[Elecraft] Elecraft CW Net Announcement
Good Evening, Thunderstorms have been arriving off the Pacific Ocean and passing inland. Makes me scurry about unhooking antennas and finding where Sam is located. Two rare critter announcements: on Monday evening, while driving home from work, I saw a black bear cub very close to Buxton. He saw me and galumphed into the woods. Mom must have been close at hand because he was not too frightened. This morning I walked out on the porch and noticed something odd. I stood still and recognized a mask in the shadows. He was being very still too. I had never before seen a raccoon in Oregon. We stared at each other for a while until I looked away. He then started moving off. He was quite a long way from the nearest water which is odd for them. I normally saw them quite close the streams and cricks at home. Yes, crick, I am from a part of the Midwest where the maps spell it that way. It is pronounced crek with a short e sort of a schwa but not quite :) On Thursday morning 20 meters was having its problems albeit local. My normal sked into OK City was filled with: "Are you there Kevin?" While my end was filled with perfect copy. His local QRN was high from the passing thunderstorms. On Friday that all changed. There was QSB of two types simultaneously but that did not stop us from making an hour long chat out of things. Thursday held its Fox hunts on twenty which were a great way to determine propagation potential. I worked Wyoming (not easily) and then South Carolina with no problem at all. I heard stations from all over so I know twenty was working pretty well by then. Seems like the sun has tossed a little excitement at the ionosphere and has a few spots too. All should be well for tomorrow's first net. Then we come to forty: it should be good as well as long as the Midwestern thunderstorms are not too bad. Weather here has been HOT. Yes, hot, it got to 101 while I was downtown and into the high 80s up here on the mountain. Luckily we've had a little rain with very little lightning. Fire danger is not too high yet but that will come. If the temperatures stay warmer than normal and we get a little wind the forests will become tinder. The ocean has been bringing us morning fogs which help keep things wetter. The fogs come in and the large trees mine them for water. One morning I was awakened by what I thought was a good rainfall. I went to feed Sam and looked out at the deck. It was dry while the roof was getting a steady patter of rain drops. As I drove to work I saw what had occurred. Under each tree is a circle of moisture surrounded by dry areas. The gravel road alternated between wet round spots and dry open areas all the way down to about 1000 feet in elevation where I turned into Willamette River valley weather. Tomorrow: 1) Hail signs (first letter or two of the suffix of your call) 2) NCS help (as well as QSP/QNP help) Please join us: Sunday 2300z (Sunday 4 PM PDT) 14050 kHz Monday 0200z (Sunday 7 PM PDT) 7045 kHz 73, Kevin. KD5ONS P.S. I am pretty sure there will be a K3 on the air tomorrow during the nets. Please join us to give it a listen. KJR ___ 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] Proper K2 power cord?
Steve, I buy the 16 guage red/black 'zip' cord from The Wireman (www.thewireman.com) and construct a power cable for each K2 or K1 that I build. That size wire fits (snuggly) through the hole in the cover for the Switchcraft plug that is supplied by Elecraft. The Elecraft part number for the plug is E620032. As has been mentioned, the Radio shack plugs have a center conductor which comes all the way out to the end of the plug and poses a risk of shorting the power supply when it is in process of being plugged in or just laying on the bench - the plug supplied by Elecraft has a slightly recessed center conductor which minimizes this shorting problem. The 16 guage wire will have significantly lower voltage drop than thinner wire. 73, Don W3FPR Steve Kallal wrote: I have been using a molded power cord with my recently acquired used K2. I am sure the wire is 20 or smaller meaning there is likely a voltage drop. I need to build up a power cable with larger gauge wire. Also I need to get a connector. Does anyone know the correct Radio Shack SKU for the connector? What gauge of wire should I use. This is for QRP version of the K2. ___ 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] Proper K2 power cord?
Steve, Here is a chart of wire gage versus current capacity for power transmission. Gage Amps 12 9.3 14 5.9 16 3.7 18 2.3 20 1.5 The K2 10W version uses 2.0 amps for transmit and up to 0.250 amps for receive. It looks like 16 gage wire would work fine. If it were me, I would buy the connector from Elecraft. 73 Larry KB5DXY ___ 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] Proper K2 power cord?
Steve: I have been using a molded power cord with my recently acquired used K2. I am sure the wire is 20 or smaller meaning there is likely a voltage drop. I need to build up a power cable with larger gauge wire. Also I need to get a connector. Does anyone know the correct Radio Shack SKU for the connector? What gauge of wire should I use. This is for QRP version of the K2. I'd urge you to order the plug from Elecraft. It's an Elecraft part #E620032, describes as 2.1mm male connector. R/S will have something which will work, BUT those they sell DO NOT protect the inner conductor of the connector from shorting out if left to lay out on the desktop. The Switchcraft plugs which Elecraft sells have a slightly recessed center pin, which is mostly protected from accidental shorts to ground. The R/S versions are NOT so protected. Worth getting it from Elecraft. Regarding wire... I'd suggest you use #16 or larger, #14 if you can find some with insulation that doesn't overwhelm the power plug. 73, Tom HammondN0SS ___ 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] Proper K2 power cord?
