[Elecraft] Max signal level

[Mike Wetzel]

Off hand does anyone know what the max power is for the rx antenna ports on
a K3?  Can I safely attach my Nano to determine port impedance?  Guessing my
Nano is 0dbm.  Or can someone tell me what they found the input impedance to
be?

 

Thanks,

 

Mike W9RE

 



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Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft CW Net preliminary propagation results

[Bill Frantz]

These times should play well with the SSB nets which are:

1800z  14303.5
1900z   7180
0200z   3775

The 80M net details are in flux because the net before us on the 
frequency observes daylight savings time. Either we will be on 
an hour later, or we will find a new frequency at 0100z. (Watch 
this reflector.)


I wonder if anyone has "Worked all Elecraft Nets" on a single 
Sunday. I have worked 4 of the 5, but the 20M CW net interferes 
with the dinner I'm in charge of cooking, so I haven't been able 
to checkin to that net.


73 Bill AE6JV

On 11/11/21 at 8:06 PM, kev...@coho.net (kevin) wrote:


 14050 kHz at 2300z Sunday  (3 PM PST Sunday)
  7047 kHz at 0030z Monday  (4:30 PM PST Sunday) with me on by 0015z


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(408)348-7900  | fear is fear itself." - FDR  | 150 
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Peterborough, NH 03458


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[Elecraft] Elecraft CW Net preliminary propagation results

[kevin]

Good Evening,

   With three days of data I have found forty meters wakes up a little 
before 2200z.  It improves steadily for the next few hours.  I copied 
stations from VE2, VE4, W6, K1, N2, A8, KF9, WA0, KB3, K4, W6, and K7 
lands.  Then, right at local sunset, the QSB appeared.  A little warble 
at first, then enough to chop characters.  Earlier I ran into a few 
stations which I thought had QSB on them.  With further reflection, and 
a bit more listening, I found their CW signals had particular 
characteristics unique to the rig.  The variety of fists sending from a 
range of sending devices made picking individuals out of the crowd 
rather easy.


  I will run the 20 meter net at 2300z and the 40 meter net will start 
at 0030z.  However, I will start guarding the net frequency by 0015z.  
If there are a lot of check ins the sunset QSB will take effect.  Near 
the solstice we should be at z or earlier for best results.  The sun 
is waking up so this all can change quickly.  Tomorrow and Saturday I 
will check propagation again. If anything changes I will note it in the 
net announcement.  For now:


 14050 kHz at 2300z Sunday  (3 PM PST Sunday)
  7047 kHz at 0030z Monday  (4:30 PM PST Sunday) with me on by 0015z

   73,

      Kevin.  KD5ONS

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[Elecraft] Digital Modes DO Require Skills

[Jim Brown]

I strongly agree, Andy. When folks say that it's the computer that makes 
the QSO, I observe that 1) I know no one who can read RTTY without some 
form of decoder, and 2) the computer did not put up my antennas, build 
my station, learn propagation, learn electronics, physics, transmission 
lines, and so on.


73, Jim K9YC

On 11/11/2021 4:03 PM, Andy Durbin wrote:

FT mode skill is not the same as CQ or RTTY skill but to deny there is a skill 
to effectively using FT modes is, at best, short sighted.


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Re: [Elecraft] HD8R

[Bill Lederer]

The 3DA0RU was much harder to work than the Galapagos crew, from the looks
of RBN.  Lots of folks in the local club got S9OK.

w8vln

On Thu, Nov 11, 2021 at 10:44 AM Drew AF2Z  wrote:

