[Elecraft] [OT]: Antenna Tuners - one more reason
There are many hams who dislike antenna tuners and will go to great lengths to avoid having to use one, including putting up multiple antennas, trimming antennas inch by inch, and using elaborate matching schemes involving transmission lines of various lengths and Zo. Besides the tremendous freedom a good antenna tuner gives you with regard to the length of your antenna, length of your feedline, type of feedline, and choice of operating frequency, there is one other advantage that many often forget and which I rarely hear explained. I use a homebrew link-coupled balanced tuner. It's getting harder to find a commercially-built link-coupled unit, but the most famous example is the good old Johnson Matchbox which most folks are familiar with. Anyway, the advantage I'm talking about is that when properly adjusted, a link-coupled tuner acts as a high-pass filter. This means that it provides additional rejection of AM broadcast stations in the 530 - 1710 kHz band. This is really important to many hams, particularly when they live close to one of these high-powered transmitters which are always on and have plenty of potential for causing problems in the receiver. I have run simulations of my particular tuner (which is not exactly like a Johnson) which show that I enjoy a minimum of -30 dB of rejection at 1710 kHz (the closest end of the broadcast band and thus, the worst case) when I am tuned up on 80 meters, and -50 dB when I'm tuned on 40 meters. I have confirmed these numbers with measurements. I have troublemakers at 1110 and 1300 kHz, both 50 kW only about 1.5 miles away. I believe they would cause me some problems if I did not have this tuner in the line which knocks them down by 42 and 38 dB, respectively, when I am operating on 80 meters. When you knock down a 50 kW signal by 40 dB, it looks like a mere 5 W signal! So the next time someone complains about lossy tuners, or having to twirl dials, remind them that there is this hidden benefit to using a good old-fashioned, link-coupled tuner. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Ten Tec never sounded so good!
On SSB it isn't so much the folks on ESSB, although we have a few of those here also unfortunately, but rather the poorly adjusted 1KW plus amplifierrs and badly adjusted audio that causes me to screw up my nose and do a quick QSY..(:-)) If we are every going to fix things we need to honestly discuss the real problems. I have been doing a survey of ops on 20 and 40 meters with very bad signals, and nearly all the nasty signals were not high power. Most, after I broke in for a friendly chat, we running small amps and just mistuning or overdriving them. A significant number had peaked their radios up and were running a bit more output from a 100 watt radio. As a matter of fact a contestor who brought his FT1000MP's to me had his 100 watt radios screwed up to 130-140 watts, so this may be a more common practice then we think. I lowered his radios to 100 watts, and after a while when the radios came back for another update they were back up to 130-140 watts again. At that power level the radios had IM3 in the -20 dB PEP range, and products out to the 17th order were still strong. For all those intent on boosting low power radios with a cheap external PA, you can see measurements here: http://www.w8ji.com/rm_hla-150_test.htm The very best the RM Italy amp gets on *any band at any power* is about like a FT1000MP on the very WORSE band for the MP. There is no convincing people that our 100 watt radios at 100 watts are barely acceptable as is, and that all these little tricks that give another 1-2 dB more power can increase splatter 15 dB or more. Worse yet, those cheap illegal amplifiers that make 10-watt radios into 100 watters are going to be our undoing. 73 Tom __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] [OT]: Antenna Tuners - one more reason
Using a tuner to get rid of BCB problems often works quite well. That's a good suggestion because most of the time it works, although there are cases where it might not work as well or can even make things worse. The typical T-network tuner is a highpass configuration and will generally reject lower frequency signals at a more rapidly increasing attenuation than above the tuner frequency. Most link coupled tuners are actually a bandpass circuit, not a highpass. In all cases we should remember the exact suppression characteristics depend on the impedances presented by the radio and the antenna system at the undesired frequency to the network. There are cases where a tuner (of nearly any type) can actually increase the level of an undesired out-of-band signal, even though that same tuner looks good into a 50-ohm resistor from a 50-ohm source. It is the characteristics of the antenna, tuner, and radio as a combination of impedances at the **unwanted** signal frequency that determine the real attenuation.not how it acts into 50-ohm loads from infinite bandwidth 50-ohm sources found in models. Anyway, the advantage I'm talking about is that when properly adjusted, a link-coupled tuner acts as a high-pass filter. This means that it provides additional rejection of AM broadcast stations in the 530 - 1710 kHz band. This is really important to many hams, particularly when they live close to one of these high-powered transmitters which are always on and have plenty of potential for causing problems in the receiver. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] time to order your P3
It's up on the website , time to order bill __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] time to order your P3
ooppsnow i can't find it ,sri bill At 08:23 AM 4/15/2010, Bill NY9H wrote: It's up on the website , time to order bill __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] time to order your P3
Elecraft have sent an e-mail to all of those on their P3 waiting list with an order link. Since the P3 is not on the order form and does not have any other link (that I an find) from the web page, I will not repost the link from the e-mail. However, if you want to be among the first on your block to have a P3, I suggest contacting Elecraft by e-mail (sa...@elecraft.com), phone or fax. The e-mail sets the initial price at $699.95 with first shipments around July 15, 2010. 73, ... Joe, W4TV -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Bill NY9H Sent: Thursday, April 15, 2010 8:29 AM To: Elecraft Reflector Subject: Re: [Elecraft] time to order your P3 ooppsnow i can't find it ,sri bill At 08:23 AM 4/15/2010, Bill NY9H wrote: It's up on the website , time to order bill __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] time to order your P3
http://www.elecraft.com/order_form_p3.htm Please use the link above to order instead of via the phone. If everyone calls today our sales staff will be in big trouble :-) We're just completing building the complete P3 web page now and will have more info up later today. 73, Eric WA6HHQ _..._ -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Bill NY9H Sent: Thursday, April 15, 2010 8:29 AM To: Elecraft Reflector Subject: Re: [Elecraft] time to order your P3 ooppsnow i can't find it ,sri bill At 08:23 AM 4/15/2010, Bill NY9H wrote: It's up on the website , time to order bill __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] time to order your P3
Did you see a price, Bill? 73 DaveL On Thu, 15 Apr 2010 05:27:08 -0700 Bill NY9H wrote: ooppsnow i can't find it ,sri bill At 08:23 AM 4/15/2010, Bill NY9H wrote: It's up on the website , time to order bill __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Ten Tec never sounded so good!
