[Elecraft] K4 R28 installed
I do not have wired or optical fiber high speed internet service at my QTH. My Verizon hot-spot device is equipped with a USB-C jack. I simply connected the Hot-spot device to one of the K4 USB jacks on the rear panel. After a short delay, I was able to download the new R28 directly from the Verizon hot-spot. The K4 is now up to date. Very simple to do. Bill - K6WLM Sent from my iPad __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] Youtube Live Broadcast
Thanks to Eric for a great and informative broadcast on the K4. I learned a lot that was very helpful The ethernet connection and how to perform updates was a subject that was a concern and is now clear. 73, Bill - K6WLM 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] [K3] 1.0 Milliwatt Calibration
You can find the HP 435 series of power meters very cheap. (Check the usual auction sites). These power meters can accurately measure a wide range of frequencies and power levels with the proper accessories. Sadly, the Power Heads for these power meters are very expensive but just the meter by its self can be useful. It contains a 50 mHz, 0.0 dBm ( 1 mW @ 50 ohms) calibration source that is accurate to +/- 0.7% Use this calibration source to verify the accuracy of your measurement device for the K3 converter output by comparing the two readings. No calculations required. The end result should be very close to the correct output level. Run “Calibrate Transmitter Gain” with the K3 Utility after you have the correct output level set. 73, Bill - K6WLM __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] Wow! Nice Knobs :-)
Check out this website if you are interested in some nice wighted CNC machined knobs for Elecraft K2 and K3s. They are a bit pricey but very high quality. www.73cnc.com Standard disclaimer: I have nothing to do with this company I'm just a satisfied customer. 73, Bill - K6WLM __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] K3 ver 03.79 and Palstar AT-AUTO
FYI Just in case someone else has this same problem, I loaded the latest K3 firmware onto my rig and when the load was complete I found that my K3 would no longer control the Palstar tuner. It seems that the K3 Utility does not return the RS-232 port back to the original baud speed setting that was used before the down load when it is finished. After I reset the RS-232 port speed back to the original 9600 setting then the Palstar tuner started tracking again. 73, Bill - K6WLM KX1, K2, K3-100k __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Connecting Transceivers in Vehicles - Change
FYI Paul, sorry but I disagree. For HF mobile installation, GM and others recommend that the radio NOT be grounded in the cabin. Both battery leads should be fused at the battery. The reason for the negitive side fuse is in the event that the battery ground lead to the engine block should go open or have a high resistance there will be very high current trying to find ground when you start the engine. Starter motor current can be in the hundreds of amps. You do NOT want that amount of current flowing thru your rig! 73, Bill - K6WLM home-run to the battery posts. If the negative fuse blows and the positive fuse remains closed -- and *if* the radio chassis is common to negative power with grounded connectors (e.g., SO-239) via a ground return through the vehicle chassis, then the coax braid and other supplemental grounded leads on the radio chassis will carry the full rig current. Seems like in all cases where the rig chassis is common to the negative power lead, the negative lead wiring should go un-fused at or very close to the negative battery post. Paul, W9AC __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K2 New Builder
George, I'm sure others will have additional ideas but for me the most important thing was to be careful and go slowly. Before you do anything else take a careful parts inventory. You may want to consider the purchase of Re-Work Eliminators while they are still available. You can read all about them at: http://www.unpcbs.com/ Also, see Don's - W3FPR website for many helpful hints. http://www.w3fpr.com/index.htm Good luck and have fun! 73, Bill - K6WLM KX1, K2, K3-100 I will be starting to build a K2 soon. It is ordered and shipped. Anything I should look out for or any tips? George/W2BPI __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] W2 Firmware Suggestion
