Elecraft KX3 Owner's Manual - Manual (Page 14)

14
Transmit Settings
The TX control group is used to set up the KX3’s
transmitter. The TX LED turns on during transmit.
Caution: Also follow the detailed TX setup
instructions in later sections for each mode.
Keyer Speed/Mic Gain and Power Output
In CW mode,
K E Y E R / M I C
sets the keyer speed
(in WPM). In voice modes, it sets mic gain.
A hold of this knob selects P W R (power out).
Power in watts is shown on the R F bar graph.
Power output is typically 10 W+ on 160-15 m, and
8 W+ on 12-6 m. The 6-m setting is independent.
If a KXPA100 amp is connected, power can be set
up to 110 W (see KXPA100 owner’s manual).
Maximum available power output varies. If
power is lower than expected, use the special VFO
B displays (pg. 11) to check supply voltage, current
drain, and PA temperature. The selected parameter
will be shown on VFO B during
T U N E (SWR is
shown on VFO A). A reduced-current TX mode is
automatically used when possible. This is indicated
by a decimal point after the “W” (e.g.
3.0 W . ).
Other Transmit Settings
Hold M O N to set the transmit monitor volume
(speech in voice modes, sidetone in CW mode).
C M P sets the amount of speech compression,
which increases average power output, making your
voice sound louder. Adjust compression using the
knob above the switch; to finish, tap
C M P again.
P I T C H sets the sidetone pitch in CW mode, and
the tone-encode pitch in FM mode (pg. 15). Mark
or center pitch is shown in some data modes.
D L Y sets the VOX (voice-operated transmit) delay
time in voice modes (pg. 15). In CW mode, D L Y
sets the break-in or QSK delay (pg. 16).
V O X selects the keying mode: PTT (push-to-talk)
or VOX (voice- or keying-operated transmit). With
PTT selected, the transmitter is enabled by tapping
X M I T or by holding the mic’s PTT button. With
VOX selected, the V O X icon turns on, and transmit
starts by speaking (voice modes) or when keyed
(CW mode). Also see
D L Y (at left) and
MENU:VOX GN (p. 35).
Transmit and ATU Control
The switches in the group shown below perform
various transmit control functions.
M S G and R E C play/record messages (pg. 16, 21).
A T U T U N E starts automatic antenna matching if a
KXAT3 internal ATU is installed (pg. 25). The
ATU MD menu entry must be set to
A U T O mode.
Matching takes an average of 4 seconds, initially.
Settings are then recalled instantly on band change,
as well as when you transmit after moving the VFO
a significant distance. The ATU icon will flash
briefly whenever new L-C network settings are
recalled. In CW mode, recall of settings is delayed
until a brief pause in keying (about 0.5 seconds).
With difficult loads, tap A T U T U N E a second
time within 5 seconds to search for a lower SWR.
A N T controls A N T 1/2 selection on the KXAT100
external ATU. A N T does not switch between
antenna jacks on the KX3 itself. The BNC jack is
always used on the 160-6 m bands, and the SMA
jack is used only with the KX3-2M/4M module.
X M I T is equivalent to PTT (push-to-talk). Tapping
this switch places the KX3 into transmit mode.
T U N E is used to put out a CW signal at the power
level selected by the P W R control. This is useful
with external wattmeters and antenna tuners. If the
TUN PWR menu entry is set to a numeric value,
rather than
N O R , then this value—if lower—
overrides the power control setting.