Re: [Elecraft] [K3] K3 FM Repeater

[Julian, G4ILO]

Jim - W6VAR wrote:
 
 I have K3 #1644 with all hardware mods except the negative ALC and
 firmware 2.82.
 
 We have a local 6 meter repeater that I can hit from my house with my
 handheld on a J-Pole or via my car with an IC-7000. The repeater frequency
 is 52.900 with a -500 offset for transmit on 52.400 and the CTSS tone is
 114.8. For some reason, my K3 will not trip the repeater, but will trip
 other repeaters in the area when set to their attributes.
 
 I've monitored my output signal on my Yaeseu VX7 and verified that I am
 indeed transmitting on the correct frequency and I have engaged and
 disengage tone squelch on the VX7 to see if the correct CTSS tone is being
 transmitted. This appears correct.
 
 I spoke with another indivdual on our 2M repeater and he is experiencing
 the same thing with a commercial radio converted to 6M. 
 
 Are there any thoughts as to what the attribute of the K3 or the repeater
 is that is not allowing the K3 to function properly on this repeater?
 
 
If someone is experiencing the same problem with another radio then it would
suggest that the problem lies with that repeater.

A few weeks ago someone posted about a problem accessing a 2m repeater and
suggested that the level of the CTSS tone might not be high enough. The
level is not adjustable on the K3, but it is not adjustable on other radios
that I know of either. That might be something to look at.

Have you tried increasing or decreasing the FM deviation. That is adjustable
from the CONFIG menu.

-
Julian, G4ILO. K2 #392  K3 #222.
http://www.g4ilo.com/ G4ILO's Shack   http://www.g4ilo.com/blog.html G4ILO's
Bloghttp://www.g4ilo.com/kcomm.html KComm for Elecraft K2 and K3 
-- 
View this message in context: 
http://n2.nabble.com/K3-FM-Repeater-tp2427744p2428216.html
Sent from the [K3] mailing list archive at Nabble.com.

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[Elecraft] My third K2

[Fred Bennett N9TA]

   Hi Gang

Well, I took the plungeagain!! My third K2 has been orderedand 
is nearing my location via UPS. My first K2 was serial number 242 (I 
think).I think the second was around 4500 (I'm not sure)it'll be 
interesting to see what serial number they are up to now!! I keep them 
for a couple of years and then trade them for something else.one of 
my many faults is always looking for something better...HI HI. I really 
struggled this time thoughK3 or K2 was the question. In the end I 
chose lower power consumption for working off battery power. Besides, 
after watching numerous K2 and K3 videos on YoutubeK2 just seemed 
like coming home again!

 73de...Fred  N9TA K2 serial# ?
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Re: [Elecraft] K3 birdies - question?

[Geoffrey Mackenzie-Kennedy]

David,

Double shielded coax would certainly reduce leakage from the coax, and is a 
good investment in my opinion. However its use might not have too much 
impact on the receiver's birdie problem, because many of the rogue signals 
involved are probably flowing on the outside of the coax's braid, certainly 
if the coax emerges from some enclosure through a hole.

The usual cause of a receiver birdie is that some response of the receiver 
is hearing some oscillator or a harmonic, or some mixing product of two or 
more oscillators, contained within the receiver. In a down conversion HF 
receiver, the great majority of the receiver's responses, therefore the 
rogue signals, that cause birdie problems are at HF and up to low/ mid 
VHF, which means that choking off coax runs within a receiver becomes 
cumbersome.

73,

Geoff
GM4ESD

David Cutter wrote on Wednesday, March 04, 2009, at 10:32 AM:

I also wonder if it would be worthwhile buying higher spec coax.  Don't 
know what is used in the K3, but for the lengths involved it would be worth 
the investment to get short cables made in say LMR100 or RG142 etc if it's 
not already

 David
 G3UNA


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Re: [Elecraft] K3 birdies - question?

[John Lemay]

Hello all

I think it may be useful to tackle this problem from the other direction,
and try ferrite rings or chokes on all the connections to your router.

Regards

John G4ZTR

-Original Message-
From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Geoffrey
Mackenzie-Kennedy
Sent: 05 March 2009 10:08
To: Elecraft Discussion List
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 birdies - question?

David,

Double shielded coax would certainly reduce leakage from the coax, and is a 
good investment in my opinion. However its use might not have too much 
impact on the receiver's birdie problem, because many of the rogue signals

involved are probably flowing on the outside of the coax's braid, certainly 
if the coax emerges from some enclosure through a hole.

The usual cause of a receiver birdie is that some response of the receiver 
is hearing some oscillator or a harmonic, or some mixing product of two or

more oscillators, contained within the receiver. In a down conversion HF 
receiver, the great majority of the receiver's responses, therefore the 
rogue signals, that cause birdie problems are at HF and up to low/ mid 
VHF, which means that choking off coax runs within a receiver becomes 
cumbersome.

73,

Geoff
GM4ESD

David Cutter wrote on Wednesday, March 04, 2009, at 10:32 AM:

I also wonder if it would be worthwhile buying higher spec coax.  Don't 
know what is used in the K3, but for the lengths involved it would be worth

the investment to get short cables made in say LMR100 or RG142 etc if it's 
not already

 David
 G3UNA


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Re: [Elecraft] K3 birdies - question?

[d.cutter]

So, could we use the good old methods of wrapping the coax around a suitable 
toroid.  That would mean a longer cable at which point I would invest in a 
better quality cable if I were doing it and I'm tempted to do so to get the 
best chance of cracking the main issues we are addressing.

David
G3UNA

 Geoffrey Mackenzie-Kennedy gm4...@btinternet.com wrote: 
 David,
 
 Double shielded coax would certainly reduce leakage from the coax, and is a 
 good investment in my opinion. However its use might not have too much 
 impact on the receiver's birdie problem, because many of the rogue signals 
 involved are probably flowing on the outside of the coax's braid, certainly 
 if the coax emerges from some enclosure through a hole.
 
 The usual cause of a receiver birdie is that some response of the receiver 
 is hearing some oscillator or a harmonic, or some mixing product of two or 
 more oscillators, contained within the receiver. In a down conversion HF 
 receiver, the great majority of the receiver's responses, therefore the 
 rogue signals, that cause birdie problems are at HF and up to low/ mid 
 VHF, which means that choking off coax runs within a receiver becomes 
 cumbersome.
 
 73,
 
 Geoff
 GM4ESD
 
 David Cutter wrote on Wednesday, March 04, 2009, at 10:32 AM:
 
 I also wonder if it would be worthwhile buying higher spec coax.  Don't 
 know what is used in the K3, but for the lengths involved it would be worth 
 the investment to get short cables made in say LMR100 or RG142 etc if it's 
 not already
 
  David
  G3UNA
 
 
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Re: [Elecraft] K3 birdies - question?

[Geoffrey Mackenzie-Kennedy]

Hello John,

That could reduce any trash from a router is , but it would not remove any 
of the receiver's self inflicted birdies.

73,
Geoff
GM4ESD


John Lemay wrote on Thursday, March 05, 2009 10:28 AM

 Hello all

 I think it may be useful to tackle this problem from the other direction,
 and try ferrite rings or chokes on all the connections to your router.

 Regards

 John G4ZTR



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Re: [Elecraft] K3 birdies - question?

[Geoffrey Mackenzie-Kennedy]

It might help, but it might not, because until such time as the source of a 
particular birdie is contained or removed, it will remain to be a source of 
a birdie. If you block one route, these birds have a habit of finding 
another, especially if the layout is open plan.

73,

Geoff
GM4ESD


David G3UNA wrote:


 So, could we use the good old methods of wrapping the coax around a 
 suitable toroid.  That would mean a longer cable at which point I would 
 invest in a better quality cable if I were doing it and I'm tempted to do 
 so to get the best chance of cracking the main issues we are addressing.

 David
 G3UNA

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[Elecraft] Your Opinion: The realities of QRP vs. QRO

[dw]

A few years back in our little farming community, there was a fellow
whose name was Francis.
Francis was an avid hunter.
At this time, the rumor went around the community that
Francis had been fined for deer jacking.
Out of his truck one night, with a spot light, he took a shot at a
plastic deer planted by game wardens.
Soon it became a joke…….Sir Francis the deer slayer.

Something within me seemed to understand Francis’ point of view.
He was a pragmatist….. He had little interest in the thrill of the hunt.
He was focused on the efficiency of the catch.

Although QRO is far from illegal, it does seem to be somewhat more
focused on the efficiency of the catch than the thrill of the hunt.
So there is a certain un-romantic reality to QRO vs. QRP.

I'm wondering, what percentage of contacts you've made QRO, that you
would estimate as not attainable QRP.

I hope I didn't break the list rules getting off-topic with the story
:~/
-- 
  dw
  d...@sover.net

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[Elecraft] OT - Blown up IC in K2 linear PSU

[David Lankshear]

I wonder if anyone can help me find a TA7089M regulator IC, please?  I haven't 
found a source online.

My K2's linear PSU has been a Yaesu FP107, which has worked well for some time, 
but whilst adding overvoltage circuitry ton the PSU to provide additional 
protection, I made an error and zapped the regulator IC, a Toshiba TA7089M.  
It's in a TO5 can, which is what the M suffix indicates.

Would readers please be kind enough to take a quick rummage through their junk 
to see if one is hiding there?  I'd be VERY grateful.

Thanks for reading.

73  DaveL, G3TJP
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[Elecraft] OT: question re: antenna/rig swtich

[Greg Buhyoff]

Group,

This is off topic and I would deeply appreciate any responses to be
sent to me off list.  I am posting here because I respect the
knowledge and experience of the people who are members of this
reflector.

This may sound stupid but I have not had experience with this before,
so I ask before I do something stupid.

I use an external antenna switch mounted on the outside wall of my
house to switch in one of six antennas and have a single coax line
coming into the radio room.   I now have four separate radio stations,
2 K3s and two other radios, all set up differently for different types
and modes of operation.  All have amps in line that can be used when
needed -- one a KW and the others 750w output.  Currently I manually
attach the output coax for the station I want to use to the coax lead
coming into the house from the external switch.  A pain.

I want to be able to simply use a manual switch to select the station
that would connect to the external antenna switch coax lead into the
radio room.  I would then use the manual antenna switch to select the
station and the remote controller to select the antenna.  I was
looking at the Alpha Delta manual switch with four switched ports and
a common and then would connect the common to the coax lead coming
from the external antenna switch (DX Engineering) and then each output
coax from each of four stations to the four ports on the Alpha Delta
and then could switch stations via the Alpha Delta manual switch (all
ports not selected go to ground) and, obviously, then select my
antennas as I have been doing using my remote antenna switch.

Again, this sounds stupid, but I have not had to do this before and
always used manual antenna switches to simply select antennas.  My
question is this:

Given the Alpha Delta manual switch has  60dB port isolation -- is
this isolation good enough that I can use the this manual switch to
select stations even though each of the  stations has the capability
delivering up to 1 KW output?  I don't want to blow out the front ends
of the radios connected to this manual switch.

I appreciate any answers that can be sent on to me.  I know this
sounds stupid, but I have been a ham since 1958 and simply have not
had or needed to do this.  I now have four great stations that I
carefully put together as part of a plan when I retired and I don't
want to do something stupid at this point.  I have done plenty of
stupid things in the past and more will happen, but I thought I could
simply ask a question here with hopes someone can allay my fears of
using such a switching setup or educate me in those things I don't
understand or did not think of.

Thanks so very much and 73,
Greg K2UM
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Re: [Elecraft] K3 + LP Pan + Microkeyer II

[Robert Naumann]

Yes - to be specific - there are no *physical* connections between the two
and no changes should be made to your MicroKeyer configuration - it stays
as-is.

LP Bridge will be configured to talk to the virtual com port set up for
the K3 in your MicroKeyer router configuration and LP Bridge will then
provide a different # virtual com port to talk to your applications.

Changes will need to be made in your applications that control the K3 to
point to the new Virtual port rather than the one provided by MicroKeyer.

Aside from LP Bridge using the K3 virtual port, having a MicroKeyer is
essentially coincidental rather than an integral part of the LP-PAN setup.

Once I had the LP-Pan unit built and the proper cables to connect the sound
card, set up only took a few minutes. The LP-Pan manual is fairly
comprehensive in covering all of this.

73,

Bob W5OV

-Original Message-
From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Joe Subich, W4TV
Sent: Wednesday, March 04, 2009 9:18 PM
To: 'Robert Naumann'; knowk...@sbcglobal.net; elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 + LP Pan + Microkeyer II


 Your LP Pan system should not be connected to, or interact 
 with your MicroKeyer whatsoever. 

There is one correction ... the LP-Bridge software should 
connect to the K3 through the CAT virtual port in microHAM 
Router and all applications (including PowerSDR or HRD) that 
access the K# CAT interface should connect to ports provided 
by LP-Bridge.  

73, 

   ... Joe, W4TV 
 


 -Original Message-
 From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net 
 [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Robert Naumann
 Sent: Wednesday, March 04, 2009 9:53 PM
 To: knowk...@sbcglobal.net; elecraft@mailman.qth.net
 Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 + LP Pan + Microkeyer II
 
 
 Jim,
 
 Your LP Pan system should not be connected to, or interact 
 with your MicroKeyer whatsoever. You will need a sound card 
 (or external USB sound unit like the EMU 0202) dedicated to 
 LP-Pan duty.
 
 Follow the instructions and you'll be up and running quickly.
 
 73,
 
 Bob W5OV
 
 
 
 -Original Message-
 From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net 
 [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Jim Hoge
 Sent: Wednesday, March 04, 2009 3:30 PM
 To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
 Subject: [Elecraft] K3 + LP Pan + Microkeyer II
 
 Greetings,
  
 Are there any issues I need to be aware of for the setup of 
 my K3 with an LP Pan and a Microkeyer II? I don't claim to be 
 a computer wiz by any stretch but would like to add an LP Pan 
 and a Microkeyer to my K3 setup. My only experience has been 
 in interfacing a Mk-V and a Rigblaster, certainly yesterday's 
 technology. Advice and opinions are appreciated. BTW, my 
 computer is a Core 2 running XP, 4 gig of ram, a good but I 
 forgot who video card, and currently only the onboard soundcard.
  
 tnx,
 Jim W5QM 
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Re: [Elecraft] K3 + LP Pan + Microkeyer II

[Igor Sokolov]

Bob, does it mean that the USB sound card built into MicrokeyerII cannot be 
utilized by LP-PAN? Why?

73, Igor UA9CDC

Jim,

Your LP Pan system should not be connected to, or interact with your
MicroKeyer whatsoever. You will need a sound card (or external USB sound
unit like the EMU 0202) dedicated to LP-Pan duty.

Follow the instructions and you'll be up and running quickly.

73,

Bob W5OV



-Original Message-
From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Jim Hoge
Sent: Wednesday, March 04, 2009 3:30 PM
To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Elecraft] K3 + LP Pan + Microkeyer II

Greetings,

Are there any issues I need to be aware of for the setup of my K3 with an LP
Pan and a Microkeyer II? I don't claim to be a computer wiz by any stretch
but would like to add an LP Pan and a Microkeyer to my K3 setup. My only
experience has been in interfacing a Mk-V and a Rigblaster, certainly
yesterday's technology. Advice and opinions are appreciated. BTW, my
computer is a Core 2 running XP, 4 gig of ram, a good but I forgot who video
card, and currently only the onboard soundcard.

tnx,
Jim W5QM
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Re: [Elecraft] OT: question re: antenna/rig swtich

[Dale Putnam]

Hi Greg,

  I have that arrangement here, with dual switching.. I don't run the amount of 
power you do, but have tested the isolation... of the switches, and am 
concerned about the amount of power that is allowed into the rx of the unused 
stations... I cured part of that with the grounded when not in use switch for 
the antenna switch... now I believe I need similar on the station switch... 

  


--... ...--
Dale - WC7S in Wy







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Re: [Elecraft] K3 + LP Pan + Microkeyer II

[Robert Naumann]

I am just a LP-Pan user and not an expert in this area, bit the sound card
in the MicroKeyer II is not listed as a supported sound card by LP-Pan.

See here: http://www.telepostinc.com/soundcards.html

N8LP would have to answer the why question for certain, but I suspect that
it may not have sufficient processing power and bandwidth to do the job
adequately.

The supported cards are mostly high-end audio cards.

73,

Bob W5OV

-Original Message-
From: Igor Sokolov [mailto:ua9...@gmail.com] 
Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 7:27 AM
To: Robert Naumann; knowk...@sbcglobal.net; elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 + LP Pan + Microkeyer II


Bob, does it mean that the USB sound card built into MicrokeyerII cannot be 
utilized by LP-PAN? Why?

73, Igor UA9CDC

Jim,

Your LP Pan system should not be connected to, or interact with your
MicroKeyer whatsoever. You will need a sound card (or external USB sound
unit like the EMU 0202) dedicated to LP-Pan duty.

Follow the instructions and you'll be up and running quickly.

73,

Bob W5OV



-Original Message-
From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Jim Hoge
Sent: Wednesday, March 04, 2009 3:30 PM
To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Elecraft] K3 + LP Pan + Microkeyer II

Greetings,

Are there any issues I need to be aware of for the setup of my K3 with an LP
Pan and a Microkeyer II? I don't claim to be a computer wiz by any stretch
but would like to add an LP Pan and a Microkeyer to my K3 setup. My only
experience has been in interfacing a Mk-V and a Rigblaster, certainly
yesterday's technology. Advice and opinions are appreciated. BTW, my
computer is a Core 2 running XP, 4 gig of ram, a good but I forgot who video
card, and currently only the onboard soundcard.

tnx,
Jim W5QM
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Re: [Elecraft] OT: question re: antenna/rig swtich

[Don Wilhelm]

Greg,

Theory says you should not have any problem.  With 60 dB isolation and 
1000 watts, there may be as much as 1 mW at the input of each receiver - 
that is 223.6 mV, which is a large signal, but still within the power 
handling capability of most receivers.

In the practical world, if there are any leakage paths *around* the 
switch or coupling between the coax lines, then even though the switch 
itself provides 60 dB isolation, the system isolation may be much lower 
- just how much depends on your setup.

You could set it up and test at lower power - tune the other radios to 
the transmit frequency and see what the S-meters tell you.

73,
Don W3FPR

Greg Buhyoff wrote:
 Group,

 This is off topic and I would deeply appreciate any responses to be
 sent to me off list.  I am posting here because I respect the
 knowledge and experience of the people who are members of this
 reflector.

 This may sound stupid but I have not had experience with this before,
 so I ask before I do something stupid.

 I use an external antenna switch mounted on the outside wall of my
 house to switch in one of six antennas and have a single coax line
 coming into the radio room.   I now have four separate radio stations,
 2 K3s and two other radios, all set up differently for different types
 and modes of operation.  All have amps in line that can be used when
 needed -- one a KW and the others 750w output.  Currently I manually
 attach the output coax for the station I want to use to the coax lead
 coming into the house from the external switch.  A pain.

