Re: [Elecraft] SDR software for KX3?
I saw the same thing with several of the programs I tried, but finally one worked OK without those images. It is: PowerSDR/IF Stage V1.19.3.5 SETUP IF: RIG CONNECTION - rig type K3 (NOTE - K3, NOT KX3)( also get your com port and baud rate from the kx3 utility) IF FREQUENCIES global offset -5700 lo center (don't know what this is) 8215000 LSB 650 USB -800 This should get you started. GL de Jerry W4UK At 04:35 PM 10/12/2013, Tom wrote: Hi Has anyone tried to hook up their kx3 via the IQ output to SDR software? I have so far tried three different programs, hdsdr, sdr-radio, and SDR sharp, and they are all the same. I get images that run in different directions as I tune. I tried everything to get get rid of them to no avail. I also tried three different sound boards and different cables. No difference at all. Anybody have ideas? Thanks, Tom va2fsq __ 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] OT: How to *NOT* get scammed.....emails offering to sell Elecraft equipment?
1) See if QRZ address matches the address he gives 2) Google search him to see if anyone complained on a list or elsewhere. Also see if he ever posts to ham reflectors and what that history is. 3) Does he have a land-line phone nr that can be verified against his address on the internet phone book? 4) Use USPS money order for payment. Supposed to give protection against fraud (possibly get the federal postal inspectors on your side) . This helps both sides, actually. If at least 3 of the above are OK, he probably is also. Jerry W4UK At 10:22 AM 10/3/2013, you wrote: I hope its ok for me to post an OFF-TOPIC query. Here is my question: Recently I was forwarded an email.a ham offering to sell a slightly used KX3. I had a bad experience this summer with someone who I believe was posing as a ham offering to sell something via email. It was in response to a want-add I had posted on Eham-swap looking for parts. I received an email a supposed ham wanted to sell me an item he claimed was almost brand new. I said thank you anywayI'm specifically looking for parts. He emailed me 2 more times trying to get me to buy. I thanked him and repeated, I was only looking for parts. He then emailed me saying he had another unit he would sell as parts. I asked him for pictures. I never heard from him again. He was using a legitimate ham call-sign. I believe if someone on this list were selling a used KX3, it would be legit. But other forums I suspect are subject to scammers. Is there any way one can inspect an item at delivery before providing payment? C.O.D is kind of like that, but not quite. ** please no flammers ** Thanks :-] Duane - N1BBR __ 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] OT: How to *NOT* get scammed.....emails offering to sell Elecraft equipment?
To be clear concerning the QRZ address check:: QRZ.com can give the official FCC contact postal address. This can also be had on the FCC website. I recommend comparing that postal address to the postal address he gives for sending the USPS money order. I would NOT like a po box nr for this, and no address changes, either. And using USPS Money orders gives a sort of fraud protection for both the buyer and seller. Read USPS website. Looks like you can even check the validity of the MO there. Jerry W4UK At 11:37 AM 10/3/2013, Mark Stennett wrote: Be careful trusting what you see on QRZ. There is a recent trend where an unsuspecting victim clicks on a link to view whatever a scammer is offering via email. That link leads to a QRZ.COM fake web page where the victim is asked to log in. After providing name and password, the victim is then directed to the real QRZ.COM. The scammer now has the login information he needs to get on QRZ and change the email address to something he controls. You would also not be surprised how many hams use the same password on multiple sites. They change other accounts as well and then scam ads are posted under legitimate user accounts. A lot of us site managers have gotten together and share information so these scammers are shut down fast but they still sneak through. 73 de na6m -Original Message- From: Jerry Flanders jefland...@comcast.net To: dw bw...@fastmail.fm Cc: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Date: Thu, 03 Oct 2013 10:38:18 -0400 Subject: Re: [Elecraft] OT: How to *NOT* get scammed.emails offering to sell Elecraft equipment? 1) See if QRZ address matches the address he gives 2) Google search him to see if anyone complained on a list or elsewhere. Also see if he ever posts to ham reflectors and what that history is. 3) Does he have a land-line phone nr that can be verified against his address on the internet phone book? 4) Use USPS money order for payment. Supposed to give protection against fraud (possibly get the federal postal inspectors on your side) . This helps both sides, actually. If at least 3 of the above are OK, he probably is also. Jerry W4UK At 10:22 AM 10/3/2013, you wrote: I hope its ok for me to post an OFF-TOPIC query. Here is my question: Recently I was forwarded an email.a ham offering to sell a slightly used KX3. I had a bad experience this summer with someone who I believe was posing as a ham offering to sell something via email. It was in response to a want-add I had posted on Eham-swap looking for parts. I received an email a supposed ham wanted to sell me an item he claimed was almost brand new. I said thank you anywayI'm specifically looking for parts. He emailed me 2 more times trying to get me to buy. I thanked him and repeated, I was only looking for parts. He then emailed me saying he had another unit he would sell as parts. I asked him for pictures. I never heard from him again. He was using a legitimate ham call-sign. I believe if someone on this list were selling a used KX3, it would be legit. But other forums I suspect are subject to scammers. Is there any way one can inspect an item at delivery before providing payment? C.O.D is kind of like that, but not quite. ** please no flammers ** Thanks :-] Duane - N1BBR __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecrafthttp://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htmhttp://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.nethttp://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.htmlhttp://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ 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] Price promo on K3 at Dayton?
You guys at Dayton - is there hamfest promo pricing on the K3 at Dayton? Jerry W4UK __ 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] OT: Changing hands for CW
Wow! It seems to work pretty well. I never heard of this, so never tried it. I would have to practice quite a bit before I would want to use it on the air, though.Been using paddle/bug for 57 years with right hand. Other side of brain must have noticed how to make it work in reverse. You guys needing this should definitely check it out. Jerry W4UK At 06:10 2/5/2009, Ken Kopp wrote: Here's an experiment for those who either want or need to change hands to send CW with paddles or even a bug. You can turn the paddles or bug around so the paddles face away from you and then reach over the top and try sending with the wrong hand. You're likely to be surprised at how easy it is, even without practice. If this meets your need, reverse the dot and dash leads and you're all set. I learned this in the pre-computer days of contesting in order to send and paper log at the same time. (;-) 73! Ken Kopp - K0PP elecraftcov...@rfwave.net __ 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 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] Sub-receiver or 2 k3's
A few weeks ago on this reflector I mentioned that I was using my two K3s for diversity. I have two full station setups (primarily for RTTY contesting), and one is connected to 80/20/10 antennas and the other to a 40/15. Also, each separate station feeds a different side earpiece in my headphones, so it was very easy for me to implement diversity just by linking the VFOs together through N8LP's LP-Bridge program. Even though the other K3 is on the wrong band antenna, it all works FB. I have not tried to link the master oscillators in the K3s, but I did carefully tweak the freq calibration so they are on the same freq (within tenths of a Hz, I think). Since I already had the two radios here, it made sense for me to do diversity with them when the second radio was not busy, but maybe not so sensible to buy one solely for this. Go back through the archives and search for my posts both here and also the LP-Pan reflector. Jerry W4UK At 18:17 1/25/2009, N1IX wrote: I was going to install the sub-receiver in my K3. Then I thought it might me advantageous to have a second K3 instead. I need a back up radio also. Are there any opinions? Dave N1IX ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 Filter Plots
After I used it, my K3 had been changed. Before, it was a 100 W unit. After, only 12. I had to restore an earlier K3 configuration file to restore it. There might have been other K3 changes also that I corrected by this config restore without even knowing they had occurred, so other users should watch for them. Also, I had to reboot the computer to get the serial port back - K3FilterTools apparently did not release it when it exited. OTOH, I recall having some weirdness occur while trying to get the filter scan and might have upset the program and caused these problems myself as I tried to recover from the weirdness - don't remember details of it. Thankfully, my K3 did not transmit into the signal generator - probably would have ruined the little Elecraft XG-2 and w8diz 10 MHz oscillator I was using.. I think this will be a really useful program when we understand how to safely use it. I read all the help files that came with the program, but have not read Jack Smith's writeup on the method yet. Jerry W4UK At 10:19 1/18/2009, Ian White GM3SEK wrote: Joe Subich, W4TV wrote: The program is called K3 Filter Tools and can be downloaded free from: http://mysite.verizon.net/ks7d Mike, KS7D Note: when using Mike's software, AUTOINF must be set to NOR. Anyone who normally has AUTOINF=1 (e.g. for a SteppIR antenna) will need to manually reset it before using the software in order to get usable data. Mike's program is an excellent addition to the K3 toolkit... but as Joe points out, be aware that it takes control of the K3 in ways we might not expect. If the K3 is configured for PTT or CW keying using the CTS and/or DTR lines, the Filter Tools program may cause the rig to transmit. (No harm done, as the signal generator was connected to the RX ANT port, but definitely an unexpected event.) Before using *any* new program that takes control of the rig, it is also a good idea to use Elecraft's K3 Utilities program to grab a config file, and then reload the original rig configuration afterwards. -- 73 from Ian GM3SEK http://www.ifwtech.co.uk/g3sek ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 Band Data Output
Do they also have the negative ALC included? Jerry W4UK At 19:53 1/16/2009, Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft wrote: New K3s shipping now have the pull ups. 73, Eric WA6HHQ Phil Debbie Salas wrote: How are K3s being shipped regarding the Band Data output? Are new radios including the pull-up resistors, or are they still all being shipped with open drains? Phil - AD5X ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 feature request
A properly connected and adjusted ALC system that responds to amp/antenna anomalies by signalling the rig to cut back on drive might be useful. Don't know how it would respond to keying weirdness. Jerry W4UK At 05:57 1/9/2009, Mike Cox wrote: Ouch.. that could blow the pin diodes or protection circuits in my internal Ameritron PIN5 QSK switch if the amp were in the Operate mode and RF were applied from the rig without the KEY line activated. It is imperative that the KEY line be actuated before RF hits the amplifier input to avoid damage to the pin diode switch. With Ameritron amps with an internal pin diode switch, the wiring is such that the only time the amplifier is actually bypassed is when the OPERATE switch is in STANDBY. Otherwise the path is to the amplifier input AND the pin diode switch. In this mode, the KEY line only goes to the pin diode switch, not the main OPERATE relay which would otherwise bypass the amp. I normally don't put the amp in the Operate mode until after the antenna is tuned using the normal K3 TUNE mode while the amp is bypassed. If I forget to tune the antenna first and operate the amp I get a huge reflected power (seen on the tuner bridge) but nothing catastrophic for a short operation of my AL-1200. If the KEY OUT is to be optionally disabled during K3 TUNE, it MUST be a menu selected option or it will result in damaged equipment. Bill Johnson wrote: I would like the key out not to switch on the amp when tuning the antenna with a remote tuner without turning on the amp. That way when I operate the amp is loading into a tuned circuit via the K3 tuning mechanism. I have the ALS 600S 73, Bill K9YEQ ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Re: Question re K3 diversity reception
I have been using SO2R in some of the RTTY contests for several years now. When I first set it up I was concerned about blowing the front end transistors in my (then) paired ICOM 756PRO radios. It occurred to me that I could simply measure RF voltage coming back in from the other antenna when under full power and verify that I was below the voltage that might damage the input devices. I made up a simple 50 ohm loaded diode probe for the measurements with my DVM. The usual techniques of stubs and filters, along with antenna separation of apprx a hundred feet, yielded worst-case voltages of around 300 mv with 1000 watts tx'ed on the other antenna. I assumed this could easily be tolerated by the radios and so far this has proven correct through 3 generations of different pairs of radios. I would recommend this technique of actually measuring the incoming voltage, then use common sense as to what levels are tolerable. Yesterday Wayne gave some guidance on tolerable levels with the K3, removing some of the guesswork. Jerry W4UK Subject: RE: [Elecraft] Re: Question re K3 diversity reception Wayne, To carry this one step more, what about when I am running multiple K3's on different bands at the same time? Do you recommend to use external receive bandpass filters on the receive lines if I am using receive antennas on the Receive Antenna and/or Aux input? And also use transmit bandpass filters on the transmit antenna input when I am using the transmit antenna for both receive and transmit? Julius Fazekas N2WN Tennessee Contest Group ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Re: Question re K3 diversity reception
Hi Wayne At what approx. RF voltage level sent back into the rx from the second antenna do we need to worry about additional protection like external switching or shorting? Also, what do I hear when the COR activates? What sound? Is this a reed relay? I operate SO2R and occasionally need to measure to verify safe RF level into the second rig and would also like use my 2nd K3 (synch-tuned) for diversity rx while tx'ing on 1st K3. An actual RF voltage level I can use as a measurable limit would be a very useful parameter. Jerry W4UK At 01:57 PM 12/16/2008, wayne burdick wrote: Dr. James C. Garland wrote: ... When I'm transmitting, does the K3 short the input to the subreceiver AUX input, or otherwise protect the input from damage? . Hi Jim, The KRX3's AUX input is protected by a gas-discharge tube, bleeder resistor, and carrier-operated relay. It is very unlikely to be damaged. However, activation of the COR (which you would hear as you key the rig, etc.) can be disruptive to T-R sequencing. If you hear the COR relay go on, I'd strongly suggest that you either reduce the coupling between the two antennas or provide external switching or shorting (this could be done via the KEY OUT jack on the K3). 73, Wayne N6KR ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 AND QUADRA
Quadra plus K3 works FB. Do the ALC mod, install the pull-up resistors for the automatic BCD bandswitching, wire up the cable to interconnect everything, and enjoy. Jerry W4UK At 03:18 PM 12/13/2008, K9ZTV wrote: Would appreciate those driving a Quadra with their K3 contacting me off-reflector. 73, Kent K9ZTV ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] easy source of static dissipating work mat?
