Re: [Elecraft] Help! Rescue me from stupid error!
Thank to everyone who responded to my cry for help after I damaged my computer PS. I replaced the MOVs and the fuse and it works! I do not recommend running 120v equipment on 240v in general! On 9/9/2014 12:38 PM, george fritkin via Elecraft wrote: There is nothing mechanical about a ZNR. The electrical equivalent is back to back Zener diodes with a capacitor. Some people call them Transzorbs or MOVs to get by trade marks. The ZNR is a Panasonic trade mark George, W6GF On Tuesday, September 9, 2014 10:54 AM, Charlie T, K3ICH pin...@erols.com wrote: A 'ZNR is a Zinc Oxide non-linear Resistor. It is the mechanical equivalent of a Zener Diode. It is a bidirectional (AC) device that will conduct when a certain level of voltage is applied across it. They don't typically have as sharp a knee as a real Zener, but are very effective for what they do. Basically , a voltage surge or transient protector. Hopefully, they worked but are probably blown and should be replaced. As for the rest of the stuff, I'm sure you'll find some more (inexpensive) things to replace and the system will come back to life. Good Luck on the repair, Charlie k3ICH - Original Message - From: Vic, K2VCO k2vco@gmail.com To: Elecraft Reflector elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Tuesday, September 09, 2014 1:23 PM Subject: [Elecraft] Help! Rescue me from stupid error! I just did one of the dumbest things I've done since I tried to swim across the Susquehanna river with all my clothes on. I survived that, but I need help with something else. I just turned on a computer plugged into 230v with the switch on the power supply set to 115v. Result: bang, smoke, house breaker (16a) pops. I took the power supply apart (it is a funny size so I have little confidence I could replace it). I found two obviously bad components: 1) an 8a fuse -- no problem. 2) something marked znr1 on the board, a component wrapped in heatshrink tubing. It was completely destroyed. Next to it is a similar part labeled znr2. I haven't removed it yet -- so I am not sure it is good. It might be the same as the first one and it might be marked under the heatshrink. There is a bridge rectifier nearby which checks good. All traces look ok. I am hoping there is someone out there who is familiar with these supplies who can suggest what these are (zener diodes? What voltage?) The board is made in such a way that it is difficult to trace the wiring -- but these parts are right near the power input. -- 73, Vic, K2VCO/4X6GP Rehovot, Israel http://www.qsl.net/k2vco/ __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Help! Rescue me from stupid error!
George: Not to put too fine a point on it but ZNRs are large and slow moving so they do have mechanical aspects but more to the point they do NOT have capacitance, save lead capacitance (a few pf), Not true: MOVs have a self-capacitance on the order of 1000pF, which is sometimes an advantage. The surge limiting components with a very low capacitance are spark gaps, but those have quite different characteristics. MOVs are bidirectional devices which are soft limiting, so they are not as effective as transzorbs in limiting any incoming voltage spikes. On the other hand, MOVs are bulk-effect devices which are capable of absorbing much more surge energy than the semiconductor junctions in the transzorbs. The main function of MOVs is to take a bullet for the more sensitive (and valuable) components downstream. However, this also involves some cumulative damage to the crystal structure and eventually an MOV will either become ineffective or fail (failure could involve either an upward or a downward shift in the limiting voltage, ending in either an open or a short circuit). These failure modes can be an acceptable price to pay for the energy absorbing capabilities, so long as both the designer and the user are aware of the possibilities. The most effective protection strategies will combine two or more different types of device to exploit each of their best features. One example is to install a big MOV first in line, followed by a series impedance (usually a mains filter) and then a fast device such as a transzorb to clip any residual spikes. Another very simple tip is to install all of these supply protection components AFTER the switch, so they are not exposed to surges when equipment is not in use. 73 from Ian GM3SEK __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 and preamp
