Specifications
38
including the Heil models available from Elecraft. Third-party mics may not have
a KX3-compatible PTT (push-to-talk) switch. You can still key the transmitter
either by tapping the XMIT switch or by using VOX (pg. 15).
MSG RPT
6
Message repeat interval in seconds (0 to 255). To repeat a message, hold M1 –
M4 rather than tap. A 6 - 10 sec. interval is about right for casual CQing. Shorter
intervals may be needed during contests, and longer for periodic CW beacons.
PA MODE
OFF
Sets the operating mode for Elecraft KXPA100 amplifier and its internal ATU.
Set to ON only if the KX3 is connected to the KXPA100 via the KX3 control
cable, which plugs into the ACC1 and ACC2 jacks at the KX3. This allows the
KX3 to control the amplifier’s output power, ATU tuning, antenna switch, etc. as
described in the KXPA100 owner’s manual.
Set to OFF otherwise. This allows the KX3 to be used with the KXPA100
without the custom control cable, but an amp keying connection is still required
from ACC2 on the KX3 to KEY IN on the amplifier.
Other PA MODE settings are provided for test purposes (see KXPA100 manual).
PBT SSB
Lo-Hi Cut
Sets up the PBT I and II receive filter functions for SSB mode. Lo Cut and Hi
Cut (functions I and II, respectively) are the defaults for SSB. If PBT SSB is set
to NOR, then SSB mode will have the same PBT funcitons as CW and DATA
modes (WIDTH and SHIFT).
PREAMP
20 dB
Sets preamp gain to 10, 20, or 30 dB on a per-band basis. (30 dB is typically
used only on 6 meters, where it improves sensitivity by 1-2 dB. This setting
should only be used if necessary, since it increases susceptibility to overload.)
There are actually two preamps: the 20 dB low noise amp (LNA) and the 10 dB
setting of the isolation amp (see RX ISO, below). Use the 20-dB preamp when
possible, since it has a better noise figure and lower current drain. If you select 10
or 30 dB, the isolation amp is turned on, adding about 15 mA to current drain.
REF CAL
114.nnn.nn
Used to calibrate the KX3’s synthesizer; normally this is done at the factory. VFO
A is used to set the reference frequency (typically 114.2-114.4 MHz). Refer to pg.
31 for calibration details.
Note: If the menu name is REF*CAL, then an extended VFO temperature
compensation procedure has been performed. This may be helpful when JT65,
WSPR, or other modes are used with the KX3, especially on the higher bands.
Instructions can be found on our website. A temperature-stable RF source
operating near 50 MHz is required, such as an Elecraft XG50 crystal oscillator.
RPT OFS
600
Sets the transmit offset (in kHz) for repeater operation, from 0 to 5000 kHz.
Stored per-band and per-memory. Use ALT to select +/- offset or simplex.
RS232
4800 b
RS232 (or USB) communications rate in bits per second (bps). During firmware
download (via the KX3FW PC program), the baud rate is set automatically to
38400 baud, but it is then restored to the value selected in this menu entry.
RX EQ
--------
(+0 dB,
each
band)
Receiver audio graphic equalizer. VFO A is used as an 8-band bar graph, showing
boost or cut (- 16 dB to +16 dB in 1 dB increments) for each AF band. The 8
bands are 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, 1.6, 2.4 and 3.2 kHz. Tap 1 -8 to select an AF
band. VFO A selects boost/cut. Hold CLR to reset all bands to +0 dB.
CW and voice mode RX EQ are separate. Not applicable to DATA modes.
RX I/Q
OFF
Set to ON to use the KX3’s RX I/Q jack with SDR (software-defined radio)
applications (pg. 26).
RX ISO
OFF
Set to ON if you’re using the KX3 nearby other receivers operating on the same
band, and a strong carrier from the KX3 is heard when its VFO is tuned to the
same frequency as the other receiver’s. The isolation amplifier is between the
antenna jack and the mixer, preventing leakage from the KX3’s local oscillator.