Re: [Elecraft] K3 channel hopping anomaly

[Kent Trimble]

Hi Fred ...

I don't think the "channel hopping" procedure described on page 40 will 
accomplish what you are wanting to do because it says (in bold type), 
"Memories to be used for channel hopping must be within the same band ..."


Furthermore, tapping M»V twice always puts the Memory content into VFO-A 
with the main tuning dial incrementing the frequency as you described, 
which is normal.


However, you CAN do what you are wanting to do by simply putting each 
KPH frequency in its own Memory bin.


Then, to recall the KPH frequencies (starting in VFO-A), tap M»V just 
once which puts you into the 00-99 Memory slots and allows the main 
tuning dial to cycle through (i.e. channel hop) the various programmed 
frequencies.


Like you, I have KPH marine frequencies stored in Memory.  During last 
week's Night of Nights I cycled through the various KPH Memory slots 
until determining which frequency had the best propagation to my 
location.  At that point you have a choice.  You can either stay in 
Memory mode (the bin number will flash) or you can hit M»V a second time 
and transfer the frequency into VFO-A.  Either will work.  If you do the 
latter, I'd recommend locking the main tuning dial.


Good luck with Enigma!  Too complicated for my tired old brain.

73,
Kent
K9ZTV



On 7/22/2023 2:00 PM, Fred Jensen wrote:
I have a variety of frequencies, both in and outside the ham bands 
[e.g. KPH freqs] set up in my K3.  The KPH freqs are set up with the 
"*" in the name for channel hopping.  Worked great for 10 years.  This 
AM, getting ready for the "Big Enigma Decryption Test" I tapped M->V, 
selected memory 37 [6477.5 kHz], and then tapped M->V again.  K3 went 
to the right frequency, however when I move the Big Knob, it just 
increments the frequency ... it does not channel hop.  All looks 
normal in the K3 Memory Editor app.


99.775% of these kinds of problems end up being in my head. Hoping 
this one is too.  Any help?


73,

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


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Re: [Elecraft] K3 channel hopping anomaly[1]

[Kent Trimble]

Hi Fred ...

I don't think using the "channel hopping" procedure as described on page 
40 will accomplish what you are wanting to do because it says (in bold 
type), "Memories to be used for channel hopping must be within the same 
band ..."


Furthermore, tapping M»V twice always puts the Memory content into VFO-A 
with the main tuning dial incrementing the frequency as you described, 
which is normal.


However, you CAN do what you are wanting to do by simply putting each 
KPH frequency in its own Memory bin.


Then, to recall the KPH frequencies (assuming you are in VFO-A), tap M»V 
just once which puts you into the 00-99 Memory slots and allows the main 
tuning dial to cycle through (same as "channel hopping") the various 
programmed frequencies.


Like you I have all the KPH marine frequencies in Memory.  During last 
week's Night of Nights I merely cycled through the various KPH Memory 
slots until I could determine which frequency had the best propagation 
to my location.  At that point you have a choice. You can either stay in 
Memory mode (the bin number will flash) or you can hit M»V a second time 
and transfer the frequency into VFO-A.  Either will work.  If you do the 
latter, I'd recommend locking the main tuning dial.


Good luck with Enigma!  Too complicated for my tired old brain.

73,
Kent
K9ZTV



On 7/22/2023 2:00 PM, Fred Jensen wrote:
I have a variety of frequencies, both in and outside the ham bands 
[e.g. KPH freqs] set up in my K3.  The KPH freqs are set up with the 
"*" in the name for channel hopping.  Worked great for 10 years.  This 
AM, getting ready for the "Big Enigma Decryption Test" I tapped M->V, 
selected memory 37 [6477.5 kHz], and then tapped M->V again.  K3 went 
to the right frequency, however when I move the Big Knob, it just 
increments the frequency ... it does not channel hop.  All looks 
normal in the K3 Memory Editor app.


99.775% of these kinds of problems end up being in my head. Hoping 
this one is too.  Any help?


73,

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

[1] anomaly [ah NOM ah lee, n.] Term used by NASA to indicate 
something not going correctly.  It can range anywhere from a burned 
out indicator to the rocket landing pointy-end first in the desert 
outside Tucson




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Re: [Elecraft] K3S Noise Reduction

[Kent Trimble]

In addition to Al's helpful post, new owners should understand the 
difference between Noise Blanker (NB) and Noise Reduction (NR) tools as 
implemented in Elecraft radios.


Recent posts indicate confusions between the two.  They function 
differently in order to address different sources of noise generation.  
Both are effective in the instant moment which means neither should be 
left activated permanently.   Values effective on one band may be 
ineffective on another band. Moreover, one kind of noise may be of short 
duration and terminate, while another noise persists.  Further 
complicating things is that it is often difficult to determine by ear 
which of the two tools is best suited to a given noise.  Some noise, 
such as the background noise of the universe (cosmic noise) will always 
be there which is one reason the word "reduction" is used, not 
"elimination."  Lastly, while Elecraft radios differ from other brands 
in their ability to provide more user-adjustable technology, they 
require more knowledge from the user.  Far from being a negative, it 
makes for a higher caliber of operator and a better educated fraternity.


Lamenting the lack of a single ON/OFF button to mask or reduce all kinds 
of noise reflects a need to study what constitutes noise in general and 
one's Elecraft radio in particular.


73,
Kent
K9ZTV


On 11/7/2022 2:22 PM, Al Lorona wrote:

Good advice from Chuck and Bob below.

The thing to remember is that the noise reduction isn't just an on/off button. 
There are 32 levels of noise reduction to choose from. Some of the levels add 
just a touch of NR while others almost destroy the signal, adding artifacts and 
other things in the process.

So you gotta play with it a little bit to suit your taste. You'll find a 
setting that pleases you.

Here's what Wayne said about the settings when he released firmware rev. 3.30 
on 2 September 2009:

__

"* MORE NR (NOISE REDUCTION) SETTINGS:  There are now 32 NR settings.
F1-x to F4-x originally appeared in firmware revision 3.27, and are
recommended for most applications. F5-x to F8-x are the same as
F1-x to F4-x from firmware revision 3.25. They provide a varying mix
between processed (“wet”) and unprocessed (“dry”) audio. When x is 1,
the mix is mostly "dry"; when x is 4, it's 100% "wet". A small letter
“m”
(e.g. "NR m F5-1") reminds you that "mixed" settings are in use.

Note 1: When you’re experimenting with different NR ADJ settings, allow
1 to 3 seconds for the DSP to fully adapt to present signal conditions.

Note 2: F5-x and higher NR settings may alter the amplitude of
single-tone (CW) signals somewhat, depending on the pitch. Voice
signals are less affected."

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Re: [Elecraft] Drive Control - K3 and FPA-1500

[Kent Trimble]

Pete ...

Overshoot was a problem in the early K3s (plural, not S), but was 
corrected in firmware.  Surely the K3S never had it at all.


But apparently so for yours.

If you have the latest (i.e. final) firmware installed, a quick phone 
call to Elecraft support should solve it.  There are just too many of 
both rigs out there for it to be a problem anymore.


73,
Kent
K9ZTV


On 11/7/2022 7:31 AM, Pete Smith N4ZR wrote:
Thanks, Kent - that's what I thought, but it doesn't seem to be 
working. I generally use the internal tuner, and I was hopping around 
a lot within bands, but unfortunately I didn't collect data on which 
hops produced warnings - either excessive current warnings or 
over-power readings on the LED scale.


73, Pete N4ZR
Check out the new Reverse Beacon Network
web server at.
For spots, please use your favorite
"retail" DX cluster.

On 11/6/2022 9:29 PM, K9ZTV wrote:

Pete ...

You have to first set the drive manually per-band on the K3. Once 
that is done, the K3 adjusts its drive to whatever you have set it to 
when changing to that new band.


73,
Kent
K9ZTV

On Nov 6, 2022, at 7:05 PM, Pete Smith N4ZR  
wrote:


Just finished SS, and on many occasions when switching bands I 
found myself overdriving the KPA-1500 on the new band.  No harm 
done, but I thought the K3/KPA-1500 combination was supposed to 
manage drive on a per-band basis.  Did I get that wrong?


--
73, Pete N4ZR
Check out the new Reverse Beacon Network
web server at.
For spots, please use your favorite
"retail" DX cluster.
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Re: [Elecraft] communications on KX2 Mic's (MH3)

[Kent Trimble]

Mike ...

The 5,000 or so of us who actually got microphones with our KX2s really 
do feel for you.  Your point, stated ad infinitum, was well-taken the 
first time you made it.  But your complaint is not with us who have had 
to delete your many posts.  IT IS WITH ELECRAFT.  We can't do one darn 
thing to help you.  There is no question but that microphones paid-for 
should be microphones-delivered or else money refunded.  If Elecraft 
refuses to issue a refund, then its a matter of fraud in which case you 
should seek an attorney.


But don't keep railing on the reflector.  We don't deserve it!

73,
Kent
K9ZTV


On 10/8/2022 10:22 AM, Mike Smith VE9AA wrote:

The point is, almost a year ago I purchased a KX2-shack-in-a-box kit and it
came without a mic (it was purchased and paid for as part of that kit) and I
had to inform Elecraft once it arrived that I was shorted a mic.) Nothing in
the paperwork nor any communication before it arrived stated it would be
arriving w/o a MH3 mic, so this was a surprise.





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Re: [Elecraft] Ham Qualifications, Customer Service

[Kent Trimble]

Burdick has too much on his mind to bother with dates, but actually it 
was late 2007 ...


From my logbook of that year:

Sun, Oct. 14:   Email from Elecraft saying they would be shipping this week
Thu, Oct. 18:   Email from Elecraft saying they would be shipping today
Fri, Oct. 19:   Serial Number 21 delivered by UPS at 9 a.m. CDT
Sat, Oct. 20:  Assembly of kit began at 10:15 a.m. and was completed on 
Sunday at 10:30 a.m. with time-outs for meals, sleep, participation in 
an emergency pandemic communications exercise, and continuous 
annotations and corrections to the assembly manual as I encountered them 
and as NØSS recorded them at the request of Elecraft.


Assembly went smoothly, filter calibration (manually) went well, and 
first contact was made at 5:02 p.m. that afternoon on the ECN (Elecraft 
20 meter Net).  Rare DX it was ... across town to NØSS who was NCS.


Fully updated, S.N. 21 has worked every Field Day since, demonstrated 
ham radio at numerous Boy Scout affairs, handled a bunch of special 
events, an ARRL 100th anniversary, a Missouri bicentennial, and 15 
Halloweens from Frankenstein.


73,
Kent
K9ZTV



On 6/29/2022 11:39 AM, Ed Cole wrote:
I bought my K3/10 in 2010 (SN 4340).  Didn't realize that was only two 
years after launch of the radio "We started selling the K3 in early 
2008-per Wayne".



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Re: [Elecraft] Collecting stamps vs. seashells -- and why this is not wildly O.T.

[KENT TRIMBLE]

Amen and Amen.

K9ZTV


On 6/7/2022 12:21 PM, Wayne Burdick wrote:

... if you get tired of collecting stamps, let's say with your VFO parked at 
14.074 MHz, wander up or down the band and take a crack at doing things the 
hard way ... and*/pound some old brass/*.



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Re: [Elecraft] Diversity speaker set for sale

[KENT TRIMBLE]

Everything Steve says about the Motorola HSN speakers is true with the 
following caution:


Many found at hamfests are 2 ohm speakers while amateur receivers and 
transceivers for the last 60 years have required 4-8 ohm speakers.


There is usually a marking on the magnet face indicating the impedance.  
While I've modified several 2-ohm units to a higher impedance, it's more 
fun to watch the expression of the flea-market guys as you pull out a 
Phillips screwdriver and open case after case looking for 4 and 8 ohm ones.


73,

Kent  K9ZTV



On 4/18/2022 12:29 PM, inventor61 wrote:

For Sale:  matching pair of Motorola HSN6003B external speakers for K3 with
diversity mode.  These are the version of the classic Motorola
communications speaker, designed for use on police motorcycles.  Besides
being waterproof, they have superior acoustic characteristics ...

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[Elecraft] HAMFEST WINNERS & HISTORY CORRECTED

[KENT TRIMBLE]

At the 1961 Quad City ARC W9YCR Hamfest, a Gonset G-76 transceiver was 
the main prize and won by a non-licensed teenage lad who found himself 
under siege from  a dozen or more older hams wanting to keep it in 
licensed hands before he even got it to his dad's car.


Art Collins was forced to sell the Collins Radio Company to North 
American Rockwell (not Raytheon) in order to avoid bankruptcy after 
literally betting the store on his C-system computer. It was therefore 
Rockwell-Collins (not Raytheon) that built the KWM-380 and Senator Barry 
Goldwater received the first production radio.


73,

Kent  K9ZTV



On 3/30/2022 5:53 PM, Scott Manthe wrote:
Back in the late 70s or early 80's, when I was a teenager and a 
"lowly" Technician, one of my teenager Technician friends won a 
KWM-380 at the Cedar Rapids hamfest. The old-timers were not amused. 
I'd have preferred to win the radio, but barring that, seeing the 
reaction of those old guys to a teenager Tech winning that KWM-380 was 
pretty priceless. Of course, now I am one of those old guys...


73,
Scott N9AA


On 3/30/22 1:40 PM, Fred Jensen wrote:
Ummm ... Art Collins had a very large military business in addition 
to a small amateur one, and sold his company to Raytheon who, it 
turned out, had little interest in building amateur gear.  The 
decision to leave the market was voluntary, although I have vague 
memories of one incredibly expensive Raytheon-Collins HF transceiver 
[KWM-380? or something like that] before the end.  I don't know why 
Ten-Tec left, they had a very loyal and well deserved following, but 
running a business is really complex, and they expired well before 
COVID became a word.  To each his own.


