[Elecraft] Quick Feedback on K3 so far
Well #114 far exceeds my expectations. My main use is for VHF/UHF as an IF driver for microwaves. Yesterday it got connected to my Mutek 144 MHz tvtr which drives my dual band 10g/24g tvtrs I am really impressed with the audio quality, my ham friend who came to have a look had his jaw on the floor and simply said wow! Really superb audio! Even at 100 Hz - no ringing - clean crisp audio with a lovely feel to it - not harsh like my pro 2. Filtering is excellent and monitoring some of the beacons yesterday revealed how useful this baby will be - most people think that you can drive microwave tvtrs with an FT290 and it will work as good as a top line radio - which is nonsense - I need end to end performance and the K3 allows me to dig into weak signals unlike a normal VHF multimode like a 290 never could Low noise receiver is excellent and with my heil this sounds super - really pleased. No major issues during built - all smoothly put together - 1 evening and 1 mornings work. (I had a head start having built a number of K2s) So ... Impressed and waiting for this to develop further Some great features and with the 2nd rx this will really add to my station capabilty Well done Elecraft - another impressed customer! :-) 73 Simon DL4PLM And here is the final #114 finished and working on 10g/24g! http://www.pbase.com/dl4plm/image/89757721.jpg Simon Lewis GM4PLM/DL4PLM http://www.dl4plm.net ___ 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] AGC Threshold Ok! (was Re: K2: AGC Threshold Too Low?)
Hi All, Good news... I got my K2's replacement voltage regulator (LM2930T-8) from Elecraft on Friday. Today I took out the old one and put in the new one... the output of the voltage regulator is now 8.04 volts, which is a whole lot better than the 7.53 volts I had gotten before! And after adjusting R1, the AGC threshold is reading 3.80, exactly where it should be! Elecraft also sent me a replacement R116 which was missing (I think!) so I was able to finish building Part II and move on to the alignment and test for Part II. Someone on the list (NM5B) had recommend I pick up a few of the Elecraft mini-modules, so I ordered the noise generator, the 50uV signal generator, and the dummy load. I put those together today too, with no issues, and used them to help work through the alignment and test. On the whole, I was quite happy with the results of the alignment and test; all of the instructions were fairly straightforward, and, even better, my K2 seemed to pass all of them perfectly! Yay! And the noise generator works; I can hear the noise. The signal generator works, too; when I tune around 7040 kHz, I can hear the 40m 50uV oscillator. Now comes my strange and possibly embarrassing question... Um... should I be able to receive anything yet? Keep in mind, this is my first radio... well, second, if you count my Yaesu VX-7R... and I don't entirely know what to expect. I have what is probably a very bad antenna; it's just two pieces of random wire I had laying around, soldered onto a BNC connector, and draped around the room. The total length is probably 20-25 feet, which I *know* isn't the right length for 40 meters... but it was the longest wire I had laying around. When I hook it to the K2 via a 3ft BNC patch cable, I definitely hear an increase in the noise level in the headphones. But I wasn't able to tune into anything that sounded like an actual transmission. No voice, no CW. I tried switching between CW, LSB, and USB. And I fiddled with the filter settings. I did hear a couple different kinds of things: I hear whistling noises that increase or decrease in pitch as I tune around. I hear pops that happen when I tune across some small range of frequencies. These pops seem to be mostly repeatable, as if I'm hitting something in the same spot in the band, but I was never able to tune in to anything. I do also hear several places where the noise is louder, and the S- meter increases by a notch or two... and once or twice I heard something that could possibly have been very, very garbled speech. But I wasn't ever able to tune into those, either, and in fact it could have been my imagination. And, so far... that's about it. Some other things that might be worth pointing out: I have a high- voltage transmission line and a substation about a block away from me... and my antenna is parallel to it. And I connected the VX-7R to the same antenna and it gets similar kinds of noise, and no signals on 40m either. Also, I'm on the 2nd floor of an apartment, and an outside antenna isn't going to be feasible here. I didn't try grounding the K2 to the electrical ground yet... I certainly can't install my own ground rod, either! I was running the K2 from 12 volts worth of D batteries, to minimize power supply noise. And I turned off all the fluorescent lights, which dropped the noise considerably, but didn't reveal anything underneath the noise. So... does this sound appropriate given the current situation? Should I be hearing more than this? Am I not understanding how the K2 works? Am I missing something very basic about ham radio? Am I doing something silly? :-) Should I try a better/different antenna? I now have about 150ft of 12ga stranded wire that I can use for a second test antenna; if I run it perpendicular to the high voltage line I think I can go 40ft in a mostly straight line, and probably 50ft with one right-angle bend in it. I can't get to 67ft without some major contortions; my apartment just isn't that big! I have the internal antenna tuner for my K2 but of course I haven't put it together yet! Or could there be something wrong with my partly-assembled K2? To date, I've heard almost nothing on *any* HF band... once or twice I've been able to hear faint strains of music on the VX-7R, when using the pre-programmed Shortwave Broacast built-in memory. And I have another little transistor radio that has shortwave bands on it... and I've never heard anything on that either. Could I somehow be in a location where I can't receive much of anything? (I do hear stuff on VHF bands with the VX-7R.) Suggestions/recommendations welcome! Thanks, Sarah AF6FH On Nov 23, 2007, at 12:53 PM, Sarah K. wrote: [quoted bit corrected for typos!] Hi, I'm Sarah, AF6FH! I just got my license a couple weeks ago, and I'm now assembling K2# 06322, which will be my first HF radio. I
Re: [Elecraft] Quick Feedback on K3 so far
Simon, Have you thought about satellite / duplex operation with the K3? It's not urgent - for LEO I have my TS-2000 but am thinking EME and HEO. For LEO / HEO duplex is important but I have not worked out a solution regarding switching I/O with the K3, I have a sub-rx on order. FWIW I do not suffer from strong signals locally. Simon Brown, HB9DRV - Original Message - From: Simon Lewis [EMAIL PROTECTED] Well #114 far exceeds my expectations. ___ 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] AF1 white noise
Hi, I assembled the AF1 External filter and it works.Only one thing is annoying: There is constant white noise on my headphones( tried different headphones) even when the af gain is set counter clockwise- this noise may cover very weak signals.Any ideas? vy73 Chris -- GMX FreeMail: 1 GB Postfach, 5 E-Mail-Adressen, 10 Free SMS. Alle Infos und kostenlose Anmeldung: http://www.gmx.net/de/go/freemail ___ 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] K3 in action
Hi all, http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=10f_1196591072 vy 73 Eric PA3CEV K2#960 K3#122 -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.16.10/1160 - Release Date: 29-11-2007 20:32 ___ 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] AGC Threshold Ok! (was Re: K2: AGC Threshold Too Low?)
Sarah If the 50 uV signal generator indicates a signal level of around S9 on your K2, that is exactly how it should be. Your length of wire in the room may not receive signals well, depending on the type of materials used to build your house it could be shielding signals by quite a few dBs. I would be tempted to run the wire out of a window or door and out to a support, it doesn't need to be very high - even at 6 feet high it should be picking up signals. During most of the day you should be hearing plenty on 20m and 40m, after dark you would need to move down in frequency as 20m will close. 73 Dave, G4AON K1, K2/10 and K3/100 ___ 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] Elecraft K3 Support on the Weekends?
Sorry, I should have replied earlier on this - I think I remember Ron (wrote assembly manuals) or someone else from Elecraft saying that the jumper would not be included in the kit if you ordered a K3/100. On 1/12/07 21:00, [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] sent: My RF board is missing the PA Jumper Block. Any other K3 builders have this problem? Is it safe to proceed with assembly? -- Not all those that wander are lost. -J.R.R. Tolkien, novelist and philologist (1892-1973) ___ 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] Elecraft K3 Support on the Weekends?
Sorry, better ignore that, I've just seen the mail from Ron saying it should be there etc. Back to waiting ... On 2/12/07 11:51, David Ferrington, M0XDF [EMAIL PROTECTED] sent: Sorry, I should have replied earlier on this - I think I remember Ron (wrote assembly manuals) or someone else from Elecraft saying that the jumper would not be included in the kit if you ordered a K3/100. On 1/12/07 21:00, [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] sent: My RF board is missing the PA Jumper Block. Any other K3 builders have this problem? Is it safe to proceed with assembly? -- Man is the best computer we can put aboard a spacecraft and the only one that can be mass produced with unskilled labour. -Wernher von Braun, rocket engineer (1912-1977) ___ 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] Elecraft K3 Support on the Weekends?
