[Elecraft] A Rumination on Washoe Lake SP
Evening all... After a busy morning dealing with work-kinda stuff, it was too hot here in Carson to get The Girl (my dog) out for walkies. So we stayed indoors until the sun moved to the west and drove me from my workroom. We drove north from Carson City to Washoe Lake State Park. It is a designated POTA park. I parked on the west side of the lake and got The Girl out for a nice walk along the shore. The wind was blowing from the west (that Washoe Valley wind that actually *blows*) but my hat remained affixed to my head. The Girl's ears did flap a bit, though. We returned to the rig and I pulled my foldable rocking chair from the back and set it up. She rested on the sand while I contemplated the lake for a half-hour or so. It really was a gorgeous afternoon... warm, but not too much in the shade of the 4Runner's hatch and the Washoe Valley wind. Shortly after Z, I got out my folding table and set the KX2 up. I ran a 29ft wire to the top of a SOTAbeams 6m carbon fiber mast on its stake (no guys) and threw another wire on the ground. The KX2 readily tuned up 40m with *the internal tuner*. My hair (what there is of it) did not catch fire, nor did I break out in hives. I spotted myself on the POTA.app and started calling CQ. I worked a couple of stations on 40m, then turned my attention to 30m. Again, there were no untoward effects from using the internal ATU to get a match on my 29ft wire/counterpoise combination. I wonder if I'm doing something wrong. The 30m band was a little more noisy that 40m, but my respot and CQ netted me another couple of contacts. When I fished the hole dry, I tuned to 14.059MHz and called QRL? a couple of times. The internal ATU seems to work just fine. My eyes never crossed once, I swear. I then respotted myself on the POTA.app and started calling CQ. The 20m band was quite noisy so I dialed in a little NR and started working stations. My buddy K7ULM worked me from Montana and WAS LOUD. Another buddy in St. Louis, KB9LLD, worked me but it was a hard contact. The 20m band was the most productive this evening and I made maybe ten contacts or so, more than enough for my POTA quota and all with 10w. Stations worked ranged from California to Florida with signal reports from just barely copyable to 599. I sure am glad I learned Morse Code the last couple of years. I sure am glad I have an Elecraft KX2. I'm really grateful for the internal ATU and Wayne's advice to use a 29ft wire. The Girl and I left Washoe Lake SP about 2000h local. We drove down to Francisco's in Carson City and sat on the patio (dogs are welcome). The enchiladas were good as was the margarita grande. Although I didn't feel very good much of the day and there was a lot of work needing my attention, at the end of the day I spent time outdoors with The Girl, played a little radio, activated the park, enjoyed the park, the weather, and the radio play, and ended the day with enchiladas and a margarita. I am grateful. Life is good. POTA on... 73 de AG7TX... -- David Thompson, AG7TX Jack of All Trades Master of None CWOPS #2821 __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] COM port problems
I suggest you perform a RESTORE function from a previous file dated before the problem occurred. Or if you have a back-up system, go back to a known working configuration. (You have regular computer back ups don't you?) Using the K3 Utility, if communicates correctly with the radio, then start with a single application such as WSJT-X or FLDIGI. Don't use or launch any other control or logging applications. Just run WSJT-X or FLDIGI direct and stand-a-lone. If that works then you perhaps would be lead to believe that the configuration between the control application and logging application are suspect. The approach is to launch and run only one application at a time. If it doesn't work, then debug and find out why and get it working before moving on. Too many variables may take eons to sort out. 73 Bob, K4TAX On 7/1/2022 5:27 PM, elecraft-requ...