 I want to be able to simply use a manual switch to select the station
 that would connect to the external antenna switch coax lead into the
 radio room.  I would then use the manual antenna switch to select the
 station and the remote controller to select the antenna.  I was
 looking at the Alpha Delta manual switch with four switched ports and
 a common and then would connect the common to the coax lead coming
 from the external antenna switch (DX Engineering) and then each output
 coax from each of four stations to the four ports on the Alpha Delta
 and then could switch stations via the Alpha Delta manual switch (all
 ports not selected go to ground) and, obviously, then select my
 antennas as I have been doing using my remote antenna switch.

 Again, this sounds stupid, but I have not had to do this before and
 always used manual antenna switches to simply select antennas.  My
 question is this:

 Given the Alpha Delta manual switch has  60dB port isolation -- is
 this isolation good enough that I can use the this manual switch to
 select stations even though each of the  stations has the capability
 delivering up to 1 KW output?  I don't want to blow out the front ends
 of the radios connected to this manual switch.

 I appreciate any answers that can be sent on to me.  I know this
 sounds stupid, but I have been a ham since 1958 and simply have not
 had or needed to do this.  I now have four great stations that I
 carefully put together as part of a plan when I retired and I don't
 want to do something stupid at this point.  I have done plenty of
 stupid things in the past and more will happen, but I thought I could
 simply ask a question here with hopes someone can allay my fears of
 using such a switching setup or educate me in those things I don't
 understand or did not think of.

 Thanks so very much and 73,
 Greg K2UM
   

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Re: [Elecraft] Nabble: new look and feel (if you read the Elecraft list on the web)

[Julian, G4ILO]

g3ymc wrote:
 
 Well I certainly noticed the change and at the moment am not that
 convinced it is for me. But maybe time will tell. Is there any way to set
 up my preferences so it opens in the old style directly instead of having
 to click the 'Topics View' button?
 
Yes, I'd prefer to have the topics view as well. I think the categories will
be useful for those who don't have a K3, but as I have a K2 and other
Elecraft products as well I prefer to see the lot, in case I can answer a
question relating to them.

-
Julian, G4ILO. K2 #392  K3 #222.
http://www.g4ilo.com/ G4ILO's Shack   http://www.g4ilo.com/blog.html G4ILO's
Bloghttp://www.g4ilo.com/kcomm.html KComm for Elecraft K2 and K3 
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Re: [Elecraft] OT: question re: antenna/rig swtich

[Julius Fazekas n2wn]

Hi Greg,

This might be a good question to post on the contest reflector. Stations
like KC1XX, K1TTT, W3LPL, etc all deal with such issues with their
Multi-Multi stations.

I like Alpha Delta switches and don't think you'll have a problem with them.
You could look for Bird switches with higher power ratings (on the surplus
market or I think RF Engineering carries them). Transfer relays may be
another option...

73,
Julius


Greg Buhyoff wrote:
 
 Group,
 
 This is off topic and I would deeply appreciate any responses to be
 sent to me off list.  I am posting here because I respect the
 knowledge and experience of the people who are members of this
 reflector.
 
 This may sound stupid but I have not had experience with this before,
 so I ask before I do something stupid.
 
 I use an external antenna switch mounted on the outside wall of my
 house to switch in one of six antennas and have a single coax line
 coming into the radio room.   I now have four separate radio stations,
 2 K3s and two other radios, all set up differently for different types
 and modes of operation.  All have amps in line that can be used when
 needed -- one a KW and the others 750w output.  Currently I manually
 attach the output coax for the station I want to use to the coax lead
 coming into the house from the external switch.  A pain.
 
 I want to be able to simply use a manual switch to select the station
 that would connect to the external antenna switch coax lead into the
 radio room.  I would then use the manual antenna switch to select the
 station and the remote controller to select the antenna.  I was
 looking at the Alpha Delta manual switch with four switched ports and
 a common and then would connect the common to the coax lead coming
 from the external antenna switch (DX Engineering) and then each output
 coax from each of four stations to the four ports on the Alpha Delta
 and then could switch stations via the Alpha Delta manual switch (all
 ports not selected go to ground) and, obviously, then select my
 antennas as I have been doing using my remote antenna switch.
 
 Again, this sounds stupid, but I have not had to do this before and
 always used manual antenna switches to simply select antennas.  My
 question is this:
 
 Given the Alpha Delta manual switch has  60dB port isolation -- is
 this isolation good enough that I can use the this manual switch to
 select stations even though each of the  stations has the capability
 delivering up to 1 KW output?  I don't want to blow out the front ends
 of the radios connected to this manual switch.
 
 I appreciate any answers that can be sent on to me.  I know this
 sounds stupid, but I have been a ham since 1958 and simply have not
 had or needed to do this.  I now have four great stations that I
 carefully put together as part of a plan when I retired and I don't
 want to do something stupid at this point.  I have done plenty of
 stupid things in the past and more will happen, but I thought I could
 simply ask a question here with hopes someone can allay my fears of
 using such a switching setup or educate me in those things I don't
 understand or did not think of.
 
 Thanks so very much and 73,
 Greg K2UM
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-
Julius Fazekas
N2WN

Tennessee Contest Group
http://www.k4ro.net/tcg/index.html

Tennessee QSO Party
http://www.tnqp.org/

Elecraft K2/100 #4455
Elecraft K3/100 #366
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View this message in context: 
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Re: [Elecraft] K3 + LP Pan + Microkeyer II

[Kok Chen]

On Mar 5, 2009, at 3/55:26 AM, Igor Sokolov wrote:

 Bob, does it mean that the USB sound card built into MicrokeyerII  
 cannot be
 utilized by LP-PAN? Why?


Not that you cannot use just any garden variety sound cards, but there  
are at least two reasons to use a better sound card with an SDR.

The dynamic range of the simple sound cards will be a limiting factor  
when used with something like the LP-PAN.  Although the digiKeyer and  
microKeyer II have relatively low noise floors for a 16 bit codec, it  
is still a reason to use better sound cards for an SDR. I had measured  
the distance between the noise floor and the full scale of the sound  
cards in both the microHAM keyers to be in the 95 dB region.

You have an extra 10 dB or so of headroom with a sound card like the  
EMU 0202 (USB) or Edirol FA-66 (FireWire).  For an SDR type use, the  
harmonic distortion from sound cards also factors into your choice.   
If needed, you can move the harmonics of a strong station from  
clobbering a weak station by turning the VFO knob on the K3 -- it is  
just inconvenient to do so.

A second big factor that influences the choice of sound cards for an  
SDR is the highest sampling rate they can operate at, since that  
determines the width of the panorama which you can see.  The highest  
sampling rate from the microKeyer II is 48,000 samples per second  
which, when used in a quadrature fashion, limits the panorama to  
about 40 kHz.  Both the EMU 0202 and the Edirol FA-66 can go up to 192  
kilo samples/second.

73
Chen, W7AY

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Re: [Elecraft] Your Opinion: The realities of QRP vs. QRO

[Wes Stewart]

Life is too short for QRP


  
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Re: [Elecraft] Your Opinion: The realities of QRP vs. QRO

[Steve Ellington]

Obviously a troll.

Steve Ellington
n...@carolina.rr.com
- Original Message - 
From: dw bw...@fastmail.fm
To: Elecraft_List elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 7:34 AM
Subject: [Elecraft] Your Opinion: The realities of QRP vs. QRO


A few years back in our little farming community, there was a fellow
whose name was Francis.
Francis was an avid hunter.
At this time, the rumor went around the community that
Francis had been fined for deer jacking.
Out of his truck one night, with a spot light, he took a shot at a
plastic deer planted by game wardens.
Soon it became a joke...Sir Francis the deer slayer.

Something within me seemed to understand Francis' point of view.
He was a pragmatist... He had little interest in the thrill of the hunt.
He was focused on the efficiency of the catch.

Although QRO is far from illegal, it does seem to be somewhat more
focused on the efficiency of the catch than the thrill of the hunt.
So there is a certain un-romantic reality to QRO vs. QRP.

I'm wondering, what percentage of contacts you've made QRO, that you
would estimate as not attainable QRP.

I hope I didn't break the list rules getting off-topic with the story
:~/
-- 
  dw
  d...@sover.net

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No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 8.0.237 / Virus Database: 270.11.8/1985 - Release Date: 03/05/09 
07:54:00

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Re: [Elecraft] K3 + LP Pan + Microkeyer II

[N8LP]

Chen's explanation is quite accurate. I think I did try the MK2 sound card
and it works, but not ideal for this application. Besides, unless you ONLY
use LP-PAN, you will need another sound card for PSK, voice keyers, etc. You
can use multiple sound cards... I have 6 on my system currently, including
the MK2. The sound card for LP-PAN should be dedicated to LP-PAN for best
results. The recommended sound cards for LP-PAN can be purchased for as
little as $70 new, and less on eBay. The most often used one is the E-MU
0202, which costs $100 and is widely available online. It's USB, easy to
install, but a little resource hungry, so it's best if you have a dual core
system. The best card in terms of dynamic range is the E-MU 1212m PCI card
at about $140, but it takes two slots. There are others.

73,
Larry N8LP





Kok Chen wrote:
 
 
 On Mar 5, 2009, at 3/55:26 AM, Igor Sokolov wrote:
 
 Bob, does it mean that the USB sound card built into MicrokeyerII  
 cannot be
 utilized by LP-PAN? Why?
 
 
 Not that you cannot use just any garden variety sound cards, but there  
 are at least two reasons to use a better sound card with an SDR.
 
 The dynamic range of the simple sound cards will be a limiting factor  
 when used with something like the LP-PAN.  Although the digiKeyer and  
 microKeyer II have relatively low noise floors for a 16 bit codec, it  
 is still a reason to use better sound cards for an SDR. I had measured  
 the distance between the noise floor and the full scale of the sound  
 cards in both the microHAM keyers to be in the 95 dB region.
 
 You have an extra 10 dB or so of headroom with a sound card like the  
 EMU 0202 (USB) or Edirol FA-66 (FireWire).  For an SDR type use, the  
 harmonic distortion from sound cards also factors into your choice.   
 If needed, you can move the harmonics of a strong station from  
 clobbering a weak station by turning the VFO knob on the K3 -- it is  
 just inconvenient to do so.
 
 A second big factor that influences the choice of sound cards for an  
 SDR is the highest sampling rate they can operate at, since that  
 determines the width of the panorama which you can see.  The highest  
 sampling rate from the microKeyer II is 48,000 samples per second  
 which, when used in a quadrature fashion, limits the panorama to  
 about 40 kHz.  Both the EMU 0202 and the Edirol FA-66 can go up to 192  
 kilo samples/second.
 
 73
 Chen, W7AY
 
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Re: [Elecraft] Your Opinion: The realities of QRP vs. QRO

[Hans Østnell]

The world is too small for QRO...

Hans / LA2MOA
QRP-ARCI #11898

2009/3/5 Steve Ellington n...@carolina.rr.com

 Obviously a troll.

 Steve Ellington
 n...@carolina.rr.com
  - Original Message -
 From: dw bw...@fastmail.fm
 To: Elecraft_List elecraft@mailman.qth.net
 Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 7:34 AM
 Subject: [Elecraft] Your Opinion: The realities of QRP vs. QRO


 A few years back in our little farming community, there was a fellow
 whose name was Francis.
 Francis was an avid hunter.
 At this time, the rumor went around the community that
 Francis had been fined for deer jacking.
 Out of his truck one night, with a spot light, he took a shot at a
 plastic deer planted by game wardens.
 Soon it became a joke...Sir Francis the deer slayer.

 Something within me seemed to understand Francis' point of view.
 He was a pragmatist... He had little interest in the thrill of the hunt.
 He was focused on the efficiency of the catch.

 Although QRO is far from illegal, it does seem to be somewhat more
 focused on the efficiency of the catch than the thrill of the hunt.
 So there is a certain un-romantic reality to QRO vs. QRP.

 I'm wondering, what percentage of contacts you've made QRO, that you
 would estimate as not attainable QRP.

 I hope I didn't break the list rules getting off-topic with the story
 :~/
 --
  dw
  d...@sover.net

 __
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 No virus found in this incoming message.
 Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
 Version: 8.0.237 / Virus Database: 270.11.8/1985 - Release Date: 03/05/09
 07:54:00

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[Elecraft] OT: Nice 5-band directional gain antenna

[Monty Shultes]

Having read the article in March QST by Leo Shoemaker, K4KIO,  about the 
hexagonal beam, and meeting and seeing the fine work of the inventor of the 
predecessor Hexbeam at Orlando, I decided to roll my own using Leo's website as 
a guide.

Construction is straightforward and fun.  I ordered the base plate and 
fiberglass mentioned in the article, but you could easily substitute and make 
your own base plate.  Testing at ground level verified the wide-band 
characteristic.  I even made a few contacts on 20 and 17 meters with the 
antenna base 3 feet off the ground.  It is now on a roof tripod and working 
beautifully with K3 #699 and an Ameritron ALS-600 amp.  I can hear 'em and work 
'em.

FWIW, a great project with sunspots looming.  K2DLJ
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Re: [Elecraft] Your Opinion: The realities of QRP vs. QRO

[Robert Carroll]

I'd say on 160m that although DXCC is possible (or was possible in the past)
on 160m, a high percentage of the contacts I have made on that band are not
possible with QRP. If there is a relatively common DXCC entity (who needs
another DL?) the odds are good for QRP given good conditions.  If it's a
rare one near the noise floor and you aren't lucky enough to be the first to
hear it and if conditions are not ideal, you are going to have to crack a
pileup--and if you are not QRO there is little chance of that on 160m.  That
is my experience--which is of course subjective.  But you can be a little
more objective if you look at the 160m DXCC list maintained my ARRL.  Start
at the top and work down till you find a few QRP operators.  There are none
for a long, long time.

The thrill of working BY on 160m at 1.5 kw is to me just as satisfying as
working 3A on 160m with 5w.  They are just very different activities, both a
lot of fun.

Bob W2WG

-Original Message-
From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Steve Ellington
Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 9:33 AM
To: dw; Elecraft_List
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Your Opinion: The realities of QRP vs. QRO

Obviously a troll.

Steve Ellington
n...@carolina.rr.com
- Original Message - 
From: dw bw...@fastmail.fm
To: Elecraft_List elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 7:34 AM
Subject: [Elecraft] Your Opinion: The realities of QRP vs. QRO


A few years back in our little farming community, there was a fellow
whose name was Francis.
Francis was an avid hunter.
At this time, the rumor went around the community that
Francis had been fined for deer jacking.
Out of his truck one night, with a spot light, he took a shot at a
plastic deer planted by game wardens.
Soon it became a joke...Sir Francis the deer slayer.

Something within me seemed to understand Francis' point of view.
He was a pragmatist... He had little interest in the thrill of the hunt.
He was focused on the efficiency of the catch.

Although QRO is far from illegal, it does seem to be somewhat more
focused on the efficiency of the catch than the thrill of the hunt.
So there is a certain un-romantic reality to QRO vs. QRP.

I'm wondering, what percentage of contacts you've made QRO, that you
would estimate as not attainable QRP.

I hope I didn't break the list rules getting off-topic with the story
:~/
-- 
  dw
  d...@sover.net

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No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 8.0.237 / Virus Database: 270.11.8/1985 - Release Date: 03/05/09 
07:54:00

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Re: [Elecraft] Your Opinion: The realities of QRP vs. QRO

[Lynn Lamb, W4NL]

Couldn't let this slide.. please forgive, but QRP with the K2 + 9 years come 
April 4, 2009 equals:

Mixed: 328 (one shy of the HR)
SSB:   307
CW:322

160:   60
  80:  118
  40:  251
  30:  250
  20:  306
  17:  301
  15:  296
  12:  266
  10:  253

Band countries:  2101
Total DX Qs: 3327

Many calls, many hours, some disappointments, crazy in a way (!),  much joy, 
and a little K2 QRP that has NEVER failed.  It was built by N4TD, not me. 
Oh... modest antennas, an understanding XYL (Rosie, KA4S), buddies who have 
listened to me for 9 years talk about QRP (ugh) and retired.

Does QRP make one a better operator?  Perhaps.

Try it, you may like it 73, lynn W4NL


- Original Message - 
From: Wes Stewart n...@yahoo.com
To: Elecraft_List elecraft@mailman.qth.net; dw bw...@fastmail.fm
Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 9:27 AM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Your Opinion: The realities of QRP vs. QRO



 Life is too short for QRP



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No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 8.0.237 / Virus Database: 270.11.8/1985 - Release Date: 03/05/09 
07:54:00

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Re: [Elecraft] Your Opinion: The realities of QRP vs. QRO

[Guy Olinger, K2AV]

- Original Message - 
From: Wes Stewart n...@yahoo.com

 Life is too short for QRP

Yes, obviously a troll, but a QRP QSO starts on the receiving end.  Without 
the ears on the distant end, a QRP rig just transmits another noise lost to 
ground absorbtion and spatial dispersion.  If there ARE ears on the distant 
end,  QRP is working 40 with something about the size of a sandwich, using a 
flexible wire thrown through a tree with a tennis ball, setting on a rock in 
the sun, soaking up a warm breeze somewhere in hiker heaven.

Last ARRL DX, whether QRP or not was in the exchange, so I knew when the 
signal worked was QRP.  Some of them weak enough that 5 was not cleanly 
copied, but a sent QRP was clear enough to verify the 5 I thought I 
heard.  There were some 4's and a couple of 1's.   No 0R001's this year.

For that pile of 40m QRP EU stations (including the ever-larger super-secret 
EU self-masochistic death by QRP suicide club aka SCEUQR), the big secret 
was my K3 and anti-click firmware NB and a 5 element quad on a 220 foot 
catenary.

My QRO transmit didn't make the difference for them.   My RX was QRO  :)

Working some Asians across the EU grey line who were also QRO, that was 2 
way QRO that required the most of everything. Drop to 100 watts and I don't 
hear him, he doesn't hear me.  At QRO just barely above the absorbtion both 
ways.  Don't run QRO on the CQ's, he never knows the path was open at the 
whisper level. But there were far more QRP than grey line Asians.

Help a struggling QRPer.  Buy a K3 and work a bunch of them.

(I love my battery K2, and K2 RX with DSP is really good, but its big 
brother is better at RX).

73, Guy.
K2/K3 #1239






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Re: [Elecraft] Your Opinion: The realities of QRP vs. QRO

[K2ZR]

Lynn,
I'm curious.
Would you mind revealing the modest antennas you've used over 9 years to 
achieve your amazing feat?
Dick, K2ZR

Lynn Lamb, W4NL wrote:

Couldn't let this slide.. please forgive, but QRP with the K2 + 9 years come 
April 4, 2009 equals:

Mixed: 328 (one shy of the HR)
SSB:   307
CW:322

160:   60
  80:  118
  40:  251
  30:  250
  20:  306
  17:  301
  15:  296
  12:  266
  10:  253

Band countries:  2101
Total DX Qs: 3327

Many calls, many hours, some disappointments, crazy in a way (!),  much joy, 
and a little K2 QRP that has NEVER failed.  It was built by N4TD, not me. 
Oh... modest antennas, an understanding XYL (Rosie, KA4S), buddies who have 
listened to me for 9 years talk about QRP (ugh) and retired.

