Re: [Elecraft] K3 Power-hunting on FT8
Yes, it hunts for a couple seconds first time on a change (freq, mode, power, turn on). Elecraft mentioned it has to do with it setting its power level (it works a bit to get stabilized and not noticed normally). After the first TX time it will be fine. Dan KI6X Message: 14 Date: Thu, 20 Jul 2023 17:16:47 -0400 From: Pete Smith N4ZR mailto:pete.n...@gmail.com> > To: Elecraft List mailto:elecraft@mailman.qth.net> > Subject: [Elecraft] K3 Power-hunting on FT8 Message-ID: mailto:caff765b-c334-0990-072f-a2e7f1632...@gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed I've recently started operating FT8, and on advice from other K3 users, have been adjusting the power slider in WSJT-X to a level just short of or just into the first flickers of ALC.? I did this because I was advised that setting the slider for 4 or 5 bars of ALC generated junk in the FT8 passband.? I am running the K3 in Data A mode Since I did this, I've noticed strange (to me, anyway) behavior from my K3.? When WSJT-X starts an FT8 transmit cycle, after I have just switched to the current band or changed the power slider in WSJT-X or the PWR control on my K-3, the K3's power output starts essentially at zero and slowly ramps up through 1- 1 1/2 FT8 transmit cycles.? Once it reaches the expected level, subsequent transmissions stay at that level. I've been told (not by Elecraft) that this behavior is a result of the K3's firmware "hunting" for the right power level, but such a slow and repetitious behavior doesn't fit with the rest of what I've come to expect from my K3.? It doesn't happen on CW or SSB either. So what's going on? -- 73, Pete N4ZR __ 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] K-1 trouble shooting
Yes, I can toggle AGC on and off. No S-meter when on. I have also gone thru the troubleshooting section of the manual. All is within reasonable parameters. Q1 & Q2 test good. I have checked the path back to U1 pin 2 on the front panel. The S on Q1 stays at +1volt no matter if AGC is on or off. Voltage on cathode of D2 on RF board is .75 when AGC is on and zero when AGC is off. I have rechecked the component assembly of the front panel and it is correct. Dan, W8KMX Get Outlook for iOS<https://aka.ms/o0ukef> From: Mike Morrow Sent: Monday, March 6, 2023 7:21:01 AM To: w8kmx ; elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K-1 trouble shooting Have you verified K1 MENU item AGC is toggled to ON? AGC ON is required for the S-meter to function. See last page of K1 manual for quick reference. FWIW, almost NO Elecraft model designation uses hyphens or dashes. :-) Mike / KK5F -Original Message- From: w8kmx Sent: Mar 5, 2023 5:00 PM I obtained a K-1 partially assembled. I completed assembly. All seems to work except there is no AGC nor S meter.I have measured voltages per the manual and checked components but I can't find problem. Any suggestions?Dan, W8KMX __ 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] Headphones
I guess it is personal..I purchased a pair of the Arlan phones earlier this year and I would never use anything else. They were a total game changer for me in terms of comfort and clarity.I am almost exclusively a CW guy. This was the first field day in years I didn’t end up throwing a headset across the tent in frustration with fit and bad sound-particularly the Yamahas. Also the sound isolation for me is second to none. You do need to spend some time to get the fit set for your head,and there’s comprehensive instructions included. As a professional studio musician for 40 years I’ve suffered through a lot of bad phones…. Dan Presley 503-701-3871 danpresley@me. com n7...@arrl.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] Recommendation for Microphone for K3s?
I guess it is personal..I purchased a pair of the Arlan phones earlier this year and I would never use anything else. They were a total game changer for me in terms of comfort and clarity.I am almost exclusively a CW guy. This was the first field day in years I didn’t end up throwing a headset across the tent in frustration with fit and bad sound-particularly the Yamahas. Also the sound isolation for me is second to none. As a professional studio musician for 40 years I’ve suffered through a lot of bad phones…. Dan Presley 503-701-3871 danpresley@me. com n7...@arrl.net > On Nov 2, 2022, at 11:47, Wes wrote: > > Don't forget the $100+ cable and $26 shipping. > > Wes N7WS > >> On 11/2/2022 11:26 AM, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote: >> On 2022-11-02 12:34 PM, Lou Laderman via Elecraft wrote: >> >> > Nobody has yet suggested RadioSport boomsets (Arlan Communications, >> >> At $299 each (on sale) they are like the Heil headsets, grossly over >> priced for what you get - 5 X the price for the CM500 or SB45. The >> RadioSport sets are much heavier/harder on the head and neck. >> >> 73, >> >>... Joe, W4TV > > __ > 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 n7...@arrl.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 support and communication
Welcome to the list John and don’t be put off by a few complaints. I’ve been a customer since 1999 when I got my K2. I’ve never had any communication issues with Elecraft-every time I contact them about parts or technical issues they respond very promptly which is incredibly impressive given that it’s a very small company. I wonder if some of the problems may be due to folks just expecting Elecraft to contact them rather than calling or emailing to get updates. It’s a small enterprise and they’re scrambling to keep up. Dan Presley 503-701-3871 danpresley@me. com n7...@arrl.net > On Oct 8, 2022, at 16:53, John P wrote: > > As a new owner of Elecraft products, after owning rigs from the big three > companies, over 50+ years, I am very happy and impressed with Elecraft > equipment and customer support. Much, much better than the big three. > > I own a K4D, with 500 amp and tuner, which I had to wait for too. > > Understanding the supply chain issue problems, I didn’t whine. I am still > waiting for the hand mic too, but use a desk mic with no problems. > > Whenever I’ve had a question and emailed or phoned Elecraft they have been > extremely responsive and provided answers quickly. Eric ( who I met at an > ARRL event) and the staff have been fantastic with me. > > All I can say is that the recent email (list) traffic is so idiotic, I’m on > the verge of dropping off the listing. > > Find something better to do people. > > Let’s focus on radios, technology, and equipment helping issues. > > Best regards all , John KB1NU > __ > 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 n7...@arrl.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] KX2 Mic
This is a good excuse to learn CW. Or-the KX2 has a perfectly good built in mic. I’m also sure you could adapt a different mic if you’re really in need of one. As far as the complaint about Wayne posting his pedestrian mobile activity..do you see the CEO of ICOM Yaesu or Kenwood posting about actually using their products in a creative way?? This is what makes Elecraft such a good company to support. Are there supply issues? Sure,and why have them wasting time with constant updates that say nothing new? I’d rather have the precious labor time used to address the actual issues. And lastly..maybe people should just get outside and use the radios as they were intended. Better for your mental and physical health instead of sitting around finding things to nitpick about a small company trying to make innovative products. Tomorrow I’m taking the KX2 and AX2 to Mary’s peak in the central coast range of Oregon. Hiking and SOTA at 4500 feet. At age 71 I go slow but I’m going and boy a lot more fun than sitting around reading emails or watching the tube. Dan Presley 503-701-3871 danpresley@me. com n7...@arrl.net > On Oct 8, 2022, at 05:29, Dave Sublette wrote: > > As I recall, when I ordered my KX3 years ago I told them not to send a > mic. I wasn't going to need it. > > K4TO > >> On Sat, Oct 8, 2022 at 1:00 AM K9ZTV wrote: >> >> No shortage of keys, guys. >> >> Kent >> K9ZTV >> __ >> 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 k...@arrl.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 n7...@arrl.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] AX1 dipole
Fred-can you share details on this antenna? Not familiar with it. Thanks. Dan Presley 503-701-3871 danpresley@me. com n7...@arrl.net > On Sep 29, 2022, at 12:08, Fred Jensen wrote: > > I've long wondered why hams haven't done more with Franklin verticals? KFBK > [1530 kHz in Sacramento] uses one located in the southern end of the > Sacramento Valley, and it's known as a Flame Thrower. I think KNBC [680 > kHz?] in SF had one back in the 50's sometime too. They're big at MF, but > much more tractable at HF, and they are amenable to loading techniques. I > built one [fairly heavily loaded] out of Buddipole parts I had, and its > performance, particularly when I was still activating summits, was > surprising. Like a small loop, the Franklin pretty much ignores ground ... > although KFBK's probably likes being located in rice fields filled with > water. > > 73, > > Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW > Sparks NV DM09dn > Washoe County > > Jim Brown wrote on 9/29/2022 11:28 AM: >> David, >> >> I've published a LOT of work on concepts like this. >> >> This ran in National Contest Journal about six years ago. It's based on >> extensive modeling, and was peer reviewed. >> >> http://k9yc.com/AntennaPlanning.pdf >> >> This was added to the ARRL Handbook or Antenna Book several years ago. >> >> http://k9yc.com/VerticalDipole.pdf >> >> This is an application of the above technique. >> >> http://k9yc.com/80M-FDVertical.pdf >> >> N6BT (original Force 12) has done a lot designs for monoband and multiband >> verticals that are loaded dipoles. The multiband Cushcraft R-series and >> Hi-Gain AV-series multiband verticals (companies bought out by MFJ many >> years ago) are loaded dipoles. >> >> 73, Jim K9YC >> >>> On 9/29/2022 11:09 AM, David Gilbert wrote: >>> >>> You're talking about a horizontal pair of AX1's ... I asked about them >>> oriented vertically. That wouldn't require them to be as high above ground >>> as you mention and would still allow them to be carried pedestrian mobile. >> > > > > -- > This email has been checked for viruses by AVG antivirus software. > 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 n7...@arrl.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] AX1 today
Thanks Wayne for the encouragement. Since I’ve become involved in our local club-Portland Amateur Radio Club, or PARC , we’ve encouraged members to get out of the home shack and try outdoor operating. As is true with many urban dwellers we all fight noise and space issues,and no better way to hear what the bands are doing plus get some exercise. SOTA has become very popular here in Oregon-lots of summits of varying degrees of accessibility so almost everyone can participate. Also been a real boost to QrP and CW. Dan Presley 503-701-3871 danpresley@me. com n7...@arrl.net > On Sep 24, 2022, at 22:54, Wayne Burdick wrote: > > And thank you for getting outdoors to operate, Dan. That's the real reason > for the AX line :) > > 73, > Wayne > N6KR > > >> On Sep 24, 2022, at 10:09 PM, Dan Presley wrote: >> >> All this discussion about the antenna caused me to carve out a little time >> this afternoon to go to a suburban summit. Perfect setting for the AX1 as >> there’s no good trees and since it’s also somewhat of a park -wires around >> and in the air are frowned on. Also with limited time a quick setup and tear >> down is important. My usual setup is a small lightweight tripod (light >> stand) that goes to 6 feet and elevated radials (3 13’). I have alligator >> clips on the end of the radials for easy attachment to anything like some >> grass or a shrub. ATU in the KX2 hardly ‘clicked’ for a match. In 45 minutes >> I worked 22 stations (12 states),Japan and 4 ‘S2S’-summit to summit >> contacts on 20 and 15 M CW 5 watts. Best report was 599 from OK..almost >> pulled off an S2S with JH3PLL. Kept asking ‘N7??’ but we couldn’t quite pull >> it off. And everything except the tripod packs into a small LowePro bag. >> Summit W7O/WV-099 if you follow that. Thanks for a great product Wayne. >> >> >> Dan Presley 503-701-3871 >> danpresley@me. com >> n7...@arrl.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 n...@elecraft.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] Portable antenna
No worries-it’ll make a nice winter project. Right now I’m taking full advantage of sunshine before the rainy season starts. Dan Presley 503-701-3871 danpresley@me. com n7...@arrl.net > On Sep 24, 2022, at 20:47, David Gilbert wrote: > > > I don't really have a good setup for making videos, but when I get the chance > I'll make one showing how I built it and how to set it up. Might be a while, > though. > > 73, > Dave AB7E > > >> On 9/24/2022 7:29 PM, Dan Presley wrote: >> Thanks Dave for the reply. That sounds like a great antenna and I’d >> definitely like to see a picture and maybe a bit more description if you’d >> care to. I enjoy playing with portable antennas and might try to build >> something like that over the winter. One that I put together last year was a >> two element vertical Yagi based on the article by a Japanese ham (forgot the >> call) in QRP quarterly a few years back. It uses a driven element and a >> quarter wave reflector,and the reflector uses a quarter wave matching >> section connected as a radial. Think of basically a ‘U’ shaped setup. The >> original was suspended from tree branches but I set it up for ground mount >> using two 20 foot small fiberglass fishing poles. It actually gave some >> reasonable gain on 20 and you could steer it a bit by moving the reflector. >> For field day our club is QRP CW and two of us built a 2 element wire Yagi >> for 40 from an article in QST a few years back. We feed it with open wire >> line and because our site has very tall trees we have it up about 60 >> feet. This year we set it up as a sloper. Killer antenna on 40 and actually >> loads and works quite nicely on 20 and 15. We also put up a horizontal loop >> for 80 at the same height. We’ve either won or placed 2nd in our division >> for a few years. Nothing beats big wire,but when I’m hiking I gotta rethink >> everything and go small-thus the AX1/2 and simple wires. >> >> Dan Presley 503-701-3871 >> danpresley@me. com >> n7...@arrl.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
[Elecraft] AX1 today
All this discussion about the antenna caused me to carve out a little time this afternoon to go to a suburban summit. Perfect setting for the AX1 as there’s no good trees and since it’s also somewhat of a park -wires around and in the air are frowned on. Also with limited time a quick setup and tear down is important. My usual setup is a small lightweight tripod (light stand) that goes to 6 feet and elevated radials (3 13’). I have alligator clips on the end of the radials for easy attachment to anything like some grass or a shrub. ATU in the KX2 hardly ‘clicked’ for a match. In 45 minutes I worked 22 stations (12 states),Japan and 4 ‘S2S’-summit to summit contacts on 20 and 15 M CW 5 watts. Best report was 599 from OK..almost pulled off an S2S with JH3PLL. Kept asking ‘N7??’ but we couldn’t quite pull it off. And everything except the tripod packs into a small LowePro bag. Summit W7O/WV-099 if you follow that. Thanks for a great product Wayne. Dan Presley 503-701-3871 danpresley@me. com n7...@arrl.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
[Elecraft] Portable antenna
Thanks Dave for the reply. That sounds like a great antenna and I’d definitely like to see a picture and maybe a bit more description if you’d care to. I enjoy playing with portable antennas and might try to build something like that over the winter. One that I put together last year was a two element vertical Yagi based on the article by a Japanese ham (forgot the call) in QRP quarterly a few years back. It uses a driven element and a quarter wave reflector,and the reflector uses a quarter wave matching section connected as a radial. Think of basically a ‘U’ shaped setup. The original was suspended from tree branches but I set it up for ground mount using two 20 foot small fiberglass fishing poles. It actually gave some reasonable gain on 20 and you could steer it a bit by moving the reflector. For field day our club is QRP CW and two of us built a 2 element wire Yagi for 40 from an article in QST a few years back. We feed it with open wire line and because our site has very tall trees we have it up about 60 feet. This year we set it up as a sloper. Killer antenna on 40 and actually loads and works quite nicely on 20 and 15. We also put up a horizontal loop for 80 at the same height. We’ve either won or placed 2nd in our division for a few years. Nothing beats big wire,but when I’m hiking I gotta rethink everything and go small-thus the AX1/2 and simple wires. Dan Presley 503-701-3871 danpresley@me. com n7...@arrl.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 AX-1 Whip Antenna
The other nice feature of the KX2 is the mini banana jack on the side of the radio for attaching the counterpoise . It’s perfect for pedestrian mobile and should you encounter some sort of snag it’ll pop out before the wire breaks.Wayne can better comment than me,but I believe the resonance of the AX1 (or AX2 I presume) it’s not right within the 20M band, but close. The auto tuner easily takes care of matching and as Wayne mentioned earlier compensates for all of the other variables. Just a note that the AX2 is a single band coil and can be modified for different bands. Plus it’s even a lot lower profile than the AX1. If you want to see some fun videos of using the AX1 directly attached to the KX2 search on YouTube for HB9BZG-SOTA from the Swiss Alps! Dan Presley 503-701-3871 danpresley@me. com n7...@arrl.net > On Sep 24, 2022, at 09:40, Wayne Burdick wrote: > > The wire drags behind you. This is why we sometimes call it a "dragged > counterpoise." > > The wire supplied with the AX1, AX2, and AXE1 is quite slippery and unlikely > to snag on anything. I've dragged it between cacti in the deserts of New > Mexico; across serpentine outcrops along the Pacific coast; and though the > urban jungles of Belmont, California, bristling with spiky xeriscape. > > W > > > >> On Sep 24, 2022, at 7:41 AM, wrote: >> >> I'm curious about your pedestrian mobile statement. What do you do with the >> 13 foot counterpoise, does it drag behind you when walking? I doubt that you >> can make a QSO without it. Also with the 13 foot counterpoise, what 20m >> frequency is the AX1 resonant on? >> >> John KK9A >> >> >> Dan Presley n7cqr wrote: >> >> Second-I want to hear from Dave AB7E in particular what antenna(s) you use >> when you're operating in the field,and specifically when you can't set up a >> wire; maybe no trees or a bare summit, or as Thomas K4SWL talks about-when >> you really don't or can't throw up a wire (check out his blog on recent >> operations in Canada). Or pedestrian mobile. So far I've seen nothing that >> is as compact,lightweight and easily packable as the AX1 or 2, and that's >> important to me when I'm hiking. >> >> Dan Presley 503-701-3871 >> danpresley at me. com >> N7CQR at arrl.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 n...@elecraft.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 n7...@arrl.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 AX-1 Whip Antenna
