Re: [Elecraft] Advice on First HF Antenna

Simplest first HF antenna is a half-wave dipole. My first antenna was a 40m dipole hung from trees with lead in run in thru an upstairs window to my radio. Actually this was in 1958 and I was 14 years old so had no money. Back in those years there was something called twin-lead which was us

Re: [Elecraft] SP3 ISSUE

Experience! Back in 1980 I was beginning my new career as two-way radio tech working in a BLM radio shop (had been mw engineer in old career in CA) and asked help troubleshooting from a "50's oldster". He told me that most new-young techs make the mistake of looking for high-tech problems whe

Re: [Elecraft] SP3 ISSUE

And for all of us Elecraft owners - Don "is" the "old guy" with experience! Lucky us - and I mean that. Happy Holidays to all you Elecrafters and don't drink too much coolaid. 73 from the northland, Ed - KL7UW From: Don Wilhelm To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecra

Re: [Elecraft] Upgrade to KIO3B?

Larry, Considering your current configuration is working with the KIO3A, probably easier to stay with it. My situation is a bit simpler as I just run digital modes with DATA-A and the line-in and line-out lines with my USB/RS232 conversion cable connecting RTS/DTR lines to the K3: "Not broke

Re: [Elecraft] Powering a K3s from a battery?

Wes, So you are saying all of us with K3/10 should never run at 10w+ because the LPA is a terrible producer of IMD? Does that also apply to the KX3 which is also a 10-12w radio (160-24m)? I'm finding that hard to swallow considering the QRP background of the Elecraft owners. I note the to

Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft SSB Net

Just a comment on 20m prop from Alaska at 1800utc on Sunday. Haven't been checking a lot lately as net time propagation on 20m is not too good during the dark months. Sunrise currently is an hour after the start of the net which is 9:00am local. I only get 5.5 hours of daylight during the bo

[Elecraft] OT: FS Mirage A1015G 6m 150w linear

In case anyone is looking for 150w on 6m (will drive with KX3 or K3/10): I'm selling my Mirage A1015G 6m Linear for $250 FREE shipping in the US. This is the model with internal preamp. Works fine - selling to raise funds toward KXPA-100 which will replace it at my station. I also have a Harr

Re: [Elecraft] OT: FS Mirage A1015G 6m 150w linear

Sold to N6LEW. Thanks Lew. I have ordered the KXPA-100 kit to replace it and the 120w CCI HF amp I built a few years ago. It will be used with either the KX3 or K3/10. "Christmas in January"! 73, Ed - KL7UW http://www.kl7uw.com "Kits made by KL7UW" Dubus Mag business: dubus...@gmai

Re: [Elecraft] Remoting KAT500 to base of antenna

Fred, Your high desert climate will probably produce less condensation than my sub-arctic/maritime environ. What I do for enclosures is to not seal them airtight but provide good drain openings which air can exchange. Of course the shelter is made to repel direct rain/snow. I suspected tha

Re: [Elecraft] Remoting KAT500 to base of antenna

At the risk of repeating myself, I do not use any mesh covering vent holes on enclosures that are above ground level (at least a few feet). I've not had any intrusion of "critters" and we have wasp nests which seem to prefer underside of roof eves. I'm guessing the wildlife have plenty of alte

Re: [Elecraft] Remote KAT500

Fred, I have used wx-proof fittings designed for small electrical conduit and/or cables to bring both ext cords, heavy power cable and RG-8 sized coax into outdoor compartments. Found them at local building and electrical supply. Typically are plastic with rubber stopper and compression nut

[Elecraft] (no subject)

Very similar to the MFJ is the Arrow satellite beam: 3-elem 2m/6-elem 70cm. You can assemble only the 2m elements if you are noise source hunting. KX3 on batteries is excellent radio to use. Add a step attenuator to reduce noise level when you are getting close. http://www.arrowantennas.com/

Re: [Elecraft] Anti Static Bench

In my hamshack (spare bedroom) I have my electronic workbench which is a 4-foot Sears workbench with tool cabinet to which I extended the top with a 3-foot piece of particle-board shelving held up with big shelf brackets to the wall. I built my KXPA-100 kit with anti-static matt lain on the be

