Re: [Elecraft] kpa500 doesnt follow k3

[Jack Brindle]

Did you build this from a kit or purchase it built?
Is there anything else that seems off?
Does the KAT500 change bands when the K3 changes bands?

When RADIO=K3, the KPA observes the band lines from the K3 to determine the 
band it should be on. When it sees the band lines change, it will change bands.
When it senses RF it does a double-check, and will switch bands again if the 
mefrequency-counted RF does not agree with what the band lines indicate.

So at this point we need to determine that the K3 BAND signals are indeed 
switching, and if the cables inside the KP500 are properly seated. This would 
be the cable on the far left when viewing the KPA from the front. If it is off, 
either at the front panel or at the IO board, you might see this sort of 
problem. But I would expect you to see other problems as well.

The answers to these questions should provide some light.

- Jack, W6FB

> On Oct 30, 2015, at 10:44 PM, NE9U - Jasper  wrote:
> 
> yes, the k3 recognizes when the kpa500 is turned on.
> 
> the cables are e850463.  ( i also have a new kat500i get same result 
> whether i have it or out of line)
> 
> radio setting in kpa500 is set to k3
> 
> i also updated all firmware yesterday thinking that might helpno change.
> 
> scott
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Sent from Republic Wireless Cray-1
> 
>> On Oct 31, 2015, at 12:28 AM, Jack Brindle  wrote:
>> 
>> Let’s make sure the K3 and KPA are communicating. When you power on the KPA, 
>> does the K3 indicate that something changed? It should display
>> the KPA power event on the display. If not:
>> * what cable are you using between the K3 and the KPA?
>> * Check the RADIO setting in the KPA. It should be set to K3.
>> 
>> Is there anything else connected to the AUX IO ports on either the K3 or KPA?
>> 
>> - Jack Brindle, W6FB
>> Elecraft Engineering
>> 
>>> 
>>> On Oct 30, 2015, at 10:23 PM, NE9U - Jasper  wrote:
>>> 
>>> Just hooked  a new kpa500 to a k3.  
>>> 
>>> when switching bands on the k3, the kpa500 doesnt follow.  it does follow 
>>> when i apply power.
>>> 
>>> the reverse does workif i switch bands on the kpa500, the k3 follows.
>>> 
>>> tried 2 different auxillary cables...same result with both.
>>> 
>>> am i missing some setting i need to change?  
>>> 
>>> scott  ne9u
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Sent from Republic Wireless Cray-1
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>> 

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Re: [Elecraft] kpa500 doesnt follow k3

[NE9U - Jasper]

yes, the k3 recognizes when the kpa500 is turned on.

the cables are e850463.  ( i also have a new kat500i get same result 
whether i have it or out of line)

radio setting in kpa500 is set to k3

i also updated all firmware yesterday thinking that might helpno change.

scott




Sent from Republic Wireless Cray-1

> On Oct 31, 2015, at 12:28 AM, Jack Brindle  wrote:
> 
> Let’s make sure the K3 and KPA are communicating. When you power on the KPA, 
> does the K3 indicate that something changed? It should display
> the KPA power event on the display. If not:
> * what cable are you using between the K3 and the KPA?
> * Check the RADIO setting in the KPA. It should be set to K3.
> 
> Is there anything else connected to the AUX IO ports on either the K3 or KPA?
> 
> - Jack Brindle, W6FB
> Elecraft Engineering
> 
>> 
>> On Oct 30, 2015, at 10:23 PM, NE9U - Jasper  wrote:
>> 
>> Just hooked  a new kpa500 to a k3.  
>> 
>> when switching bands on the k3, the kpa500 doesnt follow.  it does follow 
>> when i apply power.
>> 
>> the reverse does workif i switch bands on the kpa500, the k3 follows.
>> 
>> tried 2 different auxillary cables...same result with both.
>> 
>> am i missing some setting i need to change?  
>> 
>> scott  ne9u
>> 
>> 
>> Sent from Republic Wireless Cray-1
>> __
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> 
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Re: [Elecraft] kpa500 doesnt follow k3

[Jack Brindle]

Let’s make sure the K3 and KPA are communicating. When you power on the KPA, 
does the K3 indicate that something changed? It should display
the KPA power event on the display. If not:
* what cable are you using between the K3 and the KPA?
* Check the RADIO setting in the KPA. It should be set to K3.

Is there anything else connected to the AUX IO ports on either the K3 or KPA?

- Jack Brindle, W6FB
Elecraft Engineering

> 
> On Oct 30, 2015, at 10:23 PM, NE9U - Jasper  wrote:
> 
> Just hooked  a new kpa500 to a k3.  
> 
> when switching bands on the k3, the kpa500 doesnt follow.  it does follow 
> when i apply power.
> 
> the reverse does workif i switch bands on the kpa500, the k3 follows.
> 
> tried 2 different auxillary cables...same result with both.
> 
> am i missing some setting i need to change?  
> 
> scott  ne9u
> 
> 
> Sent from Republic Wireless Cray-1
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[Elecraft] kpa500 doesnt follow k3

[NE9U - Jasper]

Just hooked  a new kpa500 to a k3.  

when switching bands on the k3, the kpa500 doesnt follow.  it does follow when 
i apply power.

the reverse does workif i switch bands on the kpa500, the k3 follows.

tried 2 different auxillary cables...same result with both.

am i missing some setting i need to change?  

scott  ne9u


Sent from Republic Wireless Cray-1
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Re: [Elecraft] The Technical Side of Ham Radio

[Alan]

On 10/30/2015 07:56 PM, Wes (N7WS) wrote:

Before springing for this I would suggest reading the RSGB review.


I found on the Signal Hound web site a copy of a review by G4DDK in 
September 2011 RADCOM (Journal of the RSGB).  Is that the one you are 
referring to?


https://signalhound.com/sigdownloads/SA44B/SA44B-IndependentReview.pdf

The only major complaint he had was that the screen update rate is slow 
for wide sweeps.  (OK for narrow sweeps)  He concluded:


   Overall I was very pleased with the performance of the SA44B.
   If I didn't already possess a good spectrum analyser I could be
   very tempted to buy one of these. The TG44 is perfectly useable and
   has excellent frequency coverage.

(The TG44 is the optional tracking generator.)

Alan N1AL




On 10/30/2015 1:59 PM, Jim Brown wrote:

On Fri,10/30/2015 1:13 PM, Alan wrote:

I have a "Signal Hound" USB-SA-44B, which is a 1 Hz to 4.4 GHz
spectrum analyzer that uses a PC for power and the user interface.
It currently goes for $919.  I've been pretty happy with it.

https://signalhound.com/

They also offer an optional USB-TG44A tracking generator for $599,
which I don't have.


