[Elecraft] Topbanders' Dinner at Visalia
I am pleased to announce that the Topbanders' DX Dinner will take place on Friday, 27 April 2007 at 6:30 PM in the banquet room at the Sizzler Steak House, 2121 W. Caldwell Ave. in Visalia, California during the International DX Convention there. Dinner attendees will order from the Sizzler menu and pay their tabs individually. There is no fee to attend. To ensure adequate seating if you plan to attend, please contact me at [EMAIL PROTECTED] Information on Convention activities may be seen at http://www.dxconvention.org. 73, de Earl, K6SE ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] KBT2 charging question
Fred, N3CSY wrote: Sounds like an Elecraft design glitch! Why would one want to adjust their DC 13.8VDC Astron, to make up for it? Circuit needs a mod. == The diode in series with the power input to a radio is good design technique. Without that protection, if you accidentally connect the power with the wrong polarity, pop goes the radio! 73, de Earl, K6SE ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Mic Gain, K2/100
Bill wrote, Are there any internal mic gain mods that can be used on the KSB2 in a K2/100? Is there anything else I can do short of the external mic amp? == I use the Heil HC-4 dynamic element in my microphone. This element does not have sufficient gain to drive my K2/100, so I changed R1 in the KSB2 module from 1K to 10K ohms. This was all I needed to do to correct the problem. I now receive on-air reports of superb audio when on SSB with my K2/100. 73, de Earl, K6SE K2/100 #2622 ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] OT: 50 years
Congrats on a half-century in Ham Radio, Vic (K2VCO). Here's to 50 more for you! 73, de Earl, K6SE (first licensed June 1955) K2/100 #2622 ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Accuracy of W1 wattmeter
Vic, K2VCO wrote: The new W1 wattmeter is spec'd to provide 0.5 db accuracy. Is this 0.5 db of full scale or of the actual reading? If the former, then I figure that the reading at 5 watts would be plus or minus about 1.8 watts. If the latter, about 0.6 watts (I am not good at doing this stuff in my head -- is this right)? == I don't know what the FS reading of the W1 wattmeter is, but 5 watts +/- 0.5 db would be 4.456 to 5.61 watts, or -0.544 and +0.61 watts. 73, de Earl ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Common mode current
If you're talking about common mode currents in a low gain receive antenna like a Pennant, K9AY loop, EWE, etc., common mode currents are of great concern because any signal picked up by the coax is very significant compared to the desired signal picked up by the antenna. Common mode currents are of much less concern on a transmit antenna such as a coax-fed dipole or inverted vee, where the received signal (and noise) is much stronger. For the above-mentioned receive antennas, a choke balun is the easiest way to combat common mode currents. It can be made by coiling up the last 38' of coax at the antenna feedpoint into 12 turns, 12 inches in diameter. For transmit antennas, the same method may be used, or a 1:1 balun may be installed at the feedpoint. 73, de Earl, K6SE ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Hearing CW - Fundamental Keying Waveform?
Ron, AC7AC wrote: The carrier is keyed on and off sharply. That is, it rises from zero to maximum quickly at the start of each code element, then drops back to zero quickly at the end of the element. == Not too quickly, or clicks will result. The K2 had quite bad clicks (+/-1500 Hz) until they developed a mod to cure that problem. K2 kits now include the mod, and they are among the most click-free of rigs today, with clicks extending only about +/-200 Hz from center freq. Icom IC-756 Pro IIs and IIIs have severe clicks extending +/-1500 Hz with the factory default risetime setting of 4 msec (actually measured at 2 msec). Fortunately this is a user selectable menu setting and the rig's clicks are reduced to +/-400 HZ when the risetime is set to the max of 8 msec (actually measure at 4 msec). The Yaesu MP series of rigs has been notorious for clicks extending +/-2500 Hz. The W8JI mod reduces the problem to +/-300 Hz. I understand that Yaesu fixed the problem (without fanfare) about a year ago on current production radios. The Ten-Tec Omni 6+ also has a bad click reputation (the Omni 6 non+ is click free).. In addition to fast rise/fall times (ARRL recommends a minimum of 4 msec to be click-free), the corners at the transitions should be rounded, rather than sharp. Most hams whose rigs have clicks are unaware of their problem because their casual QSOs are in relatively uncrowded bands. During contests however, when adjacent QSOs might be taking place only 500 Hz away, clicks heard outside of your receiver's passband are quite prevalent. This problem has abated somewhat in recent years because the ham community has been made aware of it via the many ham e-mail reflectors and many owners have performed click mods on their rigs. 73, de Earl, K6SE ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Hearing CW - Fundamental Keying Waveform?