I wanted to revisit this discussion to add a perspective that I think needs to be considered. First,as far as modeling short verticals I believe it’s possible to use something like the ‘poor man’s’ AX1 that Doug Hendricks developed at Pacificon in 2019. A group of us from Oregon went and participated in the build,and subsequently Doug posted the plans and parts list in the QRP quarterly. So if you don’t want to obtain or borrow an AX1 for testing here’s an inexpensive alternative. Build it and give us your results. Second-I want to hear from Dave AB7E in particular what antenna(s) you use when you’re operating in the field,and specifically when you can’t set up a wire; maybe no trees or a bare summit, or as Thomas K4SWL talks about-when you really don’t or can’t throw up a wire (check out his blog on recent operations in Canada). Or pedestrian mobile. So far I’ve seen nothing that is as compact,lightweight and easily packable as the AX1 or 2, and that’s important to me when I’m hiking. Each part is no more than 6” in length or less. Oh-and by the way I just completed another’S2S’ (summit to summit) contact on 30M using the 40/30 add on coil with the AX1 with KR7RK from Oregon to AZ both at 5W. Personally I always prefer a wire antenna if possible-either an end fed or as is spelled out in the manuals for the KX3 and KX2, a length of wire about 25-28 feet with a counterpoise. But sometimes it’s not an option. Share with us..I’m always wanting to hear what others do or build. How do you solve this?? Thanks. Dan Presley 503-701-3871 danpresley@me. com n7...@arrl.net > On Sep 22, 2022, at 10:09, Wayne Burdick wrote: > >> On Sep 22, 2022, at 9:47 AM, Jim Clymer wrote: >> >> >> >> On Thu, Sep 22, 2022, 11:28 AM Wayne Burdick wrote: >> Yes indeed. >> >> This is why you need an ATU when using such antennas. The ATU can correct >> for terrain, counterpoise length and deployment, body capacitance, >> conductors associated with other connected devices, etc. >> >> Wayne >> >> So that would lead me to believe that matching requirements for bicycle >> mobile with a trailing counterpoise would be a moving target. > > I haven't tried that myself but yeah, probably. > > However, radios like the KX2 and KX3 are tolerant of dynamic SWR variations. > For example if you hit the ATU button at some point and the SWR goes to 1:1, > then walk (or bike) over varied terrain that causes the SWR To vary from 1:1 > to 2:1, the radio won't complain. Only if the SWR gets really high will power > rollback occur. > > Without the ATU, and using an electrically short/narrowband antenna, you > might see SWR vary from 1:1 to 10:1. > > 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 > Message delivered to n7...@arrl.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 AX-1 Whip Antenna
I believe what Wayne meant to say was’now replace the AX1 with a resistor’ not a wire. Nonetheless the AX1 and 2 still serve a definite purpose in portable operating that a resistor or light bulb won’t 浪. And I fail to see what the problem is with using a counterpoise,even if it’s doing some of the radiating. Most antenna systems that are unbalanced (verticals,end feds,etc) require a counterpoise. Are you claiming that a resistor with a counterpoise is as effective as shortened vertical?? I believe Rudy Severn’s work has already demonstrated the effectiveness of short verticals with various counterpoises. Yesterday I did a SOTA activation where I worked Japan,France and Spain with 5W and the AX1. Obviously the altitude advantage is great and I used 3 13’ radials. I also try to position myself near a sloping edge to maximize my radiation effectiveness (as Tom Schiller N6BT advocates). I doubt a 50 ohm resistor would achieve this… and just in case someone says ‘it’s only because the other stations have big antennas etc ‘ some of the contacts were what we call ‘S2S’ or summit to summit with other activators using similar equipment and power. Perhaps hiking to a bare summit and figuring out what gear you’d haul on your back will give you a certain perspective and appreciation. Dan Presley 503-701-3871 danpresley@me. com n7...@arrl.net > On Sep 21, 2022, at 20:32, David Gilbert wrote: > > Why would I replace the wire with a resistor? I was talking about replacing > the AX1 with a resistor and keeping the wire. > > I have no doubt that an AX1 without a wire hears better than a resistor > without a wire, but that's mostly because the resistor provides a better > match and can't rely on body capacitance or the coax shield. > > If the AX1 was less expensive I'd buy one and do the tests. I may be totally > wrong, but I still say that ANY tuned short whip with a counterpoise is doing > most of the radiating from the counterpoise. > > 73, > Dave AB7E > > > > On 9/21/2022 7:59 PM, Wayne Burdick wrote: >> Dave, >> >> I've done many variations on whip antenna tests. >> >> A resonant 4' whip with or without a counterpoise is on a different planet >> from a resistor. If an AX1 were listening in on this conversation, it would >> challenge you to a duel, with live ammo :) >> >> In fact the counterpoise is absolutely required for transmit, but you can >> get away without it on receive, where body capacitance to ground alone will >> suffice, even on the HF bands. >> >> Try this test: Go outdoors and connect an AX1 (or equivalent) to the antenna >> jack of any 20 meter receiver. With r without the counterpoise You'll get of >> noise, lots of signals. >> >> Now replace the wire with a resistor. >> >> Nothing. >> >> QED >> >> Wayne >> N6KR >> >> >> >> >> >>> On Sep 21, 2022, at 7:29 PM, David Gilbert wrote: >>> Well, the reason I mentioned the 50 ohm resistor is that a year or so ago >>> somebody on this reflector mentioned that he did a direct comparison >>> between an AX1 with the recommended 13 foot wire counterpoise and with no >>> counterpoise at all. I don't remember for certain but I think he said he >>> used the RBN. I do remember that he said the difference in signal >>> strength was about 30 db. For grins I used EZNEC to model a single 50 hm >>> resistor 15 feet off the ground with and without a 13 foot wire hanging >>> from one end of it. I got 30 db difference in calculated signal strength. >>> I am by no means claiming that is a definitive or even relevant test ... I >>> just think it would be interesting to actually do an empirical comparison. >>> It is my opinion, however, that most of the radiating on an AX1 (or any >>> other short loaded whip) is being done by the counterpoise wire and/or the >>> shield of the coax. The coil and whip are matching aids. If so, it's >>> possible that a resistor would accomplish the same thing. ;) >>> As I said, I'd be willing to do the comparison if anyone is willing to lend >>> me an AX1. I'd be happy to be proven wrong. >>> 73, >>> Dave AB7E >>> On 9/21/2022 6:46 PM, j...@kk9a.com wrote: >>>> Thomas Schiller, N6BT once wrote an article titled "Everything Works". In >>>> the article he discussed how he worked all continents on CW (a mode that >>>> you >>>> can actually hear) using a light bulb antenna during the ARRL DX contest. >>>> The AX1 appears to be a 45" whip with a base inductor made of 20AWG wire.
Re: [Elecraft] OT: 15 meters last night
I didn’t drop down to 15,but there was lot of EU stations I worked during the CWT event on 20 last night-hadn’t heard that many that strong for a long time. K4D. Dan Presley 503-701-3871 danpresley@me. com n7...@arrl.net > On May 26, 2022, at 16:49, Wayne Burdick wrote: > > Amazing is the only word for it. I haven't heard an opening to EU like that > on 15 m at close to midnight PST for...about 11 years. > > I just happened to be testing new firmware on the K4. Thought I'd wrap it up > and get to bed. (Not. Much DX worked on CW.) > > Anyone else notice? > > 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 > Message delivered to n7...@arrl.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] K4D scanning
Thanks for the prompt reply Wayne. No big deal-I just like to turn on scan while I’m working on projects in the shack. I’ll continue to use my venerable K2 #1010 for that. I’m looking forward to the next software update. I know there’s a lot going on at the factory! Dan Presley 503-701-3871 danpresley@me. com n7...@arrl.net > On Apr 11, 2022, at 07:29, Wayne Burdick wrote: > > Hi Dan, > > This feature hasn't been implemented yet. > > 73, > Wayne > N6KR > > >> On Apr 10, 2022, at 5:20 PM, Dan Presley wrote: >> >> Just got my K4D and what a machine! I’m having trouble, or missing a step to >> set up scanning. I’ve entered frequencies in VFO A and B, and put that ito >> memory 1. Then when I press Scan it says ‘implementation in progress’ . Is >> this feature not enabled as yet, or am I missing something? Thanks. >> Dan Presley N7CQR >> n7...@arrl.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 n...@elecraft.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] K4D scanning
Just got my K4D and what a machine! I’m having trouble, or missing a step to set up scanning. I’ve entered frequencies in VFO A and B, and put that ito memory 1. Then when I press Scan it says ‘implementation in progress’ . Is this feature not enabled as yet, or am I missing something? Thanks. Dan Presley N7CQR n7...@arrl.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] K4 and Delivery Delays
Regardless of the naysayers-I just took delivery of my K4D,which indeed took a while,but it’s well worth the wait. Of course I drank the Elecraft koolaid before there was a company. Built the NC 40;Sierra and SST-all designed by Wayne and Eric. Then the K2,KX1,2 and 3. I still use all of those rigs except the Sierra which I sold and now regret. Any company that still supports their first product (K2-over 20 years) and is run by avid hams that regularly use the radios deserves my business. Dan Presley 503-701-3871 danpresley@me. com n7...@arrl.net > On Mar 30, 2022, at 09:50, Clay Autery wrote: > > Doug, > > You last response makes you come off like a gigantic "procreation tool". > I would like to think that this is not the case. Perhaps you would consider > "considering" your responses more completely from here forward. > > And for ALL... It is, and has always been, customary to include your > call-sign in your signature to your responses. > > Hope your day improves, Doug. > > 73, > > Clay E. Autery, Jr. > KY5G > >> On 3/30/2022 10:22 AM, Doug Renwick wrote: >> So you must be part of the topic mafia - those who are too lazy to use the >> delete key for topics they have no interest in or more likely topics which >> hurt their feelings. >> >> Doug >> >> Free Climbing - The ultimate test of strength and technique. >> -Original Message- >> >> Please do not start the Elecraft bashing again please, if you do not like >> the way Elecraft works with all of us. >> I wish you the best with your Flex 6600M and amplifier and that you have >> all the fun with it as we are having with ours. >> >> 73's >> Paul Van Dyke >> K4D #76 >> >> > __ > 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 n7...@arrl.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
[Elecraft] Spectrogram for MAC?
What’s the current program folks are using for K2 alignment that works on a Mac? After 22 years my serial #1010 needs a touchup! Dan Presley N7CQR n7...@arrl.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] New wattmeter plans?
Steve — To your point - they’re aimed at different uses. I’ve got a W2 - quite happy with it. It’s perfect for what it does. Stays in line, let’s me know what’s going on between the rig and the antenna, and I can use it remotely — which is how I generally operate — even if remotely is just one part of the house to another. Would love to see a refresh and modernization - of the software if nothing else. Maybe build the controller part on an ESP32 type platform. Make it WiFi or Bluetooth connected… Who knows. Possibilities are endless. -- daniel.h.br...@gmail.com > On Jan 14, 2022, at 5:25 PM, Steve Masticola via Elecraft > wrote: > > Bob, I own a Bird 43 and a few slugs. Problems for station use: It's not > autoranging, doesn't directly measure SWR, and it's a bit cumbersome to leave > on a shelf top. I tried yesterday and I didn't have a good place for it where > it wouldn't be in the way of something. > > 73, -Steve WX2S > __ > 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 daniel.h.br...@gmail.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] Problem Tuning K3
Perhaps you could clarify what you meant by a modern OCF. What’s changed from the traditional model? Thanks. Dan Presley 503-701-3871 danpresley@me. com n7...@arrl.net > On Nov 2, 2021, at 12:20, CUTTER DAVID via Elecraft > wrote: > > Hi Jim > > Not many folks have the space or ability to put up a full set of resonant > dipoles. The MODERN off centre fed dipole is as good as you'll get any > multiband antenna and for the most part will not need a separate antenna > match box. > > I suggest you measure the common mode current on a decent ocf dipole and see > for yourself. Great progress has been made in the last few years and, yes I > use your cookbook. > > David G3UNA > > >> On 02 November 2021 at 19:09 Jim Brown wrote: >> >> >>> On 11/2/2021 11:50 AM, CUTTER DAVID wrote: >>> Don't stay stuck in the past: not all ocf dipoles are created equal. >>> With properly designed transformers and chokes, the common mode current can >>> be tamed to perfectly decent levels. >> >> I suspect you don't understand the physics of the problem. OCF antennas >> are a yesterday's approach to multiband antennas. They are a recipe for >> RX noise and RF in the shack. The concept was developed decades ago, >> when there was far less noise than there is today. It's possible to fool >> yourself that it's working fine, but you can't hear very well, so you >> miss stations calling you. >> >> I run legal limit on FT8 for weak signal work on 6M and difficult paths >> on 160M (EU from California) into resonant antennas that are choked and >> fed with RG8 or RG11, and I regularly get signal reports 15-20 dB worse >> than I give. Since signal reports on FT8 are signal to noise, that means >> the other station can't hear. >> >> 73, Jim K9YC > __ > 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 n7...@arrl.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 W2: Calibration question
There’s an adjustment that can be done in the W2 software, not the utility, but it just fine tunes what’s displayed by the computer, not the unit itself. The software, IMO, could use a bit of modernization. Really wish it could be open-sourced. -- daniel.h.br...@gmail.com > On Oct 23, 2021, at 11:54 AM, Dave wrote: > > Hello, > Looking over the manual for the W2 I see no way to calibrate it. Did I miss > something, or is there a way to perform a calibration on the wattmeter? > -- > 73, and thanks, > Dave (NK7Z) > https://www.nk7z.net > ARRL Volunteer Examiner > ARRL Technical Specialist, RFI > ARRL Asst. Director, NW Division, Technical Resources > __ > 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 daniel.h.br...@gmail.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] NR stops after ATU TUNE on KX3
I’ve noticed a similar issue when engaging and disengaging the APF filter. I have to go back and turn off and on the NR before it kicks in again. Dan Presley 503-701-3871 danpresley@me. com n7...@arrl.net > On Oct 16, 2021, at 14:53, Julia Tuttle wrote: > > Hi, > > I have NR turned on on my KX3. When I do an ATU TUNE, "NR" stays on the > display, but the noise reduction isn't actually happening. If I turn NR off > and on again, it works again. > > Known bug? > > 73, > > 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 n7...@arrl.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] Power supply for KX3
The Radio Shack supplies are abysmally noisy. Don’t go there…the Pro Audio is far superior. Dan Presley 503-701-3871 danpresley@me. com n7...@arrl.net > On Oct 8, 2021, at 17:49, Jim Brown wrote: > On 10/8/2021 4:14 PM, qr...@roadrunner.com wrote: >> The ubiquitous Radio Shack 22-124A (and its variants) power supply is >> a perfect match for the KX-3. Manufactured by the millions and cheaper >> than dirt on that watery place or under hamfest tables it meets the >> current-handling needs of the KX-3. > > I don't see comments on the elephant in the room -- most commercial power > supplies dump out lots of RF noise, both from their switch-mode operation and > their regulation circuitry. I would be VERY suspicious of any such unit not > specifically marketed to hams for use on the HF bands. > > The ProAudioEng PSU is quiet for the low current needed for receive, but is > noisy at the higher current of transmit. No problem if you're using only one > radio at a time, but bad news if you're listening on a second radio tuned to > another band while transmitting. It may be possible to quiet that noise with > ferrite chokes. I have one of these PSUs, but haven't tried to choke it. > > 73, Jim K9YC > > > > > __ > 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 n7...@arrl.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] A suggested VFO parking place
The longstanding QRP frequency for 40 has been 7040-European 7030. Dan Presley 503-701-3871 danpresley@me. com n7...@arrl.net > On Sep 4, 2021, at 01:59, Nate Bargmann wrote: > > * On 2021 03 Sep 21:47 -0500, Dave wrote: >> Any frequency like that for 40? > > I used to park somewhere between 7033 and 7035 overnight and would > always hear something going on it seemed. Perhaps I need to revisit > that practice. > > 73, Nate, N0NB > > -- > "The optimist proclaims that we live in the best of all > possible worlds. The pessimist fears this is true." > Web: https://www.n0nb.us > Projects: https://github.com/N0NB > GPG fingerprint: 82D6 4F6B 0E67 CD41 F689 BBA6 FB2C 5130 D55A 8819 > > __ > 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 n7...@arrl.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] Off-topic: Musical composition
Don’t get started on drummer jokes…or trombone or accordion or banjo . Seriously off topic! I will share my favorite at the risk of starting a thread…what’s the difference between an oboe and a Volkswagen? If you have to,really really have to…you can tune a Volkswagen 浪 Dan Presley 503-701-3871 danpresley@me. com n7...@arrl.net > On Jul 24, 2021, at 14:04, Terry Schieler wrote: > > Dan's signature below is that of a musician. Always your phone number after > your name. Someone may need a bassist. > Back in my "professional" music days, someone would ask one of my band > members... "how many in your band?". Their response"four musicians and a > drummer". Need I add which one was ME? > > Terry > > -Original Message- > From: Dan Presley [mailto:n7...@arrl.net] > Sent: Saturday, July 24, 2021 1:44 PM > To: Wayne Burdick > Cc: K2 > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Off-topic: Musical composition > > As a ‘semi retired’ professional jazz musician (bassist-upright) I > particularly appreciated the analogy. During this last field day I was > running my KX3 and explaining to my logging assistants about pitch > matching.The spot control does a good job,but sometimes I needed to tweak it > to get in the other guys’ passband. I can’t wait to use this on my > K4,whenever that might arrive! Maybe we should start an Elecraft band… last > year I was supposed to go to Spain and do some gigs and had planned to take > the KX2…maybe next summer. > > > Dan Presley 503-701-3871 > danpresley@me. com > n7...@arrl.net > > >> On Jul 24, 2021, at 10:56, Wayne Burdick wrote: >> >> When the latest Elecraft newsletter came out, a few people contacted me to >> ask if I'm a musician. (You'll have to read the newsletter to understand the >> question.) >> >> Short answer: Yes. If you'd like the long answer (and maybe a few sample >> compositions), feel free to contact me directly. >> >> 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 >> Message delivered to n7...@arrl.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] Off-topic: Musical composition
As a ‘semi retired’ professional jazz musician (bassist-upright) I particularly appreciated the analogy. During this last field day I was running my KX3 and explaining to my logging assistants about pitch matching.The spot control does a good job,but sometimes I needed to tweak it to get in the other guys’ passband. I can’t wait to use this on my K4,whenever that might arrive! Maybe we should start an Elecraft band… last year I was supposed to go to Spain and do some gigs and had planned to take the KX2…maybe next summer. Dan Presley 503-701-3871 danpresley@me. com n7...@arrl.net > On Jul 24, 2021, at 10:56, Wayne Burdick wrote: > > When the latest Elecraft newsletter came out, a few people contacted me to > ask if I'm a musician. (You'll have to read the newsletter to understand the > question.) > > Short answer: Yes. If you'd like the long answer (and maybe a few sample > compositions), feel free to contact me directly. > > 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 > Message delivered to n7...@arrl.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] A or B?
