Re: [Elecraft] Check Your Buttons [switch current is _not_ too low]
At 06:54 PM 9/24/2009, .k8dd. wrote... At least on the K2 with it's bouncing switches it is not only a known problem, especially with the A/B and A=B switches, but you can fairly easily replace them - I changes out about 20 of them on my two K2s. K2 switches are readily available from Mouser and Digikey (Elecraft, too, obviously). E-switch TL1100F160Q. I mention this because it's an easy thing to add on to an order, and it's handy to keep some spares. A couple of other common parts: Potentiometers, 9mm snap in - Alpha 9mm (mouser 317-2080F-5K, 317-2090F-5K) Headphone jack - Kobiconn 161-3503-EX __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Re: OT: Removing Solder Through Plated Through Holes
At 07:53 PM 12/30/2008, Mel Farrer wrote... I would like to add a comment on removing solder from SMT via holes. There are three methods and the first two have been discussed. I have found as the technology gets better, smaller, the plated through holes also get really small. Like 0.020 or smaller. Solder suckers have a very difficult time pulling the solder up. There is no need to remove solder from SMT via holes. It's only necessary for the holes used by through-hole components. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Mouser part numbers
At 02:22 PM 11/14/2008, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote... I can see that this question has been asked in the past, but appears not to have been answered. Can Elecraft share, assuming it has one, its list of Mouser part numbers for the K2 and its options? Here's a few electromechanical parts: Latching relays - Omron G6HU-2 5 volt Potentiometers, 9mm snap in - Alpha 9mm (mouser 317-2080-5K, 317-2090-5K) Switches - E-switch TL1100F160Q, caps type SJ (Digikey) Power plug - 2.1 x 5.5mm, Switchcraft S760 Headphone jack - Kobiconn 161-3503-EX ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [K3] [Elecraft] K3 Obsolete?
At 08:40 PM 11/11/2008, Mark Bayern wrote... it should be this one for the DSP http://focus.ti.com/docs/prod/folders/print/tms320vc33.html That page _DOES_NOT_ say the chip is 'obsolete', it says 'Product is Not Recommended for New Design'. Same thing. You're obviously not familiar with semiconductor marketing, and how they spin things. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [K3] [Elecraft] K3 Obsolete?
At 10:17 PM 11/11/2008, Mark Bayern wrote... Same thing. You're obviously not familiar with semiconductor marketing, and how they spin things. No it is not. Obsolete - Outmoded in design, style, or construction. QED. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Do you believe this guy?
What callsigns do McCain and Obama hold? I'm guessing McCain hangs out on 80M AM, and Obama on 2M FM, but that would mean they don't have K2s. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K2 audio pot
At 05:55 PM 10/22/2008, Scott McDowell wrote... My K2 af gain pot has started acting up. I have noticed that if I press down on the knob the audio will increase in volume. I guess that means it is time to change it out. Right? You can get them from Elecraft, or Mouser (p/n 317-2080-5K, Alpha PC Mount Black Shaft Potentiometers Audio 9mm 5K Right Angle PC Mount). The other pots (Keyer Speed, Power Out, I.F. Gain, RIT/XIT Offset) are linear taper, and are Mouser p/n 317-2090-5K. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 Buffer Mod
At 09:48 AM 8/21/2008, Jim Denneny wrote... I am about to attempt the N8LP K3 Buffer Mod for improved RX performance. It involves exchanging two, extremely small, surface-mount resistors. Chip-quick ( http://www.chipquikinc.com/newsletters/cq_new_june_2004.htm ) is great for doing SMT rework. It's a low melting temperature alloy, which you use like solder. It mixes with the existing solder to make device removal easy. It doesn't take much. Without a rework station, it's about the only thing you can use for larger devices. If you were experienced in working with SMT, then it might be overkill for replacing just a resistor. But even if you've done SMT before, there's still the danger of lifting a pad when using just a soldering iron. Good stuff if you want to do it yourself with minimal risk to an expensive board. For soldering the new component, I just make sure the pads are lightly tinned, hold the component in place with a toothpick, and lightly touch each joint with the iron. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Off Topic RG-174
At 06:33 PM 7/26/2008, Mike Short wrote... Will RG-174 handle 100W at HF/6M? Maybe. RG-188A/U (Belden 83269) might be a bit better, it's rated for much higher temperatures (to 200C), and has slightly less loss (vs. Belden 8216 RG-174/U). http://www.belden.com/pdfs/03Belden_Master_Catalog/06Coaxial_Cables/06Coaxial_Cables.pdf There's this: http://www.therfc.com/powerrat.htm#RG174 Says 174 is good to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and 188 to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Then this: www.qsl.net/va3iul/coaxloss.pdf Says 174 is good to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and 188 to [EMAIL PROTECTED] The two sources roughly agree. I assume that they assume a 1:1 SWR. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K2 - KIO2 stop bit oddity
At 02:14 AM 5/14/2008, Joe Planisky wrote... extremely erratically, presumably because it assumes 2 stop bits. The KIO2 manual says to use 2 stop bits, but that 1 stop bit will also work. That is only possible if the K2 firmware sends 2 and receives 1. Since the source code isn't available to check, Elecraft will have to respond. Any device can send 2 (or more) stop bits, and any device can receive 1 stop bit. The extra bit(s) will just be considered marking time (extra idle time between characters). It would be strange for any modern device to require 2 stop bits. The option was originally used so that mechanical Teletype terminals would have enough time to cycle their mechanisms to an initial state between characters. That isn't an issue with any modern device (does anyone still use a Model 33 for RTTY?). If I set my terminal to 2 stop bits, I get garbled data about 70% of the time. For example, the ID; command will return ID017, ID0, ID, ID01, etc. That looks about right for a mismatch. If the sender is only sending 1 stop bit, the following start bit should result in a framing error, and NO character should be displayed. The inconsistency you see is likely the K2 marking time (busy with something else) between characters, which looks the same as the second stop bit to the receiver. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Concern
At 06:38 PM 4/28/2008, Brian Lloyd wrote... Other than an official Elecraft-supplied buffered audio input and output for data modes, what else would you add to the K2? Open source firmware. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Alternatives to PowerPoles?
At 11:07 PM 4/6/2008, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote... What would you use instead? Particularly given the desire for a genderless connector that can carry considerable current (20+ Amps)? Considering these are used for carrying polarized power signals, why do you want/require that they be genderless? There's a very good reason that wall outlets aren't hermaphroditic. The only reasonable argument I've seen is that it allows charging batteries without adapters. But, given that improper charging of many modern battery technologies can be dangerous if a specialized charger isn't used, making it easy to connect a 13.4V, 20A regulated supply to a 12V lithium pack doesn't seem wise. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Alternatives to PowerPoles?
At 09:14 AM 4/7/2008, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote... Considering these are used for carrying polarized power signals, why do you want/require that they be genderless? Convenience and flexibility. That's a non-response, since it implies that alternatives aren't. I believe that most hams find UHF and BNC connectors to be convenient and flexible, and they're gendered. Given all the argument around crimp vs. solder on powerpoles, I might grant you flexibility, but not convenience :-) As radio amateurs, I'd hope we'd know a little about what we are doing. That's a very poor assumption, given the types of questions I've heard asked by licensees. We use the same RF connectors (although gendered) for everything from the legal limit of power down to receiver inputs; make a mistake and the results can be very unpleasant. Is 12 volts somehow more dangerous? You've apparently never seen the results of a lithium battery explosion/fire. It's more than unpleasant. The problem is that with adapters it's just as easy to make such mistakes. No, and saying that doesn't make it true. It should be obviously clear that a system which allows anything to plug into anything else is also the easiest one to make a mistake with. There's also the advantage of a universal standard It's not a universal standard. At best, it's a standard for one group in one country within ham radio (ARES/RACES). It's not used by the big 3, and given the number of questions here from people who are new to the connectors, it's quite far from a standard in the general ham community. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Tin Whiskers
At 10:57 AM 4/7/2008, Jeremiah McCarthy wrote... Tin whiskers could be a problem in more than a home entertainment system, a PC, or that K-3 under the dash...Automobiles WEEE/RoHS, at least the bit dealing with lead, exempts automotive, military and life-critical devices. The ELV directive (automotive) exempts lead solder. They _know_ they're forcing planned obsolescence upon the public. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Selecting An Iabic Key
At 07:25 PM 3/27/2008, Lyle Johnson wrote... Sure he can. CW - RTTY and CW - PSK31 are already features on the K3, and the VFO B display provides decoding of those modes, too (as well as CW...) For a presentation on this topic see URL:http://www.microhams.com/softcontent.aspx?scId=48 My mistake, I didn't know that. Thanks for pointing that out. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Selecting An Iabic Key
At 07:04 PM 3/27/2008, Mike Miller wrote... I want to use the K3 for RTTY and PSK 31 Which Iambic key is the easiest to learn to use? I currently work CW with a straight key. You aren't going to do RTTY or PSK31 with anyone's iambic key! ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] way off topic...sorry
At 09:06 PM 3/22/2008, DOUGLAS ZWIEBEL wrote... Loose is the opposite of tight. Lose is when you don't win Is an Elecraft gray, or grey? ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] KAF2-Assembly questions
At 05:30 PM 3/15/2008, Fred Jensen wrote... I'm building the KAF2 Audio Filter. Two questions for whoever knows: There's a good picture on the Elecraft site which should answer your concerns: http://www.elecraft.com/kaf2/kaf2_top.jpg ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] OT: Software to do block/wiring diagram?