Ron, AC7AC wrote: You missed the rest of that post. I wrote == No, I didn't miss any of the rest of your post. I merely commented further on the key click problems of today's modern rigs. BTW, Elecraft is the only manufacturer who admitted there was a click problem (a 3 kHz BW for a CW signal) with one of their products and they promptly did something to cure it (plus a multitude of other K2 improvements they did). 73, de Earl, K6SE ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Who is P40A?
Keith, KD1E wrote: So who is this? A DXpedition? == P40A is John, KK9A on Aruba warming up for the CW WPX contest this coming weekend. QSL via WD9DZV. -- And more importantly where do you find info on stations like this? == In the DX bulletins. ARRL's weekly DX bulletin is free via e-mail to members. 73, de Earl, K6SE ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Hey, you Dayton hf attendees
What nobody has mentioned in this thread about the Elecraft solid state amps is that the output circuit is not only autotune, but there is also a built-in antenna tuner. Alpha and Acom can't match that! Saw them at Visalia last month and am eagerly awaiting their sales debut. 73, de Erl, K6SE ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] QRO
Lou wrote: ...but the Elecraft will only match 3:1 at 1500 watts, not a lot of room. == It means a lot when you consider that the Alpha and Acom amps fault at 2:1. 73, de Earl, K6SE ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Interesting tidbit...
Tom, N0SS wrote: On Wednesday [of next week - sic], at two minutes and three seconds after 1:00 in the morning. The time and date will be: 01:02:03:04:05:06 This won't happen again for a thousand years. == My calculations say it will happen every 100 years. 73, de Earl, K6SE ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] Topbanders' Dinner at Visalia
I am pleased to announce that the Topbanders' DX Dinner will take place on Friday, 21 April 2006 at 6:30 PM in the banquet room at the Sizzler Steak House, 2121 W. Caldwell Ave. in Visalia, California during the International DX Convention there. Dinner attendees will order from the Sizzler menu and pay their tabs individually. There is no fee to attend. To ensure adequate seating if you plan to attend, please contact me at [EMAIL PROTECTED] There will be no after dinner presentations. That will take place at the Convention hotel on Saturday, April 22nd at 4:00 PM in the Maple room where Mike Mraz, N6MZ, will give a presentation about the 160-meter aspects of the FT5XO and 3B9C DXpeditions. Information on Convention activities may be seen at http://www.dxconvention.org. 73, de Earl, K6SE ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Heil Proset question
My first SSB QSO with my 10-watt K2 was with a DX station who said he wouldn't have picked me put of the pilleup except for my excellent audio. I was (and still am) using the Heil HC4 dynamic mike element which I retrofitted into my old station mike. 73, de Earl, K6SE K2/100 #2622 ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] No more RS232 ComPort!!!
Timothy, KG6RII wrote: anyone have another solution for attaching my K2/100 to my computer? Is there anything cheaper than $132.54? == Search the Web for usb to serial adapter and you'll get many hits for much, much cheaper than that. 73, de Earl, K6SE ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] General testing for key clicks: AGC
Vic, K2VCO wrote: I doubt that it matters. What *does* matter is that you must listen *away* from the transmitter's frequency... == Well put, Vic. The only thing that should be added to Vic's procedure is that you should keep the power output of the transmitter being tested down enough so that the signal in the monitir receiver is S9 or less. I've tested many rigs for klix monitoring in of my many ham receivers and AGC on/off does not make a bit of difference, as long as you do it as Vic and I described (which is the *only* proper way). BTW, of the many rigs I've checked for klix, the K2 with the click mod is the cleanest of all. I believe the click mod is now incorporated in all new K2 kits. 73, de Earl, K6SE ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Which PS for K2/100, linear or switcher?
