[Elecraft] For sale, KPA1500

[Rick Stealey]

KPA1500, for pickup in NJ. $5,050.   See details on my qth.com ad.  Posted 
Saturday 11/11/23 at 2015Z
Please do not reply here or use my hotmail address, as emails get lost among 
all the postings and I do not see them. rickstea...@icloud.com
73
Rick  K2XT

repeat, use icloud, not hotmail email.  Tnx

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[Elecraft] FS - KPA1500 pickup in NJ

[Rick Stealey]

KPA1500 available in central NJ.  This will be a pickup only.  About a one hour 
drive from the NYC, Phila or NNJ areas, or 1.5 hrs from JFK area of LI.  The 
amp is as mint as could possibly be.  Probably transmit time no more than 15 
min. total.  Ser # 598.  Must be a pickup but I will demo it for you.  $5,250.
Call 609-752-6705 and leave msg (telemarketing filter).  Email 
rickstea...@icloud.com.  email to the list gets lost among the postings.
Rick  K2XT73
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[Elecraft] For sale - KPA1500 in NJ

[Rick Stealey]

KPA1500 available in central NJ.  This will be a pickup only.  About a one hour 
drive from the NYC, Phila or NNJ areas, or 1.5 hrs from JFK area of LI.  The 
amp is as mint as could possibly be.  Probably transmit time no more than 15 
min. total.  Ser # high 500's.  Must be a pickup but I will demo it for you.  
$5500.
Use k...@arrl.net or 609-752-6705. I have convincing pics to easily send you.
Rick  K2XT73
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Re: [Elecraft] 6 meter transverter for K2 -SOLD

[Rick Stealey]

Oops, no sooner do I post this than I get payment from my ad on qth.
So sorry.
Thanks, Murphy - you never give up do you?

Rick


From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net  on 
behalf of Rick Stealey 
Sent: Monday, January 20, 2020 3:26:47 PM
To: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net 
Subject: [Elecraft] FS: 6 meter transverter for K2

XV-50 transverter.  Beautiful condition, with data and rf cables for your K2.
$100, plus $15 shipping.
Or $115 with free shipping (funny guy).

Rick  K2XT

Prefer that you reply to k...@arrl.net
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[Elecraft] FS: 6 meter transverter for K2

[Rick Stealey]

XV-50 transverter.  Beautiful condition, with data and rf cables for your K2.
$100, plus $15 shipping.
Or $115 with free shipping (funny guy).

Rick  K2XT

Prefer that you reply to k...@arrl.net
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[Elecraft] KPA1500 power supply fan

[Rick Stealey]

We think the solution is to provide 12 vdc into the rem connector from a wall 
wart and are testing to see if the wart was controlled remotely via an IP 
switch if it would solve the problem


Rick  K2XT
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[Elecraft] KPA1500 power aupply fan

[Rick Stealey]

K2XT here.  Greetings,
We are installing K8DM's brand new KPA1500 here at my qth today replacing a 
KPA500.
He runs the station remotely from VA; my QTH is in NJ.
(I host the station for him).

So, it is powered up and running.  When not in use it appears as if (according 
to the manual) it needs to generate a small voltage/current to the rf deck to 
allow it to function.  No problem, that makes sense.
The problem is, there is a fan running in the power supply, and it is annoying! 
 The remote station is in a spare bedroom and visiting guests will have to 
endure this noise.  Plus, I'd like the equipment to go off when it is turned 
off.  I don't want a fan running 24/365.  Does the PS really generate that much 
heat that it needs a fan?

This is not acceptable.  Wayne, surely you didn't design it this way.  Surely 
there is an option we set somewhere to disable the fan.

What say, anyone?

Rick  K2XT
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Re: [Elecraft] Head phone/speaker question, time set

[Rick Stealey]

Gene, On the clock thing, tap 2 to change the minutes, 3 to change the seconds.

Rick  K2XT

From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net  on 
behalf of Gene O 
Sent: Thursday, July 13, 2017 2:37:36 AM
To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Elecraft] Head phone/speaker question, time set

I have been off the air for about 10 months and just now trying to set
up my K3.  I have 2 Bose speakers wired to the K3, (stereo plug in the
back of the K3).  When I plug headphones into the front panel shouldn't
the speakers turn off? They stay on.

In the config menu I have the SPKR+PH option set to NO.  Also the SPKRS
set to 2.

What am I missing?

One other question.  The time is now 02.32.  The time shown on the K3 is
02.39.37.  I can change the 2 by turning the main VFO dial. How do I
change the the other numbers?

I am missing something here also.

Thanks, Gene
W2BXR
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Re: [Elecraft] A little theory - speculation on new product?

[Rick Stealey]

  So let's all go

crazy and guess:

K4? KPA 1500?


Enhancements to the KX2.  Adding 160 and 6 meters.

Rick  K2XT
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[Elecraft] Design suggestion for Elecraft designers

[Rick Stealey]

It would make it s much easier on us when troubleshooting a power 
distribution issue if we could verify whether the voltage regulator itself or 
the load is the problem.  All you would have to do is put a tiny jumper on the 
output of the regulator.  Then we could snip it and see if the regulator is 
still putting out proper voltage and also look towards the circuit for a short. 
 An insignificant cost that would make it unnecessary to have to cut a land on 
the board.

Wayne, Old Buddy, what say ?


Rick  K2XT
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Re: [Elecraft] Does one receive an email when an order is placed?

[Rick Stealey]

15 messages on this topic.
I'm turning off the PC and turning on the K3.  Even if the bands are dead it 
will be more informative and entertaining.

Rick  K2XT



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Re: [Elecraft] Love my K3 line

[Rick Stealey]

The subject line is driving me nuts!

Please continue the discussion by doing followups to THIS message and let the 
subject with a glaring error in it die out.

Rick   K2XT
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Re: [Elecraft] Craig KD0TXL...best antenna

[Rick Stealey]

7-band, no tuner required,


It's an 80 meter dipole, off center fed.
It has a broad swr bandwidth on 80 meters.  What does that mean?

Rick  K2XT
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Re: [Elecraft] Craig KD0TXL...best antenna

[Rick Stealey]

> It has a broad swr bandwidth on 80 meters.  What does that mean?


Please, don't take my comment seriously.  It was tongue in cheek.  There is one 
installed here serving a remote Elecraft station.
On at least one band, 17 meters, and one simple test, the Steppir at 45 feet 
beats the Buckmaster by 30 db!
Other bands, different results.  The Buckmaster never wins compared to inverted 
vees though, but it DOES tune up on multiple bands.  It and the Elecraft tuner 
get along fine, so it serves its purpose (which is NOT high performance).

Rick  K2XT
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Re: [Elecraft] QST Review of KSYN3A synth has erroneous TX phase noise plot

[Rick Stealey]

I spotted the "anomoly" immediately in the composit noise chart.Really weird, 
how there was a crossover.  I even re-read the text to see if they pointed it 
out.  Nope.There is even an article in the issue by the publisher about the 
quality process they go through to assure accuracy in product reviews.  Wayne, 
Elecraft deserves not just a reprint of the corrected chart, they should 
reprint the entire product review.

Rick  K2XT
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Re: [Elecraft] QST Review of KSYN3A synth has erroneous TX phase noise plot

[Rick Stealey]

> That would give a clear view of whether this transmitter was just barely good 
> enough or among the best.
> 
> wunder
> K6WRU


The link to new data that Wayne sent showed a VERY beautiful, detailed readout 
from their test gear.  Not that crude, little (what looks like) hand drawn 
chart that you need a magnifying glass to see, and which you have to 
interpolate to try to get meaningful info from.  No wonder they fouled up the 
report.
Rick  K2XT
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Re: [Elecraft] SS30DV feedback

[Rick Stealey]

We had spurs all over the 80 meter band here on the K3S station that is being 
run as a remote, approximately 30 khz apart.   The main station 50 ft away (but 
on different antennas spaced 100 feet) had no noise.  At first we suspected the 
OCF dipole, then the networking boxes, then the laptop.  Put a gelcel in place 
of the PS and voila!So it was the SS30 PS.  5 turns of the K3 power cord around 
a type 31 2.4 inch diameter toroid took all the noise right out.
Rick  K2XT
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Re: [Elecraft] Analog vs. Digital Front Ends

[Rick Stealey]

Barry says:
 >During the past 3 years, I've worked one CQWW and one ARRLDX
> contest from the Northeast with a SteppIR yagi feeding an ANAN-100D with
> 0dB attenuation and never experienced overload during the weekends. 

