[Elecraft] [OT] was Re: SDRPlay as panadapter

[Bill Frantz]

And Doug Englebart, when asked why the mouse had 3 buttons 
replied, "Because I could only cram 3 microswitches in the case.".


73 Bill AE6JV

On 9/30/17 at 9:17 AM, gm3...@ifwtech.co.uk (Ian White) wrote:


"Why do you have six monitors?" someone asked the author Terry
Pratchett.
His reply: "Because I don't have enough space for eight".


---
Bill Frantz|"Web security is like medicine - trying to 
do good for

408-356-8506   |an evolved body of kludges" - Mark Miller
www.pwpconsult.com |

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[Elecraft] Elecraft CW Net Announcement

[kev...@coho.net]

Good Evening,
  After a wet rainy week the sun came out.  We are gradually working 
our way into the rainy season :)  The forest is green except for the odd 
deciduous tree; they are turning gold and red.  When the sun pops out 
the foggy view is pleasant.
   Our sun has repopulated itself with spots.  The SFU is up but so is 
the noise.  Time to test our hearing against the crackling sounds.  I 
keep checking for a time change but that has to wait.


Please join us tomorrow on:
   14050 kHz at 2200z Sunday (3 PM PDT Sunday)
    7045 kHz at z Monday (5 PM PDT Sunday)

    73,
    Kevin. KD5ONS

_

This email was crafted with 100% recycled pixels.



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Re: [Elecraft] K2 BFO test failed

[Mike Maiorana]

Don,
Thank you again for your very detailed response. I think I've found the
problem.
After doing the visual checks you suggested I wanted to try and isolate the
crystals to see if the problem was there.
I left L33 alone and carefully removed the BFO crystal that was accessible
without removing the inductor. Now CAL FCTR showed the BFO frequency as
0. Interesting.

I then removed L33 and the second BFO crystal. Using a simple crystal
tester/oscillator I have showed the second crystal (the one under L33) did
not oscillate. The other crystal seemed to oscillate fine. So, it looks
like an order for a pair of BFO crystals should get me back in business, or
at least let me continue the alignment. Hopefully this was the only problem.

Thanks again Don for your expert advice. I'll follow up when I get the
replacement parts.
Best regards and 73
Mike M.
KU4QO

On Sat, Sep 30, 2017 at 6:12 PM, Don Wilhelm  wrote:

> Mike,
>
> How did you check the value of the resistor.  If you used your DMM while
> it was in-circuit, then you have an open L33.  The BFO would oscillate, but
> the range would be restricted as yours is or more narrow.
>
> First thing, check capacitors C173 and C174 to be certain you have the
> correct values installed.  Those blue capacitors with the yellow printing
> on them are difficult to read, so use a magnifier and lots of light.
>
> Then check D37 and D38 to be certain they are oriented correctly - the
> slightly angled side is the "rounded" side.
>
> Make certain RP6 is well soldered - reflow with a hot iron (750 degF) and
> apply a bit of extra solder - you really one need the flux.  The iron dwell
> time should be about 3 seconds, but watch for the solder to flow out onto
> both the solder pad and the component lead to assure good soldering - up to
> 5 seconds dwell will not hurt anything.
>
> Then when doing the BFO Hi and BFO LO frequency checks make sure RP6 pin 7
> goes to quite near 5 volts and also quite near zero volts.
>
> The above are the easiest items to check.
> Keep in mind that the resistor which holds L33 is really an insulator, it
> serves no electrical function.
>
> You are correct that a bad BFO crystal could cause the problem, but to
> change them (change them as a matched pair), you have to lift L33.  Not too
> bad is you are careful, leave the leads connected to the resistor leads,
> heat the solder pad and pull the resistor lead out - repeat for the other
> side and lift L33 and the resistor off as an assembly.
>
> So try the easy stuff first, and if that does not cure it, contact
> Elecraft Support and request a pair of BFO crystals and a new L33 and 5.1
> meg resistor to replace them.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> On 9/30/2017 5:40 PM, Mike Maiorana wrote:
>
>> Thanks Don.
>> I triple-checked the inductor wires and they are well soldered to the
>> pads. I also verified the value of the resistor across it, 5.1 Mohms. I
>> reflowed the solder anyway, but no change in the BFO frequency range.
>>
>> If L33 wasn't connected would the oscillator even run?
>>
>> If one of the two crystals was bad (or not soldered properly) would you
>> also see a reduction in BFO range?
>> What about if one of the varactors had failed?
>>
>> Any further advice will be greatly appreciated.
>> Thanks and 73
>> Mike M.
>> KU4QO
>>
>> On Sat, Sep 30, 2017 at 9:57 AM, Don Wilhelm > > wrote:
>>
>> Mike,
>>
>> The inadequate BFO range is usually a result of the L33 toroid
>> leads not being well soldered.  The toroid wires are very fine and
>> sometimes are not visible to the naked eye, so use magnification
>> to examine them. When re-soldering, use a pointed tool to bring
>> the fine toroid wires down onto the solder pad instead of further
>> up on the securing resistor lead.
>>
>> For adjusting the 4 MHz Reference Oscillator (that has nothing to
>> do with the BFO range), refer to the K2 Dial Calibration article
>> on my website www.w3fpr.com  for the most
>>
>> accurate method of adjusting the Reference Oscillator.
>>
>> Be aware that the 4 MHz Reference oscillator can drift in normal
>> operation, so soon after adjusting it, run CAL PLL and CAL FIL
>> while it is still "on frequency".  That oscillator is not used in
>> operation for the K2 frequency display.  In other words, simply
>> adjusting the 4 MHz Reference does nothing for normal operation.
>>
>> 73,
>> Don W3FPR
>>
>>
>> On 9/30/2017 9:35 AM, Mike Maiorana wrote:
>>
>> Hello all. I have a K2, 6000+ serial number, that I'm trying
>> to get working
>> correctly. Unknown history. A quick test showed the filters
>> were not
>> properly adjusted (could hear both sidebands of carrier on
>> some bands). I
>> thought it would be best to do a top-down alignment.
>>
>> I adjusted the 4 MHz oscillator, verified the PLL reference
>> oscillator
>>  

Re: [Elecraft] SDRPlay as panadapter

[Clay Autery]

I've pretty much become resigned to the need to provide a dedicated DC voltage 
to the monitors, etc...  I'm hacking on a monitor like the two I'm using to 
figure out where to bypass the internal power supply and tap in to provide 
clean DC.
At this point, I'm simply trying to minimize the number of voltages required 
rather than get everything to the near 12-14 vdc...


Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
 Original message From: Jim Brown  
Date: 9/30/17  19:25  (GMT-06:00) To: Reflector Elecraft 
 Subject: Re: [Elecraft] SDRPlay as panadapter 
On 9/30/2017 8:51 AM, Barry Baines wrote:
> What size SVGA monitors do you use? I presume there is a tradeoff between 
> real estate being used by the monitors versus preferred viewing size for 
> seeing what the P3 can provide.
Exactly right. There's also the issue of finding monitors that will run 
on 12-14VDC, so that they can be powered from clean power supplies. :)  
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Re: [Elecraft] KIO3B Installation Problem

[Jim Sr Sturges]

Windows after 7 has a “feature” that hides com ports in the device
manager.  In the device manager, go to View on the menu bar and then
un-hide the hidden ports by clicking on Show Hidden Devices.

