Re: [Elecraft] KX2 "SWR/RF" display in v2.89

[Grant Youngman]

Key the transmitter and then adjust Mic Gain … 

Grant NQ5T
K3 #2091, KX3 #8342

> On May 28, 2018, at 10:19 PM, Steve Sergeant  wrote:
> 
> Brian:
> 
> That's the first thing I tried.
> 
> While in USB/LSB or AM, tapping the KYR-SPOT/MIC knob toggles between
> "13 WPM" and "MIC 30" on the VFO B display, but does not change the
> meter to SWR/RF.
> 
> The next clue is that I do see the SWR/RF meter when in CW mode, but not
> in USB/LSB nor in AM. When I tap the KYR-SPOT/MIC knob in CW mode, the
> VFO B display shows "SPOT" and a tone is heard through the speaker.

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Re: [Elecraft] KX2 "SWR/RF" display in v2.89

[Steve Sergeant]

Brian:

That's the first thing I tried.

While in USB/LSB or AM, tapping the KYR-SPOT/MIC knob toggles between
"13 WPM" and "MIC 30" on the VFO B display, but does not change the
meter to SWR/RF.

The next clue is that I do see the SWR/RF meter when in CW mode, but not
in USB/LSB nor in AM. When I tap the KYR-SPOT/MIC knob in CW mode, the
VFO B display shows "SPOT" and a tone is heard through the speaker.

--... ...--
SteveSgt, KC6ZKT


On 5/28/18 18:19 PM, Brian Hunt wrote:
> You have to be in a mode other than CW, then tap the KYR-SP/MIC knob to
> switch between CMP/ALC and SWR/RF.  Enjoy!
> 
> 73,
> Brian, K0DTJ
> 
> On 5/28/2018 10:57, Steve Sergeant wrote:
>> I just upgraded my KX2 to v2.89 firmware, and discovered that I can no
>> longer get the "SWR/RF" scales to display when I transmit in any mode.
>> Perhaps I missed a release note that described this change, but I seemed
>> to remember that these scales were the default, and that the CMP/ALC
>> displays only appeared when setting transmit gain.
>>
>> What am I missing, or have I found a bug?

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[Elecraft] PARA News Letter

[Phillip Cowherd]

I just wanted everyone to know that the latest www.W4NJA.org 
 May Monthly Meeting/news letter has just been 
published.  Oh, if you haven’t subscribed to this “free” publication, I highly 
recommend it.  Subscription info is at  bottom, right hand side of page.

I talked with Malckom Williams tonight in his hospital room at Lourdes 
Hospital, room 323.   His surgery went well except he had to have a lot of skin 
grafted from the other leg to cover the stump.  This will necessitate an 
additional 10 days in the hospital.  However, he is very upbeat and cheerful. 
He realizes that he is getting the very best of care.  In fact, he said that he 
is doing so well that he may be able to walk out of the hospital with the aid 
of a cane.  He doesn’t have internet facilities but I’m sure he would welcome a 
phone call.  Lourdes switchboard: (270)444-2444.

Don’t forget the KY QSO Party.  Check the KYQP web site 
> and Dave’s recent 
detailed email for information.  I’m requesting all participants take pictures 
(use iPhone, Samsung, etc. small size pix) of your station in action, include 
info and mail to roncowh...@aol.com .  I’ll prepare 
a slide show for the next meeting.

Princeton Ham Fest, June 2nd.  The Princeton Hamfest will award the ham radio 
club with the most members in attendance, a check for $100.00.  Please share 
and help spread the message. 

As you return from the Princeton Ham Fest:  Ron, Ken and Jason request your 
presence at our portable KYQP site, in the LBL.  (only a few miles off of I-24) 
We will be operating at the overlook on the trail just past the canal (first 
marked, paved one lane road (one way) to right as you drive into LBL from Grand 
Rivers on The Trace.)  After turning onto the Overlook Trail you will see a 
paved parking area and 2 picnic tables in a clearing large enough to put up an 
inverted V fan-dipole that we will be using.  (80-40-20–15 mtrs.)  We expect to 
arrive there about 8:00 to be ready for the 9:00 start.  Paul Smith tells me 
that this is in Lyon County, code  LYO,  EM56.  We hope to see as many of you 
that can stop by.  

Best 73’s

Ron (K4GYD)
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Re: [Elecraft] OT antenna question

[Wes Stewart]

I hope you mean NEC4.

Wes  N7WS

On 5/28/2018 4:19 PM, Clay Autery wrote:
Mmmm... are you saying that NEC2 handles the phsae shift through inductors 
correctly/better?


"Looking for reasons to pay the license fee for NEC2)

73,


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[Elecraft] KPA1500 fan noise concern

[john]

I imagine that due to the KPA1500's size it requires a higher volume of air
than a large amplifier would. Its small size and weight make it appealing.
The Acom 2000 has a control box that is separate from the amp so you really
never hear the amp run. I am wondering it something similar can be done with
the Elecraft KPA1500, perhaps an option like the K-Pod, so that the noise
source is further from the operating position?

John KK9A



Thanks for the offer, Clay. But we actually did extensive thermal analysis
of both the heat sink and fans, tested many different fan types and
configurations, and did comparative noise testing of the KPA1500 vs. a
number of other amps. 

As you allude to, there's no magic bullet. Heat must be removed, with
various physical and electrical constraints to be satisfied. 

We have some pretty amazing thermal imaging devices that we use to examine
heat signatures of electrical components. These were used during R, which
is how we determined that two LDMOS devices were far better than one for
heat distribution. We also used it to evaluate the design of our very
large/very thick copper heat spreader. On the production line, we review all
modules for hot spots during burn-in and make sure the cooling is working
perfectly (onset temperature, air distribution around modules, etc.).

Of course supplemental cooling of various types has been used with
amplifiers in the past. I believe we have a couple of customers and staff
experimenting with this idea, and anything that emerges will be posted here.

73,
Wayne
N6KR

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Re: [Elecraft] OT antenna question

[Jim Brown]

On 5/28/2018 5:03 PM, Clay Autery wrote:
Does NEC-4 handle the phase shift through inductors correctly? 


I doubt it, but I don't know. I believe the issue is the result of the 
computational model.


73, Jim K9YC

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Re: [Elecraft] Windows 10 Update Breaks COM Port for K3 & P3 Utilities

[Mark Wheeler]

Tom,

Earlier today I did delete the driver as you describe, but I did not know there 
were drivers on the Elecraft website. I’ll check it out tomorrow. 

Thanks for the suggestion.  

Mark
WU6R 

> On May 28, 2018, at 8:29 PM, Tom  wrote:
> 
> Hi,
> The first thing I would do at this point, is to go into the device manager 
> and select "Properties" for the driver.  Next select the "Driver" tab and 
> then click on "Uninstall Device" and  Make absolutely sure that you select 
> "Delete the driver software"
> 
> That will get rid of it.
> Next download the appropriate drivers from the Elecraft site or use the link 
> for it.  Unplug your USB cable to the radio, install  and only plug in the 
> cable when directed or the install is complete.
> Never do an "Update Driver".  In many cases Windows will substitute a 
> universal driver that may not do what you want.
> 
> Now with the latest Windows 10 update, some changes have been made to the 
> Privacy settings on your computer, specifically devices that act as 
> Microphones, one of which is probably the USB codec that Elecraft uses. Make 
> sure it is set to allow.
> 73 Tom
> va2fsq.com
> 
> 
> 
> 
> -Original Message- From: Mark Wheeler
> Sent: Sunday, May 27, 2018 10:29 AM
> To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
> Cc: Mark Wheeler
> Subject: [Elecraft] Windows 10 Update Breaks COM Port for K3 & P3 Utilities
> 
> With the latest Windows 10 update earlier this week, my K3S and P3 can no 
> longer communicate with my Windows 10 PC via the USB cables.  I’ve gone into 
> Device Manager and right clicked on the COM12 device drive and clicked 
> “update driver” and that updated from a 2016 driver to a 2017 CM port driver, 
> but neither connect the PC to my K3S or P3.  Any suggestions?  Thank you.
> 
> Mark
> WU6R
> (formally KM6HFR)
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> 
> 
> ---
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> https://www.avast.com/antivirus
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Re: [Elecraft] Windows 10 Update Breaks COM Port for K3 & P3 Utilities

[Tom]

Hi,
The first thing I would do at this point, is to go into the device manager 
and select "Properties" for the driver.  Next select the "Driver" tab and 
then click on "Uninstall Device" and  Make absolutely sure that you select 
"Delete the driver software"


That will get rid of it.
Next download the appropriate drivers from the Elecraft site or use the link 
for it.  Unplug your USB cable to the radio, install  and only plug in the 
cable when directed or the install is complete.
Never do an "Update Driver".  In many cases Windows will substitute a 
universal driver that may not do what you want.


Now with the latest Windows 10 update, some changes have been made to the 
Privacy settings on your computer, specifically devices that act as 
Microphones, one of which is probably the USB codec that Elecraft uses. 
Make sure it is set to allow.

73 Tom
va2fsq.com




-Original Message- 
From: Mark Wheeler

Sent: Sunday, May 27, 2018 10:29 AM
To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Cc: Mark Wheeler
Subject: [Elecraft] Windows 10 Update Breaks COM Port for K3 & P3 Utilities

With the latest Windows 10 update earlier this week, my K3S and P3 can no 
longer communicate with my Windows 10 PC via the USB cables.  I’ve gone into 
Device Manager and right clicked on the COM12 device drive and clicked 
“update driver” and that updated from a 2016 driver to a 2017 CM port 
driver, but neither connect the PC to my K3S or P3.  Any suggestions?  Thank 
you.


Mark
WU6R
(formally KM6HFR)
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Directed.



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Re: [Elecraft] Windows 10 Update Breaks COM Port for K3 & P3 Utilities

[Clay Autery]

Yep I got the 1803 version some time ago  My K3s/P3 are humming 
right along on Win10 Pro.

K3s is on COM port 7 using the latest FTDI driver (v2.12.28.0)

__
Clay Autery, KY5G
(318) 518-1389

On 05/28/18 19:06, Don Sayler wrote:

My pc just updated with the April update.

I do not have a P3, but comms between my pc and my K3S are still good.
In my case, the K3 Utility runs on COM3 using an FTDI driver.

