[Elecraft] Field Day Operation
Folks, if you intend to operate ANY digital mode for Field Day or any other day for that matter, please read the radio manual with regard to passing audio from the computer to the radio and learn the radio adjustments and what they do and how they are used. Also read the manual regarding correct configuration of the computer and application software. One must understand at least 3 different systems. (a) the radio adjustments, (b) the computer operating system, (c) the software application. Yes, ANY radio incorrectly configured and adjusted WILL TRANSMIT CRAP! Don't be laughed at and called a LID. RTFM There is absolutely NO reason for transmitting a dirty or distorted or wide signal. NONE! If your signal is dirty, distorted, or wide, it is clearly the fault of the operator. 73 Bob, K4TAX On 7/12/2023 3:33 PM, elecraft-requ...@mailman.qth.net wrote: Message: 1 Date: Sat, 8 Jul 2023 15:18:13 + Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Field Day Operation "but I guarantee that it can be easily done with a TS-590S as well. You just didn't do it right." Ok, please tell me how to do that. Specific settings please from a test that you actually ran with a TS-590S. My tests had all audio drive sliders to max and ALC meter hard on the stop. Clean signal for FT8 and PSK. I didn't believe that was possible until I ran the tests. Andy, k3wyc __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Field Day Operation
On 7/9/2023 11:32 PM, dyno lab wrote: However, a new K3s Retrofit RF power amplifier is coming on the market that will resolve this problem and it may be seen in my W7YNC Bio at QRZ.com Engineering is NOT defined as producing an ideal product, but one with certain user objectives, one of which is operation from 13.8VDC, and in a compact package that can be carried on an airplane to a DX operation. The K3 solves the latter design objectives quite well; while it's IMD is not wonderful at 100W, it's pretty good at the 25-50W level need to drive most power amps, and the real enemy of two radios in close proximity on the same band, phase noise, is spectacularly good. What matters about IMD are clicks and splatter when the signal is loudest, usually when it is driving a legal limit amp. It's a byproduct of my work in the highest levels of pro audio, where I learned not to make the lab measurements of a distortion, but to measure the practical effects of it, clicks and splatter. And modern spectrum analyzers, like the P3/SVGA and lots of SDRs with good software blow away the lab gear for these measurements by at least two orders of magnitude! The frequency resolution of my HP8590D is only 100 Hz, compared to the P3 at a few Hz and the P3SVGA 10x better! Yes, the P3 can display only 80 dB of its 100 dB dynamic range on screen, but the bodies are buried in the range of 40-70 dB down! The K3 is a spectacularly good neighbor on CW, thanks to the carefully shaped keying -- my neighbor K6XX and I, about 3 miles apart, can run legal limit to serious antennas and work within 500 Hz of each other when contesting. And thanks to the control of phase noise, our CQP team could run K3s with KPA500s on the same band with in-line dipoles and Yagis from 80-10M. At home, I learned that could run two K3s and Ten Tec legal limit 3CX800A7 amps on the SAME BAND, 20M and above, within 60 kHz of each other, feeding Yagis separated by 100 ft, colinear to each other, and not know the other transmitter was there! There is FAR more to life than measurements of IMD test signals! A FAR better test of IMD is the measurement of the bandwidth of a signal using spectrum analysis capable of very narrow resolution bandwidth, like the P3 (a few Hz), or even better, the P3/SVGA (a few fractional Hz). Download and study http://k9yc.com/P3_Spectrum_Measurements.pdf and http://k9yc.com/TXNoise.pdf The first link shows measurements of my K3, pre-upgraded synths, driving a Ten Tec 425 (2 3CX800A7s), a KPA500, and another amp I sold as soon as I realized how dirty it was compared to the others. The second link is my analysis data ARRL Labs sent me in electronic form of their measurements of more than a dozen rigs, plotting all on the same graph making comparison jump out at you! It was motivated by complaints by WRTC participants of trash competitors in the same group of sites were generating with rigs like the FTDX1000. BTW -- after I'd done the work for the first link, Warren Pratt, NR0V, inventor of Pure Signal and long-time running partner of Rob Sherwood, NC0B, demonstrated to me that the RX in the $900 ANAN transceiver could display fractional Hz resolution with 120 dB dynamic range with his software (for ANAN) running the radio. I bought one to use in my measurement lab! I've never used it as a transceiver. 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 arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Field Day Operation
Dave, et al, The K3s is one of several 1.8 to 54MHz transceivers that has suffered the consequences of using VMOS FETs in their final amplifiers. And some, even if tuned as well as possible to minimize splatter, will not be considered friendly neighbors on the congested bands of today. However, a new K3s Retrofit RF power amplifier is coming on the market that will resolve this problem and it may be seen in my W7YNC Bio at QRZ.com 73, Hal W7YNC > On 07/08/2023 7:39 AM PDT Dave wrote: > > > Almost any rig can turn from “one of the best” to “one of the worst” if it is > misadjusted. > > We as hams should be willing to provide constructive criticism to those with > issues and more importantly be willing to receive constructive criticism. > > 73 > Dave wo2x > > Sent from my waxed string and tin cans. > > > On Jul 8, 2023, at 10:24 AM, Andy Durbin wrote: > > > > Just a few comments on dirty signals and the rigs that can, if badly > > adjusted, produce them. > > > > I've been using a Kenwood TS-590S for about 10 years. I was asked to give > > a couple of digital modes presentations to the local club . I was seeing > > so many foul JT65, and now FT8 signals, that I wanted to use my TS-590S to > > produce bad signal examples and show the operator errors that caused them. > > I tried everything I knew and could not make my TS-590 produce anything but > > a clean signal. I had to resort to my library of screen captures of other > > station's signals for my presentation. > > > > On the other hand, one of the worst FT8 signals I ever saw was transmitted > > by a very experienced local operator using a K3. He fixed the problem as > > soon as he saw my screen shots. > > > > Just because someone told you the K3 is the best rig ever made does not > > mean it can't produce some really nasty signals! > > > > Andy, k3wyc > > > > > > __ > > Elecraft mailing list > > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > > Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > > > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > > Message delivered to rocke...@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 dyno...@comcast.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 Operation
Which begs the question(s), "Why would one engineer a radio that can be 'misadjusted' to create awful signals?" Adjustable keying rise/fall times comes to mind first I guess since there is one optimal shape and rise/fall times. All others are sub-optimal. "I want to generate clicks today so I'll just crank this knob down to 0 and make square waves today." Harks back to This is Spinal Tap. 73, Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW Sparks NV DM09dn Washoe County Dave wrote on 7/8/2023 7:39 AM: Almost any rig can turn from “one of the best” to “one of the worst” if it is misadjusted. We as hams should be willing to provide constructive criticism to those with issues and more importantly be willing to receive constructive criticism. 73 Dave wo2x Sent from my waxed string and tin cans. On Jul 8, 2023, at 10:24 AM, Andy Durbin wrote: Just a few comments on dirty signals and the rigs that can, if badly adjusted, produce them. I've been using a Kenwood TS-590S for about 10 years. I was asked to give a couple of digital modes presentations to the local club . I was seeing so many foul JT65, and now FT8 signals, that I wanted to use my TS-590S to produce bad signal examples and show the operator errors that caused them. I tried everything I knew and could not make my TS-590 produce anything but a clean signal. I had to resort to my library of screen captures of other station's signals for my presentation. On the other hand, one of the worst FT8 signals I ever saw was transmitted by a very experienced local operator using a K3. He fixed the problem as soon as he saw my screen shots. Just because someone told you the K3 is the best rig ever made does not mean it can't produce some really nasty signals! Andy, k3wyc -- 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 arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Field Day Operation
