[Elecraft] LED segment display reading high
Hi - I have completed the RX in my K2 and found that all signals were end- stopping on the LED. I have recalibrated the segement hi/lo settings as per the manual but this procedure always results in high readings (eg. S5 sigs read S40). I can wind s-hi up to make the readings more sensible and then it all behaves correctly. I wonder whether I have a wrong capacitor or resistor somewhere, as I think the calibration process is unlikely to give S40 readings in this way. I'm not sure where to look - any advice on this would be much appreciated! 73 Michael G7VJR ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
RE: [Elecraft] external soundcards for digimodes
Chris, Built on the motherboard type sound cards need to be checked before using them for more than just listening. Many, but not all, are designed to provide signals for cheap computer type speakers. This means that the audio bandpass is pre-distorted to match these speakers. Often this means a boosted bass and sometimes boosted treble. All Windows versions have some control of this depending on the driver in use. However, sometimes this is designed into the chipset and changing it in Windows makes it worse. The other problem I have had is excessive noise. Power supply, chip noise you name it. One that I measured barely made -40db noise floor. This may not sound so bad, broadcasters are to make -60 min. for the entire system. In this case the card is too noisy adding it to a system makes the noise worse. Many third party audiophile type sound cards both internal and external have flat response and noise floor well beyond -60db. Most have better bypassing and dynamic range. Another difference could be that these cards often sample out to 96K and some even higher sample rates, a benefit if experimenting with SDR. Your software may not use the extra resolution or the sample rate, but a card capable of better will generally do better even in the lesser mode. Good Luck Richard Kent My own interest in the K3 is principally (but not exclusively) the digimodes. For that reason I was interested in the suggestion of Simon, HB9DRV that there might be an operational gain in using a better sound card than that on the PC motherboard. I don't know enough about computing to make judgements, and it would help me (and others in my position) if more knowledgeable and experienced folk on the list could offer advice on the following questions. Q1.Does experience suggest that there can be an observable operational gain in using a sound card different from that built into the PC? Q2.Which published technical specifications of a sound card are relevant to digimode operation? Q3.On the basis of the answer to Q2, how does one judge whether one sound card is better than another for digimode operation? Q4.Do list members have specific recommendations for cost-effective external sound cards? (The sound card suggested by Simon costs around as much in the UK as the 100W upgrade for the basic K3.) 73 Chris, MØPSK ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] external soundcards for digimodes
At 12:19 PM 8/16/2007, David Cutter wrote: The SSM2165 is a good speech compressor and not expensive. I'm assuming it will work on data? to bring up the level as required. wonder if the control of the existing SSM2165 on the K2's ssb board is adequate to optimize the data bill ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] K2 now K2/100
My K2 is now a K2/100. Thanks to all who helped me navigate through the obstacles. Fortunately there weren't too many. I didn't build my K2, though now wish I had. There are still things to finish with it, such as re-tweaking the SWR detection and the speaker. But these have been discussed on a different thread. I got on 40 meters CW last night on and got good reports with it between CA and OH. There is a definitely feeling of accomplishment putting something on the I built myself. Now I plan on putting more modules into the K2. 73, Steve N6VL ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
RE: [Elecraft] external soundcards for digimodes
The SSM2165 is a good speech compressor and not expensive. I'm assuming it will work on data? to bring up the level as required. You don't want compression on data modes. Better to use a good low noise, single rail op amp with a low noise reference as a preamplifier to bring the maximum receive level up to 4 V P-P. Compression effects the characteristics of some data modulation modes (one reason for the suggestions to not run any transmit ALC with data modes other than FSK). 