Have a look here: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stochastic_resonance P-T LA7NO On 10 September 2014 01:24, Chuck Smallhouse w...@theriver.com wrote: Dave, N7AIG, Please define stochastic resonance, a new term for me, which may apparently aid in weak signal detection. When I was very active on 2M CW EME, in order to better detect very weak signals below the noise, I played all kinds of adjustment games with the CW BW, tone and IF shaping of my TS-930S. For my needs (type of noise) it had by far the best NB that I've ever used. In addition, I also used an Autek QF-1 external audio filtering system, centered at about 400 Hz and an estimated 25 Hz audio BW. It did not ring when adjusted properly. By dumb luck and extensive experimenting, I discovered that the least expensive (cheapest) headphones that Radio Shack sold, had a strong mechanical (audio peak ?) resonance, also at 400 Hz. My hearing (unadmitted at the time) had also like Fred's, had been exposed to many, many very, very loud noises, during one of my careers, and suffered greatly from Tinitus and overall hearing impairment. It happened that my preferred or best CW weak signal copying frequency, was 400 Hz. Anyway when the searched for very weak signal ( sometimes -10 dB below the noise) lined up with all the adjusted BWs, it just seemed to pop out of noise and become detectable. So Dave, is this at all related to, or similar to stochastic resonance ? Chuck, W7CS __ 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 Message delivered to p...@ieee.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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] KX3 - Key Clicks with CW in SSB
With V2.19, it's good to finally get the CW delay issue when using CW in SSB resolved. However, I have noticeable key clicks when using CW in SSB with an external keyer. I hear them both in the KX3 monitor, and listening on a separate receiver. No problem when using the internal keyer, or when using an external keyer in CW mode. ??? 73 - JimK8MR __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Verticals
Bill, N2WL said: I had no trouble at all keeping in touch with my family using an early R5 vertical in 5H3 land when I was working there. My XYL had my Log Periodic on a 75 tower and I had the R5 vertical with a Metrum 500 watt amp, 12 volt battery and an Icom 735 in those days. Bill and All, And just which antenna do you think was doing all the work??? The R5 is a decent antenna, and it probably worked well for you. However, I think it may well have been the Log Periodic that was doing all the heavy lifting, don't you? I have used an R7 and an R8 with good results, but I don't get overly confident that I'm the one really making the contact possible unless, perhaps, the person at the other end has a similarly modest antenna. With my R8 I worked VP6DX on 80 and 160, both SSB and CW, but I don't for a second give the credit to my end. They just had good ears, that's all! I have a nice ARCI Miles per Watt certificate on my desk for a 40 meter contact I made with DJ6ZM while I was running 1.8 watts with an HW-8 (and the R8). However, all you have to do is take a peek at Tof's antenna setup in Munich to see how and why the contact was possible. I'm as guilty as the next person about getting a bit excited if I make a DX contact I think is somewhat rare or difficult. However, reality sets in when I hear what the other station is using. There is a fellow ham just up the street from me who works DX all the time that I can't even hear a peep out of. He has a good beam, and I don't. That obviously tells me something. Antennas are evaluated all the time by comparison to a reference antenna. Probably QSO's should be similarly evaluated by comparing the antenna systems at both ends. The old adage that if you can hear them, you can work them is probably mostly true, but it may not be your fault! Dave W7AQK __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] [KX3] VFO B Slow Tuning
I cannot remember where I read it and I've since deleted the email, but someone asked if VFO B on the KX3 could be tuned faster. First, I have not found a way to tune it faster other than by making sure VFO tunes in 10 Hz steps. Second, using Fred Cady's KX3 book and the K3/KX3 programming guide, I was able to program PF1 to UP 1 in CW and then take the split and sub back out by sequencing my macros: CWSPLT: MD3;SWT25;SWT25;FT1;SB1;UPB4;MN110;SWT27;SWH18;MN255; UNSPLT: SB0;FR0;MN110;SWT19;SWH18;MN255; Each press of PF1 loops through the two macros: CWSPLT - First press puts you in CW mode (MD3); second taps AB twice (SWT25;SWT25) to copy VFO A to VFO B; third changes to VFO B transmit (FT1); fourth turns on dual watch (SB1); fifth tells you to go up 1 kHz (UPB4). Now comes the sequencing MN110 puts you into MENU mode and selects the MACRO x menu; SWT27 tells you to select Macro 2n (UNSPLT) and put it in play; SWH18 tells it to program to PF1; and MN255 exits MENU mode. UNSPLT - SB0 changes transmit to VFO A; FR0 cancels split; MN110 enters MENU mode; SWT19 taps 1 to select MACRO 1 (CWSPLT); SWH18 programs it to PF1; and MN255 exits the MENU. This could be done to program SSB splits (I guess 3 kHz?) too. Just change the MD and UPB appropriately. Have fun. 73/72, Joel - W4JBB Choosing to operate simply with my barefoot KX3 #1479 for September 2014 __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] [KX3] VFO B Slow Tuning
