[Elecraft] PART II - ATTENTION HAKKO 936 T/C Soldering Station Users.
Sorry folks... I COMPLETELY FORGOT to include a link to my web site in my previous e-mail regarding availability of the Hakko 936 info... my only excuse is that I was more tired than I thought and wasn't thinking clearly (locals accuse me of that regardless of my physical/mental state). The link to my web site is: www.n0ss.net The web site is broken into several Elecraft radio-specific pages and several non-Elecraft pages. Just go wherever you wish... you may find useful into there. If you enjoy good food, and are a cook, go to the BOTTOM of the main web page and download a copy of my XYL (Jeri, K0RPH's) on-line cookbook. UnZIP it (on your PC) and enjoy some of our favorite recipes as well. 73, Tom N0SS __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] ATTENTION HAKKO 936 T/C Soldering Station Users...!!!
Some of you may have tried (and failed) to locate a schematic for your Hakko 936 T/C Soldering Station on the web... I've been trying for several years(!) now, with no luck. I did find what was purported to be the schematic, from Essen Electronics Systems Private Limited (India, I think). It was NOT an accurate schematic for the 936, BUT it was as close as we had available to us. Well, all of that has now changed! After quite a number of hours of time and effort I have completely rendered an accurate schematic of the Hakko 936 T/C Soldering Station, including an image of the PC board, it's components (listed by both part ID and component value). The schematic is available on my web site, on the General Amateur Radio Files page, about half way down the page. If you are looking for backup data for your Hakko 936, now's the time to download the schematic info. Come 'n git it! Enjoy. 73, Tom Hammond N0SS __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] OT - Anyone know what happened to BOATANCHORS.COM...?
Anyone know what happened to the web site BOATANCHORS.COM, at least I think that's what the name was. And yes, I'm aware of MODS-DK... thanks. 73, Tom N0SS __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] OT - Vertical Bug
Hi Ron, et al: I have an old bug used by a friend who was an HF op for the MO Hwy Patrol. His Vibroplex runs nicely from about 18 WPM on up... BUT he (or someone else) modified the leaf spring by thinning it (vertically) as shown below: -\___/- _/---\_ This thinning reduced the 'springiness' to a level which allows for nice slow CW with the weights fully out, but nice response up to 40+ WPM with the weights fully in. 73, Tom N0SS At 04:01 PM 3/15/2011, Ron D'Eau Claire wrote: Thank you Stan. I've seen photographs of a vertical bug but I've never used one. I also have a Vibroplex bug - a standard model that came to me in the 1990's through an old friend's widow when he became a silent key. My regular bug is an E.F. Johnson Speed-X. The Speed-X slows easily to 10 to 15 wpm using it's nifty standard weight that has a finger grip clamp - just squeeze and slide, let go and it's securely locked in its new position. I was surprised to find that the Vibroplex would not slow to less than about 25 wpm, even with two weights. My friend had been a commercial CW op both at sea and at KPH in California so I knew he had to slow it down to under 15 wpm to match the speed wanted by the other operator. Les accomplished that with a common cable clamp secured to the pendulum. (See it at http://www.radiomarine.org/gallery/show?keyword=kphhistorypanel=pab1_1#pab1 _1 Scroll down to Les Burger and click on the image to enlarge it). You can see the threaded shafts of the cable clamp sticking up through the crossbar. It works great, but it's a very heavy feel. Talking with a number of OT Vibroplex owners whose bugs slowed down in into the 15 WPM easily without special weights and comparing keys closely, we discovered that Vibroplex made two different leaf springs for their key pendulums back in the 1960's. One was much thicker with a higher vibration frequency than the other. I've never been able to find out why they did that. The sound and feel of a nice bug is, for me, just as basic to Ham radio as stringing up antennas and melting solder on a new project ;-) 73, Ron AC7AC -Original Message- I just want to share a recent discovery with other Elecraft listers who appreciate 'bug' keys. The following short video is a demo I made of my new vertical 'bug' compared to the more traditional ones. This vertical key is a fabulous slow speed performer and doesn't need a pipe wrench hanging off the forward end to slow down - it's naturally slower but dropping the weight brings it up to 35 WPM. Until recently I knew very little about vertical keys and pretty much concluded that with so little marketing going on, they must not be very good. GOSH, WAS I WRONG !! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5EU6wubkaEfeature=related 73, Stan WB2LQF __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3: re CW ID macro on SSB
Actually, it's NOT actually 'illegal'... BUT... you MUST use SSB, and you MUST have every well-suppressed carrier. I don't recall the exact amount of carrier suppression that's required, but it must be essentially negligible, thus, the tone is transmitted AS the CW carrier and the suppressed carrier is low enough that you won't hear it. Collins, and a couple others which didn't offer CW mode, used to use a small plug-into-the-mic-jack sine wave oscillator which could be keyed and which would allow CW to be sent cleanly... in SSB mode. 73, Tom N0SS At 10:25 AM 2/15/2011, w...@w5ov.com wrote: At one time that was illegal - is it still? But that would get you a SSB transmission modulated with a tone. Not a CW transmission. Mark AD5SS On Tue, Feb 15, 2011 at 10:32 AM, n...@widomaker.com wrote: any chance of recording the CW audio on a DVR and replaying and recording into one of the memories with the K3 DVR? then jkust play it back on the air. ...bill nr4c __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ 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] spectrogram
John: There are several(!) versions of Spectrogram available. IF you are planning on using Spectrogram to align your K2 or K1, then I'd suggest getting Spectrogram v5.1.7 from my web site... it's located immediately adjacent to the printed documentation for aligning your radio (K2 or K1), depending upon which rig-specific page you've gone to. You CAN use newer versions of Spectrogram with my alignment docs, but there's absolutely NO benefit in doing so and newer versions offer features you will not need nor wish to use. Visit: For the K2 - http://www.n0ss.net/index_k2.html Spectrogram and docs are located about 3/4 of the way down the page For the K1 - http://www.n0ss.net/index_k1.html Spectrogram and docs are located about 2/3 of the way down the page The ONLY additional device you'll need is an audio jumper cable from the radio;s speaker output to the input of the sound card on your PC. Suggest using stereo connectors, but with TIP and SLEEVE (no RING) connected. DO NOT OVERDRIVE THE AUDIO INPUT TO THE SOUND CARD.. this will cause audio artifacts in the display which are not helpful during the alignment process. If you have ANY PROBLEMS OR QUESTIONS, drop me an e-mail. 73, Tom Hammond N0SS At 09:47 12/29/2010, you wrote: where can i find this software? tried googling it but apparently the company that made it went out of buiseness. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] W0O FRANKENSTEIN HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR
Ghostly signals will once again emanate from Frankenstein, Missouri, over Halloween weekend. Witches and warlocks of the Mid-MO Amateur Radio Club will be haunting victims near QRP frequencies on 80, 75, 40, 30, and 20 meters (higher bands if open). Spirits screeching from two skeletal K3s (brooms bearing serial numbers 008 and 021) on CW/SSB will commence brewing around 2100 GMT Saturday afternoon, Oct. 30th, and terminate Sunday night or Monday morning. W0O ghouls will QSL 100% to YOUR mansion as listed at QRZ.COM. So, if your mailing address is NOT correct at QRZ.COM, please update it NOW, or be sure to give it to when we work you. Please DO NOT QSL to us!!! Stations attempting to QSL us will find pins in their coax (we have no space to display or store them). You have been warned! Our blood pulses with grisly desire to rip and tear electrons from your antenna! 73, Kent Trimble, K9ZTV Special Event Chairman Mid-MO ARC Jefferson City, Missouri __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] W0O FRANKENSTEIN HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR
Ghostly signals will once again emanate from Frankenstein, Missouri, over Halloween weekend. Witches and warlocks of the Mid-MO Amateur Radio Club will be haunting victims near QRP frequencies on 80, 75, 40, 30, and 20 meters (higher bands if open). Spirits screeching from two skeletal K3s (brooms bearing serial numbers 008 and 021) on CW/SSB will commence brewing around 2100 GMT Saturday afternoon, Oct. 30th, and terminate Sunday night or Monday morning. W0O ghouls will QSL 100% to YOUR mansion as listed on QRZ.COM. So, if your mailing address is not accurate at QRZ.COM, please correct it NOW, or ensure that you give us your new address when/if we work you. Please DO NOT QSL to us!!! Stations attempting to QSL us will find pins in their coax (we have no space to display or store them). You have been warned! Our blood pulses with grisly desire to rip and tear electrons from your antenna!!! 73, Kent Trimble, K9ZTV Special Event Chairman Mid-MO ARC Jefferson City, Missouri __ 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] Use of external speakers/amp
Hi Rick: Initially, I added a pair of Motorola (mobile) amplified speakers to my K2 (and subsequently to my K3) installation. I found that having a PAIR of speakers on the audio output of the K2 and K3 made a significant improvement in my enjoyment of listening and I seemed to have to 'work' less to hear signals. And YES, my hearing is just fine (well... unless you ask my XYL...). The speakers worked nicely, but the DC connections just meant more wires that had to be connected. I then (about 2-3 years ago, I guess) switched to a pair of Motorola UN-amplified mobile speakers to replace the amplified pair I had been using. I found these speakers on EBay for a total of $15 (shipped). The new (3.2 Ohm) speakers work just great, have more than ample audio output for use in my somewhat noisy (at times) shack, and give me the audio quality I want for my (99% CW) operation... they also sound great on SSB, though they're certainly NOT tailored toward the hi-fi SSB scene. ANY time you insert a set of amplified speakers into the ham station, you're risking problems with potential RFI into the amplifiers and then the associated fight to quell the RFI. I'd much prefer to go with UNamplified speakers, if I can find the right ones. The K3 audio system 'likes' a speaker load in the 4 Ohm range. 8-Ohm speakers should give adequate reproduction, but will generally not produce nearly as much output as a speaker more closely matching the desired 4-Ohm load. The K3 seems to really like the 3.2 Ohm Motorola speakers. 73, Tom Hammond N0SS At 08:16 10/04/2010, you wrote: 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 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] OT - How to contact Vibroplex with a question
A local newbie bought a Vibroplex Vibrokeyer at a recent hamfest. He brought it to me to help him get it adjusted. After adjusting the spring tension (too tight no matter how 'loose' the adjustments made it), and the contact spacing, I noticed that it didn't key the keyer to which it was attached... and when it DID (infrequently) cause the keyer to emit a tone, the electrical contact of either level was not consistent. Using an ohmmeter I confirmed that the GND lead of the connecting cable was in deed electrically connected to the base of the keyer AND the the yoke holding the dual levers. But NEITHER lever gave continuity to ground...! Removing the keying levers revealed that this was in fact, one of the few paddles which came with synthetic ruby bearings which had not long ago been crushed by excessive tightening of the adjusting screws. However, given that the ruby bearings were still in place, they provided for the levers to be well above ground potential to the base, and thus to the keyer itself. The ONLY method I was able to find that each keying lever might have been 'electrically connected to the keyer base was via the (contact-return 'tension' spring in each lever. I've tried to find a contact method for Vibroplex but have had no luck finding ANYTHING, unless I want to place an order for parts or service. Does anyone happen to have a phone or e-mail address for Vibroplex? And more importantly, can anyone confirm that the ONLY source of grounding between the Vibrokeyer levers and the base of the paddle is via the contact return springs? If so, man, that's a HORRIBLY POOR connection to be relying upon. Thanks for your time, 73, Tom Hammond N0SS __ 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] K3/P3/Quadra
Hi Larry: I have a question about hooking up the P3 to the K3 12vdc out. I'm using a cable of your design and it's been really great. I'm using that output for the 12vdc sense voltage to turn the Quadra on and off. My P3 will be here Monday. It seems to me the that cable they supply is made to connect to the 12vdc out on the K3. And it is. Will there be a problem if I put a Y connector on the 12vdc out and fed both the P3 and the sensor 12vdc and the P3. It Depends... I 'think' the Quadra PROBABLY only requires a 'knowledge' that there's 12VDC on that port in order to turn itself on... e.g. it's not being 'powered' in an manner from the K3, just being 'told' that yes, I'm turned on, so virtually no CURRENT is being require from the K3 +12VDC output. To confirm this, I'd insert a mA meter and check to see how much (if any) current is being supplied TO the Quadra. If there's a significant amount of current, then a Y connector may not be appropriate. The P3 Owner's Manual specifications state that the P3 requires 10 to 15 VDC @0.5A which, if accurate, pretty well consumes the 'rated' 0.5A output from the K3's +12VDC @ .5A output. HOWEVER... if the Quadra only requires a 'knowledge' that there's +12VDC at the port, and really doesn't require much current (if any), then yes, I'd think that you could probably get by with a Y cable to control the Quadra and to POWER the P3 as well. If it turns out that the Quadra AND the P3 (together) do REQUIRE more current than the K3 +12VDC port can (or should be asked to) supply, then I'd probably suggest that you consider using the L3's +12VDC port to drive a small relay (or possibly a MOSFET) which would switch on/off the output from a small external 12VDC power supply which could supply maybe 1A or so output. Shouldn't me much difficulty to do this if it comes to that point. Hope this helps. 73, Tom Hammond N0SS Or should I make a longer cable and feed the P3 separately? Thanks in advance for any information you can provide. de mailto:k...@k2gn.comK2GN - Larry - http://k2gn.com K3 S/N - 3278P3 S/N - soon __ 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] P3 - Will it be able to monitor K3 output