@mailman.qth.net wrote: -Original Message- From:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Peter Dougherty (W2IRT) Sent: Thursday, June 30, 2022 12:28 AM To: 'George Thornton';Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] COM port problems It's possible (and I'm guessing somehow likely), but darned if I know what to even look for. These are things that were set when the computer was built from scratch last year, they have worked 100% reliably over thousands of QSOs in both Commander and N1MM+ ever since, and absolutely nothing was changed in terms of configuration or even a Windows Update in at least two weeks. I just needed to restart the computer after moving it from a wall outlet to a UPS, and it started going crazy from that point on. Whatever the issue is, it seems to affect ALL the COM ports in the system the same; neither Commander nor N1MM can open the radio port, or either of the two rotor ports. I did somehow manage to get Commander working (don't aske me how, it just started), but the rotors are still no-go (and not critical at the moment). - pjd -- IF ONE EXPECTS COMPUTERS AND TECHNOLOGY TO SOLVE THEIR PROBLEMS, ONE DOESN'T UNDERSTAND COMPUTERS AND TECHNOLOGY AND ONE DOESN'T UNDERSTAND THEIR PROBLEMS." __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Using the Antenna Tuner in the XPA100
Pretty harsh, Wilson ... and also pretty much wrong. I use a KAT2 with my K2, and KAT3 with my K3, and used the KXAT1 with my KX1 before I sold it, and they all work just fine ... all bands. Currently, the only manual tuner I own is a homebrew Z-match W8FGU made for me. I use it with a QRPp Rockmite. My end fed antennas usually have a counterpoise [not a "ground'] but the one at home uses the outer surface of the coax shield from the transformer on the fence into the house as a counterpoise. No earth electrode. No RF burns. Internet modem and router are not confused, neither is the phone system. If you're having problems, email me. Contrary to Wilson's lecture, you don't need to be an EE or PhD to be a successful amateur. 73, Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW Sparks NV DM09dn Washoe County k6dg...@gmail.com Wilson Lamb via Elecraft wrote on 7/1/2022 11:03 AM: This is so far off the wall it can't be answered...there is no answer. Please read my rant on Ham Qualifications. Then ask yourself why the tuner might have a two wire output connection. Then read about what impedance is. Then read about what the impedance at the end of your wire might be. The answer is that it can be too high for your tuner or too low and anywhere in between. Then read about matching networks and what they do. Then read about how the end fed wire needs to be used with a ground of some kind. You'll soon see, if you do the above, that what you propose is a recipe for getting an RF burn, confusing your internet modem and phone system, or even damaging your radio or tuner. The real best answer is to get a manual tuner, connect the antenna AND A GROUND (rod) and learn to use it. Yes, the auto tuner "can" work, given a ground, but it pretty surely won't work on all bands. The end of the antenna and the tuner "should" be well up above your radio, like at the top of a window, and connected back to your station with coax. Someone here may have time to explain all of the above to you, but it's a tall order. WL __ 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 Message delivered to k6dg...@gmail.com -- This email has been checked for viruses by AVG. https://www.avg.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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] COM port problems
Peter: 1. Open Control Panel and click on Hardware/Sound-->Device Mangler-->Ports 2. In the View menu, click on Show Hidden Devices If there are any, they will appear in the Ports display but grayed out. Delete them, close everything, reboot, and try again. Windows will occasionally, and without notice, leave a previous device enumerated even after it is removed. It shows up as unavailable, or in-use to a real device. May not be your problem, but an easy fix. Best to remove all USB cables before the reboot, then insert them one at a time while watching the Ports display 73, Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW #142 Sparks NV DM09dn Washoe County Peter Dougherty (W2IRT) wrote on 7/1/2022 3:17 PM: The issue is far deeper than this. None of the COM ports work normally after starting the system. Occasionally the radio connects to the software normally, other times it doesn't. If I have it working with N1MM, close down N1MM and try to start Commander (DX Labs) it won't work initially, but if I try it 3 or 4 times in a row it will connect normally. Ditto with my two rotors. Those are the only serial ports in my system. The K3s, my 6m rotor (Rotor-EZ board in the controller box) and a Green Heron RT-20 (serial-to-USB, not pure USB like the newer RT-21). For whatever reason, there is *something* holding all the installed/configured COM ports open and unavailable. I cannot find that "something." - pjd -- This email has been checked for viruses by AVG. https://www.avg.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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] COM port problems
