Re: [Elecraft] Balun
Rich, I would like to second Ron's (AC7AC) comments about tuners. Personally I would stay away from 'T networks' for use in antenna tuners, and use the old fashioned link coupled form of balanced tuner. T networks can be mistuned to provide a 50 ohm load for the transmitter, but not deliver much power to the antenna, in other words become a fairly good dummy load. Quite a lot has been written about this. Although some commercial 'old fashioned' balanced tuners might run out of steam, there are ways to cure this problem - without modifying the tuner. If of interest to you, we could discuss this off list at a later date. The other option is to build one!! About the antenna, and assuming centre feed. As Ron has said, reducing the length of the wire even down to a quarter wave has little effect on the radiated signal at the frequency where the length is a quarter wave, less than 0.75db down from a full size halfwave dipole at the same frequency. The radiation resistance does decrease quite a lot, but is still manageable. The important thing is to keep the antenna wire away from tree branches, roof and other objects. The same applies to the feeder. If you feel happier with the longer wire and bend the ends downwards, the radiation pattern on the higher bands could be quite different from that of a straightforward flat top depending on how much wire droops. This comes about because the drooping ends at some frequencies become 'elements' of a broadside (or end fire) beam, whose radiation adds to (or subtracts from) the radiation from the horizontal wire. Murphy's law states that the high gain lobes will always point in the wrong directions! Dog legging the wire will have some effect, although not as much perhaps if gentle. Personally I would stick with a straight doublet, hung clear of other objects. Good luck, 73 Geoff GM4ESD - Original Message - From: Richard Soennichsen [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Thursday, June 09, 2005 9:30 PM Subject: [Elecraft] Balun Hi All, I (a Ham to be) am planning to buy a K2 in the future. I am planning my antenna now and am going to borrow a radio in the mean time. ___ 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] Slight K2 Drift When on PSK31
I have now operated K2 S/N 4751 for about a month and everything seems to work pretty good. I am mainly a PSK and RTTY operator and I would like to know if others have had the same experience about the K2 with PSK. The narrow band width with PSK requires a stable radio. I see sporatic cases on receive where a station transmits a waterfall line and then stops to receive a signal. When the station restarts transmitting again, the K2 receiver has drifted about 1/3 the width of the average waterfall line. This drift (10-20 HZ I think) requires me to reclick on the waterfall line to recenter the cursor so Digipan 1.6 can continue to decode the waterfall line information. Last night , I got a similar report on transmit as well. The effect appears sporatic. Right now, this is an bother - not a fatal defect, BUT my old ICOM 706MIIG never exhibited this drift . So has anybody seen this effect before. Obviously, CW, SSB and RTTY seem unaffected by this drift. * Is this drift normal for the K2? * If not, can I reposition the thermal sensor card (i.e., tilt it slightly) to get better performance? * Also, at what power levels do most people run a barefoot K2 in PSK? (I get slight heating of the heat sink (~100F) and I am thinking that the heat effects the PLL)? 73, Les WA3SGZ ___ 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] K1 - KAT1 FD OCF dipole ... do I have to do the math? ; -)
OK, I wanted to build a plug-n-play off-center-fed doublet for Field Day to match my K1 (40-30-20-17) / KAT1 / solar powered portable station. This aerial would be much like the old Fritzel, with some customization for my purposes. I reasoned I could fiddle with the offset (and maybe one dangling stub) to get the resonances I want, and so agrees EZNEC, but when I do, all of the feedpoint impedances look like they are around 260 to 350 ohms. So I need a 6:1 balun to coaxially feed this antenna (coax feed is necessary, long story). Then, I went to the shop downstairs to draw it out and wind one up ... no biggie, right? ... and I realized I can easily wind up a 4:1 right off the top of my head, but, how do I make a 6:1? I guess I need two back-to-back, or a funky duo-toroid, or something. ?? Well, I can obviously figure this out myself, but that would be reinventing the wheel. Did a bit of Googling, with no obvious results. I don't have Jerry Sevick's book here, alas. What say ye, fellow Elecrafters? Should I just use a 4:1 and eat the inefficiency? (At battery QRP, I don't like that option and besides, the purist in me revolts against such technoblasphemy.) Or could I actually make a custom balun here, and kit my solar-powered K1 with a snazzy, efficient and matching antenna? __ Discover Yahoo! Use Yahoo! to plan a weekend, have fun online and more. Check it out! http://discover.yahoo.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] Balun
Ron D'Eau Claire wrote on 06/09/05 21:57 ET: A balun will probably work okay, but they become unpredictable when the SWR on the line is high, as it will be in your antenna. I use a classic Zepp and found this out first hand! A 4:1 balun might not give a true 4:1 change in that case or could show losses. In the other extreme, sometimes the impedance can go low to begin with on a multiband wire and a 4:1 makes it too low to match. Sometimes people actually get out better simply hooking one side of the open wire feeder to the K2 case and the other to the center pin on the output of the ATU. That produces a large degree of imbalance in the feeders, so they'll radiate. That can actually be a help if your feeders are out in the clear and pretty much vertical. If your feeders aren't out in the clear, a 1:1 balun like the w2du type with ferrite beads does a much better job of suppressing common mode currents in the shack. Of course, you might lose the ability to tune 80m without the 4:1 and then have to play with feedline length. I like your line Ron: Nothing is as much black magic in his Hobby as antennas! 73, Mike AB3AP ___ 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 Love Toroids!