Dave: One of the suggestions (mine) for 'additional features' was to allow the P3 to function as a transmitted waveform monitor (a la SM-220/SM-230, and others). I'm hoping that the blank hole on the back of the P3 case (labeled 'SENSOR') will eventually bring to us that feature. Not sure we'll be able to monitor OUR transmitted bandwidth, but it'd sure be very handy to be able to monitor our transmitted waveform. Having had a monitor scope for 40+ years (starting with a Heathkit HO-10), I cannot imagine operating my station WITHOUT a monitor scope in-line... they've saved my bacon several times in years past... I wouldn't be without one. 73, Tom Hammond N0SS K3/P3 Field Tester. At 14:54 08/05/2010, David Wilburn wrote: Will the P3 (at some point) be able to monitor / display the output of the K3 (or any other radio)? Such as a band scope to check modulation levels or transmit frequency. Dave Wilburn NM4M __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] P3 Delivery
Hopefully, you'll also think, SM-220/SM-230 (or YO-100). Tom N0SS At 21:44 07/30/2010, Brett Howard wrote: When you read sensor Think W2... ~Brett (N7MG) On Fri, 2010-07-30 at 09:29 -0500, Jim Miller KG0KP wrote: And it was dated today when I downloaded it (yesterday) and started reading, but it was today before I stopped reading and went to bed! hi hi). THANKS Alan for the heads up on the manual. Love the keyboard on the back panel, and the sensor? Any ideas? Bet some went out the door yesterday. 73, de Jim KG0KP - Original Message - From: Hector Padron To: Jim Miller KG0KP Cc: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Friday, July 30, 2010 8:42 AM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] P3 Delivery And if you read well,at the begining is dated YESTERDAY,isn't that an updated manual ? AD4C If you see a driver handling a cell phone on her/his hands while driving,do please stay away from that vehicle,its a moving bomb.Your life is at danger.Keep yourself and your family alive --- On Fri, 7/30/10, Jim Miller KG0KP jimmil...@stl-online.net wrote: From: Jim Miller KG0KP jimmil...@stl-online.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] P3 Delivery To: Phil Hystad phys...@mac.com, Don Cunningham wb5...@martineer.net Cc: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Date: Friday, July 30, 2010, 5:04 AM Fantastic and a manual too. How about that!!! Will give me something to read until mine shows up. 73, de Jim KG0KP - Original Message - From: Phil Hystad phys...@mac.com To: Don Cunningham wb5...@martineer.net Cc: Jim Miller KG0KP jimmil...@stl-online.net; elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Thursday, July 29, 2010 10:36 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] P3 Delivery I received my e-mail from Elecraft this afternoon requesting confirmation of my P3 order and the shipping address. I guess this means that they may ship very soon, such as maybe tomorrow. 73, phil, K7PEH On Jul 29, 2010, at 7:14 PM, Don Cunningham wrote: I'm glad you can get something positive out of that, Jim. To me, re-hashed, two week old news is not news at all, much less great news. I'd like something more concrete, like at least a manual to peruse. 73, Don, WB5HAK __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ 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] [K3] DC Power cable
Hi Susan: The pin inserts BETWEEN the RED and BLACK connector, NOT between the PAIRS of them. If your APP connector separated from the radio too easily, there's an all too good chance that one of the (4) connectors is not fully 'seated' with its mate and is a fraction of an inch ahead of (or behind) the other connector of the pair. Another possibility is that (particularly on the power cable end) one (or both) of the push-in connector contacts has not been fully seated to the point that it has successfully (and completely) slipped over the leaf spring in each of the plastic housings. It MUST LOCK over the front of the leaf spring or it will not allow the 2-connector assembly to seat properly. If you wish, I can send you some illustrations of properly seated APP contacts, but I can't send 'em thru the reflector (which doesn't support file attachments OR embedded images). 73, Tom Hammond N0SS At 12:15 07/25/2010, you wrote: The power pole connector cable I recd with my k3 has no place for a pin. The darned thing keeps disconnecting. HELP Great Grandmaw Susan If you don't change direction you WILL arrive exactly where you're headed!! Susan Meckley, Skipper W7KFI-mm AFA9SM USSV DHARMA --- On Sun, 7/25/10, Jim Brown j...@audiosystemsgroup.com wrote: From: Jim Brown j...@audiosystemsgroup.com Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [K3] DC Power cable To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net elecraft@mailman.qth.net Date: Sunday, July 25, 2010, 6:41 AM On Sat, 24 Jul 2010 11:13:22 -0700 (PDT), ab2tc wrote: Where should I look for a top quality connector? I've converted all of my DC wiring to Power Poles, so I've put together more than a hundred of these connectors. There are three sizes of pins that fit the red and black shells used by Elecraft. The small size is best for wires smaller than #18; the middle size (most common) works up to #12, the larger size goes up to #8 (and can be a very snug fit in the shell). I've always bought them from hamfest vendors, but there are several vendors who advertise in QST who sell them. They usually come in packs of ten, or ten pairs. I've never crimped them, always soldered. Remember that voltage drop is proportional to length, so shorter is better. 73, Jim K9YC __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] YET ANOTHER (VERY) HELPFUL FIELD DAY FEATURE
Folks: In order to prevent 'knob twiddling' by unfamiliar ops who like to 'twiddle' knobs of your rig, especially in order to get an INDICATED 100W OUTPUT IN SSB MODE ON AN EXTERNAL (AVERAGING) POWER METER... The K3 offers a feature to LOCK the MIC GAIN, COMPRESSION, and POWER OUTPUT controls so an uninitiated user can't 'crank up the gain' to be 'louder' (and much more distorted) on the other end... Go to CONFIG | PWR SET and press [1] to lock/UNlock MIC GAIN, COMPRESSION and POWER level controls once they've been 'CORRECTLY' set by the owner! Works just GREAT! We used it last year and it SAVED us from several 'poor audio' reports. 73, Tom N0SS __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] N0SS' KPAIO3 Puller - Updated
In response to several requests for a few pictures of the KPAIO3 Puller 'in action', I've added some pix and an UPDATED (and CORRECTED) ILLUSTRATION of the Puller design to my web site at: http://www.n0ss.net/index_k3.html or directly to that article at: http://www.n0ss.net/kpaio3_pcb_puller_v1r1.pdf Thanks to everyone for your interest. 73, Tom Hammond N0SS __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] K3 Right Side Cover... Solution to a problem no one knew they had
As long as I'm on a 'roll', I might as well post this item as well... Removing this side panel screw is relatively painless, but reinstalling it is more difficult. Because the screw is threaded through two threaded devices (2D fastener and hex standoff), with no split lock washer between them to allow for some 'adjustment' of the tension between them, re-installing the screw will go fine through the 2D fastener, but once it gets to the hex standoff, the threads will not match exactly and the screw will have to 'push' the hex standoff away from the 2D fastener for a small distance (a portion of the length of the single 4-40 screw thread) until the threads match and the screw can be tightened up AGAINST THE 2D FASTENER (but NOT against the standoff which is still a portion of a thread width away). I can understand why Elecraft had to do things in this manner, but now, in order to re-tighten the standoff against the 2D fastener, you must be able to access the standoff so it can be manually re-tightened. You must 1) remove the 4-40 X 1/4 screw (and washer) attaching the KAT3/KANT3 PC board to the standoff, 2) remove the KAT3/KANT3 PC board, and then possibly remove the top-right rear panel screw to allow access to the standoff. Then, you have to put things back together once again as well. Whew! A whale of a lot of work just to re-install a single screw. If you're interested in my (too simple) solution to this problem, take a look at the full discussion at: http://www.n0ss.net/index_k3.html 73, Tom N0SS __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] K3 - KPAIO3 'Puller'
Recently, I had to open up my K3 in order to perform a bit of preventive maintenance, on the KPAIO3 PC board. This is the small PC board which interfaces the KPA3 100W amp assembly to the RF board in the Elecraft K3 HF transceiver. The job started off easy enough... remove the top cover, remove the rear cooling fan assembly, remove the KPA3 PC board... I mean, it was an easy thing to do... a small PC board... couldn't be all THAT difficult to pull it straight up and out of the case, right? WRONG! In order to ensure that the KPA3 doesn't accidentally come loose during transport and handling, Elecraft chose to use some REALLY husky dual-row multi-pin 'hi retention' headers to attach the KPAIO3 to the RF board, and the same headers to attach the KPA3 to the KPAIO3. The only difference is that if you must remove the KPA3 from the clutches of the KPAIO3, you have a bit more available 'real estate' to grasp (and pry) on than you do when it comes to removing the KAPIO3 board. In fact, there was a point in time that I was absolutely certain that my KPAIO3 had been soldered directly to the RF board, it was that tightly held in place. Before I went too far and found myself ripping the guts of the RF board out (because my KPAIO3 really WAS soldered to the RF board), I called Elecraft and spoke with one of their techs who was very familiar with the K3. Let me digress just a bit here... I did build my K3 from a kit, but being serial #8 (and one of the first K3's out of Aptos), it had been quite a while since the assembly, and I didn't recall whether I'd installed my KPAIO3 or whether it'd been pre-installed at the factory... so I called to confirm my suspicions... that it really DID plug in. The tech assured me that it did plug into the RF board and he agreed that it was a 'bear' to remove. He suggested 'wiggling' the PC board (front-to-back) as I lifted it up, ever so gradually allowing it to 'work' itself out of the death grip of the two headers. I considered that scenario, but didn't care for the 'wiggling' part, feeling that this only contributed to a possibly fractured PC board joint on one (or more) of the header pins... The tech also suggested using some 'heavy wire' to make a loop to go through two (2) available (and unused) holes in the KPAIO3 PC board, with the loop tied together so I could lift on it and pull the PC board straight out. THIS IDEA I LIKED...! I did a quick search of the shack and found little heavy wire, BUT I did manage to locate what turned out to be a length of 0.125 (1/8) O.D. aluminum welding rod. I checked that the rod just barely passed through the (2) holes in the KPAIO3 PC board and was gratified to find that it did. I then took a few measurements and bent the rod into the lift bracket shown below (note that the two vertical legs are different lengths), cutting off the excess rod length after the final bend had been made. I then used a fine file to smooth out any 'dings' I might have created in the two short 'feet' of the lift bracket, to ensure that they would insert easily into the two PC board holes. Now, all I have to do is to slip the two 'feet' of the lifting bracket into the holes of the KPAIO3 PC board, grip the lifting bracket AND the top bar of the K3 rear panel and squeeze my hand! The PC board pops out cleanly and quite easily. And much more safely than were I to have to 'wiggle' things back 'n forth. While I don't expect everyone to have 1/8 O.D. aluminum welding rod on hand, I'm pretty certain that the same device could be made using a fairly heavy gauge metal clothes hangar. The IMPORTANT thing is, when using this device, keep the main body of the lifting bracket up flush against the PC board, thereby reducing the stress on the feet and keeping them from bending. A PDF with this article and dimensional illustrations of the KPAIO3 Puller is available on my web site at: http://www.n0ss.net/index_k3.html more specifically: http://www.n0ss.net/kpaio3_pcb_puller_v1r1.pdf 73, Tom Hammond N0SS __ 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] K3: R/T and T/R timing
Hi Dave: About 25 or so years ago, I added full QSK to my Alpha 76PA (using the QSK circuitry from the Alpha 78 (which had QSK from the factory). Since that time, I've used the QSK-ed Alpha with every radio I've had, full QSK, with NO HOT SWITCHING... EVER! And I'm NOT(!) using the built-in (Alpha) pre/post keying circuitry, which never gave satisfactory timing. Just letting the rigs key the T-R line. The K3 is fully-timed such that you'll close the T-R line before RF appears, and you'll drop RF before the T-R line drops... unless you're using some sort of slow open-frame relay. Vacuum relays, reed relays, and PIN diodes will all switch long before RF appears and well after it disappears. For what it's worth, the DELAY control does NOT control key-down to RF-available timing... it controls key-up to return-to-RX timing. 73, Tom Hammond N0SS p.s. If ANYONE with an Alpha 78 might happen to be interested, I have a completely designed, and working PC board to add both full QSK AND grid overdrive protection to your Alpha 78-series amplifier. ETO/Alpha Power no longer offers the Alpha 78 QSK PC board, but I DO...! Cost for the conversion is about $120 complete. Info sent on request. At 09:38 03/26/2010, David Windisch wrote: Hi, all concerned: The time from key-down to rf-available, is well-defined, and controllable with the DELAY knob from 8ms to 2s. Is the time from key-up to no r-f output as well-defined, and controllable? My concern is hot-switching an amplifier, in my case either a Ten-Tec 425 or an Alpha 89, operating QSK c-w. After key-up, on quiet bands or a dummy load, I hear a short tail (sounds like an echo) at the end of each code element. Is the situation different on SSB? Any ideas out there, please? Tia brgds, Dave, N3HE -- View this message in context: http://n2.nabble.com/K3-R-T-and-T-R-timing-tp4804248p4804248.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft 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] [K3] Overvoltage protection?
Dan: If the Astron is working AS INTENDED, when the OVP SCR fires, the UA723 VReg will immediately go into over-current protect mode, reducing the output current to 1A WITHOUT damaging ANYTHING! Same as if you placed a short directly across the output terminals of the supply. The ONLY time the fuse should blow is if the p ass transistors shorted. 73, Tom Hammond N0SS At 20:28 02/28/2010, you wrote: I recently purchased a 35 amp Astron power supply at a hamfest (in great condition). Upon inspection, I found that the crowbar SCR had failed, and had been removed. Although I've replaced the SCR, I'm wondering if the K3 has overvoltage protection of some kind? As an aside, I would like to test the crowbar circuit in the Astron, but with that big capacitor in there, I'm kind of hesitant. That big capacitor would have to discharge before the primary fuse would blow (maybe blowing the SCR)--right? I'm thinking of putting a 25 amp fuse in series with the capacitor. Anyone address this before? Thanks, Dan - W4TQ __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Need to select a dummy load for K3 TX calibration...(advice?)
