Re: [Elecraft] K3 AGC improvements (MCU rev 4.50 / DSP 2.74)
Bill, What! You mean you don't want them to pass it through three or four levels of management, design, Gant chart creation, quality control and documentation before releasing it to the developers! What are you? A bloated corporation hater? Remember! We owe it to the stockholders to appear we are doing a good job! ;o) 73, Tom Amateur Radio Operator N5GE ARRL Lifetime Member QCWA Lifetime Member Retired: :o) F-111 Production Line Supervisor F-16 Production Line Supervisor Industrial Engineer Contract Software Developer On Mon, 7 May 2012 19:25:17 -0700, Bill Frantz fra...@pwpconsult.com wrote: As a retired software developer, what amazes me is the way Wayne and company are performing their beta test. No NDA. It looks like almost anyone can sign up. Problems and future intentions are discussed in a public forum. I am blown away that a company would act this way. It is very refreshing. Cheers - Bill, AE6JV [snip] __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 AGC improvements (MCU rev 4.50 / DSP 2.74)
Compared to the many others that have weighed in already, I am a few days late taking a look at the new firmware. It may have been worth the wait. In a nutshell, the new 4.50/2.74 works extremely well. I've been waiting for my K3 to really be able to perform in deep pileups, like I had thought it should. With the new firmware, it may be very close now. Even though it may be a few weeks (until CQWPX CW) when I can make a full evaluation, in fairly deep pileup conditions, I don't need extended testing to see a big improvement already. K6LL mentioned the difference is immediately obvious. I fully agree. The ability to be able to extend THR settings has noticeably cleaned things up. My sweet spot seems to be THR=15 and SLP=0 or 2. More evaluation to come. Tnx Elecraft Team for looking into this issue and releasing this pre-Beta. 73, Bob K8IA Arizona Outlaws Contest Club __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 AGC improvements (MCU rev 4.50 / DSP 2.74)
Hi everybody In evaluating the new firmware I use 2xK3, #791 #5752 * * *Initial conditions*: Rx Eq flat on booths rigs BW 700Hz, no CW roofing only 2.7KHz (5poles) AGC DCY –Soft AGC SLP -003 AGC FST -100 K3 #791 THR=14-17 (usually 14) K3 #5752 THR=5-8 (usually 7) Test: single signals, beacons around S3, S4 pileups 7O6T, 6O0CW Observations: 1. Signals appears to be cleaner with higher THR, but the difference it is not so big on my ears maybe because I am not dealing yet with a big pileup with S3/S4 signals BUT the sound is more nice and clear indeed. 2. I have to take care more with audio level on higher THR, and once I lost audio using THR=20. 3. QSB more intense on signals with newer firmware. Sometimes I even lost the signal on 2.74DSP while it is still copied at 2.73DSP. 4. Overall it is more pleasant to listen to with the new firmware version. Future tests: 1. small expeditions in the field. 2. make some recordings. 73! Adi Yo2liw -- == Adrian Toplician 0721 367 850 Timisoara YO2LIW __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] AGC settings saved per band?
With all the current efforts on the K3 AGC, how much extra work would it be to have an option to save the settings per band? I am sure many operators would appreciate this feature. Andy VK4KY -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/AGC-settings-saved-per-band-tp7538235.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] KX3 Order
120 day estimate is 13 days old now. -Original Message- From: Bill Tubbs Sent: Tuesday, May 08, 2012 12:04 AM To: Elecraft List Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX3 Order How about we enter our own estimates on when we think we'll receive our new toys? Or maybe just add columns that automatically calculate the current 120-day estimate from the date of order? Bill WK6A Sent from my iPhone On May 6, 2012, at 10:07 PM, Jim Miller KG0KP jimmil...@stl-online.net wrote: Wow, it took several entire lifetimes for mine to arrive even though the calendar showed something like 5 months. 73, de Jim KG0KP - Original Message - From: Bob K6UJ k...@pacbell.net To: Elecraft List Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Monday, May 07, 2012 4:11 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX3 Order When I ordered my K3 it took 5 days, 18 minutes, and 37 seconds before I received it. :-) (sorry, I couldn't resist) Bob K6UJ On May 7, 2012, at 11:01 AM, Edward R. Cole wrote: Seeing chatter about orders and when they will arrive I checked my Elecraft order confirmation since I am unsure of the exact time I placed my order on 27Dec2011 The confirm e-mail was sent at 10:46pm; order# 2208-4482-7710 I later augmented my order to add the tuner What is not clear is if the time-tag is AK time or CA time. I wonder if anyone recalls the exact time that ordering was started. Just to give me time to guess how far back in the pack I am. I am thinking I made the order at 9pm AKST (10pm PST). 73, Ed - KL7UW, WD2XSH/45 == BP40IQ 500 KHz - 10-GHz www.kl7uw.com EME: 50-1.1kw?, 144-1.4kw, 432-QRT, 1296-?, 3400-? DUBUS Magazine USA Rep dubus...@gmail.com Kits made by KL7UW http://www.kl7uw.com/kits.htm == __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] P3 spurs that move with tuning - resolution.
Fred, Delighted to hear that you have got rid of those spurs ! My hunch is that the steady carrier, which you were seeing 15 kHz down or so on all bands, originates in the P3 rather than the K3. 73, Geoff LX2AO On May 08, 2012 at 00:03 + 0200, Fred Jensen wrote: Original post: While tuned to 3533, the P3 reported an S9 signal, narrow and essentially a steady carrier down frequency 15 KHz or so. It moved with the VFO A cursor such that I couldn't tune to it. I found similar signals on other bands. Geoff and I have been conversing about it off-list and the final conclusion was that I had finally calibrated my K3 S-meter with my service monitor, and then tried to calibrate the P3. I was able to do so, however I had to run the P3 Gain way way up to get -73 dBm on the P3 for the S9 signal. K3 is S/N 642 and did not have the IF level mod. It does now, the P3 gain is back in reasonable territory, K3 and P3 agree on signal strength, and all the spurs are gone. My theory is that with the P3 gain so high, it was seeing miniscule leakage of internal K3 signals. Moral appears to be, if you're going to use a P3, you need the IF level mod [K3BUFFKIT] or something like that if your K3 doesn't already have it. The kit replaces a single SM resistor [R8 on the RF board]. If I can do it, anyone can. Elecraft sent both SM and leaded resistors, I chose old school. I found R8 very easily, grabbed it with a small locking surgical clamp, and it immediately broke off leaving the two pads. I formed the resistor leads, soldered the one end into the via, and then tacked down the other end. By far the hardest part was getting the K3 out of the shelf, a dozen cables disconnected, and then reconnecting everything [correctly] in back again. It took several tries, and I kept wondering why is it called wireless? Incidentally, I have a small stock of surgical clamps of various types, they are most useful electronic tools. 73, Fred K6DGW __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3: New AGC improvements before WPX CW?
Rule #1 of contesting: Never make logging software (or firmware) changes shortly before a contest. Barry W2UP -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K3-New-AGC-improvements-before-WPX-CW-tp7537627p7538987.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] New KX1 low power and 20m oscillation
Stan, Looking at your KX1's 20m Tx spectrum shown in your picture, my impression is that the wide pedestal in the bottom part could be due to phase noise. I will return to this later. However as I do not own a P3, which I think you are using, I am not familiar with how signals look on the P3 and whether or not some characteristic of the P3 is contributing to the wide pedestal. Does your KX1's Tx spectrum look narrower on the other bands? 73, Geoff LX2AO On May 08, 2012 at 02:10 +0200, Stan Gibbs wrote: The 20m waveform on my P3 seems very broad, but I don't think that it is due to any kind of oscillation. The signal is 20 KHz wide at about 40 dB down. I don't know if this is normal or not, but I did manage to make 20m and 40m QSOs last evening with good signal reports for both. snip __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Portable Antennas (Is there and easy button?)
