Re: [Elecraft] KX3 does not signal KPA100 to deliver power
> On May 19, 2024, at 12:52 AM, Karl W Hubbard via Elecraft > wrote: > > Before I tear more of my hair out, is there anything obvious I am missing > short of recalibrating or reinstalling firmware (I have no settings to really > justify even making a back up)? The config includes the calibration data, so ALWAYS save the config. Some normal steps before more detailed troubleshooting. 1. Check the power supply voltage while transmitting, the KX3 can display that. 2. Open up the KX3 and reseat the ribbon connectors. 3. Check that all external cables are really, fully seated. 4. After saving a config, EEINIT, then reload config. 5. Update the firmware. wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KAT 500 Loses Match
The C HA-50HD is rated for 250 W SSB or 75 W for digital modes. It gets a flat SWR with resistive losses in the transformer. That is why the transformer has heat sink fins. A KPA500 is almost certainly overheating the transformer and causing failures. I would back off the power to match the ratings. For SSB with compression, I would run less than 250 W, maybe 150 W. It is possible that overheating has caused permanent damage to the transformer. One detailed set of tests showed at least 75% of transmitter power being turned into heat in the transformer. Here is what Comet says about that antenna. CHA-250HD (New version of the CHA-250B) The Comet CHA-250HD is the revised CHA-250B. The top section of aluminum has been replaced with a solid whip for greater flexibility and less strain on the lower sections in high winds. A uniquely designed broadband vertical requiring NO GROUND RADIALS. This is EXTREMELY easy to assemble, requires no tuning or adjustments and VSWR is under 1.6:1 continuously from 3.5MHz – 57MHz! It is not a 1/4 wave vertical, but an end-fed long wire type antenna with a matching transformer in a vertical position. Broadband: TX 3.5 – 57MHz RX 2.0 – 90MHz VSWR: 1.6:1 or less Max Power: 250W SSB 75W Digital modes/FT8, etc… CHA-250HD Transformer Section This is a the “magic” behind the CHA-250HD, the transformer matching section. The transformer on the original CHA-250 had smooth sides. The current version has a heat sink to dissipate heat created inside the transformer. Yes, some of the RF that enters the power feeding section is turned into heat rather than transmitted as RF, but that is one of the compromises needed to create a broad-band, low SWR, multi-band HF antenna with minimal visual impact. https://cometantenna.com/amateur-radio/base-antennas/multi-band-hfvhfuhf-2/ wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Jan 12, 2024, at 11:15 PM, Bruce Forsberg wrote: > > I have a CHA-250B antenna, but it is not currently up. This antenna is only > rated for 250W SSB which is probably 100W on CW or a digital mode. I think > this antenna has a matching network and at higher powers will saturate the > cores causing SWR to rise out of control. Same thing happens for me with an > EFHW antenna on 80M at 500W. This is a limitation with core matching > networks. > > Bruce, WB6IZG > > On Fri, Jan 12, 2024 at 9:29 PM Michael Reynolds, NO6O > wrote: > >> Greetings, >> >> I joined this list today, after sending a message to Elecraft support, >> describing a similar problem. I have an Icom IC-7610, with the KPA500 >> and KAT500, and my SWR spontaneously climbs into the red sometimes >> during transmissions. It takes some effort to correct it, and I >> typically lose a QSO in the process. The relays go nuts trying to >> re-tune, and sometimes produces a fault condition. Usually, I can >> correct it by restarting both the amplifier and tuner. I have a Comet >> CHA-250HD, which has a almost a flat 1.1 SWR from 80m to 6m. I don't >> need a tuner while barefoot. However, when I first hooked up the >> KPA500, the SWR was not flat, and added the KAT500 this week, which led >> to my SWR issue. >> >> I hope the cause and resolution can be determined. >> >> Michael >> NO6O >> >> >> > __ > 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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3+KPA500+KAT500 RFI Revisited