Does QRP make one a better operator?  Perhaps.

Try it, you may like it 73, lynn W4NL


- Original Message - 
From: Wes Stewart n...@yahoo.com
To: Elecraft_List elecraft@mailman.qth.net; dw bw...@fastmail.fm
Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 9:27 AM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Your Opinion: The realities of QRP vs. QRO


  

Life is too short for QRP



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Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
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07:54:00

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[Elecraft] Advice

[Phil LaMarche]

I have a Mosley Pro 67B-3 at 73 ft but I want to install a vertical, self
supporting, on the water line of the lake for switching back and forth for
best conditions. Many out there to purchase.  Any strong recommendations?
 
Phil
 

Philip LaMarche 
LaMarche Enterprises, Inc.
 http://www.instantgourmetspices.com/ www.instantgourmetspices.com

www.w9dvm.com http://www.w9dvm.com/  
800-395-7795 pin 02 
727-944-3226 
FAX 727-937-8834 
NASFT 30210 

K3  #1605
W9DVM 


 
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Re: [Elecraft] Your Opinion: The realities of QRP vs. QRO

[Stephen W. Kercel]

DW and all:

A slightly different hunting analogy might be more illuminating. Here in 
Maine, bear hunting is very popular. There are two ways to go about it. 
If you're a local, you learn the bears habits and habitats, and you go 
out and stalk the bear, and if you are very much smarter than the bear 
(most people are not) you eventually get a clear shot, and BANG! you 
become the proud owner of a bearskin rug. This is rather difficult to 
do, and a great sense of accomplishment, prestige and bragging rights 
that attach to being a genuinely skilled hunter. If you're a city 
slicker from New York you go about it the other way, hiring a local 
guide who puts out a big bucket of stale donuts (I'm not kidding, they 
really do it) in a known bear hangout; then you wait for the bear to 
come and BANG! that's his last donut. The guide makes a lot of money, 
the city slicker basks in the illusion that he's hunted a bear, and 
the locals think the city slicker is more to be pitied than despised.

In an age of the Internet, cheap worldwide telephone coverage, et 
cetera, talking to a person on the other side of the world is no big 
deal. The reason we take up ham radio is for the thrill of the hunt, and 
the sense of accomplishment that comes from honing a genuine skill.

To those who would say that life is too short for QRP, I would answer 
that in my experience, life is too boring with QRO.

In a typical DX contest, using QRP and a wire antenna, if propagation is 
minimally decent, I might make 500-600 contacts competing against 
stations 2-3 S-units stronger than me. This includes breaking pileups 
for rare multipliers. This suggests to me that the number of contacts 
unattainable with QRO is very few. The tradeoff is time. In a contest, 
using 100 Watts and a dipole, I can crack a multiplier pileup on maybe 
the 4th or 5th call. Using 5 Watts and a dipole, it takes dozens of 
calls to crack a multiplier pileup.

I do crank my K2 all the way up to 100 Watts when the propagation simply 
will not support a QRP signal. This is a damnably common problem in the 
current sunspot climate.

73,

Steve Kercel
AA4AK


dw wrote:
 A few years back in our little farming community, there was a fellow
 whose name was Francis.
 Francis was an avid hunter.
 At this time, the rumor went around the community that
 Francis had been fined for deer jacking.
 Out of his truck one night, with a spot light, he took a shot at a
 plastic deer planted by game wardens.
 Soon it became a joke…….Sir Francis the deer slayer.

 Something within me seemed to understand Francis’ point of view.
 He was a pragmatist….. He had little interest in the thrill of the hunt.
 He was focused on the efficiency of the catch.

 Although QRO is far from illegal, it does seem to be somewhat more
 focused on the efficiency of the catch than the thrill of the hunt.
 So there is a certain un-romantic reality to QRO vs. QRP.

 I'm wondering, what percentage of contacts you've made QRO, that you
 would estimate as not attainable QRP.

 I hope I didn't break the list rules getting off-topic with the story
 :~/
   

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Re: [Elecraft] Your Opinion: The realities of QRP vs. QRO

[Lance Collister]

Hi DW et al,

I am sure it is quite different on HF, but on 6m EME (where I spend most of my 
time), I must agree with the slogan that Life is too short of QRP.  No matter 
how much power you run on 6m EME, it almost always seems like it is not quite 
enough, and most every contact requires careful planning, preparation and 
patience!  And that is already using the weak signal digital mode of JT65A, 
which 
essentially gives you another 10 dB over CW.  The vast majority of my 6m EME 
contacts are not audible, and would never have been possible on CW.

So from my standpoint, the entire issue of whether to run QRP or not is 
irrelevant. I basically am operating like a QRP station every time I get on the 
air (even though I am actually running QRO).

There sure are a wide range of different niches in this hobby, all with quite 
different vantage points, aren't there? ;-)   But there still are many concepts 
and equipment features - like a sensitive receiver - that appeal to us all.

GL and VY 73, Lance

dw wrote:
  A few years back in our little farming community, there was a fellow
  whose name was Francis.
  Francis was an avid hunter.
  At this time, the rumor went around the community that
  Francis had been fined for deer jacking.
  Out of his truck one night, with a spot light, he took a shot at a
  plastic deer planted by game wardens.
  Soon it became a joke…….Sir Francis the deer slayer.
 
  Something within me seemed to understand Francis’ point of view.
  He was a pragmatist….. He had little interest in the thrill of the hunt.
  He was focused on the efficiency of the catch.
 
  Although QRO is far from illegal, it does seem to be somewhat more
  focused on the efficiency of the catch than the thrill of the hunt.
  So there is a certain un-romantic reality to QRO vs. QRP.
 
  I'm wondering, what percentage of contacts you've made QRO, that you
  would estimate as not attainable QRP.
 
  I hope I didn't break the list rules getting off-topic with the story
  :~/


-- 
Lance Collister, W7GJ (ex: WN3GPL, WA3GPL, WA1JXN, WA1JXN/C6A, ZF2OC/ZF8)
P.O. Box 73
Frenchtown, MT  59834  USA
QTH: DN27UB
TEL: (406) 626-5728   URL: http://www.bigskyspaces.com/w7gj
2m DXCC #11, 6m DXCC #815


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Re: [Elecraft] K2 Intermittt

[DAVID HEMINGWAY]

I would suggest that you have a 'dry' on one (or more) components, the 
banging on the side makes another temporary good joint. The only thing 
you can do is to go over the board checking all soldered joints and/or 
tap individual components with a plastic stick to find the area with a 
problem. I know it will be time consuming, but will save embarrassment 
in the future

73  Dave G8EGG

 From: W B Reese elecra...@radions.net
 Subject: [Elecraft] K2 Intermitt
 To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
 Message-ID: 200903041709.n24h9q3a003...@b.mail.sonic.net
 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed

 Dear Elecrafters,

 For some years now my K2/100 S/N 838 has had an intermitt.

 When I take it to a new location, it is generally jostled somewhat in 
 moving it and hooking it up.

 When all installed, everything works perfectly,... then...

 Without warning, the received tone on the other guy gets holes in 
 it.  Like a noise blanker is cutting out the audio on noise bursts, 
 only the noise blanker is off and these holes are much bigger than 
 noise blanker holes.  The holes get bigger and bigger until you can't 
 read the other station, then, mysteriously, they go away and all is 
 normal.  If you are transmitting during one of these episodes, the 
 other station will report that you are breaking up.

 Whatever it is, affects both transmitt and receive the same.

 Some years ago I discovered that unplugging the anderson power 
 connector on the rear and plugging it back in cleared the problem, 
 but it troubled me that this is not a very good way to turn 
 transistors on and off and it could result in transients.  It 
 certainly made a loud pop in the loudspeaker.  Obviously, there was 
 a problem in the power cord !  So the cord was replaced and the VCC 
 was measured during a breaking up episode and found to be stable 
 inside the K2/100.  So it was not the power cord.

 The next solution was to turn K2 on it's left side and hit it with a 
 good smart whack with my fist.  After one or two of these, the 
 problem clears and does not come back until K2 is taken on a trip, 
 and then it starts up again.

 An easy fix and much less potentially destructive than jerking the 
 power cord in and out.  Never the less, still embarrassing on field 
 day when I'm out with the boys.

 Does anyone have an idea what might be causing this ?

 Thanks,

 TR, WB6TMY
 K2/100 S/N 838

   

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[Elecraft] K3 Transmit thru Line-In

[Bud Governale, W3LL]

I can't get any transmit audio via the Line-In connector.

Connecting the Mic cable to the rear panel MIC connection produces good 
transmit power and audio.

I know audio is coming from the sound card output because it also drives the 
computer speaker via its line in 
connection.

I tried moving the Mic connector from the rear panel MIC to the Line-In rear 
panel position. This still would not 
produce K3 SSB output.

Moving the Line-In connector to the MIC rear panel connector produces good 
transmit power and audio.

The TX lights each time but no output via Line-In
The K3 is in LSB mode.
TX TEST is in normal.
MIC SEL is RPH
MIC + LIN is ON.
MIC Gain is 30
Comp is 22.

Why can't I transmit thru the Line-In connection?

73,

Bud W3LL
w...@arrl.net



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[Elecraft] [K2] K2 KPA100MDKT

[W4HDM]

While doing the KPA100MDK to my K2 I noticed R13 on the KPA100 board has a
chip in it like the one in the picture (instruction sheet) for R22. R22 on
mine looked to be ok and was removed and replaced per the instructions.

My question: Can/should I use the removed R22 to replace the chiped resistor
at R13? They have the same values. Or is the chip harmless as is?

Thanks,
Damon-W4HDM
s/n 0473

-
W4HDM-DAMON-K2#473 


-- 
View this message in context: 
http://n2.nabble.com/-K2--K2-KPA100MDKT-tp2430327p2430327.html
Sent from the [K2] mailing list archive at Nabble.com.

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Re: [Elecraft] Your Opinion: The realities of QRP vs. QRO

[WILLIS COOKE]

I would estimate that 90% of my QRO contacts would have not been possible with 
QRP.  98% would not have been enjoyable because I don't particularly enjoy 
contacts where repeats are required to exchange any info.  I would guess that 
if only QRP to QRP were legal the QRP stations would lose 80% of their 
contacts.  This is based on QRP being 5 watts.  If QRP is 1 watt or 100 
milliwatts the problem will be much greater.  If it is 10 watts, not quite so 
bad.  I really think that QRP is generally bad for the hobby and reduces my 
enjoyment when others use QRP, especially new hams that don't understand the 
importance of big antennas and running a reasonable amount of power.

Willis 'Cookie' Cooke 
K5EWJ


--- On Thu, 3/5/09, dw bw...@fastmail.fm wrote:

 From: dw bw...@fastmail.fm
 Subject: [Elecraft] Your Opinion: The realities of QRP vs. QRO
 To: Elecraft_List elecraft@mailman.qth.net
 Date: Thursday, March 5, 2009, 4:34 AM
 A few years back in our little farming community, there was
 a fellow
 whose name was Francis.
 Francis was an avid hunter.
 At this time, the rumor went around the community that
 Francis had been fined for deer jacking.
 Out of his truck one night, with a spot light, he took a
 shot at a
 plastic deer planted by game wardens.
 Soon it became a joke…….Sir Francis the deer slayer.
 
 Something within me seemed to understand Francis’ point
 of view.
 He was a pragmatist….. He had little interest in the
 thrill of the hunt.
 He was focused on the efficiency of the catch.
 
 Although QRO is far from illegal, it does seem to be
 somewhat more
 focused on the efficiency of the catch than the thrill of
 the hunt.
 So there is a certain un-romantic reality to QRO vs. QRP.
 
 I'm wondering, what percentage of contacts you've
 made QRO, that you
 would estimate as not attainable QRP.
 
 I hope I didn't break the list rules getting off-topic
 with the story
 :~/
 -- 
   dw
   d...@sover.net
 
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Re: [Elecraft] K3 + LP Pan + Microkeyer II

[Bill NY9H]

great explanations...

i use a MK2+ also...for the K3  an ICOM. works great !

but for the lpPan I use the Roland Edirol FA66sound card
the SDR IQ has it's own ...

I also happen to use a  emu 202 for feeding the station's stereo system.
much better than the resident motherboard sound card

bill

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Re: [Elecraft] Your Opinion: The realities of QRP vs. QRO

[Peter N. Spotts]

There are so many variables contributing to the thrill. The hunter may
have gone for the target efficiently because he may have been jazzed
about testing a new ammo load he'd developed, and picked the easy
target to try it on first. Or he may merely be trying to feed himself
and his family, and so didn't want to dither around.

Speaking for myself, I run 100/50/5 watts, depending on what I'm trying
to do and what appeals to me at any given moment when I sit at the
radio. I'm almost exclusively low power on CW, because it's a very
efficient use of power for communications. And it's boatloads of fun
(to me). But I'll goose the power up on SSB. I like rag chewing, and at
least on sideband, the extra power can mean the difference between
keeping a chat going a bit longer or losing it to QSB. There, the
thrill is in meeting someone new, chatting with them, and learning
about who they are and why they are smiling. 

So unromantic may well depend on the romance that lights
any given ham's fire in the first place. Homebrewing either QRO or QRP
gear and making contacts with it? Handling traffic in an emergency,
where the extra power can sometimes help? Running barefoot QRO and
still be chosen as the next station on that rare DX station's list,
despite the folks blasting away with kilowatt amps? Or running QRP
exclusively, as I did for several years, with a HW-8 I built?

The nice thing about ham radio: It's a mighty big tent. It's all
good stuff.

With best regards,

Pete


On Thu, 05 Mar 2009 10:34:49 -0500
Stephen W. Kercel kerc...@suscom-maine.net wrote:

 DW and all:
 
 A slightly different hunting analogy might be more illuminating. Here
 in Maine, bear hunting is very popular. There are two ways to go
 about it. If you're a local, you learn the bears habits and habitats,
 and you go out and stalk the bear, and if you are very much smarter
 than the bear (most people are not) you eventually get a clear shot,
 and BANG! you become the proud owner of a bearskin rug. This is
 rather difficult to do, and a great sense of accomplishment, prestige
 and bragging rights that attach to being a genuinely skilled hunter.
 If you're a city slicker from New York you go about it the other way,
 hiring a local guide who puts out a big bucket of stale donuts (I'm
 not kidding, they really do it) in a known bear hangout; then you
 wait for the bear to come and BANG! that's his last donut. The guide
 makes a lot of money, the city slicker basks in the illusion that
 he's hunted a bear, and the locals think the city slicker is more
 to be pitied than despised.
 
 In an age of the Internet, cheap worldwide telephone coverage, et 
 cetera, talking to a person on the other side of the world is no big 
 deal. The reason we take up ham radio is for the thrill of the hunt,
 and the sense of accomplishment that comes from honing a genuine
 skill.
 
 To those who would say that life is too short for QRP, I would answer 
 that in my experience, life is too boring with QRO.
 
 In a typical DX contest, using QRP and a wire antenna, if propagation
 is minimally decent, I might make 500-600 contacts competing against 
 stations 2-3 S-units stronger than me. This includes breaking pileups 
 for rare multipliers. This suggests to me that the number of contacts 
 unattainable with QRO is very few. The tradeoff is time. In a
 contest, using 100 Watts and a dipole, I can crack a multiplier
 pileup on maybe the 4th or 5th call. Using 5 Watts and a dipole, it
 takes dozens of calls to crack a multiplier pileup.
 
 I do crank my K2 all the way up to 100 Watts when the propagation
 simply will not support a QRP signal. This is a damnably common
 problem in the current sunspot climate.
 
 73,
 
 Steve Kercel
 AA4AK
 
 
 dw wrote:
  A few years back in our little farming community, there was a fellow
  whose name was Francis.
  Francis was an avid hunter.
  At this time, the rumor went around the community that
  Francis had been fined for deer jacking.
  Out of his truck one night, with a spot light, he took a shot at a
  plastic deer planted by game wardens.
  Soon it became a joke…….Sir Francis the deer slayer.
 
  Something within me seemed to understand Francis’ point of view.
  He was a pragmatist….. He had little interest in the thrill of the
  hunt. He was focused on the efficiency of the catch.
 
  Although QRO is far from illegal, it does seem to be somewhat more
  focused on the efficiency of the catch than the thrill of the hunt.
  So there is a certain un-romantic reality to QRO vs. QRP.
 
  I'm wondering, what percentage of contacts you've made QRO, that you
  would estimate as not attainable QRP.
 
  I hope I didn't break the list rules getting off-topic with the
  story :~/

 
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Re: [Elecraft] Your Opinion: The realities of QRP vs. QRO

[Matt Zilmer]

Most of my contacts are QRP, despite having a 100W PA available.  I
was taught a long time ago to use only (about) as much power as was
needed to establish and maintain contact.  The operating method
usually entails starting at 2W and working up through 5W to see if the
contact will work out if I'm calling someone's CQ.  If I'm calling CQ,
I try for a while at the lowest setting and continue to work up over
time to 5W, sometimes 10W.  I seldom need to go over 5W though.

If the bands are dead, as they've been on/off recently, whether or not
you're using QRO or QRP, you can still just be talking to yourself.
That's OK, becase half the time the bands are dead it's because
everyone's convinced themselves that since they don't hear anything
there's nothing to hear.

I worked CQ WW DX a month after my K3/10 arrived, and had a great time
- but didn't break any of my own prior bests.  This was before having
the 100 W PA installed.  I had _never_ worked ZS before using  100W
and did it on 8 Watts with a long wire.  Five other _new_ countries
(for me) also, mostly on 40m split.

All that being said, I find it quite difficult to break pileups with
QRP.  Always have.  Mostly timing and operating skills are used since
QRP can't truly stomp through a pileup of signals being received at
20-30 dB higher levels.  Mostly timing though.

QRP can make you work harder though, than QRO.  You don't have power
to use as a breaker bar, but you have everything else you've _learned_
about operating.  And after a while it isn't so difficult and kinda
fun to try low power first, then work up to what it takes to make and
maintain the contact.

QRP CW is actually amazing and can get surprisingly good results.  SSB
is not as forgiving and often has lower throughput.

QRP JT65 on 80m or 40m at night gets truly stellar results.

73,
matt W6NIA
K2 #2810
K3 #24


On Thu, 05 Mar 2009 04:34:00 -0800, you wrote:

A few years back in our little farming community, there was a fellow
whose name was Francis.
Francis was an avid hunter.
At this time, the rumor went around the community that
Francis had been fined for deer jacking.
Out of his truck one night, with a spot light, he took a shot at a
plastic deer planted by game wardens.
Soon it became a joke…….Sir Francis the deer slayer.

