Fw: [Elecraft] OT: Long loop antennas

2004-06-15 Thread Stuart Rohre
- Original Message - From: Stuart Rohre [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED]; elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Tuesday, May 25, 2004 10:54 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] OT: Long loop antennas Yes Rhombics are fun. Back in the Army MARS program days

Re: [Elecraft] Featherweight Yagi Design Questions

2004-06-15 Thread Stuart Rohre
Jack, Yes, the beam could be shortened with helical wound elements of wire. This was a beam shown in the ARRL Handbook way back, not sure if 1957 or when. You could even make the elements of ham sticks! You can fed one side with a monopole approach to get impedance matching, see the Kent

Re: [Elecraft] Sideband, Which Sideband? (WAS: K1 on USB CW)

2004-06-17 Thread Stuart Rohre
The use of the conversion from 5 MHz VFO is indeed how the USB vs. LSB convention got started. With 9 MHz IF you got 4.0 MHz (80M) and 20M, (14 MHz.) 9 -5 in one case, 9+5 in the other, with opposite Sidebands. The first use of such was probably the Central Electronics or similar tube

Re: [Elecraft] Sideband, Which Sideband? (WAS: K1 on USB CW)

2004-06-17 Thread Stuart Rohre
Yes Bob, I corrected my post. It was 9 MHz VFO to switch SB. -Stuart K5KVH ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft You must subscribe to post. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, Unsub

Re: [Elecraft] RFI from PC

2004-06-28 Thread Stuart Rohre
Buy a flat screen monitor, and not plasma. Really, a CRT monitor radiates from cabling and from the screen tube itself. You might have to slide the ferrite choke along the cables to find optimum effect from it. GL, Stuart K5KVH ___ Elecraft mailing

Re: [Elecraft] Bending component leads

2004-07-01 Thread Stuart Rohre
I ALWAYS grip the component with thin needle nose pliers against the body before using a bending jig or my fingers to move the leads 90 degrees to the case of component. I have seen diodes fracture if not. 72 Stuart K5KVH ___ Elecraft mailing list

Re: [Elecraft] Modify an Astatic D104 Desk Microphone

2004-07-02 Thread Stuart Rohre
Some rigs will take it fine, as is. Is it the one with amplifier in base? that type will surely work with all modern rigs and proper adjustment of the amplifier. On some rigs, with low Z mike inputs, a high Z to low Z transformer can match the high impedance crystal element of the D-104 to the

Re: [Elecraft] Audio seems low

2004-07-05 Thread Stuart Rohre
Lee, Maybe a latent bad solder joint? How about the speaker mounting screws being overly tight? A couple of the obvious things to check. 72, and GL, Stuart K5KVH ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to

[Elecraft] Queries posted from sites that need the answers authenticated

2004-07-07 Thread Stuart Rohre
Posters should disable their anti spam authentication if they want a direct answer to their question. A recent query resulted in my receiving a long complicated request for me to go to web site to prove may answer was not from a machine. The web site took too long to come up, so I canceled the

Re: [Elecraft] Problem? Don't know

2004-07-09 Thread Stuart Rohre
You may have better results with a dipole antenna, or at least you will be able to tell if it is the band. A very low antenna as you describe, 12 ft., radiates mostly straight up and is only good within your state except for exceptional propagation conditions. Try something from a tree to the

Re: [Elecraft] Another dumb one- Sunspot cycle

2004-07-19 Thread Stuart Rohre
If the average Sun Spot cycle can be called 11 years, and if 2002 was the peak year, (somewhat muddied because of an apparent double peak this time); then, from a peak to bottom should be 5 1/2 years. The bottom would be in 2007, and then another 5 1/2 years would bring the next peak around 2013.