K3 Utility 1.16.7.25
K3S # 11310, MCU v05.57.
Windows FTDI Driver 8/16/2017, v2.12.28.0

73,
Don Sayler W7OXR



-Original Message-
From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net 
[mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Wayne Burdick
Sent: Monday, May 28, 2018 4:33 PM
To: Mark Wheeler
Cc: Elecraft Reflector
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Windows 10 Update Breaks COM Port for K3 & P3 Utilities

Mark,

This, too, appears relevant:
  
https://www.silabs.com/community/interface/forum.topic.html/cp210x_driver_v101-91Gl


It specifically mentions amateur radio gear, though it?s specific to SiLabs 
parts. I?m not sure off the top of my head whether it applies to the USB 
hubs/codecs we use.

A Google search for

"com port"  Windows 10 update

turns up numerous complaints about how the latest package has broken comms, 
including USB, BT, parallel ports, etc. All parties claim they?re ?working on 
it."

Wayne
N6KR



On May 28, 2018, at 4:12 AM, Mark Wheeler  wrote:

Wayne,

There were tons of problems listed associated with the latest windows 10 
update, but none were COM port issues.  The search for a solution continues...  
Thanks.

Mark
WU6R

On May 27, 2018, at 06:43 AM, Wayne Burdick  wrote:


Try this:

https://www.ghacks.net/2018/05/01/all-the-issues-of-windows-10-version-1803-you-may-run-into/

Wayne



On May 27, 2018, at 7:29 AM, Mark Wheeler  wrote:

With the latest Windows 10 update earlier this week, my K3S and P3 can no 
longer communicate with my Windows 10 PC via the USB cables. I?ve gone into 
Device Manager and right clicked on the COM12 device drive and clicked ?update 
driver? and that updated from a 2016 driver to a 2017 CM port driver, but 
neither connect the PC to my K3S or P3. Any suggestions? Thank you.

Mark
WU6R
(formally KM6HFR)


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Re: [Elecraft] OT antenna question

[Fred Jensen]

Clay,

NEC-2 is public domain.  NEC-4 is not, it is licensed and not free.  I 
believe that all flavors of EZNEC Ver 4.0 EXCEPT EZNEC/4 use the NEC-2 
engine.  NEC-2, as a simulator, has some deviations from reality ... 
inductor modeling is one of them, conductors connected at small angles, 
traps [see inductors] and modeling buried radial fields are others.  
NEC-4 is significantly more complex, more faithful to reality, and not free.


The native UI to NEC-2 is not friendly, it's origin dates to 80-column 
punched cards.  EZNEC is a windows UI to it.


73,

Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW
Sparks NV DM09dn
Washoe County

On 5/28/2018 4:19 PM, Clay Autery wrote:
Mmmm... are you saying that NEC2 handles the phsae shift through 
inductors correctly/better?


"Looking for reasons to pay the license fee for NEC2)

73,

__
Clay Autery, KY5G
(318) 518-1389

On 05/28/18 15:18, Jim Brown wrote:

and is unrelated to the user interface like EZNEC/ELNEC and 4NEC2


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Re: [Elecraft] Windows 10 Update Breaks COM Port for K3 & P3 Utilities

[Don Sayler]

My pc just updated with the April update.

I do not have a P3, but comms between my pc and my K3S are still good.
In my case, the K3 Utility runs on COM3 using an FTDI driver.

K3 Utility 1.16.7.25
K3S # 11310, MCU v05.57.
Windows FTDI Driver 8/16/2017, v2.12.28.0

73,
Don Sayler W7OXR



-Original Message-
From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net 
[mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Wayne Burdick
Sent: Monday, May 28, 2018 4:33 PM
To: Mark Wheeler
Cc: Elecraft Reflector
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Windows 10 Update Breaks COM Port for K3 & P3 Utilities

Mark,

This, too, appears relevant:
 
   
https://www.silabs.com/community/interface/forum.topic.html/cp210x_driver_v101-91Gl

It specifically mentions amateur radio gear, though it?s specific to SiLabs 
parts. I?m not sure off the top of my head whether it applies to the USB 
hubs/codecs we use.

A Google search for 

   "com port"  Windows 10 update

turns up numerous complaints about how the latest package has broken comms, 
including USB, BT, parallel ports, etc. All parties claim they?re ?working on 
it."

Wayne
N6KR


> On May 28, 2018, at 4:12 AM, Mark Wheeler  wrote:
> 
> Wayne,
> 
> There were tons of problems listed associated with the latest windows 10 
> update, but none were COM port issues.  The search for a solution 
> continues...  Thanks.
> 
> Mark
> WU6R
> 
> On May 27, 2018, at 06:43 AM, Wayne Burdick  wrote:
> 
>> Try this:
>> 
>> https://www.ghacks.net/2018/05/01/all-the-issues-of-windows-10-version-1803-you-may-run-into/
>> 
>> Wayne
>> 
>> 
>>> On May 27, 2018, at 7:29 AM, Mark Wheeler  wrote:
>>> 
>>> With the latest Windows 10 update earlier this week, my K3S and P3 can no 
>>> longer communicate with my Windows 10 PC via the USB cables. I?ve gone into 
>>> Device Manager and right clicked on the COM12 device drive and clicked 
>>> ?update driver? and that updated from a 2016 driver to a 2017 CM port 
>>> driver, but neither connect the PC to my K3S or P3. Any suggestions? Thank 
>>> you.
>>> 
>>> Mark
>>> WU6R
>>> (formally KM6HFR)


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Re: [Elecraft] OT antenna question

[Clay Autery]

My mistake... doh!  I meant 4.

Increment version by 2... same question... Does NEC-4 handle the phase 
shift through inductors correctly?


It's a big chunk of change to get the NEC-4 license and upgrade the 
front end license...  need to compile multiple reasons to justify it.  



Appreciate the catch...

__
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(318) 518-1389

On 05/28/18 18:36, David Gilbert wrote:


There is no license fee for NEC2, and EZNEC and 4NEC2 both use it freely.

NEC4 is another matter ...

Dave   AB7E



On 5/28/2018 4:19 PM, Clay Autery wrote:
Mmmm... are you saying that NEC2 handles the phsae shift through 
inductors correctly/better?


"Looking for reasons to pay the license fee for NEC2)

73,

__
Clay Autery, KY5G
(318) 518-1389

On 05/28/18 15:18, Jim Brown wrote:

and is unrelated to the user interface like EZNEC/ELNEC and 4NEC2


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Re: [Elecraft] OT antenna question

[David Gilbert]

There is no license fee for NEC2, and EZNEC and 4NEC2 both use it freely.

NEC4 is another matter ...

Dave   AB7E



On 5/28/2018 4:19 PM, Clay Autery wrote:
Mmmm... are you saying that NEC2 handles the phsae shift through 
inductors correctly/better?


"Looking for reasons to pay the license fee for NEC2)

73,

__
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(318) 518-1389

On 05/28/18 15:18, Jim Brown wrote:

and is unrelated to the user interface like EZNEC/ELNEC and 4NEC2


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Re: [Elecraft] KPA1500 fan noise concern

[Wayne Burdick]

Thanks for the offer, Clay. But we actually did extensive thermal analysis of 
both the heat sink and fans, tested many different fan types and 
configurations, and did comparative noise testing of the KPA1500 vs. a number 
of other amps. 

As you allude to, there’s no magic bullet. Heat must be removed, with various 
physical and electrical constraints to be satisfied. 

We have some pretty amazing thermal imaging devices that we use to examine heat 
signatures of electrical components. These were used during R, which is how 
we determined that two LDMOS devices were far better than one for heat 
distribution. We also used it to evaluate the design of our very large/very 
thick copper heat spreader. On the production line, we review all modules for 
hot spots during burn-in and make sure the cooling is working perfectly (onset 
temperature, air distribution around modules, etc.).

Of course supplemental cooling of various types has been used with amplifiers 
in the past. I believe we have a couple of customers and staff experimenting 
with this idea, and anything that emerges will be posted here.

73,
Wayne
N6KR



> On May 28, 2018, at 4:34 PM, Clay Autery  wrote:
> 
> I don't have a fancy schmancy degree in acoustic design, but in my 20+ years 
> of thermal control design for computing and other electronic products, I 
> necessarily dealt with acoustic design as it pertains to device chassis.  
> They are often competing demands.
> One of my main selling points to many of my clients was that while meeting 
> their requirements for thermal control, I could generally improve (reduce) 
> the acoustic stress on their staff.  I had several long-term relationships 
> where they kept adding adjunct projects to the original contract that were 
> primarily acoustic and only secondarily thermal control as a result.
> 
> I'd be happy to trade some "free thermal/acoustic" analysis time on the 
> KPA-1500 in return for the simple pleasure of having one on the bench during 
> the process.  
> Assuming I can produce a viable/economically feasible solution for both the 
> company and customer base, perhaps a deal could be reached on a price to 
> avoid returning the "test bed". 
> 
> Wayne?  Eric?
> 
> 73,
> 
> __
> Clay Autery, KY5G
> (318) 518-1389
> 
> On 05/28/18 15:33, Jim Brown wrote:
>> On 5/28/2018 11:24 AM, Ralph Parker wrote:
>>> I ordered the '1500 In the quest to be a couple of instant db louder, but 
>>> if I don't hear some resolution of the noise 'problem', I'm going to put 
>>> the order on hold until it is solved. I do have many headsets which I 
>>> usually wear, including the Bose QC15 noise cancelling model, but I'd hate 
>>> to be FORCED into using them.
>> 
>> This is exactly one of the many issues that Acoustic Consultants address in 
>> the design of buildings that house recording studios, concert halls, and 
>> student practice halls in music colleges. I regularly worked with 
>> world-class guys in my own consulting practice, which only did sound system 
>> design, and I learned just enough to know that I shouldn't try to do their 
>> work. :)  There are many elements to the design problem, and the fan itself 
>> is only one of them. Other elements I'm aware of is turbulence of air flow, 
>> mechanical vibration coupled from the fan to the structure to which it is 
>> mounted, where the fan(s) are located, and so on.
>> 
>> I don't know if one of them was involved with Elecraft, but if not, I'd 
>> suggest that Elecraft buy some time from one of them. And I'd be happy to 
>> provide names of some good people/firms. In the early K3 days, I referred a 
>> good acoustics guy to Wayne to solve the problem of acoustic coupling 
>> between the speaker and the synthesizer that added a sideband to RTTY, and 
>> suggested adding the stiffener to that board solved the problem and became a 
>> running mod.
>> 
>> 73, Jim K9YC
> 
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Re: [Elecraft] 2nd Report

[Clay Autery]

Any chance you have the ability to capture and send me spectrograms at 
each fan setting?  I'd like to get some appreciation for the frequency 
and amplitude "manifest".
One of my amateur radio mentors just received his KPA-1500, but he's 
recovering from triple bypass in the hospital, so I can't even get a 
good look at one...  At least I could get some exterior high res images 
and relevant dimensions.


