Re: [Elecraft] K3 -Advice: how to configure APF for least ringing
I use APF only as a last resort, Robert. It can sometimes help me dig out and record very weak 10m beacons under QRM from adjacent beacons, with CW filters on turbo, sometimes also using the manual notch filter to try to kill the worst QRM. It takes time to peak the desired signal precisely on the nose of the APF, using the fine tuning setting, the CWT function and watching audio levels with the audio recording software (Audacity in my case). Beacons transmit continuously so there is no mad rush to get it set up. For regular DX QSOs, it's not worth the bother in my opinion, but as I recall the APF facility was introduced in response to requests from 160m DXers desperate to glean the faintest sniff of RF from the ionosphere. It does indeed ring. There is probably a physics lecturer desperate to tell us that ringing is an inevitable consequence of the very tight filtering, plus artifacts from the digital processing I guess. Ringing gets worse with fast CW but beacons tend to send quite slowly. 73 Gary ZL2iFB -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft- boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Robert G Strickland Sent: Saturday, 11 May 2013 11:46 a.m. To: Elecraft Subject: [Elecraft] K3 -Advice: how to configure APF for least ringing As a 98% cw operator, I've explored the various K3 weak signal features. I tend to shy away from the APF because its ringing seems to my ears to be counter productive. Any advice/experience on how to set up and use this feature for best results? Thanks. ...robert -- Robert G Strickland, PhD ABPH - KE2WY rc...@verizon.net.usa Syracuse, New York, USA __ 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 -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean. __ 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 -Advice: how to configure APF for least ringing
RobertG wrote I tend to shy away from the APF because its ringing seems to my ears to be counter productive. Any advice/experience on how to set up and use this feature for best results? If you don't use APF you're missing one of the best features of the K3 for weak signals. I now use it nearly 100% of the time for QRP SOTA stations on the higher bands or DX on 160m. There are two keys for me to using it effectively: 1. Back off RF Gain until the signal is at the noise floor. If you have too much signal, you'll definitely create ringing. 2. Use a relatively wide DSP/XFIL setting (e.g. I often use DSP=400 Hz with a 200 Hz XFIL, yes I set the 200 Hz XFIL to enable at 400 Hz instead of 200 Hz). In 160 contests, I sometimes use DSP=600 in a 500 Hz XFIL to better hear off-frequency callers). The relatively wider noise passband helps my ears distinguish signal from noise and APF then greatly improves this ability. 73, Bill W4ZV P.S. It goes without saying to carefully peak the APF on signal! (10 Hz steps maximum or even lower for extremely weak signals). -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K3-Advice-how-to-configure-APF-for-least-ringing-tp7573557p7573568.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] K2: Low Output Only on 160M
Hi, I am having problems with my output power on 160M. It will only put out about 1.5 watts when set for 10 watts. On all the other bands I am getting between 9.4 and 10.3 watts. I have double checked capacitors in the BPF section, double checked capacitors and counted turns on toroid inductors on the low pass filter board and found nothing obviously wrong. relay K3 is switching properly and I really don't know what else to check. It is my guess that someone on here will know exactly what I did wrong or some other things to check. Thanks, Mike KI0HA __ 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] K2/KSB2 problem
Hello all the team, particularly DON! Since some week I had a KSB2 problem. The K2 is working perfectly in CW, alone, or with the KPA100, with the KSB2 position jumpered. If I put KSB2 in place, the K2 Smeter display go to S9 + 40 block the receiver and too, does not switch in Tx when I close either the key or the mike PTT. I did this morning voltages test on KSB2, and the following list is the values not normal, as indicated page23 of KSB2Assembly instruction : U1-12 = 5.02 (TXC) U1-14 = 5.21 U1-16 = 0.00 U1-17 = 5.23 U1-21 = 0.00 (RXS) U1-22 = 4.27 (RXC) U1-28 = 4.92 U2-5 = 5.36 U3 OK U4-3 = 5.24 All these values where obtained in Rx. I did not check them in Tx as it was impossible to switch in Tx mode! All values not noted where per the book! If I remember well, the U1 is a new one! Best regards to Elecraft F5UL Bob __ 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] P3 and SVGA displays