I’d like to bend the conversation a bit to general CW sending regardless of which mode or key you use. I don’t think we’ll ever settle the arguments about A vs B,except B is more ubiquitous and most students start on B. But what really matters is the quality of the code you send. And it doesn’t have to be machine perfect. Some individuality is a nice touch as long as it’s still good copy. I had one student who simply couldn’t make a go of any dual paddles,but he had excellent results with a single lever,and his fist is very nice. On further questioning,he had a strong musical background,which leads me to the point I want to make, which a previous poster mentioned. My career was a bit unusual in that I was a professional jazz musician (bassist) and had the rare fortune to travel the world as a performer,and recording artist,and in later years as an instructor at college and professional levels. I still play occasionally-not much in the past year,but that’s changing finally! As an instructor the one constant with every student was the misperception of their rhythmic abilities,regardless of how good their’chops’ (musical facility) were . Almost universally they’d say’I have a good sense of time/rhythm’ and if was usually their weakest area. For the most part I think that’s true with a lot of the newer cw ops as well. And there’s also a myth that nothing can be done about your rhythmic abilities-‘you’re born with it,or not’ is the common wisdom. True you may never get good enough to hang with Steve Gad,or the late Ginger Baker or Gene Krupa, but you can certainly work on improving your rhythmic cw skills. A couple of tips-think of little phrases like CQ as a musical phrase. What’s that? Well-any little bit of a melody that you might have in your head,or a bird song. Even ‘happy birthday to you ’ is a musical phrase. If you have a metronome set it to a really slow tempo like 40-50 and send simple characters between each click. Then gradually increase your tempo. Then try two letter groups like CQ,73,etc. Eventually larger groups and words,and then phrases like’name hr Dan’ This works for any mode or key-paddle,straight,single lever, bug. This will even out your fist and make for much more enjoyable sending. And-your copying will improve too. Dan Presley 503-701-3871 danpresley@me. com n7...@arrl.net > On Jul 6, 2021, at 23:44, Guido Tedeschi wrote: > > 99% of non Elecraft radio have Iambic B keyer only, so I suggest to learn > Iambic B. > I learned Iambic A in the eighties and now I have to use a single lever key > with radios that have Iambic B only, otherwise I send C instead of K... > 73 de Guido, ik2bcp / k2bcp > > >> Il giorno mer 7 lug 2021 alle ore 06:18 Mike Morrow ha >> scritto: >> >> Several have stated they use "squeeze keying" and therefore use mode B. >> >> >> >> >> That is a total non sequitur. ALL iambic keying requires simultaneous >> closure of both paddles...i.e. squeeze keying. Mode A is just as much a >> squeeze keying process that closes both paddles to generate an iambic >> stream as is mode B. The only difference is TIMING OF PADDLE RELEASE. >> Mode B requires paddle release critically earlier to generate a particular >> iambic stream because it automatically generates the final element in the >> stream depending on a dot or dash being sent when paddles are released. >> Mode A does not automatically generate the final element in any iambic >> stream. It simply requires holding both paddles closed until the desired >> final element has been sent. >> >> >> >> >> There is absolutely no speed advantage of one mode over another, although >> many mode B users seem to believe that there is. Some mode B users even >> believe that they can generate some characters with fewer paddle >> manipulations than a mode A user. They can not. Some mode B users believe >> only mode B is a squeeze keying process. Mode A is also. Regardless of >> the basis upon which a person selects and learns mode A or mode B, there is >> no factual basis to claim one mode superior for ANY purpose over the other. >> >> >> >> >> Mike / KK5F >> >> >> >> >> -Original Message- >> From: Louandzip >> Sent: Jul 6, 2021 11:05 AM >> Cc: >> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] A or B? >> >> I'm a squeezer and use B. It's physically the easiest, particularly at >> higher speeds, and I believe B is really most common. Of course you don't >> have to squeeze using B. On Tue, Jul 6, 2021 at 9:11 AM, Tom Doligalski >> via Elecraft wrote: I’ve always preferred B, and I do use squeeze keying. >> If I were starting off I would probably recommend B
Re: [Elecraft] A or B?
Although a bit long check out Chuck Adams video on Iambic B and the various permutations. This may help clear up some questions. https://youtu.be/mFtPPyjrsVU Dan Presley 503-701-3871 danpresley@me. com n7...@arrl.net > On Jul 6, 2021, at 09:07, Louandzip via Elecraft > wrote: > > I'm a squeezer and use B. It's physically the easiest, particularly at > higher speeds, and I believe B is really most common. Of course you don't > have to squeeze using B. > > > On Tue, Jul 6, 2021 at 9:11 AM, Tom Doligalski via > Elecraft wrote: I’ve always preferred B, and I do > use squeeze keying. > > If I were starting off I would probably recommend B. I doubt there is much > difference in the learning curve between either! > > Tom W4KX > >> On Jul 6, 2021, at 10:58 AM, Wayne Burdick wrote: >> >> I’ve always used mode A. Mode B may be preferable for those doing >> squeeze-keying, especially at higher speeds. >> >> Wayne >> N6KR >> >> >> elecraft.com >> >>>> On Jul 6, 2021, at 7:36 AM, Gary Peterson wrote: >>> >>> An old friend, who has been inactive for several years, recently purchased >>> a used K3. This is the first transceiver that he’s owned that includes a >>> built in keyer. He has always operated CW with a straight key. He has >>> acquired Vibroplex paddles and wants to know whether to set the radio’s >>> keyer for mode A or mode B iambic. He has never used an iambic keyer or a >>> bug, before. >>> >>> I learned iambic keying with a WB4VVF circuit board, back in the early >>> 1970s, so mode B is what I prefer. I know there are a lot of >>> died-in-the-wool CW people who frequent this list and I would like any >>> opinions as to whether it is easier for a newbie to learn iambic mode A or >>> mode B. I have no clue. >>> >>> Thanks in advance for any advice or opinions that I can pass along. >>> >>> Gary >>> KzeroCX >>> __ >>> 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 n...@elecraft.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 w...@mac.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 louand...@yahoo.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 n7...@arrl.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] A or B?
As a longtime CW instructor and operator I absolutely recommend mode B. It’s easier to learn despite what you might hear from some comments,and it’s particularly easier to handle compound letters such as C,Q, Y,etc. A requires you to make an extra movement to complete many characters. One very helpful practice method is to use a metronome at a slow tempo, say 40-60 beats and practice your characters. As soon as students see that releasing the paddles to create that last Dit or dah they’ll grasp it as more useful and less movement. It takes a bit of practice but will make for cleaner and more relaxed sending as you won’t have to make that last extra move to complete the last Dit or dah. Many newer rigs only incorporate mode B-why? It’s far and away the most popular because it’s easier to use. And B will stop you from slapping the paddles which can lead to poor timing,and potentially causing the paddles to skid around if they’re not well anchored. It’s rhythm and conservation of movement. Dan Presley 503-701-3871 danpresley@me. com n7...@arrl.net > On Jul 6, 2021, at 09:42, Mike Morrow wrote: > > Iambic mode B has the distressing characteristic of ending any iambic string > after the paddles are released with a dot (when the iambic string ended with > a dash) or with a dash (when the iambic string ended with a dot) for which > there had been NO paddle closure. > > > > > Mode A always ends an iambic string with only the dot or dash that was being > sent when the paddles were opened. > > > > > The paddle timing is more critical with mode B if an unwanted dot or dash is > not to follow paddle release. . Mode B often requires the paddles to be > released earlier, before the character has been completely sent. Mode B > privides no reduction in the paddle manipulations required to generate any > character in exchange for its more critical timing. Mode B is the legacy of > a logic fault in an early electronic keyer that became advertised as a > feature. Elecraft sets Mode A as its default because of its relaxed timing > to do the same things. > > > > > Whatever mode one learns, using the other mode will play real havoc when > using an iambic keyer. Mode A guys get an extra dot or dash on some of their > characters, while mode B guys miss a dot or dash on some of their characters. > Under such circumstances I use a paddle-slap technique, treating the two > paddles as only one and never allowing both paddles to close simultaneously. > > > > > Unfortunately and inexplicably, almost all Asian-source radios allow ONLY > mode B for their iambic keyer. That is why most hams are mode B users. One > could argue that one should learn mode B simply because that is the only > choice allowed for incompetently designed ham gear. I convinced the ARRL > Product Review manager years ago to add a declaration of what modes of iambic > keying are allowed by any radio under review. I have rejected an Icom radio > I really wanted for no reason other than it allowed only mode B. There is > absolutely no excuse for any radio to deny mode selection except designer > incompetence or laziness. Elecraft has always supplied excellent iambic > keying with choice of modes. > > > > > BOTTOM LINE: Mode A is more straightforward and easier to learn, but mode B > is the only mode the keyer in many radios will allow. Neither mode offers > any advantage in terms of reduced paddle manipulation. > > > > > Mike / KK5F > > > > > -Original Message- > From: Gary Peterson > Sent: Jul 6, 2021 9:34 AM > To: > Subject: [Elecraft] A or B? > > > An old friend, who has been inactive for several years, recently purchased a > used K3. This is the first transceiver that he’s owned that includes a built > in keyer. He has always operated CW with a straight key. He has acquired > Vibroplex paddles and wants to know whether to set the radio’s keyer for mode > A or mode B iambic. He has never used an iambic keyer or a bug, before. I > learned iambic keying with a WB4VVF circuit board, back in the early 1970s, > so mode B is what I prefer. I know there are a lot of died-in-the-wool CW > people who frequent this list and I would like any opinions as to whether it > is easier for a newbie to learn iambic mode A or mode B. I have no clue. > Thanks in advance for any advice or opinions that I can pass along. Gary > KzeroCX __ > > > __ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft@m
Re: [Elecraft] K4: Coolness factor meets production complexities
Same here.when the radio arrives I know it’ll be great and ready to go. What is the obsession with weekly updates? I want them sorting out the radios not wasting time on a bunch of emails etc. In the meantime get outside and turn on your radio and get on the air. The bands are coming back to life. Also be aware that some of the’pot stirrers’ on this subject don’t even have one on order. Hard to fathom frankly. Dan Presley 503-701-3871 danpresley@me. com n7...@arrl.net > On Apr 1, 2021, at 13:17, Neil Zampella wrote: > > This is why I'm going to patiently wait for the K4 kit release, along > with putting money aside for it. I suspect that along with the other > engineering challenges, y'all are working on putting together the > instructions for a proper kit build. > > While it won't be as complex as a K2, it will probably have its foibles > and issues that will need to be worked out. > > Keep on keeping on !! :) > > Neil, KN3ILZ > >> On 3/31/2021 8:33 PM, Wayne Burdick wrote: >> Greetings from the mothership. >> >> Q: Are Eric and I keeping up with the K4 megathreads on the forums? >> A: You bet. >> >> But we're not weighing in as often as we normally would. >> >> On the one hand, it's affirming as a small company to be at the eye of a >> storm of anxious demand. On the other hand we really feel your pain. On the >> third hand (we need three these days), we're both seriously overworked >> trying to ramp up production. >> >> A radio with this many features and so much new tech -- the coolness factor >> -- comes with a lot of new assembly and test procedures. A whole lot of >> invention. New tricks we didn't know we had to learn. Over the past week >> alone our manufacturing engineering team probably shaved 50% off the total >> time per unit. >> >> For me, it's feast/famine. I have serial #2 on my workbench and use it >> every day. Every day there's new and improved software to be played with and >> thoroughly vetted. That's the fun part. But I also spend hours daily >> optimizing interaction between the K4's multiple processors, evolving faster >> ways to do alignment/test, and helping our software team work through a long >> wish-list of new capabilities. >> >> The work can be tedious. Still, every evening when the team finally knocks >> off (and I do mean every evening, including most weekends), I get another >> chance to be a kid in the candy store. This rig's just so much fun to >> operate. And I'm confident that for every new K4 that comes off the line >> ready for its first test drive, there's an operator who'll experience the >> same feeling I do. >> >> Despite the K4's advanced circuitry, I'm always reminded of my very first >> efforts at home-brew, when I was maybe 15. Discovery. Tweaking. From raw >> parts with their leads twisted together to prototypes only a mother could >> love to finished product to that first demo at a club meeting. It's much the >> same now, though the parts are smaller, the tools more exotic, and the >> stakes higher. >> >> What I can promise is that we're putting everything we have into the K4, >> like we have with every product over the past 20 years. We can't wait to get >> them into your hands, and hear the smiles behind the mics and keys. >> >> 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 > Message delivered to n7...@arrl.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] Are external tuners really needed with Chamaeleon antennas?
