bands are typically organized by operating mode and type of communications, with frequencies
set aside for beacons and sub bands reserved for weak-signal work to avoid interference from local stations.
Also, frequencies are set aside for FM communications along with input-output frequency pairs for FM
repeaters to avoid interference with other modes. More information about the band plans can be found at
www.70mhz.org
for 4-meter operation and www.arrl.org/band-plan for 2-meter operation.
4
KX3-2M/4M Tuning
Tap the BAND+ or the BAND˗ switch to select the 2 or 4 meter band, depending upon which transverter
you have installed.
As on HF, the KX3 tuning can be done using direct frequency entry or with the VFO knobs. For FM
communications you may find tuning more convenient to switch the tuning rate to 5 kHz steps: hold KHZ
to switch the tuning rate. Tap
VFO CRS setting in the menu. It is per-mode and can be set to a convenient value for each mode using the
menu. The default values are 5 kHz in FM mode, 500 Hz in SSB (USB or LSB), 100 Hz in CW and 1 kHz
in AM. See VFO CRS under Menu Functions in your KX3 Owner’s Manual for information about
changing the default step sizes.
RATE to restore finer tuning steps. This tuning rate is determined by the
To make a direct frequency entry, tap
FREQ ENT, then enter 1 to 3 MHz digits, a decimal point, and 0 to 3
kHz digits, followed by tapping . . . (Note that the 7, 8 and 9 number switches are activated by tapping
the AF /RF-SQL , PBT I/II , and KEYER/MIC encoder knobs.)
The following sections describe how to store frequencies in memory for quick QSY. For repeater operation
the PL tones and offsets are also stored so you can switch to a repeater channel and be ready to
communicate with a few simple key presses. Also you can have the KX3 scan preselected channels stored
in memory and monitor a second frequency, such as a repeater input frequency, for activity.
FM Operation
Figure 1 shows the KX3 LCD identifying only those elements mentioned in the this text. See your KX3
Owner’s manual for a complete description of the display.
Figure 1. KX3 Display.
Basic Setup
Set up your KX3 for FM operation on 2 or 4 meters as follows.
Enable FM mode as follows. This need be done only once. FM mode will remain on unless you
re-enter the menu and turn it off.
o Hold MENU.
o Turn the VFO
knob to FM MODE and turn the VFO
knob to
On.
o Tap MENU to exit the menu.
5
Select FM mode: Tap
MODE until FM appears on the right hand edge of the LCD.
Set Voice Mo nitor Level: If y ou wish to monitor your voice in the phones or speaker while
transmitting, hold
level of the audio between
start with
MON 5 or less as shown on the LCD. MON 0 turns the monitor function off.
MON to switch the VFO
1 and 30. High levels may result in distortion or feedback. Suggest you
B display to MON and then turn the knob to set the
Set Display to CMP/ALC: If the bargraph indicates SWR/RF tap the
KEYER/MIC control to
switch the display to CMP/ALC.
Be sure you have a suitable antenna or dummy load connected to the SMA antenna
connector when making the following transmitter adjustments.
Set Microphone Gain Level: Press the microphone PTT switch and, while speaking normally into
the microphone, adjust the
KEYER/MIC control for 5 or 6 bars indicated on the LCD ALC
display as shown in Figure 1.
Set RF Power Output Level: Exit transmit mode, and hold
PWR. The output power setting
will be displayed in the VFO B area of the LCD. Adjust the knob for the desired output power, and
then tap the knob to exit the power adjustment.
Frequency Deviation: The KX3 is programmed with commonly used values of FM frequency
deviation (3.5 kHz for voice and 0.36 kHz for PL tone used by repeaters). If different values are
used in your area, hold MENU and use the VFO knob to locate FM DEV on the LCD. This
setting is locked to avoid accidental changes. Unlock the control by holding KHZ for several
seconds until the padlock symbol to the right of the deviation value shown on the LCD disappears,
and then set the desired deviation with the VFO
by tapping the
MENU to exit the menu.