73,

Jim N3SZ
On Saturday, September 30, 2017, Don Wilhelm  wrote:

> Buddy,
>
> Load new drivers in the computer.  The computer not indicating the COM
> port assigned is a computer failure.
> After loading the correct drivers, go into Device Manager and open the
> ports section - unplug the USB cable and observe what goes away.
> Then plug the USB cable in again and see what is added.  If it does not
> show the assigned COM port, the computer has a problem.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> On 9/30/2017 8:01 PM, louis a. ives wrote:
>
>> I read the post that Rick N6XI wrote about the problem getting the KI03B
>> to sync. With ports.  I have the exact same problem with my K3 after I
>> replaced a defective KI03B main board.  During the time that it took for my
>> replacement board to arrive, my computer in the shack failed.  I purchased
>> a new desk top computer and after installing the new board in my K3 I found
>> that it would not sync.  I checked the devise manager for the port list and
>> found no list.  I have tried everything to get them to show up in the list
>> with no luck.
>>
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Re: [Elecraft] KIO3B Installation Problem

[Don Wilhelm]

Buddy,

Load new drivers in the computer.  The computer not indicating the COM 
port assigned is a computer failure.
After loading the correct drivers, go into Device Manager and open the 
ports section - unplug the USB cable and observe what goes away.
Then plug the USB cable in again and see what is added.  If it does not 
show the assigned COM port, the computer has a problem.


73,
Don W3FPR

On 9/30/2017 8:01 PM, louis a. ives wrote:
I read the post that Rick N6XI wrote about the problem getting the KI03B to sync. With ports.  I have the exact same problem with my K3 after I replaced a defective KI03B main board.  During the time that it took for my replacement board to arrive, my computer in the shack failed.  I purchased a new desk top computer and after installing the new board in my K3 I found that it would not sync.  I checked the devise manager for the port list and found no list.  I have tried everything to get them to show up in the list with no luck. 

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Re: [Elecraft] KX3: slow build to full power on 15 meters only

[Don Wilhelm]

Bob,

It sounds like your KX3 is "power hunting".  The KX3 (and other Elecraft 
transceivers) control power differently than any other amateur 
transceiver, so you must ignore the common internet (and many data mode 
instructions) in how to set up the KX3 for data modes.


Do you have sufficient audio into the KX3 on 15 meters?  You should 
drive the audio enough to produce 4 bars with the 5th bar flickering on 
the ALC meter.  Since the RF Gain can vary from band to band, you really 
should check the level on each band.


Check out the document on my website www.w3fpr.com.  Scroll down to the 
bottom of the left column for the link to the page.
Ignore the internet advice and set your KX3 properly for audio, and then 
control the power with the power knob.


73,
Don W3FPR

Refer to the document on my wesite

On 9/30/2017 7:48 PM, R Edward wrote:

I have an odd issue that is only happening on 15 meters, and I notice it most 
in digital modes because they are 100% duty cycle. My first transmissions on 
the band are at reduced power from my power setting (usually 5 W), but the 
indicated output slowly builds over 2 or 3 transmission cycles to reach my 
selected power. The antenna is tuned beforehand with a 1:1 SWR, and my mic 
gain/ALC settings are all normal.


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Re: [Elecraft] SDRPlay as panadapter

[Jim Brown]

On 9/30/2017 8:51 AM, Barry Baines wrote:

What size SVGA monitors do you use? I presume there is a tradeoff between real 
estate being used by the monitors versus preferred viewing size for seeing what 
the P3 can provide.
Exactly right. There's also the issue of finding monitors that will run 
on 12-14VDC, so that they can be powered from clean power supplies. :)  
And you want a monitor with a VESA mount. Several years ago, Costco was 
selling a 24-in Samsung that runs on a nominal 14VDC, and that is 
reasonably quiet if its cables are well choked. 14VDC models have been 
disappearing from Samsung's product line, but there may still be some 
around. Also, not all Samsung monitors are RF quiet -- W4UAT gave me one 
with touch controls that turned flips in the presence of RF and also was 
quite noisy. He couldn't use it in his station because he was on a small 
lot with antennas very close to the shack. I tried using it for a while, 
but eventually gave it away.


73, Jim K9YC


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[Elecraft] KIO3B Installation Problem

[louis a. ives]

I read the post that Rick N6XI wrote about the problem getting the KI03B to 
sync. With ports.  I have the exact same problem with my K3 after I replaced a 
defective KI03B main board.  During the time that it took for my replacement 
board to arrive, my computer in the shack failed.  I purchased a new desk top 
computer and after installing the new board in my K3 I found that it would not 
sync.  I checked the devise manager for the port list and found no list.  I 
have tried everything to get them to show up in the list with no luck.  I have 
tried everything listed in all the posts and still no luck.   The K3 utility 
shows a blank port list and the KPA500 show a blank port list, but does have a 
refresh port button but no com ports listed. I have two of the same computers 
and both show no com port list in the Devise Manager.  Both of the computers 
have Windows 10 Home and will not work on the K3.  The old computer that was in 
the shack was a old Asus laptop with windows 8 but had 
 been updated to Windows 10 and worked great.  I suspect that it may be a 
problem with Windows 10 Home,  that something is missing.  The computer works 
fine.  If anyone has any suggestions I would appreciate the help.

Thanks, 73
Buddy KJ4ZSI


Sent from Mail for Windows 10

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Re: [Elecraft] SDRPlay as panadapter

[Jim Brown]

ND0B (North Dakota Bill) is two grids away from the FFMA award for 
working all grids in the lower 48 states on 6M. This is a quote from his 
website:


"More recently I have been experimenting with RTL dongles and SDR 
Console on receive for 6m.   The sensitivity and noise immunity of this 
combination is incredible and in many cases it out performs my Flex 
6700.   My recent contact with W6JTI flat would not have been possible 
without this combination."


W6JTI and K6EU had hiked 3 miles up a mountain trail (2,000 ft climb) 
with a KX3/KXPA100 and a 3-el Yagi to activate CM79, so that's the 
station ND0B was trying to work, the band wasn't very open, and Frank 
only works CW. :)  Frank and Tom were up there two days, and it took 
early morning "just barely there" conditions to make the QSO. And, of 
course, both guys are superb CW operators.


73, Jim K9YC

On 9/30/2017 9:08 AM, Ian White wrote:

Hi Dave

I connect the SDRplay through a 3dB splitter at the 28MHz RX output of
the transverter. A hybrid splitter is used to maximize the isolation
between the SDR and the K3's receiver.

This method is used in preference to the internal 8.2MHz IF output of
the K3 because the transverter output port can deliver a higher
signal/noise ratio to the input of the SDR, which improves its ability
to display extremely weak VHF/UHF signals.



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[Elecraft] KX3: slow build to full power on 15 meters only

[R Edward]

I have an odd issue that is only happening on 15 meters, and I notice it most 
in digital modes because they are 100% duty cycle. My first transmissions on 
the band are at reduced power from my power setting (usually 5 W), but the 
indicated output slowly builds over 2 or 3 transmission cycles to reach my 
selected power. The antenna is tuned beforehand with a 1:1 SWR, and my mic 
gain/ALC settings are all normal.