Re: [Elecraft] Another dumb one- Sunspot cycle

2004-07-19 Thread Stuart Rohre
The great Sunspot cycle peak in 1957 was the greatest ever recorded. For some of us that were just coming into radio, it is hard to take cycles that do not reach those dizzy heights. For a young ham in 1957, sitting in a mobile with AM rig of about 50 watts, talking to Australia in the middle

Re: [Elecraft] Another dumb one- Sunspot cycle

2004-07-20 Thread Stuart Rohre
Bob, You might have another world round table. I did one in about 1991, New Zealand, Australia, Alaska, Chile, and Texas. SSB, 100 watts, wire K5KVH varient of the G5RV. (Flat top was tee made up of 40 feet phase line plus the wire doublet). 73, Stuart K5KVH

Re: [Elecraft] More antenna problems

2004-07-27 Thread Stuart Rohre
I agree with Phil, that a ground mounted vertical would pick up more household noise than a horizontal dipole placed away from the house. See the Cebik web site; www.cebik.com for antenna ideas that really work for limited space. 72, Stuart K5KVH ___

Re: [Elecraft] Long wire balun question

2004-08-02 Thread Stuart Rohre
As others have noted two radials is a minimum. They should be used in balanced numbers, pairs. You also may benefit to have one radial in each direction you wish to work, as that increases the signals from that direction when you have only one radial in that direction. Pairing radials is

Re: [Elecraft] Like MFJ's 931 Artificial Ground ?

2004-08-02 Thread Stuart Rohre
The nice thing about the Ten Tec kit, is that it can be easily converted to an L network tuner, if you switch the point where the pick up circuit monitors current, and substitute a coax jack for the connection in one original hole. That way, it can be converted back to artificial ground service

Re: [Elecraft] SMT kits and Elecraft

2004-08-11 Thread Stuart Rohre
Yes, I think we can do simple kits with 1206 parts with home hand tools and possibly a hold down fixture home made. In fact, that would be a great kit, a set of SMT sized tools: Needle Nose pliers, light spring tweezer, hold down device that would sit on desk and exert weight on a 1206

Re: [Elecraft] OT: SMT kits?

2004-08-11 Thread Stuart Rohre
Sandy, What kind of soldering station do you have now? How about $5 to put you in SMD capable soldering set up? Or maybe $10 outside, the cost of a proper tip if you have a heat controlled station now. 750 tips would do it, with the narrow end suited to 1206 pads. 73, Stuart K5KVH

Re: [Elecraft] SMT kits and Elecraft

2004-08-11 Thread Stuart Rohre
For manual SMT parts, 1206 is a workable size: 0.12 in. by 0.06 in. Stuart K5KVH ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):

Re: [Elecraft] What tuning knob is best on K2

2004-08-11 Thread Stuart Rohre
Why not get the spinner attachment for the standard Elecraft knob? Easy addition as it glues on. Stuart K5KVH ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub,

Re: [Elecraft] SMT kits and Elecraft

2004-08-11 Thread Stuart Rohre
Peter, There are water clean fluxes that might answer your concern. I was thinking of ones that dissipate with soldering heat, just a dot on land of the component that was to be the down side. Stuart K5KVH ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to:

Re: [Elecraft] SMT kits and Elecraft

2004-08-13 Thread Stuart Rohre
Pete, I have tried cyanoacrylate and when it heated it let go. -Stuart K5KVH ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):

Re: [Elecraft] KX-1, Picnic Table Portable and TVI

2004-08-16 Thread Stuart Rohre
There is a fix for this well known susceptable Wineguard amplified antenna. Check out the ARRL web site, or Wineguard web site. Something was in QST I believe also. They have to fix or trade in the antenna with Wineguard. It is not possible to fix at the ham station. 72, Stuart K5kVH

Re: [Elecraft] RE: SSB Transmit Audio

2004-08-23 Thread Stuart Rohre
You can roll off low end by decreasing the coupling capacitor in series with the mike hot lead, or adding another to the mike alone to effectively do the same. You may need to change the gain of the mike preamp to optimize for the Heil mike. 72, Stuart K5KVH

Re: [Elecraft] K1 enthusiast wonders ??