You won't be able to do the low power tests without either the jumper or the PAIO board. The jumper was installed to make sure that you could do the tests without doing the PA install AND to make sure that you removed the jumper BEFORE doing any PA tests. At 12/1/2007 04:12 PM, Simon Lewis wrote: Henry I would install the PAIO board that's in the 100w pa kit and use that by setting the right setting in the menu PAIO normal setting under the KPA config item - That should work as intended but with no PA installed and allow your basic tests The PA jumper is only needed if the 100w pa is not installed and no PAIO board is available as far as I can see. I think you should not have any issue doing that and it would work fine Rgds Simon Simon Lewis GM4PLM/DL4PLM http://www.dl4plm.net -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Samstag, 1. Dezember 2007 22:01 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft K3 Support on the Weekends? Simon, et al, Thanks for the quick responses. I thought that with all of us building these over the weekend, there would be someone answering support questions. But, I know they have been busy, and maybe need some time off to deal with other issues. I do have the KPA3 100 watt amp to install. The assembly manual that came with the kit indicates that it is not necessary if you are going to install the KPA3. However, the picture in the manual does show it already installed from Elecraft. The latest assembly manual, from the web site, indicates that you will still need the PA Jumper Block to do some initial testing before installing the KPA3. So, I am trying to get clarification as to whether I really need it. And, if I do, I need to get someone to ship me one. As an aside, it sure would be nice to know what changed from manual revision to revision. That way I could just update the manual that came with the kit originally. In my full-time job, when a procedure is changed, there is always a sheet describing what paragraphs/sentences/pages were changed. That makes it easy to see where the differences exist. 73, Henry - K4TMC K3#98 -Original Message- From: Simon Brown (HB9DRV) [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Sat, 1 Dec 2007 3:22 pm Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft K3 Support on the Weekends? You can continue, you will not need it if you have the 100W PA. It should / could be on the mainboard anyway. Simon Brown, HB9DRV - Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Saturday, December 01, 2007 9:09 PM Subject: [Elecraft] Elecraft K3 Support on the Weekends? Is Elecraft Support active on the weekends? No response received from a late Friday afternoon note about a missing part. My RF board is missing the PA Jumper Block. Any other K3 builders have this problem? Is it safe to proceed with assembly? 73, Henry - K4TMC K3 #98 More new features than ever. Check out the new AOL Mail ! - http://o.aolcdn.com/cdn.webmail.aol.com/mailtour/aol/en-us/text.htm?ncid=aol cmp000503 ___ 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 More new features than ever. Check out the new AOL Mail ! - http://o.aolcdn.com/cdn.webmail.aol.com/mailtour/aol/en-us/text.htm?ncid=aol cmp000503 ___ 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] RE K3 display for contesters, msg 8 by WC1M
Dick Thanks for your interesting email, much appreciated and understood. Long live Elecraft 73 Robert G3RCE Well, speaking as someone with an almost big-gun station, SNIP - At times it's been difficult to raise legitimate criticisms of the Orion without getting flamed from all sides by Ten-Tec loyalists, many of whom have limited technical knowledge and experience - similarly there are such Elecraft loyalists Robert G3RCE - ___ 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] Elecraft K3 Support on the Weekends?
Mine came with one and I ordered a pa - maybe they changed their mind! Simon Lewis GM4PLM/DL4PLM http://www.dl4plm.net -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of David Ferrington, M0XDF Sent: Sonntag, 2. Dezember 2007 12:52 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED]; elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft K3 Support on the Weekends? Sorry, I should have replied earlier on this - I think I remember Ron (wrote assembly manuals) or someone else from Elecraft saying that the jumper would not be included in the kit if you ordered a K3/100. On 1/12/07 21:00, [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] sent: My RF board is missing the PA Jumper Block. Any other K3 builders have this problem? Is it safe to proceed with assembly? -- Not all those that wander are lost. -J.R.R. Tolkien, novelist and philologist (1892-1973) ___ 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] Elecraft K3 Support on the Weekends?
In a recent message, David Ferrington, M0XDF [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote ... Sorry, I should have replied earlier on this - I think I remember Ron (wrote assembly manuals) or someone else from Elecraft saying that the jumper would not be included in the kit if you ordered a K3/100. Thank you, David, I wondering that myself. Now we all know not to expect the jumper with our K3/100s. 73 -- David G4DMP Leeds, England, UK -- ___ 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] K3 in action
Great little clip Eric! How about a full length feature? Nice to hear the K3 sounding good on cw. 73, Barry N1EU http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=10f_1196591072 ___ 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] Bandpass filter tutorial (was K3 Filters)
Al makes a good point - the steepness of the digital filter skirt makes a big difference in what you hear. In high QRN condx on cw (i.e., narrow selectivity), it's often desirable to use shallower sloped dsp filtering to avoid ringing. Has there been any discussion about a K3 menu option to vary the dsp filter slope? Several other DSP/SDR radios allow you to vary a TAPS setting for the digital FIR filters. So the amount of ringing depends on the filter bandwidth and the steepness of the filter skirts. The narrower the bandwidth and the steeper the skirts, the more ringing. The above is true for both digital and analog filters. 73, Barry N1EU ___ 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] K3 display for contesters
Dick, you are on target about the TenTec reflector. The same thing is going on at the FT-2000 reflector now. It seems every item warrants a flame from someone who does not agree. The Elecraft reflector is very tame compared to the FT-2000. Eric and Wayne are to be credited for not only bringing forth a super product but their willingness to address any and all issues. So my hat is to all at Elecraft for being a class act. Dwight W4IJY K2 #4766 (ain't done yet) ___ 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] Assembly Manual Revisions
Ron, AC7AC Said:While most revisions to a new letter involve incorporating the items shown in the errata, there was an additional major change made between Rev B and Rev C of the K3 Kit Assembly Manual. The procedure was reorganized to allow builders with the KPA3 100 watt amplifier module to install the KPA3 shield assembly during the initial build. That avoids removing the bottom covers and KNB3 module and standoff later to install the shield. New steps were added to actually install the shield, a number of existing steps were moved to put them in the most convenient order. Almost every page in the assembly procedure was changed in order to accomplish that. ---Ron and All,I certainly support this change. I just finished installing the KPA3, andfelt like I was doing an excessive amount of backtracking. The KPA3 would be considerably easier to install with the change you indicate. Bravo!Dave W7AQK ___ 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] New QRP Club!
Hello fellow QRPers, I would like to announce the formation of the Polar Bear QRP Club. The PB QRP Club originated from the EPA QRP Club, but has grown over the years. It was time to make it a club instead of a program. Many thanks go to Ron, WB3AAL, for all his hard work nurturing the PB Program from a cub into a bear. If you would like to see what the Polar Bear QRP Club is all about, click on the link below. http://www.polarbearqrp.org 72, Roo Bear Ed, WA3WSJ ___ 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] Elecraft K3 Support on the Weekends? - Update
Ron, Thanks for the clarification on the changes. I did find that the changes are less significant than I first thought. So, I am proceeding with Rev B, but am also following the same steps in Rev C. My frustration was centered around the changes relative to the PA Jumper Block. One manual implied that I would not need it since I had the 100 watt amp, while the other clearly stated that I still needed it. Then I became concerned about what other similar changes that may be forthcoming as I proceeded. And, the manual information on the web page would not allow me to track the changes between my manual and the latest manual. Coupled with that was finding the item missing from a board that was supposed to be checked before shipment. The jumper block is the only thing that can be easily removed from the RF board. Thusly, that should be a high priority check before placing them into the bags. As an aside for others, my professional background is quality assurance/quality control, and these types of problems are normal issues that develop in manufacturing new products or in low quantity standard products. This goes along with the already discussed product delays. For those concerned about the dog...she is fine. I found that I did not have to print the whole Rev C manual; therefore, I took her for a walk. The fresh air helped both of us! Also, I did get a response from Elecraft Support on Saturday afternoon, less than 24 hours after my separate note to them. Realizing that it is the weekend and the workload they may be experiencing, I find that satisfactory. I found that I have been spoiled by the quicker responses from Elecraft users and experts like W3FPR, etc. Lisa can expect a phone call from me Monday requesting a PA Jumper Block. Back to the workbench...and more frequent walks... 73, Henry - K4TMC -Original Message- From: Ron D'Eau Claire [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Sat, 1 Dec 2007 11:23 pm Subject: RE: [Elecraft] Elecraft K3 Support on the Weekends? Not a bit. Rev B will get you there perfectly. Rev C streamlines the process to remove perhaps 5 minutes of work, that's all. Because many steps were moved around, if you've started assembly with Rev B I recommend you finish using that Rev to be sure you don't miss any steps. Ron AC7AC -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, December 01, 2007 5:24 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft K3 Support on the Weekends? So... I am wasting my time trying to build my K3 with the Assembly Manual (Rev B-1) that came in the box! I really did not want to throw away the manual that came in the box, but it apparently is of little value now. I am now stopping work and printing a new manual. 73, Henry - K4TMC (while its printing I think I'll go kick the dog) -Original Message- From: Ron D'Eau Claire [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: 'Elecraft Reflector' elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Sat, 1 Dec 2007 8:03 pm Subject: RE: [Elecraft] Elecraft K3 Support on the Weekends? While most revisions to a new letter involve incorporating the items shown in the errata, there was an additional major change made between Rev B and Rev C of the K3 Kit Assembly Manual. The procedure was reorganized to allow builders with the KPA3 100 watt amplifier module to install the KPA3 shield assembly during the initial build. That avoids removing the bottom covers and KNB3 module and standoff later to install the shield. New steps were added to actually install the shield, a number of existing steps were moved to put them in the most convenient order. Almost every page in the assembly procedure was changed in order to accomplish that. Ron AC7AC -Original Message- On Sat, 01 Dec 2007 16:00:35 -0500, you wrote: Simon, et al, [snip] As an aside, it sure would be nice to know what changed from manual revision to revision. That way I could just update the manual that came with the kit originally. In my full-time job, when a procedure is changed, there is always a sheet describing what paragraphs/sentences/pages were changed. That makes it easy to see where the differences exist. [snip] Go to the web site and download the errata for the manuals in question is how I would find out. Tom, N5GE - SWOT 3537 - Grid EM12jq ___ 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 More new features than ever. Check out the new AOL Mail ! -
Fw: [Elecraft] Elecraft K3 Support on the Weekends?
- Original Message - From: Gary Bartlett VE1RGB [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: David Ferrington, M0XDF [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Sunday, December 02, 2007 10:22 AM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft K3 Support on the Weekends? Sorry to add to the confusion, but #095 was ordered as a K3/100, and it did come with the PA jumper block installed. Looks like we have some program start-up configuration issues. Gary, VE1RGB - Original Message - From: David Ferrington, M0XDF [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED]; elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Sunday, December 02, 2007 7:51 AM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft K3 Support on the Weekends? Sorry, I should have replied earlier on this - I think I remember Ron (wrote assembly manuals) or someone else from Elecraft saying that the jumper would not be included in the kit if you ordered a K3/100. On 1/12/07 21:00, [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] sent: My RF board is missing the PA Jumper Block. Any other K3 builders have this problem? Is it safe to proceed with assembly? -- Not all those that wander are lost. -J.R.R. Tolkien, novelist and philologist (1892-1973) ___ 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] Elecraft K3 Support on the Weekends?
