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Today's Topics:
1. Re: Suggestions for Introducing a 10-year-old to Amateur
Radio and Electronics (Cady, Fred)
2. Re: Suggestions for Introducing a 10-year-old to Amateur
Radio and Electronics (David Shoaf)
3. Re: Software Additions (Joe Subich, W4TV)
4. Re: K3 silent on power up (Steve Webre)
5. FS: Weighted Tuning Knob with Ball Bearing Dimple & Aluminum
Inlay for Elecraft KX3 (Dave AD6A)
6. K2 PLL range test fails (Mike Maiorana)
7. Re: KX2 Batt (K9MA)
8. FS: Elecraft K3/K3s Main and VFO B Knob Combo, Black With
Finger Dimple (Dave AD6A)
9. Re: Suggestions for Introducing a 10-year-old to Amateur
Radio and Electronics (Fred Jensen)
10. Re: Suggestions for Introducing a 10-year-old to Amateur
Radio and Electronics (Brad J. Butler)
11. Re: K2 PLL range test fails (Don Wilhelm)
12. computer keying on startup (doug dietz)
13. Re: computer keying on startup (Don Wilhelm)
14. Re: computer keying on startup (Udo Langenohl - DK5YA)
15. Re: computer keying on startup (Michael Murphy)
16. Re: computer keying on startup (Gordon LaPoint)
17. Re: computer keying on startup (GWK)
18. CW with PX3 (Aaron K5ATG)
19. Re: CW with PX3 (rich hurd WC3T)
20. Re: CW with PX3 (Bob N3MNT)
21. SOTA Acceptance (Gary Hawkins)
22. Problem saving PX3 configuration (Dave Sublette)
23. Re: Problem saving PX3 configuration (Don Wilhelm)
24. Re: Problem saving PX3 configuration (Dave Sublette)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
Date: Sun, 15 Oct 2017 22:38:05 +0000
From: "Cady, Fred" <[email protected]>
To: "Dauer, Edward" <[email protected]>, "[email protected]"
<[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Suggestions for Introducing a 10-year-old to
Amateur Radio and Electronics
Message-ID:
<cy4pr02mb2808b2530b962917cfaa8028af...@cy4pr02mb2808.namprd02.prod.outlook.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252"
It sounds to me like the makerspace idea is pretty cool. I may have to join
one here in Bozeman cause project space (and projects) are seriously limited in
the new digs.
Googling makerspace for Denver looks like there are number of places. Maybe
some would be better than others for your grandson.
Might be a good idea on 40m but I don't have a mobile antenna for that band.
Cheers,
Fred
________________________________
From: [email protected] <[email protected]> on behalf
of Dauer, Edward <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, October 15, 2017 9:46 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [Elecraft] Suggestions for Introducing a 10-year-old to Amateur Radio
and Electronics
Looking for suggestion about books or kits or whatever else that might interest
a ten year old to electronics and to amateur radio. He is adept at mechanical
things and pretty bright. What else could he be? He?s my grandson.
But his understanding of electronics is well insulated by contemporary smart
phones and games and the like, about the innards of which one can learn nothing
in the old way ? the way we did it, by taking the family radio apart and then
having to learn how to put it back together.
Any other grandpas or grandmas out there have experiences to share?
Thanks in advance,
Ted, KN1CBR
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------------------------------
Message: 2
Date: Sun, 15 Oct 2017 16:22:21 -0700 (MST)
From: David Shoaf <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Suggestions for Introducing a 10-year-old to
Amateur Radio and Electronics
Message-ID: <[email protected]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
I'm with Fred. I gave both of my grandsons a Kano and they have just love
them <https://kano.me/> . This is, essentially, a Raspberry Pi with a
custom-built Linux operating system <https://www.raspberrypi.org/> .
They've learned Scratch, a procedural-type of programming language that uses
building blocks to create the procedures. They've also learned how to use
programming to make things go faster when playing Minecraft
<https://minecraft.net/en-us/> .