> Thanks, Bill.
>
> Sometimes I use the CW msg memories on my K3 but find it is more fun
> with a manual key. I guess it is less monotonous than pushing the msg
> button over and over.
>
> Here are a couple other DX vids featuring the venerable K3:
>
> 3DA0RU
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vB4w8arHNjk
>
> S9OK
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qokp7yVYfDs
>
> 7P8RU vid is coming soon...
>
> 73,
> Drew
> AF2Z
>
>
>
>
> On 11/11/21 10:39, Bill Lederer wrote:
> > Drew:
> >
> > Cool collection of keys!
> >
> > Congrats.
> >
> > I was quite lucky to work them with my KX2 and a random wire out the
> > window from my office during work hours. (Big Iron, rather Silicon is in
> > the basement shack.)  I would hit the MSG then PRE to send my call.
> > After several hours of trying I was able to snag them. This was on 15
> > meters.
> >
> > And from what I can tell, they had a super operation. Good ops, and they
> > appeared to hear quite well.
> >
> > Bill
> > w8lvn
> >
> > On Wed, Nov 10, 2021 at 9:42 PM Drew AF2Z  > > wrote:
> >
> > I got HD8R with 100 watts CW to endfed wire antenna. Here's a short
> > video of my trusty old K3 and Bunnell sideswiper in action:
> >
> > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=folzh8pE6WM
> >
> > 73,
> > Drew
> > AF2Z
> >
> >
> >
> > On 11/07/21 11:05, Jim Sheldon wrote:
> >  > My K3S died a couple of weeks ago and I haven't found the power
> > supply
> >  > problem yet - difficult tracing as I don't have the board trace
> > layout
> >  > so finding components off the schematic isn't easy, LOL.
> >  >
> >  > On a lighter not, I replaced it as the shack rig with my KX2 and
> > I've
> >  > been having a blast trying (and sometimes succeeding) to work the
> >  > Galapagos DXpedition HD8R.
> >  >
> >  > With the ARRL Sweepstakes contest on this weekend, HD8R has been
> >  > concentrating on the WARC bands and so far I've worked them on
> > 20, 15
> >  > and 12 meters (12 just a few minutes ago, using my Tri-Band
> > Cushcraft
> >  > A3S  beam as the antenna.  Got 'em on the 2nd call much to my
> > surprise.
> >  > The KX2's internal ATU had no problem matching the beam on 24.894
> >  > (1.0:1) and signals have been pretty decent on 12.
> >  >
> >  > Ant loads on 17 meters too but signals are up and down on
> > 18.074.  Fun
> >  > to keep trying though and the KX2 is running great at 10 watts on
> > a 5 AH
> >  > battery.
> >  >
> >  > Jim, W0EB
> >  >
> >  > __
> >  > Elecraft mailing list
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> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > --w8lvn--
>


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Re: [Elecraft] Legal Limit With FT8

[Andy Durbin]

"I have DXCC on RTTY and refuse to add FT QSOs to my total.  They are different 
things.  RTTY requires some skill."

You seem to imply that FT modes require no skill.  I disagree.  There are 
complete LIDS using the modes and there are others who carefully pick TX 
frequencies to avoid QRM to a QSO in progress and time their transmissions to 
effectively tail-end without causing QRM.

There are LIDS who work DX and then call CQ on the DX frequency.  Noone with 
any understanding of the mode would do that.  FT8 is not blast and log.  It 
does require some thought and it's obvious some on the bands didn't give it any.

FT mode skill is not the same as CQ or RTTY skill but to deny there is a skill 
to effectively using FT modes is, at best, short sighted.

73,
Andy, k3wyc


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Re: [Elecraft] Legal Limit With FT8

[Bill Lederer]

This is what I do when running SO2R on FT8/FT4. I ensure that both are on
the same cycle.

This insures no intertransmitter interference.

w8lv

On Thu, Nov 11, 2021 at 10:56 AM Bob McGraw  wrote:

> One very effective solution is to configure WSJT-X to receive when he is
> receiving and transmit when he is transmitting.  Thus you would never
> know he exists.
>
> I agree, abuse of power is not a good thing.  It is more a case where
> hams have more money than good operating skills.
>
> 73
>
> Bob, K4TAX
>
>
>
> On 11/11/2021 10:32 AM, elecraft-requ...@mailman.qth.net wrote:
> > Message: 16
> > Date: Thu, 11 Nov 2021 08:16:42 -0500
> > From: Richard
> > To: Elecraft Mailing List
> > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Legal Limit With FT8
> > Message-ID:<3e58a528-f611-40ee-92ab-0bab194f4...@comcast.net>
> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
> >
> > There's a major jerk who lives within about 20 miles of me who runs BIG
> power with FT8. When he's on the air, he blots out my K3S so his is the
> only signal on the waterfall, the only signal the decoder sees. When his
> BIG POWER is on the air, I can't be. And he's made it clear that he doesn't
> care what he does to anyone else's enjoyment. Power for power's sake is
> contagious.
> >
> > On the other hand, I've made several 10,000 to 11,000 mile Australian
> contacts with 15 watts and a hex beam at 30 feet.
> >
> > Richard
>
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Re: [Elecraft] Legal Limit With FT8

[Wes]

Welcome to the land of unintended consequences.  To my personal dismay these 
modes have taken off in the DX chasing biz.  (I have a friend who has been on 
many many big-time DXpeditions and is giddy about using FT8, since the DX end 
can sit back and drink coffee). Show me a DXer who doesn't want to break the 
pile up first and you'll be showing an anomaly. Contesters are the same.