And Joe presented a very useful tabulation showing how signals combine.
One thing that we should keep in mind is that single band antennas like 
Steppirs, single band dipoles, etc. greatly attenuate out of band signals.  And 
from Joe's data look what a difference 10-20 db can make.  This might be a good 
case against 80/40  fan dipoles and trap tribanders.
Rick  K2XT
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Re: [Elecraft] Analog vs. Digital Front Ends

[Rick Stealey]

If I'm using my 40 m dipole and go to 80 meters the signals will jump up 
SIGNIFICANTLY if I switch to my 80 meter antenna.  Several S units.
Same on 20.
So, if instead of a single band 40 m dipole I had a 80/40 fan dipole, wouldn't 
an SDR have to deal with stronger signals in total?  
Same as if we were talking about a Steppir vs a trapped tribander on 10-20 
meters.

Rick  K2XT

> To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
> From: w...@triconet.org
> Date: Wed, 16 Sep 2015 08:21:03 -0700
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Analog vs. Digital Front Ends
> 
> I'm having a hard time understanding where the frequency selectivity of a 
> piece 
> of wire comes from.
> 
> On 9/16/2015 6:13 AM, Rick Stealey wrote:
> > And Joe presented a very useful tabulation showing how signals combine.
> > One thing that we should keep in mind is that single band antennas like 
> > Steppirs, single band dipoles, etc. greatly attenuate out of band signals.  
> > And from Joe's data look what a difference 10-20 db can make.  This might 
> > be a good case against 80/40  fan dipoles and trap tribanders.
> > Rick  K2XT  
> > _
> 
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Re: [Elecraft] K3/0-Mini

[Rick Stealey]

Barry says:
> My comments are based upon using the K3/IO-Mini via remote rig directly to my 
> remote rig controller at the target K3 (e.g. the 1258MK II system) and NOT 
> using remotehams.com service. I am not familiar with remotehams.com setup, 
> but presume that the same concepts apply.
> 

The user will not be able to make some changes on the remotehams.com K3 at the 
remote site, for obvious reasons.For example he will not be able to access the 
transmit EQ menu and make changes which might degrade the K3 for the next user 
who has a different microphone.  I am not familiar with what menu items are 
locked out, but I know at least some are.For now, if I may make a suggestion, 
it would be for the new user to familiarize himself with the front panel 
controls and not worry at all about any menu settings.
Rick  K2XT
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Re: [Elecraft] K3S IMD Questions

[Rick Stealey]

I re-ran the IMD tests with another PS and put 30 db more attenuation in front 
of the spectrum analyzer and the K3 now looks good above 65 watts.  -30 db IP3 
at 100 watts, in fact.
Sorry.
But it's still cleanest down in the 30 watt range.
Rick  K2XT



> From: rstea...@hotmail.com
> To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
> Date: Tue, 1 Sep 2015 15:18:05 +
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3S IMD Questions
> 
> I have been playing with a Flex 6300 here in my shack recently.  I consider 
> it a great piece of test equipment for analyzing signals in the shack as well 
> as on the air.  It does everything and more, as a spectrum analyzer, that my 
> old HP141 analog setup did, except it doesn't have a tracking generator.  
> My measurements are not completed and I am still experimenting, but here is 
> what I've done so far.  Phase noise, cw transmitted bandwidth, and 2 tone IMD 
> tests.  My two rigs are a K3/100 and an FT100D (how good, and how bad can you 
> get!)
> Using a Flex 6300 as a spectrum analyzer, I fed a greatly attenuated signal 
> into it, keeping the level just under 0 dbm, and assuming it is not 
> generating imd of its own, but I haven't quantified that yet.
> Phase noise tests - I was interested in seeing if it could display the 
> RELATIVE benefit of the new synthesizer on my K3, looking at phase noise. 
> Here are PRELIMINARY RELATIVE results, without numbers, in order of phase 
> noise level at 2 khz separation:An 8640B signal generator (known to have low 
> phase noise)The K3 with original synthesizerThe FT100 After I install the new 
> synthesizer I hope to be able to compare it to the original one.
> I verified the FFT spectrum analyzer (Flex 6300) can give an instant view of 
> transmitted bandwith of the cw signal sending fast dots. MUCH easier and 
> better than the old analog HP spectrum analyzer which had to sweep extremely 
> slowly across the band with a narrow filter.  With this setup you hold the 
> key closed, and hit the control-print screen buttons on the keyboard and you 
> have a beautiful picture !  Ain't technology great?
> 2-tone IMD measurements -The two tone test of the K3 showed something 
> interesting, since it has both 10 watt and a 100 watt PAs installed.  
> Starting with low power and cranking up the power control, you notice, of 
> course, that the ten watt PA has worse IMD just before the big PA kicks in, 
> in the 11-12 watt range.  Then it is very clean (approximately -40 db for 
> third order) at its best, and ok in the 30 watt range (where it would be set 
> to run my 8877 amp) but then gets quite ugly above 65 watts.  And I mean in 
> the -20 db range at 100 watts.  IF it was overloading the spectrum analyzer 
> these tests would be invalid, so I need to verify that.  As I said these 
> tests are preliminary.  I need a few more hours.
> 
> In my humble opinion, running at full power, 100 watts barefoot, my K3 would 
> be transmitting an unacceptably sloppy signal.  Keeping it in the 65 watt 
> range or under, or driving an amp would be better, provided your amp is 
> clean.  My 8877 amp is VERY clean.  I don't know about a solid state amp.  
> Some of the ugliest signals I have seen on the bands with the Flex panadapter 
> in very limited observations have come from Expert 1500 watt amps (2 
> examples).  The very best was an Anan 100 with a Ten Tec 1500 watt tube amp.  
> The waterfall was a brick wall - NOTHING whatsoever outside the 3 khz 
> bandwidth.
> Rick  K2XT
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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Re: [Elecraft] K3S IMD Questions

[Rick Stealey]

> 
> I would buy one in a heartbeat, but the phase noise performance is abysmal.
> 

A general purpose SDR or possibly a 10 watt rig like Anan 10 would do better.   
  
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Re: [Elecraft] K3S IMD Questions

[Rick Stealey]

I have been playing with a Flex 6300 here in my shack recently.  I consider it 
a great piece of test equipment for analyzing signals in the shack as well as 
on the air.  It does everything and more, as a spectrum analyzer, that my old 
HP141 analog setup did, except it doesn't have a tracking generator.  
My measurements are not completed and I am still experimenting, but here is 
what I've done so far.  Phase noise, cw transmitted bandwidth, and 2 tone IMD 
tests.  My two rigs are a K3/100 and an FT100D (how good, and how bad can you 
get!)
Using a Flex 6300 as a spectrum analyzer, I fed a greatly attenuated signal 
into it, keeping the level just under 0 dbm, and assuming it is not generating 
imd of its own, but I haven't quantified that yet.
Phase noise tests - I was interested in seeing if it could display the RELATIVE 
benefit of the new synthesizer on my K3, looking at phase noise. Here are 
PRELIMINARY RELATIVE results, without numbers, in order of phase noise level at 
2 khz separation:An 8640B signal generator (known to have low phase noise)The 
K3 with original synthesizerThe FT100 After I install the new synthesizer I 
hope to be able to compare it to the original one.
I verified the FFT spectrum analyzer (Flex 6300) can give an instant view of 
transmitted bandwith of the cw signal sending fast dots. MUCH easier and better 
than the old analog HP spectrum analyzer which had to sweep extremely slowly 
across the band with a narrow filter.  With this setup you hold the key closed, 
and hit the control-print screen buttons on the keyboard and you have a 
beautiful picture !  Ain't technology great?
2-tone IMD measurements -The two tone test of the K3 showed something 
interesting, since it has both 10 watt and a 100 watt PAs installed.  Starting 
with low power and cranking up the power control, you notice, of course, that 
the ten watt PA has worse IMD just before the big PA kicks in, in the 11-12 
watt range.  Then it is very clean (approximately -40 db for third order) at 
its best, and ok in the 30 watt range (where it would be set to run my 8877 
amp) but then gets quite ugly above 65 watts.  And I mean in the -20 db range 
at 100 watts.  IF it was overloading the spectrum analyzer these tests would be 
invalid, so I need to verify that.  As I said these tests are preliminary.  I 
need a few more hours.