With all the recent discussion about the W2 I decided to actually read the on-line manual and check the specs for my self. Upon further reading I discovered that to set the SWR alarm feature it is necessary to have a PC connected and to set the alarm each time the unit is powered up. If possible, it would be nice to be able to turn on the alarm feature from the front panel of the W2 and once set, have the alarm enable in memory so that it was not necessary to do this every time the unit is power cycled.. OBTW I am very pleased with the current firmware load for the K3. Thanks 73, Bill - K6WLM K3 K2 KX1 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Another Way to Sharpen your CW Skills
The KSM frequencies referred to are (in KHz): 4350.5 6474.0 8438.3 12993.0 16914.0 22445.8 Or, for those within range with LF converters, 426 and 500 KHz If you enjoy the transmissions, they'd love to hear from you. Ron AC7AC === Hey Ron, Thanks for posting this info. KPH / KSM puts out a big signal on LF as well as HF When the Liberty Ship Jeremiah O'Brien gets under way in San Francisco Bay there is a YL operator that communicates with KPH from the ship. She is very skilled at sending with a Viproplex bug. (Puts me to shame!) http://www.radiomarine.org/index.html http://www.ssjeremiahobrien.org/welcome.html It is great to hear these commercial CW operators in action. To include some Elecraft content :-) I have not added the KXV3 board to my K3 yet. I am hoping that the direct RX antenna input will give better sensitivity on LF (500 Khz) and also the Medium Wave band. 73, Bill - K6WLM KX1 K2 K3/100 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] P3 Critics
It is amazing to me how there can be so much criticism of the P3 before it has even been put into production and released for sale The P3 is fully integrated with the K3, and stand-alone (no computer needed). It's the same height and depth as the K3, and about 6 wide -- plenty of extra room inside for a power supply, battery, or other accessories. The display is fast and bright, with a very wide viewing angle. 73, Wayne, N6KR Eric, WA6HHQ THANKS Wayne and Eric. That is just exactly what I was hoping for. Sounds PERFECT. Can't wait to get one! 73, Bill - K6WLM KX1 K2 K3/100 The following is a quote from a recent eHam review: Which brings me to another issue. While I commend Elecraft for its customer service, it appears that the K3 is now being designed to satisfy the squeaky wheels on the reflector. There seems to be a large number of owners who want a custom radio, and will stop at nothing in order to get the company to change the firmware so it suits their individual tastes. It seems as though the firmware beta changes are arriving more and more frequently. This is both good and bad. While it is nice to see the improvements, I think that it is getting to be a little overwhelming (and wonder about the utility of many of the improvements). It appears that many are to simply satisfy the vocal minority. I'd rather see Elecraft survey its entire user base as to what things might be changed, rather than the (highly) vocal few that populate the reflector. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] For All CW Enthusiasts
Ron AC7AC wrote: What saddens me about CW today is that so much of it is machine perfect. Listening across the bands it's like listening to a whole bunch of identical computer-generated speech. No accents. No inflections. No dialects. Very sterile to my ears Ron have you checked out the SKCC Straight Key Century Club www.skccgroup.com ? They have a monthly event just like the ARRL straight key night as well as sprints and other operating events. The general rule is that CW must be sent by mechanical means such as a bug or straight key. When you hear me on you can sure tell it is NOT computer generated CW! :-) 73, Bill - K6WLM KX1 K2 K3/100 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] KX1 Field Day fun!
