[Elecraft] K3s # 10323
Dear Folks: Today I had the immense pleasure of opening up my K3s kit. Building and operating my K2 and K1 (I have the 4 band kit of the latter and feel lucky) are among the biggest ham radio thrills I've had. You don't get to start on a new kit very often, and it was exciting today to start the old routine (all I did tonight was conduct a complete parts inventory) that I employed with the other kits. I'm looking forward to leisurely working through the kit (it's a K3s/100 with the ATU) while listening to music in the background. Of course, I'm looking forward to firing it up on the air one day. Just thought I'd share this feeling with all of you, many of whom, I'm sure, have felt the same way. By the way, I don't care much about what serial number I get. It does make the rig unique, and places my particular rigs where they belong on the Elecraft spectrum (my K1 is # 1024 and my K2 is #6922). Since I ordered my K3s (#10323) on September 7th, this tells any of you about to order one what your serial number is likely going to be. 73 de Bernie, KF0QS -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K3s-10323-tp7607669.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K2 drift
Don: Would you suggest I replace Q24, or should I just check the solder? Thanks for the help. Bernie At 05:41 AM 4/12/2015, you wrote: Bernie, Since the pitch changed that says the BFO is the problem (not the VFO). I repaired one recently where Q24 was the real culprit causing the BFO to shift frequency. 73, Don W3FPR On 4/12/2015 2:15 AM, Bernie KF0QS wrote: Don: When I switch to a filter, I can't hear the signal I had centered in the passband. I can only hear the signal if I tune about 1 khz down, and then I do hear the signal, albeit very low in pitch as opposed to the pitch I heard before I switched in the filter. Given that, I suppose it sounds like the VFO is the problem? __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecrafthttp://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraftHelp: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htmhttp://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htmPost: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.nethttp://www.qsl.netPlease help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.htmlhttp://www.qsl.net/donate.htmlMessage delivered to [hidden email] If you reply to this email, your message will be added to the discussion below: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K2-drift-tp7601236p7601277.htmlhttp://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K2-drift-tp7601236p7601277.html To unsubscribe from K2 drift, http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/template/NamlServlet.jtp?macro=unsubscribe_by_codenode=7601236code=aGFtZGFuQGl4Lm5ldGNvbS5jb218NzYwMTIzNnwtNTkyODc0NzExclick here. http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/template/NamlServlet.jtp?macro=macro_viewerid=instant_html%21nabble%3Aemail.namlbase=nabble.naml.namespaces.BasicNamespace-nabble.view.web.template.NabbleNamespace-nabble.view.web.template.NodeNamespacebreadcrumbs=notify_subscribers%21nabble%3Aemail.naml-instant_emails%21nabble%3Aemail.naml-send_instant_email%21nabble%3Aemail.namlNAML -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K2-drift-tp7601236p7601289.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] 9M6XRO with my K2/10
Thanks for the replies you guys. I'd always heard about QRP guys busting pileups, and having done it once, I've got a lot more confidence for doing it again. Happy Holidays all, and 73 de Bernie, KF0QS -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/9M6XRO-with-my-K2-10-tp7596239p7596290.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] 9M6XRO with my K2/10
Today, there was a pileup on 9M6XRO (East Malaysia) on 10 meters. Using my K2 at 5 watts (my antenna was a Cushcraft A3S at about 24 ft in elevation) I got through the pileup on about my third call. What a surprise! It's the first time I've broken through a pileup on QRP. What fun!! Thanks for reading. 73 de Bernie, KF0QS -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/9M6XRO-with-my-K2-10-tp7596239.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Would anyone like to see an all-mode VHF/UHF offering from Elecraft?
I would definitely be interested in such a radio. I do have an FT-736R, and although I love the radio, I would welcome the opportunity to replace it with something up-to-date. Although I recognize that satellite opportunities are limited right now (which is why I have the 736), I'd still be interested in a new radio with similar, but updated, capabilities. -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/Would-anyone-like-to-see-an-all-mode-VHF-UHF-offering-from-Elecraft-tp7583468p7583529.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Would anyone like to see an all-mode VHF/UHF offering from Elecraft?
