[Elecraft] Elecraft Amp pics?
Just curious about the look of the new Elecraft Amp - if it was on display at Dayton, were there any pictures available from Wayne and Eric or passers-by? ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] Elecraft CW Net Announcement
Good Evening, Another week travelling around the US interviewing for jobs. If I keep this up for another few months I may actually land one!! But enough of that; if any of you have stayed away from Dayton and kept your money safe maybe you'd like to try the ionosphere and see how 20 or 40 meters are working. On Thursday 20 meters was working nicely but both of us were busy so my mentor and I cut it short. Hopefully 20 will be as good and 40 meters will be the same way tomorrow. We had a nice ion recharge from our neighboring star. It was noisy but got better over the course of the week. If you are in Dayton and starved for some on air activity you are welcome. Talking with fellow amateurs face to face can become grueling. Not as bad as hiring managers but still you may need a break from talking for a bit. CW can be a pleasant respite from the hawkers. Save your money and get on the air! Please join us: Sunday 2300z (Sunday 4pm PDT) 14050 kHz Monday 0200z (Sunday 7pm PDT) 7045 kHz Visit our web site: http://ecn.visionseer.com/ for net details. Thank you Dan. Elecraft rigs are not required nor is QRP enforced. What ever works on CW is fine by me. See you tomorrow night, Kevin. KD5ONS -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.322 / Virus Database: 266.11.14 - Release Date: 5/20/2005 ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] K2/XV144 Power Overshoot
Hi Gang, I've got a problem with my K2/XV144 combination when using a Linear after the XV144. I've setup the combination correctly ( I think) and it works fine barefoot...max power of 5w from the K2 to drive the XV144 easily gives me 25w plus out on 144 Mhz As soon as I hook up my 4CX800 Linear, things get hairy. I have reduced the K2 output to likewise reduce the XV144 output to accomodate the drive requirement of the Linear ( around 4w at 144 ). Fault tripping has been tolerable up until now, using a common 144 Mhz Antenna port. However, I have just split Tx/Rx on 144 to allow me to use an LNA Technologies Cavity preamp ( which works very well by the way ). The Linear now trips off constantly. I did have this problem before, but I managed to cure it by reducing the K2 drive to the XV144 and likewise reducing the XV144 output. Now it sees that I have got slightly more output from the XV144, as I no longer have the Tx/Rx Relay losses. The amp trips continually. The root of the problem appears to be that the K2/XV144 combination does not hold set power very well at initial keyup...a burst of higher power is seen on the wattmeter, followed by the K2/XV144 quickly reducing to set power. This was/is a common problem on some Japanese plastic boxes. I have tried all manner of power combination fiddling, but I can still see a significant " burp" on keyup...enough to trip the Amp off. Interestingly, this does not seem to be evident if you use the low power transverter drive...I'm using the Hi Power drive, out of the existing K2 RF Connector. I have an XV50 and XV144 daisy chained on this port ( and hopefully an XV432 shortly ), and a Kuhne TR1296 on the low power split ports that are part of the 60m Option. I would run the whole lot off the low power port but the TR1296 does not get on all that well with the XV Transverters. It is not isolated when not in use RF wise, and attaching it to the Tx/Rx Transverter drive lines affects things...for the worse, as it loads down the system. I could of course, relay isolate the TR1296 in a similar fashion to the XV units...but thats a lot of mucking around. Is there any way to cure the power overshoot on intitial keyup when using the standard RF Antenna Port output to drive XV Transverters...has anyone else seen this effect, or do I perhaps have a fault ? The problem appears to be in the K2, and the XV144 just follows suit. I was going to take the cowards way out and put a 3db power attenuator in the RF feed from the XV144 to the Linear to try to calm things down..but I don't own one, so would have to purchase one...more dollars ! Any ideas ? 73 Glenn VK4TZL -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.322 / Virus Database: 266.11.14 - Release Date: 20/05/2005 ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] NorCal 40A
Ok thanks to all, I've found a home for it. I think it will work out well. 73, Fred K6DGW Auburn CA CM98lw ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
RE: [Elecraft] Anything News at Dayton from Elecraft??