I absolutely concur with Walter-a simple wire antenna will be easier to setup and use,and with the exceptional internal tuner of the KX2 there’s no reason to spend for anything else. Although it’s not as efficient the AX1/AEX1 might be worth considering as it may be easy to setup for you depending on your situation. Dan Presley 503-701-3871 danpresley@me. com n7...@arrl.net > On Mar 22, 2021, at 08:46, Walter Underwood wrote: > > With the KX2 ATU, save your money and don’t get the MPAS Lite. > > Use the setup described on page 10 of the KX2 manual, two wires connected to > a double binding post adapter on the radio. That will be lighter, cheaper, > and more efficient than the Chameleon antenna. > > SOTAbeams has nice wire winders (I like the “midi” size) and high-visibility > antenna wire. > > https://www.sotabeams.co.uk/antenna-accessories-and-hardware/ > > wunder > K6WRU > Walter Underwood > CM87wj > http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > >> On Mar 22, 2021, at 8:24 AM, Jeff Grillo wrote: >> >> I am considering purchasing a Chamaeleon MPAS Lite and from what I gather >> from advertisements they require an external wide range antenna tuner to >> work. I have a kx2 with the internal tuner. I am guessing there is something >> beyond my paygrade as to why this would not be sufficient? If anyone has >> direct experience with these antennas please let me know your experience and >> what you think. Also… I am interested in this particular antenna because I >> am visually impaired and it seems like something I could set up myself >> relatively easily. Thanks! 73 KO4NE >> >> 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 wun...@wunderwood.org > > __ > 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 n7...@arrl.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] K2 filter optimisation
Let me know what you find out about Mac options. Thanks Dan Presley 503-701-3871 danpresley@me. com n7...@arrl.net > On Feb 12, 2021, at 11:44, Don Wilhelm wrote: > > Ian, > > Spectrum Lab runs on Windows and Linux, but Mac is not specifically > mentioned. Google for it and read for yourself. > > If you have a Windows machine, you can use Spectrogram. Download from my > website www.w3fpr.com - Scroll to near the bottom of the home page to find > the links. > > 73, > Don W3FPR > >> On 2/12/2021 3:59 AM, Ian Maude wrote: >> Hi all, >> It’s been a while but good to be back. I have just resurrected my K2 and >> had to do a reset due to not having any sidetone. This meant a certain >> amount of realignment. >> When I originally aligned this (back in 2004) I was able to use Spectrogram >> to align the filters well. Is there a modern replacement for this, >> preferably for Mac? > __ > 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 n7...@arrl.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
[Elecraft] XG3
I have a question about the XG3 signal generator. I’m setting it up for some troubleshooting and tracing on my K2 (issues with 160 module installation) and I have a TEK 453 scope that I barely understand how to set up properly. I got the unit from the TEK museum here in Portland,OR and it was completely refurbished and calibrated by the guys there. The issue is that when I connect the XG3 to the scope (just for observation and practice before I connect it to the K2) it seems to be just outputting a straight line like a DC voltage. Shouldn’t it be showing a waveform either square or sine? I tried connecting it to an older scope just to check and same results. What am I missing? I’ve played with the scope controls by it’s quite likely I’m missing something obvious! Dan Presley 503-701-3871 danpresley@me. com n7...@arrl.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
[Elecraft] K2 160 module
Need a bit of help here-I’ve installed the 160 receive module on my venerable K2 #1010 which I built back in 2000..for some reason I seemed to have created a short across the main antenna jack (J4) with this installation. In testing after Installation the reciever was totally deaf as was TX, and I found that there’s a short somewhere between the center pin and the outer sleeve of J4,the main BNC jack first the radio. I inspected the jack just in case,but appears okay. I’m suspecting some sort of short around J14,the 16 pin jack for the adapter. When installed,the radio functions normally and the module is recognized in the menu. Just zip on recieve and transmit. Inspection of the 16 pin socket didn’t reveal anything obvious under a magnifier. The radio was in daily use up to a few days before. I checked the obvious things ,or so I thought! Thanks for any help Dan Presley 503-701-3871 danpresley@me. com n7...@arrl.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] KX2 plexiglass
Well at least the bugs were external! Thanks Wayne for the information. I’ll try flipping it around and I’ll check with customer service if it’s still an issue. Mine was a fairly early one so the change could’ve happen later. Usually a gentle puff of air under the cover is enough to get the guys scooting along. Maybe they’re attracted to the CW...haven’t done much night operations. I’m kinda proud of having this problem of overuse! Still a long,long way to Mt. Goat award. Dan Presley 503-701-3871 danpresley@me. com n7...@arrl.net > On Aug 24, 2020, at 17:38, Wayne Burdick wrote: > > Hi Dan, > > Flip the bezel over when you reinstall it. This will compress the convex > catenary side against the case, reducing the gap. > > Note that at some point in the KX2's history we revised the bezel, moving the > screw holes slightly outward. Customer support could help you determine if > you have the older one, which is more likely to bow as you described. Free > replacement on us if it's an issue. > > Meanwhile, please relocate any live arthropods you find to a new home. > Something fecund, preferably. We're in the midst of an insect apocalypse, you > may have heard > > 73, > Wayne > N6KR > > > >> On Aug 24, 2020, at 5:15 PM, Paul Van Dyke wrote: >> >> So, you are telling us that the KX2 has a few bugs? >> >> Paul KB9AVO >> >>> On Mon, Aug 24, 2020, 7:33 PM Dan Presley wrote: >>> >>> Hi folks-got a bit of an unusual issue with the plexiglass readout cover >>> for my KX2. I use it a lot portable and SOTA and on an activation last week >>> noticed that I had a few tiny interlopers crawling underneath the covering >>> adding moving symbols to the display:)). After inspecting I noted that >>> the plexiglass has slightly warped and bows up in the middle just enough to >>> let the occasional spider mite or piece of vegetation to slip under the >>> glass. I could put a small bead of caulk I guess but it’s such a small gap. >>> Probably the result of having the radio outside a lot in the sun-but that’s >>> what it’s designed for! Kinda fun to watch them dance around with the >>> changing display >>> >>> >>> Dan Presley 503-701-3871 >>> danpresley@me. com >>> n7...@arrl.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 pvandyke1...@gmail.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 n...@elecraft.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] KX2 plexiglass
Hi folks-got a bit of an unusual issue with the plexiglass readout cover for my KX2. I use it a lot portable and SOTA and on an activation last week noticed that I had a few tiny interlopers crawling underneath the covering adding moving symbols to the display:)). After inspecting I noted that the plexiglass has slightly warped and bows up in the middle just enough to let the occasional spider mite or piece of vegetation to slip under the glass. I could put a small bead of caulk I guess but it’s such a small gap. Probably the result of having the radio outside a lot in the sun-but that’s what it’s designed for! Kinda fun to watch them dance around with the changing display Dan Presley 503-701-3871 danpresley@me. com n7...@arrl.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] New antenna works!
Interesting subject. The two big X factors in success that are seldom mentioned are propagation and most importantly-operating skills. The other day I set out for a short SOTA activation wanting to set up a portable 2 element vertical beam developed by JP1QEC. I’ve used it with good results on 20M as compared to my typical end fed. Anyway-I forgot the poles which are essential to properly erect it,so what to do? I usually pack a variety of small portable wire antennas ,so not wanting to waste the outing I tossed a wire into a fairly low tree branch. My intended band 20 was packed with contesters fun the NAQP and furthermore the answer wouldn’t load below 3:1 despite extra radials Well-let’s try 30 and 40 just because. It turned out 30 was open and I managed 3 ‘S2S’ (summit to summit) contacts,and one on 40. Probably NVIS,but Antenna strength was better than I expected-I worked my 4 for a valid activation and a few more beside. Definitely less than optimal antenna but sometimes you just need to get out and operate. As I tell my CW students-get on and operate with what you’ve got. Dan Presley 503-701-3871 danpresley@me. com n7...@arrl.net > On Aug 4, 2020, at 02:08, K8TE wrote: > > Kevin is on to something when he compares antennas instantly which I assume > from his description. Most antenna anecdotes state something like "It works > much better than...I had up previously. But, both antennas aren't up and in > use at the same time. > > My good friend Alan, K0BG, puts it very well. "WORKs is an acronym which > means WithOut Real Knowledge." Why? Because the performance assertions are > not comparative like one gets when using two WSPRLit transmitters on two > antennas at the same time over time. Those data will show which antenna > performs better and how consistently better one antenna is than the other. > In every case when I compare antennas, they always out-perform one or two > others at some point in time. But, one of the three performs better on > certain bands at certain times, most, but not all of the time. > > This past Saturday, I frequently noted one dipole out-performed the other on > a specific station at a specific time, regardless of the band (40m and 20m). > I had callers answer my CQ's that I could not here on the other dipole and > that was true for both dipoles most of the time. They would "change places" > at different times for the same paths. Being able to instantly switch > between antennas (K3 with internal ATU) helped me make more contacts than if > I had just one of those dipoles, both about the same height, but at nearly > right angles to each other. When I had a vertical in the air, it would > sometimes out-perform both dipoles over the same paths. > > Every antenna "WORKS", even a dummy load with imperfect coax. Some antennas > generally out-perform others. Don't tell me yours works better than mine > without scientific proof, not anecdotes. W8JI has done a lot of antenna > modeling and on-the-air comparisons in making assertions about antennas' > performance. I recently read his statement about end-fed wires being a cult > today. He goes on to explain their failings don't appear when using QRP and > with no other antenna available for comparisons. > > As N0AX wrote, "The best antennas is the one that is up in the air." or > similar words. He also wrote the half wave dipole is simple and it works > well and makes the best first choice. I would add, the higher the better > until it's a half wavelength high. K9YC has done modeling that points this > out and debunks most of the NVIS myths that abound in which users state we > need to lower our antennas for NVIS. > > I use end-fed wires when appropriate--SOTA, POTA, and on county lines were > simplicity and rapid deployment matter more than RFI, most of which I can > mitigate or ignore. I use dipoles at home and most are resonant. I also > use WSPRLite to get scientific performance data before I assert they WORK or > which one is better. As I wrote above, I will keep both those dipoles > because they both out-perform the other at times. As my antenna farm grows, > one dipole will remain as my measurement "standard" so I can truly say my > new antenna (nothing short and shiny) out-performs my dipole. And yes, > neither is perfect so I use a tuner when necessary on certain > bands/frequencies. > > 73, Bill, K8TE > > > > -- > Sent from: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/ > __ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by:
[Elecraft] SOTA
After reading Wayne’s great post I couldn’t help but send this. A group of us (4 hams) hiked up to a forest service lookout tower in the Oregon cascades and operated. It’s brief but you get the idea. I’m running the KX2 and AX1 on 20. Long steep uphill hike-Clear Lake Butte near Timothy Lake,if you know the area. About 4500’ actually going down was harder on the 68 year old knees than up! https://share.icloud.com/photos/0Fv8n8o31svejy1aBYdV4T0lw iCloud link available until Jul 8 Dan Presley 503-701-3871 danpresley@me. com n7...@arrl.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
[Elecraft] This morning.
This mornings setup. https://youtu.be/yvPY6I6Uk0Y -- Sent from my iPhone X __ 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] Fwd: [Elecraft-KX] Made the decision to buy an Elecraft... now I can't decide which one :/
Dan Presley 503-701-3871 danpresley@me. com n7...@arrl.net Begin forwarded message: > > > All good questions. I have both the 2 and the 3 and I find myself using the > KX2 almost exclusively on my SOTA and portable outings. If you do any hiking > at all you’ll appreciate the sizing and weight difference. Performance wise > the 3 has some slight edge if you buy the roofing filter otherwise you’d > likely never notice the difference. Also using the internal battery is > huge,but I’m strictly QRP CW so efficiency is vastly improved-I can get a lot > of operating in with the internal battery. Having the 2M module is handy on > the KX3 but I usually just toss in a small handheld if I think there’s much > chance of 2M usage. I use the 3 as my home station and it’s excellent though > it may get replaced by the K4. I doubt you’ll find a used KX2-not many > letting go of these! > > > Dan Presley 503-701-3871 > danpresley@me. com > n7...@arrl.net > > >>> On May 29, 2020, at 22:02, HB via groups.io >>> wrote: >>> >> >> I went with the KX3. The filters are very nice! I run with the internal >> batteries and do 10 watts. I do have a battery if I know the conditions >> will be tough and I need all 15 watts. >> >> This past weekend, I did a SOTA activation on 20 and 40 meters. Then I threw >> a roll up Jpole in a tree and called CQ on 2 meter FM. Made 6 more contacts >> in 4 minutes! That has been typical for me. My SOTA kit is a small satchel >> with room for a sandwich and bottle of water. >> >> I have made many 160 meter ft8 contacts at home on the back porch with a >> crappy 80 meter dipole running 5 watts. >> >> My KX3 gets way more use than my K3s. >> >> Hank >> >>>> On May 29, 2020, at 11:49 PM, Brian Mathews wrote: >>>> >>> Hello all and thanks allowing me to join, >>> >>> I am new to this group. While I have a lot of fun with QRP it has always >>> been here at the home QTH and nothing portable. Well I got invited to a >>> SOTA activation a few weeks ago and I am totally hooked on the idea of >>> working portable so now I am trying to put together a kit which includes a >>> better transceiver. I currently have 2 QCX 5w transceivers and have been >>> watching the news on the Icom 705 when I saw a comparison on the KX2/3 and >>> started looking toward the Elecraft. I am very impressed with the features >>> and reviews and I have decided I would prefer to support a US manufacturer. >>> I am also happy to see one of the owners here participating in the forum, >>> which I could not expect from one of the "other three" manufacturers. >>> >>> So with most of my operating to be done portable, but not being someone who >>> is overly concerned about weight, I am leaning toward the KX3. Here are a >>> few questions: >>> >>> 1) I see there are optional filters for the KX3 - is there any option for >>> filters on the KX2? How does it affect usability when in a high RF noise >>> environment? (for example having the KX2 with no filter) >>> >>> 2) is there any problem with running an external battery? I have a Bioenno >>> 12v 12Ah pack that works great with my current setup. >>> >>> 3) How useful is the 2M option on the KX3 in making summit contacts during >>> SOTA? Is that the main purpose for this unit or is it to have an >>> "all-in-one" for the "shack-on-the-belt" VHF types? I don't operate much >>> VHF but I think it would be handy to have a 2M yagi on the KX3 during SOTA >>> in case the HF conditions are not favorable. >>> >>> 4) I have done well buying used radios in the past and I see some KX3s >>> listed and selling quickly lately. Is there a service available where you >>> can send a used radio in for a "tune-up" or just to bring it up to current >>> spec? Is that even necessary? >>> >>> Thanks in advance for any help with this. I already have a fully decked >>> out KX2 waiting in the online shopping cart but I'm hesitant to push the >>> button :D Also I guess they are backordered so maybe I should just watch >>> the list for a used one? >>> >>> 73 >>> >>> Brian - W6BRY >> _._,_._,_ >> Groups.io Links: >> You receive all messages sent to this group. >> >> View/Reply Online (#66336) | Reply To Group | Reply To Sender | Mute This >> Topic | New Topic >> >> Your Subscription | Contact Group Owner | Unsubscribe [n7...@arrl.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
[Elecraft] KX-3 transverters
Hi Wayne and Eric, I own both a KX-2 and a KX-3 and I'm very happy with both units. De KX-2 is used during hiking and outdoor (not very much SOTA in the Netherlands), using the internal batterypack. The KX-3 is used as a homestation and in my Landrover, using an external battery. At 10 - 15 watt it is an ideal set. I fitted the 2 meter transverter KX3-2M in the KX-3 and although it is ideal to drive my UHF/SHF transverters at home, it lacks power in the field. Even at QRP, 2.5 watts is quite low. I'm wondering if it would be possible to put a 2 meter transverter (or a combination of a 4 - 2 or a 4 - 2 - 70 cm transverter) with a power of approx. 12 watt in the place of the batterypack. I think that only few people use the KX-3 with an internal batterypack. For me it would make the ultimate set. Am I the only one asking for this option or was this discussed (and maybe rejected) in an earlier stage? 73, Dan, PA1FZH __ 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] Fwd: Establishing A New Station
Loops are touchy by nature and you have to be very sensitive to the surroundings-metals, bodies (yes your body in close proximity will affect tuning). I use a small antenna analyzer to get it close and sometimes I have to adjust and step away from the antenna,take a reading and readjust I then follow up with adjustments with the radio connected for maximum band noise Also it needs to be a minimum of one diameter of the loop above ground,and more is better within reason. Is there a close ceiling that limits the height of the loop? Getting it in the clear is important,although with patience I’ve made contacts even indoors. Pick the bands carefully for propagation and as mentioned earlier tune for resonance. I’m strictly a QRP CW guy (5W Max) and have had good results by carefully adjusting to the surroundings and conditions. I have 2 loops-the AlexLoop and the W4OP. AlexLoop is good for 20 M and up while the W4OP is very efficient at 30,40 and 60 M. It’s very well made and an excellent design,although not the best option for backpacking as it’s a bit heavier. Dan Presley 503-701-3871 danpresley@me. com n7...@arrl.net > On May 14, 2020, at 19:21, Phil Kane wrote: > > >> On 5/13/2020 12:42 PM, brianchapn...@rogers.com wrote: >> >> Im thinking of a loop. I've had good luck with them. Any thoughts? > > I've been using a loop on the porch of our ground level apartment. At > 15 watts. It is useless - can't get it to tune properly and I often > think that I would have a better signal with my dummy load at 100 watts. > If you are getting good luck you must be doing something right. At > east you have the advantage of 34 stories - good for you. > > 73 de K2ASP - Phil Kane > Elecraft K2/100 s/n 5402 > > From a Clearing in the Silicon Forest > Beaverton (Washington County) Oregon > __ > 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 n7...@arrl.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] KX3/KX2 remote for FD
I’ll comment briefly about what we’re doing but I don’t want this to morph into a discussion about what others may think or wish to do for FD. Remote operating is as likely in a disaster scenario as any other-all depends on your infrastructure and whether you rely on conventional internet access or other networks. Nothing wrong with home operation or solo portable either. Field day this year is what you choose to do comfortably and explore options to keep you safe. Our setup is designed for near total isolation and no close contact with other operators. Oregon has strict guidelines that we’ll follow-so far we have the lowest rate of infection in the country and plan to keep it that way. Exploring remote operating will also benefit many hams that may not have access to larger antennas or quieter locations well beyond this particular event. If you want to know more about our plans I’m happy to discuss that off the reflector. So-what are options for remote control of the KX3 and KX2? Dan Presley 503-701-3871 danpresley@me. com n7...@arrl.net > On May 12, 2020, at 19:20, Brian Hunt wrote: > > We usually set up FD at one of the state beaches here in NorCal but not this > year. Parking is all closed off and no special event permits are being > processed. We will have an individual effort also. I'll be running my KX2 or > K1 off the aux battery I pull from the Land Rover just like I would if the > big one hits. CW only so no computer needed except for logging (which can run > from mains power per the rules). Gonna be different!! > > GL all. > > 73, > Brian, K0DTJ > __ > 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 n7...@arrl.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
[Elecraft] KX3/KX2 remote for FD
I was curious what folks might be doing for remote setups for field day,in particular for the KX3 and KX2. Our club has a great 5 acre site with tall trees that we’ll use to spread out,but it would be nice to have a remote option as well. We have a bunch of KX3s and 2s-no K3 or K4s as yet-well almost no one has a 4! I have a pignology-piglet setup but I don’t think that’ll work for true internet remote-just short range Bluetooth. Let me know-thanks! Dan Presley 503-701-3871 danpresley@me. com n7...@arrl.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
[Elecraft] KX3 Utility Terminal window for CW
Don, I think you just defined analog vs digital CW. HNY, Dan KM6CQ Ingo and all, *The characters entered with the keyboard will be perfectly formed,If entered via paddles, bug ot hand key, they may not be perfectly formed and may not be decoded properly.This is a tool that can be used to practice your sending.73 and HNY,Don W3FPR* __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Latest rumors on K4
We can wait. None of us wish to flex our K4s back to Elecraft to have items reattached on the inside that fell off or have modifications made that could have been caught before shipped. To Wayne, Eric and the crew. Merry Christmas and happy new year. You have our blessing to wait as long as needed to ship the K4. 73, Dan KM6CQ -- Sent from my iPhone X __ 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] K4 CW and keying Rise Time
I am hoping that the K4, like its predecessor the K3(S), does _NOT_ give a user the ability to change its CW rise times. I believe the K3 is designed for a 5ms rise. Many, if not most, other manufacturers allow as little as 1ms resulting in CW signals that reach beyond 1kHz of bandwidth by creating horrible key-clicks. Indeed, their "default" values can be too short. To what end? Unscrupulous users setting it so their clicks help keep their run frequency clear? Terrible to think that but I have heard some station owners admitting same. Last weekend's CWSS had many, many horrible key-click stations - some from notable contesters. I realize that things other than a CW rise time can give cause to key-clicks (antenna connections, hot-switching, etc.), but newer radios shouldn't be the culprit - yet they can be because of manufacturer's oversight (or under-thought). I've never heard of a short CW rise time being an advantage other than to create havoc. There is a happy medium. Dan - N3ND __ 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-K3] K3S to be discontinued
Yea!?? I've been waiting for this announcement!?? Way to go Elecraft! On 11/4/2019 11:13 AM, Grant Youngman wrote: Well, that???s very good news. Unless I???ve missed it, this is first note I've seen that confirms predistortion corrections in the K4. Grant NQ5T On Nov 4, 2019, at 10:58 AM, Wayne Burdick wrote: This is why the K4 (and a small number of other transceivers) include "active predistortion" capability in hardware. It adapts the drive power to the response curve of the PA stage. The K4 also has an TX sample input to include an external amplifier in the correction loop. (The KPA1500 has a TX sample output for this purpose.) We expect to post numbers significantly better than the industry's typical 3rd-order intermod performance at 100 W, which stands at about -30 dBc (ARRL method). 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 Message delivered to n...@aol.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] K4 IQ out.