Also, can someone send me the precise make and model of the fans being used?

73,

__
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(318) 518-1389

On 05/28/18 15:46, Richard Zalewski wrote:

Good discussion.  For giggles I ran sound meter at my op position.  About 1
ft below where my head would be so readings would be higher at head level.
Fan Speed   Level (db)
1  50
2  59
3  65
4 70
5 75

So it is going to take some good headsets to help significantly.


Richard
*W7ZR* ex:5C5Z, CN2ZR, K2JSP, W6SBZ, W7KXR, K9ZIJ, W9KNF, W0KDF, W0MQU,
J68ZR, KC6ZR, PJ4/W7ZR, KH2,W7ZR, KH6/W7ZR, V31ZR, VK4AAZ, XE2DV


*Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer*

On Mon, May 28, 2018 at 8:50 AM, Bob McGraw K4TAX 
wrote:

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Re: [Elecraft] KPA1500 fan noise concern

[Clay Autery]

I don't have a fancy schmancy degree in acoustic design, but in my 20+ 
years of thermal control design for computing and other electronic 
products, I necessarily dealt with acoustic design as it pertains to 
device chassis.  They are often competing demands.
One of my main selling points to many of my clients was that while 
meeting their requirements for thermal control, I could generally 
improve (reduce) the acoustic stress on their staff.  I had several 
long-term relationships where they kept adding adjunct projects to the 
original contract that were primarily acoustic and only secondarily 
thermal control as a result.


I'd be happy to trade some "free thermal/acoustic" analysis time on the 
KPA-1500 in return for the simple pleasure of having one on the bench 
during the process.  
Assuming I can produce a viable/economically feasible solution for both 
the company and customer base, perhaps a deal could be reached on a 
price to avoid returning the "test bed". 


Wayne?  Eric?

73,

__
Clay Autery, KY5G
(318) 518-1389

On 05/28/18 15:33, Jim Brown wrote:

On 5/28/2018 11:24 AM, Ralph Parker wrote:
I ordered the '1500 In the quest to be a couple of instant db louder, 
but if I don't hear some resolution of the noise 'problem', I'm going 
to put the order on hold until it is solved. I do have many headsets 
which I usually wear, including the Bose QC15 noise cancelling model, 
but I'd hate to be FORCED into using them.


This is exactly one of the many issues that Acoustic Consultants 
address in the design of buildings that house recording studios, 
concert halls, and student practice halls in music colleges. I 
regularly worked with world-class guys in my own consulting practice, 
which only did sound system design, and I learned just enough to know 
that I shouldn't try to do their work. :)  There are many elements to 
the design problem, and the fan itself is only one of them. Other 
elements I'm aware of is turbulence of air flow, mechanical vibration 
coupled from the fan to the structure to which it is mounted, where 
the fan(s) are located, and so on.


I don't know if one of them was involved with Elecraft, but if not, 
I'd suggest that Elecraft buy some time from one of them. And I'd be 
happy to provide names of some good people/firms. In the early K3 
days, I referred a good acoustics guy to Wayne to solve the problem of 
acoustic coupling between the speaker and the synthesizer that added a 
sideband to RTTY, and suggested adding the stiffener to that board 
solved the problem and became a running mod.


73, Jim K9YC


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Re: [Elecraft] Windows 10 Update Breaks COM Port for K3 & P3 Utilities

[Wayne Burdick]

Mark,

This, too, appears relevant:
 
   
https://www.silabs.com/community/interface/forum.topic.html/cp210x_driver_v101-91Gl

It specifically mentions amateur radio gear, though it’s specific to SiLabs 
parts. I’m not sure off the top of my head whether it applies to the USB 
hubs/codecs we use.

A Google search for 

   "com port"  Windows 10 update

turns up numerous complaints about how the latest package has broken comms, 
including USB, BT, parallel ports, etc. All parties claim they’re “working on 
it."

Wayne
N6KR


> On May 28, 2018, at 4:12 AM, Mark Wheeler  wrote:
> 
> Wayne,
> 
> There were tons of problems listed associated with the latest windows 10 
> update, but none were COM port issues.  The search for a solution 
> continues...  Thanks.
> 
> Mark
> WU6R
> 
> On May 27, 2018, at 06:43 AM, Wayne Burdick  wrote:
> 
>> Try this:
>> 
>> https://www.ghacks.net/2018/05/01/all-the-issues-of-windows-10-version-1803-you-may-run-into/
>> 
>> Wayne
>> 
>> 
>>> On May 27, 2018, at 7:29 AM, Mark Wheeler  wrote:
>>> 
>>> With the latest Windows 10 update earlier this week, my K3S and P3 can no 
>>> longer communicate with my Windows 10 PC via the USB cables. I’ve gone into 
>>> Device Manager and right clicked on the COM12 device drive and clicked 
>>> “update driver” and that updated from a 2016 driver to a 2017 CM port 
>>> driver, but neither connect the PC to my K3S or P3. Any suggestions? Thank 
>>> you.
>>> 
>>> Mark
>>> WU6R
>>> (formally KM6HFR)


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Re: [Elecraft] Windows 10 Update Breaks COM Port for K3 & P3 Utilities

[Wayne Burdick]

Not so sure. For example, see:


https://www.windows10forums.com/threads/com-ports-since-last-april-update-faulty.16976/

If I find anything more relevant I’ll let you know.

Meanwhile, can you confirm that your PC’s COM ports still work with other 
devices, and that the K3/P3 still work with the previous OS?

73,
Wayne
N6KR


> On May 28, 2018, at 4:12 AM, Mark Wheeler  wrote:
> 
> Wayne,
> 
> There were tons of problems listed associated with the latest windows 10 
> update, but none were COM port issues.  The search for a solution 
> continues...  Thanks.
> 
> Mark
> WU6R
> 
> On May 27, 2018, at 06:43 AM, Wayne Burdick  wrote:
> 
>> Try this:
>> 
>> https://www.ghacks.net/2018/05/01/all-the-issues-of-windows-10-version-1803-you-may-run-into/
>> 
>> Wayne
>> 
>> 
>>> On May 27, 2018, at 7:29 AM, Mark Wheeler  wrote:
>>> 
>>> With the latest Windows 10 update earlier this week, my K3S and P3 can no 
>>> longer communicate with my Windows 10 PC via the USB cables. I’ve gone into 
>>> Device Manager and right clicked on the COM12 device drive and clicked 
>>> “update driver” and that updated from a 2016 driver to a 2017 CM port 
>>> driver, but neither connect the PC to my K3S or P3. Any suggestions? Thank 
>>> you.
>>> 
>>> Mark
>>> WU6R
>>> (formally KM6HFR)
>>> __
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Re: [Elecraft] OT antenna question

[Clay Autery]

Mmmm... are you saying that NEC2 handles the phsae shift through 
inductors correctly/better?


"Looking for reasons to pay the license fee for NEC2)

73,

__
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(318) 518-1389

On 05/28/18 15:18, Jim Brown wrote:

and is unrelated to the user interface like EZNEC/ELNEC and 4NEC2


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Re: [Elecraft] KX2 "SWR/RF" display in v2.89

[Brian Hunt]

You have to be in a mode other than CW, then tap the KYR-SP/MIC knob to 
switch between CMP/ALC and SWR/RF.  Enjoy!


73,
Brian, K0DTJ

On 5/28/2018 10:57, Steve Sergeant wrote:

I just upgraded my KX2 to v2.89 firmware, and discovered that I can no
longer get the "SWR/RF" scales to display when I transmit in any mode.
Perhaps I missed a release note that described this change, but I seemed
to remember that these scales were the default, and that the CMP/ALC
displays only appeared when setting transmit gain.

What am I missing, or have I found a bug?



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Re: [Elecraft] TX Sample level on KPA1500?

[Wayne Burdick]

Hi Jim,

The TX SAMPLE output is supposed to be described in the owner’s manual. If it’s 
not there, it will be in the next update. It’s also mentioned in the FAQ, but 
re-reading it, I’m not sure it describes the signal level accurately. I’ll 
check on that.

73,
Wayne
N6KR


> On May 28, 2018, at 10:46 AM, Jim Miller  wrote:
> 
> I've seen no documentation on this output. I assume it is a tap on the PA
> output before the ATU.
> 
> Does anyone know the expected level here? Is is 30 or 40db or more down
> from the PA out?
> 
> Is the attenuated level flat with frequency?
> 
> tnx
> jim ab3cv

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[Elecraft] Any Panadaptor apps for iPad for KX3?

[Gerry Hull]

 I see apps for Andoid but nothing for KX3 that uses the I/Q out.  Anyone
got something working?

73 Gerry W1VE
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Re: [Elecraft] KPA1500 fan noise concern

[K9MA]

My KPA1500 seems to max out at about 65 C when running and calling CQ.  
At that temperature, the fans are just barely audible with the 
Radiosport headset.  That would be way too loud for me with any other 
headset I've used, let along a speaker.  While it has other big 
advantages, the noise level is about as bad as that of my old AL-82.  Of 
course, the KPA1500 could be located in another room.


73,
Scott K9MA


On 5/28/2018 13:24, Ralph Parker wrote:
I'm on the list for a '1500, expected sometime in August (maybe). 
However, I'm getting concerned about the reported high fan noise level.
I currently have a '500, and following a suggestion a year or two ago, 
I've turned the fans around 'backwards' and they seem to be quieter in 
this configuration. I would give the '500 a "quiet" in the noise 
department. Temperature does not seem to be an issue.


In addition, I have an Acom 1000, which is also a quiet amp - fan as 
well as relays. Hard to hear it in operation (but the 3 minute warmup 
usually seems like three hours. :-)


I ordered the '1500 In the quest to be a couple of instant db louder, 
but if I don't hear some resolution of the noise 'problem', I'm going 
to put the order on hold until it is solved. I do have many headsets 
which I usually wear, including the Bose QC15 noise cancelling model, 
but I'd hate to be FORCED into using them.