73,

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




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Re: [Elecraft] K3 - How to turn the Alert Tones Off?

[KENT TRIMBLE]

Page 60:  CONFIG menu SW TONE

73,

Kent  K9ZTV



On 2/7/2022 1:26 PM, RVZ via Elecraft wrote:

On my K3 I now have the MON level set all the way down to 1 and the MON level 
is fine on CW but the Alert tones are very loud and annoying.  Would anyone 
know how I can turn OFF the Alert tones altogether?
  Thanks & 73,  Dick- K9OM
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Re: [Elecraft] Giving Up

[KENT TRIMBLE]

Not so, Doug.

My K3, including accessories and filters, was $4,500 in 2007. That's 
$5,722 in today's dollars.


A K4 with all its advanced technology at $4,600 (your quote) is a steal 
compared to a K3.


The word "expensive" can be applied to the K4 (or any product) only when 
answering the question, "compared to what?"  Otherwise it has no 
meaning.  Nothing is expensive or inexpensive on its own.  The word has 
relevance only when comparing the price of two or more products.


73,

Kent  K9ZTV


On 6/7/2021 9:33 PM, Doug Person, KØDXV, wrote:
... With a tuner the [K4] price is $4600 making it one of the most 
expensive transceivers on the market ... When the K3 came out it was 
very competitively priced. I'm not sure I would describe the K4 with 
the same words. It is unquestionably an expensive radio.

.


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Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 Question

[KENT TRIMBLE]

Just because a tech says it's a known failure today doesn't mean it's 
been a known failure throughout its production run.  Component 
availability and sourcing necessarily change over the years.  A robust 
component from a former supplier ten years ago may not be as robust from 
a different supplier today.  There is no way of knowing which components 
exhibit early failures until they fail early.


Consider yourself now an experienced beta-tester!

73,

Kent  K9ZTV


On 4/18/2021 6:59 PM, someone wrote:

According to one reply, an Elecraft Tech told him, "This is a
known failure mode." ... If this is a known weakness, why
hasn't Elecraft designed a "beefed up" mod?


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Re: [Elecraft] Why is my K3 off frequency?

[KENT TRIMBLE]

The quickest and easiest method for zero-beating the NCS on an SSB net 
is just what Andy described . . . tune for the most natural sounding 
voice.  I suppose someone with lab instruments and scopes might come up 
with something more sophisticated  But, as others have pointed out, 
sophistication is seldom needed in general Amateur use.  There is only 
one station in a net that all stations need to zero-beat and that is the 
NCS.


The NCS doesn't care about stations off-frequency.  It is not his job to 
tune for anybody.  He stays put.  It's the responsibility of stations 
who are checking into the net to find and zero-beat the NCS, not the 
other way around.  In fact, a good NCS will lock his main VFO so he 
doesn't accidentally bump it.  If he needs to fine-tune someone, he uses 
his clarifier/RIT.


The same holds true for all stations in the net (or round table).  They 
should use their main (transmitter) VFOs to zero the NCS, lock it, and 
then use their clarifier (RIT) knob to tune incoming signals as 
desired.  Of course, SPLIT could also be used to accomplish the same 
thing as long as the transmitting VFO is zeroed to the NCS and locked 
and the operator doesn't get confused as to which VFO is doing what.


But again, I can't emphasize enough that the NCS chooses a frequency of 
his choice nearest the published frequency in order to establish as 
clear a spot as possible and all others zero-beat him.  This protocol 
has been in practice in National Traffic System work since the advent of 
variable frequency oscillators.


73,

Kent  K9ZTV


On Mar 24, 2021, at 9:56 AM, Wes  wrote:

And how does a NCS know check-ins are off frequency, especially if it's a YL?

Wes  N7WS

On 3/24/2021 8:24 AM, Andy Durbin wrote:

"Calibration aside, stations checking into nets should always zero-beat the Net 
Control Station regardless of where he is on the dial and regardless of the net's 
published frequency."

O.k. I'll bite.   I started in amateur radio long enough ago to know how to use 
a BFO and to know how to zero beat an AM or CW signal.  How does one zero beat 
a suppressed carrier single sideband phone signal?  I just tune until the voice 
sounds like I think the voice should sound like.  It is very subjective and I 
certainly can't tune to less than 12 Hz error.

What technique are others using that enables them to "zero beat" SSB phone to 
better than 12 Hz accuracy?  I seldom use phone but I'd like to have this technique in my 
bag of tricks.

73,
Andy, k3wyc

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Re: [Elecraft] Why is my K3 off frequency?

[KENT TRIMBLE]

Probably a good time to remind newcomers . . .

Calibration aside, stations checking into nets should always zero-beat 
the Net Control Station regardless of where he is on the dial and 
regardless of the net's published frequency.


Last week the NCS of the 75-meter Interstate Sideband Net parked himself 
several kilohertz below the published frequency in order to escape QRM.  
As the net control station that was his prerogative and his 
responsibility.  Most participants followed suit, but several stations 
insisted on transmitting on the published frequency and then complained 
that the NCS was off-frequency.  In truth, the NCS is never 
off-frequency.  He IS the net frequency.  Accurately zero-beating the 
NCS is even more critical on CW nets where conditions often mandate 
narrow filters.


73,

Kent  K9ZTV






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Re: [Elecraft] Copying CW and Pitch

[KENT TRIMBLE]

Just a personal observation, but for me, anyway, the optimum pitch varies.

What seemed optimum yesterday is different today.

What seemed optimum this morning won't be optimum this evening.

What seemed optimum on one rig is not optimum on another rig.

What seemed optimum on 20 meters is not optimum on 80 meters.

What seemed optimum from speakers won't be optimum from headphones.

And most importantly, what seemed optimum during one QSO won't 
necessarily be optimum during the next QSO.


That's why RIT is such a valuable receiver accessory.  After zeroing the 
transmitter to the incoming signal, the RIT is adjusted for wherever the 
peak seems to be at that given moment.


And continual re-adjustment may be necessary as QSB, QRN, signal 
polarity, signal drifting, and other factors come into play.


For me, anyway, that's the way it seems to work.

73,

Kent  K9ZTV





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Re: [Elecraft] K3S RF/SQL Adjustment

[KENT TRIMBLE]

Mike . . .

All rigs are "noisy" if you run the RF gain full bore.

Experiment with backing off the RF gain and increasing the AF gain (if 
needed) until a good signal-to-noise ratio is attained by your ears.  
This applies to both CW and SSB.


It will also be helpful if you put the AGC in "fast" mode.

Finally, ignore the S-meter.  It will only confuse you and is needed 
only when comparing two or more incoming signals.  It has nothing to do 
with optimizing reception.


73,

Kent  K9ZTV



On 2/17/2021 12:57 PM, NJMike wrote:

Brett, I am new to the K3S.  I set mine according to the Fred Cady book.
Mine are slightly different from yours.   But I don't have a good
understanding of how the settings affect the performance.  Sometimes I think
the rig is very noisy, even when connected to a dummy load.

I am interested in the advice you get !

Mike NJ2OM








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Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft Kit Assembly

[KENT TRIMBLE]

That's been suggested to Elecraft many times over the past 21 years.

Wonder if anyone still makes them.

My three sleep in their own bin!

73,

Kent  K9ZTV



On 12/2/2020 2:35 PM, K9MA wrote:
When assembling the KAT500 kit yesterday, I found it frustrating 
trying to get the nuts started on the connector screws. Then I 
remembered assembling Heathkits, like 50 years ago. Heathkit provided 
a little plastic tube thingy for starting hex nuts. (I'm sure some of 
you other OF's remember them. They were red.) I looked in the toolbox, 
and there were two of them! (They're still red.) Given all the hex 
nuts in the KAT500 kit, if I hadn't already had them, I'd have been 
glad to pay an extra 10 cents or so if one were included with the kit.


73,

Scott K9MA





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Re: [Elecraft] K4 Reports

[KENT TRIMBLE]

I don't recall an avalanche of questions with the K3, but I do recall a 
lot of impatient purchasers.  Once shipments began, they proceeded in 
fairly good numbers which quieted things down and I suspect the same 
thing will happen when the K4 ships.  Nor is there much need to flood 
the reflector when within 60-90 days Rob Sherwood, QST, and others will 
have technical reviews far superior to what most new owners might 
provide.  Moreover, initial reports are often misleading because 90% of 
the supposed problems stem from not reading and/or misunderstanding the 
manual.


73,

Kent  K9ZTV
(K3 21)




On 12/2/2020 12:50 PM, Terry Brown wrote:

My guess is a few of us have received their K4’s but are reluctant to post 
anything about them because of the avalanche of questions that will flood their 
inboxes.  I wasn’t an Elecraft user when the K3 came out, but I suspect the 
same thing happened then.  It sure would be nice to find some way to get user 
reports of the K4 without subjecting the poster with a flood of questions.






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Re: [Elecraft] [K1]CW Tune Led for Elecraft K2/K1

[KENT TRIMBLE]

Hi Don . . .

For your future quick reference, and anybody else who might want it, the 
direct link to the NØSS (Tom Hammond) articles on our club's website is:


http://www.mmccs.com/mmarc/n0ss/

73,

Kent Trimble, K9ZTV
NØSS Trustee
Mid-MO ARC
Jefferson City, MO



On 10/15/2020 12:32 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote:
Despite what hat website says, there are no kits available.  Tom 
Hammond was SK several years ago, but his local radio club has 
preserved the content on his website.
All the instructions are there, and I believe Tom used FAR Circuits 
for his boards.  An email to FAR Circuits may turn up a board for you.


73,
Don W3FPR




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Re: [Elecraft] Status of Add-ons for K3?

[KENT TRIMBLE]

The advertising slogan meant, "Lucky Strike Means Fine Tobacco."  But 
during the Truman administration it came to mean "Leave Some Meat for 
Truman" in response to a proposal urging American families to forego the 
consumption of meat two days a week.


Gotta love bureaucrats.

What all this has to do with Elecraft is beyond me.  Good thing the K4 
is keeping Eric occupied.


73,

Kent  K9ZTV



On 9/24/2020 7:35 AM, Dave Cole wrote:

LSMFT... Remember that one?





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Re: [Elecraft] K1ZTE - KAT500

[KENT TRIMBLE]

A further consideration has to do with what kind of AMU you are using, 
whether electronic or mechanical (for want of a better description).


Once a match is memorized, electronic AMUs set their solutions nearly 
instantly.  High SWR levels exist only for milliseconds (if that).


But mechanical AMUs (whether automatic or manual) require TIME in order 
for the capacitor(s) and inductor to find their proper matching 
positions.  Even when a match has been previously memorized, it may take 
several seconds for the inductor wheel to traverse the roller coil and 
the capacitor(s) to rotate.


That's why one needs to pay attention to the SWR levels impacting both 
the AMU and the transceiver.


73,

Kent  K9ZTV


On 9/12/2020 6:03 PM, KENT TRIMBLE wrote:

Alan is right, but it depends on which "good book" one is consulting!

We have to be careful about transceiver power levels when tuning an 
external AMU, for the sake of the /transceiver /as well as the AMU.


Your AMU may be able to tolerate 100 watts during the tuning process, 
but your transceiver may not.  Unless the transceiver automatically 
folds back its output in the presence of high SWR levels, one risks 
damaging the transceiver's PA transistors. While many modern rigs do 
so, others, especially older rigs often used by new licensees, do not.


For example, when seeing an SWR above 3:1, my FT-991A reduces its CW 
output from 100 to 10 watts while at the same time flashing "HIGH SWR" 
in red letters.  The rig may be successfully protecting itself, but 
why risk stressing components if it's not necessary? That's why I 
prefer switching the transceiver to AM at 25 watts when tuning an 
external AMU.


73,

Kent  K9ZTV



On 9/12/2020 5:16 PM, Alan - G4GNX wrote:
Although it's preferable to have at least 20W to tune, the good book 
says that anything between 7 and 100 watts is OK.


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Re: [Elecraft] K1ZTE - KAT500

[KENT TRIMBLE]

Alan is right, but it depends on which "good book" one is consulting!

We have to be careful about transceiver power levels when tuning an 
external AMU, for the sake of the /transceiver /as well as the AMU.


Your AMU may be able to tolerate 100 watts during the tuning process, 
but your transceiver may not.  Unless the transceiver automatically 
folds back its output in the presence of high SWR levels, one risks 
damaging the transceiver's PA transistors.  While many modern rigs do 
so, others, especially older rigs often used by new licensees, do not.


For example, when seeing an SWR above 3:1, my FT-991A reduces its CW 
output from 100 to 10 watts while at the same time flashing "HIGH SWR" 
in red letters.  The rig may be successfully protecting itself, but why 
risk stressing components if it's not necessary?  That's why I prefer 
switching the transceiver to AM at 25 watts when tuning an external AMU.


73,

Kent  K9ZTV



On 9/12/2020 5:16 PM, Alan - G4GNX wrote:
Although it's preferable to have at least 20W to tune, the good book 
says that anything between 7 and 100 watts is OK.


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Re: [Elecraft] K1ZTE - KAT500

[KENT TRIMBLE]

With nearly all modern transceivers nowadays, the trick is to set the 
power on AM to 25 watts (which is the most you should ever run a 100 
watt transceiver on AM), and use AM to tune your KAT500.  This puts a 
carrier into the tuner at an acceptable low power.


You can tune it in CW mode, but that requires turning the transceiver's 
power output down, and then turning it back up.  By using AM the power 
is already set at 25 and doesn't need further adjusting.  Some ops like 
to tune in FM mode, but I prefer AM.


When the KAT500 has finished its routine, switch back to SSB at 100 
watts (or whatever you want).