Good afternoon. Will the IQ out of the K4 be analog or digital? 73, Dan KM6CQ __ 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] QRP FD KX2 Batteries & FT8 Report
Yes we were running about that rate on cw up here in Oregon. 4A 5w on our KX3s. Some of the visiting new hams had never seen real cw with a paddle (!) in action. We had 3 antennas-ZL special,2 element 40m wire beam and a rhombic switchable open/closed loop for either 20 or 80. They were all strung on a 550 ‘catenary ‘ line at about 75 feet between pine trees. I love holding a frequency with 5W :). And-no interference between the KX3s-not so the other brands that occasionally showed up. Call W7LT Dan Presley 503-701-3871 danpresley@me. com n7...@arrl.net > On Jun 25, 2019, at 08:28, Wayne Burdick wrote: > > Meanwhile, some CW stations were running contacts at a rate of several per > minute. With no automation :) > > Wayne > N6KR > > >> On Jun 25, 2019, at 8:25 AM, Carl Jón Denbow wrote: >> >> Peter, >> >> I am curious how you got FT8 to do the proper FD exchange? I read a post >> where some hams were discussing this and it sounded very difficult and >> complex, so I decided against trying it. One guy actually had two FT8 >> programs running simultaneously, with one connected to HRD, which somehow >> enabled him to do the proper exchange. His description made absolutely no >> sense to me, so though I’m an experienced FT8 op, I decided to forgo FT8 for >> this FD. I’m curious how you accomplished this feat! >> >> 73, >> >> Carl >> >> Sent from my iPhone >> === >> Carl Jón Denbow, N8VZ >> 17 Coventry Lane >> Athens, Ohio 45701-3718 >> >> c...@n8vz.com >> www.n8vz.com >> EM89wh >> >> IRLP 4533 Echolink 116070 >> >> PSK and JT65 Forever! >> === >> >>> On Jun 25, 2019, at 9:37 AM, Peter West wrote: >>> >>> When our club’s plans for FD fell through at the last minute I set up 1B >>> with my trusty KX-2 with a Bioenno battery and two internal KX2 battery >>> pacs on my back porch. Got a Par 40-20-10 end-fed up about 40’ in a >>> north-south orientation only to find band conditions here were pretty bad >>> here in the north with QRN, QSB and faint signals at best. So switched to >>> FT-8. I was forced to run QRP (which isn’t an issue as I am primarily a QRP >>> contester anyway) as anything over 5 watts caused the rig to overheat to >>> the point of automatically reducing power to 5 watts. Had WSJT, JT Alerts >>> and even N1MM all cooperating and auto logging so all I had to do was stop >>> reading the newspaper and occasionally glance over to the computer to see >>> if I had worked anybody since the last time I clicked on a callsign. Then I >>> started to notice my setup wasn’t completing a lot of calls which I had >>> initiated. I started to pay more attention to the screen and discovered >>> that it appeared to me that my signal was getting swamped out by QRO (100 >>> watts or more on FD) signals which I couldn’t readily detect. At a >>> suggestion from the FT8 FB group switched on the hold-my-transmit-frequency >>> button. On CW my rates aren’t much different from QRP to 100 watts as I’m >>> only 2 S-units down and aggressive operating skills can compensate for a >>> lot of differences in power and I can deal with QRM I can hear and see. Not >>> so on FT-8. I am rebuilding my contest station and only have the end-fed >>> and an HF-2 vertical up right now and know that better results on QRP are >>> largely antenna and location dependent (oh to live on a saltwater marsh). >>> Running FT8 with the KX-2 on FD was an education and I’ve got to do some >>> thinking about how to improve my chances if I decide to try this again. All >>> in all great fun with some learning but can’t wait for more future >>> propagation. Maybe I should by the Elecraft amp LOL. >>> __ >>> 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 n...@qth.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.ne
Re: [Elecraft] K4 at Field Day
Will this be a D model to try out multi-multi environments or will it have the superheterodyne option? 73,Dan Sent from AOL Mobile Mail Get the new AOL app: mail.mobile.aol.com On Friday, June 21, 2019, Wayne Burdick wrote: We'll have one K4 at the Bay-Net Field Day site near San Jose this year. On Saturday we'll be using the club call, K6SRA. On Sunday I'll be operating from another location to be determined using my own call. This is largely an experimental first FD effort for the K4, running early software, etc. I'll be bringing a KX2 Li-Ion battery pack to see how long it can power the K4 during hunt-and-pounce Field Day operation at 5 W :) 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 Message delivered to n...@aol.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] AX1 SOTA
Just wanted to pass along my first impressions of the AX1 on a recent SOTA activation. I picked up the antenna at the Seapac hamfest in Oregon last week,and then a group of us hams were headed to a SOTA site this last Sunday in the Oregon cascade range. We went to Clear Lake Butte not far from Mt Hood to a fire lookout tower site. A 2 mile hike up a pretty steep road but we made it. I set up my KX2 and the AX1 on a picnic table and spread out 3 13 foot radials. It tuned right down to 1:1 on 20 and in very short order I had 15 contacts from North Carolina to Texas,Arizona,Colorado,Missouri and some west coast guys. Running 5 W cw,and then switched to 17 M for a few more coast to coast Q’s. Of course we had a 4500 foot elevation and practically no noise but still it performed very well. Of course the tiny size is a plus when you’re backpacking up a steep grade! Wayne and Eric have another winner on their hands. Thanks guys! Dan Presley 503-701-3871 danpresley@me. com n7...@arrl.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] KPA1500 Power Supply Fan Noise
My KPA1500 s/n 156 had such a problem with PS audible noise.?? It was fixed with two mods available from Elecraft, one a new LED board and another with a resistor addition to the MeanWell power supply output?? The latter was probably not associated with noise but it's an addition that was not on my #156. 73, Dan -- N3ND On 6/11/2019 7:51 AM, Roy Koeppe wrote: Eric -- this is not at all normal! My PSU is quiet...hardly hear it from under the table. I understand Elecraft changed to much quieter fans maybe two years ago. But even so, perhaps the voltage to your fans has soared way to high? I haven't looked at the circuit driving them. Maybe lost regulation, etc. 73, Roy?? K6XK Apparently I was not clear enough in my message.?? It is the PSU fan noise that is deafening, not the RF deck.?? Like Peter, my PSU sits on the floor underneath a wooden operating desk that holds the rest of the K-line.?? The noise from the PSU is high-pitched and piercing.?? The only thing I can liken it to is a four-rotor Mazda prototype IMSA GTP race car from the early 90s.?? Brain-piercing, tear-your-hair-out, heard-from-every room-in-the-house louder than hell, and has been so since the day it darkened my doorway--with the RF deck at idle. 73 Eric WD6DBM __ 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 n...@aol.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] New K1 Kit
With the K1 talk I would like to propose, a thousand of us give a 50% deposit on a new run. I’m not asking for a redesign, just one with updated parts so they can resume manufacturing. I don’t see a need for the KX1, we have a KX2. A K1 would provide us with a through hole kit. I would not have to invest the time or expense in building a K2. I could leave it stashed in my pickup. It’s a fun little radio. 73, Dan KM6CQ -- Sent from my iPhone X __ 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] Alpha Antenna/KX3.
Antennas are always a fascinating and debatable subject. My 2 cents on the Mag loops is that they can be a useful addition in the right circumstance if you spend the time to learn how to use them properly. I do a lot of SOTA and portable work and I find the loop is often a good solution for a quick setup especially if you need a low profile or don’t have good support options for wires. I prefer a resonant dipole if possible,or an end fed with counterpoise,but the loop can be effective where that’s the best option. The trick is to get it at least 6-8 feet high and far enough away from any metal structure,and a reasonable distance from you the operator! They can be finicky to tune and you can’t move easily more than 10 kHz without retuning. Since I’m usually just on SOTA frequencies or QRP it’s not an issue. CW is really the best mode as you’re limited in power to usually 10-20 W by the loop. You must pay close attention to construction also-I personally found the W4OP loop to be of superior quality compared to others. Dale W4OP is an active ham who takes pride in his product (not unlike Wayne and Eric!). They are kinda spendy but you get a very well made unit plus excellent customer support. They’re a bit bulkier than others but will cover more bands effectively,including 40 and 60 (and 6) meters than other brands . I use a collapsible photo light tripod to mount mine-if you use a tripod you should order the tripod adapter as well. They now offer a remote tuning option which the late Joe Everhart N2CX reviewed recently in QST. Dale W4OP also is active on the Mag loop reflector and will offer excellent advice on home brewing loops should you want to try that. Before you buy one try to borrow one and do some research to see if it’s the right fit for you. Lots of options for antennas. Dan Presley 503-701-3871 danpresley@me. com n7...@arrl.net > On Jun 5, 2019, at 08:29, W8JH wrote: > > Mark, > > I have always been a fan of resonant quarter wave vertical antennas. MFJ > makes a 17 foot collapsible whip antenna which sells for around $60 IIRC. > With this whip I can extend to a resonant quarter wave anywhere from 6m to > 20m. Although I experimented with properly cut radials for each band I > found it was not worth the trouble. Four 17 ft long radials work well > enough for me and are easy to coil up and transport. The whip itself > collapses down to about 31 inches long. > > Another ham did a nice writeup here: > http://www.kd5fx.com/FXportable/fx_portable_antenna.htm > > With this setup I was able to work VP8SGI on 20m CW with my KX3 while > travelling in Arizona. Anectdotal evidence but it was fun for me to get an > ATNO this way. > > 73, > > W8JH, Joe > > > > - > 73, > > Joe, W8JH > > K3s, KPA 500, KAT 500 and KX3 happy user. > -- > Sent from: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/ > __ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to n7...@arrl.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
[Elecraft] KPA1500 fans
I have all of the KPA1500 fan mods and firmware upgrades and they make the amplifier so much quieter.?? Good job, Elecraft. What I would like to see, however, is a firmware /option /to exhibit the following tendency. Minimum fan speed at 0.?? When the amp detects a PTT, then the fan speed would increase to fan level 1 and remain that way for a period of time after PTT detection has ceased (perhaps 10 - 15 seconds?). After that delay time it would go back to fan speed 0.?? Of course, temperature sensing would increase fan speed regardless of the PTT sense. If this has been discussed before, I missed it.?? If it's currently available then I missed it again. Awaiting my K4.?? I hate waiting! 73, Dan -- N3ND __ 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] K4 - Can I assume? (KHDR4)
Noting that the KHDR4 superhet option has crystal filters for SSB and CW (and I've seen a potential change of thought to provide a third XTAL filter), is a K4HD still capable of wide-band reception, i.e. FM or other modes? IOW, can I assume WB reception can be done in a K4HD without a hardware change? BTW, it appears the LINE OUT is a stereo connection - both channels.?? That is neat! 73, Dan -- N3ND __ 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] K4
I am certainly aware of this, Don, but that is not what I am seeking.?? I wish to have tuning rates selectable by mode, i.e. 2 kHz tuning rate for CW and 4 kHz for SSB without making other changes than a mode change. This was discussed years ago and I thought a commitment was made, but I have never seen the option.?? Of course, I may be incorrect. 73, Dan On 5/6/2019 10:34 AM, Don Wilhelm wrote: Dan, The K3 and K3S already have the separate tuning rates (sort of) - but only when set to COURSE.?? See the VFO CRS menu description. The other neat feature (which I use all the time) is to set VFO OFS to ON which allows the VFO B knob to move VFO A in large steps (according to VFO CRS) except when either RIT or XIT are on. I use those for quick QSY in the bands. Try it, you may like it. 73, Don W3FPR On 5/6/2019 10:01 AM, Dan Atchison via Elecraft wrote: Notch filter inside the IF Separate tuning rates for CW and SSB 73, Dan -- N3ND __ 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] K4
Notch filter inside the IF Separate tuning rates for CW and SSB 73, Dan -- N3ND __ 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] Visalia Vivid Visual Previews?
Just looking for a picture that shows a small piece of real estate on something that we have not seen before from our favorite radio company. Just a piece. Thanks, Dan KM6CQ -- Sent from my iPhone X __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] KX3 to Non-Elecraft Linear Amp
I am looking to see if anyone else has used an Ameritron AL811 with their KX3 with positive results. I plan on buying the KXPA100, but after buying the Shack in a Bag, I will need to put it off for a little bit. In the mean time, I would like to try using what I have, but I am hesitant to try since the KX3 is new to me and I don't want to harm anything. I have a base station radio that plugs into the Ameritron AL811 by way of the ARB-704 and it works great with 70 watts going it to make 600 watts going out. The ARB amp line is a simple RCA jack from the ARB 704 to the rear of the Amp, but the radio cord is the Multi cord plugged into my base station. I know I can unplug the multi cord and use the RCA jack on the back of the ARB 704 "radio" input, but I am not sure where that will plug into. I know that I can only push 15 watts max into the Ameritron, but wouldn't that mean that I could get somewhere around 180 watts out of it? Would it work like that? I bought the cable pack from Elecraft, so I am pretty sure I have everything that I need to make it happen, but I would love the advice of someone on here that may have already done this, or has good information on why I should not try this. I could also use help in which plugs to plug where. Thank you for any information that anybody may be able to give and please forgive me if this has been posted somewhere already. I have done my best to search for several days online and in this forum, but I am not coming up with any answers. 73, Dan N7DSX __ 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] How to access fuse block?