Except the instructions call for the K3 to be tested as a 10 Watt unit before installing the PA, therefore the jumper is necessary! It is possible to install the PA from scratch, so if there is no jumper it's not a show stopper. 73 Dave, G4AON K3/100 #80 = In a recent message, David Ferrington, M0XDF M0XDF at Alphadene.co.uk http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft wrote ... /Sorry, I should have replied earlier on this - I think I remember Ron (wrote //assembly manuals) or someone else from Elecraft saying that the jumper would //not be included in the kit if you ordered a K3/100. / Thank you, David, I wondering that myself. Now we all know not to expect the jumper with our K3/100s. ___ 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] AGC Threshold Ok! (was Re: K2: AGC Threshold Too Low?)
Sarah, While I'm not familiar with the VX-7R and don't own a K2, it sounds like things are working. If you receive something from the noise generator and the signal generator (particularly if you switch the latter to 1 micro-volt), your rig is probably working correctly. I don't know how much that will change when you have completed the radio. I'm told that in a properly adjusted (and complete?) radio, a 1 micro-volt signal should register about S-3 and 50 micro-volt should be something like 20 db over 9. Part of what you are experiencing is the relatively poor HF band conditions and part is from the low gain antenna. If you tune around during the day, you should probably hear *something* in at least the 40 meter CW portion... Hope that helps! Have fun. Regards, kurtt Kurt Pawlikowski, AKA WB9FMC The Pinrod Corporation [EMAIL PROTECTED] (773) 284-9500 http://pinrod.com Sarah K wrote: Hi All, Good news... I got my K2's replacement voltage regulator (LM2930T-8) from Elecraft on Friday. Today I took out the old one and put in the new one... the output of the voltage regulator is now 8.04 volts, which is a whole lot better than the 7.53 volts I had gotten before! And after adjusting R1, the AGC threshold is reading 3.80, exactly where it should be! Elecraft also sent me a replacement R116 which was missing (I think!) so I was able to finish building Part II and move on to the alignment and test for Part II. Someone on the list (NM5B) had recommend I pick up a few of the Elecraft mini-modules, so I ordered the noise generator, the 50uV signal generator, and the dummy load. I put those together today too, with no issues, and used them to help work through the alignment and test. On the whole, I was quite happy with the results of the alignment and test; all of the instructions were fairly straightforward, and, even better, my K2 seemed to pass all of them perfectly! Yay! And the noise generator works; I can hear the noise. The signal generator works, too; when I tune around 7040 kHz, I can hear the 40m 50uV oscillator. Now comes my strange and possibly embarrassing question... Um... should I be able to receive anything yet? Keep in mind, this is my first radio... well, second, if you count my Yaesu VX-7R... and I don't entirely know what to expect. I have what is probably a very bad antenna; it's just two pieces of random wire I had laying around, soldered onto a BNC connector, and draped around the room. The total length is probably 20-25 feet, which I *know* isn't the right length for 40 meters... but it was the longest wire I had laying around. When I hook it to the K2 via a 3ft BNC patch cable, I definitely hear an increase in the noise level in the headphones. But I wasn't able to tune into anything that sounded like an actual transmission. No voice, no CW. I tried switching between CW, LSB, and USB. And I fiddled with the filter settings. I did hear a couple different kinds of things: I hear whistling noises that increase or decrease in pitch as I tune around. I hear pops that happen when I tune across some small range of frequencies. These pops seem to be mostly repeatable, as if I'm hitting something in the same spot in the band, but I was never able to tune in to anything. I do also hear several places where the noise is louder, and the S-meter increases by a notch or two... and once or twice I heard something that could possibly have been very, very garbled speech. But I wasn't ever able to tune into those, either, and in fact it could have been my imagination. And, so far... that's about it. Some other things that might be worth pointing out: I have a high-voltage transmission line and a substation about a block away from me... and my antenna is parallel to it. And I connected the VX-7R to the same antenna and it gets similar kinds of noise, and no signals on 40m either. Also, I'm on the 2nd floor of an apartment, and an outside antenna isn't going to be feasible here. I didn't try grounding the K2 to the electrical ground yet... I certainly can't install my own ground rod, either! I was running the K2 from 12 volts worth of D batteries, to minimize power supply noise. And I turned off all the fluorescent lights, which dropped the noise considerably, but didn't reveal anything underneath the noise. So... does this sound appropriate given the current situation? Should I be hearing more than this? Am I not understanding how the K2 works? Am I missing something very basic about ham radio? Am I doing something silly? :-) Should I try a better/different antenna? I now have about 150ft of 12ga stranded wire that I can use for a second test antenna; if I run it perpendicular to the high voltage line I think I can go 40ft in a mostly straight line, and probably 50ft with one right-angle bend in it. I can't get to 67ft without some major contortions; my apartment just isn't that big!
[Elecraft] KAT100-1: will it work with the K3??
I searched the Elecraft website and couldn't answer the question: Will the KAT100-1 work with the K3? This question has likely come up before, so I ask your patience with it coming up again. -- 73 AllanK7GT ___ 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]KAT100 will it work with the K3
Hi Allan, It is not compatibloe with the K3 73 Bryan GM3AKF ___ 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] K3 ..what production run is currently being shipped?
Looking at the wiki, http://www.zerobeat.net/mediawiki/index.php/K3_Serial_Numbers, it appears to be about 25 per week, and is accelerating as time goes on. They were at the half-way point of the 1st run on about Nov. 28. Depending on the acceleration rate, that implies a projected wrap-up of the 1st run in the 2nd-3rd week of December. Of course, it's only a SWAG as far as the acceleration rate goes ;-) I ordered on April 30, with no deposit, and expect to get a notice in a couple weeks, and hopefully a shipment before the end of the year. If I had only had the foresight to make a deposit, I would have had mine long ago ;-( I'm eager to get mine hooked to my panadapter prototype ;-) 73, Larry N8LP Date: Sat, 01 Dec 2007 23:53:23 -0500 From: Jerry Flanders [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 ..what production run is currently being shipped? To: [EMAIL PROTECTED], elecraft@mailman.qth.net Message-ID: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed I would guess not very many, judging from the serial numbers being reported here occasionally as they are received in the field. 117 the other day is the highest SN I can remember. Jerry W4UK ___ 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] AGC Threshold Ok! (was Re: K2: AGC Threshold Too Low?)
Hello Sarah, Having spent 10 years or so in apartments trying to operate HF I can recommend a couple of things to improve your evaluation of the K2. GET THE ANTENNA OUTSIDE AND IF POSSIBE MAKE IT REASONATE. I had a friend give me the remains of a couple of Hustler mobile antenna setups including two masts and 2 40 and 2 20 meter resonators. I used a mount I got at the time from a CB store to make a rotatable dipole and put it on a camera tripod with duct tape. Not pretty but it fit on the patio for the first test and made a usable receive antenna. Later I made an extension mast from the pole off a pool skimmer and put it in a TV tripod and just stood it on my balcony lashed to the handrail with bungee cords. This put the antenna up and away from the building which was stucco over wire and block. This type of construction acts like a faraday shield and won't let you hear diddly. I had to put it up and down each day I intended to use it so the mgmnt wouldn't have a fit but it worked well enough to keep me from being QRT. Good luck with your K2 project. You have the greatest resource at your fingertips with the company and this reflector so failure is unlikely. I know we will hear you on the air at some point. ;) Michael Baker K7DD [EMAIL PROTECTED] -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Sarah K Sent: Sunday, December 02, 2007 1:58 AM To: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] AGC Threshold Ok! (was Re: K2: AGC Threshold Too Low?) Hi All, Good news... I got my K2's replacement voltage regulator (LM2930T-8) from Elecraft on Friday. Today I took out the old one and put in the new one... the output of the voltage regulator is now 8.04 volts, which is a whole lot better than the 7.53 volts I had gotten before! And after adjusting R1, the AGC threshold is reading 3.80, exactly where it should be! Elecraft also sent me a replacement R116 which was missing (I think!) so I was able to finish building Part II and move on to the alignment and test for Part II. Someone on the list (NM5B) had recommend I pick up a few of the Elecraft mini-modules, so I ordered the noise generator, the 50uV signal generator, and the dummy load. I put those together today too, with no issues, and used them to help work through the alignment and test. On the whole, I was quite happy with the results of the alignment and test; all of the instructions were fairly straightforward, and, even better, my K2 seemed to pass all of them perfectly! Yay! And the noise generator works; I can hear the noise. The signal generator works, too; when I tune around 7040 kHz, I can hear the 40m 50uV oscillator. Now comes my strange and possibly embarrassing question... Um... should I be able to receive anything yet? Keep in mind, this is my first radio... well, second, if you count my Yaesu VX-7R... and I don't entirely know what to expect. I have what is probably a very bad antenna; it's just two pieces of random wire I had laying around, soldered onto a BNC connector, and draped around the room. The total length is probably 20-25 feet, which I *know* isn't the right length for 40 meters... but it was the longest wire I had laying around. When I hook it to the K2 via a 3ft BNC patch cable, I definitely hear an increase in the noise level in the headphones. But I wasn't able to tune into anything that sounded like an actual transmission. No voice, no CW. I tried switching between CW, LSB, and USB. And I fiddled with the filter settings. I did hear a couple different kinds of things: I hear whistling noises that increase or decrease in pitch as I tune around. I hear pops that happen when I tune across some small range of frequencies. These pops seem to be mostly repeatable, as if I'm hitting something in the same spot in the band, but I was never able to tune in to anything. I do also hear several places where the noise is louder, and the S- meter increases by a notch or two... and once or twice I heard something that could possibly have been very, very garbled speech. But I wasn't ever able to tune into those, either, and in fact it could have been my imagination. And, so far... that's about it. Some other things that might be worth pointing out: I have a high- voltage transmission line and a substation about a block away from me... and my antenna is parallel to it. And I connected the VX-7R to the same antenna and it gets similar kinds of noise, and no signals on 40m either. Also, I'm on the 2nd floor of an apartment, and an outside antenna isn't going to be feasible here. I didn't try grounding the K2 to the electrical ground yet... I certainly can't install my own ground rod, either! I was running the K2 from 12 volts worth of D batteries, to minimize power supply noise. And I turned off all the fluorescent lights, which dropped the noise