Tom, This is the all knobs to the right syndrome. It just does not sink into some minds that 100 watts is about the maximum that can be realized from a typical automotive battery voltage of 13.8 volts without running into unacceptable IMD regions. I certainly don't know how to counter it. There are so many hams who try to squeeze every last ounce of power from whatever transceiver thay may be using that it amazes me. Some will even complain endlessly about all the bad signals on the air while cranking their power control to the maximum and putting out a signal that is as bad or worse than those they are complaining about. I just don't understand the logic because it certainly is not logical. 73, Don W3FPR Tom W8JI wrote: On SSB it isn't so much the folks on ESSB, although we have a few of those here also unfortunately, but rather the poorly adjusted 1KW plus amplifierrs and badly adjusted audio that causes me to screw up my nose and do a quick QSY..(:-)) If we are every going to fix things we need to honestly discuss the real problems. I have been doing a survey of ops on 20 and 40 meters with very bad signals, and nearly all the nasty signals were not high power. Most, after I broke in for a friendly chat, we running small amps and just mistuning or overdriving them. A significant number had peaked their radios up and were running a bit more output from a 100 watt radio. As a matter of fact a contestor who brought his FT1000MP's to me had his 100 watt radios screwed up to 130-140 watts, so this may be a more common practice then we think. I lowered his radios to 100 watts, and after a while when the radios came back for another update they were back up to 130-140 watts again. At that power level the radios had IM3 in the -20 dB PEP range, and products out to the 17th order were still strong. For all those intent on boosting low power radios with a cheap external PA, you can see measurements here: http://www.w8ji.com/rm_hla-150_test.htm The very best the RM Italy amp gets on *any band at any power* is about like a FT1000MP on the very WORSE band for the MP. There is no convincing people that our 100 watt radios at 100 watts are barely acceptable as is, and that all these little tricks that give another 1-2 dB more power can increase splatter 15 dB or more. Worse yet, those cheap illegal amplifiers that make 10-watt radios into 100 watters are going to be our undoing. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] time to order your P3
Eric, can you remind us what is required in the K3 to run the P3, I have an original KXV3 73 de M0XDF, K3 #174 -- Accuracy Transcends Speed On 15 Apr 2010, at 14:44, Eric Swartz WA6HHQ - Elecraft wrote: http://www.elecraft.com/order_form_p3.htm Please use the link above to order instead of via the phone. If everyone calls today our sales staff will be in big trouble :-) We're just completing building the complete P3 web page now and will have more info up later today. 73, Eric WA6HHQ _..._ -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Bill NY9H Sent: Thursday, April 15, 2010 8:29 AM To: Elecraft Reflector Subject: Re: [Elecraft] time to order your P3 ooppsnow i can't find it ,sri bill At 08:23 AM 4/15/2010, Bill NY9H wrote: It's up on the website , time to order bill __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] time to order your P3
The earlier KXV3 is fine for the P3.(The KXV3a added internal transverter connections for the K144XV). No other options are required. 73, Eric _..._ David Ferrington, M0XDF wrote: Eric, can you remind us what is required in the K3 to run the P3, I have an original KXV3 73 de M0XDF, K3 #174 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] K3 ATU TUNE per band only?
Hello, Actually ATU TUNE is configured per band. Is there any option to have it OFF in all bands and not to be remembered? Something like SPLT SV (yes/no) for the SPLIT mode. But I couldn´t find the same for ATU TUNE. Thanks, Jorge CX6VM -Mensaje original- De: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] En nombre de Ted Roycraft Enviado el: Miércoles, 07 de Abril de 2010 01:11 p.m. Para: Richard Zwirko CC: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Asunto: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Split option idea That option to save the split state per band is already there. Turn SPLT SV to YES. 73, Ted, W2ZK On 4/7/2010 12:01 PM, Richard Zwirko wrote: I wonder what other K3 users think about having this SPLIT option available on the K3. Like many K3 users, chase DX stations and DXpeditions. Many of them working split, listening on a different frequency. With many radios that I have used, when a band switch is made, not only are both the 'A' and 'B' VFO FREQUENCIES stored for each band, but they also retain the SPLIT /NON-SPLIT conditions for that band. When chasing multiple DX stations, often switching between between bands, I have to remember to hold in the SPLIT button each time I change between bands. If I forget, I get 'reminded' by the KHz Cops. Am I the only one? Would it be possible to allow K3 users to have the capability of retaining the SPLIT condition on each band, if desired, with a menu option? If there is concern about accidentally going back to a band and forgetting that the radio is still in the split mode, how about having a blinking SPLIT icon? I know that the blinking SPLIT icon is used to warn of the 2 VFOs being set to different modes and that the yellow LED is on when there is a difference between RX and TX frequencies. How about the idea of the SPLIT icon blinking when the K3 is in the SPLIT mode on instead. Thoughts/Comments? 73, Rich - K1HTV __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] time to order your P3
Eric Swartz -WA6HHQ, Elecraft wrote: The earlier KXV3 is fine for the P3.(The KXV3a added internal transverter connections for the K144XV). No other options are required. But you probably should do the IF OUT mod if you haven't yet done so: http://www.elecraft.com/K3/mods/IF_Output_Buffer_Gain_Mod_Rev_A.pdf This modification increases the signal level at the I.F. output by more than 10 dB. It requires changing one easily-accessible resistor on the K3’s main RF board with either another surface mount device (SMD) or a leaded 1/8 watt resistor. A kit containing both an SMD and leaded resistor is available from Elecraft: K3IOBUFFKT. This change has been incorporated into all new K3’s beginning in September 2009. 73, Bill -- View this message in context: http://n2.nabble.com/OT-Antenna-Tuners-one-more-reason-tp4905802p4907763.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 ATU TUNE per band only?
Ok Greg, What I want is for example: I am in 40 mts with ATU ON, I move to other bands and then return to 40 mts and want to have ATU in bypass. I don´t want K3 to remember that ATU was ON in this band. Maybe is an option to say yes/no to remember this point? Thanks, Jorge CX6VM -Mensaje original- De: Greg - AB7R [mailto:a...@cablespeed.com] Enviado el: Jueves, 15 de Abril de 2010 11:01 a.m. Para: 'Jorge Diez - CX6VM' Asunto: Re: [Elecraft] K3 ATU TUNE per band only? Jorge, Just set the ATU to Bypass on the bands (all if that's what you want) and it will remember that setting next time you go back to it. - 73, Greg - AB7R Whidbey Island WA NA-065 On Thu Apr 15 6:58 , 'Jorge Diez - CX6VM' cx6vm.jo...@adinet.com.uy sent: Hello, Actually ATU TUNE is configured per band. Is there any option to have it OFF in all bands and not to be remembered? Something like SPLT SV (yes/no) for the SPLIT mode. But I couldn´t find the same for ATU TUNE. Thanks, Jorge CX6VM -Mensaje original- De: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net','','','')elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth. net] En nombre de Ted Roycraft Enviado el: Miércoles, 07 de Abril de 2010 01:11 p.m. Para: Richard Zwirko CC: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Asunto: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Split option idea That option to save the split state per band is already there. Turn SPLT SV to YES. 73, Ted, W2ZK On 4/7/2010 12:01 PM, Richard Zwirko wrote: I wonder what other K3 users think about having this SPLIT option available on the K3. Like many K3 users, chase DX stations and DXpeditions. Many of them working split, listening on a different frequency. With many radios that I have used, when a band switch is made, not only are both the 'A' and 'B' VFO FREQUENCIES stored for each band, but they also retain the SPLIT /NON-SPLIT conditions for that band. When chasing multiple DX stations, often switching between between bands, I have to remember to hold in the SPLIT button each time I change between bands. If I forget, I get 'reminded' by the KHz Cops. Am I the only one? Would it be possible to allow K3 users to have the capability of retaining the SPLIT condition on each band, if desired, with a menu option? If there is concern about accidentally going back to a band and forgetting that the radio is still in the split mode, how about having a blinking SPLIT icon? I know that the blinking SPLIT icon is used to warn of the 2 VFOs being set to different modes and that the yellow LED is on when there is a difference between RX and TX frequencies. How about the idea of the SPLIT icon blinking when the K3 is in the SPLIT mode on instead. Thoughts/Comments? 73, Rich - K1HTV __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net','','','')Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net','','','')Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net','','','')Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Ten Tec never sounded so good!