The P3 has a display test mode that shows a full spectrum of color capability that isn't actually accessible for screen setup of either the P3 or its SVGA-enabled external monitor display. I know this seems like a minor issue, but given the amount of time one spends looking at the display (especially on a big external monitor -- it's really addictive!), it would be nice to be able to customize the appearance of the screens. I wonder whether this has been considered by Elecraft, or whether others may feel the same as I do. --Jeff, K6JW __ 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] K2/KSB2 problem
Bob, That sounds like the K2 is going into transmit. Check the voltage at KSB2 P1 pin 3. If that voltage is in the vicinity of 8 volts, it is going into transmit. When in transmit, the receiver is muted and the LED bargraph indicates relative power output. If that is true, turn power off and check the resistance from P1 pin 4 (/PTT) - if the resistance is low or zero, then there is a short somewhere on that signal line, perhaps a solder bridge somewhere on the KSB2 board. 73, Don W3FPR . On 5/11/2013 11:56 AM, F5UL Bob wrote: Hello all the team, particularly DON! Since some week I had a KSB2 problem. The K2 is working perfectly in CW, alone, or with the KPA100, with the KSB2 position jumpered. If I put KSB2 in place, the K2 Smeter display go to S9 + 40 block the receiver and too, does not switch in Tx when I close either the key or the mike PTT. I did this morning voltages test on KSB2, and the following list is the values not normal, as indicated page23 of KSB2Assembly instruction : U1-12 = 5.02 (TXC) U1-14 = 5.21 U1-16 = 0.00 U1-17 = 5.23 U1-21 = 0.00 (RXS) U1-22 = 4.27 (RXC) U1-28 = 4.92 U2-5 = 5.36 U3 OK U4-3 = 5.24 All these values where obtained in Rx. I did not check them in Tx as it was impossible to switch in Tx mode! All values not noted where per the book! If I remember well, the U1 is a new one! Best regards to Elecraft F5UL Bob __ 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] K2: Low Output Only on 160M
Mike, The easiest way to troubleshoot that problem is to isolate the problem to the failing stage. Use the RF Probe and measure the points given for the transmit path starting halfway down the left column on page 14 Making those measurements on 40 meters will not be meaningful for your problem, but if you switch between 80 meters (or another working band) and 160 meters, you can compare the amount of RF voltage at each stage. Make the measurements in the order listed. The first point where the RF voltage is significantly lower on 160 meters is a likely suspect. Possible problem spots are: 1) The Transmit Buffer - are C94 and C150 the correct values and well soldered? 2) The Bandpass Filter - are C13 and C14 the correct value (1200 pF marked 122) and well soldered? Check the VFO frequency at TP1 with the internal counter probe when tuned to 1800 Hz. It should be near 6715 kHz. If it is not, check the value and soldering of C75 (470 pF marked 471). Low pass filter problems usually result in both low power out and high current draw, but check the soldering of the K160RX toroids again. Make certain the toroid leads are in the correct holes. 73, Don W3FPR On 5/11/2013 10:57 AM, Michael Eberle wrote: Hi, I am having problems with my output power on 160M. It will only put out about 1.5 watts when set for 10 watts. On all the other bands I am getting between 9.4 and 10.3 watts. I have double checked capacitors in the BPF section, double checked capacitors and counted turns on toroid inductors on the low pass filter board and found nothing obviously wrong. relay K3 is switching properly and I really don't know what else to check. It is my guess that someone on here will know exactly what I did wrong or some other things to check. Thanks, Mike KI0HA __ 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] K3 KPA500 with Writelog SO2R