On the topic of solder-less banana plugs for antenna wires ... I really like these plugs from Radio Shack : http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102839 The picture doesn't do it justice. The plastic insulator part unscrews revealing a small screw-on metal sleeve underneath. You push the bare wire end up through the end of the plug and out through a small hole in the side of the plug and then wrap the bit of wire protruding from the hole around the outside of the plug. The little sleeve screws on over the exposed wire to make a secure mechanical and electrical connection. I have found that sometimes the little screw-on sleeve will loosen over time so I sometimes put a dab of clear fingernail polish to keep it in place. Also if you find your banana plugs are fitting loosely, then inserting the blade of a small penknife a short distance into one slot and then the other at 90 degrees will tighten them up. The penknife blade seems to work best as I have on occasion broken a plug when trying to do this with a small screwdriver (the penknife seems to have about the right taper to not damage the plug). Along with the previously mentioned Pomona BNC to Banana Jack adaptor, you can easily connect wire antennas directly to the Elecraft Rigs with internal tuners when operating portable (no feedline required). Michael VE3WMB This simple antenna has worked very well with my 3-band KX1 (40-30-20). The original idea came from WA3WSJ. The antenna consists of a 40-ft radiator that is tossed up into a tree to form anything from an inverted-L, to a sloper, to a vertical. There are three 16-ft counterpoise wires that are laid out on the ground. The antenna and counterpoise are connected directly to the KX1 using a BNC-to-banana-jack adaptor. I have about 50-ft of fishing line attached to the end of the radiator and put a fishing weight on the end of that. I either use a slingshot or my arm to toss the weight over a branch and then haul up the antenna into place. The radiator and counterpoise are both made from steel bead wire. It is a very strong but thin nylon coated stranded steel wire that is used by craft people to make jewelry. A 100-ft spool only cost about $7 at a local fabric and craft store. Of course the nylon coating must be removed to make the connections, and since it's steel and can't be soldered a banana plug that clamps onto the wire must be used. The radiator, fishing line, and counterpoise all wind back up on the spool that the wire originally came on. This antenna is simple, strong, and light weight, and has given me good results from the field with contacts all over the country and some DX as well. I'm sure that steel wire has all kinds of technical problems with velocity factors and stuff like that, but it works. Making it with some small gauge Teflon coated copper wire should certainly work as well or better than the bead wire. 73, Paul - N8XMS __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] P3 -- Span slow to update
Do you still have the same baud rate (38400) between the K3 and the P3? Art - N4PJ On Mon, May 7, 2012 at 9:02 PM, Charles Johnson cbjk4...@gmail.com wrote: I see the same behavior. P3 without the SVGA board on 1.16 firmware. 73, Charlie, K4ZRJ On May 7, 2012, at 8:43 PM, Nate Bargmann wrote: A couple of weeks ago I updated the P3 FW from 1.09 to 1.16 and while I've not noticed any improvements since I don't have the SVGA board, I have noticed that the SPAN adjusts very slowly now. Before the update it adjusted about as fast as the knob was turned but now I can overrun it quite easily or I need to turn the knob quite slowly. Has anyone else observed this behavior? If this is the new normal I think I'll go back to 1.09! 73, de Nate, N0NB -- The optimist proclaims that we live in the best of all possible worlds. The pessimist fears this is true. Ham radio, Linux, bikes, and more: http://www.n0nb.us __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] P3 -- Span slow to update
* On 2012 08 May 08:33 -0500, Arthur Burke wrote: Do you still have the same baud rate (38400) between the K3 and the P3? Yes I do, Art, as well as 38400 between the P3 and computer as before with FW 1.09. 73, de Nate, N0NB -- The optimist proclaims that we live in the best of all possible worlds. The pessimist fears this is true. Ham radio, Linux, bikes, and more: http://www.n0nb.us __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] P3 -- Span slow to update
Didn't mean to sound insulting if it did. I was trying something new the other day and noticed my P3 was verrryyy slow to update and discovered the baud rate on the P3 was still 38400 but the K3 was a much slower number. Scared me at first until I realized my error. Art - N4PJ On Tue, May 8, 2012 at 9:39 AM, Nate Bargmann n...@n0nb.us wrote: * On 2012 08 May 08:33 -0500, Arthur Burke wrote: Do you still have the same baud rate (38400) between the K3 and the P3? Yes I do, Art, as well as 38400 between the P3 and computer as before with FW 1.09. 73, de Nate, N0NB -- The optimist proclaims that we live in the best of all possible worlds. The pessimist fears this is true. Ham radio, Linux, bikes, and more: http://www.n0nb.us __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] OT: Distinguishable angular momentum in radio photons?
Somewhere in internet there is (where ?) a video showing the experiment, done in Venice during what it seems a Carnival event. To me, it has a slight taste of a joke, included the strange parabolic dish. I2LQF, Fabio On 04/05/2012 8.25, Erik Basilier wrote: Oh, and the first thing I looked at was whether it was in the April issue. It was not. Maybe the IEEE got it from another publication's April issue? -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Erik Basilier Sent: Thursday, May 03, 2012 10:10 PM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] OT: Distinguishable angular momentum in radio photons? The May 2012 issue of the IEEE Spectrum magazine reports that researchers in Italy and Sweden were able to conduct two separate instances of radio communication on the exact same frequency, without increasing bandwidth, and without time-division multiplexing, be making the transmissions differ in angular momentum. One transmission used linear polarization, and the other was given angular momentum by means of a dish with a radial cut, where the metal was bent backwards/forwards on the two sides of the cut. Apparently this is not just a case of linear vs circular polarization, as circular polarization can be readily picked up by a linearly polarized antenna, and apparently the two channels did not interfere with each other. The researchers claim that this demonstration points to the possibility that the radio photons can be given multiple, quanized levels of angular momentum, making possible several more communication channels without increased bandwidth. Other researchers say that this is just a form of MIMO. Wikipedia describes MIMO as the technique of using multiple antennas as in diversity reception or in gain increases obtained by phasing the antennas. My apologies if this is too far OT. 73, Erik K7TV __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] P3 -- Span slow to update
* On 2012 08 May 08:41 -0500, Arthur Burke wrote: Didn't mean to sound insulting if it did. I didn't take it that way at all. :-) In fact I double checked using the K3 utility remotely and now looking at the programmers reference the serial rate can only be queried from the rig itself. So, I will double check that things haven't changed when I get back to the rig. Thanks! 73, de Nate, N0NB -- The optimist proclaims that we live in the best of all possible worlds. The pessimist fears this is true. Ham radio, Linux, bikes, and more: http://www.n0nb.us __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Portable Antennas (Is there an easy button?)