Joel, Set VFO CRS in the menu to whatever step size you want for each mode - it is a per mode setting. I have mine set to 0.5 for SSB and 0.1 for CW. Make sure RIT and XIT are turned off and the OFS LED is on. 73, Don W3FPR On 9/10/2014 6:43 PM, Joel Black wrote: I cannot remember where I read it and I've since deleted the email, but someone asked if VFO B on the KX3 could be tuned faster. First, I have not found a way to tune it faster other than by making sure VFO tunes in 10 Hz steps. __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] New field-test KX3 firmware available (rev. 2.20) -- misc. improvements
This field-test release cleans up a number of important issues. See below. If you're interested in testing this release, please email me directly and I'll send you the files. 73, Wayne N6KR * * * MCU 2.20 / DSP 1.30, 9-10-2014 New features: * SPLIT/RIT/XIT SAVE: The KX3 now preserves SPLIT/RIT/XIT on band change and in memories. (2-m note: SPLIT can be used to set up odd repeater splits in VFO A and B.) * PA MODE TURNS OFF AUTOMATICALLY IF NO KXPA100 FOUND: If you set the PA MODE menu entry to ON, but no KXPA100 is connected, the menu entry will be set back to OFF within several seconds. Some users have discovered they had PA MODE set to ON unintentionally, bypassing their internal ATU (KXAT3). * PX3 USED WITH KX3 ON 2 or 4 METERS DISABLES “SLEEP”: If a PX3 is connected and turned on, the KX3's SLEEP mode (2 and 4-meter FM battery save) is automatically disabled to prevent the spectrum display from shifting up and down during SLEEP cycles. Misc. bug fixes: * PX3 DISPLAY UPDATED WHEN REV SWITCH USED: REV changes only VFO A on the PX3, just as it only changes VFO A on the KX3 display. * MORSE-CODE SWITCH TONES FIXED ON 2 and 4 METERS: USB and LSB (‘U’ and ‘L’) were reversed. Frequency readout had decimal in the wrong location. * 60-METER UPPER BAND LIMIT (U.S.) CORRECTED: Now accommodates DATA and CW mode operation on the highest-frequency channel. * SCROLLING VFO B INFO MESSAGES FIXED: Informational messages that use “Times Square” scrolling format now work even when a special VFO B display or text decode is in use. (Example: The “USE PHONES” reminder when turning on DUAL RX.) __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KX3 - Key Clicks with CW in SSB
I didn't notice that in my tests, but I've added it to the list. Wayne N6KR On Sep 10, 2014, at 2:08 PM, Jim Stahl via Elecraft elecraft@mailman.qth.net wrote: With V2.19, it's good to finally get the CW delay issue when using CW in SSB resolved. However, I have noticeable key clicks when using CW in SSB with an external keyer. I hear them both in the KX3 monitor, and listening on a separate receiver. No problem when using the internal keyer, or when using an external keyer in CW mode. ??? 73 - JimK8MR __ 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 Message delivered to n...@elecraft.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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] KX3 mobile bracket mount
Looking for mobile mount for KX3. Where can I get one. -- George Rebong KE6TE __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KX3 - Key Clicks with CW in SSB
On Wed,9/10/2014 5:31 PM, Wayne Burdick wrote: I didn't notice that in my tests, but I've added it to the list. Wayne -- is this simple modulation by computer generated CW? If so, might that be overdrive somewhere in the audio chain after the audio is generated? Or are you doing something fancier? 73, Jim K9YC __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KX3 - Key Clicks with CW in SSB
It's a problem with the CW/T-R state machine. Easy fix. Wayne On Sep 10, 2014, at 8:14 PM, Jim Brown j...@audiosystemsgroup.com wrote: On Wed,9/10/2014 5:31 PM, Wayne Burdick wrote: I didn't notice that in my tests, but I've added it to the list. Wayne -- is this simple modulation by computer generated CW? If so, might that be overdrive somewhere in the audio chain after the audio is generated? Or are you doing something fancier? 73, Jim K9YC __ 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 Message delivered to n...@elecraft.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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