73,

Kent  K9ZTV



On 9/12/2020 4:04 PM, Russell Domareck via Elecraft wrote:

Is what I am doing the only way to do this?  I have read related posts on this 
subject but they did not satisfactorily answer my question.
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Re: [Elecraft] KX3 ACC2 GPIO

[KENT TRIMBLE]

Because it's a truck.

K9ZTV




On Mon, Aug 31, 2020, 1:53 PM Chris Cox, N0UK  wrote:


And why does my Mac ALWAYS rewrite TRANSVERTER as TRANSPORTER?!

Chris Cox, N0UK
chr...@chris.org








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Re: [Elecraft] K4 info

[KENT TRIMBLE]

The majority of readers of this list own multiple Elecraft products and 
therefore do have interests in many kinds of posts.  Having them 
addressed on the official Elecraft site is both important and convenient 
for me.


A K4 is not in my plans today but I've been known to change my plans.  
Like Bill, I get tired of deleting petty "when-is-it-going-to-ship" 
posts, but that will eventually die down just as it did for the the K3 
after it was unveiled at Visalia in April of 2007 but didn't ship until 
October.  It had been rumored far earlier.


There is nothing wrong with my K2, K3, KPA500, KX3, KX2, W2, T1, XG3, 
BL2, or AX1/E.  But every once in a while a post on one of them will 
capture my interest.  I delete the rest.


As long as posters abide by the long-standing protocol of putting the 
model in the subject line (preferably at the beginning), it is easy to 
delete both single and multiple product posts with a mere mouse click.


I look forward to reading future posts by K4 owners after they actually 
own one.


73,

Kent  K9ZTV



On 8/30/2020 9:39 AM, Nr4c wrote:

The majority of readers of this list are not waiting for a K4 and therefore 
have little interest in a lot of traffic related to K4 shipping/deliveries.

Sent from my iPhone
...nr4c. bill







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Re: [Elecraft] Waterproof SO-239 covers

[KENT TRIMBLE]

Mike . . .

I think he might have misspoken when suggesting using pliers to effect 
an extra quarter-turn on a PL-259 after first getting it finger-tight.


The "quarter turn" idea most often refers to the trick of backing-off a 
screw "a quarter turn" and then re-tightening in order to break up 
corrosion.  More than one restorer has brought vintage equipment to life 
by doing nothing more than that.


A second problem with using pliers to scrunch a PL-259 is the risk of 
permanently deforming the barrel making future removal difficult if not 
impossible.


Plier-tightening has its place, but hardly more than the degree or two 
to which you alluded.


Take care of that dandruff!

73,

Kent  K9ZTV



On 7/16/2020 12:46 PM, Mike Harris via Elecraft wrote:
I must say that over many years and without any ill effect I've never 
bought into this idea of Gorilering up a PL259 with pliers beyond 
finger tight. A quarter of a turn is an unbelievable suggestion. I've 
just tried it and a couple of degrees is the best I could do without 
being brutal and even then I don't thing it would go any further.


Urban myth maybe?

Also, I've never had a failure after simply applying a generous wrap 
of self amalgamating tape, nothing else, to waterproof coax 
connectors. Our UV environment is pretty powerful, clear skies and 
sunshine can turn the skin on my head into huge dandruff seven days 
later after 30 minutes exposure.


Regards,

Mike VP8NO





On 16/07/2020 12:21, someone wrote:

Don't forget to tighten the connector 1/4 turn after "finger tight" with
a pair of pliers to make a real seal.





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Re: [Elecraft] stripping insulation

[KENT TRIMBLE]

And if you DO own a Hakko 808, remember it is not a soldering gun with 
an on/off trigger.  It is ALWAYS HOT while plugged in.  The trigger 
simply activates the suction mechanism.


When you lay it down, lay it on something non-combustable and non-painful.

73,

Kent  K9ZTV



On 6/12/2020 2:31 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote:
For those who own a desoldering iron like the Hakko 808, stripping the 
enamel from heat strippable wire is quick and easy - just like a 
solder pot.  Melt a bit of solder on the tip and push the wire into 
the tip center.  Wait a bit for 'smoke' to appear and then pull the 
trigger. Presto, stripped lead.
Just clean the inside of the tip with the tip cleaning rod after a few 
leads have been stripped.  If you don't do that, the tip will clog.


73,
Don W3FPR





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Re: [Elecraft] KX3 drift question

[KENT TRIMBLE]

I personally like free-spinning knobs on both VFOs, and I especially 
like the after-market weighted knobs that were available a few years 
ago.  I have them on both the K3 and KX3.


But dimpled knobs exhibit out-of-roundness since material has been 
removed to form the dimple.  When spun, such knobs will back-lash at the 
end of their travel.


My ultra sophisticated procedure for perfect adjustment is to increase 
the knob's resistance to spinning until there is no more back-lash as 
indicated on the frequency display set to the smallest Hertz.  The knob 
is still free-spinning but when it stops the frequency stops.


73,

Kent  K9ZTV




On 3/25/2020 10:00 AM, Eddy Avila wrote:

I solved my KX3 drift problem, it wasn't electrical but rather
mechanicalreading in the manual about the VFO I increased the
resistance to the knob spin and  *voila* no more drift! I really like
simple solutions to problems.

Thanks to all that offered advice, much appreciated.

73

k6sdw
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Re: [Elecraft] Antennas an opinion W9VNE

[KENT TRIMBLE]

Which is why we Midwesterners are always at a disadvantage against you 
brethren in the Rockies and the Appalachians -- on two scores:


1)  Height above sea-level is greater on a mountaintop than in a corn 
field (didn't know that, did you).


2)  Temperatures are cooler and humidity is lower on a mountaintop than 
in a corn field (another revelation).


But we like challenges.

On occasion, a buddy and I have been known to win QRP multi-op honors 
from prairie picnic tables on blistering summer afternoons, and a decade 
or so ago saw our club win 3rd in the nation in a similar QRP 1A Battery 
Field Day.


But who's bragging.  Fun has many definitions.

73,

Kent  K9ZTV




On 3/16/2020 1:50 PM, Jim Brown wrote:
I strongly agree.We've operated FD many times from mountaintops and 
won QRP 1A Battery. It's like having a VERY VERY tall tower.


73, Jim K9YC




On 3/15/2020 11:47 AM, Jim Danehy wrote:
L O C A T I O N is the best thing you can have. Not being close to 
Salt Water being  on a hill is the best alternative.


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Re: [Elecraft] KAT500 antenna selection

[KENT TRIMBLE]

Deja Vu.

Virtually none of the U.S. manufacturers after WW-II (with some 
exceptions) included 160-meters in their transmitters or ham-band only 
receivers for at least three reasons:  1) LORAN precluded use in some 
parts of the United States; (2) small urban lots precluded dipoles in 
the air, and long radials precluded verticals on the ground; and (3) the 
market wasn't there.  It wasn't until LORAN disappeared and hams got 
interested in 160 that the band started showing up on imported Japanese 
transceivers.


Until a substantial commercial market develops, 630 meters will be 
home-brewed only.


73,

Kent  K9ZTV



On 3/7/2020 3:07 PM, Lyn Norstad wrote:

Bob -

If you are addressing me, I am afraid that you are misinterpreting my remarks.

I bought the unit knowing full well what the tradeoffs were.  The capabilities 
it has more than offset that deficiency.

I just wish it also covered 630, but apparently "shame on me" for even 
suggesting there might be a feature or two that could be beneficially added.

73
Lyn, WØLEN



-Original Message-
From: Bob McGraw K4TAX
Sent: Saturday, March 07, 2020 1:27 PM
To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KAT500 antenna selection

If it doesn't do what you need and your needs are outside of the
specifications, then one needs to ask "why did I purchase this item?".
The fact it does not cover 630 meters is understandable and is not a
fault of Elecraft or the KAT500.   The frequency range covered, per the
specs, is 1.8 to 54 MHz, continuous.

I have no sympathy, patience or understanding as to why someone wants to
use an item outside of the design specifications.  It just makes no
sense at all.  I often say if one wants to know where the issue lies, go
look in the mirror.

73

Bob, K4TAX






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Re: [Elecraft] Johnson SpeedX printed Morse

[KENT TRIMBLE]

Well, not exactly the /worst/ thing you could have used, but you're 
right, visualizing a chart is adding an extra step in the learning 
process toward aural copying.


And Wes is also correct.  A whole generation or two of amateur radio 
operators had nothing at hand but charts printed in the Boy Scout 
Handbook and Signalling Merit Badge booklet.  However, no one told us it 
was the wrong way to go.  Those charts got many of us a Novice license 
in addition to Merit Badges.  Later, I studied from Ameco vinyl records 
which got me a 13 wpm General.  Nightly work on the National Traffic 
System got me a 20 wpm Extra.


The bottom line is that many of those Scouts who learned by charts are 
today's 30 wpm and higher operators.


W4RK and I have taught code classes every Saturday morning (sometimes 
three) for many years.  We do not allow charts in class.  What students 
use at home is anybody's guess.  But with today's online Morse programs 
there is no reason to complicate (and slow) the learning process by 
consulting a printed chart.


73,

Kent  K9ZTV


On 12/27/2019 7:00 AM, Charlie T wrote:

OH, yeah.I can see it in front of me now, a little Johnson SpeedX Morse 
Code chart.
WORST thing I could possibly have usedYUGE plateau at 7 WPM !

73, Charlie k3ICH




Please don't let him learn code by sight.  I taught myself from the list in my 
Boy Scout Handbook (still have it)  and I've never overcome doing it the wrong 
way. Passed a 20 WPM Extra exam but it was a struggle.  Still my favorite mode 
though.

Wes  N7WS

  





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Re: [Elecraft] Reaching Across the Chronological Divide

[KENT TRIMBLE]

The 170,00 figure is dated January, 2016,  and is the latest available 
from the ARRL website.


http://www.arrl.org/arrl-fact-sheet

Who validated your 83.295%, Fred?

73,

Kent  K9ZTV



On 12/23/2019 2:47 PM, Fred Jensen wrote:
It has been noted that 83.295% of people make up their own 
statistics.  Thus encouraged ...


The 2018 ARRL Annual Report says that 2018 ended with 156,899 members, 
and the somewhat-difficult-to-read little graph indicates that it fell 
for 11 of the 12 months.  2017 began at about 163,000 and fell to 
about 159,500 again in 11 of the 12 months [graph isn't well 
quantified].  It has been falling for a long time, and 170,000 is not 
an all-time high.




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Re: [Elecraft] Reaching Across the Chronological Divide

[KENT TRIMBLE]

Brethren . . .

Keep in mind that while the hair gets grayer, attendance at Dayton was 
at an all-time second high last May.


According to the FCC, the number of American licensees is at an all-time 
high.


ARRL reports membership over 170,000, also an all-time high.

When those three figures start falling it will be time for pessimism.  
Until then, let's talk positive, act positive, and be positive.


73,

Kent  K9ZTV
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Re: [Elecraft] THE FUTURE OF OUR HOBBY

[KENT TRIMBLE]

We might take a page from Cadillac.

Somewhere in the early 2000s their ads began using models and actors 
exclusively in the 20-40 age range.  No more gray-haired executives.


Jack makes good points.

Why do they call you "weird," by the way?

73,

Kent  K9ZTV




On 12/16/2019 3:07 PM, kd...@frawg.org wrote:

Have any of us ever tried to poll younger non-related and non-ham persons in
a structured way? Probably not ...

Introspectively, what I do see is one generation of an old civic (mostly
men's) club in a panic because we perceive we are all dying off and there
will be no one to "carry on".  An awfully large group of people look at "us" as 
odd or funny old dudes...
The media has never helped us much.  Ham radio is just a TV prop and usually 
used to poke fun at
certain attitudes. OTOH the actual high value stuff we occasionally do is
all too often relegated to 11pm local news as "filler" if it is reported at
all. Who failed? Not even worth pointing fingers... we did.

Embrace it, have fun with the hobby, chill, let the marketing departments at
"IKY" and "China-Inc" figure out the sales pitch. We geeks will still be
here in the future and some will be hams... and we'll line up for the latest
widgets. Let's move on.

73 All,
"Weird Uncle Jack"
KD4IZ
Jack Spitznagel
FM19oo




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[Elecraft] THE FUTURE OF OUR HOBBY

[KENT TRIMBLE]

Everything is renewable.

Nearly every Catholic church in Christendom has a widow's quilting 
circle.  Now they are welcoming male millennials who are attending 
sewing  classes and spending weekends at quilt shows.


Go figure.

Amateur Radio will never die as long as it offers so many niches where 
the scientific interests of lay-people can find a home.


73,

Kent  K9ZTV


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Re: [Elecraft] 73.CNC black K3 knob

[KENT TRIMBLE]

Fred . . .

Not that I can tell after 10 years.

Kent  K9ZTV


On 8/12/2019 12:45 PM, Fred Jensen wrote:

Just curious ... do the heavier knobs tend to abuse the encoder bearing?

73,
Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW




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Re: [Elecraft] Feature Request: Shifting VFO

[KENT TRIMBLE]

Inrad had a mod about 20 years ago for the FT-1000/D which they called a 
"Tuning Upgrader" that provided a slower tuning rate than stock when you 
turned the main knob slower, restored the stock tuning rate when you 
turned the knob faster, and a higher tuning rate (25 KHz) when you spun 
the knob even faster.  It was a great modification which the FT-1000 
needed, but unfortunately is no longer offered.


No enhancements are needed to the K3's tuning rate(s), in my opinion.

73,

Kent  K9ZTV


On 7/21/2019 11:50 AM, Fred Jensen wrote:
 I had an Yaesu satellite-capable HF/VHF/UHF radio for quite 
awhile [FT-847??] that had a spring-loaded ring around the main tuning 
knob that would QSY faster the more you turned it.  Yaesu called it 
the "Jog Ring" or something like that.  Despite how good the concept 
sounds, I found it worse than useless ... it really [really] got in 
the way of using the radio. 