After watching Stan Video last night I placed an order for a few T-106-2's to build the transformer...looks pretty straightforward and inexpensive. Tnx Stan Tom, WB2QDG K2 1103 On 5/7/2012 1:43 PM, Jim Lowman wrote: Enjoyed the video, Stan. I may look into one of these. 72/73 de Jim - AD6CW On 5/6/2012 6:11 PM, stan levandowski wrote: Bernie, I'm no expert but I've been a QRP HF CW addict for 52 years and one solution I've found that works quite well with all my Elecraft rigs (KX1, K2, K2, and K3) is a simple halfwave vertical with *no* radials or any other ground return except for the coax shield. It's not perfect but I've worked a freakin' pile of DX with it and its performance is reliable and repeatable. I'm not looking to start any long threads or get into arguments with hams whose technical education and abilities far exceed mine. I'm just offering a solution that works for me and which might work for you. Let's see...what's that termYour Mileage May Vary.? :} See my not perfect, but pretty darn good solution at : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWkpQ785Pjo 73, Stan WB2LQF KX1 #2411K1#2994K2# 6980K3#5244 K9 #1 (Cocoa the Chihuahua) Everything is QRP, even the dog. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] KX3 Order
In anticipation of delivery off my KX3, I placed an order with All-Spec for a new #1 Phillips screwdriver - part of a Wiha 8-piece ESD set that I had not seen before - at a bargain price compared to the usual 7-piece set (which I use at work). That was February 15. Today I received shipping notification on this screwdriver set. 83 days after ordering. Apparently the boat got in from Germany, and my #1 Phillips will arrive just in time to assemble my KX3 kit (ordered 44 minutes after opening bell). For those who have grandchildren or children of the right age to have been endlessly exposed to Spongebob, please enjoy this - From the Krusty Krab new employee training video - renamed: How to Make a KX3: http://youtu.be/8P84ksh7dB4 I already have my grill (er, anti-static mat) and soon to have my spatula (#1 Phillips), so It is all coming together. K5MSG Gary Gregory garyvk...@gmail.com wrote: *Bob, Did you also enter your order on a countdown list so you could see how long before you might receive it?:-) Gary * On 8 May 2012 07:11, Bob K6UJ k...@pacbell.net wrote: When I ordered my K3 it took 5 days, 18 minutes, and 37 seconds before I received it. :-) (sorry, I couldn't resist) Bob K6UJ On May 7, 2012, at 11:01 AM, Edward R. Cole wrote: Seeing chatter about orders and when they will arrive I checked my Elecraft order confirmation since I am unsure of the exact time I placed my order on 27Dec2011 The confirm e-mail was sent at 10:46pm; order# 2208-4482-7710 I later augmented my order to add the tuner What is not clear is if the time-tag is AK time or CA time. I wonder if anyone recalls the exact time that ordering was started. Just to give me time to guess how far back in the pack I am. I am thinking I made the order at 9pm AKST (10pm PST). 73, Ed - KL7UW, WD2XSH/45 == BP40IQ 500 KHz - 10-GHz www.kl7uw.com EME: 50-1.1kw?, 144-1.4kw, 432-QRT, 1296-?, 3400-? DUBUS Magazine USA Rep dubus...@gmail.com Kits made by KL7UW http://www.kl7uw.com/kits.htm == __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html -- Gary VK4FD - Motorhome Mobile Elecraft Equipment K3 #679, KPA-500 #018 Living the dream!!! __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] Battery Life K2
Has anyone had any long term experience with the K2 battery? I think I used it once for about three hours a couple of field days ago. Now at 14.2 volts over a couple days' charge I can't get above 11.6 volts. Charles, K0CW Sent from my iPad __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Portable Antennas (Is there an easy button?)
Tom, it's by no means a perfect antenna but it *does* perform quite well for me. Generally, a coax length between 16 feet and 33 feet works just fine. I've used over 50 feet with no problem. If you encounter strange happenings, play with the coax length (+/-). I've found the real appeal includes no radials, a very small footprint, no guying required if your base is hefty enough, no reliance upon trees or other supports, and *probably* good efficiency. The opportunity to use a coax feedline can also be a plus for certain ops in certain circumstances. In fact, I purchased a second push-up pole, another UNUN, and had a friend weld up a nice mount for the back of my car. Now, I can drive to scenic overlooks, state parks, rest stops. When I get there, I take the pole out of the backseat, drop it into the mount, push up my antenna in about 45 seconds, open the trunk, grab the coax and connect it to the transformer and I'm on the air with a much better 5 watt signal than from a Hamstick. As we all know, antennas are part science and part black magic so I hope you have the same luck and good QRP DX I've been enjoying. 73, Stan WB2LQF On Tue, May 8, 2012 at 10:07 AM, Tom McCulloch wrote: After watching Stan Video last night I placed an order for a few T-106-2's to build the transformer...looks pretty straightforward and inexpensive. Tnx Stan Tom, WB2QDG K2 1103 On 5/7/2012 1:43 PM, Jim Lowman wrote: Enjoyed the video, Stan. I may look into one of these. 72/73 de Jim - AD6CW On 5/6/2012 6:11 PM, stan levandowski wrote: Bernie, I'm no expert but I've been a QRP HF CW addict for 52 years and one solution I've found that works quite well with all my Elecraft rigs (KX1, K2, K2, and K3) is a simple halfwave vertical with *no* radials or any other ground return except for the coax shield. It's not perfect but I've worked a freakin' pile of DX with it and its performance is reliable and repeatable. I'm not looking to start any long threads or get into arguments with hams whose technical education and abilities far exceed mine. I'm just offering a solution that works for me and which might work for you. Let's see...what's that termYour Mileage May Vary.? :} See my not perfect, but pretty darn good solution at : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWkpQ785Pjo 73, Stan WB2LQF KX1 #2411K1#2994K2# 6980K3#5244 K9 #1 (Cocoa the Chihuahua) Everything is QRP, even the dog. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 AGC improvements (MCU rev 4.50 / DSP 2.74)
Just a reminder: There will be further improved K3 firmware available later today. It will allow NR and autonotch at all settings, and will fix the audio-dropout problem some have reported. Wayne N6KR __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] New KX1 low power and 20m oscillation
Here is a shot of my KX1's 40m signal: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/file/n7539479/KX1_40m.jpg Clearly, the signal is much cleaner than 20m. Here is another shot of the 20m signal at a 2 KHz span: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/file/n7539479/KX1_20m.jpg Anybody have an idea for the possible source of this modulation? - 73, Stan - KR7C -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/New-KX1-low-power-and-20m-oscillation-tp7531133p7539479.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 AGC improvements (MCU rev 4.50 / DSP 2.74)
On my side I am ready to load it and stress little bit the radio flash with new build :-) tnx Wayne VE3GNO Daniel From: Wayne Burdick n...@elecraft.com To: Elecraft Reflector elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Tuesday, May 8, 2012 10:59:37 AM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 AGC improvements (MCU rev 4.50 / DSP 2.74) Just a reminder: There will be further improved K3 firmware available later today. It will allow NR and autonotch at all settings, and will fix the audio-dropout problem some have reported. Wayne N6KR __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Battery Life K2
Charles, That is one sign that the SLA battery has seen its end of life. I figure about 3 to 5 years on any lead acid battery - trying to make it last longer is pushing your luck. If it is something you are going to rely on for emergency use, replace it every 3 years (in my opinion). 73, Don W3FPR On 5/8/2012 10:37 AM, Charles Nagel wrote: Has anyone had any long term experience with the K2 battery? I think I used it once for about three hours a couple of field days ago. Now at 14.2 volts over a couple days' charge I can't get above 11.6 volts. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] New KX1 low power and 20m oscillation
Stan, Check the low pass filter components carefully. It is possible that it is letting harmonics through. Make certain that Q7 is working. Capacitor CA is one of the low pass filter components that must be in the circuit on transmit. Q7 effectively grounds one side of that capacitor on transmit. 73, Don W3FPR On 5/8/2012 11:16 AM, Stan Gibbs wrote: Here is a shot of my KX1's 40m signal: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/file/n7539479/KX1_40m.jpg Clearly, the signal is much cleaner than 20m. Here is another shot of the 20m signal at a 2 KHz span: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/file/n7539479/KX1_20m.jpg Anybody have an idea for the possible source of this modulation? __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] New KX1 low power and 20m oscillation
Don Wilhelm-4 wrote Make certain that Q7 is working. Capacitor CA is one of the low pass filter components that must be in the circuit on transmit. Q7 effectively grounds one side of that capacitor on transmit. As I said in my original post, Q7 is the place where my DC troubleshooting measurements differed from specs. The base of Q7, which is supposed to be 0.7V, is -0.895V on 40 and -0.195 on 20. The voltage on Q7 should definitely be positive in order for it to ground capacitor CA, so something is screwy. Someone suggested that either C45 or C32 were possibly bad, allowing RF on to the base of Q7, which might cause the bogus voltages. I tried adding additional capacitance in parallel with C45/C32, but that had no effect. - 73, Stan - KR7C -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/New-KX1-low-power-and-20m-oscillation-tp7531133p7539677.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] Musings re the KAT500
I note with some interest, during the past few days, that there has been a flurry of interest relating to some software updates re the AGC threshold operation on the K3. That's OK with me - it just leads me to believe they have essentially completed the work on the KAT500. Perhaps they are even packaging parts as we speak!! ;-) [ Dayton is drawing near ] Doug, VE3VS Ontario, Canada -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/Musings-re-the-KAT500-tp7539689.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] Kenwood TS 480 hx and KPA500
Hi I have a Kenwood TS-480 and run a Remoterig (Microbit) and want to ad an amplifier that will do automatic band switching, or band switching controlled by the radio control head. I called Elecraft Technical support and could not get a definitive answer if the Elecraft KPA500 amp will work for this purpose. The extremely pleasant tech support agent suggested I sign up for this email list. So here I am. I am ready to buy an amp and would appreciate anyone 's suggestions and assistance. Most sincerely, Gene K7MGM __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Portable Antennas (Is there an easy button?)