2004-08-27 Thread Stuart Rohre
Actually, many manufacturers with multiple but similar models, often have lapses of keeping everything updated. Things get busy with more than one product to sell, accessories and parts to sell, and keeping up with parts inventory for different designs. Not to mention, current production orders

Re: [Elecraft] leaking batteries

2004-08-27 Thread Stuart Rohre
An easy added protection for batteries is to use the appropriate zip lock bag to add a protective membrane around the battery. Put holes to pass battery leads but seal those with RTV silicone Rubber caulking compound. -Stuart K5KVH ___ Elecraft

Re: [Elecraft] Antenna Wire

2004-09-08 Thread Stuart Rohre
A foot note to Jim's wire comments: Watch out for fence wire that is Aluminum clad steel. It will be less ductile than true aluminum and will quickly rust out and fail where scratched or nicked. Sadly, copper plated steel fence wire sold for electric fences, rusts out in about a year in humid

Re: [Elecraft] Antenna Suspension

2004-09-09 Thread Stuart Rohre
You can find the breaking strength vs. gauge of wire for copper in wire tables from the manufacturers. You can also find in some catalogs what the safe tension in pounds is, and the weight should not exceed the working tension rating. A wire is going to assume a natural sag of a centenary, and

Re: [Elecraft] Ear-buds?

2004-09-16 Thread Stuart Rohre
Don, there is a sensitivity rating on the better quality earbuds packages. Some of the Sony models are quite efficient among others. The cheap unlisted specs models vary all over the place. Plus, the insulation gets stiff on the Dollar store brands. 72, Stuart K5KVH

Re: [Elecraft] Ooops -- think I fried the IF amp...

2004-09-21 Thread Stuart Rohre
The way to approach a problem that extends over several stages is to half split it. That means you go half way into the circuit and monitor, for normal operation. Then, if that works move half way later in the chain of circuits and so on, until you narrow down the problem to one stage. Usually,

Re: [Elecraft] Bird 43 Wattmeter calibration

2004-09-29 Thread Stuart Rohre
There are no user adjustments on the slug or pickup of the Bird that I am aware of. You could check it against some other known standard and construct a graph paper of differences, but the Bird is good plus or minus 5 per cent about as good as it gets for RF unless you go to high dollar

Re: [Elecraft] K2 et al magnifying helps

2004-10-04 Thread Stuart Rohre
Paul, Are you using an illuminated magnifier of at least 3X power? Also, do you have a supplemental hand magnifier that you could place behind the illuminated bench glass and have double the magnification? Makes it much easier to see the boards and the notations. Also, be sure to work in the

Re: [Elecraft] Parts for compact loop antenna - toroid help

2004-10-06 Thread Stuart Rohre
Daniel, You could forgo the core toroid entirely and use a small loop of smaller coax than that of the antenna loop coax. 73, Stuart K5KVH Google on small loops for a variety of feed versions. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net

Re: [Elecraft] Opinions please...

2004-10-12 Thread Stuart Rohre
All the hard work of balun design has been done in the balun kit offered by The Wireman, Landrum S.C. (on web). I believe Amidon might also have Balun kits and both fit the power range you want. Typically, it is hard to get one balun to work 160m to 10m. See the Jerry Sevick books, (Baluns

Re: [Elecraft] QRP Pwr/VSWR meter

2004-10-25 Thread Stuart Rohre
Ten Tec's 1202 Power and SWR meter kit is a best buy as it can be calibrated for QRP and for QRO, (two scales). It also has two pickups, one for HF and one for VHF/ UHF. Although spec'd only up to 2m, I found it useable for nulls at 440 as well. You can easily change the calibration to suit

Re: [Elecraft] Hum coupling?

2004-10-28 Thread Stuart Rohre
Actually, Tom switching supplies may have a worse coupling effect since they have an oscillator going at higher frequency than the power line, in addition to power line 60 Hz. And, even coupling of RF between Tuner and Radio can happen. At a Field Day one time, a tuner was placed on a Yaesu

Re: [Elecraft] Hum coupling?