73,
Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW
Sparks NV DM09dn
Washoe County

On 7/21/2019 8:47 AM, Kevin, N4TT wrote:

Or, I
could propose a method of changing VFO resolution based on turn rate. I
like proposing things. One out of 100 gets a "hey, not a bad idea" 
comment.

:)



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Re: [Elecraft] The Night of Nights

[KENT TRIMBLE]

Bill . . .

It's been going on for 20 years every July 12th, and I saw announcements 
on at least 4 reflectors.


Put it on your calendar for next year so you won't miss it.

Also, a donation to keep them on the air would also be appropriate (as 
many of us do).


73,

Kent  K9ZTV


On 7/13/2019 8:36 AM, Bill wrote:
It sure would have been nice to have heard about this before it became 
OLD NEWS. If there was an announcement made here, I never saw it.


Not everyone is plugged into to every nook and cranny of the radio 
world. A small timely announcement of this event would have been 
appreciated - by me and probably by others also.


I interviewed at WCC in the 70s and was offered a job. I declined - 
fortunately. I have to say the entire operation was a step back in 
time - even then. It was like being in the 40s as soon as you entered 
the door.


Sorry to have missed this event.

Bill W2BLC

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Re: [Elecraft] FIELD DAY PREP

[KENT TRIMBLE]

Good morning, Bob . . .

We normally use 75-100 feet separation between dipoles aligned 
end-to-end, and have had no problems over the years.  However, last year 
we were limited to less than 50-feet separation and I noticed the 
Carrier Operated Relay (COR) in my K3 was kicking on occasionally from 
the SSB station with which we (CW) were obliged to share a trailer.


I tried a TRP-150 for the first time on the air this morning and a 
station in Michigan detected no clicks, truncating, or other aberrations.


We'll see.

73,

Kent  K9ZTV





On 6/14/2019 10:24 AM, Bob McGraw K4TAX wrote:
With stations running 100 watts or less and reasonable antenna 
separation, I've found no reason for a Receiver Input Protector. 
Although, it might be a good idea to circumvent a "screw up" by an 
operator.   I've seen some mighty strange things done by knowledgeable 
hams at Field Day.


73

Bob, K4TAX


On 6/14/2019 10:07 AM, KENT TRIMBLE wrote:
Have any of you used Ameritron's "Receiver Input Protector" model 
TRP-150?  I find no reviews on eHam.


73,

Kent  K9ZTV



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[Elecraft] FIELD DAY PREP

[KENT TRIMBLE]

Have any of you used Ameritron's "Receiver Input Protector" model 
TRP-150?  I find no reviews on eHam.


73,

Kent  K9ZTV
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Re: [Elecraft] 40 meter AX1

[KENT TRIMBLE]

Hank . . .

I'm sure a minor little project called "K4" intervened.

73,

Kent  K9ZTV


On 6/12/2019 2:03 PM, Hank wrote:

Anyone hear any updates on the 40 meter AX1 type product?  I think it was 
called the AX1EX or similar?

Just curious - there was some discussion several months ago about a prototype.

Hank
K3S, P3, KX3

  




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[Elecraft] MAST HOLE FOAM FILLERS

[KENT TRIMBLE]

There are a number of polyurethane-type foam post-hole fillers on the 
market (Sika, Rainbow, Secure Set, Poly-Set, Postloc,etc.).  I would 
appreciate a brief discussion (10 replies maximum) from knowledgeable 
construction people as to what might be best for the following application.


I'm wanting to anchor a 50-foot Max-Gain Systems MK-8-HD fiberglass 
push-up mast weighing 24 pounds which will support a 5-inch plastic 
center-insulator bearing 16-gauge open-wire feed-line and ~130 feet of 
16-gauge radiator wire.


The foam will surround a 3-inch o.d. Schedule-40 PVC pipe in a 3-foot 
deep hole.


I'm prepared to further stabilize the mast above ground with T-posts.

Product-knowledgeable replies only, please, especially from utility 
company personnel who anchor utility poles with this stuff.


73,

Kent Trimble, K9ZTV
Jefferson City, Missouri




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[Elecraft] BIZARRE OFFERING FROM MFJ

[KENT TRIMBLE]

Ozarkcon yesterday. Break-time.  Pile of MFJ catalogs on a table.  Took 
one back to my seat to kill time.  Opened it up to the second page and 
in the lower left corner is a box-ad with the following:



"MFJ ATU PC Board for Elecraft K-3 Rig.  MFJ-950K3 is a super clone of 
the KAT3 optional tuning board for the superb Elecraft K3 transceiver.  
MFJ-950K3 is a direct plug-in PC board for the Elecraft K3 10 Watt or 
100 Watt model. Covers 1.8 to 54 MHz.  This automatic antenna tuner PC 
board features an L-Match design and can match SWR up to 10:1. It 
handles 100 Watts.  The ATU PC board has a second antenna port, and a 
sub-rx SMA port.  All antenna ports are protected with gas discharge 
tubes.  Super sensitive relay allows excellent low current drain.  
MFJ-950K3 is 4W x 3 1/2H x 1 1/4D inches and easily slides right into 
the K3’s tuning board slot. Weighs less than 1/2 pound.  Pick up this 
great accessory for your K3 today and save $$$!"



What in the world is that all about?  What possible market are they 
shooting at?  Who would put anything "MFJ" in anything Elecraft?


Someone enlighten me!  Did I sleep through April 1st?

https://www.mfjenterprises.com/Product.php?productid=MFJ-950K3

73,

Kent  K9ZTV





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Re: [Elecraft] Who's your favorite Elecraft Elmer?

[KENT TRIMBLE]

As Trustee for the NØSS memorial call sign, I want to thank Don Wilhelm 
and Russ Boutell for remembering Tom Hammond and his Elecraft legacy, as 
well as others who still revere his memory.  A more unselfishly helpful 
person never walked this Earth.  I will make sure the club knows about 
Don's kind words for our efforts in maintaining Tom's website material 
at our monthly meeting tomorrow night.


73,

Kent Trimble, K9ZTV
Jefferson City, Missouri

On 3/13/2019 2:03 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote:
I agree that Tom Hammond N0SS (SK) created a valuable website with a 
lot of information related to Elecraft products (particularly the K1 
and K2) and ham radio in general.
I am thankful that the Mid-Misouri Amateur Radio Club chose to 
preserve the contents of his website within their website structure.  
I use it frequently (have it bookmarked) even though I have copied 
many of the documents on my home fileserver.


If you have not reviewed Tom's website information to see what is 
there, I invite you to do so, it can be valuable.


73,
Don W3FPR

On 3/13/2019 2:48 PM, rboutell wrote:
I agree that Don W3FPR has been an incredible elmer here for many 
years. I
just wanted to also commend Tom Hammond N0SS (SK) for many earlier 
years of
beta testing, helpful tips, and answering questions on the reflector. 
Here
is a link to his preserved website. The soldering tutorial is 
invaluable.

http://www.mmccs.com/mmarc/n0ss/
73, Russ W9RB

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Re: [Elecraft] ALC control of W6PQL amp from my K3

[KENT TRIMBLE]

Along with this, it should be noted (especially for new Amateurs) that . . .

Don is correct (always is) concerning the non-employment of ALC with 
respect to Elecraft transceivers which produce power differently from 
other brands.  On this reflector, the recommendation not to use ALC 
pertains solely to Elecraft products.


However, many Elecraft owners own and operate other brands of 
transceivers and amplifiers.  When using those other brands, the 
instructions provided in the transceiver manual AND the instructions 
provided in the amplifier manual about using ALC should be followed, 
especially with solid state amplifiers. Those instructions often differ 
from those recommended by Elecraft.  Some brands require a one-time ALC 
calibration procedure prior to use.  Once properly configured, they are 
usually free of the distortion Don rightfully talks about.


As a friend of mine puts it, the ALC controversy borders on being a 
religious issue.


73,

Kent  K9ZTV


On 3/9/2019 11:01 AM, Don Wilhelm wrote:

Bob,

It is important to understand that ALC does not control the amplifier, 
it is an attempt by the amplifier to control the transceiver.


ALC is sent FROM the amplifier in an attempt to control the power of 
the transceiver.


Used indiscriminately, that will cause distortion in the driving 
transciver.


Elecraft does not recommend the use of ALC for power control because 
of that.  Set the power output of the transceiver to drive the 
amplifier properly and adjust the amplifier ALC to produce no ALC at 
that point. If the amplifier has fault detection, then ALC can be used 
to drop input power if a fault occurs - that is the only legitimate 
use of ALC.


So in many cases, an ALC connection is not needed.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 3/8/2019 9:11 PM, Bob KD7YZ wrote:

Wondering how to do this.

I see a cable on https://www.arraysolutions.com/k3alc

A K3 ALC cable ...

or any other ideas ?

I have a W6PQL 2m SSPA with an ALC input on the back


many thanks.


--
73
Bob KD7YZ
AMSAT LM #901


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Re: [Elecraft] K3- To zero beat or not to zero beat

[KENT TRIMBLE]

I'm not sure what is gained by checking REF CAL against /all /WWV 
frequencies.  The manual suggests using the highest frequency on which 
WWV can be copied ... 10 or 15 MHz (10,000 watts), or (better) 20 MHz 
(2500 watts) if propagation is right.


Performing the REF CAL calibration against WWV's main carrier is quick 
and easy but requires a quiet room and good ears.  Drake alumni are used 
to the procedure having had to flat-line the "chirps" when zero-beating 
receiver against transmitter, especially on SSB signals.  As a reminder 
for newer ops, the transceiver should be on for at least 15 minutes 
(according to the manual) before doing the calibration.  I personally 
wait 30 minutes or more, depending on room temperature.


One night, a few days after FD, another K3 owner told me I was a couple 
hundred cycles off our net frequency (CW).  Having just gotten the rig 
back from Elecraft for updates (s.n. 21), I replied, "on your end, pal, 
can't be on mine".  I then checked for myself and discovered I was 
indeed several hundred cycles off WWV.  Since then, I check it every few 
months.  Components do age, you know.  Especially 12 year-old ones.


73,

Kent  K9ZTV



On 2/22/2019 9:01 AM, someone wrote:
The method I've used to check my K3S, put the radio in CW mode, tune 
to each WWV frequency and then press SPOT.   The automatic SPOT 
function will bring the radio to the WWV frequency +/- 1 Hz. The SPOT 
function matches the receiver sidetone offset of the WWV carrier and 
the audio of WWV is not applicable.    If the display is other than 
the WWV frequency, then adjust the REF CAL number to correct the 
error.   You do need to check all of the WWV frequencies you can 
receive to assure the accuracy holds on all bands.


Unfortunately we have come to believe that the digital readouts are 
absolute, which indeed, they are not.  They depend on the internal 
reference.  If the internal reference  is incorrect, then everything 
else is likewise incorrect.




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Re: [Elecraft] Last Click Serial Port

[KENT TRIMBLE]

Another "gotcha" is forgetting to reset the RS232 baud rate.

This bites me after every FD because N1MM is different from my Palstar 
AT-AUTO.


73,

Kent  K9ZTV


On 1/27/2019 9:00 AM, Mike Greenway wrote:

. . . so if you use the RJ45, even though the RJ45 appears to be in fully, if 
you have com port communication problems to your computer or cant talk to your 
P3, see if you hear that faint “last click” in the RJ45.  It is not just my 
particular K3S, I have seen the same situation on a second one.




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Re: [Elecraft] K3s Line Out (stereo)

[KENT TRIMBLE]

Hi Dick . . .

Good to see you on the reflector again.

One "earthly reason" for having four people wear headphones during FD is 
when you are wanting to train new operators.  By monitoring both sides 
of the contact they can better grasp what's going on and practice 
copying the exchanges (especially so for CW students).


We have used both the Behringer AMP800 
(http://www.musictribe.com/Categories/Behringer/Signal-Processors/Headphone-Amplifiers/AMP800/p/P0331) 
and the Rolls HA-43 (http://www.rolls.com/product.php?pid=HA43), and 
both amps work fine at 100 watts with no RFI.


They have also been useful for summertime QRP sprints (e.g., Bumble Bee 
and Skeeter Hunt) where signals, weak to begin with, are further drowned 
out by outdoor noises.  Some QRP rigs don't have speakers and those that 
do are often not usable outdoors.


73,

Kent  K9ZTV





On 1/16/2019 10:47 AM, RIchard Williams via Elecraft wrote:

  Like Walter, I use the Behringer HA-400 with my K3 on Field Day.  You can 
have up to four individuals on headphones (no earthly idea why you would have 
four) ...




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Re: [Elecraft] wire for random wire antenna using kx3

[KENT TRIMBLE]

April came fast!

K9ZTV



On 12/17/2018 9:28 AM, Don Wilhelm wrote:

Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha!
Where can we find that information?  Website please.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 12/17/2018 10:09 AM, Charlie T wrote:
Yes, but speaker wire is only good for audio up to about 25 kHz.  It 
has a
frequency limiting component in the wire alloy that must be removed 
in order

to use this type wire at RF.

This removal procedure is fairly easy to accomplish.  First, soak the 
wire
in a bucket of laundry detergent and water over night, then remove 
the wire

and rinse it thoroughly.
After assuring the wire is dry, place in an oven set to about 150 
degrees

for about 3 - 4 hours.
In lieu of the oven, you can also place the wire in an afternoon of 
summer

sun.
After that, place the wire on the ground and hold a 2 meter hand-held 
over
the wire, approximately a foot away and key up the radio for 20 
seconds at a

couple watts output.
If you see no reaction, sparking, especially tingling in your ears,  or
physical movement of the wire, it is now safe to use as an antenna.