Fox and Hound requires the lower frequencies so tuning the dial higher isn't an 
option.  I also suspect that these guys are using limited BW and don't hear the 
higher tones anyway.


If Joe wants to propose things (a sub-band is unenforceable*) why not a separate 
award for FT DXCC?  I have DXCC on RTTY and refuse to add FT QSOs to my total.  
They are different things.  RTTY requires some skill.


* During the recent HD8R DXpedition they operated on 60-meters; on "channels" 
not available to US hams.  Furthermore they operated split, with their listen 
frequency even further from a legal channel.  With a little forethought they 
could have listened down instead of up and I could have easily worked them.  But 
I did not; however, this didn't stop some lids from working them out-of-band.


Wes  N7WS


On 11/10/2021 9:03 PM, Richard wrote:

I had a discussion about this sort of madness with Joe Taylor, creator of FT8 
and WSJT-X. Here's what he had to say about it:

"Hi Richard,

"Yes, it's annoying when people engage in a QRO arms race to make more QSOs or 
make them more quickly with FT8. Using high power is one thing when conditions 
demand it, as with some 160 m DX paths, for example. It's quite another thing when 
high power is not required to make the QSO, but only to help you get through first.

"However, it has always been thus, and there's not much anyone can do about it. 
As a general rule it's often useful to move up above 2500 Hz or so, audio frequency. 
Or even to set your dial frequency 1 kHz higher than the default for a band.

"We are also thinking about suggesting a "QRP FT8 sub-band" in which power 
should be limited to 10 W (say).

"-- 73, Joe, K1JT"

Richard
W4KBX
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Re: [Elecraft] K2 - Stumble at the last hurdle.

[Don Wilhelm]

Mark,

Did you measure C44 and C46 through the entire range of rotation? and 
what is the color of the plastic bodies?
The last I knew, they were about 20pF maximum and the bodies were red.  
The others do not have a sufficiently low capacity to tune 12 meters.


Similarly for C21 and C23 which the last I knew were yellow or brown.

If those capacitor pairs are swapped, you would have the problems you 
describe.


73,
Don W3FPR

On 11/11/2021 5:30 AM, M Bak wrote:

This is my 2nd K2 build this year. This fantastic kit has kept me sane.   I
tested every component on an LCR meter (found RFC10 open) and tried to work
as slowly as possible.

I got to the end of the build to the very last alignment step.--

The adjustment of C44 and C46 for the 12 meter band and I can only get
0.2W. 10 meters is fine with adjusting L12 and L13 but 12 meters (which I
do not use but it should work) is nada.

I had the exact same problem on 20meters but careful tweaking of C21/23 and
L8/9 and it burst into life.

When testing the capacitors I noticed they had quite a wide tolerance
range. Could the band pass range for the 10 and 12 meter bands be too high?

Any ideas would be appreciated. I am quite good at wondering down rabbit
holes.

Rgds. Mark G4RUR





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[Elecraft] Legal Limit With FT8

[Bob McGraw]

Hams will be hams.   "Hey, I paid a lot of money for my equipment and 
I'll use it as I please. "  I find it very unfortunate and very 
concerning the social discipline of hams today is mostly non-existent.


Legally, and it has always been this way, one should use only the 
necessary power with mode to effectively communicate.  I suppose ones 
lacking translation and understanding is "to effectively communicate".   
Hams need to understand how to operate smarter and not "with more 
power".  Any idiot can plunk down several $K and operate with more 
power.   But smarter, ...that takes knowledge and skill.


73

Bob, K4TAX


On 11/11/2021 10:32 AM, elecraft-requ...@mailman.qth.net wrote:

Message: 10
Date: Wed, 10 Nov 2021 23:03:32 -0500
From: Richard
To: Elecraft Mailing List
Subject: [Elecraft] Legal Limit With FT8
Message-ID:<98e4b524-a7c9-4f26-96d2-29823be69...@comcast.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

I had a discussion about this sort of madness with Joe Taylor, creator of FT8 
and WSJT-X. Here's what he had to say about it:

"Hi Richard,

"Yes, it's annoying when people engage in a QRO arms race to make more QSOs or 
make them more quickly with FT8. Using high power is one thing when conditions 
demand it, as with some 160 m DX paths, for example. It's quite another thing when 
high power is not required to make the QSO, but only to help you get through first.