No formal announcement of which I'm aware. There are pictures of a prototype, which others have seen and reported. There may be more info tomorrow. One side effect of hanging around the Elecraft booth: K2 #4491 is in the bag ready for the trip home, where it will join K1 #1966. The K1 will be getting a new accessory to keep it company while the K2 is being built: A sweet new brass March magnetic paddle -- a gem from among the junk in the flea market. Craig -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Dave G. Sent: Friday, May 20, 2005 7:23 PM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] Anything News at Dayton from Elecraft?? The subject says' it all ??? Hope, Wish, Blow out the candles... Dave KK7SS ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] building versus buying
Interestingly enough, in the late seventies we were complaining about the lack of suitable outlets for homebrew projects. I didn't dcompletely buy it then nor do I buy it now. It's always required "ordering out" for stuff like ferrites, power transistors, and the like. It's not so bad, you just sit down and order and, voila!, in a few days you're in business. As far as the boards are concerned, there was a great project QST some years ago ago "A competition grade CW receiver", in which Doug De Mauw described using a dremel tool, or some such device to make little "islands" in which to solder the leads of the components. It worked beautifully, giving the builder the benefit of a great, useable groundplane surface area as well. Never having been entirely happy with QRP, in 1980 I built a homebrew, five band rig with a 9 MHZ single conversion design, using an Heathkit LMO as the VFO. It used the then "new" MRF 422's, and put out 200 very clean watts. I still use this rig with continuing pleasure, enjoying its dual time constant hang AGC and 24 poles of IF filtering (twelve in the receiver and twelve in the transmitter). It used the McCoy "Golden Guardian" 6 pole filters, one ahead of the IF strip and one after. Because manufacturing cost was not an issue, it was not necessary to bother with bi-lateral circuits or other such shortcuts. The point was, it worked beautifully, and was always a source of pride for me when hams who worked at the Naval Research Labs would come by to see the "homebrew project" of the ham who lived nearby on Bolling Air Force Base. The other, perhaps best, aspect of this was that, whenever a new design would show up for a mixer or something, in a few hours with the dremel tool and a soldering iron it would reside in the rig. Talk about high tech! I've never been an engineer or techno-geek kind of guy (recently reitired as concertmaster of the Marine Band), but such projects have never been out reach for hams who use even a tiny bit of ingenuity. Homebrew does not have to be dead, even now. Order your doubly balanced mixers, power devices and such, rely on a well-stocked Radio Shack and go for it. Regards, and thanks for this beautiful hobby, Merlin, W3ICT I think we build because of the adventure of it. I can't afford a 8-second drag race car, and my reflexes are a bit slow for Grand Prix Formula One. So?-I build my rig, whether it's a K2 or my own, and I ride a bike, either with a motor or not. That's almost enough excitement. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] CW
Ron, I've always attempted to slip in an occasional "muffed" character in my CW, to add some "personality", of course. Who wants to copy machine-like code for any length of time? Enjoy your new Hexkey paddle. It's a "keeper". 73, Jim K5HO - Nunquam Secundum --- > Unfortunately I now have no excuse for missing of "muffed" characters in my sending...( sigh)... Cheers..Ron ZL1TW< ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] Logging computer?
