Elecraft PX3 Owner's Manual Manuel d'utilisateur

ELECRAFT PX3 HIGH-PERFORMANCE PANADAPTER OWNER’S MANUAL Revision A2, October 1, 2014 Copyright © 2014, Elecraft, Inc. All Rights Reser

10 Introduction This comprehensive manual covers all the features and capabilities of the Elecraft PX3 panoramic display. We recommend that you begin

11 Front Panel This section describes all front panel controls and the liquid crystal display (LCD). Operating instructions are covered in later sec

12 DisplayThe 480x272-pixel, color TFT-LCD display is used both for the panadapter spectrum and waterfall graphics as well as for general-purpose inf

13 SPAN sets the frequency span of the display. The available range is 2 kHz to 200 kHz. The start and stop frequencies are displayed at the top (lef

14 Side Panel Connectors Figure 6. PX3 Side Panels. See Figure 2 on page 8 or on page 9 for normal cable interconnections between the PX3 and KX

15 Basic OperationThis section covers the fundamentals of PX3 operation. Once you're familiar with the PX3, please go on to Advanced Operating F

16 Tap or hold the desired function switch while the function is visible on the display but not selected by tapping the SELECT knob. The function na

17 A if marker A is active and VFO B if marker B is active. When a marker is turned on, it will be at the same frequency as the last time it was on u

18 or right of the spectrum window to indicate the direction to the missing cursor The VFO B cursor may be turned off using MENU: VFO B. Tap the kno

19 How to Set Up and Interpret the PX3 DisplayThere are several options to customize the layout of your PX3 display. DISP switches between a spectru

2 For Owners of the Elecraft K3 Transceiver and P3 Panoramic Display: The PX3 has nearly all of the same features as the P3*, including the same hi

20 same. When the PX3 display amplitude is shown in S-Units, the signal level will vary according to the preamplifier and attenuator settings, just l

21 panadapter is a powerful tool for tracking down interference. Figure 13. Typical Spectra Display. Figure 14 is another example of interference,

22 Advanced Operating FeaturesRemote-Control Commands Many PX3 functions may be accessed by remote-control commands sent via RS232. These commands us

23 Firmware UpgradesNew features and improvements are available to all PX3 owners via firmware upgrades. The simplest and quickest way to upgrade yo

24 Opposite Sideband Nulling Complete nulling of the opposite (unwanted) sidebands depends upon accurate setting of the phase and amplitude of the I

25 Table 1. 160 – 6 Meter Band Amplitude and Phase Settings. Freq. MHz* Initial Settings New Settings Ampl. Phase Ampl. Phase 1.818 3.6 5.3

26  If you haven’t already, connect your signal generator to the KX3 BNC antenna connector or set up the PX3 to use the internal signal source as s

27 Setting up the PX3 and KX3 to use the PX3 Internal Calibration Signal On the PX3, loosen the four knurled thumb screws and remove the bottom cover

28 Menu FunctionsTap MENU and then turn the SELECT knob to scroll through the following list of menu functions. Tap the SELECT knob to select th

29 Entry Default Description Peak Off Toggles peak-hold mode on and off. This function is most useful when assigned to a function key. Rate 80 Chang

3 Contents If you purchased the PX3 Kit, go directly to page 35 to assemble your PX3 Key to Symbols and Text Styles ... 4In t

30 Troubleshooting The most common symptoms and their causes are listed below. Power On/Off Issues Can't turn power off. The most likely cause

31 Parameter Initialization Menu parameters are stored in non-volatile EEPROM memory. It is possible, though rare, for parameters to become altered i

32 PX3 Compared to the P3 and PC-Based Panadapters The PX3 can display spans of up to 200 kHz, whereas most PC-based panadapters using I/Q demodulati

33 Theory of Operation Figure 21. PX3 Simplified Block Diagram. The input to the PX3 is a pair of signals from the KX3 transceiver that represent th

34 RS-232 Serial Interface Cable Your PX3 was furnished with a serial interface cable that uses an USB port on your computer. Optionally you can use

35 Kit Assembly Instructions Preventing Electrostatic Discharge Damage Sensitive components in your PX3 are may be damaged by Electrostatic Discharg

36 Parts List PX3 Front Panel Assembly Bag E850621 ILLUSTRATION DESCRIPTION QTY. ELECRAFT PART NO. Front Panel 1 E100484SS Display Bezel 1 E100

37 ILLUSTRATION DESCRIPTION QTY. ELECRAFT PART NO. Do not remove the rubber band or protective film on the LCD until instructed to do so. PX3 Fro

38 PX3 Hardware Envelope – E850614 ILLUSTRATION DESCRIPTION QTY. ELECRAFT PART NO. 4-40 Thumb Screws 4 E700300 Screw, Black, Pan Head, 2-56 1/4”

39 Assembly Procedure Overview of the Kit All of the circuits are contained on two pc boards, the front panel board and the power supply board. Figur

4 Key to Symbols and Text Styles Identifies important information. Operating or kit assembly tip. -100 Characters displayed on the LCD screen DIS

40 Remove the front panel display board from its anti-static packaging. Do not remove the rubber band, It is holding the LCD in place. Mount four 2-

41 Place the front panel face up on you work table. Carefully remove the rubber band holding the LCD in place and prop the front panel board up on i

42 Replace the LCD in the rubber matrix and lay the front panel board face up on your work table. Remove the thin plastic film over the LCD using a s

43 Hold the front panel board face up so the LCD does not become dislodged and place the front panel and bezel over it as shown in Figure 30. Insert

44 Remove the power supply pc board and mount it on the back of the front panel board as shown in Figure 32. Be sure the multi-pin connectors are p

45 Be sure the jumper is installed on the Power Supply Board as shown in Figure 17 on page 22. By positioning the jumper, you can choose how the PX3

46 Add the hex nut and washer on the power connector and the two flat head screws as shown in Figure 36 to complete mounting the left side panel.

47 Locate the two tilt legs and six rubber feet. Mount one rubber foot on each tilt leg as shown in Figure 38. The feet are held in place by frictio

48 Install the remaining two feet on the bottom cover as shown in Figure 41. If the threaded holes have paint in them, clear the paint by running on

49 Assemble the front and rear covers as shown in Figure 43 and tighten the thumb screws only until snug. To use the tilt feet, loosen the two rear

5 In the Box In addition to the PX3 display itself, check the shipping box for the following contents. Serial Data Cable Connects the PX3 to a ser

50 Servicing the PX3 CAUTION: The PC Boards inside the PX3 are ESD-sensitive. Wear an ESD-safe wrist strap or touch a metallic ground regularly at a

51 Replacing the LCD Remove the front panel board with the LCD display from the PX3 front panel. Place the board on your work table with the top of t

52 Specifications Absolute Level Accuracy: ± 3 dB plus display resolution with KX3 preamp on. Relative Level Accuracy: ± 0.1 dB plus display resolu

53 Customer Service and Support Technical Assistance You can send e-mail to [email protected] and we will respond quickly – typically the same d

6 Quick-Start Guide To get started using your PX3 right away, please read this page and the pages that follow, to connect your PX3 to your KX3 and ex

7 The Basics TAP AND HOLD: Most PX3 switches have two functions, similar to the KX3.Tap (press briefly) to activate the function labeled on the

8  Tap SPAN to set the frequency span of the display. The start and stop frequencies are displayed at the top (left and right edge respectively) o

9 When used with the KXPA100 Amplifier as shown here, the PX3 RS232 data rate must be set to 38400 baud (see menu entry RS232 on page 29). Figure