At 07:59 AM 12/12/2008, Don Nelson wrote: The K3 kit has two sub assemblies that come in large conducting plastic bags. I used these bags for an antistatic mat. I put these bags down on the work bench overlapping to provide a good conducting surface. If you want you can cut open two sides of each bag and fold open the bag to double the covered surface. Don I don't understand how that material is supposed to function, but I tested a piece of it (may have been from some other source) and found that it was not conductive, at least as far as my DVM could measure. I concluded that I could not trust it to drain off any static charge from a workpiece - wrong? Jerry W4UK ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Earning Customer Loyalty
Much more to it than mere inconvenience. I spent hours on the job - diagnosis by disassembling the radio, swapping the encoders, reassembling the radio, verifying the problem followed the encoders, getting a replacement encoder from Elecraft, disassembling the radio, installing the replacement encoder, then reassembling the radio. Most of you guys who assembled the kit know how difficult front panel remove/install is. I feel that my problem could have been avoided if Elecraft had been testing each individual module before shipping them - mine was DOA, and was likely DOA before shipment. I suggested then that Elecraft should check each and every module before shipment - should be pretty easy to do there on the bench in a test device. I don't know if they are testing them now. Jerry W4UK At 04:57 AM 12/11/2008, David Ferrington, M0XDF wrote: This thread is only the second I've seen mentioning failed decoders, so 3 of you here I think and the previous mention, back in February I think was one - that's 4 out of at least 1933 units! Rather a low failure rate, although of course very inconvenient if it's you. 73 de M0XDF, K3 #174 -- Dear God, Did you mean for the giraffe to look like that or was it an accident? -Norma [Children's Letters to God, 1991] On 11 Dec 2008, at 09:48, Trond Stubberud wrote: I think many of us experienced failed encoders, mine failed the 1. Day of arrival. VFO A. But as always the customer service from Elecraft is excellent and a new encoder arrived after a few days. Most likely there have been a tough pressure at the production line in the past and the quality control have failed in some cases. I can live with this since the products otherwise shines like diamonds :-) ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Power Amps and AGC
Your research is not complete, if you actually meant ALC. Yaesu's Quadra uses ALC as an emergency shutdown method to protect the amp in emergency situations. It is REQUIRED. I once had a flakey antenna coax open up when running full 1500 watts on RTTY with an AL-1200 and blew up the output circuit. I was not using ALC then. I use the Quadra now, and insist on using ALC per Yaesu's recommendation. You probably could not manually shut down drive fast enough in an emergency to save the SS output devices if you were not using the ALC. Tubes maybe. Either way, why risk it? I agree that we shouldn't be trying to regulate power levels this way - but as an emergency protective measure, it can save your butt. Jerry W4UK At 01:43 PM 12/1/2008, Jim Brown wrote: Modern power amps (built after about 1975) do NOT need AGC -- in fact, they often create lots of distortion (splatter, clicks, sideband noise) when you use AGC. The RIGHT way to control power (drive) is to use the power control on the rig that you're using to drive it. Simply bring up the power on the transceiver until you reach the desired power from the amplifier. While many power amps include an AGC line, their manuals often tell you not to use it. The manuals for my Ten Tec amps (Titan 425, Hercules I, Hercules II) specifically tell you NOT to use AGC. 73, Jim K9YC --Original Message Text--- From: Monty Shultes Date: Sun, 30 Nov 2008 10:02:50 -0500 To get the ALC signal from the 15 pin DIN plug I was hoping to use a VGA cable, cut one end off, and wire it up accordingly. __ ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] QST Review: Minor Quibble
Maybe just loosen the setscrew and move the knob away from the panel for a bit more hand clearance? (This mod probably not approved by Elecraft ;-) ) Jerry W4UK At 05:07 PM 11/26/2008, Bob Schreibmaier wrote: This really IS a minor quibble, but the QST review noted that some hams might prefer the larger and more widely spaced buttons and knobs on full size transceivers. Turns out this isn't generally correct. I don't own a K3, at least, not yet, but got to play with one at a Frankford Radio Club meeting. I don't have a problem with the size of the knobs and/or buttons. However, the tuning knob is too close to the power and width controls. I tune with my left hand and found myself hitting those controls a lot. Rather annoying. I had mentioned that issue way back with the K2 and was hoping that a K3 would not have that issue. But, alas. Actually, that is the biggest reason why K2 serial number 2552 is no longer in my arsenal. My hand simply doesn't fit. Oh well. Guess I need to learn to grasp the edge of the tuning knob instead of the whole knob (as I've done for the last 42 years). Or, I need to learn to have smaller hands. :-) Strangely enough, this is not an issue on some of the micro-sized radios, like the FT-857 and IC-7000. In any case, I'm hoping that left-handed tuners will be considered in the layout of the K4. :-) 73, Bob K3PH -- +--+ | Bob Schreibmaier K3PH | E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] | | Kresgeville, PA 18333 | http://www.dxis.org | +--+ ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Diversity reception with two linked K3s
From what I have read in years past, I agree locking the two together could probably be useful. I don't know enough about it yet to be sure of this, though - having each radio in a separate earphone may be all one needs unless beam-forming is a goal. In time we will see how the subreceiver is locked to the main and then we should be able to duplicate the KRX3 performance. One step at a time. In the meantime, I have enjoying the several hours I have spent listening. I now have the two reference oscillators in agreement so I don't get the beat I heard earlier. Using one vertical antenna and one horizontal last night I observed polarity differences on 75 M. Also some sort of spatial effects on 30 M. It is definitely not a $2500 solution to a $600 problem - it is actually a zero-cost second receiver solution for the guy who bought two K3s for contesting and sees the second one just sitting there when not contesting... Jerry W4UK At 08:31 AM 11/22/2008, Bill W4ZV wrote: Barry N1EU wrote: Jerry Flanders wrote: It is possible to link two K3s together through the serial ports and synchronize their tuning using N8LP's LP-Bridge, a free program available from his telepostinc.com website. FYI, Ham Radio Deluxe includes a synchroniser that allows you to slave any number of rigs off a master rig. You run one instance of HRD for each rig and just invoke the synchroniser. 73, Barry N1EU Sounds like a $2500 solution to a $599.95 problem (i.e. a KRX3). And when you're done it actually isn't True Diversity unless both synthesizers are phase-locked (i.e. no beating of frequency or phase). I often hear rapid shifting of DX signals in Diversity mode (left-right-left) which I think would be a problem if the two RXs weren't phase-locked. 73, Bill -- View this message in context: http://n2.nabble.com/Diversity-reception-with-two-linked-K3s-tp1564004p1565475.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] Diversity reception with two linked K3s
It is possible to link two K3s together through the serial ports and synchronize their tuning using N8LP's LP-Bridge, a free program available from his telepostinc.com website. I now have both my K3s lock-tuned together for rx diversity experiments. After setting the second K3's baud rate to 4800 with the K3 utility to match LP-Bridge, I connected it to LP-Bridge's output com port #1 and pointed that port to match the physical com port the second K3 was connected to. I have two serial ports on this machine, with the other port servicing the Master K3. The second K3 follows the first K3's bandswitching/tuning when I tune with the buttons/knob. It also acts as a tuned slave to WU2X's PowerSDR connected to LP-Bridge (see below) , so PowerSDR can be master to both K3s. Tuning reaction time is sightly delayed - maybe 200-300 ms. Trying to tune the second K3 manually does not have any effect on either PowerSDR or the master K3, but it is immediately reset back to the master's freq. Since LP-Bridge does not relay the mode/filter commands to the output port, I have to set these manually on the second K3. N8LP tells me that this may be changed in some future version of LP-Bridge. I note there is a few Hz difference in the beat note between them on stations - I will get them aligned together more closely later. I use headphones with each radio in one earpiece, so I may not be bothered by minor differences. Much is yet to be learned. I am also using WU2X's PowerSDR as a panadaptor (google LP-Pan panadaptor) in this setup, and have gotten used to actually tuning my master K3 with it - both in click-tune mode and conventional mousewheel fine tuning. The second K3 tracks the master perfectly when I tune them with PowerSDR. NOTE - the panadaptor is not required to link the two K3s - only LP-Bridge is required. I have several antennas, so look forward to some Rx diversity experiments with this setup. I do not plan any transmit until I can verify safe RF levels on the other K3 or a method of disconnecting its antenna during tx. Currently using LP-Bridge V0.9.82, WU2X PowrSDR V0.92, K3 FW Rev 2.38 Jerry W4UK ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] Diversity reception with two linked K3s?
Anybody done this - linked two in a master-slave relationship with frequency control via the serial port or computer program to provide diversity reception? Is there any PC program readily adaptable to this - virtual com port splitters, etc...? I presently use WU2X's PowerSDR and N8LP's LP-Bridge in IF panadaptor mode to tune the K3s (each through its own computer), so a method adaptable to this setup would be particularly sweet. Jerry W4UK ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] New K3
At 01:09 AM 11/12/2008, Tomy wrote: Expect delivery of a new K3 on Thursday Nov 13. Ok. Will do. Thanks! Jerry W4UK ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3, two things.
At 08:20 AM 11/9/2008, Keith Bainbridge wrote: ... My K3's tuning knob has already lost all the paint from the finger hole, I dont have sharp nails and I dont tune around with it much, but the paints almost gone and it looks real used :( ... The knob is a disappointment here too, Keith. IIRC, every ICOM 706 model (and the 7000 as well) had a finger hole with bearings so it didn't wear your fingertip down. I wonder if the shaft size is the same - maybe ICOM knobs will fit the K3. BTW, I tune my K3 almost exclusively with WU2X/N8LP PowrSDR/LP-Bridge now, so I don't use the knob much. Once I discovered click-tuning with a softrock receiver and PowerSDR a couple years ago, I preferred it. Jerry W4UK ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Bigger K3 S-meter vs what I REALLY want.
