[Elecraft] AGC behaviour
Hi all, My K3 #1263 was delivered in July with F/W MCU 2.18 DSP 1.84 and I was really enjoying the RX capabilities of the K3. Now that I have upgraded to 2.38/1.90 I believe the RX is more restless when listening to an empty space on the band. The S-meter is constantly on S5 with pre-amp ON and S3 with pre-amp OFF on the lower bands (30/40m). I have compensated that a bit by lowering the AGC threshold (from 5 to 4 now). I liked the initial F/W wrt AGC behavior better (less fatiguing to listen to). I have read in the F/W history file that changes to the AGC have been made from F/W 2.22 onwards. So I wonder if other people have the same experience. I live in an urban area so it IS noisy out here. It is just the way the K3 deals with that noisy background level. When switching to ANT2 (not connected to anything) the RX goes virtually silent. -- Enno, PF5X -- View this message in context: http://n2.nabble.com/AGC-behaviour-tp1114728p1114728.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.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 (gasp, a real K2 question) KPA100 idea
A socket will always be less reliable than soldering the IC directly to the board. You should only do it if you expect you might have to remove the IC some day. Al N1AL On Tue, 2008-09-23 at 13:47, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: If I install an IC socket for U2 on my KPA100, will there be any adverse effects? Don't ask why I would want to do this. I would have to admit to more than the usual stupidity. 73 AI4TOJohn Ferguson M/V Arcadian **Looking for simple solutions to your real-life financial challenges? Check out WalletPop for the latest news and information, tips and calculators. (http://www.walletpop.com/?NCID=emlcntuswall0001) ___ 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 low output
Did you solve your problem, Ozzie? I ask because I have the same problem on one of my K2s and cannot fix it. Thanks and 73 de Chris, G4BUE W6ICM wrote: My K2 has been working OK, until now... 80, 40 and 30 it has full output, but the higher bands, the output is down. Did the alignment for those bands as per the manual. Didn't make any difference. I get 4-5 watts on 20 and 18 and 21 about 3 w, ten is down to 2 watts. Receiver sensitivity is OK. Any words of wisdom will be greatly appreciated. 73 Ozzie, w6icm -- View this message in context: http://n2.nabble.com/K2-low-output-tp461601p1115032.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.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 behaviour
This is what N4DSP sent me as a reaction (he is not a mailing list subscriber). Like N4DSP and in addition to my initial posting, I have compared with my 1000MP, and although I can hear the same station on both rigs, listening with the 1000MP is just more relaxing. === Enno, I do not subscribe to the elecraft reflector so cannot post there. I only read the archives but I am experiencing the very same thing in regards to noise. I have a constant s4 noise level on 40 and s5 on 80 mtrs. My Yaesu FT-1000d is very very quiet with no s mtr movement on those bands and I even wrote to Tom, W8JI, about this but have not heard back from him. I am not sure what the noise was like on earlier versions but at this time it is very very noisy. If you like you can post my info I provided you. I am running the latest regular release. Keep me posted on emails to you and if you succeed in quieting the receiver. 73 john-n4dsp Enno, PF5X wrote: Hi all, My K3 #1263 was delivered in July with F/W MCU 2.18 DSP 1.84 and I was really enjoying the RX capabilities of the K3. Now that I have upgraded to 2.38/1.90 I believe the RX is more restless when listening to an empty space on the band. The S-meter is constantly on S5 with pre-amp ON and S3 with pre-amp OFF on the lower bands (30/40m). I have compensated that a bit by lowering the AGC threshold (from 5 to 4 now). I liked the initial F/W wrt AGC behavior better (less fatiguing to listen to). I have read in the F/W history file that changes to the AGC have been made from F/W 2.22 onwards. So I wonder if other people have the same experience. I live in an urban area so it IS noisy out here. It is just the way the K3 deals with that noisy background level. When switching to ANT2 (not connected to anything) the RX goes virtually silent. -- Enno, PF5X -- View this message in context: http://n2.nabble.com/AGC-behaviour-tp1114728p1115079.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.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 behaviour