All other bands behave normally - the meter always immediately indicates full 
selected power. 

Any idea why might be happening only on 15 meters?

Thanks and 73,

Bob KH6BE




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Re: [Elecraft] New product idea for Elecraft...?

[Bob McGraw K4TAX]

It's not how many knobs but..how many knobs does the operator know how to 
use correctly.   

Bob, K4TAX


Sent from my iPhone

> On Sep 30, 2017, at 5:54 PM, Fred Jensen  wrote:
> 
> QKK? "How many knobs does your radio have?"
> QKK 146 "My radio has 146 knobs"
> 
> QKU? "How many of those do you know how to use"
> QKU 2 "I know how to use 2 of them"
> 
> QKB? "Would one of those be the Big Knob?"
> QKB "Yep"
> 
> 73,
> 
> Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW
> Sparks NV DM09dn
> Washoe County
> 
>> On 9/30/2017 12:10 PM, Kevin Stover, AC0H wrote:
>> 
>> Maybe it's that the higher button and knob count increases the machismo? "I, 
>> a Real Radio Man, can operate this radio that looks like a 707 cockpit" 
>> (caveman grunting and chest thumping ensues), and it will really impress the 
>> neighbors.
>> 
> 
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Re: [Elecraft] New product idea for Elecraft...?

[Fred Jensen]

QKK? "How many knobs does your radio have?"
QKK 146 "My radio has 146 knobs"

QKU? "How many of those do you know how to use"
QKU 2 "I know how to use 2 of them"

QKB? "Would one of those be the Big Knob?"
QKB "Yep"

73,

Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW
Sparks NV DM09dn
Washoe County

On 9/30/2017 12:10 PM, Kevin Stover, AC0H wrote:


Maybe it's that the higher button and knob count increases the 
machismo? "I, a Real Radio Man, can operate this radio that looks like 
a 707 cockpit" (caveman grunting and chest thumping ensues), and it 
will really impress the neighbors.




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Re: [Elecraft] K2 BFO test failed

[Don Wilhelm]

Mike,

How did you check the value of the resistor.  If you used your DMM while 
it was in-circuit, then you have an open L33.  The BFO would oscillate, 
but the range would be restricted as yours is or more narrow.


First thing, check capacitors C173 and C174 to be certain you have the 
correct values installed.  Those blue capacitors with the yellow 
printing on them are difficult to read, so use a magnifier and lots of 
light.


Then check D37 and D38 to be certain they are oriented correctly - the 
slightly angled side is the "rounded" side.


Make certain RP6 is well soldered - reflow with a hot iron (750 degF) 
and apply a bit of extra solder - you really one need the flux.  The 
iron dwell time should be about 3 seconds, but watch for the solder to 
flow out onto both the solder pad and the component lead to assure good 
soldering - up to 5 seconds dwell will not hurt anything.


Then when doing the BFO Hi and BFO LO frequency checks make sure RP6 pin 
7 goes to quite near 5 volts and also quite near zero volts.


The above are the easiest items to check.
Keep in mind that the resistor which holds L33 is really an insulator, 
it serves no electrical function.


You are correct that a bad BFO crystal could cause the problem, but to 
change them (change them as a matched pair), you have to lift L33.  Not 
too bad is you are careful, leave the leads connected to the resistor 
leads, heat the solder pad and pull the resistor lead out - repeat for 
the other side and lift L33 and the resistor off as an assembly.


So try the easy stuff first, and if that does not cure it, contact 
Elecraft Support and request a pair of BFO crystals and a new L33 and 
5.1 meg resistor to replace them.


73,
Don W3FPR

On 9/30/2017 5:40 PM, Mike Maiorana wrote:

Thanks Don.
I triple-checked the inductor wires and they are well soldered to the 
pads. I also verified the value of the resistor across it, 5.1 Mohms. 
I reflowed the solder anyway, but no change in the BFO frequency range.


If L33 wasn't connected would the oscillator even run?

If one of the two crystals was bad (or not soldered properly) would 
you also see a reduction in BFO range?

What about if one of the varactors had failed?

Any further advice will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks and 73
Mike M.
KU4QO

On Sat, Sep 30, 2017 at 9:57 AM, Don Wilhelm > wrote:


Mike,

The inadequate BFO range is usually a result of the L33 toroid
leads not being well soldered.  The toroid wires are very fine and
sometimes are not visible to the naked eye, so use magnification
to examine them. When re-soldering, use a pointed tool to bring
the fine toroid wires down onto the solder pad instead of further
up on the securing resistor lead.

For adjusting the 4 MHz Reference Oscillator (that has nothing to
do with the BFO range), refer to the K2 Dial Calibration article
on my website www.w3fpr.com  for the most
accurate method of adjusting the Reference Oscillator.

Be aware that the 4 MHz Reference oscillator can drift in normal
operation, so soon after adjusting it, run CAL PLL and CAL FIL
while it is still "on frequency".  That oscillator is not used in
operation for the K2 frequency display.  In other words, simply
adjusting the 4 MHz Reference does nothing for normal operation.

73,
Don W3FPR


On 9/30/2017 9:35 AM, Mike Maiorana wrote:

Hello all. I have a K2, 6000+ serial number, that I'm trying
to get working
correctly. Unknown history. A quick test showed the filters
were not
properly adjusted (could hear both sidebands of carrier on
some bands). I
thought it would be best to do a top-down alignment.

I adjusted the 4 MHz oscillator, verified the PLL reference
oscillator
range (12.43 kHz), VCO test and VCO alignment. No problems up
to that
point.

I'm having an issue at the BFO test. The BFO high frequency is
4916.04 kHz
and the low frequency is 4913.82 kHz. That's a difference of
2.19 kHz, well
below the 3.6 kHz stated minimum.




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Re: [Elecraft] New product idea for Elecraft...?

[Kevin der Kinderen]

Wow. Was this some sort of allergic reaction to someone else's opinion?
They make a drug for that.

Now that 70 lb rigs are declared only suitable for people with an
inferiority complex we can all relax in front of our HW-8s knowing that
anyone with a bigger rig doesn't match up to us in areas that really count.