The noise from a switching power supply comes in via the antenna, so if the antenna is located suitably distant, the P.S. can be located next to the rig and you won't hear the noise. All switchers generate noise to some degree. For those that say their switcher dosen't, they should locate their P.S. near to their antenna and then they'll change their mind. 73, de Earl, K6SE ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Off topic question
test stands for contest. This past weekend was the annual CQ WW 160-meter contest. Lots of fun! 73, de Earl, K6SE ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Is CW a Language? OT
Of course it is!! 73, de Earl, K6SE ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] CW poll
Ci, WU7R wrote: Where is the poll on the website? It has smuch stuff, I can't find the page to which you refer == It's on ARRL's home page (http://www.arrl.org). Scroll down the page about 50% and on the right side you'll see the box labeled ARRL Web Survey. 73, de Earl, K6SE ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Re: EQP Proposed Rules Revision
Keith Darwin wrote: How about having multipliers for the QSO, not for one station or the other. No multiplier if both stations are QRO. 1.5x if one station is QRP, 2X if both are QRP. Multipliers would apply to both stations. == The bonus I propose is for *receiving a QRP station. If a QRP station works a QRP station, he should not be given a bigger bonus for hearing him than a QRO operator! -- Transmitted power has nothing to do with receiving!! To keep it simple, a fixed number of bonus points should be awarded for each QSO with a QRP station. A 10-point bonus does not seem too outlandish. 73, de Earl, K6SE ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] ARRL November Sweepstakes CW
I didn't notice any occurences of the top 10 that Mark mentioned, but then I didn't put in that much time in the SS. My forte is DX and 160-meter contesting, but I always try to put in a little time in the CW SS each year to hone my CW skills (and that contest does require more CW skill than most other contests). I always admire the other operators in the CW SS for their CW skills and it's always a pleasure to make an exchange with them. Wow! The skip sure was short (as well as long) on 15m Sunday, wasn't it? 73, de Earl, K6SE ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Dropping the Code Test
Jim, KL7CC wrote: As often as not, SSB will get through when CW won't. FACT - not a typo! == When I lived in Michigan (closer to the magnetic north pole than Alaska), the aurora didn't make a hoot of difference on HF between SSB and CW -- weak CW was still easier to copy than weak SSB. As for propagation via aurora on VHF, the difference was startling. The rapid doppler shift rendered SSB signals unreadable while CW signals were still quite readable despite the buzz saw sound of their signals. 73, de Earl, K6SE ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] MY SECOND K2
Stephen W. Kercel wrote: If your antenna is actually struck by lightning, the antenna itself will most likely be destroyed, along with the coax and the rig. Also the building will suffer structural damage. == In the 8 years that I lived near the Gulf Coast in Texas as W5RTQ (lots of lightning there), my tower and antenna took many lightning hits with no damage to anything whatsoever. The antenna coax was always connected to the rig. In the 29 years I've lived here in the Mojave Desert (lightning is rare here), my tower(s)/antenna(s) have been struck twice by lightning with no damage to anything whatsoever. I should mention that the towers involved had extensive buried ground radial systems made up of bare wire (I shunt feed my towers on 160/80 meters). I assume that my well-grounded towers attract lightning, but obviously that lightning is safely conducted to ground. 73, de Earl, K6SE ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K2's 4 MHZ Master Oscillator.
Bob, WB8DDI wrote: I used Wayne Burdick's article to calibrate my K2. When I first tuned in WWV, the zero beat was at .5. I adjusted c22 measured TP1(VCO) TP2(BFO) until the two test points matched. Now WWV zero beats at 1.5. -- 500 Hz is a big error. You can get it much closer. == Should I have set my dial to 1.00 then adjusted C22?. -- No! Nothing will change until you do a CAL PLL after adjusting C22. == There are a number of methods of getting the 4000 kHz xtal oscillator on frequency by adjusting C22. Without a frequency counter, one of the easiest is to tune in 20 MHz WWV on your IC-756Pro. Use a short piece of flexible insulated wire for the antenna on the 756Pro and bring the end of that antenna near the 4 MHz oscillator in the K2. You'll hear the 5th harmonic of the 4 MHZ oscillator beating with WWV (best to use the AM mode on the 756Pro and wait for those times when WWV is not transmitting a tone). When you hear the heterodyne beat between the 5th harmonic of the K2's 4 MHz oscillator and 20 MHz WWV, adjust C22 to zero beat the heterodyne. Anytime you adjust C22, you must follow with a CAL PLL. Then check your K2's frequency dial readout accuracy. 73, de Earl, K6SE ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K2's 4 MHZ Master Oscillator.