Wayne, My KX1 field day experience was similar to yours. Using an external R/C car rechargeable 9.6 Volt battery pack for extended power reserve and a simple antenna up in the tress I had no trouble working many stations from New York to Hawaii and north to Alaska. What a blast! Thanks for a great rig design 73, Bill KX1, K2, K3 I snuck in about an hour of FD operation late tonight, setting up camp in the back yard. The KX1 is perfect for this type of ad-hoc installation -- just toss a wire in a tree and plug in the attached keyer paddle. Signals were quite good... 73, Wayne N6KR __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] SSB to CW automatic VFO offset
You guys are amazing. Nowhere else can somebody wish his radio would do something and have it come true. THANKS es 73, de Jim KG0KP I've now implemented the CW mode offset Gee, I wonder why Wayne doesn't seem to have time to finish up some projects like the Linear Amps :-) Bill - K6WLM __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] Battery Charging with DC Power Supply
I am using an Alinco DM-330M power supply. Across the output of the power supply I have a 26 AH battery. If the AC power quits I have many hours to shut down the K3. Charging a battery with a DC supply not meant for that purpose is a very BAD idea. In the case of Astron supplies it can damage parts of the DC regulator. If there is a Crow Bar circuit that operates with a battery connected to the power supply output it will ruin your day or even burn your house down! Bill - K6WLM __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 - 2 meters and MARS/CAP et all
Well, the Mars mod for an ICOM 7000 gives 118-173MHz tx coverage. The Mars mod for the ICOM 91AD handheld gives 137 to 174 MHz tx coverage. The Mars mod for the ICOM 746PRO gives 108-174 Mhz tx coverage I agree with Don. KISS! I do not want or need Ballistic tuning. If I wanted this I would have kept my YeaComWood HF radio I also do not want a 2 meter receiver with a wide as-a-barn-door front end that is an invitation to intermod from every paging transmitter in town. Be careful what you ask for! 73, Bill - K6WLM KX1 K2 K3 (work in progress) __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] K3 Output Power Question
Hello Elecrafters, I would like to know how stable the output power of the 10 watt K3 is when set to true QRP levels. I'm asking because my K2 power setting is not very accurate when I try to set it to anything much less than 5 watts. Would it be possible to safely drive an external amplifier that requires 1 watt maximum drive? Thanks 73, Bill - K6WLM KX1 K2 K3 (soon!) __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] W1 Power Meter and W8FGU Case
Hello Elecrafters, I just completed assembly of a W1 Power Meter kit. It seems to work well with good accuracy. For some reason I had a bit of trouble making good solder connections. This is the first RoHS board that has given me trouble. It seemed like it took extra amounts of time and heat to make good solder joints. Is there some special solder flux that should be used when using normal lead solder on an RoHS board? The W8FGU case is very nice. Fit and finish were perfect and the installation instructions on his web site are very clear. I have some experience working with plastics and probably could have made my own case. However, considering time and the cost of materials a DIY case would probably cost more and might not turn out as nice. Many thanks to Dave for providing this service. 73, Bill - K6WLM K2 KX1 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] K2: KPA 100 Capacitor Specification?
Don John, When a relay is de-energized the voltage developed from the collapse of the magnetic field can exceed the source voltage by many times. In the past it was the convention to put a reverse polarity diode across the relay coil to absorb the energy when the relay is de-energized. Since Elecraft dose not use the reverse polarity diodes in any of their kits I assumed this function was built into the relay driver chips. If not, perhaps a higher voltage rating for C13 and other capacitors like it is called for? Or could the relay driver U2 be defective? 73, Bill - K6WLM Date: Fri, 03 Apr 2009 10:29:59 -0400 From: Don Wilhelm w3...@embarqmail.com Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K2: KPA 100 Capacitor Specification? To: jferg...@aol.com Cc: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Message-ID: 49d61d67.3030...@embarqmail.com Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed John, I have never found one of those caps shorted, and I believe the DC rating on them is 50 volts, so they should have an adequate safety margin since they are used in a 12 volt DC circuit. I have trouble imagining a condition that would cause them to fail, but then I recall that your 'shipboard' operation is unusual and may introduce 'perils' that I cannot imagine. There would be no harm in replacing those capacitors with 100 volt caps *if* you can get them to fit physically. You may have to solder them flat against the bottom of the board. The other problem is that 100 volt caps may be difficult to procure with 0.1 inch lead spacing and you may have to get creative to substitute caps with 0.2 inch lead spacing. 