In my humble opinion, running at full power, 100 watts barefoot, my K3 would be 
transmitting an unacceptably sloppy signal.  Keeping it in the 65 watt range or 
under, or driving an amp would be better, provided your amp is clean.  My 8877 
amp is VERY clean.  I don't know about a solid state amp.  Some of the ugliest 
signals I have seen on the bands with the Flex panadapter in very limited 
observations have come from Expert 1500 watt amps (2 examples).  The very best 
was an Anan 100 with a Ten Tec 1500 watt tube amp.  The waterfall was a brick 
wall - NOTHING whatsoever outside the 3 khz bandwidth.
Rick  K2XT




  
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Re: [Elecraft] Looking for a KPA500 Schematic

[Rick Stealey]

I think the answer as to why an owner would want a schematic is given to us by 
the slogan, Elecraft - Hands on Ham RadioSimple as that.
Rick  K2XT


  
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Re: [Elecraft] K3 receiver troubleshooting

[Rick Stealey]

Guy, thanks for the tip.  I will give it a try.
A relay in the kxv3 rev 2 failed, an Omron part.  It is now obsolete.
Elecraft sells a new rev 3 version of the kxv3 for $88 as an upgrade.  You 
trade in your defective module. 

The failure occurred during the night that we had electrical storms so I 
assumed some solid state part in the rx path had probably gotten zapped.
But we could inject a weak signal after the kxv3 and hear it, but not before 
it.  Of course that sounds like a simple diagnosis, and it is when you are 
reading the final outcome, but not when your rig is spread out on the bench.

 From: k2av@gmail.com
 Date: Wed, 16 Jul 2014 16:06:24 -0400
 Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 receiver troubleshooting
 To: rstea...@hotmail.com
 CC: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
 
 On Wed, Jul 16, 2014 at 10:58 AM, Rick Stealey rstea...@hotmail.com wrote:
  Thanks to all who offered helpful suggestions.  They were all via email - 
  you notice there were no helpful postings on the reflector.  Anyway, it's 
  working again and I'm a happy camper.
 
 I note you did not post what the actual solution was. You are the only
 source for that information.
 
 Just a reminder that the Elecraft reflector is not an Elecraft
 technical support email address. While Elecraft employees may post
 here from time to time to answer email on the reflector, there is no
 guarantee that Elecraft employees or Elecraft owners will answer a
 particular question. For Elecraft help from Elecraft employees one
 should use supp...@elecraft.com or k3supp...@elecraft.com with issues.
 These emails are answered during normal business days and hours.
 
 Reflector readers are not under contract to Elecraft to answer posts,
 nor is there a requirement that someone who does answer a reflector
 post must do so on the reflector.
 
 Personally, I rarely offer help across this or any other reflector any
 more, because it is too hard to keep track of helping email threads. I
 set up a new folder with an intelligent name for a corresponder with
 filters to put new mail from him/her in that folder. Not putting that
 help conversation on the reflector also avoids trash talk (both on and
 off reflector) from a certain kind of reflector user which otherwise
 is a real and ugly disincentive. I will sometimes convert to telephone
 conversations if the writing becomes too complex. All that goes on
 without a clue on a reflector I was there.
 
 I would say that it's up to the person who asked for help to post the
 eventual solution on the reflector. This makes the answer compact and
 only relates the answer that actually worked. And it cuts down on
 noise when someone is later searching archives for a solution.
 
 Clearly those who answered you off-reflector saw the post on the
 reflector and so it would seem to me that the Elecraft reflector
 worked well. But email correspondence is no match for a technical
 buddy with test equipment working right there with you on the physical
 equipment. :)
 
 As to the schematics, using the current Adobe Reader to display the
 schematic PDF's, the search function will find all the occurrences of
 a wire label very quickly. I have found Elecraft schematics **very
 easy** to navigate and use with Adobe Reader. I decidedly prefer
 Elecraft schems to the microscopic lines in the paper schematic of my
 FT1000MP, and having to pencil trace a wire as it snakes around the
 page.
 
 To find the KXV3, bring up the June, 2010 version of the K3 schematic
 PDF with a current Adobe Reader. Hit CTRL-F. This will bring up a blue
 find window at the upper right. Type in kxv3 and hit enter. You
 can repeat the search to see every instance of the characters kxv3
 (case insensitive) anywhere in the PDF.
 
 Huge help in chasing stuff in PDF schematics.
 
 73, and glad you found the trouble.
 
 Guy K2AV
  
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[Elecraft] K3 receiver troubleshooting

[Rick Stealey]

Yesterday I posted about extremely low receiver sensitivity on my K3, at both 
the main antenna input and the receive input on the KXV3 module.
A buddy helped me this morning and we found the problem.

In doing the circuit diagnosis, and we are both somewhat experienced in 
technical matters, we became very frustrated with the Elecraft schematics.  We 
found it very hard to signal trace through all the plugs and jacks.  Signal 
points seem to end with a label, with no indication of where that label 
reappears.  And although we found the problem it wasn't because we had the info 
we needed.  For example, we never did find a schematic of the KXV3 module.  It 
isn't in with the installation docs for the module, and if it is in among the 
K3 schematics it must be disguised somewhere.

We found it was effective to take a probe from the signal generator and inject 
it at various points, looking at the IF output on a spectrum analyzer.  But we 
had to do some guessing.  Like is there really an amplifier on the IF output in 
the KXV3 like the block diagram shows?  I don't think so.

Thanks to all who offered helpful suggestions.  They were all via email - you 
notice there were no helpful postings on the reflector.  Anyway, it's working 
again and I'm a happy camper.

Rick  K2XT
  
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[Elecraft] K3 Receiver troubleshooting

[Rick Stealey]

My K3 suffered a sudden loss of sensitivity this morning.  Yes, there was 
lightning last night.  The antenna input was grounded in an antenna switch but 
the receive antenna port was connected to a Beverage. 

It appears to be normal in every other way.  Transmitter ok.  Receiver 
functions work, like preamp, attenuator.  But the level is down 60 db.
It is the same on both the antenna jack and the receive antenna port on the 
KXV3.

I have some lab equipment (HP sig gen, spectrum analyzer) and made some quick 
checks but I need a sanity check:
With -40 dbm into the receive antenna port the S meter is S7.  
With -30 dbm input, The spectrum analyzer connected to the IF output shows -80 
dbm.  I'm assuming this is WAY off, and should approximate the level of the 
input signal.

So I think I can safely assume the problem is not in the IF or downstream, but 
a likely culprit would maybe be a switching diode in the receive path?  Any 
ideas?

Rick  K2XT



  
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Re: [Elecraft] Intermittent Audio on K3

[Rick Stealey]

 losing audio while using my K3

Phil,
I had similar characteristics, involving speaker audio.
Loosen screws for the front panel and pull it off and reseat.  It fixed my 
problem and the rig has been running for 6 weeks.  Of course Murphy is watching 
me and sees the rest of the little screws in a cup on the shelf above the K3.  
As soon as I button it all back up he is prepared to resurrect the problem.

Rick  K2XT
  
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[Elecraft] Elecraft in action at FT5ZM

[Rick Stealey]

Some great photos showing complete K line at :

http://www.amsterdamdx.org/ft5zm-press-release-1/

Or go to:
http://www.amsterdamdx.org/news/and select press release #1 

Rick  K2XT


  
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Re: [Elecraft] [KX3] SDR transmitter issues?

[Rick Stealey]

 
 With regard to SM5BSZ's SDR wideband-noise performance table 
 (http://www.sm5bsz.com/dynrange/dubus313.pdf): 


Something doesn't jive with the table in the above report.
I spot checked by looking up the Flex5000A in July 2008 QST, fig 3.
QST shows wideband noise never gets worse than -120dbc, although the report 
says it is -77 at 350 KHz.
And (as I remember) the K3 report from QST showed phase noise way out at the 
extremes of the meausrement dropping off much more than this author reported, 
down into the range of -155 db.

Am I reading something wrong?  Apparently this report is not recent because the 
worst performer of late (from QST measurements)  has been the FT3000.  Too bad 
SM5BSZ didn't comment on it.

Rick  K2XT  
  
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Re: [Elecraft] KX3 Setup For Contesting?

[Rick Stealey]

You've heard the expression Life's Too Short for QRP ?

New one -  QRP - Let the Other Guy Do All the Work !
(and hope he has a K3)


Rick  K2XT


  
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Re: [Elecraft] Wait For The K4 Direct RF Sampled SDR?

[Rick Stealey]

Speaking of competitive rigs, I see QST just reviewed the FT3000.  The number 
that caught 
my eye (well actually the chart) was composit noise.  A whopping -120 dbc at 10 
KHz
and beyond !  Yikes.  The K3 was -140 dbc at 10 KHz abd -155 at 100 KHz.
You sure don't want one of those noise generators at your next Field Day.
If someone shows up with one, put him on 10 meters at the far end of
the field.



  
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Re: [Elecraft] Suggested key/paddle for CW for a the K3 and others (not expensive)

[Rick Stealey]

One thing you can do to help decide - try adjusting the spacing.  Note the 
pitch of the adjusting screws and how tight they hold their position.
Put a piece of paper into the gap and see how much control you have in 
adjusting the controls.  yes, you should be able to set the gap to this spacing 
and have it hold.  Another poster would not name names.  I will, because I've 
owned them.
Yes a Begali can do this.  No a Vibroplex vibrokeyer cannot.