Note this advice is given freely and may be disseminated with no 
intended

royalty charges or copyright infringements.

73, Charlie k3ICH


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Re: [Elecraft] K3S will not load or tune on 160 M/SOLVED

[KENT TRIMBLE]

Rich . . .

Don't flagellate yourself too much.  One of our 6-meter ops blew his 
K3's finals on Field day a few years ago by inadvertently tapping the 
ANT button instead of the ATU TUNE button which is directly above it.  
Background noise on 50 MHz. being noticeably lower than on HF, he was 
unaware he was transmitting on Antenna 2 (which had no antenna) and 
after calling CQ for 15 minutes at 100 watts his finals went to heaven.


He now hooks up a dummy load on ANT 2 when using only one antenna.

This is an important "gotcha" of which all K3 owners should be 
cognizant, especially when non-K3 owners are operating the rig.


73,

Kent  K9ZTV



On 12/3/2018 7:54 PM, someone wrote:

I ... discovered ... the rig was set to “Ant 2.”


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Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 Clicks & Pops

[KENT TRIMBLE]

Mine was a kit (sn 267) and I've never heard any noises from it whatever.

Kent  K9ZTV



On 10/16/2018 4:13 PM, Dennis Moore wrote:
I wonder if those with the kit experience more noise than those with 
factory assembled units?






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Re: [Elecraft] OT -- Sunspot Cycle 25

[KENT TRIMBLE]

One day while [Chicken Little] is walking an acorn falls from a tree, 
and hits the top of her little head.


"My, oh, my, the sky is falling. I must run and tell the lion about it," 
- says Chicken Little and she begins to run.


She runs and runs and runs and runs.

73,

Kent  K9ZTV



On 10/9/2018 12:37 PM, someone wrote:

For those who do not take CQ magazine, there is an article this month very much 
worth reading.  It summarizes recent findings about the forthcoming sunspot 
cycle and its effect on propagation.  To quote from the reported studies,  “ . 
. . the start of Cycle 25 could be delayed to 2021 or 2022 and will be very 
weak, if it even happens at all . . . .  this (Cycle 24) could be the last 
solar maximum we’ll see for a few decades . . . .”






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Re: [Elecraft] The KX1 Now and Forever. Look at the QCX.

[KENT TRIMBLE]

Who says they aren't?

Kent  K9ZTV



On 7/18/2018 10:29 AM, Doug Person wrote:

... so Big E is once again firmly in the lead.



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[Elecraft] RS232 DEVICES VIA KIO3B BOARD

[KENT TRIMBLE]

The RS-232 thread comes coincidentally at a time when I have just 
experienced an RS-232 "gotcha."


If you own a Palstar AT-AUTO you need to remember that the RS-232 cable 
(null modem) originally supplied with the tuner is cross-wired (pin 2 to 
pin 3, and pin 3 to pin 2).  This is the correct wiring that allows the 
tuner to follow frequency excursions by the K3.


Recently I returned my K3 (sn 21) to Watsonville for hardware upgrades 
that included replacing the KIO3A board with the new KIO3B board (now 
standard on the K3S).  However, this new board no longer utilizes a DB-9 
connector for RS-232 functions, but instead uses a female RJ-45 socket 
for RS-232 functions.  This now renders obsolete the original 
DB9-equipped cable that came with the AT-AUTO.  Fortunately, Elecraft 
includes with the upgraded KIO3B board a pre-wired 30-inch RS-232 
cable.  This cable has an RJ-45 plug on one end and a DE9S plug on the 
other end.  Unfortunately, this cable is wired straight-through . . . no 
cross-wiring . . . which means no QSY following by the Palstar.


After spending more time than I care to admit in testing cable 
continuity, serial baud settings, and configuration menus in both the K3 
and the Palstar, I suddenly tumbled to the fact that the Palstar cable 
is cross-wired while the Elecraft cable is not.


Home-brewing a new cable with the proper wiring now permits the AT-AUTO 
to follow band and frequency changes in the K3. Unfortunately, the 
Elecraft cable uses molded connectors which prevented an easy and quick fix.


Just a tip for those who own either the original Palstar AT-AUTO or the 
newer HF-AUTO (which I presume is wired the same), or for anyone using 
RS-232 peripheral devices who want to upgrade to the new KIO3B board.  
Those pin-outs in the manuals are there for a reason!


73,

Kent Trimble, K9ZTV
Jefferson City, Missouri

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Re: [Elecraft] Boldly OT: 6 meter Sporadic-E season and the FT-8 microjuggernaut

[KENT TRIMBLE]

What is being overlooked in all of this discussion is that the bulk of 
today's ham population makes its living at a keyboard.


When the bulk of an eight-hour work-day is spent in front of a monitor, 
it should come as no shock that an entire generation will prefer making 
QSOs with keyboard-keys rather than telegraph-keys. For them it requires 
less skill, less time, and less patience . . . precisely the kind of 
activities most sought by millennials.


Everything on this earth evolves, including amateur radio, and evolution 
has never been straight-forward.  It explores, imagines, and 
experiments.  It leaves behind a trail of bad ideas, weird adaptions, 
and dead-end cul-de-sacs.  At one time trilobites ruled the oceans.  The 
oceans did not change, but the trilobites went away.


My CW class on Saturday mornings has several IT guys who work for the 
State of Missouri.  They are fascinated by code ... not their kind of 
code ... Samuel F.B.'s kind of code.  They learned it mostly on their 
own and want to get better at it.  They bring in keying projects, they 
bring in paddle renditions, they bring in mini-programming accessories, 
they keep bugging us to schedule forays to the boonies so they can throw 
wires into trees and "play radio."  No one has yet told them such 
efforts take time, skill, and patience.  Apparently they don't care.  
Why?  Beats me.  Come Monday morning they're back in front of their 
monitors all day.


In Hiram Percy's house are many rooms.

73,

Kent Trimble, K9ZTV
Jefferson City, MO



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[Elecraft] K1 BUILD ISSUES

[KENT TRIMBLE]

The following two issues arose during a K1 build that, while obvious to 
some, weren't to me, and probably wouldn't be to many . . .


(1)  Even though the Errata sheet says trimmer caps C13 and C20 "may 
look different from what is shown", the trimmer caps shipped with recent 
K1 kits not only look different, they are structurally different in that 
they have no "flattened" side which is the indicator for how they are to 
be mounted.  However, continuity testing between the tuning slot (the 
metallic tab that the screw driver turns) and each contact leg will 
reveal that the leg with the continuity is the same as the "flattened" 
end.  I would have guessed it was the leg with the dab of red paint but 
I would have been wrong.


(2)  At first I thought I was missing eight 0.1mf capacitors said to be 
labeled "104."  A strip of eight, blue, square components with no "104" 
was remaining in the RF board bag, and I eventually surmised they 
constituted the missing capacitors, although they looked different from 
any capacitor I had ever seen in my 58 years in the hobby.


My thanks to Don Wilhelm for saving me a lot of extra work.

Suspecting the K1 and K2 kits are probably not long for this Earth, I 
bought both last Fall with the intent of building the K1 this Spring and 
the K2 this summer.  A close friend talked me out of my KX1 a while back 
which, for some reason, resurrected an urge to build again.  I've built 
all the mini-modules and the big rigs, but screw-driver assembly isn't 
nearly as satisfying as solder-assembly.


73,

Kent Trimble, K9ZTV
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Re: [Elecraft] FT 8

[KENT TRIMBLE]

I did a Show-N-Tell with our club’s CW class last Saturday using my 
46-year old Hallicrafters T.O. Keyer so they could operate the first 
successful commercial electronic keyer, and to underscore how viable 
vintage tube gear still can be.  To add luster, I dug through old log 
books to resurrect that oft-remembered, highly enjoyable, and 
technically informative hour-long QSO I had on May 24, 1976, with Jim 
Ricks, W9TO, the original designer of that mercury-wetted relay circuit, 
and in whose honor Bill Halligan named the keyer when he put it into 
production (a courtesy Martin Jue has yet to learn).


Forty-six years from now I hope hams will enjoy showing off their old 
towers and laptops to each other as they try in vain to remember 
memorable conversations with living human beings that never took place.


73,

Kent  K9ZTV



On 3/3/2018 5:57 PM, William Levy wrote:

As an old dog I am sorry to see that FT8 has become all the rage.
I grew up with a few vacuum tubes and a dipole. AM carrier controlled, 5
tube receivers. Loved CW when I had very little. Love SSB with big antennas
and towers.

FT8 changes the game. No more rag chews. So this is what DX has become. No
big power, no big antennas. Someone will write an app that will tell the
radio to keep calling cq and log contacts. V.2 of the App will record new
prefixes and club log it.

I may feel critical as I write this but the future is not mine and all is
fair in love and war.

Sincerely, Bill N2WL



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Re: [Elecraft] K2 paint wanted

[KENT TRIMBLE]

Another option is simply to buy replacement panels from Elecraft.  Not 
as cheap as paint but makes a well-used K2 look brand-new.  That's what 
I did with Tom Hammond's (NØSS) serial number 8.


73,

Kent Trimble, K9ZTV
Jefferson City, Missouri



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Re: [Elecraft] Antenna 2

[KENT TRIMBLE]

We hook dummy loads to ANT 2 on all our K3s during FD to prevent 
inadvertent transmissions when no antenna is connected to it.


The ATU TUNE button is immediately above the ANT button and 
fat-fingered/far-sighted ops unfamiliar with the K3 have been known to 
hit the wrong one, especially on the higher bands where the noise floor 
sometimes makes it difficult to detect the absence of an antenna.


73,

Kent   K9ZTV
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Re: [Elecraft] kxpd3 question

[KENT TRIMBLE]

No, Ron, obsessing over sending perfect code is NOT like speaking 
languages with an accent.


Perfect code remains the goal because it conveys the greatest chance of 
100% copy.


My post was not directed to beginners but to any CW operator so 
confident of his fist that he refuses to find out what the guy on the 
other end is hearing.


For the last ten years I have taught as many as three Morse Code classes 
every Saturday morning and have insisted that for code purposes the 
mantra is, "there are 27 characters in the English alphabet, the 27th is 
a space, and that 27th is the hardest to learn."


The most important CW feature on Elecraft products is the decoder.  Not 
for copying code, but for copying sending.  When used, one quickly 
realizes he's not the hot-shot code man he thought he was.  FISTS 
members suddenly tumble to the fact that all these years they've been 
sending "CQ FISB" instead of "CQ FISTS."  The first week I played with 
my K3, I was taken aback by how many times I was sending "CQ DEK9ZTV."


It's not the end-of-the world either way, but if Morse is worth 
preserving, is it not worth preserving correctly?


73,

Kent  K9ZTV



On 11/9/2017 3:03 PM, Ron D'Eau Claire wrote:

With respect, obsessing over perfect code is like demanding that no one speak 
your favorite language without an accent of any sort.

It's easy to do. Use a keyboard with pre-stored messages.

But many of us prefer non-canned messages even if they involve some oddities in 
the sending.

I've encountered far more nearly-impossible or impossible to copy fists from 
commercial operators aboard ships than I've heard on the Ham bands.

I certainly would never want to deter someone learning Morse from using it on 
the air, even if the best they can do is a roughly sent Name-RST-QTH-73 QSO. 
That was the whole point of the Novice licenses: we learn faster with 
real-world experience on the air.

I'm always ready to drop down to whatever speed the other station is sending to help a 
new CW operator get "his feet wet" and have fun.

73, Ron AC7AC

-Original Message-
From:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net  
[mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of KENT TRIMBLE
Sent: Thursday, November 9, 2017 12:41 PM
To: Dave Sublette; Elecraft
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] kxpd3 question

What we DO need to obsess over is sending perfect code.

There's precious little of it out there.

What device is used to send it is irrelevant.

Dave is right on all points.

73,

Kent  K9ZTV


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Re: [Elecraft] kxpd3 question

[KENT TRIMBLE]

What we DO need to obsess over is sending perfect code.

There's precious little of it out there.

What device is used to send it is irrelevant.

Dave is right on all points.

73,

Kent  K9ZTV



On 11/9/2017 11:43 AM, Dave Sublette wrote:

Don’t obsess over which paddle is best for you.  Which ever system you choose, it 
will take hours and hours of off the air practice before you "should” put it on 
the air.  Which ever system you start with, you will learn to love and prefer — if 
you get that far.

I use iambic B and a dual paddle, but don’t often use the squeeze feature.  If 
you start with this, as others have pointed out, you don’t have to squeeze.  My 
opinion is (and it is just an opinion) by starting with the dual paddle, Iambic 
B, you give yourself the most options to expand or change methods.

It is mostly timing and getting your internal “clock” to a place where you make 
proper, readable communication using Morse.  An automatic keyer doesn’t do this 
for you.  I hear plenty of people using keys who don’t send code that is 
comfortable to copy.

Pick something and start practicing.  You will never master it until you start.

