[Elecraft] K-3 and IC-7300
I own the K-3 and have recently purchased the IC-7300. If you use the P-3 Panadapter, with your K-3 then you will not be happy with another rig that doesn't have a band-scope. I like the IC-7300 very much. Jimmy __ 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] Firmware Problem
I'm having my old firmware problem again. My K-3 refused to turn on this afternoon displaying the dreaded MCU LD at the bottom of screen. Past experience has demonstrated that this indicates a problem with the K-3 firmware. I've had several theories proposed for a solution, none of which have been successful. By way of further background, I can solve the problem by disconnecting the P3 from the line going to the computer and reloading the firmware directly to the K-3 from the computer. In this way, with only the radio connected to the computer, I can reload the firmware, solving the problem. This is most inconvenient but, fortunately, it does provide a solution. For those on this reflector who have followed my problem, here's a new possibility for solution. I have one of the earlier K-3’s with a .5 amp rating on the DC power output. I understand newer K-3's are rated for 1 amp or more. I've had my P-3 Panadapter set up to turn on automatically at the time of the start of the radio. I now wonder if this drain on the DC output by the P3 Panadapter may have caused a significant voltage causing the system to bomb out. I have now adjusted the jumpers on the P-3 so as to start the P-3 manually after the radio. I wonder if anyone has any ideas that this might have been a good solution or is instead of another blind alley? I guess I’ll find out sooner or later. As far as I know I’m the only user having this problem. Jimmy, WA4ILO __ 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] Sherwood's receiver performance table updated
I’ve enjoyed this thread comparing the K-3 line with the IC-7300. Have the K-3 with the P-3 Panadapter. However, I’m going to try purchase the IC-7300 in Dayton. What interests me most in the IC-7300 is the ability for direct entry of a frequency by touching the waterfall display. The P-3 does not offer that feature, and I’m told that it will not be available. With due regard to the superior performance of the K-3 receivers, I believe that state of the art now requires a more responsive Panadapter for the casual operator. BTW, I’m not expecting to part with my K-3. Jimmy, WA4ILO __ 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] Firmware Failure - Update
I’m getting some interesting responses to my question about firmware failure. Thanks to everyone who has replied directly. To update my post, I always turn the rig off using the power switch. I never turn off the power supply to the rig. There is always power available at the power input. When the MCU LD failure occurs, it’s always at the power on, startup time, after the rig has been idle for a week or two. If the rig will power on correctly, it will not fail during operation. Does the EEPROM unplug to make replacement easier? Jimmy, WA4ILO __ 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] Firmware Failure
I wrote a few months ago about the strange occurrence of finding my firmware missing or corrupted on my K-3. In it’s state of failure it displays MCU LD on a dark screen. The Transmit light blinks on and off. My computer cannot detect the K-3 to reload the firmware. The problem has occurred several times. The solution, inconvenient but workable, is to disconnect the P-3 and hook the computer up directly to the K-3. In doing so, I can reload the firmware. My question is, “Why does my K-3 lose it’s mind?” Is there some battery that backs up the firmware? Could such a battery be dead as happens sometimes in older computers? This is very inconvenient. Help please. Jimmy, WA4ILO __ 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] Noise Reduction (NR)
I hope this isn’t a worn out question. I’d like to ask the group whether there is a favorite setting for NR? I know there are different conditions that might require different settings, but does anyone have a default setting? Jimmy, WA4ILO __ 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] Firmware Issue
Turning on my rig a few nights ago (K-3 Serial #6512) I got a strange response. The rig would not turn on. All I got was a blinking TX light and screen display reading of MCU LD. My K-3 Utility program could not access the rig through the COM port. I looked up the reset instruction saying I should use the key combination of POWER + SHIFT 0/0 (whatever that is). Assuming I did it right, it didn’t work. I drafted this email while I was thinking about what to do. Then I tried POWER + 0. In response the rig turned on normally. What just happened. Was I just lucky the last time? Jimmy, WA4ILO __ 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] Synthesizer Issue
Can someone please give me a summary of this synthesizer issue or a useful link so I can understand all this conversation about new boards. I have a three year old K-3 and a one year old sub-receiver. Do I need these boards? What would they do for me? An off-list reply is welcome since it appears I’m the only one who doesn’t know what’s going on. Thanks. Jimmy, WA4ILO __ 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 Ham Radio Deluxe
Yes, that's the answer. The problem developed for me today. I consulted the archives and found the same answer specified in this response. I had done some work on the memory settings earlier in the afternoon. I have no idea how that may have changed this setting but it doesn't matter. Changing the CONFIG: VFO IND to YES solved the problem for me. Jimmy Walker Macon, GA WA4ILO.com wa4...@aol.com -Original Message- From: Ian Kahn km4ik@gmail.com To: vk4tux vk4...@bigpond.com Cc: elecraft elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Fri, Sep 7, 2012 11:23 pm Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Ham Radio Deluxe My CONFIG: VFO IND had been set to No the entire 18 months I've had my K3. I had the same problem in the latest version of HRD. I found, on my rig, by changing that setting to Yes, then the automatic band switching when selecting a spot on a different band works perfectly. 73, --Ian Ian Kahn, KM4IK Roswell, GA EM74ua km4ik@gmail.com K3 #281, P3 #688 HRD v5.x/6.0 Test Team On Fri, Sep 7, 2012 at 1:39 AM, vk4tux vk4...@bigpond.com wrote: CONFIG:VFO IND = No -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K3-Ham-Radio-Deluxe-tp7562232p7562233.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at 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 -- __ 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 mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K2 LCD Back?