2004-10-29 Thread Stuart Rohre
The bottom line on placement of rigs to avoid hum for Elecraft, or any other brand, is to place the transformers and switchers as far from the rigs as possible within reason. Use twisted pair leads from DC supplies external to the rigs, and shield them if possible. Alternatively (and at great

Re: [Elecraft] FD participants and scores

2004-10-29 Thread Stuart Rohre
ARRL requests you send in logs of both operators and guests, so participants includes all who come to Field Day site. Stuart K5KVH ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info

Re: [Elecraft] Yosemite Sam zulu time

2004-12-22 Thread Stuart Rohre
It used to be Standard Operating Procedure for all hams to keep their logs in Zulu, (Greenwich) time, in that for working other countries or other time zones, this is the only practical way to keep QSL card records. I think it is remiss of current education in ham radio, that we do not emphasize

Re: [Elecraft] Yosemite Sam zulu time

2004-12-29 Thread Stuart Rohre
I notice the lack of familiarity with military time and Zulu time keeping among our ARES members, and new hams during simulated emergency tests, or public service events where any messaging is done. It is widespread since the recission of the requirement to keep a log, I am afraid. -Stuart K5KVH

Re: [Elecraft] KPA 100 Power requirements

2005-01-03 Thread Stuart Rohre
Steve, the Astron has the ratings to handle the K2 plus 100 watts. It also has voltage regulator that should limit the current, so added breaker is optional. It should be slightly larger than the current draw of the K2 plus the amplifier, if used. If you do not use the breaker, be sure to fuse

Re: [Elecraft] Re: IC pins

2005-01-04 Thread Stuart Rohre
If your local humidity is kept above 50 per cent RH, you can grasp the pins of any IC and gently squeeze them to close them to fit sockets. I usually lay them sideways on the desk top and put pressure on them, holding the plastic or ceramic body. This is the safest way. -Stuart K5KVH

Re: [Elecraft] Sad news

2005-01-05 Thread Stuart Rohre
Tom, please pass on my own condolences and I am sure all here on the list join in as well. -Stuart K5KVH ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub,

Re: [Elecraft] DMM Recommendations

2005-01-10 Thread Stuart Rohre
Check your local Home Depot or Lowe's home centers and hardware stores. They have had good buys on brand name 3 1/2 digit meters of late. Stuart K5KVH ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the

Re: [Elecraft] OT: Help me identify this capacitor?

2005-01-13 Thread Stuart Rohre
4500 Microfarad 150 Volts DC -Stuart K5KVH ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft

Re: re:[Elecraft] Questions on battery, pots, chargers, and paddles

2005-01-14 Thread Stuart Rohre
Scott, never ship electronics with a battery installed unless you disconnect one lead from the battery so that there is not way it can energize in shipment. DO NOT RELY ON ANY!! SWITCH! We have shipped equipment all over the world and seen it accidentally turn itself on through vibration or

Re: [Elecraft] Headphones

2005-01-19 Thread Stuart Rohre
Hank and the group, One of the worst feeling headphone arrangements is any of the old hard phones from military or 1950's ham days without cushions. The rubber cushions that completely covered those types of phones used to be sold by Allied Radio, and made by Trimm or one of the other headphone

Re: [Elecraft] (no subject)

2005-01-27 Thread Stuart Rohre
The tip is not grounded in an isolated tip iron. Allows one to control the static grounding to include the operator, etc. -Stuart K5KVH ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list.

Re: [Elecraft] Grounding

2005-01-31 Thread Stuart Rohre
Another good resource is the Polyphasor web page for static protection and grounding info. -Stuart K5KVH ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub

Re: [Elecraft] on the topic of autotuners

2005-02-09 Thread Stuart Rohre
One of the issues in the operation of an auto tuner, is that it has to transmit enough power to be rectified by silicon diodes detecting and operating in a linear manner. Also, you have to transmit enough power to break down the oxides on connectors, RF switches, antenna connections and anything

Re: [Elecraft] Waterproofing coax connectors (Was: N Fittings)

