ELECRAFT K3 Owner's manual
ELECRAFT K3
HIGH-PERFORMANCE 160 – 6 METER
TRANSCEIVER
K144XV 2-METER OPTION
INSTALLATION AND OPERATION
Revision E1, January 14, 2016
E740146
Copyright © 2016, Elecraft, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
2
Contents
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................... 3
Specifications ........................................................................................................................................ 3
Customer Service and Support .............................................................................................................. 4
Assembling and Installing the K144XV ................................................................................................... 5
Preventing Electrostatic Discharge Damage ......................................................................................... 5
How ESD Damage Occurs ................................................................................................................ 5
Preventing ESD Damage ................................................................................................................... 5
Preparing for Installation ...................................................................................................................... 6
Tools Required .................................................................................................................................. 6
Parts Included .................................................................................................................................... 7
Installation Procedure ........................................................................................................................... 9
Removing the K3Top Cover ............................................................................................................. 9
Preparing the K3 for Installing the K144XV .................................................................................... 9
Installing the K144XV Module in the K3 ....................................................................................... 13
Enabling the K144XV Module ........................................................................................................ 17
Replacing the Top Cover ................................................................................................................. 18
Using the K144XV ................................................................................................................................. 19
VFO Tuning ........................................................................................................................................ 19
Output Power Adjustment ................................................................................................................... 19
Frequency Calibration ......................................................................................................................... 20
K144XV Reference Oscillator Phase Lock Option Installed .......................................................... 20
Without the K144XV Reference Oscillator Phase Lock Option ..................................................... 20
Status Light ......................................................................................................................................... 21
Using External Transverters with the K144XV .................................................................................. 21
Firmware Updates ............................................................................................................................... 21
Checking Firmware Revision .......................................................................................................... 21
Installing New Firmware ................................................................................................................. 22
Serial Port Control .............................................................................................................................. 23
DC Power On Antenna Cable During Transmit ................................................................................. 23
Elecraft manuals with color images may be downloaded from
www.elecraft.com.
3
Introduction
If your K144XV is already installed in your K3, turn to Using the K144XV on page 19
for operating instructions.
The K144XV option adds 144 to 148 MHz receive and 10-watt transmit capability to your K3 or K3S via a
separate antenna connector on the rear panel. Complete specifications and operating instructions are included in
your K3or K3S Owner’s manual. This manual covers both installation and operation of the K144XV option in a
K3 or K3S transceiver.
Only a few basic hand tools are needed (see page 6) to perform the installation. A minimal amount of soldering
is required to install a power connector on the K3 RF board on some older K3 transceivers. If you have a K3
(not K3S) see Figure 4 on page 11 for the location of the power connector to see if it is pre-installed. All K3S
transceivers have the power connector pre-installed. It is in a different location (see Figure 10 on page 16).
If you are installing the K144XV in a K3 (not K3S) transceiver that also has the newer
KSYN3A Synthesizer and the KRX3 or KRX3A sub receiver installed you may need to
modify your KREF3 Reference Oscillator to provide a higher drive level for all of the
devices. See the manual Elecraft K3 KREF3 Output Level Modification on the Elecraft web
site at www.elecraft.com or contact customer support for more information.
Specifications
General
Frequency Range: 144-148 MHz
I.F. Range: 28-30 MHz
Dimensions (HWD): 1x3.2x5 inches (2.5x8.1x12.7 cm)
Supply Voltage: 13.8 VDC
Typical Current Consumption:
Transmit: 2A
Receive: 0.25A
Off: 0.01A
Transmit
Power Output: 8 to10W Typical (13.8 V at the K3 in Transmit. Lower voltages will
reduce the maximum power out)
Spurious Output: < -60 dBc
Receive
Noise Figure: 1 dB typical
Gain: 20 dB typical
Features
PIN diode T/R switching for full QSK
Built-in temperature sensing with automatic over-temperature shut-down
Separate BNC antenna connector on K3 rear panel
Field upgradeable with built-in diagnostic and troubleshooting commands
4
Customer Service and Support
Technical Assistance
You can send e-mail to [email protected] and we will respond quickly - typically the same day Monday
through Friday. Telephone assistance is available from 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. Pacific time (weekdays only) at
831-763-4211. Please use e-mail rather than calling when possible since this gives us a written record of the
details of your problem and allows us to handle a larger number of requests each day.