73,
Kev K4VD
K4VD Club #1


On Sat, Sep 30, 2017 at 3:10 PM, Kevin Stover, AC0H 
wrote:

> Totally agree Bob.
>
> It's the "Real Radio Man" arrogance that kicks in with a new radio.
>
> As for the button/knobs vs. menu's argument, what is the difference
> between a button or knob on the face of the rig that gets adjusted once and
> never touched again and a making the same change with a menu?
>
> There is no difference in functionality.
>
> Maybe it's that the higher button and knob count increases the machismo?
> "I, a Real Radio Man, can operate this radio that looks like a 707 cockpit"
> (caveman grunting and chest thumping ensues), and it will really impress
> the neighbors.
>
> Possibly people don't know how to set the rig up and have to fiddle with
> it continuously? Knobs and buttons do make fiddling easier. They do not
> change the fact that you do not know the radio or how to set it up.
>
> The days of the 70lb Samsonite sized rig with 100+ knobs and buttons
> (TS-990S) are over Real Radio Men.
>
>
>
> On 9/28/2017 4:35 PM, Bob McGraw K4TAX wrote:
>
>> One other point is the hams mentality ;   "I've operated hundreds of ham
>> radios and I know how this one works".  HA!   Better read the dang manual
>> two or three times.   Also the Fred Cady, KE7X has a wealth of information
>> not included in the standard Elecraft K3S Owner's Manual.
>>
>> Regarding manuals, I've often thought when a person orders a new radio,
>> the manual should be shipped some 2 or 3 weeks to the buyer in advance,
>> before the radio ships.  Perhaps this would encourage one to learn a bit
>> more about the radio, as opposed to taking it out of the box, connecting a
>> few cables and start turning knobs and pushing buttons.  Then they
>> exclaim:  "uh, where did I put that manual because this dang thing doesn't
>> work."
>>
>> 73
>>
>> Bob, K4TAX
>>
>
>
>>>
>>>
> --
> R. Kevin StoverAC0H
> FISTS #11993
> SKCC #215
> NAQCC #3441
> ARRL
> __
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Re: [Elecraft] K2 BFO test failed

[Mike Maiorana]

Thanks Don.
I triple-checked the inductor wires and they are well soldered to the pads.
I also verified the value of the resistor across it, 5.1 Mohms. I reflowed
the solder anyway, but no change in the BFO frequency range.

If L33 wasn't connected would the oscillator even run?

If one of the two crystals was bad (or not soldered properly) would you
also see a reduction in BFO range?
What about if one of the varactors had failed?

Any further advice will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks and 73
Mike M.
KU4QO

On Sat, Sep 30, 2017 at 9:57 AM, Don Wilhelm  wrote:

> Mike,
>
> The inadequate BFO range is usually a result of the L33 toroid leads not
> being well soldered.  The toroid wires are very fine and sometimes are not
> visible to the naked eye, so use magnification to examine them. When
> re-soldering, use a pointed tool to bring the fine toroid wires down onto
> the solder pad instead of further up on the securing resistor lead.
>
> For adjusting the 4 MHz Reference Oscillator (that has nothing to do with
> the BFO range), refer to the K2 Dial Calibration article on my website
> www.w3fpr.com for the most accurate method of adjusting the Reference
> Oscillator.
>
> Be aware that the 4 MHz Reference oscillator can drift in normal
> operation, so soon after adjusting it, run CAL PLL and CAL FIL while it is
> still "on frequency".  That oscillator is not used in operation for the K2
> frequency display.  In other words, simply adjusting the 4 MHz Reference
> does nothing for normal operation.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
>
> On 9/30/2017 9:35 AM, Mike Maiorana wrote:
>
>> Hello all. I have a K2, 6000+ serial number, that I'm trying to get
>> working
>> correctly. Unknown history. A quick test showed the filters were not
>> properly adjusted (could hear both sidebands of carrier on some bands). I
>> thought it would be best to do a top-down alignment.
>>
>> I adjusted the 4 MHz oscillator, verified the PLL reference oscillator
>> range (12.43 kHz), VCO test and VCO alignment. No problems up to that
>> point.
>>
>> I'm having an issue at the BFO test. The BFO high frequency is 4916.04 kHz
>> and the low frequency is 4913.82 kHz. That's a difference of 2.19 kHz,
>> well
>> below the 3.6 kHz stated minimum.
>>
>>
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Re: [Elecraft] Looking for a Kio2 for my K2

[Stephen Roberts]

Found one. Now to find an amp...



On Sep 29, 2017, at 3:09 PM, Stephen Roberts  wrote:

Anyone?

73,
Steve, W1SFR


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Re: [Elecraft] New product idea for Elecraft...?

[Kevin Stover, AC0H]

Totally agree Bob.

It's the "Real Radio Man" arrogance that kicks in with a new radio.

As for the button/knobs vs. menu's argument, what is the difference 
between a button or knob on the face of the rig that gets adjusted once 
and never touched again and a making the same change with a menu?


There is no difference in functionality.

Maybe it's that the higher button and knob count increases the machismo? 
"I, a Real Radio Man, can operate this radio that looks like a 707 
cockpit" (caveman grunting and chest thumping ensues), and it will 
really impress the neighbors.


Possibly people don't know how to set the rig up and have to fiddle with 
it continuously? Knobs and buttons do make fiddling easier. They do not 
change the fact that you do not know the radio or how to set it up.


The days of the 70lb Samsonite sized rig with 100+ knobs and buttons 
(TS-990S) are over Real Radio Men.




On 9/28/2017 4:35 PM, Bob McGraw K4TAX wrote:
One other point is the hams mentality ;   "I've operated hundreds of ham 
radios and I know how this one works".  HA!   Better read the dang 
manual two or three times.   Also the Fred Cady, KE7X has a wealth of 
information not included in the standard Elecraft K3S Owner's Manual.


Regarding manuals, I've often thought when a person orders a new radio, 
the manual should be shipped some 2 or 3 weeks to the buyer in advance, 
before the radio ships.  Perhaps this would encourage one to learn a bit 
more about the radio, as opposed to taking it out of the box, connecting 
a few cables and start turning knobs and pushing buttons.  Then they 
exclaim:  "uh, where did I put that manual because this dang thing 
doesn't work."


73

Bob, K4TAX







--
R. Kevin StoverAC0H
FISTS #11993
SKCC #215
NAQCC #3441
ARRL
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Re: [Elecraft] SDRPlay as panadapter

[Ian White]

K9YC wrote:

>more than a year ago, [I] acquired three low cost
>SDRs for use as spectrum analyzers. A pair of P3/SVGAs live at my
>operating position, with monitors on bracketed arms just above eye
level.


"Why do you have six monitors?" someone asked the author Terry
Pratchett. 

His reply: "Because I don't have enough space for eight".

73 from Ian GM3SEK


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Re: [Elecraft] SDRPlay as panadapter

[Ian White]

Hi Dave

I connect the SDRplay through a 3dB splitter at the 28MHz RX output of
the transverter. A hybrid splitter is used to maximize the isolation
between the SDR and the K3's receiver.

This method is used in preference to the internal 8.2MHz IF output of
the K3 because the transverter output port can deliver a higher
signal/noise ratio to the input of the SDR, which improves its ability
to display extremely weak VHF/UHF signals.