A recent hard drive failure in the family's main computer has me evaluating all the computing needs at our house. One small part of the equation is the computer I use for login. I would like to know what others think makes a companion computer for a K2. Currently I am using a PII 233 desktop with 196 MB of ram with my K2. It runs Windows 2000. I use N3FPJ logging software for general logging and N1MM for contest. Most of the time I have CW Get running. This computer is very reliable, but is just barely fast enough. Scrolling through the log book is slow. This setup also takes up a lot of space, and is a pain to haul out to Field Day. A laptop computer seems like the ideal companion for the K2. If cost was not important I would go for one of the super rugged military grade models, but unfortunately I will find it difficult to justify the cost of an older used model. On e-bay I have seen laptops considerably faster than my old desktop selling in the $150 to $200 range. The lowest priced laptops in the stores are going for $550, but look very fragile. I would like to have a computer dedicated to the radio. Sometimes I will use that computer for web access if someone else is using the family computer. If I had a laptop I might take it on vacation to download pictures from the digital camera. This would make a USB 2 port desirable. What model computer would work well for this kind of use? Is purchasing a used laptop computer a smart thing to do? Where is the best place to look for a good deal? Jeff Burns AD9T ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] test
Please ignore. Test. 73, Chas, W1CG ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] qrv with KX1 from KH6
All, just got back home from a vacation on a beautiful island of Kaua'i, Hawaii. I had only three rather short daytime occasions to work radio from the Anahola Beach on the north-eastern part of the island, grid BL02id. As it was my first experience being qrv out of mid Pacific, here is the summary: The only useful band seem to have been 20m, this is where I made my five qsos :) I didn't hear anything on 40 or 30m. On 20m most signals were quite weak, but all readable as there was no qrm at all. For the qsos with ZK2QQ, KG6YAE and FO/N6JA antenna used has beeen my Buddipole on a 3m high telescopic mast mounted in its standard T-configuration on a tripod right on the beach. For the qsos with KH6ZM and KG6SNV I used a 8m long wire sloping at 45 degrees up to a tree with higher point at approximately 3 meters AGL. I didn't feel any difference in RX when this wire fell down on the sand though :),thus being eleveated just about 1 meter above the sea level. I only managed to get max 2.5watts out of kx1 on 20m, this at 13V (I have a foldable 25w solar panel). It would tune with 3.5w on 40m, but again, no activity heard there. I received 579 from Brad FO/N6JA (qrb 2831 mi!), 559 from Dick KG6YAE (qrb 2642 mi). ZK2QQ is the most DX with QRB 2934 mi, gave standard 599 on the first call (he was vy loud at 1853Z on 5.May calling cq with no takers). Max KH6ZM, who himself was running only 5w into a 4el monobander and also quite elevated (his qth Volcano village at the Big Island), gave me 549, I heard him 559. The distance between us has been only 314 mi. KG5SNV, Mario, eventually received my call KH6/DF6MU/P correctly but only gave me his name/qth and "qsb" instead of report. I heard a lot of w6, w7, w0 and VE7 stations, all quite weak. The strongest signal around has been JH9FNB/MM qth "1 degree above the equator in the midpacific". I also received w1aw bulletins quite well. One weekend there should have been a southamerican contest of some kind, so I heard 4e7c, xe1un (Yuri), a couple of LU and CX stations, but nobody answered. Looks like the rig works just fine and it have been lots of fun, for my next portable activity I would just need to tune the 20m output, and maybe take with me a full size dipole for twenty and 12m telescopic fiber glass route. I didn't use the KXPD1 option (that I also have), instead making solid 30 wpm with the german Palm Radio M-P817 paddle, I felt it very comfortablöe to have my paddle detached from the kx1. 73/72 de DF6MU, Sergej Kindsvater ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] Manual for Kenwood HC-10 Clock?
I am setting up a ham shack at a local Boy Scout camp. They have a Kenwood HC-10 clock. It is a really neat clock, but it takes me about 5 minutes to figure out how to set it. If I do not post instructions in the shack I doubt if it will ever display the correct time. Can someone send me a copy of the manual for this clock? Jeff Burns AD9T ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
RE: [Elecraft] Anything News at Dayton from Elecraft??
Yep there is. It's a new amp N2TK, Tony -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Dave G. Sent: Friday, May 20, 2005 7:23 PM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] Anything News at Dayton from Elecraft?? The subject says' it all ??? Hope, Wish, Blow out the candles... Dave KK7SS ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
RE: [Elecraft] Can Elecraft take over the ham radio business ?
-Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Marinos Markomanolakis, M.D. Sent: Friday, May 20, 2005 9:14 PM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] Can Elecraft take over the ham radio business ? Hi Guys, Let me re-phrase my original proposal / suggestion about a "K3" design with all the features mentioned in my original post: Lets assume that Elecraft had the K2 as we know it, and a "K3" more expensive kit with all the "useless" accessories (IF notch, PBT, general HF coverage, preselector, no birdies etc). Many of us don't think these features are "useless". Some of these accessories can make the difference in making a QSO and/or make working someone easier Also assume that the "K3"s performance and specs were equally good to the basic K2 and its price not prohibitive. What's "prohibitive"? A recent thread on the new Elecraft amp brought out comments in regards to a price that hasn't even been established yet by Elecraft. The "prohibitive" price for the amp seemed to have quite a range by the comments. How many of us would choose the K2 as the main rig over the "K3" ?? Wouldn't that depend on features, performance, and price comparison? Would the average ham out there resist the urge of owing such a (K3) rig that he/she built himself instead of a ready made box with inferior basic performance ? Again, it's the features, performance and price thing. Not all hams want or need all the bells and whistles. That's why we have the gamut of rigs being sold from the low end to the high end and from low power to max power. Each of us has our own "needs". For some of us the kit thing is an option. Some of us built the K2 in order to get the things we wanted in the K2. Some build the K2 just to build it. My estimation would be not too many, but I may be wrong. 73, Marinos, ki4gin #3481 N2TK, Tony ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
RE: [Elecraft] Appliances vs. kits [was: RE: Can Elecraft takeover...]
Hi Eric, Yeah, same here. Bought the K2 for its size and performance to be used as a backup rig at home and to take along on DXpeditions. It just happened to be a kit which had very little to do with the decision. Dayton is wonderful as usual. #3481 N2TK, Tony I'm still not entirely sure who the typical Elecraft customer is; I doubt there is one. But they aren't buying for economy. I'm not sure there is a single driving reason. I bought for performance and small package size despite the disadvantage of being a kit. Others see kits as an advantage. Overall, ham gear has NEVER been cheaper or more affordable by the average ham. Eric KE6US ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] Nor Cal 40A
I built a NorCal40A QRP radio and used it on camping trips for a number of years. My QRP K2 and KX1 have totally replaced it, and I'd like to free up some storage space for other "treasures." If you'd like it, possibly to introduce a kid or two (Scouts?) into the joys of CW, QRP, and field radio operating, or some sort of school demonstration or whatever, make me an offer ... let me know what you plan on doing with it -- good causes that could help ham radio get a discount! It includes a little MJF-407(?) keyer which can be powered from a 9V battery. It's easily mailable For those who don't know -- it's a design of Wayne Burdick, N6KR, of Elecraft fame. It runs around 3-5 watts depending on power (~12V, and the 11.7V Li-poly batteries work great with it), and covers your choice of approximately 35 KHz of the 40m CW band (I've currently got it set to about 7020 - 7055). It measures 5"W x 4.5"D x 2.5"H and weighs a little less than 1 lb. I'm sure I can find the manual (he says with no idea whatsoever where it actually might be). The Rx is quite amazing. Let's reply off the reflectors. 73, Fred K6DGW Auburn CA CM98lw ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Appliances vs. kits [was: RE: Can Elecraft takeover...]