Something within me seemed to understand Francis’ point of view.
He was a pragmatist….. He had little interest in the thrill of the hunt.
He was focused on the efficiency of the catch.

Although QRO is far from illegal, it does seem to be somewhat more
focused on the efficiency of the catch than the thrill of the hunt.
So there is a certain un-romantic reality to QRO vs. QRP.

I'm wondering, what percentage of contacts you've made QRO, that you
would estimate as not attainable QRP.

I hope I didn't break the list rules getting off-topic with the story
:~/
__
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Re: [Elecraft] Your Opinion: The realities of QRP vs. QRO

[Mike, W9QS]

I couldn't agree more.  I had the linear and all the power for years.  DXCC in 
the 275 range.  Now I'm starting over and it's much more fun with the K2 and 
now the K3/10 and my trusty G5RV.

73,72

Mike, W9QS
EX: KN6TBP (1956), K1DGQ, DL4KM, K5LJN, W9FRR, W9KVF

K3, K2, OHR500, Norcal 20, SP1

Fists #12327, FP #268, OOTC #4423, QRPARCI #9521


--- On Thu, 3/5/09, Lynn Lamb, W4NL w...@charter.net wrote:

 From: Lynn Lamb, W4NL w...@charter.net
 Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Your Opinion: The realities of QRP vs. QRO
 To: n...@yahoo.com, Elecraft_List elecraft@mailman.qth.net, dw 
 bw...@fastmail.fm
 Date: Thursday, March 5, 2009, 9:03 AM
 Couldn't let this slide.. please forgive, but QRP with
 the K2 + 9 years come 
 April 4, 2009 equals:
 
 Mixed: 328 (one shy of the HR)
 SSB:   307
 CW:322
 
 160:   60
   80:  118
   40:  251
   30:  250
   20:  306
   17:  301
   15:  296
   12:  266
   10:  253
 
 Band countries:  2101
 Total DX Qs: 3327
 
 Many calls, many hours, some disappointments, crazy in a
 way (!),  much joy, 
 and a little K2 QRP that has NEVER failed.  It was built by
 N4TD, not me. 
 Oh... modest antennas, an understanding XYL (Rosie, KA4S),
 buddies who have 
 listened to me for 9 years talk about QRP (ugh) and
 retired.
 
 Does QRP make one a better operator?  Perhaps.
 
 Try it, you may like it 73, lynn W4NL
 
 
 - Original Message - 
 From: Wes Stewart n...@yahoo.com
 To: Elecraft_List
 elecraft@mailman.qth.net; dw
 bw...@fastmail.fm
 Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 9:27 AM
 Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Your Opinion: The realities of QRP
 vs. QRO
 
 
 
  Life is too short for QRP
 
 
 
 
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 No virus found in this incoming message.
 Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
 Version: 8.0.237 / Virus Database: 270.11.8/1985 - Release
 Date: 03/05/09 
 07:54:00
 
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Re: [Elecraft] Advice

[W0MU Mike Fatchett]

Is it just me or have there been far too many off topic posts here?

Towertalk is all abou antennas and towers

 


A slip of the foot you may soon recover, but a slip of the tongue you may
never get over. Ben Franklin
-Original Message-
From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Phil LaMarche
Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 8:30 AM
To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Elecraft] Advice

I have a Mosley Pro 67B-3 at 73 ft but I want to install a vertical, self
supporting, on the water line of the lake for switching back and forth for
best conditions. Many out there to purchase.  Any strong recommendations?
 
Phil
 

Philip LaMarche
LaMarche Enterprises, Inc.
 http://www.instantgourmetspices.com/ www.instantgourmetspices.com

www.w9dvm.com http://www.w9dvm.com/
800-395-7795 pin 02
727-944-3226
FAX 727-937-8834
NASFT 30210 

K3  #1605
W9DVM 


 
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Re: [Elecraft] K3 Transmit thru Line-In

[Eric Scace K3NA]

Did you set the Line In gain control to a value 0?

on 09 Mar 05 10:43 Bud Governale, W3LL said the following:
 I can't get any transmit audio via the Line-In connector.

 Connecting the Mic cable to the rear panel MIC connection produces good 
 transmit power and audio.

 I know audio is coming from the sound card output because it also drives the 
 computer speaker via its line in 
 connection.

 I tried moving the Mic connector from the rear panel MIC to the Line-In rear 
 panel position. This still would not 
 produce K3 SSB output.

 Moving the Line-In connector to the MIC rear panel connector produces good 
 transmit power and audio.

 The TX lights each time but no output via Line-In
 The K3 is in LSB mode.
 TX TEST is in normal.
 MIC SEL is RPH
 MIC + LIN is ON.
 MIC Gain is 30
 Comp is 22.

 Why can't I transmit thru the Line-In connection?

 73,

 Bud W3LL
 w...@arrl.net



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Re: [Elecraft] OT: question re: antenna/rig swtich

[Erwin Haynes]

I had the very set-up you are considering building - also using the 4 position 
Alpha Delta switch. I am now converting back to a modified manual set-up.

Why? the Alpha Delta switch developed a fault -- if you open it up you will 
find that the mechanism is a thin strip of metal which is pressed to make 
contact with each respective contact of the 4 positions as you move the knob 
into the next detent.

It seems the metal strip was mounted by the manufacturer not centered, so 
that after only after a short period of usage (2 months after installing a new 
unit) the contact made to the 2 positions on one side of the switch were poor 
or even intermittent.

It cost me shipping my K-3 back to Aptos both ways and repair costs - and 
Elecraft was very nice to me on repair costs, even though this was clearly my 
fault.

So, as a matter of QTH operating philosophy, I have now purchased a MFJ coax 
patch panel, have labeled all inlets and outlets of the panel and each piece of 
coax in my QTH on both ends -- and have designed and made copies of a check 
list which I use each time I re-configure. Perhaps overboard -- but it was an 
expensive lesson learned.

FWIW.

Regards,
 Erwin
KI4TBD
Canton, GA, USA
Join the DARC side! Deutscher Amateur Radio Club! 

Greg Buhyoff wrote:
 Group,

 This is off topic and I would deeply appreciate any responses to be
 sent to me off list.  I am posting here because I respect the
 knowledge and experience of the people who are members of this
 reflector.

 This may sound stupid but I have not had experience with this before,
 so I ask before I do something stupid.

 I use an external antenna switch mounted on the outside wall of my
 house to switch in one of six antennas and have a single coax line
 coming into the radio room.  I now have four separate radio stations,
 2 K3s and two other radios, all set up differently for different types
 and modes of operation.  All have amps in line that can be used when
 needed -- one a KW and the others 750w output.  Currently I manually
 attach the output coax for the station I want to use to the coax lead
 coming into the house from the external switch.  A pain.

 I want to be able to simply use a manual switch to select the station
 that would connect to the external antenna switch coax lead into the
 radio room.  I would then use the manual antenna switch to select the
 station and the remote controller to select the antenna.  I was
 looking at the Alpha Delta manual switch with four switched ports and
 a common and then would connect the common to the coax lead coming
 from the external antenna switch (DX Engineering) and then each output
 coax from each of four stations to the four ports on the Alpha Delta
 and then could switch stations via the Alpha Delta manual switch (all
 ports not selected go to ground) and, obviously, then select my
 antennas as I have been doing using my remote antenna switch.

 Again, this sounds stupid, but I have not had to do this before and
 always used manual antenna switches to simply select antennas.  My
 question is this:

 Given the Alpha Delta manual switch has  60dB port isolation -- is
 this isolation good enough that I can use the this manual switch to
 select stations even though each of the  stations has the capability
 delivering up to 1 KW output?  I don't want to blow out the front ends
 of the radios connected to this manual switch.

 I appreciate any answers that can be sent on to me.  I know this
 sounds stupid, but I have been a ham since 1958 and simply have not
 had or needed to do this.  I now have four great stations that I
 carefully put together as part of a plan when I retired and I don't
 want to do something stupid at this point.  I have done plenty of
 stupid things in the past and more will happen, but I thought I could
 simply ask a question here with hopes someone can allay my fears of
 using such a switching setup or educate me in those things I don't
 understand or did not think of.

 Thanks so very much and 73,
 Greg K2UM
  

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Re: [Elecraft] K3 Transmit thru Line-In

[Richard Ferch]

Bud,

I suspect your Line In level control may be set to zero. This cannot be
adjusted while MIC+LIN is on. In order to adjust the Line In level, you have
to set MAIN:MIC SEL to LINE IN. Then adjust the LINE IN level using the MIC
control. After the Line In level is set to an appropriate level, you can
then set your MAIN:MIC SEL back to RPH and turn MIC+LIN back ON. See the
page in the manual on the Main menu functions (p. 52).

73,
Rich VE3KI

W3LL wrote:

 I can't get any transmit audio via the Line-In connector.

 Connecting the Mic cable to the rear panel MIC connection produces good
transmit \
 power and audio.

 I know audio is coming from the sound card output because it also drives
the computer \
 speaker via its line in  connection.

 I tried moving the Mic connector from the rear panel MIC to the Line-In
rear panel \
 position. This still would not  produce K3 SSB output.

 Moving the Line-In connector to the MIC rear panel connector produces good
transmit \
 power and audio.

 The TX lights each time but no output via Line-In
 The K3 is in LSB mode.
 TX TEST is in normal.
 MIC SEL is RPH
 MIC + LIN is ON.
 MIC Gain is 30
 Comp is 22.

 Why can't I transmit thru the Line-In connection?


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Re: [Elecraft] [K2] K2 KPA100MDKT

[Don Wilhelm]

Damon,

The resistor *may* be OK, often the ceramic coating gets chipped and the 
resistor is still intact.
OTOH, you can certainly replace it with the one you removed.

As a suggestion - since you are working on the KPA100, why not get the 
KPA100UPKT and install all the current changes.  Actually I don't know 
why the KPA100MDKT is still offered since most of the components in that 
kit are also supplied with the KPA100UPKT.

73,
Don W3FPR

W4HDM wrote:
 While doing the KPA100MDK to my K2 I noticed R13 on the KPA100 board has a
 chip in it like the one in the picture (instruction sheet) for R22. R22 on
 mine looked to be ok and was removed and replaced per the instructions.

 My question: Can/should I use the removed R22 to replace the chiped resistor
 at R13? They have the same values. Or is the chip harmless as is?

 Thanks,
 Damon-W4HDM
 s/n 0473
   

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[Elecraft] [K2] RE: K2 KPA100MDKT

[W4HDM]

Thanks for the reply Don.

 

 I wish I would have seen the mod you suggest. I must have overlooked that
one. This rig was so behind on the updates I don't think I will ever catch
up! HA

 

Well for now .. On to theK2  A to B mod!

 

Thanks again!

 

 73

Damon 

 

W4HDM

 

From: Don Wilhelm-4 (via Nabble)
[mailto:ml-user+39068-851166...@n2.nabble.com] 
Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 11:34 AM
To: W4HDM
Subject: Re: K2 KPA100MDKT

 

Damon, 

The resistor *may* be OK, often the ceramic coating gets chipped and the 
resistor is still intact. 
OTOH, you can certainly replace it with the one you removed. 

As a suggestion - since you are working on the KPA100, why not get the 
KPA100UPKT and install all the current changes.  Actually I don't know 
why the KPA100MDKT is still offered since most of the components in that 
kit are also supplied with the KPA100UPKT. 

73, 
Don W3FPR 

W4HDM wrote: 


 While doing the KPA100MDK to my K2 I noticed R13 on the KPA100 board has a

 chip in it like the one in the picture (instruction sheet) for R22. R22 on

 mine looked to be ok and was removed and replaced per the instructions. 
 
 My question: Can/should I use the removed R22 to replace the chiped
resistor 
 at R13? They have the same values. Or is the chip harmless as is? 
 
 Thanks, 
 Damon-W4HDM 
 s/n 0473 
   
 

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  _  

This email is a reply to your post @
http://n2.nabble.com/-K2--K2-KPA100MDKT-tp2430327p2430518.html
You can reply by email or by visting the link above.

 



-
W4HDM-DAMON-K2#473 


-- 
View this message in context: 
http://n2.nabble.com/-K2--K2-KPA100MDKT-tp2430327p2430567.html
Sent from the [K2] mailing list archive at Nabble.com.

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Re: [Elecraft] Your Opinion: The realities of QRP vs. QRO

[wayne burdick]

 Life is too short for QRP.

This may prove true in my case (just ask my wife; I used up several of 
my lives designing the NC40A, Sierra, SST, Safari-4, KX1, K1, and K2).

But sometimes, the neighbors are too close for QRO. No matter how clean 
your transmitter is, if your antenna is practically on top of their 
CATV coax or FM radio whip, you may cause interference, because many 
consumer receivers have very poor out-of-band rejection at RF and IF. 
Dropping power can sometimes make a huge difference. Your neighbors get 
their entertainment devices back, and your entertainment device becomes 
more...challenging/sporting/efficient (take your pick).

I love the snap of fresh, hot electrons in the early morning, but I 
also really like QRP -- especially in the field. There's nothing like 
making DX QSOs with a hand-held rig and a wire tossed into a tree.

73,
Wayne
N6KR

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Re: [Elecraft] Advice

[Phil LaMarche]

I have a K3 and that antenna will be used with a K3.  Why would that be off
topic?  If it is, I'm sorry.

Phil 


Philip LaMarche 
LaMarche Enterprises, Inc.
www.instantgourmetspices.com

www.w9dvm.com 
800-395-7795 pin 02 
727-944-3226 
FAX 727-937-8834 
NASFT 30210 

K3  #1605
W9DVM 



-Original Message-
From: W0MU Mike Fatchett [mailto:w...@w0mu.com] 
Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 11:25 AM
To: 'Phil LaMarche'; elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] Advice

Is it just me or have there been far too many off topic posts here?

Towertalk is all abou antennas and towers

 


A slip of the foot you may soon recover, but a slip of the tongue you may
never get over. Ben Franklin -Original Message-
From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Phil LaMarche
Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 8:30 AM
To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Elecraft] Advice

I have a Mosley Pro 67B-3 at 73 ft but I want to install a vertical, self
supporting, on the water line of the lake for switching back and forth for
best conditions. Many out there to purchase.  Any strong recommendations?
 
Phil
 

Philip LaMarche
LaMarche Enterprises, Inc.
 http://www.instantgourmetspices.com/ www.instantgourmetspices.com

www.w9dvm.com http://www.w9dvm.com/
800-395-7795 pin 02
727-944-3226
FAX 727-937-8834
NASFT 30210 

K3  #1605
W9DVM 


 
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Re: [Elecraft] Advice

[wayne burdick]

Phil LaMarche wrote:

 I have a K3 and that antenna will be used with a K3.  Why would that 
 be off
 topic?  If it is, I'm sorry.

That is not off-topic. The K3 interacts with antennas in many ways (RX 
antennas, isolation, diversity, grounding, etc.).

On the other hand, discussion of what is off-topic *is* off-topic. I 
let Eric take care of that :)

Wayne
N6KR

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[Elecraft] OT: question re: antenna/rig swtich -- THANKS!

[Greg Buhyoff]

To the many of you who took the time to give me excellent advice,
confirmations of my ideas and things to consider and think about,
thank you, thank you very much.

I have sent emails to each of you who sent me private emails and would
like to say thank you here as well to the folks who responded via the
list. While I am extremely happy with my K3s, I am also grateful to be
part of such a responsive and courteous group.

Experiences like this add a great amount to my enjoyment of this hobby
for the last 50 years.  I know this is off-topic, so rather than
burden Eric with the task of closing this thread, this thank you
should effectively do that.  I will make a short post regarding my
ultimate solution and experience in the near future in the hope that
it may benefit another member of this group.

73, Greg K2UM
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Re: [Elecraft] OT: question re: antenna/rig swtich

[Rick Dettinger]

Don,

Does it matter if the rigs not in use are turned off?  I assumed that  
they would have more immunity to overload if the unused rig was not  
turned on.  The Alpha Delta instructions says the switches are meant  
to be used for switching multi antennas and one rig or multi  
receivers.  They do not mention multi transceivers.  I use two  
transceivers with one antenna but I removed the protection plug  
(Arcplug) as I wasn't sure if that was the reason they didn't  
recommend the switch for multi transceivers.  But I always leave the  
unused rig turned off.  No problem so far but I only run 100 watts  
maximum.

73
Rick Dettinger   K7MW


On Mar 5, 2009, at 5:52 AM, Don Wilhelm wrote:

 Greg,

 Theory says you should not have any problem.  With 60 dB isolation and
 1000 watts, there may be as much as 1 mW at the input of each  
 receiver -
 that is 223.6 mV, which is a large signal, but still within the power
 handling capability of most receivers.

 In the practical world, if there are any leakage paths *around* the
 switch or coupling between the coax lines, then even though the switch
 itself provides 60 dB isolation, the system isolation may be much  
 lower
 - just how much depends on your setup.

 You could set it up and test at lower power - tune the other radios to
 the transmit frequency and see what the S-meters tell you.

 73,
 Don W3FPR

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Re: [Elecraft] Re Your Opinion: The realit..

[JIM DAVIS]

Wayne,

Our niche in this fabulous hobby of ours is chasing DX (new entities-DXCC) and 
don't really
care about QRP per/se as our radio location is marginal at best here in ant. 
un-friendly
Concord, Ca. so most of the stuff that I work is worked using 100w., but if 
band conditions
dictate (including pile-ups!) we'll lite off the Alpha 91b amp to make 
ourselves heard. Believe
me though, even sometimes 1KW IS NOT ENOUGH from our marginal area. So QRP is 
definitely out
from here locally.

Jim/nn6ee
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Re: [Elecraft] Your Opinion: The realit..

[wayne burdick]

QSL, Jim, and I can empathize (Belmont, CA is not exactly a hot-bed of 
RF activity either).

But I will lay down the following challenge for you: Next time you hear 
an S9+20 station calling CQ, try turning the K3 down to 1 watt and 
calling him, just for grins. All other things being equal, if he's 
running a KW, you should be about S7 at his QTH.

Cheap thrill, maybe, but a thrill nonetheless. And that's the essence 
of QRP.

Wayne
N6KR

On Mar 5, 2009, at 9:06 AM, JIM DAVIS wrote:

 Wayne,

 Our niche in this fabulous hobby of ours is chasing DX (new 
 entities-DXCC) and don't really
 care about QRP per/se as our radio location is marginal at best here 
 in ant. un-friendly
 Concord, Ca. so most of the stuff that I work is worked using 100w., 
 but if band conditions
 dictate (including pile-ups!) we'll lite off the Alpha 91b amp to make 
 ourselves heard. Believe
 me though, even sometimes 1KW IS NOT ENOUGH from our marginal area. So 
 QRP is definitely out
 from here locally.