At 01:42 PM 3/7/2008, Bruce Thompson wrote... I'm looking for some software that I can use to create block diagrams for electronic setups. OpenOffice is free ( http://www.openoffice.org/ ), and the Draw application can do what you want. You can create common symbols and save them to the gallery for reuse. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] RE: troll/trawl
When I use a word,' Humpty Dumpty said, in a rather scornful tone,' it means just what I choose it to mean, neither more nor less.' 'The question is,' said Alice, 'whether you can make words mean so many different things.' 'The question is,' said Humpty Dumpty, 'which is to be master - that's all.' ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: Re: [Elecraft] Microphones (was electronic product standards)
At 08:28 AM 2/14/2008, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote... This is why you want to have a signal with a very high average power level, but one which is also not wider than necessary. That sounds like CW. :-) ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] UNPCBs
At 09:50 AM 2/12/2008, DW Holtman wrote... Should companies be able to mine information such as who ordered what from this forum and send E-Mails for selling their goods? I understand that this is parts for K2. Maybe this is alright and I'm all wet. If you received spam from a list subscriber who obviously got your address from this list, IMHO they should be removed/banned from the list. Whether they are a list subscriber or not, you should report them to their ISP, they are no doubt in violation of their TOS/AUP. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] OT: THIS is the big deal about CW Skimmer
At 09:05 PM 2/6/2008, DOUGLAS ZWIEBEL wrote... 5. The entire basis for CONTESTING is competition...a competition of who has the best set of HUMAN skills... Hams have (as a whole) always embraced new technology, but there are probably some still complaining that heterodynes are unfair competition for their spark gaps and crystal receivers. Then why do you use electronic equipment? Why a K3 and not a Altoids tin special? Perhaps smoke signals or shouting would be a better test. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] OK, Children - Listen Up!
At 04:14 PM 1/21/2008, Pete wrote... Congratulations for calling the whiners and malcontents to task for their disgraceful behavior. I, for one, wish that the reflector was 'monitored' to weed out the thrash. Like self-appointed moderators? ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] OT: pwr rating of RG6, etc
At 10:16 AM 11/13/2007, Samuel Strongin wrote... just use the cheapest piece of junk and try to justify it. The fact of the matter 1.5 does matter.For example Icom radios fold back when seeing a swr of 1.5 to one. Remind me to never buy an Icom. Who would want a radio which can't be used with a simple dipole having a 72 ohm characteristic impedance? There's gotta be a huge market out there for a 1.5:1 balun, which no one is filling. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] OT: News Article on Tin Whiskers Ruining Electronics
At 12:28 AM 10/19/2007, Don Wilhelm wrote... The 'tin-whiskers' problem is one that exists mainly at the chip level. The migration of conductive paths between pins that can be soldered by hand techniques is *not* a problem because the 'whiskers' typically do not extend that far. It is a problem inside the chips where distances are measured in angstroms rather than in fractional inches or millimeters. Not according to NASA studies. They state Whiskers as long as a few millimeters are not uncommon... - http://nepp.nasa.gov/whisker/background/index.htm Common through hole IC packages (DIP) have 2.54mm center to center, which means ~1 mm air gap between pins, and that is also a _very_ common hole spacing pattern for discrete components. Here's an example of non-chip level failure caused by tin whiskers: http://nepp.nasa.gov/whisker/photos/pom/2004april.htm ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] [K3] Wine Update Software
At 02:46 AM 10/16/2007, Jack Brindle wrote... There is a huge difference between the old battery-backed memory and using Flash memory. As you note, the battery will eventually run down, causing memory to be lost. Flash memory will retain its contents for a very long period - Microchip specifies this at 40 years minimum, 100 years typical. But, they don't know that as a fact, and make lots of assumptions when making those claims. The chips have obviously not been around over 100 years to make that claim true. Ask Microchip if they will stand behind those claims, and provide you with replacement chips in 39 years if the flash memory fails at that time. I seriously doubt you will ever see the chip die from memory loss. Well, I can tell you that the Motorola microcontroller in my (and many others') Audi instrument cluster died due to failed flash memory, and after only a couple of years, not the 40-100 years the manufacturers guess and hope they will be good for. Motorola shipped a batch of bad chips. Firmware files are not available from anywhere, and Audi charges $800+ for a replacement, even though I have the ability to program a $20 chip myself. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 Accessory Connector
At 03:59 AM 8/29/2007, Charles Harpole wrote... So called D connectors have design specifications issued by various mfg of them. Most list a limited life of 10 to 30 plug/unplug cycles. That is from the designers. You must be looking at some cheap Chinese clone. Please cite the other manufacturers who constitute most, and the total size of your sample. Cinch originated the design, and their basic model ( http://www.cinch.com/view_sub_product_line.cinch?section_id=24sub_section_id=113section_title=D-subminiature ) is rated for 500 cycles. Long time experience with these connectors in data applications shows that to be a very conservative number. I can't think of any style connector which offers a better mix of low cost, ready availability, wide choice of sizes, and reliable operation. Exactly what connector are you thinking would have been a better choice? ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Re: K3 Reference Oscillator
At 11:59 AM 8/29/2007, wayne burdick wrote... 49.380 MHz. All signal sources are phase-locked to the refernce. Fine adjustment occurs in firmware, and once calibrated, it's accurate to about 1 Hz through 6 meters at the calibration temperature. The high-stability option is at the same frequency, with firmware correction to better than 0.5 ppm. 49,380,000 * 0.005 ppm = 24.69 Hz, and actually worse on 6 meters, since it's a higher frequency. In any case, it's considerably worse that the 1 Hz stated for the standard reference. Is that ppm/degree C, over some temperature range, or ? Is the tempco specified for the standard reference? ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] Re: K3 Reference Oscillator
At 12:48 PM 8/29/2007, wayne burdick wrote... Maybe I wasn't clear on this. I said it was accurate to 1 Hz ... at the calibration temperature. That says nothing about what happens as the temperature *changes*. [high stability] +/- 0.5 ppm ... applies to the entire temperature range, not per degree C. The REF CAL menu entry can be used to enter frequency-vs.-temp data that's supplied with each individual 1 PPM oscillator. This data is used in conjunction with an accurate temperature sensor to fine-tune the reference in 0.2-Hz steps as the temperature changes. Can the high stability reference also be calibrated at temperature to achieve 1 Hz, like the standard reference, or must one trust the calibration table which provides 0.2-0.5 ppm (10-25 Hz) accuracy? If calibrated at temperature, does the delta then offset other table entries (which might be used to accommodate crystal aging, for example), or are individual table entries calibrated? Can a calibration table be used with the standard reference? I can see some applications where 1 Hz, but you have to calibrate if the temp changes is better than 10-25 Hz, but you never touch it. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] bad choice: Anderson PowePole connectors
At 11:44 PM 7/17/2007, Charles Harpole wrote... The Power Pole connectors on the K3 are a bad choice for this application why? : In less time than it took to write your complaint, you could have made up an APP to binding post/banana plug adapter cable, and solved the problem you have. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Zero Beat WWV
At 05:25 PM 7/5/2007, joey mcg wrote... Ok, totally confused by the zero beat to WWV. I can zero beat an un-oscillated WWV carrier at two points, in USS and LSB. When they add the odd-hour 600hz tone, things become even more confusing. Bounce back and forth between LSB and USB (hold down CW RV for a second to quickly switch), adjusting the frequency until the tones WWV transmits sound the same in both modes. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] CW speed clabration