The kids don't know they're learning process, procedure and logic but they
do. When they're introduced to more formal programming, however, they'll be
well up the learning curve. This is the introduction to the Maker movement
for them. They've since been to a robot summer camp and they ate that up,
too.
Why do I suggest this first rather than take them up to a mountain top and
send morse code with them? Its the hook. Once they see how we merge
computers and the digital modes, I'm expecting the grandsons to have a
better sense of what I'm doing. They see me doing things with a Raspberry
Pi and an Arduino with ham radio. That's the bridge.
It is all about pulling them along, folks.
Cheers,
David/KG6IRW
--
Sent from: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/
------------------------------
Message: 3
Date: Sun, 15 Oct 2017 20:07:51 -0400
From: "Joe Subich, W4TV" <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Software Additions
Message-ID: <[email protected]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed
Could the Elecraft radio software be changed so that K3/KSs radios
(equipped with the proper AM or FM filter) have a "WDATA" mode that
allows receiving and transmitting this 5 kHz bandwidth?
The K3 has a 4.25 KHz hardware audio filter following the ADC. Using
either the AM or FM filter, bandwidth can already be set to 4 KHz
(Shift=2.10, Width=4.00).
73,
... Joe, W4TV
On 10/15/2017 4:01 PM, John Hendricks wrote:
As I grow older with hearing loss I have become interested in the multitude
of digital modes that are available because they don't rely on good
hearing. A bandwidth of up to 5 kHz is used by the popular WSJT-X
software. Could the Elecraft radio software be changed so that K3/KSs
radios (equipped with the proper AM or FM filter) have a "WDATA" mode that
allows receiving and transmitting this 5 kHz bandwidth? It would also be
nice too do the same thing for the KX3/KX2 but it might not be possible
after looking at the radio design.
John K7JLT
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------------------------------
Message: 4
Date: Mon, 16 Oct 2017 00:30:08 +0000
From: Steve Webre <[email protected]>
To: "[email protected]" <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 silent on power up
Message-ID:
<cy4pr1201mb011883c4cdbe7171f620223edb...@cy4pr1201mb0118.namprd12.prod.outlook.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Folks,
Have a K3 (#8829) that has been spectacular to date with one exception. Since
first put together, about 10% of the time when powering up, the radio remains
silent with the P3 flat lining. All front panel lights and the main display
come on as normal with no error messages displayed. Turning the K3 off,
waiting several seconds and turning back on restores normal operation with no
other glitches/problems observed.
All software in both the K3 and P3 is current and both update without issue.
Unit is always shut down by the radio power switch and seems to work flawlessly
otherwise.
Any others see this condition?
-Steve-
AF5VR
------------------------------
Message: 5
Date: Sun, 15 Oct 2017 18:58:51 -0700
From: "Dave AD6A" <[email protected]>
To: "'elecraft'" <[email protected]>
Subject: [Elecraft] FS: Weighted Tuning Knob with Ball Bearing Dimple
& Aluminum Inlay for Elecraft KX3
Message-ID: <[email protected]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
For Sale - one Weighted Tuning Knob with Ball Bearing Dimple & Aluminum
Inlay for Elecraft KX3, mint condition, with Allen key.
Unobtainable new. See
http://www.73cnc.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=KX3DELUXE
$100 shipped (Priority Mail) conus - PayPal only
Cheers es 73,
Dave Fifield
AD6A
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------------------------------
Message: 6
Date: Sun, 15 Oct 2017 22:02:01 -0400
From: Mike Maiorana <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Subject: [Elecraft] K2 PLL range test fails
Message-ID:
<CAFLbQccC+e=n0=+1+LJBmu=9afqjgcg4a1kxge4-nfe-hgb...@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
Since fixing my BFO range issue I started going through a full alignment. I
roughly set the BFO for all the filters. I noticed my frequency display was
off about 1500 Hz, so I re-set the 4MHz oscillator, then tried to run CAL
PLL. The CAL PLL started, but never finished. It just sat right around
12.1MHz.
I went back and tried the "PLL Reference Oscillator Range Test", which had
passed the first time I went through calibration. Now, it is "stuck" on
12.097MHz. What is strange is that it will jump briefly when I press Band+
and Band-, but it settles back to 12.097MHz.