RE: [Elecraft] Fw: PA jumper board/display film
as did mine, exactly .. SN #113 -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Ken Kopp Sent: Sunday, December 02, 2007 12:29 PM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] Fw: PA jumper board/display film FWIW, mine (S/N 56) ordered as a K3/100 came with a jumper board. And no protective film on the display. 73! Ken Kopp - K0PP [EMAIL PROTECTED] or [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___ 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 email message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain information that is proprietary, confidential, and exempt from disclosure under applicable law. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure, or distribution is prohibited. If you have received this email in error please notify the sender by return email and delete the original message. Please note, the recipient should check this email and any attachments for the presence of viruses. The organization accepts no liability for any damage caused by any virus transmitted by this email. = ___ 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] KAT100 and K3
The answer is found in the FAQ (search harder!). LOL [snip] Does the K3 support the K2 auxbus? Yes, the Accessory Connector provides an auxbus signal for standard, external K2 accessories. The list at present includes the KRC2 decoder and the various VHF and UHF transverters. The KAT100 and KPA100 in an EC2 enclosure is NOT supported. The KPA100 was designed as an integral part of the K2, and specifically not as a general purpose HF amplifier. In addition, the KPA100 does not include coverage of 6 meters. The KAT100 requires considerable bi-directional traffic on the auxbus, and could lead to RFI and other issues. [end snip] and [snip] Does the automatic antenna tuner work with the 10W QRP version of the K3? Yes. Additionally, the K3 firmware does NOT support the KAT100 or the KPA100. [end snip] and [snip] The KAT100 and KPA100 in an EC2 enclosure is NOT supported. [end snip] and [snip] We also don't plan to support the KAT100, for [very good] reasons I outlined in my earlier posting on the auxbus. [end snip] That should do it! :-) de Doug KR2Q ___ 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] Fw: PA jumper board/display film
FWIW, mine (S/N 56) ordered as a K3/100 came with a jumper board. And no protective film on the display. 73! Ken Kopp - K0PP [EMAIL PROTECTED] or [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___ 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] K3 prod runs: summary
Michael (et al): It is my impression that Eric and Wayne have defined it as follows: Run #1 ends with orders placed on ~May 14 (deposit or not). Currently, it appears that they still shipping KIT orders placed on May 1 + 2 and ASSEMBLED ordered placed at the end of April to May 1. You should consider adding a buffer to these numbers, as I may be a couple days off by now. So run #2 is still a ways off (but getting closer). I am near the beginning of Run #2, having first ordered during the opening hours of Dayton (May 18). There currently is USUALLY an update early in the week (last time was Monday), so we may know more tomorrow. de Doug KR2Q ___ 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] Crushproof KX1
Denny that is cool! What's chances I could get you to build one for me? I would also like to see some photos! 72, Bill K9YEQ K2 #35, K2 # 5279, KX1 #35, Mini Modules, etc. -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] First, I made a round sleeve to protect the tuning knob and a U-shaped piece for over the other knobs out of thin cardboard, taping them into place with that blue tape that painters use. Then I cut holes for the switches in a thicker piece and taped it over them. Next, I carefully, but not tightly, wrapped two layers of plastic wrap around the rig taped it together on the bottom. I applied a paper towel over that, taping it on the bottom, and snuggly wrapped the whole thing in aluminum foil with the seams at the bottom. Next, following the kit's directions, I applied two layers of fiberglass to the top down the sides, holding it tight, especially in the corners, with about a dozen rubber bands. I let it hang straight down from the antenna connector, though. After it dried, I carefully removed everything, pulling excess foil from inside the cover (I actually used etchant to remove all the foil, but it's not necessary), and trimmed it so it would extend about ¾ way down the sides. I trimmed it up around where the earphone plug would be though, so I could leave the phones plugged in, if desired. The trimming left some rough edges, so I mixed up another small amount of epoxy and sealed everything. After the cover was completely dry, I cut out applied pieces of stick-on felt to the inside corners several other spots, which keeps the rig from being scratched creates a snug fit. The end result - I'm able to carry my KX1 in about anything it will fit in, and the only abuse the controls get is from me using them. Denny PaytonN9JXY ___ 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] [K3] anyone a K3 to K3 qso on 20 ??? 40 ??
anyone a K3 to K3 qso on 20 ??? 40 ?? bill ___ 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] CQWW Stateside QRM
Julian G4ILO wrote: Just need to put in a few extra hours tomorrow to do the 12 hours minimum required to submit a log. That comment had me pull up the contest rules as I had never heard of a minimum time you need to work a contest before one can submit a log. Turns out the actual rule is a minimum of 12 hours operating time in order to be eligible for the awards. -- Cheers! Kevin. http://www.ve3syb.ca/ |What are we going to do today, Borg? Owner of Elecraft K2 #2172 |Same thing we always do, Pinkutus: | Try to assimilate the world! #include disclaimer/favourite | -Pinkutus the Borg ___ 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] K2: Very low output on 160m
Hi Leigh, Receive (80 and 160m): approx 35 mA Tune (80m): 3.x Amps Tune (160m): approx. 50 mA This is bad, right? 73 - Ken --- Leigh L Klotz, Jr. [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Check the current draw as compared to 80m. If same as 80m but just low output, look in 160m Low pass filter. If low, then look for a drive problem, possible BPF. 73, Leigh/WA5ZNU On Sat, 1 Dec 2007 6:22 pm, Ken Alexander wrote: Hi All, As usual, I decide to do something new with my K2 during a contest! I'll never learn! Tonight, I'm trying 160m for the first time. Before I go any further, I should mention that my K2 receives extremely well on 160. However, when I hit the Tune button to send some RF to my autotuner and get it tuning, the indicated output is 0.3 Watts even though the Power knob is set to 10 Watts. An external wattmeter confirms this. I replaced the antenna with a dummy load and got the same result. RANT is set to OFF in case you're wondering. There doesn't seem to be a Troubleshooting section in the K160RX manual so I'm at a loss to know what to look at. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks and 73, Ken Alexander VE3HLS ___ 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] K2: Very low output on 160m
Ken, Yes, that is bad - you have no output on 160 meters. How about receive? If it receives on 160 but not transmit, that narrows the search area down considerably. Check the frequency at TP1 with the internal probe and CAL FCTR after you have tuned the K2 to 1800 kHz. If you find a frequency very far away from 6715 kHz, the problem is with the VCO, and most likely the VFO Range Select section - C75 must be selected and of a proper value (470 pf) to tune 160 meters. 73, Don W3FPR Ken Alexander wrote: Hi Leigh, Receive (80 and 160m): approx 35 mA Tune (80m): 3.x Amps Tune (160m): approx. 50 mA This is bad, right? 73 - Ken ___ 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] Neat K3 Video!
http://www.zerobeat.net/mediawiki/index.php/K3_Wiki_at_ZeroBeat.NET Click on the first news item - PA3CEV. ___ 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] K2: Very low output on 160m
6713.95 with the K2 tuned to 1800 kHz, CW. Is that considered close or do I have some work to do? 73 - Ken --- Ken Alexander [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi Don, It receives great on 160. The band was really hopping last night. I'll get back to you as soon as I figure out where this probe plugs in and where TP1 is. Thanks and 73, Ken --- Don Wilhelm [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Ken, Yes, that is bad - you have no output on 160 meters. How about receive? If it receives on 160 but not transmit, that narrows the search area down considerably. Check the frequency at TP1 with the internal probe and CAL FCTR after you have tuned the K2 to 1800 kHz. If you find a frequency very far away from 6715 kHz, the problem is with the VCO, and most likely the VFO Range Select section - C75 must be selected and of a proper value (470 pf) to tune 160 meters. 73, Don W3FPR Ken Alexander wrote: Hi Leigh, Receive (80 and 160m): approx 35 mA Tune (80m): 3.x Amps Tune (160m): approx. 50 mA This is bad, right? 73 - Ken ___ 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] AGC Threshold Ok! (was Re: K2: AGC Threshold Too Low?)
FYI - 50 microvolts is the widely accepted S9 signal level, not 20 over. I would guess the 1uV is around S1, but not sure about that one. More info in the Elecraft manual on the XG1 or XG2. Jerry W4UK At 10:43 AM 12/2/2007, Kurt Pawlikowski wrote: Sarah, ... I'm told that in a properly adjusted (and complete?) radio, a 1 micro-volt signal should register about S-3 and 50 micro-volt should be something like 20 db over 9. ___ 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] K2: Very low output on 160m
Hi Don, It receives great on 160. The band was really hopping last night. I'll get back to you as soon as I figure out where this probe plugs in and where TP1 is. Thanks and 73, Ken --- Don Wilhelm [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Ken, Yes, that is bad - you have no output on 160 meters. How about receive? If it receives on 160 but not transmit, that narrows the search area down considerably. Check the frequency at TP1 with the internal probe and CAL FCTR after you have tuned the K2 to 1800 kHz. If you find a frequency very far away from 6715 kHz, the problem is with the VCO, and most likely the VFO Range Select section - C75 must be selected and of a proper value (470 pf) to tune 160 meters. 73, Don W3FPR Ken Alexander wrote: Hi Leigh, Receive (80 and 160m): approx 35 mA Tune (80m): 3.x Amps Tune (160m): approx. 50 mA This is bad, right? 73 - Ken ___ 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] K2: Very low output on 160m
Ken, That frequency is considered very close to the nominal value - the VCO frequency is not the problem. Now, you are in for some Transmit Signal Tracing on 160 meters. Get out an RF Probe (I believe you got one with your K2) and turn the K2 manual to Appendix E and look for 'Transmit Signal Tracing'. For now, ignore the parts that tell you to set the K2 to 40 meters, but do connect a good dummy load - we will come back to the preliminary measurements if required. Start instead at the points listed below the midpoint of the first column of page 14. Do those measurements in order, switching between 80 meters and 160. When you find a point where the RF voltage on 160 is substantially lower than that on 80 meters (higher is generally OK) - stop, you have found the troublesome stage and more detailed investigation is to be done at that stage. 73, Don W3FPR Ken Alexander wrote: 6713.95 with the K2 tuned to 1800 kHz, CW. Is that considered close or do I have some work to do? 73 - Ken --- Ken Alexander [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi Don, It receives great on 160. The band was really hopping last night. I'll get back to you as soon as I figure out where this probe plugs in and where TP1 is. Thanks and 73, Ken ___ 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] Neat K3 Video!