Interesting. What's the dynamic range -- i.e., how much can you
display on-screen?

73, Jim K9YC


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Re: [Elecraft] The Technical Side of Ham Radio

[CR]

On Thu, 29 Oct 2015, at 23:39:56  Jim K9YC wrote:

I AM an EE, but I also taught for five years (at DeVry in
Chicago), and my goal has always been to try to make complicated things
easier to understand.


I've worked in EMC since retiring from the Army in  1983 (was an 
avionics instructor there for 4 years myself), and  been up and down the 
ladder in engineering positions (best paid was 5 years as R&D's  EMC 
design engineer at Alacatel USA in Petaluma; most interesting a 
2-turned-8-months contract in Washington working on AED's). This, 
despite never did taking any college engineering courses or getting a 
degree. Playing with electronics since I was a kid was a good start, and 
21 years in comms and avionics in the Army encouraged troubleshooting 
skills and understanding. I still got an occasional contract (a couple 
earlier this year) since retiring at GE Aviation; experience teaches 
lessons most  degree programs don't.



The HPJIE paid for some cool if ancient test equipment; directional 
couplers, scopes to monitor RF envelopes  counters and SA's to look at 
the spectrum as needed (and be sure my local extended band AMBC station 
goes to nighttime power on schedule and their coax doesn't  arc over again).


The questions might be on the test, but the ANSWERS are wild in the 
world, you know?


Cortland
KA5S
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[Elecraft] IMD and supply voltage

[Charlie Delta via Elecraft]

Hi Wayne

How about these ham transceivers? I pulled the data  from my saved QST reviews 
of these radios that I have owned in the past.
I do recall that they did  have transmitter IMD data that was head and 
shoulders above   what was available when they were released.

This data is from the QST reviews and not my owned measured  data. All these 
radios operated on a 12 volt supply.

FT990  3rd -38  5th -47  
FT767  3rd -40  5th -45
TS450  3rd -35  5th -49
IC737   3rd -39  5th -48

The higher order data from the QST reviews indicated a rapid fall off above the 
5th to the 11th order.
 
Low IMD figures while operating from a 12 volt power supply certainly seems to 
be realizable.

73
Craig



"If you have another marine radio in mind that you think is using 
different/better circuitry, please let me know so we can repeat this exercise 
if necessary.

73,
Wayne
N6KR"

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Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft Digest, Vol 138, Issue 45

[CR]

On 10/30/2015 2:57 PM, elecraft-requ...@mailman.qth.net wrote:

I'd bet that
the vast majority of those who put us on the moon, and a generation
later a lander on Mars, first learned electronics from the ARRL Handbook!


How to Become a Radio Amateur. Just about when everyone was searching 
the sky for Sputnik I was  building a coil-gun that could (heh) have 
shot it down with maybe a FEW improvements - mine wouldn't go through 
the wallboard - and between Dad and the Landlord I never got around to 
working on it again.


Dad had me building the 2-6AQ5 (+ 5Y3 PS) regenerative receiver from HTBARA.



Cortland
KA5S
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Re: [Elecraft] The Technical Side of Ham Radio

[Wes (N7WS)]

Before springing for this I would suggest reading the RSGB review.


On 10/30/2015 1:59 PM, Jim Brown wrote:

On Fri,10/30/2015 1:13 PM, Alan wrote:
I have a "Signal Hound" USB-SA-44B, which is a 1 Hz to 4.4 GHz spectrum 
analyzer that uses a PC for power and the user interface.  It currently goes 
for $919.  I've been pretty happy with it.


https://signalhound.com/

They also offer an optional USB-TG44A tracking generator for $599, which I 
don't have.


Interesting. What's the dynamic range -- i.e., how much can you display 
on-screen?


73, Jim K9YC


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Re: [Elecraft] The Technical Side of Ham Radio

[hsherriff]

I have the same unit with the tracking gen. Great setup.


Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE smartphone

 Original message 
From: Alan  
Date: 10/30/2015  6:21 PM  (GMT-05:00) 
To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net 
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] The Technical Side of Ham Radio 

On 10/30/2015 01:59 PM, Jim Brown wrote:
> On Fri,10/30/2015 1:13 PM, Alan wrote:
>> I have a "Signal Hound" USB-SA-44B, which is a 1 Hz to 4.4 GHz
>> spectrum analyzer that uses a PC for power and the user interface.  It
>> currently goes for $919.  I've been pretty happy with it.
>>
>> https://signalhound.com/
>>
>> They also offer an optional USB-TG44A tracking generator for $599,
>> which I don't have.
>
> Interesting. What's the dynamic range -- i.e., how much can you display
> on-screen?
>
> 73, Jim K9YC

You can set the dB/div scale for pretty much anything you want.  40 
dB/div gives 400 dB display range, but of course that's not useful.

With a -10 dBm signal from an HP 8656B signal generator at 18.116 MHz, 
span = 10 kHz and resolution bandwidth = 3.2 Hz, I see that the noise is 
a bit less than -110 dBm at the edges (away from the phase noise near 
the carrier).

So >100 dB dynamic range with those settings.

With a narrow enough span you can set the RBW all the way down to 0.1 
Hz, but at a really slow update rate.  (e.g. 37 seconds with 100 Hz span)

One thing I like about this unit is that it covers all the way down to 
low audio frequencies (1 Hz), which is rare in a microwave spectrum 
analyzer.

Alan N1AL


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Re: [Elecraft] The Technical Side of Ham Radio

[Alan]

On 10/30/2015 01:59 PM, Jim Brown wrote:

On Fri,10/30/2015 1:13 PM, Alan wrote:

I have a "Signal Hound" USB-SA-44B, which is a 1 Hz to 4.4 GHz
spectrum analyzer that uses a PC for power and the user interface.  It
currently goes for $919.  I've been pretty happy with it.

https://signalhound.com/

They also offer an optional USB-TG44A tracking generator for $599,
which I don't have.


Interesting. What's the dynamic range -- i.e., how much can you display
on-screen?

73, Jim K9YC


You can set the dB/div scale for pretty much anything you want.  40 
dB/div gives 400 dB display range, but of course that's not useful.


With a -10 dBm signal from an HP 8656B signal generator at 18.116 MHz, 
span = 10 kHz and resolution bandwidth = 3.2 Hz, I see that the noise is 
a bit less than -110 dBm at the edges (away from the phase noise near 
the carrier).


So >100 dB dynamic range with those settings.

With a narrow enough span you can set the RBW all the way down to 0.1 
Hz, but at a really slow update rate.  (e.g. 37 seconds with 100 Hz span)


One thing I like about this unit is that it covers all the way down to 
low audio frequencies (1 Hz), which is rare in a microwave spectrum 
analyzer.