 Jim/nn6ee

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Re: [Elecraft] OT: question re: antenna/rig swtich

[Don Wilhelm]

Rick,

I do not believe it makes much difference whether the rigs not in use 
are turned on or off.  Any damage would occur in the preamp or mixer 
stages in most cases, and the devices are sitting there with their 
inputs connected whether power is on or off, but there also may be some 
T/R switching arrangement in a transceiver ahead of the receiver front 
end devices - it would be difficult to predict just how the unbiased 
diodes (power off) would respond if the signal were large enough - it 
would depend on the design.
We do know that the K2 will tolerate 0.14 Vrms of input signal without 
damage - that is the signal level that is used for Receive Signal 
Tracing if one is to match the RF Probe values listed as 'expected'.  I 
also know that my K2 will stand a 1 volt input signal without damage 
(that has happened several times) - but I don't know what the upper 
limit is and don't want to try a destructive test.

So, the real answer is either it all depends or I don't know.

73,
Don W3FPR

Rick Dettinger wrote:
 Don,

 Does it matter if the rigs not in use are turned off?  I assumed that  
 they would have more immunity to overload if the unused rig was not  
 turned on.  The Alpha Delta instructions says the switches are meant  
 to be used for switching multi antennas and one rig or multi  
 receivers.  They do not mention multi transceivers.  I use two  
 transceivers with one antenna but I removed the protection plug  
 (Arcplug) as I wasn't sure if that was the reason they didn't  
 recommend the switch for multi transceivers.  But I always leave the  
 unused rig turned off.  No problem so far but I only run 100 watts  
 maximum.

 73
 Rick Dettinger   K7MW


 On Mar 5, 2009, at 5:52 AM, Don Wilhelm wrote:

   
 Greg,

 Theory says you should not have any problem.  With 60 dB isolation and
 1000 watts, there may be as much as 1 mW at the input of each  
 receiver -
 that is 223.6 mV, which is a large signal, but still within the power
 handling capability of most receivers.

 In the practical world, if there are any leakage paths *around* the
 switch or coupling between the coax lines, then even though the switch
 itself provides 60 dB isolation, the system isolation may be much  
 lower
 - just how much depends on your setup.

 You could set it up and test at lower power - tune the other radios to
 the transmit frequency and see what the S-meters tell you.

 73,
 Don W3FPR

 
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[Elecraft] K3 with SPE Expert 1K-FA amp

[Jim Spears]

Is anyone using their K3 with the 1K-FA amp?  

 

If so, comments pro and con appreciated.

 

I understand that the previous US rep recently passed away and they are
seeking a new rep but the amp is available for purchase directly from SPE in
Italia.

 

Jim

N1NK

K3/100 S/N 2295

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Re: [Elecraft] K3 Transmit thru Line-In

[The Smiths]

Dont bother with the line in unless you plan to use DATA mode.  The jack 
doesn't seem to activate unless you're in the data mode.  Or at least that's 
what I've found.  Turn your gain back up, switch to data mode, then put the VOX 
on, and try again.  I think that you'll find it works just fine.

 

Michael

N6MQL
 

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Re: [Elecraft] Your Opinion: The realit..

[Bill W4ZV]

wayne burdick wrote:
 
 But I will lay down the following challenge for you: Next time you hear 
 an S9+20 station calling CQ, try turning the K3 down to 1 watt and 
 calling him, just for grins. All other things being equal, if he's 
 running a KW, you should be about S7 at his QTH.
 

I'm on both sides of this debate.  I like to transmit a strong signal (gain
antennas and 1.5kW) but I also get a huge thrill when a QRP station replies
and I can copy him (thanks to the K3, diversity and good RX antennas).  I'm
typically the guy Wayne is calling above.  I still remember working an OH on
10 meters in ARRL DX CW a few years ago and doing a double-take when he sent
599 TR4 (0.4 Watts or 400 milliwatts).  I also worked several QRP stations
from Europe on 160 in the ARRL DX a few weekends ago.  This 3830 post from
OL0W (operator OK1DSZ) was fun to read:

Only for fun, when the band was already closing, I decided to try what I
will
be able to work with QRP. Using longer callsing OK1DSZ and the power reduced
to
5W I spend about 10 minutes calling several east coast big guns. The award
for
the best ears goes to W4ZV, who was worked as easily as with the kilowatt
earlier in the night. K8PO and W2FU were worked with several repeats. The
others just kept CQing without any reaction with exception of K1TTT, who
apparently heard something, but not enough for the QSO.

http://lists.contesting.com/archives//html/3830/2009-02/msg01298.html  

I also love to transmit QRP in the field with simple wire antennas (using an
ATS-3 or K2).  It's especially fun to answer big European contest stations. 
You can very quickly tell who produces their strong signal with a BIG amp
versus ones doing so with antenna gain.  The former are often total
alligators but it's amazing how quickly some of the latter will pick you up.

73,  Bill  W4ZV

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[Elecraft] K3 - scanning transverter frequencies

[Stewart Baker]

Having just completed a home brew 144MHz - 28MHz transverter, I 
thought that I would set the K3 scanning to monitor repeater 
output frequencies.

Although I have used scanning successfully on other bands, all I 
get is Scan N/A.

What am I doing wrong ?

73
Stewart G3RXQ
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Re: [Elecraft] K3 Transmit thru Line-In

[Bob Tellefsen]

That doesn't sound right, Michael.
I'm using N1MM Logger in my laptop for
SSB contests so I can use the voice keying
feature.   I have the laptop output going into
the Line In jack on the K3 rear panel.  Has
been working just fine for me.  I do have
the VOX selected for keying the radio when
voice comes from the laptop.
3 Bob N6WG

- Original Message - 
From: The Smiths notforc...@hotmail.com
To: Elecraft Reflector elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 9:58 AM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Transmit thru Line-In



Dont bother with the line in unless you plan to use DATA mode.  The jack 
doesn't seem to activate unless you're in the data mode.  Or at least that's 
what I've found.  Turn your gain back up, switch to data mode, then put the 
VOX on, and try again.  I think that you'll find it works just fine.



Michael

N6MQL


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Re: [Elecraft] Your Opinion: The realit..

[Bob Tellefsen]

Boy, that is certainly true, Bill.
I'm a full time QRPer and avid contester.
It's fairly easy to tell the alligators from
those with jackrabbit ears.

I never ID as QRP in contests.  The regulars
know me and that I'm QRP.  When necessary,
they make the extra effort to complete the
QSO.  Those that don't know me just work the
QSO and move on, which is the way I like it.
Even those that I don't catch right away, go
into my band map.  I get them eventually.

73, Bob N6WG
The Little Station with Attitude

- Original Message - 
From: Bill W4ZV btipp...@alum.mit.edu
To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 10:03 AM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Your Opinion: The realit..





 wayne burdick wrote:

 But I will lay down the following challenge for you: Next time you hear
 an S9+20 station calling CQ, try turning the K3 down to 1 watt and
 calling him, just for grins. All other things being equal, if he's
 running a KW, you should be about S7 at his QTH.


 I'm on both sides of this debate.  I like to transmit a strong signal 
 (gain
 antennas and 1.5kW) but I also get a huge thrill when a QRP station 
 replies
 and I can copy him (thanks to the K3, diversity and good RX antennas). 
 I'm
 typically the guy Wayne is calling above.  I still remember working an OH 
 on
 10 meters in ARRL DX CW a few years ago and doing a double-take when he 
 sent
 599 TR4 (0.4 Watts or 400 milliwatts).  I also worked several QRP 
 stations
 from Europe on 160 in the ARRL DX a few weekends ago.  This 3830 post from
 OL0W (operator OK1DSZ) was fun to read:

 Only for fun, when the band was already closing, I decided to try what I
 will
 be able to work with QRP. Using longer callsing OK1DSZ and the power 
 reduced
 to
 5W I spend about 10 minutes calling several east coast big guns. The award
 for
 the best ears goes to W4ZV, who was worked as easily as with the kilowatt
 earlier in the night. K8PO and W2FU were worked with several repeats. The
 others just kept CQing without any reaction with exception of K1TTT, who
 apparently heard something, but not enough for the QSO.

 http://lists.contesting.com/archives//html/3830/2009-02/msg01298.html

 I also love to transmit QRP in the field with simple wire antennas (using 
 an
 ATS-3 or K2).  It's especially fun to answer big European contest 
 stations.
 You can very quickly tell who produces their strong signal with a BIG amp
 versus ones doing so with antenna gain.  The former are often total
 alligators but it's amazing how quickly some of the latter will pick you 
 up.

 73,  Bill  W4ZV

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Re: [Elecraft] Nabble: new look and feel (if you read the Elecraft list on the web)

[hb9brj]

I am accessing Nabble with Firefox 3.07.
Since a couple of days the page is totally unreadable.
All topics titles are shown as Nabble, and none of the links works.
Any workarounds (except using another browser)?

Markus
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Re: [Elecraft] Your Opinion: The realit..

[Julian, G4ILO]

I like watching birds, but I don't tick 'em off in a book, and I don't drive
hundreds of miles just to spot a rarity.

Same with radio. It's nice to work something unusual but if I can't do it
with moderate power and antennas I'm not bothered about it.

Anyone can work a long distance with high power and a huge antenna. What
never stops being amazing is when someone hears you from thousands of miles
away and you're using barely enough power to light a torch bulb.

Even the guy at the other end whose antenna, receiver and ears make the
contact possible, can still appreciate the wonder of that.

It'd be nice to be able to run the legal limit into a big beam, but I bet if
I could I'd soon get bored with it.

-
Julian, G4ILO. K2 #392  K3 #222.
http://www.g4ilo.com/ G4ILO's Shack   http://www.g4ilo.com/blog.html G4ILO's
Bloghttp://www.g4ilo.com/kcomm.html KComm for Elecraft K2 and K3 
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Re: [Elecraft] K3 - scanning transverter frequencies

[Julian, G4ILO]

Stewart Baker wrote:
 
 Having just completed a home brew 144MHz - 28MHz transverter, I 
 thought that I would set the K3 scanning to monitor repeater 
 output frequencies.
 
 Although I have used scanning successfully on other bands, all I 
 get is Scan N/A.
 
 What am I doing wrong ?
 
 
How are you setting up the scanning? The way I usually like to do it is to
program the main simplex and local repeater frequencies into memories, and
then scan through those. But because you can't listen on memory frequencies
as you tune through them, you can't scan through them either.

The trouble with using the VFO to scan a mixture of simplex and repeater is
that you have got to remember to enable or disable the repeater shift before
you PTT.

-
Julian, G4ILO. K2 #392  K3 #222.
http://www.g4ilo.com/ G4ILO's Shack   http://www.g4ilo.com/blog.html G4ILO's
Bloghttp://www.g4ilo.com/kcomm.html KComm for Elecraft K2 and K3 
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[Elecraft] The QRP Challenge!

[Lynn Lamb, W4NL]

I have enjoyed very much all the comments on the subject of QRP and the rigs 
(Wayne mentioned), K1s, K2s, K3s. etc.  There are others of course and bet 
many started with that 6L6 and thought it was the most powerful station on 
earth.  Many of us old timers are reliving and with the good receivers now 
days like Elecraft, Ten-Tec and others we are truly able to enjoy lower 
power more, because the distant stations can hear us better.

A challenge is good in anything we undertake and create a spirit of mission. 
QRP is obviously a challenge for better antennas, better coax, more skilled 
operating, better tennis balls to get it over that limb or more donuts. 
There is something for everyone in Ham Radio and the fellowship is a 
wonderful part.  This reflector is a large positive to this end.

Now I'll be quiet and crawl back up the headphones and play QRP with my K2 
knowing the K3 and Orion is near by.

73, lynn W4NL 

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Re: [Elecraft] K3 Transmit thru Line-In

[Grant Youngman]

Huh?  Line in works just fine for voice modes, as it's supposed to.   
You just have to select it and turn up the gain.

Grant/NQ5T


On Mar 5, 2009, at 11:58 AM, The Smiths wrote:


 Dont bother with the line in unless you plan to use DATA mode.  The  
 jack doesn't seem to activate unless you're in the data mode.  Or at  
 least that's what I've found.  Turn your gain back up, switch to  
 data mode, then put the VOX on, and try again.  I think that you'll  
 find it works just fine.

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Re: [Elecraft] Re Your Opinion: The realit..

[David Yarnes]

Jim and All,

Conditions currently are a bit shakey.  Accordingly, 
operating QRP can be a tad more frustrating than when we are 
in a better part of the cycle.  However, openings still are 
happening, and QRP is very often sufficient.  I have found, 
over many years of QRP operating, that more often than not 
the reason I am not heard is because someone running QRO 
covers me up, as opposed to me having a relatively clean 
shot at making the contact.  Unfortunately, some ops will 
ignore a calling station who isn't at least 10 over S9! 
That happens on SSB more than on CW, or at least it seems so 
to me.  Try this sometime--snag a contact at 80-100 watts or 
so, then start turning the power down without announcing you 
are doing so.  I can't tell you how many times I've gotten, 
say a 579 report at 100 watts, then had a station say the 
QSB has taken me down to 559, but still solid copy, when in 
fact it was me running 5 watts.  I don't do this a lot 
really, but if it is a DX station I couldn't raise initially 
at 5 watts, and had to shift to 100 watts to get him, I 
sometimes like to see if I really could be heard at 5 watts. 
I just use an R8 vertical.  If I had a beam it would 
probably be a no-brainer!  This exercise will also probably 
help to convince you that running your 100 watt rig at 100 
watts isn't very necessary.  My K3 doesn't see more than 80 
watts or so usually.  The difference is imperceptible at the 
receiving end.

I love QRP operating, but I'm not a purist.  I'll hike up 
the power for a casual QSO to minimize the strain on the 
other end, or to work a new country.  But the only way I 
feel I earn any bragging rights is to do it QRP.  If 
conditions are just too stinko for QRP, I don't fight it 
very long.  However, I never seem to have more fun than when 
I'm doing limbo QRP--How low can you go?

Dave W7AQK


- Original Message - 
From: JIM DAVIS nn...@astound.net
To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 10:06 AM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Re Your Opinion: The realit..


 Wayne,

 Our niche in this fabulous hobby of ours is chasing DX 
 (new entities-DXCC) and don't really
 care about QRP per/se as our radio location is marginal at 
 best here in ant. un-friendly
 Concord, Ca. so most of the stuff that I work is worked 
 using 100w., but if band conditions
 dictate (including pile-ups!) we'll lite off the Alpha 91b 
 amp to make ourselves heard. Believe
 me though, even sometimes 1KW IS NOT ENOUGH from our 
 marginal area. So QRP is definitely out
 from here locally.

 Jim/nn6ee
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[Elecraft] Alternate Knob for K3 VFO B - update

[David Gilbert]

I received several replies to my question about an alternate knob for 
VFO B on the K3.  It appears that quite a few people have switched out 
that knob ... some with a K2 knob, others with one of the larger Yaesu 
knobs, a few with varying military or commercial surplus knobs they were 
able to find.   The general feedback was that the FT-817 knob was 
probably NOT the way to go.

I also got a very nice reply from K8FF, the fellow who makes the finger 
dimples and the FT-817 Kranker knob.  With his permission I'm quoting 
the relevant portions of his message below.

73,
Dave   AB7E



quote

I actually have three production Kranker knobs at this time.  The FT817 
knob is about 1 1/8 inches in diameter with the Yaesu rubber ring around 
it, the FT857 knob is about 1 5/8 in diameter with the rubber ring and 
both fit 6mm shaft encoders used by Yaesu and Elecraft.  You would need 
to purchase a rubber ring from Yaesu parts dept for either one since I 
only supply the replacement knob to be used with the original rubber 
ring.  I also have a 1 1/4 inch diameter Kranker that fits the standard 
1/4 inch shaft.  Guys have been putting them on the Elecraft KX1 and 
some on the TenTec scout.  This one is complete and doesn't require a 
rubber ring, it is beautifully made and is anodized black.  All of these 
will be on my website shortly.

The 1 1/4 inch Kranker is $15.00 including freight.  Just Paypal me to 
my email address and I will ship one out.

I might order a set of knobs from a K3 and see how difficult it would be 
to make Krankers to replace them.  Several requests have come in for me 
to build something for the K3.

Thanks, Wayne K8FF
k...@juno.com

/quote



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Re: [Elecraft] Alternate Knob for K3 VFO B - update

[wayne burdick]

A larger knob at VFO B would make it a little harder to use the switch 
above it and the RIT offset knob to the right of it. That's what 
determined the knob's size. To make up for the medium-ish size, we 
included a brass insert in the VFO B knob to give it some heft. It does 
spin, and you can adjust the spin decay rate by moving the knob in/out 
to vary the amount of contact with the felt pad. The VFO B knob also 
has knurling that matches the rest of the knobs (since we designed them 
all at the same time). An adhesive spinner might be useful and 
wouldn't detract from the appearance or get in the way. K8FF makes a 
nice black one that matches the knob color.

Since it's obvious that I'm hopelessly biased toward our present K3 VFO 
B knob, I probably can't add anything useful to the discussion, so I'll 
go back to firmware now ;)

73,
Wayne
N6KR

David Gilbert wrote:

 I received several replies to my question about an alternate knob for
 VFO B on the K3


---

http://www.elecraft.com

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Re: [Elecraft] Nabble: new look and feel (if you read the Elecraft list on the web)

[ab2tc]

hb9brj wrote:
 
 I am accessing Nabble with Firefox 3.07.
 Since a couple of days the page is totally unreadable.
 All topics titles are shown as Nabble, and none of the links works.
 Any workarounds (except using another browser)?
 
 Markus
 

Also using Firefox 3.07. No such problem here. Maybe it's a localization
problem; with US-English settings everything is fine.

-
AB2TC - Knut
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Re: [Elecraft] Advice

[Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft]

BigIR from SteppIR.

http://www.steppir.com
and
http://www.steppir.com/files/vertical%20brochure.pdf

I have both the BigIR Vertical and the STeppIR 4 EL 20-6M yagi. They are 
excellent, well engineered products.

73,
Eric   WA6HHQ


Phil LaMarche wrote:
 I have a Mosley Pro 67B-3 at 73 ft but I want to install a vertical, self
 supporting, on the water line of the lake for switching back and forth for
 best conditions. Many out there to purchase.  Any strong recommendations?
  

   
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Re: [Elecraft] Your Opinion: The realit..

[dlajr]

 During the last sunspot cycle, I was experimenting (playing around) with my K2 
(S/N 1757).  I heard a CQ with an F call sign.  I gave him a call from here 
in South Carolina, and had a long and enjoyable QSO with him.  He was at a 
police department's amateur radio club in the south of France!

After the QSO ended, I noticed that I had turned the RF power all the way down 
during my experimenting, and had forgotten to turn it back up!  I checked the 
power level and found that it was set at 0.3 watts!  Yes, 1/3 of a watt for a 
30 minute SSB QSO from South Carolina to the south of France!

My antenna?  It was 90 feet of black, 14 gauge wire that I had bought at 
Lowe's!  End fed with an SGC-230 autotuner.  It runs from an upstairs bathroom 
window to a pine tree.  It's up about 25 feet at the high end!