FWIW - Last time I spoke with the folks at Ridge Equipt., they had 'a few' 100W-150W loads available as well as those shown on their web page... apparently not enough to make it worth reworking the web page to show them however. You might want to give them a phone call and see what they might have that's not shown on the web site 410 549-7661. Those they show on the site are GREAT and well worth the $$. Though they will 'handle' short periods of overload, I'd not do so for very long at all. They are 'rated' for 100% duty cycle at something BELOW the 'advertised' power levels... e.g. the 75W dummy load is more conservatively rated (elsewhere) at 65W, and, after having looked inside the load (I have one) I'd not want to push my luck too far by exceeding 65W for too long a time. They're good, but they're NOT SUPERMAN! 73, Tom N0SS At 11:22 02/24/2010, Don Nelson wrote: On 2/24/2010 9:41 AM, Brett Howard wrote: If you're in a hurry you've already bought the MFJ from HRO. If you want to be a little more frugal you can get an adequate one here for 12 bucks! I know it says its a 75watt load but it will do 100 for long enough to get the job done and the K3 only calibrates at 50 any way... https://www.ridgeequipment.com/store/dummyloads.html ~Brett On Tue, 2010-02-23 at 10:13 -0800, Jeff Hall, W6EZY wrote: Hello all, I need help picking out a proper dummy load to use for calibrating my new K3. HRO is just up the road and they carry some of the less expensive MFJ dummy loads -- would these be sufficient? Not looking to spend a lot of money, but don't want to buy junk either. What factors should I consider? I'm assuming oil-cooled dummy loads are more robust, while air-cooled loads are more compact, but you have to be more careful when operating or they can burn up more easily. The K3 manual says this is just a 5W test and I need a load with low VSWR from 160 to 6. What is considered low SWR? Anything under 1:5? If I can get by with the MFJ-260 for just $40, that sounds reasonable to me. 73 de Jeff, W6EZY __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.435 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2707 - Release Date: 02/24/10 07:34:00 The same seller is selling this dummy load for less on ebay and the shipping is less via ebay. http://cgi.ebay.com/50-Ohm-Dummy-Load-75-Watts-VERY-NICE-1973_W0QQitemZ250584212024QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3a57fba238 Don, N0YE __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] OR - Where to go for reasonably priced Aluminum Project Boxes
Will keep this short. I'm entertaining suggestions for sources of (hopefully) reasonably-priced Aluminum project boxes, on the order of maybe 2H X 3-1/2W X 3-1/2D. The absolute size is not terribly crucial, as long as I can fit in the PC board that it's to house AND as long as it's large enough so I can use the box as a heatsink for a pass transistor which will need to dissipate about 15W of heat. PLEASE REPLY OFF-REFLECTOR... this request is pretty far removed from Elecraft relevance! Many thanks, Tom Hammond N0SS __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] OT - Where to go for reasonably priced Aluminum Project Boxes
The Subject should have indicated OT (Off-Topic), not OR... sorry. Tom _- Will keep this short. I'm entertaining suggestions for sources of (hopefully) reasonably-priced Aluminum project boxes, on the order of maybe 2H X 3-1/2W X 3-1/2D. The absolute size is not terribly crucial, as long as I can fit in the PC board that it's to house AND as long as it's large enough so I can use the box as a heatsink for a pass transistor which will need to dissipate about 15W of heat. PLEASE REPLY OFF-REFLECTOR... this request is pretty far removed from Elecraft relevance! Many thanks, Tom Hammond N0SS __ 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] Disgrunteled Japanese
Hector: According to several currency calculators: 2,014,200 JPY = $21,983.0832 USD Whew. 73, Tom N0SS At 09:38 01/05/2010, you wrote: WOW ! according that pdf document(http://www.edcjp.jp/shop/order-K3.pdf) If we add all the modules and filters price for a fully loaded K3,it will cost in japan 2,014,200 (two million fourteen thousand two hundred)yens,can anyone say how many USD is that amount,sounds like a lot AD4C For a refined ham it is compulsory to own a k3 --- On Mon, 1/4/10, Fumiaki Okushi fumi...@okushi.com wrote: From: Fumiaki Okushi fumi...@okushi.com Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Disgrunteled Japanese To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Date: Monday, January 4, 2010, 9:25 PM From: Hector Padron ad4c2...@yahoo.com Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Disgrunteled Japanese Date: Mon, 4 Jan 2010 12:51:18 -0800 (PST) WOW ! Hard to believe,then I imagine a fully loaded K3 will be then over 5 grands in japan with that dealer EDC? You can find the price list for K3 (and accessories) at http://www.edcjp.jp/shop/order-K3.pdf Note that the pdf includes Japanese so parts of the page may not render properly depending on the pdf reader you may have.. Regards, Fumi Okushi/KB2KVV __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ 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] More on N0SS K3 External Speaker Splitter
Jim: At 11:53 01/05/2010, Jim Brown wrote: On Mon, 04 Jan 2010 13:20:07 -0600, Tom Hammond wrote: Since the posting of the link to my K3 Speaker Splitter PC board, I have received a number of requests (orders if you will) for PC boards. While I appalud your willingness to share, there is another good solution. What we really need is a stereo to mono breakout cable that has a 3-circuit male plug wired for stereo, split to two mono jacks. That's PRECISELY what my adapter is! Of course, it's not 'just' a a cable... Here's the problem -- Radio Schlock, Worst Buy, and their ilk pushed the real connector mfrs out of the market with cheaply made connectors and adapter cables, but they don't sell the cable we need. Agreed. And that's why I designed my own. The GOOD connectors are made by Switchcraft and Neutrik. In North America, we can buy these parts from vendors like Newark, Allied, Digikey, etc. The catch is that they cost more than a buck, and hams can be cheap, so they think they're too expensive. They're not -- they are of much higher quality, don't have the melting insulation and lousy contact material problems of the cheap connectors, and are far more robust mechanically. The solution is simple. Simply belly up to the bar and place an order with one of these real electronics vendors for real connectors and build your own adapters. Ummm... that's my kit... at least I believe it is. Sure looks like it. 73 pal, Tom __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] More on N0SS K3 External Speaker Splitter
Since the posting of the link to my K3 Speaker Splitter PC board, I have received a number of requests (orders if you will) for PC boards. I've been thinking about the problems some may encounter with regard to ordering the specific parts (PCB-mount 3.5mm stereo jacks) for the splitter, and more importantly the off the wall cost of shipping (usually $5-$7 US) for less than 3 oz of parts (and that's per each order placed). This raises the cost of the project significantly. I already have enough orders for PC boards that I'll not be able to fabricate them in the Kitchen (as I often do for very small PCB orders), and IF I proceed with the project from this end, I'll have FAR Circuits make the PC boards for the project. This will increase the cost of the project (just a bit), BUT it'll take a load off me, AND it'll help keep me in Jeri's (She Who Must By Obeyed) good graces...!!! I am proposing to completely 'kit' the project... all electronic parts, hardware, and PC boards... for $20 or less, delivered to US destinations... add $1 more for DX delivery. My initial PCB order will be for one 'sheet' of thirty (30) boards (main circuit board and an 'insulator' board to prevent the main board from shorting out against anything on the operating desk in back of the K3. To that end, I'll need a few more orders before I'll be able to commit to the cash outlay for the PC boards. IF you are interested in obtaining a kit for this project, PLEASE contact me a.s.a.p. I will make my final decision (GO or NO-GO) by the end of this week. If you are interested, you can see the docs on a previous version of the Splitter at: http://www.n0ss.net/index_k3.html and drop down to the line titled: External (Dual) Speaker Splitter for the K3. The proposed project will be slightly smaller than that shown on my web page and will use 2-56 hardware as opposed to 4-40 hardware in the article. 73, Tom Hammond N0SS __ 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] K3 - Speaker/headphone problem
Older K3's were susceptible to damage if a MONO plug was inserted into the STEREO jack on the back panel. Subsequent to that, there was both a hardware and a software mod to new(er) K3s to eliminate the threat of damage from that happening. UNfortunately, I cannot quote book, verse, and phrase of exactly when this 'factory' change occurred. I believe it's spoken to in the K3 Mods section of the Elecraft web site... QRX... lemme check... OK... here's the info from http://www.elecraft.com/K3/k3_app_notes.htm and down at K3 AF Output Mod Kit. Rev C: This modification is needed for all K3s shipped approximately before 01/12/09 containing either a Revision XB or Revision A KIO3 board. You must inspect the KIO3 board to see whether the modification has been made. Modified boards will include the leaded resistors. You can see one of the resistors by removing the top cover and inspecting the side of the KIO3 board facing away from the rear panel. Photos of what the added resistors look like are in the document. Hope this helps. 73, Tom Hammond N0SS At 15:12 01/03/2010, Keith Hamilton wrote: Doesn't the manual state that a mono plug is ok? I better unplug my speaker. I must have read wrong. Thanks a lot for the post! Keith W8GX On Jan 3, 2010, at 3:57 PM, Dave Perry N4QS wrote: Tony, Same thing happened to me when I plugged my Kenwood mono speaker into the stereo speaker jack on the back of the K3. I did this without thinking from the front of the radio when I was rearranging equipment in the shack. The speaker worked for a couple of days until the audio output transistor failed. I could then only hear audio from the headphones. I had to send my K3 back to Elecraft in order to replace the audio output transistor. It was under warranty so they repaired it for free. While the rig was in the shop, I had them add the sub RX, digital voice recorder, and the IF Out interface. So they came out okay on the deal. But I learned my lesson -- do not plug a mono speaker into the stereo receptacle. It is clearly labeled as Stereo on the back, but you have to be looking at it from that direction! Even the manual shows it as stereo. Dave, N4QS - Original Message - From: N2TK, Tony tony@verizon.net To: 'Elecraft Reflector' elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Saturday, January 02, 2010 11:25 AM Subject: [Elecraft] K3 - Speaker/headphone problem Maybe someone has had this problem before and can save me time troubleshooting? Everything was fine yesterday. This morning (rig is always ON) headphones work fine. But nothing out of either internal or external speaker when I unplugged the headphones. I now have to turn Config: SPKR + PH to YES to listen out of either an external or internal speaker. But now I can't turn off the speakers when plugging in the headphones. Any ideas what could have happened? Tnx for any feedback. N2TK, Tony __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] K3 Back Panel Phones Jack... my solution...
Man... what a BIG discussion... whew! Early on with my K3, I found that having two speakers (L R) plugged into the rear panel SPKR jack of the K3 was turning out to be a real P.I.T.A. I had two speakers, with somewhat lengthy (though folded up and tied) leads which extended left and right across the back of the K3, wound in/out of all of the other wires back there as well, and BOTH leads attached to a single stereo plug, inserted into the back of the K3. When I wanted to move the speakers, or to take them with me for a trip or demo I had to first unplug the plug from the back of the K3 and then 'snake' at least one of the speakers up/down in/out of all the other accumulated wires before I could manage to resurrect both speakers fro in back of the rig. It got to be a really tiring process... really quick! I decided to fix that problem. I designed a small PC board on which two (2) stereo phone jacks were mounted, and then a 7 length of 2-conductor (w/shield) cable from the PC board to a single stereo plug which plugged into the back of the K3. The jacks on the PC board were wired such that the RING on each jack was left unconnected and so only the TIP and SLEEVE were connected to the cable. This way, I can plug EITHER stereo OR mono plugs into the jacks on the PC board and not have to worry about shorting anything on the K3 out to ground. Additionally, and this is the best part for me... now, when I need to remove the speakers, all I have to do is to unplug each speaker from the PC board and INDIVIDUALLY unwrap any wires before pulling it to the front of the desk... no longer do I have to man-handle a big honkin' speaker, trying to unwind it from the rats nest of wires in back of the rig. I also have a quick and easy to unplug both speakers from the back of the K3 if I need to do that as well. If you like my idea, visit my web site at: http://www.n0ss.net/index_k3.html and drop down to the line titled: External (Dual) Speaker Splitter for the K3. If there's enough interest, I might consider making some PC boards for sale, otherwise, I'll be happy to make the artwork available for you to make your own PC boards IF you're interested in doing so. If someone else wants to make the boards, I'll be happy to give them the artwork, too. 73, Tom N0SS __ 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] K3 Back Panel Phones Jack... my solution...
Hi Julian Been there, done that, etc. I think practically every socket on the back of my K3 has something plugged into it. But either I'm overlooking something, or you don't need to make up a special connector. You can buy little adapters that have one 3.5mm stereo jack output and two 3.5mm stereo sockets for input. I think they are made to allow two people to listen simultaneously to an MP3 player. Agreed... BUT... how many of them ISOLATE the RING so it doesn't short out when a mono plug is plugged into the STEREO jack? THAT is what I was trying to avoid as much as providing two individual connections... with what I have, you can plug in either a stereo plug (connected to a SINGLE spkr), or a mono plug (connected to a single spkr) and still not have to worry about the long mono sleeve shorting out the RING on the K3's input. The TIP GND of the K3 PLUG connects to the LEFT spkr, and the RING GND connect to the RIGHT spkr. But the RINGs on BOTH of the INPUT jacks are not connected to anything. 73, Tom __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] OT - Need specs for two transistors from the Reflector
Folks: Sorry to bother you this early in the year I'm having problems locating specs for two transistors I'm going to need to replace. Tried Googleing for them but didn't find much specific info... BZ AE1 TO-92 I've seen several spec sheet references to is, but they all seem to come from websites that my AntiVirus doesn't want to let me visit. Hopefully someone with a decently current NTE substitution book might be able to help. ST 9014C TO-92 The closest I can come to this is an SS 9104C (Mouser) which may or may NOT be the same device. Again, hopefully an NTE book might help. Please if you have ANY info, respond OFF-REFLECTOR to keep the 'noise' down to a dull roar. Happy New Year to all. 73, Tom Hammond N0SS __ 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] K3 Diversity and filter selection
Hi Steve: WORST CASE... if you attempt DIVERSITY reception (during which both RXs are supposed to be receiving on the same (exact) frequency, you will probably note a slight 'beat' between the two received signals. This will usually present itself as a (usually slow) side-to-side (assuming a 2-speaker configuration) movement of the perceived received signal at a rate determined by the amount of frequency mismatch between the two filters... usually on the order of 3Hz or less... often 1Hz or less. 73, Tom Hammond N0SS At 10:41 12/22/2009, you wrote: What is supposed to happen if one uses unmatched filters in main/sub rx? Steve N4LQ n...@carolina.rr.com - Original Message - From: Mike Scott m...@paxsen.com To: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Tuesday, December 22, 2009 10:43 AM Subject: [Elecraft] K3 Diversity and filter selection I use my K3 in diversity receive 90% of the time. I have matched 2.7 KHz filters in both receivers. The sub receiver has only the one filter the main also has 500 Hz, 6 KHz and 13 KHz filters. I have had no issues when the two receivers are using different filters. I may be lucky. I understand that when operating in a CW contest environment that I will be disadvantaged because of the sub Rx using a broad roofing filter. I am not a contester. Your mileage may vary and you can always add filters later. Mike Scott - AE6WA Tarzana, CA (DM04 / near LA) NAQCC 3535 K3-100 #508 / KX1 #1311 __ 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 No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.722 / Virus Database: 270.14.117/2581 - Release Date: 12/22/09 03:09:00 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Spurious
Mike: I personally prefer UNamplified Motorola Mobile speakers, available regularly on EBay for $10 or less. The AMPLIFIED Motorola speakers are also good, but require external power. They can be obtained from EBay for $15 or less. If you buy the amplified speakers, check my web site for modification info. http://www.n0ss.net/motorola_amp_spkr_mods_04jul2009.pdf 73, Tom Hammond N0SS At 10:25 12/22/2009, you wrote: Let's see if I can generate another 1000 posts O:-) . What external speakers are popular with K3ers? 73, Mike NF4L __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 Solder Help
