While I only have one QSO (1995, confirmed at that) with South Georgia and two QSOs (2002, confirmed CW/SSB) with South Sandwich, I am not inclined to commit KCDX Club money over and above what we have already sent. Most certainly I would like to fill other band slots with QSOs with these two 'entities', but I don't expect other club members to subsidize that.
So, I think we are all in agreement. Save our Club's money for other worthy DXpeditions in 2016/2017. Russ -----Original Message----- From: Elecraft [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of [email protected] Sent: Thursday, November 05, 2015 9:31 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Elecraft Digest, Vol 139, Issue 5 Send Elecraft mailing list submissions to [email protected] To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to [email protected] You can reach the person managing the list at [email protected] When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of Elecraft digest..." Today's Topics: 1. K2 Question: Is the DSP Board a Worthwhile upgrade? (David Inger) 2. WTB: KPA500 (Atsu Taniguchi) 3. Re: MAB boards for the K2? (Byron Servies) 4. Re: MAB boards for the K2? (Reuben Popp) 5. Re: KAT500 and KAT500 Utility Question (Phil Hystad) 6. Re: KX3 auto tuner solution available after tune? (Wayne Burdick) 7. Re: KX3 auto tuner solution available after tune? [TYPO FIXED] (Wayne Burdick) 8. Re: K2 Question: Is the DSP Board a Worthwhile upgrade? (Phil Wheeler) 9. Re: K2 Question: Is the DSP Board a Worthwhile upgrade? (Don Wilhelm) 10. Re: KAT500 and KAT500 Utility Question (Jim Brown) 11. Re: K2 Question: Is the DSP Board a Worthwhile upgrade? (Matt Maguire) 12. Re: MAB boards for the K2? (Brian Denley) 13. Re: MAB boards for the K2? (Brian Denley) 14. Bias and Dynamic Mics (Jim Brown) 15. Re: MAB boards for the K2? (Chip Stratton) 16. Re: K2 Question: Is the DSP Board a Worthwhile upgrade? (James Bennett) 17. Re: Bias and Dynamic Mics (Bob McGraw - K4TAX) 18. Re: Bias and Dynamic Mics (Jim Brown) 19. Microphone Setup (James F. Boehner, MD) 20. Re: K2 Question: Is the DSP Board a Worthwhile upgrade? (Sverre Holm (LA3ZA)) 21. Re: K2 Question: Is the DSP Board a Worthwhile upgrade? (Phil Wheeler) 22. Re: Bias and Dynamic Mics (Jim Brown) 23. MCU 5.10 or later (Mike Weir) 24. Re: Bias and Dynamic Mics (Joe Subich, W4TV) 25. Re: K3 Voltage on TX (ok1rp) 26. Re: K3 Voltage on TX (Bob McGraw - K4TAX) 27. Soldering crimped connectors is not a good thing. (Michael Blake) 28. High SWR no power out (WR5DC) 29. Re: Soldering crimped connectors is not a good thing. (Robert Harmon) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message: 1 Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2015 15:44:20 -0800 From: "David Inger" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Subject: [Elecraft] K2 Question: Is the DSP Board a Worthwhile upgrade? Message-ID: <E74EFB9C96E9430083E19DF0DD44F5D8@DELLXPS> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" A friend has a fairly recent K2 with the KAF2 audio filter option. He asked me to remove the KAF2, build the KDSP2 board and install it in his K2. This got me to thinking: I also have a K2 wiht the KAF2 installed. My friend works mainly SSB; I work main CW and digital modes. Is the DSP board a significant improvement over the bare K2 or even with the KAF2 installed (which seems to be tailored for CW reception)? In general, radios that I have owned with AF DSP have been pretty much a disappointment. So is the KDSP2 a worthwhile and cost-effective upgrade? 73 de K6SBA David in Santa Barbara, CA ------------------------------ Message: 2 Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2015 08:44:51 +0900 From: "Atsu Taniguchi" <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Subject: [Elecraft] WTB: KPA500 Message-ID: <[email protected]> Content-Type: text/plain;charset=iso-2022-jp Anyone who can sell and ship used KPA500 to Tokyo with reasonable price please contact off the list. Tks in advance de JE1TRV, Atsu ------------------------------ Message: 3 Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2015 15:49:22 -0800 From: Byron Servies <[email protected]> To: Doug Shields <[email protected]> Cc: Reuben Popp <[email protected]>, "[email protected]" <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] MAB boards for the K2? Message-ID: <CANB4+4Fr61Mm=0YV6eN5kyrXzTo9nn6gfH-o4pK686u1=vb...@mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 Hi, I have some spare, uncut and unpopulated, MAB boards. I'd have to work out a price, but they are here if you want a couple. 73, Byron N6NUL On Wednesday, November 4, 2015, Doug Shields <[email protected]> wrote: > Rueben, > I brokered the last bunch of MAB boards. All have been sold. If > there > is interest, we can make another run of boards. I think I have a few parts > left over but we can come up with full kits if anyone is interested in > those. If you are interested in boards or kits let me know. > > Doug W4DAS > > -----Original Message----- > From: Elecraft [mailto:[email protected] <javascript:;>] > On Behalf Of Reuben > Popp > Sent: Wednesday, November 04, 2015 4:07 PM > To: [email protected] <javascript:;> > Subject: [Elecraft] MAB boards for the K2? > > Does anyone know if any of the MAB board are still floating out there or > does anyone have a spare for sale? > > http://www.genebitsystems.com/david/K2MiscAccessoryBoard/index.htm > > Thanks in advance as always, and 73 > Reuben > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:[email protected] <javascript:;> > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to [email protected] <javascript:;> > -- - Northern California Contest Club - CU in the Cal QSO Party 1-2 Oct 2016 - www.cqp.org ------------------------------ Message: 4 Date: Wed, 04 Nov 2015 23:58:36 +0000 From: Reuben Popp <[email protected]> To: Byron Servies <[email protected]>, Doug Shields <[email protected]> Cc: "[email protected]" <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] MAB boards for the K2? Message-ID: <cab-azk9lfcvgldjt8fm3xrlhlezd6oj_rvzh9w29qjgytdy...@mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 Hi Byron I would like at least one at the bare minimum however if you have a minimum order requirement I'm sure we can work something out for that as well. What are you asking per board? Thanks and 73 Reuben On Wed, Nov 4, 2015, 5:49 PM Byron Servies <[email protected]> wrote: > Hi, > > I have some spare, uncut and unpopulated, MAB boards. I'd have to work out > a price, but they are here if you want a couple. > > 73, Byron N6NUL > > On Wednesday, November 4, 2015, Doug Shields <[email protected]> wrote: > >> Rueben, >> I brokered the last bunch of MAB boards. All have been sold. If >> there >> is interest, we can make another run of boards. I think I have a few >> parts >> left over but we can come up with full kits if anyone is interested in >> those. If you are interested in boards or kits let me know. >> >> Doug W4DAS >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: Elecraft [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of >> Reuben >> Popp >> Sent: Wednesday, November 04, 2015 4:07 PM >> To: [email protected] >> Subject: [Elecraft] MAB boards for the K2? >> >> Does anyone know if any of the MAB board are still floating out there or >> does anyone have a spare for sale? >> >> http://www.genebitsystems.com/david/K2MiscAccessoryBoard/index.htm >> >> Thanks in advance as always, and 73 >> Reuben >> >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:[email protected] >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> > Message delivered to [email protected] >> > > > -- > - Northern California Contest Club > - CU in the Cal QSO Party 1-2 Oct 2016 > - www.cqp.org > ------------------------------ Message: 5 Date: Wed, 04 Nov 2015 16:10:11 -0800 From: Phil Hystad <[email protected]> To: "Wes (N7WS)" <[email protected]> Cc: [email protected] Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KAT500 and KAT500 Utility Question Message-ID: <[email protected]> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 Wes? Thanks, you are exactly right. My curiosity is about what the KAT500 was doing and the value of the BYPASS SWR versus the values I saw of the Tuned (or, not tuned) SWR. Dick?s answer was right on and satisfied all my curiosity needs. Though thanks to all that took the time to write something down and Wes, I will read your paper at your link. In fact, just downloaded it. 73, phil, K7PEH > On Nov 4, 2015, at 3:04 PM, Wes (N7WS) <[email protected]> wrote: > > Guys, read what he wrote, not what you think he wrote. > > He had a question about the operation of the metering in the KAT500, he wasn't looking for advice on antenna design or on the use of ladder line. > > If he wants that he can read my paper here: http://k6mhe.com/n7ws/Ladder_Line.pdf > > > 11/4/2015 3:37 PM, Fred Jensen wrote: >> On 11/4/2015 12:59 PM, Phil Hystad wrote: >> >>> I use the KAT500 with my 80-meter dipole fed by ladder line and a 4:1 >>> Balun to Coax for last 20 feet. This antenna works excellently in >>> concert with the KAT500 for 80, 40, and 30 meter bands. I don?t use >>> it with other bands. >> >> Feed point Z's: >> 1.9: 5.6-j1149 >> 3.9: 78+j2 >> 7.2: 2703+j2201 >> >> Your ladder line will transform these impedances to something else ... unless it happens to be a multiple of a half-wave at one of those frequencies. Tell me how long it is and we can calculate what it looks like on the high side of your 4:1 transformer. I don't recommend holding your breath that it will be good on all three bands though. >>> >>> This weekend, I was curious as to how close (or far) the KAT500 could >>> bring the antenna in for the 160 meter band. I knew that it would >>> not work though I was wondering how bad it would be. >> >> The radiation resistance on 160 will be very low and the 4:1 transformer will divide it by 4, meaning just a tad above 1 ohm. It is also very reactive. >> >> If you really want to use it on 160, try shorting the ladder line at the feed end, remove the transformer, and connect the shorted end to the coax through a variable cap. Run 1 or 2 wires on the ground from the coax shield and see if you can feed it as a Marconi-T. >> >> If your ladder line is 60 ft long, feed Z at the shorted end of the ladder line will be about 110+j1400 and an Xc of 1400 ohms will probably work fine for the KAT500. >>> >>> So, as I expected, the tuning never closed in on a descent SWR, the >>> best I saw on one test only was SWR about 49:1 as reported by the >>> KAT500 utility. But, the BYPASS SWR reported was about 11:1. >> >> SWR meters, which usually measure VSWR are fairly unreliable at high values of mismatch. >> >> 73, >> >> Fred K6DGW >> - Northern California Contest Club >> - CU in the Cal QSO Party 1-2 Oct 2016 >> - www.cqp.org >> >> Message delivered to [email protected] > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:[email protected] > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to [email protected] ------------------------------ Message: 6 Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2015 16:34:37 -0800 From: Wayne Burdick <[email protected]> To: Michael Blake <[email protected]> Cc: Elecraft Reflector <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX3 auto tuner solution available after tune? Message-ID: <[email protected]> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252 Michael Blake <[email protected]> wrote: > Does the KX3?s internal auto tuner have the ability to provide the tuned solution like the Elecraft T1 QRP tuner does? Hi Michael, You can use the "AK;" command to get the KXAT3's relay states. The response format is AKaabbcc; where: aa = inductance IO bitmap in ASCII hex bb = capacitance bitmap in ASCII hex cc = misc relays bitmap in ASCII hex The <aa> and <bb> bitmaps can be equated to L and C values by looking at the KXAT3 schematic. For example, a value of "01" would represent the smallest L or C value in the network. At present only bit 0 of byte cc is defined: 00 = capacitors on antenna side 01 = capacitors on antenna side If the ATU is not installed, or is in one of the Lx/Cx test settings, ?AK000000;? is returned. In BYP mode, on some bands L and C are set to fixed non-zero values in order to cancel the ATU's own reactance when working into a 50-ohm load. In AUTO mode, the working auto-tuned values are shown. 