I agree that the EFHW is a good performer and it's a main player in my portable arsenal. However, I give little to no credence in the comparison featured in that linked video. There's no evidence that they're remotely aware of the azimuthal pattern of the 135ft OCF on 15M. Hint, it's NOT broadside. 73, Barry N1EU stan levandowski wrote Tom, it's by no means a perfect antenna but it *does* perform quite well for me. After watching Stan Video last night I placed an order for a few T-106-2's to build the transformer...looks pretty straightforward and inexpensive. Tnx Stan On 5/7/2012 1:43 PM, Jim Lowman wrote: Enjoyed the video, Stan. I may look into one of these. See my not perfect, but pretty darn good solution at : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWkpQ785Pjo 73, Stan WB2LQF -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/Portable-Antennas-Is-there-an-easy-button-tp7533480p7539897.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Battery Life K2
Charles you have a shorted cell within the battery. It is a fatal error. The battery must be replaced. Shorting of cells occurs when the battery is allowed to remain in a discharged state, particularly in freezing weather. Fred, AE6QL -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Charles Nagel Sent: Tuesday, May 08, 2012 7:37 AM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] Battery Life K2 Has anyone had any long term experience with the K2 battery? I think I used it once for about three hours a couple of field days ago. Now at 14.2 volts over a couple days' charge I can't get above 11.6 volts. Charles, K0CW Sent from my iPad __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] K2-Using a paddle and straight key at the same time….how?
I'd like to keep both keys plugged into the K2 at the same time. How should I go about that? Steve W1SFR __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Kenwood TS 480 hx and KPA500
Gene, I would believe the KPA500 will work quite nicely for you. Here is an Excerpt from the manual's Introduction section: The KPA500 can be used with nearly any transceiver, thanks to its instantaneous RF-based band switching, advanced protection circuitry, adjustable ALC, and extensive parametric monitoring. It also has inputs that allow direct band switching from many popular transceivers. T/R is completely noise-free thanks to the use of PIN-diode switching. There is an optional RS232 (XCVR) jack to connnect the KPA500 to a Kenwood transceiver. Download the manual from the Elecraft website and read the entire section and setup information an decide for yourself. 73, Don W3FPR On 5/8/2012 12:38 PM, Geno Munari wrote: Hi I have a Kenwood TS-480 and run a Remoterig (Microbit) and want to ad an amplifier that will do automatic band switching, or band switching controlled by the radio control head. I called Elecraft Technical support and could not get a definitive answer if the Elecraft KPA500 amp will work for this purpose. The extremely pleasant tech support agent suggested I sign up for this email list. So here I am. I am ready to buy an amp and would appreciate anyone 's suggestions and assistance. Most sincerely, Gene K7MGM __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] KX3 LiNiCo 12v 3.6 Ah Battery Pack
I ran across this battery pack for a LiNiCo 12v 3.6 Ah Battery Pack which has a higher energy density than the LiFeP04 battery packs. It has a charge balancer and protection built into the battery pack. Has anyone used this battery chemistry for powering portable transceivers? Link: http://www.batteryspace.com/LiNiMnCo-26650-Battery-14.4V-3.6Ah-51.84Wh-10A-r ate-with-PCM.aspx John Lally W7JJL __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] P3 -- Span slow to update
I verified the K3 to P3 link is set to 38400 and the SPAN adjustment was still quite slow. So I have reverted back to FW 1.09 and the SPAN adjustment is once again fast as I'd gotten used to since September. After loading 1.09 the K3 to P3 link remains at 38400. Let me ask this, after pondering for a while, why would the K3 to P3 serial speed have any bearing on the SPAN control? It seems that is internal to the P3 as it is adjusting the displayed bandwidth. 73, de Nate, N0NB -- The optimist proclaims that we live in the best of all possible worlds. The pessimist fears this is true. Ham radio, Linux, bikes, and more: http://www.n0nb.us __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K2-Using a paddle and straight key at the same time….how?
Steve, See page 99 in the K2 manual - add the two diodes and make certain Auto-Detect is turned on in the menu. 73, Don W3FPR On 5/8/2012 1:47 PM, Stephen Roberts wrote: I'd like to keep both keys plugged into the K2 at the same time. How should I go about that? Steve W1SFR __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K2-Using a paddle and straight key at the same time….how?
Steve, Just get a stereo 1/8 male to two stereo 1/8 females y-splitter and plug a key into each. You'll still have to remember to set the K2 to one key mode or the other, but that's it. If you want to switch multiple keys between multiple rigs, you can easily wire up a project box like I did: http://udel.edu/~mm/ham/keySwitch/ 73, Mike ab3ap On 05/08/2012 01:47 PM, Stephen Roberts wrote: I'd like to keep both keys plugged into the K2 at the same time. How should I go about that? Steve W1SFR __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K2-Using a paddle and straight key at the same time….how?
Steve - Look at page 99 of the latest (Rev H) manual. The section on CW Operation shows how the two keys may be connected at the same time. You might find that a small capacitor connected across the straight key necessary depending on how much RF you have flying round the shack. 73 de David G4DMP In a recent message, Stephen Roberts steve...@shoreham.net writes I'd like to keep both keys plugged into the K2 at the same time. How should I go about that? -- + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + | David M Pratt, Kippax, Leeds. | | Website: http://www.g4dmp.co.uk | + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] 6 meters
I am moving to HS0...they do not allow K3 import because it has 6 meters (not allowed in thailand). Is there a way to eliminate 6 meters from my K3 so I can try to get it type accepted? They do allow the K2. If you don't change direction you WILL arrive exactly where you're headed!! Susan Meckley, Skipper W7KFI-mm AFA9SM USSV DHARMA __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Portable Antennas (Is there an easy button?)
Here is a good link for the EFHW which details the matching box that is discussed in the video. I just ordered some supplies today to build one (or two) of these. Burke Jones N0HYD KX1 On Tue, May 8, 2012 at 12:06 PM, N1EU n1eu.ba...@gmail.com wrote: I agree that the EFHW is a good performer and it's a main player in my portable arsenal. However, I give little to no credence in the comparison featured in that linked video. There's no evidence that they're remotely aware of the azimuthal pattern of the 135ft OCF on 15M. Hint, it's NOT broadside. 73, Barry N1EU stan levandowski wrote Tom, it's by no means a perfect antenna but it *does* perform quite well for me. After watching Stan Video last night I placed an order for a few T-106-2's to build the transformer...looks pretty straightforward and inexpensive. Tnx Stan On 5/7/2012 1:43 PM, Jim Lowman wrote: Enjoyed the video, Stan. I may look into one of these. See my not perfect, but pretty darn good solution at : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWkpQ785Pjo 73, Stan WB2LQF -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/Portable-Antennas-Is-there-an-easy-button-tp7533480p7539897.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Portable Antennas (Is there an easy button?)