Alan N1AL


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[Elecraft] K3S Transmit Audio Dropouts

[Jim - N4ST]

I just received a new factory built K3S.

It has a weird transmit audio dropout problem.

On 6, 10 & 12 meters, there is a momentary loss of transmit audio every 15
seconds.

Occurs with DATA A, SSB modes.  CW is clean.

Problem occurs with internal or external sound card and even with the
built-in 2 tone test.

The audio dropout is repeatable and precisely formed as two 10 ms dropouts
separated by 15 ms and the pattern repeats every 15 seconds.

Been working with Elecraft support for 3 days, but they are running out of
ideas.

 

It really looks like a firmware bug given that the timing and waveform
characteristics are 100% repeatable and lack any randomness factor.

But, why just on the three upper bands?  Why are those bands unique?
(besides the incorporation of Preamp 2).

 

Has anyone else seen this?

Any ideas?

 



73,

Jim - N4ST

 

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Re: [Elecraft] The Technical Side of Ham Radio

[Jim Brown]

On Fri,10/30/2015 1:13 PM, Alan wrote:
I have a "Signal Hound" USB-SA-44B, which is a 1 Hz to 4.4 GHz 
spectrum analyzer that uses a PC for power and the user interface.  It 
currently goes for $919.  I've been pretty happy with it.


https://signalhound.com/

They also offer an optional USB-TG44A tracking generator for $599, 
which I don't have.


Interesting. What's the dynamic range -- i.e., how much can you display 
on-screen?


73, Jim K9YC
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Re: [Elecraft] KX3 to Computer

[Jim Brown]

On Fri,10/30/2015 12:25 PM, Augie "Gus" Hansen wrote:
I think you mean TRRS (tip-ring-ring-sleeve) plug and TRS 
(tip-ring-sleeve) jacks. 


Right. :)

73, Jim
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Re: [Elecraft] The Technical Side of Ham Radio

[Edward R Cole]

Jim,

Could resist but to reply (keep your sense of humor hat on!):
--
From: Jim Brown 
To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Elecraft] The Technical Side of Ham Radio
Message-ID: <563310bc.8080...@audiosystemsgroup.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed

Ham radio is a hobby for those who are willing to learn about how radio
works. To obtain a license, we must pass a test that shows we know the
fundamentals of radio and electronics. Some don't bother to do that, but
instead cram by memorizing answers to a lot multiple guess questions. I
view that as cheating. If they don't know anything when they're done,
that's their own fault.

---
Yep, that's how I passed tests in college and got rewarded with a 
degree.  REAL learning came later on the job.

---

Last I looked, ARRL license study material taught the fundamentals of
electronics and radio, and at least a third of the ARRL Handbook is
specifically written for those just beginning to learn it. I'd bet that
the vast majority of those who put us on the moon, and a generation
later a lander on Mars, first learned electronics from the ARRL Handbook!

---
There you go again.  My Novice at age 14 lead to degrees in math & 
engineering and ultimately a job with NASA/JPL where I helped land 
the first s/c on Mars: Viking-I on July 4, 1976!  The fact it took me 
until 1982 to Advanced Class and 2000 to Extra - while holding a 2nd 
Class Radiotelephone since 1971 is a bit absurd. 

---

As hams, we are responsible for producing a reasonably clean signal and
operating within the FCC Rules. Operators in other services like CB,
commercial 2-way, and so on are not permitted to modify equipment, but
we are!

---
And that is special.  Of course hams were among the pioneers of early 
radio before there were even kits.

---

I also do my best to produce tutorial materials to share what I've
learned. I AM an EE, but I also taught for five years (at DeVry in
Chicago), and my goal has always been to try to make complicated things
easier to understand. Like many OTs on this reflector, I passed my
General exam in my first year of high school, and the Extra exam the
summer after high school.  All that study (and on air activity) made me
want to study EE. :)

---
At age 8 (1952) I wanted to be a "rocket scientist or space cadet" 
(later called astronaut).  At age 14 it was clear I was not fit 
enough to do that but smart enough to be part of the party (an 
engineer).  College took a little of the hubris away 

---

All of these study materials require STUDY, not casual reading. Some of
the concepts take a while to sink in, and with my work on RFI and
ferrites, took me a LONG time to figure out. It is a combination of my
own research and work with colleagues on the AES Standards Committee's
Working Group on EMC.

I have some nice test gear, but nothing even close to the $100K range --
much of the work I've done on clean transmitters has been with a
P3/SVGA, and I'm planning to increase my measurement capabilities next
year with one of the new under $1K  ANAN radios. My VNWA cost $769, with
shipping and a calibration kit.


Has taken me some time to get a little test equipment - its all old 
stuff like my HP141T (same model I used working at Goldstone in mid 
1970's).  Much is acquired not fully working.  Good to have 30+ years 
of radio repair experience.



You don't have to set this stuff up and measure it yourself -- there's
plenty of data on my website you can download and study. There's an
excellent Power Point, mostly by K6XX, an EE at Elecraft, that shows
virtually everything that's been discussed here in the thread on
transmitter distortion. I've posted these links several times. There's a
summary of ARRL measurements on transmitters that makes it easy to
compare them. You and others can learn a lot by downloading and studying
them.  I learned a lot by doing the work to prepare them!

---
And thanks to several, like you, who share the "wealth" unlike the 
"back stabbing" bunch I used to work with.  That is REALLY the 
shining example that is ham radio - those who share for free!

---

CAPS added for emphasis. :)

73, Jim K9YC



73, Ed - KL7UW
http://www.kl7uw.com
"Kits made by KL7UW"
Dubus Mag business:
dubus...@gmail.com

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Re: [Elecraft] The Technical Side of Ham Radio

[Alan]

I have a "Signal Hound" USB-SA-44B, which is a 1 Hz to 4.4 GHz spectrum 
analyzer that uses a PC for power and the user interface.  It currently 
goes for $919.  I've been pretty happy with it.


https://signalhound.com/

They also offer an optional USB-TG44A tracking generator for $599, which 
I don't have.


Alan N1AL


On 10/30/2015 10:06 AM, Jim Brown wrote:

Hi Chris,

I have one. It is fine for looking at harmonics and standard IMD tests,
but the ANAN 10e runs rings around it for spectrum analysis, and for
$500 less. So does the VNWA for gain measurements, and for half the
cost.  Major limitation is that the frequency resolution isn't nearly
fine enough to look at occupied bandwidth of ham gear. That's why I've
been using P3/SVGA to look at ham rigs. Bottom line -- I wouldn't buy it
again.