73 from Ian GM3SEK


>-Original Message-
>From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-
>boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Dave Fugleberg
>Sent: 30 September 2017 14:15
>To: Ian White; Elecraft@mailman.qth.net
>Subject: Re: [Elecraft] SDRPlay as panadapter
>
>You raise some great points, Ian. The choice of which type of
panadapter to
>use, as well as how to configure and integrate it, depends greatly on
what
>your purpose is for using one in the first place. We certainly have an
>abundance of riches in the choices available today!
>You've inspired me to spend some more time tinkering with the RSP1 and
>HDSDR. I use my K3 with transverters for VHF+ contesting as well,
although
>I'm usually a rover station so monitor space is very limited...
>You said you connect the SDR at the 28 MHZ transverter IF... Do you
simply
>add it to the IF daisy chain on the receive side?
>Thanks for the thoughtful response. I learn a lot from this list.
>73 de W0ZF
>On Sat, Sep 30, 2017 at 4:12 AM Ian White  wrote:
>
>> N7WS wrote:
>>
>> >
>> >"SpectraVue software is the only SDR software I've ever liked.  It
>> interfaces
>> >with the K3 seamlessly.   Every other program I've tried has been
>> installed
>> >and
>> >quickly uninstalled.  Sometimes more than once, usually having me
ask
>> >myself,
>> >"Self, what were you thinking?" before uninstalling again.
Apparently,
>> >programmers do not think like normal people do and try to turn a
>> relatively
>> >simple tool into a video game. " Sorry Lyle:-)
>> >
>>
>> For measurement purposes I love the SDR-IQ and SpectraVue; but
>operating
>> and contesting are a different application.
>>
>> When operating, I focus almost entirely on the waterfall display
because
>> that presents a time-history of everything that has been happening
for the
>> past several minutes across the entire displayed bandwidth. The
waterfall
>> is a huge information resource. On an empty band the waterfall shows
>> instantly where new stations are popping up, while on a full band it
shows
>> if there are any free channels and how long they have been free.
>Meanwhile
>> the color shading shows which signals are strongest, and instantly
>> identifies which ones are spreading more than they should.
>>
>> Compared with that wealth of operating information from the
waterfall, I
>> find the spectrum-analyzer display is almost worthless (but remember
>we're
>> talking about here operating, as distinct from making measurements).
>>
>> To extract the maximum possible information from the waterfall, I
>normally
>> maximize the vertical size, aiming for a time-span of 3-5 minutes.
The
>> spectrum analyzer display is always minimized (and if the display
software
>> allows, I get rid of it entirely). When operating, the waterfall
display is
>> front-and-center on a wide-screen monitor. For most modes, only the
>small
>> log input windows need to share display space at the bottom of the
>screen,
>> and all other operating windows are displayed on a second monitor.
RTTY
>is
>> the only exception, where multiple decoder windows take over the
center
>> screen and the waterfall has to take second place.
>>
>> I currently have two K3s with different types of spectrum/waterfall
>> displays. The HF/50MHz setup uses a P3, which of course has the
>advantage
>> of very tight integration with the K3. However, I do find that the P3
>> requires the SVGA adapter to display the wealth of detail that the
>> waterfall has to  offer. The P3's own screen is bright and clear, but
is
>> simply too small (in terms of pixels). And unfortunately  the P3/SVGA
has a
>> number of disadvantages compared with the SDR-PC competition. There
is
>an
>> issue with the P3SVGA's limited color palette which tends to suppress
>> weaker signals. The P3 also lacks any method to QSY *quickly* across
a
>wide
>> frequency span to grab fleeting DX opportunities on a nearly empty
band.
>>
>> The other K3 is used with external VHF/UHF transverters, and for this
>> application I decided not to buy another P3 but to play the market of
>> separate SDRs and PC software.
>>
>> The SDR is attached to the K3 at the transverter IF frequency of
28MHz,
>> which gives much better display sensitivity than the 8.2MHz IF. For
>VHF/UHF
>> contesting and DXing it is essential to display everything that lives
and
>> breathes across the entire "contest sub-band", which in Europe
extends
>over
>> at least 250kHz. Important multipliers tend to lurk at both the top
and
>> bottom ends of that range, so 200kHz is not acceptable. Several goo

Re: [Elecraft] SDRPlay as panadapter

[Barry Baines]

Jim:

What size SVGA monitors do you use? I presume there is a tradeoff between real 
estate being used by the monitors versus preferred viewing size for seeing what 
the P3 can provide. 


Thanks,

Barry Baines, WD4ASW

> On Sep 30, 2017, at 11:44 AM, Jim Brown  wrote:
> 
> On 9/30/2017 2:11 AM, Ian White wrote:
>> For measurement purposes I love the SDR-IQ and SpectraVue; but operating and 
>> contesting are a different application.
> 
> Excellent analysis, Ian. I agree completely. FWIW, Elecraft is very much in 
> touch with the contesting world -- K6XX works there, and guys like N6TV had 
> great input into the SVGA. Both are world class contesters. As both an 
> engineer and a contester, I use spectrum analysis in exactly the same way 
> that you do, and more than a year ago, acquired three low cost SDRs for use 
> as spectrum analyzers. A pair of P3/SVGAs live at my operating position, with 
> monitors on bracketed arms just above eye level.
> 
> 73, Jim K9YC
> 
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Re: [Elecraft] SDRPlay as panadapter

[Jim Brown]

On 9/30/2017 2:11 AM, Ian White wrote:

For measurement purposes I love the SDR-IQ and SpectraVue; but operating and 
contesting are a different application.


Excellent analysis, Ian. I agree completely. FWIW, Elecraft is very much 
in touch with the contesting world -- K6XX works there, and guys like 
N6TV had great input into the SVGA. Both are world class contesters. As 
both an engineer and a contester, I use spectrum analysis in exactly the 
same way that you do, and more than a year ago, acquired three low cost 
SDRs for use as spectrum analyzers. A pair of P3/SVGAs live at my 
operating position, with monitors on bracketed arms just above eye level.


73, Jim K9YC

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Re: [Elecraft] SDRPlay as panadapter

[Wes Stewart]

My friend Ian makes some good points. Just to clarify though, the 
SDR-IQ/SpectraVue combination does provide spectrum, waterfall and combinations 
of the two viewing. Personally, I run the combo view.  I guess thirty years of 
sitting in front of real spectrum analyzers makes me like to see a spectrum 
display and to like the clean layout of SpectraVue.


Wes  N7WS

On 9/30/2017 2:11 AM, Ian White wrote:

N7WS wrote:


"SpectraVue software is the only SDR software I've ever liked.  It interfaces
with the K3 seamlessly.   Every other program I've tried has been installed
and
quickly uninstalled.  Sometimes more than once, usually having me ask
myself,
"Self, what were you thinking?" before uninstalling again. Apparently,
programmers do not think like normal people do and try to turn a relatively
simple tool into a video game. " Sorry Lyle:-)


For measurement purposes I love the SDR-IQ and SpectraVue; but operating and 
contesting are a different application.

When operating, I focus almost entirely on the waterfall display because that 
presents a time-history of everything that has been happening for the past 
several minutes across the entire displayed bandwidth. The waterfall is a huge 
information resource. On an empty band the waterfall shows instantly where new 
stations are popping up, while on a full band it shows if there are any free 
channels and how long they have been free. Meanwhile the color shading shows 
which signals are strongest, and instantly identifies which ones are spreading 
more than they should.

Compared with that wealth of operating information from the waterfall, I find 
the spectrum-analyzer display is almost worthless (but remember we're talking 
about here operating, as distinct from making measurements).

To extract the maximum possible information from the waterfall, I normally 
maximize the vertical size, aiming for a time-span of 3-5 minutes. The spectrum 
analyzer display is always minimized (and if the display software allows, I get 
rid of it entirely). When operating, the waterfall display is front-and-center 
on a wide-screen monitor. For most modes, only the small log input windows need 
to share display space at the bottom of the screen, and all other operating 
windows are displayed on a second monitor. RTTY is the only exception, where 
multiple decoder windows take over the center screen and the waterfall has to 
take second place.