Enno - I have very high white noise in my K3 on 75 meters when connected to the serial port computer interface. Removing this connection greatly reduces the noise. If you use HRD, LP-BRIDGE, or any control software, you can also hear a pulsing noise related to polling the K3 over the serial port. I believe this can be lessened, but have not tried as yet. Here in Florida, USA, the level of thunder storms creates a naturally high noise level in the summer, but the effects described above are clearly noticeable. I use the Elecraft KUSB as serial interface. Monty K2DLJ This is what N4DSP sent me as a reaction (he is not a mailing list subscriber). Like N4DSP and in addition to my initial posting, I have compared with my 1000MP, and although I can hear the same station on both rigs, listening with the 1000MP is just more relaxing. === Enno, I do not subscribe to the elecraft reflector so cannot post there. I only read the archives but I am experiencing the very same thing in regards to noise. I have a constant s4 noise level on 40 and s5 on 80 mtrs. My Yaesu FT-1000d is very very quiet with no s mtr movement on those bands and I even wrote to Tom, W8JI, about this but have not heard back from him. I am not sure what the noise was like on earlier versions but at this time it is very very noisy. If you like you can post my info I provided you. I am running the latest regular release. Keep me posted on emails to you and if you succeed in quieting the receiver. 73 john-n4dsp Enno, PF5X wrote: Hi all, My K3 #1263 was delivered in July with F/W MCU 2.18 DSP 1.84 and I was really enjoying the RX capabilities of the K3. Now that I have upgraded to 2.38/1.90 I believe the RX is more restless when listening to an empty space on the band. The S-meter is constantly on S5 with pre-amp ON and S3 with pre-amp OFF on the lower bands (30/40m). I have compensated that a bit by lowering the AGC threshold (from 5 to 4 now). I liked the initial F/W wrt AGC behavior better (less fatiguing to listen to). I have read in the F/W history file that changes to the AGC have been made from F/W 2.22 onwards. So I wonder if other people have the same experience. I live in an urban area so it IS noisy out here. It is just the way the K3 deals with that noisy background level. When switching to ANT2 (not connected to anything) the RX goes virtually silent. -- Enno, PF5X -- View this message in context: http://n2.nabble.com/AGC-behaviour-tp1114728p1115079.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.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] RE: A Bad Thing Happened To My K2 - Update 1
Mark, If you have a signal generator, with your K2 switched to 40m in TEST mode you could try injecting a 40m signal at different points in the signal path between the RF input of the TUF-1 mixer and the antenna connector (antenna disconnected), starting at the mixer and working towards the antenna connector, to find out where you no longer hear the signal. This would narrow down the search for the cause(s) of your problem. If you do not hear the 40m signal when the generator is connected to the mixer's input, this would indicate that something is wrong with the LO system when the K2 is switched to 40m -but I would think an unlikely cause of your problem. If you do not have a signal generator, you could try either scratch tests along the signal path OR use one side of your disconnected antenna's feeder connected via a capacitor as a signal source. If you want to use the feeder please contact me off-List for some warnings, also if you want further information about scratch tests. The K2 *must* be in TEST mode when these tests are performed to prevent the Tx generating any RF if keyed by accident. In my list of suspects is relay K1 which switches in the 40m bandpass filter. Although problems rarely occur with the type of contacts used in this relay they do occur, especially if the contact is overstressed during some fault condition. Therefore among the tests I would suggest that you inject a signal via a 1nF or 10nF capacitor at K1's terminal 3 also 4 also 7 also 8, or scratch them. Alternatively scratch the top ends of L1 and L2 and K1's terminal 7. If all the results of these tests are positive then the cause of the problem is somewhere else in the signal path. Good luck. 73, Geoff GM4ESD Mark Saunders, KJ7BS wrote on Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:51 AM Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. Here is some more information resulting from your suggestions. I have no measurable RF output on 40m or any meaningful RX on 40m. The RX/TX works on all other bands including 160m. I get the same RX/TX results from ANT1 ANT2 and main. I get the same RX results on the receive ANT. Geoffrey Mackenzie-Kennedy wrote on September 23, 2008: Don and Mark, I note that Mark said virtually no receive on 40m and not no receive on 40m, from which I would understand that his K2 receiver's sensitivity on 40m has