[Elecraft] : Soldering station recommendation in preparation forbuilding a K1

I have the genuine HAKKO FX-951 (ESD safe) solder station which is essential for good soldering. It does cost double the other guys but the "sleep" mode is very nice as tip temp is dropped to 450F when solder iron is parked in its holder. It returns to 670F (temp fully adjustable) a few secon

[Elecraft] Elecraft SSB Net Report - 24 January 2016

Just a sidenote that I was amazed to the length of the net. I usually wait till near end of check-ins to have less QRM when I try. Almost an hour on Sunday! I could hear Eric, WB9JNC at times but there was fading from the mid-West to Alaska. N6JW relayed my check-in, thanks John - always st

Re: [Elecraft] Filtering RFI from LED & fluorescence Dimmer Switches

We have no dimmers except the on/off dimmers called wall switches. ;-) Re: LED's. I have three CREE LED bulbs in my ham shack std ceiling light fixture with no RFI. My wife is substituting out incandescent and bad CFL for LED's she found at Home Depot (not CREE - I think they are GE). They

Re: [Elecraft] [KX3] Fwd: Yaesu 817ND vs Elecraft KX3 Differences for Portable Use

I owned a FT-817 from the first year they offered it until the KX3 came out. Sold the FT-817 ... nuff said! 73, Ed - KL7UW http://www.kl7uw.com "Kits made by KL7UW" Dubus Mag business: dubus...@gmail.com __ Elecraft mailing l

Re: [Elecraft] Quiet fans for K3

I never hear the fan on my KXPA-100 - Ha! Of course it doesn't have one but works fine for up to 110w with my KX3 or K3/10. Made several 6m-SSB contacts with 80w for the ARRL VHF Contest this weekend. 73, Ed - KL7UW http://www.kl7uw.com "Kits made by KL7UW" Dubus Mag business: dubus.

Re: [Elecraft] slightly OT -- acceptable network switch (aka Linksysproduces birdies)

Clay, Perhaps. Several years ago I decided to try to minimize network caused birdies by obtaining some clamp-on ferrites, but also bought some shielded Cat 6 cable to replace generic Cat 5e in the shack. The shielded Cat 6 was very effective in minimizing many 2m birdies. The clamp-on's we

Re: [Elecraft] KX3: ALC on digital issue

Hmm! That would explain what happened in 2m digital mode eme the other day. I tried changing drive level to my 8877 by raising the K3 PWR level and the amplifier stopped outputting (anode went from 780ma to 80ma (quiescent load)). Checking drive level on my bird power meter showed it dropped

Re: [Elecraft] slightly OT -- acceptable network switch (aka Linksysproduces birdies)

Bob, Could it be that fiber optics cable is the reason? Not much RFI from photons. Not everyone has access to fiber. Recently our commercial power was knocked off by a falling tree so only I had power (from my Honda Gen) and I noticed that the "RF world" was a whole lot quieter. One could

Re: [Elecraft] K3s pre-purchase question

I realize your questions were about the K3s, but have you considered the KX3? Since cost is an important consideration for you (isn't for all of us?): KX3-K = $949.95 MH3 = $59.95 KXFL3 = $149.95 (optional) KXAT3 = $199.95 (optional) total = $1009.90 ($1359.80) to add 100w: KXPA-100-K $749.95

Re: [Elecraft] New Purchase Sanity Check

Don, OK. Makes me curious what is happening with my KX3+KXPA-100 (without KAT100). My KXPA-100 reaches 100w with 3.9w*drive from the KX3. If, when you state 10-12w, you mean output of the KXPA-100, I'm not sure I can get it down that low. The KXPA-100 LED PWR meter reads 25w with only 0.1w

Re: [Elecraft] KPA1500

Well reading Wayne's response maybe one should look elsewhere for a kilowatt or more HF linear. I particular I would suggest looking at the LDMOS amp kits and assembled amps recently available (e.g. W6PQL) http://www.w6pql.com/1_kw_sspa_for_1_8-54_mhz.htm I have built some of his 2m amp and hi