I don't have a TS-590S but I'm sure somebody who has one can tell you how. Crank up the audio drive from Windows (or whatever), run the TS-590S in USB mode and crank up the audio gain and compression, etc. It simply doesn't make sense that you can't overdrive a TS-590S. Dave AB7E On 7/8/2023 8:18 AM, Andy Durbin wrote: "but I guarantee that it can be easily done with a TS-590S as well. You just didn't do it right." Ok, please tell me how to do that. Specific settings please from a test that you actually ran with a TS-590S. My tests had all audio drive sliders to max and ALC meter hard on the stop. Clean signal for FT8 and PSK. I didn't believe that was possible until I ran the tests. Andy, k3wyc __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Field Day Operation
On Sat, Jul 8, 2023, 10:23 AM Andy Durbin wrote: > > On the other hand, one of the worst FT8 signals I ever saw was transmitted > by a very experienced local operator using a K3. > >>> A very experienced operator who apparently hadn't read the manual. -:) Jim - WS6X > __ 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 Operation
"but I guarantee that it can be easily done with a TS-590S as well. You just didn't do it right." Ok, please tell me how to do that. Specific settings please from a test that you actually ran with a TS-590S. My tests had all audio drive sliders to max and ALC meter hard on the stop. Clean signal for FT8 and PSK. I didn't believe that was possible until I ran the tests. Andy, k3wyc __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Field Day Operation
Of course a K3 can generate bad FT8 signals if you drive the audio hard enough, but I guarantee that it can be easily done with a TS-590S as well. You just didn't do it right. Dave AB7E On 7/8/2023 7:22 AM, Andy Durbin wrote: Just a few comments on dirty signals and the rigs that can, if badly adjusted, produce them. I've been using a Kenwood TS-590S for about 10 years. I was asked to give a couple of digital modes presentations to the local club . I was seeing so many foul JT65, and now FT8 signals, that I wanted to use my TS-590S to produce bad signal examples and show the operator errors that caused them. I tried everything I knew and could not make my TS-590 produce anything but a clean signal. I had to resort to my library of screen captures of other station's signals for my presentation. On the other hand, one of the worst FT8 signals I ever saw was transmitted by a very experienced local operator using a K3. He fixed the problem as soon as he saw my screen shots. Just because someone told you the K3 is the best rig ever made does not mean it can't produce some really nasty signals! Andy, k3wyc __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Field Day Operation
Almost any rig can turn from “one of the best” to “one of the worst” if it is misadjusted. We as hams should be willing to provide constructive criticism to those with issues and more importantly be willing to receive constructive criticism. 73 Dave wo2x Sent from my waxed string and tin cans. > On Jul 8, 2023, at 10:24 AM, Andy Durbin wrote: > > Just a few comments on dirty signals and the rigs that can, if badly > adjusted, produce them. > > I've been using a Kenwood TS-590S for about 10 years. I was asked to give a > couple of digital modes presentations to the local club . I was seeing so > many foul JT65, and now FT8 signals, that I wanted to use my TS-590S to > produce bad signal examples and show the operator errors that caused them. I > tried everything I knew and could not make my TS-590 produce anything but a > clean signal. I had to resort to my library of screen captures of other > station's signals for my presentation. > > On the other hand, one of the worst FT8 signals I ever saw was transmitted by > a very experienced local operator using a K3. He fixed the problem as soon > as he saw my screen shots. > > Just because someone told you the K3 is the best rig ever made does not mean > it can't produce some really nasty signals! > > Andy, k3wyc > > > __ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to rocke...@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
[Elecraft] Field Day Operation
Just a few comments on dirty signals and the rigs that can, if badly adjusted, produce them. I've been using a Kenwood TS-590S for about 10 years. I was asked to give a couple of digital modes presentations to the local club . I was seeing so many foul JT65, and now FT8 signals, that I wanted to use my TS-590S to produce bad signal examples and show the operator errors that caused them. I tried everything I knew and could not make my TS-590 produce anything but a clean signal. I had to resort to my library of screen captures of other station's signals for my presentation. On the other hand, one of the worst FT8 signals I ever saw was transmitted by a very experienced local operator using a K3. He fixed the problem as soon as he saw my screen shots. Just because someone told you the K3 is the best rig ever made does not mean it can't produce some really nasty signals! Andy, k3wyc __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Field Day Operation
Yes, as I understood it, the Icom rise time default is a BAD choice, but recent (e.g. IC7300 and others) radios permitted changing this to a better value, although still behind the cleaner output of Elecraft & Kenwood. The other interesting part of the discussion was the use of “pre distortion”. Again I read this as a way for the exciting transmitter to compensate for non-linearity (and resulting dirty emissions) introduced by a modern semiconductor based “linear” amplifier (one place where tubes excel). All new and interesting stuff to me - and apparently the driving force behind the ARRL “Clean Signal Initiative” to both define better standards, then rate transmitters in ARRL testing against these standards. And of course, encourage/coerce manufacturers to clean up their outputs! Steve > On Jul 1, 2023, at 3:33 PM, Jim Brown wrote: > > On 7/1/2023 10:34 AM, Steve L wrote: >> The IC7300 was among the better commercial transceivers in terms of spurious >> emissions, clicks, splatter, etc. It wasn’t at the top of the list (the K3s >> is however), but was in the “better” category. However, Rob recommended a >> change in the CW signal rise time to no less than 6 milliseconds - I forget >> which menu item it was - but he criticized Icom specifically for a default >> setting that induced key clicks. > > ICOM rigs are NOT among the cleaner ones -- that spot falls to Kenwood, which > is second to Elecraft (and, I suspect, Flex 6000 series, which I haven't > measured). > > Yes, adjustable rise time is a REALLY bad idea, which K6XX pointed out in > 2013, and which I measured on the air for K6XX's talk, in a neighbor's ICOM > rig. Slower is better, but Elecraft's is best by far, carefully shaped keying > waveform. > > 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 arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Field Day Operation