73, Jim K9YC

On Fri,10/30/2015 6:10 AM, Chris Hallinan wrote:

Glad you keep posting, I keep learning.  Can I ask, off list, what you
think of this?  It's on my "wish list" at amazon.  For my money, it
looks pretty good.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CLWJA38/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_S_ttl

73,

K1AY
Chris in Punta Gorda, FL


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Re: [Elecraft] IMD and supply voltage

[Charlie T, K3ICH]

Yep, I remember a certain net control op claiming
to put his rig into "war" mode during a weekly
Sunday net when competing with the incessant
"seeque keyontest" encroachment.

He was running a grid driven 4CX-1000A .  All he
had to do was drive it so a few milliamps of grid
current showed and like magic, the frequency was
clear.

This was the "street-sweeper"  * of radio set-ups
and pretty guaranteed  a QRM free frequency for
the net.

Not sayin' I condone such antics, but it WAS
effective.

73, Charlie k3ICH



 * Street-Sweeper, a rotary magazine 12 shot, 12
Ga semi-automatic shotgun.  Sorta looks like fat
version of the popular Thompson machine gun.





Yes, I understand completely.  From a "Real World
Practical" standpoint, if I have a really clean
transmitter with lovely IMD specifications and I
stuff over compressed, highly processed, all
compressor-limiter knobs to the right audio into
it I will get completely unintelligible audio with
wonderful technical specifications and still
bother my neighbors.

And don't forget. Some contesters *WANT* the
scenario you described above.
No sense in sweeping that under the rug!


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Re: [Elecraft] TX ESSB for K3 and CM500 headset mic

[Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft]

Guys - I'm going to close this thread -immediately- as arguing pro-con on ESSB 
is outside of our list guidelines.


There are plenty of other venues to do that.  Let's keep it primarily Elecraft 
focused here with a smattering of other non-controversial ham radio topics ;-)


73,

Eric
List moderation, for real..
/elecraft.com/

On 10/30/2015 11:28 AM, Ken G Kopp wrote:

"Rose' didn't post this message ... I did ...  by mistake by using her
e-mail account instead of mine.  (;-)

73 - K0PP
On Oct 30, 2015 12:23 PM, "Rose"  wrote:


Bill,

The idea of using ESSB in a contesting situation is bizarre.  Why?

IMO, ESSB has no place on our (usually) crowded bands, and especially not
in a contest.

73
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Re: [Elecraft] KX3 to Computer

[Augie "Gus" Hansen]

Hi Jim,


...
I found another useful part on amazon. It's a StarTech cable adapter 
with an RTTS plug that splits headphones to an RTS jack and the mic to 
another RTS jack. Under $5


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004SP0WAQ?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00 



I think you mean TRRS (tip-ring-ring-sleeve) plug and TRS 
(tip-ring-sleeve) jacks.


73,
Gus Hansen
KB0YH

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[Elecraft] Fw: Re: TX ESSB for K3 and CM500 headset mic

[riese-k3djc]

but its true non the less

Bob K3DJC

"Rose' didn't post this message ... I did ...  by mistake by using her
e-mail account instead of mine.  (;-)

73 - K0PP
On Oct 30, 2015 12:23 PM, "Rose"  wrote:

> Bill,
>
> The idea of using ESSB in a contesting situation is bizarre.  Why?
>
> IMO, ESSB has no place on our (usually) crowded bands, and especially
not
> in a contest.
>
> 73
> __
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[Elecraft] KE7X "The Elecraft K3 and P3, 3rd. Edition -- Incorporating the KXV3B and KIO3B"

[Cady, Fred]

Hello all,

Just Released:

This book covers the details you need to effectively operate the Elecraft K3 
and P3. If you are thinking about buying a used Elecraft K3, this book will 
help you review the options that may be in your proposed purchase. Many options 
are still available. Some are no longer available, usually due to components 
being no longer available, and some can be replaced by newer K3S modules. We 
briefly describe these and cover in more detail the popular KXV3B Transverter 
and Receive Antenna Interface and the KIO3B I/O Interface while comparing them 
with their K3 predecessors. If you all ready have a copy of "The Elecraft K3 - 
Design, Configuration, and Operation, 2nd Edition", you might consider 
purchasing "Upgrading the K3 with K3s Components". If you want all your 
information in one place, this is the book for you. You might also consider 
"The Elecraft KPA500 Amplifier and KAT500 Tuner" if you are going to add these 
to your basic K3 and P3 station.


Printed, spiral coil bound copies are available from 
www.lulu.com, as is the PDF downloadable version.  You can 
also purchase the PDF  version from KE7X.


See www.ke7x.com for full tables of contents and 
Frequently Asked Questions and ordering information.


73,

Fred KE7X

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[Elecraft] Power output from KVX3

[Merv Schweigert]

I have been using the output on the KVX3 on the 475khz band
and it has worked great,  can adjust it from .1 to 1.5mw,  I have
been running it at .4mw driving an amplifier,
This morning I noticed that the power control no longer adjusts
the power output,   no matter the setting, its at some unknown
power,  maybe full power?  but I cannot change the output any
longer,
Any ideas if there is something I could have changed or perhaps the KVX3
has gone south?

Thanks 73 Merv K9FD/KH6
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Re: [Elecraft] TX ESSB for K3 and CM500 headset mic

[Ken G Kopp]

"Rose' didn't post this message ... I did ...  by mistake by using her
e-mail account instead of mine.  (;-)

73 - K0PP
On Oct 30, 2015 12:23 PM, "Rose"  wrote:

> Bill,
>
> The idea of using ESSB in a contesting situation is bizarre.  Why?
>
> IMO, ESSB has no place on our (usually) crowded bands, and especially not
> in a contest.
>
> 73
> __
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to kengk...@gmail.com
>
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Re: [Elecraft] TX ESSB for K3 and CM500 headset mic

[Rose]

Bill,

The idea of using ESSB in a contesting situation is bizarre.  Why?

IMO, ESSB has no place on our (usually) crowded bands, and especially not
in a contest.

73
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Re: [Elecraft] The Technical Side of Ham Radio

[Jim Brown]

Exactly right, Lynn!

73, Jim K9YC

On Fri,10/30/2015 10:00 AM, Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT wrote:
It seems to me that a good basic knowledge of electronics is enough, 
without spending a fortune on test equipment -- unless that appeals to 
you.


The recent threads on power supplies and voltage at the transceiver is 
a good example.


Sure, you can measure the drop with a good voltmeter, either measured 
across the wire, or measured at the terminals.


You can also find a good set of wire tables, and calculate the drop 
across a given length of wire.  If the drop is going to be too high, 
go to a higher gauge.


