[Elecraft] K4 "low audio" problem fixed

[Wayne Burdick]

We traced this (on Saturday, because it's not just a job, it's a lifestyle :) 
to incorrect AF gain scaling with some combinations of AGC threshold and slope. 
The fix should be in the next beta release, possibly as early as this coming 
week.

Prior to this fix, as some K4 users observed, the max AF you could get into a 4 
ohm speaker with AGC threshold = 4 and slope = 15 with an S9 signal was about 
150 mW. Now it's in excess of 1.5 W with any combination of AGC settings. Into 
an 8 ohm speaker it's about 1 W, meeting the proposed criteria. 

The upshot is that even with the lowest threshold setting--the one that levels 
the audio most aggressively--you won't be lacking for AF output at the speaker, 
phones, or line out.

We'll be updating the spec as well. It should have used 1 W as the reference 
level rather than 2 W.

A quick update on another request: we're adding new narrow CW filters with much 
steeper skirts. This will apply to filter settings of 200 Hz and narrower. You 
be able to select the original narrow filter shape using a menu entry, if 
desired. 

73,
Wayne
N6KR

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Re: [Elecraft] K3 Frequency Calibration

[David Hachadorian]

After exchanging emails with N4ZR, who started this thread, we think 
this is the easiest procedure:


Tune the rig to 10.000 MHz in CW mode.  Listen to the tone of the WWV 
carrier, which should be close to your CW PITCH setting.
Switch back and forth between reverse cw and normal cw, adjusting REF 
CAL until the tones are equal in pitch on normal and reverse.


This procedure should get you calibrated well within 1 Hz, much better 
than required for any amateur radio application that I can think of.


Dave Hachadorian, K6LL
Yuma, AZ


On 12/18/2021 2:39 PM, Bob McGraw wrote:
The method I use seems to work great and be easy enough to do. No zero 
beating required and no external measurements required.


Put the radio in CW mode, tune to a WWV frequency and press and 
release SPOT.  The radio will automatically zero to the carrier with a 
tone that matches your preferred CW note.  Then via the CONFIG MENU go 
to REF CAL and adjust up or down with the VFO A knob,  the number of 
Hz error the previous SPOT routine disclosed.   A 10 Hz change on the 
REF CAL will equate to about 2 Hz at 10 MHz.    I find that checking 
several different WWV frequencies is even better using this method.   
To make sure it is optimum, tune to 5 or 10 Hz above and below each of 
the WWV frequencies.  Press SPOT from both above and below and see how 
it resolves.   Usually I can get within 2 Hz or better on all of 
them.  You may need to do this several times.  Be sure the radio has 
been on for at least 1/2 hour to allow things to stabilize.


73

Bob, K4TAX



Message: 4
Date: Thu, 16 Dec 2021 18:46:59 -0500
From: Don Wilhelm
To: Pete Smith N4ZR, Elecraft List

Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Frequency Calibration
Message-ID:<81d4d693-6cd1-f11b-30b7-d4523ce74...@w3fpr.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed

Pete,

When using WWV to set the K3 reference, make certain you are listening
to the carrier.? WWV is an AM signal that is modulated by a 500 or 600
Hz tone on alternate minutes (440 Hz 2 minutes after the hour).? That
produces tones that are both above and below the carrier.
So be certain you are hearing the carrier and not one of the modulating
tones.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 12/16/2021 4:34 PM, Pete Smith N4ZR wrote:

I've been wondering for some time if my 10-year-old K3's frequency
calibration was off, because it seemed like most spots of me were well
off when I clicked on them, usually in one direction.? Not having a
frequency counter, I went to the alternative method outlined in page
49 of the manual.? I thought I did it all "by the book", but found
that when I was done 15-MHz WWV's carrier frequency (determined by
zero-beating the carrier) was almost 400 Hz low. Since I wasn't
looking for FMT-level accuracy, I went back to WWV and adjusted the
REF CAL setting by ear until 15.000 on my RX dial was as close to
zero-beat with WWV as I could tell. We'll see how it worked out, but I
wonder if I simply have some fundamental misunderstanding of what's
involved.? Wouldn't be the first time...



--

Message: 5
Date: Thu, 16 Dec 2021 17:01:50 -0700
From: David Hachadorian
To: Pete Smith N4ZR, Reflector Elecraft

Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Frequency Calibration
Message-ID:<6453871f-7e7d-fa93-8a79-7b1efd5e4...@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed

You had it fixed, but then you broke it again. After doing the
alternative method on page 49, when you tune in to 10. MHz in CW
mode, you should hear a CW note at the same frequency as your PITCH
selection.? I presume that is 400 Hz.