Before replacing cables or adding ferrites, I would make sure that all the chassis are bonded together with short runs of heavy gauge wire. Differences in ground potentials between equipment can make a mess of things. For more info, get the book on grounding and bonding from the ARRL. https://www.arrl.org/grounding-and-bonding-for-the-amateur wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Jan 12, 2024, at 12:18 PM, Jeff Wandling wrote: > > Dear Elecraft aficionados: > > The symptom is KPA switching bands during Tx. > > Seems like a while ago I was troubleshooting the RFI problem between the > equipment. > > K3 + KPA500 + KAT500 > > Using the "enhanced" configuration where serial cable between the K3 to KAT > to KPA assisted in communicating band changes as well as key-down event and > so on. > > I own two KPA-500's. Both are less than 6mo old. > > Let me refer to them as KPA-1 and KPA-2. KPA-1 is in the hands of Elecraft > for repair. It worked flawlessly (until needing repair), but the RFI issue I > will write about did not exist when that KPA-1 was in the chain. > > KPA-2 was purchased in December as a backup. Since putting KPA-2 in-line, the > RFI problems I will describe have gone unresolved. > > Scenario is with KPA-2 in-line. > > Even running tiny power (< 10W, <15 W) I can routinely and 100% reproduce the > problem where the BCD data in the AUX line that carries the information about > which band the KPA should be set on will change during Tx. > > For example I can put KAT into MAN, put KPA in bypass. Tune the antenna via > K3 and witness the search resolve to a 1:1 on the SWR. That sometimes will > trigger the effect -- I can see in the KPA, even in bypass that the band the > KPA is set on is changed from the band the K3 is set on. Even more insidious > is that if the KPA winds up on a different band after the tune (or after > "VVV" CW testing after tune), that pressing the band button on the KPA to > bring it back does not bring the KPA back to the right band. It is as if the > KPA has two states of band-awareness.. The awareness of the band displayed in > the LCD and the band that the input is set for. > > Here's an example: > K3 on 40m > Tune per usual (KAT MANUAL, KPA Bypass) > KPA remains on 40m. > K3 power output 14W > Then put the KPA into Operate > Tap "VVV" out on the key. > Witness the KPA operate but then switch band to 30m or 17m or 20m, etc.. (not > expected) > Then on the KPA tap (Band) 7 (for the 40m band) and nothing happens (not > expected) > Tap on the KPA 14 then the whole chain switches to 20m (expected) > > Suppose the TUNE did not yield a band-switch during Tx, repeating the test > but this time putting the KPA into Operate after the tune is sure-fire going > to cause the bandswitch. > > (I configured the KPA to go to Bypass in the event of a band-change event in > order to have some sense of protection while the key-down test Tx occurs). > > That's the scenario where after Tx the KPA is out of sync with the K3. > Whether or not the KPA is attempting to frequency-count is not evident, the > KPA:RADIO setting is "K3" which means leverage the BCD data from the K3 > vis-a-vis the KAT path. > > I can replicate this band-inconsistency at will. I don't think I can safely > operate the equipment if the BCD encoded band data is fluctuating during Tx. > What would happen if I switched bands (N1MM) and hit the keyer and the KPA > got confused on the last Tx? Magic smoke I imagine. > > Only happened with KPA-2 not KPA-1. But I'm wondering if KPA-1 suffered a > catastrophe caused by this scenario and I didn't notice the clicking > band-switch because I had not expected it to switch bands during Tx. > > What have I done to remedy? I think I've tried everything but obviously I > have a gap -- otherwise I'd have solved this problem. > > - New coax between everything. > - Shorter or longer coax, different coax (RG-213, 8X, LMR-240, etc..) > - Tighter loops (6 -8") when there is excess coax or lazy big loops where > there is excess coax. > - New connectors/adapters (Yes, Amphenol) > - Re-route coax different ways. Avoid this, that and the other, etc.. > Permutations of routing. > - Move and adjust placement of equipment. KAT near the KPA, KAT away from the > KPA, both near or away from the K3, etc.. > - Chokes between things. K3 to KPA, KPA to KAT, KAT to antenna system > - Non-bleeding chokes, bleeding chokes. > - Ferrite on serial cables, more ferrite, insane amounts of ferrite, or zero > ferrite > - Move the position of serial cables above, below, up, down, left, right. &
Re: [Elecraft] KX2 question