Back to the DVM, you can check the connectors (resistance) and 
calculate the voltage drop at 100% power out.


If you aren't sure, look at the fuses.  The current will be lower than 
the fuse rating, so that gives you extra margin, which is never bad.


Then you test.  Hook up your dummy load, transmit CW at 100w (or in my 
case, about 12w), and see what you've got at the transceiver.


If it sags, grab your DVM and measure the power terminals on the power 
supply.


It's not that hard, and the necessary equipment can be had for under 
$40 or so.


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Re: [Elecraft] IMD and supply voltage

[Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft]

This thread is now closed. We're drifting way off topic.(We asked that it be 
would down last night.)


73,

Eric
/elecraft.com/

On 10/30/2015 7:19 AM, Jim Bolit wrote:

NO!! Us Californian's understand dB. If you ain't increasing power in 10 dB 
increments, don't bother.
Eimac made 4CX1's based on market demand in California.
Don't ask me how I know this...
JimW6AIM




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Re: [Elecraft] KX3 to Computer

[Jim Brown]

On Fri,10/30/2015 7:00 AM, Forest Shick wrote:

That was too easy! I did as Bill suggested and used a Y connector.


I found another useful part on amazon. It's a StarTech cable adapter 
with an RTTS plug that splits headphones to an RTS jack and the mic to 
another RTS jack. Under $5


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004SP0WAQ?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00

Just received it a few days ago. It looks fairly robust for a low cost 
consumer product.


73, Jim K9YC
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Re: [Elecraft] IMD and supply voltage

[Merv Schweigert]

Several years back I had obtained some excellent 4cx5 and
4cx10k tubes,   they were a little more juice than my house
mains power could handle,  so I sold them  ..  the pair of
4cx10k went to a ham in CA who was "upgrading" his amp
that used a pair of 4cx5K at the time,  easy upgrade since the
sockets are the same etc.
There were several 4cx10K amps in the St Louis area at that time
so its not just a CA option.
THis was before Elecraft..  so OT I suspect.
73 Merv K9FD/KH6

NO!! Us Californian's understand dB. If you ain't increasing power in 10 dB 
increments, don't bother.
Eimac made 4CX1's based on market demand in California.
Don't ask me how I know this...
JimW6AIM

.

 Original message 
From: Vic Rosenthal 
Date: 10/29/2015  10:50 PM  (GMT-08:00)
To: Elecraft Reflector 
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] IMD and supply voltage

As I think I remember, in California the limit was 1500 watts, unless you were 
calling an ATNO (all-time new one) in which case it was 5 kW.

Vic 4X6GP/K2VCO


On 30 Oct 2015, at 12:55 AM, Doug Turnbull  wrote:

Of course this is a comparison of these two amps.   Please note that
1500 Watts is only used for contests which we are allowed to use for some
contests in EI but not for regular operating where our power limit is 400W
output.

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[Elecraft] PX3 Beta 1.37 now available for download

[Paul Saffren N6HZ]

A new BETA version of PX3 firmware is available for download from the
Elecraft beta ftp webpage.  This version fixes several bugs that were
identified in 1.35 which introduced support for a USB keyboard.  I would
like to have some folks that are currently running 1.25 download and install
the BETA and report their findings.  If you are upgrading from 1.35 to 1.37
some settings such as REF LVL and SCALE will be reinitialized.  If you find
any bugs or issues, please email me directly (pauls at you know where dot
com)

For help downloading and installing PX3 beta releases, checkout "PX3 Beta
Test Firmware Instructions" located here:
http://www.elecraft.com/PX3/px3_beta_release_instructions.htm

Beta firmware may be downloaded from here: 
ftp://elecraft.com/PX3/firmware/beta/px3m0137b.zip



Release notes: 

MCU 1.37 / 10/23/2015

* Added Ctrl-H help screens to USB keyboard. Help is also available in
macro/text message entry. 
* Embedding \c in a text message now may take an optional precision
argument.  i.e. \c3 specifies the counter value as a minimum of 3 digits.
Default is 5 digits with no argument. Precision range is 1-9 digits.
* Embedding \p in a text message will insert contents of replay buffer. 
* Use Alt-R to clear replay buffer without clearing text windows. 
* Keyboard macros 1-8 may now be set to execute using the PX3 front panel FN
keys.
(See: Text Menu)
* Prevents creation of blank/empty macros/text messages.  
* Fixes red waterfall on 160 and 2 meters after upgrading. 
* Fixed missing CW elements with paddles after using keyboard.
* Fixed missing macro/text message 1 display during edit when first powered
up.
* Fixed garbled bitmap saves when using PX3 Utility.


Kind regards, 

Paul





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Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
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Re: [Elecraft] The Technical Side of Ham Radio

[Jim Brown]

Hi Chris,

I have one. It is fine for looking at harmonics and standard IMD tests, 
but the ANAN 10e runs rings around it for spectrum analysis, and for 
$500 less. So does the VNWA for gain measurements, and for half the 
cost.  Major limitation is that the frequency resolution isn't nearly 
fine enough to look at occupied bandwidth of ham gear. That's why I've 
been using P3/SVGA to look at ham rigs. Bottom line -- I wouldn't buy it 
again.


73, Jim K9YC

On Fri,10/30/2015 6:10 AM, Chris Hallinan wrote:

Glad you keep posting, I keep learning.  Can I ask, off list, what you
think of this?  It's on my "wish list" at amazon.  For my money, it
looks pretty good.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CLWJA38/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_S_ttl

73,

K1AY
Chris in Punta Gorda, FL

On Fri, Oct 30, 2015 at 2:39 AM, Jim Brown  wrote:

Ham radio is a hobby for those who are willing to learn about how radio
works. To obtain a license, we must pass a test that shows we know the
fundamentals of radio and electronics. Some don't bother to do that, but
instead cram by memorizing answers to a lot multiple guess questions. I view
that as cheating. If they don't know anything when they're done, that's
their own fault.

Last I looked, ARRL license study material taught the fundamentals of
electronics and radio, and at least a third of the ARRL Handbook is
specifically written for those just beginning to learn it. I'd bet that the
vast majority of those who put us on the moon, and a generation later a
lander on Mars, first learned electronics from the ARRL Handbook!

As hams, we are responsible for producing a reasonably clean signal and
operating within the FCC Rules. Operators in other services like CB,
commercial 2-way, and so on are not permitted to modify equipment, but we
are!

I also do my best to produce tutorial materials to share what I've learned.
I AM an EE, but I also taught for five years (at DeVry in Chicago), and my
goal has always been to try to make complicated things easier to understand.
Like many OTs on this reflector, I passed my General exam in my first year
of high school, and the Extra exam the summer after high school.  All that
study (and on air activity) made me want to study EE. :)

All of these study materials require STUDY, not casual reading. Some of the
concepts take a while to sink in, and with my work on RFI and ferrites, took
me a LONG time to figure out. It is a combination of my own research and
work with colleagues on the AES Standards Committee's Working Group on EMC.