2005-02-15 Thread Stuart Rohre
Tom is very correct. In 3M presentations on their specialty tape products, they emphasized NOT yanking off the end of any tape; but to unroll as Tom says, and let it relax then CUT the tape from the roll. That way, you will not have loose ends hanging off the installation after a few weeks. This

Re: [Elecraft] N fittings

2005-02-15 Thread Stuart Rohre
My understanding of the place to place silicon grease is NOT upon the outside of the connector, but rather in the interface between male and female connectors. The idea is to exclude moisture pooling on the insulator between the center pin and the outer shell conductor. However, if you over wrap

Re: [Elecraft] Tuning 88' with KX1 autotuner?

2005-02-21 Thread Stuart Rohre
Any time you have trouble loading a given balanced line, simply try adding 5 or 10 feet of line to the feeder and it should tune. You are moving the SWR node along the line to give the tuner a more favorable voltage situation. Stuart K5KVH ___

Re: [Elecraft] KPA100 Anderson Plug Wobble

2005-02-28 Thread Stuart Rohre
Make sure the contacts are seated all the way into the connectors. They should have clicked when inserted. Stuart K5KVH ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr.

Re: [Elecraft] esd?

2005-03-01 Thread Stuart Rohre
Static buildup depends on the Relative Humidity of the workplace as well. Down in the South we do not have the problem someone in Phoenix may have with dry air, for example. Thus, in addition to discharging yourself, and bringing all work areas to same voltage potential, you might consider

Re: [Elecraft] recommendation for portable antenna

2005-03-18 Thread Stuart Rohre
Charles, I got a Minuteman vertical on close out at local ham store. It is still available I think on web. (Google the name) it has pvc mast and base and is for 20 and up. It has partly a telescoping whip top section. Worked great last year on a QRP outing in so so propagation. You could

Re: [Elecraft] Qs about esd and BNC connectors

2005-03-18 Thread Stuart Rohre
I replied to George directly. I have had trouble while mobile with a Radio Shack twist on BNC loosening on my RG 58 coax antenna lead. Amphenol is carried by Mouser with no minimum order, and has both crimp on and solder and clamp type BNCs. They also have a twist on Amphenol, but have not

Re: [Elecraft] Qs about esd and BNC connectors

2005-03-18 Thread Stuart Rohre
Crimp tools run from about $50 for limited sets of dies at Mouser, to $200 for a do everything crimp tool from Pasternak Enterprises. I have two types of Pasternak tools at work and although not cheap they last forever. But check other distributors catalogs. Places like MCM might have a better

Re: [Elecraft] Phase noise suggestions

2005-03-22 Thread Stuart Rohre
A simple brute force test would be to procure a simple mild steel box sufficient to contain the K2 on all sides save the front panel. See if the K2 in the box is still sensitive to nearby power fields. If not then proceed to use less shielding in a series of tests: Experiment with sheets of

Re: [Elecraft] Re: Magnetic fields and phase noise

2005-03-22 Thread Stuart Rohre
Bob, Putting a large speaker magnet near any tuned circuit creates a large magnetic field that can affect the tuned circuit. The effect of your large speaker is common upon many radios. This even affects toroid circuits such as those in the K2. -Stuart K5KVH

Re: [Elecraft] OT: drillbit question

2005-03-23 Thread Stuart Rohre
These stepped drill bits are OK for the larger holes you might want to make in thin metal. They are sold at Harbor Freight at import prices. See their web pages. 72, Stuart K5KVH ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must

Re: [Elecraft] K2 mic hole plug specs?

2005-03-23 Thread Stuart Rohre
Look up the Caplugs Co. on Google, and write for some samples of their plugs, stating the sizes you need. -Stuart K5KVH ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr.