For all those intent on boosting low power radios with a cheap external PA, you can see measurements here: http://www.w8ji.com/rm_hla-150_test.htm The very best the RM Italy amp gets on *any band at any power* is about like a FT1000MP on the very WORSE band for the MP. If you had not documented that the transistors were only rated for 70W PEP, I would have thought that one of the push-pull pair was open with those results. I don't know what transistors are but those IM plots would suggest the bias is incorrect - which might be logical if RM Italia are using an undersized heatsink. There is no convincing people that our 100 watt radios at 100 watts are barely acceptable as is, and that all these little tricks that give another 1-2 dB more power can increase splatter 15 dB or more. Worse yet, those cheap illegal amplifiers that make 10-watt radios into 100 watters are going to be our undoing. Very true ... we would be better off with 48V transistors with power levels below 200W PEP. There are several devices capable of 3rd and 5th order IMD better than -40 dB at that power level. 73, ... Joe, W4TV -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Tom W8JI Sent: Thursday, April 15, 2010 7:11 AM To: Gary Gregory; lstavenhagen Cc: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Ten Tec never sounded so good! On SSB it isn't so much the folks on ESSB, although we have a few of those here also unfortunately, but rather the poorly adjusted 1KW plus amplifierrs and badly adjusted audio that causes me to screw up my nose and do a quick QSY..(:-)) If we are every going to fix things we need to honestly discuss the real problems. I have been doing a survey of ops on 20 and 40 meters with very bad signals, and nearly all the nasty signals were not high power. Most, after I broke in for a friendly chat, we running small amps and just mistuning or overdriving them. A significant number had peaked their radios up and were running a bit more output from a 100 watt radio. As a matter of fact a contestor who brought his FT1000MP's to me had his 100 watt radios screwed up to 130-140 watts, so this may be a more common practice then we think. I lowered his radios to 100 watts, and after a while when the radios came back for another update they were back up to 130-140 watts again. At that power level the radios had IM3 in the -20 dB PEP range, and products out to the 17th order were still strong. For all those intent on boosting low power radios with a cheap external PA, you can see measurements here: http://www.w8ji.com/rm_hla-150_test.htm The very best the RM Italy amp gets on *any band at any power* is about like a FT1000MP on the very WORSE band for the MP. There is no convincing people that our 100 watt radios at 100 watts are barely acceptable as is, and that all these little tricks that give another 1-2 dB more power can increase splatter 15 dB or more. Worse yet, those cheap illegal amplifiers that make 10-watt radios into 100 watters are going to be our undoing. 73 Tom __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] time to order your P3
Good point, since I'm paying for shipping, I might as well order any mod kits I have yet got - applying them would be a good idea - including the ones I've had for a year :-( -- Study without desire spoils the memory, and it retains nothing that it takes in. -- Leonardo da Vinci On 15 Apr 2010, at 15:16, Bill W4ZV wrote: Eric Swartz -WA6HHQ, Elecraft wrote: The earlier KXV3 is fine for the P3.(The KXV3a added internal transverter connections for the K144XV). No other options are required. But you probably should do the IF OUT mod if you haven't yet done so: http://www.elecraft.com/K3/mods/IF_Output_Buffer_Gain_Mod_Rev_A.pdf This modification increases the signal level at the I.F. output by more than 10 dB. It requires changing one easily-accessible resistor on the K3’s main RF board with either another surface mount device (SMD) or a leaded 1/8 watt resistor. A kit containing both an SMD and leaded resistor is available from Elecraft: K3IOBUFFKT. This change has been incorporated into all new K3’s beginning in September 2009. 73, Bill -- View this message in context: http://n2.nabble.com/OT-Antenna-Tuners-one-more-reason-tp4905802p4907763.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] time to order your P3
I assume the item shown on the order page is for the pre built unit - will you be offering a kit version ? 73 Trevor G0KTN Original Message http://www.elecraft.com/order_form_p3.htm Please use the link above to order instead of via the phone. If everyone calls today our sales staff will be in big trouble :-) We're just completing building the complete P3 web page now and will have more info up later today. 73, Eric WA6HHQ __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] [K3] K3DSPUPGD or K3DSPLPF
Since I'm having the P3 shipped, I might as well have some other outstanding mods shipped too. I've read the instructions for K3DSPLPF and don't think I'd have any trouble making that mod. I'd like some advice from those that have done or considered it, is it worth getting the K3DSPUPGD instead, does it give me anything that the K3DSPLPF does not? I also find I have a RXAMDKT, but don't see that on the web site - what is that mod? 73 de M0XDF, K3 #174 -- It is almost impossible to carry the torch of truth through a crowd without singeing somebody's beard. -George Christopher Lichtenberg, scientist and philosopher (1742-1799) __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] time to order your P3
ah - I hope that's the kit! 73 de M0XDF, K3 #174 Success is the ability to go from failure to failure without losing your enthusiasm. - Winston Churchill (1874 - 1965). On 15 Apr 2010, at 15:48, Trevor Smithers wrote: I assume the item shown on the order page is for the pre built unit - will you be offering a kit version ? 73 Trevor G0KTN Original Message http://www.elecraft.com/order_form_p3.htm Please use the link above to order instead of via the phone. If everyone calls today our sales staff will be in big trouble :-) We're just completing building the complete P3 web page now and will have more info up later today. 73, Eric WA6HHQ __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Ten Tec never sounded so good!