Bob: I bought a Sennheiser Headset to use with my K3, and the stereo headset audio plug is defective. I wanted to put on a new plug and discovered to my dismay that my 60/40 solder does not stick to what looks like a copper wire. Any suggestions? Chances are that it might be copper 'tinsel' (thin flat copper strips, twisted with cotton thread) to give the cord a lot of flexibility. If it IS tinsel, any time you attempt to solder to it (as-is) you'll burn the threads first and they'll foul the copper for taking up solder. The ONLY way I've found to satisfactorily solder to tinsel is to wrap the tip of the tinsel with a VERY FIND BARE COPPER WIRE (like a single strand of stranded #24 wire... e.g a #30 or so bare copper wire). Wrap the turns around the tip of the tinsel and wrap the turns up against each other. Once wrapped, solder to the wrapped wire. This will quickly accept solder and transfer the heat to the copper in the tinsel quickly enough that it'll accept solder before the threads get to burn. Good luck, Merry Christmas, Tom Hammond N0SS __ 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] K3 Solder Help
Bob: I should have included the same note that Fred, K6DGW, suggested. If you just flat cannot manage to solder the wires, go to your friendly hardware store and find their 'brass hobby tubing' assortment. Select the smallest I.D tubing into which you can slip the individual headphone wire(s). Cut off a short (1/4 - 3/8) chunk of tubing, solder a 'connecting wire to it, insert one of the (3) headphone wires into the tubing and CRIMP it tightly. Good luck, Tom Hammond N0SS __ 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] Regarding a carrying box for the K3
Alan: I went on line to order but they want $32.21 to ship one $29.95 item to California (UPS ground). I don't think so... Too bad - looks like a nice unit. Find a couple/few others to add to your order. That shipping was virtually IDENTICAL to what they charged me to ship three (3) in a single (rather large) box. Tom __ 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] Regarding a carrying box for the K3
Hi Alan: GREAT PRICE!!! Thanks for the link. And yes, that does appear to be the VERY SAME box!!! I hope they have a BUNCH of them!!! 73, Tom At 21:50 12/16/2009, you wrote: For me shipping was about $18 which I thought was a bit too much to ship. So, I went on eBay today looking for a case/container for my K3. I found a padded case for a projector that I think will work for my needs. But, in my search I found the same aluminum case without the foam for $32.99 with free shipping. You can check it out at http://tinyurl.com/ybqotk3 73, Alan N5NA Alan Bloom wrote: I went on line to order but they want $32.21 to ship one $29.95 item to California (UPS ground). I don't think so... Too bad - looks like a nice unit. Al N1AL __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] Regarding a carrying box for the K3
Back on November 13th, Dave, K1WHS, reported that he'd bought a military surplus aluminum box (item #138401) from www.colemans.com, and that he'd managed to satisfactorily shoehorn his K3 into the box. Following Dave's lead, I ordered three (3) of the boxes, one for myself, and two for other locals who also had K3s. I waited several weeks for delivery of the boxes, but to no avail. I called Coleman's and found that someone had dropped the ball... having taken my order, but failed to process it any further. The boxed went out that day and were received three days later. Today I donned my surgical mask and latex gloves, picked up the electric carving knife, and had my way with the energy-absorbing foam in one of the boxes. The 'surgery' went well, and much more swiftly than I'd have ever expected. I now have a very nice, and certainly VERY STURDY, aluminum carrying box for my K3, with the K3 firmly, and safely cradled within it's loving arms. If you're interested in seeing the final product, drop by my web site at www.n0ss.net and go to the K3-specific page. There you'll find a small PDF giving all the gory details. I think the purchase of the box is going to be very well worth the price AND the wait. Thanks Dave for posting the availability of these boxes to the reflector. 73, Tom Hammond N0SS __ 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] K3 shuts off
Mike: Sounds to me as if his P/S is going into a momentary over-current protection. When this state occurs, it is in response to a request for the P/S to provide current in excess of that for which it was designed to supply. For instance, if the P/S built-in over-current protection circuit is designed to provide 22A (sightly more than the rated 20A) of current) but the device connected to it is requiring 23A of current, the over-current protection will immediately(!) drop the output voltage from 14 V down to somewhere around 0.3-0.6 VDC and the resulting current will go to zero (or nearly zero anyway). You can demonstrate this on a P/S with over-current protection by intentionally shorting the two main power cables together.. BUT DO NOT DO THIS UNLESS YOU ARE CERTAIN YOUR P/S HAS OVER-CURRENT PROTECTION BUILT-IN. Although most 'modern' supplies DO offer this feature, some may not, and shorting the leads on a supply which did NOT offer it, might be somewhat DISASTROUS!!! Anyway... if your K3 is asking for even a little bit more current than the P/S can supply, the supply will shut down for an INSTANT... until it thinks the overload has been removed (as when no excessive current is being drawn) and then it'll normally immediately return to full output voltage/current again. Of course, by that time, the K3 appears to have shut down and then remained off (as a result of the built-in 'brown out' firmware in the K3!!!). The 'brown-out' firmware senses when the K3 has suffered even an instantaneous loss of power and will place the K3 into a state of suspended animation until power is fully cycled off/on via the [POWER] button. It's a protective measure. The solution to your friend's problem is one of two options: 1 - Purchase a heavier-duty supply which can supply 25A (intermittently) before it goes into over-current protection... 2 - Reduce requested power output (probably only required on certain bands which require just a bit more drive to produce 100W output) and live with the existing P/S. Personally, I'd run with option #1. Now, to being able to SEE this problem, to confirm that it exists... The switch from normal operation to over-current protection can be so fast that neither meters nor digital displays will not catch it. Neither will your eyes...! BUT if you can hang a scope across the DC output from the P/S, set it to a very SLOW SWEEP SPEED, so you can see a single trace run across the screen, and THEN put the rig into TX at 100W of requested power, IF the problem is a momentary over-current problem, you'll see the instantaneous drop of voltage easily on the o-scope trace. Good luck, Tom Hammond N0SS At 21:47 12/12/2009, you wrote: I was at a friends today, looking at his K3. It's in the 1000 range of serial numbers, not a kit. If power is set above 95-96 watts, the rig shuts down instantly when you transmit (at least in CW and if you press the TUNE button. Didn't try it on any other modes). His power supply reads 14.6V, it's a 20A supply, but we didn't read it under load. Does the K3 have the ability to display voltage and current draw? I downloaded and installed 3.68 firmware, but the problem was there before. Clues and hints, please? 73, Mike NF4L __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Improving Circuit Board Connections
Thanks Ken, However the link you provided appears to be busted... however maybe the following link will give readers some usable info: http://www.stabilant.com/techt02h.htm 73, Tom N0SS At 12:17 12/06/2009, Ken Miller, K6CTW wrote: All, I was talking with one of our vendors this past week when he mentioned a product that their network folks and others used when they had issues with a circuit board not working as advertised or when it had intermittent connections. The product that they use is called Satbilant. _http://www.amazon.com/D-W-Electrochemical-22S-50mL-Stabilant/dp/B001E50P5A_ Thought this might be of interest to the K3 builders as it could be very useful especially if the K3 was going to be operating in high vibration environments or was going to go on a DXpedition. 73 - Ken Miller, K6CTW __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] OT - HRD link to http://www.dxsummit.fi/DxSpots.aspx
Trying to get HRD (v5 build 2356 beta) to connect to: http://www.dxsummit.fi/DxSpots.aspx but I can't find the correct port address to us for the link. Does anyone have a known good link and port) address? Also seem to be missing several features (country name and bearing) in this version of HRD, but I'm assuming that this may be because I'm using a beta release. Not sure though. I'd have asked on the HRD forum, but I've never been successful in ANY(!) of my numerous attempts to join the group. Thanks, Tom N0SS __ 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] Central Tendency of K2 PCB Solder Pad Widths?
Hi Jeff: I don't believe it has to be quite that 'analytical' an approach. The intent of my comments in the article were to try to urge builders to use a soldering iron tip width which would not easily overlap the pad width, thus promoting the potential for dragging excess solder between pads or pads and lands. I've built numerous K2's and other Elecraft rigs and, for the most part, I think I've just about always used a 1.6 mm width tip. I believe I did go to a somewhat more narrow tip when I built the KX1, because it was more densely populated, and thus more prone to offering chances for shorts between pads/lands. The idea is to just use a tip that's large enough to carry as much 'heat' to the joint as possible, while not being so wide that it easily allows you to overlap the pad with the width of the tip. Hope this helps. 73, Tom Hammond N0SS At 21:09 10/28/2009, Jeff T. Casey wrote: Hi gang, This document on the Elecraft web site, http://bit.ly/solderingtips says, [Soldering iron] tip width will normally be in the range of 1/32 (0.79mm) through 1/8 (3.2mm), depending upon the width of the pad to which you are soldering. The width of the tip selected should be about 75% to 90% of the width of the pad. What would you estimate to be the median or modal (or just typical ;-) solder pad width on the K2's circuit boards? Or, to be more direct, which of the following soldering tip widths would be best for use in building a K2: 0.80 mm, 1.19 mm, 1.60 mm, or 2.40 mm? Or am I just splitting hairs? Thanks very much, 73 72, Jeff NE2J (formerly WB5GWB) __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] MMARC (all K3) Special FunXpedition to Frankenstein MO for Halloween
As in a number of years past, members of the Mid-MO ARC (MMARC), Jefferson City MO, will sponsor a Special FunXpedition to Frankenstein MO for Halloween. We will operate Special Event Station W0O. I had a really kewl image of the special QSL card to insert here, but I can't attach it because the reflector won't accept file attachments or embedded images, sorry! We will begin operation (with luck) about 3 p.m. (2000Z) this Saturday (October 31st) and run until about 8 a.m. (1300Z) on Sunday (November 1st) morning. We will have two (2) stations, both Elecraft K3's, on the air as long as there are QSOs to be made. One station will be CW and the other will be SSB. I don't have exact times/frequencies, but I'm kinda guessing we'll (probably) TRY(!) to hang out around the following frequencies: CWSSB 80M 3545 3963 40M 7045 7245 30M 10125 10110 20M 14045 14330 15M 21045 21345 10M 28045 28345 Please try to work us while we're at Frankenstein... we have a GREAT new QSL card made to confirm QSOs from this event. IF you work us, ___BE CERTAIN WE HAVE YOUR CALL, NAME AND QTH 'IN THE LOG'___... We will QSL 100% for all contacts made, and YOU DO NOT have to send anything(!) to us... no s.a.s.e., no 'green 'stamp', and (please) NO QSL (we have no place to archive QSLs received and they will just get in the way, sorry). NOTE: QSLs will be mailed to your address AS SHOWN IN QRZ.COM!!! If that address is NOT correct, now's a great time to fix that with the FCC. And if you don't have time to fix it, BUT if you do work us, ___BE SURE to give the operator YOUR CURRENT MAILING ADDRESS___. There will be yet another FunXpedition to Frankenstein MO as well... the Warrensburg (MO) Area Amateur Radio Club Inc (WAARCI), will operate Special Event station N0F from another site in Frankenstein MO over the same approximate time period. I believe this group WILL require, at least, an s.a.s.e. to obtain a confirmation QSL from N0F. QSL contacts with N0F to WE0G at the address shown in QRZ.COM 73, Tom Hammond N0SS K3 #8 Kent Trimble K9ZTV K3 #00021 __ 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] K3 Audio Volume
Gary: NEXT TIME it occurs, and BEFORE you do anything else, find a signal and not the S-meter reading. THEN re-cycle whatever must be recycled to obtain the expected audio output level and THEN re-check the S-meter. If the signal level has not changed, then the problem is (most probably) in the AF section. If the signal is now reading higher on the S-meter, then the problem is RF-related. 73, Tom Hammond N0SS At 01:01 10/22/2009, you wrote: Hi Again today I had soft audio when I turned the K3 on. I pressed the ATU button and the volume became loud and has remained at that level. Here are the settings. 7.102.00 LSB Width. 2.50 FC 0.50 Hi. 1.75 LO. 0.00 Filter 2.1 8 pole (Others installed are also 8 pole 13,6,2.8 and 400) Antenna is 80M full wave loop and has a 1.2:1 dip on this frequency) AF knob was at quarter PAST the hour as the audio is generally very low and has been for a long time. After the change in volume it sounds great at the 11 o'clock position. FW ver 3.41 Hope this helps someone figure out what may be causing this up/down audio change. K3/100 #679 73's Gary VK4WT/P Sent via BlackBerry® from Telstra __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] W3FPR Fixed AF Output PC Boards... last one(s) available
Folks: I'll try to keep this short (but I've NEVER been able to do that before, dunno why I think I can do it now)... I while back, I wrote that I had a limited supply of the W3FPR Fixed Level AF Output PC Board (for the K2) available and that when they were gone, there'd be no more available. Of course, I received a slug of orders, which decimated the supply..! One of my customers ordered two (2) boards which I duly mailed off to him. They were never delivered. (FIRST TIME I've actually had a non-delivery, out of several HUNDRED previous shipments). So I sent him the LAST TWO PC boards in stock (I'd held them back as 'backups' in case his first shipment didn't arrive. Imagine my amazement when he called to say that the second shipment FILED to arrive as well! I'd asked him to exercise (even more) patience, and to give another 7-10 days for the package to be delivered. Though neither the first nor second envelopes were delivered to their destination, they did (finally) come BACK TO ME... marked, NO SUCH ADDRESS - CANNOT DELIVER..! Turns out the purchaser made a typo when he sent his mailing address to me, reversing two digits in the street address. Sooo... I've now sent two PCBs to him (at the correct address) and I have two PC boards remaining. BOTH of the remaining PC boards are potentially COMMITTED to folks who I had to (initially) turn down for orders. I have sent an 'availability' note to one of those folks, BUT I've managed to lose the name/address of the last remaining potential purchaser. Owing to the honesty of hams, I'm now asking that IF you were the person I had to turn down on the purchase, PLEASE CONTACT ME IMMEDIATELY at N0SS.NET... I have your PC board waiting to go out to you. If it turns out the one or both of those potential purchasers no longer want the PC boards, I'll announce that they are again available. Told ya, I couldn't type a short note! Sorry!!! 73, Tom Hammond N0SS __ 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] W3FPR Fixed AF Output PC Boards... last one(s) available
Hi Matt: I'm CCing the reflector in case someone else has the same question. W8ESE wrote: Tom, do you have the artwork/CAD file that you could make available if someone wanted to reproduce these? OH ABSOLUTELY! I'd be HAPPY(!) to provide you (or anyone else for that matter) with the artwork required to produce a PC board via the photo-etching process. I can supply BW artwork at either 1X or 2X (or some other magnification if you prefer), and at 300 or 600 DPI resolution. I usually send these out as PDFs which can be printed directly onto either plain white paper or onto clear acetate (for directly making a negative if you do your own contact exposure of the negative to home-etched pre-sensitized PC board). I'd need to know whether you want a photo positive (black where copper is to remain), or negative (white/clear where copper is to remain). The process (KPR-4) which I use required a photo-negative image, but many others use a photo-positive working resist. If you can accept a PDF and print your own master images, there's no charge for the images. IF I have to print and mail them to you, there will be a nominal printing/mailing charge required. I have a number of other PC board designs for which this offer holds as well. 73, Tom Hammond N0SS __ 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] speakers
Hi Dan: I am looking at speakers for my K3. I have looked At the various computer speakers but don't know Which of the many available would work best. Does Anyone have an opinion on which set is best :-). Also should I get a set with a sub? Some (possibly many) PC speakers include internal amplifiers which can be susceptible to RFI which results in thumps 'n 'bumps in the night. I have settled on a pair of (UNamplified) 8-Ohm Motorola mobile speakers I bought off EBay for $5 each, plus shipping. They are a very dark brown case, which is almost dark enough to be taken for black, and match the K3 nicely. Trying top plug two (2) separate (UNamplified) speakers into the single 1/8 stereo jack in the back of the K3 was getting to be a PITA... I had two wires going different directions (L and R) RIGHT OUT OF THE BACK OF THE K3, which made things a bit 'busier' than I wanted. So I fabricated a 'splitter' for the speakers... a single 2-wire/shielded cable (about 8 long) to a 1/8 stereo plug goes into the back of the K3. The cable terminates in a small PC board containing two (2) 1/8 STEREO jacks of which only the TIP and SLEEVE are used (RING = N/C). This allows me to plug in speakers which are terminated in mono OR stereo jacks and to not have to worry about possibly plugging a mono plug into the stereo jack on the K3. Yeah, I know, there have been mods for the K3 to prevent damage if I mono plug was plugged into the stereo jack, but this helps to ensure that I never do it regardless of the preventative mods! It also helps to get the two wires (to the two speakers) out and a bit away from the immediate read of the K3, making wire 'congestion' a bit easier to handle. Thought I've not done so (yet), if there's any interest in the 2-speaker 'splitter', I'll put the info out on my web site for general access. 73, Tom Hammond N0SS __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] Regarding availability of the W3FPR Fixed-Output AF PC Board
