Elecraft XG3 RF User Manual

Page 10

 The

Output Level

radio buttons allow you to set the output level from the computer instead of

using the

Level

switch on the XG3. The

Output Level

selections are accurate only for frequencies

up to 200 MHz since higher frequencies rely on harmonics of the fundamental RF signal.

 The

Enable Output radio

button allows you to turn the XG3 RF output off or on. When RF output

is disabled, the XG3 is otherwise fully operational and can be programmed.

 You can adjust the time the XG3 will operate without a switch being pressed. The default is 10

minutes. Click on the

CONFIGURATION

tab, then on

OTHER SETTINGS,

enter the desired

Automatic Power Off

time and press Enter to send the new value to the XG3. Do not change the

Calibration Factor unless you want to adjust the XG3’s factory- set frequency calibration (see
pg 11).

Programmable Sweep Functions

Two programmable functions that sweep the signal across a range of frequencies are provided. Once
programmed, they can be initiated by holding the PF1 or PF2 switches on the XG3 or by clicking on the

Sweep 1

Sweep 2

buttons on the XG3 utility

OPERATE

tab. When a sweep is in progress, one of the

band LEDs on the XG3 will blink. The blinking LED will be whichever one was selected last before the
sweep was initiated.

Program a sweep as follows:

 With the XG3 connected to a personal computer (see Computer Controlled Operation above) and

the XG3 Utility program running, click on the

OPERATE

tab.

 Click on

Edit Sweeps

to open the

Edit Programmable Sweep Memories

page.

 Enter the

Start Frequency

and

End Frequency

. Note that the starting frequency must be lower than

the ending frequency. That is, the frequency always increases during a sweep.

 Enter the

Step Frequency

. This is the amount the frequency will increment during each step in the

sweep.

 Enter the desired

Step Time

(the time the signal remains at each step before continuing) in

milliseconds (1000 ms = 1 second).

 If you want the sweep to repeat, check the

Repeat

box. The XG3 will sweep to the end frequency

and then return to the starting frequency and begin a new sweep.

 Click on

APPLY

to send the data to the XG3 and leave the window open or

to send the data to

the XG3 and close the window.

NOTE: The XG3’s frequency steps occur rapidly, without a shaping

envelope. This allows very fast sweeps. However, each transition will
generate sidebands that will be audible in a receiver and visible on a
spectrum analyzer.