Re: [Elecraft] Mars Frequencies

2005-03-29 Thread Stuart Rohre
MARS has no better email than anyone else. The request for application could have fallen in the bit bucket and not gotten to MARS; or they might have been short staffed as they often are at HQ. MARS is pretty far down the staffing priorities when it comes to the management of the program by the

Re: [Elecraft] z5 resonator leads

2005-03-30 Thread Stuart Rohre
Never trim precut to length leads such as ICs and relays, and resistor packs, or crystals. These have just enough extension thru the normal fillet of solder to not be a problem, and to provide a place to clip on for troubleshooting probes. Trimming short leads that were not designed to be

[Elecraft] Re: Fillet or not?

2005-03-30 Thread Stuart Rohre
Absolutely do not leave out the fillet. If you have a lead that sticks out of a hole, you should have a fillet around it. That is a requirement of the NASA soldering course of years ago, but has not changed as far as I see in modern assemblies. The flush plated thru hole is OK for solder bond

Re: [Elecraft] K2 L33 (BFO) - aesthetics adhesives

2005-04-01 Thread Stuart Rohre
You can get quality 3M electrical tape at Home Depot/ Lowe's in various colors to have something that does not look like electrical tape. White is available, orange, and many other colors. You can use a wide tape, such as the clear vinyl tapes sold at home centers. While Scotch type tapes will

Re: [Elecraft] RE: Ear Buds and Headphones cushion substitutes

2005-04-08 Thread Stuart Rohre
I have found that some ear buds fit better if you switch them to the other ear, or turn them slightly so that the wire exits at an angle to the rear of the head. Maybe you can find a more comfortable position that way. On another headphone note: From time to time, I report on using Cosmetic

Re: [Elecraft] RE: Ear Buds and Headphones cushion substitutes

2005-04-08 Thread Stuart Rohre
Hi Vic, The diameter of the cosmetic pads I have found is smaller, (slightly) than the Trimm type and Military Surplus phones I have used them on. I do wear glasses 100 per cent of the time, and these pads have not been a problem. They do not stick out forward of the ear enough to touch the

Re: [Elecraft] Resistors

2005-04-11 Thread Stuart Rohre
I will echo Ron's comment about the colors not being easily to sort out on today's resistors. It is much better to use a DMM to be sure, and not trust your eyes. If you want to pick resistors, do so with a high intensity light and magnifier, and you will have a better chance of picking the

Re: [Elecraft] Non-resonant attic loop

2005-04-11 Thread Stuart Rohre
Those having low band noise using indoor or attic antennas, might make a large copper pipe loop for low noise receiving. It should be symmetric for best effect. -Stuart K5KVH ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a

Re: [Elecraft] heat and wicking

2005-04-12 Thread Stuart Rohre
In a plated thru hole, you only have to solder one side, and the conduction is made to the trace on other, as there is already solder in the hole. Stuart K5KVH ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to

Re: [Elecraft] Antenna Analyzers

2005-04-15 Thread Stuart Rohre
My clubs, (two) have had 3 MFJ's. The only reason we had 3, was we replaced a 259 with the 259 B for added features, and gave the still working one away as a door prize. I have the Autek RF 1, and then later got the MFJ 269 to gain 440 band. All have worked well. There was an intermittent

Re: [Elecraft] Antenna Analyzers

2005-04-15 Thread Stuart Rohre
Ten Tec has a great T kit for adjusting Antenna Tuners with out a signal on the air, save the built in noise bridge. And it costs a LOT less than an Antenna Analyzer from the commercial sources. The kit is one board, handful of components and maybe one hour or less assembly. You listen for a

Re: [Elecraft] Antenna Analyzers

2005-04-15 Thread Stuart Rohre
Many pieces of equipment never get a comment from hams when they work as advertised, or have so many advanced features that most hams never learn to use them. Thus, it is likely you hear the war stories of the problem equipment; rather than of the successes. In addition to my own MFJ 269, which

Re: [Elecraft] Using XG1 to measure feedline losses

2005-04-19 Thread Stuart Rohre
Can the XG1 transmit into a 50 ohm resistor with short stiff wire leads to couple, near the loop? -Stuart K5KVH ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change,