I'm doubting this group would have too much sympathy for a builder who neglects the errata sheet. My first step in constructing a kit is go over the errata sheet and write in the changes to the construction manual. I must confess, however, to having some difficulty reading my handwriting some days or weeks later, but there'll never be a fix for that problem. Jimmy Walker WA4ILO Macon, GA [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Folks, OK, I believe that some clarification will be forthcoming from Elecraft about this LCD backing thing. Yes, enough builders have had trouble with it that I have come to believe that a diagram or photo or something similar should be added - and I think it will be, but folks will have to heed the info on the errata sheet, and evidence indicates that that information is often overlooked (you just can't win). Actually, I have to say that in all the K2s that I have built, I have never had an LCD with this extra back film, so I conclude that the presence of a film is the exception - but then the situation can change at any moment with the whim of the manufacturer and/or vendor. Thanks for the informative responses. Sorry that I could not see the problem that many of you were having with the manual description. 73, Don W3FPR -Original Message- Will someone out there PLEASE take a good photograph of the film, half-removed. I'll be happy to host the photo, as would Wayne/Eric, I'm sure. I have no idea what it may or may not look like. I'm guessing it's like that protective covering on most new electronics faceplates. Not too harmful to leave it there, but prettier if removed - but I don't recall even scratching my head when I built my K2. -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.432 / Virus Database: 268.16.6/617 - Release Date: 1/5/2007 11:11 AM ___ 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 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 LCD Back?
I don't want to over do this subject, but Dohn's comment is perfectly stated and should be taken very seriously. I'm sure putting a manual together for project as complex as the K-2 is a daunting task. In nearly every respect, the manual is flawless. But this LCD film issue is a troublesome one for a first time builder not familiar with these components. I spent a long time anguishing over the question of whether to peal the back off the LCD, and eventually made the correct decision. But as you go along with this construction project, you'd like to think careful construction, not correct guesses, would better assure success. The addenda materials could relieve this confusion considerably with a more elaborate description of this film. The nature of this kind of project for a builder is that constant perfection is a critical requirement, not a luxury. The manual has to subscribe to the same high standard however difficult it may be to achieve. Jimmy Walker WA4ILO Macon, GA [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I think part of the anxiety is that it is the first place you come to in your otherwise straightforward manual that you must make a decision that is not clear cut and does not have a picture to back it up. It is a small decision but as I remember it says thin film but be careful not to peel away the backing. At least for me, I didn't know what Elecraft meant by thin film verses backing. Many of us hadn't seen an LCD component like that right out of a bulk box. Never saw one with a thin film protecting the backing to know what one without looks like. What is the difference between a thin film and what is a backing when you've never seen either one and wired up trying to do a perfect job? It is clearly an important step and one you want to complete. PERFECTLY. So ask the reflector. That is why I think you see this so often. Just my .02 cents worth. 73 Dohn N8EWY ___ 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] Noise Blanker
I'm arriving at this conversation a bit late, but let me ask this question. I have a relatively newly assembled K-2, working perfectly as far as I can tell. I have the KNB2 assembled and ready to install. After reading these posts, I'm wondering if I should bother to do it. I find, as Ron said, the filters do a good job with atmospheric noise. I don't have anything else unusual here in the way of noise. Sometimes I get line noise, but it's so irritating I usually don't try to work through it. I'll wait it out. So, should I risk the uninstalling of resistors and cutting of jumpers on a good radio for the improvement offered by the noise blanker? Jimmy Walker WA4ILO Macon, GA - Original Message - From: ron [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2006 5:50 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Noise Blanker Hello all; I push on a CW filter and it does the same thing! I also press attenuate with same results! Unh? Noise blanker and/or filter does same thing? Why? Because filters and NB may appear to remove atmospheric noise, but it's still there, because it's attenuated. (There's a little more to that but not here) Noise blankers work more effectively on man-made noise such as automobiles, lights, motors, hair dryers (pulse type noise) etc. Not atmospheric noises. Oh, after you did that, you probably had to turn up the volume a bit like I did. It make for easier listening though. Regardless, I love me K1. (smile) Ron, wb1hga W.D. (Doc) Lindsey wrote: evening here on 30Metres, and the QRN seemed incessant, I [probably] accidentally pushed the NB button on a K2. And suddenly the noise all but disappeared. Since then I have come to use it regularly, as there seems to be a whole lot of QRN here in the tiny subdivision. But the NB will normally knock it down to listenable levels. ___ 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 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] New K-2 #5529 - Happy Story!