This is typical of what I see anytime I tune the phone bands from Yaesu rigs, except that the dynamic range my K4D is far better adjusted. I've been posting about this for a couple of years now. Around that time, W4TV had posted general comments about how it was happening. 73, Jim K9YC On 7/1/2023 6:44 AM, Wes wrote: How about publicly shaming the guy whose signal is occupying the band in this photo? Or is that receiver overload? https://photos.app.goo.gl/wJrLrryYkPrh7t1C8 __ 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 Operation
On 7/1/2023 10:34 AM, Steve L wrote: The IC7300 was among the better commercial transceivers in terms of spurious emissions, clicks, splatter, etc. It wasn’t at the top of the list (the K3s is however), but was in the “better” category. However, Rob recommended a change in the CW signal rise time to no less than 6 milliseconds - I forget which menu item it was - but he criticized Icom specifically for a default setting that induced key clicks. ICOM rigs are NOT among the cleaner ones -- that spot falls to Kenwood, which is second to Elecraft (and, I suspect, Flex 6000 series, which I haven't measured). Yes, adjustable rise time is a REALLY bad idea, which K6XX pointed out in 2013, and which I measured on the air for K6XX's talk, in a neighbor's ICOM rig. Slower is better, but Elecraft's is best by far, carefully shaped keying waveform. 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 arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Field Day Operation
There are some things in a transmitter that just should never be adjustable. There is an optimum rise time and waveshape for minimizing clicks. It is what it is, it's the best you can get, and there is no reason whatsoever to change it. Nearly a lifetime ago at a college ham station, there was a very large bright red button on the amplifier rack labeled "Do Not Press." Most every visitor did and discovered that nothing happened ... until they let go ... at which point a loud fire bell sounded. It could be silenced by pressing and holding the button. Give someone a knob and they will turn it. 73, Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW Sparks NV DM09dn Washoe County Steve L wrote on 7/1/2023 10:34 AM: George, The IC7300 was among the better commercial transceivers in terms of spurious emissions, clicks, splatter, etc. It wasn’t at the top of the list (the K3s is however), but was in the “better” category. However, Rob recommended a change in the CW signal rise time to no less than 6 milliseconds - I forget which menu item it was - but he criticized Icom specifically for a default setting that induced key clicks. Take a look at this presentation - while it is titled “Receiver Performance What is the Limit Today” he mixes discussion on transmit composite noise with receiver performance. It was really eye opening for me. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNh0wP9PlsM There are others on line as well. Steve AA8AF On Jul 1, 2023, at 12:06 PM, George Thornton wrote: I think this was an Icom 7300 but I am not sure. -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net On Behalf Of Steve L Sent: Saturday, July 1, 2023 8:47 AM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Field Day Operation I was wondering too about the huge signal in the center of the waterfall…. Hopefully, the ARRL “Clean Signal Initiative” will help encourage manufacturers to clean up these messy transceivers! I recently discovered several presentations by Rob Sherwood - famous for his receiver testing. I was fortunate to get to meet him at Hamvention this year and thanked him for his work. His new(?) message: CLEAN UP THE DIRTY TRANSMITTERS. And he calls out specific models! BTW, Elecraft was NOT on the lists, but it is surprising which ‘high end’ transceivers were. It’s worth reviewing his presentations on the subject - and it kept me from a bad upgrade! Steve AA8AF -- 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 arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Field Day Operation
On 7/1/2023 8:47 AM, Steve L wrote: I recently discovered several presentations by Rob Sherwood - famous for his receiver testing. I was fortunate to get to meet him at Hamvention this year and thanked him for his work. His new(?) message: CLEAN UP THE DIRTY TRANSMITTERS. And he calls out specific models! BTW, Elecraft was NOT on the lists, but it is surprising which ‘high end’ transceivers were. It’s worth reviewing his presentations on the subject - and it kept me from a bad upgrade! It's good to see that Rob has finally started paying attention to dirty transmit, but I started working on this ten years ago. My first publication was jointly with K6XX, the second an analysis of ARRL Labs data that they sent me in electronic form. The third consists of measurements in my own lab, using the P3/SVGA in my second radio. http://k9yc.com/K6XXAmpTalk.pdf (Published Nov 2013) http://k9yc.com/TXNoise.pdf (published July 2014) http://k9yc.com/P3_Spectrum_Measurements.pdf (published March 2015) When I leaked an early version of the ARRL data analysis to someone I strongly suspected would make sure that Yaesu saw it, they issued a firmware update that brought their flagship radio, the FTDX5000 from absolute worst to roughly even with the second worst, ICOM 7800. The March 2015 shows before and after measurements of a neighbor's Yaesu rig. While Rob is a great engineer and has done a lot to improve our receivers, there are some things he doesn't understand, and refuses to listen to what I've told him to fill in his gaps -- that audio is dynamic, and that traditional RF test signals are not the way to test SSB rigs. Rather pink noise, which has been used in pro audio for more than 40 years, is a far better test signal to expose defects in rigs, an example of which is, again, Yaesu! 73, Jim K9YC 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 arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Field Day Operation
George, The IC7300 was among the better commercial transceivers in terms of spurious emissions, clicks, splatter, etc. It wasn’t at the top of the list (the K3s is however), but was in the “better” category. However, Rob recommended a change in the CW signal rise time to no less than 6 milliseconds - I forget which menu item it was - but he criticized Icom specifically for a default setting that induced key clicks. Take a look at this presentation - while it is titled “Receiver Performance What is the Limit Today” he mixes discussion on transmit composite noise with receiver performance. It was really eye opening for me. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNh0wP9PlsM There are others on line as well. Steve AA8AF > On Jul 1, 2023, at 12:06 PM, George Thornton > wrote: > > I think this was an Icom 7300 but I am not sure. > > -Original Message- > From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net On > Behalf Of Steve L > Sent: Saturday, July 1, 2023 8:47 AM > To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Field Day Operation > > I was wondering too about the huge signal in the center of the waterfall…. > Hopefully, the ARRL “Clean Signal Initiative” will help encourage > manufacturers to clean up these messy transceivers! > > I recently discovered several presentations by Rob Sherwood - famous for his > receiver testing. I was fortunate to get to meet him at Hamvention this year > and thanked him for his work. His new(?) message: CLEAN UP THE DIRTY > TRANSMITTERS. And he calls out specific models! BTW, Elecraft was NOT on > the lists, but it is surprising which ‘high end’ transceivers were. It’s > worth reviewing his presentations on the subject - and it kept me from a bad > upgrade! > > Steve > AA8AF > >> On Jul 1, 2023, at 9:44 AM, Wes wrote: >> >> How about publicly shaming the guy whose signal is occupying the band in >> this photo? Or is that receiver overload? >>>> https://photos.app.goo.gl/wJrLrryYkPrh7t1C8 >> >> 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 gthorn...@thorntonmostullaw.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] Field Day Operation