Greetings, Recently purchased kpa-500 and need to know how to access fuse block to insert fuse. Configuration not userfriendly for the blind. Any directions would be appreciated. Thanks, Dan Sent from Mail<https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=550986> for Windows 10 __ 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] CW with my K3s and KX3
I’ll throw one more activity in the mix-NAQCC (North American QRP Cw club) does a variety of CW/slow speed events throughout the year. In fact next week (Sunday 10/7 to 10/14 - 10/8 UTC) is the ‘NA’ Sprint where a number of stations will be using special callsigns like N1A,N2A,etc. I’ll be taking a stint as N7A at some point during the week. Check the NAQCC website for details and a nice newsletter. A fun challenge is to try to work all of the N#A areas. We’ll be around the usual QRP/SKCC frequencies. Another idea is to try checking in to the many slow speed cw nets. I teach CW (locally-Oregon) and have a couple of recent graduates regularly checking in to these nets- a nice low pressure way to get experience. The NAQCC website lists a number of nets. Dan Presley 503-701-3871 danpresley@me. com n7...@arrl.net > On Oct 5, 2018, at 13:52, Fred Jensen wrote: > > Everyone is s very literal these days! [:-) I used "J-38" to mean any > straight key that suits your fancy ... i.e. keyer+paddle, bug, straight key. > "J-38" is just well known and shorter than "straight key," which I've now > typed three times, with and without quotes and a comma. Just need to ditch > the keyboard until comfortable with your manual keying device, keyboards > introduce a separate skill ... typing ... into the mix. > > Regarding Mode A/B: Mode B was a misteak in the programming of an early > Curtis keyer chip. Or maybe Mode A was the mistake. Might have been some > chip other than a Curtis. Every transceiver with a keyer I've owned would do > both [1 FT, 2 TS, K2, K3]. Can't remember if the KX1 would but I think it > did. > > Thus endeth Morse factoids for 5 Oct. > > 73, > > Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW > Sparks NV DM09dn > Washoe County > >> On 10/5/2018 11:58 AM, Mike Morrow wrote: >> That's a very good and comprehensive list of suggestions, Fred. I've only >> one nit to pick in this statement: >> >>> 3. 86 the keyboard and send with paddle/bug/J-38 >> Avoid the J-38 military straight key. The common J-38 was used in military >> service ONLY for Morse training. The equally-common J-37 is the Signal >> Corps key most often used with real front-line sets that might be exposed to >> combat environments. However, the Navy Type 26003 key is the finest of >> common military straight keys. It's what I use if forced to use an >> Asian-origin commercial ham rig. They seem not to know how to make a >> transceiver capable of Mode A iambic keying. I'd rub two wires together >> before I'd ever try using the horrific Mode B that almost all Asian ham rigs >> force on buyers. I really appreciate how every Elecraft rig ever made >> allows great Mode A iambic keying, so I don't often need to break out my >> 26003 straight key. >> >> Mike / KK5F >> > > __ > 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 n7...@arrl.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] Shipping high value items by UPS
Just my opinion, but I can't get USPS to reliably deliver my mail on a regular basis. No way am I trusting them with a high value package. I hate and dread it when I order something and it starts out UPS or FedEx and ends up "smart posting" through USPS the last mile. The few times I've tried to file a complaint (via phone or face to face) all I got was a run around and a carrier lying to my face. YMMV. Dan - N3XJN On Tue, Sep 25, 2018 at 4:19 PM Peter Dougherty (W2IRT) wrote: > I ship *everything* by the US Postal Service, and if the day ever comes > that I need to send my K3s or KPA-1500 back for service you can bet it'll > be using the post office, with original Elecraft shipping boxes and a > premium shipping method with full insurance. I ship merchandise > commercially and I've found their insurance far easier to claim on the 2 > instances in 27 years that I needed to do so than the first (and only) time > I ever tried to do this with UPS on a used/dead laptop. And they refused to > pay. FedEx I wouldn't trust to pick up a piece of litter on the ground, let > alone a $6,000 amp. > > > > Regards, > Peter Dougherty, W2IRT > DXCC Card Checker/CQ-WAZ Checkpoint > > www.facebook.com/W2IRT > > -Original Message- > From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto: > elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Grant Youngman > Sent: Tuesday, September 25, 2018 3:53 PM > To: Elecraft Reflector Reflector > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Shipping high value items by UPS > > I don’t know what the other guys do. But this has apparently been a UPS > policy since February for packages delivered to the Service Center. > Didn’t know about it of course, and don’t think there was any kind of > warning on the website. Maybe just missed the announcement. I seem to > recall the last time I shipped something insured for near maximum value, > that the UPS Store could take it and sign for it, but that doesn’t seem to > be the case any longer. > > I’m not deriding UPS, just be aware if you ship an item (like a K3) with > high-value insurance by UPS, and have to take it to a Service Center, > expect them to ask you (you have to do yourself) to open or unpack the item > so they can inspect it and make sure it isn’t ticking :-) > > Grant NQ5T > K3 #2091 KX3 #8342 > > > On Sep 25, 2018, at 3:31 PM, Carl Jón Denbow wrote: > > > > Never had a problem like that at UPS, and I’ve shipped many high value > items with them. I did have a problem like that, but not as severe, at > FedEx once. They opened the box because I said the value was about > $4000.00. They had to insure the packing was sufficient. I’ve avoided > them for high-value items ever since. 73 de Carl > > > > __ > 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 n3xjn@gmail.com -- Dan *N3XJN* __ 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] Craziest / most rewarding QSOs
Two bits- I was on 40 M CW one night and heard a rather loud CQ from ‘W7CQR’ (my call is N7CQR). So naturally I responded because it’s unusual to work anyone with your same suffix. It turned out that not only was he in my town, but that we were friends from many years past when we played music together (old time string music-‘pre bluegrass’) At the time we were playing somehow the subject of ham radio never came up! Moral is always talk about your hobbies! On a more current note-I was reading a previous post where one of the folks was commenting on the high noise levels we experience today. A remedy of sorts is to escape the urban area if possible. Today was the HF campout (we do this every summer) for our local ARES group up in the Mt.Hood Nat’l forest of Oregon-near Timothy Lake if anyone knows where that is. I took the KX2 and a loop antenna (W4OP)about 6 feet high, which I use extensively on SOTA and other outings. Lightweight and goes up in about 3 minutes. Anyway, I set it up and a crowd gathered and someone commented that it didn’t seem to be working as there was no band noise (20M),and another ’the bands are dead'. I sat down,put out a CQ and in 5 minutes worked a slew of stations from Minnesota,Arizona, and other locations around the country. 5 W to a small antenna. Yes-there was almost no noise-just signals. Try it if you can…I’ve been licensed since 1966 and having more fun than ever and getting in shape hiking the SOTA summits. Dan Presley N7CQR n7...@arrl.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] Field Day Report
I was part of the W7LT Portland (OR) Amateur Rdaio Club effort again this year, and had a blast. We were 4A all qrp at 5 W on a local park that’s on an old volcano (Kelley Butte) with elevation and tons of trees. I used my KX3 for 40,20 and 15 CW coupled to a rhombic/loop antenna copied from the June 2017 article by WU0I. You can switch the configuration between a rhombic or a full loop at the end opposite the feed point (450 ohm line). In the article it’s done manually but one of the club guys devised a 24V latching relay we could engage /disengage by sending a pulse through the feed line (disconnected!). I ended up using it mostly in the rhombic configuration as it loaded better and was quieter, and seemed to perform slightly better on 40, my primary band. Still I wasn’t too impressed by its’ performance on 40, but I have to say that on 20 and 15 it was outstanding! Almost always one call and I had ‘em. 15 opened very nicely for a big run for me Sunday morning around 9 AM (PDT) and I stayed there till the end-worked a ton. Of course the KX3 shone particularly with the filtering-I used the APF a lot and guys were blown away how clear it was. I also noticed a big difference from last year since I installed the roofing filter. I used an amplified speaker system so folks could hear as they came in-next year I need to find a small portable mixer so I can use phones but still allow others to hear. I had the panadaptor as well which was helpful, but I need to learn to use it more effectively in this crowded situation. the other thing that was really helpful was the little wooden stand to mount the radio and panadaptor from the ‘NOGA’ (North Georgia QRP club) that Marino KE7EMV loaned me. All in all I think I did about 2-250 Q’s with only a 3 hour nap, but next year I plan to have other operators I’m training on CW to spell me.And-there’s another cw station with old gear that I need to switch to another KX3 or K3! My next adventure will be SOTA with the KX2 in Oregon and a couple of QRP Foxhounds where I’m the fox-planning to go to some SOTA sites for these runs in August. All fun! Dan Presley N7CQR n7...@arrl.net > On Jun 25, 2018, at 4:40 AM, Rod Hardman wrote: > > Oakville ARC VE3HB (Ontario, Canada) ran an all KX2 QRP Battery Field Day > this year from a a country back yard. Lots of rain but good times. > > Quite a positive education for all, esp the hardcore CW ops accustomed to 100 > Watt contest stations. Ended up logging on iPads (Hamlog) syncing to a > Raspberry Pi Zero Server - which the Operators found easy in power but the > lack of automation proved tedious. (We should have implemented the Piglets) > That’s ok, we automated with people! > > Everyone had very good things to say about the KX2. Fantastic experience and > the bands were kind to us. > > Best part was not having to listen to the generators (no end of Field day > headache!) > > Rod, VA3ON > > On Jun 24, 2018, at 23:40, <mailto:ktalb...@gamewood.net>> <mailto:ktalb...@gamewood.net>> wrote: > > FD was a hoot from the farm here in southside Virginia. The KX2, an Alpha > Delta dipole, and N1MM+ on a $99 Kodak laptop performed flawlessly. The most > amazing thing was 10m! Since I embarked on my QRP CW adventure 4 years ago I > had logged not a single 10m contact. This weekend I bagged 26 Qs on 10m, and > as many on 15m. My total of 212 in 6 hours of operation certainly thrilled > me! I really miss the FD social events of the late 1980's in Greensboro, > NC. But when you are trying to bust a pileup with 5-watts who has time for > socializing? > Ken ke4rg > > -Original Message- > From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net On > Behalf Of Wayne Burdick > Sent: Sunday, June 24, 2018 6:30 PM > To: Elecraft Reflector > Cc: k...@yahoogroups.com > Subject: [Elecraft] Field Day Report > > A large group gathered for the K6SRA 3A/SCV FD operation in San Jose. Despite > temperatures in the mid-90 s and blistering sunshine, we had many visitors, > including a lot of curious non-hams. > > This tends to be a social event with lots of conversation and ad-hoc > experimentation with radios and antennas, so I won t be bragging about our > claimed Field Day score. Still, a good time was had by all, with vast > quantities of water and other liquids consumed to avoid heat stroke. > > Late Saturday afternoon I undertook a brief solo trek to exercise the KX2. I > had intended to climb a nearby hill. Given the outrageous temperatures, I > settled for a picnic table on the other side of the parking lot, beneath a > large oak. > > Normally I would have tossed a wire into this tree. Instead I used a > prototype 2-band, 4 whip, in keeping with the two QSOs per foot challenge > we proposed in a recen
Re: [Elecraft] K3 SSB + CW Power Overshoot
> Changing back to SSB +CW What is SSB +CW? 73, Jim K9YC _ Jim: SSB +CW is a mode/configuration whereby one can send CW when in the SSB mode. The CW frequency is offset from the SSB carrier frequency by the value of the selected CW side tone. Purpose: enables means to reply to a SSB communication with CW in poor band conditions. Sometimes termed "cross mode". 73, Dan AC6DM __ 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] K3 SSB + CW Power Overshoot
The K3 SSB + CW Power Overshoot behavior has been passed up the Elecraft Tech/Engineering chain. I expect it may take them some time to get to it, so in the meantime it would be useful for those interested to conduct the test below to determine if the behavior is unique to my K3 or more wide spread. My primary concern is operating with the K3 driving an amplifier (KPA 500 in my case). It is often the case that the overshoot is so high that the KPA faults on the first key press when power is set for 500 watts and in SSB +CW mode. __ Following is a repeatable test that exhibits the overshoot and power adjust instability problem we have been discussing. Setup: 1, Output terminated in dummy load (ANT 1) 2. Config: CW WGHT -- [1] SSB +CW 3. S Meter Peak -- ON 4. Meter Mode -- SWR/RF (to observe output power) 5. Set Power 50 watts (initial setting) 6. Select any band Operation: 1. Select CW mode; VOX on Press key and hold. Note that power ramps up to the set 50 watt value Adjust power up or down; note that the power change is smooth with no jumps or overshoots Press key on/off/on -- power always returns to set value Release key and set power to 50 watts 2. Change to SSB mode (upper or lower) Press key and hold while observing watt meter -- note that power overshoots the 50 watt level and then drops to 50 watts. Adjust power up. Note that the power jumps high then returns to set value. Adjust power down. Note that the power jumps high, than returns to set value. (note that whether the power is adjusted higher or lower, the output power jumps higher, then reduces to the set value). Also note that the power supply current jumps (overshoots high) coincident with each power adjustment. Release key, then press again and hold. Note that the power does not overshoot the set value. Release and hold any number of times and power continues to be stable at set value. Changing now to CW mode with VOX and power is stable. Changing back to SSB +CW and power is unstable and with overshoot with first key press. This phenomenon occurs in both HP and LP modes. This phenomenon is apparent when the K3 is initially turned on from a cold start, but gets progressively more pronounced after about 10 minutes of on time in quiescent state (no RF out). PA Temp at this time is 25C. As requested, fan is set to level 1. Discussion: It is my understanding from old Reflector mail posts that the SSB +CW mode is implemented such that when key is pressed, the K3 changes dynamically from SSB to CW mode. It appears that the CW ALC function is not in play until some time delay after key press, at which time the CW output settles at the set power level. This time delay would appear to be at the root of the problem. When the power is adjusted, it would appear the ALC loop opens up and then re-engages when adjustment stops. The fact that the phenomenon changes in magnitude as the K3 warms up, may simply be a function of linear stages within the ALC loop changing gain with temperature. The above test sequence is easy to apply and as such would be very curious to see if the phenomenon occurs on any of the Elecraft bench test K3's. __ Thanks and 73, Dan AC6DM __ 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] K3 SSB +CW Power Overshoot
An afternoon of operating SSB a bit and the CW overshoot behavior has returned. No joy. Hope this gets on the Elecraft bug list. 73, Dan AC6DM __ 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] K3 SSB +CW Power Overshoot
Bill: Thanks for your input. I did EEINIT yesterday and reloaded all SW. No change. Today, I did EEINIT again and fooled around with the radio in its native state, changing modes, etc. Then reloaded saved configuration and for no particular reason, did a BSET. Then did a SSB +CW selection. Lo and behold, the CW behavior is what I would expect and same as in basic CW mode. No overshoot and power change is smooth with no jumps. On CW key press, power starts out slightly low and builds to the set value. I suspect there is a bug in the code somewhere. Experience says there is probably an uninitialized variable lurking in the ALC code. **Elecraft SW developers note.** It will be interesting to see if this good behavior sticks. BTW, Albuquerque is my old, old stomping ground. BSEE from UNM in 1967. 73, Dan AC6DM __ 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] K3 SSB +CW Power Overshoot
Josh: This configuration permits sending SSB as well as CW in one mode (SSB). CW frequency is offset from SSB frequency by the value of configured CW tone? This is sometimes called "cross-mode" in non-Elecraft nomenclature. Useful to continue a SSB conversation of QSB reduces intelligibility. Also can check configured power with a key press without messing with "Tune" setting. 73, Dan AC6DM What is "SSB+CW mode"? 73, Josh W6XU Sent from my mobile device > On May 28, 2018, at 9:44 AM, Dan Maase via Elecraft > wrote: > > > I have just attempted the K3 SSB +CW configuration for the first time. > Unfortunately, behavior is not quite as expected; I experience a > substantial CW carrier overshoot on first key press and after a subsequent > mode change. (Mode change can be a band change or an Operate/Standby > change when running with the KPA500). > > The overshoot is on the order of 10 to 40% depending on the power level > setting. > > When running the K3 barefoot at 100 watts the overshoot is on the order of > 110 watts measured with a W2 in peak reading mode. > > When running the KPA500 set for 500 watts (approx 27 watts drive), the KPA > output overshoot has been observed to exceed 700 watts triggering a high > power fault. The only recourse is to reduce drive setting to the KPA500 to > an output level of 400 watts or so where the output power overshoots to on > the order of 550 watts. > > Holding down the key after the overshoot, the power settles to the selected > value in a second or so (assuming KPA power is set such that no fault > occurs). > > Subsequent CW key presses produce power output at the selected value without > overshoot, regardless of momentary or continuous key press. > > Also observed is difficulty setting power on key down, particularly with the > KPA500. Power setting is "jumpy" when changing power, after the overshoot > has stabilized. It seems as if when increasing power, it overshoots the set > value, then drops to the set value. > > The issue is observed on all bands and on upper or lower sideband. > > I've performed TX Power Calibrate several times with reported success, but > no change in overshoot behavior. > > When in normal CW mode, there is no overshoot and the power adjustment is > smooth and stable. > > The SSB +CW mode would be quite useful if it was stable, but I am uneasy > using it as currently implemented. Any comments or ideas are welcome. > > K3 is S/N 4457 > Firmware version is 5.62 > FPF 1.26 > DSP 2.88 > > 73, > Dan AC6DM > __ 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 SSB +CW Power Overshoot