I have some nice test gear, but nothing even close to the $100K range --
much of the work I've done on clean transmitters has been with a P3/SVGA,
and I'm planning to increase my measurement capabilities next year with one
of the new under $1K  ANAN radios. My VNWA cost $769, with shipping and a
calibration kit.

You don't have to set this stuff up and measure it yourself -- there's
plenty of data on my website you can download and study. There's an
excellent Power Point, mostly by K6XX, an EE at Elecraft, that shows
virtually everything that's been discussed here in the thread on transmitter
distortion. I've posted these links several times. There's a summary of ARRL
measurements on transmitters that makes it easy to compare them. You and
others can learn a lot by downloading and studying them.  I learned a lot by
doing the work to prepare them!

CAPS added for emphasis. :)

73, Jim K9YC

On Thu,10/29/2015 8:35 PM, Rich wrote:

For those of us who do not have 100K in test equipment and a EE,  I am
starting to feel like I should not even get on the air.   I get the concept,
but the best I can do is make good clean connections, do not overdrive my
audio and hope for the best.  I have to have faith in the equipment builders
or find a new hobby.


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Re: [Elecraft] The Technical Side of Ham Radio

[Jim Brown]

On Fri,10/30/2015 4:35 AM, Harry White wrote:

What new ANAN radio are you referring to?


http://www.gigaparts.com/Product-Lines/HF-6M-Radios/Apache-Labs-ANAN-10E-SDR.html


How will it improve your measurement capabilities?


I'll use the receiver as a spectrum analyzer. It has greater dynamic 
range (big signals to small ones) and frequency resolution (a few Hz) 
than anything else currently in my arsenal, and it costs less than $1,000.



What is a VNWA?


A Vector Network Analyzer. It can

1) measure the complex impedance of anything from an antenna to a 
complicated network, swept over frequency.  "Complex" means it can 
separate R and X, and give magnitude and phase.


2) measure the gain through a network (like a bandpass filter), again 
both magnitude and phase


3) measure the reflection coefficient of a network, which provides SWR

4) do Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) to measure the electrical length 
of a feedline, and to look for damage to it


5) export data to modeling programs like SimSmith, which can be used to 
design matching networks for antennas


VNWA refers to a specific model of VNA designed by a German EE professor 
and built by hams in the UK. It's a little box that connects to the USB 
port of a Windows computer.


Good questions. Thanks for asking.

73, Jim K9YC
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Re: [Elecraft] The Technical Side of Ham Radio

[Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT]

It seems to me that a good basic knowledge of electronics is enough, 
without spending a fortune on test equipment -- unless that appeals to you.


The recent threads on power supplies and voltage at the transceiver is a 
good example.


Sure, you can measure the drop with a good voltmeter, either measured 
across the wire, or measured at the terminals.


You can also find a good set of wire tables, and calculate the drop 
across a given length of wire.  If the drop is going to be too high, go 
to a higher gauge.


Back to the DVM, you can check the connectors (resistance) and calculate 
the voltage drop at 100% power out.


If you aren't sure, look at the fuses.  The current will be lower than 
the fuse rating, so that gives you extra margin, which is never bad.


Then you test.  Hook up your dummy load, transmit CW at 100w (or in my 
case, about 12w), and see what you've got at the transceiver.


If it sags, grab your DVM and measure the power terminals on the power 
supply.


It's not that hard, and the necessary equipment can be had for under $40 
or so.


I'm a software guy.  I know how many programmers it takes to change a 
lightbulb (they can't, it's a hardware problem).  I can do this.  So can 
you.


This list is a great place to ask simple questions (and sometimes watch 
them get beaten into the ground).


73 -- Lynn

On 10/29/2015 11:39 PM, Jim Brown wrote:
Ham radio is a hobby for those who are willing to learn about how 
radio works. To obtain a license, we must pass a test that shows we 
know the fundamentals of radio and electronics.


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Re: [Elecraft] P3 SVGA Self changing tracking mode

[Rick WA6NHC]

Thank you Paul, I'll await a fix.

Rick nhc

On 10/30/2015 9:41 AM, Paul Saffren N6HZ wrote:

Hi Rick,

This is a known issue and on the P3/SVGA bug list.  Basically what is
happening is that the SVGA does not follow the center frequency adjustment
correctly.   Most folks just use fixed tune mode instead of tracking mode
with a movable center frequency.

Kind regards,

Paul




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Re: [Elecraft] P3 SVGA Self changing tracking mode

[Paul Saffren N6HZ]

Hi Rick, 

This is a known issue and on the P3/SVGA bug list.  Basically what is
happening is that the SVGA does not follow the center frequency adjustment
correctly.   Most folks just use fixed tune mode instead of tracking mode
with a movable center frequency.  

Kind regards, 

Paul




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Re: [Elecraft] P3 SVGA Self changing tracking mode

[Rick WA6NHC]

More data points:  I usually use FixMode set to 'static' and FixTrack 
set to 'Fixed tune mode'.  I don't know how that factors in...  It may 
be another cause, but by cycling FixTrack, I can get it to display 
properly AFTER I recenter the display to start over again.


This happens consistently here.  Thanks for checking your station.

Rick nhc


On 10/30/2015 9:03 AM, Rick Prather wrote:

Rick,

I haven’t been able to duplicate what you describe.

73,
Rick
K6LE

On Fri, Oct 30, 2015 at 8:26 AM, Rick WA6NHC 
mailto:happymooseph...@gmail.com>> wrote:


Hello all,

I'm seeing an issue on the SVGA side of the P3.

In order to utilize the screen space more effectively I often use
the CENTER control to shift my TX frequency to the left side up
the display (when the DX is listening up) to show those calling on
the right side of the display.   [The alternative is to use the
SPAN control, but much of the screen is under utilized.]

This works great until I QSY or adjust the RX frequency.  At that
point the SVGA display no longer synchs with the P3 display so
this is limited to only the SVGA portion.  The shaded areas shift
to anywhere on the SVGA display (1024x768), sometimes even
swapping sides of the display.  I have to revert to watching the
P3 only.

It stays with an incorrect display on the SVGA until I tap the
fixed/track tune in the menu.  Then it works properly, until the
next time I slide the display to the side.

I've not seen this mentioned on the list.  Can someone else
confirm this behavior?  It appears to be a bug.

I've reloaded the entire P3 firmware package, this situation
remains.  The P3 is functioning properly, this is solely an SVGA
issue.