At 05:08 PM 7/2/2007, Scott McDowell wrote... Does the K2 have an adjustment to correctly set the cw speed? If it does I can't seem to find it. When I set the CW speed on mine on 20 wpm it actually sends about 25 to 27 wpm. I realize that you can slow this down by more spacing between the letters, but it would be nice if it could be calibrated. I really think it is bad cw when you are creating the letters at 25 wpm and slow it down by excessive spacing. How are you measuring the speed? When set to 20 WPM, I used a scope and captured two iambic dot-dash sequences to eliminate errors due to weighting or waveshapes. Those 12 dot times took 697.2 ms. That's a dot time of 58.1 ms, or 1033 dot times per minute. Using the common convention, with PARIS as the standard word (50 dot times), that works out to 20.7 WPM. Close enough for me. I doubt yours is any different, since the timing is ultimately crystal controlled. Here's some info on calculating Morse speed: http://www.kent-engineers.com/codespeed.htm ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Type N connectors
You could let NASA argue with him. GSFC-733-HARN-01, Rev C, July 2003, DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING STANDARD for ELECTRICAL HARNESSES (GFSC is Goddard Space Flight Center) says: 4.20 Conductor terminations- The preferred method of terminating conductors is with a crimp termination. However, where necessary, solder terminations are acceptable. At 10:34 AM 4/21/2007, Sam Morgan wrote... Sam Morgan wrote: seems I have been corrected, friction contact is better than soldered connections guess my Navy electronics teacher with his 20+ years of experience was a liar, but I'll let ya'll tell him that, I wouldn't dare, I value my life more than that. -- GB 73's KA5OAI Sam Morgan ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
RE: [Elecraft] Solder
At 06:51 PM 12/21/2006, Ron D'Eau Claire wrote... I hope we didn't drive you away with the answers, Rob! Keep in mind that there is NOTHING wrong with the quality and durability of joints that lead-free solder makes. It's great stuff that works very well. It's very premature to make that claim. There are real concerns that lead-free solders are less reliable. Lead free solder joints are more fragile - http://www.pcbrc.com/dev/PDFs/WhitePaper-SACfragility1.pdf Little is known about how to avoid the tin whisker problem, and the corresponding reliability issues - http://ap.pennnet.com/Articles/Article_Display.cfm?Section=ARTCLARTICLE_ID=233627VERSION_NUM=2p=95 It's interesting to note that many life critical systems (medical, aerospace, military) are exempted from RoHS. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
RE: [Elecraft] Solvent
At 02:12 PM 12/14/2006, Howard W. Ashcraft wrote... For an example of what damage can be done, I am restoring a Tek SC504 oscilloscope where someone used contact cleaner/solvent on the channel 2 attenuator. Tek used special PC board material (polysulfone?) in the attenuators for many of their scopes. Most of the manuals specifically warn about using anything other than isopropyl alcohol for cleaning. From the 485 manual - Cleaning the switch contacts should only be done using isopropyl alcohol or a solution of 1% Joy detergent and 99% water. Do not use acetone, MEK, MIBK, benzol, toluol, carbon tetrachloride, trichlor, trichlene, methyl alcohol, methylene chloride, sulfuric acid, or Freon TC-TETF-22-TA-12. - they had a sense of humor, no battery acid cleaning allowed! ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
RE: [Elecraft] Solvent
At 02:06 PM 12/13/2006, Craig Rairdin wrote... After you clean your boards and void your warranty, take that 91% alcohol, put about a half-inch in the bottom of a one-gallon glass apple cider jug, swirl it around, and drop in a match. It'll entertain the kids for hours. Only if picking glass shards out of skin and eyes is entertainment. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
RE: [Elecraft] Thermal control for Q1 / Q2 in KPA100?
At 10:08 AM 12/6/2006, Darwin, Keith wrote... Very key point. If you want to take heat out of a box, you're far better to point the fans out and let them draw in cool air from the other side than to point the fan in and blow cool air in. Here's why. When you blow a fan into a box (K2, PC, or your house in the summer) you're blowing into a confined space and the pressure goes up. That increase in pressure fights against the fan and reduces the amount of air that flows. It's not that simple. How does the fan know which side is confined? It's not a matter of pressure fights the fan in only one case - it's equally valid to say that vacuum fights in the other. A fan is a pump, which creates a pressure differential. At the extreme, one can only achieve a suction equal to atmospheric pressure, while the amount of pressure can be virtually unlimited. So, in the extreme case, more flow can be achieved by blowing than by sucking. For the application at hand, it doesn't make much difference to total airflow whether the fan is sucking or blowing - the fan is limited by the pressure differential it can create. Whether that differential is between atmospheric and a (very) slight vacuum, or atmospheric and a (very) slight pressure simply doesn't make any practical difference. For electronics, airflow direction may be determined by the available fan location(s), and a desire to have the most heat sensitive components receive the coolest airflow. Another consideration is that by having the fan blow into the device, all airflow through the device travels through a well defined area - so it can be easily filtered. Pressurizing the enclosure is the preferred method, since incoming air can be readily filtered. In addition, a pressurized enclosure will prevent dust entering through cracks or crevices. The fan is also handling cooler, denser air, and it will therefore have a slightly higher pressure capability (this may be a very slight advantage for low heat dissipating systems). An important feature of a pressurized system is that the fan life and reliability are increased due to the fan ambient temperature being lower. The disadvantage of pressurization is that heat generated by the fan is dissipated into the enclosure. - Mike Turner, Comar Rotron (a major fan manufacturer) - http://www.electronics-cooling.com/Resources/EC_Articles/MAY96/may96_01.htm ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Cutting component leads
At 09:30 AM 10/23/2006, Ken Kopp wrote... The following is from a NASA-certified solderer ... me. (:-)) Contrary to the belief/practice of many, component leads protruding through a solder pad should NEVER be cut off flush with the board. They should be cut off at a length that is several diameters of the wire ... at least ... above the board. Time for a refresher class. According to the current standard, NASA-STD-8739.3 w/Change 2, December 1997, Section 8.5(.3) ( http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/codeq/sldrbch2.pdf ): Straight-Through Lead Terminations. Part leads terminated straight through the PWB shall extend a minimum of 0.5mm (0.020 inch) and a maximum of 2.29mm (0.090 inch) .020 is one lead diameter for a 1/8W resistor, and can be less than one diameter for larger parts. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] New KPA100 Rev.
At 11:03 AM 10/18/2006, Karl Larsen wrote... I hold all my toroid coils firm to the board AFTER all tuning is complete with my Hot Glue system. It tacks down everything but not so tight you can't get it loose. I do not find the hot glue to be corrosive. Beeswax is the traditional tried and true. It does not affect the Q or impedance (if I recall correctly, silicone rubber does have an effect, I suspect hot glue would, too). It holds fast, but is still easy to soften/remove if a component needs to be replaced. There have been previous discussions on this list regarding this, which a search of the archives should turn up. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
RE: [Elecraft] Hearing CW - Fundamental Keying Waveform?
At 09:13 AM 9/20/2006, Martin Gillen wrote... Which FCC or ARRL guideline mentions chirp, or otherwise attempts to regulate the keying waveform? 97.307(a) No amateur station transmission shall occupy more bandwidth than necessary for the information rate and emission type being transmitted, in accordance with good amateur practice. (b) Emissions resulting from modulation must be confined to the band or segment available to the control operator. Emissions outside the necessary bandwidth must not cause splatter or keyclick interference to operations on adjacent frequencies. (c) All spurious emissions from a station transmitter must be reduced to the greatest extent practicable. If any spurious emission, including chassis or power line radiation, causes harmful interference to the reception of another radio station, the licensee of the interfering amateur station is required to take steps to eliminate the interference, in accordance with good engineering practice. And it continues on with regard to specific standards and measurements of spurious emissions. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Logarithmic K2 Keyer Speed Pot Replacement?