At 04:40 PM 10/30/2008, Julian, G4ILO wrote: Ralph Parker wrote: What I REALLY want is a stand-alone spectrum display (think 756 PRO). That's the main reason I'm keeping the Pro III for 6m. I'd like one too. Though I'd settle for a soundcard based one that didn't come with a whole screenful of SDR software attached to it so I could stick it in a corner of the screen and still have room for my logging program and datamode software. Use PowerSDR with panadaptor hardware like LP-Pan or one of the I/Q receivers like I do. Position PowerSDR so only the panadaptor panel shows in the lower left corner of your display, then position your other software on top of the unneeded portions of PowerSDR. I have a BUNCH of stuff on my 1680x1050 display: PowerSDR, Writelog with several panels, etc., etc... The K3 with PowerSDR panadaptor is the best pan system of all I have ever used, starting with the Heath panadaptor in the mid-'70's. and including all 4 radios of the 756 series. Jerry W4UK ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 Split Release
I don't use split much, but I constantly lose RIT. I want RIT on all the time and it is a nuisance to have it turned off randomly (this happens on both of my two K3's) Jerry w4UK At 11:20 AM 10/12/2008, Jim Denneny wrote: I was calling a station working split on 30M. I was up 5 calling. I switched on SUB to listen to the pileup. The next thing I knew SPLIT dropped out. I did not notice that and I was calling on the DX freq with the cops telling me UP UP UP. What an embarasment!! I have no idea how this could happen. SPLIT should only respond to the SPLIT button and not messing around with the SUB RX. Has anyone else experienced an unexpected loss of SPLIT mode? Jim K7EG ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3: Band output update and apology
There is an official mod on the elecraft site to add the pull-ups inside the K3 if you prefer that - look for the ALC mod. Jerry W4UK At 05:58 PM 10/12/2008, Ralph Parker wrote: snip I'll add pull-up resistors to the W9XT card, and all should be well. Tnx for all the great support! I'll have a 'K3: first impressions' post in a day or two. VE7XF ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] big problem
Same here - just by brushing up against the cable I often lose connection. Been a problem recently as I was interconnecting the K3 with the rest of the station. I think I will make a new cable assembly and see if that helps. PowerPoles are great for quick connect/disconnect, but in a radio that just sits on the table month after month a more secure connector might be a better choice. Jerry W4UK At 07:39 AM 10/10/2008, W2XB wrote: Good morning all, Have a super big problem with the K3 :-) Every time I move the K3 the power plug falls out. Changed the connectors and still comes out with the slightest movement of the rig. Any suggestions on keeping it snug. Tried tweaking the contacts with no luck. Don...w2xb Not really a problem just a little annoying. -- View this message in context: http://n2.nabble.com/big-problem-tp1316022p1316022.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 Loss of VFO B control
I think it would be a good idea if Elecraft would start checking every encoder before shipping. It is VERY difficult to disassemble/reassemble that front panel. How about it, elecraft - can you start checking them there? Also - do we need to be concerned that other components of the K3 are not being checked 100% before they are sent to us? Jerry W4UK At 06:14 AM 9/28/2008, Tom Boucher wrote: Jerry I have had 2 failed encoders and am waiting for the second replacement. In my case, it was not due to any shorts occurring although I believe Elecraft are now advising the fitting of an adhesive rubber insulating pad behind VFO B encoder. Looks like they had a bad batch from the manufacturer, Bourns. Tom G3OLB I had a bad encoder assembly in the K3 I assembled recently - I proved it by swapping A and B encoders and observing the problem switch with it. Elecraft shipped me a new one which fixed it (after much sweat replacing it - that front panel removal is a PITA). I suspect Elecraft is not checking the encoders before shipping them to us. Jerry W4UK ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Loss of VFO B encoder control
I had a bad encoder assembly in the K3 I assembled recently - I proved it by swapping A and B encoders and observing the problem switch with it. Elecraft shipped me a new one which fixed it (after much sweat replacing it - that front panel removal is a PITA). I suspect Elecraft is not checking the encoders before shipping them to us. Jerry W4UK At 06:28 PM 9/27/2008, Rick and Theresa Low wrote: (separate weekend mail sent to K3support) I'm in the middle of Test and Calibration, which begins on page 64 of the Assembly manual. Initial power Checks: satisfactory Synthesizer Calibration: completed satisfactorily Filter setup: made it through Filter Bandwidth Setup and Filter Center Frequency Setup...but it appears the settings may not have been accepted...and I've lost control of the ability to change anything using the VFO B encoder. Symptoms: tap MENU only brings up the LCD BRT, and I can turn the VFO A and see the display brighten and dim. hold CONFIG only brings up FW REVS. Again, I can turn VFO A and cycle through uC, d1, FL and dr. I took apart the front panel and re-checked assembly and fit, with no apparent problems (but obviously I'm missing something). So everything is back together again. I've thought about trying to hook up to a computer to attempt configuration using K3 Untility, but I can't access the rig's menus to set up for RS232 communications. So, any ideas out there for what I might be able to try this weekend, before the company opens up for business on Monday? thanks 73, Rick N6CY ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 - IF out - fixed - BUT
I don't completely follow your description, so can't comment on what you are seeing, but many of us who are using the IF panadaptor are using the wu2x version of PowerSDR, along with Larry Phipps' LP-Bridge. This gives the best panadaptor I have ever used, and I have been using them since the early 1970's. Google them and read. Jerry W4UK At 12:40 PM 9/18/2008, Jim Miller wrote: I was thinking the IF out port on my K3 was the problem after having scoped all I could and leaving it lay for a while. I brought the K3, softrock(K3 IF version), laptop, power supply(needed the power pole connections), cables etc. to the clubhouse for our weekly tech session. Coordinated with a couple of others to bring a signal generator, another softrock(30meter version), and laptop that works with his 30 meter softrock. Hooked up the known working laptop(using Rocky software for display), the K3 IF softrock, and the signal generator Softrock test - workie, workie. Hooked up the softrock to the K3 and a piece of wire to the blackboard for an antenna...K3 IF test - workie, workie. Conclusion is that I didn't realize the line in port on my old laptop is likely a mono verses a stereo port. BUT - OK, Brainiacs: MY misunderstanding of the IF port and how it works (I have had NO experience with the IF port before and I realize this is how they all work) does not give me the display I expected. I thought I was going to have a display that would keep my K3 centered and slide the other stations across the display as I tuned my K3 giving me the real time view of all stations above and below me where ever I tuned. WRONG. It stays put and I very quickly tune completely off of the display. IE. I thought the IF would output some amount of spectrum above and below where ever the tuning dial and band was set. If this is not available on the IF out, is there a point where this spectrum is available? Is this something that might be possible to implement in software? Thanks es 73, de Jim KG0KP _ ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
RE: [Elecraft] K3/100 # 1670 lives
I just assembled K3/100 sn1617 - it also came with KPA3 manual Rev D, Jan 2008. No errata in my box. Also, no errata on your web site. Jerry W4UK At 04:59 PM 9/17/2008, Ron D'Eau Claire wrote: All of the acorn nuts go on the outside of the fan panel, Gary. The new acorn nuts were introduced in May, 2008, and their use was documented in Errata D3, dated May 7,2008 to the KPA3 manual. The manual was subsequently updated to Rev E to include the errata items. Rev E was released June 17. The proper installation of the acorn nuts is covered on Page 14 and shown in Figure 13. If you got a Rev D manual without the errata, that was a mistake. Ron AC7AC -Original Message- It is now alive and well after about 10 hours of build and calibration/testing time. I did find a few very minor problems with the assembly instructions that I will share with Elecraft.particularly with the Fan assembly as the two bottom center acorn nuts interfered with the relay of the KPAIO3 board and needed to be put on the outside.the instructions are unclear since the screws and nuts have been changed. All in all the build went exactly as the manual said. My hat's off to the guys at Elecraft for a very fine kit. 73 and see you on topband.de gary, kd9sv ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 - IF out - again
If you have another receiver handy that can tune 8.2 MHz, use it to sniff at the K3 IF out. I think the signals are in the microvolt range. Jerry W4UK At 09:57 AM 9/10/2008, Jim Miller wrote: Thanks Dave, Jack and Jerry, I've got some reading to do. I am not getting any signal out of the chip that clocks in the IF signal and drives the signal to the sound card. 73, Jim KG0KP - Original Message - From: Jack Smith [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Jim Miller [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: Elecraft Reflector elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Wednesday, September 10, 2008 5:04 AM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 - IF out - again I've provided a lengthy study of the K3's IF output port at http://www.cliftonlaboratories.com/elecraft_k3_and_panadapters.htm Jack Jim Miller wrote: Subject: [Elecraft] K3 - IF out Next stupid question, What is the output level of the IF out on the transverter KXV3 option? Do I have to turn on something to get it to activate? I am trying to connect a K3 Softrock V6.2 to use as a panadapter and cannot see any output on my scope (techtronics 475) from the IF output connector on the K3. Thanks es 73, de Jim KG0KP ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] K3 Rear panel PTT-in RCA jack doesn't work
I am beginning to wonder if my K3 Rear panel PTT in RCA jack has a problem. It appears totally dead - I can't get it to switch the radio to tx. Also, it has no voltage across it that I can pull down by shorting the pins I must have some configuration option screwed up, but have tried several changes to no avail. My front mic socket PTT works, as does both the radio PTT command on the CAT and the RTS line when I set that option. What am I doing wrong? How can I prove to myself that this jack is OK? Jerry W4UK ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 Rear panel PTT-in RCA jack doesn't work UPDATE
I have learned that I should have 4.9V present on that line, and I don't, so it must be a hardware problem. I will try to fix it next time I open the radio up. This list is great to solve problems lilke this. Thanks guys. Jerry W4UK At 01:46 PM 9/7/2008, Jerry Flanders wrote: I am beginning to wonder if my K3 Rear panel PTT in RCA jack has a problem. It appears totally dead - I can't get it to switch the radio to tx. Also, it has no voltage across it that I can pull down by shorting the pins I must have some configuration option screwed up, but have tried several changes to no avail. My front mic socket PTT works, as does both the radio PTT command on the CAT and the RTS line when I set that option. What am I doing wrong? How can I prove to myself that this jack is OK? Jerry W4UK ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: FW: [Elecraft] K3 and StepIR/Icom PW-1
I once blew up an unprotected amplifier's output circuit when a flaky antenna feed line opened with 1500 watts RTTY applied. Prior to that, I didn't think I needed anything more than a hand on the drive level control to keep my amp safe. Now I make sure the ALC is there so the amp can cut that drive within milliseconds if the antenna opens up again. The K3 ALC fix is available from Elecraft. It works. Jerry W4UK At 12:00 AM 9/8/2008, Greg - N4CC wrote: Adam -- I guess it depends on the user. Certainly having the ALC connected (if it were compatible) would be preferred...but my point is that saying the K3 should not be used as an exciter for the PW-1 [without ALC] is not entirely accurate. it is possible to use the PW-1 without ALC. It can be done and done quite safely. Granted you lose a measure of protection but if you use the K3 as I do -- where it recalls the drive setting by band, a unique feature of the K3 -- it is less likely that not having the ALC connected will ever be an issue. If you change the power settings frequently and are not careful to return them to the desired drive level when operating the amplifier then your chance of damaging the amp increases without the ALC. Cheers. 73 de Greg At 10:53 PM 9/7/2008, you wrote: Hi Greg, The PW1 uses the ALC loop as an essential part of its protective subsystem, as described in the service manual excerpt which I sent you. Any one of several anomalous operating conditions (including over-drive and load mismatch) will pull down the ALC line to reduce the drive. This is the amplifier's first line of defence. I would never put an expensive piece of equipment such as the PW1 at risk by connecting it to an exciter without a fully-functional ALC loop. Cheers for now, 73, Adam VA7OJ/AB4OJ -Original Message- From: Greg - N4CC [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: 7-Sep-08 19:05 To: Adam Farson Subject: Re: FW: [Elecraft] K3 and StepIR/Icom PW-1 I'm using the K3 with a PW-1 and the beauty of it is you don't need the ALC if you use the K3's capacity to store the power level (drive level) for each band. Obviously if you use the K3 barefoot at 100 watts you would have to be careful to turn it back down with the amp but I just leave it at the saved settings that I have established for output for each band. The proper drive level does vary somewhat by band. You are right about the ALC ..the K3 ALC is not compatible with the PW-1 and you should not connect the ALC line between the two. 73 de Greg At 09:08 PM 9/7/2008, you wrote: Hi Tom, The K3 should not be used as an exciter for the PW1 unless the polarity of its external ALC input has been changed from positive-going (original) to negative-going (range 0 to -4V). Failure to heed this warning will result in extensive damage to the PW1, necessitating costly repairs (as much as $1800!) http://www.ab4oj.com/icom/main.html#alc Cheers for now, 73, Adam VA7OJ/AB4OJ ___ ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Cable for K3 Aux I/O
You can get DB15HD breakout connector with captive wire screws at: http://www.winfordeng.com/products/brk15hd.php Read the comments I made on it on this reflector a couple months ago. Jerry W4UK At 04:37 PM 8/29/2008, K8TB wrote: ... Now, to convince L-Com to make a breakout HD-15 connector with captive wire screws on it, like they do for the DB-9! Tom Bosscher K8TB ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 Buffer Mod
Don Rasmussen wrote: I have the LP-Pan with recommended Creative Labs E-MU 0202 and find this to be optimal, I mean no reason to make a mod of any type to K3. If someone told you that this must be done, I'd want to see why with my own eyes before doing this job. At 08:16 AM 8/22/2008, Bill W4ZV wrote: 17.7 dB transfer loss from RF IN to IF OUT is why... But isn't that just an engineering design decision made by the Elecraft team? Since that decision was (hopefully) made with regard to the entire radio system, isn't that decision likely to be a good one? As one data point, my K3 is not modified, yet the IF panadaptor works extremely well, and PowerSDR gives peak heights approximating the true signal strengths seen at the input of the K3. When I feed in a 1 uV signal from my KG-2 signal generator, I see a definite distinct peak on the panadaptor, and when I feed in a 50 uV (S9) signal, I see a large S9 signal on the panadaptor. I am a loss to understand why you guys are quarreling with the Elecraft design in this instance. I am beginning to suspect that it is simply because it does not agree with the usual designs provided by some military contractors who are probably using an _arbitrary_ standard anyway. I would think twice before possibly damaging my radio or lowering its resale value with non-factory authorized modifications. YMMV. Jerry W4UK ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] Re: LONG: Background info on Re: WTB: CPK for Butternut HF-6V
At 11:59 AM 8/20/2008, Niel Skousen wrote: ... I have a 24' tree, with some 3-4' bushes at the base, in a desert/rock landscaped front yard. The back has no 'cover' yet, and antenna's are more visible in spite of a fence. The plan is to install the antenna obscured by the tree, in the front yard. Given the landscaping, ground mounted with a full radial system is not possible so elevating the antenna as high as possible without guys or objectionable visibility wash chosen. My last HF-6V had 32 ea 32' buried radials, wish I could reproduce that !... I think in your situation, I would swap that HF-6V for an automatic antenna tuner and then conceal that automatic antenna tuner at the base of that tree with a 24 foot wire running up the trunk. Snake a few radials among the rocks on the ground along with a ground rod and then let it rip. Don't worry about the radials not being straight. The tuner would automatically do a tune cycle when needed, you would have all bands, and very low visibility - even better than the HF-6V. I have an HF-6V also, and I know they work, but not really any better than a same-length wire with a tuner. Jerry W4UK ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] k2 KPA100/KPA100 schottky diodes
I would put a high-value resistor - 10K or more - from the vertical to ground. That should dissipate the static buildup AOK. Jerry W4UK At 01:48 PM 8/19/2008, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Is there any reason to choose one specification over another for the 1N5711's which are found in the KPA100 and KAT100? The ones currently being shipped appear to be GTE's vs whatever the kits came with in 2006. I had thought that the frequent frying of these diodes on my k2 was due to lightning strikes but it looks more like the product of static discharges via my 23 foot vertical - you can hear the snaps as the potential arcs across the coax connection at my Balun. I had thought that this only happened in storms but it turns out to start as the storm is coming. Clearly the answer is to disconnect the radio from the antenna unless I'm using it. It's also been suggested that I put an inductor shunt between the lead in and ground, but I'm at a loss to size it. It also occurred to me to bring a wire up from the grounding system to about the height of the antenna and put one of those wirebrush static wicks on it. Is what I'm considering crazy? If you think so, it will be ok to tell me. 73 AI4TO john fergusonM/V Arcadian ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] WTB: CPK for Butternut HF-6V
At 04:54 PM 8/19/2008, Vic K2VCO wrote: Niel Skousen wrote: I'm installing a used Butternut HF-6v, and the location / elevation would work with the CPK raised counterpoise. So I'm looking for a counterpoise kit for a B.Nut HF-6V.. Also, wanting to add 6m, but that's trivial, unless someone has it sitting around You don't need an expensive 'kit'! Just take any old wire and make two 1/4 wavelength radials for each band -- a total of 12 radials. Try to make them as symmetrical as possible, with the two 40 meter radials opposite each other, etc. The ends of the radials must be well-insulated, since even though they are connected to the coax braid at the center, they will develop high-ish voltages at the ends. -- 73, Vic, K2VCO Details on making a multiband radial from twin-lead are at: http://www.bencher.com/pdfs/00366IZV.pdf Jerry W4UK ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 Owner's Manual Rev. D now available
At 12:25 PM 8/14/2008, wayne burdick wrote: As some of you have noticed, we've posted an updated K3 Owner's Manual on our web site. We're also shipping the rev. D manual with new K3s. Here's a partial list of what's new in Revision D: - includes full index - all new firmware features and menu entries detailed Firmware release number, please? Jerry W4UK ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3: cheapo substitute for KXV3?