"However, it has always been thus, and there's not much anyone can do about it. 
As a general rule it's often useful to move up above 2500 Hz or so, audio frequency. 
Or even to set your dial frequency 1 kHz higher than the default for a band.

"We are also thinking about suggesting a "QRP FT8 sub-band" in which power 
should be limited to 10 W (say).

"-- 73, Joe, K1JT"

Richard
W4KBX


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[Elecraft] K3 3 second delay in receive after transmit keyed, when amp on

[Bob McGraw]

Although very little information was provided, I've observed when this 
occurs, it is usually due to something that caused a flash-over in my 
amp or my tuner, such having the wrong antenna selected or other less 
than a stellar condition.   This includes excessive RFI in the shack, or 
common mode current on the feed line.    Since the bare description was 
"when amp on", clearly indicates a RF power related condition.


Take Jim's, K9YC, advice and be sure every piece of equipment cabinet is 
bonded with a dedicated ground/bonding jumper.    Also, it may be 
necessary to have common mode chokes at the antenna feed point.


The bottom line as I see it, it is not specifically equipment related 
but more so of the station installation and configuration.


73

Bob, K4TAX


On 11/11/2021 10:32 AM, elecraft-requ...@mailman.qth.net wrote:

Message: 3
Date: Wed, 10 Nov 2021 13:44:31 -0800
From: Robert Sands
To: CUTTER DAVID via Elecraft
Subject: [Elecraft] K3 3 second delay in receive after transmit keyed
whenamp on
Message-ID:<38323c1d-d37a-4620-9f87-31b4abff3...@hxcore.ol>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"


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Re: [Elecraft] K2 - Stumble at the last hurdle.

[Dave Van Wallaghen]

Marc,

Please check the placement of those trimmer caps. If you follow the old 
parts list, it is easy to swap C21 and C23 with C44 and C46. If this is 
a recent kit, C44 and C46 should be red. While the others will be brown.


I just serviced one here that had the same issue and those trimmer caps 
were swapped.


73,
Dave, W8FGU


On 11/11/2021 5:30:18 AM, "M Bak"  wrote:


This is my 2nd K2 build this year. This fantastic kit has kept me sane.   I
tested every component on an LCR meter (found RFC10 open) and tried to work
as slowly as possible.

I got to the end of the build to the very last alignment step.--

The adjustment of C44 and C46 for the 12 meter band and I can only get
0.2W. 10 meters is fine with adjusting L12 and L13 but 12 meters (which I
do not use but it should work) is nada.

I had the exact same problem on 20meters but careful tweaking of C21/23 and
L8/9 and it burst into life.

When testing the capacitors I noticed they had quite a wide tolerance
range. Could the band pass range for the 10 and 12 meter bands be too high?

Any ideas would be appreciated. I am quite good at wondering down rabbit
holes.

Rgds. Mark G4RUR


Das Beste Oder Nichts
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Re: [Elecraft] K2 new kit question

[Bruce Rosen]

Hi, James -

Sometimes, pictures and narrative can help the build process.  I built my
K2 a number of years ago, and
pretty extensively documented the build.  I hope you find this helpful:

http://build-k2.blogspot.com/

and have a look at the posts in 2010.

Cheers -

Bruce K1FFX
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[Elecraft] Legal Limit With FT8

[Bob McGraw]

One very effective solution is to configure WSJT-X to receive when he is 
receiving and transmit when he is transmitting.  Thus you would never 
know he exists.


I agree, abuse of power is not a good thing.  It is more a case where 
hams have more money than good operating skills.


73

Bob, K4TAX



On 11/11/2021 10:32 AM, elecraft-requ...@mailman.qth.net wrote:

Message: 16
Date: Thu, 11 Nov 2021 08:16:42 -0500
From: Richard
To: Elecraft Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Legal Limit With FT8
Message-ID:<3e58a528-f611-40ee-92ab-0bab194f4...@comcast.net>
Content-Type: text/plain;   charset=us-ascii

There's a major jerk who lives within about 20 miles of me who runs BIG power 
with FT8. When he's on the air, he blots out my K3S so his is the only signal 
on the waterfall, the only signal the decoder sees. When his BIG POWER is on 
the air, I can't be. And he's made it clear that he doesn't care what he does 
to anyone else's enjoyment. Power for power's sake is contagious.