become poor and only strong signals can be heard. If that is the case then a possible cause of the problem might be dirt, for want of a better word, on the contacts of either K1a or K1b which switch the 40m bandpass filter. During receive any attenuation of the signal caused by contact resistance here would reduce the receiver's sensitivity of course, but during transmit the ALC might compensate for the added loss. While I appreciate that the type of contact used in these relays are not supposed to get dirty, they do once in a very blue moon. K1a acted up in my K2 which I cured by adding a DC Wet circuit, removed after a few months. Cycling the relay K1 on and off many times might be worth trying. What I do not understand is why the problem appeared immediately after the reverse polarity episode, unless the spark was caused by static that had built up on the antenna and also managed somehow to get to K1's contacts after passing through the low pass filters, and without zapping the T-R switch diodes ___ 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 SSB Power Control and ALC Metering
Hi, Does this not happen to anyone else? Re: a) - I've never noticed this. But it might be occurring. Re: b) - I've seen my K3 do this. If I set the power in CW or Tune mode, and don't touch the power control, usually the power level will stay constant in SSB. With my K3 the problem appears to be worse at lower power levels (e.g. 30W) than at higher ones (e.g. 90W). In newer versions of the firmware there has been, imho, distinct improvement but not a total solution. I haven't had the time to update to very newest firmware yet and test it. Elecraft has in the past said that they are working on this, so I do hope they will solve this in the firmware soon, assuming that it's not something else in the hardware. Up to now, it has been more of a quirk than a real problem for me. vy 73 de toby -- DD5FZ ( ex 4n6fz, dj7mgq, dg5mgq, dd5fz) K2 #885 K2/100 #3248 K3/100 #67 ___ 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 (gasp, a real K2 question) KPA100 idea
Hi, that is exactly the reason I would use a socket. this K2 lives on a boat and is connected to a 23 foot whip and a seawater grounding system and when it's working is astonishing. problem is from time to time I forget to disconnect antenna when I'm not using radio and it gets fried by static discharges through the antenna system. casualties are always the 1N5711s in tthe kat100 and kpa100 AND U2 in the KPA100. I have to assume that even though I'm installing a ferrite inductor shunt between the antenna lead and ground, I will still occasionally forget to disconnect anenna and so will get to replace these components for the perhaps 5th or 6th time. pcb's don't respond well to this level of remove and replace cycles. thanks for the thought, 73 AI4TO In a message dated 9/24/2008 4:18:07 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: A socket will always be less reliable than soldering the IC directly to the board. You should only do it if you expect you might have to remove the IC some day. Al N1AL On Tue, 2008-09-23 at 13:47, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: If I install an IC socket for U2 on my KPA100, will there be any adverse effects? Don't ask why I would want to do this. I would have to admit to more than the usual stupidity. 73 AI4TOJohn FergusonM/V Arcadian **Looking for simple solutions to your real-life financial challenges? Check out WalletPop for the latest news and information, tips and calculators. (http://www.walletpop.com/?NCID=emlcntuswall0001) ___ 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 **Looking for simple solutions to your real-life financial challenges? Check out WalletPop for the latest news and information, tips and calculators. (http://www.walletpop.com/?NCID=emlcntuswall0001) ___ 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] A Bad Thing Happened To My K2
If you can hear nothing at all on 40m but the other bands are OK the likely problem is in the low pass filters on the K2 RF board. I surmise relay K2 which selects the 40m filter is not operating. Another possibility is K1 the bandpass filter for 40m though I think that less likely. U1, the IO controller chip controls the relays. The pin Check pin 27 is correctly controlling relay K2 on the RF board. If the chip is dead this output will stay low. If it goes high on 40m but the relay does not operate, the relay is dead - or the contacts are welded in place. Do the same for pin 25 which controls K1. Mike -- View this message in context: http://n2.nabble.com/A-Bad-Thing-Happened-To-My-K2-tp532p1115226.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.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] Scheduling software?