If you really want to EXPAND on that feeling. Use a schematic and build it Manhattan style or better yet DEAD BUG as in 2N2-40. Now that is a gas!! "rc" kc5wa Ron D'Eau Claire wrote: I suggest that the only thing that hasn't changed is that vaguely-defined but powerful feeling of pleasure some of us get out of making an unlikely-looking pile of parts do something. Even if we didn't design it or find the parts, there's still pleasure in successfully putting them all in the right places and seeing the results come to life. That feeling is independent of the technological or economic advantages or disadvantages of building. That feeling just "is". Ron AC7AC -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.322 / Virus Database: 266.11.14 - Release Date: 5/20/2005 ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] k60xv transverter "attenuation of if signal"
all, i am experiencing very lo sensitivity from 3 of 4 transverters (all DEM @ 50, 144, 222, 432). of the 4 only 2 meters has an extra gain stage on the rf side near the antenna which i can switch in and out remotely. when the preamp is on the k2 acts like my old if and has reasonable background noise level and signal levels from the local beacons. when i switch it off, it is anemic like the other 3 transverters. on the other 3, i hear no real rise in background noise when i switch the transverters on and off, and the local beacons sound like real dx way in the noise. i have the preamp on. i also hear no improvement when i switch the agc off. i have confirmed that the pin diodes are appropriately forward biased in tx and rx. the total gain of the transverters (except 2m) was never exceedingly high with my old kenwood 820 if, but this is not acceptable. i cant hear anything. i guess i could do the mod to boost the (i think) IF gain of the k2, but i don't want to ruin the dynamic range on HF. any suggestions of what to try? tnx, ed wa3drc ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
RE: [Elecraft] Appliances vs. kits
>> Ron AC7AC wrote:-- > I suggest that the only thing that hasn't changed is that > vaguely-defined but powerful feeling of pleasure some of us > get out of making an unlikely-looking pile of parts do > something. > That feeling is independent of the technological or economic > advantages or disadvantages of building. > That feeling just "is". Right on! Ron, My first rigs (1964+) were homebrew 'tube' rigs for operating "Top Band" thru 2 meters... I even built my first sideband rig from scratch... To have something you've put together yourself actually do what it is supposed to do gives one an incredible feeling of accomplishment... I still get that feeling today -- even if it's only a 'mini- kit' SMT's have just made it more difficult for me, with my deteriorating eyesight :-(( Dave KK7SS ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
RE: [Elecraft] Appliances vs. kits [was: RE: Can Elecraft takeover...]
I was one of those ops who was building his own gear in the 1950's. Scratch built my first transmitter. Built a Meissner kit receiver in the late 40's, etc. It's easy to look back to those days to understand the popularity of building today, but I wonder if it has any real relevance beyond that purely subjective enjoyment of putting something together and seeing it work? Model airplane builders get the same enjoyment (just try to get more than a minute aloft out of a tiny scale rubber-band powered free-flight model). Shoot, the enjoyment even extends to "paint by numbers" fans. Some things don't change and others do. What has changed is the whole landscape of technology and options for the builder of kits or the designer of new circuits. So many of the reasons for building have also changed. I suggest that the only thing that hasn't changed is that vaguely-defined but powerful feeling of pleasure some of us get out of making an unlikely-looking pile of parts do something. Even if we didn't design it or find the parts, there's still pleasure in successfully putting them all in the right places and seeing the results come to life. That feeling is independent of the technological or economic advantages or disadvantages of building. That feeling just "is". Ron AC7AC ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
RE: [Elecraft] Appliances vs. kits [was: RE: Can Elecraft takeover...]
Good summary, Bill. I was going to respond to the poster who said completely homebrew stations were the norm in the 50's, but I didn't. I was licensed in 1957 and didn't know anyone who built their own receiver except some of us built a regen receiver for the fun of it. Some built their own transmitter, but, at least in my circle (teenagers mostly), all of us bought a kit or bought used for our main transmitter. Heathkit was the leader, but there was probably a DOZEN kit manufacturers out there including such ham luminaries as E.F. Johnson. The difference between factory assembled and kit could be significant because assembly was so labor intensive in those days. Now look at the difference between an Elecraft T1 assembled vs. kit. I'm still not entirely sure who the typical Elecraft customer is; I doubt there is one. But they aren't buying for economy. I'm not sure there is a single driving reason. I bought for performance and small package size despite the disadvantage of being a kit. Others see kits as an advantage. Overall, ham gear has NEVER been cheaper or more affordable by the average ham. Eric KE6US -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Bill Coleman Sent: Saturday, May 21, 2005 6:28 AM To: Mike Markowski Cc: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Appliances vs. kits [was: RE: Can Elecraft takeover...] Today, most electronics is assembled on a line with robotic equipment. That's why parts have become so vanishingly small. We no longer build kits because it is a cheaper way to get access to great equipment. We build for other reasons. It is interesting to note that other kit industries, like the kit aircraft industry, are thriving because the economies of self-built equipment still exist. Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASELMail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!" -- Wilbur Wright, 1901 ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] FS: VIS Study Cards - Extra Class