Re: [ELECRAFT] Using XG1 to measure feedline losses

2005-04-21 Thread Stuart Rohre
Very interesting test and another use for the XG1! Remember, the fat ladder line may be not canceling the currents, ie is not as balanced as the more narrow line. Or maybe, the window narrow line is just the better match to the tuner or it is the routing and the surrounding influences. -Stuart

Re: [ELECRAFT] Using XG1 to measure feedline losses

2005-04-21 Thread Stuart Rohre
That is a good point, as you do not want the AGC to activate giving a wrong reading on the comparisons. If it were possible to disable AGC, you would be able to be sure it is out of affecting measurements. Also, you should use a step attenuator to make sure no other circuits are overloaded for

Re: [ELECRAFT] Using XG1 to measure feedline losses

2005-04-21 Thread Stuart Rohre
An external 4:1 balun is typically less lossy than the built in 4:1 baluns. Better still, use the W5YR idea, a bead ferrite choke on the coax output, then connect there with a coax to binding post adapter for balanced line, and you eliminate questions about your balun. An alternate is to use a

Re: [ELECRAFT] Using XG1 to measure feedline losses

2005-04-21 Thread Stuart Rohre
W5YR, (sk) used the beads for transition to his balanced line adapter to the coax connection on his tuner. That is the beauty of the cable choke and Beads, they are operating on the OUTSIDE of the coax section, and thus the transformation ratio is taken care of inside the tuner, but RF is blocked

Re: [Elecraft] RE: Delta-4 switches

2005-04-21 Thread Stuart Rohre
I agree with swapping the two switches to see of problem is on both. Is there any other grounding to the switch chassis? Other than that, are you using same length coax jumpers, (same jumpers) and just subbing antennas? I have seen many problems move with jumpers, even those you think are good

Re: [Elecraft] RE: Delta-4 switches

2005-04-21 Thread Stuart Rohre
I looked at the HEX BEAM web site to see if anything special about the feed. Sounds like it is a simple 50 ohm coax connection. However, compact antennas have intense near field, so if there is coupling back to shack thru its gain direction you may have a weird case going. Keep us informed of

Re: [Elecraft] Audio Volume

2005-04-29 Thread Stuart Rohre
Make sure your speaker bolts are not overly tight distorting the speaker voice coil travel. This was a problem on a number of units. An idea: cut some spacers that are beveled so as to tilt the speaker forward. They cannot be long, as you will get a tunnel stove pipe effect if the speaker is

Re: [Elecraft] Microphone Jumpers

2005-05-03 Thread Stuart Rohre
On Board jumpers is the term we use in industry. Check the main distributors catalogs: Mouser, Digikey, Allied, Newark, etc. 72, Stuart K5KVH ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list.

Re: [Elecraft] What is this new back panel

2005-05-10 Thread Stuart Rohre
Isn't that the panel that is L shaped for the 100 watt option? Really a back an top panel heat sink? -Stuart K5KVH ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr.

Re: [Elecraft] Tuner efficiency question

2005-05-13 Thread Stuart Rohre
Google the name Frank Witt, and you will find the tuner studies he did. Also in archives of QRP-L reflector where he posted them, and maybe on www.arrl.org technical topics links. 72, Stuart K5KVH ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to:

Re: [Elecraft] Tuner efficiency question

2005-05-13 Thread Stuart Rohre
My understanding, from L. B. Cebik, was the German balanced tuners were discontinued. I could not find them by Google search. -Stuart K5KVH ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list.

Re: [Elecraft] Tuner efficiency question

2005-05-13 Thread Stuart Rohre
The MFJ balanced tuner has a double tee network to give the most range of adjustment. Note even the vaunted Johnson Matchbox did not cover all of today's bands and impedances. -Stuart K5KVH ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net

Re: [Elecraft] Simple Method for Measuring Tuner loss with reactiveloads

2005-05-16 Thread Stuart Rohre
Tony, To save you and others some work, Frank Witt did an extensive measurement series on many tuners; and published it in QST and I think, QEX magazines with additional studies. If you are an ARRL member, you can likely find the info from the pieces on the ARRL web site. It may be in the open