Greetings: Sales of the W3FPR Fixed-Output AF PC board have again slowed. Additionally, I have a limited quantity remaining... actually, only eight (8) boards remain. Once these boards are gone, I'll probably NOT reorder more boards to be made by FAR Circuits. However, if someone else might want to take up the task, I'll be happy to make the PCB layout available to you and I'm sure that Fred at FAR Ckts would be just as tickled to make them for you as he would be for me. For what it's worth, one 8 X 11 'sheet' of these PC boards contains about 54 (6 X 9) PC boards. 73, Tom Hammond N0SS __ 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] Decoder for use with K3 and PW-1
Hi George: UNfortunately, if you look at the SCHEMATIC of the PW-1, you will see that the stepped band/data voltage (paraphrasing one of my daughters) goes in one ear and right out the other), and is NEVER TOUCHED (internally) by the PW-1 as is passes from one ACC connector to the other... I can (I believe) still provide a copy of the relative portions of the PW-1 schematic if you wish to review it. Can't include it here due to reflector restrictions on attachments, etc. It appears that the ONLY way to get the PW-1 to actually ACT upon the K3's band data is to be able to convert it from (K3) BCD to PW-1 CI-V format. 73, Tom Hammond N0SS At 10:10 09/10/2009, gdaug...@stanford.edu wrote: Joe wrote... Unfortunately the PW-1 will only work with Icom serial (CI-V) data. It does not respond to the old stepped DC voltage like the 2-KL and 4-KL. If one takes a look at the manual for the PW-1, it apparently has provision for the old stepped DC voltage as well as for the CI-V. Both the ACC-1 and ACC-2 connectors have a band data signal. But maybe it doesn't work for some reason[??] 73, George T Daughters, K6GT CU in the California QSO Party (CQP) October 3-4, 2009 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] K3-to-Yaesu FL-7000 Inter-connection Docs Available at www.n0ss.net
Folks: Thanks to Joe, W4TV, and Vidi, ZS1EL, I now have a document available on my web site giving the inter-wiring info for mating the Yaesu FL-7000 HF Amp to the K3. If you are interested, go to www.n0ss.net, then select the K3-Specific web page and drop down a bit. The new document is immediately following the documentation for mating the Yaesu VL-1000 (Quadra) HF Amp to the K3. And, if anyone is interested in some very nice, but economical dual-level paddles, checkout Vidi's (ZS1EL's) links to his VIP Paddles at the bottom of my General Interest web page. 73, Tom HammodN0SS __ 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] Spectrogram Software
David: The version of Spectrogram which matches the K2 Xfil alignment procedures which I have written (and the alignment docs themselves) is available at www.n0ss.net go to the main page and then select the K2-Specific page. About half way down the page, you'll find Spectrogram v5.1.7 and the alignment docs avaiable for downloading. 73, Tom Hammond N0SS At 21:27 08/07/2009, you wrote: Does anyone have a good link Spectrogram Software? The link from the Elecraft site and one other one I've found are under construction with no links to the software. TNX AGN de kd0r David __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Off-Topic: CW sending vs. receiving speed
Hi Duane: Is it logical to assume that a person's CW sending speed approximates their copy speed? I can't help but assume this, and so when I call CQ and get a return caller sending at half the speed which I called or sending extreme farnsworth, I almost always lower my speed in order to be considerate. In general, yes. One should assume that if a station calls CQ at x-WPM, he is soliciting a reply at or near that speed. Likewise if you call CQ at 20 WPM you would normally expect to get a reply at somewhere around that speed. However... there are those (and I currently have one in my Advanced CW class) who can readily copy 20-22 WPM, but who are still learning to send 'clean' CW with a keyer, BUT they can send decent 13 WPM CW with a straight key. I ALWAYS try to match my speed to that of the other guy, regardless of his sending speed. Sometimes that means that we have a 45-minute 15 WPM QSO, only to find at the 45th minute that he actually can send/copy 50 WPM and for some odd reason he just chose to send 15 WPM when he answered my CQ... So we just had a QRS QSO when we could have held it at a much higher speed which would have still suited both of us... G IF you have any reason to believe that the other guy can send/receive at a higher speed, you can always ASK him if he's able to send/copy faster. I also have (several) students who can send (decent CQ) at a speed faster than they can copy. They won't speed up their sending unless asked to do so and if asked, they tell the other guy to please NOT increase his speed to them faster than they can copy (but 'pressing' their copy is good for them, to some extent). Hope this helps. 73, Tom Hammond N0SS __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] Updated docs - K3-to-Yaesu_Quadra_Inter-wiring
I have just updated some of the information for the documentation of my K3-to-Quadra Inter-wiring which is on my web site. Mainly, the updates were to WARN potential users of the info about the 'GOTCHA' with regard to using the appropriate 8-pin DIN plug required by the Quadra's BAND DATA 1 connector. The Quadra REQUIRES that you use a 262-degree pin pattern 8-pin DIN plug at this location, rather than the more commonly available 270-degree pin pattern plug. The 262-degree DIN plug is commonly referred to as a 'horseshoe pattern' plug, but it is NOT always stocked by many electronics houses. If you attempt to use a 270-degree pattern plug in the 262-degree pattern socket, you will likely break the socket!!! Anyone who has downloaded previous versions of these docs, might want to update to the latest version. And, as available, I will try to (eventually) provide a source listing for the connectors required for this interface cable. At present, I can find all of the connectors BUT the 262-degree plug, and I'm still looking for a source for that connector. Once I find a source, I will add that info to the docs. IF YOU KNOW OF A RELIABLE SOURCE FOR THE 2620-DEGREE 8-PIN DIN PLUG, PLEASE DROP ME A NOTE WITH THE INFO. Revised docs are available at: http://www.n0ss.net/k3-to-quadra_11jul09.pdf This is 1.3 MB file. 73, Tom Hamond N0SS __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] THANKS FOR THE LINKS - K3-to-Quadra Inter-Wiring Connectors
MANY THANKS to all those who responded with links to a number of apparently viable sources for the somewhat specialized (and a bit scarce) 262-degree pin pattern 8-Pin DIN connector required by the Yaesu Quadra HF amplifier when fabricating the inter-connection cables. For your reference, I have the following links to potential sources of the connector: Yaesu Parts, and Yaesu dealers The RF Connection, http://www.therfc.com/dinconn.htm Show Me Cables, http://www.showmecables.com/DIN-Plug.html NKC Electronics, http://www.nkcelectronics.com/8-pin-262-degree-circular-din-conne.html Universal Radio, http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/parts/dinconn.html These links will be reflected in another soon-to-be-released update to the K3-to-Quadra docs which will appear on www.n0ss.net soon. Your help is greatly appreciated. 73, Tom N0SS __ 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] K3 to VL-1000 AMP
Larry: Go to: http://www.n0ss.net/index_k3.html then download: http://www.n0ss.net/k3-to-quadra_docs_v1r9.pdf and http://www.n0ss.net/k3-to-quadra_comments_v1r2.pdf Hope it helps. 73, Tom Hammond N0SS At 11:13 07/09/2009, you wrote: Anyone driving a Yaesu VL-1000 (Quatro) with a K3? Wonder if there is an interface available to drive the AMP for Band Selection. Thanks in advance. de K2GN/Larry __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] Headphone distribution amp/splitter which was mentioned a short while back...
Greetings fellow Elecrafters... A while back, maybe 2-3 weeks ago anyway, someone (in EU, if I recall) posted a link to a headphone amp/splitter box which they're recently purchased. I visited the link, but seem to have lost it in the hubbub of getting ready for Field Day 2009... BUT I's really like to find the link again. Actually, I;m not all that interested in THAT device, but it included info on the op amps they were using for the individual headphone amplifiers, and when I followed that link, it took me to a comment about some even more robust op amps which were available for the same purpose... THOSE op amps are what I really am looking for, but this may be best way to find them again. Thanks, 73, Tom HammondN0SS __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] FOUND - Link to the headphone splitter/amp...!
Thanks to all who replied. The link I was looking for was: http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/HA400.aspx And now, hopefully, I'll be able to retrace my steps to finding the link to the other op amp which is supposed to be much more robust in this type of service. Thanks again folks. 73, Tom __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] K3 Beta F/W Release 3.19 for FD Ops... In case you missed the announcement
Folks:
If you're taking your K3 out to Field Day this year, AND especially
if you're going to have unfamiliar (I call 'em 'fiddley-fingered')
ops using the rig on SSB (especially), there is a feature recently
released in BETA firmware release 3.19 which you might be interested in.
Over the past years, one of the MAJOR(!) problems our Field Day SSB
stations have had to contend with was uninitiated SSB ops messing
with the MIC GAIN, COMPRESSION LEVEL, and POWER OUTPUT LEVEL...
trying to achieve an indicated 100W on the output meter... Of
course, you and I know that virtually all built-in power meters in
just about any rig ('cept the K3) indicate some form of AVERAGE POWER
OUTPUT, especially on SSB.
Given the ballistics of the needles in the power meter and the
vagaries of the human voice, when you're actually putting out 100W of
RF, you're lucky if you see an INDICATED 25W-30W on the
meter!!! Some newer rigs offer PEAK OUTPUT indications, but not
many. As a result it's (almost) human nature to want to try to TURN
THE WICK up as far as possible, to get that last milliwatt of RF out
the back of the rig... UNfortunately, we do this not realizing that,
in almost all instances, we have managed to mangle our transmitted
audio so badly that the op on the other end can't make heads or tails
out of the exchange we're trying to convey. Our Bad!!!
Enter he K3's most recent feature addition: MIC / CMP / PWR LOCK...!
Now, you (the K3 owner) can preset the MIC GAIN, COMPRESSION, and
OUTPUT POWER LEVEL to levels you know are suitable for your K3 and
your users, and you can LOCK those three settings so that no amount
of button twiddling by (most) users will be able to crank them out of range.
You can read the docs on the new release and then download firmware
v. 3.19 from Elecraft now.
Just a thought.
73,
Tom Hammond N0SS
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Re: [Elecraft] K3 Beta F/W Release 3.19 for FD Ops... In case you missed the announcement
Just like in Karate Kid... Lock ON / Lock OFF... it toggles.
Tom
At 14:41 06/23/2009, you wrote:
How do you unlock it? The release notes say to tap 1 in CONFIG:PWR_SET to
lock, but I don't see a description of how to unlock it there. I haven't
tried this...
Dick, K6KR
-Original Message-
From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Tom Hammond
Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2009 12:33 PM
To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Elecraft] K3 Beta F/W Release 3.19 for FD Ops... In case you
missed the announcement
Folks:
If you're taking your K3 out to Field Day this year, AND especially
if you're going to have unfamiliar (I call 'em 'fiddley-fingered')
ops using the rig on SSB (especially), there is a feature recently
released in BETA firmware release 3.19 which you might be interested in.
Over the past years, one of the MAJOR(!) problems our Field Day SSB
stations have had to contend with was uninitiated SSB ops messing
with the MIC GAIN, COMPRESSION LEVEL, and POWER OUTPUT LEVEL...
trying to achieve an indicated 100W on the output meter... Of
course, you and I know that virtually all built-in power meters in
just about any rig ('cept the K3) indicate some form of AVERAGE POWER
OUTPUT, especially on SSB.
Given the ballistics of the needles in the power meter and the
vagaries of the human voice, when you're actually putting out 100W of
RF, you're lucky if you see an INDICATED 25W-30W on the
meter!!! Some newer rigs offer PEAK OUTPUT indications, but not
many. As a result it's (almost) human nature to want to try to TURN
THE WICK up as far as possible, to get that last milliwatt of RF out
the back of the rig... UNfortunately, we do this not realizing that,
in almost all instances, we have managed to mangle our transmitted
audio so badly that the op on the other end can't make heads or tails
out of the exchange we're trying to convey. Our Bad!!!
Enter he K3's most recent feature addition: MIC / CMP / PWR LOCK...!
Now, you (the K3 owner) can preset the MIC GAIN, COMPRESSION, and
OUTPUT POWER LEVEL to levels you know are suitable for your K3 and
your users, and you can LOCK those three settings so that no amount
of button twiddling by (most) users will be able to crank them out of range.
You can read the docs on the new release and then download firmware
v. 3.19 from Elecraft now.
Just a thought.
73,
Tom Hammond N0SS
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[Elecraft] N0SS / K0ETY (GOTA) Field Day with four (4) K3s...
As for the past couple of years, the MMARC (Mid-MO ARC) will be using an ell-Elecraft Field Day setup. In past years, it was multiple K2/100s, then a combination of K3s and K2/100s, but this year, if everything holds together, we'll have four (4) K3s, one each at CW, SSB, GOTA, and 6M VHF. With several K2/100's as backup, if needed. Our antenna system is pretty simple: Multi-band dipoles (80/40/20/15/10) running North-South, and strung end-to-end, with about 50 feet of separation between the ends of the three dipoles. Having the antennas in-line and end-to-end helps up take a bit of advantage from whatever null might appear directly off the end of each antenna. In years past, we've used a mish-mash of Elecraft and YeaComWood rigs and always suffered from front end overload of the YeaComWoods, and the Elecraft's hearing 'hash' from the YeaComWoods... but for the past 2-3 years, using all Elecraft rigs, those two types of interference have been significantly reduced... to the point that sometimes we find ourselves operating all three HF rigs on the same band, with no bandpass filtering other than that which is built into the rigs themselves. Oh, we might notice a bit of desense, from the next closest HF rig, but nothing nearly as bad a what it used to be, and nothing to prevent us from operating wherever we are. If you plan to use multiple HF rigs at your FD site, remember that there's NO HELP of you're using verticals, and less help if you haven't taken some effort to minimize direct radiation fro one station's antenna into those of the other stations. If you have an automatic (e.g. auto-tune) transmatch installed in one or more of the stations, BE AWARE that RF from another nearby station can come in on (and appear as reflected power even though you're not transmitting on THAT radio) the antenna/coax of the auto-tune transmatch station and cause the transmatch to try to auto-tune...!!! So, TURN OFF THE AUTO-TUNE FEATURE before you start your FD operation!!! 73 and have fun. Tom HammondN0SS __ 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] Oscilloscopes
Jim: Just GOOGLE for 'tektronix 475' and then select one or more of the links. I quick search shows that the Tek 475 is a 200 MHz o'scope. 73, Tom N0SS At 10:06 05/21/2009, you wrote: How do you know what the frequency rating of a scope is? What is the rating of my Techtronics 475? We used them at work for required adjustments to tolerances of 2/10 nanoseconds. Thanks es 73, de Jim KG0KP - Original Message - From: Don Wilhelm w3...@embarqmail.com To: Jon Kåre Hellan hel...@acm.org Cc: 'Elecraft List' elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Thursday, May 21, 2009 8:02 AM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Oscilloscopes Jon, For use on the HF bands, go for a 'scope rated at 100 MHz or higher, and be certain to use probes that are also rated for 100 MHz or more. The frequency rating of a 'scope is the point where the vertical response is down 3 dB, so you will not be able to do valid voltage measurements at frequencies beyond about 1/3 of the frequency rating of the 'scope. The 50 mHz 'scope will give valid voltage measurements up to about 16 MHz while the 100 MHz 'scope will be good up through 30 MHz. If good measurement of voltages is not important to you, then the 50 MHz 'scope may be OK, even though the voltage (signal amplitude) may be attenuated, it will still show a proper waveform up to its rated frequency and often beyond - unless the input waveform is a pulse or a square wave where the rise time is one of the important parameters - for most amateur radio purposes, that is not important. Analog vs. Digital - no comment, but I prefer the real time analog 'scope, no potential digital artifacts to deal with. 73, Don W3FPR Jon Kåre Hellan wrote: Hi I'm thinking about buying a scope. I've seen many people recommend getting an old analog scope, but they're big! I borrowed a compact 100 MHz digital scope from work, and it was nice. 50 MHz scopes are a lot cheaper, though. Will I regret getting a 50 MHz scope instead of a 100 MHz one? 73 Jon LA4RT __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ 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] Price promo on K3 at Dayton?