Thanks in advance,
Rick wa6nhc
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Re: [Elecraft] P3 SVGA Self changing tracking mode

[Rick Prather]

Rick,

I haven’t been able to duplicate what you describe.

73,
Rick
K6LE

On Fri, Oct 30, 2015 at 8:26 AM, Rick WA6NHC 
wrote:

> Hello all,
>
> I'm seeing an issue on the SVGA side of the P3.
>
> In order to utilize the screen space more effectively I often use the
> CENTER control to shift my TX frequency to the left side up the display
> (when the DX is listening up) to show those calling on the right side of
> the display.   [The alternative is to use the SPAN control, but much of the
> screen is under utilized.]
>
> This works great until I QSY or adjust the RX frequency.  At that point
> the SVGA display no longer synchs with the P3 display so this is limited to
> only the SVGA portion.  The shaded areas shift to anywhere on the SVGA
> display (1024x768), sometimes even swapping sides of the display.  I have
> to revert to watching the P3 only.
>
> It stays with an incorrect display on the SVGA until I tap the fixed/track
> tune in the menu.  Then it works properly, until the next time I slide the
> display to the side.
>
> I've not seen this mentioned on the list.  Can someone else confirm this
> behavior?  It appears to be a bug.
>
> I've reloaded the entire P3 firmware package, this situation remains.  The
> P3 is functioning properly, this is solely an SVGA issue.
>
> Thanks in advance,
> Rick wa6nhc
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[Elecraft] P3 SVGA Self changing tracking mode

[Rick WA6NHC]

Hello all,

I'm seeing an issue on the SVGA side of the P3.

In order to utilize the screen space more effectively I often use the 
CENTER control to shift my TX frequency to the left side up the display 
(when the DX is listening up) to show those calling on the right side of 
the display.   [The alternative is to use the SPAN control, but much of 
the screen is under utilized.]


This works great until I QSY or adjust the RX frequency.  At that point 
the SVGA display no longer synchs with the P3 display so this is limited 
to only the SVGA portion.  The shaded areas shift to anywhere on the 
SVGA display (1024x768), sometimes even swapping sides of the display.  
I have to revert to watching the P3 only.


It stays with an incorrect display on the SVGA until I tap the 
fixed/track tune in the menu.  Then it works properly, until the next 
time I slide the display to the side.


I've not seen this mentioned on the list.  Can someone else confirm this 
behavior?  It appears to be a bug.


I've reloaded the entire P3 firmware package, this situation remains.  
The P3 is functioning properly, this is solely an SVGA issue.


Thanks in advance,
Rick wa6nhc
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[Elecraft] FCC Specs for marine SSB IMD compared to amateur specs

[RDStraw]

Comparing a marine SSB radio with an amateur radio for the transmitter
cleanliness can be misleading. 47 CFR (code of Federal Regulations by the
FCC) is for maritime radio stations. It says:


47 CFR Part 80, Maritime Stations FCC Rules and Regulations

§ 80.211 Emission limitations. 
The emissions must be attenuated according to the following schedule.
(a) The mean power when using emissions H3E, J3E and R3E: 
(1) On any frequency removed from the assigned frequency by more than 50
percent up to and including 150 percent of the authorized bandwidth: 
at least 25 dB for transmitters installed before February 1, 1992, at least
28 dB for transmitters installed on or after February 1, 1992;
(2) On any frequency removed from the assigned frequency by more than 150
percent up to and including 250 percent of the authorized bandwidth: At
least 35 dB; and
(3) On any frequency removed from the assigned frequency by more than 250
percent of the authorized bandwidth: At least 43 plus 10log10 (mean power in
watts) dB. 

Discussion:
The 50% to 150% of authorized bandwidth (which for an SSB transmitter is 2.8
kHz) specs mean the 3rd and 5th order IMD products must be suppressed by at
least 25 dB than the mean power output. For more than 150% up to 250% of
authorized bandwidth the 7th and 9th order IMD products must be suppressed
by at least 35 dB.

Now the killer spec: the 43 dB plus 10 log10 (mean power) dB spec. For a
1500 W mean power output level, this spec amounts to 43 + 10 log10 (1500) =
74.76 dB down for IMD products higher than 11th order. This commercial
specification is exceedingly difficult to meet, and few amateur amplifiers
can come close to meeting this spec. Amateur gear is rarely capable of
meeting the first half of the equation; i.e., only 43 dB down! 

Note that the stringent specs for higher-order IMD products mean in essence
that the off-channel “splatter” is much less for a commercial SSB
transmitter than for an amateur radio transmitter. 

The output amplifier output load line for commercial transmitters is
frequently “tweaked” to balance the close-in (3rd and 5th order IMD
products) with the greater than 11th higher order IMD products. Thus it is
rather misleading to fixate on the 3rd and 5th IMD, while ignoring the
higher-order products that are so annoying more than, say, 5 kHz away from
the carrier frequency.

To be really meaningful, listings for Transmitter IMD should be shown for
the 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th and 11th order IMD products. You could make a case
that 13th order IMD products should be shown also to complete the IMD
profile. A systems approach would show the IMD for both the transceiver and
linear amplifier together.

73, Dean, N6BV

N6KR said:

> Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2015 13:39:23 -0700
> From: Wayne Burdick 
> To: jim 
> Cc: , 
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] IMD and supply voltage
> Message-ID: 
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
> 
> Jim,
> 
> This appears to *not* be true, at least for one radio lauded by those 
> concerned about TX IMD.
> 
> Earlier this year there was a long forum thread on Eham.net lamenting the
"fact"
> that 12-V ham rigs were not as clean as 12-V marine rigs. One radio in 
> particular, the Icom M802, was touted by forum participants as having 
> far better IMD specs than any 12-V ham transceiver.
> 
> We downloaded the manual for we this radio and found that Icom was 
> using the same devices and essentially the same amplifier circuit that 
> we were. Still, we gave them the benefit of the doubt and purchased a 
> new Icom M802 (from Amazon, $1813) to test in our own lab.
> 
> We very carefully measured transmit IMD at 100 watts on several 
> channels, covering the full range of the HF marine band. Here is an 
> example plot from about 12.28 MHz:
> 
>http://www.elecraft.com/Icom%20M802%20100-W%20IMD.jpeg
> 
> This plot shows the two 3rd-order products being down by about 27 and 
> 30 dBc, respectively. A plot for the Elecraft K3 posted earlier on 
> this same forum showed these tones down 33 and 36 dBc--about a 6-dB 
> improvement over this particular marine radio.
> 
> A bit on our test setup: We used a very clean 14.0 V DC power supply 
> with short cables, a high-performance analog 2-tone generator, and a 
> very hefty 50-ohm nonreactive dummy load. We set the top of the 
> spectral plot at 100 W and equalized the amplitude of the tones at -6 
> dBc, consistent with the usual ARRL method. The tests were done by our 
> senior RF engineer, and I'm sure he was not overdriving the spectrum 
> analyzer :)
> 
> Chances are that virtually all marine HF SSB radios being made today 
> are using the same 100-W MOSFET PAs that we and other ham 
> manufacturers do. As far as we can tell, there is no magic in the marine
radios that is making them better.
> On the other hand, their marketing department may be better funded.
> 
> If you have another marine radio in mind that you think is using 
> different/better circuitry, please let me know so we can repeat t

Re: [Elecraft] IMD and supply voltage

[Jim Bolit]

NO!! Us Californian's understand dB. If you ain't increasing power in 10 dB 
increments, don't bother.
Eimac made 4CX1's based on market demand in California.
Don't ask me how I know this...
JimW6AIM

.