Repair / Alignment Service (We want to make sure everyone succeeds!)
If necessary, you may return your Elecraft product to us for repair or alignment. (Note: We offer unlimited email
and phone support to get your kit running, so please try that route first as we can usually help you find the
problem quickly.)
IMPORTANT: You must contact Elecraft before mailing your product to obtain authorization for the
return, what address to ship it to and current information on repair fees and turnaround times. (Frequently we
can determine the cause of your problem and save you the trouble of shipping it back to us.) Our repair location
is different from our factory location in Aptos. We will give you the address to ship your kit to at the time of
repair authorization. Packages shipped to Aptos without authorization will incur an additional shipping charge
for reshipment from Aptos to our repair depot.
Elecraft's 1-Year Limited Warranty
This warranty is effective as of the date of first consumer purchase (or if shipped from factory, date product is shipped
to customer). It covers both our kits and fully assembled products. For kits, before requesting warranty service, you
should fully complete the assembly, carefully following all instructions in the manual.
Who is covered: This warranty covers the original owner of the Elecraft product as disclosed to Elecraft at the time of
order. Elecraft products transferred by the purchaser to a third party, either by sale, gift or other method, who is not
disclosed to Elecraft at the time of original order, are not covered by this warranty. If the Elecraft product is being
bought indirectly for a third party, the third party's name and address must be provided to Elecraft at time of order to
insure warranty coverage.
What is covered: During the first year after date of purchase, Elecraft will replace defective or missing parts free of
charge (post-paid). We will also correct any malfunction to kits or assembled units caused by defective parts and
materials. Purchaser pays inbound shipping to Elecraft for warranty repair, Elecraft will pay shipping to return the
repaired equipment to you by UPS ground service or equivalent to the continental USA and Canada. Alaska, Hawaii
and outside U.S. and Canada actual return shipping cost paid by owner.
What is not covered: This warranty does not cover correction of kit assembly errors. It also does not cover
misalignment; repair of damage caused by misuse, negligence, or builder modifications; or any performance
malfunctions involving non-Elecraft accessory equipment. The use of acid-core solder, water-soluble flux solder, or any
corrosive or conductive flux or solvent will void this warranty in its entirety. Also not covered is reimbursement for loss
of use, inconvenience, customer assembly or alignment time, or cost of unauthorized service.
Limitation of incidental or consequential damages: This warranty does not extend to non-Elecraft equipment or
components used in conjunction with our products. Any such repair or replacement is the responsibility of the customer.
Elecraft will not be liable for any special, indirect, incidental or consequential damages, including but not limited to any
loss of business or profits.
5
Assembling and Installing the K144XV
If you purchased your K3 with the K144XV already installed, turn to Using the K144XV on page 19 for
operating instructions.
Preventing Electrostatic Discharge Damage
There is no climate or work location where the components of your K3 are safe from Electrostatic Discharge
(ESD) unless you take specific steps to prevent such damage. Many of the components in your K3 can be
damaged by static discharges of only a few volts: far too little for you to notice. It is those low-voltage but
destructive discharges that easily happen anywhere and under virtually any environmental conditions.
ESD damage may not be apparent at first. The damaged components may not fail completely. Instead, the
damage may result in below-normal performance for an extended period of time before you experience a total
failure.
How ESD Damage Occurs
Whenever an object containing a static charge touches a circuit in your K3, current will rush into the circuit until
the components reach the same voltage as the source of the static charge. If the voltage or current that passes
through a component during that brief period exceeds its normal operating specifications, it may be damaged or
destroyed.