I don't know how we got trom Ten Tec to here but... If you follow this forum you might remember that I have complained bitterly about the lousy IMD performance of modern transceivers. I have, only slightly tongue-in-cheek, suggested that there should be a transceiver figure of merit that balanced receiver performance against transmitter performance by measuring the former while using a pair of the latter as the signal generators. That said, I do not blame the operator who after buying a 100-watt radio, sees nothing wrong with actually running it at 100 watts, if he's running it at rated supply voltage. This does not excuse the ops, some who have said this here, The K3 works fine a 11V input. But when run at rated supply voltage if the transmitter can't deliver decent IMD performance at 100 watts then I fault the manufacturer for calling it a 100-watt radio. I guess 100 is such a nice round number that it is the target, but I remember lots of older radios that were 75-watt and no one seem to have heartache over that. For the life of me I can't understand why radios continue to be designed around an automobile storage battery when fewer than 1% will ever operate in a mobile environment. IMHO, there are simple too many design compromises necessary when designing for 12 volts and/or low receiver current consumption. Wes N7WS --- On Thu, 4/15/10, Don Wilhelm w3...@embarqmail.com wrote: From: Don Wilhelm w3...@embarqmail.com Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Ten Tec never sounded so good! To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Date: Thursday, April 15, 2010, 7:48 AM Tom, This is the all knobs to the right syndrome. It just does not sink into some minds that 100 watts is about the maximum that can be realized from a typical automotive battery voltage of 13.8 volts without running into unacceptable IMD regions. I certainly don't know how to counter it. There are so many hams who try to squeeze every last ounce of power from whatever transceiver thay may be using that it amazes me. Some will even complain endlessly about all the bad signals on the air while cranking their power control to the maximum and putting out a signal that is as bad or worse than those they are complaining about. I just don't understand the logic because it certainly is not logical. 73, Don W3FPR Tom W8JI wrote: On SSB it isn't so much the folks on ESSB, although we have a few of those here also unfortunately, but rather the poorly adjusted 1KW plus amplifierrs and badly adjusted audio that causes me to screw up my nose and do a quick QSY..(:-)) If we are every going to fix things we need to honestly discuss the real problems. I have been doing a survey of ops on 20 and 40 meters with very bad signals, and nearly all the nasty signals were not high power. Most, after I broke in for a friendly chat, we running small amps and just mistuning or overdriving them. A significant number had peaked their radios up and were running a bit more output from a 100 watt radio. As a matter of fact a contestor who brought his FT1000MP's to me had his 100 watt radios screwed up to 130-140 watts, so this may be a more common practice then we think. I lowered his radios to 100 watts, and after a while when the radios came back for another update they were back up to 130-140 watts again. At that power level the radios had IM3 in the -20 dB PEP range, and products out to the 17th order were still strong. For all those intent on boosting low power radios with a cheap external PA, you can see measurements here: http://www.w8ji.com/rm_hla-150_test.htm The very best the RM Italy amp gets on *any band at any power* is about like a FT1000MP on the very WORSE band for the MP. There is no convincing people that our 100 watt radios at 100 watts are barely acceptable as is, and that all these little tricks that give another 1-2 dB more power can increase splatter 15 dB or more. Worse yet, those cheap illegal amplifiers that make 10-watt radios into 100 watters are going to be our undoing. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] [OT]: Antenna Tuners - one more reason
Antenna tuners have their place---just not in my shack. That said, your tuner is actually a band-pass filter whose performance as a filter is dependent on what it's matching. If you really need a high-pass filter to correct an issue, then I think that you should use a purpose-built filter. Just my HO. Wes N7WS --- On Thu, 4/15/10, Al Lorona alor...@sbcglobal.net wrote: From: Al Lorona alor...@sbcglobal.net Subject: [Elecraft] [OT]: Antenna Tuners - one more reason To: Elecraft Reflector elecraft@mailman.qth.net Date: Thursday, April 15, 2010, 12:08 AM There are many hams who dislike antenna tuners and will go to great lengths to avoid having to use one, including putting up multiple antennas, trimming antennas inch by inch, and using elaborate matching schemes involving transmission lines of various lengths and Zo. Besides the tremendous freedom a good antenna tuner gives you with regard to the length of your antenna, length of your feedline, type of feedline, and choice of operating frequency, there is one other advantage that many often forget and which I rarely hear explained. I use a homebrew link-coupled balanced tuner. It's getting harder to find a commercially-built link-coupled unit, but the most famous example is the good old Johnson Matchbox which most folks are familiar with. Anyway, the advantage I'm talking about is that when properly adjusted, a link-coupled tuner acts as a high-pass filter. This means that it provides additional rejection of AM broadcast stations in the 530 - 1710 kHz band. This is really important to many hams, particularly when they live close to one of these high-powered transmitters which are always on and have plenty of potential for causing problems in the receiver. I have run simulations of my particular tuner (which is not exactly like a Johnson) which show that I enjoy a minimum of -30 dB of rejection at 1710 kHz (the closest end of the broadcast band and thus, the worst case) when I am tuned up on 80 meters, and -50 dB when I'm tuned on 40 meters. I have confirmed these numbers with measurements. I have troublemakers at 1110 and 1300 kHz, both 50 kW only about 1.5 miles away. I believe they would cause me some problems if I did not have this tuner in the line which knocks them down by 42 and 38 dB, respectively, when I am operating on 80 meters. When you knock down a 50 kW signal by 40 dB, it looks like a mere 5 W signal! So the next time someone complains about lossy tuners, or having to twirl dials, remind them that there is this hidden benefit to using a good old-fashioned, link-coupled tuner. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 ATU TUNE per band only?
K3 remembers whether ATU is engaged or bypassed per ANT1/ANT2 per band, and remembers L/C settings per band. You are asking it specifically to return to bypass when you leave a band? It's not like you have to do some complicated thing down in the menus. Front panel button HOLD ATU TUNE toggles from bypassed to engaged, and the current state is plainly shown (ATU showing on the display means it's engaged). Some have asked for ATU to drop out if an amp is in-line, but I've not heard of that being taken up. Current K3 behavior is pretty standard. 73, Guy. On Thu, Apr 15, 2010 at 10:18 AM, Jorge Diez - CX6VM cx6vm.jo...@adinet.com.uy wrote: Ok Greg, What I want is for example: I am in 40 mts with ATU ON, I move to other bands and then return to 40 mts and want to have ATU in bypass. I don´t want K3 to remember that ATU was ON in this band. Maybe is an option to say yes/no to remember this point? __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] time to order your P3
I ordered mine -- I don't care whether it is a kit or not-a-kit. I wanted the P3. On Apr 15, 2010, at 8:15 AM, David Ferrington, M0XDF wrote: ah - I hope that's the kit! 73 de M0XDF, K3 #174 Success is the ability to go from failure to failure without losing your enthusiasm. - Winston Churchill (1874 - 1965). On 15 Apr 2010, at 15:48, Trevor Smithers wrote: I assume the item shown on the order page is for the pre built unit - will you be offering a kit version ? 73 Trevor G0KTN Original Message http://www.elecraft.com/order_form_p3.htm Please use the link above to order instead of via the phone. If everyone calls today our sales staff will be in big trouble :-) We're just completing building the complete P3 web page now and will have more info up later today. 73, Eric WA6HHQ __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] time to order your P3
well I ordered too, but I really want the kit, both for the fun and understanding and for the reduced cost - no custom charges on a kit 73 de M0XDF, K3 #174 -- One can pay back the loan of gold, but one dies forever in debt to those who are kind. -Malayan Proverb On 15 Apr 2010, at 16:58, Phil Hystad wrote: I ordered mine -- I don't care whether it is a kit or not-a-kit. I wanted the P3. On Apr 15, 2010, at 8:15 AM, David Ferrington, M0XDF wrote: ah - I hope that's the kit! 73 de M0XDF, K3 #174 Success is the ability to go from failure to failure without losing your enthusiasm. - Winston Churchill (1874 - 1965). On 15 Apr 2010, at 15:48, Trevor Smithers wrote: I assume the item shown on the order page is for the pre built unit - will you be offering a kit version ? 73 Trevor G0KTN Original Message http://www.elecraft.com/order_form_p3.htm Please use the link above to order instead of via the phone. If everyone calls today our sales staff will be in big trouble :-) We're just completing building the complete P3 web page now and will have more info up later today. 73, Eric WA6HHQ __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] [elecraft] k2 alignment testing
Current status from n0xdb. I have alignment phase 2 working for the most part (don't' have an antenna yet so skipped that part for the moment). Alignment phase 1 still no tone. I tried this alignment before, and resoldered the phone jack, but am not sure if it's making a solid connection because the leads don't go through the board, they just appear at the holes. I was hearing some static, now I don't hear jack. I have a 60ohm headphones (it calls for 30ohm) not sure if this is a big deal. What should I check to verify sound going into or out of my phone jack? __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] [K3] K3DSPUPGD or K3DSPLPF
David Ferrington, M0XDF wrote: I also find I have a RXAMDKT, but don't see that on the web site - what is that mod? You have an Elecraft mod but don't know what it is for? I have a little 2-tone generator unbuilt mini-kit. I would build it if I could find it. 73, Fred K6DGW - Northern California Contest Club - CU in the 2010 Cal QSO Party 2-3 Oct 2010 - www.cqp.org __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] time to order your P3
Oops - I made a mistake getting this up quickly last night. The P3 listed on the order form was the kit version. I've now corrected the order form and added the -F assembled version ($50 more). http://www.elecraft.com/order_form_p3.htm If you placed an order and want to change it to a -F please email sa...@elecraft.com to let them know, with your order confirmation number copied in the email. That will help us quickly match it with your order. Just moving too fast here! (We're also working hard to get ready to head out to the Visalia International DX Convention tonight.) 73, Eric WA6HHQ On 4/15/2010 7:48 AM, Trevor Smithers wrote: I assume the item shown on the order page is for the pre built unit - will you be offering a kit version ? 73 Trevor G0KTN __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Ten Tec never sounded so good!
