Elecraft KXPD3 - Manual (Page 2)

2
Mounting the Paddles
Before attaching the paddles to the KX3, be sure the thumb screws are installed so that the screw with the blunt
end is on the right hand side when looking down at the top of the paddles side shown below. Reversing the
screws will eventually cause a short circuit inside the KX3.
Plug the paddles in carefully, taking care not to bend the pins of the connector inside the KX3, until the paddle
housing is flat against the KX3 enclosure. Screw in both thumb screws until they are finger tight.
Figure 2. Checking the Mounting Screw Orientation.
Enabling the Paddles
The paddles may be used in right hand, left hand or manual key mode selected in the KX3 menu as follows. See
the KX3 Owner’s manual for complete CW setup and operating instructions.
 Turn the KX3 on and tap the MODE switch to select CW.
 Set PWR to 0.0 or connect a dummy load to the KX3
 Hold the MENU switch to access the menu.
BKLIGHT will appear on the display if the menu hasn’t
been accessed since power was turned on.
 Rotate the OFS / B knob (above the MENU switch) to locate
CW KEY 2 . ( CW Key 1 controls the
separate key jack on the KX3 side panel).
 Rotate the VFO knob to choose either
LFT = DOT (left paddle produces dots), LFT = DASH (left paddle
produces dashes) or HAND (either paddle keys the KX3 as long as it is held closed).
 Tap MENU to exit and test your paddles.
If one or both paddles fail to key the KX3, first check the contact spacing adjustment below. Also, the keyer
will not respond if the thumb screws are not tightened to provide a ground return path.