The other choice you have is between spring loaded or magnetic.  I used spring 
loaded keys since 1965, till I got a Begali in 2009.  I went through Vibroplex, 
Bencher, Kent, and a Japanese one that escapes me right now.
All the top ones Begali makes are magnetic.  The paddles hardly move at all.  
The gap is so close you can hardly feel it.  I'm not good with mechanical 
things but I know there are bearings inside that make it possible (to have a 
close gap and still be very precise).  Mine is a Begali magnetic classic, but 
it has plastic actuating arms.  My next one will be a Sculpture, but the big 
decision is should a P3 or a sub receiver for the K3 come first?
Decisions, decisions.  Ain't it great?
Rick  K2XT
  
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[Elecraft] K3 - Audio/IF filtering definitions

[Rick Stealey]

I'm confused as to the function of the receive equalization vs the width vs the 
hi
and low cut.

Example - The traditional  SSB filter is, say, a 2.7 KHz wide filter with the 
bfo carrier 300 hz from one side of the filter passband.  This provides audio 
response 
of 300 hz to (300+ 2700) = 3000 Hz.

So I can set my K3 to 2700 bandwidth and adjust the  SHIFT control to give the 
same response as above.  But in addition I can adjust the 8 band receive EQ to 
roll 
off or peak this spectrum, right?  I assume this filtering is at audio, after 
the detector.

Then what are the hi cut and low cut front panel controls for?  What do they 
control?

Rick   K2XT
  
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Re: [Elecraft] K3 sensitivity below 40 meters

[Rick Stealey]

 
 In summary, even a good radio needs a resonant antenna.
 


Nah.

Rick  K2XT
  
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Re: [Elecraft] DESK TOP MICROPHONE FOR K3

[Rick Stealey]

On a related topic, if you get one of the microphones, such as the Audio 
Technica
that someone recommended, how do you mount it?  Are there generic desk mounts
or retractible boom mounts that don't cost an arm and a leg like most Heil 
products?
Seems silly to buy a well respected microphone for a reasonable price then spend
a fortune for a boom.  

Rick  K2XT
  
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Re: [Elecraft] LDG antenna tuner with 132 foot balanced dipole similar to a G5RV antenna

[Rick Stealey]

Why not just help the tuner out a little?  Put some inductance in series with 
the 
center conductor and see if it likes that better.  If that doesn't work put 
some C
in series and adjust it.  Or some C across the line.  Or some L across the line.
Or some L in series and C across the line.  You get the idea, move the 
impedance as seen
by the tuner to something it can deal with.

Rick  K2XT
  
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Re: [Elecraft] KX3 headset recommendation

[Rick Stealey]

When you get your CM500 don't make the mistake I did - don't listen to music 
with them.
On the other hand to see just how restricted the audio really is with them it 
is a good
test.  In a word - awful!  They are quite comfortable though.

Rick  K2XT
  
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Re: [Elecraft] Oscilloscope Requirements?

[Rick Stealey]

There was a company displaying at Dayton this year, called rigol 
(http://www.rigolna.com/)
Looks like they have digital scopes starting in the $329 range.  Spectrum 
analyzer around $1300.

Rick  K2XT
  
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Re: [Elecraft] [K3] Keyer Pause

[Rick Stealey]

It should not be doing that, and you don't have to use an external keyer 
to get the best cw of any rig made in the world today.  The K3's specialty
is cw.  But I don't have the answer for you.  If someone here doesn't have 
an answer for you soon call support at the factory.

Rick  K2XT
  
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Re: [Elecraft] [K3] Keyer Pause

[Rick Stealey]

I have this strange, but confident feeling, that Mr. Begali will know precisely 
what you should do.
Whether the contacts are gold or silver, you know you don't want to damage that 
plating.
I have the Magnetic Classic, and haven't had the problem, and it's 2 years old 
now, but 
it always has the plastic cover on it.

Rick  K2XT

  
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Re: [Elecraft] KX3 as a base station? Yes, because it's all relative

[Rick Stealey]

Keep in mind -142dbc is a relative number, not an absolute value.  So it 
doesn't matter
if it is on a 10 watt, 100 watt or legal limit transmitter it's still -142 db 
below the carrier
(in a 1 Hz bandwidth if I understand correctly).
And those are the kind of numbers one normally expects to see out at 10 KHz
separation and beyond, not at 2 KHz.
Wayne does it again !  Bingo !

Rick  K2XT


 I would absolutely hate to see a
 low power radio with home station features be used with 100/1500W
 amps and turn into a wideband noise generator like my neighbor's IC-746. 
   I realize the requirements for spectral purity are lower for
 low power transceivers they should still be good neighbors when they
 are used with amplifiers in a home station configuration 
  
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Re: [Elecraft] Unhappy With Your KX3?

[Rick Stealey]

You're posting this on the wrong reflector OM.
You would have better luck over on the Icom and Yaesu reflectors,
but don't hold your breath.

Rick  K2XT
  
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Re: [Elecraft] Unhappy With Your KX3?

[Rick Stealey]

Since I saw the original post I've been thinking
IF (a big IF) you managed to locate ONE OWNER who fit your criteria and he 
responded to you,
what are you going to do, trust his judgement or opinion of the other ONE or 
TWO THOUSAND 
on the other side of the fence? !!

The KX3 was designed by Wayne Burdick.  He is on here every day, reading, 
listening
to his customers and responding, making them happy.  If you don't get a KX3 
what are
you going to get, an FT-817?  Who designed your 817?  How do you contact HIM if
you have a question or a concern?Where do the factory design teams for the 
FT5000 or
the TS990 hang out?  Could you pass along the reflector name or the web site?

Rick  K2XT
  
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[Elecraft] CY9 cw note

[Rick Stealey]

Anyone notice the CY9M cw note sounds choppy, or is it just me?
On 10.116 as I write this at 14:50 Z.

Rick  K2XT
  
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Re: [Elecraft] CY9 cw note THREAD CLOSED

[Rick Stealey]

Ok thanks guys.  Must just be my ears.
To me it sounded like a rig on QSK with relays that were too slow.

No need to prolong this.  73
THREAD CLOSED


 Sounds ok here in Michigan. 
 Paul NF8J
 
 
  
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Re: [Elecraft] Amplifier keying line delay setting

[Rick Stealey]

In cw mode:
Make sure QSK is not on.
Make sure VOX is on.
Push in and hold the speed control till CW n.nn appears.
Rotate the speed control to set the drop out time you want.
Anything up to 2 seconds can be set.

Let us know if this doesn't work for you.

Rick  K2XT



 It appears that the amplifier keying line is always set to operate as 
 QSK with
 no delay. This keying signal dose not follow the delay that is set for 
 the VOX
 on CW. 


  
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Re: [Elecraft] K2 A/B receiver test

[Rick Stealey]

Don,
I don't think your A/B test tells you much of anything.
What were you expecting, that the K2 was more sensitive? 
What do you mean when you say  but the noise was higher on the FT-450D.
We see these kinds of reports all the time from hams (that a particular
receiver is quieter than another).


Rick  K2XT

  
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Re: [Elecraft] K2 A/B receiver test

[Rick Stealey]

 I figure if it hears as well or better than the FT-450D,then I have it
 aligned pretty well. 

I think most K2 owners would agree that the performance of the K2 is defined
more by what it DOESN'T hear than what it does! (IMD, crud, splatter, crossmod).

Rick  K2XT
  
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Re: [Elecraft] OT - 6 meter beacon clicks followup ????

[Rick Stealey]

On his listing on QRZ.com it indicates he is running an FT690 and a homebrew 
GE amplifier 
for his beacon.  Both are bad news.  Yaesu's are not known for having clean 
keying, and running 
it into a (presumably) class C amplifier would make it worse.
He sure thinks he is doing the ham fraternity a good deed, well intentioned.  
He is
just highly uninformed from a technical standpoint.
Suggestion - you MIGHT ask him if he would run a test with you and run the rig 
barefoot.
If that cleans it up then you at least have something to discuss with him on a 
technical
level - the possible replacement of the amp.
It doesn't look like he has much modern equipment.  Any way you might talk him 
into 
replacing the old Yaesu with a K3?  (yeah, right).
GL
Rick  K2XT

  
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Re: [Elecraft] K3 L4B

[Rick Stealey]

Wayne, 
Is that true?

Rick  K2XT


 
 The problem is that the K3 does not produce good CW when the TX delay is set 
 to more than 
 about 14. Nothing to do with QSK in this case.
 