"I cannot find that "something."" That something is likely Microsoft Windows. I declined Win 10 and never regretted that decision. It seems Win 11 is even worse than Win 10. My station computer in Win 8.1 64 bit. It never changes COM port assignments. I have other XP Sp3 computers that perform useful functions but I keep them off the internet. Andy, k3wyc __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Com Port Problems
The problem isn't the Elecraft radio, or the COM ports, it's a defect of some nature within Windows 11 that has suddenly manifested itself. I've tried all the usual troubleshooting problems and no-go, and even a Microsoft 2nd Level guy spent three hours with me on the phone and did it all again and still couldn’t' find it. Making things work "once" isnt' too difficult. Making everything work 100% reliably *repeatedly*, as it has been for years, is the problem. I really hate the fact that it took SO long for ham radio manufacturers to move away from RS-232 to pure USB, and only recently to TCP/IP, which is the correct way of doing things in my opinion. - pjd -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net On Behalf Of Wilson Lamb via Elecraft Sent: Friday, July 1, 2022 2:18 PM To: elecraft Subject: [Elecraft] Com Port Problems Please read my rant about Ham Qualifications and Technology. We are at the mercy of MANY programmers and "software engineers." The operating system people have no resistance to making things steadily more obscure and complicated. They don't know or care what the programmers of our many programs are doing and have little incentive to find out. The programmers typically have only a nodding acquaintance with what the Operating System really does and don't have time/ability to find out. WE are way out on a thin limb that gets more and more likely to break or sag down to the ground. All the people mentioned above are whittling away at the limb, each contributing to its weakness/impending breakage, and none have much incentive to help US. I really hope you find it and I guarantee, if you do, there will be a gotcha that someone will tell you should have seen and that will make you feel inadequate! In this area, we are all inadequate! I know this doesn't help. It's meant as sympathy. I have been building and using computers since the 50s, when I helped build one that used relays and I still have NO interest in software except to say what it should do, at which I've been pretty successful. Good luck and remember, there are knobs on the radio and they will probably work for you, since the software in the radio has likely had a few years to get sorted out and the worst bugs found. WL __ 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 Message delivered to li...@w2irt.net __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] COM port problems
The issue is far deeper than this. None of the COM ports work normally after starting the system. Occasionally the radio connects to the software normally, other times it doesn't. If I have it working with N1MM, close down N1MM and try to start Commander (DX Labs) it won't work initially, but if I try it 3 or 4 times in a row it will connect normally. Ditto with my two rotors. Those are the only serial ports in my system. The K3s, my 6m rotor (Rotor-EZ board in the controller box) and a Green Heron RT-20 (serial-to-USB, not pure USB like the newer RT-21). For whatever reason, there is *something* holding all the installed/configured COM ports open and unavailable. I cannot find that "something." - pjd -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net On Behalf Of Geoffrey Feldman Sent: Friday, July 1, 2022 1:23 PM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] COM port problems These is nothing unique about the Elecraft serial cable except possibly the radio side connector. Basically it's a USB to RS232 Ground/transmit/Receive cable. Anyone who understands USB com ports can help you. They don't need to know radio. They should understand what I wrote here. For USB COM port problems (with anything, including these). Run DEVMGR (I do this by entering that in the search bar) In Devmgr "View" menu , click / check "Show Hidden Devices" Look in the list for "Ports(COM & LPT) Expand that to the sub list You will see a list of ports there in the sub list. Some are grayed out, those are not connected. Plug in your Elecraft