73,

Dave, K4TO



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Re: [Elecraft] Mobile from 117 VAC

[KENT TRIMBLE]

I can offer only my personal mobile experiences over 46 years, for what 
it's worth:


1971 Plymouth Sport Fury
FT-101E mounted over transmission hump
Power cable direct from car's battery to rig
Hustler rear-deck-lid-mounted antenna
Many 140-watt HF CW QSOs
No problems with any function of the car itself

1980 Chrysler Cordoba
FT-101E mounted over transmission hump
Exactly the same set-up and connections
No problems with any function of the car itself

1984 Oldsmobile 98 Brougham
1989 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1992 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1994 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham
1996 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham
Raising kids, no rig in any of the above cars

2000 Cadillac DHS
FT-100D under-dash mounted
Many 100-watt mobile CW QSOs, hundreds of VHF/UHF FM QSOs
Power cable direct from car's battery to rig
ATAS-120 mounted on left side of trunk lid for HF
Comet 5/8 wave dual-band mounted on right side of trunk lid (VHF/UHF)
Diamond-K400 trunk mounts for both antennas
One-inch braid between trunk lid and something very metal and 
substantial (can't remember what) inside the trunk
No problems with any accessories, navigation, or display screen at 
either 100 or 50 watt levels


2006 Cadillac DTS
FT-100D under-dash mounted
Same set-up and connections
No problems with any accessories, navigation, or display screen at 
either 100 or 50 watt levels


2010 Mercedes-Benz E550
FT-857D control head in dash, RF deck under seat
Exactly same set-up and connections
No problems with any accessories, navigation, or display screen at 
either 100 or 50 watt levels


2017 Lincoln Continental
FT-857D control head in dash, RF deck under seat
Exactly same set-up and connections
Running only VHF/UHF at 50 watts so far
No problems with any accessories, navigation, or display screen

Not being an E.E. and not knowing any better, I probably did it all wrong.

73,

Kent  K9ZTV


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Re: [Elecraft] RX antenna protection

[KENT TRIMBLE]

The Johnson 250-39 and B 380 T/R switches both had a certain amount of 
"suck-out" but they did protect tube receivers.


I had both (still do) and preferred the Johnson.

http://wireless-girl.com/Projects/TRswitches/Johnson/

Note the warning about use with solid-state equipment, however.

73,

Kent  K9ZTV



On 8/15/2017 11:58 AM, someone wrote:

Just a note to say that years ago, I had a B Electronic Antenna Switch (I 
think it was called) that had one or two tubes in it.
It worked perfectly to bias the receive completely and immediately as soon as 
transmit was detected.  It allowed full break-in for CW work.  I would like to 
see something like this again today in solid state.  I think this would be the 
ticket for what you need. I haven’t looked, so I don’t know if anyone is 
marketing such a device.




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Re: [Elecraft] KX2 preamp

[KENT TRIMBLE]

Dan . . .

Were you running a pre-recorded message on button 1 (the PRE button)?

If you forgot to tap the MSG button first before you tapped button 1, 
then the PRE function would be operative, not the message-play function.


Have done it myself.

73,

Kent  K9ZTV



On 7/31/2017 1:16 PM, Dan Presley wrote:

I was out this weekend doing the Bumblebee QRP contest (lousy conditions here 
in PNW!) and a couple of times I noticed that the preamp switched itself off. 
First time I thought I bumped the switch but it actually did it 2 more times. I 
was running 5W cw to a magloop carefully tuned to resonance as best I could 
tell. I’ve used this same setup a bunch and never had that happen before-any 
thoughts? Thanks.
Dan Presley  N7CQR
n7...@arrl.net


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Re: [Elecraft] [KX3] Re: Kx2 paddle issue

[KENT TRIMBLE]

The issue is not that the paddles don't leave the factory fully tested 
and operational, but that the stand-offs (E700348) loosen after a period 
of time from normal use.


As posted by several of us previously, the fix is simply to place a 
small dab of Loctite Blue on the threads of the two flathead screws 
(E700277) which secure the stand-offs.


Loctite Blue worked for me.  Some prefer Loctite Red.  A last resort 
would be JB Weld.


Once adjusted to the operator's taste, the KXPD2 is a very nice little 
paddle.


73,

Kent  K9ZTV



On 7/22/2017 10:30 AM, Wayne Burdick n...@elecraft.com [KX3] wrote:


The paddles are supposed to be fully tested prior to shipping. I’ll 
investigate on Monday.


Thanks,
Wayne
N6KR



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Re: [Elecraft] K3s Carry Bag

[KENT TRIMBLE]

http://www.armysurpluswarehouse.com/military-issue-unique-items-odds-and-ends/military-aluminum-pressurized-case-night-vision-goggles-storage-case.html

Perfect protection for a $4,000 K3 at a cost of $25.

Buy a block of foam padding, borrow your wife's electric carving knife, 
and cut the foam to match the contour of the K3.


This has protected mine for 10 years through numerous Field Days, 
Special Events, Scouting affairs, and other rambunctious episodes.


You could drive a truck over it without damaging the K3.  No promises 
for the truck, however.


73,

Kent  K9ZTV

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Re: [Elecraft] A VALUABLE FIELD DAY ACCESSORY

[KENT TRIMBLE]

Walter . . .

That's why it's called a "headphone amplifier."

Kent



On 6/20/2017 4:10 PM, Walter Underwood wrote:

The Behringer can’t drive speakers


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[Elecraft] A VALUABLE FIELD DAY ACCESSORY

[KENT TRIMBLE]

Headphones and Field Day have been yoked since time immemorial.  The 
K3's ability to output its audio into both headphones and speakers 
simultaneously has been a boon to those FD sites that encourage 
visitors.  It permits the operator/logger to use headphones while 
visitors can monitor the action through speakers.  The problem lies in 
the volume levels that each of the participants require (or don't 
require).  This is especially true when multiple transceivers are 
occupying the same tent/trailer/room, etc., and each have their own 
group of listeners.  Cacophony is not the goal here.


As veteran Field-Day clubs have discovered over the years, a valuable 
accessory is a multi-outlet headphone-amplifier with individual volume 
controls for each headphone.  For several years we have used a Behringer 
Amp800 
(https://www.amazon.com/Behringer-AMP800-Four-Channel-Headphone/dp/B000KU87SM) 
at our CW position.  Lately, we have also been using a Rolls HA43 
(http://www.rolls.com/product.php?pid=HA43) which is smaller and easier 
to operate.  Neither are bothered by stray RF.


I have no vested interest in either.  There are similar products under 
various brand-names.  The Behringer can be had for around $70 and the 
Rolls for $50 from numerous online vendors.  The Behringer only accepts 
1/4-inch phono plugs while the Rolls has dual input jacks to accept both 
1/4-inch phono and 1/8th-inch plugs.  This is another reason I like the 
Rolls as no "tweenies" (adapters) are needed.


Uses might include . . .

A neophyte with an unconnected laptop, wearing his own headphones, 
entering call signs/exchanges into a practice logging program without 
disturbing the main operator.  Or the next shift warming-up before 
assuming the operator's position.  Or someone merely wanting to 
seriously listen for a while without being bothered by the inevitable 
traipsing in-and-out of visitors, kibitzers, the lost, the lonely, the 
huddled masses yearning to be free.


Both of the above units accommodate up to four headphones.

73,

Kent Trimble, K9ZTV
Mid-MO Amateur Radio Club
Jefferson City, MO


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Re: [Elecraft] OT Learning Morse anew

[KENT TRIMBLE]

One caveat, Fred . . .

Traffic handlers MUST copy on paper or on a word processor.

In my opinion, one is not a skilled telegrapher until one can copy in 
head and on paper with equal accuracy.


73,

Kent  K9ZTV



On 6/12/2017 11:59 AM, Fred Moore wrote:

the moral... put down the pencil and paper.

Fred Moore



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Re: [Elecraft] OT Learning Morse anew

[KENT TRIMBLE]

Doug . . .

This is a super-great story!

You need to send it to QST for its "letters to the editor" page.

73,

Kent  K9ZTV



On 6/12/2017 12:03 PM, Doug Smith wrote:

I agree about getting on the air.  And, about the value of the old Novice class 
in providing a “safe harbor”.

When I got my novice ticket I went out and bought crystals for various 
frequencies on 80, 40 and 15 meters.  Frequencies were random and I had three 
on 80 meters — 3713, 3723 and 3741.

It turned out that there was a small bunch of us who, unbeknownst to each 
other, had crystals on 3723.  We mostly were brand new licensees and soon 
became fast friends.  There was a guy in Sacramento, a gal near Portland, 
another gal near Spokane and myself in Montana.  We hung out together on 3723 
each night, sometimes for hours.  Over the weeks and months, we all built up 
T/R switches and went QSK.  We all graduated to bugs and then electronic 
keyers, mostly homebrew and TO keyers.

We had been holding forth on 3723 for 8 or 9 months and one night a guy with a 
general call-sign and who we didn’t know broke in on us and told us we were 
being rude by operating in the Novice band and that we should clear out of 
there if we wanted to run at 40 WPM.  I QRS’d for the guy and replied that we 
would love to move but we were rock-bound Novices and couldn’t move and signed 
my WN7DMA call sign.

It was a real eye opener because we had never really thought about speed.  We 
knew we were going faster that we used to, needed keyers  and whatnot but 
hadn’t really thought much about it.  We were just a bunch of Novices, having 
fun on the radio.

So, the point of this rambling?

Try to find some friends on the air who like to chew the rag and get on the air 
with them as often as possible.  A group of similar speed operators who won’t 
need to ask someone to QRS or feel like they’re imposing on someone to operate 
slowly.  The value of that is huge.  Friendship, brotherhood, and shared goals 
make it easy to overcome the angst and build speed and competence.  And, it’s 
fun!

It is unfortunate the old Novice bands are gone but I do hear lots of guys 
higher in the CW segments, lumbering along at 10 WPM.  Sometimes I get on and 
work one of them because I like to see them doing what they’re doing.  It takes 
some courage to jump on 20 meters and call CQ at 10 WPM..

One more thing.  Once you can copy 15 WPM (or so) loose the pencil or keyboard. 
 Start copying in your head.  CW then becomes a conversation and your speed 
will start to inch upward.  One day you’ll be clipping along at 30 WPM and not 
even thinking about it.  You’ll just be chatting with a friend..

73 and see you on the air!

Doug, W7KF
http://www.w7kf.com <http://www.w7kf.com/>




On Mon, Jun 12, 2017 at 10:43 AM, KENT TRIMBLE <k9...@socket.net 
<mailto:k9...@socket.net>> wrote:


I thoroughly agree with Kev about "getting on the air."

I teach two and sometimes three Morse Code classes every Saturday
morning.  The students all KNOW the code.  They can accurately copy 10 WPM
and above, and can send quite decently.  But no matter how much I
encourage, cajole, or "coddle," they resist my pleas to get "on the air"
for all kinds of reasons, but primarily two -- either no one comes back to
them or all they can find are speed demons who won't slow down.

The worse thing the FCC ever did for amateur radio (in my opinion) was the
elimination of the non-renewable Novice license with the concomitant doing
away of the Novice sub-bands.  Those were safe-harbors for neophytes to
find each other, work each other, and improve each other without feeling
intimidated.  The non-renewable aspect served to motivate those who were
desirous of deeper involvement in communications, and to give a graceful
exit to those who weren't.

All the computer programs and well-structured academies in-the-world are
simply no substitute for good old-fashioned one-on-one Morse Code work
between two eager and nervous operators.  That's how you learn best and how
you learn quickest. And an even greater dividend is that you learn about
propagation, procedures, tuning skills, how receivers work, signal paths,
solar effects, antenna fundamentals, and a host of other things that can't
be learned on a laptop, no matter how well the application is executed or
the content designed.

73,

Kent  K9ZTV





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Re: [Elecraft] Flash mob experiment, right now, 28.050 +/- 5?

[KENT TRIMBLE]

Clearly propagation was regional.  I only heard two or three call signs, 
none complete enough for a contact.  All were Midwest stations.


My 100 watts and wire antenna netted no returns, but Reverse Beacon 
showed my CQs consistently strong toward the East Coast.


What power and antenna were you running?

Kent



On 6/12/2017 12:03 PM, Wayne Burdick wrote:

Yes, but the point is to have them daily! Since this worked, there will be more 
:)

Wayne



On Jun 12, 2017, at 8:46 AM, KENT TRIMBLE <k9...@socket.net> wrote:

A phenomenon appearing yearly at 1800Z on Field Day Saturday.

K9ZTV






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Re: [Elecraft] Flash mob experiment, right now, 28.050 +/- 5?

[KENT TRIMBLE]

A phenomenon appearing yearly at 1800Z on Field Day Saturday.

K9ZTV



On 6/12/2017 10:34 AM, Bill Brooks wrote:
You guys are COOL. A flash mob on CW to open up an otherwise dead 
band. What a Wonderful idea, Wayne. Bill, KE5OG


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Re: [Elecraft] OT Learning Morse anew

[KENT TRIMBLE]

I thoroughly agree with Kev about "getting on the air."

I teach two and sometimes three Morse Code classes every Saturday 
morning.  The students all KNOW the code.  They can accurately copy 10 
WPM and above, and can send quite decently.  But no matter how much I 
encourage, cajole, or "coddle," they resist my pleas to get "on the air" 
for all kinds of reasons, but primarily two -- either no one comes back 
to them or all they can find are speed demons who won't slow down.


The worse thing the FCC ever did for amateur radio (in my opinion) was 
the elimination of the non-renewable Novice license with the concomitant 
doing away of the Novice sub-bands.  Those were safe-harbors for 
neophytes to find each other, work each other, and improve each other 
without feeling intimidated.  The non-renewable aspect served to 
motivate those who were desirous of deeper involvement in 
communications, and to give a graceful exit to those who weren't.


All the computer programs and well-structured academies in-the-world are 
simply no substitute for good old-fashioned one-on-one Morse Code work 
between two eager and nervous operators.  That's how you learn best and 
how you learn quickest. And an even greater dividend is that you learn 
about propagation, procedures, tuning skills, how receivers work, signal 
paths, solar effects, antenna fundamentals, and a host of other things 
that can't be learned on a laptop, no matter how well the application is 
executed or the content designed.


73,

Kent  K9ZTV



On 6/12/2017 9:43 AM, Scott Manthe wrote:
How in the world is someone learning something in a way that most 
suits them "coddling?" People learn things differently, even Morse. 
Finding the way that best suits someone is not coddling them, it's 
helping them to learn efficiently.


