Re: [Elecraft] how to optimize end-fed?

This discussion makes me wonder if the ARRL Handbook and the ARRL Antenna Book have somehow been banned! This is BASIC antennas, guys. This is not CB radio, it is ham radio, and we're supposed to be able to study this stuff and figure it out! Building antennas is one the easiest parts of ham

Re: [Elecraft] how to optimize end-fed?

I have such a tuner that I built years ago because my favorite antennas are doublets (center fed wires of various lengths) or, when necessary, an end fed wire. In the latter case I prefer a 1/2 or multiple of 1/2 wave long wire because the very high impedance at the feed point means very low

Re: [Elecraft] external auto tuner for K3?

KAT500 works well. Sent from my iPad > On Sep 29, 2016, at 8:57 PM, Jamie WW3S wrote: > > Any thoughts or suggestions? I have the internal Elecraft tuner, but looking > for something I can place on the antenna side of the bandpass filter >

Re: [Elecraft] gennovation keypad

On Thu, 2016-09-29 at 17:52 -0700, Dave Cole wrote: > On Thu, 2016-09-29 at 21:11 +, P.J.Hicks wrote: > > > > As stated before, I have used a G-keypad on my KX3 for several years > > and it is convenient and works well. However I have not been able to > > make it work with the K3 in any of

[Elecraft] external auto tuner for K3?

Any thoughts or suggestions? I have the internal Elecraft tuner, but looking for something I can place on the antenna side of the bandpass filter __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help:

Re: [Elecraft] gennovation keypad

On Thu, 2016-09-29 at 21:11 +, P.J.Hicks wrote: > As stated before, I have used a G-keypad on my KX3 for several years > and it is convenient and works well. However I have not been able to > make it work with the K3 in any of the ways I have tried to set it up. Nor have I, and I have tried

Re: [Elecraft] how to optimize end-fed?

Mel, Your points are well taken when you are feeding an end-fed half wave or a radiator of a multiple of a half wave. The ideal parallel tank circuit should be fed with a coupling coil that is isolated from the larger secondary coil - that reduces or eliminates common mode currents in the

Re: [Elecraft] how to optimize end-fed?

Fred said it right,  Let me go to another side of the question.  No auto-transformer can match all of the antenna reflected impedances,  but using a parallel tank circuit to ground CAN.  The beauty of this arrangement is that you can tap the coil on the input of the coil and tap the output

Re: [Elecraft] K2 - low power/reception on 80m

Phil, Don't be too quick to draw that conclusion. Note that everything in the Low Pass Filter will appear to be connected to ground at DC. If you want to make a valid DC resistance check, you have to lift lead 4 of T4 and re-measure. Good that you have isolated it to the base K2. Take a

Re: [Elecraft] K2 - low power/reception on 80m

Hi, thanks Matt & Don for your messages. The issue is located on the K2, not on the PA I checked K3 and K8. K3 looks fine but it looks like I have a shortcut between the pins 7-8-9. I will get another relay and change K8. Thanks again Cheers, -- Phil F5IYJ / NK2F

Re: [Elecraft] MH-2 Mic with Kenwood

Jack and all, Not all microphones are created equal, and you have to know something about the microphone characteristics and the capability of the transceiver that you want it to work with. Quite generally, there are 2 classes of microphones - dynamic and electret (condenser) types. The

Re: [Elecraft] Need of an external sound card with the KX2

Howard, One downside to using an internal soundcard is that many have a higher noise level than external USB soundcards (the SignaLink is *not* among the quietest). The second is that the internal (default) soundcard will be the one that produces the sounds used by your OS, and you certainly

[Elecraft] gennovation keypad

I have been trying to follow the adventures of those of you interested in using a Genovation Keypad with a K3 or K3s and I believe the waters have become muddied a bit. I think the gentleman wants to do what i want to do and that is to use a Genovation connected to the radio without having a P3

Re: [Elecraft] "Random wire" vs Buddystick - myth, bias or luck?