Sorry for the redundant post on that great video. Mr. Eric PA3CEV posted a review on eham with this info and that is where I saw it first, looking for new reviews. I am often roving the web for neat stuff for the wiki. I was also planning on featuring critical late information about problems related to the initial mass release of this radio. So far, this major event of the protective plastic film, is it there, is it not there, seems to be the biggest event I've seen. The radio Gods are smiling. ;-) http://www.zerobeat.net/mediawiki/index.php/K3_Wiki_at_ZeroBeat.NET ___ 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] KPA100 high current draw with no power output
-BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE- Hash: SHA1 Colleagues, I've just finished a KPA100 and am in the process of doing the final checkout. I've made it past the bias adjustment stage and the power supply test stages. Below 11 watts output (PA switched out) everything seems to work OK. Setting the power output to 20 watts and pressing tune results in NO power output and a current draw of approx. 26 amps. Not good. I checked recent posts regarding this problem but none seem to have the high current problem associated with no KPA output power. Suggestions? Thanks a mil, Ron - -- - -=-o---=- Ron Hahn, EI2JP| Grid Square: IO62TG Rose Hill | Fists: 10883 Rosslare Strand| QRP-ARCI:12584 County Wexford, IRELAND| K2: 4922 __+__ -BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE- Version: GnuPG v1.4.7 (Darwin) Comment: Using GnuPG with Mozilla - http://enigmail.mozdev.org iD8DBQFHUxrDyJCeYjZnfkQRAkvbAJ9iHe9PVXg1HCZoxVzRWLCs+1x3ywCfRguC 1JTrn0xszgOQi8f7RslQwLY= =WKQo -END PGP SIGNATURE- -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean. ___ 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] K2: Very low output on 160m
I hope that 6713.95 is OK because I just checked the other VCO freqs at band edge and they're all off by roughly the same amount, except for 15 and 10m, which are both 0.97 kHz high. 73 - Ken --- Ken Alexander [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: 6713.95 with the K2 tuned to 1800 kHz, CW. Is that considered close or do I have some work to do? 73 - Ken --- Ken Alexander [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi Don, It receives great on 160. The band was really hopping last night. I'll get back to you as soon as I figure out where this probe plugs in and where TP1 is. Thanks and 73, Ken --- Don Wilhelm [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Ken, Yes, that is bad - you have no output on 160 meters. How about receive? If it receives on 160 but not transmit, that narrows the search area down considerably. Check the frequency at TP1 with the internal probe and CAL FCTR after you have tuned the K2 to 1800 kHz. If you find a frequency very far away from 6715 kHz, the problem is with the VCO, and most likely the VFO Range Select section - C75 must be selected and of a proper value (470 pf) to tune 160 meters. 73, Don W3FPR Ken Alexander wrote: Hi Leigh, Receive (80 and 160m): approx 35 mA Tune (80m): 3.x Amps Tune (160m): approx. 50 mA This is bad, right? 73 - Ken ___ 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
Re: [Elecraft] KPA100 high current draw with no power output
Ron, How much power is actually being produced? Measure with an external wattmeter, then look at the bargraph display and see how many bars are indicated. If there is a lot of power being produced (120 watts or greater) and the bargraph does not indicate any RF power, you should look at the wattmeter section of the KPA100 - particularly T4. If the actual power output is not being reported to the base K2 microprocessor, the base K2 will increase drive in an effort to produce more power (because it thinks that is no power output). The solution to that situation is to find the fault in the wattmeter of the KPA100. 73, Don W3FPR Ron Hahn (EI2JP) wrote: -BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE- Hash: SHA1 Colleagues, I've just finished a KPA100 and am in the process of doing the final checkout. I've made it past the bias adjustment stage and the power supply test stages. Below 11 watts output (PA switched out) everything seems to work OK. Setting the power output to 20 watts and pressing tune results in NO power output and a current draw of approx. 26 amps. Not good. I checked recent posts regarding this problem but none seem to have the high current problem associated with no KPA output power. Suggestions? Thanks a mil, Ron - -- - -=-o---=- Ron Hahn, EI2JP| Grid Square: IO62TG Rose Hill | Fists: 10883 Rosslare Strand| QRP-ARCI:12584 County Wexford, IRELAND| K2: 4922 __+__ -BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE- Version: GnuPG v1.4.7 (Darwin) Comment: Using GnuPG with Mozilla - http://enigmail.mozdev.org iD8DBQFHUxrDyJCeYjZnfkQRAkvbAJ9iHe9PVXg1HCZoxVzRWLCs+1x3ywCfRguC 1JTrn0xszgOQi8f7RslQwLY= =WKQo -END PGP SIGNATURE- ___ 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] 6 is open into el 87 from the norht east, time to try out those K3's
6 is open into el 87 from the norht east, time to try out those K3's De wp4o, Ed, Tampa, Fl ___ 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] Neat K3 Video!
At 03:49 PM 12/2/2007, Don Rasmussen wrote: ...I was also planning on featuring critical late information about problems related to the initial mass release of this radio. So far, this major event of the protective plastic film, is it there, is it not there, seems to be the biggest event I've seen. The radio Gods are smiling. ;-) The biggest events I have seen are pretty important: The reversed polarity of the ALC voltage (K3 ALC polarity setup is not presently compatible with widely used amps from Yaesu and ICOM - perhaps incompatible with ALL amps requiring ALC, but I am not sure about that). This was discussed on the k3 yahoo reflector a couple weeks ago. Also the mention here the other day of a similar polarity mismatch problem with a CW loopback feature for QSK (that I don't really understand). Elecraft says they will develop a work around for the ALC problem at some future time. This ALC thing is a major item for AMP users trying to follow their manufacturer's instructions for setup. Jerry W4UK ___ 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] Neat K3 Video!
Jerry pointed out: The biggest events I have seen are pretty important: The reversed polarity of the ALC voltage (K3 ALC polarity setup is not presently compatible with widely used amps from Yaesu and ICOM snip I guess I have to leave you room for your opinion Jerry, but it's a newly released radio and the function you mention is working as engineered. It's not like the radio is popping finals, has RFI shielding problems, or hangs periodically. I've seen all this and more with other new transceiver offerings. It also seems the bad seems to stay far longer than anyone would expect. ___ 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] Elecraft CW Net Announcement
Thanks Tom! As I predicted the power went out. I am now running from my laptop via an inverter hooked to my battery bank. If the power does not come on shortly I will move the K2 and tuner in here and hook them to the battery bank which is fully charged as of this morning. The combination of 12 inches of snow, followed by heavy rain, later followed by 50-60 mph wind gusts have brought down quite a few limbs. They have not whacked the house but did take out a basin which waters the birds. Sam gave me a dirty look when the six inch diameter, twenty foot long limb hit the front deck. I told him it was not my doing but I do not think he believed me ;) The inverted V is too difficult to move but I may dig under the house to try getting the coax loose and over to the opening to the other shack location. I do have window line to a horizontal doublet there at the moment. It is low but still up. I'll check it soon to see if it is OK to use. I have inspected for damage to both antennas and found none. The house seems OK too. See you all in a few hours, Kevin. KD5ONS -Original Message- From: Tom Hammond [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Dec 2, 2007 6:19 AM To: Kevin Rock [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft CW Net Announcement Hi Kevin: Soon I have an anniversary I wish I could ignore. Hopefully I'll have power so I can work my way through it! However, propagation was incrementally better this week. Twenty meters was fair during the week and forty meters was also. Maybe we can hear each other tomorrow. If it is like the last two weeks we will have to do something drastic. Like change times or even bands. I am open to suggestions for better coverage. Get Ole SOl thew develop more POX!!! I should be present for both nets... whether or not you can HEAR me (or I you) will be the question. I try to stay off the roads because of the two more dangerous types of drivers: those that think 4WD will keep them from skidding so they proceed to drive at their normal ten miles or more over the speed limit. The body repair folks love them! Then the other type of driver who cause accidents: they drive at 5 mph and brake erratically and often. Wending your way between these two types of drivers is an experience I would rather not brave. Remember that 4-Wheel Drive means getting further out into the boonies before you have to walk out for help! The wood is stacked next to the stove, the propane tanks are ready if the power goes out, Sam and I are cozy and warm with plenty of food for the two of us. Tom ___ 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] more on K3 display
Not to beat a dead horse :), but I thought of another contest situation where I need a visual status reading. Most of the time when I replace an op at a M/S, M/2 or M/M station, I have to go over the radio with a fine toothed-comb to reset the operating parameters back to a reasonable baseline. You never know what the previous op might have done. It would be a pain to have to turn a lot of knobs and push a lot of buttons to get the status. Seems to me that since this is an SDR, there could be a reasonable solution. How about an alternate display mode for contesters? Or, perhaps there could be a bunch of user-selectable options for what gets displayed by default and what requires manual intervention to see. The entire CONFIG and MAIN menus can be stored in a file on the PC and restored to the K3. So, each operator can have their own setup. You could also have a standard setup for each contest. Organize it however you want, but the capability is there to support save/restore of an unlimited number of complete radio configurations. 73, Ed - W0YK ___ 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] more on K3 display
Not to beat a dead horse :), but I thought of another contest situation where I need a visual status reading. Most of the time when I replace an op at a M/S, M/2 or M/M station, I have to go over the radio with a fine toothed-comb to reset the operating parameters back to a reasonable baseline. You never know what the previous op might have done. It would be a pain to have to turn a lot of knobs and push a lot of buttons to get the status. Seems to me that since this is an SDR, there could be a reasonable solution. How about an alternate display mode for contesters? Or, perhaps there could be a bunch of user-selectable options for what gets displayed by default and what requires manual intervention to see. 73, Dick WC1M ___ 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] Neat K3 Video!