serial cable. Is there a change? You should see a grayed out one now dark (enabled) (as COM 1 is) That is the number of the Elecraft port. OR ... a new one just appears. This sometimes happens. That is the new number of the Elecraft port. (This is a likely outcome). Make a note of anything in devmgr list, this may help Elecraft help you but I expect you will have figured it out with the above steps. If this does not work, try other USB ports on your computer with the above procedure. If this does not work, try the Elecraft cable on a friends computer (the driver for Elecraft is pretty standard you don't need the radio to check the cable). If this does not work, you need a Elecraft serial cable. You can also look in the cable and make one. There are USB to RS232 cables you can change the connector to match the cable description in the manual. Others available may have the same connector but TX and RX are reversed. Some are already the same as elecraft. W1GCF Geoff __ 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 Message delivered to li...@w2irt.net __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] WHICH USB ADAPTER TO STEREO PLUG TO USE
Hi Greg, The adapter you're hoping to find would need to have a USB *jack*, talk to a USB serial device (the KXUSB-A) you've plugged in, convert that serial data *back* to RS232, and wire it to an audio jack or plug with the correct pinout for your rig interface. What you'll *find* if you look for USB to stereo adapters would have a USB *plug* (or device-side jack), present as an *audio* device to a USB host (computer), convert digital audio to analog, and wire it to an audio jack for headphones or speakers. Unfortunately this won't work at all -- they've got totally different genders of connector, directions of data flow, and types of signals, and data flow. I'd suggest taking USB out of the picture entirely, and keeping it as RS232: Grab a regular DB9-DB9 serial cable, from Elecraft if they use a nonstandard pinout, or from anywhere if they use a standard one. Grab DB9 and 3.5mm audio connectors of the right sex to plug into your serial cable and your rig interface. Find some wire of a sturdy gauge, check the pinout for your rig interface, and solder yourself an adapter. I don't have any *good* advice on holding it together, but my instinct would be either heat shrink around the whole thing or a tiny project box with the DB9 and an audio jack (instead of the plug) mounted. You might also be able to use Elecraft's RS232 to 3.5mm cable, but you'd need to check the pinout against your rig interface -- as far as I know there's no standard for routing RS232 through an audio jack. Hope this helps, Julie __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] COM port problems
Peter – From what you’re saying, it doesn’t sound like the COM ports were properly reassigned. You need to change them ALL to a number starting with 21 and going UP. Then make sure that the software that is accessing the device connected to that port is properly reconfigured to look for the NEW port number. The cold reboot(s) likely would actually cause the problem to manifest itself, again and again – just as stopping and restarting the affected apps is doing. Lyn From: Peter Dougherty (W2IRT) [mailto:li...@w2irt.net] Sent: Thursday, June 30, 2022 8:31 PM To: l...@lnainc.com; 'Julia Tuttle' Cc: 'George Thornton'; 'Elecraft' Subject: RE: [Elecraft] COM port problems Reassigning port numbers did not solve the problem, and I did try that as one of the first steps in troubleshooting. With one day’s work under my belt here’s where the situation lies as of tonight. 1. After a cold reboot, the first attempt to launch either CI-V Commander (DX Labs rig interface) or N1MM Logger + may or may not capture the COM5 port used for CAT control (which was briefly changed to COM8 then changed back after finding no change). 2. Launching either the old version of N1MM Rotor (v12.11) or the current .NET version, there’s about a very slim chance that it will work, but the usual result is that on attempting to start the rotor software it indicates both rotor com ports (COM1 and COM3) are already in use, and any attempt to invoke a direction command generates an error message (8018, IIRC) stating the function can only work if a port is open. 3. Using the DX Lab “DX View” software, which interfaces with the rotor control software, if I repeatedly enable/disable the rotor control tick box, it **MAY** come back, and will keep working until the program is closed. 