Preventing ESD Damage
ESD damage cannot occur if there is no voltage difference between the components in your K3 and any object
that touches them. Anti-static bags allow the static charge to flow over their surface, so that any part of the bag
that touches the components inside are all at the same potential at all times. Anti-static foam is conductive,
keeping the leads of sensitive components at the same potential.
At your work bench, avoiding a dangerous voltage is achieved most easily by tying everything together and
connecting them to a common mains safety ground. This includes your K3, individual boards or other sensitive
components as well as everything they may touch at the work table.
Inexpensive static dissipating work mats are readily-available that will steadily and safely drain off any charges
built up on parts or circuit boards placed on them. They are supplied with a lead that connects the mat to the
common workbench ground. Also, metal cabinets on test equipment used on the bench should be tied together
and connected to the common ground.
Most importantly, you must have a way of continuously draining off any static charges that occur on your body.
Such charges are easy to create, even while sitting quietly at the work bench. Moving your feet on the floor,
shifting position in your chair or even moving your arms so that clothing rubs against itself can produce
destructive static charges. You can discharge yourself by touching an unpainted metal ground, but that will last
only until you move in a way that produces a new static charge. The safest technique is to wear a grounded wrist
strap with a series 1-megohm resistor that continuously drains off any charges. Such wrist straps are readily-
available and inexpensive.
WARNING
DO NOT attach a ground directly to yourself without a current-limiting resistor as this poses
a serious shock hazard. A wrist strap must include a 1-megohm resistor to limit the current
flow. If you choose to touch an unpainted, metal ground to discharge yourself, do it only
when you are not touching any live circuits with your other hand or any part of your body.
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We strongly recommend you take the following anti-static precautions (listed in order of importance) to avoid
trouble:
Leave ESD-sensitive parts in their anti-static packaging until you install them. The packaging may be a
special plastic bag or the component’s leads may be inserted in conductive foam. Parts which are
especially ESD-sensitive are identified in the parts list and in the assembly procedures.
Wear a conductive wrist strap with a series 1-megohm resistor. If you do not have a wrist strap, touch a
ground briefly before touching any sensitive parts to discharge your body. Do this frequently while you
are working. You can collect a destructive static charge on your body just sitting at the work bench. DO
NOT attach a ground directly to yourself as this poses a serious shock hazard.
Use a grounded anti-static mat on your work bench.
If you choose to use a soldering iron to work on your K3 for any reason, be sure your iron has an ESD-
safe grounded tip tied to the same common ground used by your mat or wrist strap.
Preparing for Installation
Tools Required
1. #0 and #1 size Phillips screwdrivers. To avoid damaging screws and nuts, a power screwdriver is not
recommended. Use the screwdriver that best fits the screw in each step.
2. Temperature-controlled soldering iron with a fine tip and small diameter rosin core solder may be
needed if the power connector is not already installed in your K3 (see Figure 4 on page 11).
3. Small diagonal cutters.
4. Needle nose pliers.
5. Soft cloth or clean, soft static dissipating pad to lay cabinet panels on to avoid scratching.
The following tools are strongly recommended:
1. ESD wrist strap.
2. Static dissipating work pad.
7
Parts Included
The following parts should be included in your kit. Check to ensure you have them all. If any parts are damaged
or missing, contact Elecraft for replacements (see Customer Service and Support, page 4).
ILLUSTRATION DESCRIPTION QTY. ELECRAFT
PART NO.
K144XV PC Board Assembly mounted in
enclosure bottom cover.
CAUTION: Do not touch or move any
of the red coils. Doing so will detune
the circuits.
1 E850376
K144XV Top Cover (Normally supplied
mounted on bottom cover to protect the
pc board.)