Besides, real mean don't need no stinkin amps! ;^) - David Wilburn [EMAIL PROTECTED] K4DGW K2 S/N 5982 On Sun, 2007-12-02 at 14:03 -0800, Don Rasmussen wrote: Jerry pointed out: The biggest events I have seen are pretty important: The reversed polarity of the ALC voltage (K3 ALC polarity setup is not presently compatible with widely used amps from Yaesu and ICOM snip I guess I have to leave you room for your opinion Jerry, but it's a newly released radio and the function you mention is working as engineered. It's not like the radio is popping finals, has RFI shielding problems, or hangs periodically. I've seen all this and more with other new transceiver offerings. It also seems the bad seems to stay far longer than anyone would expect. ___ 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] Neat K3 Video!
Just as well I have an Acom 1000, it works perfectly with my K3... No keying issues and no ALC needed (or provided) and one simple phono to phono coax lead between them for keying. 73 Dave, G4AON K3/100 #80 Acom 1000 = The biggest events I have seen are pretty important: The reversed polarity of the ALC voltage (K3 ALC polarity setup is not presently compatible with widely used amps from Yaesu and ICOM - perhaps incompatible with ALL amps requiring ALC, but I am not sure about that). This was discussed on the k3 yahoo reflector a couple weeks ago. Also the mention here the other day of a similar polarity mismatch problem with a CW loopback feature for QSK (that I don't really understand). Elecraft says they will develop a work around for the ALC problem at some future time. This ALC thing is a major item for AMP users trying to follow their manufacturer's instructions for setup. Jerry W4UK ___ 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] more on K3 display
Maybe what you need is the ability to recall presets, like the Orion USER1/USER2 feature? Bob NW8L On Dec 2, 2007 3:06 PM, Dick Green WC1M [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Not to beat a dead horse :), but I thought of another contest situation where I need a visual status reading. Most of the time when I replace an op at a M/S, M/2 or M/M station, I have to go over the radio with a fine toothed-comb to reset the operating parameters back to a reasonable baseline. You never know what the previous op might have done. It would be a pain to have to turn a lot of knobs and push a lot of buttons to get the status. Seems to me that since this is an SDR, there could be a reasonable solution. How about an alternate display mode for contesters? Or, perhaps there could be a bunch of user-selectable options for what gets displayed by default and what requires manual intervention to see. 73, Dick WC1M ___ 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] K3 display for contesters
WC1M: The Orion does a good enough job with DSP that it isn't easy to distinguish between 600Hz, 400Hz, or 200Hz. Dick the K3 has a visual passband indicator that gives you an indication of the passband in octaves (e.g.. ~250 Hz, 500 Hz and 1000 Hz for CW). I doubt I'll miss reading BW to the nearest 10 Hz (as in Orion). Almost done with mine! Took a break to listen on 160 but the band sounds poor so back work now. Barry N1EU, regarding your comment about shape factor, I assume you know about the K3 Context filter. Having used my old TS-930 since I sold my Orion in June, I rediscovered using its SSB filters in CW with VBT cranked down completely (few hundred Hz BW but with a very wide shape factor). This *really* works well for very weak signals in noise. I'm now looking forward to the KRX3 with one BW narrow and the other wide in diversity mode. This might be another alternative to the Context filter. 73, Bill W4ZV ___ 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 #6272
Is alive and well. At least through Assembly, Part II. Listening to 40 meters now and finished tweaking the band pass filter. Don't know if I'm ready to continue or just listen to it for awhile :-) One minor set back so far.Dang if I didn't go and wind T5 backwards. Does some weird stuff when you do that. Anyway, it's cooken now . More later 72 JerryN0JRN ___ 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] Neat K3 Video!
I guess I have to leave you room for your opinion Jerry, but it's a newly released radio and the function you mention is working as engineered. It's not like the radio is popping finals, has RFI shielding problems, or hangs periodically. No, this is a case of not invented here - a complete failure to understand what is already in the market and in the shack of users who would be expected to adopt the new radio. To Jerry's list I would add a limited implementation of RX antenna switching. Simply expanding the existing relay in the KXV3 from DPDT to 4PDT and inverting one control line when RX Ant is selected for the main rx would allow completely independent selection of receive or transmit antenna for the second receiver. Again, like the ALC polarity or sense of the CW inhibit loop, it should be relatively easy to hack an external fix but it should not be necessary in a radio of this class. 73, ... Joe, W4TV -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Don Rasmussen Sent: Sunday, December 02, 2007 5:03 PM To: Elecraft List Subject: [Elecraft] Neat K3 Video! Jerry pointed out: The biggest events I have seen are pretty important: The reversed polarity of the ALC voltage (K3 ALC polarity setup is not presently compatible with widely used amps from Yaesu and ICOM snip I guess I have to leave you room for your opinion Jerry, but it's a newly released radio and the function you mention is working as engineered. It's not like the radio is popping finals, has RFI shielding problems, or hangs periodically. I've seen all this and more with other new transceiver offerings. It also seems the bad seems to stay far longer than anyone would expect. ___ 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] ALC
My QRO2500, a tube amplifier, works great with my K3, but the amp will withstand and shut down if I accidentallyforget to turn down the drive after running the K3 barefoot.The amp I want to use, with bandswitching capabilities, is my PW1.It will not tolerate a mistake of excessive overdrive. This has been gone over before, it is not a matter of splatteror flat-topping but protection of the amp by the ALC if oneinadvertently forgets to turn down the drive.I am sure a circuit is coming to permit the acceptance of negativeALC by the K3 but until then I don't trust myself to hook up my solid state amp. Mike WA8EBM Just as well I have an Acom 1000, it works perfectly with my K3... No keying issues and no ALC needed (or provided) and one simple phono to phono coax lead between them for keying. 73 Dave, G4AON K3/100 #80 Acom 1000 = The biggest events I have seen are pretty important: The reversed polarity of the ALC voltage (K3 ALC polarity setup is not presently compatible with widely used amps from Yaesu and ICOM - perhaps incompatible with ALL amps requiring ALC, but I am not sure about that). This was discussed on the k3 yahoo reflector a couple weeks ago. Also the mention here the other day of a similar polarity mismatch problem with a CW loopback feature for QSK (that I don't really understand). Elecraft says they will develop a work around for the ALC problem at some future time. This ALC thing is a major item for AMP users trying to follow their manufacturer's instructions for setup. Jerry W4UK ___ 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] ALC
That last message did not come out properly. What I said was that my QRO2500 works fine with my K3 but it will shut down if I forget to lower the output from the K3 after running barefoot. The amp I really want to use with the K3 is the solid state PW-1 which requires a negative ALC to PROTECT the input in event one forgets to turn down the drive. It is not a matter of splatter or flat-topping but one of protection. I am sure a circuit will come from Elecraft to allow the acceptance of negative ALC by the K3 but until then I don't trust myself to turn down the drive every time I switch from barefoot to amp. Mike WA8EBM ___ 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] K3 display for contesters
Barry N1EU, regarding your comment about shape factor, I assume you know about the K3 Context filter. Yes Bill, and I look forward to seeing how it works. But the filter slopes on the context filter are not adjustable either so we're talking apples and oranges. If the firmware can support variable filter slope (taps), it would be one more effective tool in pulling weak signals out when impulse noise (static crash) is present. Very narrow selectivity to improve s/n coupled with a gentle slope (low taps) to reduce ringing can be a potent combination in noisy lowband condx. 73, Barry N1EU ___ 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] Neat K3 Video!
Joe - my original post pointed out the great success of the K3 initial production release, they did a terrific job of rolling radios out there without unforseen problems out of the box. Most wouldn't consider the fact that the radio was released without an interface that you consider to be important to be in the category of unforseen problems on initial delivery. Maybe an unforseen problem of your own - oh my gosh I may need to build a switching cable. ;-) --- Joe Subich, W4TV [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I guess I have to leave you room for your opinion Jerry, but it's a newly released radio and the function you mention is working as engineered. It's not like the radio is popping finals, has RFI shielding problems, or hangs periodically. No, this is a case of not invented here - a complete failure to understand what is already in the market and in the shack of users who would be expected to adopt the new radio. To Jerry's list I would add a limited implementation of RX antenna switching. Simply expanding the existing relay in the KXV3 from DPDT to 4PDT and inverting one control line when RX Ant is selected for the main rx would allow completely independent selection of receive or transmit antenna for the second receiver. Again, like the ALC polarity or sense of the CW inhibit loop, it should be relatively easy to hack an external fix but it should not be necessary in a radio of this class. 73, ... Joe, W4TV -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Don Rasmussen Sent: Sunday, December 02, 2007 5:03 PM To: Elecraft List Subject: [Elecraft] Neat K3 Video! Jerry pointed out: The biggest events I have seen are pretty important: The reversed polarity of the ALC voltage (K3 ALC polarity setup is not presently compatible with widely used amps from Yaesu and ICOM snip I guess I have to leave you room for your opinion Jerry, but it's a newly released radio and the function you mention is working as engineered. It's not like the radio is popping finals, has RFI shielding problems, or hangs periodically. I've seen all this and more with other new transceiver offerings. It also seems the bad seems to stay far longer than anyone would expect. ___ 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] Neat K3 Video!