Forgot the link - sorry about that! http://www.earchi.org/92011endfedfiles/Endfed6_40.pdf On Tue, May 8, 2012 at 1:11 PM, Burke Jones burkejo...@gmail.com wrote: Here is a good link for the EFHW which details the matching box that is discussed in the video. I just ordered some supplies today to build one (or two) of these. Burke Jones N0HYD KX1 On Tue, May 8, 2012 at 12:06 PM, N1EU n1eu.ba...@gmail.com wrote: I agree that the EFHW is a good performer and it's a main player in my portable arsenal. However, I give little to no credence in the comparison featured in that linked video. There's no evidence that they're remotely aware of the azimuthal pattern of the 135ft OCF on 15M. Hint, it's NOT broadside. 73, Barry N1EU stan levandowski wrote Tom, it's by no means a perfect antenna but it *does* perform quite well for me. After watching Stan Video last night I placed an order for a few T-106-2's to build the transformer...looks pretty straightforward and inexpensive. Tnx Stan On 5/7/2012 1:43 PM, Jim Lowman wrote: Enjoyed the video, Stan. I may look into one of these. See my not perfect, but pretty darn good solution at : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWkpQ785Pjo 73, Stan WB2LQF -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/Portable-Antennas-Is-there-an-easy-button-tp7533480p7539897.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K2-Using a paddle and straight key at the same time….how?
Hi Steve, You can use a TRS (Tip, Ring,Sleeve) Y cable. At the straight key you will need to add 2 diodes to to keep isolation between the DOT Dash leads. Almost any diode will work, common rectifier types in the 4000 series or small signal 1N914 or 1N4148. Works fine. In my case I have an old Brown Brothers that has a key and paddle on the same base and the wiring was done under it and is not visible. Just use whatever your choice is at any time. 73, Bob K2TK ex KN2TKR (1956) K2TKR On 5/8/2012 1:47 PM, Stephen Roberts wrote: I'd like to keep both keys plugged into the K2 at the same time. How should I go about that? Steve W1SFR __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K2-Using a paddle and straight key at the same time….how?
If you want to make the circuit with two diodes for auto detection, then if you have the possibility use Shottky diodes. This is especially so if you also want to use an external keyer from time to time in addition to a straight-key. See Reliable auto-detect for keyer for Elecraft K2 http://la3za.blogspot.com/2012/05/reliable-auto-detect-for-keyer-for.html - Sverre, LA3ZA K2 #2198, K3 #3391 Blog LA3ZA Unofficial Guide to K2 modifications -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K2-Using-a-paddle-and-straight-key-at-the-same-time-how-tp7540055p7540166.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Portable Antennas (Is there an easy button?)
One more question... Where can I get one of the small ABS boxes like the group sells and is show in the video? Burke Jones N0HYD KX1 On Tue, May 8, 2012 at 1:12 PM, Burke Jones burkejo...@gmail.com wrote: Forgot the link - sorry about that! http://www.earchi.org/92011endfedfiles/Endfed6_40.pdf On Tue, May 8, 2012 at 1:11 PM, Burke Jones burkejo...@gmail.com wrote: Here is a good link for the EFHW which details the matching box that is discussed in the video. I just ordered some supplies today to build one (or two) of these. Burke Jones N0HYD KX1 On Tue, May 8, 2012 at 12:06 PM, N1EU n1eu.ba...@gmail.com wrote: I agree that the EFHW is a good performer and it's a main player in my portable arsenal. However, I give little to no credence in the comparison featured in that linked video. There's no evidence that they're remotely aware of the azimuthal pattern of the 135ft OCF on 15M. Hint, it's NOT broadside. 73, Barry N1EU stan levandowski wrote Tom, it's by no means a perfect antenna but it *does* perform quite well for me. After watching Stan Video last night I placed an order for a few T-106-2's to build the transformer...looks pretty straightforward and inexpensive. Tnx Stan On 5/7/2012 1:43 PM, Jim Lowman wrote: Enjoyed the video, Stan. I may look into one of these. See my not perfect, but pretty darn good solution at : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWkpQ785Pjo 73, Stan WB2LQF -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/Portable-Antennas-Is-there-an-easy-button-tp7533480p7539897.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] 6 meters
The licensing looks pretty strict and stuck in the past. The list of approved transceivers is very dated... Perhaps Elecraft can provide a firmware fix to limit the K3 to the band segments shown in: http://www.nbtc.go.th/phocadownload/prnbtc/english/8Notification-0001-151254.pdf It also looks like you cannot have general coverage receive either! 73 Dave, G4AON __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] K3 Low Pass Filters
I'm planning to use my K3's RX antenna loop with a splitter to feed signals also to my QS1R. W4TV warned of the impact of the TX low-pass filters on received signals. From some crude experiments, it appears that the low-pass filters are grouped, rather than being strictly one per band. It looks as if there are LPFs for 1.8, 3.5, 7, 10+14, 18+21, 24+28, and 50 MHz. I could not find confirmation of this in either the manual or the Cady book, but it makes sense to me. Can anyone confirm it? -- 73, Pete N4ZR The World Contest Station Database, updated daily at www.conteststations.com The Reverse Beacon Network at http://reversebeacon.net, blog at reversebeacon.blogspot.com, spots at telnet.reversebeacon.net, port 7000 and arcluster.reversebeacon.net, port 7000 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] K2-Using a paddle and straight key at the same time….how?
It is in the manual. Page 99. 73 Geo/W2BPI __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 Low Pass Filters
Pete == Pete Smith N4ZR n...@contesting.com writes: Pete From some crude experiments, it appears that the low-pass Pete filters are Pete grouped, rather than being strictly one per band. It looks Pete as if there Pete are LPFs for 1.8, 3.5, 7, 10+14, 18+21, 24+28, and 50 MHz. I Pete could not Pete find confirmation of this in either the manual or the Cady Pete book, but it Pete makes sense to me. Can anyone confirm it? Page 4 of the schematics. The 40 m one also serves for those lucky enough to have a 60 m allocation. -- Pierfrancesco Caci, ik5pvx __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Portable Antennas (Is there an easy button?)
The video and website referenced should have some things pointed out. The video SWR values called out are those obtained through the tuner in the K-2. At times I have had the unused antenna accidentally selected and ran the tuner and got reasonably low swr matches. It found a match but a lot of power would have been dissipated in the tuner. The website for the 9:1 balun nicely does not claim the antenna described using 30 feet of wire as an end fed half wave but rather and end fed antenna On 40 meters that length is near a quarter wave and would need a ground system for good performance. On 20 meters it is near a half wave but not quite. That may be good, making it easier to match. Note a tuner is required Using an antenna like this can make contacts. On most frequencies the swr in the coax from the balun to tuner will be high and thus loss could be high for long runs of lossy coax. For portable operation with a few feet of coax that should not be much of an issue. There is nothing magic about the configuration. It should work better than the greatly shortened wonder antennas. A say 25 foot wire connected to the output of a tuner would probably do as well eliminating the use of the balun A ground system as simple as a single radial will improve results in most cases. 73 - Mike WA8BXN ---Original Message--- From: Burke Jones Date: 5/8/2012 2:22:45 PM To: N1EU Cc: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Portable Antennas (Is there an easy button?) Forgot the link - sorry about that! http://www.earchi.org/92011endfedfiles/Endfed6_40.pdf On Tue, May 8, 2012 at 1:11 PM, Burke Jones burkejo...@gmail.com wrote: Here is a good link for the EFHW which details the matching box that is discussed in the video. I just ordered some supplies today to build one (or two) of these. Burke Jones N0HYD KX1 On Tue, May 8, 2012 at 12:06 PM, N1EU n1eu.ba...@gmail.com wrote: I agree that the EFHW is a good performer and it's a main player in my portable arsenal. However, I give little to no credence in the comparison featured in that linked video. There's no evidence that they're remotely aware of the azimuthal pattern of the 135ft OCF on 15M. Hint, it's NOT broadside. 73, Barry N1EU Stan levandowski wrote Tom, it's by no means a perfect antenna but it *does* perform quite well for me. After watching Stan Video last night I placed an order for a few T-106-2's to build the transformer...looks pretty straightforward and inexpensive. Tnx Stan On 5/7/2012 1:43 PM, Jim Lowman wrote: Enjoyed the video, Stan. I may look into one of these. See my not perfect, but pretty darn good solution at : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWkpQ785Pjo 73, Stan WB2LQF -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble com/Portable-Antennas-Is-there-an-easy-button-tp7533480p7539897.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 Low Pass Filters
Pete, It looks as if there are LPFs for 1.8, 3.5, 7, 10+14, 18+21, 24+28, and 50 MHz. I could not find confirmation of this in either the manual or the Cady book, but it makes sense to me. Can anyone confirm it? As I suggested previously, look in the schematics - page 4. You will see filters for 160, 80, 40/60, 20/30, 15/17, 10/12, and 6. 73, ... Joe, W4TV On 5/8/2012 3:20 PM, Pete Smith N4ZR wrote: I'm planning to use my K3's RX antenna loop with a splitter to feed signals also to my QS1R. W4TV warned of the impact of the TX low-pass filters on received signals. From some crude experiments, it appears that the low-pass filters are grouped, rather than being strictly one per band. It looks as if there are LPFs for 1.8, 3.5, 7, 10+14, 18+21, 24+28, and 50 MHz. I could not find confirmation of this in either the manual or the Cady book, but it makes sense to me. Can anyone confirm it? __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Portable Antennas (Is there an easy button?)