On 4/15/2010 8:25 AM, Wes Stewart wrote: For the life of me I can't understand why radios continue to be designed around an automobile storage battery when fewer than 1% will ever operate in a mobile environment. For those of us who insist that our communications gear operate when the mains power goes off, the 12V DC battery system is the most reasonable backup. Few if any of us have the resources to install a commercial 48V battery system - which is the commercial standard currently - or the 40 KW backup generator or solar array which is what is needed (but don't have) to run my house off the grid. For communications backup purposes we don't use automobile storage batteries which are designed for a large current draw for a short time (engine cranking) and relatively little current draw afterward while the alternator picks up the load. Deep-cycle totally sealed batteries are the standard for communication backup systems of this capacity. My engineering firm designs commercial communication sites primarily for the public safety community and such backup power systems are a very important part of what we do for our clients. -- 73 de K2ASP - Phil Kane Elecraft K2/100 s/n 5402 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] time to order your P3
Although I had a P3 in my hand a month ago and saw it operate (briefly) before I order one, I would like to see a manual and get some idea of what it brings to the table. ps. Did you add that steel plate inside that I recommended to keep it from skidding off the table when I push a button and that makes the XYL think that there really is something inside worth $700? :-) --- On Thu, 4/15/10, Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft e...@elecraft.com wrote: From: Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft e...@elecraft.com Subject: Re: [Elecraft] time to order your P3 To: tsmith...@cix.co.uk Cc: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Date: Thursday, April 15, 2010, 11:04 AM Oops - I made a mistake getting this up quickly last night. The P3 listed on the order form was the kit version. I've now corrected the order form and added the -F assembled version ($50 more). http://www.elecraft.com/order_form_p3.htm If you placed an order and want to change it to a -F please email sa...@elecraft.com to let them know, with your order confirmation number copied in the email. That will help us quickly match it with your order. Just moving too fast here! (We're also working hard to get ready to head out to the Visalia International DX Convention tonight.) 73, Eric WA6HHQ On 4/15/2010 7:48 AM, Trevor Smithers wrote: I assume the item shown on the order page is for the pre built unit - will you be offering a kit version ? 73 Trevor G0KTN __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] How is the P3 Connected to the K3?
I'm curious how the P3 is connected to the K3. Currently I have the RS-232 and the 15pin Accessory port connected to my Microham Microkeyer II. Will the P3 need the same connections? if so is there a way to get the P3 and MicrokeyerII to coexist. Rich - N5ZC __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Ten Tec never sounded so good!
I think I've mentioned this here before, but I actually *do* have a battery backup system in my shack and also operate using 12V in my travel trailer. The home system has a 90AH 12V AGM battery, continually charged with a HB smart charger and the trailer uses a pair of deep-cycle RV batteries with a similar charger. An EU2000 Honda is also used if necessary. That said, in both cases I use a boost regulator to maintain a minimum of 13.8V AT THE K2 INPUT. Since, IMHO, a boost regulator is always a good idea, it could just as well boost to 24 or 30 or whatever voltage a cleaner transceiver would require. Wes N7WS --- On Thu, 4/15/10, Phil Kane k2...@kanafi.org wrote: From: Phil Kane k2...@kanafi.org Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Ten Tec never sounded so good! To: Wes Stewart n...@yahoo.com Cc: Elecraft Reflector elecraft@mailman.qth.net Date: Thursday, April 15, 2010, 11:56 AM On 4/15/2010 8:25 AM, Wes Stewart wrote: For the life of me I can't understand why radios continue to be designed around an automobile storage battery when fewer than 1% will ever operate in a mobile environment. For those of us who insist that our communications gear operate when the mains power goes off, the 12V DC battery system is the most reasonable backup. Few if any of us have the resources to install a commercial 48V battery system - which is the commercial standard currently - or the 40 KW backup generator or solar array which is what is needed (but don't have) to run my house off the grid. For communications backup purposes we don't use automobile storage batteries which are designed for a large current draw for a short time (engine cranking) and relatively little current draw afterward while the alternator picks up the load. Deep-cycle totally sealed batteries are the standard for communication backup systems of this capacity. My engineering firm designs commercial communication sites primarily for the public safety community and such backup power systems are a very important part of what we do for our clients. -- 73 de K2ASP - Phil Kane Elecraft K2/100 s/n 5402 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] time to order your P3
It is also important for me, read the manual. I can't test it before order, then i need read the manual. My order will wait until it. El 15/04/2010 19:57, Wes Stewart escribió: Although I had a P3 in my hand a month ago and saw it operate (briefly) before I order one, I would like to see a manual and get some idea of what it brings to the table. ps. Did you add that steel plate inside that I recommended to keep it from skidding off the table when I push a button and that makes the XYL think that there really is something inside worth $700? :-) --- On Thu, 4/15/10, Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecrafte...@elecraft.com wrote: -- Rubén Navarro Huedo - EA5BZ http://www.palotes.com __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] How is the P3 Connected to the K3?
i think it is connect to the IF OUT. I am using also the rs-232. Needs the p3 also the rs232? El 15/04/2010 20:04, rmtho...@suddenlink.net escribió: I'm curious how the P3 is connected to the K3. Currently I have the RS-232 and the 15pin Accessory port connected to my Microham Microkeyer II. Will the P3 need the same connections? if so is there a way to get the P3 and MicrokeyerII to coexist. Rich - N5ZC -- Rubén Navarro Huedo - EA5BZ http://www.palotes.com __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] How is the P3 Connected to the K3?
There are three connections between the P3 and your K3. The necessary cables are supplied. 1) A +12V cable connects between the P3 and the RCA +12V connector on the back of the K3. 2) A short coaxial cable with BNC connectors connects to the IF OUT connector on the KXV3 or KXV3A of your K3. 3) A short RS-232 cable connects between the P3 and the DB-9 RS-232 connector on the back of your K3. Your PC or microHAM RS-232 connector plugs into the DB-9 connector on the P3. The P3 passes computer-initiated commands and their responses to/from your K3. The P3 also communicates with the K3 over this same serial connection. The PC/microHAM device sees the combination as a K3. Note that a computer is *not* required to operate the P3, except for firmware loading. However if you wish to connect a computer to the K3/P3 combination, it goes onto the back of the P3. Dick, K6KR -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of rmtho...@suddenlink.net Sent: Thursday, April 15, 2010 11:04 AM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] How is the P3 Connected to the K3? I'm curious how the P3 is connected to the K3. Currently I have the RS-232 and the 15pin Accessory port connected to my Microham Microkeyer II. Will the P3 need the same connections? if so is there a way to get the P3 and MicrokeyerII to coexist. Rich - N5ZC __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] time to order your P3
OTOH, this means that I don't need to be in Visalia by noon on Friday. I had a strong feeling that the orders would start there (just like the K3, two years ago). I was slightly wrong. I think there's been enough discussion on this list to obviate the necessity to read the manual before ordering. And, of course, some people will never read the fine manual. 73, doug Date: Thu, 15 Apr 2010 20:20:04 +0200 From: Ruben Navarro Huedo runa...@gmail.com It is also important for me, read the manual. I can't test it before order, then i need read the manual. My order will wait until it. El 15/04/2010 19:57, Wes Stewart escribió: Although I had a P3 in my hand a month ago and saw it operate (briefly) before I order one, I would like to see a manual and get some idea of what it brings to the table. ps. Did you add that steel plate inside that I recommended to keep it from skidding off the table when I push a button and that makes the XYL think that there really is something inside worth $700? :-) __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] How is the P3 Connected to the K3?