Check the schematics on the elecraft site. I read somewhere that the KXV3 just provides the connector, and the only circuitry on it that applies to the IF output is just a conductor. If that is true, you should be able to just find the appropriate place to tap on the main board and solder some miniature coax to it to bring the signal out. Let us know what you find when you check the schematics. Jerry W4UK At 02:53 PM 8/7/2008, DOUGLAS ZWIEBEL wrote: Okay...so I a typical cheap ham I would like to save some $$ while still being able to access the IF OUT from the K3. Is there a less expensive (home brew) way to do this? I don't need any of the xvtr functionality, etc. Just want the IF output. I hope Eric and Wayne don't get too upset with this post, but, ummm, it is still hands on radio, right? Can anyone help out this non-EE, non-RF engineer type guy? :-) Mni tnx de Doug KR2Q ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] K3 Second receiver question
Those of you who have the second receiver working: Does the second receiver mute when you transmit on the K3, or is it still working so you might possibly copy signals on it while actually key-down? I know this is a difficult engineering challenge, and, IIRC, other radios of the past with two receivers simply mute the second on transmit. Jerry W4UK ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Re: K3 Audio
Sherwood's talk is at http://www.sherweng.com/ click on the one at top left ( Roofing Filters, Transmitted BW Receiver Performnce, Dayton Drake Forum 2008, Slide Show with Audio). It is a wmv movie of his talk. Jerry W4UK At 06:29 PM 8/5/2008, Geoffrey Downs wrote: Would be interesting to know the detail of what Rob Sherwood said, but I agree with you, Dave. The tx and rx audio on my K3 sounds cleaner, brighter and clearer to me than my now obsolescent FT1000MP Field even before applying any equalisation. I use either a headset or a couple of small external computer speakers. 73 to all Geoff G3UCK ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Problems with K3 KXV3 IF Output Level?
Fern, I am using the IF output AOK from my K3/KXV3. I am using it with a Clifton Labs isolation Z1U buffer/preamp with very low gain into a Softrock40 With a LO of 8191 kHz with WU2X's version of PowerSDR as the panadaptor display, offset by 24 kHz (8215-8191). This with a Delta-44 sound card sampling at 96 kHz. I would estimate that, with a 50 uV signal into the K3, the KXV3 is putting out something in the 20-50 uV range. Using my test oscillator at 1 uV output into the K3, I see an obvious peak on the panadaptor, so the sensitivity is OK. I haven't calibrated PowerSDR levels yet, but it is already near the correct S9 level on the display for 50 uV from my test oscillator into the K3. Connect up another receiver to the KXV3's IF output and see if you don't hear sigs repeated on it when you tune it near 8.215 MHz. If the K3 is hearing sigs, you should hear sigs on that second rx near whatever freq the K3 is tuned to, and their levels will be similar to what the K3 is hearing. This will tell you if your K3/KXV3 is working OK. Keep working on it - the PowerSDR panadaptor is the best I have ever used in 35 years of using panadaptors. Jerry W4UK At 12:08 AM 7/31/2008, Fern Rivard wrote: Good evening Lyle: I honestly don't know where you're getting those levels from as I already reported to you back in April/08 that the levels at the I F output were pretty well non existent. There is just no tracking of levels at the I F out with what is fed into the antenna input of the receiver. I even used a 15 db amplifier from Jack Smith of Clifton Laboratories without any luck as there is simply no levels to play with there. I believe that Jack Smith also queried you about that without getting a proper reply as yet from you. I realize that nobody is perfect but why are we dogging a proper reply and/or fix for that? Fern with K3 #412 - Original Message - From: Lyle Johnson [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Don Ehrlich [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: Elecraft Reflector elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Wednesday, July 30, 2008 9:18 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 KXV3 IF Output Level? The 2nd antenna input works as expected but my oscilloscope shows no signal (5 mV) coming from the IF Output on the KXV3. What IF signal level should I be seeing? It will be about the same level as at the antenna, or perhaps less, depending on settings of PRE, ATT, etc. 73, Lyle KK7P ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
RE: [Elecraft] K3: pseudo KRX3 free via LP-Pan+Power SDR
Only time I would use PowerSDR for listening is when I want AM or FM. I don't have either crystal filter in my K3 and PowerSDR is extemely good on AM receive. Haven't tried FMn, but expect the same there. Also, DRM receive is possible for those who want it. Jerry W4UK At 12:44 PM 7/31/2008, Brett Howard wrote: Ok then... This is pretty much exactly what I expected and makes perfect sense. Thanks Larry... I have to admit that after seeing that video that the LP-PAN/PowerSDR kit is more than I'd originally thought but you do have to give up a bit in order to use it that way. Cool thing is that you only give it up while you operate in that fashion. As soon as you go back to using the rig directly and using the panadapter as a panadapter (rather than a lot of the rig) all of the K3 happiness is back. Very cool gentlemen! Its exciting to see how quickly people are jumping on to make products for the K3 that work so well so soon! -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Larry Phipps Sent: Thursday, July 31, 2008 8:25 AM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3: pseudo KRX3 free via LP-Pan+Power SDR I think what Eric is saying is that if you watch PowerSDR and listen to the K3 / KRX3, it will be a super combination. You will be able to see the passbands of both VFO A and VFO B frequencies and tune either one from the K3 or pan display, as long as the sub-receiver is tuned to within +/- 90kHz of the main receiver. There are some good reasons why listening to the K3 / KRX3 is desirable, especially for CW (and why the K3 blows the doors off the Flex Radios for CW). The main ones are the latency of the DSP processing in PowerSDR, and the serial interface of the K3. Under extreme contest situations, the added protection of the HAGC will be needed, and on the higher bands (10,6m), the K3 has more usable sensitivity because the transfer loss at the K3 IF output port adds to the NF of the panadapter. And the KRX3 allows cross band listening, more filter slots, etc. But many non-contesters will find that using the sub receiver in PowerSDR will be a viable option, especially in SSB. PowerSDR is no slouch when it comes to IMD and BDR, and has excellent DSP filtering. Up to about S9 + 65dB (K3 preamp off) the BDR is comparable to the K3 at spacings down to less than 1 kHz. Of course, in both cases transmitter IMD will be a bigger problem than BDR anyway. Either way, the operational flexibility of the panadapter in split mode is a killer feature. Being able to see holes in a pileup and click on them, or quickly jump to the frequency of the last guy who was answered will be invaluable. When full VFO B support is released in a couple weeks, I'll have some beta testers with KRX3s in hand, and I can get some comparative feedback. Larry N8LP Date: Wed, 30 Jul 2008 22:19:10 -0700 From: Brett Howard [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: RE: [Elecraft] K3: pseudo KRX3 free via LP-Pan+Power SDR To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: 'Elecraft Reflector' elecraft@mailman.qth.net, 'Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft' [EMAIL PROTECTED] Message-ID: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Content-Type: text/plain The part that confuses me is the mention that [PowerSDR] fully integrates with the KRX3's main and sub RX frequenciy on its panoramic display. Thats what it does now. But in order for the KRX3 to actually be adding anything you'd have to be listening to its output with the full K3 filter chain. Cause you're not going to correct the dynamic range problems unless you're doing that. Then I don't see how it could allow you to be more than 192KHz/2 away from your main center freq as you'd have to have two sound cards and two IF outputs in order to pull that off. I guess I don't really see a SubRX adding much to the PowerSDR setup unless you use one RX as a spotter and the other as simply a K3. I think that 2 K3's would be a better setup for that. I see the subRX in the K3 as a way to make the K3 a better unit as a standalone unit. Which I think is one thing that the K3 does really well especially since you can make RTTY/PSK contacts with just a K3 sitting on your desk and nothing else. You can also run it as a contest station for both CW and SSB (once the DVR is out). I find it quite fun how much one can get done without the need to interface it to a computer. Now don't get me wrong I'm a total computer guy and I find it even cooler that while it does all this stuff to not require you to have a computer it also makes is SOOO easy to interface to one when you decide you want to. So I guess all in all color me happy yet still confused as to the KRX3 adding much to a powerSDR setup. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Re: [K3] [Elecraft] FSK Help
True FSK does not require that following amplifier stages be linear. Any distortion or non-linearity with AFSK will result in a dirtier signal, which will have a negative impact on other stations working nearby in frequency. Since no amplifier is perfect, one can always argue that FSK is likely to be the cleanest mode and is best if band crud is a consideration. Jerry W4UK At 04:00 AM 7/22/2008, you wrote: John Reiser-3 wrote: But, I have a question for you, being a neophyte. Why are you not interested in AFSK? Does FSK work better in some way? Let me say, I have been very pleased with AFSK so far. I have worked almost any station that I could hear/print so far. That's a good question. I don't know the answer either. I cannot see the point of using FSK if a sound card is available. It will make no difference at the other end of the contact, and at your end it means that you have to tune in the signal you are working to the exact frequency you are transmitting on, instead of just clicking on it in a waterfall and letting AFC take care of it. Some people use an external RTTY terminal unit and I have heard claims that they can decode better than sound card programs. I can't argue with that, since I have never done a comparison, but if true I would have thought it was due to a deficiency in the decoding software. I would have thought that DSP was capable of doing a better decoding job than any analog frequency discriminator circuit. - Julian, G4ILO ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [K3] [Elecraft] FSK Help
Shifting a constant carrier back and forth does not require linearity in later stages - for the same reason that CW does not. FSK goes back to at least the WW2 era. In the olden days class C amplifiers were used for FSK. Jerry W4UK At 10:29 AM 7/22/2008, you wrote: Why that - enquiring minds etc. ? Simon Brown, HB9DRV -- From: Jerry Flanders [EMAIL PROTECTED] True FSK does not require that following amplifier stages be linear. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [K3] [Elecraft] FSK Help
On Tue, 22 Jul 2008 10:49:27 -0400, Jerry Flanders wrote: Shifting a constant carrier back and forth does not require linearity in later stages - for the same reason that CW does not. Then, at 12:06 PM 7/22/2008, Jim Brown wrote:Hmmm. Well, yes and no. Shifting a carrier in frequency results in switching transients (clicks). The transition time constant has to be reasonable, of course, just as CW keying on/off transitions are smoothed to reduce click levels. This is all taken care of (hopefully) in the rig design. It is not a consideration for an appliance operator, which most of us are these days. Back when guys were modding their rigs to add FSK to them (and some did, 30-40 years ago) this might have been a problem. The early AFSK units had problems, too, if the tone transitions were made without regard to phase. It was a big deal to get a phase-continuous transition in the early/mid 70's, IIRC. Unless an operator can do some tests on his sigs to verify quality he is generally better off using FSK for the sake of band crud reduction. Jerry W4UK ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] [K3] Serial cable for my new K3
You need a straight through cable. Also, you can get whatever connectors on the ends that you need - these cables are made in several configurations - you shouldn't need a gender changer. I don't recall right now what the K3 requires. Jerry W4UK At 01:58 PM 7/13/2008, you wrote: Roger Marrotte wrote: I know that I could cut off one end of my cable and solder on a male connector. I also see that Radio Shack has a pre-made cable described as a 6-Ft. DB9 M/F Extension Cable #26-117. I'm leaning toward this option because the Radio Shack has nice knobs vs. screws to attach and detach the cables. In either case I need to know if the K3 requires a straight through cable or a null modem cable where the transmit and receive lines are reversed. I looked for this info in the K3 manual and couldn't find it. I'm assuming the Radio Shack Extension cable is straight through. Any and all help would be appreciated. Roger:Radio Shack makes a gender changer, consisting of back-to-back 9-pin males. This can be used easily, without cutting cables, to solve your problem.73, Norm - W1MO ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] OT: ISP problems
Since this relates to the Elecraft reflector email, I guess it is just barely on-toic, so: I have had comcast for years and get almost all my mail directly through my comcast email address and read it with Eudora. Only problem I ever had was when comcast stopped passing along mail from a HPSDR reflector to me, thinking it was spam. This was just for a short time, and it was fixed. Back then, if your ISP also hosted another guy who was sending out spam, comcast might block legitimate email from you to me because of the spammer. I hope they have refined their anti-spam techniques now, but don't know for sure. People are coming to use their email as if had all the qualities of the US postal service, and for any ISP to stop delivering email arbitrarily can cause big problems. Jerry W4UK At 10:45 AM 7/11/2008, Mike Scott wrote: I wonder if those who are stuck with Comcast or simply persist in using it could get *all* their mail by using a yahoo or gmail account. Is it just mail to the comcast email addresses they block or do they actually block traffic from other mail servers? Maybe someone in the know could tell us. I use gmail through my Verizon ISP and it does very nicely, with lots of features. Dave W5DHM Maybe the problem is Yahoo and not comcast. It takes two to communicate and the breakage could be on the Yahoo side in how it treats Comcast vs. gmail. I subscribe to about ten yahoo groups and I can not get the emails from the group. Actually I get maybe one in one-hundred posts. I use EarthLink as my ISP. Mike Scott - AE6WA Tarzana, CA (DM04 / near LA) K3-100 #508/ KX1 #1311 ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Optivisor?