I currently have two K3s with different types of spectrum/waterfall displays. 
The HF/50MHz setup uses a P3, which of course has the advantage of very tight 
integration with the K3. However, I do find that the P3 requires the SVGA 
adapter to display the wealth of detail that the waterfall has to  offer. The 
P3's own screen is bright and clear, but is simply too small (in terms of 
pixels). And unfortunately  the P3/SVGA has a number of disadvantages compared 
with the SDR-PC competition. There is an issue with the P3SVGA's limited color 
palette which tends to suppress weaker signals. The P3 also lacks any method to 
QSY *quickly* across a wide frequency span to grab fleeting DX opportunities on 
a nearly empty band.

The other K3 is used with external VHF/UHF transverters, and for this 
application I decided not to buy another P3 but to play the market of separate 
SDRs and PC software.

The SDR is attached to the K3 at the transverter IF frequency of 28MHz, which gives much 
better display sensitivity than the 8.2MHz IF. For VHF/UHF contesting and DXing it is 
essential to display everything that lives and breathes across the entire "contest 
sub-band", which in Europe extends over at least 250kHz. Important multipliers tend 
to lurk at both the top and bottom ends of that range, so 200kHz is not acceptable. 
Several good SDRs with 190-200kHz maximum bandwidths, including the SDR-IQ and the P3, 
had to be ruled out for that reason. After some searching I found that the SDRplay RSP-1 
delivered the best combination of dynamic range, available spectrum width (far more than 
I need) and value for money.

Again after some experimentation, I settled on the HDSDR software, which gives 
a very readable and sensitive display on the large screen and provides most of 
the facilities of a second receiver. Integration with the K3 was not easy to 
configure, but after some work it now has all the frequency agility that is so 
lacking in the P3. The SDR frequency is linked to VFO B on the K3, and can be 
tuned using any combination of the VFO B knob, point-and-click on the display 
(rolling the mouse wheel for fine tuning), clicking on the bandmap in N1MM+, or 
typing frequencies directly into the callsign window. Thanks to HDSDR's 
built-in Omnirig interface, any one of those frequency inputs will 
automatically update all the others. As a receiver, the SDR is more than 
adequate for searching the band and finding new stations to work, interleaved 
with calling CQ on the K3. If a new station appears on the SDR, its frequency 
is already p

Re: [Elecraft] K2 BFO test failed

[Don Wilhelm]

Mike,

The inadequate BFO range is usually a result of the L33 toroid leads not 
being well soldered.  The toroid wires are very fine and sometimes are 
not visible to the naked eye, so use magnification to examine them. 
When re-soldering, use a pointed tool to bring the fine toroid wires 
down onto the solder pad instead of further up on the securing resistor 
lead.


For adjusting the 4 MHz Reference Oscillator (that has nothing to do 
with the BFO range), refer to the K2 Dial Calibration article on my 
website www.w3fpr.com for the most accurate method of adjusting the 
Reference Oscillator.


Be aware that the 4 MHz Reference oscillator can drift in normal 
operation, so soon after adjusting it, run CAL PLL and CAL FIL while it 
is still "on frequency".  That oscillator is not used in operation for 
the K2 frequency display.  In other words, simply adjusting the 4 MHz 
Reference does nothing for normal operation.


73,
Don W3FPR

On 9/30/2017 9:35 AM, Mike Maiorana wrote:

Hello all. I have a K2, 6000+ serial number, that I'm trying to get working
correctly. Unknown history. A quick test showed the filters were not
properly adjusted (could hear both sidebands of carrier on some bands). I
thought it would be best to do a top-down alignment.

I adjusted the 4 MHz oscillator, verified the PLL reference oscillator
range (12.43 kHz), VCO test and VCO alignment. No problems up to that
point.

I'm having an issue at the BFO test. The BFO high frequency is 4916.04 kHz
and the low frequency is 4913.82 kHz. That's a difference of 2.19 kHz, well
below the 3.6 kHz stated minimum.


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Re: [Elecraft] KIO3B Installation Problem

[Jim Sr Sturges]

In Device Manager check “View” and un-hide ports.

Jim N3SZ
On Sat, Sep 30, 2017 at 8:08 AM Jim Miller  wrote:

> Try another usb cable.
>
> Jim ab3cv
>
> On Sep 30, 2017, at 8:03 AM, Don Wilhelm  wrote:
>
> Rick,
>
> It is strange that Device Manager does not show the COM port number. With
> that, I would say it is a driver issue - try updating the driver.
>
> If you want to check the KIO3B USB, try using another computer to see if
> the COM port is recognized, if so, the problem is confined to the computer.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> > On 9/29/2017 7:27 PM, Rick Tavan wrote:
> > Helping a guy install a KIO3B in his K3 S/N 4xxx, I'm unable to see it
> > listed as a COM port in K3 Utility. The connection is via the new USB A-B
> > cable. The K3 shows up in Device Manager under Win 7 (IBM laptop) as a
> > sound device, a USB hub, and a xx232... other device (I don't recall the
> > exact nomenclature.) but this version of Win 7/Dev Mgr doesn't display
> COM
> > port numbers and has no PORTS entry in its list of things. Even
> Properties
> > shows no such info. We downloaded the latest K3 Utility 1.16.7.25 but it
> > shows a blank COM port list. The K3 is running uC 5.50, d1 2.87, FL 1.25.
> > We confirmed that K3 Config Menu displays KIO3b and set RS232 to Usb. Any
> > idea what we missed?
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-- 
Jim Sturges, N3SZ
Amateur Radio operators do it with frequency.
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[Elecraft] K2 BFO test failed

[Mike Maiorana]

Hello all. I have a K2, 6000+ serial number, that I'm trying to get working
correctly. Unknown history. A quick test showed the filters were not
properly adjusted (could hear both sidebands of carrier on some bands). I
thought it would be best to do a top-down alignment.

I adjusted the 4 MHz oscillator, verified the PLL reference oscillator
range (12.43 kHz), VCO test and VCO alignment. No problems up to that
point.

I'm having an issue at the BFO test. The BFO high frequency is 4916.04 kHz
and the low frequency is 4913.82 kHz. That's a difference of 2.19 kHz, well
below the 3.6 kHz stated minimum.

I verified the crystals at X3 and X4 were the correct type, along with the
values of D37, D38, C173 and C174. I didn't see any PCB trace damage in the
area. I reflowed the solder on those pins but didn't see a significant
change in the BFO frequency range. I checked the VBFO control voltage and
had 7.81 V at the high BFO frequency down to 0.00 V at the low BFO
frequency.

Any advice on how to move forward?

Thanks and 73,
Mike M.
KU4QO
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Re: [Elecraft] SDRPlay as panadapter

[Bob McGraw K4TAX]

I'm using the SDR Play {RSP 1} and HDSDR very successfully for my 
needs.  However, I do not use the IF output on either of my radios.  I 
use the SDR Play receiver by  picking the signal off of the RX ANT  IN 
and OUT on my K3S and I pick the signal from the Band Pass filter of my 
other two radios.