I'm having a problem running SO2R RTTY with my K3 KPA500 with writelog. I am either getting an error on the K3 Screen or my KPA500 will fault. If I run one radio there are no problems. Everything is fine. This happens when: I call CQ with the K3 (radio a), switch focus (radio b)to S P and call a station calling CQ, while he is answering me I calling CQ on the K3 (radio a), I answer him back on S P (radios b) give him his report and enter qso in log, Now when I call CQ again on the K3 (radio a) I either get the fault on the KPA500 or error on K3. This will happen almost everytime I do this. The fault is PWRIN HI Kind of hard to explain. running Writelog version 11.11c The K3 is controlled by a MKII the S P rig uses a simple transistor interface. Thanks Steve AI9T -- 73 Steve AI9T http://www.ai9t.com AI9T DX Cluster Version 4 AI9T Telnet: dxc.ai9t.com port 7300 Version 6 AI9T-2 Telnet: dxc.ai9t.com port 7373 (CW + Skimmer) __ 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 SSB net announcement and 5/5/13 results
The weekly Elecraft SSB net will meet tomorrow at 1800z on 14.3035 MHz. I'll be net control from Oregon. See you there. Last Sunday's net was of medium size, with 31 participants over a 25 minute period. Participants from the 5/5/13 net follow: Station NameQTH Rig S/N N6JWJohnCA K3 936 KF5TPU Don MS K3 7261 K1NWBrian RI K3 4974 W4PFM PaulVA K3 1673 N8OQJim VA K3 6534 WB9JNZ EricIL FT990 N4LAToddNC K3 5331 KJ6CBS DaveCA K3 4052 AB9VMikeIL KX3 560 KM4IK Ian GA K3 281 KN5LJohnTX K3 4448 AE6JV BillCA K3 6299 KE5SZA Tom OK KX3 726 WN4SLG DougTN K3 6433 W5TTF Charlie TX K3 4016 K4GCJ Gerry NC K3 1597 WW4JF JohnTN K3 6185 W4RKS Jim AL K3 3618 KA0NCR Arnie NE K3 185 W7NMD Palmer AR K3 3779 NZ0TBillKS K3 1502 WV5IDwayne TX K3 5287 W0CZKen ND K3 457 KL7UW Ed AK K3 4340 WB6CLZ MikeCA KX3 118 KJ6IXM Keith CA IC718 KG0TGlenn CA KX3 1373 K6ADG Allen CA K3 4757 W6JWRandy CA K3 3720 KJ1DRickTN K3 5221 NS7PPhilOR K3 1826 73, Phil, NS7P __ 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] FS - 2.1KHz 250Hz 8 Pole Filters
Hi, As the topic says, I have 2 8 pole filters available for sale, they are 1 x KFL3A-2.1K and 1 x KFL3A-250 The price is US$125.00 or AU$120.00 each. I would consider a swap of one of the above filters for a KFL3A-6K favourably. If the purchaser resides in VK, the US or the UK I will include shipping at that price. (Sorry, postage to other destinations costs considerably more, blame your postal service.) Please contact me off list at my callsign at arrl.net Jeff Cochrane - VK4XA East Innisfail Queensland Australia. - Jeff Cochrane - VK4XA East Innisfail Queensland Australia (Watch this space for serial numbers) -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K3-FS-2-1KHz-250Hz-8-Pole-Filters-tp7573576.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] Elecraft CW Net Report for May 5th 6th, 2013
On 14050.5 kHz at 2200z: AB9V - Mike - IN - K3 - 398 W0CZ - Ken - ND - K3 - 457 K0DTJ - Brian - CA - K3 - 4113 W7RIP - Rip - MT N7EDK - Ed - AZ - KX3 - 45 On 7045 kHz at 0100z: K0DTJ - Brian - CA - K3 - 4113 W0CZ - Ken - ND - K3 - 457 __ 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 CW Net Announcement
Good Evening, The weather has been very pleasant this last week. After a long winter of snow and rain the last ten days of sun and 70 degree weather was very nice. But we're going back to normal for the next few weeks: 50s and rain. I knew it was too soon, almost six weeks too soon. I'll need to heat the house again next week which means I'll need wood. Splitting wood at 70 degrees is not fun. It does keep the black flies happy though. The loggers had to adjust their schedule because of the increasing dryness. The first trucks past my house were at 3 AM but I am sure the loggers were on the hills before that. Propagation has been up and down. I keep my rig tuned to 50.125 but haven't heard anything. I did get someone on 50.150 quite strong using SSB then they were gone. With the thunderstorms all over the continent the noise is growing. On forty meters it is growing stronger but not as bad as I have heard before. What I am noticing is the changing zones which I can work. AZ last week for the first time in a long time while I am losing the southeast. Please join us tomorrow afternoon and evening. 1) Hail signs (first letter or two of the suffix of your call) 2) NCS help (as well as QSP/QNP relay help) Sunday 2200z (Sunday 3 PM PDT) 14050 kHz Monday 0100z (Sunday 6 PM PDT) 7045 kHz Stay warm, Kevin. KD5ONS - __ 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