I have for sale: VIS Study Cards for Extra Class. This is a set of study cards for preparing for the Extra Class Element 4 exam. Set consists of 650+ index sized cards (on paper stock) for handy studying wherever you might be. They are broken into 9 sections: (Numbers in parenthis "m of n" means you must pass m questions and there are n questions in that pool (and that many cards) Commission's Rules (7 of 99) Operating Procedures (4 of 46) Radio Wave Propagation (3 of 34) Amateur Radio Practice (5 of 68) Electrical Principles (9 of 111) Circuit Components (5 of 72) Practical Circuites (7 of 95) Signals and Emissions (5 of 69) Antennas and Feed Lines (5 of 71) This particular set is (I think) one revision back. The questions are based on the pool as of 2/01/2000. Yes, they are out of date but not so far that you couldn't probably pass. And they make a great aid to studying. I used to carry a handful wherever I went. (No, I'm not an Extra so you don't have to look. Other priorities took precedence - work, family) Asking $15 including shipping CONUS. If you want USPS Priority mail, add $2.50. Acceptable payments are via paypal (preferred) to my e-mail address, check, MO. Questions? Michael Bower N4NMR ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Appliances vs. kits [was: RE: Can Elecraft takeover...]
I think the main reasons homebrew has become so challenging are access to small quantities of parts (thanks to Mouser for ovecoming this to some degree), and the challenges of assembly for small lead sizes and spacing. The steady hands of pick and place machines and solder reflow allow this affordably on commercial equipment. Moore's law drives this, too. I doubt that hand soldering itty bitty parts is going to be successful. The real challenge to prices for ham gear is the production volumes. There are not yet 5000 K2s. Rarely does any iCom, Yaesu, or Kenwood specific radio model achieve much larger volumes than the K2 has. If you want the prices to come down, get the number of consumers up to where the design cost does not have to be amortized over such a small production run. I think we should be impressed that the K2 design is so well thought out that it did not get discarded every 2 years, instead, it just got upgraded with the help of the "community". I rolled my own until the late 70s. In the 60s, I built tube transmitters. In the 70s I did not roll any thing challenging, just solid state VHF amplifiers. Fortunately, the K6AA ARC worked with Carson High School, CA to allow us into their vocational electronics labs so we could try our hand at board layout, board etching and drilling, and the trials of actually making it work. I doubt that this capability is available to many hams. Yet, I continue to be impressed by and envious of some of the great homebrew projects that are still produced today. I also think the ARRL could do a better job of making QEX a little more challenging, and to foster the notion of ready to use boards for projects. I am one of the old timers whose age is pulling the mean age of hams upward. We need more to pull the mean age down, and to revitalize the hobby. Our challenge as individuals is to lure more hams who want to build and operate into the hobby. My 2c N7WY - Original Message - From: "Bill Coleman" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Mike Markowski" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Cc: Sent: Saturday, May 21, 2005 6:27 AM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Appliances vs. kits [was: RE: Can Elecraft takeover...] > > On May 20, 2005, at 10:33 PM, Mike Markowski wrote: > > > It's from Electronics Illustrated, > > Sept. 1964, "The Scrounger" by Herb Friedman W2ZLF, and starts with > > this: > > > > "Real challenge used to be ham radio's keynote. No one in the early > > days ever thought of flipping through a catalog, ordering gear galore > > and then going on the air the same day the stuff arrived. Most > > everyone > > rolled his own in those days. Today, this kind of fun is pretty much > > gone with the wind." > > Herb is correct to a point, but he misses some historical issues. > First, in the 20s and 30s, any gear that could be ordered through a > catalog was outrageously expensive for the day. Only the extreme > wealthiest of hams could possibly consider it. > > In the 40's and 50's, it was common for a ham to buy a receiver, but > build his own transmitter. Again, cost was a major consideration. > Even then, though, it was possibly for a well-to-do ham to order a > stack of Collins gear, install a Big Bertha and a christmas tree and > solder together virtually nothing but PL-259s. > > In the 50's and 60's (and even into the 70's) the reason that > Heathkits were so popular is that the assembly costs were a major > portion of any electronic equipment. Heath could sell gear at a > fraction of the cost of assembled gear, since the buyer provided all > the labor to assemble the gear. In the 80s, however, advances in > electronics and manufacturing finally turned the tide. Assembly costs > dived. > > Today, most electronics is assembled on a line with robotic > equipment. That's why parts have become so vanishingly small. > > We no longer build kits because it is a cheaper way to get access to > great equipment. We build for other reasons. > > It is interesting to note that other kit industries, like the kit > aircraft industry, are thriving because the economies of self-built > equipment still exist. > > Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASELMail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!" > -- Wilbur Wright, 1901 > > ___ > Elecraft mailing list > Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > You must be a subscriber to post to the list. > Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] start with key or paddles
Comrades, I wanted to thank each of you who advised me on the merits of starting code with straight key or paddles. I greatly appreciated the quality of your comments. It's astonishing how much compassionate intelligence is focussed at this reflector. Thanks again. john ferguson ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] I need a very small antenna analyzer that...