On the other hand, I've made several 10,000 to 11,000 mile Australian contacts 
with 15 watts and a hex beam at 30 feet.

Richard


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Re: [Elecraft] HD8R

[Drew AF2Z]

Thanks, Bill.

Sometimes I use the CW msg memories on my K3 but find it is more fun 
with a manual key. I guess it is less monotonous than pushing the msg 
button over and over.


Here are a couple other DX vids featuring the venerable K3:

3DA0RU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vB4w8arHNjk

S9OK
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qokp7yVYfDs

7P8RU vid is coming soon...

73,
Drew
AF2Z




On 11/11/21 10:39, Bill Lederer wrote:

Drew:

Cool collection of keys!

Congrats.

I was quite lucky to work them with my KX2 and a random wire out the 
window from my office during work hours. (Big Iron, rather Silicon is in 
the basement shack.)  I would hit the MSG then PRE to send my call. 
After several hours of trying I was able to snag them. This was on 15 
meters.


And from what I can tell, they had a super operation. Good ops, and they 
appeared to hear quite well.


Bill
w8lvn

On Wed, Nov 10, 2021 at 9:42 PM Drew AF2Z > wrote:


I got HD8R with 100 watts CW to endfed wire antenna. Here's a short
video of my trusty old K3 and Bunnell sideswiper in action:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=folzh8pE6WM

73,
Drew
AF2Z



On 11/07/21 11:05, Jim Sheldon wrote:
 > My K3S died a couple of weeks ago and I haven't found the power
supply
 > problem yet - difficult tracing as I don't have the board trace
layout
 > so finding components off the schematic isn't easy, LOL.
 >
 > On a lighter not, I replaced it as the shack rig with my KX2 and
I've
 > been having a blast trying (and sometimes succeeding) to work the
 > Galapagos DXpedition HD8R.
 >
 > With the ARRL Sweepstakes contest on this weekend, HD8R has been
 > concentrating on the WARC bands and so far I've worked them on
20, 15
 > and 12 meters (12 just a few minutes ago, using my Tri-Band
Cushcraft
 > A3S  beam as the antenna.  Got 'em on the 2nd call much to my
surprise.
 > The KX2's internal ATU had no problem matching the beam on 24.894
 > (1.0:1) and signals have been pretty decent on 12.
 >
 > Ant loads on 17 meters too but signals are up and down on
18.074.  Fun
 > to keep trying though and the KX2 is running great at 10 watts on
a 5 AH
 > battery.
 >
 > Jim, W0EB
 >
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Re: [Elecraft] Legal Limit With FT8

[Gordon LaPoint]

When that happens to me, I just ensure that I TX at the same time as the 
STRONG signal, at the oppsite end of the audio passband, it usually 
works good and allows me to make contacts.

Gordon - N1MGO
On 11/11/2021 8:16 AM, Richard wrote:

There's a major jerk who lives within about 20 miles of me who runs BIG power 
with FT8. When he's on the air, he blots out my K3S so his is the only signal 
on the waterfall, the only signal the decoder sees. When his BIG POWER is on 
the air, I can't be. And he's made it clear that he doesn't care what he does 
to anyone else's enjoyment. Power for power's sake is contagious.

On the other hand, I've made several 10,000 to 11,000 mile Australian contacts 
with 15 watts and a hex beam at 30 feet.

Richard
W4KBX



On Nov 11, 2021, at 2:17 AM, Jim Brown mailto:j...@audiosystemsgroup.com>> wrote:

On 11/10/2021 10:36 PM, Rick Tavan wrote:

I must be missing something.

Hi Rick,

FT8 and similar modes are weak signal modes, and for difficult paths, it's all 
about signal to noise, not signal to QRM. For several seasons, I've been 
running legal limit to fill in DXCC to eastern EU on 160M. During the summer, 
many of us run legal limit and lots of aluminum on 6M for weak and brief 
multi-hop Es openings to fill in missing grids in search of the Fred Fish 
award. We also run power for meteor scatter, and most who do moonbounce run 
legal limit.

The fundamental GOOD reason for power is RX noise on the other end of the QSO. 
I regularly give signal reports 10-15 dB better than I receive, simply because 
most hams are bathed in electronic noise from their own homes and those of 
their neighbors. Noise levels have increased drastically over the years. When I 
first moved to W6 in 2006, I could work EU on CW. Not a lot, but at least 3-4 
QSOs per year, sometimes more. In the last six years, I've HEARD 6 CW signals 
from EU, and only two heard me. And my 160M antenna farm is better today than 
it was then.