I got an extremely good score on last year's Frequency Measuring Test
using only that alternative calibration method.

73

Dave Hachadorian, K6LL
Yuma, AZ



--

Message: 6
Date: Thu, 16 Dec 2021 23:04:36 -0800
From: Ray
To: Wes, "elecraft@mailman.qth.net"

Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Frequency Calibration
Message-ID:<61bc3686.1c69fb81.f8fd0.8...@mx.google.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

Gents
Go to a WWV signal, (5.00)  on a Good Strong Frequency.
Place the Mode To Upper SSB, Listen to the Beat note Tone Freq,
Now Move the Mode to Lower SSB. Adjust the  Ref. Cal. Osc. until the 
Beat Note is the Exact Same Freq

On Lower SSB and Upper SSB.   Done
Ray WA6VAB  K3





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[Elecraft] Elecraft Cw Net Announcement

[kevin]

Good Evening,

   Rain is melting the latest batch of snow.  This year's crop of ferns 
is more compressed.  The sword fern lose their outer fronds, while the 
bracken fern disintegrates.  By next fall they should be soil.


   The sun has awakened.  If I could see the sun I would drag out the 
telescope for a look.  A string of sunspot groups is moving across the 
sun at low latitudes.  Upon further examination I find a few at 
mid-latitudes in the opposite hemisphere.  It has been a while since 
there have been so many.  Flux is up too: 121 sfu.



Please join us on (or near):

14050 kHz at 2300z Sunday  (3 PM PST Sunday)
 7047 kHz at 0030z Monday  (4:30 PM PST Sunday)

   73,
  Kevin. KD5ONS



-


Pedantry and mastery are opposite attitudes toward rules. To apply a 
rule to the letter, rigidly, unquestioningly, in cases where it fits and 
in cases where it does not fit, is pedantry ... To apply a rule with 
natural ease, with judgment, noticing the cases where it fits, and 
without ever letting the words of the rule obscure the purpose of the 
action or the opportunities of the situation, is mastery. -George Polya, 
mathematician (13 Dec 1887-1985)


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Re: [Elecraft] K3 Frequency Calibration

[Gary Johnson via Elecraft]


Not sure why nobody has mentioned using WSJT in frequency calibration mode. 
It’s the bottom selection in the Mode menu. Shows  your offset in Hz to about 5 
decimal places. Just pick from the list of standard freqs and away it goes. 
Then adjust the K3 ref frequency to walk it in. There are even guys doing 
long-term observations on Allen variance this way.

Gary Johnson NA6O  
g...@me.com
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Re: [Elecraft] TX EQ issue

[w4sc]

Sorry,,, I should have been clear that this was for K3 / K3S..
W4SC

Sent from Mail for Windows

From: Wayne Burdick
Sent: Saturday, December 18, 2021 19:56
To: w4sc
Cc: Elecraft Reflector
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] TX EQ issue

Hi Ben,

Separate TX EQ for different voice modes has not yet been implemented. I'll 
make sure it's on the list.

73,
Wayne
N6KR


> On Dec 18, 2021, at 8:59 AM, w4sc  wrote:
> 
> Having trouble setting TX-EQ for FM and SSB.  Changing TX EQ when setting TX 
> EQ in FM mode,  the TX EQ setting for SSB changes to what was set when in the 
> FM mode.  This feature appears to not be working.
> 
> Manual says two separate EQ settins are available ,, one for SSB, a second 
> for AM/FM modes.
> 
> Filter TX set-up.
> 
> FL1  - 13KHz -- set for FM TX
> FL2  - 6KHz  set for AM TX
> FL3 – 2.8KHz – set for SSB / CW-DATA  TX
> 
> Has anyone else observed this issue?
> 
> Solution?
> 
> TIA  de Ben W4SC
> 
> Sent from Mail for Windows
> 
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Re: [Elecraft] TX EQ issue

[w4sc]

Hi Wayne,

After searching I found info in the programmers manual that helped me 
understand how it works.  It is a little hard to follow using the K3 / K3S 
owners manual, and / or Cady’s book.

I have written a couple of macros, not yet checked out, that may work(?).  