Nope, but if you order at Dayton, for (slightly) delivery, there's no STATE TAX (OR shipping, I think). 73, Tom N0SS At 09:51 AM 5/15/2009, you wrote: You guys at Dayton - is there hamfest promo pricing on the K3 at Dayton? Jerry W4UK __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ 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] K3 Mic up down buttons
terry: Because some folks, like me, must have their PC keyboard to the side of the desk (at 90-degrees from the desk) when contesting... this places the rig at my left side, rather that right in front of me, and requires me to either turn 90-degrees (at least 45 deg. anyway) on order to adjust the VFO, or to bring the radio up close to me and at about a 45-degree angle to the desktop so I can readily reach the VFO dial with a cramped arm position. Using Up/Dn buttons, or something like the Griffin PowerMate would allow us to remotely 'tune' the VFO... having the control right at or next to the keyboard, without having to go into any contortions. 73, Tom N0SS At 01:26 PM 5/14/2009, you wrote: I must be missing something here. For the life of my I can't figure why you would want to be changing frequency while transmitting CW (or any other mode) 73 de Terry KK6T K3# 2965 Bill W4ZV wrote: One of our Field Testers has done this, but I would not be surprised to see Elecraft eventually offer something similar as a standard product. Below are the FT's comments (sans callsign) since I doubt he wants a lot of queries about it. 73, Bill W4ZV On 2008-12-13, at 13:30 , wrote: This is one for the lowest-priority end of the missing-feature list. I built a box with two pushbuttons wired to the DOWN and UP pins on the front panel MIC connector, to simulate a remote VFO A knob. It works nicely: tap to step, hold to scan. But, taps while sending CW via KEY mess up the beautiful dots and dashes (dare I say: just like touching almost any control on an Orion II while sending :=). Strangely, holds do not affect the CW at all. I've just interfaced the Griffin PowerMate multimedia USB control knob with my Mac contest logging program (SkookumLogger). I use it in two modes, controlling either the RIT/XIT offset or VFOA frequency. In either mode, twirling the knob smoothly varies the K3 frequency at a reasonable rate for tuning around a CW run frequency. There's a PowerMate-related issue that I can live with: it operates by pressing command keys for you; if you twirl the knob a lot it queues up all those presses and there is no way to stop it from stubbornly playing back the complete queue. I've also got the PowerMate rigged to clear the offset (copies VFOB to VFOA when controlling VFOA frequency). And one other gesture does a Swap, which is tough to explain in less than a paragraph. Changing the K3 frequency this way does *not* affect CW. I'm now a Happy Ham, no longer waiting for the hoped-for K3 remote control unit :-) __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 Mic up down buttons
Terry: Generally NOT while transmitting, but sometimes, esp. while QRP (e.g in ARRL CW SS) I'll find that I'm smack on top of (well... UNDER) a bigger signal, making it hard for the other guy to hear me... if I jump freq. even a small bit while NOT trans- mitting, the other guy might miss me, but if I 'slide' up/dn a bit while sending my (or his) call at the start of my reply, he'll usually follow me and we can complete the QSO... I seldom move more than 100 Hz (ever) when I do this, but having a signal actually being transmitter (for him to hear/follow) seems to help to ensure that he is able to track where I've gone.. otherwise, to have moved (possibly out of his (very narrow) B/W setting with no signal for him to track, results in a lost QSO. 73, Tom N0SS At 01:40 PM 5/14/2009, you wrote: Hi Tom, I can understand the remote tune feature but why would you be doing that WHILE you're transmitting? 73 de Terry KK6T Tom Hammond wrote: terry: Because some folks, like me, must have their PC keyboard to the side of the desk (at 90-degrees from the desk) when contesting... this places the rig at my left side, rather that right in front of me, and requires me to either turn 90-degrees (at least 45 deg. anyway) on order to adjust the VFO, or to bring the radio up close to me and at about a 45-degree angle to the desktop so I can readily reach the VFO dial with a cramped arm position. Using Up/Dn buttons, or something like the Griffin PowerMate would allow us to remotely 'tune' the VFO... having the control right at or next to the keyboard, without having to go into any contortions. 73, Tom N0SS At 01:26 PM 5/14/2009, you wrote: I must be missing something here. For the life of my I can't figure why you would want to be changing frequency while transmitting CW (or any other mode) 73 de Terry KK6T K3# 2965 Bill W4ZV wrote: One of our Field Testers has done this, but I would not be surprised to see Elecraft eventually offer something similar as a standard product. Below are the FT's comments (sans callsign) since I doubt he wants a lot of queries about it. 73, Bill W4ZV On 2008-12-13, at 13:30 , wrote: This is one for the lowest-priority end of the missing-feature list. I built a box with two pushbuttons wired to the DOWN and UP pins on the front panel MIC connector, to simulate a remote VFO A knob. It works nicely: tap to step, hold to scan. But, taps while sending CW via KEY mess up the beautiful dots and dashes (dare I say: just like touching almost any control on an Orion II while sending :=). Strangely, holds do not affect the CW at all. I've just interfaced the Griffin PowerMate multimedia USB control knob with my Mac contest logging program (SkookumLogger). I use it in two modes, controlling either the RIT/XIT offset or VFOA frequency. In either mode, twirling the knob smoothly varies the K3 frequency at a reasonable rate for tuning around a CW run frequency. There's a PowerMate-related issue that I can live with: it operates by pressing command keys for you; if you twirl the knob a lot it queues up all those presses and there is no way to stop it from stubbornly playing back the complete queue. I've also got the PowerMate rigged to clear the offset (copies VFOB to VFOA when controlling VFOA frequency). And one other gesture does a Swap, which is tough to explain in less than a paragraph. Changing the K3 frequency this way does *not* affect CW. I'm now a Happy Ham, no longer waiting for the hoped-for K3 remote control unit :-) __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] External speakers for K3?
Brendan:
For general communications use I am very fond indeed of the speakers
Motorola made for their various mobile rigs over the years, They are
very cheap, efficient and sound great for good quality communications
audio. These are not Hifi speakers but for speech / CW they do a superb job.
Mostly they seem to be a pretty close match in size and colour for the
K3 too.
I agree completely.
Some of them are 2 Ohm though, The ones I use with My K3 at the moment
are 2 Ohm ones, Since I do not know for sure if the AF amp in the K3 is
happy driving an impedance this low I stuck a 2Ohm 2W resistor in series
with each speaker and still have more than enough audio in my shack.
I have seen these available in 4-Ohm and amplified variants too. Pretty
much every radio in the shack is connected to a Moto speaker and I still
buy them at rallies, collecting stuff I might need someday must be habit
Anyone know if the can K3 drive a 2Ohm speaker without bad stuff
happening ?
In a recent e-mail from Lyle Johnson, KK7P, he stated that, while not
'designed' to drive 2-Ohm loads, the K3s AF amp should probably work
OK BUT that if one attempted to drive the speakers too hard, and the AF
amp attempted to draw excessive current (and starts to overheat), the amp
would go into a protective shut-down mode, rather than risk damaging itself.
For what it's worth, MOST (possibly all nowadays) of the newer, plastic-cased,
Motorola NON-amplified speakers are now 8-Ohms... there may be some 4-Ohm
speakers in the newer-style plastic ('fitted back') cases, but I suspect that
almost all have now been switched to 8-Ohm speakers.
I'm using a pair of 8-Ohm Motorola speakers on my K3 and it sounds just fine.
Cheers,
Tom Hammond N0SS
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[Elecraft] K3 / N1MM Logger Question - Using Up/Dn Arrow Keys to tune VFOs
Hi Folks: Been using N1MM Logger for the past several years since most of my DOS PCs have bit the dust and TRLog doesn't support Windoze (yes, I'm well aware that TR4W was written for Windoze, but it's not 'ready for prime time yet). When I WAS using TRLOG (way back then...) I become mildly addicted to using the PgUp/PgDn buttons to tune my main VFO instead of having to reach over (or around) the keyboard to manually access the VFO knob of the radio. Of course, N1MM Logger offers this feature with the Up/Dn Arrow keys... BUT... I'm finding that N1MM seems to send the VFO tune command so INfrequently to the radio that it'll literally take 10 SECONDS or more to get the K3 to tune 1kHz in either direction e.g. BRUTALLY SLOW QSYing, and certainly NOT useful in the heat of battle. I've been in contact with one of the N1MM programmers who has laid all of the blame on my 1GHz CPU PC, saying it's too slow, or that it's 'bogged down' with too much other stuff loaded. 1GHz might be too slow (though I shouldn't be) but when I'm running N1MM Logger, it's the ONLY program running!!! So the problem's NOT being overloaded with other conflicting software. Has anyone else attempted to use the Up/Dn Arrow features of N1MM Logger to tune their VFO? If so, did you find it as slow to act/respond as I have found it to be? I find it pretty difficult to lay all the blame on the PC at this time. 73, Tom Hammond N0SS __ 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] Who is going to Dayton?
Hi Mike: WE0H wrote: I imagine there will be a bunch from this reflector attending Hamvention? I will be there Friday before noon. I'm planning to try to help out at the Elecraft booth on Friday and Saturday afternoons for at least a couple hours (probably 1-3 or possibly 2-4 p.m. I'm hoping to meet a lot of Elecrafters while there. 73, Tom Hammond N0SS __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] K2 - External T-R Relay Driver Kits AGAIN AVAILABLE
Now certain why ,but for some reason, all of a sudden I have received a sizeable number of requests for the full kit version of my K2 External T-R Relay Driver kit. I had not planned to offer kits again for this project, only bard bones PC boards, however I have ordered enough parts to make up a limited number of complete kits (16). Depending upon how well these kits sell, I may consider another run, but only time will tell. Bars PC boards for the kit will be available for quite a while to come. I still have 50-60 boards in stock. If interested, please visit: www.n0ss.net/index_k2.html (about 1/3 of the way down the page). 73, Tom Hammond N0SS __ 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] K3 Error message
Jim: As always, probably to look in your MANUAL! It's on page 67 of my (rev. D) Manual. In the Error Message list. 73, Tom N0SS At 15:56 04/06/2009, you wrote: Whenever I turn on my K3 I see ERR PL2 go across the screen then everything else seems to come up fine. What is this error message? Jim, W4TE K3 #353 ++ James R. Kauten, MD kau...@atnex.net ++ __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 external speaker
R: For me, the best choice was a couple Motorola UNamplified Mobile speakers from EBay. I managed to find a matching pair of NEW speakers for $10 + shipping. You'll want TWO (2) speakers so you can take full advantage of the AFX features of the K3. My particular speakers were model HSN4018B, but I have several others which appear to be identical save for a possibly different color, which show model HSN4000A. They work great and I like having the removable mounting mounting bracket as well. Note: You could use the AMPLIFIED Motorola mobile speakers as well (lots of modification info for these on my web site at www.n0ss.net), but you really don't need the 5W-15W of amplified audio unless you're in a really noisy location. Additionally, any time you use an amplified speaker you always run the chance of getting RFI into the audio lines of the speaker... not a fun problem to have to find/fix. 73, Tom HammondN0Ss At 10:38 04/04/2009, you wrote: I'm using an old car stereo door speaker now. Any one tell me the source for a good speaker for the K3. Any enclosure tips too. k9il K3 #2626 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] Docs for connecting the Yaesu VL-1000 (Quadra) HF Amp to K3 available
Good morning... didn't want to post this yesterday for fear that someone might think it was an April Fool joke... G I have just placed on my K3-specific web page: http://www.n0ss.net/index_k3.html copies of my illustrated wiring interconnections between the Yaesu VL-1000 Quadra HF Amp and the K3, and a separate document containing the personal observations of Kent Trimble, K9ZTV, regarding the implementation of his Quadra with his K3. If you download the illustrated interconnection PDF, please also download Kent's (PDF) comments (immediately below the interconnection PDF) as well, they are well worth reading. If you have any problems or questions, please drop me an e-mail. 73, Tom Hammond N0SS __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] How to record Audio on K3
One item which has (i believe) been touched upon, but may not have been explained deeply enough is the SIZE of the resulting audio file if you use the default record settings often offered by many (most) audio recording softwares. I've found that it's not necessary to use the highest fidelity recording parameters when recording SSB voice or CW... and possibly digital as well. Quite often your recording software will default to record parameters like Record Sample Rate: 44,100 samples/sec Sample Format: 32-bit float Recording Channels: Stereo Export Format: WAV (Microsoft 16 bit PCM) Using these defaults will result in a very large (many MB per minute of record time) WAV file, even if you only record for 1 minute... . IF given the opportunity to change these defaults, I'll try to select: Record Sample Rate: 11,025 samples/sec Sample Format: 16-bit (even 8-bit if available) Recording Channels: Mono Export Format: WAV (Microsoft 8 bit PCM) These settings will result in a very usable quality recording and at about 10% the file size of the default... usually 4 MB for a 5-minute recording. Just a thought! 73, Tom Hammond N0SS __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] OT - Idiom Press CMOS Super Keyer 4 (and LogiKit 4) - Command Card
Good Morning Folks: Since we have had a somewhat spirited discussion of the virtues of various external Keyers for use with the Elecraft rigs, I thought I might offer a succinct command card which I developed for laminating, cutting out, and then sticking directly to the top of the case for the Idiom Press CMOS Super Keyer 4 and LogiKit 4 keyers. The command card measures 2.5 X 4.3 and I attach a trimmed copy directly to the TOP of the keyer case using double-stick tape. It fits nicely within the margins of the top cover. While I cannot print and laminate the cards for you, I can however supply FREE) the card info in PDF or in MS Word (.DOC) formats. The two files will be ZIPped into a self-extracting .EXE file which you can RUN to extract the contents. The card makes a really nice reference point which you can access without having to turn the keyer upside down to read the (somewhat limited) info printed on the bottom of the case. If you are interested, just drop me a note and I'll send both file formats to you. 73, Tom Hammond N0SS __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] K3 can now be readily mated to the Yaesu Quadra HF Amp
Thanks to pinout info from Joe, W4TV, and Kent, K9ZTV, the K3 can now be fairly easily mated up to the Yaesu Quadra HF Amp. Joe provided the main set of pinouts and Kent offered up the key info for getting the Quadra to go into auto-TUNE mode to allow its ATU to operate when the K3 was Keyed. K9ZTV is now Field testing the configuration, but so far, things look very good, and appear to be stable with respect to ALC control of the K3 drive power. We're still working on getting the Quadra's ALC output voltage level to that precise setting which will allow the K3 to be run at a drive level lower than about 80W yet still adequately drive and control the Quadra. The ALC works nicely, but we'd still like to be able to use about 40W of drive so the ALC doesn't have to work nearly as hard to control the drive. I believe we will find the 'sweet spot', but it will probably be a combination of the K3's EXT ALC setting and the ALC SET value from the Quadra. If you would like to see a PDF of the current interconnection illustration, please drop me an e-mail and I'll send the file to you... can't send PDFs through the reflector... sorry. 73, Tom Hammond N0SS __ 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] K3: panel fitment and alignment?