I have been using a molded power cord with my recently acquired used K2. I am sure the wire is 20 or smaller meaning there is likely a voltage drop. I need to build up a power cable with larger gauge wire. Also I need to get a connector. Does anyone know the correct Radio Shack SKU for the connector? What gauge of wire should I use. This is for QRP version of the K2. 73, Steve N6VL ___ 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] Work a K3
Hadn't seen this post until afterwards, but I just worked him 20M SSB and it was one of the best signals I ran across on that band this afternoon! Impressive. David KE7EKA Quoting [EMAIL PROTECTED]: Rick, N6XI, is exercising his K3 in the IARU contest. Just worked him on 20 cw, about 14012 but he's moving around. Doug W6JD ___ 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 This message was sent using IMP, the Internet Messaging Program. ___ 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] Work a K3
Rick, N6XI, is exercising his K3 in the IARU contest. Just worked him on 20 cw, about 14012 but he's moving around. Doug W6JD ___ 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] Juky RFTB
This Sunday evening the Flying Pigs Amateur Radio Club International will be holding its monthly Run For The Bacon. This is a friendly, two hour QRP CW Sprint, which is open to ALL radio amateurs, will last from 9:00 - 11:00PM EDT (0100-0300 UTC Monday). You may work stations once per band on 160, 80, 40, 20, 15 or 10 Meters. Suggested starting frequencies are 1.812, 3.562, 7.044, 14.062, 21.062, and 28.062 MHz. The exchange is RST, S/P/C (State, Province, Country) and Flying Pigs membership number. If you're not a member of the Flying Pigs, and would like to be; then please click on the "membership" hyperlink on .http://www.gentzow.com/fpqrp/ Otherwise, non-members can just use their output power figure. You can report your score via the Autolog page which can be found at : http://gentzow.com/fpqrp/autolog.asp or you can mail your logs to the address given on the Autolog page. The deadline for logs is July 22nd at 2400 UTC. Hope to catch you on the air Sunday evening! 72 es "oo" Larry W2LJ FP#612 ___ 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] VCO test
Gary, You changed the probe for a known good one, and that was a wise first step. Next wise step is to determine whether the counter components on the Control Board are working. Try putting the counter probe in TP2, enter the menu and select CAL FCTR - you should see a frequency near 4915 kHz. If you do obtain a reading, then your counter is working. Also try at TP1, you should find a frequency between 12080 and 12100 kHz. If you don't obtain any readings, can you temporarily swap the Control Board with a known working one? If that Control Board allows you to obtain a counter reading, then try replacing Q9 and Q10 on your control board. You can use 2N transistors (borrow the two that you have not installed yet if you need to - then obtain replacements from mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]). If your VCO is not working, let us know and we will try to trace it to the source of the problem. 73, Don W3FPR Ian J Maude wrote: Hi All Up to Alignment test (p 60) onto the VCO test. So far all resistance checks and previous tests check out within tolerance. Freq probe has been replaced with known good one too. Problem - with Freq counter in tp1 I should see 8-10 Mhz with freq on about 4000.1khz. I do not. Display shows 0Khz steady. Have re checked and heated all connections, replaced Q17 (just in case) but reading does not change. Any pointers? Thanks M0RGB Gary ___ 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] Loss in Variable Crystal filter
Hello all, I have returned to using my K2 seriously, and I am curious if anyone else finds the following on their K2: When I switch from filter OP 1 on SSB to a narrower filter (i.e through the variable B/W filter on the main board) I get approx 10 dB loss of signal strength. Does this sound right?The S meter reads less, the AF out with AGC off is less and I am curious if the 5 pole variable bw crystal filter, should be that much lossier then the fixed 7 pole filter on the SSB board. I know there maybe MANY reasons, poor crystals, impedance matching issues ( I do have the NB installed) etc.but has anyone else seen this much variation and is there something in particular that I should look at to improve it? I cannot say that the S+N/N ratio is degraded, but it is annoying that it is such a difference. I feel I am losing out on gain, when I am listening in very low B/Ws in CW. 73 VK3NX Charlie ___ 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] Re: K3 RX performance (tantalizing preview)
Bill Coleman wrote: At NQ4I, with antenna separation of just a few dozen meters, we can often receive effectively within 10 kHz of the primary station. How do you do this? This field day, I found that having a station on SSB in the same band with me when I was on CW was really problematic. Antennas were oriented for minimal coupling and power was 100 watts. Rigs in this case were various Kenwoods, but I've also experienced this with other Japanese radios. The problem seems to be transmitted wideband phase noise that starts when the ptt is closed (the actual SSB signal does not seem to be a problem). We do have bp filters, but of course they don't help on the same band. We haven't had K2's at FD (I am the only one who has one). What kind of rigs are in use at NQ4I? -- 73, Vic, K2VCO Fresno CA http://www.qsl.net/k2vco ___ 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] VCO test
Hi All Up to Alignment test (p 60) onto the VCO test. So far all resistance checks and previous tests check out within tolerance. Freq probe has been replaced with known good one too. Problem - with Freq counter in tp1 I should see 8-10 Mhz with freq on about 4000.1khz. I do not. Display shows 0Khz steady. Have re checked and heated all connections, replaced Q17 (just in case) but reading does not change. Any pointers? Thanks M0RGB Gary -- Ian J Maude G0VGS SysOp GB7MBC DX Cluster Member of RSGB, ARRL, GQRP K2 #4044 | K3 #? ___ 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] KAT100: No SWR Indication
Jonathan, If it was working before, it may be that the wattmeter bridge diodes in the KAT100 were zapped with a lightning surge. I suggest the first step is to obtain 2 1N5711 diodes and replace D1 and D2. While you are doing that, check the soldering/tinning on the leads of T1. If that does not restore normal operation, other tests may be done. BUT - if it has NOT worked properly before, you may have other problems. In that case, check T1 very carefully to be certain the correct leads are in the proper holes and the leads are well tinned and soldered. In the future, for your personal safety and the health of your equipment, disconnect antennas when not in use. 73, Don W3FPR Jonathan Taylor, K1RFD wrote: After working OK for several years, my KAT100 no longer indicates SWR, nor does it tune properly. ___ 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