4. If CAT control is in fact established, whether through N1MM or Commander, it will remain active until the program is closed. Once closed, either reopening it or opening the other control software will result in either program not being able to see the radio (i.e. the port remains locked out). Note than if it is Commander that is closed and N1MM does not see the radio at first, if I hit the “Reset Radio” bar in the bandmap several times it does seem to come back and start working again. 5. Every other function of the PC is working the same as it always has, and once a COM port feature is working it remains working flawlessly. 6. Troubleshooting has involved using Process Explorer to see if any devices are holding a port open when the problem is occurring, and none appear to be doing so. Phantom COM ports were removed, all USB devices were set to fix the issue of stopping the device for power saving (I hoped that one would work, but it didn’t), and all USB Serial drivers were deleted and allowed to reinstall themselves upon reboot. The results were identical. In short, it appears to me that there is SOMETHING within Windows 11 that has changed somehow, and is locking serial ports on its own, with no easy way to release them. - pjd From: Lyn Norstad Sent: Thursday, June 30, 2022 8:46 PM To: 'Julia Tuttle' Cc: 'Peter Dougherty (W2IRT)' ; 'George Thornton' ; 'Elecraft' Subject: RE: [Elecraft] COM port problems Julie – I can look for it … but I don’t believe it was in an official MSFT document. Nevertheless, it has been going on for a couple years. It seems to affect almost every ham using Win 10 sooner or later. My understanding is that one or more specific Windows 10 Pro 64 updates reassigned COM ports in order to prevent a potential hacker from accessing the system. It may have been related to the presence of specific software installed on the system. In any event, the fix I mentioned does indeed work and ends the problem. George may have other issues, since he’s already tried this 73 Lyn, W0LEN From: Julia Tuttle [mailto:ju...@juliatuttle.net] Sent: Thursday, June 30, 2022 2:47 PM To: l...@lnainc.com Cc: Peter Dougherty (W2IRT); George Thornton; Elecraft Subject: Re: [Elecraft] COM port problems Lyn, Can you share your source that COM port reassignment is a deliberate security feature? I'm curious what vulnerability it's mitigating. Thanks, Julie On Thu, Jun 30, 2022 at 3:25 PM Lyn Norstad wrote: Are you running Windows 10 by any chance? As a security measure, Win 10 automatic updates often reassign COM port numbers. If you know how to do it, you can rename and reassign port numbers. If you give them a number of 20 or higher, Win 10 update will leave them alone. Hint: Control Panel>Device Manager>Ports>(Elecraft connection port)>General>Advanced>COM Port Number Be sure to make the corresponding port number change in the software. 73 Lyn, W0LEN -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Peter Dougherty (W2IRT) Sent:
[Elecraft] COM port problems
"These is nothing unique about the Elecraft serial cable except possibly the radio side connector. Basically it's a USB to RS232 Ground/transmit/Receive cable." I think you may find that some Elecraft serial cables use TTL levels and are not RS-232 compliant. Doesn't matter if used for intended purpose. Andy, k3wyc __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Birdies
Thanks, Wayne. I'm glad they are normal. They have never caused a problem. WL -Original Message- __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] WHICH USB ADAPTER TO STEREO PLUG TO USE
Sorry about the confusing post. I essentially did what you suggested except in the reverse way. I took a good DB-9 cable (RS-232 type) and cut off the other end and soldered the wires to a 3.5 mm audio plug. The wires are so small that they easily break and I have repaired it twice. So I thought I could just make the equivalent of the E850483 cable by using the DB9 to USB cable (KXUSB-A) and then getting a USB to Stereo adapter (Female USB to Male 3.5 mm plug). And that is where I ran into the problem of different USB to stereo plug adapter capabilities. Is there another supplier of a cable that matches the E8500483 or can you recommend an appropriate USB to Stereo plug adapter? 