Not at all. My understanding is that the receiving station was in the near field of the transmitting station. The shape of the signal looks consistent with the receiver being overloaded. I suspect at any distance the signal is just fine. But damnit Jim, I'm a graphic artist not an electrical engineer. ;-) On 7/1/23 9:09 AM, Wes wrote: I hope you're trying to be funny. On 7/1/2023 8:18 AM, Eric Fitzgerald wrote: Yes, it looks like a strong, clean signal to me. __ 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 kg6...@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] Field Day Operation
Many years ago, my contribution to a club Field Day effort was a set of single band low pass filters. Each one in a minibox with an SO-239 at each end. They seemed to help. Not for running CW & SSB on the same band, though. - Jerry, KF6VB - On 2023-07-01 08:13, Wes wrote: Retire that radio, operator or both. On 7/1/2023 7:33 AM, George Thornton wrote: Our group was a 6A. The signal was from the 20 meter voice station in our group. This station in the picture was GOTA operating under a separate call sign. The 20 meter voice station showed up large on our waterfall, but we kept elsewhere on the band and no problems. There was another station of ours operating CW on 20 meters, separated by about 400 ft. in elevation. We had no problems with them. Interestingly, at one point the 20 meter station chair contacted me and said he was being desensed by us and the 20 meter CW station. I think they were using an Icom rig. The conclusion, the K4 is just as well protected from adjacent station interference as the K3. Elecraft is the rig of choice in a multi-station operation. -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net On Behalf Of Wes Sent: Saturday, July 1, 2023 6:45 AM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Field Day Operation How about publicly shaming the guy whose signal is occupying the band in this photo? Or is that receiver overload? https://photos.app.goo.gl/wJrLrryYkPrh7t1C8 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 gthorn...@thorntonmostullaw.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 je...@tr2.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] Field Day Operation
I hope you're trying to be funny. On 7/1/2023 8:18 AM, Eric Fitzgerald wrote: Yes, it looks like a strong, clean signal to me. __ 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 Operation
I think this was an Icom 7300 but I am not sure. -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net On Behalf Of Steve L Sent: Saturday, July 1, 2023 8:47 AM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Field Day Operation I was wondering too about the huge signal in the center of the waterfall…. Hopefully, the ARRL “Clean Signal Initiative” will help encourage manufacturers to clean up these messy transceivers! I recently discovered several presentations by Rob Sherwood - famous for his receiver testing. I was fortunate to get to meet him at Hamvention this year and thanked him for his work. His new(?) message: CLEAN UP THE DIRTY TRANSMITTERS. And he calls out specific models! BTW, Elecraft was NOT on the lists, but it is surprising which ‘high end’ transceivers were. It’s worth reviewing his presentations on the subject - and it kept me from a bad upgrade! Steve AA8AF > On Jul 1, 2023, at 9:44 AM, Wes wrote: > > How about publicly shaming the guy whose signal is occupying the band in this > photo? Or is that receiver overload? >>> https://photos.app.goo.gl/wJrLrryYkPrh7t1C8 > > 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 gthorn...@thorntonmostullaw.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] Field Day Operation
I was wondering too about the huge signal in the center of the waterfall…. Hopefully, the ARRL “Clean Signal Initiative” will help encourage manufacturers to clean up these messy transceivers! I recently discovered several presentations by Rob Sherwood - famous for his receiver testing. I was fortunate to get to meet him at Hamvention this year and thanked him for his work. His new(?) message: CLEAN UP THE DIRTY TRANSMITTERS. And he calls out specific models! BTW, Elecraft was NOT on the lists, but it is surprising which ‘high end’ transceivers were. It’s worth reviewing his presentations on the subject - and it kept me from a bad upgrade! Steve AA8AF > On Jul 1, 2023, at 9:44 AM, Wes wrote: > > How about publicly shaming the guy whose signal is occupying the band in this > photo? Or is that receiver overload? >>> https://photos.app.goo.gl/wJrLrryYkPrh7t1C8 > > 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
Re: [Elecraft] Field Day Operation
Yes, it looks like a strong, clean signal to me. Funny how in the so called "weak signal" modes people will say that stations are "running too much power" but the never say they are "running too much antenna." ;-) 73 Eric KG6MZS On 7/1/23 7:33 AM, George Thornton wrote: The 20 meter voice station showed up large on our waterfall, but we kept elsewhere on the band and no problems. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Field Day Operation
Retire that radio, operator or both. On 7/1/2023 7:33 AM, George Thornton wrote: Our group was a 6A. The signal was from the 20 meter voice station in our group. This station in the picture was GOTA operating under a separate call sign. The 20 meter voice station showed up large on our waterfall, but we kept elsewhere on the band and no problems. There was another station of ours operating CW on 20 meters, separated by about 400 ft. in elevation. We had no problems with them. Interestingly, at one point the 20 meter station chair contacted me and said he was being desensed by us and the 20 meter CW station. I think they were using an Icom rig. The conclusion, the K4 is just as well protected from adjacent station interference as the K3. Elecraft is the rig of choice in a multi-station operation. -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net On Behalf Of Wes Sent: Saturday, July 1, 2023 6:45 AM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Field Day Operation How about publicly shaming the guy whose signal is occupying the band in this photo? Or is that receiver overload? https://photos.app.goo.gl/wJrLrryYkPrh7t1C8 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 gthorn...@thorntonmostullaw.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] Field Day Operation
Our group was a 6A. The signal was from the 20 meter voice station in our group. This station in the picture was GOTA operating under a separate call sign. The 20 meter voice station showed up large on our waterfall, but we kept elsewhere on the band and no problems. There was another station of ours operating CW on 20 meters, separated by about 400 ft. in elevation. We had no problems with them. Interestingly, at one point the 20 meter station chair contacted me and said he was being desensed by us and the 20 meter CW station. I think they were using an Icom rig. The conclusion, the K4 is just as well protected from adjacent station interference as the K3. Elecraft is the rig of choice in a multi-station operation. -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net On Behalf Of Wes Sent: Saturday, July 1, 2023 6:45 AM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Field Day Operation How about publicly shaming the guy whose signal is occupying the band in this photo? Or is that receiver overload? >> https://photos.app.goo.gl/wJrLrryYkPrh7t1C8 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 gthorn...@thorntonmostullaw.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] Field Day Operation
How about publicly shaming the guy whose signal is occupying the band in this photo? Or is that receiver overload? https://photos.app.goo.gl/wJrLrryYkPrh7t1C8 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
Re: [Elecraft] Field Day Operation