Turn ESSB ON, SET TX EQ:
ES1;TE-03+00+00+00+00+00+03+03; Mode must be SSB to turn ESSB ON, SET 
TX EQ Bins, 
Sets EQ for ESSB (USB, LSB), 
AM, and FM
A “+” sign will appear in lower 
RH corner of display
Turn ESSB OFF, SET TX EQ:
ES0;TE-03+00+00+00+00+00-03-06; Turn ESSB OFF, SET TX EQ Bins for 
current mode Two 
   Separate TX EQ, 1,(USB, LSB) or 2,(AM FM)

Also I was able to effect the settings via the Main/Config menus…. Setting ESSB 
ON a single TX EQ is used for all voice modes.  Setting ESSB OFF, the two TX EQ 
settings will be be available as described in the macro notes.  I haven’t 
verified this with testing yet as to the actual effect…

Also, not sure about the CW/DATA Modes….. I don’t see a macro command for that, 
but it is stated that CW/DATA TX-EQ is set “0”.

73 de Ben W4SC



Sent from Mail for Windows

From: Wayne Burdick
Sent: Saturday, December 18, 2021 19:56
To: w4sc
Cc: Elecraft Reflector
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] TX EQ issue

Hi Ben,

Separate TX EQ for different voice modes has not yet been implemented. I'll 
make sure it's on the list.

73,
Wayne
N6KR


> On Dec 18, 2021, at 8:59 AM, w4sc  wrote:
> 
> Having trouble setting TX-EQ for FM and SSB.  Changing TX EQ when setting TX 
> EQ in FM mode,  the TX EQ setting for SSB changes to what was set when in the 
> FM mode.  This feature appears to not be working.
> 
> Manual says two separate EQ settins are available ,, one for SSB, a second 
> for AM/FM modes.
> 
> Filter TX set-up.
> 
> FL1  - 13KHz -- set for FM TX
> FL2  - 6KHz  set for AM TX
> FL3 – 2.8KHz – set for SSB / CW-DATA  TX
> 
> Has anyone else observed this issue?
> 
> Solution?
> 
> TIA  de Ben W4SC
> 
> Sent from Mail for Windows
> 
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Re: [Elecraft] TX EQ issue

[Wayne Burdick]

Hi Ben,

Separate TX EQ for different voice modes has not yet been implemented. I'll 
make sure it's on the list.

73,
Wayne
N6KR


> On Dec 18, 2021, at 8:59 AM, w4sc  wrote:
> 
> Having trouble setting TX-EQ for FM and SSB.  Changing TX EQ when setting TX 
> EQ in FM mode,  the TX EQ setting for SSB changes to what was set when in the 
> FM mode.  This feature appears to not be working.
> 
> Manual says two separate EQ settins are available ,, one for SSB, a second 
> for AM/FM modes.
> 
> Filter TX set-up.
> 
> FL1  - 13KHz -- set for FM TX
> FL2  - 6KHz  set for AM TX
> FL3 – 2.8KHz – set for SSB / CW-DATA  TX
> 
> Has anyone else observed this issue?
> 
> Solution?
> 
> TIA  de Ben W4SC
> 
> Sent from Mail for Windows
> 
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[Elecraft] ?ELECRAFT NVIS field day?

[John Harper]

You're correct - it hasn't been stated anywhere but that won't stop some
from refuting it as if it were ;-)

John AE5X
https://ae5x.blogspot.com

>I’ve scanned back through this thread and I don’t see where anyone said
that their signal got stronger by lowering their antenna. Maybe I missed it
somewhere?
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Re: [Elecraft] ?ELECRAFT NVIS field day?

[David Herring]

I agree. I never said, believed or thought an NVIS antenna HAD to be low, I 
just said it COULD be low.  

In fact I was banking on the fact that making it low would make distant signals 
weaker.  ;-)

73,
Dave - N5DCH




> On Dec 18, 2021, at 4:18 PM, Jim Brown  wrote:
> 
> On 12/18/2021 2:31 PM, David Herring wrote:
>> Putting a dipole at about 10 feet (plus or minus, I don’t recall the exact 
>> height) accomplished everything I wanted. I worked, on a daily basis, hams 
>> at all points along the length of the State of Hawaii, I experienced reduced 
>> band noise, and I did not have to contend with stations outside of this 
>> area. Problems solved. I don’t think any of this contradicts science.
> 
> Believing that the antenna MUST be low for NVIS DOES contradict science. As 
> my extensive study, which has been peer reviewed, shows, all that having an 
> antenna very low does is increase loss, making your signal weaker, and make 
> distant signals weaker in your receiver.
> 
> 73, Jim K9YC
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Re: [Elecraft] ?ELECRAFT NVIS field day?