73, Jim K9YC
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Re: [Elecraft] Legal Limit With FT8

[Rick Bates, NK7I]

On phone or CW, it's a dog fight and power (and antenna gain) often 
reigns supreme.  That's the reality.  Get heard, get worked, get out.  
The JT modes bring something new to the playing field; making it more 
'level'.


For many, it's not about the distance or miles/km per watt.  That is 
determined by the magic of radio conditions.  QRP into a light bulb 
filament (not LED), may work stations during the really good cycle peaks 
while in the doldrums one must use a lot more to make the contact.


As Jim rightly says; it's ALL about noise, but keeping your local noises 
to a minimum is only half the equation.  Expanding what he says, when it 
comes to working DXpeditions (taking the latest groups in AF as an 
example), the antennas are not optimal (because they are hauled in/out, 
not on 30 meter high towers with proper grounding, not a permanent 
installation but lashed up); their local site is rarely optimally placed 
(a hotel or beach), the noise floors are frequently very high 
(thunderstorms add more exciting noise) and the power grid is also noisy 
(and intermittent) in some areas. Their output levels are variable due 
to ability or local laws, often not 'generous'.


The end result is that the calling station, generally has ZERO clue 
about conditions at the other end.  One can watch the DX to see the 
reports given and get a sense of their hearing ability (or lack) for 
known big guns being worked; but until the actual contact is made and a 
real report (life isn't always 59) given, one doesn't really KNOW that 
the power was excessive; then it's over.  What YOU hear is not what THEY 
hear; compare equally built stations but pay attention to the NOISE floors.


In some cases, one must surf the waves of QSB too; timing is critical in 
any mode.


Sadly, this is true even on permanent stations, i.e. one on Guam that 
transmits a GREAT 100 watt signal but the noise floor is so high that 
those calling MUST run much higher power to be heard.  Often, it's not 
possible.


However, JT modes also allow those with less than optimal (flea power, 
string antennas) stations to participate more often.  Perhaps not to 
work the rarest of DX, but they're 'in the game' enjoying the hobby.  
That's a HUGE benefit.


Rarely, the reverse is true.  Working the Antarctic stations with their 
noise floor at MDS, their reports are often better than most stations 
calling (I was so shocked that it worked with a meager wire antenna and 
100 watts on 60M [legal EIRP limit in the US], I tried for an 'insurance 
dupe' at half the power just to verify, got it too).  In that case, they 
had to overcome MY local noise, which is pretty good in the rural zone 
I'm in (the same worked on CW too and they weren't loud).  [K3's at both 
ends, HAD to help at least a little.  ;-) ]


Don't sweat the output power of others but pay attention to your 
station.  High output doesn't help work stations faster in JT modes 
(which can even be set to ignore loud stations in DX mode) and it 
doesn't usually cause an issue IF it's a cleanly transmitting station 
(KEY POINT), even when on the same tones as others (I've seen two 
station on exactly the same tones get decoded, one +4 and the other -18 
dB, the JT modes are magical).


My general rule is to base my output power on the signal level I 
receive, with a sense of their local conditions (based on their 
reports).  If that doesn't work, double the output power (add 3 dB) and 
try again (repeat as needed).  Generally, that works out but not always 
if the DX is in a noisy place.


In a perfect world of no noise, we could all work each other at QRPp 
levels.  Reality is much harsher.


Lower YOUR noise floor and keep YOUR station clean to cause no harm; let 
the other stations do the same.


73,
Rick NK7I




On 11/11/2021 7:17 AM, Lyn Norstad wrote:

Richard -

As of today, I have worked 40 stations in VK6-land ... the farthest land
mass area, for me, on Earth.

This is with 50 watts (or less) FT8, mostly on 40 meters, mostly 0800 - 1300
UTC and, basically, an oversized dipole at about 35 feet (actually a 3.5 MHz
EDZ - but that's another story).

Included in that bunch is THE station that appears to be the furthest from
me located on land (a MM in the South Indian Ocean might be farther, maybe).

I gave him a -15, and he gave me a -07.  QRZ distance, 11,026 miles.

73
Lyn, W0LEN

-Original Message-
From:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Richard
Sent: Thursday, November 11, 2021 7:17 AM
To: Elecraft Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Legal Limit With FT8

There's a major jerk who lives within about 20 miles of me who runs BIG
power with FT8. When he's on the air, he blots out my K3S so his is the only
signal on the waterfall, the only signal the decoder sees. When his BIG
POWER is on the air, I can't be. And he's made it clear that he doesn't care
what he does to anyone else's enjoyment. Power for power's sake is
contagious.