Re: [Elecraft] Unsoldering

Mark, I have not built a K1 so do not know how it is designed. If you are wanting to remove surface-mount components the simple method is to first wick excess solder away and then use two solder irons on either end of the device to unsolder and lift the component. If this thru-hole construc

Re: [Elecraft] K3/K3S 10W models with KXPA100

Brendon, Yes, though you would need to construct it. A simple RF sense ckt would be 1pF coupling cap from the coax line (maybe use a coax tee and connect the RF sense box to the tee). At HF the tee will not show significant impedance bump. The cap feeds a diode like the BAS-16 followed by b

[Elecraft] (no subject)

scope of the original question - which is all I answered. But good that you pointed out the hazard of simply adding RF sensed PTT. 73, Ed - KL7UW --- From: Vic Rosenthal To: Edward R Cole Cc: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3/K3S 10W models with KXPA100

Re: [Elecraft] Coax Cable Interconnections

Jim and all: Coax quality -- absolutely makes a difference. I inherited some "previously driven" (aka used) coax from work thinking to save money -ha! It dates from before I began working at my last employer as comm tech else would never have been purchased. I found in preparing for install

Re: [Elecraft] K3 transverter using 14 MHz I.F. - upper freq limit ?

David, I don't have an answer for your question though well aware that bandpass filter affect on use of K3 IF for transverters. For Rx, if you have the KBPF3 installed, it will extend beyond 14.350 but unknown if that is true for Tx. I use 28-32 MHz as IF for my VHF/UHF transverters up thru

Re: [Elecraft] Best Coax for Jumpers and Interconnections for SO2R operation with K3 & KX3

Just a comment on Times Microwave LMR cables: In outdoor application its "VERY" important to seal connectors properly. The aluminum tape shield oxidizes in presence of moisture with resulting change in impedance and attenuation. I just replaced a 45-foot run of LMR-600 which hangs off my eme

Re: [Elecraft] Best Place to Sell Equipment?

I find selling on e-mail reflectors better than e-bay (I have 90* rating of 100%). Elecraft allows FS posts of Elecraft equipment and many ham reflectors will allow occasional ham selling. Different if you are a business. I like PayPal even though it charges 3% on sales to seller. It is fa

Re: [Elecraft] K3EXREF - What am I doing wrong

Wow! Great tip -- totally forgot the "tap" "2" step. My EXREF had quit some time ago and checking 10-MHz sources all tested good so I figured my "beta test" unit had given it up. Too busy to investigate further. It stopped after I had a firmware glitch so now guessing that shut off the EXRE

[Elecraft] DEMI transverter sales

Sam, OK, and thanks for the clarification. I was notified last week that they would no longer sell me kits for resale as assembled units (ergo - I am out of business building DEMI kits). Apparently that was a condition of the subcontract made with whomever is now building VHF/UHF transverter

[Elecraft] Subject: Re: DEMI transverter sales

My apologies to the list and to DEMI. I intended it to be a private reply to Kevin to explain my earlier comments about DEMI "having quit making transverters", which is not exactly the case as Kevin wrote. In explanation, I take the Elecraft reflector as digest so its almost automatic to cut-

[Elecraft] (no subject)

If I might inject a suggestion/observation: If you are looking for 0 to 100km 100% reliable propagation it is to be found on 600 meters! I ran tests all summer long in 2012 on 495-KHz CW running 100w into an inverted-L and was copied at 30-35 dB SNR any time we tried over a 70mi path. That is

Re: [Elecraft] K3EXREF question

The K3EXREF circuit is essentially a AFC (sort of) where a highly accurate 10-MHz reference is used to measure the frequency of the TCXO and send a frequency correction "word" to control the TCXO so that the error from 49.380 MHz is removed. As I understand it this comparison is done about eve

Re: [Elecraft] 10 MHz external reference

If you just need a 10-MHz reference then you do not need a GPSDO. A simple surplus OCXO (oven controlled xtal oscillator) off e-bay will suffice. I bought a one for about $45 initially (Morion). Since then I bought two sine-wave OCXO for $25. You do need to supply very clean 12v dc for most