A concerned citizen.

VE7XF
(over 30 years of sound recording wearing a headset)

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--
Scott  K9MA

k...@sdellington.us

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Re: [Elecraft] 2nd Report

[Richard Zalewski]

Good discussion.  For giggles I ran sound meter at my op position.  About 1
ft below where my head would be so readings would be higher at head level.
Fan Speed   Level (db)
1  50
2  59
3  65
4 70
5 75

So it is going to take some good headsets to help significantly.


Richard
*W7ZR* ex:5C5Z, CN2ZR, K2JSP, W6SBZ, W7KXR, K9ZIJ, W9KNF, W0KDF, W0MQU,
J68ZR, KC6ZR, PJ4/W7ZR, KH2,W7ZR, KH6/W7ZR, V31ZR, VK4AAZ, XE2DV


*Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer*

On Mon, May 28, 2018 at 8:50 AM, Bob McGraw K4TAX 
wrote:

> Although making things a bit larger physically, fans enclosed into the
> equipment case, thus providing some acoustic dampening, and configured to
> pull air into the case {along with much of the noise} and exhausting air
> and noise through several ports is more applicable to reducing overall
> noise.  High volume air moved at slow rates is much quieter than the same
> amount of high volume air moved at faster rates.Also, fans with a lower
> blade tip velocity makes less noise.
>
> As I indicated in an earlier post, some fans are more efficient at
> "blowing" i.e pressurizing the enclosure, while others are more efficient
> at "sucking" thus evacuating the enclosure.  In general, sound moves with
> the air flow.
>
> 73
>
> Bob, K4TAX
>
>
>
> On 5/28/2018 10:10 AM, Drew AF2Z wrote:
>
>> No KPA1500 here but I did replace the fans on my lil' ol KPA3 with
>> Noctuas. They are noticeably quieter. If there is a suitable Noctua
>> replacement for the KPA1500 fans you might want to compare the sound level
>> specs to the Sanyo Denkis.
>>
>> Wonder if it would be possible to build an active noise cancelling system
>> into the rig itself; seems like it would work in that enclosed space...
>>
>> 73,
>> Drew
>> AF2Z
>>
>>
>>
>> On 05/28/18 10:20, Richard Zalewski wrote:
>>
>>> First major contest with KPA-1500. Overall VERY pleased.  No glitches
>>> other than a few operator errors early in the contest.  Loving the amp.
>>>
>>> Fan noise...another issue.  Usually for a cw contest I use some old ear
>>> buds.  Not possible with the amp.  Had to use the total ear muffs and
>>> still
>>> quite noisy.  Did not effect my performance but it is annoying. I can not
>>> imagine what it was like before they released the amp to general public
>>> when they changed the fans...made them less noisy???  Still needs some
>>> work
>>> but at this point probably not possible.  So looking for suggestions for
>>> reasonably priced noise cancelling headset with mic if possible.
>>>
>>> Hope we get full explanation of what gets changed in the next firmware
>>> release.
>>>
>>> Still smiling.
>>>
>>> Richard
>>> *W7ZR* ex:5C5Z, CN2ZR, K2JSP, W6SBZ, W7KXR, K9ZIJ, W9KNF, W0KDF, W0MQU,
>>> J68ZR, KC6ZR, PJ4/W7ZR, KH2,W7ZR, KH6/W7ZR, V31ZR, VK4AAZ, XE2DV
>>>
>>>
>>> *Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer*
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Re: [Elecraft] Ham radio as a side dish

[K8TE]

I'm amazed that such an eclectic group has so many similar experiences in
which I am included:  flying, NAVAIDs, boats, trumpet, bass in choir, etc. 
Adding to the ILS story, while stationed at Canon AFB NM, I also worked
full-time as a TV broadcast engineer.  I was part of a team that installed a
new FM station at the same location.

Shortly after that, I got word at the Communications Squadron Chief of
Maintenance office where I worked of F-111D pilots experiencing country and
western music on on runway's ILS approach.  The FM frequency was 107.5, just
below the ILS localizer band.  My Chief and I stook a giant RADAR spectrum
analyzer (two-man carry) to the FM TX site.  As expected, it was clean.

Next, I visited the Avionics shop to put a USM/323 RF signal generator on
one of the F-111 ILS receivers.  With a 105.5 FM modulated signal, the ILS
RX lit up!  It was as broad as...!  The least expensive solution was to move
the ILS (Localizer and Glideslope since they're related) to a new frequency
pair.  That meant new antennas, phasing lines, alignment, etc.  I'm certain
it cost more than the new RCA FM transmitter and antenna/feedline, but was
"easier" to accomplish.

BTW, an HT and helmet-mounted headset work pretty well in sports car racing. 
However, I never tried to add HF mobile to my Spec Miata, much less try CW
while on the track!  I have some interesting in-car video recordings of me
calling my wife after some "incidents."  73, Bill, K8TE



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Re: [Elecraft] KPA1500 fan noise concern

[Carl Yaffey]

Well, I manually set the fan to 2 when I’m going to use the amp heavily. It’s a 
bit noisy but acceptable to me.
73


Carl Yaffey  K8NU
Recording studio.
cyaffeyno_s...@gmail.com 
614 268 6353, Columbus OH
http://www.carl-yaffey.com
http://www.grassahol.com
http://www.bluesswing.com

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Re: [Elecraft] OT antenna question

[Jim Brown]

On 5/28/2018 10:39 AM, John Oppenheimer wrote:

An EZNEC model using 30 feet AGL and Q=200 for the coils, has a very
close match the the reported values.


While SWR and driving Z values may be correct, there was an excellent 
piece 2-part piece in QEX 3-4 years ago showing that NEC does not 
correctly model phase shift through inductors, thus producing wrong 
answers for field strength (i.e., how well the antenna WORKS). This is a 
shortcoming of the NEC code, and is unrelated to the user interface like 
EZNEC/ELNEC and 4NEC2.


The antenna he was studying was a loaded mobile whip for HF. The first 
part of the article was a serious engineering description of the test 
setup, including the measurement system. The second described a 
carefully controlled study, using that measurement system, of inductive 
loading at the base, midway, and fairly high on the vertical radiator, 
as well as capacitive top loading. He compared measured results with the 
NEC model. As I recall, differences between modeled and measured data 
were as much as 10-14 dB for bottom loading.


In addition to exposing the limitation of NEC, the major conclusion from 
his study was that because radiation is produced by current and current 
is greatest near the feedpoint, a design that provides the greatest 
vertical height before the loading element(s) will generally be the most 
efficient (that is, produce the loudest signal). Those who have long 
been serious about HF mobile antennas have known this for years. At 
least as long as 20 years ago, W8JI has written a lot about this. In 
that time frame, my buddy K9IKZ told me about an annual conclave of HF 
mobile station builders convened in southern Indiana to do "shootouts" 
of their designs.


73, Jim K9YC



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Re: [Elecraft] KPA1500 fan noise concern

[Jim Brown]

On 5/28/2018 11:24 AM, Ralph Parker wrote:
I ordered the '1500 In the quest to be a couple of instant db louder, 
but if I don't hear some resolution of the noise 'problem', I'm going 
to put the order on hold until it is solved. I do have many headsets 
which I usually wear, including the Bose QC15 noise cancelling model, 
but I'd hate to be FORCED into using them.


This is exactly one of the many issues that Acoustic Consultants address 
in the design of buildings that house recording studios, concert halls, 
and student practice halls in music colleges. I regularly worked with 
world-class guys in my own consulting practice, which only did sound 
system design, and I learned just enough to know that I shouldn't try to 
do their work. :)  There are many elements to the design problem, and 
the fan itself is only one of them. Other elements I'm aware of is 
turbulence of air flow, mechanical vibration coupled from the fan to the 
structure to which it is mounted, where the fan(s) are located, and so on.


I don't know if one of them was involved with Elecraft, but if not, I'd 
suggest that Elecraft buy some time from one of them. And I'd be happy 
to provide names of some good people/firms. In the early K3 days, I 
referred a good acoustics guy to Wayne to solve the problem of acoustic 
coupling between the speaker and the synthesizer that added a sideband 
to RTTY, and suggested adding the stiffener to that board solved the 
problem and became a running mod.


73, Jim K9YC



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Re: [Elecraft] OT antenna question

[Michael Blake]

Thank you very much John. 

Very 73 - Mike - k9JRI







> On May 28, 2018, at 1:39 PM, John Oppenheimer  wrote:
> 
> Hi Mike,
> 
> An EZNEC model using 30 feet AGL and Q=200 for the coils, has a very
> close match the the reported values.
> 
> 20M, the antenna does not seem to degrade form a simple dipole with a
> Gain of about 6 dBi at about 30 degrees elevation.
> 
> 80M, it's about 5 dBi at 90 degrees elevation. Expected from a low
> dipole. The impedance at resonance is about 25 Ohm, so should have a SWR
> about 2. A lower measured SWR may be the result of other system loses.
> 
> I'd suggest this antenna is a good option for the constraints imposed.
> 
> John KN5L
> 
> On 05/28/2018 11:39 AM, Michael Blake wrote:
>> The center sections of the dipole are tuned for resonance at about 14.15 MHz 
>> and the end sections, past the loading inductors on each dipole leg, are 
>> tuned for resonance a 3.7 MHz.  The resonance dips at both frequencies are 
>> quite sharp and the SWR on both bands is less than 1.5 to 1.
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Re: [Elecraft] Ham radio as a side dish

[Lee Ormiston]

There are many amateur radio operators in Civil Air Patrol as air crew
(Mission Pilot, Mission Observer, Mission Scanner, Mission Photographer),
Ground Team members, and Radio Communications officers also.

On Sun, May 27, 2018 at 1:32 AM, Glen Torr  wrote:

> Hi All,
>
> Fascinating thread Wayne.
>
> Most of my time now is devoted to design of electronics for a radio
> telescope near Canberra in Australia.
>
> https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molonglo_Observatory_Synthesis_Telescope
>
> Love my KX line though still a nervous nellie about CW.
>
> Most of my life now is doing hardware and code for the PIC18F67K40 to
> control beam formers for a telescope upgrade.
>
> Cheers All,
>
> Glen VK1FB (My call is a tribute to my mentor Doug DeMaw who I met in
> Connecticut in the late 70s).
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Re: [Elecraft] Ham radio as a side dish

[Terry Schieler]

Andy,
Pick up a copy of the DVD "North Atlantic Crossing".  Two young men used
what appeared to be an Icom HF rig for long distance communications on HF
air bands to contact various European airports on their route to Norway.
They installed a large, salt water fishing reel in the modified, single
engine  Mooney, complete with stranded copper antenna wire.  When time to
use an HF band, they cranked out just enough (pre-marked) wire from the
fishing reel to hit the resonant frequency.  I can't recall where/how the
antenna wire exited the aircraft but got the impression that, among other
mods (extra capacity fuel tanks, etc) the antenna device was approved for
that flight.