  
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Re: [Elecraft] K3 L4B

[Rick Stealey]

I am.  Usually ok, but recently it gave a little snap when I hit the key.
This can be caused by the rf from the K3 hitting the L4B before its slow relay 
is
closed.  So I increased delay TX DLY from 8 to 20 milliseconds and it
cured the problem.  My L4B has a transistor driver on the PTT line but
this is not supposed to be necessary with the K3.  But it doesn't change
the key up time like an external relay would, and the cost was zero.

What's your call, Keith?  

Rick  K2XT
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Re: [Elecraft] K3 L4B

[Rick Stealey]

 
 This is not a good idea for CW operation, unless you keep the speed below 
 maybe 20 wpm. 
 The extra TX delay will severely upset the timing of CW elements (with either 
 an external 
 or internal keyer) at higher speeds.

You're thinking of QSK, Vic. I don't run QSK, just semi break-in (or vox as 
Ele. calls it).  Same 
way people have been running theirL4s and L4Bs on cw for 46 years!  The TR4 
wasn't qsk.  The
timing is only an issue on the first dit, then the relay stays activated.  No 
problem.

Rick  K2XT

  
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Re: [Elecraft] K2 vs. KX3 which would you get?

[Rick Stealey]

I think I'm right about this. things you get with the stock KX3 that aren't 
available 
on the K2 and that haven't already been mentioned :

General coverage receive,
FM and AM modes
Fantastic noise reduction and noise blanking, 
FILTERING, AWESOME ADJUSTABLE FILTERING !
AFX
Notch filtering that REALLY works (if it's like the K3 and I think it is),
Passband tuning, 
Rx and Tx 8 band equalizing
Memories by the gazillions, 
cw message storage

Is there really any choice?

 
 I guess part of my partiality to KX3 is that I WOULD build it and that would
 make it a bit more of a personal rig for me.   If that makes sense.

Nah...  Same principle as assembling other things you get in a box, like 
from Ikea!!  
It has already been built and tested by Elecraft, you just assemble it.

Rick  K2XT
  
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Re: [Elecraft] Connecting my Elecraft K3 to a Drake L-7 amp.

[Rick Stealey]

No.  Definitely not.  But he might need to set TX DLY to 20.  That delays the 
start of RF a little to give the relay in the amp time to close.  Symptom that 
it needs that adjustment is a little arc or spitting when the first bit
of RF is generated.  My L4B was doing that, and after moving TX  DLY
to a value of 20 it was ok.  Using an external relay makes matters worse.

Rick  K2XT


 Is he going to need a relay buffer such as the ARB-704 with that amp?

  
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Re: [Elecraft] OT: Kenwood's new rig?

[Rick Stealey]

I don't know if this is true or not, but I hear there is a simulator being
developed by Kenwood.  Sort of like an airliner simulator.  Before you are 
authorized or certified to sit at the controls of a 990 on the air you have
to take a class and spend time in the simulator.  When you graduate you
are then permitted to buy one and operate.  After major firmware upgrades 
you might have to re-certify.  I also hear that pins will be awarded and
will be highly prized and worn on your cap, alongside your DXCC Honor Roll
pin.  TS-990 Certified - level 3 etc.

Rick K2XT

 
 Certainly, that's more controls than on a commercial
 broadcast transmitter.  In fact, the only piece of electronic
 gear that I can recall working on that had more adjustments
 was one channel of a redundant air traffic control radar
 system, with about 200. 
  
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Re: [Elecraft] K3 Mic Gain

[Rick Stealey]

Gary,
Regarding the mic Z, you can use any mic, high or low Z.
I am using a D104 with my K3, and as you know conventional wisdom says they
want extremely high Z.  Use what mic you have and use TX EQ to get it to sound 
good.

Rick  K2XT
  
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[Elecraft] K3 Noise Blanker video

[Rick Stealey]

I made a 2 minute video this morning showing how the K3 pulls out a 75 meter AM 
QSO 
that was covered by ugly line noise.
Also see how the FT-1000MP tried to cope with the noise, but came up short.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpC5RYvh5oUfeature=youtu.be

Rick  K2XT
  
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Re: [Elecraft] Flex 3000 or KX3 [how about an IC-730S?]

[Rick Stealey]

I have a buddy who is doing all his homework shopping for a rig in the $2000 
area.  
Flex, Eagle, 590, K3 all being considered.  FT950 and Icoms have been 
eliminated.

I just sent him this posting from Wayne.  Somehow I just have the feeling this 
might
be what pushes him over the edge.

Wayne, you will be repaid many times over for your generosity.  We will all see 
to that.
You remain my hero.

Rick  K2XT
  
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[Elecraft] CM500 for sale for K3

[Rick Stealey]

If anyone in EU or VK/ZL is having trouble finding a CM500 locally please 
contact me off list.  This is the headset with attached microphone for the K3.  
I have one unused available.

Rick  K2XT
  
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Re: [Elecraft] OT-old vs. new 6L6 to K3

[Rick Stealey]

But you are hearing it on 10 meters.  Down on the fundamental (I didn't check 
the
schematic - sorry) it probably sounded much better.  
Myself, I would have tuned the other side of zero beat so the chirp went the 
other direction.  Pure music!
Open up that K3 all the way, sit back and relax, and listen to the music.

Rick  K2XT

  
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Re: [Elecraft] high-power tuner

[Rick Stealey]

There seems to have been no answer as to how to accurately measure the loss in 
a tuner.  
Here is a solution but requires two tuners or at least one calibrated one that 
could be
used to measure others.
Take first tuner and tune it into the mismatch, say 600 ohms.  Use an antenna 
analyzer.
Then remove the load, and connect another tuner to the output of the first 
(back-
to-back - antenna port on first to antenna port on second tuner.)  Then put a 
50 ohm 
load on the second tuner where the transceiver would be connected, and tune the 
second 
tuner to a match.  It will have the same settings as the first tuner, complete 
symmetry.
Then measure the power in the 50 ohm load  to get the loss.

Since both tuners are matching the same load, and the system is symmetrical the
loss contribution by each tuner is half.  Repeat for other types of loads, and 
now
you have a calibrated tuner to use with any tuner you want to test.

Rick  K2XT
  
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Re: [Elecraft] K2 vs. K3 Rcvr

[Rick Stealey]

 Does anybody feel that the K2's rcvr is equal to or better than that of the 
 K3, additional bells and whistles notwithstanding?
 
Bert - There probably are some people, but if so they have never operated a K3. 
 I have had a K2 as 
well as my K3 and in my opinion there are only 3 advantage of the K2, size, 
weight, and current drain.
And the first two are only advantages if you are considering portable 
operation.  As far as performance,
the K3 wins in every category I can think of.  But what do you mean by better?

Rick  K2XT
  
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Re: [Elecraft] Annoying contests

[Rick Stealey]

   Not much need to pay for the extra performance a 
 K3 offers if all you're going to do is rag chew and check into nets.
 

This got me thinking - with all the automation we have these days in our 
stations,
automatic logging, dupe checking, software generated cw, it seems to be wasted
on the contesters.  What about the poor net operators?  Can't someone 
invent a way for the rig to automatically give the temperature?  I mean, heck,
Wayne already has the temperature sensor built in.  It monitors the front panel
temperature on the K3.  Seems like Lyle could find a way to just interface it 
in with 
the cw keyer and it could automatically send your temperature when you 
(automatically) log in to the net..

Rick  K2XT
  
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Re: [Elecraft] K3 TX delay

[Rick Stealey]

 
 Alternatively buy any Kenwood, Yaesu et al which has this figured out.
 This has been a long standing problem with the K3.

Brian,
Could you please explain what you think is deficient in the K3?
You close the key, the KEY OUT line activates, the K3 waits 8 ms (minimum, 
adjustable up to 20 ms)
and then the cw character begins.  The 8-20 ms is to give the amplifier time to 
close its relays so it isn't
damaged.  On key up the rf ends before the KEY OUT line drops so the amplifier 
can't switch
while it is outputting, unlike ICOM rigs.  
What is it the K3 should do differently?

Rick  K2XT

  
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Re: [Elecraft] K3 TX delay

[Rick Stealey]

 I suspect that as far as Wayne and Eric are concerned, any amplifier that 
 doesn't handle qsk is broken, so the K3 doesn't need fixed.
 
 Matthew Pitts

Matt, 
So the concern is with amps that switch in, let's say 30 ms, for example?  
You mean the 20 ms setting is still too fast for those amps?

Rick  K2XT

  
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Re: [Elecraft] [W2] How do I correctly read the W2?