For me, personally, that yields a greater sense of accomplishment than a 
kilowatt amp!  Of course, I have been playing around with QRP since elementary 
school in the 1950's.  I have built *many* QRP rigs, and have always had great 
success with all of them!  It's great fun to me!

Dan Allen
KB4ZVM
K2 S/N 1757


  -- Original message from wayne burdick n...@elecraft.com: 
--


 QSL, Jim, and I can empathize (Belmont, CA is not exactly a hot-bed of 
 RF activity either).
 
 But I will lay down the following challenge for you: Next time you hear 
 an S9+20 station calling CQ, try turning the K3 down to 1 watt and 
 calling him, just for grins. All other things being equal, if he's 
 running a KW, you should be about S7 at his QTH.
 
 Cheap thrill, maybe, but a thrill nonetheless. And that's the essence 
 of QRP.
 
 Wayne
 N6KR
 
 On Mar 5, 2009, at 9:06 AM, JIM DAVIS wrote:
 
  Wayne,
 
  Our niche in this fabulous hobby of ours is chasing DX (new 
  entities-DXCC) and don't really
  care about QRP per/se as our radio location is marginal at best here 
  in ant. un-friendly
  Concord, Ca. so most of the stuff that I work is worked using 100w., 
  but if band conditions
  dictate (including pile-ups!) we'll lite off the Alpha 91b amp to make 
  ourselves heard. Believe
  me though, even sometimes 1KW IS NOT ENOUGH from our marginal area. So 
  QRP is definitely out
  from here locally.
 
  Jim/nn6ee
 
 ---
 
 http://www.elecraft.com
 
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Re: [Elecraft] Your Opinion: The realities of QRP vs. QRO

[Julius Fazekas n2wn]

Hi Bob,

You may want to qualify that with depending on your QTH and antenna system. 
Well and goal...

One often hears how impossible it is to be competitive or even work anyone
on 160 without power. Power may make some things easier, but even that won't
help without a decent antenna, skill, timing and a reasonably quiet QTH. 80
is a bit better, but probably because more folks operate there than on 160.

I'm always tickled when I beat QRO folks out in pileups or just catch a new
one running LP and even QRP on 160. Listening and thinking pay off big time
running LP and QRP...

If someone wants QRP WAS and DXCC on the top band, assuming they have a
decent location and antennas, pound hard at it now. The conditions this
season have been outstanding. QRP WAS is doable.

Probably the hardest part is being on the air night after night and catching
the best openings on an otherwise quiet band.

I'm at 113 DXCC running LP since 2005, about 30 DXCC QRP (mostly in the last
year).

No four square here ;o)

73,
Julius
n2wn


ROBERT CARROLL-4 wrote:
 
 I'd say on 160m that although DXCC is possible (or was possible in the
 past)
 on 160m, a high percentage of the contacts I have made on that band are
 not
 possible with QRP. If there is a relatively common DXCC entity (who needs
 another DL?) the odds are good for QRP given good conditions.  If it's a
 rare one near the noise floor and you aren't lucky enough to be the first
 to
 hear it and if conditions are not ideal, you are going to have to crack a
 pileup--and if you are not QRO there is little chance of that on 160m. 
 That
 is my experience--which is of course subjective.  But you can be a little
 more objective if you look at the 160m DXCC list maintained my ARRL. 
 Start
 at the top and work down till you find a few QRP operators.  There are
 none
 for a long, long time.
 
 The thrill of working BY on 160m at 1.5 kw is to me just as satisfying as
 working 3A on 160m with 5w.  They are just very different activities, both
 a
 lot of fun.
 
 Bob W2WG
 
 -Original Message-
 From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net
 [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Steve Ellington
 Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 9:33 AM
 To: dw; Elecraft_List
 Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Your Opinion: The realities of QRP vs. QRO
 
 Obviously a troll.
 
 Steve Ellington
 n...@carolina.rr.com
 - Original Message - 
 From: dw bw...@fastmail.fm
 To: Elecraft_List elecraft@mailman.qth.net
 Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 7:34 AM
 Subject: [Elecraft] Your Opinion: The realities of QRP vs. QRO
 
 
 A few years back in our little farming community, there was a fellow
 whose name was Francis.
 Francis was an avid hunter.
 At this time, the rumor went around the community that
 Francis had been fined for deer jacking.
 Out of his truck one night, with a spot light, he took a shot at a
 plastic deer planted by game wardens.
 Soon it became a joke...Sir Francis the deer slayer.
 
 Something within me seemed to understand Francis' point of view.
 He was a pragmatist... He had little interest in the thrill of the hunt.
 He was focused on the efficiency of the catch.
 
 Although QRO is far from illegal, it does seem to be somewhat more
 focused on the efficiency of the catch than the thrill of the hunt.
 So there is a certain un-romantic reality to QRO vs. QRP.
 
 I'm wondering, what percentage of contacts you've made QRO, that you
 would estimate as not attainable QRP.
 
 I hope I didn't break the list rules getting off-topic with the story
 :~/
 -- 
   dw
   d...@sover.net
 
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 No virus found in this incoming message.
 Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
 Version: 8.0.237 / Virus Database: 270.11.8/1985 - Release Date: 03/05/09 
 07:54:00
 
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-
Julius Fazekas
N2WN

Tennessee Contest Group
http://www.k4ro.net/tcg/index.html

Tennessee QSO Party
http://www.tnqp.org/

Elecraft K2/100 #4455
Elecraft 

Re: [Elecraft] Advice

[Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft]

Hi Mike,

As per our list guidelines, Phil's posting was perfectly acceptable. We 
encourage non-elecraft related ham radio postings, as long as they are 
reasonable and do not morph into huge threads. We want to provide a 
resource for ham radio topics the Elecraft community is interested in. 
I'm constantly impressed with the amount of good ham radio information 
provided here.

I'll jump in as moderator if a thread is getting too OT or is getting 
out of control with too many posts.

Also, as per the guidelines, please email the list moderator (me :-) if 
you have a concern about a topic going on too long or being too far 
off-topic, rather than posting another email to the list.

73, Eric   WA6HHQ
Elecraft List moderator



W0MU Mike Fatchett wrote:
 Is it just me or have there been far too many off topic posts here?

 Towertalk is all abou antennas and towers

   
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Re: [Elecraft] Nabble: new look and feel (if you read the Elecraft list on the web)

[hb9brj]

ab2tc wrote:
 
 Also using Firefox 3.07. No such problem here. Maybe it's a localization
 problem; with US-English settings everything is fine.
 

Found the culprit: Firefox add-on NoScript was blocking some of the code
of the Nabble page.
After allowing all scripts on this page to run, everything was fine again.

-- 
View this message in context: 
http://n2.nabble.com/Nabble%3A-new-look-and-feel-%28if-you-read-the-Elecraft-list-on-the-web%29-tp2412105p2431617.html
Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.

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Re: [Elecraft] K3 Transmit thru Line-In

[K2MK]

Hi Mike:

LINE-IN with or without VOX works fine here in DATA mode or SSB. But the 
level settings are not the same between AFSK in DATA (from MixW) and voice 
in SSB (from WriteLog).

The Smiths
Thu, 05 Mar 2009 09:58:35 -0800

Dont bother with the line in unless you plan to use DATA mode.  The jack
doesn't seem to activate unless you're in the data mode.  Or at least that's
what I've found.  Turn your gain back up, switch to data mode, then put the 
VOX
on, and try again.  I think that you'll find it works just fine.



Michael

N6MQL
 

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Re: [Elecraft] Your Opinion: The realities of QRP vs. QRO

[David Yarnes]

Willis and All,

I very much respect your opinion, but I reject much of it 
from my point of view.  In particular, your assertion that 
80% of the contacts would be lost at QRP levels.  I feel 
much of the problem of operating at QRP levels is the QRM 
from QRO stations!  A CW or PSK31 op, in particular, might 
tend to agree with this.  There are a lot more stations out 
there that should be turning their power down, there there 
are stations who need to turn their power up!

I also personally feel that your suggestion that big 
antennas and power is what we need to impress new hams just 
might be 180 degrees out of phase.  Not only are big 
antennas out of reach for me from a practical standpoint, I 
find the cost somewhat daunting.  I would think new hams 
might be scared off if they think getting a license needs to 
be followed by a very large outlay of money to get 
effectively equipped.  I've always found that emphasizing 
how easy it is to get started works better.  Let them 
develop their own opinion as to whether bigger is better.

Finally, and this may be a bit of heresy, I question the 
absolute definition of QRP.  Yes, for contests and awards we 
do need a fixed level, but I also think it should be 
perfectly acceptable to say that running a K2 or Argonaut V 
at nearer their upper power limit is still QRP.  To me 
it's all relative.  Not many folks will agree with me I 
fear, but I've always felt 15 or 20 watts was pretty much 
QRP in comparison to what most folks run.  Besides, there is 
a great disparity between me running 5 watts to my vertical, 
and another person running 5 watts into his 4 element beam 
at 70 feet!  In other words, just saying everyone must run 5 
watts doesn't make the playing field equal.

But all of this is just individual perception.  What works 
best for you is what you should probably do.  It's no big 
deal really.  The main thing is to enjoy what you are doing, 
and there is no sin in cranking up the power.  The beauty of 
this hobby is that there are so many different ways to 
approach it.  Nothing cookie cutter about it.

Dave W7AQK


- Original Message - 
From: WILLIS COOKE wrco...@flash.net
To: Elecraft_List elecraft@mailman.qth.net; dw 
bw...@fastmail.fm
Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 9:05 AM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Your Opinion: The realities of QRP 
vs. QRO


I would estimate that 90% of my QRO contacts would have not 
been possible with QRP.  98% would not have been enjoyable 
because I don't particularly enjoy contacts where repeats 
are required to exchange any info.  I would guess that if 
only QRP to QRP were legal the QRP stations would lose 80% 
of their contacts.  This is based on QRP being 5 watts.  If 
QRP is 1 watt or 100 milliwatts the problem will be much 
greater.  If it is 10 watts, not quite so bad.  I really 
think that QRP is generally bad for the hobby and reduces 
my enjoyment when others use QRP, especially new hams that 
don't understand the importance of big antennas and running 
a reasonable amount of power.

 Willis 'Cookie' Cooke
 K5EWJ


 --- On Thu, 3/5/09, dw bw...@fastmail.fm wrote:

 From: dw bw...@fastmail.fm
 Subject: [Elecraft] Your Opinion: The realities of QRP 
 vs. QRO
 To: Elecraft_List elecraft@mailman.qth.net
 Date: Thursday, March 5, 2009, 4:34 AM
 A few years back in our little farming community, there 
 was
 a fellow
 whose name was Francis.
 Francis was an avid hunter.
 At this time, the rumor went around the community that
 Francis had been fined for deer jacking.
 Out of his truck one night, with a spot light, he took a
 shot at a
 plastic deer planted by game wardens.
 Soon it became a joke…….Sir Francis the deer slayer.

 Something within me seemed to understand Francis’ point
 of view.
 He was a pragmatist….. He had little interest in the
 thrill of the hunt.
 He was focused on the efficiency of the catch.

 Although QRO is far from illegal, it does seem to be
 somewhat more
 focused on the efficiency of the catch than the thrill of
 the hunt.
 So there is a certain un-romantic reality to QRO vs. QRP.

 I'm wondering, what percentage of contacts you've
 made QRO, that you
 would estimate as not attainable QRP.

 I hope I didn't break the list rules getting off-topic
 with the story
 :~/
 -- 
   dw
   d...@sover.net

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[Elecraft] [MM] The W1 LED Experiment

[Dave Van Wallaghen]

I apologize for taking so long to conduct the LED experiment and get 
back with everyone interested. I had some lead times on parts I ordered 
not to mention getting some time to run everything through. I must 
mention first that I had to do numerous swaps of different LEDs and 
resistor packs and this simply would not have been possible to do in a 
timely manner without using my new Hakko 808 desoldering tool. I'm sure 
I would have damaged the W1 PCB trying to do it manually over and over 
again. That thing was worth every penny I paid for it.

In the end, as others have pointed out here, even though I used LEDs 
with similar specs as used in the existing W1 design, there are vast 
differences in brightness when placed side by side with each other. I 
was looking for the right combination of LEDs and resistor packs to 
obtain a good level of illumination as well as balanced brightness among 
all of the LEDs and keep the current consumption as low as possible. All 
of the LED part numbers and current measurements will be listed at the 
end of this message.

I did order the Avago LED from Digi-Key specified by Elecraft just to 
make sure the it was in fact the same and it was indeed the same LED 
used in the current W1. Despite the spec sheet, it is much brighter than 
any of the other LEDs I tested. Anyway, I went down the same road that 
Doug Joyce did and ordered a green, yellow and red set of similar LEDs 
from Lumex. I then ordered a number of different resistor packs to 
replace RP1  RP1 with values of 2.0k, 1.0k and 470. These LEDs were 
much too dim with the existing 2.0k resistor packs installed.

I did manage to come up with the combination Lumes LEDs and 1.0k 
resistor packs that satisfied my requirements. They are still a bit 
dimmer than the existing red LEDs but when placed side by side, I could 
not really see that much of a difference with my eyes. I did drop the 
resistor packs down to 470 ohm and they were certainly bright enough, 
but the current consumption increased by more than double of the 
designed consumption.

Still somewhat confused, I did manage to find similarly spec'd Avago 
LEDs from Mouser that had part numbers similar to the red ones used in 
the W1. So I ordered those and installed them (along with the original 
2.0k resistor packs) and much to my dismay, the green and yellow LEDs 
were much dimmer than the red.

My test setup consisted of using my K2 into a coiled wire antenna to get 
a  5:1 SWR when putting 1 watt into it through the W1. This got 18 of 
the 20 LEDs lit (trying for all 20 often switched the W1 up to the next 
power scale). I used a 13.5v bench supply and put a DMM in line to 
measure the current consumption during each iteration.

The slight differences in forward voltages of the various LEDs played no 
appreciable role in current consumption. So I'll just list the 3 
resistor pack values I used. I did look up the LM78L05 regulator spec 
sheet and found out it will produce up to 100ma output current. The 
current W1 design operates at far less than that. The LEDs are probably 
pulse width modulated (or simply polled) by the PIC also so the current 
draw per LED seems to be about half of what you would calculate with a 
voltage of around 3v and the resistor pack value.

Here is some of the data:

W1 idle current: 13.8 ma

Current draw regardless of LED type per resistor pack value (18 out of 
20 LEDs lit):

2.0k - 27.5ma
1.0k - 39.3ma
470  - 63.0ma

I wanted to try an 810 or 680 ohm resistor pack, but could not get them 
in time from Digi-Key. As I personally wanted to stay within the 50ma 
range, the 1.0k value works for me. Like I said, to my eyes in a well 
lit environment, this value seemed to work fine with the Lumex LEDs 
although the Avago red LEDs were a hair brighter.

Part numbers:
My configuration:

All Digi-Key part #'s

Lumex Red 2x5mm LED- 67-1047-ND
Lumex Yellow 2x5mm LED - 67-1050-ND
Lumex Green 2x5mm LED  - 67-1046-ND

1k resistor pak 10 pin - 770-103-R1KP-ND

Other values tried:
1.5k resistor pak 10 pin - 770-103-R1.5KP-ND
1.2k resistor pak 10 pin - 770-103-R1.2KP-ND
470 ohm resistor pack 10 pin - 770-103-R470P-ND

Avago red LED used in W1 - 516-1281-ND

Avago green and yellow LED's - Mouser Part #'s:
Avago Green 2.5mm LED  - 630-HLMP-S501
Avago Yellow 2.5mm LED - 630-HLMP-S301

I hope this helps anyone looking to put a colored SWR scale on their W1. 
This is certainly not a sanctioned change by Elecraft, in fact, I don't 
know if anyone has even talked to them about it. So all of the usual 
disclaimers about destroying your equipment apply ;-)

73,
Dave W8FGU

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Re: [Elecraft] Your Opinion: The realities of QRP vs. QRO

[Grant Youngman]

On Mar 5, 2009, at 1:35 PM, David Yarnes wrote:


 I also personally feel that your suggestion that big
 antennas and power is what we need to impress new hams just
 might be 180 degrees out of phase.

Spot on.  New hams need to see what kind of experience they can have  
with low power, old(er) radios, and typical  antennas.


 Finally, and this may be a bit of heresy, I question the
 absolute definition of QRP.

I couldn't agree more with this.  5 watts (or 5 mW)  into stacked long  
boom 8 element 20M beams on a 180' pole is not the same as the same  
low power into a dipole, or GAP vertical, or whatever those not so  
flush with cash (or compulsive) can manage.

Maybe the definition should be based on ERP instead of power out the  
backside of the transmitter.  Skill is always a significant factor,  
but so are $$ when it comes to success at low power levels (or any  
power level).  There is no such thing as a level playing field, since  
most can't quite handle the freight of the helicopter needed to haul  
the beams to the top of the big stick.

Grant/NQ5T
Guessing this thread will soon be quashed :-)
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Re: [Elecraft] Your Opinion: The realities of QRP vs. QRO

[WILLIS COOKE]

David, this conversation upsets me a great deal.  I am a member of SKCC and I 
see the QRP thing tearing it up at the moment.  That the conversation is coming 
to the Elecraft reflector as well is doubly upsetting.

I am not totally against QRP, but the bragado that is taking place here and 
elsewhere leads the inexperienced to think that all they have to do is buy a 
QRP rig and a Buddypole and work the world.  I see newbie after newbie crying 
that no one will work them for some perceived reason and the real reason is 
that no one hears them.

The best, cheapest, most effective rig for a newbie is to buy a 100 watt 
transceiver and put up a dipole or Carolina Windom or such.  Deed restrictions 
sometimes limit them to an attic antenna or a trap vertical or something small. 
 To influence them to use a compromised antenna system and QRP is little short 
of criminal.  It is certainly rude and not in the best interest of the hobby.

I see numerous posts by newbies that are upset that every contact is a minimum 
exchange then 73.  They want to rag chew with people, but they are running QRP. 
 Of course you can rag chew with your next door neighbor at QRP and if you 
catch a great opening sometimes you can carry on  for a few minutes before QSB 
gets you.  But most of the time it is a struggle to get your name, qth and club 
number.  

To hear QRP advocates saying that they are the essence of ham radio and great 
operators revolts me.  Worst of all is talking about trying a call with 100 mw 
then 1 watt then 2 watts I find totally rude and repulsive.

I seldom see the need for more than 100 watts, but I will turn it up if I need 
to.  The only time I turn it down to QRP is if you tell me you are QRP, then I 
will turn the power down until you can't hear me either.

