ELECRAFT K3S KAT3A User manual
HIGH-PERFORMANCE
160 – 6 METER TRANSCEIVER
ELECRAFT K3S
KAT3A 100-WATT
AUTOMATIC ANTENNA TUNER
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
Rev A, June 2, 2015
Copyright © 2015, Elecraft, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
E740266
2
Contents
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................... 3
Customer Service and Support ............................................................................................................................ 3
Technical Assistance ....................................................................................................................................... 3
Repair / Alignment Service ............................................................................................................................. 3
Preventing Electrostatic Discharge Damage ............................................................................................ 4
How ESD Damage Occurs .................................................................................................................................. 4
Preventing ESD Damage ..................................................................................................................................... 5
Preparing for Installation .......................................................................................................................... 6
Tools Required .................................................................................................................................................... 6
Parts Included ...................................................................................................................................................... 6
Installation Procedure ............................................................................................................................... 7
Removing the Top Cover .................................................................................................................................... 7
Removing the KRX3A Sub Receiver Module .................................................................................................... 7
Removing the Right Side Panel .......................................................................................................................... 9
Removing the KANT3A/KANT3 Module ........................................................................................................ 10
Installing the ANT2 Connector ......................................................................................................................... 11
Installing the KAT3A Module .......................................................................................................................... 11
Reinstalling the Sub Receiver Module .............................................................................................................. 12
Replacing the Top Cover .................................................................................................................................. 13
Enabling the KAT3A .............................................................................................................................. 13
Elecraft manuals with color images may be downloaded from
www.elecraft.com.
3
Introduction
The KAT3A option is an internally-mounted 100-watt automatic antenna tuner. This manual covers the
installation of the KAT3A option in your K3S or K3 transceiver. Complete details for using the KAT3A are
included in the K3S or K3 Owner’s manual.
Only a few basic hand tools are needed (see page 6) to perform the installation. No soldering or wiring is
required.
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-
662-8345. 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 turn around 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.
4
Preventing Electrostatic Discharge Damage
There is no climate or work location where the components of your K3S/K3 are safe from Electrostatic
Discharge (ESD) unless you take specific steps to prevent such damage. Many of the components 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 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.
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
Preventing ESD Damage
ESD damage cannot occur if there is no voltage difference between the components and any object that touches
them. That is how anti-static packaging works. 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 keeps 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 K3S/K3 chassis, 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.
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 K3S/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.
6
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. Small pliers or a 1/4” nut driver.
3. 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.
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 3).
ILLUSTRATION DESCRIPTION QTY. ELECRAFT
PART NO.
KAT3A Printed Circuit Board Assembly
ESD Sensitive. Follow ESD safe handling
procedures. Keep in ESD-safe bag until
installed.
1 E850670
SO239 Connector with cable 1
E850229
Screw, Black, 4-40, 1/4” (6.4 mm) 2
Lockwasher, 4-40, inside tooth 2
Nut, 4-40 2
7
Installation Procedure
Removing the Top Cover
Disconnect power and all cables from your K3S or 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 K3S/K3 Top Cover.
CAUTION: Touch an unpainted metal ground or wear a grounded wrist strap
before touching components or circuit boards inside the K3S/K3. See Preventing ESD
Damage on page 5 for more information.
Removing the KRX3A Sub Receiver Module
If your K3S or K3 is equipped with the optional sub receiver, you must remove the sub receiver module to
install the KAT3A. The sub receiver module is the “L” shaped metal enclosure (see Figure 2). Remove the sub
receiver module as follows:
Remove the chassis stiffener bar that runs across the top of the K3S/K3 chassis and is attached to the side
panels. If the KPA3A or KPA3 amplifier is installed, the stiffener will be attached to the amplifier shield by two
screws. These screws may have nuts and lock washers or they may thread into permanently-attached PEM nuts
on the stiffener bar.
8
Remove the two 1-1/2” (38 mm) screws and lock washers shown in Figure 2. These screws extend all the
way through the sub receiver module and secure it to standoffs mounted on the main RF board .
Figure 2. Removing the KRX3 or KRX3A Module.
In the following steps you will handle small TMP coaxial connectors. These are friction-
fit connectors shown in Figure 3. Handle the connectors by the grips as shown. Do not pull
on the coaxial cable.
Figure 3. TMP Cable Connectors.
Hold the sub receiver module by the two brass knurled nuts on the top, and lift it straight up to gain access
to the small TMP coaxial connectors plugged into the module. There are two along the front. There may be one
at the back as well, depending upon the options installed. As you lift the sub receiver module, it will unplug
from two small interface circuit boards. One is at the front and the other is at the rear. These small boards may
come out with the module or they may remain attached to the main RF board.
Unplug the TMP coaxial cables leading to the sub receiver module, then lift the module free and set it aside.
Locate the two small interface circuit boards, remove them and put them in a safe place.
9
Removing the Right Side Panel
Remove the hardware securing the heat sinks of U13 and U12 to the right side panel (see Figure 4). Be
careful not to lose the lock washers inside the K3S/K3.
Figure 4. U13 and U12 Mounting Hardware.
Remove the screw holding the KANT3/KANT3A board to the standoff and the screw holding the 2D
fastener to the rear panel near the SO239 antenna connector shown in Figure 5. Do not lose the lock washer
inside the K3S/K3. It is easier to keep the hardware from falling inside if you set the K3S/K3on its side feet and
remove the screw and lock washer holding the KANT3/KANT3A board first, then set it on its bottom feet and
remove the flat head screw from the 2D fastener.
Figure 5. Removing Side Panel Hardware Part 1.
10
Remove the five screws shown in Figure 6 from the right side panel to release it. The side panel will lift off
with the 2D fastener and standoff shown in Figure 5 attached.
Figure 6. Removing Side Panel Hardware, Part 2.
Removing the KANT3A/KANT3 Module
Unplug the antenna connection to the KANT3A/KANT3A board (see Figure 7) then unplug it from the RF
board and lift it out. Flex the back panel outward slightly as needed to clear the edge of the board. Holding the
KANT3A/KANT3 board at the top corners, rock it back and forth as needed to release the connector.
Figure 7. Removing KANT3A/KANT3 Board.
Table of contents
Other ELECRAFT Transceiver manuals
ELECRAFT
ELECRAFT KX3 User manual
ELECRAFT
ELECRAFT K3EXREF Owner's manual
ELECRAFT
ELECRAFT KXV3 User manual
ELECRAFT
ELECRAFT K3 User manual
ELECRAFT
ELECRAFT P3 User manual
ELECRAFT
ELECRAFT KX1 User manual
ELECRAFT
ELECRAFT K2 User manual
ELECRAFT
ELECRAFT K3 Quick start guide
ELECRAFT
ELECRAFT K3S Instruction Manual
ELECRAFT
ELECRAFT K3 User manual
ELECRAFT
ELECRAFT K3 Owner's manual
ELECRAFT
ELECRAFT KX3 Operating instructions
ELECRAFT
ELECRAFT K3S User manual
ELECRAFT
ELECRAFT K3 User manual
ELECRAFT
ELECRAFT K3 User manual
ELECRAFT
ELECRAFT K3 User manual
ELECRAFT
ELECRAFT K2 Reference guide
ELECRAFT
ELECRAFT K1 User manual
ELECRAFT
ELECRAFT KX3 User manual
ELECRAFT
ELECRAFT K4 User manual