James: There can be a 'cumulative' fit error sometimes. When I assemble a new K3, I leave all of the screws which attach to the 2D connectors (incl. those going thru the RF board holes), slightly loose until I do the final 'snugging' of everything somewhere toward the end of the main assembly process. This usually helps to minimize any possibility of cumulative fit errors. If you have your K3 all built, try loosening all of the EXTERIOR screws which go into a 2D connector, and then retighten them. Good luck, Tom Hammond N0SS At 20:25 03/04/2009, you wrote: Dear group, While I have all panels securely mounted to the point that I don't have any major issues, I have noted that my top and rear panel alignment has been slightly off. This is in the sense that when securing those particular panels down, the screw holes don't align themselves with the holes drilled in those particular panels. Has anyone else noted such an anomaly, and if so what was the remedy? Now that I have the rig working as expected, I figured I'd just loosen the 2D fasteners on the main board enough to get the holes in the rear and top panels aligned up correctly. 73, James KC2UEE (soon to be K3JPS) __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Sl OT: Heil headset problem
John: I'm pretty certain you can buy just about ANY PIECE of replacement parts directly from Heil: http://www.heilsound.com/amateur/products/parts/ About 2/3 of the way down the page... $8...! 73, Tom N0SS At 13:09 03/01/2009, you wrote: After two years, I find I have an intermittent in the headphones cord to my Heil headset (purchased from Elecraft). Is there an easy fix...as in replacement of the cord? Thanks! John AB8O __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] 8 AWG adapter
Hi Julius: I'm using #8 in my mobile installation and had to get it down to a more suitable gauge for the APP connectors. I made a couple butt-joint connectors from short (1) lengths of brass 'hobby tubing' obtained at the local hardware store. I took a short piece of the #8 wire with me and selected the smallest diameter of brass tubing that would still accommodate the stripped #8 wire. I then cut two 1 lengths, inserted one #8 wire (stripped to show 1/2 of wire into the tubing, flowed more than ample solder in from the other end. Let it cool while I did the other conductor. Returned to tube #1 and heated it back up while gently inserting the 1/2-stripped end of my #10 wire (which does fit the APP 45A connector). Let solder set and cover with a 1-1/2 length of heatshrink and yer good to go! Works like a champ. I could have used 'real' #8 butt-join connectors, but they were too large and 'clunky' for my liking... the brass hobby tubing works great, and it'll handle well over the 20A-30A needed by most rigs and accessories. 73, Tom N0SS At 07:46 02/16/2009, Julius Fazekas wrote: I have some really nice 8AWG cable for my power line. Connecting to the PS is not a problem, but haven't figured out an elegant means to drop it down to use with 30A PP connectors. Any ideas? Thanks, Julius Fazekas N2WN Tennessee Contest Group TnQP http://www.tnqp.org/ Elecraft K2/100 #4455 Elecraft K3/100 #366 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] 8 AWG adapter
Hi Windy: Those short #10 pigtails need to be very flexible. You can go to a car audio shop and by extremely flexible wire by the foot. If it almost fits the connector, snip off a few strands. The stuff I got is speaker cable but I use it for power leads. Very nice. I used a 4-6 length of #10 RED-BLK power cable (from somewhere unknown) which was quite flexible and worked great. And all(!) of the wire strands fit nicely into the trough of the 45A connector. I used the West Mountain Radio crimper and it did a really nice job on the 45A (and other sizes) of connector. It would probably have choked had I tried to use it on #10 solid copper and possibly on hard-drawn copper, just Like Tim, KA0OUV, noted. I've not broken any dies... yet! G 73, Tom Hammond N0SS __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K2 stacked over KAT100
John: Elecraft offers (probably for a price) two (2) little devices which screw to the top back edge of the bottom case and into which the feet of the upper device fit. Works great. Unfortunately, I don't recall what the heck they're called, but I'll bet Lisa or someone else around there will know. 73, Tom N0SS At 15:42 02/16/2009, you wrote: Hi I don't recall where I saw this but I think someone posted a smart way to keep the K2 from slipping slowly off the back ot the KAT100 while hitting the buttons. Can someone direct me to it? Thanks! John AB8O __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 external qro keying line
The K3's T-R line output (KEY OUT) can switch up to 200VDC @ 5A... so it will easily switch the +120VDC @ 15-30mA from the SB-220. However, it will NOT SWITCH a NEGATIVE T-R line voltage UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES! Users with amps which offer a negative T-R line control voltage will have to provide alternate switching (relay, or solid state). 73, Tom N0SS phones, mic, line in, and line out At 10:13 02/12/2009, Lee Buller wrote: H I thought the transistor on the K3 doing the switching is pretty tough. I guess we are talking about older amps and not the ones that use 12 volts to switch. I have done the following to Radio Shack sells a 5v reed relay that is pretty darn fast and has good specs. I just used a dropping resistor from a 12 volt line in series with the reed relay and worked great for years. I think I used a 180 ohm resistor. Worked great. Not QSK, but I don't like QSK anyway. Messes with my head. HI Lee Buller - K0WA In our day and age it seems that Common Sense is in short supply. If you don't have any Common Sense - get some Common Sense and use it. If you can't find any Common Sense, ask for help from somebody who has some Common Sense. Is Common Sense divine? __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] FLx ON cmd
Rudolf: Are you clicking on [APPLY] before you exit the K3 Utility program? APPLY sends the info to the K3... without it, you have only changed the settings in the Utility and nowhere else. 73, Tom N0SS At 07:21 02/06/2009, you wrote: Hello, After choosing the filters used for each mode with the FLx ON command, settings are lost when i power OFF my K3. What i'm doing wrong? Thank you for your help. 73 QRO fr Rudolf, HB9ARI PS K3 #1212 uC 02.78 Filters: FL1 2k8 FL2 2k7 (original) FL3 1k8 FL4 0k4 FL5 0k25 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 RF knob Broken
Ron: I've seen one other knob broken... as a result of someone having tightened the setscrew WAY(!!!) too much! In fact, I rounded off the corners of the little Allen wrench trying to get the darn thing loose. Folks (esp. those building their K3s) should be instructed to 'snug' the setscrews down, rather than TIGHTEN them. 73, Tom N0SS At 18:45 02/03/2009, you wrote: Has anyone other then me had one of the inter knobs for the RF or AF gain break? Came in, turned on the rig and reached up and turned the RF gain down and low and behold the little knob fell off the shaft. It was broken right where one of the set screws was located. I see there is no brass bushing in the knob for the setscrew to be threaded into. Do you know where some better quality ones can be purchased? Ron NA9F __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Beware! (Learn by doing?) :-)))
Jim: A few days ago I was messing around with the K3 (as usual) and having set the AF gain control at about 11 O'clock with the AGC set for fast I wondered what would the audio results be if I switched OFF the AGC with that particular setting. BIG MISTAKE! When the AGC is OFF the resulting audio thru the speaker almost blew out my left-eardrum!!! In other rigs that was never a concern because it would never happen (PERIOD!) Why such a HUGE difference in audio between on/off states of (AGC) in the K3??? With all due respect, pal, that's what you get when you turn the Automatic GAIN Control OFF... you no longer have automatic gain 'leveling' and then are completely dependent upon MANUALLY controlling the AF GAIN! However, there IS a setting in the K3 CONFIG menu [AF LIM] which will allow you to limit the amount of output when you turn the AGC off. Hope this helps, 73, Tom HammondN0SS ___ 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 temperature
Well... I must agree that, since the addition of the KRX3 in my K3, the internal temps HAVE risen on the order of about 10 deg. C overall... However, this is NOT anything I didn't expect... in fact, I seem to recall that Wayne even posted (somewhere) that KRX3 users would notice higher internal temps. What bothers me, a bit, is that my cooling fans seem to be running a LOT more frequently, and at higher speeds, than they did several firmware versions ago. I've mentioned this on the K3 Field Test reflector, but no one has risen to comment upon my observations. 73, Tom Hammond N0SS At 23:06 01/25/2009, Matt Zilmer wrote: Hi Barry, I installed the KRX3 in #24 here last week. My experience with temps is different from yours. Ambient temp: 22C FP temp: 23C PA temp 34C (this is right now - in the middle of NA winter) Chassis exterior doesn't have temps any different from before the KRX3 went in here. At least not so far. This was after the K3 had been sitting on for most of the afternoon. Now, it's possible that your ambient temp is different, given that you are set right in the middle of Summer there. However, I recorded FP and PA temps no higher than 36/48 here last summer. This was due to the fact that I was running a lot of high duty cycle PSK31 QSO's at the time. The ambient open-house temp was 35C, which is a little warm. And believe me, the fans were running! We were open-house because of a power outage, and with solar power the only inconvience was sweat. You might want to look at how your cables are dressed, esp. the one at the back from ANT receptacle to the KRX3. If your fans can't get started, this might explain the high-temp problem. If the cable is laying across the fan(s) Also - make sure the KRX3 shield box isn't contacting anything on the RF Board. Check your DC power supply's metering to see if it pulls appreciably more current with the KRX3 installed. It seems unlikely that the KRX3 is the problem. But I'm not in your shoes. 73, matt, W6NIA On Mon, 26 Jan 2009 04:42:30 +, you wrote: Since I fitted the second receiver, my K3 is running a whole lot warmer, even on receive with the sub receiver turned off. In particular the front half of the right hand side panel is almost hot and the front right hand corner of the top cover is also very warm. Before the second receiver installation the PA and FP temperatures ran about the same, in the high 20's if I remember. Just now the FP temperature is nudging 44 degrees C and the PA is 36 C. This is after the rig has been on for several hours, receive only, although it quickly heats up to these temperatures when it is switched on. I am guessing that the air flow and thus the cooling ability of the rig has been significantly impaired by the KRX3 and this is causing the very high temperatures. I wonder if this has any long term reliability implications ? I also wonder if others are experiencing similar temperature issues with KRX3's installed as I do not recall seeing any postings on the subject. Barry Simpson VK2BJ ___ 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] CW ZERO-BEATING WITHOUT BUTTON PUSHES
Keith: The trick I've used for decades is to set the sidetone just a bit louder than those signals I'm listening to. Then, when I zero the received signal, I tune it in to the point that it (audibly) disappears beneath the sidetone of the same frequency... if it's NOT zero beat, you'll be able to hear the offset. If it is zero beat, it'll be hiding behind the sidetone. I (think I) can provide a short WAV file to demonstrate if you have difficulty following the above verbal description. 73, Tom Hammond N0SS At 12:32 01/21/2009, Darwin, Keith wrote: Content-class: urn:content-classes:message Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary=_=_NextPart_001_01C97BF6.9C293F59 Really? I always try to tune CW by ear and I'm amazed at just how far off I am once I check it against the spot tone. I never get it right without some help. I suspect I'm not alone. - Keith N1AS - - K3 711 - -- one's preferred sidetone pitch is likewise instantly recognizable when a signal is being tuned in and hits that pitch. 73, Kent K9ZTV web page: http://www.elecraft.comhttp://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Spot - No Spot
Hi Randy: Wayne is aware of reports of this glitch and is attempting to reproduce it on his K3 so he can properly address the problem. In my personal experience, if you 'peck' at the [SPOT] button, you'll usually get only the BEEP, but if you're a bit more 'assertive', (but not so assertive that you HOLD it), pressing the button a bit longer, you'll get both beep and tone... of course, of you over-do things, you'll go into SIDETONE SET mode... G. Thanks, 73, Tom N0SS At 17:19 01/14/2009, Randy Moore wrote: Lately I've noticed that occasionally when I hit SPOT I get the beep and VFO B says SPOT, but there's no tone. It's sometimes hard to reproduce, and may have to do with how quickly I release the button - the quicker I release, the more likely it is to happen. But when it happens, the part of the code that puts SPOT in the VFO B display thinks I'm spotting, but no tone. I'm running the latest beta SW. Not sure when this began to happen... Puzzled, Randy, KS4L K3 #2006, K2 #337 ___ 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] Installing caps on rf board of K-2 Questions
Larry: The Downloadable K2 Manual Rev G is a 'searchable PDF'm which means you can search it for references to components you can't find. 1 - I had expected that C75 would be installed, but it is not. I suppose it is installed later or do instructions overlook it? Page 73 of the Rev G manual, under Uninstalled Components, you will find C75 listed... it's supplied with the K160RX kit. 2 - After searching 5 or 6 times I simply can not find any location for C165 (.01) or C177 (.022) to be installed. Am I blind or are they really missing? Search for C165 and continue hitting Enter until it shows you the image of the component locations on page 164 of the manual. Then look for the blue- highlighted component (C165), just to the read of X5and to the left-read of L34. Similarly, immediately behind header J7. 73, Tom Hammond N0SS Any help will be much appreciated. Larry N4QY ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3: component location on circuit diagram
Dave: Just did that mod two days ago. Here's what I did if I can recall clearly. 1) download and view the set of K3 schematics... specifically the one labeled KIO3 AUDIO I/O BOARD, page #12 of 43 in the K3 schematic file set. 2) You'll be looking for the lines coming from J8 (Spkr), and specifically lines labeled SKP_L, SKP_R. Following these lines all the way to the left of the schematic, you'll find that they connect to pins 1 and 4 of the 16-pin header connector. 3) You'll also want to identify a grounded pin on the header connector. I chose pin #10 (MIC C)ommon, since it was directly 'wired' via a hard-wired line back to the ground foil. 4) Now, take your first resistor, lay it against the PC board and bend (and trim) its leads such that they will lay against pins 4 and 10 of the 16-pin header connector. Solder into place. 5) Lay the 2nd resistor up against the first and bend/trim its leads to connect to pins 1 and 10. Solder. Done 73, Tom Hammond N0SS At 18:18 12/24/2008, you wrote: Happy Christmas, all. What better time than the final hours of Christmas Eve to apply the mod, recently described by Wayne, that prevents damage to the audio output chip if a mono jack is inadvertently plugged into ext. sp. instead of a stereo jack? Before commencing, I decided to locate C2 and C3, the two 470uF AF output coupling capacitors on the circuit diagram - and that's where I came off the rails. I can't find them! I know they are physically on the main RF board and sit between the AF amp on the DSP board and the KIO3, but scrutinising the maps has taken up a couple of hours, and I've become obsessed with finding them. Can anyone please help put me out of my misery?...pass the bottle, please! Season's Greetings to all and TIA. Dave L G3TJP ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] A K3 Variation of SKN
Our radio Club, Mid-MO ARC (Jefferson City MO), is inviting ALL locals (and spouses) who are either CW ops or who are currently taking one of our two CW classes to come over to the home QTH of one of our members to help us celebrate SKN. We'll have numerous old/new straight keys on display, a station available for all ops to use, and snacks and soft drinks for all. The 'event' will run from about 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. local New Years Eve. We hope to work many Elecrafters during this time. A variety of calls will be used, but if you receive a QTH of Jefferson City MO, you'll know it's gonna be one of us operating. Needless to say, the MMARC heavily(!) promotes the use of that Ancient Mode... CW. Merry Christmas to all. Tom N0SS ___ 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] Article on Elecraft kits
Hi Chuck: The MVDXCC web page is a bit busy... and the link to the newsletter might be missed by some. The link directly to your article is: http://www.mvdxcc.org/newsletter/newsletter.PDF And the article starts on page 6 of the newsletter. GREAT ARTICLE! THanks. 73, Tom Hammond N0SS At 10:43 12/09/2008, ni0c wrote: Several weeks ago, I reported here that my article, Experiencing Elecraft, describing the KX1, K2, and K3 kits was appearing in the November issue of the K9YA Telegraph. The article has been reprinted in the December issue of The DX Hog, the monthly newsletter of the Mississippi Valley DX and Contest Club, and can be downloaded in .pdf form from: http://www.mvdxcc.org/ 73, Chuck Guenther NI0C K2/10 s/n 5853 K3/100 s/n 1061 ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] Running an ICOM PW-1 Amp with the K3
I'm about to loan my K3 to another local ham who currently has an IC-7800 and PW-1 amplifier. His IC-7800 has been sent in for service so it's temporarily out of the picture. However the PW-1 is still in play and this local is gonna want to use it with the K3. Is anyone running a PW-1 with their K3? If so, please contact me a.s.a.p. so I can exchange some info with you. Specifically I need to know what it took to interface the two devices and to get them to function without any hiccups. Appreciated. 73, Tom Hammond N0SS ___ 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 AFX
Arie: During the CQWW CW we used my K3 at PI4D and tried out the AFX. Very nice feature when the frequency is as crowded as in the CQWW. Pity the sidetone (monitor) is normal mono. ONLY if you are using a single speaker. With dual speakers, AFX works nicely! I suggest that if AFX is enabled the monitor audio is also in AFX-sound so you can stay 'in flow. 73, Tom N0SS ___ 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] External speakers?