Scott N9AA


On 6/12/17 8:18 AM, Kevin - K4VD wrote:
​I learned code by memorizing 5 wpm and then getting on the air and 
having

as many contacts as I could. Nothing fancy, no coddling. Just do it.

73,
Kev
​


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Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 mobile?

[KENT TRIMBLE]

Hi Jim . . .

That was my point, although without mentioning the paint.

I should have said "worth RE-considering."

Kent


On 4/14/2017 3:33 PM, Jim Brown wrote:

On Fri,4/14/2017 1:13 PM, KENT TRIMBLE wrote:
The assumption has always been that the driver and passengers are 
riding inside a Faraday Cage 


There are HUGE holes in that assumption in the form of non-metallic 
parts and paint preventing contact between metal parts. An enclosure 
forms a Faraday cage ONLY if it is continuous. and ONLY if all 
conductors penetrating it have either a feed-through to the enclosure 
or, if a shielded conductor, the shield is bonded to the enclosure at 
the point of entry.


Modern vehicles have lots of paint between metal parts. When I used 
Hamsticks on my Volvo S80, I had to bond the mount to the trunk, and I 
had to bond around the trunk hinges.


73, Jim K9YC

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Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 mobile?

[KENT TRIMBLE]

The assumption has always been that the driver and passengers are riding 
inside a Faraday Cage and therefore are safe from RF radiated by an HF 
antenna, regardless of where located and regardless of power level.  The 
truth of that assumption, coupled with how much shielding a vehicle 
actually presents, is worth considering.  Until the RF Exposure business 
came along, no one considered safety for those outside the car.


Less and less body-metal, roofs made entirely of glass, more electronics 
both on and inside human bodies (over and above the vehicle's 
electronics), the close proximity of the antenna . . . all of which, in 
my opinion, argue for a re-think of high-power mobile operation.


In the 1970s I greatly enjoyed mobile CW with an FT-101E until my first 
child started occupying the rear seat.  After she came along, I opted 
for no further mobile work of any kind, at least when she and her 
siblings were in the car.  I'm not a geneticist, but neither am I 
willing to push my luck with the gazillion of cell-divisions going on 
every second in a child's growing body.


Excellent question to ask, Lynn.

73,

Kent  K9ZTV



On 4/14/2017 2:39 PM, Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT wrote:
A few days ago we talked about the RF exposure rules related to 
Amateur Radio, and how we all had to sign that we complied with those 
rules when we renew our tickets.


I wonder if the exposure to passing cars is below the limit with a 
Hustler or similar antenna on the rear bumper?


Are we good at 100w, 1000w?

Should I have not asked this question?

73 -- Lynn



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[Elecraft] KX2 SUGGESTION

[KENT TRIMBLE]

As an Old Timer who still rides the RF Gain, I was disappointed that a 
concentric ring wasn't incorporated for that purpose in the AF/MON 
knob.  If such an animal exists (two concentric rings plus push) , all 
other functions of the AF/MON knob could be retained with the outer ring 
adjusting the RF Gain.


73,

Kent  K9ZTV
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Re: [Elecraft] Opinion of the KXPD3 for kx3?

[KENT TRIMBLE]

I personally think the KXPD3 is excellent once the right spring is 
installed.


It ships with 3 different springs and you just have to try each until 
you determine which is best for you.


I am also of the belief that a good  CW operator can send perfect code 
with nearly any kind of paddle.  Ninety-nine percent of faulty sending 
is due to the sender, and ninety-nine percent of that ninety-nine 
percent is due to improper spacing.


73,

Kent  K9ZTV



On 4/3/2017 3:08 PM, Eddy Avila wrote:

What's the opinion of the KXPD3 key? The only review on eHam was not good.





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Re: [Elecraft] New Firmware (k3fw5r57) Causes Odd Sound

[KENT TRIMBLE]

I have no idea how to cure a "zizzy," but I was told I had hum on my SSB 
signal after 6 years of perfect audio. Re-flowing the solder joints in 
the MH3 cured it.  Whiskers, maybe.


73,

Kent  K9ZTV
K3 s.n 021


On 2/22/2017 8:57 AM, ke9uw wrote:

Right forgot to say...this is on the 4K serial numbered K3 with all options
included.





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Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 Power Supply Environmental/Ergonomic Issue

[KENT TRIMBLE]

Leave it to an environmentalist (I'll spare the engineers) to advocate 
the spending of thousands of dollars in redesigning something that can 
be fixed with a quick trip to a local hardware store for a $25 (or less) 
master kill-switch.


Kent, K9ZTV



There is one thing about the way it works that bugs the engineer and
environmentalist in me.


Why is the KPA500 designed this way?

In all good conscience, I can't live with the PA consuming 7W all day,
every day - that's incredibly wasteful.  I suppose I could put a 
more-easily-reachable external AC power switch on
the side of my shelf unit to cut power to the whole desk, but that'd be
ugly.

I'd prefer that either a) the KPA500's main power switch was on the front
panel, or b) the power supply system was redesigned so it only takes a few
microwatts when power is applied but the ON button is OFF (not pressed, or
pressed an even number of times).





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[Elecraft] MAG LOOP ANTENNAS

[KENT TRIMBLE]

The Alex Loop is rated at 20 watts PEP maximum.

Even at 5 watts, I position mine as far away from my body as I can.

The jury is still out, in my opinion, as to how RF affects the human 
body, especially the brain.


73,

Kent Trimble, K9ZTV
Jefferson City, MO



On 1/23/2017 1:11 PM, someone wrote:
The tuning problem is mitigated by the fact that I usually sit 
directly under it when it's mounted on the tripod and I can just reach 
up and adjust it.




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Re: [Elecraft] KX3 Gain Calibration - Failing

[KENT TRIMBLE]

Aaron . . .

In addition to what Don says, I'd recommend setting the KX3's POWER 
control to the maximum before running the TX GAIN procedure.  I've had 
it fail when I had the output set at 5 watts.  Running it to maximum 
would then result in a successful calibration.


By the way, I always do a TX GAIN calibration after each firmware 
upgrade, although I'm not sure it's necessary.


73,

Kent  K9ZTV




On 1/2/2017 1:37 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote:

Aaron,

The most common reason for a failure in the KX3 TX Gain Calibration is 
a dummy load that does not present a good 50 ohm non-reactive load.

You can check your dummy load at 28 or 50 MHz with an antenna analyzer.

You apparently did not disconnect the KXPA100 when running the KX3 TX 
Gain Cal procedure.  Remove the KXPA100 and run with the KX3 and the 
dummy load only.
If you do the manual procedure in the KX3 manual, it should be good 
for all bands where it passed.  If you used KX3 Utility, it quits on 
the first band that produces an error.


After you get a successful TX Gain Calibration with the KX3 only, then 
do the TX Gain Cal for the KXPA100 as indicated in Appendix B of the 
KXPA100 manual.  Your dummy load must be rated for 75 watts or greater.


73,
Don W3FPR

On 1/2/2017 1:52 PM, Aaron Marroquin wrote:

I have been a lurker on the reflector for almost a year and this is my
first email to request guidance.

I have a KX3 and a KXPA100 and with the recent thread about running a
calibration I figured I needed to do likewise. The amp is a new 
addition to
my setup so I am still learning the details. Anyway, while running 
the KX3

Utility I get a failure during the calibration process (the output is
below). The amp is in bypass mode and I am using an MFJ-260C for the 
dummy

load attached to ANT1.


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Re: [Elecraft] web site down?

[KENT TRIMBLE]

Back up in Missouri.


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[Elecraft] THE EFFORT OF FIELD DAY

[KENT TRIMBLE]

I can only shake my head in awe of Howie's 8-transmitter FD, as well as 
other double-digit multi-transmitter operations .  My hat's off to that 
kind of effort, believe me.


We used to do that, too.

But several years ago the Mid-MO Amateur Radio Club (NØSS) of Jefferson 
City, Missouri, decided on wire-only Field Days.  We did so for several 
reasons . . . (1) those doing the work are aging; (2) those doing the 
work have no business being in the sun very long;  (3) those doing the 
work are usually those doing the operating;  (4) Missouri weather always 
throws 90-degrees and 100% humidity at us;  and (5) none of us enjoy the 
labor of putting metal things together only to take them apart again.


Aside from Qs and scores, the goal for me (at 71)  is getting the darn 
things up as fast as possible on Friday evening, seeing them stay up for 
the duration, and getting the heck out of there when it's over.  To that 
end, erection of three OCF dipoles on 30-foot masts aligned end-to-end 
with 50-feet of separation took 45 minutes.  Tear-down and site clean-up 
took exactly 33-minutes.


/THOSE/ are the reasons our 25-man crew happily stays at 2A!

Equipment-wise, we use nothing but K3s (one each for CW, SSB, GOTA, 
VHF).  The CW and SSB rigs were often on the same bands at the same time 
with no interference, no phase noise, and no activation of 
carrier-operated relays.  Both HF stations stayed busy all weekend.


Again, my salute to the big clubs, the big antenna farms, and the big 
scores.


But I suspect our level of fun was the same, with a whale of a lot 
/less/ effort.


73,

Kent Trimble, K9ZTV
Jefferson City, Missouri









On 6/27/2016 1:35 PM, Howard Hoyt wrote:
This Field Day I operated once again with W4EZ the Orange County Radio 
Amateurs in Hillsborough, NC in an 8A effort. It was a lot of work 
setting up 6 towers and many wire antennas in mid-90° heat and high 
humidity but the end result was a lot of fun and Qs.


Despite our best efforts at eliminating cross-interference between 
stations beforehand by antenna placement, we suffered quite a bit of 
in-band phase noise interference.  All three CW stations and one SSB 
station were using K3s, and no K3 station ever interfered with anyone 
else or with each other.  Much credit is due to Elecraft for the 
transmit purity and receive performance of this superb rig. However, 
we experienced some pretty severe in-band phase noise interference 
ranging from S3-4 on 40 and 20M from various YaeComWood rigs, to an 
ear-shattering received S8-9 from a TS-570 running SSB on 15M when the 
noise floor was S0.  Granted, with relatively close antenna spacing 
Field Day is a torture test for transmit purity, but sometimes it was 
difficult to tolerate...or operate.


Many of us now agree we would optimally be an all K3 Field Day next 
year but that is most likely out of the question.  I am a big fan of 
the KX3, although for Field Day purposes it would be great if its 
phase noise was 10-20 dB less; more in line with that of the K3. That 
being said, a KX3 running digi caused less interference than just 
about all the non-Elecraft rigs.


One problem solving this scenario is the political issue of trying to 
tell someone they cannot bring their rig to the party.   We did 
discuss holding a testing session next year to evaluate phase noise 
beforehand and accept or deny use of the rig based on performance, and 
maybe this will be viewed as being more impartial.  After witnessing 
the problem first-hand, at least one op said he was intending to get 
an Elecraft rig.  Elecraft owners are in the minority overall, so 
instead of Field Day being an inclusive club event, telling people it 
will be K3 only would achieve the opposite.


Other than the phase noise issue, FD was once again a lot of fun and 
camaraderie!


Cheers & 73,
Howie - WA4PSC
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Re: [Elecraft] OT noise on 17m

[KENT TRIMBLE]

Robert . . .

*Space Weather News for March 11, 
2016*http://spaceweather.com 
 
*


UNEXPECTED GEOMAGNETIC STORM: *  Earlier today, the outskirts of a CME 
previously expected to miss Earth instead /hit/. The impact sparked a 
G2-class geomagnetic storm and bright auroras around the Arctic 
Circle.   At the time this alert is being written, the storm is still in 
progress.   Visit Spaceweather.com 
 
for updates.



73,

Kent  K9ZTV


On 3/11/2016 8:41 AM, Robert G Strickland wrote:
Can someone help me understand the "noise" on 17m - and elsewhere - 
right now? It repeats every 17kc, very strong. Perhaps some sort of 
over the horizon radar? Is it general or just something in my 
neighborhood? Thanks much.

...robert


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Re: [Elecraft] APF (audio peaking filter) on the K3/K3S/KX3

[KENT TRIMBLE]

Stephen is correct.

Several of us lobbied for an APF feature shortly after the K3 debuted in 
2007, drawing on our experiences with the FT-1000D. There /were/ two 
firmware versions that Wayne developed, and the consensus among some of 
us was that the first one was better than the second.  As I recall, the 
second version cleaned up some artifacts and unintended consequences, 
but, we felt, at the cost of diminished "peaking."  Wayne was adamant 
that the APF part of the code was not touched.  We eventually chalked up 
the difference between the two versions to subjectivity among the 
testers and left it at that.


Barry, by the way, is also correct in saying there were two versions of 
the APF circuit in the FT-1000D over the years.  It has been the 
consensus of owners that the earlier version was superior to the later 
version.


The APF in both the K3 and KX3 is excellent, in my opinion.

73,

Kent  K9ZTV
K3/KX3  s.n. 21



On 2/5/2016 10:03 AM, Stephen Prior wrote:

I've seen it written that it helps to offset the IF slightly, although to
be honest I have never myself got the APF to work to my satisfaction.
Oddly, and I communicated with Wayne about this at the time, the first beta
(I think) implementation of it was stunning, but a later release lost it
for me.  Wayne told me there had been no change in code, but I have never
understood that.


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[Elecraft] WØO HALLOWEEN FROM FRANKENSTEIN, MISSOURI

[KENT TRIMBLE]

Elecraft friends. . .

Look for the Mid-MO Amateur Radio Club's annual "Halloween 
Funexpedition" from Frankenstein, Missouri.


Begins 1900 GMT Saturday, October 31st.

May run all night, may not (we're getting old).  Possible operations 
Sunday morning.


As best we can determine, Missouri has the /only /incorporated 
"Frankenstein" in the continental United States.


Two K3 rigs, one each on CW and SSB, running 100 watts to dipole 
antennas at 30 feet.