Re: [Elecraft] Legal Limit With FT8

[Hank Garretson]

On Thu, Nov 11, 2021 at 5:18 AM Richard  wrote:

> There's a major jerk who lives within about 20 miles of me who runs BIG
> power with FT8. When he's on the air, he blots out my K3S so his is the
> only signal on the waterfall, the only signal the decoder sees. When his
> BIG POWER is on the air, I can't be. And he's made it clear that he doesn't
> care what he does to anyone else's enjoyment. Power for power's sake is
> contagious.
>

I suggest that the problem is not his power. Instead he is almost for sure
overdriving his audio input.

Since you are off on the wrong foot with him, maybe you can get some other
local to approach him in a helpful way.

Ham Exuberantly,

Hank, W6SX
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Re: [Elecraft] HD8R

[Bill Lederer]

Drew:

Cool collection of keys!

Congrats.

I was quite lucky to work them with my KX2 and a random wire out the window
from my office during work hours. (Big Iron, rather Silicon is in the
basement shack.)  I would hit the MSG then PRE to send my call. After
several hours of trying I was able to snag them. This was on 15 meters.

And from what I can tell, they had a super operation. Good ops, and they
appeared to hear quite well.

Bill
w8lvn

On Wed, Nov 10, 2021 at 9:42 PM Drew AF2Z  wrote:

> I got HD8R with 100 watts CW to endfed wire antenna. Here's a short
> video of my trusty old K3 and Bunnell sideswiper in action:
>
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=folzh8pE6WM
>
> 73,
> Drew
> AF2Z
>
>
>
> On 11/07/21 11:05, Jim Sheldon wrote:
> > My K3S died a couple of weeks ago and I haven't found the power supply
> > problem yet - difficult tracing as I don't have the board trace layout
> > so finding components off the schematic isn't easy, LOL.
> >
> > On a lighter not, I replaced it as the shack rig with my KX2 and I've
> > been having a blast trying (and sometimes succeeding) to work the
> > Galapagos DXpedition HD8R.
> >
> > With the ARRL Sweepstakes contest on this weekend, HD8R has been
> > concentrating on the WARC bands and so far I've worked them on 20, 15
> > and 12 meters (12 just a few minutes ago, using my Tri-Band Cushcraft
> > A3S  beam as the antenna.  Got 'em on the 2nd call much to my surprise.
> > The KX2's internal ATU had no problem matching the beam on 24.894
> > (1.0:1) and signals have been pretty decent on 12.
> >
> > Ant loads on 17 meters too but signals are up and down on 18.074.  Fun
> > to keep trying though and the KX2 is running great at 10 watts on a 5 AH
> > battery.
> >
> > Jim, W0EB
> >
> > __
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> > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
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Re: [Elecraft] Legal Limit With FT8

[Andy Durbin]

I use whatever power is required to make the intended QSO.   It really bugs me 
when people brag about their prowess with QRP operations when they don't 
declare the antenna that was in use.  Power output means nothing unless it is 
qualified by antenna gain.

Often a good idea of the required power can be learned from a single TX and a 
review of PSKReporter.

Just worked Reunion Island from Arizona with a home brew magnetic loop on 30 m. 
 99 watts resulted in a -17 report so I could have used less power.  I'm not 
going to get too stressed about it.  Instead I'll marvel that my inexpensive 
home brew mag loop can reach half way round the world.

73,
Andy, k3wyc
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Re: [Elecraft] Legal Limit With FT8

[Lyn Norstad]

Richard -

As of today, I have worked 40 stations in VK6-land ... the farthest land
mass area, for me, on Earth.

This is with 50 watts (or less) FT8, mostly on 40 meters, mostly 0800 - 1300
UTC and, basically, an oversized dipole at about 35 feet (actually a 3.5 MHz
EDZ - but that's another story).

Included in that bunch is THE station that appears to be the furthest from
me located on land (a MM in the South Indian Ocean might be farther, maybe).

I gave him a -15, and he gave me a -07.  QRZ distance, 11,026 miles.