This was my station. I appreciate the suggestion and will see what we can do next year to increase the Man-Cave effect. Thanks for producing such a quality rig. It was a joy to use and was very popular with our GOTA operators. -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net On Behalf Of Wayne Burdick Sent: Friday, June 30, 2023 3:45 PM To: Michael Dinkelman Cc: Elecraft Reflector Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Field Day Operation Great photos, Mike. Half a dozen screens that size, plus some duct tape, would make a sturdy man-cave. Wayne > On Jun 30, 2023, at 3:14 PM, Michael Dinkelman wrote: > > K4D in operation at the Mike & Key GOTA station > > https://photos.app.goo.gl/q9T96tUYEwVQhtaq9 > https://photos.app.goo.gl/KV3ChVQ7JJSa8vsf9 > https://photos.app.goo.gl/wJrLrryYkPrh7t1C8 > > > > On 6/30/2023 12:40 PM, Dave New, N8SBE wrote: >> Eric, >> >> I promised Margaret some 'in action' K4D Field Day pictures. I haven't >> forgotten, just been very busy in the aftermath of our 4A Field Day effort >> this year so far. >> >> We've tried running 'cheap' GOTA stations over the previous few years, and >> except for a Kenwood TS-590S, everything else we've tried in the $1K-2K >> price category (or below) suffered badly from the other stations we were >> running at our FD site. An ICOM IC-7300 last year and an IC-7610 >> (surprisingly) this year both suffered from frontend overload. >> >> Considering the typical experience level of GOTA operators, trying to copy >> SSB when is it being interrupted continuously by the nearby CW station is >> very frustrating, and certainly not the kind of experience we'd like to give >> our GOTA station visitors. >> >> This year, after trying the IC-7610, we pulled it and subbed in my K3s/P3 >> that I had been holding in reserve in case my K4D didn't hold up. I'm happy >> to report my K4D ran with flying colors as our multi-band CW station (80M at >> night, 20M-10M during the day). >> >> We also ran two other K3/P3 stations (with upgraded LOs, etc), one on 40M >> CW, and the other on 40M SSB, and the last station ran multi-band SSB and >> FT8 digital and was a Yaesu FTdx101d (superhet architecture with 'vctune' >> frontend). I did notice a slight increase in my noise floor on my K4D when >> the Yaesu was running FT8 on the same band, but it really didn't effect our >> operation. Considering that 20M CW was on about 14.030 and FT8 on 14.074, we >> were relatively close to each other, but operated peacefully with out >> interference. >> >> My experience with K3's running 2.8 kHz or narrower roofing filters, we >> could get within 10-20 kHz of another station before we noticed any >> interference, and that was mainly due to the Tx IMD of the other stations. >> The K4D, without K4HD roof filters, seemed to tolerate getting within about >> 20 kHz before noticeable interference. Ditto for the Yaesu with it's >> roofing filter and 'vctune' technology. >> >> We topped 2000 contacts this year, with the CW stations making the majority >> of the contacts. We have some very good CW operators in the club, and they >> are 'QSO machines' on the Elecraft radios. >> >> 73, >> -- Dave, N8SBE >> >> On 2023-06-26 10:59, Wayne Burdick wrote: >>> Thanks for your comments, Eric. >>> >>> Note that the K4 shares the same pedigree, and weighs only 2 pounds more, >>> for the same reasons. >>> >>> 73, >>> Wayne >>> N6KR >>> 2A SCV __ 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 gthorn...@thorntonmostullaw.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] Field Day Operation
Great photos, Mike. Half a dozen screens that size, plus some duct tape, would make a sturdy man-cave. Wayne > On Jun 30, 2023, at 3:14 PM, Michael Dinkelman wrote: > > K4D in operation at the Mike & Key GOTA station > > https://photos.app.goo.gl/q9T96tUYEwVQhtaq9 > https://photos.app.goo.gl/KV3ChVQ7JJSa8vsf9 > https://photos.app.goo.gl/wJrLrryYkPrh7t1C8 > > > > On 6/30/2023 12:40 PM, Dave New, N8SBE wrote: >> Eric, >> >> I promised Margaret some 'in action' K4D Field Day pictures. I haven't >> forgotten, just been very busy in the aftermath of our 4A Field Day effort >> this year so far. >> >> We've tried running 'cheap' GOTA stations over the previous few years, and >> except for a Kenwood TS-590S, everything else we've tried in the $1K-2K >> price category (or below) suffered badly from the other stations we were >> running at our FD site. An ICOM IC-7300 last year and an IC-7610 >> (surprisingly) this year both suffered from frontend overload. >> >> Considering the typical experience level of GOTA operators, trying to copy >> SSB when is it being interrupted continuously by the nearby CW station is >> very frustrating, and certainly not the kind of experience we'd like to give >> our GOTA station visitors. >> >> This year, after trying the IC-7610, we pulled it and subbed in my K3s/P3 >> that I had been holding in reserve in case my K4D didn't hold up. I'm happy >> to report my K4D ran with flying colors as our multi-band CW station (80M at >> night, 20M-10M during the day). >> >> We also ran two other K3/P3 stations (with upgraded LOs, etc), one on 40M >> CW, and the other on 40M SSB, and the last station ran multi-band SSB and >> FT8 digital and was a Yaesu FTdx101d (superhet architecture with 'vctune' >> frontend). I did notice a slight increase in my noise floor on my K4D when >> the Yaesu was running FT8 on the same band, but it really didn't effect our >> operation. Considering that 20M CW was on about 14.030 and FT8 on 14.074, we >> were relatively close to each other, but operated peacefully with out >> interference. >> >> My experience with K3's running 2.8 kHz or narrower roofing filters, we >> could get within 10-20 kHz of another station before we noticed any >> interference, and that was mainly due to the Tx IMD of the other stations. >> The K4D, without K4HD roof filters, seemed to tolerate getting within about >> 20 kHz before noticeable interference. Ditto for the Yaesu with it's >> roofing filter and 'vctune' technology. >> >> We topped 2000 contacts this year, with the CW stations making the majority >> of the contacts. We have some very good CW operators in the club, and they >> are 'QSO machines' on the Elecraft radios. >> >> 73, >> -- Dave, N8SBE >> >> On 2023-06-26 10:59, Wayne Burdick wrote: >>> Thanks for your comments, Eric. >>> >>> Note that the K4 shares the same pedigree, and weighs only 2 pounds more, >>> for the same reasons. >>> >>> 73, >>> Wayne >>> N6KR >>> 2A SCV __ 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 Operation
K4D in operation at the Mike & Key GOTA station https://photos.app.goo.gl/q9T96tUYEwVQhtaq9 https://photos.app.goo.gl/KV3ChVQ7JJSa8vsf9 https://photos.app.goo.gl/wJrLrryYkPrh7t1C8 On 6/30/2023 12:40 PM, Dave New, N8SBE wrote: Eric, I promised Margaret some 'in action' K4D Field Day pictures. I haven't forgotten, just been very busy in the aftermath of our 4A Field Day effort this year so far. We've tried running 'cheap' GOTA stations over the previous few years, and except for a Kenwood TS-590S, everything else we've tried in the $1K-2K price category (or below) suffered badly from the other stations we were running at our FD site. An ICOM IC-7300 last year and an IC-7610 (surprisingly) this year both suffered from frontend overload. Considering the typical experience level of GOTA operators, trying to copy SSB when is it being interrupted continuously by the nearby CW station is very frustrating, and certainly not the kind of experience we'd like to give our GOTA station visitors. This year, after trying the IC-7610, we pulled it and subbed in my K3s/P3 that I had been holding in reserve in case my K4D didn't hold up. I'm happy to report my K4D ran with flying colors as our multi-band CW station (80M at night, 20M-10M during the day). We also ran two other K3/P3 stations (with upgraded LOs, etc), one on 40M CW, and the other on 40M SSB, and the last station ran multi-band SSB and FT8 digital and was a Yaesu FTdx101d (superhet architecture with 'vctune' frontend). I did notice a slight increase in my noise floor on my K4D when the Yaesu was running FT8 on the same band, but it really didn't effect our operation. Considering that 20M CW was on about 14.030 and FT8 on 14.074, we were relatively close to each other, but operated peacefully with out interference. My experience with K3's running 2.8 kHz or narrower roofing filters, we could get within 10-20 kHz of another station before we noticed any interference, and that was mainly due to the Tx IMD of the other stations. The K4D, without K4HD roof filters, seemed to tolerate getting within about 20 kHz before noticeable interference. Ditto for the Yaesu with it's roofing filter and 'vctune' technology. We topped 2000 contacts this year, with the CW stations making the majority of the contacts. We have some very good CW operators in the club, and they are 'QSO machines' on the Elecraft radios. 73, -- Dave, N8SBE On 2023-06-26 10:59, Wayne Burdick wrote: Thanks for your comments, Eric. Note that the K4 shares the same pedigree, and weighs only 2 pounds more, for the same reasons. 73, Wayne N6KR 2A SCV __ 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 mwd...@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] Field Day Operation