At 03:03 PM 8/15/2006, Darrell Bellerive wrote... As an alternative is there a direct replacement logarithmic pot that could be substituted for the linear pot supplied with the kit? Elecraft p/n E520003 or Mouser p/n 317-2080F-5K ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K2 backlighting brightness
At 06:28 PM 7/12/2006, ron_w wrote... would such a change give me more back light without compromising components in the Front panel board?(ie U3). I doubt there is a problem but it is always wise to ask .. If you're equipped to desolder the display, you could replace the backlight LEDs with brighter ones. I used two Everlight EL-94-22UBGC arrays, which are available in the US from Mouser for a couple of buck each ( http://www.mouser.com/catalog/626/41.pdf ). They fit perfectly, I think the originals from Elecraft are the Everlight EL-94-22VGC. The relative brightness of these two different LED arrays is 133 vs. 35 mcd @ 20 ma, a very significant difference in brightness. They do change the display from green to a blue-green color. I was then able to use a _larger_ R10 dropping resistor to get acceptable brightness (can't remember what I ended up with), so now I get the same current draw regardless of the day/night setting (with the night setting, the main display uses more power, but the meter LEDs use less). ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] What's wrong with Serial
At 12:43 PM 6/21/2006, Jack Brindle wrote... The current evolution of the RS-232 spec also now contains a pinout for an RJ-45 8-pin modular connector. ... RJ-45s allow much high panel density that DE9 connectors, even though they have the problem of being the same as those used for ethernet connections. The current RS-232 spec, TIA-232-F-1977, only specifies the traditional DB-25 and an alternate 26 pin connector. The ANSI-TIA-EIA-723-1998 specification, which is more applicable to modern serial ports (RS-232-F only goes to 20 Kbps, 723 goes to 512 Kbps), adds the DE-9 connector. Use of the 8 pin modular (RJ45 should not be hyphenated and refers to more than just the connector) is not defined in either spec. It is covered in EIA-561. To the original concern, Elecraft chose a commonly available, easily used, reliable connector. It's not labelled RS-232 or anything which would (should) lead someone to believe it's directly compatible. It's well documented. No problem. BTW, an RJ45 doesn't actually exist, there are RJ45S and RJ45M telco interfaces. RJ45 is an informal term incorrectly used to refer to 8 pin modular connectors. All of this may seem a bit pedantic to those used to informal use of these designations, but in the standards world, correctness counts. It is through ignorance of the subtleties that incompatibility problems arise. Informal terms are fine, as long as everyone agrees. The problem quickly arises however, that not everyone does agree and being informal there is no authoritative reference to settle disputes. (from someone who's employer is a member/subscriber to most, if not all, communications/electronics standards organizations, and runs into this stuff regularly in real life situations) ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
RE: [Elecraft] What's wrong with Serial
At 10:53 PM 6/19/2006, Ron D'Eau Claire wrote... years I've worked with RS232 interfaces. People jump to a very wrong assumption that RS232 defines the connections at a given cable connector... RS232 is a signaling protocol, not a cable pinout scheme. RS-232 and it's successors are interface standards, and as such define electrical signal, logical function and physical connection standards. In fact, the one thing it doesn't define is an upper layer signaling protocol - which is why you must also know whether you're dealing with sync/async and the specific serial encoding to be used. It predates the modern ISO layered architecture, but would fit best as a Physical Layer (Layer 1) standard. RS-232 has always specified a cable pinout; originally on an unspecified 25 pin connector. Later, in RS-232C, it specified the common Cannon DB-25 connector. RS-232 as such is obsolete, and in informal use is normally taken to refer to the current standard, ANSI/EIA/TIA-723-1998 High Speed 232 Type DTE/DCE Interface, which replaced EIA/TIA-232. The standard says the DE-9 interface shall be referred to as ANSI/EIA/TIA-723 Alt B. In addition to the regular DB-25, there is also a 26 pin Alt A. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Computer control issues - unreliable firmware?
At 04:30 AM 4/2/2006, Nigel A. Gunn G8IFF/KC8NHF wrote... One assumes you'll never buy a laptop. They've not had serial ports for several years and USB is usually the only expansion route. You just have to look before you buy, and not assume you can't get what you want. I'm typing this on a Dell D610 which is a current model and does indeed have a serial port, as do many other models. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] High Altitude Solder
At 12:57 PM 4/1/2006, Lynn Burlingame wrote... I plan to do a lot of mountaintopping in the next few years and will be assembling a K1 for this specific use. I need to locate a good source for MILSPEC high altitude solder that meets Elecraft's specifications and will not void the warranty. The reported 22% increase in equipment efficiency will make the extra expense worthwhile. Does anybody know of a vendor that still sells it? Are there any special precautions or procedures for using this solder? If you do that you'll have a problem with your kit once you return to lower altitudes. I suggest simply building normally, then dipping the circuit board in Plasti-Dip (make sure you do all the tuning first). HTH! HAND! ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
RE: [Elecraft] serial port remote control of K2 question
At 05:10 PM 3/27/2006, Don Wilhelm wrote... It is unfortunate that the PC world uses these DE9 connectors for RS-232, and it is (was) a PC world implementation only, real RS-232 ports use the DB9 or the RJ45 connectors - these are defined in the RS-232 standard, the DE9 connector is not in the latest standard publication that I am aware of. There is no DB-9. ITYM DB-25, but that wasn't specified in RS-232 - it was added with RS-232C. Prior to that the standard merely called for an unspecified 25 pin connector. What was once RS-232 was replaced by EIA/TIA-232, which in turn was succeeded by ANSI/EIA/TIA-723-1998 High Speed 232 Type DTE/DCE Interface, which is active and current. The standard says the DE-9 interface shall be referred to as ANSI/EIA/TIA-723 Alt B. In addition to the regular DB-25, there is also a 26 pin Alt A. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Accurate QRP Wattmeters?
Measure V p-p into an accurate 50 ohm dummy load with a decent o-scope. Power is then V^2/400. At 01:45 PM 7/3/2005, J. Coote wrote... Comments on the accuracy of using the Tek 492 method, and on other accurate wattmeter options? ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Re: Favorite K2 Remote Program? ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
At 06:59 AM 4/29/2005, Web Williams wrote... As it turns out, remote base operation in the U.S. is ILLEGAL if it transmits below 29.5MHz. The link to your HF set (which may only transmit ABOVE 29.5MHz) may _ONLY_ be one of the following choices: A. RF link above 222.15MHz B. Hard-wire control from point to point C. A telephone link via an unlisted telephone number No need to correct me. If you feel the need to correct someone, the thing for you to do is to get a petition for rulemaking started, because this rule is based in LAW, not OPINION. Law is a matter of opinion. The law itself recognizes that fact by calling legal decisions opinions. (Beyond which, what you refer to isn't law, but regulation.) Law/regulation often flexes to accommodate new technologies which don't fit existing definitions. Telephone is literally remote sound. A remote sound link via an unpublished number (IP address/port) sure sounds like #3. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] KPA800 @ $2.8k: count my $
At 08:34 AM 4/26/2005, Bob Rennard wrote... My 75S-3B cost about 1/8th of what my 1969 Corvette cost. So, I should be able to buy a nice receiver today for about $6,000. It's more reasonable to compare similar items, such as electronics. My HW-16 cost about 1/100 of what a 1970 personal computer (PDP-8) cost, so I should be able to buy a basic transceiver today for about $10. A 30S-1 cost about 1/3 of what the Corvette cost, so I should be able to buy a new amplifier today for about $17,000. An SB-200 cost about 3/100 of what the PDP-8 cost, so I should be able to buy a new QRO amp today for about $30. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] SMD-based kits
At 05:21 PM 4/19/2005, wayne burdick wrote... That said, looking into my crystal ball I can see a time when home pick-'n'-place machines with AI-enabled vision systems become commonplace Is that a pre-announcement of a new kit? Where do I get in line? ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Fw: Need winding machine?