Tim: Personally, I like the UNamplified Motorola Mobile Speakers. I bought a pair of them a month or so ago for about $9 each, not including shipping, off EBay. They're 8-Ohm (wish they were 4 Ohms though) but give a very nice sounding audio and the black color goes nicely with the K3. 73, Tom N0SS At 16:32 11/30/2008, you wrote: I would like to use two external speakers with my K3 setting them up one on each side of the radio. Has anyone found something that somewhat matches in color and size to the K3 and has a good sound? Seems like Kenwood used to make a smaller speaker that might work. Would like to hear from anyone who has a similar setup. Thanks Tim NZ8J No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.comhttp://www.avg.com Version: 8.0.176 / Virus Database: 270.9.11/1820 - Release Date: 11/29/2008 6:52 PM ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: Fw: [Elecraft] Interfacing K3 to TenTec QSK
Hi Rich: Similarly, I (originally) tried keying my rig (at that time, a TS-930S) via the KEY input of my Alpha 76PA which had been retrofitted with the QSK from an Alpha 78. I experienced the same report(s) and was actually able to see the choppiness and 'crud' on my CW waveform when allowing the amplifier's QSK to key the exciter. The problem was NOT that of the QSK having been retrofitted to the non-QSK amp but that of the original design of the keying scheme. Tried a real Alpha 78 (OEM QSK installed) and had the same problem. Moved the Key to the exciter and allowed it to key the AMP's T-R line and NEVER again had a problem. The TS-930S also had a built-in slight delay in generated RF following T-R line closure. I now key my K3 and allow it to key the QSK amp, again, with no complaints from ANYONE, and the keying is as clean as a pin. Cheers, Tom Hammond N0SS At 15:53 11/20/2008, Richard Ferch wrote: I used exactly that setup with my K3 and a Titan (425) during a guest operation as VE2OJ in the CW Sweepstakes (Winkeyer to key in on the Titan, key out from the Titan to the K3). After the contest I had one report from a local amateur of choppy CW, which I interpreted as possibly an indication of some shortening of the CW elements. It didn't seem to be bad enough to hinder copy, as I did not have an unexpected rate of repeat requests, and there were no comments on the keying during the contest. If I were using that amplifier again in QSK mode I would try to set aside some extra time before the contest to look at the CW on a scope to see whether any keying compensation was called for. 73, Rich VE3KI - Original Message - From: Tim Heasman [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, November 20, 2008 8:59 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Interfacing K3 to TenTec QSK Amplifiers/AutomaticAntenna Tuner Hi All, Connect a keyer to key in on the Titan and use key out from the Titan to key the K2. There will be no timing problems doing it that way. 73 Tim gm4lmh ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 - How to get more headphone output.
Must admit that I've never been completely 'thrilled' with the performance of my 10+ year old Heil ProSet cans when used with my K2 or my K3. I've almost always had to crank up the AF Gain higher than that which gave more than ample AF output to the attached speakers. I've even gone to the point of considering trying to replace the OEM headphone elements with some small 8-Ohm speakers... haven't done it (yet) but it's certainly been on my agenda to research. 73, Tom Hammond N0SS At 16:31 11/16/2008, Bill W4ZV wrote: Barry N1EU wrote: My Heil ProSet is 200 ohms and my max AF Gain is also 9-10 o'clock like Bill. Make sure you have the config menu setting for AF Gain set to HI Just FYI my AF GAIN is set to LO, and I still have plenty of gain. I'm not sure about the actual impedance of my Heils but I've never had any problems with a TS-930S, FT-1000MP, Orion or the K3. They were a little weak when used with my K2 however. 73, Bill -- View this message in context: http://n2.nabble.com/K3---How-to-get-more-headphone-output.-tp1506562p1507314.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] SS CW from N0SS
Well, I didn't do was well as I'd hoped, but it's not the fault of the radio (K3). The operator's getting a bit long in the tooth and was feeling the effects of our local radio club's Halloween Special Event operation from Frankenstein (MO) as W0O. Even though I didn't stay the night (Friday night), I didn't get much sleep before the SS and I crapped out an hour before the end of the contest. I was hoping to break the 100k point barrier this year, but just didn't have the stamina to get there. I missed three sections: ND, MD, and NWT... to my chagrin. Was really hoping for a Clean Sweep... one of the ARRL SS Brooms would have certainly looked nice on the wall of my shack (IF you could find it). Congratulations to KR2Q and several others who beat me quite handily in class Q. Station: N0SS Class: Single Op QRP QTH: MO Operating Time (hrs): 21 Summary: Band QSOs 160: 80: 161 40: 227 20: 146 15: 12 10: Total: 546 Sections = 77 Total Score = 84,084 Man... I hears a BUNCH of K3s in this year's SS... a number of folks took the time to say, Great Signal... RIG??? When I replied K3, I very frequently got the same response in reply... I had no severe problems with my K3... the only one problem I did have was self-inflicted in that I failed to set a CONFIG parameter to allow the K3 to NOT disable RIT every time I change bands... there IS a CONFIG parm to allow RIT to remain enables across band changes and I'd managed to forget that fact. Well... I did have one other problem... the K3's filtering... The filtering was so darn good that I tended to forget that I can't slide my QRP signal up against a big QRO station (calling CQ) and then expect anyone else to hear me when _I_ start to CQ as well... I seldom heard the other guy, regardless of how strong he was, but his big signal overshadowed mine on the far end almost every time I tried CQing. Sometimes having great filtering might not be the best thing to have... heheh! 95% of my contacts were from operating SP as opposed to CQing... I just started at the bottom of a band and worked (almost) every station I called as I tuned up the band. Then, I'd either go back down for another pass, or I'd just to another band and repeat the process. I'd guess that 80% of my calls were answered on the first call, even when I wasn't the only station calling. I must thank (LOUDLY) all those who worked me and especially those who took the time and effort to work me when I wasn't the strongest signal on the band, and I'm certain there were many of those times. Congratulations to Elecraft... from where I'm sitting, my K3 KICKS BUTT! 73, Tom N0SS ___ 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 RF Feedback Problem
Hi Monty: I just added a jumper around (well, actually over) my L4. No need to risk possible PCB damage by completely removing the RFCs. 73, Tom N0SS At 17:50 11/02/2008, Monty Shultes wrote: I bit the bullet and removed L4 and L7 this morning. It is not difficult; they are both on the back of the front panel board. I jumpered the pads with wire. I am now getting superb audio reports from critical local stations that were guiding me in reducing RF on my audio. My MC-60 mic is back in good graces. It works. Monty K2DLJ Even in balanced audio systems, the same rules apply. Had the K3 been designed with a truly balanced, 3-stage instrumentation input for its mic pre-amp, the inclusion of L4 and L7 on the shielded return paths would have the same effect. The saving grace in an instrumentation-input circuit (or in the alternative, an audio transformer input) is the inherently large common-mode rejection ratio (CMRR) across a very broad frequency span that limits the presence of RF on a twisted-pair audio line, even in the total absence of the cable shielding. For nearly 100 years, the Bell System and its progeny have used unshielded twisted-pair balanced audio systems in the presence of outrageously-high RF fields with no measurable detriment to performance in many instances. Paul, W9AC ___ 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] RE: Clearing memories M1-M4
Hi Ralph: At 17:33 10/30/2008, you wrote: ...but really would like to be able to clear them completely like you can easily do with the memories. I guess my thickness is showing again. Somebody pse explain why a blank memory is a good thing. I'd think you'd just not push the button. And therein lies the crux of the problem... if you happen to mis-press the wrong button, as can happen in the heat of battle, all of a sudden your K3 is sending the WRONG message... to be able to completely clear a memory means that it's much more difficult (though probably still not completely impossible for the likes of me) to 'fat-finger' the message buttons and to send the wrong message. 73, Tom Hammond N0SS ___ 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] Two K3's, Same Band, Same Time?
Hi Dan: At 23:01 10/28/2008, Dan Levin wrote: For Sweepstakes, we are thinking about using a large multi-multi contesting station to house two separate single operator efforts. The station has two yagi antennas on each band, separated by about 500 feet, and element tip to element tip when beaming the US (antennas pointed in parallel). The thought has crossed my mind that two K3's in such a situation might be able to deal with the other signal, even strong and so close, if one station is at the low end of the band (say 14005) and the other is at the high end of the band (say 14075). Would anyone care to weigh in about the likelihood of the receivers surviving such behavior? For Field Day 2008, the Mid-MO ARC ran three 100W (3) K3s. Each K3 used a multiband dipole. The three dipoles were all strung, end-to-end, with about 40' of space BETWEEN ends, in order to attempt to take as much advantage as possible of the inherent null off the end of each dipole. We very often found ourselves running at least two of the K3s on the same band and a number of times, we found all three K3's on the same band (usually one K3 on CW and the other two K3s on SSB). While I'd be lying if I said there was NO DESENSE, I can state that the level of desense was such than no operator (newbie or old hand) ever reported a problem of significant front end overload or significant dense... period! And you can bet that I'd have (eventually) heard about it if it'd been there! The K3s performed SO MUCH BETTER than ANY other rig combinations we've used over the years! And the attention to front end design built into the K3 has really caused it to shine as a top performer in the presence of nearby strong signals. We'll be running a 2-station special event activity this coming weekend: Halloween from Frankenstein (MISSOURI) and the W0O special event call. We'll have two K3's operating here as well, and we'll again be using two of the three multiband dipoles, end-to-end. We expect no significant degradation in our ability to operate both stations on the same band as in the past. While this does not address QRO operation, it may help give you an idea of what you might expect, given the proximity of the dipoles to each other. 73, Tom HammondN0SS ___ 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 Beta firmware rev. 2.58: FASTER BAND SWITCHING; BAND MAPPING
Hi Drew: I sometimes take my K3 for a visit to a neighboring SW band. When I'm finished SWLing, I just press [A/B] to swap the (still-in-ham-band) VFO B freq with VFO A and then press [AB] to reset VFO A back to ham band as well. Two buttons, no problems. 73, Tom N0SS At 09:35 10/29/2008, you wrote: On Wed, 29 Oct 2008 10:20:59 -0400, David Wilburn NM4M wrote: Sweet. Thanks Elecraft! You must of been reading my mind. It is hard to explain exactly how annoying it was recently having to keep stopping on 60m when I was going back and forth between 40m and 80m during CQ WW SSB. David Wilburn NM4M The only remaining annoyance is what happens when you leave the ham bands, say if you leave 30m ham band and go into the 31m SWBC band: the 31m band gets set as your 30m ham band. But with judicious programming of the M1 thru M4 buttons you can at least restore it quickly enough. 73, Drew AF2Z ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 mobile
RTV is very often available as gasket maker/filler from your friendly neighborhood auto parts store. Permatex #16B, Black, Silicone Adhesive Sealer IS NOT SUITABLE, CONTAINS ACETIC ACID PERMATEX #598B, Black, Hi-Temp RTV Silicone Gasket Maker IS SUITABLE and DOES _NOT_ CONTAIN ACETIC ACID 73, Tom Hammond N0SS At 00:30 10/23/2008, David Cutter wrote:  Cheap RTVs such as used in bathroom sealant has a vinegar smell and will attack copper. In a small confined space inside a radio that's not good. In an open outdoor environment where the gas can escape it's not such a problem. Dow Corning and others make RTVs with benign contents, but at a considerable increase in cost. Surface mount components have practically no exposed copper and pcb tracks are not exposed, so, I wonder whether the acetic acid attacks the tin coated contacts. David G3UNA - Original Message - From: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]Bob To: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED][EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: mailto:elecraft@mailman.qth.netelecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Wednesday, October 22, 2008 7:35 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 mobile OK... May I ask why? I have seen it done in commercial products and I recently did it when I was assembling my SoftRock receivers because of my concerns with the #30 wire breaking. The two reasons I might think of would be any detuning effect or fear of the material used attacking the wire insulation. Any wisdom on this subject out there?I did not see or am not aware of the Elecraft advisory. 73, Bob K2TK mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED][EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I have seen the use of dope, sealers and so on strongly discouraged by Elecraft. matt, W6NIA Oct 22, 2008 10:30:51 AM, mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED][EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: There are at least two ferrite core transformers in the K3 that are supported only by their thin wires. I'm concerned that they may not survive a mobile environment. It would take only a dab of RTV (silicone adhesive sealant) to secure them, but I don't know if this has been discusses or approved. Windy KM5Q ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.netElecraft@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/elecrafthttp://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htmhttp://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.comhttp://www.elecraft.com -- ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