Eric, I promised Margaret some 'in action' K4D Field Day pictures. I haven't forgotten, just been very busy in the aftermath of our 4A Field Day effort this year so far. We've tried running 'cheap' GOTA stations over the previous few years, and except for a Kenwood TS-590S, everything else we've tried in the $1K-2K price category (or below) suffered badly from the other stations we were running at our FD site. An ICOM IC-7300 last year and an IC-7610 (surprisingly) this year both suffered from frontend overload. Considering the typical experience level of GOTA operators, trying to copy SSB when is it being interrupted continuously by the nearby CW station is very frustrating, and certainly not the kind of experience we'd like to give our GOTA station visitors. This year, after trying the IC-7610, we pulled it and subbed in my K3s/P3 that I had been holding in reserve in case my K4D didn't hold up. I'm happy to report my K4D ran with flying colors as our multi-band CW station (80M at night, 20M-10M during the day). We also ran two other K3/P3 stations (with upgraded LOs, etc), one on 40M CW, and the other on 40M SSB, and the last station ran multi-band SSB and FT8 digital and was a Yaesu FTdx101d (superhet architecture with 'vctune' frontend). I did notice a slight increase in my noise floor on my K4D when the Yaesu was running FT8 on the same band, but it really didn't effect our operation. Considering that 20M CW was on about 14.030 and FT8 on 14.074, we were relatively close to each other, but operated peacefully with out interference. My experience with K3's running 2.8 kHz or narrower roofing filters, we could get within 10-20 kHz of another station before we noticed any interference, and that was mainly due to the Tx IMD of the other stations. The K4D, without K4HD roof filters, seemed to tolerate getting within about 20 kHz before noticeable interference. Ditto for the Yaesu with it's roofing filter and 'vctune' technology. We topped 2000 contacts this year, with the CW stations making the majority of the contacts. We have some very good CW operators in the club, and they are 'QSO machines' on the Elecraft radios. 73, -- Dave, N8SBE On 2023-06-26 10:59, Wayne Burdick wrote: Thanks for your comments, Eric. Note that the K4 shares the same pedigree, and weighs only 2 pounds more, for the same reasons. 73, Wayne N6KR 2A SCV __ 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 Operation
Thanks, I just extracted that period from my log (DXBase) to take another look after all of these years. I operated only 20-meter SSB and took a break from 0718Z to 1347Z. There were a lot of two QSO/minutes and some three QSOs/min. So it's more like 88 Qs/hr :-) This predates my K3, so I was using a TS-870 and HB 3-el Yagi@45 feet. Obviously the band was in good shape. On 6/26/2023 7:43 PM, Al Lorona wrote: Wow. I can't even imagine working 1532 contacts in 24 hours. If, in fact, you stayed awake for 24 hours straight, that would have meant you maintained a 64 Q per hour rate for the duration. That's an incredible run for *any* contest. Congratulations, sir! __ 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 Operation
there IS a 100 W category. 500 W max for high power (this year). last year ALL limited to 100W 73, steve WB3LGC On 6/26/23 10:08 PM, jerry wrote: *** Didn't they make a rule this year that everybody's limited to 100W? - Jerry, KF6VB __ 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 Operation
Wow. I can't even imagine working 1532 contacts in 24 hours. If, in fact, you stayed awake for 24 hours straight, that would have meant you maintained a 64 Q per hour rate for the duration. That's an incredible run for *any* contest. Congratulations, sir! Yeah, I let my frustration out on the air when I probably shouldn't have... but the guy matched me rude-for-rude, that's for sure, and I've already explained that he was not a newbie. Not only is it against the rules to fail to identify, it's actually detrimental to him because he makes people wait a long time to hear his call sign, and that undoubtedly leads to lost contacts as people give up waiting and leave. He (and the others) shoulda known better. The only reason I continue to operate SSB on Field Day is because my two sons operate with me and, since they don't know CW, this allows them to participate with me, which so far has made it worth putting up with the circumstances I complain about. We again used the K2... the all-time, world's finest Field Day rig. Absolutely, flawlessly wonderful. Al W6LX >>>But looking back some years I operated either 1E or >>>1D and single-handedly worked 1040 Qs in 2001, 1357 in 2004, 1532 in 2005, >>>1093 >>>in 2007 and slowed down to 1075 in 2009. All on SSB and 100W. With a >>>regular >>>logging program and no voice recording. >>>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
Re: [Elecraft] Field Day Operation
On 2023-06-26 17:32, Jim Brown wrote: On 6/26/2023 4:08 PM, Wes wrote: You simply have to be nice to the inexperience operators and coach them along. It's far more than that -- far too many stations run high power. *** Didn't they make a rule this year that everybody's limited to 100W? - Jerry, KF6VB We added an SSB station one year from a 5,000 ft peak; it was a complete exercise in frustration. CW is FAR more effective under crowded band conditions. 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 je...@tr2.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] Field Day Operation
On 6/26/2023 4:08 PM, Wes wrote: You simply have to be nice to the inexperience operators and coach them along. It's far more than that -- far too many stations run high power. We added an SSB station one year from a 5,000 ft peak; it was a complete exercise in frustration. CW is FAR more effective under crowded band conditions. 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 arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Field Day Operation
I don't understand the knock on SSB. (I'm a few away from Honor Roll on CW so I do that mode too). I haven't operated FD for years, since I've outlived the guys I used to mountain top with and it's to damn hot here in the valley to be in the field. (107F as I write). But looking back some years I operated either 1E or 1D and single-handedly worked 1040 Qs in 2001, 1357 in 2004, 1532 in 2005, 1093 in 2007 and slowed down to 1075 in 2009. All on SSB and 100W. With a regular logging program and no voice recording. You simply have to be nice to the inexperience operators and coach them along. I never have understood the contestor types who get so wound up, frantic and rude. My 2 cents. Wes N7WS On 6/26/2023 7:29 AM, Wilson Lamb via Elecraft wrote: I know it's OT, but want to comment on FD operation here in NC. I wouldn't even consider going on SSB for FD!But our SSB station on 40/15 made over 700 QSO, with several ops of modest experience but sensible people. K3 and double bazooka. They were pleased. I made almost 400 CW QSOs, K3 and 80m dipole/window line/MFJ tuner. I had a 98% success when calling and many replies, often multiples, when running. There were MANY strong signals on 40 and 20 at all hours I was on, so I didn't do 80. Almost all CW was good, partly thanks to computer keying, and I encountered maybe three poor ops, not rude, just inexperienced/unpracticed. I