73, ... Joe, W4TV -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of David Cutter Sent: Thursday, August 16, 2007 1:19 PM To: Joe Subich, W4TV; 'Michael Keane K1MK'; 'Elecraft Reflector' Subject: Re: [Elecraft] external soundcards for digimodes The SSM2165 is a good speech compressor and not expensive. I'm assuming it will work on data? to bring up the level as required. You can get a complete kit from www.box73.com DYC-817 (Code 734980) External dynamic compressor kit for FT-817. Or from OK1CDJ, but I can't find the link at the moment. This will incur some extra noise, but there are components to adjust to optimise compression etc. David G3UNA - Original Message - From: Joe Subich, W4TV [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: 'Michael Keane K1MK' [EMAIL PROTECTED]; 'Elecraft Reflector' elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Thursday, August 16, 2007 5:50 PM Subject: RE: [Elecraft] external soundcards for digimodes Obviously, the performance specs for a 24-bit sound card should be better than for a 16-bit card. Does anyone know which software apps actually do make use of the extra bits and the higher performance of a 24-bit sound card? There is not much that can be done in the application to take advantage of the 24 bit sound cards. All of the devices are limited on the strong signal end of the spectrum by their power supply (typically 5 volt) which limits the signal to the ADC to about 4.5 volts p-p. On the low signal end, the digital software is limited by the noise level from a quiet band (receiver IF noise, atmospheric noise, etc.) at the receiver output. From memory, most receivers I've seen show composite noise floors about 80 dB below their peak output (peak output is generally around 200 mV average or somewhat less than 1 volt p-p) with no antenna and quiet band noise around 70 dB below maximum output. Even if the DSP algorithms in the digital software could get 10 dB below the noise, the 16 bit sound cards with their 95 to 97 dB theoretical dynamic range would be more than enough for most amateur work at HF. They key to getting everything you can with soundcard modes on HF is having a very low noise audio amplifier between the receiver and ADC (it may be in the soundcard) and minimizing any power supply and logic noise in the sound card. If you will be using AGC and narrow filters in the receiver (one key to maximum weak signal effectiveness), the receiver AGC will limit the dynamic range into the sound card to well less than 40 dB (the difference between MDS and AGC threshold) in any case. You want the peak audio to be as close to the 4 V p-p point as possible to make maximum use of the sound card's available dynamic range as you can. If the maximum signal to the ADC is only one volt p-p you have already given away 12 dB of DR! 73, ... Joe, W4TV -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Michael Keane K1MK Sent: Thursday, August 16, 2007 11:49 AM To: Elecraft Reflector Subject: Re: [Elecraft] external soundcards for digimodes At 09:08 AM 8/16/2007, Don Wilhelm wrote: Typically, the more bits in the Soundcard A-D conversion, the better the dynamic range. There is also the noise floor of the soundcard to consider. Most internal soundcards are 16 bit while the upgrades are typically 24 bits for the A-D. Obviously, the performance specs for a 24-bit sound card should be better than for a 16-bit card. However, in his review of sound cards for Amateur Radio that appeared in the May 2007 QST, Jonathan Taylor, K1RFD wrote that very few digital-mode apps are designed to take advantage of the higher precision when it is available. Does anyone know which software apps actually do make use of the extra bits and the higher performance of a 24-bit sound card? 73, Mike K1MK Michael Keane K1MK [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___
[Elecraft] What postal option to use to UK(K3)
Hi all, I should be taking the plunge very soon and ordering a K3. On the shipping page there are several options that I can use. Which ones have subscribers from the UK and Europe used? Since the K3 will be in the Oct/Nov production run, waiting a few extra days for slower delivery isn't a problem. Thanks, Mark M5MDH ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] FS
The K2 Kits have been spoken for . thanks for all the interest. 72, John KF7OM ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] What postal option to use to UK(K3)
Myself I'm using US Post which means it'll arrive at the DRV pigsty with Swiss Post. They charge nothing for handling the VAT, are very good and efficient. Simon Brown, HB9DRV - Original Message - From: Mark Hampton [EMAIL PROTECTED] I should be taking the plunge very soon and ordering a K3. On the shipping page there are several options that I can use. Which ones have subscribers from the UK and Europe used? Since the K3 will be in the Oct/Nov production run, waiting a few extra days for slower delivery isn't a problem. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] What postal option to use to UK(K3)