At 09:49 PM 6/26/2008, TMorton wrote: Looking to buy an Optivisor over the internet but not sure what power to get...I usually wear 1.50 or 1.75 cheaters to read...any suggestions for what to get to be able to solder those itty, bitty Elecraft parts? FYI - usually the number represents Diopters, which is the unit used to express the power of a lens. It is the reciprocal of the focal length expressed in meters. A lens with a diopter of 10 would enable your eyes to easily focus at 1/10 meter (3.9 inches). One with 5 would work well at 1/5 meter (7.8 inches), etc. Jerry W4UK ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] K3 and Quadra amp automatic bandswitching SUCCESS
For anyone struggling to get their Yaesu Quadra amp interfaced to the K3 - 1. In it's original condition, the K3 provides no means to pull up the band data lines. 2. In it's original condition, the Quadra provides no means to pull up the band data lines. 3. The Quadra has 10K resistors wired from each band data line to ground, pulling DOWN any voltage impressed on the band data inputs. 4. The Quadra uses a 74HC244 device to interface the band data lines to the outside world, which requires around 3.5 volts to switch to the high state. For band data line HI/LO switching to occur, you need to provide your own pullups of the appropriate size to provide enough current to deal with the 10K pulldown resistors inside the Quadra and still bring the band data lines up to around 3.5 Volts. I tried 10K pullup resistors before I did the math, which failed because not enough current could flow to bring the lines up to the 3.5 V minimum. I am now using 2.2K resistors connected to a +5V regulator and now I have all lines switching properly, and the Quadra will now follow the K3 with automatic bandswitching throughout the entire 160 - 6 M range. I have separate cables made up for each of the two independent inputs and either works properly now (only one is required). I will try to wire up the remaining lines tomorrow - ALC, ON/OFF, PTT, TX INH etc. I received the DB15HD breakout board I ordered ( http://www.winfordeng.com/products/brk15hd.php ) and have made up a new cable with it. That breakout board gives enough space for everything needed, including the FSK and ALC connections. It also has screw terminals, which makes it easy to patch it all together. The board is wider than I have clear space for at the back of the K3, but it works OK if I plug the DB9 in last. This board looks like a good solution to the problem of connecting up to all those pins in the DB15HD but is a little pricey at $16 + 5.50 shipping. Adding a DB15HD male to female extension cord (which the same company also sells) would simplify things and make it possible to put the breakout board in an external box. Jerry W4UK ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] RSGB RadCom K3 review posted on RSGB Members web page
At 02:44 PM 6/18/2008, Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft wrote: Looks like he clearly had a bad 500 Hz filter. It does not match our measurements here or Sherwood's. We'll make sure the customer gets a replacement. Just curious - do you guys check filters before shipping them? Most of us out here wouldn't have a clue if we had a bad filter - we would just suffer with poor performance without ever knowing why. Jerry W4UK ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
RE: [Elecraft] K3 and Quadra amp
According to the schematics, the Quadra does not have the internal pullups like the FL-7000 does (the FL-7000 is known to work with the K3) . I finally got out my Quadra tech supplement during a lull in yesterday's RTTY contest and and traced out the band data lines. No pullups, and the schematic even shows test point 0 volts is present on all. This morning I verified 0 volts on all the band data lines from the Quadra with my meter. In contrast, the FL-7000 schematic ( http://www.n4ats.com/downloads/FL7000_Schematic.pdfclearly ) shows 10K pullups to a +5 volt regulator. At least one guy has his FL-7000 working, and this might explain it. I just ordered one DB15HD breakout board ( http://www.winfordeng.com/products/brk15hd.php ) and will make up a new cable with pullups. My first attempt was just connector to connector through 2 ft of 8 conductor cat-5 cable, and there is simply not enough space inside those connectors to build a pullup circuit, I think. That breakout board should give enough space for all I need, including the FSK line and ALC. It also has screw terminals, which should make it somewhat easier to patch it all together. Dimensions are in question - the board is wider than I have clear space for at the back of the K3, and I may have to trim off a portion of the board to clear the nearby DB9 socket. It should be here Wednesday/Thursday, and I will report again when I check the fit and get it wired up. If it fits, it looks like a good solution to the problem of connecting up to all those dozen or so pins in the DB15HD that I need. It is a little pricey at $16 + 5.50 shipping. Jerry W4UK At 02:39 AM 6/16/2008, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote: Jerry, How did you wire your interface? Did you use Band Data 1 (DIN8/262) or Band Data 2 (DB15) on the Quadra? What are the symptoms (No go)? Remember, the pin numbering on Band Data 1 (DIN8/262) is different than the standard DIN8 - pin 6 on the standard connector is pin 7 (D) on the 262, pin 7 on the standard is 8 (inhibit) on the 262, and pin 8 on the standard is 6 (C) on the 262 My Quadra is still in storage ... I have not hooked it up yet but may cobble together a cable this week to try it. 73, ... Joe, W4TV -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Jerry Flanders Sent: Saturday, June 14, 2008 1:30 PM To: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [Elecraft] K3 and Quadra amp Anybody have the band data cable working? I carefully wired mine up but no go. Sure would be nice to KNOW it can be made to work. Jerry W4UK ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] K3 and Quadra amp
Anybody have the band data cable working? I carefully wired mine up but no go. Sure would be nice to KNOW it can be made to work. Jerry W4UK ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] Quadra band data interface pullups?
Are pullups required on the band data signal lines for automatically band switching the Yaesu Quadra? Jerry W4UK ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
RE: [Elecraft] K3 and Icom PW-1
IIRC, this method only works for the major bands. ICOM did not provide for the others. Jerry W4UK At 01:42 PM 6/2/2008, Dick Dievendorff wrote: See also Top Ten Devices application note #3, http://www.qth.com/topten/apnote3.htm Unfortunately the schematic doesn't seem to show up (on my browser), but I've seen the schematic before. It's the BCD to voltage divider network (with trimmer pots) that Joe mentions below. The schematic was once at http://www.qth.com/topten/icomencd.gif but the file doesn't seem to be there now. I'll forward this to Dave Hawes of Top Ten Devices; maybe he can get the image file restored. 73 de Dick, K6KR -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Joe Subich, W4TV Sent: Monday, June 02, 2008 9:30 AM To: 'Bob Serwy'; elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: RE: [Elecraft] K3 and Icom PW-1 Bob, There are two approaches that will work to do automatic band switching with the K3 and PW-1. The first is to use something like the microHAM Band Decoder (or new Station Master which replaces Band Decoder) to convert the Elecraft (Kenwood) IF; CAT data to Icom CI-V Transceive broadcasts. The second would be to build a BCD to 1 of 10 decoder and use that to drive a voltage divider to create the Icom compatible Band Select voltage. The Station Master will be available off the shelf after Friedrichshafen. I can supply notes on the BCD decoder approach but have not built/tested any devices. That is a low tech solution and not something microHAM is likely to produce and I'm not inclined to get involved in building one off units since that is a relatively high cost/low return proposition. 73, ... Joe, W4TV -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Bob Serwy Sent: Monday, June 02, 2008 11:24 AM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] K3 and Icom PW-1 Any one has a K3 and a PW-1 hooked up for automatic band switching of the PW-1? If so, how as it accomplished? Thanks Bob Serwy - N9RS ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] Using the V6.2 lite Softrock Rx as a panadaptor with Elecraft K3
I posted this a week ago, but I am posting it again because kb9yig has decided to resume selling this $12 SR lite 6.2 kit for a limited time. See [EMAIL PROTECTED] or email Tony direct at direct at raparks @ ctcisp.com (remove spaces around @). Jerry W4UK As a panadaptor for my Elecraft K3, I have one of KB9YIG's 6.2 lite SR40 receivers with the special IF for the K3 (32764 KHz crystal). This gives the SR40 a LO freq of 8191, 24 Khz below the 8215 IF of the K3. I routinely watch a panorama of about +/- 24 Khz on the PowerSDR display (using 96 KHz samping). I also have one of Jack Smith's Z-1U buffer amplifiers (Clifton Laboratories) running between the K3's KXV3 output and the SR40 for isolation. (I didn't test to see if the isolation is really needed - maybe not, since the LO is offset 24 KHz.) The above combination is giving me the best panadaptor I have ever used, and I have been using them since Heathkit made one for the Heathkit SB303 in the early '70's. The current ICOM receivers have panadaptors, but the resolution is lacking. With KB9YIG's SR40 rx and PowerSDR, I can even identify the various signal types on sight. I am using the version of PowerSDR that has simultaneous waterfall and panorama. I have PowerSDR calibrated so that the display gives an S9 reading when the K3 sees a 50uV S9 signal from my XG-2 generator. Sensitivity is amazing - I can see signals on the waterfall well down into the noise level. As an indication of what is possible software-wise with the Panadaptor add-on, I am able to run PowerSDR and Skimmer (or Rocky, just as well) simultaneously here on a Sempron 2 GHz 1GB machine, along with Writelog with RTTYRITE in CW mode as well as CWGET all simultaneously. PSDR and Skimmer are both using the same two input channels of my Delta-44, and Skimmer sees the entire I/Q IF range, not just the audio. No audio routing tricks or Y cables are needed. The remainder are using the on-board VIA AC97 sound card. Total CPU usage ranges 50 - 70% with all running or around 20-40% with PowerSDR but without Skimmer/Rocky. The computer also generates CW and I have not seen any CW keying hiccups so far in limited SP recently in a contest even at 70% CPU. This machine does not use on-board video, which might slow it further - it has a dual-monitor AGP video card. This is a simple panadaptor setup - I view only and have no K3 control or click tuning from PowerSDR or Rocky/Skimmer. (Update - I have control and click tuning now using the WU2X version of PowerSDR.) FYI, it is often possible to run multiple apps on the same sound card - I once had 8-10 copies of MMTTY running on a VIA AC97 on-board sound card under XP home as a test to see if multiple simultaneous RTTY profiles worked. Each copy only added about 2% to the CPU load. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] SV: Getting Ready For The 2nd RX
Lennart Michaëlsson wrote: ... and what filters do the test pilots recommend? Presently I have 6, 2.8, 0.4 and 0.25 kHz - all being 8 pole. I am getting only the standard 2.7 for my second receiver. You can use the DSP to narrow the response to whatever you need even though you only have the 2.7 roofing filter installed. The DSP works so well in this way on the K3 I have at present that I see no reason to spend money on a narrower filter to be used in an _auxiliary_ receiver. Jerry W4UK ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] Using the V6.2 lite Softrock Rx as a panadaptor with Elecraft K3
As a panadaptor for my Elecraft K3, I have one of KB9YIG's 6.2 lite SR40 receivers with the special IF for the K3 (32764 KHz crystal). This gives the SR40 a LO freq of 8191, 24 Khz below the 8215 IF of the K3. I routinely watch a panorama of about +/- 12 Khz on the PowerSDR display (using 96 KHz samping). I was watching +/- 24 KHz initially but my power supply gave me a weak constant waterfall birdie that I haven't eliminated yet. I also have one of Jack Smith's Z-1U buffer amplifiers (Clifton Laboratories) running between the K3's KXV3 output and the SR40 for isolation. (I didn't test to see if the isolation is really needed - maybe not, since the LO is offset 24 KHz.) The above combination is giving me the best panadaptor I have ever used, and I have been using them since Heathkit made one for the Heathkit SB303 in the early '70's. The current ICOM receivers have panadaptors, but the resolution is lacking. With KB9YIG's SR40 rx and PowerSDR, I can even identify the various signal types on sight. I am using the version of PowerSDR that has simultaneous waterfall and panorama. I have PowerSDR calibrated so that the display gives an S9 reading when the K3 sees a 50uV S9 signal from my XG-2 generator. Sensitivity is amazing - I can see signals on the waterfall well down into the noise level. As an indication of what is possible software-wise with the Panadaptor add-on, I am able to run PowerSDR and Skimmer (or Rocky, just as well) simultaneously here on a Sempron 2 GHz 1GB machine, along with Writelog with RTTYRITE in CW mode as well as CWGET all simultaneously. PSDR and Skimmer are both using the same two input channels of my Delta-44, and Skimmer sees the entire I/Q IF range, not just the audio. No audio routing tricks or Y cables are needed. The remainder are using the on-board VIA AC97 sound card. Total CPU usage ranges 50 - 70% with all running or around 20-40% with PowerSDR but without Skimmer/Rocky. The computer also generates CW and I have not seen any CW keying hiccups so far in limited SP yesterday in the contest even at 70% CPU. This machine does not use on-board video, which might slow it further - it has a dual-monitor AGP video card. This is a simple panadaptor setup - I view only and have no K3 control or click tuning from PowerSDR or Rocky/Skimmer. FYI, it is often possible to run multiple apps on the same sound card - I once had 8-10 copies of MMTTY running on a VIA AC97 on-board sound card under XP home as a test to see if multiple simultaneous RTTY profiles worked. Each copy only added about 2% to the CPU load. Note: I understand KB9YIG has retired this particular kit, but a replacement may be available in the future (see [EMAIL PROTECTED] ). Jerry W4UK ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 Low Power FM
At 10:23 PM 5/25/2008, Lyle Johnson wrote: snip The AFV and dBV function of the K3 makes it possible to do some pretty accurate measurements. You can determine MDS, see filter attenuation and be sure your filter configuration loss compensation values are in fact correct instead of guessing, etc. I guess I had better start reading the manuals. Which one tells me how to do the above? Jerry W4UK ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 PTT CW