As I recall, after I built my K2 (more than three years ago), after the first CAL PLL I was unhappy with its frequency dial accuracy ( it was 300 or 400 Hz of on 10 MHz WWV. There are three different described in the K2 manual for adjusting C22. I then used the one that measures two frequencies and you figure the difference between the two frequencies and divide by 2. Then the procedure has you adjust C22 using this result and re-run CAL PLL. This brought 10 MHz WWV's frequency readout to within 10 Hz on my K2's dial. I may be a bit off on this procedure (I'm writing this from memory), but the procedure is in the manual, and it works! 73, de Earl, K6SE ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] ARRL Video features K2
Jim, KL7CC Wrote: Check out the new ARRL Video. It features Walter Cronkite, using a K2! == I doubt that the K2 sitting on Cronkite's desk is actually his. I'm more inclined to believe that it belongs to a known Elecrafter, Dave Bell, W6AQ, who was the producer of the ARRL Goes to Washington video. 73, de Earl, K6SE ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Interference from Computers-Routers
Paul, KD3JF wrote: I have my computer about 3 inches from my station and have never had any noise or interference from it. I have the same router that you mention and not one peep of noise from it. Am I just lucky? == My guess is that your antenna is coax-fed and is more than just a few feet from your computer. We must keep in mind that the RFI generated by the switching power supplies in a computer system enters the ham receiver via the receiver's antenna input. Those using well-matched coax-fed antennas are probably bothered very little by this type of RFI. But those whose antennas come into an antenna tuner located in the shack are probably more cognizant of the problem. 73, de Earl, K6SE ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] speaker problem
Ron, AC7AC wrote: I wonder how many people who have had trouble used a large plug or plug adapter on the phones line there? == The headphone jack on my K2 went bad (no speaker audio) early on and I had to replace it. The reason it went bad was because I was using an adapter to accommodate the 1/4 (large) plug on my headset. Either this amount of weight pulling down on the K2's phone jack, or (more likely) because the longer plug (with adapter) could easily be moved sideways during insertion/removal caused the switch inside the jack to go bad after not very much use. Since then I've used a headset with a 1/8 (small) plug with my K2 and the problem has not repeated. 73, de Earl, K6SE K2/100 #2622 ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Thoughts on feeding a yagi...
Julius, N2WN wrote: I'm near the point of installing an old 205BA (5 element 20M yagi) that will be serving a dual purpose. It will also act as a tophat for a 160/80/40 vertical. I'd like to ground the driven element. Any thoughts as to the best way to feed it? -- The Hi-Gain 205BA driven element is already DC-grounded to the boom through its hairpin (beta) match system. Regardless, the driven elements of any HF Yagi act like they are grounded on the lower bands if their coax feedlines are routed all the way down to the ground inside the tower (or taped to one of the tower legs). == I've been looking at the old standard gamma match, omega, hairpin and possibly using a broadband transformer. -- On 160m, with that big top-loader, if the tower is 60 feet or more high, a shunt-feed system using a single (gamma) capacitor at the feedpoint will work. A shorter tower may require a two-capacitor (omega) match system. No transformer (broad band or otherwise) is necessary. Ditto on 80m if the tower is 40 feet or more high. A shunt feed system using a gamma match will certainly always work on 40m, however if the resonant frequency of the structure (tower plus top loading) is below about 2.5 MHz, the DX results may be disappointing because of the high-angle radiation from a vertical that size. Be aware that the structure need not be resonant at any particular frequency to be an efficient radiator. Anything will radiate the RF that is applied to it if it is fed/matched properly. All that is necessary is to find the correct height of the shunt wire tap onto the tower where the resistive part of the impedance at the bottom of the shunt wire is 50 ohms. Then it's a simple matter to cancel out the reactive part of the impedance (which is always inductive) with a series (gamma) capacitor to get a perfect match to your 50-ohm coax feedline. In any case, a good ground radial system will ensure good radiation efficiency. My two 72-foot shunt-fed towers work quite well for DX on both 80m and 160m. One tower has a TH6DXX at 75 feet and the other has a 402BA at 75 feet. The towers are spaced 135 feet (which is 1/4-wave on 160m and 1/2-wave on 80m) and are used as a switchable-direction phased array on those two bands. Each tower has its own ground radial system of 96 radials, each 125 feet long. 73, de Earl, K6SE ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Low receiver sensitivity
Mike, WA1ESO wrote: I recently assembled and XG1 calibrator and began checking some of my equipment. 4 out of 5 radios that I own indicated an S9 signal, however, my K2 did not. It registered an S5-S6. == AGC adjustment R1 on the control board might be a bit off. Try turning it to decrease it's resistance a bit, which will increase the S-meter sensitivity. After adjusting R1, you'll have to go into the menu and recalibrate the S-meter hi and lo settings. 73, de Earl, K6SE ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Can Elecraft take over the global HF ham radio business ?