[Rick Stealey]

I don't see why you think you have to do math to read out your power.
If you set it to the 2K position you read out your power directly.
Full scale (20) would be 2000 watts, etc.  With your 811 amp you will get 
around 600-700 watts so you will expect the W2 to read up to about 6-7


Rick  K2XT
  
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Re: [Elecraft] [KX3 amp] 100/50

[Rick Stealey]

 
 Wow! What a quick feed back.
 This is Elecraft quality that we love :)
 Thank you Wayne  Elecraft.
 73
 Atsu, JE1TRV
 

Hi Atsu,  Do you get 41 minute response from the chief designer at your local 
radio manufacturers?  !!!

No committees, no design review, no marketing studies, no cost/benefit 
analysis, just customer satisfaction.
Or maybe Wayne IS all the above - he just did it in the 41 minutes.

K2XT


  
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Re: [Elecraft] [KX3 amp] 100/50

[Rick Stealey]

To be fair, if the sales volume of elecraft products is in line with those 
major Japanese ham radio manufacturers, it will be very difficult for both 
Wayne and Eric to maintain the existing response time.

I'm not worried.  WHEN, (not IF) Elecraft sales volume exceeds the JA 
manufacturers, 
Wayne and Eric will have trained people to take care of customers.  They don't 
do 
everything themselves today.  They have great employees who work the same way 
they do.  
It's part of their culture, it's been that way from the start.

But that day might already be here Johnny.  How does the sales volume of 
KPA500s compare
with that of competing solid state amps?  You think the production line of JA 
amps just 
might have been scaled back in the past 6 months ? !

Rick  K2XT


 
  
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[Elecraft] K3 key line timing

[Rick Stealey]

I wanted to report on some measurements I made on my K3 in the process of 
incorporating 
QSK into my homebrew amplifier.  I think the new vacuum relay for antenna 
switching and the 
DIP relay for bias switching in the amp are fast enough to support QSK but I 
wanted
to make a master timing diagram to be sure everything sequences safely to assure
no hot switching can occur.
So I hooked the K3 up to a keyer sending dots at a fast rate and used my scope 
to 
look at the KEY OUT line and rf envelope running at 4 watts in a dummy load.
I found the KEY line activates 5 ms after key closure, and the rf envelope comes
up a variable time depending on the TX DLY just exactly as expected.
What was most encouraging was the textbook perfect shape of the rf envelope.
5 ms risetime, no sharp edges, no overshoot.  On key up, the rf envelope 
decays to zero after 18 ms, and 12 ms later the KEY OUT line goes high (nice
and safe).  
Conclusion - on key up it is impossible to hot switch.  On key down my amp 
relays have
13 to 23 ms (depending on the setting of TX DLY) to do their thing before they 
see
rf.  This should be no problem, but the measurements still have to be made.

Please see my next post on a related topic titled Are The Bands cleaner with 
all the 
K3s being used?

Rick  K2XT
  
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[Elecraft] K3 - Are the bands cleaner with all the K3s being used?

[Rick Stealey]

It's no secret, and this is nothing new, but K3s are really, really clean on cw.
As I saw for myself with my measurements on my K3 that I am doing for QSK
testing I don't see how the cw note on a K3 could be improved.
As a result, and with all the K3s being used by DXers, and DXpeditions have the 
bands
been cleaned up?  Have you noticed, say on 160 meters in the recent contests, 
that there is less QRM from clicky transmitters?
After Eric reported the Malpelo DXpedition using K3/KPA500 was active I listened
for them this morning.  Good signals on 80 meters into NJ before sunrise.
If you want to hear a magnificent cw note listen to those guys.  Tune just 
below 
and above them and note how fast the cw drops off and nothing remains.  No 
clicks, no hiss.  It's a beautiful thing.

Rick  K2XT


  
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Re: [Elecraft] KX3 - Microphone idea

[Rick Stealey]

I admit I know almost nothing about microphones.  But I wonder if there are 
other
characteristics relating to the element that might be important in addition to 
frequency
response, such as the amount of sound pressure a mic can take before it 
distorts.
i.e. if a contester is close talking a boom mic/headset combo, and screaming 
loudly
will some mics take it and others turn to mush?  Because they DO close talk 
their
mics and they DO scream in their excitment.

Rick  K2XT


  
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[Elecraft] Insignia speakers for K3 or K2

[Rick Stealey]

Hey Elecraft Guys, 
Remember sometime last spring there was a discussion about external speakers 
for the K3?
Some guys said the Insignia SP-3way was a good bargain from Best Buy and they 
were using 
them with the K3.
Well I have a NOS set I will GIVE AWAY.  I took one of them out of the box, and 
let's just
say my taste was different than those of the other users.
It is perfect, the other is still sealed.  If you need a picture before you 
take me up on my offer
email me.
Looks like weight when I got them was 7 lbs.  So figure the postage cost for 
that weight
from 08514.  That's your only cost.  I just feel generous.
73 and happy K3'ing.  
Rick  K2XT
  
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[Elecraft] Insignia speakers are gone

[Rick Stealey]

Speakers are spoken for (pun).
73



  
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[Elecraft] Elecraft on Jeapordy

[Rick Stealey]

Jeapordy contestant #1, I'll take K3 AGC for $2,000 Alex.
Alex Trebec - ANSWER- Mush in K3 audio, with multiple S3 cw signals
Jeapordy contestant #1 -  What effect does an active HAGC have on a roofer's 
Output Odd Order 
Intercepts (in and outside of the filter's passband), and does this increase 
the level of filter generated IMD products enough to create audible mush?

Alex Trebec - That's right, and $2,000 puts YOU in the lead.

Jeapordy contestant #2, I'll take K3 Engineering for $1,000, Alex.
Alex Trebec - ANSWER- Faster than a speeding bullet, can leap tall buildings 
in a single bound
Jeapordy contestant #2, Who is Superman?
Alex Trebec - WRONG.  
Contestant #3
Jeapordy contestant #3, Who is Wayne?
Alex Trebec - That's right, and $1,000 now puts YOU in the lead.  What a game 
we've got going here folks.

  
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Re: [Elecraft] wattage on k3 vs kpa500

[Rick Stealey]

Most likely the K3 is putting out 60 watts, real watts.  The wattmeter is also 
probably correct reading 80 watts forward, with 20 reflected, equal to a net 60 
watts.  And 60 watts is radiated by the antenna.  No power get reabsorbeds by 
the amp because it is presenting a congugate match.  i.e. any power coming back 
from the  antenna sees a perfect mismatch at the transmitter and gets 
re-reflected back to the antenna.  Explained 100 times better than I can by 
Walt Maxwell in his books Reflections  or maybe the current one is 
Reflections III something like that.  Anyway the point is, none of this rf 
power heats up the finals.

  
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Re: [Elecraft] P3 - WWV spectrum display

[Rick Stealey]

 I measured  the 2nd and 3rd harmonic of WWV's 600 Hz tone this morning 
 using an HP 8568B spectrum analyzer set at 15 MHz, 30 Hz resolution, 
 
 The 2nd harmonic at 1200 Hz is approximately 18 dB down from the 600 Hz 
 sideband.
 
 The 3rd harmonic at 1800 Hz is about 30 dB down from the 600 Hz sideband.


Good work Jack.
I don't have a P3 but I set up my K3 on cw mode, with 50 Hz bandwidth on the 20 
MHz WWV signal 
which is running S9- 10 over here in NJ at 1-2 pm EDT.  A manual spectrum 
analyzer.

The K3 can tune to the carrier at 20.000.000 and hear a beat note, at S9+
Tune to 20.000.600 and hear the 600 Hz modulation, save it as VFO A.
Tune to 20.001.200 and hear the 1200 Hz modulation, save it as VFO B.
Then you can flip back and forth from VFO A to B.
Right now the 600 Hz sideband is S7 and the 1200 Hz is S2.

So as you say, this isn't distortion in any of our audio stages or sound cards.

Rick  K2XT


  
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Re: [Elecraft] Proper K3 filter/options selection?

[Rick Stealey]

If you want a separate receive only antenna port in addition to Antenna A/B you 
might consider the KXV3A option.
i.e. for  a Beverage on 160.  There is no way you can transmit on that port to 
accidentally damage the receive 
antenna.
I am assuming you are equipping only the sub-rx with the narrow filters, for 
split operation.
By the way, congratulations to whoever it was at ST0R who copied my little 
FT-100 on 20 cw, 
while my K3 was out in Calif for repairs at the mother ship.
Rick  K2XT



  
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[Elecraft] K3 - HI CUR message

[Rick Stealey]

I suddenly am getting a HI CUR error message on 20 meters only.  I tested with 
a dummy load, all bands, and the problem is just on 20 m.  It happens when the
power is set to more than 60 watts.  Monitoring the current with the DISP I 
see approx 23 amps at 60 watts.
On other bands the current at this power is 15 amps.
Voltage is 13.9, dropping to 13.2.
PA temp is 34 degrees.
On ssb it is ok, until I whistle it up towards 100watts, then get the HI CUR 
message of course.
Any idea what might be causing this?