At 05:03 PM 12/2/2007, Don Rasmussen wrote: Jerry pointed out: The biggest events I have seen are pretty important: The reversed polarity of the ALC voltage (K3 ALC polarity setup is not presently compatible with widely used amps from Yaesu and ICOM snip I guess I have to leave you room for your opinion Jerry, but it's a newly released radio and the function you mention is working as engineered. It's not like the radio is popping finals, has RFI shielding problems, or hangs periodically. No, Don. This is an issue that only affects the external amp. If a PW-1 or Quadra gets in trouble due to, for instance, a flaky antenna connection, it will attempt to shut down drive to itself by cranking up the ALC voltage it sends back to the exciter. That tells the exciter to reduce the drive level. The exciter and the amplifier need to be able to communicate in a standard protocol. Exciters that do not follow this protocol, making it difficult for the user to interface it, may put the amps at risk. The ICOM PW-1 and Yaesu Quadra operating manuals _require_ ALC usage. I agree the K3 is probably working as engineered, but the engineering does not conform to the requirements of widely-used amps. I worry about these things because I once blew up the output circuit of an AL-1200 because of a flaky antenna coax line. If that should happen again with my present Yaesu Quadra amp I want the ALC line to be working properly to give the Quadra a chance to survive the event. Jerry W4UK ___ 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] KPA100 high current draw with no power output
For what it's worth, I accidently transmitted into an open load with my KPA100 and popped the finals. After the accident, the symptoms were exactly as you described, and the high current was about 26 amps. I replaced the finals and things were back to normal. Bad finals out of the box seems very unlikely so I'd first look for shorts in that area, but anything is of course possible. - Ron, W2RIP (no pun intended :^) Don Wilhelm [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Ron, How much power is actually being produced? Measure with an external wattmeter, then look at the bargraph display and see how many bars are indicated. If there is a lot of power being produced (120 watts or greater) and the bargraph does not indicate any RF power, you should look at the wattmeter section of the KPA100 - particularly T4. If the actual power output is not being reported to the base K2 microprocessor, the base K2 will increase drive in an effort to produce more power (because it thinks that is no power output). The solution to that situation is to find the fault in the wattmeter of the KPA100. 73, Don W3FPR Ron Hahn (EI2JP) wrote: -BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE- Hash: SHA1 Colleagues, I've just finished a KPA100 and am in the process of doing the final checkout. I've made it past the bias adjustment stage and the power supply test stages. Below 11 watts output (PA switched out) everything seems to work OK. Setting the power output to 20 watts and pressing tune results in NO power output and a current draw of approx. 26 amps. Not good. I checked recent posts regarding this problem but none seem to have the high current problem associated with no KPA output power. Suggestions? Thanks a mil, Ron - -- - -=-o---=- Ron Hahn, EI2JP | Grid Square: IO62TG Rose Hill | Fists: 10883 Rosslare Strand | QRP-ARCI: 12584 County Wexford, IRELAND | K2: 4922 __+__ -BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE- Version: GnuPG v1.4.7 (Darwin) Comment: Using GnuPG with Mozilla - http://enigmail.mozdev.org iD8DBQFHUxrDyJCeYjZnfkQRAkvbAJ9iHe9PVXg1HCZoxVzRWLCs+1x3ywCfRguC 1JTrn0xszgOQi8f7RslQwLY= =WKQo -END PGP SIGNATURE- ___ 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] K2 dial alignment
Hi, Recently I started to upgrade my K2 (sn 2592) with the KPA100 kit. Before I could complete the KPA100 though, I had to upgrade the K2 from rev A to rev B. I have completed all the revs except for the firmware upgrade - Elecraft sent only the MCU but not the IOC. It is now being mailed. Before the rev, the frequency on the dial matched the received frequency. Now WWV is received on 10.012 MHz. I have done the calibration of the 4MHz several times - checking with a known good receiver (AOR AR7030+). I can vary the c22 and zero beat exactly on frequency (USB and LSB) - also at higher harmonics (16Mhz). I ran an antenna wire next to the 4MHz xtal and listen on the SW receiver. After the 4MHz calibration, I have run the CAL PLL and then modified every CAL FIL entry afterwards. Still no change. The dial reads 7.010Mhz when hearing 7MHZ and 14.020Mhz when hearing 14Mhz. Otherwise, the receiver is excellent - much better than before. Had a low volume problem before, now it is really loud. Did all the RF and contol board changes, BFO temp stability mod, PLL upgrade, AF gain smoothness, VFO ALC 10/12 meter band pass filter, AGC threshold (R1 from 51k to 22.5k). I have checked for bad solder joints or bridges - nothing wrong that I can see. I did not do the second crystal filer flatness mod or the sidetone mod yet. Also no firmware had been changed yet. Any ideas what to check? Thanks, Paul AD5IW Here are some measurements when receiving 10MHz WWV: TP3 14913.05 TP2 4913.19 TP1 12089.38 Dial: 10011.99 ---Range measurements PLL min: 12083.69 max: 12094.29 range: 10.60 TP3 min: 14906.04 max: 14919.09 range: 13.05 BFO min: 4916.99 max: 4912.59 range: 4.40 R30: 4.34V 10MHz 5.70V @ 4MHZ 2.02V @ 3.5Mhz ___ 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] Neat K3 Video!
Don, Joe - my original post pointed out the great success of the K3 initial production release, they did a terrific job of rolling radios out there without unforseen problems out of the box. I'm not saying the Elecraft group did not do a good job in rolling out the K3. Like Jerry, Dick and others I am saying they ignored non-Elecraft hardware and the needs of operators who have not been indoctrinated in the Elecraft way. A top of the line transceiver is a far different product than an overgrown QRP/backpack radio and had far different requirements for interfacing with other hardware. It's well and good to provide CW inhibit and receive antenna loop that interfaces with Elecraft's own VHF/UHF transverters but some thought needs to be given to de facto standards like amplifiers from Alpha/TenTec/Icom/Yaesu amplifiers with negative ALC and RF Enable (inverted CW inhibit) and the operating patterns of lowband users with low noise receive antennas. Maybe an unforseen problem of your own - oh my gosh I may need to build a switching cable. ;-) As I said before, none of these problems are fatal - it will be relatively easy to add an external relay and XOR gate to resolve the antenna switching issue, add an inverting op-amp (and +/- 12 V supply) to handle the negative ALC, and add a transistor circuit to invert RF Enable for CW inhibit). However, all three changes could have been incorporated in the K3 for pennies in parts instead of requiring user modifications or add on boxes with just a little market research beyond the tight-knit group of insiders who do not push the operating envelope. 73, ... Joe, W4TV -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Don Rasmussen Sent: Sunday, December 02, 2007 6:56 PM To: Elecraft List Subject: [Elecraft] Neat K3 Video! Joe - my original post pointed out the great success of the K3 initial production release, they did a terrific job of rolling radios out there without unforseen problems out of the box. Most wouldn't consider the fact that the radio was released without an interface that you consider to be important to be in the category of unforseen problems on initial delivery. Maybe an unforseen problem of your own - oh my gosh I may need to build a switching cable. ;-) --- Joe Subich, W4TV [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I guess I have to leave you room for your opinion Jerry, but it's a newly released radio and the function you mention is working as engineered. It's not like the radio is popping finals, has RFI shielding problems, or hangs periodically. No, this is a case of not invented here - a complete failure to understand what is already in the market and in the shack of users who would be expected to adopt the new radio. To Jerry's list I would add a limited implementation of RX antenna switching. Simply expanding the existing relay in the KXV3 from DPDT to 4PDT and inverting one control line when RX Ant is selected for the main rx would allow completely independent selection of receive or transmit antenna for the second receiver. Again, like the ALC polarity or sense of the CW inhibit loop, it should be relatively easy to hack an external fix but it should not be necessary in a radio of this class. 73, ... Joe, W4TV -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Don Rasmussen Sent: Sunday, December 02, 2007 5:03 PM To: Elecraft List Subject: [Elecraft] Neat K3 Video! Jerry pointed out: The biggest events I have seen are pretty important: The reversed polarity of the ALC voltage (K3 ALC polarity setup is not presently compatible with widely used amps from Yaesu and ICOM snip I guess I have to leave you room for your opinion Jerry, but it's a newly released radio and the function you mention is working as engineered. It's not like the radio is popping finals, has RFI shielding problems, or hangs periodically. I've seen all this and more with other new transceiver offerings. It also seems the bad seems to stay far longer than anyone would expect. ___ 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] K3 CW
I have listened to both the recordings of the K3 very carefully and notice some raspiness in the cw note. Is this the result of my computer messing with the quality of the recording, or just the signal going through the process of being recorded and played back. The second recording was better than the first, but I still could hear some raspiness in the cw note. Is the cw note clean or does it exhibit some raspiness? Toby W4CAK ___ 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] Neat K3 Video!
Hello Joe! Please be assured that we appreciate your thoughtful and constructive comments on the K3. 73, Lyle KK7P ___ 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] Neat K3 Video!
However, all three changes could have been incorporated in the K3 for pennies in parts instead of requiring user modifications or add on boxes with just a little market research beyond the tight-knit group of insiders who do not push the operating envelope. snip That seems to be the knock whenever one of the FT1000MP or IC756Pro features or connections does not find the same implementation on the K3. Where's the band scope, the band stacking registers, the physical SIZE ??? ;-) I'm not sure it's fair to go toe to toe with Japan Inc. on every specific feature ever put into an FT1000MP, while at the same time expecting the kind of innovation that's in the K3. I'd suggest that Elecraft probably spent as much time engineering the K3 for their original fan base at milliwatt levels as they did to provide QRO provisions. I promise you some fanatic is going to take the K3 camping in their backpack. Tree huggers - sigh. ;-) The beauty of the reflector, and the two guys, is that you can ask and be 100% assured that you are being heard. 73, Don. ___ 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] K2: Very low output on 160m
Hi Don, OK, the tests are underway. Key down signal @ pin 4, U10: 80m; 0.058 160m; 0.055 Key down signal @ pin 6, U9: 80m; 0.205 160m; 0.695 Key down signal @ W6: 80m; 0.025 160m; 0.018 Key down signal @ D1 anode: 80m; 0.023 160m; 0.016 I remember a thread a long time ago about what is considered a normal reading, and I recall that range of what was considered acceptable was much larger than I would have thought. Thus, I will leave the interpretation of this data to you, with my thanks! 73 - Ken --- Don Wilhelm [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Ken, That frequency is considered very close to the nominal value - the VCO frequency is not the problem. Now, you are in for some Transmit Signal Tracing on 160 meters. Get out an RF Probe (I believe you got one with your K2) and turn the K2 manual to Appendix E and look for 'Transmit Signal Tracing'. For now, ignore the parts that tell you to set the K2 to 40 meters, but do connect a good dummy load - we will come back to the preliminary measurements if required. Start instead at the points listed below the midpoint of the first column of page 14. Do those measurements in order, switching between 80 meters and 160. When you find a point where the RF voltage on 160 is substantially lower than that on 80 meters (higher is generally OK) - stop, you have found the troublesome stage and more detailed investigation is to be done at that stage. 73, Don W3FPR Ken Alexander wrote: 6713.95 with the K2 tuned to 1800 kHz, CW. Is that considered close or do I have some work to do? 73 - Ken --- Ken Alexander [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi Don, It receives great on 160. The band was really hopping last night. I'll get back to you as soon as I figure out where this probe plugs in and where TP1 is. Thanks and 73, Ken ___ 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] Neat K3 Video!