[Jim Brown]

On 12/18/2021 2:31 PM, David Herring wrote:

Putting a dipole at about 10 feet (plus or minus, I don’t recall the exact 
height) accomplished everything I wanted. I worked, on a daily basis, hams at 
all points along the length of the State of Hawaii, I experienced reduced band 
noise, and I did not have to contend with stations outside of this area. 
Problems solved. I don’t think any of this contradicts science.


Believing that the antenna MUST be low for NVIS DOES contradict science. 
As my extensive study, which has been peer reviewed, shows, all that 
having an antenna very low does is increase loss, making your signal 
weaker, and make distant signals weaker in your receiver.


73, Jim K9YC
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Re: [Elecraft] ?ELECRAFT NVIS field day?

[David Herring]

I’ve scanned back through this thread and I don’t see where anyone said that 
their signal got stronger by lowering their antenna.  Maybe I missed it 
somewhere?

To be clear, in my specific case, I was crafting a purpose-driven antenna. I 
wanted an antenna that would provide reliable, continuous coverage over about a 
400+ mile radius. I did not want to hear, or be heard by, anything or anyone 
outside of that area. I didn’t care about efficiency, QSL cards or anything 
else, mythical or otherwise.  Putting a dipole at about 10 feet (plus or minus, 
I don’t recall the exact height) accomplished everything I wanted. I worked, on 
a daily basis, hams at all points along the length of the State of Hawaii, I 
experienced reduced band noise, and I did not have to contend with stations 
outside of this area. Problems solved. I don’t think any of this contradicts 
science.

73,
Dave - N5DCH




> On Dec 18, 2021, at 2:02 PM, Bill Mader  wrote:
> 
> NVIS information is almost always anecdotal and a myth, more than science!
> As I have told many participants in many presentations, "If you think
> lowering your antenna will make your signal stronger, expect your QSL cards
> to arrive on a unicorn."  How many of you looked at Jim's, K9YC,
> explanation?  Probably too few.
> 
> 40m is near the upper limit of NVIS and currently, it is often below the
> NVIS frequency.  At this point in Cycle 25, I frequently can't copy
> stations within 150-250 miles away on 40m here in NM.  The ones I copy best
> have the highest, NOT lowest, antennas.
> 
> Note, as shown in Jim's paper, an 80m dipole at 60 ft. provides the maximum
> NVIS signal while at one at 90 ft. is just 1 dB down.  Having operated with
> an 80m dipole at 75 ft. on an Air Force RADAR site, my 100 Watt signal was
> almost always stronger than those with lower antennas around MI.  Yes, that
> is anecdotal, but it agrees with the science as modeled in Jim's paper.
> 
> I have yet to read of anyone's scientific data showing their 10 ft. high
> dipole worked better than their 30 ft. high dipole on 40m, to say nothing
> of similar 80m dipoles.  If you have two WSPR transmitters and have
> antennas at these heights, gather some data.  Both transmitters must
> transmit the same level signals at the same time over time to collect
> meaningful data, assuming everything is equal.
> 
> I once worked a station in Italy on 20m SSB with my KX3 using my mobile
> antenna.  I did not replace much better antennas at home based on that
> anecdote.  Neither have I received any QSL cards on unicorns although I do
> have a unicorn graphic in some of my antenna presentations.
> 
> 73, Bill Mader, K8TE
> New Mexico QSO Party 9 Apr 2022
> Secretary/Treasurer and Past President, Albuquerque DX Association
> W6H NM Coordinator, Route 66 On-the-Air 10-18 Sep 2022
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Re: [Elecraft] ?ELECRAFT NVIS field day?

[Ed Cole]

Just a comment on low dipoles:

On the Iditarod Dog Sled Race (Alaska) we had ham stations located in 
remote located checkpoints (total bush-no telephone or other utilities). 
 We used 80m and 40m to communicate with race HQ in Anchorage over 
paths of a couple hundred miles to 600 miles, or so.


80m worked well at night and 40m during the daytime.

Since one packed their station in a couple boxes to be hauled in small 
airplanes to these remote locations, antenna was a simple 80m wire 
dipole with clip-out sections to convert to 40m.


Usually antennas got strung from trees or buildings only high as one 
could reach or maybe using a stepladder.  They were NVIS by definition.