Note: Even if you don't know CW, you can program a memory in the radio using the K3/K3S/KX3 utility to send the sequence. Just press the button to sent the sequence and look at the reverse beacon network. 73 Bill AE6JV On 9/29/16 at 3:47 AM, k...@charter.net (Larry Gauthier (K8UT)) wrote:

[Elecraft] Need of an external sound card with the KX2

I plan to do some light weight travel with my KX2 running JT65, JT9 etc in the future. Can I connect the audio in and out ports of the KX2 directly into my laptop or will I need an external device like a Signal Link. If not needed how will the software key the KX2? Howard AE3T

Re: [Elecraft] how to optimize end-fed?

> Am I right to assume that the ATU settings with the lowest L is > always the best? I don't know exactly what you mean by "best," but you said "always" so I'd say no. If the length of your wire is in the vicinity of n * 90 degrees where n is any odd integer, it will have a low-ish impedance

Re: [Elecraft] KX3 temporary high SWR on PTT with external Amplifier

Hello, thanks for all your comments. Okay, that's what I supposed it was going on. I'll try to find a way to get out of this and make the amp switches earlier. Take care, 73 Ignacio -- View this message in context:

Re: [Elecraft] MH-2 Mic with Kenwood

BillthanksJackW4GRJ Sent from my T-Mobile 4G LTE Device Original message From: Nr4c Date: 9/29/16 16:21 (GMT-05:00) To: Jack Satterfield Cc: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] MH-2 Mic with Kenwood Yes. Replace

Re: [Elecraft] genovation keypad

On Thu, 2016-09-29 at 13:06 -0700, Wes Stewart wrote: >  From a thread on _your_ blog N7PXY wrote: > > "I use a K3 but do not use a P3. Is there a way to have the keypad > send the     macros to the K3 directly?" > > You replied in part: > > "Probably by using the serial port on the K3,

Re: [Elecraft] KX3 temporary high SWR on PTT with external Amplifier

Not a cheap solution, but Heil produces a foot switch that sequences the key line. Of course this requires some wiring. Bill K9YEQ -Original Message- From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Don Wilhelm Sent: Thursday, September 29, 2016 1:08 PM To: EA2BD

Re: [Elecraft] MH-2 Mic with Kenwood

Yes. Replace it with a dynamic mic. The MH2 is an electret mic and requires bias. It is possible to build an interface that will supply the bias. Sent from my iPhone ...nr4c. bill > On Sep 29, 2016, at 3:52 PM, Jack Satterfield wrote: > > Trying to use the MH-2 mic

Re: [Elecraft] genovation keypad

From a thread on _your_ blog N7PXY wrote: "I use a K3 but do not use a P3. Is there a way to have the keypad send the macros to the K3 directly?" You replied in part: "Probably by using the serial port on the K3, but you would have to save the Macros themselves in the

[Elecraft] MH-2 Mic with Kenwood

Trying to use the MH-2 mic with a Kenwood radio. It keys the transmitter but no audio, do I need to do anything to the mic for it to work with Kenwood HF radio? Thanks, Jack __ Elecraft mailing list Home:

[Elecraft] how to optimize end-fed?

Hi all, I have an end-fed antenna with some random wire. The UNUN at one end of it has three sockets to plug the random wire in: 1:4, 1:9 and 1:16. My KX3 has the built-in ATU. I now want to find out on which band I best use which one of the sockets. As a first step, I wrote a simple program

Re: [Elecraft] K-Pod macros Around?

See the Owner's Manual (rev C) that I provided the link to: http://www.elecraft.com/manual/E740285%20KPOD%20Owner's%20Manual%20Rev%20C.p df >From Page 7, "Operating the K-Pod": "Macros are launched at the K-Pod using tap and hold presses of switches F1 through F8 just as you tap and hold front

Re: [Elecraft] genovation keypad

On Thu, 2016-09-29 at 11:46 -0700, Wes Stewart wrote: > Oh, dear me.  Maybe I should have said, "in the radio equipment as > opposed to in the keypad." Probably would have been a good idea on your part to actually say what you are trying to communicate. > > The Genovation "solution" isn't a