On 8/17/07, Simon Brown (HB9DRV) [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Myself I'm using US Post which means it'll arrive at the DRV pigsty with Swiss Post. They charge nothing for handling the VAT, are very good and efficient. Just hang on while I move to Switzerland, then. :) -- Julian, G4ILO K2 s/n: 392 K3 s/n: ??? G4ILO's Shack: www.g4ilo.com Ham-Directory: www.ham-directory.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] What postal option to use to UK(K3)
Hi, Don't know - probably express unless it breaks the piggybank. Simon Brown, HB9DRV - Original Message - From: Mark Hampton [EMAIL PROTECTED] Thanks for the quick reply Simon, I see there are 2 US post choices, express and priority. Which one are you using? ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] What postal option to use to UK(K3)
Thanks for the replies, A K3/10 and ATU has now been ordered, the 100w upgrade will be ordered at a later date. Mark M5MDH ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] Mt. Saint Helens
Hi Folks, I'll be operating my K2 tomorrow morning at the Johnson Ridge Observatory on Mt. Saint Helens in Washington State. My location will be about 3 miles from where Gerry Martin, W6TQF perished after he provided the first radio transmission that the mountain was erupting. Time of operation will be approx. 1600Z-1900Z or 9am-12pm local time. If you have a moment, please listen for me. 73, Karl NM7N- ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Mt. Saint Helens
Happy to listen for you. Would that be 20 meters and what frequency(ies) would you be hanging around? Jozef WB2MIC Karl Anderson wrote: Hi Folks, I'll be operating my K2 tomorrow morning at the Johnson Ridge Observatory on Mt. Saint Helens in Washington State. My location will be about 3 miles from where Gerry Martin, W6TQF perished after he provided the first radio transmission that the mountain was erupting. Time of operation will be approx. 1600Z-1900Z or 9am-12pm local time. If you have a moment, please listen for me. 73, Karl NM7N- ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] Re: Mt. Saint Helens
Forgot to mention the frequencies: 1600Z-1800Z around 7040Mhz on cw 1800Z-1900Z around the upper end of 20M SSB - Original Message - From: Karl Anderson To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Friday, August 17, 2007 1:14 PM Subject: Mt. Saint Helens Hi Folks, I'll be operating my K2 tomorrow morning at the Johnson Ridge Observatory on Mt. Saint Helens in Washington State. My location will be about 3 miles from where Gerry Martin, W6TQF perished after he provided the first radio transmission that the mountain was erupting. Time of operation will be approx. 1600Z-1900Z or 9am-12pm local time. If you have a moment, please listen for me. 73, Karl NM7N- ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] KSB2 Kit Resistor query
Hi, Just got to the step in the control panel where, if you are also planning to fit the KSB2 board, you add some of the optional components to the control board. On the KSB2 instructions, page 16, it says R13 is 68.1k - and also in the inventory on page 3 it gives the same value for this resistor. Trouble is, I don't have a resistor that value in the bag. I do have one of 64k but that's it. I can't seem to find a 64k resistor elsewhere in the inventory so I'm guessing (again) that this is a substitute. Anyone know for sure? Thanks Denis MW0CBC/GW8OQV ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Mt. Saint Helens
Be sure to catch the wide-screen theater, Karl. I edited the the video that runs there. It's a cinerama style multi-projector presentation with some cool special effects to recreate the eruption. You won't want to miss the finale ;-) 73, Larry N8LP Karl Anderson wrote: Hi Folks, I'll be operating my K2 tomorrow morning at the Johnson Ridge Observatory on Mt. Saint Helens in Washington State. My location will be about 3 miles from where Gerry Martin, W6TQF perished after he provided the first radio transmission that the mountain was erupting. Time of operation will be approx. 1600Z-1900Z or 9am-12pm local time. If you have a moment, please listen for me. 73, Karl NM7N- ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] RS 232 connection failure
Hi my K2/100 Nr 5336 has fallen out with my PC - they've stopped talking to each other. I use microHAM's USB device router and a number of serial to USB adapters, all of which have worked fine until now. The same adapters work perfectly with my Icom rig but I get no response when the PC polls the K2. I use VQLog for general logging and Writelog for contests - neither will now work with the K2. Done the obvious stuff - checking that the port is switched on at the K2 and checking all the connections on the DB9 adapter lead. I also use the KAT100 and have tried with it connected and disconnected - no difference. Any ideas on where I can start looking for the fault would be very welcome. 73 Bob G3YIQ ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] Shelby Hamfest: K3?