73
Lyn, W0LEN

-Original Message-
From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Richard
Sent: Thursday, November 11, 2021 7:17 AM
To: Elecraft Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Legal Limit With FT8

There's a major jerk who lives within about 20 miles of me who runs BIG
power with FT8. When he's on the air, he blots out my K3S so his is the only
signal on the waterfall, the only signal the decoder sees. When his BIG
POWER is on the air, I can't be. And he's made it clear that he doesn't care
what he does to anyone else's enjoyment. Power for power's sake is
contagious.

On the other hand, I've made several 10,000 to 11,000 mile Australian
contacts with 15 watts and a hex beam at 30 feet.

Richard
W4KBX


> On Nov 11, 2021, at 2:17 AM, Jim Brown mailto:j...@audiosystemsgroup.com>> wrote:
> 
> On 11/10/2021 10:36 PM, Rick Tavan wrote:
>> I must be missing something.
> 
> Hi Rick,
> 
> FT8 and similar modes are weak signal modes, and for difficult paths, it's
all about signal to noise, not signal to QRM. For several seasons, I've been
running legal limit to fill in DXCC to eastern EU on 160M. During the
summer, many of us run legal limit and lots of aluminum on 6M for weak and
brief multi-hop Es openings to fill in missing grids in search of the Fred
Fish award. We also run power for meteor scatter, and most who do moonbounce
run legal limit.
> 
> The fundamental GOOD reason for power is RX noise on the other end of the
QSO. I regularly give signal reports 10-15 dB better than I receive, simply
because most hams are bathed in electronic noise from their own homes and
those of their neighbors. Noise levels have increased drastically over the
years. When I first moved to W6 in 2006, I could work EU on CW. Not a lot,
but at least 3-4 QSOs per year, sometimes more. In the last six years, I've
HEARD 6 CW signals from EU, and only two heard me. And my 160M antenna farm
is better today than it was then.
> 
> 73, Jim K9YC
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Re: [Elecraft] Legal Limit With FT8

[Richard]

There's a major jerk who lives within about 20 miles of me who runs BIG power 
with FT8. When he's on the air, he blots out my K3S so his is the only signal 
on the waterfall, the only signal the decoder sees. When his BIG POWER is on 
the air, I can't be. And he's made it clear that he doesn't care what he does 
to anyone else's enjoyment. Power for power's sake is contagious.

On the other hand, I've made several 10,000 to 11,000 mile Australian contacts 
with 15 watts and a hex beam at 30 feet.

Richard
W4KBX


> On Nov 11, 2021, at 2:17 AM, Jim Brown  > wrote:
> 
> On 11/10/2021 10:36 PM, Rick Tavan wrote:
>> I must be missing something.
> 
> Hi Rick,
> 
> FT8 and similar modes are weak signal modes, and for difficult paths, it's 
> all about signal to noise, not signal to QRM. For several seasons, I've been 
> running legal limit to fill in DXCC to eastern EU on 160M. During the summer, 
> many of us run legal limit and lots of aluminum on 6M for weak and brief 
> multi-hop Es openings to fill in missing grids in search of the Fred Fish 
> award. We also run power for meteor scatter, and most who do moonbounce run 
> legal limit.
> 
> The fundamental GOOD reason for power is RX noise on the other end of the 
> QSO. I regularly give signal reports 10-15 dB better than I receive, simply 
> because most hams are bathed in electronic noise from their own homes and 
> those of their neighbors. Noise levels have increased drastically over the 
> years. When I first moved to W6 in 2006, I could work EU on CW. Not a lot, 
> but at least 3-4 QSOs per year, sometimes more. In the last six years, I've 
> HEARD 6 CW signals from EU, and only two heard me. And my 160M antenna farm 
> is better today than it was then.
> 
> 73, Jim K9YC
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[Elecraft] K2 - Stumble at the last hurdle.

[M Bak]

This is my 2nd K2 build this year. This fantastic kit has kept me sane.   I
tested every component on an LCR meter (found RFC10 open) and tried to work
as slowly as possible.

I got to the end of the build to the very last alignment step.--

The adjustment of C44 and C46 for the 12 meter band and I can only get
0.2W. 10 meters is fine with adjusting L12 and L13 but 12 meters (which I
do not use but it should work) is nada.

I had the exact same problem on 20meters but careful tweaking of C21/23 and
L8/9 and it burst into life.

When testing the capacitors I noticed they had quite a wide tolerance
range. Could the band pass range for the 10 and 12 meter bands be too high?

Any ideas would be appreciated. I am quite good at wondering down rabbit
holes.

Rgds. Mark G4RUR


Das Beste Oder Nichts
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