73’s, Greg N9GB From: Jim Rhodes Reply-To: Date: Friday, July 1, 2022 at 10:44 AM To: greg best Cc: Subject: Re: [Elecraft] WHICH USB ADAPTER TO STEREO PLUG TO USE I am not familiar with the Station Master. Your post is kind of confusing. You talk about USB to DB9 and USB to 3.5 mm cables, The Elecraft DB9 to 3.5 mm cable is an RS232 cable used with the KX line and other small RS232 devices. It is still listed on their "Quick Order" page, down near the very bottom. Search for "KXSER-A ADDITIONAL RS232 COMMUNICATION CABLE WITH 9-PIN CONNECTOR" on the quick order page. Like all their cables it is not the cheapest cable you will find, but they are high quality, durable products. Have a few of them around for my KX3, W1, XG3, etc. The DB9 is a female and I believe the K3 has a female connector (I have the USB board in mine) so this may not be the cable you are looking for. You might be better off taking a good quality 3.5 mm cable, cutting the thing in two and soldering on a good DB9 male. __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Birdies
Hi Wilson, What bands and frequencies? Virtually all high-dynamic-range superhets have some birdies. These are usually caused by high-order mixer products interacting with the VFO, BFO, etc. We went to some lengths to minimize them, e.g. by using a balanced low-pass filter in the mixer's commutating path. But there will still be a few, typically on the highest bands (10 and 6 m). Some birdies can be substantially suppressed on a per-band basis using a built-in spur-avoidance tool in the CONFIG menu. See the "SIG RMV" menu entry description in the owner's manual. 73, Wayne N6KR > On Jul 1, 2022, at 11:23 AM, Wilson Lamb via Elecraft > wrote: > > > I've meant for years to ask about the birdies I hear from my K3. > At many frequencies across HF, I hear obviously internally generated birdies. > They are very narrow and quite strong. > I've noticed recently that I can cause them to occur by setting the high and > low ends of the filter to overlap (zero or negative bandwidth), but there are > still come heard with normal settings. > I see this regularly, on two K3, so feel it must be something experts know > about? > Thanks, > WL > __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] Birdies
I've meant for years to ask about the birdies I hear from my K3. At many frequencies across HF, I hear obviously internally generated birdies. They are very narrow and quite strong. I've noticed recently that I can cause them to occur by setting the high and low ends of the filter to overlap (zero or negative bandwidth), but there are still come heard with normal settings. I see this regularly, on two K3, so feel it must be something experts know about? Thanks, WL __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] Com Port Problems
Please read my rant about Ham Qualifications and Technology. We are at the mercy of MANY programmers and "software engineers." The operating system people have no resistance to making things steadily more obscure and complicated. They don't know or care what the programmers of our many programs are doing and have little incentive to find out. The programmers typically have only a nodding acquaintance with what the Operating System really does and don't have time/ability to find out. WE are way out on a thin limb that gets more and more likely to break or sag down to the ground. All the people mentioned above are whittling away at the limb, each contributing to its weakness/impending breakage, and none have much incentive to help US. I really hope you find it and I guarantee, if you do, there will be a gotcha that someone will tell you should have seen and that will make you feel inadequate! In this area, we are all inadequate! I know this doesn't help. It's meant as sympathy. I have been building and using computers since the 50s, when I helped build one that used relays and I still have NO interest in software except to say what it should do, at which I've been pretty successful. Good luck and remember, there are knobs on the radio and they will probably work for you, since the software in the radio has likely had a few years to get sorted out and the worst bugs found. WL __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] The RIGHT way is to adjust COMP
Right. But FIRST set TXEQ to max cut for the first three bands, 6 dB cut
on the 4th band, 3 dB boost on 2.4 kHz, 6 dB boost the top band (3.2
kHz). Then set COMP as Bob described. The TXEQ settings prevent wasting
transmitter power with speech components that don't contribute to speech
intelligibility. This was learned by AT%T Bell Labs nearly a century ago.
73, Jim K9YC
On 7/1/2022 9:21 AM, Ed Cole wrote:
Start with COMP at 0, adjust the MIC gain while speaking normal voice to
attain 5 to 6 bars {no more} as indicated on the ALC meter.? Then adjust
the COMP for a value to indicate about 10 on voice peaks.