Is easy on batteries , fits into my wallet, and is a kit or close to a kit. The MFJ is fine but way to big etc. Ive tried some of the others but no sale... The Elecraft Analyzer would work just fine... Please send me one... Phil Santa Fe ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Can Elecraft take over the ham radio business ?
On May 20, 2005, at 9:14 PM, Marinos Markomanolakis, M.D. wrote: How many of us would choose the K2 as the main rig over the "K3" ?? Of Elecraft builders? I'd say only a few. A "K3" would be a great rig. Even though we can only speculate on the features or price range of such a hypothetical rig, I'd be sorely tempted to add one to my shack, right next to my K2. Would the average ham out there resist the urge of owing such a (K3) rig that he/she built himself instead of a ready made box with inferior basic performance ? Building is still a big hurdle. Witness all of the "I'll build it for you" guys out there. One guy on this list has built more than 80 rigs! Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASELMail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!" -- Wilbur Wright, 1901 ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Appliances vs. kits [was: RE: Can Elecraft take over...]
On May 20, 2005, at 10:33 PM, Mike Markowski wrote: It's from Electronics Illustrated, Sept. 1964, "The Scrounger" by Herb Friedman W2ZLF, and starts with this: "Real challenge used to be ham radio's keynote. No one in the early days ever thought of flipping through a catalog, ordering gear galore and then going on the air the same day the stuff arrived. Most everyone rolled his own in those days. Today, this kind of fun is pretty much gone with the wind." Herb is correct to a point, but he misses some historical issues. First, in the 20s and 30s, any gear that could be ordered through a catalog was outrageously expensive for the day. Only the extreme wealthiest of hams could possibly consider it. In the 40's and 50's, it was common for a ham to buy a receiver, but build his own transmitter. Again, cost was a major consideration. Even then, though, it was possibly for a well-to-do ham to order a stack of Collins gear, install a Big Bertha and a christmas tree and solder together virtually nothing but PL-259s. In the 50's and 60's (and even into the 70's) the reason that Heathkits were so popular is that the assembly costs were a major portion of any electronic equipment. Heath could sell gear at a fraction of the cost of assembled gear, since the buyer provided all the labor to assemble the gear. In the 80s, however, advances in electronics and manufacturing finally turned the tide. Assembly costs dived. Today, most electronics is assembled on a line with robotic equipment. That's why parts have become so vanishingly small. We no longer build kits because it is a cheaper way to get access to great equipment. We build for other reasons. It is interesting to note that other kit industries, like the kit aircraft industry, are thriving because the economies of self-built equipment still exist. Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASELMail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!" -- Wilbur Wright, 1901 ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] Yahoo Group Snoop
The first time I posted about this the QSL.NET spam catcher got me, since the message used some forbidden terms(the joys of automated content filtering). It would appear that Yahoo has a Group Snoop feature that may affect you if you're a member of their groups. So, you can read about it at the following URL which doesn't filter content: http://www.zerobeat.net/webbeacons.shtml 73,Thom-k3hrn www.zerobeat.net Home of QRP Web Ring, Drakelist home page, Free Classified Ads for amateur radio, QRP IRC channel Elecraft Owners Database www.tlchost.net/ Web Hosting as low as 3.49/month ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Can Elecraft take over the ham radio business ?