73, Don W3FPR jferg...@aol.com wrote: Felow Elecrafters, I have just replaced the second-to-fail .01uF cap on the KPA/100 low band filter relay circuitry of #5087. In this case, C13. Failure is a partial short which allows that relay pair (k3 and k4) to close even though U2 hasn't so ordered. Symptom that this has happened is inability to tune down SWR and power runaway. This would make sense because in this condition - particularly this one - since I don't have a 160 meter setup - the low band filters are triggered for 160 plus whatever other band I thought I was going to work, two filters for the price of one - not a bargain. This radio has suffered some hard-knocks before I understood how to deal with ESD and I feel that I owe Elecraft far more than they owe me, But. Should I replace the relay coil caps with ones with better specs? If so, what should I use? 73 AI4TO John Ferguson M/V Arcadian __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] KNB2 Noise Blanker
Hello Elecrafters, In the archives there are several messages regarding the effectiveness or lack of effectiveness of the KNB2 noise blanker for the K2. Having just finished assembly of one for my recently completed K2 I wanted to share my findings. This kit is an easy build with only three simple toroid coils to wind. There are no transformers. The one SMD device is pre-installed on its own small circuit board and caused no assembly problems. Installation of the KNB2 caused a very small loss of sensitivity in the K2. This is not noticeable with off the air signals but was detectable when checking MDS with a calibrated signal generator. Sensitivity is still more than adequate for the HF bands. The noise blanker is very effective in reducing my local power line noise. Weak signals on 20 meters that were not copyable before are now Q-5. According to the S meter the noise is being reduced from 20 dB over S9 to a level of only about S3 with no noticiable signal distortion. I am very pleased with this accessories for my K2. 73, Bill - K6WLM __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] Sudden K2 PA Failure
Hello Elecrafters, I recently finished construction of my first K2. I was very careful about ESD precautions during construction. While performing the transmitter alignment it was never in transmit for more than just a few seconds. The PA transistors and heat sink were all properly installed. The rig had correct output power on all bands. It was being operated from an Astron 4 amp supply with about 13.5 volts output.The transmitter was terminated into a known good commercial quality 50 ohm load. At no time did the heat sink get more than slightly warm. In other words the PA transistors were not abused in any way. I have not yet even made the first QSO with this rig. This morning when I turned it on to listen around the bands it came on for a few seconds and then failed. Some clever and careful trouble shooting revealed that Q7 PA transistor is shorted. I have some spare 2SC1969 transistors but they are from a different manufacture. Should I use these or get new ones from Elecraft? According to some previous posts there may be a problem with other transistor brands. Is this type of K2 failure common or just a fluke? I have never had any kind of PA failure in any other rig that I have owned over the years. Thanks for any thoughts that you may want to pass along. 73, Bill - K6WLM __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] K2 diffuser installation
Hello Elecrafters, I'm working on my first K2 kit. I finally came to the dreaded diffuser installation. With the diffuser in the correct position and with the spacers as called for in the latest manual errata I did not know how to hold this all in place for soldering. The manual suggests the use of a rubber band! Since I did not have any ESD rated rubber bands I decided to use a small plastic clamp that I had on hand for small hobby projects. It worked GREAT! This small clamp is made by Wolfcraft. A quick web search did not produce this exact clamp but I found some that may work as well. See the link below: http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/exl/exl55663.htm The plastic clamps may not be totally ESD safe so proceed at your own risk. 72/73, Bill - K6WLM KX1 K2 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] Earbud Headphones for the KX1
Hello Elecrafters, A few days ago there was some discussion regarding headphones for the KX1. I just purchased some Sony MDR-E828LP headphones from Office Depot for $9.95. (They were labled for use with MP3 players). They have a sensitivy rating of 108 dB/mW. These seem to be MORE than sensitive enough for use with the KX1 and they come with a small storage case. I'm very pleased with these but YMMV 73, Bill - K6WLM KX1 K2 ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] KXB30 For Sale
New, unused, unbuilt KXB30 30 Meter Adapter for the KX-1 $20.00 plus postage. Please contact off list. 73, Bill - K6WLM ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