like SK and used it about 30% of the time. I prefer SK for FD, because one can taylor speed/weight style to conditions and other op's experience. There's no reason to expect everyone to deal with 25 WPM from the computer. They all did fine with 15 WPM from the SK, sometimes with the dahs stretched a little. The little rudeness seen was obviously competent ops who couldn't muster the manners to wait their turn. A couple times I had to ignore them several times to ever get my weaker station's exchange! I expect they are the same people who call DX stations when the DX is trying to reply to someone else. Owning a big station and expensive gear IS NOT empowerment to trounce everyone in your way! All in all, one could hardly ask for better conditions and operation. Most, NOT ALL, people who go to the trouble to learn CW seem to pick up some manners along the way! Of course, there are many fine SSB ops, including a couple of our XYLs, but the low bar to entry does cause problems! Perhaps we need a new mode designator, CBSSB? One problem I see is that people have the feeling that a slipshod antenna, or a commercial whizbang/wonderthingy, will get them by. It does, but with many fewer QSOs and more frustration than they could have with a little more work! After 66 years of hamming, I'm becoming fonder of ladder line and window line. The commercial window line has saved my bacon many times and tolerates more poor practice than expected. After some outdoor tuner problems, I gave up "proper" practice and ran my window line under our van and up through the port in the floor, past many other cables, to my little MFJ tuner. It worked very well, as reported above. Yes, I may have lost a dB or two, but the flat top at 65 feet got them back! Besides, there's no connector problem and I can make fine splices in one minute, using a pocket knife and a pair of pliers! I expect a better BALUN would get me a dB back, but the tiny one in the MFJ seems to be fine at 100W. We also had successful K3 digi which were successful, as was our HB BBQ/potluck dinner for 35 ops! End of OT report. Did YOU work W4EZ? Wilson W4BOH __ 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 wes_n...@triconet.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 arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Field Day Operation
Wilson,Yes, I did work W4EZ. Our club closed down Sunday morning and I went home, put my trusty K3S on the battery and ran a combination of phone and CW for the last three hours of Field Day.Worked W4EZ on 40 phone at 1527 on Sunday73Mike KC8WHSent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone Original message From: Wilson Lamb via Elecraft Date: 6/26/23 10:30 AM (GMT-05:00) To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] Field Day Operation I know it's OT, but want to comment on FD operation here in NC.I wouldn't even consider going on SSB for FD!But our SSB station on 40/15 made over 700 QSO, with several ops of modest experience but sensible people. K3 and double bazooka. They were pleased.I made almost 400 CW QSOs, K3 and 80m dipole/window line/MFJ tuner. I had a 98% success when calling and many replies, often multiples, when running.There were MANY strong signals on 40 and 20 at all hours I was on, so I didn't do 80.Almost all CW was good, partly thanks to computer keying, and I encountered maybe three poor ops, not rude, just inexperienced/unpracticed. I like SK and used it about 30% of the time. I prefer SK for FD, because one can taylor speed/weight style to conditions and other op's experience. There's no reason to expect everyone to deal with 25 WPM from the computer. They all did fine with 15 WPM from the SK, sometimes with the dahs stretched a little.The little rudeness seen was obviously competent ops who couldn't muster the manners to wait their turn.A couple times I had to ignore them several times to ever get my weaker station's exchange! I expect they are the same people who call DX stations when the DX is trying to reply to someone else. Owning a big station and expensive gear IS NOT empowerment to trounce everyone in your way!All in all, one could hardly ask for better conditions and operation. Most, NOT ALL, people who go to the trouble to learn CW seem to pick up some manners along the way! Of course, there are many fine SSB ops, including a couple of our XYLs, but the low bar to entry does cause problems! Perhaps we need a new mode designator, CBSSB?One problem I see is that people have the feeling that a slipshod antenna, or a commercial whizbang/wonderthingy, will get them by. It does, but with many fewer QSOs and more frustration than they could have with a little more work!After 66 years of hamming, I'm becoming fonder of ladder line and window line. The commercial window line has saved my bacon many times and tolerates more poor practice than expected. After some outdoor tuner problems, I gave up "proper" practice and ran my window line under our van and up through the port in the floor, past many other cables, to my little MFJ tuner. It worked very well, as reported above. Yes, I may have lost a dB or two, but the flat top at 65 feet got them back! Besides, there's no connector problem and I can make fine splices in one minute, using a pocket knife and a pair of pliers! I expect a better BALUN would get me a dB back, but the tiny one in the MFJ seems to be fine at 100W.We also had successful K3 digi which were successful, as was our HB BBQ/potluck dinner for 35 ops!End of OT report. Did YOU work W4EZ?WilsonW4BOH__Elecraft mailing listHome: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraftHelp: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htmPost: mailto:elecr...@mailman.qth.netThis list hosted by: http://www.qsl.netPlease help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.htmlMessage delivered to kc8wh...@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] Field Day Operation
Wayne, I suspect that after the software becomes more stable, and more folks use the K4, it will replace the K3 for DX operations... The question now becomes, will it fit in a RIB setup. DX is changing... 73, and thanks, Dave (NK7Z) https://www.nk7z.net ARRL Volunteer Examiner ARRL Technical Specialist, RFI ARRL Asst. Director, NW Division, Technical Resources On 6/26/23 07:59, Wayne Burdick wrote: Thanks for your comments, Eric. Note that the K4 shares the same pedigree, and weighs only 2 pounds more, for the same reasons. 73, Wayne N6KR 2A SCV On Jun 26, 2023, at 7:56 AM, Eric Fitzgerald wrote: Every time I take my K3 out into the field - be it Field Day, POTA, SOTA or grid activations - I marvel at how well designed this transceiver is for portable operation. From the informative display, to the practical power/ALC settings for soundcard digital operation, to the miserly power consumption; this radio shines over all the other rigs I have operated portable. It is a pleasure to operate out of the shack. Thank you Elecraft for devising a machine to match the portable operator's needs. Bravo! Eric KG6MZS 2E LAX __ 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 d...@nk7z.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 Operation
I used a kx1, operating FD with emergency power (batteries internal to kx1). I used two sets of batteries. The maximum output was 1.5 watts but after 2.5 hours of operating power output dropped to .5 watts. So, I used another set of fresh batteries to operate a total of 5.5 hours. I made 70 contacts on 20m and 59 on 40m. Of course I have large antennas. However, I was surprised by how well the receiver did using my home-station antennas (yagis)! Dynamic range was not an issue but there was some I-F "blowby," on very strong signals but many dB down from other signals. ...amazing performance for such a simple radio. 73. Will, wj9b CWops #1085 CWA Advisor levels II and III http://cwops.org/ On Monday, June 26, 2023 at 08:59:45 AM MDT, Wayne Burdick wrote: Thanks for your comments, Eric. Note that the K4 shares the same pedigree, and weighs only 2 pounds more, for the same reasons. 73, Wayne N6KR 2A SCV > On Jun 26, 2023, at 7:56 AM, Eric Fitzgerald wrote: > > Every time I take my K3 out into the field - be it Field Day, POTA, SOTA or > grid activations - I marvel at how well designed this transceiver is for > portable operation. From the informative display, to the practical power/ALC > settings for soundcard digital operation, to the miserly power consumption; > this radio shines over all the other rigs I have operated portable. It is a > pleasure to operate out of the shack. > > Thank you Elecraft for devising a machine to match the portable operator's > needs. > > Bravo! > > Eric > > KG6MZS 2E LAX __ 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 wlba...@bellsouth.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 Operation