Well, it seems that Earl has chosen to demonstrate his ignorance of accepted Internet protocol by not only spamming (itself a felony crime in the US), but by forwarding private correspondence to a public forum. I have been careful to respond to communications regarding this subject only via email and not the reflector, but if Earl wants a public discussion of the inappropriateness of his activity, so be it. Yes, Earl, you are exhibiting the characteristics of a clueless newbie, Internet jargon for someone who doesn't understand the history and accepted practices of the Internet. My own experience with the Internet predates commercial use of any sort (Merit/NSFNet) - a time when you lost your feed if you tried to use it for business, which no one did because it was against the rules and strongly enforced by peer pressure. The spam you sent was not informational, it was commercial. More useful information is easily had by doing a simple Google search, as someone already pointed out. There's no difference between you putting it may interest some of you on the front of a spam and the millions of spams sent out daily which start with Hey, I thought you might like this... or something similar. Now you come along and try to rationalize criminal activity and theft of service (spam), unremorsefully. You've encouraged others to respond to spam, further propagating the problem. It is actions and lack of understanding such as yours which have made spam the significant problem it is today. Without an audience, spam wouldn't be profitable, and therefore wouldn't exist. By forwarding spam to a larger audience, you are both the problem and the cause, yet you continue to defend your action. This same can be said in some ways about ham radio - in the past the self-policing nature made it easy for the FCC to justify the (minimal) regulation necessary to support and maintain. More recently, that self-policing has begun to break down, and now we've got license testing fraud and Hollingsworth because hams look the other way instead of applying peer pressure when improper behavior is observed. Along that trendline, we can only expect more regulation. You're not simply ignoring improper Internet behavior, you're actively encouraging it. Yes, Earl, you've demonstrated that you are a clueless newbie with regard to the Internet, at best. If you actually knew what you were doing when you spamed the list, that just makes it worse and you do deserve censure. With your history, you should know better. At 10:41 AM 4/13/2005, Earl W Cunningham wrote... Mike S wrote: It's exactly because of clueless newbies like you that there is a spam problem in the first place. (The rest of his e-mail censored because of foul language) == I have NEVER bought anything nor visited a Web site advertised by a spammer. This clueless newbie has been into computer hardware and software professionally since 1966. (Retired 1994.) Bought (built) my first PC in 1979. Authored much ham radio software since then, much of it used world-wide today. Member of the Elecraft e-mail list since April 2002 -- others before that. Celebrating my 51st year as a ham (first licensed as W8DGP in 1955 - Extra Class since 1963). Newbie??? 73, de Earl, K6SE (not a vanity callsign) K2/100 #2622 ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Fw: Need winding machine?
DO NOT forward spam to a list. Most certainly DO NOT - NEVER, EVER - buy a product advertised via spam. To do so is the act of a naif, as it only encourages more spam. I'm trying to think of any reasonable criteria by which you shouldn't be immediately dispelled from the list for spamming (which you have in fact done), and can't. I've a mind to file a report with your ISP for violation of their TOS/AUP. Sorry if this seems harsh, but spam in any form cannot be tolerated. At 07:50 PM 4/12/2005, Earl W Cunningham wrote... I just received the following e-mail about a toroid winding machine. Perhaps it may interest some of you Elecrafters. It was spam, so take it for what it's worth. 73, de Earl, K6SE - Forwarded message -- From: Jack Feng [xxx] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Wed, 13 Apr 2005 05:16:21 +0800 Subject: Need winding machine? [spam removed] ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Fixing K2 Toroid Coils
At 10:02 AM 3/15/2005, Joe Jones wrote... So, bearing in mind that I only wish to secure the edge of the toroids that are upright and touching the PCB, not coat the whole toroid in adhesive, (and change the inductance) what adhesive would be best ...? Beeswax is the traditional material for fixing coils, and has the benefit of being removable using moderate heat. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Installation of Q7 and Q8 HELP!!!!
At 10:50 AM 12/19/2004, DR wrote... and there is NO way I can secure the heat sink cover. Yes, the nylon shoulder washer is flush with the hole on the transistors and I made sure it is centered, I even measured the screw to make sure I'm using a 1/2. I did a search to see if anyone else had a problem with this step but I couldn't find anything that would give me a hint as to what I'm doing wrong. I REALLY want to know how the heck this is going to work when all this stuff is on the back side and it is higher than the standoff spacers. How much higher? You seem to imply that a 1/2 screw isn't long enough? The screw goes through the PC Board (~1/16), a fiber washer (1/16), a 1/8 standoff, a shoulder washer (1/16), the transistor tab (1/16), insulator and heatsink (~1/16); total ~3/8, leaving plenty of thread. A 2D fastener is about 1/4, which should be very close to the fiber washer (1/16), a 1/8 standoff, shoulder washer (1/16), the transistor tab (1/16), and insulator. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
RE: [Elecraft] units of measurement, explained
At 08:08 AM 12/17/2004, Brian Wruble wrote... How in the world did a change to solid state affect a naming convention? 1 Hz = 1 cps, regardless of the circuit devices. 1 uuf (micro micro farad) = 1 pf, regardless of the devices used in the circuit. I am baffled by this notion. Can you provide more evidence? 73 de Brian W3BW Post hoc, ergo propter hoc. It's an error in logic, same as concluding that your alarm clock causes the sun to rise. That is of course incorrect, since it actually causes the horizon to set. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Puffing to keep up with the Nanofarads...
At 09:06 PM 12/16/2004, Doug Faunt N6TQS +1-510-655-8604 wrote... And cycles for frequency, by itself means very little. The proper term was cycles per second, which is what Hertz replaces, not just cycles I don't think Mr. Hertz used cycles since he was a scientist, and would think accuracy of expression was important, but he probably used cycles per second. One might presume so, incorrectly. It was common convention to use kilocycles (KC) and megacycles (MC), excluding any reference to per second. Here's an ARC-5 transmitter, showing same: http://hug-a-bug.com/arc5b.jpg This convention also carried over into more formal texts: http://www.nj7p.org/manuals/arc-5/arc-5.html#_Toc460591310 Hertz himself, although occasionally making reference to times per second, more often used period of oscillation and usually used wavelength, which makes sense, since this was much easier to measure at the time. Here's a brief portion of Electrical Waves: http://historical.library.cornell.edu/gifcache/cdl/cdl334/00134.TIF6.gif ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] CW Keying characteristics-computer vs Bencher
At 03:19 PM 12/12/2004, Ralph McClintock wrote... Don, The computer generates an on-off. Writelog does not allow any adjustment of keying characteristics. The Bencher generates an open or ground. Why does the K2 recognize the Bencher, a mechanical switch, as soft and why does it recognize the computer as hard? Ralph W1ZK Which is it - the RF waveform (hard) or the keying weight? You've already said I am referring exactly to weight. Hard/soft by convention refer to the sound of the RF waveshape, heavy/light refers to the on/off ratio (weight). You're mixing terminology and confusing the issue. Keying weight is a function of they keyer. As has already been explained, when you use a paddle, you're using the K2's internal keyer, and consequently get the weight for which that is set; the K2 is making the dots and dashes. The Bencher generates _two_ opens/grounds, and is telling the K2 to make a dot or a dash. As far as the K2 is concerned, the computer is just a straight key, so any weight (and speed) is a function of the computer program you're using. The K2 has nothing to do with the dots and the dashes, it's just making RF when it sees key down. A difference is to be expected, both in weight and speed - you're comparing two different keyers (the K2's vs. the Writelog's). ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Soldering station
At 09:54 AM 12/2/2004, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote... I'm wondering if anyone has ordered and received the Circuit Specialists soldering stations which looked like Hakko 936's ? If so could they give us a similar report on that unit? At $35.00 it is indeed a tempting buy, but with Mike's post...? The 936 clone appears very close to the Hakko 936, they even copied the PC board layout: http://www.flatsurface.com/pics/Hakko-Aoyue936.JPG On the top is the Hakko 936 layout, courtesy Tom Hammond, on the bottom is a picture of the Aoyue station, from their web site. That doesn't, of course, address quality of construction. I don't want anyone to get the wrong impression. At $200 (vs. about $1000 for a real Hakko), the CSI710 rework station is a great deal. The soldering station is a bit less of a deal, since you can get a real Hakko for under $85. I used to use Weller WTCP*, then a Weller labelled Ungar 921ZX, but since Cooper Tools decided to discontinue the Ungar stuff shortly after taking my money for one, no more. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] Soldering station
(this is a resend to the list, the first was bounced by QTH.net because their postmaster has some brain-dead SMTP spam checking misconfiguration which produces false positives (for the subject line Circuit Specialists 701 rework station:. Gr.) About a week ago, Tom Hammond pointed out that Circuit Specialists had some soldering stations which looked like Hakko 936's ( http://www.circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/7307 ) for a good price. I noticed that they had a through hole rework station ( http://www.circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/7789 ) which also looked very similar to a Hakko offering. There has been some conjecture that these are the same as the Hakko units, but are being sold by an OEM to Hakko for considerably less. Since my 20 year old Pace desoldering station recently died, I thought I'd try out one of these, especially since the $200 price was by far better than anything else available. This is about 20% of what a similar Hakko unit runs. I receive my station today, and can report that these are very obviously NOT the same as real Hakko products. They're Chinese clones. As mentioned earlier, these are made by Aoyue ( http://www.aoyue.com/english/index.htm ). From the looks of this unit, I doubt Aoyue OEMs anything to Hakko - some things are close, others are functional, but none are of the same quality. The desoldering handpiece is of decent quality. It appears that it will take Hakko spares, including heaters and tips. It could definitely use a better tip - this one is chrome (?) plated and won't tin. The soldering pencil has a rubber grip instead of the heat insulating foam a real Hakko has, but is overall of decent quality. Both use multipin microphone style circular connectors, which is different than what Hakko uses. The station itself is workable, the electronics seem to do what they're supposed to (they regulate tip temperature and have an LED which lights when power is applied to the tip, so it blinks when the tip is at the set temp). The controls (switches and pots) are pretty cheap, I'll probably upgrade these. They silk screened Circuit Specialists on the front, but didn't bother with a Fahrenheit temperature scale. The manufacturer took time to grind the markings off the ICs on the circuit board (they copied Hakko, but don't want to be copied themselves, I guess), and no schematic is provided in the manual. The biggest obvious difference is that it uses a completely different vacuum pump than a real Hakko - meaning no ready source of spare parts. The pump actually works better than that on my old Pace. One strange thing though, is that the instruction manual (in pretty good Engrish [ http://www.engrish.com/ ]) clearly shows how to disassemble and clean a Hakko pump. The actual pump is completely different than that illustrated in the manual. All things considered, it works well. Time will tell how this unit holds up, but it seems to be a good deal. A couple of better quality switches and pots, some real Hakko desoldering tips, and a bit of time should take care of the minor issues. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K2 - Strange Problem ?