Or at zero cost, try out Mozillai Sunbird - and/or if you are running Thunderbird as your email client, use Lightning instead or in addition to it.. I find it better for my purposes than MS Outlook's calendar. Supports multiple calendars, and common calendar files. The XYL and I share a calendar file so we can see 'who is doing what and when' The shared calendar files can live on any shared hard drive and are available at any computer on our home network 73, Don W3FPR Jim Miller wrote: http://www.developerplus.com/ Click on Product search type in Schedule Wizard Single User $29. Will do all scheduling - sound alarms, pop up on your screen, run a program ---Does repeats, snooze, early warning pop up windows, second Tuesdays, last Fridays, every Monday and Thursday, once only, once monthly, once yearly, etc, etc. Prints calendar format, memo format, list format, for date range specified and on and on. ___ 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 power cord
Thus becoming, (unless you have the powerwave crimping tool), the only time in the K3 kit assembly you will need a soldering iron! Dave ww2r -- Message: 22 Date: Tue, 23 Sep 2008 16:38:08 -0400 From: Joe Subich, W4TV [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: RE: [Elecraft] K3 power cord To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Message-ID: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 A factory assembled power cable is not included with the kit version of the K3. Unless you order the factory assembled power cable separately, the kit includes the parts for the user to roll your own power cable. ___ 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 shipment
I assume you contacted Elecraft immediately to see exactly what address they really put on the shipping label. Dave W7AQK - Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Tuesday, September 23, 2008 10:17 PM Subject: [Elecraft] k3 shipment Well my K3 was shipped today, but according to ups it is going to an address that doesn't exist. The box could have the right address on it and ups just made the mistake when they sent me the notification that it is being shipped. Or it could end up at who knows where? Who knows? I'm beginning to think I am snake bit! Scott N5SM ___ 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 behaviour
With the new firmware, I found it necessary to do the S-meter calibration. This restored the previous base behavior. Not sure what the state was before the calibration, whether I had done the prior calibration correctly, etc., so I can't blame the firmware. My guess, though, is that I'm on a learning curve, and only the latest, most informed thing I have done can be trusted, if that. Afterwards, if your noise goes from S nothing to S5 by attaching the antenna, you surely are in a noisy locaton. If so, turn off the preamp and/or use the atten to reduce the resting gain of your RX. After that just turn your RF gain counter clockwise until the resting noise in the RX is something you can live with. I've had to do that all summer long, as 40 and 80 meters have had nasty QRN nearly continuously. Beyond that, reducing bandwidth on CW, the K3 has been able to listen down into the noise in a way unrivaled by any other RX I've used, including the Orion. Of late for CW QSO's, once established, I center their signal, and go to 50 Hz bandwidth immediately. No reason not to, and the bandwidth drops the noise way down. If they are above the noise, tuning just barely slightly off their signal removes just enough softness in the signal to make it quite pleasant. 73, Guy. My K3 #1263 was delivered in July with F/W MCU 2.18 DSP 1.84 and I was really enjoying the RX capabilities of the K3. Now that I have upgraded to 2.38/1.90 I believe the RX is more restless when listening to an empty space on the band. The S-meter is constantly on S5 with pre-amp ON and S3 with pre-amp OFF on the lower bands (30/40m). I have compensated that a bit by lowering the AGC threshold (from 5 to 4 now). I liked the initial F/W wrt AGC behavior better (less fatiguing to listen to). I have read in the F/W history file that changes to the AGC have been made from F/W 2.22 onwards. So I wonder if other people have the same experience. I live in an urban area so it IS noisy out here. It is just the way the K3 deals with that noisy background level. When switching to ANT2 (not connected to anything) the RX goes virtually silent. -- Enno, PF5X -- View this message in context: http://n2.nabble.com/AGC-behaviour-tp1114728p1115351.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.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 KANT3 PCB?