73, Wayne N6KR ------------------------------ Message: 7 Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2015 16:42:06 -0800 From: Wayne Burdick <[email protected]> To: Michael Blake <[email protected]> Cc: Elecraft Reflector <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX3 auto tuner solution available after tune? [TYPO FIXED] Message-ID: <[email protected]> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252 There was a typo in the byte <cc> information -- now fixed. Wayne * * * Michael Blake <[email protected]> wrote: > Does the KX3?s internal auto tuner have the ability to provide the tuned solution like the Elecraft T1 QRP tuner does? Hi Michael, You can use the "AK;" command to get the KXAT3's relay states. The response format is AKaabbcc; where: aa = inductance IO bitmap in ASCII hex bb = capacitance bitmap in ASCII hex cc = misc relays bitmap in ASCII hex The <aa> and <bb> bitmaps can be equated to L and C values by looking at the KXAT3 schematic. For example, a value of "01" would represent the smallest L or C value in the network. At present only bit 0 of byte <cc> is defined: 00 = capacitors on the antenna side 01 = capacitors on the transmit side If the ATU is not installed, or is in one of the Lx/Cx test settings, ?AK000000;? is returned. In BYP mode, on some bands L and C are set to fixed non-zero values in order to cancel the ATU's own reactance when working into a 50-ohm load. In AUTO mode, the working auto-tuned values are shown. 73, Wayne N6KR ------------------------------ Message: 8 Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2015 17:06:34 -0800 From: Phil Wheeler <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K2 Question: Is the DSP Board a Worthwhile upgrade? Message-ID: <[email protected]> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed I thought it was. A bit complicated to get adjusted just right, but there is/was a how-to doc at the Elecraft website which you might want to read, David. I say "thought" because now I use my K3 and KX3, though I still have my all-up K2; it's a keeper at this point. 73, Phil W7OX (in Torrance). On 11/4/15 3:44 PM, David Inger wrote: > A friend has a fairly recent K2 with the KAF2 audio filter option. He asked > me to remove the KAF2, build the KDSP2 board and install it in his K2. This > got me to thinking: I also have a K2 wiht the KAF2 installed. My friend > works mainly SSB; I work main CW and digital modes. Is the DSP board a > significant improvement over the bare K2 or even with the KAF2 installed > (which seems to be tailored for CW reception)? In general, radios that I > have owned with AF DSP have been pretty much a disappointment. So is the > KDSP2 a worthwhile and cost-effective upgrade? > > 73 de K6SBA > David in Santa Barbara, CA ------------------------------ Message: 9 Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2015 20:32:44 -0500 From: Don Wilhelm <[email protected]> To: David Inger <[email protected]>, [email protected] Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K2 Question: Is the DSP Board a Worthwhile upgrade? Message-ID: <[email protected]> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed David, The KAF2 is mainly for CW use. It provides a great peaking filter at the frequency that you have set it to (presumably your sidetone pitch). It also has a low pass filter that is in-circuit at all times. That can reduce band noise hiss for all modes. The KDSP2 also provides filtering for CW, SSB and data modes. If you are bothered by signals nearby in frequency, the straight-sided filters of the KDSP2 will be an advantage. The KDSP2 also provides noise reduction algorithms, although turning on NR in any transceiver can introduce distortion for voice signals. How bad that is will be determined by the aggressiveness of the algorithms. The KDSP2 does allow a wide range of settings, and you may have to experiment with those setting if the defaults do not satisfactorily handle your particular noise situation. So, not directly answering your question, the KDSP2 can provide filtering as good as the KAF2 (even better), but if the operator is CW oriented, the additional cost of the KDSP2 option may not provide the improvement expected - for SSB operation, there is no choice, the KAF2 is not useful on SSB (other than the Low Pass Filter) and the KDSP2 is the only real choice between the two. 73, Don W3FPR On 11/4/2015 6:44 PM, David Inger wrote: > A friend has a fairly recent K2 with the KAF2 audio filter option. He asked > me to remove the KAF2, build the KDSP2 board and install it in his K2. This > got me to thinking: I also have a K2 wiht the KAF2 installed. My friend > works mainly SSB; I work main CW and digital modes. Is the DSP board a > significant improvement over the bare K2 or even with the KAF2 installed > (which seems to be tailored for CW reception)? In general, radios that I > have owned with AF DSP have been pretty much a disappointment. So is the > KDSP2 a worthwhile and cost-effective upgrade? > > ------------------------------ Message: 10 Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2015 17:40:11 -0800 From: Jim Brown <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KAT500 and KAT500 Utility Question Message-ID: <[email protected]> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed On Wed,11/4/2015 3:04 PM, Wes (N7WS) wrote: > If he wants that he can read my paper here: > http://k6mhe.com/n7ws/Ladder_Line.pdf By all means DO read and STUDY it -- it's a GREAT piece of work. 73, Jim K9YC ------------------------------ Message: 11 Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2015 12:45:39 +1100 From: Matt Maguire <[email protected]> To: [email protected], David Inger <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K2 Question: Is the DSP