I have just attempted the K3 SSB +CW configuration for the first time. Unfortunately, behavior is not quite as expected; I experience a substantial CW carrier overshoot on first key press and after a subsequent mode change. (Mode change can be a band change or an Operate/Standby change when running with the KPA500). The overshoot is on the order of 10 to 40% depending on the power level setting. When running the K3 barefoot at 100 watts the overshoot is on the order of 110 watts measured with a W2 in peak reading mode. When running the KPA500 set for 500 watts (approx 27 watts drive), the KPA output overshoot has been observed to exceed 700 watts triggering a high power fault. The only recourse is to reduce drive setting to the KPA500 to an output level of 400 watts or so where the output power overshoots to on the order of 550 watts. Holding down the key after the overshoot, the power settles to the selected value in a second or so (assuming KPA power is set such that no fault occurs). Subsequent CW key presses produce power output at the selected value without overshoot, regardless of momentary or continuous key press. Also observed is difficulty setting power on key down, particularly with the KPA500. Power setting is "jumpy" when changing power, after the overshoot has stabilized. It seems as if when increasing power, it overshoots the set value, then drops to the set value. The issue is observed on all bands and on upper or lower sideband. I've performed TX Power Calibrate several times with reported success, but no change in overshoot behavior. When in normal CW mode, there is no overshoot and the power adjustment is smooth and stable. The SSB +CW mode would be quite useful if it was stable, but I am uneasy using it as currently implemented. Any comments or ideas are welcome. K3 is S/N 4457 Firmware version is 5.62 FPF 1.26 DSP 2.88 73, Dan AC6DM __ 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] K4
Precisely Dan. I don’t use boat anchors out of the 60s, for the same reason I don’t own a 60’s TV. I don’t listen to stereos from the 70s, and I tossed out my 2002 plasma. I am always happy to move forward and forget living in the past. And as someone commented earlier. If they are working on a K4 you might see a teaser from Wayne about 2 seconds before they announce it. Having said that. I think I have had more fun with the KX2 then the KX3. Wayne is on to something rewarding with the minimalist approach. It’s very satisfying. 73, Dan KM6CQ Message: 7 Date: Sun, 20 May 2018 09:22:36 -0400 From: Dan Atchison <n...@aol.com> To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] My weigh-in, K4 Message-ID: <cf25bb3a-0639-ef8b-3a64-0e248e1dc...@aol.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed I have to agree with the posts noting with disappointment that Elecraft has not, nor seems to show little interest, in producing a new competitive desktop radio.? That said, I'm sure they are working on one, but when produced, the market may be saturated with other manufacturers radios who have felt the need to get to market quickly. It doesn't matter that the K3(S) is a truly fine and competitive radio.? It isn't a matter that the performance ratings of the newer radios are significantly better (they are not).? It comes down to we who love technology and wish to be on the cutting edge; to have a unit with the latest bells and whistles.? The K3(S) for the most part, is technology over a dozen years old.? To wit, I have grown tired of looking at the same radio for over 10 years, from my early S/N K3 to a second and newer radio, a K3S.? Ho, hum. At the price of newer, competitive radios, trading newer for older or one radio for another becomes less attractive.? I have already seen in abundance those who have already discarded the K3(S) in favor of Icom's or Flex's newer offerings, not only contesters but DXers as well. I have not yet, but may soon.? Should Elecraft come out with a K4 or whatever, regardless of it's feature set, they've already lost advantage and way behind the market.? Of course, we who drink the Elecraft cool-aid will no doubt purchase. To those that say "moving on" is unnecessary, I ask how old their vehicles are?? I buy a new vehicle, not often, but every 5 to 7 years not because the older car doesn't get me from point A to point B in fine fashion, but because I just want something more recent with newer or upgraded options.? How about your cellphone? How many are using one 10 years old?? It's personal preference just like it is for radios. 73, Dan -- Sent from my iPhone X __ 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] My weigh-in, K4
I have to agree with the posts noting with disappointment that Elecraft has not, nor seems to show little interest, in producing a new competitive desktop radio. That said, I'm sure they are working on one, but when produced, the market may be saturated with other manufacturers radios who have felt the need to get to market quickly. It doesn't matter that the K3(S) is a truly fine and competitive radio. It isn't a matter that the performance ratings of the newer radios are significantly better (they are not). It comes down to we who love technology and wish to be on the cutting edge; to have a unit with the latest bells and whistles. The K3(S) for the most part, is technology over a dozen years old. To wit, I have grown tired of looking at the same radio for over 10 years, from my early S/N K3 to a second and newer radio, a K3S. Ho, hum. At the price of newer, competitive radios, trading newer for older or one radio for another becomes less attractive. I have already seen in abundance those who have already discarded the K3(S) in favor of Icom's or Flex's newer offerings, not only contesters but DXers as well. I have not yet, but may soon. Should Elecraft come out with a K4 or whatever, regardless of it's feature set, they've already lost advantage and way behind the market. Of course, we who drink the Elecraft cool-aid will no doubt purchase. To those that say "moving on" is unnecessary, I ask how old their vehicles are? I buy a new vehicle, not often, but every 5 to 7 years not because the older car doesn't get me from point A to point B in fine fashion, but because I just want something more recent with newer or upgraded options. How about your cellphone? How many are using one 10 years old? It's personal preference just like it is for radios. 73, Dan __ 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] K4
Yes a new K4 with integrated pan adapter would be cool. But I would not expect one anytime soon. The K3S is not going be out done in the near future. What I would like to see is a 30-watt portable rig. When 5 watts is not enough, 30 watts often is as good as 100 watts. A small 30 watt rig would be easier to carry then a KX3 and amp or a K3S. Kind of like the old SGC 2020. I run my 100-watt rig at 25 watts in the field and it works well and conserves the battery. I think there is a void in the market currently for that type of rig. Elecraft could knock it out of the park if they built one. All of us have a K3, KX3, KX2 that want one. But none of us have what I just described. 73, Dan KM6CQ __ 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] KPA 1500 arrived
Took delivery today (5/2) of my KPA 1500 serial #117. I ordered on the second day. Setup went fine and used it in the CWOPS afternoon session. Still reading the manual and playing but seems to be a great amp. It is sooo nice to QSY the K3 and the amp follows and is ready to go! CU at Dayton 73 Dan W8CAR cwops #1220 __ 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] KPA1500 ATU - ability to handle more than two antennas
Wayne, Thanks for the response. I waited to respond until the KPA1500 manual was published to see if there were any PF1/PF2 functions out of the box. What I'd like to see first is much less fancy than interacting with external relay-based antenna switching like you mentioned. How about initially providing a second set of ATU segment memories to allow a /manual/ external switch? The amp can't know or control which antenna is selected but it would be very handy to have a PF function key the operator could use to toggle between ATU segment set one and two, for example, when the manual antenna switch position is changed. I envision it like this: ANT1 \ Manual Switch \--: Antenna 1 (Manually select ATU logical segment set 1 with PF1 tap) \--: Antenna 2 (Manually select ATU logical segment set 2 with PF1 hold) ANT2 \ Manual Switch \--: Antenna 3 (Manually select ATU logical segment set 1 with PF1 tap) \--: Antenna 4 (Manually select ATU logical segment set 2 with PF1 hold) Just a manual logical segment set change in support of manual external antenna switching. Is that do-able? I imagine I'm not alone in the use of manual antenna switches and needing to accommodate more than two antennas without the ATU experiencing a high-SWR-triggered re-tune hunt each time an external switch selects a different antenna. Thanks, Dan AE9K -- Sent from: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/ __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] KPA1500 ATU - ability to handle more than two antennas
While I'm awaiting the delivery of my KPA1500 I'm wondering if/how the amp's ATU can accommodate more than two antennas. For example, if I have an antenna switch connected to one of the amp's antenna jacks is there a facility on the amp that would allow me to choose one of two /logical/ antennas beyond the ANT1 / ANT2 physical selection? Having two sets of memories per band per physical port would accommodate 4 antennas. Does the KPA1500 support this or something similar to allow for more than two antennas? If not, this seems pretty simple to implement as a firmware change - assuming there's enough memory available. If memory is a constraint I suppose you could provide the option to halve the number of tuning solutions stored per segment to keep the memory footprint the same. Thanks, Dan AE9K -- Sent from: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/ __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 GET/SET command for LINE-IN level?
I too am going to work remote and have a need to get/set the LINE IN level programmatically. The November 2017 programmers reference still contains no commands for LINE IN. Given how it works on the front panel I was expecting the MG (mic gain) command to return the LINE IN level when in DATA A mode just as the MIC knob does in DATA A mode. Alas, that's not how the MG command works - it always returns mic gain without regard to mode. Is there a way to get/set LINE IN I've overlooked? Thanks, Dan AE9K -- Sent from: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/ __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] (no subject)
Don, You asked: Did you have the front panel board isolated from the other boards when you made those resistance measurements? If not, that is sufficient reason for the low resistances. 73, Don W3FPR Yes, the Front Panel board was by apart from the rest of the radio when the measurements were taken. After further investigation, I noted that /BANK2 is shorted to ground. On a hunch, I cut the CCW pin of R5 (the leftmost pin), thus isolating R5 from /BANK2. Now, with R5 isolated, all of the problematic measurements taken before are spot on. See the table below (from the K2 Owners Manual, Rev I, page 29): Test Point Signal Name Res. (to GND) First Meas Meas with R5 (CCW) cut U1 pin 1IDAT 25 - 35 k 8.84 k 29.3 k U1 pin 2ICLK 25 - 35 k 8.93 k 29.3 k U1 pin 3/SYNC 40 - 60 k 28 k48 k U1 pin 55A 15 - 40 k 4.1 k 24.4 k U1 pin 12 2V9 - 11 k 6 k 10 k J1 pin 15 VPOTS 10 - 60 k 4.3 k 28 k J1 pin 16 ICLK25 - 35 k 8.9 k 29.3 k J1 pin 17 IDAT25 - 35 k 8.7 k 29.3 k J1 pin 18 5A 15 - 40 k 4.1 k 24.4 k I still need to find the /BANK2 short to ground. There is nothing obvious on the board here, though. Another odd behavior to note. Prior to cutting R5 (CCW), and with the radio assembled and R5 set to midpoint, upon applying power, I got simply "ELE" on the display. Then, turning R5 completely CW, the display changed to "Elecraft". Turning R5 CCW a bit then back fully CW, I got "7100.0c". Have no idea why this is happening. I tested all of the /BANK2 switches (S9 - S16) and they all appear to be working. Orientation of D4, D5, and D6 are all correct. Would appreciate any further thoughts. 73, Dan, K7DJK On 11/26/2017 6:01 PM, Dan, K7DJK via Elecraft wrote: > Now that the busyness of the Thanksgiving holiday is over, I was able to get > back to the K2. > > First of all, thank you all for your help and suggestions. > > I first, for both the Front Panel and the Control Board, verified that all > the proper components were \ > installed and in their proper orientation. No problems found here. > I then went and reflowed all of the solder joints (well, all of those I could > actually access). > > After reassembling the radio, I turned it on and got past the INFO 201. > Good! Reflowing the solder \ > must have fixed something somewhere. > Now I have the INFO 080 message. > > Referring to Appendix E of the K2 manual, I quickly found the problem to be a > bad solder connection on \ > U1’s (RF board) 4 MHz resonator (RF-Z5).. Easily fixed that and checked all > other solder connections \ > of the RF board. > Applied power. Ah, the wonderful sound of clicking relays! > > Looked at the display, and saw...gibberish. > > Decided to reset the radio again (4+5+6 then power-on). > > Got the INFO 201, followed quickly by ELECrAFt, followed then by 7100.00c. > > All tests and functions as outlined in Alignment and Test, Part 1, worked as > expected. Happy to see \ > that! > Something still bugs me though. After reflowing the solder connections, I > re-measured the resistance \ > checks (per pg. 29 of the User Manual). I only list below the measurements > in question: __ 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 / RF gain - S meter issue - Similar issue
More info. Thanks to Brian, K3KO, some hints were given to check my particular issue. Thanks also to Bob, K4TAX. Since I have no intention of opening my radio (as the radio does work fine), I have discovered something of interest and a potential cause for the symptom I'm seeing. As I apply a high signal level into the radio, I reach a point where the S-Meter behaves exactly like rotating the RF Gain control counter-clockwise (the reading drops). This is easily duplicated. Brian noted that perhaps what I am seeing is being caused by the K3 Automatic Front-End Protection modification which my radio had its modification years ago. The mod protection works as designed while injecting a high signal level into the K3, and I do see where the preamp (if engaged) is disabled. Furthermore, I see HI SIG displayed in the K3 VFO-B area. Interestingly, my symptom happens at the same "signal level" the S-Meter reacts to with preamp disengagement, but without an injected signal just by rotating counter-clockwise the RF Gain control. I do not, however, see the HI SIG level notification during this test and it matters not if the preamp is engaged or disengaged. That said, the resultant S-Meter reading that had been "dropped" does follow both attenuation and preamp values. Brian might be on to something! Again, no intention of pursuing further unless Elecraft can duplicate and create a mod. 73 and thanks for the BW, Dan * [Elecraft] K3 / RF gain - S meter issue - Similar issue *Bob McGraw K4TAX* rmcgraw at blomand.net <mailto:elecraft%40mailman.qth.net?Subject=Re%3A%20%5BElecraft%5D%20K3%20/%20RF%20gain%20-%20S%20meter%20issue%20-%20Similar%20issue=%3Cf76213ce-61de-69fb-f4c5-3b0dc10f7db8%40blomand.net%3E> My concern would be "does the S meter indicate correctly?" Thus with 50 uV applied to the antenna input it should read S-9, and with 0.78 uV applied it should read S-3, and with 5000 uV applied it should read S-9 +40 dB. I've checked my K3S at these and other values and I'm confident that the S meter is accurate. Hence, I'm confident I can give accurate signal reports. Thus unlike many radios and their S meters, they are only good for a rather unscientific and largely inaccurate signal report, somewhat like a SWAG. 73 Bob, K4TAX On 12/14/2017 10:16 AM, Dan Atchison via Elecraft wrote: /I have a similar - but different! - issue on one of my Elecraft's. />//>/I own both a K3 and a K3s. Both are configured equally with the K3 />/having been upgraded to the highest level to achieve near K3s />/equivalency. />//>/My K3s RF Gain control works exactly as expected, i.e. as the control />/is rotated counter-clockwise the "S-Meter" increases to a point at />/almost full scale. />//>/On the K3, however, as the RF Gain control is rotated />/counter-clockwise and the "S-Meter" increases to about the "40-over" />/point at the control's 10 o'clock position the "S-Meter" then />/inexplicably drops to the "S9" position where it remains for the />/remainder of the RF gain control counter-clockwise rotation. This />/shouldn't be but like N1LN's issue, the radio does otherwise perform />/correctly. I have done everything that N1LN has done including the RF />/Gain calibration using a signal generator. />//>/Very strange, indeed. />//>/Dan -- N3ND />//>/* />//>/Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2017 16:25:20 -0500 />/From: "Bruce Meier"<http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft>> />/To:<http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft>> />/Subject: [Elecraft] K3 / RF gain - S meter issue />//>//>/Looking for suggestions here from someone that might have experienced />/this />/same issue - - />//>//>//>/I have (2) K3 units (not the S model) that are acting different when />/the RF />/gain adjustments are turned fully counter clockwise. />//>/? Unit one ? s/n 1062: When the RF gain is decreased to full counter />/clockwise position the S-Meter registers full scale (60db over S9) as />/expected. />//>/? Unit two ? s/n 1193: When the RF gain is decreased to full counter />/clockwise position the S-Meter registers only S8. />//>/ Facts: />//>/? With the exception of the S-Meter readings with RF gain settings, both />/units are working fine />//>/? Both units have ?almost? all mods installed. If not all, they are at />/least both the same. />//>/? Both units are running the same version of microcode (5.54) (2.88) />/(2.88) />/(1.26) />//>/? Both units seem to register very close actual RF gain of stations when />/connected when tested on the same antenna /&
Re: [Elecraft] K3 / RF gain - S meter issue - Similar issue