I know most of you don't feel this way, but I have finished installing the large toroids for the KAT100 and the board is so pretty I want to hang it on a wall as a picture. Well, not as nice as the pin-up calendar on the wall, . but almost. Steve, W2MY ___ 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] I Love Toroids!
Steve, Didn't your Mom warn you about sniffing solder fumes?? IMHO -- it does make a pretty looking piece of gear :-)) Dave KK7SS I know most of you don't feel this way, but I have finished installing the large toroids for the KAT100 and the board is so pretty I want to hang it on a wall as a picture. Well, not as nice as the pin-up calendar on the wall, . but almost. ___ 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] I Love Toroids!
Steven Pituch wrote: I know most of you don't feel this way, but I have finished installing the large toroids for the KAT100 and the board is so pretty I want to hang it on a wall as a picture. I agree! I hate winding those things, but I love to veiw the result. It makes me proud of myself. 73 de SM0RVV ./Erik K1 #1978 K2 #4904 halfway... ___ 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] I Love Toroids!
I to love Toroids and how they look after they are done. I was scared to do them in the beginning, but now from time to time I get Toroiditis. I would love to wind a toroid or two. To do that, I would have to sell the K2/100/KAT100 and start all over and that doesn't quite work out in today's schedule. I love Toroids Too. Lee - K0WA Common sense is in short supply - get some and use it. If you can't find any common sense, ask for help from somebody that has some common sense. - Lee Buller ___ 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] I Love Toroids!
Years ago the Apple Computer company had the framed prototype of the Apple 1 on their wall like a picture. With a note under it saying OUR FOUNDER. Been some time, not sure if its still there. Enjoy 73 Bob W7AVK Steven Pituch wrote: I know most of you don't feel this way, but I have finished installing the large toroids for the KAT100 and the board is so pretty I want to hang it on a wall as a picture. Well, not as nice as the pin-up calendar on the wall, . but almost. Steve, W2MY ___ 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] I Love Toroids!
I thought is said incase of emergency break glass Years ago the Apple Computer company had the framed prototype of the Apple 1 on their wall like a picture. With a note under it saying OUR FOUNDER. Been some time, not sure if its still there. Enjoy 73 Bob W7AVK Steven Pituch wrote: I know most of you don't feel this way, but I have finished installing the large toroids for the KAT100 and the board is so pretty I want to hang it on a wall as a picture. Well, not as nice as the pin-up calendar on the wall, . but almost. Steve, W2MY ___ 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] test
I dont seem to be able to mail to list. This is just a test ___ 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: I Love Toroids!
Here's a poem I wrote to inspire kit builders on this topic. I first posted it six years ago, when we had just started shipping the K2: that donut shape you're wielding is a wondrous thing to wind and also is self-shielding thus yielding peace of mind Builders kept asking whether they should measure the inductance of toroids or just go with our specified number of turns, so I added a stanza: our mysterious reluctance to measure each inductance reflects not low virility: just unknown permeability 73, Wayne N6KR --- 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] 160 on the K2
On Friday 10 June 2005 18:45, William E. Twaddell wrote: I would like to hear some comentary about addimg 160 to my K2. I have never worked 160 because of the severe antenna requirements. What does the reflector think? I wonder why 160m is an option on the K2 other than the fact that it won't fit on the main PCB. To me, an HF transceiver doesn't deserve the name if it doesn't have Top Band. I finished my K2 just a couple of days ago and have not been on 160m, except into the dummy load for aligning. I didn't buy the 160m option just to 'complete' the K2 - I intend to use it. Ian, K2 #4962 -- ___ 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] 160m
would a crystal set ant like this http://www.kc5wa.us/crystal_sets.jpg work as a 160 rx ant -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.323 / Virus Database: 267.6.6 - Release Date: 6/8/2005 ___ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Slight K2 Drift When on PSK31
This drift is discussed in the ReadMe file of one of the PSK programs (WinPSK, MixW, TrueTTY, etc.). If both have snap and/or AFC and the sound cards are off a little, then one slowing creeps up the band as each station adjusts to the other. A protocol was suggest were only one party used Snap and/or AFC. If the K2 is solid in other modes, I'd say this is a soundcard (calibration?)/software issue. 73, Paul ___ 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