 I find this provides superior resolution, viewing bandwidth, and 
allows control of the radios via OMNIRIG which is built into HDSDR.  The 
communications are two way, thus changing the radio frequency/mode will  
change the SDR Play or changing the frequency/mode on HDSDR will change 
the radio.  This allows the SDR Play to function as a tuneable 2nd 
receiver or as locked with the radio.


73

Bob, K4TAX



On 9/30/2017 8:15 AM, Dave Fugleberg wrote:

You raise some great points, Ian. The choice of which type of panadapter to
use, as well as how to configure and integrate it, depends greatly on what
your purpose is for using one in the first place. We certainly have an
abundance of riches in the choices available today!
You've inspired me to spend some more time tinkering with the RSP1 and
HDSDR. I use my K3 with transverters for VHF+ contesting as well, although
I'm usually a rover station so monitor space is very limited...
You said you connect the SDR at the 28 MHZ transverter IF... Do you simply
add it to the IF daisy chain on the receive side?
Thanks for the thoughtful response. I learn a lot from this list.
73 de W0ZF
On Sat, Sep 30, 2017 at 4:12 AM Ian White  wrote:


N7WS wrote:




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Re: [Elecraft] SDRPlay as panadapter

[Dave Fugleberg]

You raise some great points, Ian. The choice of which type of panadapter to
use, as well as how to configure and integrate it, depends greatly on what
your purpose is for using one in the first place. We certainly have an
abundance of riches in the choices available today!
You've inspired me to spend some more time tinkering with the RSP1 and
HDSDR. I use my K3 with transverters for VHF+ contesting as well, although
I'm usually a rover station so monitor space is very limited...
You said you connect the SDR at the 28 MHZ transverter IF... Do you simply
add it to the IF daisy chain on the receive side?
Thanks for the thoughtful response. I learn a lot from this list.
73 de W0ZF
On Sat, Sep 30, 2017 at 4:12 AM Ian White  wrote:

> N7WS wrote:
>
> >
> >"SpectraVue software is the only SDR software I've ever liked.  It
> interfaces
> >with the K3 seamlessly.   Every other program I've tried has been
> installed
> >and
> >quickly uninstalled.  Sometimes more than once, usually having me ask
> >myself,
> >"Self, what were you thinking?" before uninstalling again. Apparently,
> >programmers do not think like normal people do and try to turn a
> relatively
> >simple tool into a video game. " Sorry Lyle:-)
> >
>
> For measurement purposes I love the SDR-IQ and SpectraVue; but operating
> and contesting are a different application.
>
> When operating, I focus almost entirely on the waterfall display because
> that presents a time-history of everything that has been happening for the
> past several minutes across the entire displayed bandwidth. The waterfall
> is a huge information resource. On an empty band the waterfall shows
> instantly where new stations are popping up, while on a full band it shows
> if there are any free channels and how long they have been free. Meanwhile
> the color shading shows which signals are strongest, and instantly
> identifies which ones are spreading more than they should.
>
> Compared with that wealth of operating information from the waterfall, I
> find the spectrum-analyzer display is almost worthless (but remember we're
> talking about here operating, as distinct from making measurements).
>
> To extract the maximum possible information from the waterfall, I normally
> maximize the vertical size, aiming for a time-span of 3-5 minutes. The
> spectrum analyzer display is always minimized (and if the display software
> allows, I get rid of it entirely). When operating, the waterfall display is
> front-and-center on a wide-screen monitor. For most modes, only the small
> log input windows need to share display space at the bottom of the screen,
> and all other operating windows are displayed on a second monitor. RTTY is
> the only exception, where multiple decoder windows take over the center
> screen and the waterfall has to take second place.
>
> I currently have two K3s with different types of spectrum/waterfall
> displays. The HF/50MHz setup uses a P3, which of course has the advantage
> of very tight integration with the K3. However, I do find that the P3
> requires the SVGA adapter to display the wealth of detail that the
> waterfall has to  offer. The P3's own screen is bright and clear, but is
> simply too small (in terms of pixels). And unfortunately  the P3/SVGA has a
> number of disadvantages compared with the SDR-PC competition. There is an
> issue with the P3SVGA's limited color palette which tends to suppress
> weaker signals. The P3 also lacks any method to QSY *quickly* across a wide
> frequency span to grab fleeting DX opportunities on a nearly empty band.
>
> The other K3 is used with external VHF/UHF transverters, and for this
> application I decided not to buy another P3 but to play the market of
> separate SDRs and PC software.
>
> The SDR is attached to the K3 at the transverter IF frequency of 28MHz,
> which gives much better display sensitivity than the 8.2MHz IF. For VHF/UHF
> contesting and DXing it is essential to display everything that lives and
> breathes across the entire "contest sub-band", which in Europe extends over
> at least 250kHz. Important multipliers tend to lurk at both the top and
> bottom ends of that range, so 200kHz is not acceptable. Several good SDRs
> with 190-200kHz maximum bandwidths, including the SDR-IQ and the P3, had to
> be ruled out for that reason. After some searching I found that the SDRplay
> RSP-1 delivered the best combination of dynamic range, available spectrum
> width (far more than I need) and value for money.
>
> Again after some experimentation, I settled on the HDSDR software, which
> gives a very readable and sensitive display on the large screen and
> provides most of the facilities of a second receiver. Integration with the
> K3 was not easy to configure, but after some work it now has all the
> frequency agility that is so lacking in the P3. The SDR frequency is linked
> to VFO B on the K3, and can be tuned using any combination of the VFO B
> knob, point-and-click on the display (rolling the mouse wheel for fi

Re: [Elecraft] KIO3B Installation Problem

[Jim Miller]

Try another usb cable. 

Jim ab3cv 

On Sep 30, 2017, at 8:03 AM, Don Wilhelm  wrote:

Rick,

It is strange that Device Manager does not show the COM port number. With that, 
I would say it is a driver issue - try updating the driver.

If you want to check the KIO3B USB, try using another computer to see if the 
COM port is recognized, if so, the problem is confined to the computer.

73,
Don W3FPR

> On 9/29/2017 7:27 PM, Rick Tavan wrote:
> Helping a guy install a KIO3B in his K3 S/N 4xxx, I'm unable to see it
> listed as a COM port in K3 Utility. The connection is via the new USB A-B
> cable. The K3 shows up in Device Manager under Win 7 (IBM laptop) as a
> sound device, a USB hub, and a xx232... other device (I don't recall the
> exact nomenclature.) but this version of Win 7/Dev Mgr doesn't display COM
> port numbers and has no PORTS entry in its list of things. Even Properties
> shows no such info. We downloaded the latest K3 Utility 1.16.7.25 but it
> shows a blank COM port list. The K3 is running uC 5.50, d1 2.87, FL 1.25.
> We confirmed that K3 Config Menu displays KIO3b and set RS232 to Usb. Any
> idea what we missed?
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Re: [Elecraft] KIO3B Installation Problem

[Don Wilhelm]

Rick,

It is strange that Device Manager does not show the COM port number. 
With that, I would say it is a driver issue - try updating the driver.