Board a Worthwhile upgrade? Message-ID: <[email protected]> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" When I built my K2 a year and a half ago, I also had to decide between bare K2 vs KAF2 vs KDSP2, and went through the archives. In the end I went with the KDSP2, but some of the points I considered along the way: Bare K2: - built-in IF filters do work very well, but I read some reports that strong stations nearby can produce some ??blow-by??, and that either the KAF2 or KDSP2 can help clean it up. - At some point, Elecraft may cease production of the K2, and if I leave my K2 bare, I may not get the chance to upgrade it later. KAF2: - cheap, very easy to use - for CW, reports seem to indicate it performs about the same as the KDSP2 - has a nice LPF stage that cuts down background hiss, seems to be better than the KDSP2 in this regard. Some people have added a KAF2-style LPF to their KDSP2 with good results. KDSP2: - much more configurable than KAF2 - has noise reduction feature, I thought this might come in handy if I have the K2 as a second radio, and have it sitting on my club?s SSB calling frequency. It does keep the radio very quiet, almost like a voice squelch. - also has automatic notch filter, in case I need it - can go very narrow. I had good experiences with the DSP filtering in my KX3, which was really effective in digging out some very weak sigs on our QRP net (although so far I have mainly used the K2 for rag chewing, haven?t really done any side-by-side comparisons with KX3) - Code for the DSP is open source, so might be fun to play with. However, I think the development kits are now out of production, and I think maybe the chip in my KDSP2 was not in a socket, but soldered directly to the board (someone correct me if I am wrong). So, there are some barriers to playing with the DSP code, and if I wanted to experiment in DSP techniques, a much easier way would probably be to use a generic PC with sound card and GNUradio or similar development environment. - KDSP2 chews a lot more power than KAF2, which may be an issue if you like to run off batteries. You can disable the KDSP2 through the menu, which significantly reduces but doesn?t eliminate the additional power draw. If you power-cycle the K2, the disable setting of the KDSP2 is forgotten, and the KDSP2 will become active again. - the KDSP2 is a lot more complicated to use than KAF2. This means you have more flexibility, and some people like having lots of settings to play with, so it can be a plus. But it can also be a minus as it can be hard to remember how to change some of the less commonly adjusted settings. Having said that, the defaults on the KDSP2 are usually fine.? So, is the KDSP2 a worthwhile upgrade? For your SSB friend, I would say yes. For a primarily CW operator like yourself who already has a KAF2, it might be harder to justify. Is the upgrade cost-effective? Well, the KDSP2 is significantly more expensive than the KAF2, and it is a personal choice whether the extra value/fun brought by the KDSP2?s additional features warrants the additional cost. After all, it is a hobby :-) --? 73 de Matt VK2RQ On 5 novembre 2015 at 10:44:52 AM, David Inger ([email protected]) wrote: A friend has a fairly recent K2 with the KAF2 audio filter option. He asked me to remove the KAF2, build the KDSP2 board and install it in his K2. This got me to thinking: I also have a K2 wiht the KAF2 installed. My friend works mainly SSB; I work main CW and digital modes. Is the DSP board a significant improvement over the bare K2 or even with the KAF2 installed (which seems to be tailored for CW reception)? In general, radios that I have owned with AF DSP have been pretty much a disappointment. So is the KDSP2 a worthwhile and cost-effective upgrade? 73 de K6SBA David in Santa Barbara, CA ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [email protected] ------------------------------ Message: 12 Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2015 20:53:36 -0500 From: Brian Denley <[email protected]> To: Reuben Popp <[email protected]> Cc: Byron Servies <[email protected]>, Doug Shields <[email protected]>, "[email protected]" <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] MAB boards for the K2? Message-ID: <[email protected]> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii I would like one as well if you have enough. Brian KB1VBF Brian Denley KB1VBF Sent from my iPad > On Nov 4, 2015, at 6:58 PM, Reuben Popp <[email protected]> wrote: > > Hi Byron > > I would like at least one at the bare minimum however if you have a minimum > order requirement I'm sure we can work something out for that as well. > > What are you asking per board? > > Thanks and 73 > Reuben > >> On Wed, Nov 4, 2015, 5:49 PM Byron Servies <[email protected]> wrote: >> >> Hi, >> >> I have some spare, uncut and unpopulated, MAB boards. I'd have to work out >> a price, but they are here if you want a couple. >> >> 73, Byron N6NUL >> >>> On Wednesday, November 4, 2015, Doug Shields <[email protected]> wrote: >>> >>> Rueben, >>> I brokered the last bunch of MAB boards. All have been sold. If >>> there >>> is interest, we can make another run of boards. I think I have a few >>> parts >>> left over but we can come up with full kits if anyone is interested in >>> those. If you are interested in boards or kits let me know. >>> >>> Doug W4DAS >>> >>> -----Original Message----- >>> From: Elecraft [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of >>> Reuben >>> Popp >>> Sent: Wednesday, November 04, 2015 4:07 PM >>> To: [email protected] >>> Subject: [Elecraft] MAB boards for the K2? >>> >>> Does anyone know if any of the MAB board are still floating out there or >>> does anyone have a spare for sale? >>> >>> http://www.genebitsystems.com/david/K2MiscAccessoryBoard/index.htm >>> >>> Thanks in advance as always, and 73 >>> Reuben >>> >>> ______________________________________________________________ >>> Elecraft mailing list >>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >>> Post: mailto:[email