My K3 was factory assembled last Feb. It just returned from having ATU and KRX3 installed. In the package was a KANT 3 PCB assembly wrapped in ESD bag along with small envelope, Part # E850339, TMP cable 12. Am I correct in assuming that this was 'plucked' from the K3 iot install either the ATU or KRX3? Inquiring minds, etc? 73 Tom CX7TT K3 #250 ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] RE: A Bad Thing Happened To My K2 - Update 1
Mark, Find out where the problem is before digging into anything, it will greatly simplify your troubleshooting steps. Add a capacitor to your antenna, and use it to inject signals into your K2. Start at the cathode of D6. Here you should hear a signal and noise - keep in mind that there is no filtering of the receiver front end with the antenna connected here, and it will respond to anything your antenna picks up. Next, try the W6 jumper (or pin 3 of J13 if you have the K2 amp keying kit or the K60XV plugged into J13). Here you should hear the 40 meter band because the bandpass filters are now between the antenna and the receiver front end. The level will not be as loud as at the cathode of D6, but should be 'almost as loud'. If you have good 40 meter reception here, move on, but if not, there is something wrong with the 40 meter bandpass filter. Moving on, next try the W1 jumper (or pin 1 of the K160RX option board header). If you still have 40 meter reception here, the T/R switch is good and your problem is in the Low Pass Filter. Once you have isolated the problem area, the remaining troubleshooting steps are greatly simplified. Right now, based on the information we have available, we can only say that the problem lies somewhere in the K2. If you do not find a definitive answer with the steps above, a similar process can be done in transmit using the RF Probe. 73, Don W3FPR Mark Saunders, KJ7BS wrote: Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. Here is some more information resulting from your suggestions. I have no measurable RF output on 40m or any meaningful RX on 40m. The RX/TX works on all other bands including 160m. I get the same RX/TX results from ANT1 ANT2 and main. I get the same RX results on the receive ANT. ___ 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 low output
A couple of ideas: Make sure the trimmers that tune the bandpass filters are not set at the extreme end of their range. Also check that T2 and T4 are wound properly, as shown in the manual. G4BUE wrote: Did you solve your problem, Ozzie? I ask because I have the same problem on one of my K2s and cannot fix it. Thanks and 73 de Chris, G4BUE W6ICM wrote: My K2 has been working OK, until now... 80, 40 and 30 it has full output, but the higher bands, the output is down. Did the alignment for those bands as per the manual. Didn't make any difference. I get 4-5 watts on 20 and 18 and 21 about 3 w, ten is down to 2 watts. Receiver sensitivity is OK. Any words of wisdom will be greatly appreciated. 73 Ozzie, w6icm -- 73, Vic, K2VCO Fresno CA http://www.qsl.net/k2vco ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] RE: A Bad Thing Happened To My K2 - Update 1
You might try to read this PDF file that N0SS wrote to find where it is broken http://www.n0ss.net/k2_signal_tracing.pdf Lee Buller - K0WA In our day and age it seems that Common Sense is in short supply. If you don't have any Common Sense - get some Common Sense and use it. If you can't find any Common Sense, ask for help from somebody who has some Common Sense. Is Common Sense divine? ___ 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: ERR KEY - Neat
Disconcerting when I first ran into it but a nice feature. Powered up the K3 the other morning and ERR KEY popped up. Couldn't find it in my manual. A little playing around revealed a straight key problem (closure). Checking the latest manual version online I found the error message documented. After loading the latest firware, I normally print out the latest menu listings, but I never thought about the error messages. 73, Neal WA6OCP -- View this message in context: http://n2.nabble.com/K3%3A-ERR-KEY---Neat-tp1115622p1115622.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.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] K3 KANT3 PCB?