I dont quite get their claim: The SWR is 1:1. They are using a tuner, so the question is, what is the SWR on the ANTENNA side of the tuner, not what does the K3 says with the tuner on... Now, can you make 2 of these and place them at a strategic distance between them, making the other one a little longer for a 2 element parasitic array? -Rex- K1HI Rex Lint Merrimack, NH WWW.QRZ.COM/db/k1hi -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Burke Jones Sent: Tuesday, May 08, 2012 2:47 PM To: N1EU Cc: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Portable Antennas (Is there an easy button?) One more question... Where can I get one of the small ABS boxes like the group sells and is show in the video? Burke Jones N0HYD KX1 On Tue, May 8, 2012 at 1:12 PM, Burke Jones burkejo...@gmail.com wrote: Forgot the link - sorry about that! http://www.earchi.org/92011endfedfiles/Endfed6_40.pdf On Tue, May 8, 2012 at 1:11 PM, Burke Jones burkejo...@gmail.com wrote: Here is a good link for the EFHW which details the matching box that is discussed in the video. I just ordered some supplies today to build one (or two) of these. Burke Jones N0HYD KX1 On Tue, May 8, 2012 at 12:06 PM, N1EU n1eu.ba...@gmail.com wrote: I agree that the EFHW is a good performer and it's a main player in my portable arsenal. However, I give little to no credence in the comparison featured in that linked video. There's no evidence that they're remotely aware of the azimuthal pattern of the 135ft OCF on 15M. Hint, it's NOT broadside. 73, Barry N1EU stan levandowski wrote Tom, it's by no means a perfect antenna but it *does* perform quite well for me. After watching Stan Video last night I placed an order for a few T-106-2's to build the transformer...looks pretty straightforward and inexpensive. Tnx Stan On 5/7/2012 1:43 PM, Jim Lowman wrote: Enjoyed the video, Stan. I may look into one of these. See my not perfect, but pretty darn good solution at : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWkpQ785Pjo 73, Stan WB2LQF -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/Portable-Antennas-Is-there-an-e asy-button-tp7533480p7539897.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Portable Antennas (Is there an easy button?)
Rex, It could be a 2 element parasitic array for 20 meters - where it is a little shorter than a half wave, but the reflector or director would have to be resonant on the band of operation. A wire of that length would work with a low radiation angle on 15 meters, but the lobes will be at a higher angle on 10 meters where it is approaching a full wavelength. One thing you could do is space 2 of them a ways apart (about 16 feet) and feed both of them with the same length feedline. That will give you a directional pattern that is perpendicular to the plane of the elements (broadside array is a term typically used). Yes, that video is woefully uninformative, all that was accomplished was to demonstrate that the K2 tuner could tune it - note that the K2 tuner has a very wide range. 73, Don W3FPR On 5/8/2012 4:14 PM, Rex Lint wrote: I don’t quite get their claim: The SWR is 1:1. They are using a tuner, so the question is, what is the SWR on the ANTENNA side of the tuner, not what does the K3 says with the tuner on... Now, can you make 2 of these and place them at a strategic distance between them, making the other one a little longer for a 2 element parasitic array? __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Portable Antennas (Is there an easy button?)
Don, that's my antenna and I shot that video with Tony W1ZMB. All we wanted to do was publicize a rather inexpensive and workable alternative to those heavily marketed and very expensive shortened antennas that promise the world at your doorstep and often fall short. I used that antenna to earn my QRP WAC Award. My club borrowed it for a recent Special Event conducted from the front porch of Samuel F.B. Morse's Poughkeepsie estate. They didn't want us to put big antennae all over the place. For that event we poured 100 watts into it. Seemed to work quite well. We used an ICOM 746PRO which is known to have a rather narrow internal tuner -- I've been told 3:1. In any case, Don (et al), a half wave end fed antenna is basically a pretty good deal and it works darn well *above* half wave also. Putting it on a pushup pole, using a transformer to bring the impedance down to where *most* tuners can find a match, having a small footprint, and eliminating radials at the halfwave frequency and above (i.e., 20 through 6 meters inclusive) isn't a bad deal, in my opinion, for the ham who may be operating under certain constraints and wants something better than a 10% efficient Hamstick. I apologize if the technical content of our video was either lacking or misleading to anyone. We just know the darn thing works from actual experience. 73, Stan WB2LQF On Tue, May 8, 2012 at 4:51 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote: Yes, that video is woefully uninformative, all that was accomplished was to demonstrate that the K2 tuner could tune it - note that the K2 tuner has a very wide range. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] P3 -- Span slow to update
Hi Nate, I was able to verify that in version 1.09 span changes are a little faster than 1.16 . We'll take a look at that since we added quite a bit of code to support the SVGA and fixed some remote control commands. 73, Paul Nate Bargmann wrote A couple of weeks ago I updated the P3 FW from 1.09 to 1.16 and while I've not noticed any improvements since I don't have the SVGA board, I have noticed that the SPAN adjusts very slowly now. Before the update it adjusted about as fast as the knob was turned but now I can overrun it quite easily or I need to turn the knob quite slowly. Has anyone else observed this behavior? If this is the new normal I think I'll go back to 1.09! 73, de Nate, N0NB -- The optimist proclaims that we live in the best of all possible worlds. The pessimist fears this is true. Ham radio, Linux, bikes, and more: http://www.n0nb.us __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@.qth This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/P3-Span-slow-to-update-tp7537386p7540860.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] 6 meters
It's not stuck in the past if operating on 6m would cause interference to other licensed services. Thailand certainly isn't the only country that doesn't permit 6m operation. A list of approved transceivers would appear dated if the majority of newer transceivers include 6m coverage. Their country...their rules. 73, Ken Alexander VE3HLS On 08/05/2012 2:55 PM, Dave Johnson wrote: The licensing looks pretty strict and stuck in the past. The list of approved transceivers is very dated... Perhaps Elecraft can provide a firmware fix to limit the K3 to the band segments shown in: http://www.nbtc.go.th/phocadownload/prnbtc/english/8Notification-0001-151254.pdf It also looks like you cannot have general coverage receive either! 73 Dave, G4AON __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] KX3 Order
McMaster-Carr stocks some Wiha screwdrivers - you have to search their site for ultra grip http://www.mcmaster.com and I've never had to wait for delivery. I use the antislip tip Wiha screwdrivers for Philips and Pozidrive (if you have HP test equipment, you need Pozidrive) - no doubt about it, these are excellent tools. Jack K8ZOA On 5/8/2012 10:26 AM, orthodoxh...@cox.net wrote: In anticipation of delivery off my KX3, I placed an order with All-Spec for a new #1 Phillips screwdriver - part of a Wiha 8-piece ESD set that I had not seen before - at a bargain price compared to the usual 7-piece set (which I use at work). That was February 15. Today I received shipping notification on this screwdriver set. 83 days after ordering. Apparently the boat got in from Germany, and my #1 Phillips will arrive just in time to assemble my KX3 kit (ordered 44 minutes after opening bell). For those who have grandchildren or children of the right age to have been endlessly exposed to Spongebob, please enjoy this - From the Krusty Krab new employee training video - renamed: How to Make a KX3: http://youtu.be/8P84ksh7dB4 I already have my grill (er, anti-static mat) and soon to have my spatula (#1 Phillips), so It is all coming together. K5MSG Gary Gregorygaryvk...@gmail.com wrote: *Bob, Did you also enter your order on a countdown list so you could see how long before you might receive it?:-) Gary * On 8 May 2012 07:11, Bob K6UJk...@pacbell.net wrote: When I ordered my K3 it took 5 days, 18 minutes, and 37 seconds before I received it. :-) (sorry, I couldn't resist) Bob K6UJ On May 7, 2012, at 11:01 AM, Edward R. Cole wrote: Seeing chatter about orders and when they will arrive I checked my Elecraft order confirmation since I am unsure of the exact time I placed my order on 27Dec2011 The confirm e-mail was sent at 10:46pm; order# 2208-4482-7710 I later augmented my order to add the tuner What is not clear is if the time-tag is AK time or CA time. I wonder if anyone recalls the exact time that ordering was started. Just to give me time to guess how far back in the pack I am. I am thinking I made the order at 9pm AKST (10pm PST). 73, Ed - KL7UW, WD2XSH/45 == BP40IQ 500 KHz - 10-GHz www.kl7uw.com EME: 50-1.1kw?, 144-1.4kw, 432-QRT, 1296-?, 3400-? DUBUS Magazine USA Rep dubus...@gmail.com Kits made by KL7UW http://www.kl7uw.com/kits.htm == __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html -- Gary VK4FD - Motorhome Mobile Elecraft Equipment K3 #679, KPA-500 #018 Living the dream!!! __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Portable Antennas (Is there an easy button?)