protected] >>> >>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> Message delivered to [email protected] >> >> >> -- >> - Northern California Contest Club >> - CU in the Cal QSO Party 1-2 Oct 2016 >> - www.cqp.org > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:[email protected] > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to [email protected] ------------------------------ Message: 13 Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2015 20:54:29 -0500 From: Brian Denley <[email protected]> To: Doug Shields <[email protected]> Cc: Reuben Popp <[email protected]>, [email protected] Subject: Re: [Elecraft] MAB boards for the K2? Message-ID: <[email protected]> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii I'm interested. Brian Denley KB1VBF Sent from my iPad > On Nov 4, 2015, at 5:55 PM, Doug Shields <[email protected]> wrote: > > Rueben, > I brokered the last bunch of MAB boards. All have been sold. If there > is interest, we can make another run of boards. I think I have a few parts > left over but we can come up with full kits if anyone is interested in > those. If you are interested in boards or kits let me know. > > Doug W4DAS > > -----Original Message----- > From: Elecraft [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Reuben > Popp > Sent: Wednesday, November 04, 2015 4:07 PM > To: [email protected] > Subject: [Elecraft] MAB boards for the K2? > > Does anyone know if any of the MAB board are still floating out there or > does anyone have a spare for sale? > > http://www.genebitsystems.com/david/K2MiscAccessoryBoard/index.htm > > Thanks in advance as always, and 73 > Reuben > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:[email protected] > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to [email protected] ------------------------------ Message: 14 Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2015 17:54:56 -0800 From: Jim Brown <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Subject: [Elecraft] Bias and Dynamic Mics Message-ID: <[email protected]> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed On Wed,11/4/2015 5:43 AM, Charlie T, K3ICH wrote: > If you ever wondered why a bias voltage can cause > distortion in a dynamic microphone element, just > consider what happens when you connect a DC source > to a speaker. The voice coil move in one > direction depending on the polarity. Now think of > a dynamic mic element doing the same thing. This is one of those ideas that, while having a solid theoretical basis, doesn't hold up once you plug numbers into the problem. That's because the bias voltage is typically provided from a rather high impedance source, so the bias current is too low and the sound pressure level is too low to drive the diaphragm anywhere near its limits. The simple fact is that it's virtually impossible to overload a dynamic mic. One major mic manufacturer advertised that their dynamic mics could reproduce a gunshot without distortion. It wasn't a lie -- almost any pro dynamic mic can do that. When you hear distortion from a dynamic mic, it's the mic producing enough output to overload the mic preamp, and the solution is to either reduce the preamp gain or add a pad (passive attenuator). Controls to do both are built into the mixers used for live sound, broadcast, and recording. 73, Jim K9YC ------------------------------ Message: 15 Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2015 21:25:24 -0500 From: Chip Stratton <[email protected]> Cc: Elecraft Reflector <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] MAB boards for the K2? Message-ID: <CAPF-ba3iQtEyWgLwc4SVJh5+XdN6tAtVMvFFQU+j9trw_e=o...@mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 One of the connectors used for the MAB is no longer available. I can't remember exactly which one it is, but you better figure that one out before spending time and money on another MAB run. Chip AE5KA ------------------------------ Message: 16 Date: Wed, 04 Nov 2015 18:27:17 -0800 From: James Bennett <[email protected]> To: David Inger <[email protected]> Cc: [email protected] Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K2 Question: Is the DSP Board a Worthwhile upgrade? Message-ID: <[email protected]> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii David, My K2 is long gone, but I can tell you about my experience with the DSP module. I operate mainly CW, and added the DSP option after having the K2 for over a year. For me, it was a mistake. The radio didn't sound as good as it did before adding it. I wound up taking it out and selling the board. Maybe it was me, maybe I didn't have something set right, but whatever it was, if I owned a K2 today there is no way I'd put that option in it. Just my two centavos... Jim / W6JHB > On Nov 4, 2015, at 15:44, David Inger <[email protected]> wrote: > > A friend has a fairly recent K2 with the KAF2 audio filter option. He asked > me to remove the KAF2, build the KDSP2 board and install it in his K2. This > got me to thinking: I also have a K2 wiht the KAF2 installed. My friend > works mainly SSB; I work main CW and digital modes. Is the DSP board a > significant improvement over the bare K2 or even with the KAF2 installed > (which seems to be tailored for CW reception)? In general, radios that I > have owned with AF DSP have been pretty much a disappointment. So is the > KDSP2 a worthwhile and cost-effective upgrade? > > 73 de K6SBA > David in Santa Barbara, CA > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:[email protected] > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to [email protected] ------------------------------ Message: 17 Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2015 20:39:49 -0600 From: Bob McGraw - K4TAX <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Bias and Dynamic Mics Message-ID: <[email protected]> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed While I agree with Jim, K9YC on this. Some dynamic mikes I've encountered do use a transformer to get the voltage level from the very low impedance Z element to a respectable output value. Running a bit of DC through the transformer on the secondary side could tend to cause some DC saturation. And transformers which are not designed to handle DC can behave a bit odd under this condition. Other dynamic mikes I've encountered provide an internal DC blocking capacitor to prevent this issue, although that in itself has its issues. Yes, with any dynamic mike being used, set the bias to the off position.......just to be safe. And don't worry about overloading a dynamic mike, but do be concerned with the preamp or first analog stage being driven into distortion. 