I recall some hung only 8 to 12 foot high, yet they worked fine with 
100w.  Not every station could reach HQ so quite a bit of relaying race 
traffic was done (reporting times in/out of checkpoints).  The race 
extends 1100 miles over a 8 to 20-day period as the dog teams varied in 
speed.


Ham radio is no longer used as the officials went to using sat-phones. 
But I was lucky to go out eight years on the trail as ham operator in 
the 1980's.  Used barefoot TS-180S and dipole (plus 600w Honda Gen).


You never lived until you slept in a wall tent at -60F outside (and -15F 
inside the tent).  Radio worked but LCD display took a little time to 
start when cold.


73, Ed - KL7UW
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[Elecraft] K3 Frequency Calibration

[Bob McGraw]

The method I use seems to work great and be easy enough to do. No zero 
beating required and no external measurements required.


Put the radio in CW mode, tune to a WWV frequency and press and release 
SPOT.  The radio will automatically zero to the carrier with a tone that 
matches your preferred CW note.  Then via the CONFIG MENU go to REF CAL 
and adjust up or down with the VFO A knob,  the number of Hz error the 
previous SPOT routine disclosed.   A 10 Hz change on the REF CAL will 
equate to about 2 Hz at 10 MHz.    I find that checking several 
different WWV frequencies is even better using this method.   To make 
sure it is optimum, tune to 5 or 10 Hz above and below each of the WWV 
frequencies.  Press SPOT from both above and below and see how it 
resolves.   Usually I can get within 2 Hz or better on all of them.  You 
may need to do this several times.  Be sure the radio has been on for at 
least 1/2 hour to allow things to stabilize.


73

Bob, K4TAX



Message: 4
Date: Thu, 16 Dec 2021 18:46:59 -0500
From: Don Wilhelm
To: Pete Smith N4ZR, Elecraft List

Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Frequency Calibration
Message-ID:<81d4d693-6cd1-f11b-30b7-d4523ce74...@w3fpr.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed

Pete,

When using WWV to set the K3 reference, make certain you are listening
to the carrier.? WWV is an AM signal that is modulated by a 500 or 600
Hz tone on alternate minutes (440 Hz 2 minutes after the hour).? That
produces tones that are both above and below the carrier.
So be certain you are hearing the carrier and not one of the modulating
tones.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 12/16/2021 4:34 PM, Pete Smith N4ZR wrote:

I've been wondering for some time if my 10-year-old K3's frequency
calibration was off, because it seemed like most spots of me were well
off when I clicked on them, usually in one direction.? Not having a
frequency counter, I went to the alternative method outlined in page
49 of the manual.? I thought I did it all "by the book", but found
that when I was done 15-MHz WWV's carrier frequency (determined by
zero-beating the carrier) was almost 400 Hz low. Since I wasn't
looking for FMT-level accuracy, I went back to WWV and adjusted the
REF CAL setting by ear until 15.000 on my RX dial was as close to
zero-beat with WWV as I could tell. We'll see how it worked out, but I
wonder if I simply have some fundamental misunderstanding of what's
involved.? Wouldn't be the first time...



--

Message: 5
Date: Thu, 16 Dec 2021 17:01:50 -0700
From: David Hachadorian
To: Pete Smith N4ZR, Reflector Elecraft

Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Frequency Calibration
Message-ID:<6453871f-7e7d-fa93-8a79-7b1efd5e4...@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed

You had it fixed, but then you broke it again. After doing the
alternative method on page 49, when you tune in to 10. MHz in CW
mode, you should hear a CW note at the same frequency as your PITCH
selection.? I presume that is 400 Hz.

I got an extremely good score on last year's Frequency Measuring Test
using only that alternative calibration method.

73

Dave Hachadorian, K6LL
Yuma, AZ



--

Message: 6
Date: Thu, 16 Dec 2021 23:04:36 -0800
From: Ray
To: Wes,   "elecraft@mailman.qth.net"

Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Frequency Calibration
Message-ID:<61bc3686.1c69fb81.f8fd0.8...@mx.google.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

Gents
Go to a WWV signal, (5.00)  on a Good Strong Frequency.
Place the Mode To Upper SSB, Listen to the Beat note Tone Freq,
Now Move the Mode to Lower SSB. Adjust the  Ref. Cal. Osc. until the Beat Note 
is the Exact Same Freq
On Lower SSB and Upper SSB.   Done
Ray WA6VAB  K3





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Re: [Elecraft] ?ELECRAFT NVIS field day?