I put a volt meter on pin 1 of U6 on the RF board to check the control
voltage. When I press Band- I can see the voltage briefly drop to near
zero. When I press Band+ it jumps to 7.5V or so, then goes back to the
original value.
If I rotate the VFO knob I can see the PLL frequency and the control
voltage vary over a range of about 5kHz on the VFO.
It seems that the PLL is moving with the control voltage, but the Band+ and
Band- keys during Cal FCTR don't seem to be doing what they should. Is it
possible that I fouled up another part of the calibration that is causing
this weird behavior? It sure feels like I'm doing something wrong, but I
can't figure it out.
I did a factory reset (hold 4,5,6 and power on), but I'm still seeing the
same issue with the PLL.
Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks and 73
Mike M.
KU4QO
------------------------------
Message: 7
Date: Sun, 15 Oct 2017 21:08:15 -0500
From: K9MA <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX2 Batt
Message-ID: <[email protected]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Yes, I meant separate batteries, NOT the Elecraft battery. I should have made
that clear.
One possibility I've considered to reduce weight is a three cell battery holder
for AA Li-ion batteries, good for about 800 mAh, as I have used with the KX1.
With the KX2, they would be good for about 2 hours of CW contest operation at
5W.
73,
Scott K9MA
----------
Scott Ellington
--- via iPad
On Oct 15, 2017, at 3:15 PM, Don Wilhelm <[email protected]> wrote:
Scott,
The stock battery pack is sealed as one unit, not 3 individual cells.
Perhaps you are talking about a possible alternative battery supply and not the
one sold by Elecraft.
73,
Don W3FPR
On 10/15/2017 3:59 PM, K9MA wrote:
One possibility would be to get a 3-cell battery holder, and charge the cells
independently. A charger which charges several cells simultaneously, but
independently, would assure balance. Unless you use smaller cells, however,
the will have to be external.
------------------------------
Message: 8
Date: Sun, 15 Oct 2017 19:08:27 -0700
From: "Dave AD6A" <[email protected]>
To: "'elecraft'" <[email protected]>
Subject: [Elecraft] FS: Elecraft K3/K3s Main and VFO B Knob Combo,
Black With Finger Dimple
Message-ID: <[email protected]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
For Sale - one Elecraft K3/K3s Main and VFO B Knob Combo, Black With Finger
Dimple, mint condition, with Allen key.
Unobtainable new. This is the first version of the combo knobs shown here:
http://www.73cnc.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=K3COMBOBLK
Note: these knobs have smooth milled out finger dimples - they are NOT the
newer version with ball bearing dimples, but they spin real nice all the
same.
$150 shipped (Priority Mail) conus - PayPal only
Cheers es 73,
Dave Fifield
AD6A
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------------------------------
Message: 9
Date: Sun, 15 Oct 2017 20:38:29 -0700
From: Fred Jensen <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Suggestions for Introducing a 10-year-old to
Amateur Radio and Electronics
Message-ID: <[email protected]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed
www.sotawatch.org is the main site.? Like everything else, one size does
not fit all.? The programme [it started in the UK] offers a number of
awards which attract some but not all folks.? Some are just outdoor
folks who would be hiking/camping anyway.? Some don't hike but derive
pleasure from working the QRP/antenna challenged stations from home.?
They're called chasers and I am one, old injuries plus the accumulation
of birthdays that followed tend to restrict me physically.? There are
drive-up summits and I've done a few of them.? One very active summiteer
runs up the mountains.? Another [WG0AT] uses pack goats.
In all the times I've been on a summit, I've met a number of other
hikers.? I'm CW only, but I've activated with others on SSB and none of
the "visitors" have been upset.? SOTA almost universally takes place on
the summit itself, not the trail.
But SOTA was just an example for Ted.? The primary point was that
success with his grandson, if success means the kid getting interested
in ham radio, will likely be enhanced if he can couple the radio part up
with some interest the boy already has and enjoys.? Double points if his
grandson can include his friends in the activities.