Out of interest, can you perform a K3 update through the P3? -- The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing. If you can fake that, you've got it made. -Groucho Marx On 15 Apr 2010, at 19:24, Dick Dievendorff wrote: There are three connections between the P3 and your K3. The necessary cables are supplied. 1) A +12V cable connects between the P3 and the RCA +12V connector on the back of the K3. 2) A short coaxial cable with BNC connectors connects to the IF OUT connector on the KXV3 or KXV3A of your K3. 3) A short RS-232 cable connects between the P3 and the DB-9 RS-232 connector on the back of your K3. Your PC or microHAM RS-232 connector plugs into the DB-9 connector on the P3. The P3 passes computer-initiated commands and their responses to/from your K3. The P3 also communicates with the K3 over this same serial connection. The PC/microHAM device sees the combination as a K3. Note that a computer is *not* required to operate the P3, except for firmware loading. However if you wish to connect a computer to the K3/P3 combination, it goes onto the back of the P3. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] time to order your P3
Wes, N7WS, wrote: Did you add that steel plate inside that I recommended to keep it from skidding off the table when I push a button and that makes the XYL think that there really is something inside worth $700? :-) Actually, yes :) The P3 enclosure is being fabricated entirely from corrosion-resistant steel (plated before painting) rather than aluminum. Production and field test units will weigh about twice as much as the prototype you tried out (about 5 pounds). Besides making the unit heavy enough to not slide when you push the buttons, the steel enclosure will reduce EMI generally -- in or out. The use of steel also makes the enclosure very strong, so that you could, if you wanted, put a heavy 20 A linear power supply inside to power the K3, etc. While we don't have any current plan to offer an optional internal power supply for the P3, some of us (including me) will be rolling our own. In my case it will free up some valuable desk space. (Anyone need a Samlex power supply? Pick-up only!) 73, Wayne N6KR __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] 12 volt PA
I don't find emergency backup to be a very compelling argument for sticking with a 12 volt PA design. I don't see why it would require a commercial system to provide backup for a ham rig, and I don't think it would be significantly more expensive to string four smaller capacity batteries in series instead of one larger 12 volt battery. Charging could be done at 48 volts, or at 12 volts with the batteries in parallel. My guess is that the only reason we still see 12 volt rigs is because they make mobile and portable use more convenient, which of course was Elecraft's roots anyway. Possibly even that will go away eventually ... the automotive manufactures have for some time been exploring higher voltage (42 volts or something like that if I remember correctly) systems because of the increasing current requirements (requiring heavier wiring) of today's expanding vehicle electronics. That was actively being discussed a dozen years ago, though, so most likely the voltage overshoot issues (relays and motors have a lot of inductance) have proven difficult to overcome. 73, Dave AB7E On 4/15/2010 10:56 AM, Phil Kane wrote: On 4/15/2010 8:25 AM, Wes Stewart wrote: For the life of me I can't understand why radios continue to be designed around an automobile storage battery when fewer than 1% will ever operate in a mobile environment. For those of us who insist that our communications gear operate when the mains power goes off, the 12V DC battery system is the most reasonable backup. Few if any of us have the resources to install a commercial 48V battery system - which is the commercial standard currently - or the 40 KW backup generator or solar array which is what is needed (but don't have) to run my house off the grid. For communications backup purposes we don't use automobile storage batteries which are designed for a large current draw for a short time (engine cranking) and relatively little current draw afterward while the alternator picks up the load. Deep-cycle totally sealed batteries are the standard for communication backup systems of this capacity. My engineering firm designs commercial communication sites primarily for the public safety community and such backup power systems are a very important part of what we do for our clients. -- 73 de K2ASP - Phil Kane Elecraft K2/100 s/n 5402 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] How is the P3 Connected to the K3?
The P3 connects to theK3 via two cables that are supplied with the P3. A BNC RF cable that connects to the IF Out on the KXV3 (or KXV3a), and a RS-232 cable that connects to the K3's RS-232 control port. The P3 has another RS-232 connector that then optionally goes to your PC via a direct connection or the KUSB cable. A PC is not required as part of the P3's regular operation, except for downloading new P3, or K3, firmware. All P3-K3 communication is hidden from the remote PC. All PC control / logging commands to the K3, and K3 responses to those commands, pass through unimpeded via the P3. Basically the P3/K3 combination is transparent with no changes needed to your external PC control and logging programs. The pair looks identical to the stand-alone K3 from a PC interface standpoint. 73, Eric WA6HHQ --- On 4/15/2010 11:04 AM, rmtho...@suddenlink.net wrote: I'm curious how the P3 is connected to the K3. Currently I have the RS-232 and the 15pin Accessory port connected to my Microham Microkeyer II. Will the P3 need the same connections? if so is there a way to get the P3 and MicrokeyerII to coexist. Rich - N5ZC __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] time to order your P3
If you are strong enough to pick it up! I think a number of us will be interested in a supply to fit in the P3, perhaps some circuits for those of us you can build, but not design would be good - dual mains voltage of course. 73 de M0XDF, K3 #174 -- The soul is the same in all living creatures, although the body is different. -Hippocrates, physician (460-c.377 BCE) On 15 Apr 2010, at 19:51, Wayne Burdick wrote: Pick-up only __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] time to order your P3
What dimension will be available for stuffing a power supply in the back? On Thu, Apr 15, 2010 at 2:51 PM, Wayne Burdick n...@elecraft.com wrote: Wes, N7WS, wrote: Did you add that steel plate inside that I recommended to keep it from skidding off the table when I push a button and that makes the XYL think that there really is something inside worth $700? :-) Actually, yes :) The P3 enclosure is being fabricated entirely from corrosion-resistant steel (plated before painting) rather than aluminum. Production and field test units will weigh about twice as much as the prototype you tried out (about 5 pounds). Besides making the unit heavy enough to not slide when you push the buttons, the steel enclosure will reduce EMI generally -- in or out. The use of steel also makes the enclosure very strong, so that you could, if you wanted, put a heavy 20 A linear power supply inside to power the K3, etc. While we don't have any current plan to offer an optional internal power supply for the P3, some of us (including me) will be rolling our own. In my case it will free up some valuable desk space. (Anyone need a Samlex power supply? Pick-up only!) 73, Wayne N6KR __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Ten Tec never sounded so good!