73 Bob, K4TAX On 11/4/2015 7:54 PM, Jim Brown wrote: > This is one of those ideas that, while having a solid theoretical > basis, doesn't hold up once you plug numbers into the problem. That's > because the bias voltage is typically provided from a rather high > impedance source, so the bias current is too low and the sound > pressure level is too low to drive the diaphragm anywhere near its > limits. ------------------------------ Message: 18 Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2015 18:49:58 -0800 From: Jim Brown <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Bias and Dynamic Mics Message-ID: <[email protected]> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed On Wed,11/4/2015 6:39 PM, Bob McGraw - K4TAX wrote: > While I agree with Jim, K9YC on this. Some dynamic mikes I've > encountered do use a transformer to get the voltage level from the > very low impedance Z element to a respectable output value. Running a > bit of DC through the transformer on the secondary side could tend to > cause some DC saturation. Exactly right, Bob. And Don Wilhelm reminded me that some mics used with a K2 didn't like bias. That can, of course, depend strongly on the value of the bias source resistance. 73, Jim K9YC ------------------------------ Message: 19 Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2015 22:14:54 -0500 From: "James F. Boehner, MD" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]>, <[email protected]> Subject: [Elecraft] Microphone Setup Message-ID: <[email protected]> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Don, Thanks to you, Richard, Gene, Charlie, Bob and Mitch for your constructive and educational responses on this topic. Don, I am happy to say that the settings you mention below were the ones that I settled on after some experimentation prior to my post. I appreciate the validation and the background on the reasons why those settings are the desired ones. Not all information is in the manual, certainly not specifics. The collective experience on this list is greatly appreciated, especially from those of us that are new to the Elecraft line. Thanks again! '73 de Jim N2ZZ -----Original Message----- From: Don Wilhelm [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, November 04, 2015 8:06 AM To: James F. Boehner, MD; [email protected] Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Microphone Setup Dr. Jim, There is no FAQ that I am aware of. Actually the information is pretty basic. Microphone elements come in two basic types - Electret and Dynamic. The Electret types need a DC bias applied to the AF line. The Dynamic elements should *not* have bias applied or they will be distorted. The other thing that often causes confusion is the mic plug pinout. The mic plug wiring must match the pin arrangement used in the transceiver, and that information is shown in the transceiver manual. In the case of the Elecraft K3 and K3S, the 8 pin mic pinout differs only from that used by Kenwood in that the use of pins 5 and 6 are reversed. Since most Kenwood unamplified dynamic microphones do not use pins 5 and 6, most all Kenwood dynamic microphones will work directly with the K3 and K3S. Heil microphones normally use a 4 pin XLR as a generalized connector *and* use an adapter or special cable to change that XLR connection to that required for the transceiver. The adapter to be used with the K3 and K3S is the one for the Kenwood (which has a red band). Heil microphones come in both the dynamic and the electret types, although most are dynamic. If the microphone is designated with a "-iC" or "-K2" it is an electret type. A lot of information on microphones and transceiver connections can be found at http://homepage.ntlworld.com/rg4wpw/date.html. G4WPW has done an excellent job of collecting information about microphones, mic pinouts and even schematics. In your particular case with the Heil PR-781, use the Kenwood cable (Heil CC-1XLR-K) with that microphone and make certain the bias is turned off. I believe that microphone has a rather low output, so you may have to use the high range for the mic gain. So - the K3(S) MIC SEL menu should be set to "FP H". Set the mic gain as described in the K3 manual - first set compression to zero, then adjust the MIC GAIN until you see 5 to 7 bars illuminated on the ALC meter (that can be done in TX TEST so no RF is produced). Then bring the compression up to your tastes, usually in the 3 to 6 dB range. 73, Don W3FPR On 11/3/2015 10:44 PM, James F. Boehner, MD via Elecraft wrote: > Is there an FAQ for microphone setups for the K3(S)? > > Particularly, I am looking how to set up the Heil PR-781 on the K3, > including the menu setup. > > ------------------------------ Message: 20 Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2015 20:35:25 -0700 (MST) From: "Sverre Holm (LA3ZA)" <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K2 Question: Is the DSP Board a Worthwhile upgrade? Message-ID: <[email protected]> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii I would not have upgraded to the KDSP2. Not for the performance, because although I'm mainly a CW operator, I could probably benefit from it. My main objection to the KDSP2 is user interface. The K2 was not designed for the KDSP2 in the first place as can be seen in how complicated it is to set up and operate compared to the other K2 modules. Given the few buttons of the K2, the user interface for the KDSP2 is probably as good as it can be, but still it is