73,
Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW
Sparks NV DM09dn
Washoe County
On 10/15/2017 2:21 PM, ab2tc wrote:
I hate to be a wet blanket, but I am not sure if I understand the joy of
activating peaks on ham radio. How do other hikers react to this? I know I
am extremely annoyed by people gabbing on their cell phones on the trail. Is
ham radio that much different?
Knut - AB2TC
------------------------------
Message: 10
Date: Sun, 15 Oct 2017 22:50:09 -0700
From: "Brad J. Butler" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Suggestions for Introducing a 10-year-old to
Amateur Radio and Electronics
Message-ID: <[email protected]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
Hi everyone,
I've wrestled with this too. My 9 year old son really enjoyed learning how to
send his name perfectly in CW while being graded by the KX2's decoder. He
wouldn't stop until he got it perfect - no spaces or anything! But my 11 year
old gave up sorta quickly. I drag them on SOTA activations and they quickly
get bored at the summits, and they don't quite enjoy the hikes yet (less
entertaining than video games). Even the super tall ones. I'd try a couple
different aspects of the hobby and see which one sticks. The Raspberry Pi idea
is great, the CW thing took for one of my kids (could maybe sell it as a code
you can talk in that nobody will know) but not really the other, contesting
might grab an older competitive kid, and other kids might dig amateur radio
satellites. They're all different. In the age of smart phones, Skype, and
email, it can be hard to compete. Skip's comment about getting friends
interested too is pretty smart.
As far as other hikers during SOTA, I always try to operate out of the way with
a small footprint (AlexLoop and KX2 with earphones). I get more questions and
probably do more good PR for ham radio than bad PR. Lots of folks I meet while
doing SOTA think it's interesting. I usually mention how much power I'm using
and which states/countries I reached. Never had anyone complain.
-Brad Butler
W6BJB/JS6TQS
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Fred Jensen
Sent: Sunday, October 15, 2017 8:38 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Suggestions for Introducing a 10-year-old to Amateur
Radio and Electronics
www.sotawatch.org is the main site. Like everything else, one size does not
fit all. The programme [it started in the UK] offers a number of awards which
attract some but not all folks. Some are just outdoor folks who would be
hiking/camping anyway. Some don't hike but derive pleasure from working the
QRP/antenna challenged stations from home. They're called chasers and I am one,
old injuries plus the accumulation of birthdays that followed tend to restrict
me physically. There are drive-up summits and I've done a few of them. One
very active summiteer runs up the mountains. Another [WG0AT] uses pack goats.
In all the times I've been on a summit, I've met a number of other hikers. I'm CW only,
but I've activated with others on SSB and none of the "visitors" have been
upset. SOTA almost universally takes place on the summit itself, not the trail.
But SOTA was just an example for Ted. The primary point was that success with
his grandson, if success means the kid getting interested in ham radio, will
likely be enhanced if he can couple the radio part up with some interest the
boy already has and enjoys. Double points if his grandson can include his
friends in the activities.
73,
Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW
Sparks NV DM09dn
Washoe County
On 10/15/2017 2:21 PM, ab2tc wrote:
I hate to be a wet blanket, but I am not sure if I understand the joy of
activating peaks on ham radio. How do other hikers react to this? I know I
am extremely annoyed by people gabbing on their cell phones on the trail. Is
ham radio that much different?
Knut - AB2TC
______________________________________________________________
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: 11
Date: Mon, 16 Oct 2017 08:11:03 -0400
From: Don Wilhelm <[email protected]>
To: Mike Maiorana <[email protected]>, [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K2 PLL range test fails
Message-ID: <[email protected]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed
Mike,
Record your current filter settings and other menu settings, and then do
a Master Reset (hold the 4, 5 and 6 buttons in while powering on).
There is a convenient form to record the menu settings in the K2 A to B
instructions which you can download from the Elecraft website.