Willis 'Cookie' Cooke 
K5EWJ


--- On Thu, 3/5/09, David Yarnes w7...@cox.net wrote:

 From: David Yarnes w7...@cox.net
 Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Your Opinion: The realities of QRP vs. QRO
 To: wrco...@flash.net, Elecraft_List elecraft@mailman.qth.net, dw 
 bw...@fastmail.fm
 Date: Thursday, March 5, 2009, 11:35 AM
 Willis and All,
 
 I very much respect your opinion, but I reject much of it
 from my point of view.  In particular, your assertion that
 80% of the contacts would be lost at QRP levels.  I feel
 much of the problem of operating at QRP levels is the QRM
 from QRO stations!  A CW or PSK31 op, in particular, might
 tend to agree with this.  There are a lot more stations out
 there that should be turning their power down, there there
 are stations who need to turn their power up!
 
 I also personally feel that your suggestion that big
 antennas and power is what we need to impress new hams
 just might be 180 degrees out of phase.  Not only are
 big antennas out of reach for me from a
 practical standpoint, I find the cost somewhat daunting.  I
 would think new hams might be scared off if they think
 getting a license needs to be followed by a very large
 outlay of money to get effectively equipped.  I've
 always found that emphasizing how easy it is to get started
 works better.  Let them develop their own opinion as to
 whether bigger is better.
 
 Finally, and this may be a bit of heresy, I
 question the absolute definition of QRP.  Yes, for contests
 and awards we do need a fixed level, but I also think it
 should be perfectly acceptable to say that running a K2 or
 Argonaut V at nearer their upper power limit is still
 QRP.  To me it's all relative.  Not many
 folks will agree with me I fear, but I've always felt 15
 or 20 watts was pretty much QRP in comparison to what most
 folks run.  Besides, there is a great disparity between me
 running 5 watts to my vertical, and another person running 5
 watts into his 4 element beam at 70 feet!  In other words,
 just saying everyone must run 5 watts doesn't make the
 playing field equal.
 
 But all of this is just individual perception.  What works
 best for you is what you should probably do.  It's no
 big deal really.  The main thing is to enjoy what you are
 doing, and there is no sin in cranking up the power.  The
 beauty of this hobby is that there are so many different
 ways to approach it.  Nothing cookie cutter
 about it.
 
 Dave W7AQK
 
 
 - Original Message - From: WILLIS COOKE
 wrco...@flash.net
 To: Elecraft_List
 elecraft@mailman.qth.net; dw
 bw...@fastmail.fm
 Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 9:05 AM
 Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Your Opinion: The realities of QRP
 vs. QRO
 
 
  I would estimate that 90% of my QRO contacts would
 have not been possible with QRP.  98% would not have been
 enjoyable because I don't particularly enjoy contacts
 where repeats are required to exchange any info.  I would
 guess that if only QRP to QRP were legal the QRP stations
 would lose 80% of their contacts.  This is based on QRP
 being 5 watts.  If QRP is 1 watt or 100 milliwatts the
 problem will be much greater.  If it is 10 watts, not quite
 so bad.  I really think that QRP is generally bad 

Re: [Elecraft] Your Opinion: The realities of QRP vs. QRO

[Adam Koczarski]

 -Original Message-
 From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-
 boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Grant Youngman
 Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 11:56 AM
 To: Elecraft Mailing List
 Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Your Opinion: The realities of QRP vs. QRO
 
 Spot on.  New hams need to see what kind of experience they can have
 with low power, old(er) radios, and typical  antennas.
 

I contacted K5D twice during their two weeks on the air. Once with my K3 and
20m dipole and once using a friends station in Canada with LOTS of power and
an 80m Yagi at 150'. 

I have to admit it was kind of fun to stomp in on 80m when they started
calling for 7's. There was an obvious queue of people waiting to get through
in 7 land judging by the calls from 7's pretending they didn't realize K5D
was still asking for  6's. :) Being 1st through was like shooting a deer
with an elephant gun.

The 20m contact from the K3 with the dipole was far more satisfying! I had
tried for 2 previous nights but the conditions just weren't right. Hearing
my call come back on the 2nd try caught me off guard! I was getting ready to
settle in for another futile attempt against competition that sounded far
more powerful than my barefoot setup. It was a pleasant surprise! :)

73, Adam
http://ka7ark.com



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Re: [Elecraft] Re Your Opinion: The re..

[JIM DAVIS]

Dave  Bob,

Both of you guys have very valid points, there's no doubt about that BUT, 
what's really key or the
real crux of the debate in our humble opinion would be Do you have the 
PATIENCE? and being the
honest individual that I pride myself on being, in all honesty I personally 
DON'T!  :-)

So everybody out here who loves QRP go for it! but for us it would be a task 
in futility at 
best!

:-)))

Jim/nn6ee

PS, I've worked with Bob-N6WG during a Field Day operation in 2007 from a nice 
location in the
Fremont hills under the call W6V and I can say he's also a cracker-jack CW op 
like myself! :-)))
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Re: [Elecraft] Your Opinion: The realities of QRP vs. QRO

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

I'm wondering, what percentage of contacts you've made QRO, that you
would estimate as not attainable QRP.
-- 
  dw
  d...@sover.net

-

To answer your question, very few. 

Isn't the important question, what's fun for *you*? 

Ron AC7AC



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Re: [Elecraft] The QRP Challenge!

[Mike, W9QS]

Things really don't change that much.  First contact in 1956 with AT1 and ARC 5 
was a great feeling and it's still there.

73,72

Mike, W9QS
EX: KN6TBP (1956), K1DGQ, DL4KM, K5LJN, W9FRR, W9KVF

K3, K2, OHR500, Norcal 20, SP1

Fists #12327, FP #268, OOTC #4423, QRPARCI #9521


--- On Thu, 3/5/09, Lynn Lamb, W4NL w...@charter.net wrote:

 From: Lynn Lamb, W4NL w...@charter.net
 Subject: [Elecraft] The QRP Challenge!
 To: Elecraft Reflector Elecraft@mailman.QTH.net
 Date: Thursday, March 5, 2009, 12:34 PM
 I have enjoyed very much all the comments on the subject of
 QRP and the rigs 
 (Wayne mentioned), K1s, K2s, K3s. etc.  There are others of
 course and bet 
 many started with that 6L6 and thought it was the most
 powerful station on 
 earth.  Many of us old timers are reliving and with the
 good receivers now 
 days like Elecraft, Ten-Tec and others we are truly able to
 enjoy lower 
 power more, because the distant stations can hear us
 better.
 
 A challenge is good in anything we undertake and create a
 spirit of mission. 
 QRP is obviously a challenge for better antennas, better
 coax, more skilled 
 operating, better tennis balls to get it over that limb or
 more donuts. 
 There is something for everyone in Ham Radio and the
 fellowship is a 
 wonderful part.  This reflector is a large positive to this
 end.
 
 Now I'll be quiet and crawl back up the headphones and
 play QRP with my K2 
 knowing the K3 and Orion is near by.
 
 73, lynn W4NL 
 
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Re: [Elecraft] Your Opinion: The realities of QRP vs. QRO

[Jack Regan]

I second Cookies comments.

The self righteous of the comments from some QRP advocates is a continual
annoyance. I have seen these same comments time and time again on the
reflector. Let it go!

Why do the QRP fanatics have to lobby so hard for thier cause? Can't they
let people make thier own decisions? One size does not fit all! There is a
real insult to those who do not hold thier views hidden (or not so hidden)
in thier comments. 

If you think I am talking to you, I probably am! Do us all a favor and do
not reply. We already know your opinion!

This is the kind of stuff that makes some people not want to use the
reflector. I hang in here because of the wealth of technical info. I have my
mail all presorted by sender and Subject. I also use the delete key!  So no
lectures on how deal with this.

BTW, I have a KX1 (fully loaded with the smd cw tuning aid that I built
myself) that I use when backpacking in the High Sierras and when hanging out
in Golden Gate Park here in San Francisco. I also have a K3-100 kit. As nice
as it is, it was only when I picked up an Ameritron 811-H amp that I started
making progress on several awards. In no time I got the last five states I
needed for WAS CW and am close to getting DXCC. Before I got the amp, I had
85 confirmed countries. I now have 92 and am awaiting cards/LoTW for 17
recent contacts!  I live on a small San Francisco lot and use a twisted
semi-flattop dipole cut for 40 meter cw. It is a real sky warmer but with
the amp and 500 watts it covers the world. I have parts of a Cushcraft MA5B
for 20. The two element Yagi on 20 really helps even though it is heavily
trapped and low to the ground. Again, the 500 watts really helps!

-Original Message-
snip...
 this conversation upsets me a great deal.  I am a member of SKCC and I
see the QRP thing tearing it up at the moment.  That the conversation is
coming to the Elecraft reflector as well is doubly upsetting.

I am not totally against QRP, but the bragado that is taking place here and
elsewhere leads the inexperienced to think that all they have to do is buy a
QRP rig and a Buddypole and work the world.  I see newbie after newbie
crying that no one will work them for some perceived reason and the real
reason is that no one hears them.

The best, cheapest, most effective rig for a newbie is to buy a 100 watt
transceiver and put up a dipole or Carolina Windom or such.  Deed
restrictions sometimes limit them to an attic antenna or a trap vertical or
something small.  To influence them to use a compromised antenna system and
QRP is little short of criminal.  It is certainly rude and not in the best
interest of the hobby.

I see numerous posts by newbies that are upset that every contact is a
minimum exchange then 73.  They want to rag chew with people, but they are
running QRP.  Of course you can rag chew with your next door neighbor at QRP
and if you catch a great opening sometimes you can carry on  for a few
minutes before QSB gets you.  But most of the time it is a struggle to get
your name, qth and club number.  

To hear QRP advocates saying that they are the essence of ham radio and
great operators revolts me.  Worst of all is talking about trying a call
with 100 mw then 1 watt then 2 watts I find totally rude and repulsive.

I seldom see the need for more than 100 watts, but I will turn it up if I
need to.  The only time I turn it down to QRP is if you tell me you are QRP,
then I will turn the power down until you can't hear me either.

Willis 'Cookie' Cooke 
K5EWJ



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Re: [Elecraft] Your Opinion: The realities of QRP vs. QRO

[Bill W5WVO]

Ron D'Eau Claire wrote:
  I'm wondering, what percentage of contacts you've made QRO, that you
  would estimate as not attainable QRP.

 To answer your question, very few.
 Isn't the important question, what's fun for you?

 Ron AC7AC

Ron is exactly right. That's the bottom line. We all do this for enjoyment. 
That's part of the definition of amateur. People have different 
personalities, and different things are fun for different people. Personally, 
as a 6-meter operator, I've done QRP, I've done middle-of-the-road 100 watts, 
and I've done QRO -- and for me, QRO is more fun. I can give more people a new 
state or grid. I can rag-chew more easily with some of the top 6-meter ops in 
the country under marginal band conditions. I can generate pileups and then 
run them, which is really a hoot! (For me.) I get tons of QSL cards and 
respond to them on the same day I get them, which I really enjoy. A lot of 
guys hate getting QSL cards, but I love it. So that's just me.

At the end of the day, it's whatever floats your boat. There will always be 
guys who say (rightly) that they can work anything with 5 watts, eventually, 
that they can work with a kilowatt right now. There will always be guys who 
say (rightly) that the laws of physics are immutable, and there will always be 
QSOs that simply cannot be completed under adverse conditions without high 
power. I don't have a dog in this fight; both assertions are true, more or 
less. But I know what I enjoy, and for me, that's the bottom line.

Bill W5WVO
MY life is too short to run QRP!  :-)
You might have a different opinion. 

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Re: [Elecraft] Your Opinion: The realities of QRP vs. QRO

[John N1JM]

Oh, Oh. Someone using geek language :-).



Steve Ellington wrote:
 
 Obviously a troll.
 
 Steve Ellington
 n...@carolina.rr.com
 - Original Message - 
 From: dw bw...@fastmail.fm
 To: Elecraft_List elecraft@mailman.qth.net
 Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 7:34 AM
 Subject: [Elecraft] Your Opinion: The realities of QRP vs. QRO
 
 
 A few years back in our little farming community, there was a fellow
 whose name was Francis.
 Francis was an avid hunter.
 At this time, the rumor went around the community that
 Francis had been fined for deer jacking.
 Out of his truck one night, with a spot light, he took a shot at a
 plastic deer planted by game wardens.
 Soon it became a joke...Sir Francis the deer slayer.
 
 Something within me seemed to understand Francis' point of view.
 He was a pragmatist... He had little interest in the thrill of the hunt.
 He was focused on the efficiency of the catch.
 
 Although QRO is far from illegal, it does seem to be somewhat more
 focused on the efficiency of the catch than the thrill of the hunt.
 So there is a certain un-romantic reality to QRO vs. QRP.
 
 I'm wondering, what percentage of contacts you've made QRO, that you
 would estimate as not attainable QRP.
 
 I hope I didn't break the list rules getting off-topic with the story
 :~/
 -- 
   dw
   d...@sover.net
 
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-- 
View this message in context: 
http://n2.nabble.com/Your-Opinion%3A-The-realities-of-QRP-vs.-QRO-tp2429074p2432357.html
Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.

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Re: [Elecraft] K3 with SPE Expert 1K-FA amp

[Benny Aumala]

They work easy together.

Minimum connection is TX coaxial and Key out.
Look at   http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Expertamp
files section for full interconnections.

About 15W drives it to full kW.
I personally prefer semi-BK in CW with this amplifier.
BK-relays are fixed to printed board and not floating.
They make some noise.
Otherwise a delight combo.

Benny OH9NB

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[Elecraft] I think its time for me to apologize to the group.

[dw]

I think its time for me to apologize to the group.

I posed the question concerning personal experiences in the use of QRP
vs QRO.
I did so sincerely anticipating the high level of experience and
expertise within the group would be informative.  It is an area of
experience unknown to me.

I want to thank all who did respond as such.
I found your comments and suggestions high-quality, informative, and
quiet frankly, written at a professional-publication level.

Many of them would be welcome additions to national Ham mags.

That being said, I am also sensitive to the fact that a few group
members were upset or offended by the topic.

I take full responsibility for this, as I started the conversation.
I sincerely apologize to those in the group who found the topic
offensive or upsetting.

In good hamming frame………please accept my sincere apologies.
Ur frnd  Duane, N1BBR
-- 
  dw
  d...@sover.net

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Re: [Elecraft] I think its time for me to apologize to the group.

[Lynn Lamb, W4NL]

Duane,

I too responded and thought it was a good subject since Elecraft has been 
one of the leaders in recent times for lower power technology and equipment.

QRP or lower levels of power are not for everyone which is fine and as 
someone said this is a broad hobby and many ways of enjoying it (not his 
words).

I too apologize for any damage I caused.

73, lynn W4NL

- Original Message - 
From: dw bw...@fastmail.fm
To: Elecraft_List elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 5:03 PM
Subject: [Elecraft] I think its time for me to apologize to the group.


I think its time for me to apologize to the group.

I posed the question concerning personal experiences in the use of QRP
vs QRO.
I did so sincerely anticipating the high level of experience and
expertise within the group would be informative.  It is an area of
experience unknown to me.

I want to thank all who did respond as such.
I found your comments and suggestions high-quality, informative, and
quiet frankly, written at a professional-publication level.

Many of them would be welcome additions to national Ham mags.

That being said, I am also sensitive to the fact that a few group
members were upset or offended by the topic.

I take full responsibility for this, as I started the conversation.
I sincerely apologize to those in the group who found the topic
offensive or upsetting.

In good hamming frame………please accept my sincere apologies.
Ur frnd  Duane, N1BBR
-- 
  dw
  d...@sover.net

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Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 8.0.237 / Virus Database: 270.11.8/1985 - Release Date: 03/05/09 
07:54:00

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Re: [Elecraft] [MM] The W1 LED Experiment

[Joel Curneal]

Has anyone else tried high intensity leds in their W1?  I replaced the leds
in my W1 with high intensity red,  yellow (amber), and green leds from
Sparkfun Electronics.  A pic can drive them to a much higher light output
without any other changes to the W1 circuit board.  The light output from
the different colors is almost the same on a stock W1 board.

Joel,  N1JEO

- Original Message - 
From: Dave Van Wallaghen w8...@comcast.net
To: Bill Johnson b...@creeksidecomputing.com
Cc: 'Jack Smith' jack.sm...@cliftonlaboratories.com; 'Ken Kopp'
k...@rfwave.net; elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 2:51 PM
Subject: [Elecraft] [MM] The W1 LED Experiment


 I apologize for taking so long to conduct the LED experiment and get
 back with everyone interested. I had some lead times on parts I ordered
 not to mention getting some time to run everything through. I must
 mention first that I had to do numerous swaps of different LEDs and
 resistor packs and this simply would not have been possible to do in a
 timely manner without using my new Hakko 808 desoldering tool. I'm sure
 I would have damaged the W1 PCB trying to do it manually over and over
 again. That thing was worth every penny I paid for it.

 In the end, as others have pointed out here, even though I used LEDs
 with similar specs as used in the existing W1 design, there are vast
 differences in brightness when placed side by side with each other. I
 was looking for the right combination of LEDs and resistor packs to
 obtain a good level of illumination as well as balanced brightness among
 all of the LEDs and keep the current consumption as low as possible. All
 of the LED part numbers and current measurements will be listed at the
 end of this message.

 I did order the Avago LED from Digi-Key specified by Elecraft just to
 make sure the it was in fact the same and it was indeed the same LED
 used in the current W1. Despite the spec sheet, it is much brighter than
 any of the other LEDs I tested. Anyway, I went down the same road that
 Doug Joyce did and ordered a green, yellow and red set of similar LEDs
 from Lumex. I then ordered a number of different resistor packs to
 replace RP1  RP1 with values of 2.0k, 1.0k and 470. These LEDs were
 much too dim with the existing 2.0k resistor packs installed.

 I did manage to come up with the combination Lumes LEDs and 1.0k
 resistor packs that satisfied my requirements. They are still a bit
 dimmer than the existing red LEDs but when placed side by side, I could
 not really see that much of a difference with my eyes. I did drop the
 resistor packs down to 470 ohm and they were certainly bright enough,
 but the current consumption increased by more than double of the
 designed consumption.

 Still somewhat confused, I did manage to find similarly spec'd Avago
 LEDs from Mouser that had part numbers similar to the red ones used in
 the W1. So I ordered those and installed them (along with the original
 2.0k resistor packs) and much to my dismay, the green and yellow LEDs
 were much dimmer than the red.

 My test setup consisted of using my K2 into a coiled wire antenna to get
 a  5:1 SWR when putting 1 watt into it through the W1. This got 18 of
 the 20 LEDs lit (trying for all 20 often switched the W1 up to the next
 power scale). I used a 13.5v bench supply and put a DMM in line to
 measure the current consumption during each iteration.

 The slight differences in forward voltages of the various LEDs played no
 appreciable role in current consumption. So I'll just list the 3
 resistor pack values I used. I did look up the LM78L05 regulator spec
 sheet and found out it will produce up to 100ma output current. The
 current W1 design operates at far less than that. The LEDs are probably
 pulse width modulated (or simply polled) by the PIC also so the current
 draw per LED seems to be about half of what you would calculate with a
 voltage of around 3v and the resistor pack value.