Hi Paul Can you define pure PTT CW? I assume you mean CW is inactivated until you activate PTT, and the rig stays in TX mode until you release PTT, yet sends a signal only when the paddles are pressed. Is that it? Lets you use a something like a foot switch for total control? Jerry W4UK At 05:05 PM 5/23/2008, Paul W5DM wrote: Thanks to all who replied. In the reply, and the link enclosed, by Lexa, ok1dst, are given reasons why some desire a pure PTT mode for CW. There are also some excellent contest and dx operators who, for their own personal reasons, do not use QSK. I know that ON4UN told me several years ago at Ham-Com in Texas that he did not use QSK. I am in no way trying to tell Elecraft what their priorities for changes should be; but I hope that, if not too much trouble and too dificult to implement, that a pure PTT CW will be made an available option in the K3 for those of us who want it. For now, and not for the first time in my life, it is work around time. 73 Paul W5DM ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3: ACC connector and cable
I had a video monitor cable that had all 15 pins wired up. Unfortunately one of them was also connected to the shell and grounded that line when connected normally. I was able to open the end cover and break that connection to the shell. REALLY simplifies the interconnection hassle to have those wires made up already. This was a spare cable I got as an extra from MPJA when I had to order one for a video monitor that came without a cable. I just checked and unfortunately MPJA doesn't list them now. Maybe an interconnect box would be a good business opportunity for one of the small businesses supplying accessories. Jerry W4UK At 12:21 PM 5/22/2008, KM0O wrote: Has anyone found an alternative to just buying an HD15 male solder-cup or crimp connector and making up your own cable? I've been unable to find a pre-made cable that has all 15 wires and pins. Or maybe I am missing something? There's not much info in the archives. I have a physical handicap which makes it extremely difficult if not impossible for me to build such a cable, so this is a big deal for me. I do PL259s okay, but not this. Tony, KM0O -- View this message in context: http://www.nabble.com/K3%3A-ACC-connector-and-cable-tp17407997p17407997.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 PTT CW
If you decide to install that switch, just use it to open the key line. Then TX requires closing that switch plus activating the key. Jerry W4UK At 05:58 PM 5/22/2008, Paul W5DM wrote: Is there any setting in the K3. using an external CW keyer and PTT, that can be used to make the key inactive while in the receive mode? As is, while the PTT function at first glance seems to work normally, it is, in my opinion, incomplete in that closing the key while receiving turns on the transmitter. For reasons that are both personal and compelling I will control the transmit/receive function completely by a manual send/receive switch of some kind. I can accomplish what I want by using a double pole switch, one pole for the normal PTT and the other pole in the key line. I am trying to save myself the trouble of installing such a switch--getting lazy in my old age. Any help will be appreciated. 73 Paul W5DM -- View this message in context: http://www.nabble.com/K3-PTT-CW-tp17414373p17414373.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] ESD mat
I simply clip a little alligator clip lead to my metal watch wristband. The lead is connected to my shack ground through a 1 meg resistor. A few feet of wire allows me mobility. I have been doing this for several years and it apparently works well for zero cost. Jerry W4UK At 11:11 PM 5/21/2008, Robert Klein wrote: My K3 kit will arrive in a month or so (I hope). I have been monitoring this reflector for a few weeks, but I haven¹t seen this addressed. I would appreciate it if I could get some recommendations on purchasing an ESD mat with a wrist band so I can be ready when my kit arrivesbrands, models, sources. My searches on the web come up with wildly variable products and prices with no reviews or ratings to be found. Thank you, 73, Robert KI4ZHF ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Connecting the K3 to a PW-1
From what I can determine, both the Icom PW-1 and the Yaesu Quadra (which I have) BOTH utilize the ALC circuit to protect the amp in oddball situations such as an antenna disconnect/intermittent/whatever. If you are going to run without the ALC, you are putting your expensive finals at risk. Wayne, we need your recommendations for a circuit to fix this please please please. Having actually blown up the output circuit of an amp when the antenna coax connector was intermittent (I was not using ALC then), I am gunshy about protective circuits. Jerry W4UK At 04:46 AM 5/6/2008, Mike Penkas wrote: Hi, I have been using my K3 and PW-1 together. I use a Microham Band Decoder as the interface for automatic band switching and also switch bands on my SteppIR. With the latest firmware upgrades I only need to set the K3 for a little over 20 watts to get a KW out of the PW-1 on SSB. I use an Array Solutions PowerMaster wattmeter which I have programmed to shut down the keying line to the PW-1 if I exceed 1100 watts output. Without a negative ALC protection voltage for the K3, which as we know requires the oddball positive voltage, you have to make sure to be watchful of your drive power. I have had correspondence with ICOM tech support ref overdiriving the PW-1 should I accidentally pump 100 watts into it. They said it should not damage it but recommend using ALC and keeping drive levels to enable 1000 watts output. Being adventurous I pumped 100 watts into the PW-1, for a short duration, and got over 1400 watts output on the wattmeter. There was no damage and the cooling fans kicked in quickly. Feel free to contact me off group if you plan on using them together with a band decoder and I will fill you in on my settings and the quirks. 73's Mike WA8EBM ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] K3 ALC polarity fix
Most amps in common use provide a negative-going ALC voltage. And most rigs in common use are compatible with this. The K3, however, requires a positive-going voltage. According to the K3 FAQ at http://www.elecraft.com/K3/K3FAQ.htm#SignalArchitecture , Once ALC is working to our satisfaction, we'll provide simple interfacing information that will allow the use of negative control voltages (probably a resistive divider pulled up to a positive supply, or at most an op-amp circuit). The ALC appears to be working OK now. If this is correct, I would like Elecraft to give me the information to build the interface circuit. Whether or not someone on this list thinks that ALC is not necessary or not wise in the average ham station is not important to me at this time - the engineers at Yaesu do not agree with you concerning their Quadra amp. They tell me that I must connect ALC for emergency protection of the finals. Quoting from my Quadra's manual p4.: The ALC cable must be connected between the transceiver and VL-1000 to prevent overdrive of the amplifier, and especially to facilitate the proper operation of the protection circuitry if sudden antenna system problems should cause the SWR to rise to dangerous levels. Jerry W4UK (Two Quadras, One K3 with another K3 on order.) ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 FM filter required for full AM receive width
Sounds good for SWL. Only downside (a minor one, IMO) is that you might get response from images 30 KHz away. How much weaker is a signal when you tune to its image 30 KHz up/down? Jerry W4UK At 11:01 AM 5/5/2008, Dave Martin wrote: On 5/5/08, Stewart Baker [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Why not an LC filter for AM reception instead of an expensive crystal roofing filter ? That's what I did. I cut a scrap of PC board to the size of a filter and used three toroids with tuning and coupling caps. It worked just fine in position one, set up as 13 KHz. The DSP hasn't suffered at all. Maybe with more antenna gain one might see some overload from nearby signals, but not with my modest wire. I sure wouldn't transmit with it, though. It's hugely wide, offering no attenuation of unwanted mixer products. Dave W5DHM ___ ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Monitoring yourself
At 05:55 AM 4/29/2008, you wrote: K3KO wrote: Try listening to yourself on a web SDR. http://websdr.ewi.utwente.nl:8901/ ... I can't figure out how to decode data modes, though, although the page suggests it's possible Julian, G4ILO I started up MMTTY here while listening to the audio of some RTTY stations with the web radio and was able to decode them without doing anything special. No humps in the MMTTY display, but they printed. Jerry W4UK ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Dead RX after TX
K3 newbie here. Tried to test using your sequence, but stopped at the SAV ALT1 command. My (USA Version) K3 does not have such button(s) or entries in MAIN or CONFIG, and the Operators manual does not even have an entry for that/those commands. Help. Jerry W4UK At 01:30 PM 4/28/2008, you wrote: Hi All, I have been experiencing a strange problem on my K3 where the receiver is sometimes 'dead' after transmit. This seems to be tied in with the MCU control of the DSP. To prove that this is either unique or not to my unit, I would be grateful if fellow K3 owners could try this quick test. In particular I would like to hear from Beta Testers as to whether they can replicate this problem with the next (unreleased) firmware. POWER 80m LSB 3780 NOR LO CUT=0.15 SAV ALT1 NOR TX ON/OFF ALT1 TX ON/OFF Receive may be dead at this point If not continue with Select USB ALT1 TX ON/OFF Receive dead Switching bands, modes or NOR always restores receiver. Many thanks in advance. 73 Stewart G3RXQ ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Monitoring yourself
Neat! I worked the SP DX RTTY contest yesterday. I could print lots of 80M european RTTY stations in the contest from this netherlands receiver with MMTTY running on the connected computer, but couldn't even hear them on my own rx here in SC. Couldn't hear myself on their rx when I TX'ed either, until midnight local time, and then only weakly. I have bookmarked this one - would be very useful to compare antennas, etc in the future. You can read signal levels from the meter. I didn't try to record it, but this should be possible so you could evaluate your audio after a test tx. I wish they had other bands too for antenna test purposes. 160 and 20 would be good additions. Presently only lower sections of 80 and 40. Jerry W4UK At 07:11 PM 4/26/2008, K3KO wrote: Try listening to yourself on a web SDR. http://websdr.ewi.utwente.nl:8901/ One can listen with the above link on 40 and 80M. It is tunable and does CW.SSB and I guess digital modes. Bandwidth is also adjustable. No more depending upon some others subjective opinion of your keying and audio. You will obviously have to listen on earphones if you're going use voice. 73 de Brian/K3KO -- . ___ Elecraft mailing list ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 - How to do Crossband?
Even for CW, where the bandpass filters have to switch between tx and rx? Jerry W4UK At 04:28 PM 4/27/2008, Matt Zilmer wrote: This involves using the A/B and FREQ ENT switches. You'll figure it out. 73 es GL, matt, W6NIA On Sun, 27 Apr 2008 10:40:28 -0500, you wrote: How does one do crossband on the K3? For example, transmit on 6m and receive on 10m. Thanks, Dave Quick, KØEKL Minneapolis, MN ___ ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3: Filters now available directly from INRAD
Probably wouldn't post the ad unless they were actually for sale. They show a sliding discount for 3 or more. Jerry W4UK At 03:38 PM 4/22/2008, Mark Volstad wrote: I see that the 8-pole filters can now be purchased directly from INRAD: http://www.inrad.net/home.php?cat=140 The pricing is the same as Elecraft's ($125). I doubt that INRAD would sell directly to end-users until they have fulfilled current orders from Elecraft, but I will leave it to others to test my theory! Mark, AI4BJ ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] K3 nr 691 arrived in SC
Order date Oct 12, 2007 Shipped date Apr 11, 2008 (6 Months delay) Arrival date Apr 18, 2008 SN 691 K3/100 kit with 400 Hz 8 pole filter, kxv3 interface, K3 2nd RX on backorder. Jerry W4UK ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3/100 s/n 712 received
That makes at least two that have made it to Europe quicker than mine can make it to South Carolina! Mine was shipped 4/11 (by cheapest UPS method - maybe that is the problem) and is scheduled for delivery tomorrow. Jerry W4UK At 02:21 PM 4/17/2008, DL8SCG wrote: Hi All: ordered 09/17/2007 Katiegram 03/19/2008 shipped 04/14/2008 Received 04/16/2008 K3/100 s/n 712 received today Bernd DL8SCG / KI4ERB Backnang / Germany ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
RE: [Elecraft] K3 power supply question
What am I missing here? Why isn't Elecraft assembling the connectors to the wire as a part of their process? Is there some reason to NOT assemble them prior to shipment? We all know how a loose connector can cause mysterious symptoms down the road. I use powerpoles here, and I think I understand the system, but maybe not. Some of Elecraft's customers are faced with having to spend $50 for a tool to use only one time? Why? Jerry W4UK On Mon, 2008-03-31 at 11:14 -0700, Dick Dievendorff wrote: The K3 kit comes with a power cable and a pair of Anderson PowerPole connectors. You may crimp them (an appropriate tool is recommended) or they may be soldered if you wish. 73 de Dick, K6KR ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
RE: [Elecraft] K3 power supply question
I said that because I observed several guys on the reflector this morning discussing buying the $50 tool. Apparently they never needed it before, but felt that it is justified for the K3 assembly. Those guys will probably never need it after the K3 assembly. I will solder mine, but I remember reading years ago that crimp connections are superior to solder - don't know why. I am buying the kit, so I can't complain, but since it would cost only pennies to do it at Elecraft it seems like it would be a no-brainer if crimping is actually superior. Jerry W4UK At 12:05 PM 4/1/2008, Tom Childers, N5GE wrote: ...In your post you say, Some of Elecraft's customers are faced with having to spend $50 for a tool to use only one time? Why?, although they have a choice to do it either way. Why do you say that? Please explain the logic of your statement. 73, Tom, N5GE ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Solar Panels
I have seen that setup in the HF store and wondered if you get 3 12 V
panels that you wire in parallel or 3 4V panels that you wire in
series. Lots of extra options if they are 3 12V panels. No clue on
the box, IIRC.