This all-text document has a physical description and documents the audio-CW feedback. https://ftp.elecraft.com/KX2/Mod Notes Alerts/KX2 CW UI, rev A3.pdf <https://ftp.elecraft.com/KX2/Mod%20Notes%20Alerts/KX2%20CW%20UI,%20rev%20A3.pdf> wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Dec 4, 2023, at 8:03 AM, Chris wrote: > > I saw a one-page note on this but I cannot find it in my records. If I recall > it is a mode of some sort that causes the CW Identifier, for handicapped > hams, I think. I did a reset to clear it. Sorry for being vague, it has been > a couple months, but maybe support can point you to that one-pager. It should > be in the fw release notes, really... > > 73, > > Chris, > > K0PF > > On 12/1/2023 9:59 AM, Bud wrote: >> Folks … >> >> I recently invoked the latest firmware update on my KX2 (s/n 1031). >> Upon beginning use of the KX2 after the firmware update two changes to the >> operating configuration were noticed. >> >> They are: >> >> 1) Upon pressing any of the front panel push button switches, a CW >> identifier takes place. >> How do I delete this from happening? >> >> 2) The “display” push button no longer displays the several functions it >> once did. >> What do I need to do to bring back the display functions when I push the >> “display” button? >> >> Thanks for any help in this matter … >> >> Bud, >> NY1Z … >> >> >> >> >> __ >> 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 >> Message delivered to wd5...@frii.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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Yamaha CM500 Headset
Just tried mine and it doesn’t swivel all the way. The ear cups are slightly slanted, so it might fit oddly when reversed. wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Oct 11, 2023, at 12:19 PM, Richard wrote: > > I just received my Yamaha CM500 headset and I have a question. > > Can the mic boom be swiveled around counterclockwise so the mic can be on my > right side? > > Didn’t want to try before asking. > > Please reply to my email address: > > flat...@comcast.net > > Many thanks. > > Richard Kunc > W4KBX > __ > 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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KX2 thread
The KX-line group is here: https://elecraft-kx.groups.io/g/main It is not an official Elecraft group, but it is friendly and useful. wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Sep 6, 2023, at 8:31 AM, Neil Smith wrote: > > Hi guys, > > It sounds like there might be a KX* specific thread for Elecraft products. > As a KX2 owner I’d be interested in joining that. > Can someone send me the link to sign up over there? > > Many thanks & 73, > > Neil - K6KWI > __ > 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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Portable antennae for the KX3
Regardless of what else you carry, I recommend taking a BNC to double binding post adaptor and two wires, 25 feet each. Connect one wire to the red post and toss it into a tree or over a bush, connect the other wire to the black post and lay it on the ground. Press ATU TUNE and you’ll be good on 40 m through 10 m. This is described in the KX2 manual and versions of it go back to the KX1 ATU manual about 20 years ago. I wind up my wire figure-8 style on “midi winders” from SOTAbeams. They are similar in length to the KX3, so pack nicely. https://www.sotabeams.co.uk/midi-winders/ I use 26 AWG stranded insulated “toughcoat silky” wire from The Wireman. https://thewireman.com/product/antenna-wire-26-awg-copper-clad-steel-stranded-jacketed/ wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Sep 1, 2023, at 12:46 PM, Bill Priakos via Elecraft > wrote: > > I am new to the site – I hear some antenna designs for portable operation > with the KX3 posted here! I am leaving for Europe, soon and want to take my > little Elecraft with me with some appropriate antennae! > > TKS for any help. > > Bill, W5SJ > __ > 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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] A Good Headset For A K3