 Here is some of the data:

 W1 idle current: 13.8 ma

 Current draw regardless of LED type per resistor pack value (18 out of
 20 LEDs lit):

 2.0k - 27.5ma
 1.0k - 39.3ma
 470  - 63.0ma

 I wanted to try an 810 or 680 ohm resistor pack, but could not get them
 in time from Digi-Key. As I personally wanted to stay within the 50ma
 range, the 1.0k value works for me. Like I said, to my eyes in a well
 lit environment, this value seemed to work fine with the Lumex LEDs
 although the Avago red LEDs were a hair brighter.

 Part numbers:
 My configuration:

 All Digi-Key part #'s

 Lumex Red 2x5mm LED- 67-1047-ND
 Lumex Yellow 2x5mm LED - 67-1050-ND
 Lumex Green 2x5mm LED  - 67-1046-ND

 1k resistor pak 10 pin - 770-103-R1KP-ND

 Other values tried:
 1.5k resistor pak 10 pin - 770-103-R1.5KP-ND
 1.2k resistor pak 10 pin - 770-103-R1.2KP-ND
 470 ohm resistor pack 10 pin - 770-103-R470P-ND

 Avago red LED used in W1 - 516-1281-ND

 Avago green and yellow LED's - Mouser Part #'s:
 Avago Green 2.5mm LED  - 

Re: [Elecraft] I think its time for me to apologize to the group.

[Stephen W. Kercel]

DW:

If you're new to QRP, there is nothing offensive in asking more 
experienced hams if it really works. As you can see from the many posts 
that your question attracted, the answer to your question is that QRP is 
effective a lot more often than most people would expect. If your 
question is does the thrill of the hunt explain why people to take up 
ham radio when worldwide communications by other means can be done with 
the effortlessness of the Gods, that is a legitimate question, and the 
answer is yes, more often than not.

I see no need for apology for posing either question.

73,

Steve Kercel
AA4AK


dw wrote:
 I think its time for me to apologize to the group.

 I posed the question concerning personal experiences in the use of QRP
 vs QRO.
 I did so sincerely anticipating the high level of experience and
 expertise within the group would be informative.  It is an area of
 experience unknown to me.

 I want to thank all who did respond as such.
 I found your comments and suggestions high-quality, informative, and
 quiet frankly, written at a professional-publication level.

 Many of them would be welcome additions to national Ham mags.

 That being said, I am also sensitive to the fact that a few group
 members were upset or offended by the topic.

 I take full responsibility for this, as I started the conversation.
 I sincerely apologize to those in the group who found the topic
 offensive or upsetting.

 In good hamming frame………please accept my sincere apologies.
 Ur frnd  Duane, N1BBR
   

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Re: [Elecraft] The QRP Challenge!

[JIM DAVIS]

To Mike and all,

We're SOO diverse of a group that whatever anybody does, as long as they're 
licensed and keep 
their operations within FCC Part 97 they CAN DO WHATEVER THEY WANT!

Thanks for the internet bandwidth!

Jim/nn6ee
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Re: [Elecraft] [MM] The W1 LED Experiment

[Dave Van Wallaghen]

Hi Joel,

That sounds like just what we're looking for. I found the hi-intensity 
leds only in red from Digi-Key and Mouser. Nothing in green or yellow. 
And if we can leave the 2.0k resistor packs in there, that's even better.

Thanks for the tip.

73,
Dave W8FGU

Joel Curneal wrote:
 Has anyone else tried high intensity leds in their W1?  I replaced the leds
 in my W1 with high intensity red,  yellow (amber), and green leds from
 Sparkfun Electronics.  A pic can drive them to a much higher light output
 without any other changes to the W1 circuit board.  The light output from
 the different colors is almost the same on a stock W1 board.
 
 Joel,  N1JEO
 
 - Original Message - 
 From: Dave Van Wallaghen w8...@comcast.net
 To: Bill Johnson b...@creeksidecomputing.com
 Cc: 'Jack Smith' jack.sm...@cliftonlaboratories.com; 'Ken Kopp'
 k...@rfwave.net; elecraft@mailman.qth.net
 Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 2:51 PM
 Subject: [Elecraft] [MM] The W1 LED Experiment
 
 
 I apologize for taking so long to conduct the LED experiment and get
 back with everyone interested. I had some lead times on parts I ordered
 not to mention getting some time to run everything through. I must
 mention first that I had to do numerous swaps of different LEDs and
 resistor packs and this simply would not have been possible to do in a
 timely manner without using my new Hakko 808 desoldering tool. I'm sure
 I would have damaged the W1 PCB trying to do it manually over and over
 again. That thing was worth every penny I paid for it.

 In the end, as others have pointed out here, even though I used LEDs
 with similar specs as used in the existing W1 design, there are vast
 differences in brightness when placed side by side with each other. I
 was looking for the right combination of LEDs and resistor packs to
 obtain a good level of illumination as well as balanced brightness among
 all of the LEDs and keep the current consumption as low as possible. All
 of the LED part numbers and current measurements will be listed at the
 end of this message.

 I did order the Avago LED from Digi-Key specified by Elecraft just to
 make sure the it was in fact the same and it was indeed the same LED
 used in the current W1. Despite the spec sheet, it is much brighter than
 any of the other LEDs I tested. Anyway, I went down the same road that
 Doug Joyce did and ordered a green, yellow and red set of similar LEDs
 from Lumex. I then ordered a number of different resistor packs to
 replace RP1  RP1 with values of 2.0k, 1.0k and 470. These LEDs were
 much too dim with the existing 2.0k resistor packs installed.

 I did manage to come up with the combination Lumes LEDs and 1.0k
 resistor packs that satisfied my requirements. They are still a bit
 dimmer than the existing red LEDs but when placed side by side, I could
 not really see that much of a difference with my eyes. I did drop the
 resistor packs down to 470 ohm and they were certainly bright enough,
 but the current consumption increased by more than double of the
 designed consumption.

 Still somewhat confused, I did manage to find similarly spec'd Avago
 LEDs from Mouser that had part numbers similar to the red ones used in
 the W1. So I ordered those and installed them (along with the original
 2.0k resistor packs) and much to my dismay, the green and yellow LEDs
 were much dimmer than the red.

 My test setup consisted of using my K2 into a coiled wire antenna to get
 a  5:1 SWR when putting 1 watt into it through the W1. This got 18 of
 the 20 LEDs lit (trying for all 20 often switched the W1 up to the next
 power scale). I used a 13.5v bench supply and put a DMM in line to
 measure the current consumption during each iteration.

 The slight differences in forward voltages of the various LEDs played no
 appreciable role in current consumption. So I'll just list the 3
 resistor pack values I used. I did look up the LM78L05 regulator spec
 sheet and found out it will produce up to 100ma output current. The
 current W1 design operates at far less than that. The LEDs are probably
 pulse width modulated (or simply polled) by the PIC also so the current
 draw per LED seems to be about half of what you would calculate with a
 voltage of around 3v and the resistor pack value.

 Here is some of the data:

 W1 idle current: 13.8 ma

 Current draw regardless of LED type per resistor pack value (18 out of
 20 LEDs lit):

 2.0k - 27.5ma
 1.0k - 39.3ma
 470  - 63.0ma

 I wanted to try an 810 or 680 ohm resistor pack, but could not get them
 in time from Digi-Key. As I personally wanted to stay within the 50ma
 range, the 1.0k value works for me. Like I said, to my eyes in a well
 lit environment, this value seemed to work fine with the Lumex LEDs
 although the Avago red LEDs were a hair brighter.

 Part numbers:
 My configuration:

 All Digi-Key part #'s

 Lumex Red 2x5mm LED- 67-1047-ND
 Lumex Yellow 2x5mm LED - 67-1050-ND
 Lumex Green 2x5mm LED  - 67-1046-ND

 1k resistor pak 10 pin - 

Re: [Elecraft] The QRP Challenge!

[djmd]

I am fairly new to HF, and never thought I'd want to try QRP. But I'm
fascinated by it now. I just finished building a K2 a couple weeks ago and
was thrilled to get K5D as my first contact on the radio. 10 watts into a
67' dipole barely 20 feet off the ground. I know that K5D isn't halfway
around the world, but just knowing I could get the Caribbean on a radio
powered by a 2lb battery was a thrill! What was even better was seeing
state-side ops bragging on the spotting networks about getting them with
100W and a dipole up 50'. Not to take anything away from them - don't get me
wrong! Hey, I have a 100w radio too and won't ever stop using it at full
power, particularly on SSB. But getting this contact has really cemented in
my interest in low transmit power/portable power sources. And things can
only get better, right? I have heard of these sunspots from past
tales..


-- 
View this message in context: 
http://n2.nabble.com/The-QRP-Challenge%21-tp2431238p2432949.html
Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.

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Re: [Elecraft] OT: question re: antenna/rig swtich

[KC9QQ]

You may want to check out the products from TopTen.  They are a little
pricey, but they are what are used by many of the Multi-Multi contest
stations to share six antennas with 6 high power operator stations.  I just
purchased one of their A/B switches to switch a single antenna between my K2
and Pro III.  It provides 80 db isolation and uses interlocked relays to
avoid the possibility of a relay failure allowing power to allow transmitter
power to flow back into the rig not being used.  

If you look at the application note one their site, it shows a setup very
similar to what you describe.

Here is the link to the site:   http://www.qth.com/topten/abss.htm
http://www.qth.com/topten/abss.htm  

Fred, KC9QQ



Greg Buhyoff wrote:
 
 Group,
 
 This is off topic and I would deeply appreciate any responses to be
 sent to me off list.  I am posting here because I respect the
 knowledge and experience of the people who are members of this
 reflector.
 
 This may sound stupid but I have not had experience with this before,
 so I ask before I do something stupid.
 
 I use an external antenna switch mounted on the outside wall of my
 house to switch in one of six antennas and have a single coax line
 coming into the radio room.   I now have four separate radio stations,
 2 K3s and two other radios, all set up differently for different types
 and modes of operation.  All have amps in line that can be used when
 needed -- one a KW and the others 750w output.  Currently I manually
 attach the output coax for the station I want to use to the coax lead
 coming into the house from the external switch.  A pain.
 
 I want to be able to simply use a manual switch to select the station
 that would connect to the external antenna switch coax lead into the
 radio room.  I would then use the manual antenna switch to select the
 station and the remote controller to select the antenna...
 
 

-- 
View this message in context: 
http://n2.nabble.com/OT%3A-question-re%3A-antenna-rig-swtich-tp2429280p2433171.html
Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.

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Re: [Elecraft] I think its time for me to apologize to the group.

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

Don wrote:

Point of information - the QRP crowd got me back into the area of ham 
radio that I enjoy the most, and that is experimenting and homebrewing.

--

That's been what kept me active among the QRP crowd too. And I felt
disappointed one time when a very nice fellow with whom I'd exchanged many
QRP QSO's and mail about designs and our current projects got really upset
and broke off contact when he realized I also ran QRO, even though it was
only 100 watts. 

But they are, as Don said, the very few, just there are some who say
homebrew rigs should be banned or CW should be outlawed (or SSB, or this or
that digital mode). 

As long as Hams are members of the human race we'll have the whole spectrum
of humans involved.

Ron AC7AC


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[Elecraft] QRP/QRP, Apologies etc. [From the Moderator]

[Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft]

The QRP/QRO thread (like the CW vs No-Code thread, contesting vs 
non-contesting etc.) appears here and on other lists periodically and 
certainly generates a lot of enthusiastic (and sometimes over 
enthusiastic) opinions and replies ;-)  I'm OK with the thread 
continuing a little longer with informative postings (say just tonight?) 
but please, let's keep it civil.

As some others have posted, Ham Radio is different to each of us and the 
hobby really is what ever we choose to do that makes it fun and 
interesting. Some only build, some only operate QRP, some QRO, some only 
contest or chaes DX, some just raq chew, some operate VHF only, some 
only on CW, others only SSB/FM/AM/Digital etc. 'Its all good' as one of 
our tech's here in Aptos likes to say.

Also, for the original posters on this thread, there certainly is no 
need to apologize. Questions on this subject, or any other ham radio 
related topic, are reasonable and are encouraged. :-)  My father always 
told me that there were no 'stupid questions'. Not knowing the answer is 
much worse than trying to appear to understand a topic, when you do not.

Please resist the temptation to reply on any thread, like this one, just 
to vote one way or the other. We have over 3,500 readers of this list 
and it can easily get overwhelmed by endless pro/con emails. But if you 
have something new and informative to post, post away! :-)

73, Eric   WA6HHQ
Elecraft List Moderator (and therapist)


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Re: [Elecraft] Your Opinion: The realities of QRP vs. QRO

[rfenabled]

They had me Jatz Cracker ed
Gary
VK4WT

Sent via BlackBerry® from Telstra

-Original Message-
From: John N1JM jlmerr...@cox.net

Date: Thu, 5 Mar 2009 13:35:13 
To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Your Opinion: The realities of QRP vs. QRO



Oh, Oh. Someone using geek language :-).



Steve Ellington wrote:
 
 Obviously a troll.
 
 Steve Ellington
 n...@carolina.rr.com
 - Original Message - 
 From: dw bw...@fastmail.fm
 To: Elecraft_List elecraft@mailman.qth.net
 Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 7:34 AM
 Subject: [Elecraft] Your Opinion: The realities of QRP vs. QRO
 
 
 A few years back in our little farming community, there was a fellow
 whose name was Francis.
 Francis was an avid hunter.
 At this time, the rumor went around the community that
 Francis had been fined for deer jacking.
 Out of his truck one night, with a spot light, he took a shot at a
 plastic deer planted by game wardens.
 Soon it became a joke...Sir Francis the deer slayer.
 
 Something within me seemed to understand Francis' point of view.
 He was a pragmatist... He had little interest in the thrill of the hunt.
 He was focused on the efficiency of the catch.
 
 Although QRO is far from illegal, it does seem to be somewhat more
 focused on the efficiency of the catch than the thrill of the hunt.
 So there is a certain un-romantic reality to QRO vs. QRP.
 
 I'm wondering, what percentage of contacts you've made QRO, that you
 would estimate as not attainable QRP.
 
 I hope I didn't break the list rules getting off-topic with the story
 :~/
 -- 
   dw
   d...@sover.net
 
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http://n2.nabble.com/Your-Opinion%3A-The-realities-of-QRP-vs.-QRO-tp2429074p2432357.html
Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.

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[Elecraft] MIC + Line-In Feedback Noise

[Bud Governale, W3LL]

Thanks to both Eric K3NA and Rich VE3KI, I now have Line-In working.

That leads to a new related issue:

When MIC + LIN is turned ON I get feedback from somewhere when I key with the 
foot switch in SSB without saying 
anything.
If I turn MIC + LIN to OFF the feedback is gone.
I closed N1MM just to be sure it wasn't causing a problem. It wasn't, the 
feedback was still there.

Any suggestions?

73,

Bud W3LL
w...@arrl.net


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Re: [Elecraft] MIC + Line-In Feedback Noise

[Lyle Johnson]

 When MIC + LIN is turned ON I get feedback from somewhere when I key with the 
 foot switch in SSB without saying 
 anything.
 If I turn MIC + LIN to OFF the feedback is gone.

I am not sure why you have MIC+LIN turned ON, but I suspect you are 
getting noise pickup from the microphone.  Perhaps you have MON turned 
up to hear the outgoing signal and the microphone is near the speaker so 
you get a feedback loop.

73,

Lyle KK7P
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Re: [Elecraft] I think its time for me to apologize to the group.

[Wes Stewart]

--- On Thu, 3/5/09, Ron D'Eau Claire r...@cobi.biz wrote:

 From: Ron D'Eau Claire r...@cobi.biz
 Subject: Re: [Elecraft] I think its time for me to apologize to the group.
 To: 'Elecraft_List' elecraft@mailman.qth.net
 Date: Thursday, March 5, 2009, 5:55 PM
 Don wrote:
 
 Point of information - the QRP crowd got me back into the
 area of ham 
 radio that I enjoy the most, and that is experimenting and
 homebrewing.
 
 --
 
 That's been what kept me active among the QRP crowd
 too. And I felt
 disappointed one time when a very nice fellow with whom
 I'd exchanged many
 QRP QSO's and mail about designs and our current
 projects got really upset
 and broke off contact when he realized I also ran QRO, even
 though it was
 only 100 watts. 

100 watts is QRO???  Sounds like a driver to me.




  
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Re: [Elecraft] I think its time for me to apologize to the group.

[Sandy]

Many eons ago, I got intensely interested in QRP.  This was the era of the 
bantam 1 watter made from a BC-746 tuning unit.  The ones that were used 
in the early horsy talkies or pogo stick transceivers.  Forget the SCR 
number!  My first fun QRP 'fone rig was a slightly modified BC-611 Handy 
Talky on 3825 Khz.

The biggest thrill I ever got was working ZL one night on 20 CW with a 
Ten-Tec PM3 CW transceiver.  Seems like it ran about 3 watts out.  I didn't 
think that was possible.How can you work New Zealand using a power level 
that was about enough to light a #47 dial lamp!

There is definitely a place for QRP in amateur radio.  Everything isn't 
contests (the current craze!), or DXCC or WAS or whatever.  I guess the 
magic of cellphones and the internet has diminished the wonder of just 
working another station without wires.  Also without a computer acting as 
the interpreter or 'go between' between hams using digital modes, etc now.

CW?  Another wonder, albeit and old one, that allows communication between 
two operators who can't speak or understand the other's language, yet both 
can exchange Q signals etc. and messages easily.  All without the aid or 
crutch of a computer in between!

I was never a BIG DX chaser.  Guess I belonged to the old rag Chewer's 
Club because that's what I enjoyed.  Too bad I realized the value of Morse 
when I was middle aged instead of when I was younger.

What's fun depends on what you like.  There are those who want to run 
everyone else off the bands if they are doing what they consider no fun.

73 to all,

Sandy W5TVW

PS:  I think the Pogo stick was the SCR-511?  Anybody remember?
- Original Message - 
From: Ron D'Eau Claire r...@cobi.biz
To: 'Elecraft_List' elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 6:55 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] I think its time for me to apologize to the group.


 Don wrote:

 Point of information - the QRP crowd got me back into the area of ham
 radio that I enjoy the most, and that is experimenting and homebrewing.

 --

 That's been what kept me active among the QRP crowd too. And I felt
 disappointed one time when a very nice fellow with whom I'd exchanged many
 QRP QSO's and mail about designs and our current projects got really upset
 and broke off contact when he realized I also ran QRO, even though it was
 only 100 watts.

 But they are, as Don said, the very few, just there are some who say
 homebrew rigs should be banned or CW should be outlawed (or SSB, or this 
 or
 that digital mode).

 As long as Hams are members of the human race we'll have the whole 
 spectrum
 of humans involved.

 Ron AC7AC


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No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 8.0.237 / Virus Database: 270.11.8/1985 - Release Date: 03/05/09 
07:54:00

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