Rick  K2XT

  
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[Elecraft] [K3] Receive Equalization - Programmers Reference

[Rick Stealey]

I'm trying to learn writing K3 macros.  On p4 of the Programmers Reference is 
an example called EQ Mic1 where we can set up microphone equalization.  This 
would allow selection of eq for multiple microphones.  I would like to do a 
similar thing with receive equalization (different settings for my hi fi 
headphones vs a shelf speaker, etc).
But I don't see a corresponding command in the manual for receive 
equalization.  I figured it might be RE, but no.
Is it in the manual there somewhere but I don't see it, or possibly this is not 
implemented?

Rick  K2XT
  
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[Elecraft] KX3 - Wayne's presentation at kit building forum in Dayton

[Rick Stealey]

So I attended a couple forums at Dayton Friday morning.  Don't ask me why
except it was a promise I made to myself a year ago to try to do something
to enhance my brain rather than sit in the flea market selling a broken 
Vibroplex bug and 10 year old HT.  So first was the QRP forum, where a 
presenter described some QRP kits and announced that Elecraft had a new
KX3 - a marriage of the KX1 and K3.  That really got my attention, especially
since Wayne was on the agenda for the next forum on kit building.  The balance
of the QRP forum was at the square one level, hard to stay awake.  
The kit building forum had 3 speakers, and the first two continued at the
square one level (as in square one = absolute beginner level).  One of
the talks actually lasted 20 minutes on the topic of building a single 
PCB, 8 resistor switched attenuator.  How low have we sunk, technically?  
Then Wayne came on with a LEVEL 10 presentation on all the features of the new
KX3.  Words cannot describe.  This guy is the most modest, polite, gentleman, 
and absolute GENIUS in the ham radio world today!  I told him later in the 
Elecraft booth - You guys are kicking major A** in the ham radio world.
Ham radio history is being made today, right before our eyes.  The stuff
Elecraft is doing today is arguably as significant as the introduction of 
the SSB transceiver back about 1958.  Two minutes with Wayne one-on-one 
(as I have done three years in a row now) is the highlight of my annual 
trip to Dayton!
Rick  K2XT


  
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Re: [Elecraft] OT: ICE still functioning?

[Rick Stealey]

With all due respect guys...
If it is OT it BY DEFINITION doesn't belong on this reflector,
no matter how interesting, no matter that everyone in the ham 
world is interested in the fascinating topic.  No matter that
the participants on this reflector are some of the most 
knowledgeable people on earth (which they are), and also 
the nicest.  If it isn't Elecraft related it doesn't belong here.
Eric has to come on here periodically and remind us all.
CME, ICE are not Elecraft topics.

There, I feel better now.

Rick  K2XT
  
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[Elecraft] Band pass filters, was ICE

[Rick Stealey]

  * Whose radio am I protecting, mine or the other guy's?
 Your radio

Actually one of the main reasons the filters are used is in DXpedition 
or FD setups to restrict the phase noise you transmit to your (phone or 
cw) part of the band so there can be other stations operating on the 
same band.  So you are protecting the other stations ability to 
use the band at the same time.  So if he has a lousy phase noise
rig at least he won't be complaining that the K3 is making 
whishing noises as you transmit your cw.  Of course his receiver
will probably be desensing, but that's another matter.  See below



 * Where does the K3 stack up in the world of transmitted phase noise
 in amateur radio equipment? 

The lowest level of all radios.  ARRL publishes transmitted phase noise
as part of the review report.  At 10 KHz away the K3 is the best but has some 
competition.  At 100 KHz away it is 15 db better than the closest competition.
But it is just as important on the receiving side where it makes the reciprocal
mixing spec just as outstanding.  See above.

Rick  K2XT

  
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Re: [Elecraft] Band pass filters, was ICE

[Rick Stealey]

 This is NOT correct. Bandpass filters are just that -- they PASS the
 entire ham band, and only STOP signals outside the band. 

 W2VJN has published the design for a few multi-stub filters that ARE
 sharp enough to cut off between phone and CW on relatively wide bands
 like 160M, 80M, and 10M. 

Ok, so I was talking about SHARP bandpass filters.
  
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Re: [Elecraft] factory built k3/100/F

[Rick Stealey]

Eric, You are awesome, thanks for the update.
I had something similar happen to me recently.  
Sold a Kenwood rig from an estate, that I had checked out 
for CW power on all bands.  Shipped it ($42), got a note
2 days later it had low power on 15 and 10, probably soft
finals.
So I asked the OB, What kind of meter you using, how did you test?
He said his Yaesu rig showed 100 watts into the same load but the 
Kw only 50 w on 10m.
After getting it back and verifying 95 w on 15 and 87 w on 10 I 
found out he had been using an antenna tuner and the rig was likely
throttling back.
So if you will remember, first thing Eric asked this guy was what kind 
of mic are you using?
And from now on I will ask, what kind of dummy load are you using?

Looking forward to seeing the Elecraft guys in Dayton, and the big
decision to be made THIS year - sub receiver or P3, which should 
it be?

Rick  K2XT

  
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Re: [Elecraft] Anderson Powerpole connector

[Rick Stealey]

It's Powerpole not Powerpoll
  
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Re: [Elecraft] Installed K3EXREF

[Rick Stealey]

Excellent posting by W9AC, a great reference, to be saved.
Now I wonder if it would be possible for someone to enlighten me as to 
the need for such extreme accuracy?  Is it because my K3 reads out to 1 Hz
but I can't really believe the absolute accuracy of that number unless I 
get a K3EXREF?  But if that is the case, my question would still remain,
wouldn't it?
Not that I need something else to put on my list ahead of my P3 and 
sub receiver.
Rick  K2XT
  
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Re: [Elecraft] Why I won't purchase K3

[Rick Stealey]

Don't think of it as a kit.  Just consider that Elecraft offered you a way to 
save $200 by doing some of 
the labor that they would have to do on your part.
They built the subassemblies, they incorporated into the design a way to do an 
automatic alignment 
(an amazing thing to see in action, by the way).  This made it possible for you 
to have the exact
same radio if you assemble it as if they did.  So if you want to work for $25 
an hour they will
employ you for 8 hours.
XYL and I took the $200 savings.  I read the book and she put it together.  She 
had never built
anything in her life before.  She doesn't feel like she built a high tech 
product.  All she learned
was the difference between a 4-40 and a 6-32 screw.  
But she has a little bit of a fondness for the K3.
Rick  K2XT

  
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Re: [Elecraft] What made you decide on purchasing an Elecraft transceiver?

[Rick Stealey]

Two reasons:
1).  Disgusted with rigs that were made for 15 years or so with terrible key 
clicks that the manufacturer ignored.  
When you try to get an answer in a place like Dayton you can get a cap, a 
smile, a catalog and a bow but not 
an answer.  And their big time competitor builds rigs where the display goes 
bad (756) and they shrug their 
shoulders when you ask What do I do now? and they hand you a catalog.
2).  Then you go to Elecrafts booth and you not only meet the owners, the 
designers, the software engineer, 
the staff support, and they know precisely what they are talking about.  They 
are responsive, calm, 
cool-as-can-be, and they are NICE  And they take TIME to be sure you are 
satisfied.  And they are genuine, 
and honest.  And they do what they say they will do.  And they speak English, 
eloquently too I might add.
Any questions?

Rick  K2XT

Oh I should mention - and the K3 digs right down into the canyons next to those 
big clicky signals with 
the phase noise all around them and pulls out signals.
  
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[Elecraft] K3 Second antenna port

[Rick Stealey]

K2XT is rambling today. 
Have you thought about features in rigs this way?
Some technology comes along, say measuring SWR, and we get an SWR meter
for the station, and sit it on the shelf next to the rig, and connect it up.
Then lots of guys own swr meters and some manufacturer decides to 
incorporate swr meters into rigs being made, and now everyone has
swr metering functionality, and takes it for granted that whatever rig
he buys will have an swr meter built in - nice, convenient. Not as
many wires in the station.
Same for speech compressors.  Same for receiver preamp.
Same for front end attenuator, cw keyer, APF (!!), digital readout, 
SECOND VFO (ha !), DSP.  Some hams might even say that
list should include power supply, antenna tuner, a clock, (heck 
HQ170s had clocks), auto power off.  And 2 antenna ports.
  