so much harder to use than the other options. The otherwise well thought-out user interface of the K2 is made unncessary complicated by the KDSP2 with all its features. This can be read indirectly from the history of Elecraft here: http://udel.edu/~mm/ham/elecraft/history/ Quote: "A major milestone in our history was the KDSP2 option for the K2. Lyle Johnson, KK7P, became known to us *after* he had mostly completed this highly versatile DSP unit. He reverse-engineered the auxBus protocol and made the KDSP2 behave as if it were a KAF2, which plugged into the same spot. He showed it to us, and we immediately adopted both the product and Lyle himself." ----- Sverre, LA3ZA K2 #2198, K3 #3391, LA3ZA Blog: http://la3za.blogspot.com, LA3ZA Unofficial Guide to K2 modifications: http://la3za.blogspot.com/p/la3za-unofficial-guide-to-elecraft-k2.html -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K2-Question-Is-the-DSP-Board-a-Worthwhi le-upgrade-tp7609953p7609972.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. ------------------------------ Message: 21 Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2015 20:34:15 -0800 From: Phil Wheeler <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K2 Question: Is the DSP Board a Worthwhile upgrade? Message-ID: <[email protected]> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed Definitely true re user interface. But if you get it set up in a way that works well for you, then not much need to tweak. I don't often change settings in my K3 DSP either. 73, Phil W7OX On 11/4/15 7:35 PM, Sverre Holm (LA3ZA) wrote: > I would not have upgraded to the KDSP2. Not for the performance, because > although I'm mainly a CW operator, I could probably benefit from it. > > My main objection to the KDSP2 is user interface. The K2 was not designed > for the KDSP2 in the first place as can be seen in how complicated it is to > set up and operate compared to the other K2 modules. Given the few buttons > of the K2, the user interface for the KDSP2 is probably as good as it can > be, but still it is so much harder to use than the other options. The > otherwise well thought-out user interface of the K2 is made unncessary > complicated by the KDSP2 with all its features. > > This can be read indirectly from the history of Elecraft here: > http://udel.edu/~mm/ham/elecraft/history/ > > Quote: > "A major milestone in our history was the KDSP2 option for the K2. Lyle > Johnson, KK7P, became known to us *after* he had mostly completed this > highly versatile DSP unit. He reverse-engineered the auxBus protocol and > made the KDSP2 behave as if it were a KAF2, which plugged into the same > spot. He showed it to us, and we immediately adopted both the product and > Lyle himself." > > > > > > ----- > Sverre, LA3ZA > > K2 #2198, K3 #3391, > LA3ZA Blog: http://la3za.blogspot.com, > LA3ZA Unofficial Guide to K2 modifications: http://la3za.blogspot.com/p/la3za-unofficial-guide-to-elecraft-k2.html ------------------------------ Message: 22 Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2015 22:11:34 -0800 From: Jim Brown <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Bias and Dynamic Mics Message-ID: <[email protected]> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed On Wed,11/4/2015 6:39 PM, Bob McGraw - K4TAX wrote: > Yes, with any dynamic mike being used, set the bias to the off position Don Wilhelm says that some dynamic mics sold to hams DO get distorted with bias applied. Whether it's a poor mic or a saturated transformer, it's clearly better to turn off bias when using a ham dynamic mic. 73, Jim K9YC ------------------------------ Message: 23 Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2015 07:56:17 -0500 From: Mike Weir <[email protected]> To: "[email protected]" <[email protected]> Subject: [Elecraft] MCU 5.10 or later Message-ID: <[email protected]> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" On Elecraft firmware download page users are instructed if you download MCU 5.10 or higher the 50 watt cal has do be done again. Does this also apply to the low power K3, do I have to re-do the 5 watt cal? Mike VE3WDM ------------------------------ Message: 24 Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2015 08:35:25 -0500 From: "Joe Subich, W4TV" <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Bias and Dynamic Mics Message-ID: <[email protected]> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed Even if the bias does not saturate the coil and cause distortion, it *will* reduce the output (sensitivity). A dynamic mic typically has a very low (< 5 mV) output level any reduction in output level is to be avoided. 73, ... Joe, W4TV On 11/5/2015 1:11 AM, Jim Brown wrote: > On Wed,11/4/2015 6:39 PM, Bob McGraw - K4TAX wrote: >> Yes, with any dynamic mike being used, set the bias to the off position > > Don Wilhelm says that some dynamic mics sold to hams DO get distorted > with bias applied. Whether it's a poor mic or a saturated transformer, > it's clearly better to turn off bias when using a ham dynamic mic. > > 73, Jim K9YC > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:[email protected] > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to [email protected] > ------------------------------ Message: 25 Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2015 06:36:43 -0700 (MST) From: ok1rp <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Voltage on TX Message-ID: <[email protected]> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Hi Jeff, many thanks for your post regarding the soldering Anderson Plug leads connections. It seems that I should check it too as I have 0.7V drop RX/TX on VFO-B line measurement. (even although I never had any problem regarding the low voltage...) It is good hint for my old timer K3 (#778) although it work like champ now. 73 - Petr, OK1RP ----- http://ok1rp.blogspot.com -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K3-Voltage-on-TX-tp7609564p7609976.