Re: [Elecraft] genovation keypad

Oh, dear me. Maybe I should have said, "in the radio equipment as opposed to in the keypad." The Genovation "solution" isn't a solution. The commands don't live in the keyboard which was my expressed desire. But of course you knew that. On 9/29/2016 10:15 AM, Dave Cole wrote: On Thu,

Re: [Elecraft] KX3 temporary high SWR on PTT with external Amplifier

Ignacio, The amplifier is not switching to the transmit state within the time between when the KX3 pulls PTT low and the time RF appears. I believe that time is about 8 milliseconds. Yes, your KX3 is working into an open load when that happens - hence the high SWR. That condition is known as

Re: [Elecraft] "Random wire" vs Buddystick - myth, bias or luck?

Hi Michael, Couple of points - - Just about any random wire will work on some bands. "Work" just means you can tune it with the ATU, but it may or may not be very efficient. Otoh, putting *any* signal on the air is better than none. Tuning will be easiest the closer to odd multiples of a

Re: [Elecraft] genovation keypad

On Thu, 2016-09-29 at 06:50 -0700, Wes Stewart wrote: > Where did I say anything about a P3? You didn't-- in fact, you specifically limited your comments to, "*not in the radio*", hence why I am pointing out that the Genovation meets your stated criteria-- "*not in the radio*".  I bring up where

Re: [Elecraft] "Random wire" vs Buddystick - myth, bias or luck?

Thanks Matt: This is pretty close to what I have, but I’ve done a 36’ radiator and 13’ counterpoise. So maybe it’s in the details. I have my antenna wire (100’) wound on a kite string winder. I spool out what I calculate I need and the other end is connected to my BNC/banana adapter. So I have

Re: [Elecraft] "Random wire" vs Buddystick - myth, bias or luck?

Hi Michael, If your KX3 has the ATU, you can use the following random wire for 20 through 10m, and it will work under all conditions I've come across. I've used it on 40m as well, but there are more dependencies on height of the radiator (to be effective). 28 foot radiator (I use #20

Re: [Elecraft] KX3 temporary high SWR on PTT with external Amplifier

Yes, the switching time in the amplifier is too slow,  hence you need to consider sequencing the amp keying so that it keys first then the KX3.  Sounds like the amp has a relay vs solid state switching.  Mel, K6KBE From: EA2BD via Elecraft To:

Re: [Elecraft] "Random wire" vs Buddystick - myth, bias or luck?

Thanks everyone! Larry's was great, quickly actionable advice. I’ll do this the next time I go out. I don’t have a shack, and am still hunting around for a spot where I can try some of the other great suggestions (that I can fit in my backpack and if I actually find a spot where I can string up

[Elecraft] KX3 temporary high SWR on PTT with external Amplifier

Hello, I want to check if anyone experiences the same behaviour when connecting the KX3 to an external amplifier. - I receintly added an external amplifier to my KX3. - I connected the PTT cable to the ACC2 port and to the amplifier. - I set the Menu ACC2 on the KX3 to Active low, as specified. -

Re: [Elecraft] "Random wire" vs Buddystick - myth, bias or luck?

That's great advice, Larry! Bill K9YEQ -Original Message- From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Larry Gauthier (K8UT) The most likely answer is "it depends." Despite the theoretical differences between the antennas, there are situational differences where

Re: [Elecraft] "Random wire" vs Buddystick - myth, bias or luck?

I will tell you I have always tested random wire and ready made and home made vertical PVC and wire vertical antenna. I have always gotten better results from my vertical antennas. You can go to YouTube or on my QRZ page go to the bottom of the page and click on the video. I have been doing

Re: [Elecraft] K2 - low power/reception on 80m

Phillippe, There are several things that could be wrong. First determine if it is a problem with the base K2 or the KPA100. To accomplish that, you will have to physically remove the KPA100, unplug the 4 cables and power the base K2 from the 2.1mm coaxial power jack on the lower rear panel.

Re: [Elecraft] "Random wire" vs Buddystick - myth, bias or luck?