(www.flightfilms.com)  (800) 510-1017

Terry, W0FM

-Original Message-
From: ANDY DURBIN [mailto:a.dur...@msn.com] 
Sent: Saturday, May 26, 2018 1:55 PM
To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Elecraft] Ham radio as a side dish

"Drag a wire behind you like they tow banners."


If it were as simple as you suggest then I think a few of us would be doing
it. Picking up banners with an aircraft in flight is a skill that most
pilots don't have. It would be far better to use a retractable antenna.
However, a legal installation of any sort of antenna extension/retraction
mechanism on an aircraft with a standard airworthiness cert would be a
significant challenge.


(No banner experience but I do have lots of time towing gliders and flying
jumpers)


73,

Andy k3wyc


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Re: [Elecraft] K3 SSB +CW Power Overshoot

[Josh Fiden]

Interesting! Sounds useful on 6m, for example, when running a contest SSB above 
125 and there's a difficult Q where the guy's having trouble with an exchange 
element. Generally running an amp, so overshoot would be a problem. 

Thanks for info. 

73
Josh W6XU

Sent from my mobile device

> On May 28, 2018, at 11:41 AM, Dan Maase  wrote:
> 
> 
> Josh:
> 
> This configuration permits sending SSB as well as CW in one mode (SSB).  CW 
> frequency is offset from SSB frequency by the value of configured CW tone?
> This is sometimes called "cross-mode" in non-Elecraft nomenclature.
> Useful to continue a SSB conversation of QSB reduces intelligibility. 
> Also can check configured power with a key press without messing with "Tune" 
> setting.
> 
> 73,
> Dan
> AC6DM
> 
> What is "SSB+CW mode"?
> 
> 73,
> Josh W6XU
> 
> Sent from my mobile device
> 
> > On May 28, 2018, at 9:44 AM, Dan Maase via Elecraft 
> >  wrote:
> > 
> > 
> > I have just attempted the K3 SSB +CW configuration for the first time. 
> > Unfortunately, behavior is not quite as expected; I experience a
> > substantial CW carrier overshoot on first key press and after a subsequent
> > mode change. (Mode change can be a band change or an Operate/Standby
> > change when running with the KPA500). 
> > 
> > The overshoot is on the order of 10 to 40% depending on the power level
> > setting. 
> > 
> > When running the K3 barefoot at 100 watts the overshoot is on the order of
> > 110 watts measured with a W2 in peak reading mode.
> > 
> > When running the KPA500 set for 500 watts (approx 27 watts drive), the KPA
> > output overshoot has been observed to exceed 700 watts triggering a high
> > power fault. The only recourse is to reduce drive setting to the KPA500 to
> > an output level of 400 watts or so where the output power overshoots to on
> > the order of 550 watts.
> > 
> > Holding down the key after the overshoot, the power settles to the selected
> > value in a second or so (assuming KPA power is set such that no fault
> > occurs). 
> > 
> > Subsequent CW key presses produce power output at the selected value without
> > overshoot, regardless of momentary or continuous key press. 
> > 
> > Also observed is difficulty setting power on key down, particularly with the
> > KPA500. Power setting is "jumpy" when changing power, after the overshoot
> > has stabilized. It seems as if when increasing power, it overshoots the set
> > value, then drops to the set value.
> > 
> > The issue is observed on all bands and on upper or lower sideband.
> > 
> > I've performed TX Power Calibrate several times with reported success, but
> > no change in overshoot behavior.
> > 
> > When in normal CW mode, there is no overshoot and the power adjustment is
> > smooth and stable.
> > 
> > The SSB +CW mode would be quite useful if it was stable, but I am uneasy
> > using it as currently implemented. Any comments or ideas are welcome.
> > 
> > K3 is S/N 4457
> > Firmware version is 5.62
> > FPF 1.26
> > DSP 2.88
> > 
> > 73,
> > Dan AC6DM
> > 
> 
> 
> 
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[Elecraft] KX2 "SWR/RF" display in v2.89

[Steve Sergeant]

I just upgraded my KX2 to v2.89 firmware, and discovered that I can no
longer get the "SWR/RF" scales to display when I transmit in any mode.
Perhaps I missed a release note that described this change, but I seemed
to remember that these scales were the default, and that the CMP/ALC
displays only appeared when setting transmit gain.

What am I missing, or have I found a bug?
--... ...--
SteveSgt, KC6ZKT
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Re: [Elecraft] K3 SSB +CW Power Overshoot

[Josh Fiden]

What is "SSB+CW mode"?

73,
Josh W6XU

Sent from my mobile device

> On May 28, 2018, at 9:44 AM, Dan Maase via Elecraft 
>  wrote:
> 
> 
> I have just attempted the K3 SSB +CW configuration for the first time. 
> Unfortunately, behavior is not quite as expected; I experience a
> substantial CW carrier overshoot on first key press and after a subsequent
> mode change. (Mode change can be a band change or an Operate/Standby
> change when running with the KPA500). 
> 
> The overshoot is on the order of 10 to 40% depending on the power level
> setting. 
> 
> When running the K3 barefoot at 100 watts the overshoot is on the order of
> 110 watts measured with a W2 in peak reading mode.
> 
> When running the KPA500 set for 500 watts (approx 27 watts drive), the KPA
> output overshoot has been observed to exceed 700 watts triggering a high
> power fault. The only recourse is to reduce drive setting to the KPA500 to
> an output level of 400 watts or so where the output power overshoots to on
> the order of 550 watts.
> 
> Holding down the key after the overshoot, the power settles to the selected
> value in a second or so (assuming KPA power is set such that no fault
> occurs). 
> 
> Subsequent CW key presses produce power output at the selected value without
> overshoot, regardless of momentary or continuous key press. 
> 
> Also observed is difficulty setting power on key down, particularly with the
> KPA500. Power setting is "jumpy" when changing power, after the overshoot
> has stabilized. It seems as if when increasing power, it overshoots the set
> value, then drops to the set value.
> 
> The issue is observed on all bands and on upper or lower sideband.
> 
> I've performed TX Power Calibrate several times with reported success, but
> no change in overshoot behavior.
> 
> When in normal CW mode, there is no overshoot and the power adjustment is
> smooth and stable.
> 
> The SSB +CW mode would be quite useful if it was stable, but I am uneasy
> using it as currently implemented. Any comments or ideas are welcome.
> 
> K3 is S/N 4457
> Firmware version is 5.62
> FPF 1.26
> DSP 2.88
> 
> 73,
> Dan AC6DM
> 
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[Elecraft] KPA1500 fan noise concern

[Ralph Parker]

I'm on the list for a '1500, expected sometime in August (maybe). 
However, I'm getting concerned about the reported high fan noise level.
I currently have a '500, and following a suggestion a year or two ago, 
I've turned the fans around 'backwards' and they seem to be quieter in 
this configuration. I would give the '500 a "quiet" in the noise 
department. Temperature does not seem to be an issue.


In addition, I have an Acom 1000, which is also a quiet amp - fan as 
well as relays. Hard to hear it in operation (but the 3 minute warmup 
usually seems like three hours. :-)


I ordered the '1500 In the quest to be a couple of instant db louder, 
but if I don't hear some resolution of the noise 'problem', I'm going to 
put the order on hold until it is solved. I do have many headsets which 
I usually wear, including the Bose QC15 noise cancelling model, but I'd 
hate to be FORCED into using them.


A concerned citizen.

VE7XF
(over 30 years of sound recording wearing a headset)

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[Elecraft] TX Sample level on KPA1500?

[Jim Miller]

I've seen no documentation on this output. I assume it is a tap on the PA
output before the ATU.

Does anyone know the expected level here? Is is 30 or 40db or more down
from the PA out?

Is the attenuated level flat with frequency?

tnx
jim ab3cv
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Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft CW Net Announcement

[K8TE]

Kevin,

Having spent "quality time" in the Manzano Mountains area surrounded by very
secure fencing, cameras, sensors, armed guards, etc., I can tell you there
are no nukes there today and there were no aliens (from outer space) in
those facilities.  If I told you anything else, I would have to take your
keyboard and birthday away.

73, Bill, K8TE



--
Sent from: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/
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Re: [Elecraft] K3 SSB +CW Power Overshoot

[K8TE]

Dan,

I experienced a similar issue with my K3, S/N range 4,000.  I attempted a TX
Gain calibration with minimal improvement.  40m and higher bands (in
frequency) worked OK (no overshoot) while lower bands still faulted.

I finally performed an EE INIT, reloaded 5.60 firmware, and the last saved
configuration.  I later upgraded to the beta 5.64 firmware.  Neither
firmware version resulted in overshoot after the EE INIT.  The rig has
operated normally over the last week.  I can now rest without worries (about
the K3 and its performance at the upcoming FD).

Save your current K3 configuration and try an EE INIT.  While not logical, I
did this twice before I achieved success.  GL!

73, Bill, K8TE



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Re: [Elecraft] K3 SSB +CW Power Overshoot

[Dan Maase via Elecraft]

 
Josh:
 
This configuration permits sending SSB as well as CW in one mode (SSB).  CW 
frequency is offset from SSB frequency by the value of configured CW tone?
This is sometimes called "cross-mode" in non-Elecraft nomenclature.
Useful to continue a SSB conversation of QSB reduces intelligibility.  
Also can check configured power with a key press without messing with "Tune" 
setting.
 
73,
Dan
AC6DM
 
 What is "SSB+CW mode"?