1 switch, and then unlock and change the PL deviation in the same manner. Tap
knob. If needed, display and change the PL tone
Do not attempt to increase your “talk power” by increasing the deviation. Optimum
results require that your deviation match the deviation used by the other station. See
Troubleshooting on page 10 for more information.
Simplex or Repeater Operation: Setting up your KX3-2M/4M for repeater operation is described
below. For Simplex operation, hold ALT repeatedly as needed to display SIMPLEX in the VFO B
area of the LCD.
Repeater Operation
Repeater operation requires transmitting on the repeater’s input frequency and receiving on the repeater’s
output frequency. Also, many repeaters require a sub-audible tone transmitted with the voice audio or a
short burst of tone at 1750 Hz to activate the repeater transmitter. The KX3 can be programmed with the
required transmit and receive frequency pairs and tones, selected from a list of standard tone frequencies, to
make setting up for any repeater or simplex channel a simple matter of recalling a memory location.
Frequency Memory Editor
Although you can enter all the necessary information using just the KX3 front panel controls (see Manual
Frequency Entry on page 7), the easiest way to program your KX3 for repeater operation is to use the K3
Frequency Editor program available from the Elecraft web site at:
http://www.elecraft.com/K3/FreqMemEdit/K3_Freq_Mem_Editor.htm
Note that the editor refers to the Elecraft K3 transceiver throughout. The same
editor is used with the KX3.
6
To use the editor, connect your computer to the KX3 using the same serial cable you use with the KX3
Utility Program and select the active comm. port.
The editor uses a simple spreadsheet format. Figure 2 shows a typical frequency editor screen with 2-meter
FM repeater entries.
Figure 2. Frequency Editor Screen.
Initially the Offset and PL Tone columns will not be displayed. They will appear when you select FM as
the mode for any entry
ID column: The memory location number. The number will be displayed on the KX3 LCD when
the memory is recalled. Up to 100 frequencies can be entered (00-99).
Label: User selected up to 4 characters long. The asterisk (
) has special significance for scanning
*
the channels entered to check for activity. See Channel Hopping (Scanning) on page 9 for details.
Description: You can enter up 23 characters to identify the use of the frequency . This data is not
displayed at the KX3.
QSY: Clicking the radio button while the KX3 is connected to the computer switches to KX3 to the
band and frequency shown. Also, you can switch to any memory at the KX3 without using the
computer. Hold RCL to display the frequency memories in the VFO B area of the LCD. Turn the
VFO
knob to step through the memory locations. The KX3 will shift to each frequency as each
memory location is selected.
VFO A: The repeater output frequency (KX3 receiv e frequency).
Mode: Select FM for the Mode A and B columns.
Offset: The offset is the difference between the repeater input and output frequencies. Choose the
offset from the drop-down list. Be sure to choose the right sign. The offset is positive (+) if the
repeater output frequency is above the input frequency and negative (-) if the repeater output
frequency is below the input frequency.
PL Tone: If required, choose the PL tone frequency from the drop down list for each repeater.
Click on
Send All to K3 when finished to store the data in the KX3 memories. Note that buttons are
provided on the editor tool bar for reading existing memory information from the KX3 and for erasing
memories, as a group or individually.
Non-repeater entries are made in the same way but without showing an offset, just as you can enter
frequencies for any other band or mode covered by the KX3.
Manual Frequency Entry
You can set up the KX3-2M or 4M for repeater or simplex operation and store the information in the
KX3’s memory without a computer as follows:
Select FM mode: tap
MODE as needed so FM appears on the right end of the LCD.
7
Enter the KX3 transmit frequency using the VFO
knob or with direct frequency entry. For
operation with a repeater this will be the repeater input frequency.