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[Elecraft] Using the Antenna Tuner in the XPA100
This is so far off the wall it can't be answered...there is no answer. Please read my rant on Ham Qualifications. Then ask yourself why the tuner might have a two wire output connection. Then read about what impedance is. Then read about what the impedance at the end of your wire might be. The answer is that it can be too high for your tuner or too low and anywhere in between. Then read about matching networks and what they do. Then read about how the end fed wire needs to be used with a ground of some kind. You'll soon see, if you do the above, that what you propose is a recipe for getting an RF burn, confusing your internet modem and phone system, or even damaging your radio or tuner. The real best answer is to get a manual tuner, connect the antenna AND A GROUND (rod) and learn to use it. Yes, the auto tuner "can" work, given a ground, but it pretty surely won't work on all bands. The end of the antenna and the tuner "should" be well up above your radio, like at the top of a window, and connected back to your station with coax. Someone here may have time to explain all of the above to you, but it's a tall order. WL __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] COM port problems
These is nothing unique about the Elecraft serial cable except possibly the radio side connector. Basically it's a USB to RS232 Ground/transmit/Receive cable. Anyone who understands USB com ports can help you. They don't need to know radio. They should understand what I wrote here. For USB COM port problems (with anything, including these). Run DEVMGR (I do this by entering that in the search bar) In Devmgr "View" menu , click / check "Show Hidden Devices" Look in the list for "Ports(COM & LPT) Expand that to the sub list You will see a list of ports there in the sub list. Some are grayed out, those are not connected. Plug in your Elecraft serial cable. Is there a change? You should see a grayed out one now dark (enabled) (as COM 1 is) That is the number of the Elecraft port. OR ... a new one just appears. This sometimes happens. That is the new number of the Elecraft port. (This is a likely outcome). Make a note of anything in devmgr list, this may help Elecraft help you but I expect you will have figured it out with the above steps. If this does not work, try other USB ports on your computer with the above procedure. If this does not work, try the Elecraft cable on a friends computer (the driver for Elecraft is pretty standard you don't need the radio to check the cable). If this does not work, you need a Elecraft serial cable. You can also look in the cable and make one. There are USB to RS232 cables you can change the connector to match the cable description in the manual. Others available may have the same connector but TX and RX are reversed. Some are already the same as elecraft. W1GCF Geoff __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft K4 Ethernet Vulnerability
What is your Ethernet extender? I wouldn't expect most things that serve that role to have a firewall. On Fri, Jul 1, 2022, 13:04 Mike VE3YF wrote: > Gordon: > > You might want to post your message on the K4 Groups.io page to get a > good answer. (https://groups.io/g/Elecraft-K4/messages) > > All I can say is I have had no problem. The only site on the web that my > K4D see's is the Elecraft site for firmware updates. > > My Ethernet cable is connected to an ethernet extender then to my > router, so it is behind multiple firewalls, so I think it should be safe. > > -- > > *73 De Mike* > *VE3YF > > _/http://www.ve3yf.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 > Message delivered to ju...@juliatuttle.net __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft K4 Ethernet Vulnerability
If you're connecting to the K4 from outside your LAN, a VPN would always be an improvement over port forwarding -- it'd make inevitable security bugs in the K4 much harder to exploit. Do be sure you secure the VPN itself well, or it could be a risk to the rest of your LAN. Beyond that, I'll defer to Elecraft to detail what network services are running on the K4, which will let you look up the security history of those packages and decide how much you need to secure access to the rig. 73, Julie On Fri, Jul 1, 2022, 12:41 gordon young wrote: > Ladies and gentlemen, > > Perhaps this is old news to some however I thought it worth asking before > my radio arrives. Given the K4 now has direct Ethernet connectivity, how > vulnerable is it to malware, bugs, worms and bad internet stuff in > general? > > What is recommended for the radio itself besides protecting the associated > computer? For example, should a VPN be used or is the risk considered low > enough to disregard? > > Thanks in advance > > Gord > VE1GVY > K4 wannabee > > Sent from my iPhone > __ > 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 > Message delivered to ju...@juliatuttle.net > __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft K4 Ethernet Vulnerability