I have always enjoyed those messages here on the reflector announcing K-2 Serial No. X is on the air. I always wanted to make that announcement. Now's my turn. K-2 Serial No. 5529 is on the air! It was a summer project for me, from early June to this week in August, in increments of time ranging from 1.0 to 3.0 hours with a 5.0 hour stretch in there one Saturday. I took the advice of several builders and worked in short intervals. I counted almost 60 hours in construction, but that would be extreme, since I was not in a hurry. I could do it again in 40 hours or less, with what I learned this first time. I had my problems, but not many. Luckily, I discovered them as I went along. I incorrectly installed two of the variable inductors. Unsoldering them was a nightmare. Heaven help me if I had done the same with an IC. The advice to throw away the solder wick and buy a good desoldering iron is urgently important. I didn't do that and had to pay the price in time and anxiety. I wouldn't attempt the project again without one. The two variable inductors destroyed in the uninstallation were promptly replaced by Elecraft's parts department. I had two missing capacitors which were likewise supplied promptly by the big E. At the end of installing the capacitors, I discovered two had been installed in error. Again, Elecraft to the rescue with new parts. Then, in finishing the diodes, I found one of them had been incorrectly installed. Presto, a new one is promptly delivered from Elecraft upon request. Thanks to Elecraft for this sterling and gracious support. I'm thinking maybe I could have saved some time with a desoldering gun. At a point I was worried about damage to the board when doing the parts uninstalling. Must get a desoldering gun! Alignment was tricky for me. I didn't get the hang of the calibration at first. Then I was baffled by the filter alignment. The manual tells all, but I couldn't visualize it. I was manually setting the BFO frequency from filter to filter. I thought I had to actually set it, but the rig actually resets it's BFO after a filter adjustment. All you have to do is go from filter to filter, make a slight adjustment, then reset to original setting, and then press AGC. I would change the BFO setting from filter to filter, not realizing the last filter I had set had changed automatically. I can't explain it, but I understand it a little better now. I was over-thinking the problem. I'm not new to Elecraft products, since I've owned two K-1's for years. But I didn't build either of them. I've loved the two radios. Once, I wrote a review of the K-1 for eHam.com that was posted on the Elecraft web site. But I was late getting around to the K-2. I'm glad I went for the K-2 instead of building a K-1 as my first project. In addition to the desoldering gun suggestion, I want to endorse the idea of an inventory in the beginning. It's no fun, for sure, but it saves time later. The task of identifying parts and finding them when you need them is one of the hardest tasks for this occasional kit builder. Without a tool for checking capacitance, I had to sometimes guess at which one was correct. The inventory helps by letting the process of elimination do it's magic. If I had done it in the beginning, and if I hadn't put the wrong parts in the first time, I could have cut five to ten hours off the construction time. I've read here that Styrofoam is a bad idea. I'd like to be sure about that since is has always been a great way for me to store parts for easy access along the way. I wouldn't try to use it for an IC or transistor, but what about the other parts. Are they really in danger from Styrofoam? One more thing. Yes, I used The Toroid Guy. The only problem I have ever had with a kit was a badly wound toroid. Never again if I can help it. His toroids were perfect. Jimmy Walker WA4ILO Macon, GA ___ 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] K1 for Sale
K1 Two Band HF Transceiver (30M and 17M) SN 812 with KBT1 Internal Battery Adapter I didn't built the radio, but I've used it extensively and can attest that it works perfectly. The radio has never been used as a portable, but the battery adapter works perfectly. I have two K-1's, the other with the 40/20M board and some additional options. I'm planning to use the sale proceeds to buy a KFL1-4 4-Band Module the radio I'm keeping. See my eHam review from 2003 at http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/846?page=3 I'm offering to sell for the kit price of the K1 - $289 plus shipping. PayPal or certified funds will ship the day of receipt. Jimmy Walker WA4ILO Macon, GA [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___ 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