[Elecraft] Subject: Re: K3EXREF question

Lyle, Thanks. I learned something. That does make sense as the synth are under MCU control so that would be the easy way to compensate TCXO drift. REF CAL display then merely displays the TCXO frequency as measured against the external 10-MHz reference. Actual frequency is compensated by t

Re: [Elecraft] 10 MHz external reference - GPSDO

Joe and all interested in the EXREF: OK ... but most will not measure the 49.380 TCXO directly*.*though REF CAL displays this. What I think most want to know is how accurate their operating frequency will be. I performed rigorous measurements as beta tester of the EXREF (unfortunately m

Re: [Elecraft] 10 MHz external reference - GPSDO

Olli, Referring to page 8 in the K3 Owner's Manual (may be a different page for the K3s): "Frequency Stability +/- 5 ppm for the TCXO standard; +/- 1ppm for the optional TCXO." TCXO-1 and TCXO-3 respectively mentioned above. ppm means one part per million (1Hz per million Hz which is 1Hz p

Re: [Elecraft] 10 MHz external reference - GPSDO

Guys< TCXO's use temperature compensating components to try to keep frequency stable. They work fairly well if you are at lower frequencies or not multiplying an LO 18 times. Better is the OCXO (which uses a heater inside an insulated "oven" to better keep temperature effects isolated). T

Re: [Elecraft] 10 MHz external reference - GPSDO

t;. Regards, Eric elecraft.com On 3/13/2016 6:14 PM, Edward R Cole wrote: Guys< TCXO's use temperature compensating components to try to keep frequency stable. They work fairly well if you are at lower frequencies or not multiplying an LO 18 times. Better is the OCXO (which uses

[Elecraft] OT: Encounters of the Moose kind

"Time out" for interesting event that happened a few minutes, ago. My wife commented that something "HIT" my tower, as she heard a "bang" and noted the guy line that secures to post on the front side of the house was moving very "agitated". So in my slippers I went out on the back deck for a

Re: [Elecraft] K3S audio board for K3 upgrade?

My two cents: Never cared much for audio quality of the internal K3 speaker. I use a very old 8-inch round National Radio speaker (probably 4-ohm as was most of the 1950 era stuff). But when I need to dig out a signal from the noise I use my trusty SONY MDR-V600 headset (definitely used for

Re: [Elecraft] K3S audio board for K3 upgrade?

two more cents - are we rich, yet? Couple more comments on K3 audio quality and etc. The MOT metal mobile speakers were designed for FM mobile and did sound good. I don't have any so have not tried marrying one to a K3. SSB sounds different than FM, especially full quieted FM. Installed a l

Re: [Elecraft] Strong recommendation: MFJ 18xx-series single-band whips for KX3, etc.

Since folks are talking adding a top hat or base loading coil, why not just extend the length of the vertical to a full 1/4 wavelength? 1/4WL = 248/50.1 MHz = 4.95 feet (59, 3/8-inch). Connect a small alligator clip to a 11-inch piece of hookup wire and suspend the wire with a piece of cord t

Re: [Elecraft] Strong recommendation: MFJ 18xx-series single-band whips for KX3, etc

I might argue semantics with you, Charlie but get that most folks think a "base loading coil" is for use with shortened antennas (showing capacitive reactance). The 5/8 WL Larson VHF whip (cut for 2m) does load nice on low end of 6m. In fact my antenna is a Larson with NMO base mounting coil

[Elecraft] Subject: Re: OT: Decoding high speed CW

Most of my CW work is for eme where the signal is marginal "at best". Without having a large SNR on the signal I have not found any CW decoder to work well (skimmer seems to be best). On CW-eme the output is gibberish. Inventing a digital code designed for weak-signal is way better solution

Re: [Elecraft] OT: Decoding high speed CW

LD, That is why it was so hard to pass the CW tests back in the 1950's taking before the FCC because the test did not have any real words. The entire 5 minute code test was five random character groups, not all of which were letters or numbers and you had to have one minute perfect copy to p

Re: [Elecraft] [K3] Tokyo Hy-Power HL-1.2KFX amp interfacing (to ALC or not to ALC?)