Re: [Elecraft] antenna suggestions? (was Re: kpa800 question)

2005-05-26 Thread Stuart Rohre
Brian, With a window you could deploy a homemade version of the BW window loaded antenna. It was a whip as long as you dare, and a base loading coil, which you can wind and tap for various bands. Put a counterpoise wire for say 33 feet on ground side of feedpoint at base of coil. Tap up on coil

Re: [Elecraft] Balun

2005-06-09 Thread Stuart Rohre
Rich, You will need the Elecraft balun kit for the feeder at the rig before it connects to K2 by a short coax jumper. You can use any plastic that has no conductive material in it as insulators. The one you mention is fine, (plexiglas). You can also use PVC plumbing fittings from Home Depot, or

Re: [Elecraft] Balun

2005-06-09 Thread Stuart Rohre
I guess one of the issues, are you ordering a K2 with its auto tuner? In that case, my suggestions apply, to adding the Elecraft balun, and using the internal K2 tuner for your antenna. It is also true that a balanced line tuner will work after the K2, and before your ladder line. Since surplus

Re: [Elecraft] G3XGC Z-match

2005-06-20 Thread Stuart Rohre
Rich, If you re read the text below the pictures, it pretty much details, along with photos, how the coils are wound. They are solenoid open wire coils, and the coil forms are noted, as are the wire sizes and turns for each winding. Link coils such as in this Z match tuner, are typically made

[Elecraft] Your solder may be no clean

2005-06-23 Thread Stuart Rohre
The Kester solder Mouser part nos. are different in present Mouser catalog. However, by inspection of the numbers which are similar I can tell you that nos. containing 6040 are 60/ 40 solder. Nos. suffixed with 88xx seem to all be NO Clean type, which you do NOT want to use! Most likely you have

Re: [Elecraft] Your solder may be no clean

2005-06-27 Thread Stuart Rohre
Joe, I mis-remembered, saying Permatex's parent co. It is the Loctite parent co. that now owns Multicore Solders. Henkle. However , google on Multicore Solders brings up the distributor list from the link I will embed here. http://www.motionnet.com/cgi-bin/search.exe?a=scno=7823 Where are you

Re: [Elecraft] K2 Excessive Current

2005-06-27 Thread Stuart Rohre
In today's ever more crowded circuits; I find that during installation of a component, I should either hold the end of the wire to be cut or put a finger on it, so that it will not fly into some part of the circuit and short something. It is safer than nipping ends of wires with the cutters

Re: [Elecraft] Outbacker vs. buddipole etc.

2005-06-30 Thread Stuart Rohre
Erik, Each of the listed antennas has a good design and application. The Bug Catcher is more a mobile antenna, and needs radials to work portable. It will need a mobile base adapted to a portable stand. The Outbacker is a mobile antenna that now comes with radial kit and stand,but is short for

Re: [Elecraft] Two and three element Yagi design data

2005-07-07 Thread Stuart Rohre
Another resource especially for Moxons is the L. B. Cebik antenna website, (W4RNL): www.cebik.com Almost every kind of antenna is modeled there and much good info on limits of models also. Stuart K5KVH ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to:

Re: [Elecraft] Station grounding question

2005-07-14 Thread Stuart Rohre
Hi Glenn, Let me jump in here and comment. A Ufer ground is for 60 Hz and safety grounding only. It probably is not such a good RF ground, as that would depend on its wavelength relationships, ie how big is it in terms of wavelengths you use, what is it's capacitance to the dirt, what is the

Re: [Elecraft] no, it isn't a knob, it's a...

2005-07-14 Thread Stuart Rohre
It's a sideswiper. Stuart K5KVH ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help:

Re: [Elecraft] no, it isn't a knob, it's a...

2005-07-15 Thread Stuart Rohre
Ah, OK thanks for the update--- Depending on how you wire this particular key, ie have jumper on two side wires, and common on lever, you COULD use it as a sideswiper, (sidewise key). ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You

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