 Original message 
From: Vic Rosenthal 
Date: 10/29/2015  10:50 PM  (GMT-08:00)
To: Elecraft Reflector 
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] IMD and supply voltage

As I think I remember, in California the limit was 1500 watts, unless you were 
calling an ATNO (all-time new one) in which case it was 5 kW.

Vic 4X6GP/K2VCO

> On 30 Oct 2015, at 12:55 AM, Doug Turnbull  wrote:
>
> Of course this is a comparison of these two amps.   Please note that
> 1500 Watts is only used for contests which we are allowed to use for some
> contests in EI but not for regular operating where our power limit is 400W
> output.
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Re: [Elecraft] IMD and supply voltage

[Luis V. Romero]

Joe and all:

>
>Comparing processing issues and transmitter IMD are mixing apple and
>oranges.  Processing issues generally affect the quality of signal
>*on channel* - the ability to understand the audio - whilst IMD is the
>"off frequency" splatter up/down the band that interferes with everyone
>*except* your own QSO.
>
>While both are important it is the IMD that represents a "spurious"
>signal outside the bandwidth required for communication - typically fie 
>to ten KHz above and below the desired RF.
>

Yes, I understand completely.  From a "Real World Practical" standpoint, if
I have a really clean transmitter with lovely IMD specifications and I stuff
over compressed, highly processed, all compressor-limiter knobs to the right
audio into it I will get completely unintelligible audio with wonderful
technical specifications and still bother my neighbors.

And don't forget. Some contesters *WANT* the scenario you described above.
No sense in sweeping that under the rug!

That's my point.  I'm being responsible in keeping my IMD products from
raising the noise floor on the bands, but the OB down the street with his
FT101E, "Power Mic" and  4 EL509  sweep tube amp promptly blasts me out of
the pileup. 

I'm not saying that the pursuit of technical excellence in amateur
transmitters is a bad thing, but life is a constant compromise between
technical excellence and "good enough".  Sometimes "close enough!  Now ship
it so we can make a profit!" is the true measure of excellence in the real
world. That doesn't mean we should accept poor engineering, all it means is
that excellence is always a tradeoff, and not only about "numbers".  

Will the OB down the street care enough to change?  That's the ultimate
variable in the equation, isn't it?   

-lu-


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Re: [Elecraft] KX3 to Computer

[Forest Shick]

That was too easy! I did as Bill suggested and used a Y connector. 

--...   ...--
Forest
WA2MZG

-Original Message-
From: Don Wilhelm [mailto:w3...@embarqmail.com] 
Sent: Thursday, October 29, 2015 5:56 PM
To: Forest Shick ; 'Martin Waller'
; elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX3 to Computer

Forest,

That sounds like a problem between you and your computer.
If you are specific about the computer you are using, perhaps someone with
the same setup can help you.  I think the solution (if any) will be found in
the soundcard mixer.  It may or may not allow the selection of Line Out plus
speaker.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 10/29/2015 5:40 PM, Forest Shick wrote:
> Thank you for all the information.
> I set the MIC BTN to OFF and adjusted the MIC GAIN for 4 bars (ALC) and
turned on VOX.
>
> I am able to TX and RX SSTV, PSK32 and RTTY. (No contacts mostly 
> receiving and transmitting into a dummy load until I have all the bugs 
> worked out.)
>
> BUT I have to disconnect the LINE OUT from the computer to monitor the
received signal and then plug it back in to transmit.
>
> Plugging in the LINE OUT connector to the computer mutes the computer
speaker.
>
>

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Re: [Elecraft] TX ESSB for K3 and CM500 headset mic

[Bob McGraw - K4TAX]

I seem to  think ESSB would not be desirable for contesting.

73
Bob, K4TAX

On 10/30/2015 4:21 AM, Bill OMara via Elecraft wrote:

I'm looking for and TX ESSB input starting values for using the CM500
Headset / boom mic on the K3 (like Heil posts for the prosets).

  


I just ordered a CM-500 and would like some feedback in the getting the two
of these to work together for contests performance.

  



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Re: [Elecraft] Which of these would make the best power supply for the K3(S)?

[Edward R Cole]

Just another accolade for the Astron PS.  I bought a 35VM in 1980 to 
run my then new TS-180S and it has worked over the years without fail 
until last year when a couple pass transistors finally died...that is 
34-years without failure!


On my last job (retired in 2009) we had lots of Astron 20A's on board 
ships to run both HF and VHF Marine radios and they also survived 
well.  We did lose a few when the ship's ac generator surged to 
160vac.  But that is not an uncommon situation on ships so they did 
well considering.


I now run my station on a single Astron 50A which feeds thru some No. 
6 welding wire to a 30A Buss master fuse.  14.2vdc at the PS is 
delivered as 13.7vdc at the radio shelf and runs a number of 100-170w 
amps and radios.  Load usually doesn't exceed about 15A.


I do have a 300w sspa but it runs on 28vdc and loads to 18A at full 
power (using a surplus MOT repeater PS).  The 1kw 6m amp (surplus 
ch.2 TV driver) runs from a 50v-50A switching supply which runs off 
240vac.  You know that amp is very linear if it was used on TV.


73, Ed - KL7UW
http://www.kl7uw.com
"Kits made by KL7UW"
Dubus Mag business:
dubus...@gmail.com

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[Elecraft] TX ESSB for K3 and CM500 headset mic

[Bill OMara via Elecraft]

I'm looking for and TX ESSB input starting values for using the CM500
Headset / boom mic on the K3 (like Heil posts for the prosets).

 

I just ordered a CM-500 and would like some feedback in the getting the two
of these to work together for contests performance.

 

Thanks for your help

 

73 Bill  W4RM

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