Joe, Very interesting. Not too surprising. I am building a CCI HF 300w amplifier kit (Motorola Engineering Bulletin: EB-27A), that uses 28-volt transistors. I bought a matched pair of the Toshiba equivalent for the MRF-422 (2SC2510 rated at 150w/each; power gain = 12.2 dB). IMD min (-30 dB) is at 85w. The K3 will drive it possibly to 200w output (100w per transistor). Running at 170w would probably be the cleanest level. Table-I in the engineering bulletin shows Harmonic performance (2-30 MHz) http://www.communication-concepts.com/eb27a.htm http://www.communication-concepts.com/appnotes/EB27A300Sharp.pdf If I like how the amplifier turns out, I may start building a few of these for the ham radio market. Ed - KL7UW -- Message: 1 Date: Thu, 15 Apr 2010 10:20:28 -0400 From: Joe Subich, W4TV li...@subich.com Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Ten Tec never sounded so good! To: 'Tom W8JI' w...@w8ji.com Cc: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Message-ID: 85e31a466596414d860b7ac081725...@laptop Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii For all those intent on boosting low power radios with a cheap external PA, you can see measurements here: http://www.w8ji.com/rm_hla-150_test.htm The very best the RM Italy amp gets on *any band at any power* is about like a FT1000MP on the very WORSE band for the MP. If you had not documented that the transistors were only rated for 70W PEP, I would have thought that one of the push-pull pair was open with those results. I don't know what transistors are but those IM plots would suggest the bias is incorrect - which might be logical if RM Italia are using an undersized heatsink. There is no convincing people that our 100 watt radios at 100 watts are barely acceptable as is, and that all these little tricks that give another 1-2 dB more power can increase splatter 15 dB or more. Worse yet, those cheap illegal amplifiers that make 10-watt radios into 100 watters are going to be our undoing. Very true ... we would be better off with 48V transistors with power levels below 200W PEP. There are several devices capable of 3rd and 5th order IMD better than -40 dB at that power level. 73, ... Joe, W4TV 73, Ed - KL7UW, WD2XSH/45 == BP40IQ 500 KHz - 10-GHz www.kl7uw.com EME: 144-600w, 432-100w, 1296-60w, 3400-fall 2010 DUBUS Magazine USA Rep dubus...@hotmail.com == __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] time to order your P3
The earlier KXV3 is fine for the P3.(The KXV3a added internal transverter connections for the K144XV). No other options are required. So the two parts required to have a working panadapter kit total $810? __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] power
Anybody know how much current the thing draws?? Dennis W7JX __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] time to order your P3
So the two parts required to have a working panadapter kit total $810? Since the P3 only uses the IF out, one could roll his own cable (TMP to BNC) and mount the jack on the empty panel. 73, ... Joe, W4TV -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of p...@n4lcd.com Sent: Thursday, April 15, 2010 2:53 PM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] time to order your P3 The earlier KXV3 is fine for the P3.(The KXV3a added internal transverter connections for the K144XV). No other options are required. So the two parts required to have a working panadapter kit total $810? __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] power
Anybody know how much current the thing draws?? Thing? Is that a bare K2, a fully tricked out (with DSP) K2/100? or ... I you're looking for minimum current drain the K1 (QRP CW only) is a good choice. Mark AD5SS On Thu, Apr 15, 2010 at 2:26 PM, Dennis Watkins androm...@wildblue.net wrote: Anybody know how much current the thing draws?? Dennis W7JX __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] power
On Thu Apr 15 at 1526 EDT Dennis Watkins (W7JX) wrote ... Anybody know how much current the thing draws?? -- Dennis, If that the thing you are referring to is the P3, FYI the P3 can be powered from the K3's 12VDC switched power jack, which is rated at 500 mA. 73, Gary KI4GGX K3 #2724 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Ten Tec never sounded so good!
On 4/15/2010 11:14 AM, Wes Stewart wrote: [ System described - much like my own system ] That said, in both cases I use a boost regulator to maintain a minimum of 13.8V AT THE K2 INPUT. As do I. I have two banks of circuit breakers on the 12V distribution system (I run 6 VHF/UHF transceivers and 5 receivers in the comm center in addition to the K2) and I have a separate boost regulator for each bank. Since, IMHO, a boost regulator is always a good idea, it could just as well boost to 24 or 30 or whatever voltage a cleaner transceiver would require. Better to put the boost regulator inside the transceiver, as Motorola does in many of their high-power products. Memories of my conversion of a 6V Volkswagen Beetle to 12V many years ago, so I could finally get rid of the 6V-to-12V booster that was being overloaded as I added stuff in the vehicle that required 12V. That was an interesting project. -- 73 de K2ASP - Phil Kane Elecraft K2/100 s/n 5402 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] 12 volt PA
On 4/15/2010 11:51 AM, David Gilbert wrote: My guess is that the only reason we still see 12 volt rigs is because they make mobile and portable use more convenient, which of course was Elecraft's roots anyway. Possibly even that will go away eventually ... the automotive manufactures have for some time been exploring higher voltage (42 volts or something like that if I remember correctly) systems because of the increasing current requirements (requiring heavier wiring) of today's expanding vehicle electronics. That was actively being discussed a dozen years ago, though, so most likely the voltage overshoot issues (relays and motors have a lot of inductance) have proven difficult to overcome. Memories of my conversion of a 6V Volkswagen Beetle to 12V many years ago, so I could finally get rid of the 6V-to-12V booster that was being overloaded as I added stuff in the vehicle that required 12V. That was an interesting project. In the last several years, commercial comm sites have gone to the telephone industry's 48 volt standard, with the major comm equipment manufacturers putting the 48V-to-12V down-converter as an integral part of their equipment or a needed accessory. The railroad industry has been at 72 volts down-converted to 12V for ages. I for one am happy to stay with 12V on my K2 which usually runs at about 40 watts for data modes. -- 73 de K2ASP - Phil Kane Elecraft K2/100 s/n 5402 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] 12 volt PA
My understanding is that lower volt systems are preferred by electrical safety codes because they pose less danger to human life. From what I understand, the only way you could cause death from a 12 volt circuit is if the short circuited path goes through the human heart. That is why electrical safety codes demonstrate a preference for lower volt systems in highly mobile uses such as motor vehicles. -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Phil Kane Sent: Thursday, April 15, 2010 1:43 PM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] 12 volt PA On 4/15/2010 11:51 AM, David Gilbert wrote: My guess is that the only reason we still see 12 volt rigs is because they make mobile and portable use more convenient, which of course was Elecraft's roots anyway. Possibly even that will go away eventually ... the automotive manufactures have for some time been exploring higher voltage (42 volts or something like that if I remember correctly) systems because of the increasing current requirements (requiring heavier wiring) of today's expanding vehicle electronics. That was actively being discussed a dozen years ago, though, so most likely the voltage overshoot issues (relays and motors have a lot of inductance) have proven difficult to overcome. Memories of my conversion of a 6V Volkswagen Beetle to 12V many years ago, so I could finally get rid of the 6V-to-12V booster that was being overloaded as I added stuff in the vehicle that required 12V. That was an interesting project. In the last several years, commercial comm sites have gone to the telephone industry's 48 volt standard, with the major comm equipment manufacturers putting the 48V-to-12V down-converter as an integral part of their equipment or a needed accessory. The railroad industry has been at 72 volts down-converted to 12V for ages. I for one am happy to stay with 12V on my K2 which usually runs at about 40 watts for data modes. -- 73 de K2ASP - Phil Kane Elecraft K2/100 s/n 5402 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] 12 volt PA
Voltage doesn't kill. Current kills. You can kill yourself on very few volts, if it isn't current limited. 12V, 48v, no real difference. Maybe the K5 will have a couple of big honking ceramic tubes in the box and we'll need 3000v at 1.5A CCS. Going to have to upgrade my 180 A/h 12V backup battery system for that, for sure :-) Grant/NQ5T On Apr 15, 2010, at 4:59 PM, George A. Thornton wrote: My understanding is that lower volt systems are preferred by electrical safety codes because they pose less danger to human life. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] [K3] K3DSPUPGD or K3DSPLPF
Continuing on this thread, I understand to make the K3DSPUPGD mod oneself is very hard. I can make the K3DSPLPF mod with no problem. Do people think the K3DSPUPGD would be of benefit to my failing 56 year old ears? Just how much does better response below 300 Hz help? --- Since I'm having the P3 shipped, I might as well have some other outstanding mods shipped too. I've read the instructions for K3DSPLPF and don't think I'd have any trouble making that mod. I'd like some advice from those that have done or considered it, is it worth getting the K3DSPUPGD instead, does it give me anything that the K3DSPLPF does not? I also find I have a RXAMDKT, but don't see that on the web site - what is that mod? 73 de M0XDF, K3 #174 -- It is almost impossible to carry the torch of truth through a crowd without singeing somebody's beard. -George Christopher Lichtenberg, scientist and philosopher (1742-1799) __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Ten Tec never sounded so good!