73,
Josh W6XU

Sent from my mobile device

> On May 28, 2018, at 9:44 AM, Dan Maase via Elecraft 
>  wrote:
> 
> 
> I have just attempted the K3 SSB +CW configuration for the first time. 
> Unfortunately, behavior is not quite as expected; I experience a
> substantial CW carrier overshoot on first key press and after a subsequent
> mode change. (Mode change can be a band change or an Operate/Standby
> change when running with the KPA500). 
> 
> The overshoot is on the order of 10 to 40% depending on the power level
> setting. 
> 
> When running the K3 barefoot at 100 watts the overshoot is on the order of
> 110 watts measured with a W2 in peak reading mode.
> 
> When running the KPA500 set for 500 watts (approx 27 watts drive), the KPA
> output overshoot has been observed to exceed 700 watts triggering a high
> power fault. The only recourse is to reduce drive setting to the KPA500 to
> an output level of 400 watts or so where the output power overshoots to on
> the order of 550 watts.
> 
> Holding down the key after the overshoot, the power settles to the selected
> value in a second or so (assuming KPA power is set such that no fault
> occurs). 
> 
> Subsequent CW key presses produce power output at the selected value without
> overshoot, regardless of momentary or continuous key press. 
> 
> Also observed is difficulty setting power on key down, particularly with the
> KPA500. Power setting is "jumpy" when changing power, after the overshoot
> has stabilized. It seems as if when increasing power, it overshoots the set
> value, then drops to the set value.
> 
> The issue is observed on all bands and on upper or lower sideband.
> 
> I've performed TX Power Calibrate several times with reported success, but
> no change in overshoot behavior.
> 
> When in normal CW mode, there is no overshoot and the power adjustment is
> smooth and stable.
> 
> The SSB +CW mode would be quite useful if it was stable, but I am uneasy
> using it as currently implemented. Any comments or ideas are welcome.
> 
> K3 is S/N 4457
> Firmware version is 5.62
> FPF 1.26
> DSP 2.88
> 
> 73,
> Dan AC6DM
> 



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[Elecraft] How to connect P3 to LCD TV via HDMI port

[Mark Wheeler]

Mark
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Re: [Elecraft] OT antenna question

[John Oppenheimer]

Hi Mike,

An EZNEC model using 30 feet AGL and Q=200 for the coils, has a very
close match the the reported values.

20M, the antenna does not seem to degrade form a simple dipole with a
Gain of about 6 dBi at about 30 degrees elevation.

80M, it's about 5 dBi at 90 degrees elevation. Expected from a low
dipole. The impedance at resonance is about 25 Ohm, so should have a SWR
about 2. A lower measured SWR may be the result of other system loses.

I'd suggest this antenna is a good option for the constraints imposed.

John KN5L

On 05/28/2018 11:39 AM, Michael Blake wrote:
> The center sections of the dipole are tuned for resonance at about 14.15 MHz 
> and the end sections, past the loading inductors on each dipole leg, are 
> tuned for resonance a 3.7 MHz.  The resonance dips at both frequencies are 
> quite sharp and the SWR on both bands is less than 1.5 to 1.
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[Elecraft] K3 SSB +CW Power Overshoot

[Dan Maase via Elecraft]

I have just attempted the K3 SSB +CW configuration for the first time. 
 Unfortunately, behavior is not quite as expected; I experience a
 substantial CW carrier overshoot on first key press and after a subsequent
 mode change. (Mode change can be a band change or an Operate/Standby
 change when running with the KPA500). 

 The overshoot is on the order of 10 to 40% depending on the power level
 setting. 

 When running the K3 barefoot at 100 watts the overshoot is on the order of
 110 watts measured with a W2 in peak reading mode.

 When running the KPA500 set for 500 watts (approx 27 watts drive), the KPA
 output overshoot has been observed to exceed 700 watts triggering a high
 power fault. The only recourse is to reduce drive setting to the KPA500 to
 an output level of 400 watts or so where the output power overshoots to on
 the order of 550 watts.

 Holding down the key after the overshoot, the power settles to the selected
 value in a second or so (assuming KPA power is set such that no fault
 occurs). 

 Subsequent CW key presses produce power output at the selected value without
 overshoot, regardless of momentary or continuous key press. 

 Also observed is difficulty setting power on key down, particularly with the
 KPA500. Power setting is "jumpy" when changing power, after the overshoot
 has stabilized. It seems as if when increasing power, it overshoots the set
 value, then drops to the set value.

 The issue is observed on all bands and on upper or lower sideband.

 I've performed TX Power Calibrate several times with reported success, but
 no change in overshoot behavior.

 When in normal CW mode, there is no overshoot and the power adjustment is
 smooth and stable.

 The SSB +CW mode would be quite useful if it was stable, but I am uneasy
 using it as currently implemented. Any comments or ideas are welcome.

 K3 is S/N 4457
 Firmware version is 5.62
 FPF 1.26
 DSP 2.88

 73,
 Dan AC6DM

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[Elecraft] OT antenna question

[Michael Blake]

While off topic this antenna supports an all Elecraft station.

I have very limited antenna space and my 80M/20M shortened dipole consists of 
17’ center sections connected to approximately 44uH, 2.5” OD inductors with 10’ 
end wire sections past the inductors and terminated in end insulators.

The center sections of the dipole are tuned for resonance at about 14.15 MHz 
and the end sections, past the loading inductors on each dipole leg, are tuned 
for resonance a 3.7 MHz.  The resonance dips at both frequencies are quite 
sharp and the SWR on both bands is less than 1.5 to 1.

The question that I can not get my head around is this.  On 20M the two 
inductors are acting as chokes and not traps but I have no idea what the losses 
might be with these chokes acting as end insulators rather than a trap or 
actual insulator.

In actual operation the antenna works quite well on both bands but I would like 
to get an idea on how efficient these inductors are when used as chokes (4,000 
ohms) on 20M.

Very 73 - Mike - K9JRI

K3s - P3 - KPA500
KX3 - KPA500








Michael Blake
k9...@mac.com 






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Re: [Elecraft] 2nd Report

[Bob McGraw K4TAX]

Although making things a bit larger physically, fans enclosed into the 
equipment case, thus providing some acoustic dampening, and configured 
to pull air into the case {along with much of the noise} and exhausting 
air and noise through several ports is more applicable to reducing 
overall noise.  High volume air moved at slow rates is much quieter than 
the same amount of high volume air moved at faster rates.    Also, fans 
with a lower blade tip velocity makes less noise.


As I indicated in an earlier post, some fans are more efficient at 
"blowing" i.e pressurizing the enclosure, while others are more 
efficient at "sucking" thus evacuating the enclosure.  In general, sound 
moves with the air flow.


73

Bob, K4TAX


On 5/28/2018 10:10 AM, Drew AF2Z wrote:
No KPA1500 here but I did replace the fans on my lil' ol KPA3 with 
Noctuas. They are noticeably quieter. If there is a suitable Noctua 
replacement for the KPA1500 fans you might want to compare the sound 
level specs to the Sanyo Denkis.


Wonder if it would be possible to build an active noise cancelling 
system into the rig itself; seems like it would work in that enclosed 
space...


73,
Drew
AF2Z



On 05/28/18 10:20, Richard Zalewski wrote:

First major contest with KPA-1500. Overall VERY pleased.  No glitches
other than a few operator errors early in the contest.  Loving the amp.

Fan noise...another issue.  Usually for a cw contest I use some old ear
buds.  Not possible with the amp.  Had to use the total ear muffs and 
still
quite noisy.  Did not effect my performance but it is annoying. I can 
not

imagine what it was like before they released the amp to general public
when they changed the fans...made them less noisy???  Still needs 
some work

but at this point probably not possible.  So looking for suggestions for
reasonably priced noise cancelling headset with mic if possible.

Hope we get full explanation of what gets changed in the next firmware
release.

Still smiling.

Richard
*W7ZR* ex:5C5Z, CN2ZR, K2JSP, W6SBZ, W7KXR, K9ZIJ, W9KNF, W0KDF, W0MQU,
J68ZR, KC6ZR, PJ4/W7ZR, KH2,W7ZR, KH6/W7ZR, V31ZR, VK4AAZ, XE2DV


*Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer*
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Re: [Elecraft] 2nd Report

[Drew AF2Z]

No KPA1500 here but I did replace the fans on my lil' ol KPA3 with 
Noctuas. They are noticeably quieter. If there is a suitable Noctua 
replacement for the KPA1500 fans you might want to compare the sound 
level specs to the Sanyo Denkis.


Wonder if it would be possible to build an active noise cancelling 
system into the rig itself; seems like it would work in that enclosed 
space...


73,
Drew
AF2Z



On 05/28/18 10:20, Richard Zalewski wrote:

First major contest with KPA-1500.  Overall VERY pleased.  No glitches
other than a few operator errors early in the contest.  Loving the amp.

Fan noise...another issue.  Usually for a cw contest I use some old ear
buds.  Not possible with the amp.  Had to use the total ear muffs and still
quite noisy.  Did not effect my performance but it is annoying.  I can not
imagine what it was like before they released the amp to general public
when they changed the fans...made them less noisy???  Still needs some work
but at this point probably not possible.  So looking for suggestions for
reasonably priced noise cancelling headset with mic if possible.

Hope we get full explanation of what gets changed in the next firmware
release.

Still smiling.

Richard
*W7ZR* ex:5C5Z, CN2ZR, K2JSP, W6SBZ, W7KXR, K9ZIJ, W9KNF, W0KDF, W0MQU,
J68ZR, KC6ZR, PJ4/W7ZR, KH2,W7ZR, KH6/W7ZR, V31ZR, VK4AAZ, XE2DV


*Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer*
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Re: [Elecraft] 2nd Report

[Paul Baldock]

What broke on your friends KPA-1500?