A couple of observations based on antenna principles and my personal experience: 1) A dipole is a dipole no matter where it's fed. A 1/2 wave dipole (Hertzian antenna) is more efficient than anything shorter (no matter how often the manufacturer puts magic in the ad copy :-) although, with great effort shorter antennas can come close. Jerry Sevick, W2FMI (SK) demonstrated how to build short, efficient grounded (Marconi) antennas for Hams. But they require extensive, well designed ground; not something generally practical for portable use and not even practical in many fixed station locations. 2) Antennas longer than 1/2 wave are also very efficient. Even at multiples of 1/4 wave, the impedance is never as low as it is for a 1/4 wavelength radiator. A simple counterpoise wire will usually provide good efficiency even at the odd 1/4 wavelength multiples where the feed point impedance is at a minimum. 3) The matching device earchi uses is a simple auto-transformer. The voltage at the top (antenna end) of the coil will be very high, requiring good spacing and excellent insulation. (Many will recognize the design as being similar to a Tesla Coil. It IS a Tesla coil!) A personal experience was when I ran a 1/2 wave long wire with a matching network at the rig that had a nylon banana jack for the antenna wire connection. It was housed in a metal box. At about 10 watts output on 40 meters, the nylon melted! But just because nothing smokes or melts at QRP power levels does not mean the system is efficient. That only means that the heat produced by the loss doesn't raise the temperature high enough to destroy the materials. You can still be throwing away much or most of your RF as heat in a poor connection or bad insulator. My rule is to be as careful with proper insulation and low resistance connections at 1 watt as I would be at a kilowatt. 73, Ron AC7AC __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] KX3 Order
I can second Jack's recommendation of Wiha drivers. I've used a set here since 2006 and they are wonderful. 73 Craig AC0DS __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] New KX1 low power and 20m oscillation
Hello Stan, If Q7 is not conducting and is not in effect grounding one side of CA, then a loop is created between the input (Q1 Gate) and output stage of the transmitter. Part of this loop contains the Rx RF Gain pot R1, the Rx's input tuned circuit, and the coupling between pins 1 and 6 of U6 be it inside or external to the chip. To eliminate (or not) the possibility that on 20m transmitter is unstable because Q7 is not removing this loop, I suggest that while transmitting you wind down the Rx RF Gain pot R1 to see if the spectrum improves. I am curious as to why the sidebands on 20m are spaced at 60 Hz intervals. 73, Geoff LX2AO On May 08, 2012 at 18:07 +0200, Stan Gibbs wrote: As I said in my original post, Q7 is the place where my DC troubleshooting measurements differed from specs. The base of Q7, which is supposed to be 0.7V, is -0.895V on 40 and -0.195 on 20. The voltage on Q7 should definitely be positive in order for it to ground capacitor CA, so something is screwy. Someone suggested that either C45 or C32 were possibly bad, allowing RF on to the base of Q7, which might cause the bogus voltages. I tried adding additional capacitance in parallel with C45/C32, but that had no effect. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] New KX1 low power and 20m oscillation
Actually, there is an easier test - just put a temporary jumper between the connector and emitter of Q7. Do not expect it to receive with that jumper in place, but observe what happens to the sidebands when you transmit. If it cleans things up with the jumper in place, replace Q7 and make certain R28 is well soldered. Stan reported a negative voltage on the base of Q7 - I trust that was while transmitting, and if that assumption is true, I suspect R28 has a problem. One end of R28 should be near 6 volts when transmitting and the other end should be near 0.6 volts. 73, Don W3FPR On 5/8/2012 7:39 PM, Geoffrey Mackenzie-Kennedy wrote: Hello Stan, If Q7 is not conducting and is not in effect grounding one side of CA, then a loop is created between the input (Q1 Gate) and output stage of the transmitter. Part of this loop contains the Rx RF Gain pot R1, the Rx's input tuned circuit, and the coupling between pins 1 and 6 of U6 be it inside or external to the chip. To eliminate (or not) the possibility that on 20m transmitter is unstable because Q7 is not removing this loop, I suggest that while transmitting you wind down the Rx RF Gain pot R1 to see if the spectrum improves. I am curious as to why the sidebands on 20m are spaced at 60 Hz intervals. 73, Geoff LX2AO On May 08, 2012 at 18:07 +0200, Stan Gibbs wrote: As I said in my original post, Q7 is the place where my DC troubleshooting measurements differed from specs. The base of Q7, which is supposed to be 0.7V, is -0.895V on 40 and -0.195 on 20. The voltage on Q7 should definitely be positive in order for it to ground capacitor CA, so something is screwy. Someone suggested that either C45 or C32 were possibly bad, allowing RF on to the base of Q7, which might cause the bogus voltages. I tried adding additional capacitance in parallel with C45/C32, but that had no effect. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] New KX1 low power and 20m oscillation
But that requires the use of solder :-) 73, Geoff LX2AO On May 09, 2012 at 02:02 +0200, Don Wilhelm wrote: Actually, there is an easier test - just put a temporary jumper between the connector and emitter of Q7. Do not expect it to receive with that jumper in place, but observe what happens to the sidebands when you transmit. If it cleans things up with the jumper in place, replace Q7 and make certain R28 is well soldered. Stan reported a negative voltage on the base of Q7 - I trust that was while transmitting, and if that assumption is true, I suspect R28 has a problem. One end of R28 should be near 6 volts when transmitting and the other end should be near 0.6 volts. 73, Don W3FPR __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] New KX1 low power and 20m oscillation
Sooo??? - the KX1 is a solder type kit. It is the KX3 that is no solder.:-) I meant to say collector instead of connector - please forgive - actually my excuse is that the letters are wearing off my keyboard and I am not fully a touch typist - only halfway there, so you pardon the mistypes. The E, A. N, and M are completely worn off and the C is only half there. 73, Don W3FPR On 5/8/2012 8:36 PM, Geoffrey Mackenzie-Kennedy wrote: But that requires the use of solder :-) 73, Geoff LX2AO On May 09, 2012 at 02:02 +0200, Don Wilhelm wrote: Actually, there is an easier test - just put a temporary jumper between the connector and emitter of Q7. Do not expect it to receive with that jumper in place, but observe what happens to the sidebands when you transmit. If it cleans things up with the jumper in place, replace Q7 and make certain R28 is well soldered. Stan reported a negative voltage on the base of Q7 - I trust that was while transmitting, and if that assumption is true, I suspect R28 has a problem. One end of R28 should be near 6 volts when transmitting and the other end should be near 0.6 volts. 73, Don W3FPR __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] OT: Kenwood's new rig?