Jerry, NR5A wrote: Why?? == Because there's thousands of hams like KI4GIN and me who like bells and whistles and are willing to pay for them.. It may not appeal to NR5A and others, but there's a BIG market that it WOULD appeal to. 73, de Earl, K6SE ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] KPA800 @ $2.8k: count me in/out
Philip, WD8QWR wrote: As I recall not seeing, it hasn't been announced yet. Isn't everyone (including me) jumping the gun a little? == No one is jumping the gun (except for price speculation). It was announced and shown by Eric at the Elecraft booth in Visalia during the weekend of the DX convention there April 15-17, 2005. 73, de Earl, K6SE ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] KPA800 @ $2.8k: count me in/out
$2800 (if that's a true figure) is quite inexpensive when you compare the KPA800 (if that's the correct model designator) with the closest competition on the market: the Icom PW-1 and the Yaesu Quadra. Both of those amps are solid state auto-tune and are rated at 1000 watts out on HF and 500 watts out on 6m. Both weigh in excess of 55 lbs including the built-in power supply. The KPA800 weighs 16 kg (35.5 lbs -- not 16 lbs as reported earlier on the list). The street price of a new PW-1 is $4600 and a new Quadra is $4000. The legal limit KPA1500 (if that's the correct model designator) would be in direct competition with the Alpha 87 and the Acom 2000 amps, which are both legal limit tube amps with auto-tune features and prices approaching $7000. To my knowledge, the KPA1500 would be the first legal limit solid state auto-tune HF amplifier to hit the market. IF YOU'RE IN THE MARKET FOR A QUALITY SOLID-STATE (or tube) HF AMP, you'll probably get more for less if you go with Elecraft. If you're not in the market for such an amplifier, don't flame the speculated price. What we have to do now is wait until Eric and/or Wayne gives further details about the amp on this reflector. 73, de Earl, K6SE ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] More rumors?
It's not a rumor. Elecraft unveiled their solid-state 800-watt all band (160-10) amp at the DX convention in Visalia last weekend. Eric told me that another version of the amp would also be available that doubles up on the finals which would put out a full 1500 watts. Availability will be later this year. I'm sure Eric will announce the details soon on this reflector. 73, de Earl, K6SE ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] XG1 Report
I picked up an XG1 oscillator kit at the Elecraft booth at the DX convention in Visalia. Assembled it this morning and used it's 50 uV setting to check the S-meters in my four HF radios with the following results: Elecraft K2/100 = S9 (digital S-meter) (S-meter was calibrated by adjusting the value of R1 for best AGC action and using the S-meter calibration procedure described in the manual, i.e., full scale = RF gain fully CCW and S0 = RF gain fully CW with antenna disconnected -- apparently done this way, there is no need to calibrate S9 on the meter using the method described by others on this e-mail reflector). Yaesu FT-1000MP = S9 (main and sub rx's, digital S-meters) Icom IC-756Pro3 = S9+3 dB (analog S-meter), S9 (digital S-meter) Kenwood TS-830S = S9+3 dB (analog S-meter) (1 uV setting = S4) Years ago I calibrated the S-meter in the TS-830S using a metrology lab calibrated HP-610C signal generator. I surmise that the Icom's S-meter was factory calibrated at S9 using 50 uV. I therefore believe the -73 dBm output of the my XG1 is actually -70 dBm (70.7 uV). If the 50 uV setting on the XG1 is actually -70 dBm, then the 1 uV setting should be down another 34 dB, or -104 dBm (1.414 uV). Interestingly, only the Kenwood has an accurate S-meter for signal levels below S9. It's S-meter reading with the XG1 set for 1 uV was S4 (all other radios were S0). Based on the 6 dB standard that each S-unit = 6 dB (and -73 dBm = S9) means that S4 is a signal level of -103 dBm, which agrees quite closely with the presumed -104 dBm output of the XG1 at the 1 uV setting. When I get ambitious, I'll perform the procedure for determining the noise floor of each receiver as described in the XG1 manual. All in all, the XG-1 is a neat piece of test equipment to add to the shack and, as the saying goes, Good enough for government work. 73, de Earl, K6SE ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] XG1 Report
Ron, AC7AC wrote: Someone I was chatting with recently said he had tested the S-meters of several receivers and found that 1 S-unit can equal anything from 3 dB to more than 6 dB. I had always assumed the target was 6 dB/S-unit. Apparently not so. == Years ago, there were two standards for S-meters. 1) The Collins standard was 100 uV = S9 and each S-unit was 8 dB. 2) The Hallicrafters standard was 50 uV = S9 and each S-unit was 6 dB. Manufacturers naturally adopted the Hallicrafters standard because the Collins standard resulted in a stingier S-meter (higher S-meter readings = better receiver, right? - No) It is rare, with the new transceivers currently on the market to find one that strictly adheres to the standard. Virtually every tranceiver today uses the 50 uV = S9 criterion, but the change per S-unit is much less than 6 dB. This results in a substantial signal such as 1 uV (which should read S3.5 on an accurate S-meter).not even budging the S-meter on most receivers today. In dB above S9, the S-meters most transceivers today seem to be fairly accurate. If all manufacturers complied with the standard to the letter, S-meter readings would be more meaningful. As it is now, they are useful only for reference readings such as when someone does an A/B check on his antennas with you. BTW, the values I posted originally were with the receiver preamp turned off in all cases. 73, de Earl, K6SE ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Fw: Need winding machine?