Hi Tom Good information the cheap amp. Another model amplifier that has a cult following on the ham bands, especially with new hams is the HLA300. This amp is another IMD disaster. Without people like yourself who highlight these problems we not going to win the battle with these cheap garbage amps being used on the ham bands. These amps seem very attractive to new hams who dont know any better. John --- On Thu, 4/15/10, Tom W8JI w...@w8ji.com wrote: From: Tom W8JI w...@w8ji.com Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Ten Tec never sounded so good! To: Gary Gregory garyvk...@gmail.com, lstavenhagen lstavenha...@hotmail.com Cc: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Date: Thursday, April 15, 2010, 4:10 AM On SSB it isn't so much the folks on ESSB, although we have a few of those here also unfortunately, but rather the poorly adjusted 1KW plus amplifierrs and badly adjusted audio that causes me to screw up my nose and do a quick QSY..(:-)) If we are every going to fix things we need to honestly discuss the real problems. I have been doing a survey of ops on 20 and 40 meters with very bad signals, and nearly all the nasty signals were not high power. Most, after I broke in for a friendly chat, we running small amps and just mistuning or overdriving them. A significant number had peaked their radios up and were running a bit more output from a 100 watt radio. As a matter of fact a contestor who brought his FT1000MP's to me had his 100 watt radios screwed up to 130-140 watts, so this may be a more common practice then we think. I lowered his radios to 100 watts, and after a while when the radios came back for another update they were back up to 130-140 watts again. At that power level the radios had IM3 in the -20 dB PEP range, and products out to the 17th order were still strong. For all those intent on boosting low power radios with a cheap external PA, you can see measurements here: http://www.w8ji.com/rm_hla-150_test.htm The very best the RM Italy amp gets on *any band at any power* is about like a FT1000MP on the very WORSE band for the MP. There is no convincing people that our 100 watt radios at 100 watts are barely acceptable as is, and that all these little tricks that give another 1-2 dB more power can increase splatter 15 dB or more. Worse yet, those cheap illegal amplifiers that make 10-watt radios into 100 watters are going to be our undoing. 73 Tom __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Ten Tec never sounded so good!
I've found many a discussion where one has a 100 watt radio that only puts out 90 watts according to their meter an they are mighty unhappy about it. Hence, they push the critter trying to get 100 watts out of the box or worse, tweak the radio until the meter reads 100 watts, never giving a though to what they've done or the side effects. Never a minute did they think the meter might be off by 10 watts. Perhaps there is still a reason to validate DC input power as the means of power measurement. 73 Bob, K4TAX - Original Message - From: Don Wilhelm w3...@embarqmail.com To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Thursday, April 15, 2010 8:48 AM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Ten Tec never sounded so good! Tom, This is the all knobs to the right syndrome. It just does not sink into some minds that 100 watts is about the maximum that can be realized from a typical automotive battery voltage of 13.8 volts without running into unacceptable IMD regions. I certainly don't know how to counter it. There are so many hams who try to squeeze every last ounce of power from whatever transceiver thay may be using that it amazes me. Some will even complain endlessly about all the bad signals on the air while cranking their power control to the maximum and putting out a signal that is as bad or worse than those they are complaining about. I just don't understand the logic because it certainly is not logical. 73, Don W3FPR Tom W8JI wrote: On SSB it isn't so much the folks on ESSB, although we have a few of those here also unfortunately, but rather the poorly adjusted 1KW plus amplifierrs and badly adjusted audio that causes me to screw up my nose and do a quick QSY..(:-)) If we are every going to fix things we need to honestly discuss the real problems. I have been doing a survey of ops on 20 and 40 meters with very bad signals, and nearly all the nasty signals were not high power. Most, after I broke in for a friendly chat, we running small amps and just mistuning or overdriving them. A significant number had peaked their radios up and were running a bit more output from a 100 watt radio. As a matter of fact a contestor who brought his FT1000MP's to me had his 100 watt radios screwed up to 130-140 watts, so this may be a more common practice then we think. I lowered his radios to 100 watts, and after a while when the radios came back for another update they were back up to 130-140 watts again. At that power level the radios had IM3 in the -20 dB PEP range, and products out to the 17th order were still strong. For all those intent on boosting low power radios with a cheap external PA, you can see measurements here: http://www.w8ji.com/rm_hla-150_test.htm The very best the RM Italy amp gets on *any band at any power* is about like a FT1000MP on the very WORSE band for the MP. There is no convincing people that our 100 watt radios at 100 watts are barely acceptable as is, and that all these little tricks that give another 1-2 dB more power can increase splatter 15 dB or more. Worse yet, those cheap illegal amplifiers that make 10-watt radios into 100 watters are going to be our undoing. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] time to order your P3, design details?
Hi Wheres all the technical specifications and design details on the P3? All that I see on the Elecraft web page is the old P3 original pictures. I would like to know what I am buying! Is there a link with a manual somewhere? John --- On Thu, 4/15/10, Joe Subich, W4TV li...@subich.com wrote: From: Joe Subich, W4TV li...@subich.com Subject: Re: [Elecraft] time to order your P3 To: p...@n4lcd.com, elecraft@mailman.qth.net Date: Thursday, April 15, 2010, 12:49 PM So the two parts required to have a working panadapter kit total $810? Since the P3 only uses the IF out, one could roll his own cable (TMP to BNC) and mount the jack on the empty panel. 73, ... Joe, W4TV -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of p...@n4lcd.com Sent: Thursday, April 15, 2010 2:53 PM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] time to order your P3 The earlier KXV3 is fine for the P3. (The KXV3a added internal transverter connections for the K144XV). No other options are required. So the two parts required to have a working panadapter kit total $810? __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] FS: Rigblaster Plus
$80 shipped in CONUS. Original manual, all cables and AC (wall wart) power supply. Currently jumpered internally for my Kenwood MC-43 and my K2, but manual tells how to set up for many mics/rigs. Fully functional and cosmetically a 9/10 with a couple of scratches on the case. Please reply off-list. 73, Randy, KS4L __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