[Bill Mader]

NVIS information is almost always anecdotal and a myth, more than science!
As I have told many participants in many presentations, "If you think
lowering your antenna will make your signal stronger, expect your QSL cards
to arrive on a unicorn."  How many of you looked at Jim's, K9YC,
explanation?  Probably too few.

40m is near the upper limit of NVIS and currently, it is often below the
NVIS frequency.  At this point in Cycle 25, I frequently can't copy
stations within 150-250 miles away on 40m here in NM.  The ones I copy best
have the highest, NOT lowest, antennas.

Note, as shown in Jim's paper, an 80m dipole at 60 ft. provides the maximum
NVIS signal while at one at 90 ft. is just 1 dB down.  Having operated with
an 80m dipole at 75 ft. on an Air Force RADAR site, my 100 Watt signal was
almost always stronger than those with lower antennas around MI.  Yes, that
is anecdotal, but it agrees with the science as modeled in Jim's paper.

I have yet to read of anyone's scientific data showing their 10 ft. high
dipole worked better than their 30 ft. high dipole on 40m, to say nothing
of similar 80m dipoles.  If you have two WSPR transmitters and have
antennas at these heights, gather some data.  Both transmitters must
transmit the same level signals at the same time over time to collect
meaningful data, assuming everything is equal.

I once worked a station in Italy on 20m SSB with my KX3 using my mobile
antenna.  I did not replace much better antennas at home based on that
anecdote.  Neither have I received any QSL cards on unicorns although I do
have a unicorn graphic in some of my antenna presentations.

73, Bill Mader, K8TE
New Mexico QSO Party 9 Apr 2022
Secretary/Treasurer and Past President, Albuquerque DX Association
W6H NM Coordinator, Route 66 On-the-Air 10-18 Sep 2022
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Re: [Elecraft] “ELECRAFT NVIS field day”

[Fred Jensen]

I'm about 25 km LOS from W7RN.  W7RN is 30 over S9 here on 160, 10 over 
on 80, about S7 on 40 anytime.  I can barely see it on the P3 [and it's 
QRK2 in the noise on the headphones] on 20, and missing above 20.  K2RD 
in SW Reno is a bit closer, but the same prevails for the ground wave 
for Ira.


73,

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

Jim Brown wrote on 12/17/2021 11:05 PM:

On 12/18/2021 1:09 AM, Ken WA8JXM wrote:

Some people may be
confusing groundwave (usually up to 25 miles) with NVIS.


Yes, AND groundwave weakens drastically with increasing frequency. 
With average soil, a station operating on 550 kHz will be 21 dB 
stronger at 100 miles than a station running the same power than one 
operating on 1600 kHz, assuming both are using a single quarter wave 
tower.


73, Jim K9YC




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Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft Digest, Vol 212, Issue 9

[Douglas Hagerman via Elecraft]

My K2 PLL problems all originated in one inadequately tinned toroid wire. I 
have successfully built a fair number of kits with toroids, but it is pretty 
easy to end up with a lead that is not actually connected. Even though it looks 
good.

So that is where I would start, check for continuity on every single toroid.

Doug, W0UHU.


===

Date: Thu, 16 Dec 2021 22:35:30 + (GMT)
From: ROLAND HOWELL mailto:snowy.how...@btinternet.com>>
To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net 
Subject: [Elecraft] K2 BFO problem
Message-ID: <35b68c67.9d375.17dc562ddff.webtop...@btinternet.com 
>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed


having repaired my PLL problem with a great deal of help and advice from 
Dave at tech support, Elecraft i moved onto the next set of tests which 
was the bfo frequencies, on selecting CAL, Counter i get a reading of 
4.9136, on pressing either the band up or down all i get is zero's.
Fitted crystals are 4.91s in X3 and X4 positions
Have checked all the details in the trouble shooting paragraph, i can 
find no fault with any of the components, all values and positions are 
correct.
I have to add that this was purchased as a non-runner.
Any advice appreciated
Snowy,G0HZE




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Re: [Elecraft] “ELECRAFT NVIS field day”

[Alan Bloom]

but having a low antenna goes a long
way toward limiting the contacts you make to NVIS propagation.



I suspect you could accomplish the same result simply by reducing 
transmitter power.


A dipole 1/4 wavelength high has a nearly identical radiation pattern to 
one close to the ground.  It just has less loss.


Alan N1AL


On 12/18/2021 10:28 AM, John Harper wrote:

You might want to consider doing this within the Winter Field Day event.

That's a great suggestion.