Mike S wrote: It's exactly because of clueless newbies like you that there is a spam problem in the first place. (The rest of his e-mail censored because of foul language) == I have NEVER bought anything nor visited a Web site advertised by a spammer. This clueless newbie has been into computer hardware and software professionally since 1966. (Retired 1994.) Bought (built) my first PC in 1979. Authored much ham radio software since then, much of it used world-wide today. Member of the Elecraft e-mail list since April 2002 -- others before that. Celebrating my 51st year as a ham (first licensed as W8DGP in 1955 - Extra Class since 1963). Newbie??? 73, de Earl, K6SE (not a vanity callsign) K2/100 #2622 ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Fw: Need winding machine?
Trev, G3ZYY wrote: Interestingly I received the same mail here. I suspect that as we were both in this group when the discussion about toroid winders took place over a year ago and many of us were looking at various sites to do with these machines, this is probably targeted advertising rather than blind == The immediate impression I had when I received the winder e-mail was that the spammer somehow knew I was an Elecrafter and that other Elecrafters would possibly receive the same e-mail (apparently they have). If that is true, I wonder how he got my (or yours and others) e-mail address because I have never searched the Web for a toroid winding machine nor have I ever visited any spammer's Web site. 73, de Earl, K6SE ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] Fw: Need winding machine?
I just received the following e-mail about a toroid winding machine. Perhaps it may interest some of you Elecrafters. It was spam, so take it for what it's worth. 73, de Earl, K6SE - Forwarded message -- From: Jack Feng [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Wed, 13 Apr 2005 05:16:21 +0800 Subject: Need winding machine? Dear sir, My name is Jack Feng. The oversea sales representative of Guangri winding machine department. Now I recommend the following toroidal winding machine to you. If those winding machine interest you, I will email you the catalog and website. Machine Type Slider wire size(AWG):43-21 Final OD(inches):1-10 Shuttle dia(inches):1-8 Speed(max rpm):1000 Belt head wire size(AWG):35-22 Final OD(inches):2-6 Shuttle dia(inches):1.5-2.5 Speed(max rpm):800 Gear head wire size(AWG):21-9 Final OD(inches):2.5-13.8 Shuttle dia(inches):8-16 Speed(max rpm):200 Main drive 0.5 to 2 HP AC motor Core rotation 0.25HP AC motor Master/slave, proportionally coupled AC inverters. Microprocessor controller: Infinitely programmable, LED display readout. Machine weight: 83-240kg. GuangRi is Chinese largest manufacturer of Toroid Coil Winding equipment, offering a full line of machines for power transformers, current transformers, chokes and inductors. It also produces machines dedicated for the production of variable voltage transformers and toroid taping machines. All equipment is microprocessor controlled. Best regards, Jack Feng Oversea sales representative Guangri Winding machine Tel:+86-757-86791200 Fax:+86-757-86791244 ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Fw: Need winding machine?