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. ------------------------------ Message: 26 Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2015 08:39:05 -0600 From: Bob McGraw - K4TAX <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Voltage on TX Message-ID: <[email protected]> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed In general, it would be ideal if there were zero voltage drop. This just won't be the case in the real world. The VFO-B voltage indication is reliable in terms of the voltage in receive vs. the voltage in transmit. I think it reasonable to accept < 0.5 volt drop or less between RX and TX at 100 watts output. Do consider the regulation of the supply. Measure that with a good DVM at the supply terminals. And here, it is reasonable to expect less than 0.1 volt change between RX and TX at 100 watts. Many of the better supplies will be in the < 0.01 volt range under this condition. If one finds more voltage drop than expected, then further investigation is suggested. Are the terminals properly crimped and soldered on both ends? Are the terminals tight fitting? Is the wire gauge correct for the current demand and length? Are there other devices between the supply and radio that will contribute to voltage drop? These are a few questions to be answered. Better regulation and maintaining a voltage at the radio between 13.5 and 14.5 will make for a cleaner transmitter in respect to transmitted IMD. And that topic was "beat to death" in a previous discussion. If the supply is not well regulated, be sure the voltage at the radio will never exceed 15.0 volts. 73 Bob, K4TAX On 11/5/2015 7:36 AM, ok1rp wrote: > Hi Jeff, > > many thanks for your post regarding the soldering Anderson Plug leads > connections. > It seems that I should check it too as I have 0.7V drop RX/TX on VFO-B line > measurement. > (even although I never had any problem regarding the low voltage...) > > It is good hint for my old timer K3 (#778) although it work like champ now. ------------------------------ Message: 27 Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2015 10:18:36 -0500 From: Michael Blake <[email protected]> To: Elecraft Reflector <[email protected]> Subject: [Elecraft] Soldering crimped connectors is not a good thing. Message-ID: <[email protected]> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" While many people recommend soldering crimped connectors, such as Anderson Power Poles, it is not a very good idea. The reason(s) it is neither required, nor desired, is partially as follows: 1. A PROPERLY crimped connection creates a molecular bond between the conductor and the connector that is more conductive than soldering. 2. The soldering process causes corrosion because even rosin core solder is slightly acidic. 3. The solder that flows into or onto the conductor (wire) causes it to stiffen and increases the probability that vibration or movement will cause the wire to break at that point. 4. The annealing of the copper wire is altered which also increases the possibility of wire breakage due to vibration or movement. It is absolutely necessary that the proper tool be used for the connection being crimped. If you are going to use a crimped connection it is imperative that you have a tool that matches the connector. If you do not have the proper tool then DO NOT use crimped connections. Michael Blake [email protected] ------------------------------ Message: 28 Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2015 09:23:30 -0600 From: "WR5DC" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Subject: [Elecraft] High SWR no power out Message-ID: <[email protected]> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" I have a K3 that quit transmitting on SSB last night so I connected an SWR/Wattmeter/Dummy Load directly to Antenna 1. I held down the xmit button and the display reads 16 watts. 99-1 high swr. I have the optional antenna tuner but it is in the bypass mode. I also tried selecting ANT2 with the same results.. Anyone have any ideas before I send it back to the factory for repair? Dennis WR5DC ------------------------------ Message: 29 Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2015 07:30:47 -0800 From: Robert Harmon <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Soldering crimped connectors is not a good thing. Message-ID: <[email protected]> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed thanks Mike, good info ! 73 Bob K6UJ On 11/5/15 7:18 AM, Michael Blake wrote: > While many people recommend soldering crimped connectors, such as Anderson Power Poles, it is not a very good idea. The reason(s) it is neither required, nor desired, is partially as follows: > > 1. A PROPERLY crimped connection creates a molecular bond between the conductor and the connector that is more conductive than soldering. > 2. The soldering process causes corrosion because even rosin core solder is slightly acidic. > 3. The solder that flows into or onto the conductor (wire) causes it to stiffen and increases the probability that vibration or movement will cause the wire to break at that point. > 4. The annealing of the copper wire is altered which also increases the possibility of wire breakage due to vibration or movement. > > It is absolutely necessary that the proper tool be used for the connection being crimped. If you are going to use a crimped connection it is imperative that you have a tool that matches the connector. If you do not have the proper tool then DO NOT use crimped connections. > > Michael Blake > [email protected] > > > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:[email protected] > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to [email protected] > ------------------------------ Subject: Digest Footer _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [email protected] http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft You must be a subscriber to post. Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ------------------------------ End of Elecraft Digest, Vol 139, Issue 5 **************************************** --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [email protected]