Thanks for your comments, Eric. Note that the K4 shares the same pedigree, and weighs only 2 pounds more, for the same reasons. 73, Wayne N6KR 2A SCV > On Jun 26, 2023, at 7:56 AM, Eric Fitzgerald wrote: > > Every time I take my K3 out into the field - be it Field Day, POTA, SOTA or > grid activations - I marvel at how well designed this transceiver is for > portable operation. From the informative display, to the practical power/ALC > settings for soundcard digital operation, to the miserly power consumption; > this radio shines over all the other rigs I have operated portable. It is a > pleasure to operate out of the shack. > > Thank you Elecraft for devising a machine to match the portable operator's > needs. > > Bravo! > > Eric > > KG6MZS 2E LAX __ 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 Operation
Every time I take my K3 out into the field - be it Field Day, POTA, SOTA or grid activations - I marvel at how well designed this transceiver is for portable operation. From the informative display, to the practical power/ALC settings for soundcard digital operation, to the miserly power consumption; this radio shines over all the other rigs I have operated portable. It is a pleasure to operate out of the shack. Thank you Elecraft for devising a machine to match the portable operator's needs. Bravo! Eric KG6MZS 2E LAX On 6/26/23 7:29 AM, Wilson Lamb via Elecraft wrote: K3 and double bazooka. __ 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 Operation
Hi Wilson, Contrats on your successful FD effort. Wayne N6KR > On Jun 26, 2023, at 7:29 AM, Wilson Lamb via Elecraft > wrote: > > I know it's OT, but want to comment on FD operation here in NC. > I wouldn't even consider going on SSB for FD!But our SSB station on 40/15 > made over 700 QSO, with several ops of modest experience but sensible people. > K3 and double bazooka. They were pleased. > I made almost 400 CW QSOs, K3 and 80m dipole/window line/MFJ tuner. > I had a 98% success when calling and many replies, often multiples, when > running. > There were MANY strong signals on 40 and 20 at all hours I was on, so I > didn't do 80. > Almost all CW was good, partly thanks to computer keying, and I encountered > maybe three poor ops, not rude, just inexperienced/unpracticed. I like SK > and used it about 30% of the time. I prefer SK for FD, because one can > taylor speed/weight style to conditions and other op's experience. There's > no reason to expect everyone to deal with 25 WPM from the computer. They all > did fine with 15 WPM from the SK, sometimes with the dahs stretched a little. > The little rudeness seen was obviously competent ops who couldn't muster the > manners to wait their turn. > A couple times I had to ignore them several times to ever get my weaker > station's exchange! I expect they are the same people who call DX stations > when the DX is trying to reply to someone else. Owning a big station and > expensive gear IS NOT empowerment to trounce everyone in your way! > All in all, one could hardly ask for better conditions and operation. Most, > NOT ALL, people who go to the trouble to learn CW seem to pick up some > manners along the way! Of course, there are many fine SSB ops, including a > couple of our XYLs, but the low bar to entry does cause problems! > Perhaps we need a new mode designator, CBSSB? > > > One problem I see is that people have the feeling that a slipshod antenna, or > a commercial whizbang/wonderthingy, will get them by. It does, but with many > fewer QSOs and more frustration than they could have with a little more work! > After 66 years of hamming, I'm becoming fonder of ladder line and window > line. The commercial window line has saved my bacon many times and tolerates > more poor practice than expected. After some outdoor tuner problems, I gave > up "proper" practice and ran my window line under our van and up through the > port in the floor, past many other cables, to my little MFJ tuner. It worked > very well, as reported above. Yes, I may have lost a dB or two, but the flat > top at 65 feet got them back! Besides, there's no connector problem and I > can make fine splices in one minute, using a pocket knife and a pair of > pliers! I expect a better BALUN would get me a dB back, but the tiny one in > the MFJ seems to be fine at 100W. > > > We also had successful K3 digi which were successful, as was our HB > BBQ/potluck dinner for 35 ops! > > > End of OT report. Did YOU work W4EZ? > > > Wilson > W4BOH __ 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] Field Day Operation
I know it's OT, but want to comment on FD operation here in NC. I wouldn't even consider going on SSB for FD!But our SSB station on 40/15 made over 700 QSO, with several ops of modest experience but sensible people. K3 and double bazooka. They were pleased. I made almost 400 CW QSOs, K3 and 80m dipole/window line/MFJ tuner. I had a 98% success when calling and many replies, often multiples, when running. There were MANY strong signals on 40 and 20 at all hours I was on, so I didn't do 80. Almost all CW was good, partly thanks to computer keying, and I encountered maybe three poor ops, not rude, just inexperienced/unpracticed. I like SK and used it about 30% of the time. I prefer SK for FD, because one can taylor speed/weight style to conditions and other op's experience. There's no reason to expect everyone to deal with 25 WPM from the computer. They all did fine with 15 WPM from the SK, sometimes with the dahs stretched a little. The little rudeness seen was obviously competent ops who couldn't muster the manners to wait their turn. A couple times I had to ignore them several times to ever get my weaker station's exchange! I expect they are the same people who call DX stations when the DX is trying to reply to someone else. Owning a big station and expensive gear IS NOT empowerment to trounce everyone in your way! All in all, one could hardly ask for better conditions and operation. Most, NOT ALL, people who go to the trouble to learn CW seem to pick up some manners along the way! Of course, there are many fine SSB ops, including a couple of our XYLs, but the low bar to entry does cause problems! Perhaps we need a new mode designator, CBSSB? One problem I see is that people have the feeling that a slipshod antenna, or a commercial whizbang/wonderthingy, will get them by. It does, but with many fewer QSOs and more frustration than they could have with a little more work! After 66 years of hamming, I'm becoming fonder of ladder line and window line. The commercial window line has saved my bacon many times and tolerates more poor practice than expected. After some outdoor tuner problems, I gave up "proper" practice and ran my window line under our van and up through the port in the floor, past many other cables, to my little MFJ tuner. It worked very well, as reported above. Yes, I may have lost a dB or two, but the flat top at 65 feet got them back! Besides, there's no connector problem and I can make fine splices in one minute, using a pocket knife and a pair of pliers! I expect a better BALUN would get me a dB back, but the tiny one in the MFJ seems to be fine at 100W. We also had successful K3 digi which were successful, as was our HB BBQ/potluck dinner for 35 ops! End of OT report. Did YOU work W4EZ? Wilson W4BOH __ 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