Yes, the Kant3 bd gets replaced as part of the ATU installation. 73, Jim - Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Wednesday, September 24, 2008 8:30 AM Subject: [Elecraft] K3 KANT3 PCB? My K3 was factory assembled last Feb. It just returned from having ATU and KRX3 installed. In the package was a KANT 3 PCB assembly wrapped in ESD bag along with small envelope, Part # E850339, TMP cable 12. Am I correct in assuming that this was 'plucked' from the K3 iot install either the ATU or KRX3? Inquiring minds, etc? 73 Tom CX7TT K3 #250 ___ 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 behaviour
On Wed, 24 Sep 2008 07:59:36 -0400, Monty Shultes wrote: I have very high white noise in my K3 on 75 meters when connected to the serial port computer interface. Removing this connection greatly reduces the noise. If you use HRD, LP-BRIDGE, or any control software, you can also hear a pulsing noise related to polling the K3 over the serial port. I believe this can be lessened, but have not tried as yet. Here in Florida, USA, the level of thunder storms creates a naturally high noise level in the summer, but the effects described above are clearly noticeable. I use the Elecraft KUSB as serial interface. I suspect that either the computer or the K3 are dumping RF trash onto your serial cable, which, like any antenna, is radiating it, and your 75M antenna is picking it up. I suggest that you wind the serial cable around a toroid to form a common mode choke tuned to 75M. Fair-Rite #31 is the best material to use, and a 2.4-inch o.d., 1.4-inch i.d. toroid is a convenient size. Fair-Rite #43 will work, but you'll need more turns. This size is commonly called FT-240 in the ham world. See http://audiosystemsgroup.com/RFI-Ham.pdf for tutorial information about how and why this works, as well as measured data for chokes with 1 - 14 turns around #31 and #43 toroids. Ferrite beads clamped onto the cable will NOT fix this problem on the HF bands. They WILL help on 2M. :) 73, Jim Brown K9YC ___ 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 SSB Power Control and ALC Metering
Thanks for that very useful guide, Wayne. Much appreciated. I searched to see if others had been written but failed to find any more, which is a pity because such gems seem worthy of their own little archive place. 73 DaveL G3TJP ___ 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 is here
K3 S/N 1755 arrived in Quincy, MA USA today. But it must stay sealed until my shop and shack are complete...(promise to self) Tom kb1tom ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] K1 Used in Montana Ham Rescue...
Check out the story at ARRL of how a K1 helped an amateur call for help when he broke his leg hiking http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2008/09/23/10348/?nc=1 ___ 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] K1 Used in Montana Ham Rescue...
One of these day's I'll finish my K1 :) Good story though. 73 de Joseph Durnal NE3R On Wed, Sep 24, 2008 at 6:48 PM, David King [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Check out the story at ARRL of how a K1 helped an amateur call for help when he broke his leg hiking http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2008/09/23/10348/?nc=1 ___ 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] Another K3 OTA
Ordered my K3/100 kit (KAT3, KBPF3, KFL3B-FM) 5/27/08, 'Katie-gram' received 9/16/08, Kit received 9/22/08, assembly completed 9/24/08. The scariest part of assembly was clearing the paint from the 2-56 screw holes in the front panel. For a while, I was convinced I had an incompletely tapped hole. A drop of water and patient tightening/ loosening cycles got me through that. Second scariest part was 'flexing' the KREF3 board to get the TMP socket to clear the front panel shield. That socket seemed to have been mounted slightly crooked, opposite to the way that would have made it easier to clear the hole in the FP shield. Had enough parts left over to build a complete K1, which was a nice bonus ;-) 73 -- Joe KB8AP ___ 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 behaviour