I thought the best way to drive an amplifier was to increase drive until output no longer increased proportional to input; eg output increases 3-dB with an 3-dB increase in drive is linear. Isn't the point the increase drops 1-dB the upper limit? That is how I determine best drive level on VH

Re: [Elecraft] [K3] Tokyo Hy-Power HL-1.2KFX amp interfacing (to ALC or not to ALC?)

Read: http://www.comportco.com/~w5alt/cw/cwindex.php?pg=5 "CW Bandwidth" by W5ALT seems everyone in this debate has some valid points. I found this by searching on "CW bandwidth". 73, Ed - KL7UW http://www.kl7uw.com "Kits made by KL7UW" Dubus Mag business: dubus...@gmail.com

Re: [Elecraft] OT: Mobile operation "bible"

My only attempt at HF in a mobile was on my old 78 Scout Traveler (diesel). Before heading to AK I had a welder install a big front bumper with space for a winch and brush guard for front grill and head lights. Alas, I never bought the winch so had a tool box installed in its place. OK I use

[Elecraft] RE KE: issue with installation of K3EXREF interface

Jim, Take a look at the photos of my EXREF installation: http://www.kl7uw.com/K3EXREF.htm in particular the sma cable in photo one showing components of the kit, and the photo at the bottom showing it installed in the radio (case off). You can see the brass compression ferrule. That holds t

Re: [Elecraft] Stripping toroid leads

I always figured the enamel should be removed. I just scrape them with a small razor knife which leaves the copper bright and ready for tinning. Melting the enamel with my solder iron results in a messy glob on the iron and not a very clean lead. I don't own a solder pot but could see that w

Re: [Elecraft] Stripping toroid leads

Ron, Most coils I am winding are typically No.22 to No.16 solid copper magnet wire. I hold the knife vertical to the wired and scrape sideways so never pressing into the wire - no nicks. Eventually that does dull the razor blade but they are easily replaced. The knife I use looks like a mi

[Elecraft] When do I need atten or preamp?

Interesting viewpoint. I thought it would be interesting to take a look at my local noise floor. I have the PR6/10 installed on my K3 SN-4043 (new synth not yet installed). Measurements in SSB - 2.8 KHz: 10m was the band I was most interested in measuring so started there. I turned DIGOU

Re: [Elecraft] What's best Soundcard Interface for KX3

I assume you are talking about JT-65HF on HF bands. I decode JT-65 signals down to -28. -26 is 100% copy level and get more marginal at weaker signals. I have decoded as low as -31 but that is rare. Of course I am talking about JT-65b on 2m-eme where sky noise is much lower. For WSJT10 (w

[Elecraft] (no subject)

Charlie, Makes me smile. Some die-hard CW eme operator claim that JT65 operators are playing bag-pipes! Guess it goes with one's interpretation/experience 73, Ed - KL7UW HS Clarinet player From: "Charlie T, K3ICH" To: Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX3 Carrying Case Message-ID: <011201d195d8$5

[Elecraft] OT: "Octopus's Garden"

Try interconnecting K3 and KX3 to support 17 ham bands from 600 meters to 10-GHz! http://www.kl7uw.com/station%20layout.htm Note the station block diagram (scroll down a page). Then scroll down to the photos (circa 2010). This is an "octopus's garden"! Wall plate for cable ingress has 10 N-

Re: [Elecraft] Sherwood's receiver performance table updated

Date: Tue, 26 Apr 2016 16:12:54 -0400 From: "James D. (Jimmy) Walker, Jr." To: Elecraft Reflector Subject: [Elecraft] Sherwood's receiver performance table updated Message-ID: Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 Just addressing the direct frequency entry issue: I can do that with my K3 by

Re: [Elecraft] JT65 with KX3

I ran the KX3 temp compensation procedure twice (the first run was a learning experience so feel I got a good run on #2). I used my AG3 coupled with a very good freq counter. JT65 is a synchronous code so that demands good frequency control (<+/- 10 Hz) and near perfect timing (< 1 second).

Re: [Elecraft] JT65 with KX3

Don and Brian: I had good luck just using my XG3 as signal source for the temp compensation on 50-MHz. I did monitor freq on my prof. counter. 73, Ed - KL7UW From: Don Wilhelm To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] JT65 with KX3 Message-ID: <6428dc69-b0f8-d313-c6e1-c1350236f...