At 01:24 AM 11/30/2004, Stewart Baker wrote... problem, but I am back with the noise. It is a shame that there is no way to get at the +8V rail on the front panel board as that would be an ideal mic supply. The Auxbus connection between the RF board and front panel is unused. You could cut the trace on the RF board and use that to bring whatever you want across. I don't know if there are any future plans for a different front panel which might use that line. Alternately, there may be room to add an additional header pin at one end of the RF/FP connection to allow another signal. Worst case, you could airwire it with an inline connector. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Auto-detect disable with internal keyer
At 06:47 AM 11/26/2004, Tom Althoff wrote... While squeezing out CW using the internal keyer I occassionally manage to close both paddles at the same time and generate a continuous tone. I only see three menu choices. Normal paddle (auto-detect on) Reverse paddle (auto-detect on) and Handkey (auto-detect off). Am I correct in thinking that it is not possible to tell the K2 that I will always use a paddle and want the auto-detect feature turned off? At least with current firmware, pressing display when in that menu choice will toggle auto-detect on/off. This is described on page 86 of the current manual. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] ATU P6/J7 alignment
At 09:05 PM 11/24/2004, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote... closest to the edge of the radio. But, it looks like the ground side is the one closest to the center of the radio not the edge. In other words, either the drawing on page 10 is backwards or the locking tab has to be to the back of the radio or ? Page 10 shows ground on the left of J7 when viewing it from the non-locking tab side. If P6 is installed with the tab toward the front of the K2, the ground will end up on the right, toward the edge. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
RE: [Elecraft] Possible REALLY GOOD BUY on T/C Soldering Stn
At 07:13 AM 11/22/2004, G. Beat wrote... I have a couple of additional comments on the Circuit Specialists Haako-clone offering. 1. This offering has been noticed by US authorized Haako dealers. I can't repeat what they side here. This dealer believes that the Far East mfg. is second sourcing this product to CSI. In addition to the Aoyue brand, these also appear to be sold under the Sunkko label. Some places sell the Sunkko with a choice of China made or Hakko heaters ( http://www.mobile-repairing.com/shopping/index.php?page_number=2id=53 ). The Sunkkos appear to use the same connectors as the Hakkos. Do you know these to be from the same OEM as Hakkos? I've also found opinions that they're clones. It would be interesting to know how closely the Aoyue 936 PCB ( http://www.aoyue.com/engproducts/af/936%20PCB.jpg ) compares to one from a real Hakko 936. Anyone want to tear their Hakko apart? I'll provide a report after I get my 701 rework station. I'll be ecstatic if it's a Hakko OEM, but I'll still be happy if it's a knock off which follows the 80/20 rule (80% the performance of a real Hakko, at 20% of the price), and accepts Hakko spare parts. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Possible REALLY GOOD BUY on T/C Soldering Stn ANDDE-Soldering
At 07:11 PM 11/21/2004, Bill Tippett wrote... A spare heating element was also included with it. If of any identification help, all tips' model #'s are all preceded by the word AOYUE. BINGO. Info at http://www.aoyue.com/english/index.htm These appear to be close Hakko clones. I ordered a 701 rework station, to replace my 20 year old Pace MBT-100, which has recently failed. We'll see what it's like. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K2 #4472 new builder question on 4 mhz alighment
At 05:30 PM 11/11/2004, jerry wrote... Anyway, I am now using Spectrogram and I have the Yaesu set for Lower SB and receiving the tone of WWW (10MHZ) at the 1k mark, the display on the MP reads 10001000 Hz. On the K2, using LSB , the display reads .84 and the tone of WWW (10Mhz) at the 1k mark. So far, so good. What do I adjust ? If i adjust C22 nothing changes. All other adjustemts I had no probles. Yes, you have to adjust C22, but nothing will change after you do until you run CAL PLL, then CAL FIL again. C22 affects the 4 MHz timing for the control processor, which handles the frequency counter function. When you do a CAL PLL and CAL FIL, the frequency counter is measuring VCO and BFO frequencies and storing the settings in a lookup table. From then on the table is used. Adjusting C22 without then running CAL PLL or CAL FIL doesn't do anything useful. Following the instructions below will get you very close. This is from a year old post by Wayne. In my experience, you actually want the VCO set about 10 Hz lower than the BFO to the most accurate readings. Here's the procedure. It requires revision 2.XX firmware, and assumes you have already done Alignment and Test, Part II, at some point. The K2 should also be allowed to come up to room temperature. 1.Tune in a signal at a known frequency. Use one that's at an *exact* kHz boundary, so you can easily see when the VCO and BFO readings match in step 2. (I use WWV at 10, 15, or 20 MHz.) Use USB or LSB mode rather than CW, so that there will be no CW receive offset. In the case of a K2 I was calibrating, the VFO read 1.17 when the signal was tuned in perfectly. If it had read 1.00, no further improvement would have been possible. TIP: Zero-beat the carrier precisely, or listen to a voice signal and adjust the VFO for the best quality. The more accurately you tune in the signal, the more accurately you'll be able to set C22, below. 2. Run CAL FCTR. Now alternately move the K2's internal counter probe between TP1 (VCO) and TP2 (BFO), adjusting C22 in small increments until the kHz and Hz digits at the two test points match as closely as possible. In my case, the two readings matched at 14913.60 and 4913.60. The difference is exactly 1.00--the frequency of the on-air signal. 3. Put the counter probe on TP1 (VCO), switch to 40 meters, and run CAL PLL. 4. Put the probe on TP2 (BFO) and run CAL FIL. For each operating mode, vary each filter (or BFO) setting up 1 count, then back down, to force the K2 to take a new BFO measurement for each and store it in EEPROM. The VFO dial should now be very well calibrated. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] KIO2 connection with computer
At 05:26 PM 11/7/2004, Pierre Vallee wrote... In doing the voltage checks for U1, I find readings of 12.77v on pin 5 (should be -8) and 0v on pin 12 (should be 5). I believe the circuit diagram shows these pins being part of the transmit circuitry (pin 2). Could U1 be my problem? Any suggestions. Thanks U1 is an EIA-232 transceiver. It converts TTL level to EIA (RS-232) levels. The voltages you describe show it is operating correctly - when pin 12 is at 0, pin 5 should be more than +3 positive (space level). When pin 12 is at 5, pin 5 should be more than -3 negative (mark level. You'll notice it also inverts the signal. When idle, the EIA-232 output should be marking time, or at a negative voltage. Your problem seems to be that the signal going to pin 5 is incorrect. It should sit at a high level, and pulse low when the K2 is transmitting data. Since it's low all the time, I would suspect a wiring problem (this single goes through the internal cable to the header connector which plugs into the control board.) Check for shorts to ground, or a lack of continuity from U1 pin 12 to header pin 3. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] N0SS/K6XX SMD CW tuning indicator