Hi All, The Shelby Hamfest is coming up in a few weeks. (Shelby, NC Aug 31, Sep 1, and Sep 2) Does anyone know if Elecraft will be there, or else one of the beta testers, to demo the K3? I was looking for a hamfest link on the Elecraft web site, that would give information on hamfests where one could see the various Elecraft products. It may be there, but I couldn't find that type of info. Perhaps that would be a nice edition to the web site once the dust settles from the K3 rollout. See you at Shelby! 73, Richard, AI4SH ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Shelby Hamfest: K3?
Well...I'm not a beta tester, but I'm about 3 hrs away from Shelby. If the crew at Elecraft want to go ahead and ship my K3 early, I'll consider taking it out to Shelby. (wink!) 73, Henry - K4TMC Raleigh, NC -Original Message- From: Richard S [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Fri, 17 Aug 2007 6:07 pm Subject: [Elecraft] Shelby Hamfest: K3? Hi All, The Shelby Hamfest is coming up in a few weeks. (Shelby, NC Aug 31, Sep 1, and Sep 2) Does anyone know if Elecraft will be there, or else one of the beta testers, to demo the K3? I was looking for a hamfest link on the Elecraft web site, that would give information on hamfests where one could see the various Elecraft products. It may be there, but I couldn't find that type of info. Perhaps that would be a nice edition to the web site once the dust settles from the K3 rollout. See you at Shelby! 73, Richard, AI4SH ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at AOL.com. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] Appalachian Trail on Saturday
Hello, 18 August 2007, Saturday, is to be around 75'F or 24'C. I plan on taking a short break from the past 3 weeks of solid 10 hour days and relax a little and hike on Saturday and play radio. Not sure where I will be hiking too but it will be on the Appalachian Trail. I will be using the K1 and the BW vertical on 40, 30, 20 and 15 meters between 15:00 UTC until 19:30 UTC. I will try a band plan this time around and see how it works. 15:00 until 16:30 UTC = 7.030 MHz 16:30 until 17:00 UTC = 21.060 MHz If I do not make any QSO's in the first 10 minutes on 15m I will go directly to 20 m. 17:00 until 18:30 UTC = 14.060 MHz 18:30 until 19:30 UTC = 10.106 MHz 72 and Thanks, Ron Polityka WB3AAL www.wb3aal.com www.n3epa.org/ K1 - SN 01011 K2 - SN 01392 ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] RS 232 connection failure
Hello Bob, I had this problem and tracked it down to a menu setting. Look on page 86 of the K2 manual under the heading 'Using the menu'. Tap [MENU] and select the sidetone level ST L. Hold EDIT so that you get the sidetone output and can adjust the level. If you can't hear anything from the speaker (assuming the level is high enough) tap [DISPLAY] and the LCD will alternate between U6-25 and U8-4. Tap [DISPLAY] until you get sidetone from your speaker. The reason for all this that the RS-232 TXD output from the microcontroller used to control the sidetone in the original K2s. Hope this helps. 73 de David VK5DG On Saturday 18 August 2007 07:07, Bob Jones wrote: Hi my K2/100 Nr 5336 has fallen out with my PC - they've stopped talking to each other. I use microHAM's USB device router and a number of serial to USB adapters, all of which have worked fine until now. The same adapters work perfectly with my Icom rig but I get no response when the PC polls the K2. I use VQLog for general logging and Writelog for contests - neither will now work with the K2. Done the obvious stuff - checking that the port is switched on at the K2 and checking all the connections on the DB9 adapter lead. I also use the KAT100 and have tried with it connected and disconnected - no difference. Any ideas on where I can start looking for the fault would be very welcome. 73 Bob G3YIQ ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