Re: [Elecraft] Feedline loss w/wo tuner

Well my guess that most hams have the tuner at the radio (or inside the radio). I was trying to minimize my cost when I bought my K3/10 (only $2900 with accessories), so I did not buy the 100w amp or atu. I already had a used MFJ mobile tuner (good to 200w) so that sufficed. The MFJ finally

Re: [Elecraft] Feedline loss w/wo tuner

I've been looking at the Steppir to replace my very old TH3mk4. Actually I have been looking a several tower changes: replace my 50-foot Rohn-25g with 45g* (if a Hazer for 45g can be had); add a section to the other 25g tower and move the Hazer-4 to it (has my HF yagi + 222 & 432 yagis); and ad

Re: [Elecraft] K3S RJ-45 Pin Alignment

I've seen so many uses that were not adhering to the standard 4-pair. But the most miserable use is as a mic connector which Motorola went to. Now I see many ham radio mfr's copying. Instead of molded multi-contact connector with set screw which holds contact tension its just wiggle wiggle t

Re: [Elecraft] THE FUTURE OF OUR HOBBY

Bob, Already see this in recent hams joining our local ham club. Most are 40-60, in their later working years or recently retired, kids have left home and time & money available for pursuit of hobbies. My finances did no turn around until age 50 to enable serious ham radio purchases. I was

Re: [Elecraft] THE FUTURE OF OUR HOBBY

Mentors for ham radio: Well, I had only one who was a young music teacher in a nearby town who taught a ham class in the evening. I got my father to drive to them and the teacher lent me one of the paper tape CW practise machines to study CW. He then gave me my Novice and Tech license exams.

Re: [Elecraft] Installing a Sub Receiver

I have two of the old synth boards for the K3. Available for FREE plus $7.90 for small USPS Priority Mail box 73, Ed - KL7UW http://www.kl7uw.com Dubus-NA Business mail: dubus...@gmail.com __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http:/

Re: [Elecraft] THE FUTURE OF OUR HOBBY

Quoting myself: "an inexpensive entry level transceiver might find market with newcomers on tight budgets (eg the K1, etc.); something other than a VHF HT", the $150 ten-watt HF transceiver based on SDR is what I was thinking of: Today's "Heathkit Lunchbox"! From: John Harper To: Elecraft li

Re: [Elecraft] Operating from a retirement home

First off, I question the legality of renting a ham station for profit (which this example seems to be). But it seems to be done for renting stations in exotic (rare DX) locations with no heart attack by hamdom. Treated as vacation rentals. But owning your own remote located station using in

Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Power cable voltage drop

In my current station layout the rack-mounted Astron-50M is separated from the radio shelf, so I need a 15-foot run of cable. The Astron runs 14.2 vdc. I have 13.69 v at the main power strip (handles 10ga wiring). The primary dc power cable is No. 6 welding cable (more flexible than std No.

Re: [Elecraft] Reaching Across the Chronological Divide

Sub-Topic: survival in emergencies. I had a good "taste"of that a few years ago when the road from Anchorage to the Kenai Peninsula (pop 60K) (where I live) was blocked by avalanches for three weeks. All store products come by truck down that 180-mile road (there is only one road). Power tie

Re: [Elecraft] Upgrading the Shack

This topic probably worn out. I ran a small ham radio business and used USPS to domestic and international destinations with good results (most of the time). There was one shipment to the UK that was sent to Canada, and another to Germany was fowarded by funkpost to Saudia Arabia (fortunately

Re: [Elecraft] Copying CW at high speeds

I'm not a high speed CW operator. Most of my operation was on 40m in my Novice year and a little on CW eme. I found my self hearing complete words or character groups at about 10wpm. Examples: CQ, QRZ, SK, Name, RST, 73, QTH, and certain well known callsigns. Others that I can't recall at t

Re: [Elecraft] Ameritron 240V inrush limiter: any benefit on a KPA500?