Are they 12V or 4V?
Jerry W4UK
At 06:25 AM 3/19/2008, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Harbor Freight ('Arbor Fright for our VK readers...HI!) has a 3 panel
setup which comes with a controller and 2, 12 volt compact flourescent
lamps. Claimed power is 45 watts. Usual price is $249.
Got mine at the local Harbor Freight store on sale for $199 and was
able to use a 15% off cupon to reduce the cost to about $180 after
Pennsyslvania and county confiscatory sales taxes.
The stand for the panels is a fixed angle steel device sure to rust
quickly. I made one of aluminum angle stock with variable angle.
Measured peak power output in mid-summer for my installation is 3 amps
(about 39 watts.) The panels appear to have reverse current protection
diodes.
I regard it as a good value for @ $180. Were I to do a whole house
system, I'd go with Kyrocera and spend the extra dollars.
72,
Tim Colbert K3HX
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Re: FW: [Elecraft] Basement QRN
You must have had a noisy switcher power supply for those low-voltage halogens. The halogen bulb is simply another conventional bulb with a filament and halogen gas is added to prevent the metal filament from evaporating. 110 V halogens would probably have been FB. Jerry W4UK At 05:42 PM 3/9/2008, DeniseWerner wrote: When I put my shack together I put in some halogen lighting from an overhead shelf that looked pretty cool till I turned on the lights. Talk about noise. It was like a blanket . I switched off the lights and it was gone. These were the low voltage halogens. By the way, I just ordered my K3 yesterday. I just couldn't stand to hear about all the fun I was missing. Werner N8BB ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
RE: [Elecraft] When you order
At 08:15 AM 3/7/2008, Darwin, Keith wrote: -Original Message- From: 'RC' Conley ... what exactly do you receive when you order a basic K3/10 at 1400 smackers? I received an email confirmation of the order and an estimated shipping date. The date has always been too optimistic - AFAIK none have been shipped on the promised date. Mine; ordered in mid-October was promised for January, IIRC. Jerry W4UK ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 Remote Control...
You might want to go to elecraft.com, click on email list and then search the reflector archives. Probably find exactly what you need that way. Jerry W4UK At 12:52 PM 3/3/2008, STEPHEN W BANKS wrote: Hi everyone, Can any of you tell me what, if any, possibilities exist for remote control of the K3? Seems like there's been some discussion about it, but I subscribe to the Digest reflector mode and frequently delete a digest forgetting to copy and save a particular post of interest. Just wondering how/if anything is planned for the K3 that will be similar to the OMNI VII One Plug facility. Thanks in advance. 73, Steve Banks K0PQ ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Reverse ALC
At 01:33 PM 2/23/2008, Björn Mohr wrote: I am looking for a simple solution to reverse the K3 ALC input to a negative going ALC circuit. If you have interfaced your K3 with any amp using negative ALC, please let me know your solution. Hi Björn I haven't seen any reply to your question posted yet. The question of the ALC compatibility has come up before. Elecraft have promised that they will provide a solution soon. See their K3 FAQ at http://www.elecraft.com/K3/K3FAQ.htmhttp://www.elecraft.com/K3/K3FAQ.htm , where they state: Once ALC is working to our satisfaction, we'll provide simple interfacing information that will allow the use of negative control voltages (probably a resistive divider pulled up to a positive supply, or at most an op-amp circuit). So you might want to query Elecraft directly to see if this design is complete yet. I have a K3 on order, and, like many others, I absolutely need a standard negative-going ALC voltage to protect my Quadra in the event of an antenna failure while transmitting. I would prefer to have it working properly inside the K3 rather than some kludge that I have to try to add and then wonder if it actually works, but I will take whatever design Elecraft can provide. Jerry W4UK ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3: How many amps does it draw?
Harbor Freight stores have a good little DMM for $4. On sale they are $2. Yes, they work. Jerry W4UK At 11:41 AM 2/19/2008, Lee Buller wrote: Here is what the specs quote: Supply Voltage/current: 13.8 V nominal (11 V min, 15 V max). 17-22 Amps typical in TX (100W). 0.9A minimum RX. Now at 5 watts...I dunno. One of the ways you can find out is...of course...put an amp meter in line with the rig. If you don't have one, cobble one together with a known meter movement...and .1 ohm resistor and the appropriate multiplier resistor. That should do the trick of getting the data you want. Lee - K0WA ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 Softrock Lite
Hi, Jo Did you have to get the KXV3 before using it with the K3, or did you find another way to interface the softrock to the K3? Since the K3 roofing filters (centered at 8215) do not pass much of your LO freq of 8204 KHz, I am guessing that you would not have seen much effect of the moderately weak LO signal at all in the K3 - did you try it before you added the additional isolation stage? Jerry W4UK At 10:04 AM 2/17/2008, jo benoit wrote: Hello , While I was waiting for my K3 to arrive, I have been doing some experiments with the Softrock Lite . The softrock lite is an amazingly good rx for its 11 $. I was interested in a panoramic display, so I tried it out on the TS-850 . With a 35.362 Mhz Xtal and Rocky software that was not much of a problem. It worked just fine. For the K3 , I ordered a 32.812 Mhz Xtal . I read here that more isolation is needed to prevent the oscilator signal ( 8.204 Mhz in my case) to go back to the K3. Someone suggested the use of a HCPL-4562 . First I measured at the input of the Softrock, with the TS-850 and found a strong S9 carrier at 8.204 Mhz With the HCPL-4562 in front of the Softrock, I was able to hear the carrier on the input, but no indication on the S-meter. That should be enough isolation, I think. Then I added an extra stage . I copied the schematic from the K2 preamp with a 2N5109 to give the signal from the IF an extra 14 db or so and extra isolation. I still could hear the carrier , somewhat quieter, and see nothing on the S-meter. The whole thing is built into a metal box and shielded between the different stages, and an extra shield between the HCPL-4562 input and output. The connection between the K3 and the adapter is a short coax cable with two bnc plugs. When changing from xfil1 to xfil2 and xfil3 on the K3, I noticed a shift in the display, so I made three different entries in the rocky.ini file: in the [Band] section I added : FL1=8625 FL2=9700 FL3=9630 I had to experiment with these values until the signal was at the zero mark on the scale . One important thing I overlooked was the fact that you need the KXV3 interface. It was only when I was building the K3 that I realised that... :) I have no special soundcard, I use the on-board soundcard of my pc. It works fine with Rocky, I haven't tried any other software ( yet ). 73 de on5ao K2 # 5237 K3 # 0324 jo benoit ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 Convergence
At 04:35 AM 2/15/2008, Simon Brown (HB9DRV) wrote: Actually I gave some thought to this project this morning, specifically allowing many programs simultaneous and transparent access to a K3 where the programs talk K3 CAT. My conclusion is that it's easy, the hard part having been written already by Phil N8VB, specifically his virtual serial cables. I have all the code I need for this, once running programs such as DXLab, the CW Skimmer program etc. would just connect to a virtual serial port such as COM22. I see no show-stoppers, performance would be / could be excellent. A few weeks ago I needed to have one serial output feed several serial inputs and assumed that N8VB's VCOM could be set up as a virtual Y cable to allow this, but was not able to get it to work - it would allow only one output per input. If there is a way, I would like to know how - I still need this functionality. Jerry W4UK ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 if isolation of softrock lite used as panadapter
Thanks, Jack I just recently realized that many people assume that one sets the softrock center freq to the center of the IF passband. This would require MUCH isolation to keep the LO under control. This is NOT how I would recommend it be used. I would set the softrock's oscillator below the IF passband, outside the area passed by the roofing filter. Since all I ever use in my panadaptor with either my 756PRO3 or SDR-1000 or sofrtock 40 is about +/- 12 KHz anyway, I will be quite happy setting the LO to 12 KHz below the IF center, and let the SR panadaptor display the K3 tuned freq +/- 12 KHz. With this design, isolation problems may be simplified. Also, there is no need for a premium soundcard. I hope that, with the LO well outside the IF passband, we will need considerably less isolation. I actually have a premium soundcard available, so I can move the LO even farther away if that helps. But I won't know for sure until mine comes in and I warm up the soldering iron. Jerry W4UK At 06:14 AM 2/12/2008, you wrote: Jerry: You might first wish to measure the reverse isolation of a MMIC before you make that statement. While they are great devices, isolation is not their strong suit. The Gali74, which I use for a variety of purposes, has an isolation of around 28 dB at the K2's IF frequency. The gain is 25 dB, so if you pad the output for unity gain, you are around 53 dB. With a Softrock's typical -40 dBm LO leakage, that strikes me a bit on the marginal side. Jack K8ZOA Jerry Flanders wrote: I assume a simple MMIC amp plus a simple resistive attenuator circuit will provide enough isolation and also provide for matching levels up/down as may be necessary. At least, that will be my first cut at the problem unless somebody else comes up with a better plan before my K3 arrives. At down east microwave ( http://www.downeastmicrowave.com/cat-frame.htm ), see the http://literature.agilent.com/litweb/pdf/5967-6159E.pdfINA10386 (DC-2GHz, 24dBG, 3.5dB NF +14dbm 1dB Gain compression ) for only $5. Very easy to use something like this, I think. Depending on the signal level of the K3 IF output, we might get enough isolation from a resistive attenuator alone and still have a usable signal level on the softrock panadaptor. I would much prefer a plug and play manufactured solution if it takes more than an attenuator, but not an expensive one. Jerry W4UK At 07:29 PM 2/11/2008, stephen pearce wrote: A month or so ago one of the Elecraft engineers pointed out that if the softrock lite rx is connected directly to the if port on the k3 there was a significant issue with coupling of rf from the softrock board into the rx if of the k# with consequent degradation in rx performance ... Has anyone produced a design for a suitable isolation amplifier/ coupling stage which will prevent this and still allow the softrock to be used (in conjunction with a pc) as a panadapter? Thanks -- Stephen Pearce zl1any Whangarei ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 if isolation of softrock lite used as panadapter
I assume a simple MMIC amp plus a simple resistive attenuator circuit will provide enough isolation and also provide for matching levels up/down as may be necessary. At least, that will be my first cut at the problem unless somebody else comes up with a better plan before my K3 arrives. At down east microwave ( http://www.downeastmicrowave.com/cat-frame.htm ), see the http://literature.agilent.com/litweb/pdf/5967-6159E.pdfINA10386 (DC-2GHz, 24dBG, 3.5dB NF +14dbm 1dB Gain compression ) for only $5. Very easy to use something like this, I think. Depending on the signal level of the K3 IF output, we might get enough isolation from a resistive attenuator alone and still have a usable signal level on the softrock panadaptor. I would much prefer a plug and play manufactured solution if it takes more than an attenuator, but not an expensive one. Jerry W4UK At 07:29 PM 2/11/2008, stephen pearce wrote: A month or so ago one of the Elecraft engineers pointed out that if the softrock lite rx is connected directly to the if port on the k3 there was a significant issue with coupling of rf from the softrock board into the rx if of the k# with consequent degradation in rx performance ... Has anyone produced a design for a suitable isolation amplifier/ coupling stage which will prevent this and still allow the softrock to be used (in conjunction with a pc) as a panadapter? Thanks -- Stephen Pearce zl1any Whangarei ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] KAT3 - Antenna tuned or not?