In addition to the toroid, make sure the shield of the USB connector in your computer is connected to the chassis (RF ground). Many motherboards fail to ground the shield, allowing it to radiate the broadband noise generated by the high speed USB data between the computer and the USB-serial UART in the USB device. -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Jim Brown Sent: Wednesday, September 24, 2008 12:45 PM To: Elecraft List Subject: Re: [Elecraft] AGC behaviour On Wed, 24 Sep 2008 07:59:36 -0400, Monty Shultes wrote: I have very high white noise in my K3 on 75 meters when connected to the serial port computer interface. Removing this connection greatly reduces the noise. If you use HRD, LP-BRIDGE, or any control software, you can also hear a pulsing noise related to polling the K3 over the serial port. I believe this can be lessened, but have not tried as yet. Here in Florida, USA, the level of thunder storms creates a naturally high noise level in the summer, but the effects described above are clearly noticeable. I use the Elecraft KUSB as serial interface. I suspect that either the computer or the K3 are dumping RF trash onto your serial cable, which, like any antenna, is radiating it, and your 75M antenna is picking it up. I suggest that you wind the serial cable around a toroid to form a common mode choke tuned to 75M. Fair-Rite #31 is the best material to use, and a 2.4-inch o.d., 1.4-inch i.d. toroid is a convenient size. Fair-Rite #43 will work, but you'll need more turns. This size is commonly called FT-240 in the ham world. See http://audiosystemsgroup.com/RFI-Ham.pdf for tutorial information about how and why this works, as well as measured data for chokes with 1 - 14 turns around #31 and #43 toroids. Ferrite beads clamped onto the cable will NOT fix this problem on the HF bands. They WILL help on 2M. :) 73, Jim Brown K9YC ___ 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] Pse use explicit subject labels
Another plea for use of explicit subject labels in the subject line of your message. Helps sort the hundreds of emails most of us get daily. Bad examples: OT Inflation Better is comparison of gear costs re inflation K3 power cord Better is K3 kit pwr cord needs assembly asking for advice Better is what vertical should I use? Good example: recording a QSO with K3 I realize I am asking people to use the English language, but please help we readers in this regard. Tnx, 73 Charles Harpole [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 SSB Power Control and ALC Metering
Michael, I also see the exact same symptoms you describe below. This is after implementing Wayne's procedures 'to the letter.' Firmware V2.38, K3 S/N 775. 73, Kam N3KS Thanks for the detailed information. However, this is not my problem. The most severe problem I have is: a) the output power spikes and overshoots in CW or SSB or FM as you adjust the power control, so it is not advisable to use a sensitive, i.e solid state power amplifier with the K3. Especially not one needing less than 50W of drive. It needs a fast responding meter to see it. A work around is to set the power without the amplifier in circuit, speak or key to let the spike happen, then switch on the PA and not adjust power or mode afterwards. Does this not happen to anyone else? A lesser problem is: b) that the power output is unstable once set in SSB mode, showing variations of around 50-100% in the peak output depending on the power output setting. This is when set up as described. It is only really visible with a peak reading power meter. ___ 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 RF-out spikes, was: K3 SSB Power Control and ALC Metering
Yep, my recently factory re-done K3-100F #309 also has RF output power spikes upon first key down or first SSB word spoken. The spike appears to be at fully 120 watts when rig is adjusted to 50 watts. When oh when will this rig be at least half way done? 73, Charles Harpole [EMAIL PROTECTED] From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] K3 SSB Power Control and ALC Metering Date: Wed, 24 Sep 2008 22:35:12 -0400 Michael, I also see the exact same symptoms you describe below. This is after implementing Wayne's procedures 'to the letter.' Firmware V2.38, K3 S/N 775. 73, Kam N3KS Thanks for the detailed information. However, this is not my problem. The most severe problem I have is: a) the output power spikes and overshoots in CW or SSB or FM as you adjust the power control, so it is not advisable to use a sensitive, i.e solid state power amplifier with the K3. Especially not one needing less than 50W of drive. It needs a fast responding meter to see it. A work around is to set the power without the amplifier in circuit, speak or key to let the spike happen, then switch on the PA and not adjust power or mode afterwards. Does this not happen to anyone else? A lesser problem is: b) that the power output is unstable once set in SSB mode, showing variations of around 50-100% in the peak output depending on the power output setting. This is when set up as described. It is only really visible with a peak reading power meter. ___ 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 - KRX3 received
For those who are waiting for their KRX3, I received mine today. Ordered 10/31/07. To be installed in K3 SN 729 73 Gary, N7IR ___ 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] Scheduling software?