TS-990S - To be unveiled at Dayton? http://www.cqdx.ru/ham/new-equipment/ts-990_picture/ __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] New KX1 low power and 20m oscillation
Don, I tried your experiment but it had no effect. I just grounded point A because it is damn hard to jumper Q7. R28 measures good and is well soldered. It has -0.25V or so on the base side and 5.5V on the other during transmit. I also tried reducing the drive pot and, while the signal definitely declined in amplitude, the sidebands were still present. Could this just be an artifact of using my K3/P3 to view the waveform? If so, why would the 40m signal be so different? - 73, Stan - KR7C -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/New-KX1-low-power-and-20m-oscillation-tp7531133p7541505.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] OT: Kenwood's new rig?
Yes Kenwoods new TS-990S is expected to be unveiled at Dayton. A picture and information about the TS-990S is on the on the back of the June 2012 QST http://qrper.com/2012/05/kenwood-publishes-first-photo-of-the-kenwood-ts-990s/ (If interested in discussing further, there is a Yahoo group for the 990 now. ) 73, Bob K6UJ On May 8, 2012, at 7:19 PM, Ken G Kopp wrote: TS-990S - To be unveiled at Dayton? http://www.cqdx.ru/ham/new-equipment/ts-990_picture/ __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] KAT500?
Wayne, Eric, Elecraft Team, With Dayton less than two weeks away, any chance we'll see more info, like pricing and availability, on the KAT500 soon? 73, -- Ian Ian Kahn, KM4IK Roswell, GA EM74ua km4ik@gmail.com K3 #281, P3 #688 HRD v5.x/6.0 Test Team __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Portable Antennas (Is there an easy button?)
Another popular way to end-feed a half wave wire is to parallel-tune the coil to the band in use. The obvious question then is whether that arrangement can result in even higher voltage on the antenna, and thus better results. My guess would be yes, especially if the transformer step-up ratio is made higher, as is commonly the case. Obviously, tuning the coil would defeat the ability to operate multiple bands with just an auto-tuner, and I think that ability is the main feature of the antenna discussed in this thread. However, once a ham has the easy button, why not tinker for that little extra on at least one band? 73, Erik K7TV __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] RX I/Q output planned or thought about for the K3/P3?
On Tue, May 8, 2012 at 10:14 PM, Geoff Wolf AB3LS liltechdud...@gmail.comwrote: way to get I/Q data to a computer from ...an extra module? = Well Geoff, one way is to use a Softrock-IF (a kit, available from KB9YIG for less than 30 bucks); another way is to use an LP-Pan (available from http://www.telepostinc.com/LP-PAN.html). The LP-Pan costs way more but has better dynamic range and other fancy features; nonetheless the little Softrock is a dynamite piece of engineering and does a great job. In either case you will get much better results by adding an outboard sound card instead of your computer's on-board card. I use an EMU0202, no longer made, but others are good too. You take IF out of the back of the K3 and feed the Softrock or LP-Pan, and get I-Q out. Tony KT0NY -- http://www.isb.edu/faculty/facultydir.aspx?ddlFaculty=352 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] RX I/Q output planned or thought about for the K3/P3?
Tony, Yes I am aware of Softrock and LP-Pan, as well as a whole slew of other SDRs you could use with the K3's Buffered IF Output. I suppose the thing I'm trying to get at is a direct I/Q line from the K3... Whether a software update is possible to add this to the current Stereo Line-Out jack (on the back of the K3) or not. 73 DE AB3LS On Tue, May 8, 2012 at 11:31 PM, Tony Estep estept...@gmail.com wrote: On Tue, May 8, 2012 at 10:14 PM, Geoff Wolf AB3LS liltechdud...@gmail.comwrote: way to get I/Q data to a computer from ...an extra module? = Well Geoff, one way is to use a Softrock-IF (a kit, available from KB9YIG for less than 30 bucks); another way is to use an LP-Pan (available from http://www.telepostinc.com/LP-PAN.html). The LP-Pan costs way more but has better dynamic range and other fancy features; nonetheless the little Softrock is a dynamite piece of engineering and does a great job. In either case you will get much better results by adding an outboard sound card instead of your computer's on-board card. I use an EMU0202, no longer made, but others are good too. You take IF out of the back of the K3 and feed the Softrock or LP-Pan, and get I-Q out. Tony KT0NY -- http://www.isb.edu/faculty/facultydir.aspx?ddlFaculty=352 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] RX I/Q output planned or thought about for the K3/P3?
The short answer to all of that is nope. 73, Dave AB7E On 5/8/2012 9:03 PM, Geoff Wolf AB3LS wrote: Tony, I suppose the thing I'm trying to get at is a direct I/Q line from the K3... Whether a software update is possible to add this to the current Stereo Line-Out jack (on the back of the K3) or not. 73 DE AB3LS __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] Estate of John McClain, K7SVV
Hi All, Here are two more Elecraft radios from the estate of John McClain, K7SVV. First is a very nice 4 band K1. This one is set up for 40, 30, 20, and 17 meters. Also comes with the internal ATU, backlight option, and the wide range tilt stand. I checked it out on the air, and everything works FB. New this would be around $700, and asking $390 plus shipping. I have one of these myself, and it has been one of my favorite Field Day radios on many occasions. A very good design, and well built by John. The other radio is a KX1. This is also a 4 band version, and covers 80, 40, 30, and 20. I worked several stations on it this morning, and it seems to work well. The RX seems even better than the one I have, but the TX puts out a bit less than mine does--around 2.5 watts on this one. I know John built this, and then didn't do much with it. There are some tricks and tweaks to boost the power a bit, but apparently he didn't bother. To be honest with you, John wasn't that big on CW, but loved building these radios. Anyway, it's very clean, well built, and comes with the internal ATU and the KXPD1 paddle. That's just under $600 new, and will sell for $325 plus shipping. This is a great portable rig, particularly with the ATU option built in. It's nearly shirt pocket size, and even has some wide band RX capability. It's CW only, of course, but you can switch it on RX for either LSB or USB. Has a built in variable filter that goes from .5 to 2.0. Very cool radio! Contact me if interested. Dave W7AQK __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Portable Antennas (Is there an easy button?)
There are some great resources out there: I'm surprised no-one has mentioned the near end-fed QEX articles written by Ron W6WO or AA5TBhttp://www.aa5tb.com/efha.html or W8JI http://www.w8ji.com/end-fed_1_2_wave_matching_system_end%20feed.htm David G3UNA __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] Connecting my Elecraft K3 to a Drake L-7 amp.
I just got a good deal on a very clean Drake L-7 amp (2- 3-500Z tubes). I was hoping someone might know how to connect them together. The amp has the normal RF in and out connectors. It also has two rca connectors, one says VOX and the other says AGC. Thanks for any help Jerry - NF9L __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