You may have to replace the firmware (to be determined later), but
perhaps RF board U7 is not receiving as it should. If you have a
'scope, you should be able to see pulses on U7 pins 1, 2, and 3 as you
rotate the VFO knob. If all 3 pins show pulses, then most likely U7 is
not working properly. U7 pin 7 should move from 5 volts to zero volts
in CAL FCTR when you tap the BAND+ and BAND- buttons. If it does, then
U7 is operating correctly.
Also make a quick check on the Thermistor board - a quick check is to
measure the voltage at U5 pin 5 - it should be 4 volts or 1/2 the 8 volt
supply. If not, check the Thermistor board for solder bridges. You can
see the back of the Thermistor board if you remove the Control Board and
Front Panel.
73,
Don W3FPR
On 10/15/2017 10:02 PM, Mike Maiorana wrote:
Since fixing my BFO range issue I started going through a full alignment. I
roughly set the BFO for all the filters. I noticed my frequency display was
off about 1500 Hz, so I re-set the 4MHz oscillator, then tried to run CAL
PLL. The CAL PLL started, but never finished. It just sat right around
12.1MHz.
I went back and tried the "PLL Reference Oscillator Range Test", which had
passed the first time I went through calibration. Now, it is "stuck" on
12.097MHz. What is strange is that it will jump briefly when I press Band+
and Band-, but it settles back to 12.097MHz.
------------------------------
Message: 12
Date: Mon, 16 Oct 2017 09:25:04 -0400
From: doug dietz <[email protected]>
To: Buck via Elecraft <[email protected]>
Subject: [Elecraft] computer keying on startup
Message-ID:
<CAPi_YkKKHS53qLv1hWdBsLvbqy+FAXpb73e2n2NM=nguqkh...@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
Guys
I know we have been over this before but I can't find it in the archive.
My computer keys my rig 3 or 4 times on startup. It never used to do it so
last time this came up I didn't make a note.Sorry for the rehash but I need
help Doug WD8Z
------------------------------
Message: 13
Date: Mon, 16 Oct 2017 09:40:09 -0400
From: Don Wilhelm <[email protected]>
To: doug dietz <[email protected]>, Buck via Elecraft
<[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] computer keying on startup
Message-ID: <[email protected]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed
Doug,
The computer will "exercise" the serial port lines when it goes through
its startup diagnostics.
So if you have the K3 PTT-KEY menu set to anything other than OFF-OFF,
it will key the K3 momentarily.
If you are not using the PTT-KEY function, then turn it off. If you are
using it, the only solution is to either power the computer before the
K3 or put the K3 into TX TEST before powering the computer.
73,
Don W3FPR
On 10/16/2017 9:25 AM, doug dietz wrote:
Guys
I know we have been over this before but I can't find it in the archive.
My computer keys my rig 3 or 4 times on startup. It never used to do it so
last time this came up I didn't make a note.Sorry for the rehash but I need
help Doug WD8Z
------------------------------
Message: 14
Date: Mon, 16 Oct 2017 16:15:01 +0200
From: Udo Langenohl - DK5YA <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] computer keying on startup
Message-ID: <[email protected]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed
That works but WSJT i.e. can't find the KIO3B com port in my setup when
the K3 is off while powering the computer first. Although the com port
is listed in the device manager. Kinda strange... (Win7 Pro).
That happens both on my desktop and on my notebook.
73 Udo, DK5YA
Am 16.10.2017 um 15:40 schrieb Don Wilhelm:
Doug,
The computer will "exercise" the serial port lines when it goes through
its startup diagnostics.
So if you have the K3 PTT-KEY menu set to anything other than OFF-OFF,
it will key the K3 momentarily.
If you are not using the PTT-KEY function, then turn it off.? If you are
using it, the only solution is to either power the computer before the
K3 or put the K3 into TX TEST before powering the computer.
73,
Don W3FPR
On 10/16/2017 9:25 AM, doug dietz wrote:
Guys
I know we have been over this before but I can't find it in the archive.
My computer keys my rig 3 or 4 times on startup.? It never used to do
it so
last time this came up I didn't make a note.Sorry for the rehash but I
need
help? Doug WD8Z
______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
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Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
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