It's a matter of opinion and operating needs as to which of those
features we think should be standard equipment.  Myself, I happen
to think 2 antenna ports and a receive port are mandatory, so I
got the KXV3 accessory, installed it, (this is a true story), and
THEN noticed it had the port for my Beverage but where the 
heck is the Antenna B port?  What?  I have to get the ATU to 
get an antenna B port?  Aw come on!  Rick, you idiot.
I've been a ham for 47 years, had 15-20 rigs, never had an 
antenna tuner that I used, am happy I didn't have to pay
$300 more for one in my K3 but darn it! I think the rig should have 2
antenna ports on it.  It's much lower tech than a CW decoder,
isn't it?  Oh maybe not, that's just software, a one time cost.

Rick  K2XT




  
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[Elecraft] RIT/XIT offset control moves vfo A in large steps?

[Rick Stealey]

In the K3 Utility program, ver 1.3.11.5, if you hit Help, then K3 Utility Help, 
and look in 
the Contents tab and then Help over the Web, and then Frequently Asked 
Questions you 
get to a fantastic document telling all about features of the K3.

I suspect some parts of this document is out-of-date and discusses features 
that were 
changed or not implemented yet but I want to be sure because this is a feature 
I 
would like to make use of.   It says, When RIT and XIT are both off, the 
offset 
control advances VFO A in large steps, defined by the operator on a per-mode 
basis (e.g. 2.5 kHz for SSB, 5/9/10 kHz 
for AM, etc.).  This doesn't work on 
my rig.  Is there something I failed to set up to get this to work, or is it not
implemented yet?

Rick  K2XT
  
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[Elecraft] RIT/XIT offset control moves vfo A in large steps?

[Rick Stealey]

Thanks to all who replied.  I did it and it works great.
Another gift from Elecraft that I didn't know I had.

Rick  K2XT
  
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[Elecraft] K3 - Installation times for options

[Rick Stealey]

I wonder if I could get a few ideas regarding the times to install a couple 
options.
The 100 watt PA, and the KXV3 IF interface and multiple antenna input kit.

How long should I budget?

Rick  K2XT
  
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[Elecraft] #3814 is going QRO

[Rick Stealey]

After nearly one year of operating my K3 at 10 watts, and being continually 
amazed 
at what it can work, it is going QRO!
New PA is on order from Elecraft and was shipped same day I ordered it.
Why you ask do I want to go to 100 watts if it works out so great on 10 w?
Need 50 watts or so to drive the 8877, and we're going full power for CQWW 
and ARRL 160.
It's been a fun trip, a real blast.  I urge anyone considering a K3 and being a 
bit 
short on funds to not be afraid of going on the bands with 10 watts.  You will 
be amazed.
CW of course.

Rick  K2XT
  
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[Elecraft] Insignia speakers available

[Rick Stealey]

Last month we were talking about external speakers for the K3.  I have a pair 
of like new Insignia speakers for sale.
If you sit them beside your K3 they are about 1 inch taller (rig propped up on 
its stand).  Black.
$15 for one, or $25 for both.  Shipping about $10.  Contact me off list please, 
the hotmail address or k...@arrl.net.  Rick  K2XT
  
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Re: [Elecraft] Special List

[Rick Stealey]

Elecraft owners have listened to the wishes of some owners who were able to 
define a feature that would improve the fantastic K3 transceivers.  I am 
willing to bet Elecraft guys have developed this enhancement to the K3 rigs and 
will be GIVING IT AWAY to current owners as well as to new buyers.  Not only 
that, they have arranged to have some other small group of guys to help debug 
it and enhance it so when it is GIVEN to us it will work exactly as promised.  
Not only that they will add this new feature to the very long list of features 
that they fully support, 100%.
I am amazed, and grateful for the responsiveness of these guys.  You see, I 
owned an FT-1000MP bought in 1997.  It had horrible key clicks.  I understand 
many guys asked Yaesu for a fix - no answer, they continued to build rigs.  
Then a couple US guys developed fixes of their own, and still Yaesu continued 
to build those rigs that clicked 5 kHz up and down the band.  It has only been 
in the last few years that they got their act together.  Thousands of high end 
rigs are on the bands QRMing like crazy.  Just listen next month when the CW DX 
contest is on to all the key clicks on 160 and 80 meters, those are the 
unmodified FT1000MPs.  I tore into mine, took out a couple layers of boards, 
added the components, and then tested it on a spectrum analyzer to verify the 
improvement.  Very few hams can or are willing to do that, what the 
manufacturer should do.  Remember, Yaesu never even acknowledged the problem!  
Oh yeah, we have friends right at the very top in Elecraft, who listen
 , and who act, and who are extremely generous.  Un-friggin-believable.
But then, nearly everyone on this reflector already knows this!  
Rick  K2XT
  
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[Elecraft] Use of external speakers/amp

[Rick Stealey]

Over on qth.com in the forums area (the Talk sub-forum) is a discussion 
called A sad thing happened 
on the way to a more perfect receiver.  Some interesting topics came up in the 
discussion, such 
as 
- Are DSP based receivers fatiguing to listen to for long periods of time?
- The benefits of using external audio amps and speakers.

In connection with the second topic, I wonder what other K3 owners might have 
done.
Have you gained any improvement by using external speakers, PC-type speakers 
with audio 
amps built in, or even something like a stereo amp with hi fi speakers?

I have been experimenting with the receiver equalization, using an external 
Collins 312B4 speaker
but still don't have the audio to the way I want it, and I wonder if the 
internal audio amp might
be pushed to its limits in normal operation?  When I say it's not the way I 
want it, that is not
something I can quantify, at all!  I just haven't been able to make SSB sound 
smooth and mellow
like I want.  I won't go so far as to say it is fatiguing.  K3 has the stock 
ssb filter.

Rick  K2XT
K3 #3814
  
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[Elecraft] Mode selection

[Rick Stealey]

Is there a way to disable modes I don't use from the mode selection switch?  I 
would like to not have to hear the FM noise and don't need the digital mode.  I 
just want to cycle between ssb, cw and AM.

Rick  K2XT
  
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[Elecraft] K3: Receiving 4th Harmonic of AM Station

[Rick Stealey]

On my K3, without a general coverage option, I tuned down below 160 meters and 
heard some broadcast stations, and compared the signal strength to another 
transceiver I have which has general coverage.  In the range of 1400 KHz the K3 
copied fine, but when I tuned down around 1200 KHz I couldn't copy anything on 
the K3.  Seems reasonable, that the 160 filter rolled off down in that range.  
Why then can a broadcast station clear down at 940 KHz get through to overload 
the front end of the K3?
Come on!  This is the receiver, the best in the world, that can copy weak 
signals right up next to 60 over 9 contest kilowatts.  I can't believe this K3 
receiver generates spurs from broadcast stations clear down at 940 KHz.  Read 
his post - he said an FT-900 and a K2 don't exhibit the problem.
My bet is there is a bad component in the front end somewhere.  A K3 should not 
crumble in these circumstances.
I think it's time to get out the 8640B signal generator and see for myself what 
level it takes to generate 2nd and 4th harmonics like that in a K3.  I'll know 
within the next 15 minutes.  QRX one.

Rick  K2XT
  
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[Elecraft] Receiving 4th Harmonic of AM Station

[Rick Stealey]

So now we know it wasn't caused by overload.  But since I went to the trouble 
of hauling my signal generator up to the shack and connecting it to my K3 I 
figured you guys might like to know how your K3 will stand up to a big signal 
on the broadcast band.  Let's not be so quick to assume this fantastic receiver 
can be overloaded to the point where it generates 20 over 9 signals on 160 and 
80 meters !!!

The 8640B is connected to the K3 through a coupler, and the antenna is 
connected to the other port.  The generator is tuned to 940 KHz and the K3 is 
tuned to 1880 and 3760.
The generator is cranked up till the K3 hears a signal at about S5 on 1880, a 
little over my local static level.  The generator is putting out -40 dbm.  S5 
is about a -100 dbm signal.  
Most likely the S5 signal is the 2nd harmonic of the signal generator, 60 db 
down, not caused by the K3, because guess why?  Because putting the attenuator 
on doesn't kill the signal like it would if it was internally generated.  Your 
K3 isn't going to be bothered by killer AM broadcast band signals, at least not 
to the point where it generates 20 over 9 spurs, fear not !!

Just for kicks (I've always wanted to do this) I tuned in some EU stations 
around 7008.
Then set the generator to -20 dbm.  Now let me tell you , -20 dbm is one, 
friggin, HUGE signal. And tuned it down the band until its effect was noticible 
on the weak signals.  Want to guess how close I could get?  7008.3 !!   300 
cycles away from weak Europeans, with a 60 db over 9 interfering signal

Rick  K2XT
  
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