I do something similar but I use Outlook at work and use google sync. That way anything I enter into my PDA or at work gets copied into my google calendar and then also pushed to all other devices. I have my home laptop using evolution in linux tied to google as well. This allows me to enter any calendar event into my phone or work or home computer and one entry then automatically updates all locations. Then also my wife has a google calendar and we have ours shared to allow for the same thing you mentioned. I've got all this under my own personal domain which google hosts for me and provides all of the gmail service (yet under my own personal domain name) and they provide all of these services (including hosting) at no charge. ~Brett (KC7OTG) On Wed, 2008-09-24 at 09:12 -0400, Don Wilhelm wrote: Or at zero cost, try out Mozillai Sunbird - and/or if you are running Thunderbird as your email client, use Lightning instead or in addition to it.. I find it better for my purposes than MS Outlook's calendar. Supports multiple calendars, and common calendar files. The XYL and I share a calendar file so we can see 'who is doing what and when' The shared calendar files can live on any shared hard drive and are available at any computer on our home network 73, Don W3FPR Jim Miller wrote: http://www.developerplus.com/ Click on Product search type in Schedule Wizard Single User $29. Will do all scheduling - sound alarms, pop up on your screen, run a program ---Does repeats, snooze, early warning pop up windows, second Tuesdays, last Fridays, every Monday and Thursday, once only, once monthly, once yearly, etc, etc. Prints calendar format, memo format, list format, for date range specified and on and on. ___ 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] K1 Used in Montana Ham Rescue...
And another good bit of news: http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20080923/NEWS01/709239926 On Wed, 2008-09-24 at 16:48 -0600, David King wrote: Check out the story at ARRL of how a K1 helped an amateur call for help when he broke his leg hiking http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2008/09/23/10348/?nc=1 ___ 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: Scheduling software?
Don (or anyone else for that matter...), Lightning looks like a good add on to Thunderbird; does anyone know if there is a way to sync it up with the calendar and to do list on my Palm OS device? Thanks 73 de Dave, W5SV Don Wilhelm wrote: Or at zero cost, try out Mozillai Sunbird - and/or if you are running Thunderbird as your email client, use Lightning instead or in addition to it.. I find it better for my purposes than MS Outlook's calendar. Supports multiple calendars, and common calendar files. The XYL and I share a calendar file so we can see 'who is doing what and when' The shared calendar files can live on any shared hard drive and are available at any computer on our home network 73, Don W3FPR ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Re: Scheduling software?
Dave, I don't know if it suits your needs or not, but take a look at http://portableapps.com/apps/office/sunbird_portable. Sunbird and Lightning can share the same calendar files. 73, Don W3FPR David F. Reed wrote: Don (or anyone else for that matter...), Lightning looks like a good add on to Thunderbird; does anyone know if there is a way to sync it up with the calendar and to do list on my Palm OS device? Thanks 73 de Dave, W5SV Don Wilhelm wrote: Or at zero cost, try out Mozillai Sunbird - and/or if you are running Thunderbird as your email client, use Lightning instead or in addition to it.. I find it better for my purposes than MS Outlook's calendar. Supports multiple calendars, and common calendar files. The XYL and I share a calendar file so we can see 'who is doing what and when' The shared calendar files can live on any shared hard drive and are available at any computer on our home network 73, Don W3FPR ___ 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 No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com Version: 8.0.169 / Virus Database: 270.7.1/1688 - Release Date: 9/24/2008 6:29 AM ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Re: Scheduling software?
Don, thanks for the thought; I will look at that and report back if you like. 73 de Dave, W5SV Don Wilhelm wrote: Dave, I don't know if it suits your needs or not, but take a look at http://portableapps.com/apps/office/sunbird_portable. Sunbird and Lightning can share the same calendar files. 73, Don W3FPR David F. Reed wrote: Don (or anyone else for that matter...), Lightning looks like a good add on to Thunderbird; does anyone know if there is a way to sync it up with the calendar and to do list on my Palm OS device? Thanks 73 de Dave, W5SV ___ 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