- Paul  KW7Y

At 07:45 AM 5/28/2018, Bill Stravinsky via Elecraft wrote:
 Yeah the fans are pretty noisy especially when 
CQing without answers which keeps the amp duty 
cycle high.  At least when you get answers the 
amp has a chanceto cool just a bit and keep it 
below 70C which is where the hyper drive fans 
come into play, hi.  I'm still happy with the 
amp for several reasons but I still prefer tube 
amps.I thought I would have two Acom 2000a's 
but when I saw the new 1500 I figured I would 
take the solid state plunge for instant on 
capability but I still prefer my 2000.Tube amps 
have the same speed fans no matter how hot and 
how many CQ's you call.  The 1500 sits on top 
of the Acom quite nicely though, that couldn't 
happen withtwo Acoms, hi. A friend of mine 
keeps his amps in the basement with his shack 
upstairs.  He is awaiting his 1500 to return 
from Elecraft for a repair but I already 
emailed him and toldhim he definitely would 
like to remote the 1500 to the basement, 
hi.  I could use the Acom more for running 
somewhat but I was giving the 1500 a pretty 
rigorous testover the weekend.  I don't know 
how well noise cancelling headphones will do 
with the 1500 fans when they start singing over 
70C.  I keep the manual speed to at least2 
while contesting and sometimes 3.  It helps to 
get the temp to stay lower for longer periods 
while the duty cycle subsides.  First big 
contest test of the 1500. BillK3WJV On 
Monday, May 28, 2018, 10:24:43 AM EDT, Richard 
Zalewski  wrote:  First 
major contest with KPA-1500.  Overall VERY 
pleased.  No glitches other than a few 
operator errors early in the contest.  Loving 
the amp. Fan noise...another issue.  Usually 
for a cw contest I use some old ear buds.  Not 
possible with the amp.  Had to use the total 
ear muffs and still quite noisy.  Did not 
effect my performance but it is annoying.  I 
can not imagine what it was like before they 
released the amp to general public when they 
changed the fans...made them less 
noisy???  Still needs some work but at this 
point probably not possible.  So looking for 
suggestions for reasonably priced noise 
cancelling headset with mic if possible. Hope 
we get full explanation of what gets changed in 
the next firmware release. Still smiling. 
Richard *W7ZR* ex:5C5Z, CN2ZR, K2JSP, W6SBZ, 
W7KXR, K9ZIJ, W9KNF, W0KDF, W0MQU, J68ZR, 
KC6ZR, PJ4/W7ZR, KH2,W7ZR, KH6/W7ZR, V31ZR, 
VK4AAZ, XE2DV *Be joyful in hope, patient in 
affliction, faithful in prayer* 
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Re: [Elecraft] 2nd Report

[Bill Stravinsky via Elecraft]

 Yeah the fans are pretty noisy especially when CQing without answers which 
keeps the amp duty cycle high.  At least when you get answers the amp has a 
chanceto cool just a bit and keep it below 70C which is where the hyper drive 
fans come into play, hi.  I'm still happy with the amp for several reasons but 
I still prefer tube amps.I thought I would have two Acom 2000a's but when I saw 
the new 1500 I figured I would take the solid state plunge for instant on 
capability but I still prefer my 2000.Tube amps have the same speed fans no 
matter how hot and how many CQ's you call.  The 1500 sits on top of the Acom 
quite nicely though, that couldn't happen withtwo Acoms, hi.
A friend of mine keeps his amps in the basement with his shack upstairs.  He is 
awaiting his 1500 to return from Elecraft for a repair but I already emailed 
him and toldhim he definitely would like to remote the 1500 to the basement, 
hi.  I could use the Acom more for running somewhat but I was giving the 1500 a 
pretty rigorous testover the weekend.  I don't know how well noise cancelling 
headphones will do with the 1500 fans when they start singing over 70C.  I keep 
the manual speed to at least2 while contesting and sometimes 3.  It helps to 
get the temp to stay lower for longer periods while the duty cycle subsides.  
First big contest test of the 1500.

BillK3WJV

On Monday, May 28, 2018, 10:24:43 AM EDT, Richard Zalewski 
 wrote:  
 
 First major contest with KPA-1500.  Overall VERY pleased.  No glitches
other than a few operator errors early in the contest.  Loving the amp.

Fan noise...another issue.  Usually for a cw contest I use some old ear
buds.  Not possible with the amp.  Had to use the total ear muffs and still
quite noisy.  Did not effect my performance but it is annoying.  I can not
imagine what it was like before they released the amp to general public
when they changed the fans...made them less noisy???  Still needs some work
but at this point probably not possible.  So looking for suggestions for
reasonably priced noise cancelling headset with mic if possible.

Hope we get full explanation of what gets changed in the next firmware
release.

Still smiling.

Richard
*W7ZR* ex:5C5Z, CN2ZR, K2JSP, W6SBZ, W7KXR, K9ZIJ, W9KNF, W0KDF, W0MQU,
J68ZR, KC6ZR, PJ4/W7ZR, KH2,W7ZR, KH6/W7ZR, V31ZR, VK4AAZ, XE2DV


*Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer*
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Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Amplifier Recognition

[Bill Stravinsky via Elecraft]

 I'm thinking there will be a firmware update to fix this.  I don't have a Y 
box but the only menu choice in the K3 is kpa500 and that is what I see from 
the 1500on the K3 display although it might already be fixed as I haven't 
upgraded firmware in a while.
BillK3WJV

On Sunday, May 27, 2018, 8:08:40 AM EDT, Bill via Elecraft 
 wrote:  
 
 Using N6TV ‘s “Y-Box,” I can switch between the KPA500 or my new KPA1500 
effortlessly as needed. However, regardless of which amp is active, the K3 
message that informs you that the amp has been switched to/from stand-by to 
active always reads KPA500. 
For someone running amps in the same configuration remotely, this maybe an 
issue. 
Has anyone else noticed this? 
If so, have you determined a remedy?

Thanks, 
Bill-W0BBI


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[Elecraft] 2nd Report

[Richard Zalewski]

First major contest with KPA-1500.  Overall VERY pleased.  No glitches
other than a few operator errors early in the contest.  Loving the amp.

Fan noise...another issue.  Usually for a cw contest I use some old ear
buds.  Not possible with the amp.  Had to use the total ear muffs and still
quite noisy.  Did not effect my performance but it is annoying.  I can not
imagine what it was like before they released the amp to general public
when they changed the fans...made them less noisy???  Still needs some work
but at this point probably not possible.  So looking for suggestions for
reasonably priced noise cancelling headset with mic if possible.

Hope we get full explanation of what gets changed in the next firmware
release.

Still smiling.

Richard
*W7ZR* ex:5C5Z, CN2ZR, K2JSP, W6SBZ, W7KXR, K9ZIJ, W9KNF, W0KDF, W0MQU,
J68ZR, KC6ZR, PJ4/W7ZR, KH2,W7ZR, KH6/W7ZR, V31ZR, VK4AAZ, XE2DV


*Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer*
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Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Amplifier Recognition

[Bill Wiehe via Elecraft]

Please disregard the request for feedback. Figured out it was a cabling issue.
Sorry for taking up band with.
Regards,Bill- W0BBI
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Re: [Elecraft] How to use LCD TV for P3 monitor?

[Richard Donner]

Hi  I bought this monitor from Best Buy and it works fine.

AOC E2060SWDA 195 LED HD Monitor Textured Black

*Model: *E2060SWDA
*SKU: *3541004
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Re: [Elecraft] PA DISS fault and relationship to SWR

[Michael Blake]

Yes, I did understand that Andy.  My GUESS was that the PA-DSS (efficiency) is 
sensitive to the actual load impedance.  I suspect that the SWR fault, that I 
sometimes see, is also sensitive to low vs high impedance.

73 - Mike - K9JRI



On May 28, 2018, at 09:24 AM, ANDY DURBIN  wrote:

Thanks for the reply.  Please note that I have no issue with high SWR faults.  
I have seen several FAULT 09 REFL HI events and they were all caused by an 
operator antenna switching error.  PA DISS (FAULT 11) is not an SWR fault 
although it appears it can be induced by a load mismatch.
73,
Andy k3wyc


From: Michael Blake 
Sent: Monday, May 28, 2018 6:10 AM
To: ANDY DURBIN
Cc: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] PA DISS fault and relationship to SWR
 
Andy, I have seen this too.  My remote tuner will sometimes quit with SWR in the 1.4 
: 1 range.  Sometimes it causes a KPA500 SWR Fault and sometimes not.  My GUESS is 
that it depends on whether the impedance is <50 ohms or >50 ohms.  The SWR does 
not tell you which.

Michael Blake
k9...@mac.com
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Re: [Elecraft] PA DISS fault and relationship to SWR

[ANDY DURBIN]

Thanks for the reply.  Please note that I have no issue with high SWR faults.  
I have seen several FAULT 09 REFL HI events and they were all caused by an 
operator antenna switching error.  PA DISS (FAULT 11) is not an SWR fault 
although it appears it can be induced by a load mismatch.

73,

Andy k3wyc



From: Michael Blake 
Sent: Monday, May 28, 2018 6:10 AM
To: ANDY DURBIN
Cc: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] PA DISS fault and relationship to SWR

Andy, I have seen this too.  My remote tuner will sometimes quit with SWR in 
the 1.4 : 1 range.  Sometimes it causes a KPA500 SWR Fault and sometimes not.  
My GUESS is that it depends on whether the impedance is <50 ohms or >50 ohms.  
The SWR does not tell you which.

Michael Blake
k9...@mac.com

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Re: [Elecraft] PA DISS fault and relationship to SWR

[Michael Blake]

Andy, I have seen this too.  My remote tuner will sometimes quit with SWR in the 1.4 
: 1 range.  Sometimes it causes a KPA500 SWR Fault and sometimes not.  My GUESS is 
that it depends on whether the impedance is <50 ohms or >50 ohms.  The SWR does 
not tell you which.

Michael Blake
k9...@mac.com

On May 28, 2018, at 08:30 AM, ANDY DURBIN  wrote:

I resumed contest operation after modifying my SteppIR driven element length 
for 20 m band. With KPA500 indicating 1.3:1 (LP-100A 1.38:1) I saw no more PA 
DISS faults.


If I had known that the KPA500 was this sensitive to load impedance I would, 
perhaps, have purchased the KAT500 tuner. However, I found nothing in the 
documentation that suggested the KPA500 would fault frequently with a reported 
SWR of 1.4:1 and with power and SWR never peaking in to the amber regions.


73,

Andy k3wyc


From: ANDY DURBIN 
Sent: Saturday, May 26, 2018 11:28 AM
To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Subject: PA DISS fault and relationship to SWR


Up until this weekend I had experienced 3 PA DISS faults with my new KPA500. I 
provided data to Elecraft and, after a fairly long and informative email 
exchange, I was told the fault is very rare and most likely caused by some 
problem at my station.

I developed a 10 frames per second data logger which polls and records data 
from the KPA500 serial interface as well as the ALARM signal available on the 
AUX port. The ALARM signal was also used as a trigger so that 'scope data could 
be time correlated with the logger data. CQ WPX CW contest seemed to be a good 
opportunity to gather data if the fault could be reproduced. After experiencing 
5 PA DISS faults on 20 meters I abandoned the contest, looked at the recorded 
data, and ran some additional tests.