Don, That seems to be the knock whenever one of the FT1000MP or IC756Pro features or connections does not find the same implementation on the K3. I'm not sure it's fair to go toe to toe with Japan Inc. on every specific feature ever put into an FT1000MP, while at the same time expecting the kind of innovation that's in the K3. I'm not expecting - and haven't said - that the K3 will go toe to toe with every specific feature in a FT-1000MP or a 756ProIII. I have a K3/100 with second receiver on order in the second batch - and I'm waiting like everyone else. I also plan to order a second one if the first comes even close to my expectations. However, there are certain de facto standards in the marketplace. Every (modern) transceiver provides a CW input that has a positive pull-up with closure to ground; every (modern) transceiver provides a relay contact closure to ground or open collector (drain) output capable of approximately 48 volts at 100 mA for keying external amplifiers. Practically since the introduction of ALC (Collins?) in transmitter systems and external amplifiers, ALC was negative and modern solid state transceivers have maintained compatibility with that standard even though it would have been easier if the (external) ALC was positive. RF enable in QSK capable amplifiers has been a contact closure to ground since it first appeared in Alpha amps more than 20 years ago. None of these are new or specific to a single transceiver ... however, if a transceiver supports a function (inhibit, ALC, etc.) the user has a right to expect it will be supported in a way that is compatible with other equipment already on the market. Can you imagine the screams if amplifier PTT control were implemented as at positive going voltage instead of a contact closure to ground or if an external CW keyer had to provide a positive going signal (external voltage) to generate RF instead of closures to ground? 73, ... Joe, W4TV -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Don Rasmussen Sent: Sunday, December 02, 2007 8:52 PM To: Elecraft List Subject: RE: [Elecraft] Neat K3 Video! However, all three changes could have been incorporated in the K3 for pennies in parts instead of requiring user modifications or add on boxes with just a little market research beyond the tight-knit group of insiders who do not push the operating envelope. snip That seems to be the knock whenever one of the FT1000MP or IC756Pro features or connections does not find the same implementation on the K3. Where's the band scope, the band stacking registers, the physical SIZE ??? ;-) I'm not sure it's fair to go toe to toe with Japan Inc. on every specific feature ever put into an FT1000MP, while at the same time expecting the kind of innovation that's in the K3. I'd suggest that Elecraft probably spent as much time engineering the K3 for their original fan base at milliwatt levels as they did to provide QRO provisions. I promise you some fanatic is going to take the K3 camping in their backpack. Tree huggers - sigh. ;-) The beauty of the reflector, and the two guys, is that you can ask and be 100% assured that you are being heard. 73, Don. ___ 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] Neat K3 Video!
Hi Joe, ... Practically since the introduction of ALC (Collins?) in transmitter systems and external amplifiers, ALC was negative and modern solid state transceivers have maintained compatibility with that standard even though it would have been easier if the (external) ALC was positive. For the record, SGC went the solid state way in their amplifier design of the SG-500 SmartPowerCube. It uses positive ALC, which is of course not usable by most transceivers without translation. So I run mine without an ALC connection. The SG-500 protects itself from overdrive by attenuating the input if it exceeds 60 watts. My only problems with the SG-500 are that it doesn't do QSK and its keying relay is a bit noisy. Gus Hansen KB0YH ___ 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] Neat K3 Video!
KK7P re W4TV: Please be assured that we appreciate your thoughtful and constructive comments on the K3. I strongly second that Lyle...I only wish Joe had been one of your beta testers because of the quality of his suggestions. Keep that in mind for the K4! ;-) 73, Bill W4ZV ___ 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] Windows Vista and some ham radio software
My XP computer went bad back in July and I replaced it with a lap top that runs Vista Ultimate. Two of my favorite ham radio programs would not run properly. The ARRL feed line program TLW would not even give a screen. I got it working by using the compatability part of Vista and specifying Windows XP. This week end MixW would not warn about dupes during the contest. I found the compatability part of Vista would make it work properly by specifying Windows XP and I also needed to specify that I needed Administrator privileges for that program in the compatability set up. I hope this information can help others. I am waiting for my K3 and have my shack and camper all converted to Power Pole connectors and a new Alinco DM-330MV power supply. Does anyone know if or how it can be changed to work on 220V AC? My K3 order date is June 16th so I am looking forward to lots of fun when I retire the first day of January 2008. W0CZ Ken Christiansen Fargo, ND 58102 [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___ 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 Report for December 3rd, 2007
Good Evening, I am very glad there are two nets. The first one was not well attended but the second made up for it. I lost Tom within minutes of starting the twenty meter net; this has now happened for three weeks running. So, I think we need to make a change. The floor is open for comments on moving the twenty meter net back to 2300z. I was thinking about moving both nets an hour earlier but it seems like we had good attendance on the second net. Let's leave that time at 0300z and niggle over the first net :) I am glad the wind is done blowing so hard. After last year's blow I am leery of wind. However, we made it through this one mostly unscathed. One of the basins I leave for the birds is now rather misshapen; a large, fresh, limb decided to visit the front porch. From what I can tell in the rain it dropped about forty feet with a single, lazy flip. There are some small branches on the roof but nothing shingle threatening. As I mentioned, twenty meters was very quiet though when I had moved the rig to the front I was hearing many stations. When the power came back on I moved back to where I have been operating so I could use my autotuner. This made me start thinking about moving the time forward. On forty meters I was able to hear almost everyone Tom worked. I decided to let him start that net because I've lost him too many times and thus lost a number of check ins. Next week I hope for better conditions :) Looking at SpaceWeather I see the sunspot number moving slightly. After a month of steady zeros day after day we are seeing a 10 or 12 occasionally. Maybe it is starting (cross fingers here). On to the lists = On 14050 kHz at z: N0SS - Tom - MO - K3 - 008 W7AQK - Dave - AZ - K2 - 96 NM7N - Karl - OR - K2 - 4227QNI #85 On 7045 kHz at 0300z: W6ZH - Pete - CA - K1 - 553 N0SS - Tom - MO - K3 - 008 K4JPN - Steve - GA - K2 - 1422 QNI #75 N5GE - Tom - TX - ? W0JFR - John - CO - K2 - 4507 K6PJV - Dale - CA - K2 - 5345 WB5BKL - Nick - TX - K1 - 293 K4DGW - Dave - VA - K2 - 5982 QNI #5! WA7BOC - Roger - WA - K3 - 75 NM7N - Karl - OR - K2 - 4227 AB9V - Mike - IN - K2 - 3993 KT5E - Jay - CO - K2 - 5037 NK6A - Don - CA - K2 - 1217 The rain seems to have slowed but the tropical storm changed our cold weather to a more mild weather. The dry snow we received is now sloppy, gushy snow no good for skiing; it would be more like water skiing :) But the soil is getting some moisture for next year's growth cycle. Another few soaking snowfalls and will be ready for another year. Now to move my greenhouse to the newly cleared area so I can have easier access to fresh vegetables. A new deck in back around it with a door leading past the wood stove and Sam can bask in the sun while I weed the new growth. Maybe not all in one year but who can tell? Thank you for your support and participation. Please send me your comments on a time change for the twenty meter net. It seems necessary due to the less than optimal propagation we've been experiencing. Now, since the sun is less present, it is easy to work the net into my schedule at an earlier hour. As the days lengthen that most likely will change. Until next week stay warm and dry and well, 73, Kevin. KD5ONS (Net Control Operator 5th Class) ___ 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: NIB Unbuilt Elecraft Kits
These are all NIB, unbuilt kits. Shipping is additional. KPA-100 100W Option $339 (Price new is $389) Purchased 9/02, Manual is revision A, 5/13/02, KPA-100 FW is v1.06 Includes K2 FW v2.02 SSB FW 1.07 KPA-100SHLDKT Shield upgrade $13 (Price new is $15) Purchased 9/03, Manual is revision A, 6/4/03 KAT100-2 100W ATU w / EC2 Panels $189 (Price new is $219) Manual is revision A, 11/5/02, KAT-100 FW is v1.03 Includes K2 FW v2.03d IOC FW 1.07 EC2 Blank Project Enclosure $49 (Price new is $59) ETS2 3 Tilt Stand for EC2 $12 (Price new is $14) The purchaser of the KPA-100 gets first refusal for the KPA-100 Shield upgrade kit. The purchaser of the KAT-100-2 gets first refusal for the EC2 ETS2. Payment by Money Order. Gary, W1PG ___ 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] Factory built K3
I just received an e-mail from our favourite lady Lisa Jones. I ordered my factory built K3 late on May 1. I haven't seen much about factory built K3's on the reflector but it looks like they are getting caught up. Lisa says shipping in 7-10 days. I sure wish I could have assembled the K3 myself but my eyesight has deteriorated since I built my K2 (with most of the options) starting back in 1999. How time flies. So all of you that are waiting for a factory built K3; they are on their way. 73 Tony Fegan VE3QF K2/100 #490 K3/100 #??? ___ 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] K3 CW
It's the recording. Simon Brown, HB9DRV - Original Message - From: Toby Pennington [EMAIL PROTECTED] I have listened to both the recordings of the K3 very carefully and notice some raspiness in the cw note. ___ 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