Be patient with us, operator skills will vary.  We're trying to involve 
newly licensed hams this year.


QSL information (read it carefully) can be found at the "WØO" listing on 
QRZ.COM.


Bands will be 80-40-20 with higher bands dependent on propagation.

Frequencies . . . who knows.  That's what P3s and PX3s are for (and 
spotting sites).


73,

Kent Trimble, K9ZTV
Special Event Chairman
Mid-MO Amateur Radio Club
Jefferson City, Missouri


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Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft Hex Key Serial # 57

[KENT TRIMBLE]

Forced by college dormitory rules against nails in walls, a trip to a 
bookstore more than 50 years ago resulted in the absolute best material 
to keep paddles and keys from sliding on any surface.  Sold originally 
as white silly-putty-type stuff and called "Hold-it," today it goes by a 
variety of names and colors but the product is the same.  It is used to 
stick pictures and other items on walls without leaving marks.  You tear 
off a small hunk, stretch and knead it until the molecules are broken 
and the material is warm, soft, and pliable, and then put a small amount 
on the bottom of each foot or pad.  Even the heaviest fist cannot move a 
paddle thus endowed.  When you want to reposition the paddle, merely 
pick it up and place it where you want.  When it picks up enough dirt 
and lint over time, merely knead and stretch it again, and reapply.  
Makes no difference whether the feet are hard rubber, soft rubber, or 
plastic.  I still have about half what I bought at that bookstore in 
1963, and gave a hunk to a new CW operator just last month.  It is 
easily removed if you eventually sell the paddle.  I use it every 
Saturday morning in the basement of a local restaurant to anchor my 
paddle and Logikey K-5 on the urethane-surfaced dining tables while 
teaching two CW classes, not to mention Field Day, Special Events, merit 
badge courses, and general operating at home.  Great stuff that will 
outlive all of us.


73,

Kent  K9ZTV



On 10/16/2015 10:12 AM, Bob McGraw - K4TAX wrote:
A good point, often the feet on a paddle are hard rubber which offers 
little traction to the desk top.  As rubber ages it tends to harden as 
well.   Those with softer rubber feet and keeping those clean to 
prevent dirt and wax buildup are much more prone to stay put.


If you clean your your desk top with a furniture polish, the wax in 
the polish will eventually adhere to the feet and make them less 
effective in holding power.  I use 91% Isopropyl alcohol {found at the 
local pharmacy}  and a soft cloth to clean rubber parts.  All the 
black that rubs off is dead rubber.


If your key or paddle happens to have hard or rigid "plastic" 
feet. replace them with something elsenot plastic. 
Also I find may of the new silicone stick-on pads used to protect 
table tops get slick after a period of time.  Just like vehicle tires, 
softer rubber gets better traction.


73
Bob, K4TAX




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Re: [Elecraft] KX3 ATU Modes

[KENT TRIMBLE]

Not when the menu item does specified things.

Manufactures spend enormous time and money to write manuals so operators 
know what those specific things are.


Semantics implies words, and words imply reading.  Neither imply ESP.

The printed word is not dead.

73,

Kent  K9ZTV
K3/KX3 s.n. 21



On 9/9/2015 10:58 AM, someone wrote:

Sorry, I misunderstood what AUTO meant.
A better label would be ATU ON or ATU INLINE.
AUTO implies that it will automatically do the tuning.

Semantics :-)



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Re: [Elecraft] K3S OR K3

[KENT TRIMBLE]

Dear B.S. . . .

1)  Of course it's a marketing tactic.  Businesses stay solvent 
/because/ of marketing tactics.  What else is new and why be concerned 
about it?


2)  The K2 is still in production because it's an entirely different 
radio requiring building skills rather than assembly skills.  That 
appeals to some hams.


3)  The K3S is an enhanced version of the K3.  Only you, and not the 
reflector, can decide whether it meets your needs and fits your wallet.


4)  How you would quantify 2x is beyond me.  Two handles instead of one?

73,

Kent  K9ZTV



On 8/20/2015 1:40 PM, bs usb wrote:
I know there was a discussion on this subject.  I ignored it because I 
was not interested in either radio.


Recent events have me interested in either a K3S or K3.

I know the K3 will have to be a used radio because new ones are no 
longer available.  I am not sure why that is.  Sounds like a marketing 
tactic.  I believe the K2 is still in production.


In any case a used K3 can be bought for significantly less than a new 
K3S.  I am not convinced that the K3S 'improvements' are worth the 
extra expense.  For instance, I don't need to be paying 2X for a 0.1X 
improvement.


Of course if the performance does go to 2X over a K3, I might be 
convinced to pay 2X.


So what was the conclusion of the discussion?  Do we have a 2X 
improvement in the KS3 over the K3 or is it more like 0.1X?




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Re: [Elecraft] Remote Tuning for the Alexloop

[KENT TRIMBLE]

As of Dayton, he's still working on the prototype and nothing is yet for 
sale.


Kent  K9ZTV


On Jul 25, 2015, at 10:35, Dauer, Edward eda...@law.du.edu wrote:

The recent discussion here of totable antennas led me to look into the 
Alexloop.  I found one video in which Alex was demonstrating his then-recently 
developed remote tuning device.  But I could not find the remote for sale on 
his website, nor any other mention of it other than a few Internet comments 
about a prototype.  Does anyone know if it ever came into production?  In the 
video it looked like a finished product.

Tnx,

Ted, KN1CBR
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Re: [Elecraft] KSYN3A Install

[KENT TRIMBLE]

And also make sure you download and follow the revised instructions and 
Errata from the Elecraft website.  Do NOT follow the printed 
instructions shipping with the boards (unless they match the website 
revisions).


Note also that if you have the 2-meter phase-lock option, the REF OUT 
cable is removed from the 2-meter module and not used.


73,

Kent  K9ZTV



On 3/6/2015 6:37 PM, someone wrote:

Make sure you connect the cable to the correct port on the ksyn3a.


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Re: [Elecraft] Upgrading to the new Syn Card -- is there a noticable change?

[KENT TRIMBLE]

Considering the time and effort to make them happen, all Elecraft 
upgrades are worth it.


Whether you want to own an upgraded radio or a downgraded radio is 
up to you.


Kent  K9ZTV



On 2/24/2015 8:00 AM, someone wrote:

Do you think the upgrade was worth it?

  





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Re: [Elecraft] Accessing KX3 buttons when using Side KX

[KENT TRIMBLE]

Phil . . .

A moment's reflection would lead one to believe the manufacturer would 
have had that concern long before you did.


73,

Kent  K9ZTV



On 1/31/2015 8:37 AM, Philip Alley wrote:

I am considering acquiring Side KX for my KX3 and potential PX3. I am concerned 
that the sides might restrict access to the small buttons on the left and right 
edges of the radio. Is it an issue?

Tnx
Phil
AAA2EA
Louisville KY




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Re: [Elecraft] Buggy software OT

[KENT TRIMBLE]

Good quips always sail over at least one person's head.

K9ZTV


On 1/17/2015 1:09 PM, Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT wrote:
Totally different.  This was not flight software -- and it wasn't 
all software, either.


I'm sure we're over the OT limit, but it's really difficult for those 
of us who did this for a living to read posts from people who don't 
know what it takes to actually do.


On 1/17/2015 10:54 AM, KENT TRIMBLE wrote:
Otherwise known as the strategy perfected by JPL in 1998 for the Mars 
Climate Orbiter . . . one in English units and the other in metric.


K9ZTV 


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No virus found in this message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 2015.0.5645 / Virus Database: 4260/8946 - Release Date: 01/17/15




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Re: [Elecraft] Buggy software OT

[KENT TRIMBLE]

Facts can also be factual.

Kent  K9ZTV


/On November 10, 1999, the Mars Climate Orbiter Mishap Investigation 
Board released a Phase I report, detailing the suspected issues 
encountered with the loss of the spacecraft. Previously, on September 8, 
1999, Trajectory Correction Maneuver-4 was computed and then executed on 
September 15, 1999. It was intended to place the spacecraft at an 
optimal position for an orbital insertion maneuver that would bring the 
spacecraft around Mars at an altitude of 226 kilometers on September 23, 
1999. However, during the week between TCM-4 and the orbital insertion 
maneuver, the navigation team indicated the altitude may be much lower 
than intended at 150 to 170 kilometers. Twenty-four hours prior to 
orbital insertion, calculations placed the orbiter at an altitude of 110 
kilometers; 80 kilometers is the minimum altitude that Mars Climate 
Orbiter was thought to be capable of surviving during this maneuver. 
Post-failure calculations showed that the spacecraft was on a trajectory 
that would have taken the orbiter within 57 kilometers of the surface, 
where the spacecraft likely disintegrated because of atmospheric 
stresses. /


/_The primary cause of this discrepancy was that one piece of ground 
software supplied by _Lockheed Martin 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_Martin_produced results in a 
_United States customary unit 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_customary_units_(American), 
contrary to its Software Interface Specification (SIS), while a second 
system, supplied by _NASA http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NASA_, that 
used those results expected them to be in metric units, in accord with 
the SIS. _Software that calculated the total impulse produced by 
thruster firings calculated results in pound-seconds. The trajectory 
calculation used these results to correct the predicted position of the 
spacecraft for the effects of thruster firings. This software expected 
its inputs to be in newton-seconds.^[16] 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars_Climate_Orbiter#cite_note-Mishap-17 /


//

/The discrepancy between calculated and measured position, resulting in 
the discrepancy between desired and actual orbit insertion altitude, had 
been noticed earlier by at least two navigators, whose concerns were 
dismissed. A meeting of trajectory software engineers, trajectory 
software operators (navigators), propulsion engineers, and managers, was 
convened to consider the possibility of executing Trajectory Correction 
Maneuver-5, which was in the schedule. Attendees of the meeting recall 
an agreement to conduct TCM-5, but it was ultimately not done./




On 1/17/2015 1:41 PM, Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT wrote:
Good quip, but it doesn't agree with the findings of the Mars Climate 
Orbiter Mishap Investigation Board.


Facts can be so inconvenient.

On 1/17/2015 11:15 AM, KENT TRIMBLE wrote:

Good quips always sail over at least one person's head.

K9ZTV 


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Version: 2015.0.5645 / Virus Database: 4260/8946 - Release Date: 01/17/15




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Re: [Elecraft] Buggy software OT

[KENT TRIMBLE]

Otherwise known as the strategy perfected by JPL in 1998 for the Mars 
Climate Orbiter . . . one in English units and the other in metric.


K9ZTV


On 1/17/2015 12:13 PM, someone wrote:
For critical systems, there are often two different programs, written 
by different groups of programmers, either of which can fly the 
airplane.  The assumption is that they'll have different bugs.


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Re: [Elecraft] Announcement list news?

[KENT TRIMBLE]

It pays to check the Elecraft website frequently.

At least I do, and updated to 4.86 shortly after it was released . . . 
announcement or no announcement.


73,

Kent  K9ZTV




I ask because I also missed any announcement of the last K3 firmware 
update, until Bill  W4ZV just mentioned it in his Re: [Elecraft] WRTC 
2014 - Congratulations, Elecraft!...(and firmware update) post, where 
he said:


P.S.  In case others missed it there was a major firmware update (MCU 
4.86 DSP 2.83) on June 10.  For some reason there was no announcement 
about it




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Re: [Elecraft] KX3 Serious Errors in the Manual

[KENT TRIMBLE]

While they're at it, I'd suggest getting rid of antenna tuner and its 
ATU derivatives.


AMU would go far in helping a new ham understand why he needs to push 
that button.


As it is, many erroneously believe the antenna itself is being tuned.

73,

Kent  K9ZTV


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Re: [Elecraft] OT: Boy Scouts looking for first QSO

[KENT TRIMBLE]

Mark . . .

Our Merit Badge University was held at a local middle school last 
Saturday.  We met the Radio Merit Badge on-the-air requirement with a 
K3/KPA500 to a Carolina Windom at 35 feet.//We put together our own 
power point presentation and drafted three of our buddies to help the 
boys with their worksheets and drawings.


If you include the words Boy Scouts in your CQ you will have no 
problem receiving a reply.  Our first contact was with Poland and our 
second and third contacts were with middle-aged Eagle Scouts -- a heart 
surgeon on his 30-minute lunch hour, and a former troop Scout Master on 
an island off the east coast.


We found seventeen meters open and less crowded than twenty, and being a 
WARC band it was immune from contesting.


100 watts will, of course, work, but 500 watts works better. Calling CQ 
over and over without a reply is disappointing to Scouts and instructors 
alike.


73,

Kent Trimble, K9ZTV
Bill Gerth, W4RK
Jefferson City, Missouri



On 3/21/2014 9:00 PM, Mark Volstad wrote:

I am acting as counselor for a group of Scouts from the tri-state area 
(KY/OH/IN) who wish to earn their Radio merit badge. They will be looking to 
make their first QSO tomorrow (Saturday) morning, using the club station of 
Dixie Heights High School (KY4DH), but operating under my call. We will have a 
limited window in which to make the contacts, so if you happen to be near your 
radio between approx. 10:15 and 11:00 am EDT (1415 - 1500 UTC), I would 
appreciate it if you would keep an ear open for their CQs on 14.290 +/- QRM.

73,

Mark  AI4BJ



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Re: [Elecraft] PayPal fees

[KENT TRIMBLE]

Wes is referring to a common misuse of language, probably no longer 
taught in schools . . .


Pictures are hung.
People are hanged.

Good show, Wes.

Kent  K9ZTV



On 2/18/2014 2:55 PM, Wes (N7WS) wrote:

Or hanged for that matter.




On 2/18/2014 1:40 PM, someone wrote:

Don't let it bother you. Some guys would complain if they were hung with
a new rope !!




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