W8UR (Mike S) wrote: DO NOT forward spam to a list. Most certainly DO NOT - NEVER, EVER - buy a product advertised via spam. To do so is the act of a naif, as it only encourages more spam. I'm trying to think of any reasonable criteria by which you shouldn't be immediately dispelled from the list for spamming (which you have in fact done), and can't. I've a mind to file a report with your ISP for violation of their TOS/AUP. Sorry if this seems harsh, but spam in any form cannot be tolerated. == I included a caveat with my post, so yes, that seems excessively harsh, but please do go ahead and file your report with my ISP. Maybe they'll cut down on the amount of spam they forward to me. Although I do not embrace spamming activities, keep in mind that many spammers are legitimate businesses that find the Internet a convenient method of advertising their wares. Because many Elecrafters have a fondness(?) and a close association with toroid winding, I see nothing wrong with passing the information along to the group. If you don't like it, just bite your tongue and use the delete key. As Abraham Lincoln said, You can please some of the people some of the time.. 73, de Earl, K6SE ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] magnetic fields and phase noise?
Worked Vic, K2VCO this morning on 40m CW. His K2/100 was absolutely clean with no clicks and no noise on his CW sidebands while he was running barefoot. When he ran ran QRO to his Alpha 87A, There were still no clicks, however there was noise on his sidebands extending out +/- about 1 kHz from center frequency. I honestly expected it to be worse than that, but he apparently also has the same problem with the magnetic field from the magnetic field from the HV xfmr in his amp getting into his K2. I was using my IC-756Pro3 with a 50 Hz bandwidth. Tuning off to either side of Vic's CW signal where the tone disappeared, you could still copy him due to the noise on his sidebands. Anyone with a K2 driving a linear amp can easily check for this by listening on a separate receiver using the narrowest bandwidth available by tuning the signal just out of the receiver passband while transmitting on the K2 with amp. It sounds like noisy sidebands on the transmitted CW signal. With my K2, the problem occurs on all bands. It doesn't occur when I use any of my other transceivers (IC-756Pro3, FT-1000MP, TS-830S). 73, de Earl, K6SE ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Re: magnetic fields and phase noise?
Bruce, NM5B wrote: I'm beginning to wonder if the noise source is conducted via the power lines vs. radiated. == Others suggested that it stopped because the K2/100 was in a different room on an AC circuit other than the amp. Well, the amp is on a dedicated 220 VAC line and the K2/100 is on a 110 VAC line. 73, de Earl, K6SE ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Re: magnetic fields and phase noise?
Maggie, K3XS wrote: If I were having that problem, I'd be thinking about shielding the *source*...because it would likely affect other equipment in my shack. == Yes, indeed, the source is the HV xfmr in the amp. No other equipment in the shack is affected by it, including any other transmitter or transceiver I have used to drive this amp. I'm sure the same is true for the thousands of amateur amps in service throughout the world. The PLL circuit in the K2 is sensitive to magnetic fields (this is no secret) and, rather than shielding the big amp, it makes more sense to shield the small K2 or its PLL components. It is felt that the inductor in the K2's PLL circuit is picking up the hum. Perhaps Wayne/Eric can try using a different inductor (wound differently, shielded, whatever) to cure the problem. 73, de Earl, K6SE ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Phase noise etc.
Mick, M1MGD wrote: ...i am pretty sure that synth phase noise and the recent change in topic regarding magnetic interferance are slightly different. == It all started when one of the reflectees wrote, ...in many respects the K2 does outperform other rigs, but unfortunately in terms of transmitted phase noise it does not. This is not an issue at low power, for which I think the K2 was originally designed, but becomes noticeable when the K2 is used to drive an external linear. Notice the last part of his statement. That's when I chimed in and said the cause was not synth phase noise (which it isn't). I consider the topic has never changed. 73, de Earl, K6SE ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Re: magnetic fields and phase noise?