Just a quick report. Tom did a great job putting together these new kits and they work great. The small size of the SMT board allows it to easily fit between the K2 control and front panel boards. I used a bit of sticky back Velcro to mount mine. I think he's just about out of kits, but still has boards available if you want to order parts yourself and put one together. This is a great beginner project for learning how to deal with surface mount devices. Tom chose to use one of the larger device sizes available (1206), which makes it relatively easy (0402's are tricky). If this is your first time trying SMT, and you're going to try this, I recommend that you order some extra components (they're pretty cheap). Although Tom recommends soldering the XR2211 IC first, I'd recommend you do it last - after you've had some experience with soldering SMT. It's much easier to recover from an error on a 2 terminal device than on a 14 terminal one. More info from Tom at http://www.n0ss.net/ or mailto://[EMAIL PROTECTED] ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] Mod for more AF gain on K2
It seems that some people have problems with low audio out on some K2's. There was a recent thread where I mentioned that it may be possible to easily substitute an LM386 for the LM380 AF amp and get more gain. I'm happy to report that this works FB. In actual practice, I used an NJM386BD, available from Mouser for about 30 cents. The 386 has a slightly different pinout than the 380, and also requires an external component to set the gain (the 380 has a fixed gain of 50). Pins 1 through 4 are identical, but pins 5-8 differ slightly: Pin..380..386 5Gnd..Vout 6Vout.Vss 7Vss..Bypass 8Bypass...Gain As you can see, three of these pins are simply shifted by one position. I installed a socket where the 380 was (an AMP one, I've never had problems with either these or the nice Augat machined ones). I was then able to slightly bend the pins on both sides of the 386 slightly to offset them and allow all of the common pins to be plugged into the socket. This leaves the Gain pin (8), which simply needs to be connected to pin 1 via a 10 uF cap (sets the gain to 200), which was done piggyback style. Even with the socket and cap, there was still plenty of clearance for the KAF2 (and presumably for a KDSP2). Results? At an AF gain setting which with the 380 produced 1.15 VAC at the internal speaker, I now get 4.00 VAC, an additional gain in power of about 11 db. It gets almost painfully loud with an S9 signal, and plenty loud with a signal which doesn't even register on the S meter. (I didn't have a problem with lack of power before, but now my AF gain goes to 11 HI HI). If you compare the specs, the 380 can put out more power. In reality, I measured that the 386 begins clipping at about 4 V out and the 380 at about 5 volts, so the 380 only gets about 2 db louder. Having more output power available does no good if there's not enough gain to get you there. The 380 can go louder in absolute terms, but the 386 can get _very_ loud with _much_ smaller signals. Mike ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] Re: Mod for more AF gain on K2
At 06:42 PM 10/22/2004, wayne burdick wrote... However, because of the problem with clipping at high signal levels, I definitely don't recommend that anyone do this unless they're desperate for more audio. The LM386 is a lower-power part and is also noisier than the LM380, partly because of all that extra gain. I was able to make both clip, but in both cases it was when the volume exceeded a comfortable level. The LM386 was putting out over 1/2 W when it did. I don't see where noise is characterized on the National datasheet, and nothing to indicate that the 380 has a better signal to noise ratio, which is what's really relevant. If more audio gain is needed to get useful volume, amplifying noise is unavoidable. The LM386 gain is adjustable, so if less than a 12 db boost is needed, that too is possible. It's reasonable to assume that a 386 configured for the same gain as a 380 would have comparable noise. I agree with your point that adding gain (or decreasing loss) earlier in the chain is preferred, and offered this as a solution for when that fails to achieve adequate volume, as it apparently has for some users. Low power is relative. I measured 4 VAC (p-p, ~500 mW ) on the 386 and 5 VAC (~850 mW) on the 380 at the onset of clipping, a relatively minor difference and inconsequential given that either level provides more than ample volume with the internal speaker. Going past clipping adds volume at the expense of distortion, but at the levels I observed it would only be useful for listening from across the room (or from the next room), where that may be a reasonable tradeoff. I doubt anyone who can make either clip is complaining about low volume. Mike ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Weller soldering iron station and auto-transformer
At 05:46 PM 10/11/2004, Peppino Berria wrote... I've a WESD51 soldering station that I bought during my journey in Texas: 120 V. 60 Hz, different than voltage we have here in Italy, 220 V. 50 Hz. I'm thinking to use an auto-trasformer that I've in the shack for reduceing voltage: in-220 V, out-110 V. Anybody could tell me if it may be any problem? What about the earth on the line that's relationed to the potential 220 Volt? Is 110 V. too low for powering my WESD51? A 220-110 transformer will work fine. Be sure to ground the third (round) contact on the AC power cord plug(NEMA 5-15P, shown here: http://www.stayonline.com/reference/nema_straight_blade.asp ) to maintain safety and the anti-static property of the station. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K2 high res picture
At 07:40 PM 10/11/2004, john wrote... Does someone have a nice high res shot of a plain K2 that I could use in a QSL card? There's a K2-100 @ the Elecraft site, but I'm looking for a vanilla K2. There's a good one on the second page of the manual, which you can download from the Elecraft site. Acrobat will let you copy a graphic, but zoom in first to get good resolution. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Audio levels in K2
One option for more volume would be to change the LM380 audio amp to an LM386. There are only 3 pins in common, but 3 others are just offset one hole and could be easily done by hand. Add a 10 uF cap across the remaining two pins, and you've got 12 db more gain than the original. You might even save a couple of mA, since the quiescent drain is lower. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K2 Frequency Counter Sensitivity
At 04:59 PM 9/29/2004, Don Ehrlich wrote... The signal at TP3 is about 2 volts peak-to-peak. Is this a normal value? It looks marginal to me for triggering the Q9/Q10 flip-flop. If so then the PLL Ref Oscillator has a problem. Q9 Q10 form an amp/buffer to the U9-15 input. U9-10 provides power to this circuit when the frequency counter is active. U9-15 must have levels which cross normal TTL Schmidtt trigger input thresholds, (~1.0v for low, ~4.0v for high by spec, but probably more lenient than that in reality). The p-p voltage at U9-15 doesn't matter, but the absolute levels do. If it doesn't go above/below those thresholds, it might not count (literally). It sounds like the levels on your K2 may be marginal. Since you've got a scope, look there. Q9 and Q10 are static sensitive, and one or both may be damaged/defective. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] Multicore solder availability
After finishing #4439, I'm getting low on solder. I've always used Ersin Multicore (now part of Loctite), and got my last pound from Digi-Key, which doesn't stock it anymore. Searching the archive, it seems that it's pretty hard to find a distributor for Multicore these days. A bit of web searching found a supplier, with reasonable prices and no minimum order. They seem to carry most of the Multicore wire solder: https://rshughes.com/catalog/129900.html They have the .020 63/37 WRAP3 fluxed stuff (MM00979) on which a group buy was done last spring, for $9.50. WRAP3 appears to be an activated rosin flux. I've been pretty happy with their Crystal 400 2% flux (MM01054), so I'm ordering a spool of that, for the same price. Info on the Crystal 400 flux is here: http://www.prime-electronics.com.au/datasheets/Multicore/Solder%20Wire/No%20Clean/Crystal%20400,%20500,%20502,%20505%20%20511.pdf ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Mouser/Digikey PN for K2 mic connector??