I have a similar - but different! - issue on one of my Elecraft's. I own both a K3 and a K3s. Both are configured equally with the K3 having been upgraded to the highest level to achieve near K3s equivalency. My K3s RF Gain control works exactly as expected, i.e. as the control is rotated counter-clockwise the "S-Meter" increases to a point at almost full scale. On the K3, however, as the RF Gain control is rotated counter-clockwise and the "S-Meter" increases to about the "40-over" point at the control's 10 o'clock position the "S-Meter" then inexplicably drops to the "S9" position where it remains for the remainder of the RF gain control counter-clockwise rotation. This shouldn't be but like N1LN's issue, the radio does otherwise perform correctly. I have done everything that N1LN has done including the RF Gain calibration using a signal generator. Very strange, indeed. Dan -- N3ND * Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2017 16:25:20 -0500 From: "Bruce Meier"<beme...@bellsouth.net> To:<elecraft@mailman.qth.net> Subject: [Elecraft] K3 / RF gain - S meter issue Looking for suggestions here from someone that might have experienced this same issue - - I have (2) K3 units (not the S model) that are acting different when the RF gain adjustments are turned fully counter clockwise. ? Unit one ? s/n 1062: When the RF gain is decreased to full counter clockwise position the S-Meter registers full scale (60db over S9) as expected. ? Unit two ? s/n 1193: When the RF gain is decreased to full counter clockwise position the S-Meter registers only S8. Facts: ? With the exception of the S-Meter readings with RF gain settings, both units are working fine ? Both units have ?almost? all mods installed. If not all, they are at least both the same. ? Both units are running the same version of microcode (5.54) (2.88) (2.88) (1.26) ? Both units seem to register very close actual RF gain of stations when connected when tested on the same antenna ? Both units have the new synthesizers. ? Both units have second RX ? In both cases (both units) I can hear the audio level decreasing linearly as expected as the RF gain is turned counter clockwise I have tried to initialize the K3 and reload the firmware resulting in no change to the RF gain / S-Meter readings. Elecraft Tech Support suggested: ? Calibrating the s-meter ? did nothing ? Next suggestion ? send the rig to California. Anyone have this issue and fixed it?? 73, Bruce N1LN __ 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] N1MM+ & K3/K3s & Diversity
I am willing to bet that while trying to hit the ESC key in N1MM+, you accidentally or also hit the ~ key immediately below the escape key. That will cause the symptom you described. 73, Dan __ 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] AUX port gender on KPA1500 different than KPA500
Thanks Jim. I wasn't aware the FCC acceptance info was available. Unrelated but interesting is that the KPA1500 FAQ puts the typical drive power at 50W but the average in the FCC tests was 66W. 17m required a whopping 81W. -- Sent from: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/ __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] AUX port gender on KPA1500 different than KPA500
The picture of back of the RF deck on the KPA1500 FAQ shows a female DE-15 for the AUX port. The KPA500 has a male DE-15 AUX port. Is the port in the picture correct or just a pre-production mock-up with the wrong gender? I ask because I'm inserting a switch box and am making the associated cables to be able to flip back and forth between the two amps (when the KPA1500 arrives). Dan AE9K -- Sent from: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/ __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] [K2] On initial Power-up, '"INFO 201" Remains
Now that the busyness of the Thanksgiving holiday is over, I was able to get back to the K2. First of all, thank you all for your help and suggestions. I first, for both the Front Panel and the Control Board, verified that all the proper components were installed and in their proper orientation. No problems found here. I then went and reflowed all of the solder joints (well, all of those I could actually access). After reassembling the radio, I turned it on and got past the INFO 201. Good! Reflowing the solder must have fixed something somewhere. Now I have the INFO 080 message. Referring to Appendix E of the K2 manual, I quickly found the problem to be a bad solder connection on U1’s (RF board) 4 MHz resonator (RF-Z5).. Easily fixed that and checked all other solder connections of the RF board. Applied power. Ah, the wonderful sound of clicking relays! Looked at the display, and saw...gibberish. Decided to reset the radio again (4+5+6 then power-on). Got the INFO 201, followed quickly by ELECrAFt, followed then by 7100.00c. All tests and functions as outlined in Alignment and Test, Part 1, worked as expected. Happy to see that! Something still bugs me though. After reflowing the solder connections, I re-measured the resistance checks (per pg. 29 of the User Manual). I only list below the measurements in question: Test Point Signal Name Res. (to GND) Actual Measurement U1 pin 1IDAT25 - 35 k 8.84 k U1 pin 2ICLK25 - 35 k 8.93 k U1 pin 3/SYNC 40 - 60 k 28 k U1 pin 55A 15 - 40 k 4.1 k U1 pin 12 2V 9 - 11 k6 k J1 pin 15 VPOTS 10 - 60 k 4.3 k J1 pin 16 ICLK25 - 35 k 8.9 k J1 pin 17 IDAT25 - 35 k 8.7 k J1 pin 18 5A 15 - 40 k 4.1 k I realize that the primary purpose of the resistance measurements here are to check for opens and shorts, but given that the three boards appear to work as expected, I can't help but wonder if these measurements are OK as is, or is there something else amiss. I did check these with two different DMMs and the results were consistent. 73, Dan, K7DJK From: Don Wilhelm Sent: Thursday, November 16, 2017 5:07 AM To: dkredi...@yahoo.com; elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [K2] On initial Power-up, '"INFO 201" Remains Dan, The MCU is apparently not completing the initialization process. The INFO 201 should be shown only once (and not in normal operation). It will be shown once after a Master Reset. It should finish in about 30 to 40 seconds. The first thing to check is the soldering on the Control Board. Reflow the solder adding a bit more (to add a bit of flux). Use a hot iron (750 degF) and dwell on each connection until you see the solder flow out onto the solder pad and the component lead - that should take about 3 seconds, but if it takes up to 5, no problem. 73, Don W3FPR On 11/15/2017 8:55 PM, Dan, K7DJK via Elecraft wrote: > Need some help here. > > Been working on my K2 S/N 7770 and got to the point where power is first > applied. > > Upon pressing the Power button, got the INFO 201 message, but it just > remained on the display. It never went away and I never saw the ‘7100..00c’. > > Turned power off and then cycled it back on. Now, the display is simply > blank. Nothing. > > I reset the K2 (pressing 4-5-6 then powering up), and the INFO 201 came up > again with the same symptoms. > > Would appreciate any thoughts on what might be happening. __ 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] [K2] On initial Power-up, '"INFO 201" Remains
Need some help here. Been working on my K2 S/N 7770 and got to the point where power is first applied. Upon pressing the Power button, got the INFO 201 message, but it just remained on the display. It never went away and I never saw the ‘7100.00c’. Turned power off and then cycled it back on. Now, the display is simply blank. Nothing. I reset the K2 (pressing 4-5-6 then powering up), and the INFO 201 came up again with the same symptoms. Would appreciate any thoughts on what might be happening. 73, Dan, K7DJK __ 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] K2 RF Board D10
I’m progressing on my K2 S/N 7770 and have just starting working on the RF Board. I see in the Parts List that D10 should be Part Number 95SQ015. However, it appears that instead I have a diode part number of SR1503438Y. It appears to be the right physical size. Is this an equivalent part for D10 that is OK to use? Thanks, -Dan, K7DJK __ 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] Switching or sharing the ACC/AUX line between KPA500 and KPA1500
In preparation for the arrival of my KPA1500 I was wondering if a simple two-port VGA switch would be the best approach for switching the ACC/AUX line to allow the selection of the KPA500 or the KPA1500. Or is a simple Y cable ok? Pin 10 PTT would be open ahead of the switch or Y cable to allow continued use of the keying line which is switched among two amps currently - soon to be a third. I assume at some point the KPA1500 will just become the only amp connected but in the short term a lot of A/B testing will occur so I'm just looking for the simplest means of accommodating both the KPA500 and KPA1500 without moving the ACC cable back and forth. 73, Dan AE9K -- Sent from: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/ __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KX2 built in mic
Yes that’s it! I’m so used to pressing and holding the XMIT as I do that to tune my magloop (LNR). You can’t use the autotunes with a loop. Hopefully the next time I decide to go SSB I’ll remember! By the way-a loop and the KX2 make a great portable combination. The new addition of the CW logging feature is an absolute lifesaver for SOTA-when you’re on a tough location t’s tricky trying to juggle the radio and a notebook . Dan Presley N7CQR n7...@arrl.net > On Sep 24, 2017, at 11:00 AM, Wayne Burdick <n...@elecraft.com> wrote: > > Dan, > > You may have been pressing and holding XMIT, which goes into TUNE mode (CW). > You just need to *tap* XMIT to go into voice transmit, then tap it again to > exit. It doesn’t act like a PTT switch. > > 73, > Wayne > N6KR > > >> On Sep 23, 2017, at 10:52 PM, Dan Presley <n7...@arrl.net> wrote: >> >> I was doing the SOTA ‘S2S’ summit to summit party today from Oregon, and had >> the KX2 going. I almost always do CW, but with little success I switched to >> SSB as there were a few guys on. Don’t believe I’ve ever made a voice Q with >> this rig.. Of course I forgot the mic, but I figured I could use the built >> in one. The problem was that everytime I transmitted (pressing ‘XMIT’) in >> the mode window it would switch to CW and back to USB as I released it.I >> thought it might be the CW in SSB setting, allowing CW to be sent while in >> SSB mode so I changed the menu setting in CW Weight, but it still continued >> to show the same in the mode window. And-never did get a Q. Of course it >> might have been working and they never heard me, but any ideas why that >> might be occurring? Though conditions were lousy I did get to meet N4EX, the >> top SOTA chaser in North America, who I’ve worked before from his home state >> of NC. He was out here visiting his son. To me the KX2 is the perfect SOTA >> radio. >> Dan Presley N7CQR >> n7...@arrl.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 n...@elecraft.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] KX2 built in mic
I was doing the SOTA ‘S2S’ summit to summit party today from Oregon, and had the KX2 going. I almost always do CW, but with little success I switched to SSB as there were a few guys on. Don’t believe I’ve ever made a voice Q with this rig.. Of course I forgot the mic, but I figured I could use the built in one. The problem was that everytime I transmitted (pressing ‘XMIT’) in the mode window it would switch to CW and back to USB as I released it.I thought it might be the CW in SSB setting, allowing CW to be sent while in SSB mode so I changed the menu setting in CW Weight, but it still continued to show the same in the mode window. And-never did get a Q. Of course it might have been working and they never heard me, but any ideas why that might be occurring? Though conditions were lousy I did get to meet N4EX, the top SOTA chaser in North America, who I’ve worked before from his home state of NC. He was out here visiting his son. To me the KX2 is the perfect SOTA radio. Dan Presley N7CQR n7...@arrl.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] Eclipse logistics and em-comm nets?
Just wanted to pass on that today I drove from Ashland to Portland and made it in 4 & 1/2 hrs. The only slowdown was where it’s 2 lane over the hills around Grants Pass where the semis try to pass each other :)) Of course the closer to Monday the worse it’s likely to get, but it may not be that bad. Wayne-depending on where your campground is, you might look at jumping to 99W at Junction City (near Eugene) which runs into Corvallis as opposed to Hwy 20 off of I-5. Up here in Portland there’s so far no ARES mass callout. Some ops were headed to Grant County to assist. I hear lots of folks are bailing out of traveling to the ‘zone’ so it may not be bad. Bend has gas, and there’s actually open spots in Madras. I may bike down to Aurora from Portland with the KX2 and a loop. Also Wayne if you have a chance get peaches and pears in Ashland at a roadside stand-you’ll never regret it and the best survival food :)) See y’all on 40 and/or 20 on Monday. Dan Presley N7CQR n7...@arrl.net > On Aug 18, 2017, at 5:30 PM, Phil Kane <k2...@kanafi.org> wrote: > > On 8/18/2017 11:57 AM, Ron D'Eau Claire wrote: > >> The local telephone services are installing many hundreds of portable >> "towers" to augment the regular cell towers. Even so, I won't be >> surprised if Wayne is correct: Amateur Radio may be the most reliable >> communications system. > > Those of us who know better know that no matter how many other COWS > (Cellsites-On-Wheels) are deployed, there's a finite number of circuits > that the landline switch can handle. I don't see them bringing in any > extra switches! > > Two major VHF/UHF clubs with repeaters all up and down the state are > linking all their machines, and the various county ARES units are on > standby to relay overflow requests for 9-1-1 assistance, as will be > state and local HF ARES units. Net control for this gigantic net will > be at Washington County Sheriff's Office -- which is NOT co-located with > the 9-1-1 Center. My ARES deployment is supposed to be at the 9-1-1 > Center (Washington County Consolidated Communications Agency) but > because of mobility limitations I will be standing by at home to do > cross-systems relays if necessary. > > One activity that has not received much attention in ham-dom is that > during the eclipse the ionospheric D-layer will disappear as it does at > night, and AM Broadcast signals will propagate as DX for an hour or so. > FCC Rules prohibit AM stations with different daytime and nighttime > parameters to operate nighttime with daytime parameters but this is one > exception (another is during a mandated FCC inspection). It's going to > be interesting. > > 73 de K2ASP - Phil Kane > > Member, Washington County, OR > Emergency Communications Team > ARES/RACES AEC for Training > > __ > 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 n7...@arrl.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
[Elecraft] Win4K3 and Elad S2
Has anyone successfully installed Win4K3 + an Elad FDM-S2 for spectrum control? 73, Dan __ 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] Loading a KX3 frequency memory editor file into a KX2
Simply asked, can this be done? This file has 160 and 6 meters in it. Should those channels be deleted first? Thanks,Dan KM6CQ Don't sacrifice your hobby for the right house. __ 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] KX2 preamp
I was out this weekend doing the Bumblebee QRP contest (lousy conditions here in PNW!) and a couple of times I noticed that the preamp switched itself off. First time I thought I bumped the switch but it actually did it 2 more times. I was running 5W cw to a magloop carefully tuned to resonance as best I could tell. I’ve used this same setup a bunch and never had that happen before-any thoughts? Thanks. Dan Presley N7CQR n7...@arrl.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] OT Yamaha CM-500 ear pads
Not a replacement ear pad, but if you get a new headset, you might want to cover them with a "Garfield Headphone Softie." These covers protect the original ear pad and, IMHO, make the headphones more comfortable on the ear. I use them on my CM500 headset and my Sony MDR-7506 headphones. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/368310-REG/Garfield_SGARHS1_Headphone_Softie_Earpad.html 73, Dan ** *George Winship, NC5G* gwwa5uih at hotmail.com <mailto:elecraft%40mailman.qth.net?Subject=Re%3A%20%5BElecraft%5D%20OT%20Yamaha%20CM-500%20ear%20pads=%3C1501471086268-7632896.post%40n2.nabble.com%3E> /Sun Jul 30 23:18:06 EDT 2017/ Has anyone found a suitable replacement ear pad. Mine are worn out. Otherwise the headset is good and hate to discard it. Did not find anything in the archives. 73, George NC5G __ 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] Do not sign /QRP
Yep thats right do not sign /QRP. Sign /KX2 or /KX3. This way an experienced operator will know immediately that you are no fool and that this is a Q worth pursuing. 73, Dan KM6CQ -- Sent from my iPhone 7 Plus __ 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] TX Test Mode garbage
I have observed this since receiving my K3s shortly after its introduction. Even though I was told on the telephone that it was not possible, I sent in the K3s to have it analyzed and to have another PA issue resolved. I later received an email confirming the issue stating that there is some leakage and that it was on their list for a fix. That was two years ago. Yes, the K3s does put out power during this clicking and it has been observed by operators who live close by. Power and SWR are noted on a digital power meter. 73, Dan I received an email from a German ham telling me that he's observing the same thing that I reported a couple of years ago. Specifically an audible "clicking" sound in both my K3S and KPA500 that coincides with CW keying. See this thread: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KPA500-clicking-td7596512.html Since there was no "fix" from Elecraft I guess time dulled my sensitivity to it until I received the email and then I thought to listen for it again. It's thunderstorm season here in the AZ desert so my antenna cables are all disconnected. Because the problem manifests whether or not RF is being generated I put the K3S into TX Test mode and put the KPA500 into operate. As before, the clicking is still there in both the K3S and KPA500. But while doing this I noted that the SWR LEDs on the KAT500 were flashing. Since the antennas are disconnected this would be normal if RF was being generated, however as stated, I'm in Test mode. One of my tuner ports has a dummy load attached so I switched to it and lo and behold the amp output LED was showing ~50W. I have an original K3 so I tuned it to the K3S frequency, keyed the K3S and listened on the K3. I could hear a non-coherent, clicky "garbage" signal that seemed to have a spectrum roughly the width of the TX filter. Because both radios were running on the same power supply to eliminate the possibility of crosstalk via that path I fired up an SDR-IQ running on a totally separate computer and looked at the spectrum. Although it's non-synchronous to the keying I can see a signal that does have an envelope roughly shaped like a BPF although it's far from flat in the passband. The amplitude of this is affected by the output power setting and is present with the KPA500 in Standby. It also seems to be thermally sensitive; becoming less conspicuous the longer things run. Wes N7WS . __ 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] Please take me off Elecraft mailing list
Not interested at this time. Thank you for a fantastic product and support☺️ Sent from my Western Electric rotary phone. __ 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