In a message dated 5/20/05 9:14:37 PM Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: > Lets assume that Elecraft had the K2 as we know it, and a "K3" more > expensive kit with all the "useless" accessories (IF notch, PBT, general HF > coverage, preselector, no birdies etc). OK - I have no doubt that Eric & Wayne could do it. Also assume that the "K3"s > > performance and specs were equally good to the basic K2 Not so easy. K2's single-conversion design, short signal path and unusual PLL system put hamband performance first, at the expense of other features. Different tradeoffs mean different payoffs. I prefer the Elecraft tradeoffs. and its price not > > prohibitive. > That's the real kicker. What price is "prohibitive" for such a rig - $2000? $3000? Price out a full-up K2/100, then see what the parts alone would cost you in small quantities. A K3 would have to cost more. > How many of us would choose the K2 as the main rig over the "K3" ?? Depends on the price. Would > > the average ham out there resist the urge of owing such a (K3) rig that > he/she built himself instead of a ready made box with inferior basic > performance ? No telling what most hams would do. Some would build, others would never even consider it. The price alone would deter many others. How many hams per year buy new 100W transceivers of any kind? > > My estimation would be not too many, but I may be wrong. > > Agreed. Also, while the K2/100 box is full, there are still growth paths for the K2. Changes in FCC rules may allow Elecraft to put the 100W amp and its tuner in a separate box (already done by some homebrewers). Maximum flexibility, minimum weight/size. Or the K2's insides could be implemented in a bigger box. I have considered doing this as a homebrew project. New sheet metal, new control board with bigger knobs, controls and displays, nothing irreversible. My impression of K2 is that it was designed to be the ultimate QRP CW ham rig. All else is add-ons. That's the opposite of the design philosophy of almost all other hamrigs since the KWM-2, which are primarily SSB rigs that have CW tacked on. 73 de Jim, N2EY ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] You can work Delta Xray with low power
I am sure these two "DX" contacts I have made in the past week are not any miles per watt record, but you can "work 'em." Trans continental contact has been made with W6YX (John at the Stanford ARC report to me 57), trans Atlantic contact was made last evening with HB9AAL (Pete reported my signal as 58). Power out of the K2 was at 10 watts, SSB mode on 40 meters, and the antenna used was an experimental DLRDLL-EndFedZ strung up in the attic. There was no "DX net" involved, no "Hey Bill did you get his 55 report", no Internet, no Ma Bell. It was done the OLD fashion way, "Call 'em and work 'em." I did this as a "secondary" activity to another project and no more than two calls were made to establish contact. The fun is still there. 2577 ps. The RX in this little box is amazing. Easy to listen to and hears every thing. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] Re: Elecraft Digest, Vol 13, Issue 24
On 21 May 2005 at 4:04, KK5F wrote: > There's 100 percent agreement here! Learn one mode and the other will > seem impossible. > > I haven't any moral objections to mode B, just to the firmware > designers who design an embedded keyer in a rig to use only one mode > and that mode is mode B! (Example...the nasty FT-817!!) For whatever > reasons some such firmware designers seem more often to choose mode B, > so I actually recommend that mode B be the mode learned if one is just > learning iambic keying. > > Thank goodness the Elecraft keyers allow either mode! But they don't include the third mode - Iambic OFF. This would allow the use of twin paddles without the keyer trying to insert anything at all by itself. Long time user of single paddles and struggling to use a twin paddle. Don't care what the iambic mode is, I never ever want to use it.. 73 Dave G3YMC http://www.davesergeant.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] UK delivery times??
Hi I am waiting on a T1 Tuner,i have not realy had any slow deliverys from the USA before,but how long should i wait,anyone with any ideas Donald 2M0XDS ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com