Those are correct who say that an antenna (dipole) doesn't have to be low
to the ground to make use of NVIS - but having a low antenna goes a long
way toward limiting the contacts you make to NVIS propagation.

John AE5X
https://ae5x.blogspot.com/2021/12/nvis-my-own-brief-experience.html
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[Elecraft] KpA1500 output

[Richard Goodin via Elecraft]

Hi all,
Had a falt on amp (swr) pushed reset corrected swr and now get no output. Seams 
like reset not working. Any suggestions?

Sent from my iPhone
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[Elecraft] “ELECRAFT NVIS field day”

[John Harper]

>You might want to consider doing this within the Winter Field Day event.

That's a great suggestion.

Those are correct who say that an antenna (dipole) doesn't have to be low
to the ground to make use of NVIS - but having a low antenna goes a long
way toward limiting the contacts you make to NVIS propagation.

John AE5X
https://ae5x.blogspot.com/2021/12/nvis-my-own-brief-experience.html
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[Elecraft] TX EQ issue

[w4sc]

Having trouble setting TX-EQ for FM and SSB.  Changing TX EQ when setting TX EQ 
in FM mode,  the TX EQ setting for SSB changes to what was set when in the FM 
mode.  This feature appears to not be working.

Manual says two separate EQ settins are available ,, one for SSB, a second for 
AM/FM modes.

Filter TX set-up.

FL1  - 13KHz -- set for FM TX
FL2  - 6KHz  set for AM TX
FL3 – 2.8KHz – set for SSB / CW-DATA  TX

Has anyone else observed this issue?

Solution?

TIA  de Ben W4SC

Sent from Mail for Windows

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Re: [Elecraft] “ELECRAFT NVIS field day”

[John Simmons]

For 80M NVIS I put up a 'improved' extended double Zepp (315' long 
designed by N6LF) at 30' with a wire reflector 5% longer buried an inch 
in the ground. There is a 4:1 balun at the center with a coax feedline 
to the shack. Covers entire band under 2:1 SWR. Email for more details 
if desired.



--
73,
-de John NI0K in rural Debs, MN USA
Hamshack Hotline: 610271

email wrote on 12/18/2021 9:10 AM:
I put up an NVIS antenna for 80m a number of years ago.  It works 
great for local 80m nets.
It is a full wave length loop (more square) mounted about 10' above 
the ground.

It is feed with 450 ohm ladderline from a 1:1 current balun at the ATU.
EZNEC shows the radiation is UP.
It also shows gain and not as much UP on 40m and 20m.
I have worked DX on all bands.

73, steve WB3LGC

On 12/18/21 4:09 AM, Ken WA8JXM wrote:

--- "In Hawaii, 40 meters worked great for NVIS probably 11 out of 12
months a year. Someone else who knows can comment, but I got the 
impression
that 40 meters almost never works for NVIS in the mainland US.  If 
this is
true, an Elecraft NVIS field day might be limited to those who either 
have
room for an 80 meter dipole, or who can devise some other kind of 80 
meter

antenna that can radiate up."


I think it depends on time of day, time of year, and what part of the
sunspot cycle.  40m is pretty much the top limit for NVIS though. But
sometimes 40 works for NVIS.  That's one of the reasons for our 60m
allocation, NVIS when 40 is too  long and 80m is dead.   OTOH  I've seen
160 too long for statewide coverage at times.

FWIW, I agree a vertical is not an NVIS antenna.  Some people may be
confusing groundwave (usually up to 25 miles) with NVIS.  They are 
totally

different propagation modes.

Ken WA8JXM

On Fri, Dec 17, 2021 at 7:22 PM David Herring  
wrote:


It is absolutely true that antennas intended for NVIS use do not 
have to
be hung low.  But they CAN be.  And there are instances where doing 
so can

be desirable.

When I lived in Hawaii, we used NVIS for reliable statewide HF
communications to very good effect.  When I hung my dipole up about 
30 feet
or so, I would frequently get calls from hams in Japan, Oceana, 
mainland
US, Canada and elsewhere. Ordinarily that would be nice, but when 
one is
specifically focused on local comms, that can get to be a problem. 
When I
hung my NVIS dipole down around 10 feet, I still got excellent 
statewide

communications but no longer got calls from afar.

So I kept my dipole low for local, and erected a vertical for DX. Both
worked perfectly for their intended use.