I have used both a Buddipole and wire antennas out in the field during various birding trips — while my wife is stalking feathered friends with her camera, I set up a nice field operation with my KX3 and antennas. Often I have my pickup and I used to have great performance with an inverted-V

[Elecraft] K3 remote question

I have my remote setup tested and working OK with the RemoteRigs. The one thing I'd like to add is visibility of the P3. I have a webcam set up and operational to view the screen using TeamViewer. However, the K3 freq info doesn't get to the P3 since there is now no connection between the two.

Re: [Elecraft] "Random wire" vs Buddystick - myth, bias or luck?

I take some degree of umbrage with all of the comments that classify a shortened loaded vertical as a dummy load and a random wire (with or without a 9:1 balun, etc) as always better. I regularly use both. If I’m at the beach, I guess I could have two friends hold a 35’ wire 5’ off the

Re: [Elecraft] genovation keypad

Where did I say anything about a P3? On 9/28/2016 9:20 PM, Dave Cole wrote: On Wed, 2016-09-28 at 16:13 -0700, Wes Stewart wrote: And therein is the rub. All of these schemes, including the K-Pod, I believe, require recording macros *in the radio* and recalling them with button pushes,

Re: [Elecraft] K-Pod macros Around?

Gary and all, The K-Pod buttons activate macros 1 thru 16. For instance, a hold of the F1 button activates Macro 1 and a tap activates Macro 9. So you create a Macro for those macro numbers. It is a subtle point, but you do not assign the K-Pod buttons to any random macro, that is

Re: [Elecraft] "Random wire" vs Buddystick - myth, bias or luck?

When explaining low swr vs antenna efficiency I use the example of a dummy load perfect swr but not a very good antenna. Jack W4GRJ -Original Message- From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Bill Frantz Sent: Thursday, September 29, 2016 1:54 AM To:

Re: [Elecraft] K-Pod macros Around?

On Wed, 2016-09-28 at 20:53 -0700, Nick Garner wrote: > Hi Gary, > A few weeks ago I made this website to help with the creation of > macros. > > http://pignology.net/emm/ > > 73, > Nick > N3WG That is a pretty cool page Nick...  :) -- 73's, and thanks, Dave (NK7Z) For software/hardware

Re: [Elecraft] "Random wire" vs Buddystick - myth, bias or luck?

Michael - unless you are interested in experimenting regarding this project, I have found the most effective, portable, flexible and lightweight wire antenna system for 20 meters is the PAR-20 EndFedz antenna system from LNR Precision. You can configure it as a vertical, horizontal or slanted

Re: [Elecraft] "Random wire" vs Buddystick - myth, bias or luck?

Michael A. Wong (who declines to provide his call sign) writes; > KX3 and Buddistick owner here. Great on the former...my sympathies on the latter. :-) > Mainly, I'm on 20m and maybe I haven't read the right book on random wire > antennas, Remove the words "maybe" and "random wire". If you

Re: [Elecraft] "Random wire" vs Buddystick - myth, bias or luck?

The most likely answer is "it depends." Despite the theoretical differences between the antennas, there are situational differences where one will out-perform the other: quality of ground, height, propagation, direction to receiving station... BUT, you can measure those differences yourself.

Re: [Elecraft] "Random wire" vs Buddystick - myth, bias or luck?

Michael, If received signals are stronger on the wire, almost certainly transmitted ones are too. If you really want to know which is better, arrange some way to switch between them quickly so you can do an a-b comparison. With the K3's tuner, this is easy, but I believe the KX3 tuner only

Re: [Elecraft] K2 - low power/reception on 80m

Sticky relay? 73, Matt VK2RQ On Thu, Sep 29, 2016 at 5:32 PM +1000, "Philippe" wrote: Hi, I bought an used K2/100 with an issue on 80m: - RF is low (less than 1 watt) even when PWR set to 100W - reception sensibility is low as well, I need to switch the

[Elecraft] K2 - low power/reception on 80m

Hi, I bought an used K2/100 with an issue on 80m: - RF is low (less than 1 watt) even when PWR set to 100W - reception sensibility is low as well, I need to switch the PRE to hear something on the band. - all other bands are doing fine (good sensibility, 100W+) I first though about the