1 E850379
KPA3 K3 Fan Panel (Top)
K3 Blank Panel (Bottom)
NOTE: Your kit will include one of these
panels depending upon whether you have
a K3/10 or K3/100.
1 E100288
1 E100215
Chassis Stiffener (with extra cutout
required to fit over the K144XV Module.) 1 E100222
Hardware Package
ILLUSTRATION DESCRIPTION QTY. ELECRAFT
PART NO.
One Pin Connector 1 E620176
K144XV Power Cable, 14" (36 cm) for K3 1 E850375
K144XV Power Cable, 5" (13 cm) for K3S 1 E850731
KX144 TMP-BNC Cable Assembly,
14 in (35.6 cm) 1 E850378
TMP Cable, 6-Inch (15.2 cm) 1 E100625
8
ILLUSTRATION DESCRIPTION QTY. ELECRAFT
PART NO.
TMP Cable, 6-Inch (15.2 cm) marked near the
connector at each end. (Typically the marking
will be in color. White is shown here for clarity.)
1 E850389
OR
USB RS232
Serial Data Cable Assembly. USB
interface provided unless RS232 specified
at the time order is placed.
1
E850483
(USB)
Or
E850369
(RS232))
Screw, Pan Head, Zn, 4-40 1/4” (6.4 mm) 5 E700005
Screw, Flat Head, Black, 6-32 1/4” (6.4 mm) 3 E700186
Lock washer, Inside Tooth, #4 5 E700010
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Installation Procedure
Removing the K3Top Cover
Disconnect power and all cables from your K3.
Remove the nine screws to free the top cover as shown in Figure 1. After the cover is open, lift it gently to
reach the speaker wire connector. Unplug the speaker then set the top cover aside in a safe place.
Whenever you remove screws from a panel, if one screw seems too tight to loosen
without damaging it, first loosen the other screws then try again. Sometimes one screw
binds in its hole when the other screws are tightened.
Figure 1. Removing K3 Top Cover.
CAUTION: Touch an unpainted metal ground or wear a grounded wrist strap
before touching components or circuit boards inside the K3. See Preventing ESD Damage on
page 5 for more information.
Preparing the K3 for Installing the K144XV
Remove the stiffener bar that runs from side to side across the top of the K3 chassis. This is the bar the
three screws across the center of the top cover thread into. The bar is held in place by a single screw at each side
and, if the KPA3 100 watt option is installed, by two screws attaching it to the KPA3 shield.
10
Remove the K3 left side panel (the side with the handle). Check the panel to determine whether it has the
three mounting holes for the K144XV module shown in Figure 2. The three mounting holes may have screws in
them:
If the side panel does not have the mounting holes, move the handle onto the new side panel with the
required holes furnished with your K144XV kit.
If the side panel has the three holes, remove the 6-32 flat head screws filling them.
Do not reinstall the side panel until instructed to do so later.
Figure 2. Left Side Panel with Holes for K144XV Module.
Locate the KXV3A board visible in the lower left corner of the K3 looking in from the open side (see
Figure 6 on page 13) and verify the two coaxial TMP connectors are present. If not, your K3 has an older KXV3
board that must be replaced. (All K3S transceivers are equipped with the newer KXV3A board with the
required connectors.) Turn to your KXV3A manual and install the new board now. If your K3 is equipped with
the KRX3 sub receiver the KXV3A manual will instruct you to remove it. If so, do not replace the KRX3 sub
receiver module until instructed to do so later.
K144XV Power Connector
If you have a K3S, skip the following steps and go directly to Installing the ANT3
Connector. The following applies only to K3 transceivers.
Check to see if the one-pin power connector is already installed on the K3 RF board (see Figure 4). If so,
skip the following steps and go directly to Installing the ANT3 Connector on page 11.
Remove the forward section of the K3 bottom cover as shown in Figure 3.
Figure 3. Removing K3 Bottom Cover.
Other manuals for K3
27
Table of contents
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