I forgot to mention that part of the interest in an Elecraft VHF/UHF all mode rig would be the pleasure of building it, which is not something I got to experience with the 736. -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/Would-anyone-like-to-see-an-all-mode-VHF-UHF-offering-from-Elecraft-tp7583468p7583530.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] KSB2 and KAF2
Dear Folks: I thought I'd mention that I successfully installed my KSB2 in my K2 a week ago Sunday, and it works great. I've been getting excellent audio reports from people and have even managed to work some DX on QRP SSB. What fun to have SSB installed in the K2, even though I'm primarily a CW operator. I inventoried the parts on the KAF2 tonight (I've already built and installed the KNB2 and the KAT2) and was absolutely shocked, I mean just shocked, to find that there are no toroids to wind in it. ;-) (Actually, I've never understood the fuss about them. I think the hardest part of them is making sure that you properly solder them during installation, since residue on the leads sometimes makes it difficult to get the solder to flow, so making sure they are properly tinned is the main chore, and that's not that bad). I don't want to jinx myself, but after the closely packed parts in the KSB2 and the KAT2, I feel like I'm building the KAF2 on a board the size of a football field. Sadly, I'm not sure what I'll do after I finish with the KAF2, as building the K2, the first three options to it, and building the K1 (along with its ATU), have been one of the deepest pleasures I've had in ham radio (and I've had many). I've already started roaming around other QRP sites for stuff to build after I finish with the KAF2 (I've also built a couple of the mini-module kits). It looks like I'm going to end up with a number of little QRP rigs sitting around. Thanks to Elecraft for a great experience in building both the K2 and the K1. 73 de Bernie, KF0QS -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KSB2-and-KAF2-tp7571272.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] Question Regarding Direct Conversion Receiver
Dear Folks: I have now built a K1 (#1024) and a K2 (#6922) and have deeply enjoyed doing both. I am now currently building the SSB option for the K2. They are both great rigs, and building them and getting them to work has been some of the best stuff I've done in my ham radio career. I've worked hundreds of stations with them both, and a fair amount of DX. Certainly, my confidence in doing my own work has grown by leaps and bounds because of the experience I've gained. I've even built one thing from scratch, just using a schematic (a relatively simple circuit, but it worked perfectly the first time). I now have a question about something I did years ago. When I got the K1, I decided to build something smaller first in order to practice soldering. I built a Vectronics (actually, from MFJ) direct conversion receiver for 20 meters (I also built the companion transmitter, and it works fine). The problem is that merely touching the receiver makes its change frequency, and tuning it is an uncertain process. As a result, it is unstable, and not much fun to operate (though it is reasonably sensitive despite its simplicity). There must be some capacitance that it is getting from my touch, that is adversely affecting its performance. Did I do something wrong in building this receiver, or is it just the price of a really bare bones design? Thanks for any advice anyone can give me. 73 de Bernie KF0QS -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/Question-Regarding-Direct-Conversion-Receiver-tp7569046.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K2 Filter Alignment
Don: Thanks for your reply. I have to admit that I had completely forgotten the spot function. I guess my ear was attuned to something different from what the spot function would show. I have found that, if I use the spot function, I am able to keep the received signal within the passband of the filter in use. I did recheck my dial calibration, and I did the filter alignment all over again. It now seems to work fine. Indeed, I gave it a bit of an acid test during the North American QSO Party last weekend. I would tune into one of the most crowded frequencies, get a signal in the middle of the passband for one of the narrower filters (I do now understand that the filters are 1500khz, 700, 400 and 200khz - sorry for the error), and then try and reply to that signal. It worked perfectly every time. In other words, a signal in the center of the filter passband was pretty close to my transmitted signal. I wanted to wait a bit before replying because, on a few past occasions when I realigned the filters, the filter alignment seemed to change as time went on. In other words, the received signals seemed to end up more and more out of the passband as time went on. However, at this point, two weeks after I did the latest realignment, everything seems stable and working well. Thanks so much for your patience and help. 73 de Bernie, KF0QS -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K2-Filter-Alignment-tp7567975p7568728.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] K2 Filter Alignment
Dear Folks: I am the proud owner of K2-10 #6922 and, so far, have been operating it exclusively on cw (I am building the SSB option right now, though I am a brass pounder). It is a fine radio and has caused my TS-850S and AL-80 amp to gather a lot of dust. My only problem has been the filter alignment. I have repeatedly tried to align the filters, and always seem to end up with a situation where the passband of the filters never falls within the passband of the receiver at its maximum bandwidth (I have it set for 150hz). In other words, the received signal, when the receiver is right on it, always seems to fall outside of the 70hz filter (if I tune the receiver to copy the received signal with the 70hz filter in use, and then switch to the 40 and 20hz filters, the signal stays within the bandwith). The last time I tried to align the filters, I used a noise generator and Spectrogram, and followed Tom Hammond's (N0SS) instructions. After doing this, I always need to turn on the RIT and turn a few hz below the received signal to bring it within the bandwith of the 70hz filter. What am I doing wrong? For reference purposes, I have my sidetone set for 600hz. Thanks and 73 de Bernie, KF0QS -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K2-Filter-Alignment-tp7567975.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] Portable Antennas (Is there an easy button?)
Dear Folks: I have a K2/10 (#6922) and a K1 (#1024). I have used the latter in the field, and hope to use both portable. I have a Buddi-Pole setup, but am annoyed at how long it takes to set up. I am wondering if you folks have a suggestion for a really easy portable antenna setup. Anyone? As a corollary to that question, I hear people say they just toss a wire up in a tree. Both of my Elecraft rigs have the ATU's installed, and so, could I just use a wire? I am contemplating getting some fine gauge wire (#24?) and soldering a 40 foot length to the positive pole of a BNC connector and a similar length to the shield. What do you guys think? 73 de Bernie, KF0QS -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/Portable-Antennas-Is-there-an-easy-button-tp7533480.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Suggestions for K2 Options
Chip: Thanks for your reply. Since I can't afford the DSP right now, I'm going to go with the audio filter. Here is my thought on your question of the advantage of the DSP over the crystal filter passband. It is just my guess (and I could be off base) but I suspect that the DSP gives you three advantages over the crystal filters. First, my guess is that you can make the passband edge sharper using the DSP. Secondly, whereas the crystal filters are somewhat fixed, you can likely customize the passband more with a DSP. I have an audio DSP (from Timewave) and have quite a lot of options with that thing. Thirdly, if there is a way to link the K2 DSP to a computer, you can likely get software updates from Elecraft? The reason I'm not that interested in spending the money for the DSP is that, despite these advantages, I'm not convinced that a DSP will result in that much more of an advantage. In other words, though technically I may be able to accomplish more with a DSP, I'm not convinced that my ear and brain will be able to hear and appreciate it. And on those rare occasions when I can hear and appreciate it, I have to then decide if those rare occasions are worth the extra money. I too would be interested to hear what others think. Thanks again for your reply. 73 de Bernie, KF0QS -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/Suggestions-for-K2-Options-tp7084004p7104343.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