For operation with a repeater, select the correct offset (difference between repeater input and output
frequencies), offset direction (repeater input frequency above or below the output frequency) and
the PL tone frequency (if needed) as follows:
o The default offset is 600 kHz. You can check the value and change it as needed: hold
MENU and select RPT OFS with the VFO knob, and then use the VFO knob to select
the correct offset value displayed in kHz. Tap MENU to exit.
o Hold ALT repeatedly as often as needed until TX + X.XX appears on the LCD VFO B area
if the repeater input frequency (KX3-2M or 4M transmit frequency) is higher than the
repeater output frequency or until
lower than the repeater output frequency. The
TX – X.XX appears if the repeater input frequency is
X.XX is the offset (difference between
repeater input and output frequencies) that you entered above. The + or – sign, indicating
the direction of the repeater offset, will appear below
FM on the LCD.
Be sure you select the correct sign ( + or – ) that corresponds to the direction of
the repeater offset. If you selected the wrong sign, you can change it by holding
REV.
o If the repeater requires a PL tone, hold PITCH. The VFO B area of the LCD will show PL
or PL X.XX, where X.XX is the PL tone frequency. This is a toggle that alternates
OFF
between tone off and tone on. To change the PL tone frequency, turn the
KEYER/MIC knob
to step through the standard tone frequencies. Tap MENU to exit. Selecting the 1750 Hz PL
tone frequency adds a 0.5 second tone burst to the beginning of each transmission (for
European repeaters). Holding PITCH while transmitting extends the tone indefinitely.
Hold STORE and then use the VFO knob to locate the desired memory location shown in the
VFO B area of the LCD. Hold STORE again or tap any switch to cancel. To recall previouslysaved data, hold RCL (recall) and use the VFO
knob to select the desired memory location. Tap
any switch to exit.
If desired, add labels to each memory location or edit an existing label as follows:
o Hold RCL (recall) and use the VFO
o Turn the VFO
knob. A cursor will appear to the right of the memory number on the
knob to select the desired memory location.
LCD. If no label has been stored before, a series of dashes indicating the 5 available
character locations will appear.
o Turn the VFO
knob to step through the available characters (A-Z, 0-9 and various
symbols) to choose the first character.
o Hold STORE to store the label.
8
Sending DTMF Tones
The KX3 can generate the Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency (DTMF) tones required to activate special services
available through many repeaters.
Press and hold the PTT to transmit.
Tap
FREQ ENT. DTMF ON will appear in the VFO B area of the LCD.
Press the following keys to enter the needed characters. The tone will continue as long as each key
is pressed. To disable the DTMF keys, release the PTT or tap
FREQ ENT.
Character Press
0 – 9 Numbered keys
ATU TUNE
*
MSG
#
MODE
A
A/B
B
DATA
C
A>B
D
Channel Hopping (Scanning)
Scanning or manually tuning across a group of frequencies stored in memory is referred to as channel
hopping. This is especially useful to monitor repeaters and specific simplex frequencies. Set up the KX3 for
channel hopping as follows:
Store all of the frequencies you want to monitor in successive
0 and 99 with an asterisk (
) as the first character of each label. Note that these memory locations
*
memory locations anywhere between
must be successively numbered locations with no gaps and all of the frequencies must be within the
same band. You can include frequencies within the band that use different modes such as SSB, AM
or CW.
Tune to any one of the memorized locations by holding RCL (recall) and turning the VFO
knob
to select one of the memory locations or by clicking on the QSY radio button in the Frequency
Editor while it is connected to the KX3.
Turn the VFO
SCAN to initiate a live scan across those frequencies. Tap any switch to stop the live scan.
Tap
RATE or change bands to disable channel hopping.
knob to step the KX3 through the frequencies in the memory locations or press
Monitoring the Repeater Input Frequency
The KX3 allows you to quickly check the repeater input frequency (your transmit frequency) to check for
interference. With the KX3 ready to transmit on a repeater, hold REV. The VFO A display will switch to
the repeater input frequency and you will hear any audible signals present. Hold REV again to return to
normal operation.
Be sure you hold REV a second time to switch back to normal operation before
transmitting.
9
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