In Hawaii, 40 meters worked great for NVIS probably 11 out of 12 
months a
year. Someone else who knows can comment, but I got the impression 
that 40
meters almost never works for NVIS in the mainland US.  If this is 
true, an
Elecraft NVIS field day might be limited to those who either have 
room for
an 80 meter dipole, or who can devise some other kind of 80 meter 
antenna

that can radiate up.

73,
Dave - N5DCH





On Dec 17, 2021, at 11:05 AM, Julia Tuttle 

wrote:

Wait, why would people think verticals are good for NVIS? Isn't a
vertical's radiation pattern pretty much "sideways but not up", and 
NVIS'

desired radiation pattern "up but not sideways"?

On Fri, Dec 17, 2021, 12:54 Jim Brown 
> wrote:

On 12/17/2021 6:12 AM, Greg Herman wrote:

What if there was the annual event called the The Elecraft
NVIS field day?
There is a major myth regarding NVIS that antennas must be low. 
This is

totally false. The facts are that vertical antennas are terrible for
NVIS, and that horizontal antennas work better up to nearly one-half
wavelength above ground. This study ran in National Contest Journal
several years ago.

http://k9yc.com/AntennaPlanning.pdf

73, Jim K9YC

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Re: [Elecraft] “ELECRAFT NVIS field day”

[email]

I put up an NVIS antenna for 80m a number of years ago.  It works great 
for local 80m nets.
It is a full wave length loop (more square) mounted about 10' above the 
ground.

It is feed with 450 ohm ladderline from a 1:1 current balun at the ATU.
EZNEC shows the radiation is UP.
It also shows gain and not as much UP on 40m and 20m.
I have worked DX on all bands.

73, steve WB3LGC

On 12/18/21 4:09 AM, Ken WA8JXM wrote:

--- "In Hawaii, 40 meters worked great for NVIS probably 11 out of 12
months a year. Someone else who knows can comment, but I got the impression
that 40 meters almost never works for NVIS in the mainland US.  If this is
true, an Elecraft NVIS field day might be limited to those who either have
room for an 80 meter dipole, or who can devise some other kind of 80 meter
antenna that can radiate up."


I think it depends on time of day, time of year, and what part of the
sunspot cycle.  40m is pretty much the top limit for NVIS though.  But
sometimes 40 works for NVIS.  That's one of the reasons for our 60m
allocation, NVIS when 40 is too  long and 80m is dead.   OTOH  I've seen
160 too long for statewide coverage at times.

FWIW, I agree a vertical is not an NVIS antenna.  Some people may be
confusing groundwave (usually up to 25 miles) with NVIS.  They are totally
different propagation modes.

Ken WA8JXM

On Fri, Dec 17, 2021 at 7:22 PM David Herring  wrote:


It is absolutely true that antennas intended for NVIS use do not have to
be hung low.  But they CAN be.  And there are instances where doing so can
be desirable.

When I lived in Hawaii, we used NVIS for reliable statewide HF
communications to very good effect.  When I hung my dipole up about 30 feet
or so, I would frequently get calls from hams in Japan, Oceana, mainland
US, Canada and elsewhere. Ordinarily that would be nice, but when one is
specifically focused on local comms, that can get to be a problem. When I
hung my NVIS dipole down around 10 feet, I still got excellent statewide
communications but no longer got calls from afar.

So I kept my dipole low for local, and erected a vertical for DX.  Both
worked perfectly for their intended use.

In Hawaii, 40 meters worked great for NVIS probably 11 out of 12 months a
year. Someone else who knows can comment, but I got the impression that 40
meters almost never works for NVIS in the mainland US.  If this is true, an
Elecraft NVIS field day might be limited to those who either have room for
an 80 meter dipole, or who can devise some other kind of 80 meter antenna
that can radiate up.

73,
Dave - N5DCH





On Dec 17, 2021, at 11:05 AM, Julia Tuttle 

wrote:

Wait, why would people think verticals are good for NVIS? Isn't a
vertical's radiation pattern pretty much "sideways but not up", and NVIS'
desired radiation pattern "up but not sideways"?

On Fri, Dec 17, 2021, 12:54 Jim Brown 
> wrote:

On 12/17/2021 6:12 AM, Greg Herman wrote:

What if there was the annual event called the The Elecraft
NVIS field day?

There is a major myth regarding NVIS that antennas must be low. This is
totally false. The facts are that vertical antennas are terrible for
NVIS, and that horizontal antennas work better up to nearly one-half
wavelength above ground. This study ran in National Contest Journal
several years ago.

http://k9yc.com/AntennaPlanning.pdf

73, Jim K9YC

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