I used on-rush current limiting series resistors on the 240vac input to my 4200 volt transformer and one on the 5v filament of my 8877 amplifier. The filament drew normal 11A, so on-rush was huge. Simple resistor-capacitor time constant timer controlled relay to short out large 50w and 100w

Re: [Elecraft] KX3 with KPA100/KAT100

At first I read KXPA100, not KPA100. Of course the KXPA100 was designed to be a companion to the KX3. I have one and drive it with either my KX3 or K3/10 (10w version of the K3). I suppose one could build an interface from KX3 to KPA100. Basic need would be PTT, RF drive, and Band switching

Re: [Elecraft] QRO - KPA500 Failure

I checked the operating specs on two of my QRO amps. Not a KPA500. 2m-1500w PA using a MRF1K50 in class AB: 945w 1398w dc 67% eff 453w disp 1511w 1888w dc 80% eff 377w disp 2m-1200w PA using a MRFE6VP61K25H in class AB: 566w 1200w dc 47% eff 634w disp 1133w 1542w dc 73% eff 409w disp les

Re: [Elecraft] SSB Net on 20 and 40 meters

First off all the e-mail in the digest I received at 8:27am on Monday, Feb. 24 were posted on Saturday, Feb.22. Is it normal for the digest to wait 48-hours before posting. My email is set for auto-checking every 30-minutes. Kevin's CW Net announcement was only 24-hours late by the time I re

Re: [Elecraft] KAT500 antenna selection

630m is a 7-KHz wide band. Probably not requiring an auto-tuner. Most on 630m will be running a very short antenna in terms of wavelength which usually incorporates a large loading coil in series. My 630m antenna is an Inverted-L 43 by 122 feet and I have a base coil to ground which tunes ou

Re: [Elecraft] Off-Topic: Your advice/suggestion about antenna

As far as a vertical mounted on solid rock, ever heard of radials? Almost all analysis shows angle lowering by copious addition of radials to a vertical. I suggest You find the QEX articles written By Rudy-N6LF which studied radials thoroughly. Even with very short radials my 630m inverted-

Re: [Elecraft] Off-Topic: Your advice/suggestion about antenna

OK, well one can study theory for several years before deciding what antenna to use ... or just put up something and try it. My guess a quarter-wave vertical with some radials will work. How well? You will only find out by trying it. My favorite HF antenna has been the simple half-wave dipole

Re: [Elecraft] The Big Three...

Probably not add much of value to this discussion. When I first got my K3 in 2010 using the internal speaker the SSB audio seemed harsh. So didn't take me long to hook up my old 10-inch 1950's era National speaker (made a lot of difference). For demanding operation (usually meaning working v

Re: [Elecraft] 75ohm Impedance question K3S and Antenna side.

I agree with those who say just try it with TV cable connected, direct. Tuner will keep the transmitter happy. If you can cut the run to integrals of half wave that might be marginally better on Tx. Back before WWII hams never worried about SWR and just maxed RF current. Open-wire transmiss

Re: [Elecraft] KX3/KXPA100 as a mobile?

I would say the pair were designed for mobile operation. Be sure to use the RJ45 control cable to remotely control the KXPA100. I installed mine in my Ford F2504x4 truck for use when traveling with our 30-foot 5th wheel trailer. Details: http://www.kl7uw.com/Mob

Re: [Elecraft] Power supply for KS

Maybe find an old one that still working?? My Astron 50A analog PS has been run 24/7 for 16 years (or so) and was in commercial use before (years?). Previous to it I bought an Astron V35M (new in 1980) which lasted many years until blowing (open) one of the rectifier diodes. It sits on my w

Re: [Elecraft] [Elecraft-K3] Latest on the new home for my K3...