If you want to check the KIO3B USB, try using another computer to see if 
the COM port is recognized, if so, the problem is confined to the computer.


73,
Don W3FPR

On 9/29/2017 7:27 PM, Rick Tavan wrote:

Helping a guy install a KIO3B in his K3 S/N 4xxx, I'm unable to see it
listed as a COM port in K3 Utility. The connection is via the new USB A-B
cable. The K3 shows up in Device Manager under Win 7 (IBM laptop) as a
sound device, a USB hub, and a xx232... other device (I don't recall the
exact nomenclature.) but this version of Win 7/Dev Mgr doesn't display COM
port numbers and has no PORTS entry in its list of things. Even Properties
shows no such info. We downloaded the latest K3 Utility 1.16.7.25 but it
shows a blank COM port list. The K3 is running uC 5.50, d1 2.87, FL 1.25.
We confirmed that K3 Config Menu displays KIO3b and set RS232 to Usb. Any
idea what we missed?

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Re: [Elecraft] OT: The times they are a changin

[Don Wilhelm]

Hans,

Thank you for that correction.  I did not know you had a production 
facility behind you.
The best of luck in your endeavors.  I know your creativity is 
appreciated by many QRP oriented hams.


73,
Don W3FPR

On 9/30/2017 12:57 AM, Hans Summers wrote:

Hi Don, all,

I am on this list (with great admiration), mostly lurking and trying to
keep quiet because I know this is an elecraft list not QRP Labs ;-)

Just have to say - for the record - respectfully, this is not correct! I
cannot speak for Steve Weber, but I do *NOT* produce kits only for a
limited amount of time! I *DO* have a desire to turn kits like the QCX
http://qrp-labs.com/qcx into a long-lasting product line. And I do have a
factory and others behind me, helping with the work (kitting, warehousing,
distribution). Certainly I could not have kitted 1,000 more QCX kits in the
last few weeks otherwise!

The QRSS/WSPR transmitter kit product line has been running now since my
Dayton FDIM talk in 2010; the current Ultimate3/3S incarnation
http://qrp-labs.com/ultimate3 has been in continuous production since 2013
- selling well over 4,000 units to date.

Of course, it IS correct that I love experimenting and coming up with new
designs... as I am sure Wayne does too... but this is still a serious
business!

73 Hans G0UPL
http://qrp-labs.com


Don wrote...

While Steve Weber and Hans Summer do really good work and well thought out
designs, I see only one problem with the stuff they do - the kits are
available only for a limited time.
That is in contrast with the work Dave Benson did for the hobby.

I understand that they (or at least those who kit them) are individuals and
are reluctant to take a longer term risk of investment in boards and the
parts that go on them - things that may take years to sell and recoup the
investment.
Let's face it, those folks take delight in experimenting and coming up with
new designs, but have no desire to turn those designs into a long lasting
product line.  They have no factory behind then to take over the chores
after the initial fervor has died down.
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Re: [Elecraft] SDRPlay as panadapter

[Ian White]

N7WS wrote:

>
>"SpectraVue software is the only SDR software I've ever liked.  It interfaces
>with the K3 seamlessly.   Every other program I've tried has been installed
>and
>quickly uninstalled.  Sometimes more than once, usually having me ask
>myself,
>"Self, what were you thinking?" before uninstalling again. Apparently,
>programmers do not think like normal people do and try to turn a relatively
>simple tool into a video game. " Sorry Lyle:-)
>

For measurement purposes I love the SDR-IQ and SpectraVue; but operating and 
contesting are a different application.

When operating, I focus almost entirely on the waterfall display because that 
presents a time-history of everything that has been happening for the past 
several minutes across the entire displayed bandwidth. The waterfall is a huge 
information resource. On an empty band the waterfall shows instantly where new 
stations are popping up, while on a full band it shows if there are any free 
channels and how long they have been free. Meanwhile the color shading shows 
which signals are strongest, and instantly identifies which ones are spreading 
more than they should.

Compared with that wealth of operating information from the waterfall, I find 
the spectrum-analyzer display is almost worthless (but remember we're talking 
about here operating, as distinct from making measurements).

To extract the maximum possible information from the waterfall, I normally 
maximize the vertical size, aiming for a time-span of 3-5 minutes. The spectrum 
analyzer display is always minimized (and if the display software allows, I get 
rid of it entirely). When operating, the waterfall display is front-and-center 
on a wide-screen monitor. For most modes, only the small log input windows need 
to share display space at the bottom of the screen, and all other operating 
windows are displayed on a second monitor. RTTY is the only exception, where 
multiple decoder windows take over the center screen and the waterfall has to 
take second place.

I currently have two K3s with different types of spectrum/waterfall displays. 
The HF/50MHz setup uses a P3, which of course has the advantage of very tight 
integration with the K3. However, I do find that the P3 requires the SVGA 
adapter to display the wealth of detail that the waterfall has to  offer. The 
P3's own screen is bright and clear, but is simply too small (in terms of 
pixels). And unfortunately  the P3/SVGA has a number of disadvantages compared 
with the SDR-PC competition. There is an issue with the P3SVGA's limited color 
palette which tends to suppress weaker signals. The P3 also lacks any method to 
QSY *quickly* across a wide frequency span to grab fleeting DX opportunities on 
a nearly empty band.

The other K3 is used with external VHF/UHF transverters, and for this 
application I decided not to buy another P3 but to play the market of separate 
SDRs and PC software. 

The SDR is attached to the K3 at the transverter IF frequency of 28MHz, which 
gives much better display sensitivity than the 8.2MHz IF. For VHF/UHF 
contesting and DXing it is essential to display everything that lives and 
breathes across the entire "contest sub-band", which in Europe extends over at 
least 250kHz. Important multipliers tend to lurk at both the top and bottom 
ends of that range, so 200kHz is not acceptable. Several good SDRs with 
190-200kHz maximum bandwidths, including the SDR-IQ and the P3, had to be ruled 
out for that reason. After some searching I found that the SDRplay RSP-1 
delivered the best combination of dynamic range, available spectrum width (far 
more than I need) and value for money. 

Again after some experimentation, I settled on the HDSDR software, which gives 
a very readable and sensitive display on the large screen and provides most of 
the facilities of a second receiver. Integration with the K3 was not easy to 
configure, but after some work it now has all the frequency agility that is so 
lacking in the P3. The SDR frequency is linked to VFO B on the K3, and can be 
tuned using any combination of the VFO B knob, point-and-click on the display 
(rolling the mouse wheel for fine tuning), clicking on the bandmap in N1MM+, or 
typing frequencies directly into the callsign window. Thanks to HDSDR's 
built-in Omnirig interface, any one of those frequency inputs will 
automatically update all the others. As a receiver, the SDR is more than 
adequate for searching the band and finding new stations to work, interleaved 
with calling CQ on the K3. If a new station appears on the SDR, its frequency 
is already pre-loaded into VFO B on the K3 so one tap of VFO A/B will sw
 ap that signal into the K3, ready to call at the right moment.  

I do share Wes's dislike of "video-game" displays. I hate how modern software 
so often arrives with every possible function activated at once... but if you 
take the time to strip away the dross, the end result can be quite lean and 
functional. Maximizing the waterfa