Gordon: You might want to post your message on the K4 Groups.io page to get a good answer. (https://groups.io/g/Elecraft-K4/messages) All I can say is I have had no problem. The only site on the web that my K4D see's is the Elecraft site for firmware updates. My Ethernet cable is connected to an ethernet extender then to my router, so it is behind multiple firewalls, so I think it should be safe. -- *73 De Mike* *VE3YF _/http://www.ve3yf.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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] Elecraft K4 Ethernet Vulnerability
Ladies and gentlemen, Perhaps this is old news to some however I thought it worth asking before my radio arrives. Given the K4 now has direct Ethernet connectivity, how vulnerable is it to malware, bugs, worms and bad internet stuff in general? What is recommended for the radio itself besides protecting the associated computer? For example, should a VPN be used or is the risk considered low enough to disregard? Thanks in advance Gord VE1GVY K4 wannabee Sent from my iPhone __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] USB sound recommendations for KX3 I/Q
Does anyone have a recommendation for a portable-sized USB sound card adapter to use with the KX3 I/Q? I had an older Diamond with 192 khz input that I gave with the sale of K3, but I can't seem to locate any new devices with 192 khz bandwidth that are also suitable for portable use - like with a Raspberry Pi 400. Any ideas? Thanks! Tim -- Owner, worldwidedx.com AE6LX, Amateur Radio __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] The RIGHT way is to adjust COMP
From: Bob McGraw
nd.net>
Start with COMP at 0, adjust the MIC gain while speaking normal voice to
attain 5 to 6 bars {no more} as indicated on the ALC meter.? Then adjust
the COMP for a value to indicate about 10 on voice peaks.
For those that believe in using the "I turned it up a little bit, now
how does that sound?" approach, . forget it.? Set it correctly as
described above? and it will sound great.?? There is a right way to do
this.?? Anything else is flying by the seat of your pants.
If you desire to have it sound different, then twiddle the EQ values
until your hearts content.?? After doing so, you may need to reset the
MIC and COMP levels to be correct.
I much prefer to listen to my signal on a remote SDR and record my
signal on the SDR site. Then listen to it in my shack on my speakers.?
Then I know HOW MY SIGNAL SOUNDS.?? That's what is important. ? I make
adjustments from there.
As to others, they can adjust their receivers, their speakers, their
hearing aids and a host of other things that will make ones signal
sound..err, many different ways.? So which one of the "many
different ways" is best?? Likely none of them.
73
Bob, K4TAX
---
OK, with mic set to 20 ALC was a little low; 23 setting produced ALC=5
with speaking the word "FORE" (old radioman's test word for checking
modulation).
When I advanced COMP, 23 now has 10-dB indicating. MY guess the
difference heard by others from 20&25 to 23&23 probably would not be
discerned. I will find out tomorrow during our VHF Net. My old default
settings were 20&20.
73, Ed - KL7UW
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Re: [Elecraft] WHICH USB ADAPTER TO STEREO PLUG TO USE
I am not familiar with the Station Master. Your post is kind of confusing. You talk about USB to DB9 and USB to 3.5 mm cables, The Elecraft DB9 to 3.5 mm cable is an RS232 cable used with the KX line and other small RS232 devices. It is still listed on their "Quick Order" page, down near the very bottom. Search for "KXSER-A ADDITIONAL RS232 COMMUNICATION CABLE WITH 9-PIN CONNECTOR" on the quick order page. Like all their cables it is not the cheapest cable you will find, but they are high quality, durable products. Have a few of them around for my KX3, W1, XG3, etc. The DB9 is a female and I believe the K3 has a female connector (I have the USB board in mine) so this may not be the cable you are looking for. You might be better off taking a good quality 3.5 mm cable, cutting the thing in two and soldering on a good DB9 male. __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