I'm halfway thru a complete shack reorg. Cabling not so fancy but I am using peg-board with tiewraps thru the holes to dress cables. I have 17 external antenna cables and at least that many rotator and control cables going outside. Main advantage of the reorg is shortening cable length to bo

Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft K3s, etc. bonding

Interesting statement. How did you determine this? I brought home from work my professional service monitor and checked my K3 (SN-4340) s-meter. Except from S0-S1 all other steps were exactly 6-dB. S9 = -73 dBm as advertised. I didn't bother much measuring above S9 so cannot comment on lin

Re: [Elecraft] K3S poor CW keying further investigation

Just an observation regarding Don's comment: Last week I decided to do my radio shack reorganization (complete relocation of things) and one result is the main 12v line from my station Astron 50M PS, which is welding wire (no.6 awg?), to my main distribution strip was shortened from about 16 t

Re: [Elecraft] RX Ant K3 Preamp vs External Preamp

Assuming this question is for the K3, K3S, and K4, then the only bands that preamp NF and preamp location matter is on 10m & 6m. I run eme on 50, 144, and 1296 MHz; at 144 and above a so-called masthead preamp (close to antenna) makes a difference in receiver sensitivity (ability to hear the w

Re: [Elecraft] RX Ant K3 Preamp vs External Preamp

Indeed! Most eme'rs encounter this issue some point in their operation. I started out on 144-MHz with only 100w on CW. Then began use of digital in 2003. But it was not until I started running above 800w in 2011 that I began to see preamp failure. I like my preamps to not see RF over 0 dBm

Re: [Elecraft] OT: The Colpitts mystery

I guess a lot of us took the Commercial Radiotelephone License. I got my Novice and Technician License by my mentor. That was the General Class written exam back then. Tried several times to pass my General CW test at the Detroit FCC office (we lived 70-miles away so not qualified for a Cond

Re: [Elecraft] OT: The Great KPA Fan Mystery

My comment NOT about Elecraft cooling design, but: I am finding a lot of amplifier designs place fans to exhaust heated air with cool air being drawn into the heat sink by the partial vacuum created by the fans. My 6m converted Harris ch.2 TV linear is set up this way (amp has openings in th

Re: [Elecraft] Upper limits of KPA500?

That seems excessive (shows good engineering). FM seems to be the hardest mode on amps. If you are long-winded probably exceed 3-minutes which is common Time-out-timer limit on commercial FM gear (and several ham rigs, too). I have a fan switch on my 150w 2m amp and too often forget to switc

Re: [Elecraft] KX3 digital 0ps?

For running the KX3 on digital modes, I bought the Rigblaster OHMIC on suggestion by W7GJ: http://www.bigskyspaces.com/w7gj/KX3.htm Probably not make as many modification as I will just connect CW key to the KEY jack. I'm not doing eme with the KX3 s

Re: [Elecraft] CM500 headset on K3S and KX3?

A couple years ago I bought the CM500 based on al the nice comments by others on this list. They failed me terribly; set up howling like a banshee minute I put them on (over my hearing aids) and not even connected to the radio. My hearing so poor that the amount of gain in my hearing aids fed

Re: [Elecraft] Rig forCW

OK. So lets look at what 15-dB does with 10w; answer 316w. So if you bought a KPA500 might feel that's wasting its full potential. If you had a K3/10 or K3s/10 they put out 15w with the firmware upgrade. That would result in 474w. 474/600 is 1-dB. But then what is the cost differential be

Re: [Elecraft] Establishing A New Station

Look at my website for example of KX3 plus KXPA100 installed in an RV (4wd truck, in my case, which tows a 5th wheel): http://www.kl7uw.com/Mobile.htm 73, Ed - KL7UW http://www.kl7uw.com Dubus-NA Business mail: dubus...@gmail.com

Re: [Elecraft] KX3/KX2 remote for FD

I agree with what Bob says: So a couple comments: Whether we realize it (or not) the pandemic "is" an emergency, so this year's FD has different restrictions which may not be supported by the "contest rules". 15-years as communications chief for an emergency response organization, the overwh

[Elecraft] (no subject)

Just read the KX3 (with upgraded firmware) does 15w output, so 31.6* x 15w = 474w from a KPA500; *15-dB. I have the KX3 but not the KPA500. 73, Ed - KL7UW From: "hawley, charles j jr" To: Tommy Judson Cc: Edward via Elecraft Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Availability I think I would get the K

Re: [Elecraft] FIXED--was NOT the feedline

My two cents worth: Professionally, I used a layer of Scotch-70 self-fusing tape covered by two layers of Scoth-33+ black electric tape. This was on coax cable connectors on small vessels that were in salt-water exposure. Removing 5-years afterward, connectors were still bright,dry, and loo

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