Your external meter is intended to be used in a 50 ohm system, right? But in this situation your KAT3 internal tuner has transformed the output so that you don't have 50 ohms at the KAT3's output terminals (It has matched the load) and therefore not at the external meter's input terminals. So the external meter numbers are not valid in this case. Trust the KAT3. Also - you will have a slight loss in the external meter in this situation - I would remove it. Jerry W4UK At 01:51 AM 1/29/2008, Tedd Wong wrote: I am attempting to tune a Zero-Five Vertical with the KAT3. How do I determine if the KAT3 has found a match? I see the SWR on the K3 close to 1:1and full power out but my external SWR meter is still 5:1. Thanks. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
RE: Re: [Elecraft] K3/100 Kit #307 Lift Off
Maybe just take lots of photos before you close it up? Jerry W4UK At 05:52 PM 1/29/2008, Brett Howard wrote: I'd be willing to pay a 10 to 15 dollar adder for knurled knobs that allow one to take the top of quickly and easily to show off the guts... I'd want them to be relatively low profile though. -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, January 29, 2008 2:28 AM To: David Pratt; Elecraft Reflector Subject: Re: Re: [Elecraft] K3/100 Kit #307 Lift Off If you are going to be taking them apart so often to show folks :o) perhaps some nice black knurled thumb screws would be in order. David G3UNA From: David Pratt [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: 2008/01/29 Tue AM 09:44:00 GMT To: Elecraft Reflector elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3/100 Kit #307 Lift Off In a recent message, Stewart Baker [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote Only slight negative is that there should be a few more flat black case screws supplied as spares. Exact amount needed supplied, however I am sure that I will lose one or two when I open the case to show off the craftsmanship... I'll agree to that one, Stewart. There were plenty of pan heads as spares but the flat heads were exactly the right number. Fortunately, I have three left over from the assembly of my K1. 73 -- David G4DMP Leeds, England, UK -- - Email sent from www.virginmedia.com/email Virus-checked using McAfee(R) Software and scanned for spam ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] ARRL RTTY Roundup
At 12:13 PM 1/7/2008, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: ... I listened to RTTY a bit as DATA A and FSK but found the default filter setting to be too narrow - I could only see one station at a time. It might work well if you were running but for SP, I needed the wide filter. When I widened the filter, the AGC caused a desense of the spectrum when a big signal fired up. I was using Winwarbler for the RTTY engine. I guess the answer is to compromise on a 1khz roofing filter? I think the answer is a good panadaptor. Look into using the softrock40 and PowerSDR combo - excellent panadaptor. This will let you actually see the individual sigs and see what type they are (rtty or CW, e.g.). When my K3 gets here I will be working on this first. Search on powersdr test drive to see the panadaptor in action. Also search on softrock and k3 panadaptor. Jerry W4UK ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] RTTY and filters
I plan to use the 400 Hz roofing filter combined with 250-350 Hz DSP filters for 170 Hz shift RTTY. I have used 250, 300, and 350 Hz DSP filters with ICOM 756PRO series radios for years with success. Jerry W4UK At 01:28 PM 1/7/2008, you wrote: I previously mentioned in an email to the group that I was looking forward to trying out the 200hz filter in my K3 for RTTY contesting. I had one reply wondering if that filter was going to be too tight for RTTY. Any comments from the group on this. The other person that emailed was planning on using the 400hz filter. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] RTTY Roundup
At 02:29 PM 1/7/2008, Nelsen, Nels wrote: ... Correct me if I am wrong, but There are no lack of places for a CW operator to work? CW is allowed ANY where in the Ham band? Thanks, Nels Nelsen Anywhere except on 60 meters. Jerry W4UK ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
RE: [Elecraft] RTTY and filters
I just checked the filter plot at http://www.elecraft.com/ . Strange that they call it a 250 Hz filter because -6 dB BW is actually 370 Hz, compared to 435 for the 400 Hz filter. At -60, the 250 is 785 Hz wide, compared to 935 for the 400 one. IOW, the 250 should pass all the 170 shift sidebands OK, because it is not really that narrow. Not really much difference between the 250 and 400. Jerry W4UK At 02:20 PM 1/7/2008, J. Edward (Ed) Muns wrote: I previously mentioned in an email to the group that I was looking forward to trying out the 200hz filter in my K3 for RTTY contesting. I had one reply wondering if that filter was going to be too tight for RTTY. Any comments from the group on this. The other person that emailed was planning on using the 400hz filter. I only operate RTTY with narrow filtering, all of the following simultaneously in the K3: - 250Hz crystal filter - 200Hz DSP filter - Dual-Tone Filter In the 756ProIII, I use the 250Hz RTTY DSP filter and the Twin-Peak Filter. The only roofing filter choice in the ProIII is the standard 15kHz, although the INRAD 4-5kHz can be added. I want the filtering as tight as I can get it so the RTTY decoders have the best chance to do their job. Stations need to be good at zero-beating, which is easy in RTTY because your decoder display is a perfect tuning indicator. Alternatively, on my side I have to ride the RIT a lot to pull in the off-frequency signals. This weekend there were a lot of stations calling off frequency, some as much as 200 Hz away. I suspect that those using AFSK with AFC were responsible for a lot of that. In other words, their receiver was zero beat with me but their smart encoder skewed their Mark tone away from where they were receiving. In a sense these off-frequency folks are helpful because they don't QRM the ones who are zero beat with me! Once I work the zero-beaters out of the pile-up, then I can grab the others with the RIT ... if they're still there. 73, Ed - P49X (W0YK) ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] softrock with K3
Any recommendations for a high-reverse isolation buffer circuit? Jerry W4UK At 02:19 PM 12/23/2007, Lyle Johnson wrote: PLEASE remember that you *must* have a high-reverse isolation buffer between the K3 IF OUT jack and the Softrock antenna input. The Softrock may have a huge spur at its carrier frequency and its mixer may not suppress this adequately. So there is a potential coupling problem (mixer) and radiation problem (shielding). The IF out of the K3 does not have high reverse isolation characteristics, so you need to ensure you do not couple a signal at the IF *into* the K3 through this connector. 73, Lyle KK7P ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] softrock with K3
Lyle, perhaps you have actually hooked up the softrock panadaptor and found a problem. If so, let us know. Otherwise, considering that the K3 is using a roofing filter which should be VERY effective in eliminating any feedthrough from the softrock's actual LO freq, until somebody actually hooks one up to the K3 and finds a problem, I continue to hope that no isolation is required, or that a simple attenuation pad can do the job without excessive attenuation of the display sigs. With the standard K3 softrock panadaptor kit that KB9YIG provides, the LO is at 8.191 kHz and K3 IF is at 8.215, 24 KHz away. The roofing filters should provide pretty good attenuation at that distance. Some phase noise will be present at 8.215, but it may or may not be negligible. I will definitely use the panadaptor with the K3 I have on order, and already have the softrock kit awaiting the build. Jerry W4UK At 04:51 PM 12/23/2007, Don Wilhelm wrote: Dave, simple and effective are often antonyms and do not occur together except in the most simple cases. Assuring that no signals are inadvertently injected into the K3 IF OUT jack does not sound like a simple case. Bite the bullet and do a good job of isolating no matter what you use - the performance of your K3 depends on it. Directly connecting an $11 piece of equipment to a $1000 piece of equipment and expecting no adverse consequences is a lot to be expected. It *can* be done - the devil is in the details. 73, Don W3FPR Dave Martin wrote: We'll have to get some ideas for a simple buffer that will provide good isolation. Otherwise before long questions will be popping up about spurious responses and noise with our new K3s. On Dec 23, 2007 2:19 PM, Lyle Johnson [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Any one have any experience with the softrock and the K3... PLEASE remember that you *must* have a high-reverse isolation buffer between the K3 IF OUT jack and the Softrock antenna input. The Softrock may have a huge spur at its carrier frequency and its mixer may not suppress this adequately. So there is a potential coupling problem (mixer) and radiation problem (shielding). The IF out of the K3 does not have high reverse isolation characteristics, so you need to ensure you do not couple a signal at the IF *into* the K3 through this connector. 73, Lyle KK7P ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Neat K3 Video! - K3 Amp interface questions
At 10:32 AM 12/3/2007, Ian White GM3SEK wrote: SNIPThe problem was simply that, on the issue of compatibility with existing technical standards in the market, nobody picked up the ball. SNIP 3. Reverse logic in the band data output. Again, this 4-bit encoding was originated by Yaesu, and has since been adopted and extended by a range of third-party providers. The standard band data output is TTL, logic 1 = 5V, logic 0 = 0V. The K3 uses industry-standard band encoding, but the output interface is not standard. Use of open-drain pulldowns in the K3 means that existing non-Elecraft band data interfaces will not work without some modifications and a user-provided positive supply rail. Thanks for mentioning this, Ian. I hadn't picked up on this before. One of the major reasons I ordered a K3 was because I assumed the automatic band selection feature on my Quadra would work directly with the K3 after I wired up a new cable. I am presently using a method in which my PC reads the rig freq and generates band-data signals for the amp ( http://www.ab4oj.com/quadra/w4uk.html or http://mywebpages.comcast.net/rwilliams309/QUADRA_interface.html ). This works OK, but always requires the logging computer is on and that the program is running. Are there any existing devices that would work with the K3 band-data interface as-is? Anybody know of such? Ian, if this is fixable within the K3, will it require a hardware change or can it simply be inverted in software? Jerry W4UK ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Neat K3 Video!
At 11:37 AM 12/3/2007, you wrote: I guess I'm just wondering, the day after, how I got roped into an amplifier discussion when I don't even have one!!! Because you mentioned the plastic film issue is the biggest problem you had seen. I replied with the problems I have seen and it has recycled from there. I am glad I replied to your post, because there are apparently more problems than I was already aware of - GM3SEK called attention to the non-standard band-data interface, which is even more grief for me because I need a standard band-data interface also. I know that guys who don't run amps say they are not interested in these issues at the present time, but they could become important to them down the road if they are not fixed. These issues could definitely affect resale market value if the K3 remains limited in these ways. I hope they can be fixed _before_ mine ships. Jerry W4UK ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] ALC: issues raised almost 2 month ago + answer from Elecraft
At 02:59 PM 12/3/2007, Enno, PF5X wrote: Hi gang, SNIP A very quick response from Wayne gave the following info. Sufficient to cool the discussion for a while I would say ... Not so - Wayne's comments seem directed at those who might want to use ALC as if it were a substitute for the mike gain control. It worries me when I see the discussion wander away from amplifier safety in an antenna catastrophe situation, which is my main concern. I once blew up the output circuit of an AL1200 due to an intermittent in an antenna coax while running full power on RTTY. Please see my other in-line comments below. -- quote From: wayne burdick [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Fri, 12 Oct 2007 14:12:24 -0700 To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net, [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: regarding external ALC Hi Enno, Transmit power control via the ALC input (AUX I/O pin 15) is planned, but not finalized. We're mindful of the negative impact ALC can have on transmit signal purity, a subject of recent debate within testing organizations. Speaking only for myself, I do not intend to adjust the ALC to provide normal level control - only a crisis shutdown function. Quoting from my Quadra's manual p4.: The ALC cable must be connected between the transceiver and VL-1000 to prevent overdrive of the amplifier, and especially to facilitate the proper operation of the protection circuitry if sudden antenna system problems should cause the SWR to rise to dangerous levels. Rightly or wrongly, Yaesu (and probably ICOM) engineers have presumed the ALC would be functional and could cut back exciter drive in the event of an antenna catastrophe. Other main-line rigs that I am familiar with are compatible. I think it is reasonable to assume the world-class K3 would have provided for this also. BTW - It is worrisome that ALC was only planned, but still not finalized, as of Oct 12. snip Once ALC is working to our satisfaction, we'll provide simple interfacing information that will allow the use of negative control voltages ... I, and perhaps other Solid State amp users, would prefer a definite calendar commitment, if that is possible. If not possible, please state so. I would hope for a working, properly engineered negative-going ALC fix within a few months. Meanwhile, the K3's DSP-based early-stage ALC is very effective at preventing amplifier overdrive, and should suffice in nearly all cases. I repeat - my concern is amplifier safety, not a substitute for a mike gain control. Sooner or later, the antenna will fail, but we don't know when, and we probably cannot manually cut back drive quickly enough to protect those expensive SS finals when it occurs. 73, Wayne N6KR Jerry W4UK ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] ALC: issues raised almost 2 month ago + answer from Elecraft
At 05:03 PM 12/3/2007, Don Wilhelm wrote: Jerry and all, OTOH, I would be quite uncomfortable purchasing a modern SS amplifier that did not implement protection from excessive SWR without depending on the exciter to throttle back the power. Good point. I think I would prefer this also. But I already have two Quadras in a SO2R station. Had them for years. Presently both are driven by ICOM rigs, and I was hoping for an easy changeover to two K3s without raising new amp safety issues. I think if I were starting completely from scratch, I might go with amps that are totally self-protected if they are completely automatic as are these Quadras. Quadra automation is superb. To my mind, depending on some external device (the exciter) to protect the amp is a recipe for failure and represents faulty design decisions from the amplifier designers. 73, Don W3FPR Maybe, but the Quadra has been a mainline successful product now for around ten years. Yaesu engineers probably know what they are doing. But maybe they made decisions strictly for their internal product line just as, perhaps, Elecraft may now be doing(?). Jerry W4UK ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] AGC Threshold Ok! (was Re: K2: AGC Threshold Too Low?)
FYI - 50 microvolts is the widely accepted S9 signal level, not 20 over. I would guess the 1uV is around S1, but not sure about that one. More info in the Elecraft manual on the XG1 or XG2. Jerry W4UK At 10:43 AM 12/2/2007, Kurt Pawlikowski wrote: Sarah, ... I'm told that in a properly adjusted (and complete?) radio, a 1 micro-volt signal should register about S-3 and 50 micro-volt should be something like 20 db over 9. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Neat K3 Video!
At 03:49 PM 12/2/2007, Don Rasmussen wrote: ...I was also planning on featuring critical late information about problems related to the initial mass release of this radio. So far, this major event of the protective plastic film, is it there, is it not there, seems to be the biggest event I've seen. The radio Gods are smiling. ;-) The biggest events I have seen are pretty important: The reversed polarity of the ALC voltage (K3 ALC polarity setup is not presently compatible with widely used amps from Yaesu and ICOM - perhaps incompatible with ALL amps requiring ALC, but I am not sure about that). This was discussed on the k3 yahoo reflector a couple weeks ago. Also the mention here the other day of a similar polarity mismatch problem with a CW loopback feature for QSK (that I don't really understand). Elecraft says they will develop a work around for the ALC problem at some future time. This ALC thing is a major item for AMP users trying to follow their manufacturer's instructions for setup. Jerry W4UK ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