The data show that PA dissipation (DC input power - RF output power) is strongly 
dependent of load SWR. That in itself is probably not surprising. What was surprising was 
that my KPA500, when operating into an antenna load that the KPA500 reports as 1.4:1 SWR, 
has a PA DISS of 500 W when producing 400 W output. What was more surprising is that, 
although the PA DISS fault is designed to trip at 400 W ("The PA Diss uses 
non-averaged data to do a comparison between the calculated power from PA voltage and PA 
current and the measured output power. If it is more than about 400 watts on four 
consecutive checks (each 8 mSec apart) then we declare the fault.") it did not trip 
for a key down test lasting several seconds.

Sample data for different load condx shown below. None of these key down tests 
resulted in PA DISS fault.

SteppIR: LP-100A SWR 1.58:1 PA DC Input / RF Out / PA DISS
^OS1; ^WS390 014; ^VI592 151; ^BN05; ^TM047; 893.92 390 503.92
^OS1; ^WS390 014; ^VI590 151; ^BN05; ^FS00; 890.9 390 500.9


SteppIR: LP-100A SWR 1.38:1

^OS1; ^WS428 013; ^VI585 143; ^BN05; ^TM039; 836.55 428 408.55
^OS1; ^WS430 013; ^VI589 144; ^BN05; ^FS00; 848.16 430 418.16


Dummy load LP-100A SWR 1.08:1

^OS1; ^WS440 011; ^VI598 132; ^BN05; ^FS00; 789.36 440 349.36
^OS1; ^WS440 011; ^VI595 132; ^BN05; ^TM043; 785.4 440 345.4


Can someone at Elecraft please explain why PA DISS fault does not trip when key 
down PA DISS (calculated from WS and VI serial data) exceeds the 400 W 
threshold defined for this fault condition. When the PA DISS fault was seen in 
the contest it always happened during the first element of the CW transmission.


Raw logger data, Excel data, and scope traces have been saved. KPA500 firmware 
is 1.54.


73,

Andy k3wyc
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Re: [Elecraft] PA DISS fault and relationship to SWR

[ANDY DURBIN]

I resumed contest operation after modifying my SteppIR  driven element length 
for 20 m band.   With KPA500 indicating 1.3:1 (LP-100A 1.38:1) I saw no more PA 
DISS faults.


If I had known that the KPA500 was this sensitive to load impedance I would, 
perhaps, have purchased the KAT500 tuner.  However, I found nothing in the 
documentation that suggested the KPA500 would fault frequently with a reported 
SWR of 1.4:1 and with power and SWR never peaking in to the amber regions.


73,

Andy k3wyc


From: ANDY DURBIN 
Sent: Saturday, May 26, 2018 11:28 AM
To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Subject: PA DISS fault and relationship to SWR


Up until this weekend I had experienced 3 PA DISS faults with my new KPA500.   
I provided data to Elecraft and, after a fairly long and informative email 
exchange, I was told the fault is very rare and most likely caused by some 
problem at my station.

I developed a 10 frames per second data logger which polls and records data 
from the KPA500 serial interface as well as the ALARM signal available on the 
AUX port.  The ALARM signal was also used as a trigger so that 'scope data 
could be time correlated with the logger data.   CQ WPX CW contest seemed to be 
a good opportunity to gather data if the fault could be reproduced.   After 
experiencing 5 PA DISS faults on 20 meters I abandoned the contest, looked at 
the recorded data, and ran some additional tests.

The data show that PA dissipation (DC input power - RF output power) is 
strongly dependent of load SWR.  That in itself is probably not surprising.   
What was surprising was that my KPA500,  when operating into an antenna load 
that the KPA500 reports as 1.4:1 SWR, has a PA DISS of 500 W when producing 400 
W output.  What was more surprising is that, although the PA DISS fault is 
designed to trip at 400 W ("The PA Diss uses non-averaged data to do a 
comparison between the calculated power from PA voltage and PA current and the 
measured output power. If it is more than about 400 watts on four consecutive 
checks (each 8 mSec apart) then we declare the fault.") it did not trip for a 
key down test lasting several seconds.

Sample data for different load condx shown below.  None of these key down tests 
resulted in PA DISS fault.

SteppIR: LP-100A SWR 1.58:1PA DC Input / RF Out 
/ PA DISS
^OS1;   ^WS390  014;^VI592  151;^BN05;  ^TM047; 893.92  390 
503.92
^OS1;   ^WS390  014;^VI590  151;^BN05;  ^FS00;  890.9   390 
500.9


SteppIR: LP-100A SWR 1.38:1

^OS1;   ^WS428  013;^VI585  143;^BN05;  ^TM039; 836.55  428 
408.55
^OS1;   ^WS430  013;^VI589  144;^BN05;  ^FS00;  848.16  430 
418.16


Dummy load LP-100A SWR 1.08:1

^OS1;   ^WS440  011;^VI598  132;^BN05;  ^FS00;  789.36  440 
349.36
^OS1;   ^WS440  011;^VI595  132;^BN05;  ^TM043; 785.4   440 
345.4


Can someone at Elecraft please explain why PA DISS fault does not trip when key 
down PA DISS (calculated from WS and VI serial data) exceeds the 400 W 
threshold defined for this fault condition.  When the PA DISS fault was seen in 
the contest it always happened during the first element of the CW transmission.


Raw logger data, Excel data, and scope traces have been saved.  KPA500 firmware 
is 1.54.


73,

Andy k3wyc
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Re: [Elecraft] Windows 10 Update Breaks COM Port for K3 & P3 Utilities

[Mark Wheeler]

Wayne,

There were tons of problems listed associated with the latest windows 10 
update, but none were COM port issues.  The search for a solution continues...  
Thanks.

Mark
WU6R

On May 27, 2018, at 06:43 AM, Wayne Burdick  wrote:

Try this:

https://www.ghacks.net/2018/05/01/all-the-issues-of-windows-10-version-1803-you-may-run-into/

Wayne


On May 27, 2018, at 7:29 AM, Mark Wheeler  wrote:

With the latest Windows 10 update earlier this week, my K3S and P3 can no 
longer communicate with my Windows 10 PC via the USB cables. I’ve gone into 
Device Manager and right clicked on the COM12 device drive and clicked “update 
driver” and that updated from a 2016 driver to a 2017 CM port driver, but 
neither connect the PC to my K3S or P3. Any suggestions? Thank you.

Mark
WU6R
(formally KM6HFR)
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Re: [Elecraft] Windows 10 Update Breaks COM Port for K3 & P3 Utilities

[Mark Wheeler]

Clay,

I tried the fix below and my COM port connection still does not work.  

Mark
WU6R

On May 27, 2018, at 07:59 AM, Clay Autery  wrote:

A similar problem has happened to VNWA users on Windows 10 upgrades.  USB Vodecs are 
still in the registry, but Win10 upgrade set them to "DISABLED".
You should try an app called USB View:  
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/drivers/debugger/usbview
Use this reference to generally tell you how to find and enable the Codecs:
No VNWA sound devices detected after upgrade to Windows 10 feature release 1703  
<--- I suspect it will happen on every major release

http://sdr-kits.net/documents/VNWA_Sound_Devices_error_after_Windows10_upgrade.pdf
You might also open Windows Device Manager and select View --> Hidden Devices 
to see if it is there.

Windows+R, type devmgmt.msc then ENTER.

Either way, you'll need to know WHICH USB Cdec was the one your K3s was 
using...  Windows has a habit of creating a separate one for each USB port the 
device is plugged into.
I have started editing the names of the USB Codec entries in Sound Manager so I 
know which is which.

Hope this helps...
73,
__
Clay Autery, KY5G
(318) 518-1389
On 05/27/18 09:29, Mark Wheeler wrote:
With the latest Windows 10 update earlier this week, my K3S and P3 can no 
longer communicate with my Windows 10 PC via the USB cables.  I’ve gone into 
Device Manager and right clicked on the COM12 device drive and clicked “update 
driver” and that updated from a 2016 driver to a 2017 CM port driver, but 
neither connect the PC to my K3S or P3.  Any suggestions?  Thank you.

Mark
WU6R
(formally KM6HFR)
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[Elecraft] Windows 10 Update Breaks COM Port for K3 & P3 Utilities

[Mark Wheeler]

Bob,

I tried the fix below and it did not work...

Mark
WU6R

Mark..If you use google type in.. pl2303_64bit_installer.. then go down to.. 
Prolific usb to serial fix  official solution to code 10 error...

   73s Bob W5RG


On Sunday, May 27, 2018, 11:08:08 AM CDT, Mark Wheeler  
wrote:


Bob,

Thanks. I look forward to trying it later today.  

Mark
WU6R 

On May 27, 2018, at 11:53 AM, Bob Gibson  wrote:

Hi Mark. I have the same problem with windows 10..I found this on line and I 
run it every time I have a problem and it works..look for this on your search 
with either google or some other search program..
...pl2303_64bit_installer...works with 32 or 64.. I now use a old laptop with 
windows 7..hope this helps..

   73s Bob W5RG


On Sunday, May 27, 2018, 9:31:45 AM CDT, Mark Wheeler  
wrote:


With the latest Windows 10 update earlier this week, my K3S and P3 can no 
longer communicate with my Windows 10 PC via the USB cables.  I’ve gone into 
Device Manager and right clicked on the COM12 device drive and clicked “update 
driver” and that updated from a 2016 driver to a 2017 CM port driver, but 
neither connect the PC to my K3S or P3.  Any suggestions?  Thank you.

Mark
WU6R
(formally KM6HFR)
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Re: [Elecraft] KX3 2M module SMA connector loosening

[Petr, OK1RP/M0SIS]

Dear Ryan,

in order to avoid the torqueing or breaking the SMA I can recommend to use
SMA coaxial jumper.
https://plus.google.com/100312042524727617304/posts/b4hvsciD3qG?hl=eng
...available on eBay, but be careful to get high quality only, PTFE
recommended.
Never use adapter or even set of few adapters directly.

73 - Petr, OK1RP



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http://ok1rp.blogspot.com
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[Elecraft] SMA Wrenches

[Bob DeHaney]

Do like I did, go to your hardware emporium, buy a cheap correct size
wrench.  Go home and turn the bench grinder ON. The result isn't pretty but
works fine.

Vy 73 de Bob DJ0RD/WU5T

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