At 04:23 PM 10/3/2004, john wrote... Does anyone know the Mouser PN (If there is one) for the PANEL mount side of the mic connector (in this case, the Male )? Buxcomm carries them: http://www.buxcommco.com/afconns.htm ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Re: K2 Remote/Server
At 03:02 PM 9/17/2004, Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft wrote... I thought we had removed the comments about K2 server from the web page a long time ago, but I suspect there is still something in the installation notes that come with K2Remote. I'll take that out too. The readme file which K2Remote installs states: Control over a TCP/IP network (local or internet): The K2 Remote Connect menu also contains a 'TCP/IP K2 Server' option...(Note: K2 Server has not been uploaded to the web site yet. It will be uploaded by 10/31[/2001!]. ecs) A search of the archives ( http://www.ac6rm.net/mailarchive/cgi-bin/namazu.cgi?query=remote+and+server+and+wa6hhqsubmit=Search%21idxname=elecraft-listmax=10result=normalsort=score ) shows: I'll follow it next week with K2 Server, which acts as the host side of the link for K2 Remote when controlling the K2 over a network. - ECS, 2Nov2001 I'll release the version of K2 Remote with the type ahead CW feature first, followed by K2 server. - ECS, 10Dec2001 Now that the main crush of finishing the K2/100 has passed, I'll be releasing K2 server with the new version of K2 remote. K2 remote will include K2/100 support and several other enhancements (CW message memories and type ahead.) I expect to have it ready in about 3 weeks, other tasks permitting - ECS, 23May2002 Nothing relevant since, and the posted K2Remote is from 10/30/2001. With the excellent client server implementations by K2Net and others we decided to leave K2Remote as is and concentrate on new products some time back. That was apparently never made public. It was originally writen as a free demo of what might be done to control the K2 via RS-232 and to serve as a stimulus for others to write their opwn applications. As can be seen from the list at http://www.elecraft.com/k2_remote.htm , we was successful :-) Does/will Elecraft stand behind/support those applications? K2/KIO2 owner's shouldn't have to pay for a supported, actively maintained remote control solution, as a free one was promised. The web site still states: K2 Remote is a new remote control program designed for the K2 that runs under Windows (95,98, 2000 ME). It requires the KIO2 RS-232 control option for the K2 to operate. It is included via this page as part of our KIO2 option. New versions will be available here for download at no additional charge as we add features to K2 Remote. K2 Remote is a work in progress - we welcome your suggestions! There is nothing anywhere to suggest that K2Remote is or was intended to be just a demo, and much promise for a more fully featured, supported and working solution. Everyone who's bought a KIO2 has paid for that. I like K2Net, but the author implies that it's unstable and isn't being actively supported. It seems he might support it, if it were worth his time. That's where Elecraft comes in - you've promised something which is undelivered. K2Net seems to be able to fulfill the features promised, and more. It just needs to be further developed to where it's a trustworthy solution. IMO, the easiest way for Elecraft to fulfill it's promise would be to pay G4ILO to do that further development and officially support K2Net as the next generation, freely available, K2Remote/K2Server solution. It's certainly your decision how to proceed, but to simply leave K2Remote in a demo, no further development state isn't ethical. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Re: K2 Remote/Server
At 06:13 PM 9/17/2004, Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft wrote... K2 Remote was never sold as part of the KIO2 serial interface. You selectively quoted my message, conveniently ignoring the specific quote where Elecraft made the unequivocal statement It is included via this page as part of our KIO2 option. Unless you've given KIO2's away, K2Remote/K2Server was sold as part of the KIO2. QED. I'm done on this matter. Elecraft is obviously not interested in keeping its promises or behaving in an honest or ethical manner. What goes around, comes around. Bad karma for you. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] K2 Remote/Server
What's the status of K2 Remote and K2 Server? Despite multiple promises otherwise, development seems to have stopped in 2001 with no Server available. Might I suggest that if Elecraft doesn't want to complete these to the promised level, they might make a contribution to the G4ILO K2net project ( http://www.tech-pro.net/g4ilo/k2net.html ) and/or KE6D K2Anywhere ( http://www.qsl.net/ke6d/k2anywhere.htm ), which seems to do all that and more? (K2net has had more recent updates, includes bidirectional audio streaming, and seems easier to use) Mike W8UR ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] Filtering list traffic properly
At 11:28 PM 8/1/2004, Ron D'Eau Claire wrote... I have Outlook set to put anything with [Elecraft] in the subject line into the Elecraft message folder. That word is consistent, no matter what changes in the address fields. Consistent, yes. It is also ambiguous. It does not uniquely identify a message as coming from the list. If someone does a private (off-list) reply to one of your messages, a filter built on such a criteria will end up sorting it in with list traffic. I've seen a few embarrassing messages appear on lists as a result of this (responses to private messages ending up on a list). There is a unique header which is present on all messages coming from the list server used by Elecraft, which has been available since at least 2001: List-Id: Elecraft Discussion List elecraft.mailman.qth.net Depending upon your MUA, Elecraft in header List-Id: or List-Id: Elecraft in headers should be sufficient to unambiguously identify a message as coming from this discussion list. I don't know if Elecraft has other lists (a beta tester one, perhaps), but if so, a longer string may be needed to uniquely identify each for anyone on multiple lists. For MS Lookout, a rule such as Apply this rule after the message arrives with List-ID: Elecraft in the message header should work. Mike ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] email reflector headers glitch or feature
In general, To and From headers shouldn't be used to filter list traffic. Properly used, neither will contain information which can uniquely identify a message as coming from a list. Most modern list servers add specific headers suited to identifying messages coming via the list. In this case, the best header to filter on is probably: List-Id: Elecraft Discussion List elecraft.mailman.qth.net At 09:20 PM 8/1/2004, Rod N0RC wrote... Earlier today all email delivered by way of the Elecraft list started coming with the To field set to me, and the CC field set to: Elecraft Discussion List elecraft@mailman.qth.net. Is anybody else seeing this? Or is it just me? If this is the new norm was an announcement made? If so I missed it. -- 73, Rod N0RC ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] OT: Line level
--Original Message Text--- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Fri, 2 Jul 2004 07:30:49 EDT 600 ohms is still very much the standard. At 10:36 AM 7/2/2004, Jim Brown wrote... I believe you may be confusing voltage levels with impedance. Analog phone circuits are indeed transmission lines. Try to feed a hybrid with an impedance mismatch and you'll get echo and sidetone problems. Your reference to pro audio is a bit parochial - telco is the largest pro audio industry in the world, whether measured by number of employees, consumers, amount of revenue, whatever. Broadcast, studio and stage likely follow in that order. You may be expert in your corner of pro audio, but it's a much bigger world, and true 600 ohm audio transmission lines are still quite common throughout the world. The line in line level refers to telephone lines. Any other use is a misnomer - a broadcast engineer can call a 5v p-p signal line level, but that usurpation of a well established term doesn't make it correct. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraftHelp: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] OT: Line level
At 02:47 PM 7/2/2004, Jim Brown wrote... On Fri, 02 Jul 2004 12:47:44 -0400, Mike S wrote: Analog phone circuits are indeed transmission lines. ONLY if they are long enough... At 3 kHz, the limit of baseband audio on POTS, 1/20 wavelength is nearly two miles. According to Verizon, over 20% of US subscriber loops are more than 18,000 feet long. The balance of your post continues to demonstrate a lack of familiarity with real world audio transmission lines. For instance, you're apparently unaware that loading coils are inserted on a long subscriber loops to offset the parallel capacitance. Nonetheless, throwing out non-sequiturs in defense of an incorrect statement is pointless. Your original statement was forget all that ancient stuff about 600 ohms. Pro audio hasn't used a 600 ohm reference for at least four decades, which is demonstrably false. Line level is a telco term which has well established meaning. Line level had meaning before broadcasting or electronic sound recording even existed. You, in your response, gave an ambiguous answer of at least two significantly different values, which illustrates that the term has lost any real meaning in your environment through imprecise use and ambiguity. The original questioner deserved a correct answer. For all you know, he was trying to build a phone patch, for which your impedance doesn't matter response would cause him no end of grief, as would your ambiguous description of what constitutes line level. Modern telephone lines (from a central office to a home) are NOT 600 ohm lines because they don't use 600 ohm cable. Your implication is incorrect. By your own statements, what matters isn't what's on paper, but what's measured. The measured impedance is in the region of 500 to 1000 ohms for normal telco twisted pair cable - http://www.qsl.net/vk5br/TransLines.htm Real world and by design, telco twisted pair is functionally 600 ohm. There's no doubt a Bellcore standard for all of this, too. And yes, this does matter beyond formal transmission line theory. You're used to unidirectional signal transfer (4 wire, in the telco world). A telephone uses two wires full duplex. The hybrids at each end of that line which make this possible must be impedance matched, or you get problems like echo, bad sidetone or improper levels. I'm done. My intent was to correct an obvious error, not get into a pissing match. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraftHelp: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