Bruce, NM5B wrote: Here's a wild guess to throw in the mix. Since you have tried shielding and separation to eliminate or minimize the presumed radiated noise path, I'm beginning to wonder if the noise source is conducted via the power lines vs. radiated. == I have never tried shielding. W4FMS did try it and it worked for him. The noise source you refer to is the magnetic field from the linear's HV xfmr. 73, de Earl, K6SE ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Atomic Clocks and Aluminum Siding
Ron, AC7AC wrote: That means my $6 Radio Shack digital clock that I chose because it was on sale and provides a 24-hour time format is perfect. It stays accurate to within one or two seconds a month. == I guess I'm more of a perfectionist than Ron. After three or four battery-operated digital clocks that gained or lost one or two seconds a month (resetting them was always a pain in the butt), I plunked down $12 at Wal-Mart for an Oregon-Scientific atomic clock that is always exact whenever I check it against 10 MHz WWV. It displays GMT date and time (down to the second) and is the ideal clock for the ham shack. It also works indoors in the ham shack, whereas my much more expensive hand-held GPS (which also displays accurate local time) does not (those microwaves don't go through anything opaque). 73, de Earl, K6SE ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Dead Band Quiz
IH9YMC 73, de Earl, K6SE ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Dead Band Quiz
Art, W6KY wrote: What is the Prefix for an Italian station located in Africa? == Years ago I5 was Italian Somaliland, but it no longer belongs to Italy. 73, de Earl, K6SE ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] CW - SS - Off Topic
Jim, N2EY wrote: Memory keyers eliminated a lot of the sending even before PCs were common. == The advent of the memory keyer freed up some time during QSOs to keep a paper log and paper dupe sheet for each band during a contest, but the BIG thing that reduced contest fatigue for me was ability of the PC to eliminate the need for keeping paper logs and dupe sheets! 73, de Earl, K6SE ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Hum Coupling
Fraser, G4BJM wrote: Interesting - I had complaint on air recently of having a wide CW carrier when using a tube linear about two feet from the K2/100. == Exactly the problem. Rather than hum, it sounds like noise on the sidebands of the signal -- becoming less broad as the distance between the K2 and the amp increases. This is easily heard when you monitor your transmitted signal on another receiver. The K2/100 is absolutely clean barefoot. Perhaps the field from a hypersil xfmr is greater than a normal xfmr. Both Alphas I have tested my K2 on, at home and at a friend's QTH) have hypersil HV xfmrs. I even removed the KPA100 and ran my 10-watt K2 into the amp with the same noisy sidebands occurring on its CW and SSB output. There IS a problem! 73, de Earl, K6SE ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Hum Coupling
Thanks for the mu metal info, Stuart. If Eric and Wayne don't come out with a mod for it, I'll try that. 73, de Earl, K6SE ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Hum Coupling
Jim, KL7CC wrote: So, maybe the problem [hum getting into the K2's PLL] could be worth another look, as in maybe there is another way to solve it? Could something be done to the K2 itself to make it immune to this problem? == Hum coupling from the K2's power supply xfmr is not much of a problem because separation of a couple of feet eliminates it. Hum coupling from a linear amp's hypersil HV xfmr is another story, however. Six feet is not sufficient distance from my Alpha 76CA. Ditto when my K2 was tried more than six feet from my friend's Alpha 99. Thirty feet separation does clear up the problem, but that is unacceptable. I am a QRO operator who chases DX and works the contests, so I cannot use my K2 for this purpose because of the trashy signal it puts out when used with an amplifier. Elecraft is aware of the problem and was going to investigate further into it, but that was perhaps a year ago. They were going to look into the possibility of fabricating a mu metal shield, but I have heard nothing back from them since. If no fix becomes evident soon, I'm afraid my K2/100 will be up for sale. 73, de Earl, K6SE ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] RS sale items (more)
Michael, N4NMR wrote: They (RS) had a special sale on the RS version of an Atomic portable alarm clock. Only $20. And it is a nice size for packing or for on the desk. Normally $30, I think. Nice clock with super lighting. Number is 63-964. Only drawback is that you can't set it for UTC. == From time to time WalMart sells an atomic desktop alarm clock made by Oregon Scientific (model RM103A). It can be set to display UTC with no problem and it's ideal for the ham shack I bought one for $11.98. 73, de Earl, K6SE ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Re: More antenna problems
George, W5YR writes: Parker, what did you think of the EZNEC gain predictions for verticals? Compared to wire dipoles at a modest height? == The free space gain of a vertical is about the same as that of a dipole (2.14 dBi). However, over real ground the horizontal antenna benefits by far field ground reflection. This is borne out in EZNEC. Remember that a vertical's gain is concentrated at the low angles that are good for DXing, while the horizontal antenna must be relatively high (at least 0.5 wavelengths) to have a reasonably low angle of radiation.. As far as noise goes, the dipole has a better receive S/N ratio than a vertical simply because it has directivity, while the vertical is omnidirectional. Also, because of its low angle radiation, the vertical hears man made noises better (which are generated close to the ground and therefore arrive at a low angle). 73, de Earl, K6SE ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