The SB-45 is a great example of trying out headsets to see which one works for you. The SB-45 was so uncomfortable on my head that I wrote a blog post about it. I returned it and got a new Yamaha CM-500 headset. https://observer.wunderwood.org/2021/01/27/koss-sb-45-vs-yamaha-cm500/ wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Aug 6, 2023, at 8:41 PM, David Hachadorian wrote: > > I like the Koss SB-45 (3.5mm plug version, not USB). It sounds great, has a > nice padded headband, and is $30 on Amazon. > > Dave Hachadorian, K6LL > Big Bear Lake, CA > > > > On 8/6/2023 12:16 PM, Jim Brown wrote: >> On 8/6/2023 11:43 AM, Eric Garner wrote: >>> 2nding the radiosport headsets. They are not cheap, but they are >>> comfortable for extended wear, sound great, and block nearly all background >>> noise. >> >> Comfort depends strongly on the head of the wearer. I tried on a set twice, >> first at a club meeting, then a few years later after seeing/hearing posts >> like this. On both occasions I found them to be an instrument of torture. >> >> By contrast, the Yamaha CM500 headset is VERY comfortable -- I've worn mine >> for long contest weekends with no fatigue, and both phones and mic sound >> great. With the right TXEQ, audio is super competitive, is easy to listen to >> and cuts through noise and QRM. The headset plugs straight into the rear >> panel of both a K3 and a K4, (turn on bias, because mic is an electret). >> Most of us program PF2 to toggle the speaker on and off (go to the menu for >> that function and push PF2). With the right cable adapter, it also works >> great with a KX3. >> >> The only shortcoming of the Yamaha headset is it's somewhat light >> construction -- I'm super clumsy, am always knocking the headset on the >> floor, which has broken the cable. But at $60 or so compared 4-6 times that >> cost for ham specialty headsets that are no better, it's cheap. >> >> 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 >> Message delivered to k6ll.d...@gmail.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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] A dumb question about lightning
These kinds of questions are exactly why there is an entire ARRL book on the subject. Short version, you need a system that provides both a safety ground for the AC power wiring and an RF ground for lightning protection. In 2020, both the CZU Lightning Complex and SCU Lightning Complex fires were large destructive fires started by lightning. My weather station counts lightning strikes near Palo Alto. It recorded 27 in Jan, 17 in Feb, and 16 in March. That would be one thunderstorm in Texas, but it is still enough to damage a radio. wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Jul 31, 2023, at 2:14 PM, jerry wrote: > > Interesting. Suppose the service entrance is at one end of the house, > and the ham shack at the other end? I don't think it's physically > possible to provide a low inductance path that's 60 feet long, is it? > > Would a solution be to DC-isolate the station from the grounded antenna? > Say with a wideband toroid 1:1 transformer? Then ground the station through > the > 3rd pin of the AC outlet? > > Here in the San Francisco Bay Area, lighting is rare. It used to be > entirely > unheard of - we just don't get the kind of convective weather that produces > it. We're more about coastal stratus. But with climate change, that might be > changing. There was quite a display once last year. > >- Jerry, KF6VB > > > On 2023-07-31 13:20, Fred Jensen wrote: >> Be very careful of advice regarding lightning protection. There are >> some very good sources, starting with the NEC and including material >> from ARRL. Some is somewhat non-intuitive. For example, the NEC >> requires that any additional "earth electrodes" [aka ground rods] be >> bonded to the service entrance earth electrode with a low inductance >> path. There's been quite an array of advice circulating here recently, >> much of it wrong, some dangerous. >> 73, >> Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW >> Sparks NV DM09dn >> Washoe County >> Geoffrey Feldman wrote on 7/28/2023 5:02 PM: >>> First thing and foremost - switches are mostly not relevant to protection. >>> Energy that can travel 1000' through the sky is likely to continue across >>> most switches. So, the utmost of safety is what you indicated you did - >>> disconnect. By disconnect, I mean either disconnect outside the building, >>> leaving the feed on the ground or leave the feed connected to a copper plate >>> that is in turn connected to an 8' deep ground stake. On the inside of the >>> house, disconnect the lines from that plate and leave them on the floor. >>> Another such stake near the feed point of the antenna is also a great idea. >>> If it's possible to lower the antenna when not in use, that's a great idea. >>> This should be the default when not in use. >>> You have the belief that no grounding system is perfectly effective (for >>> all >>> imaginable strikes) - maybe, but a good grounding system is far better than >>> foolishness. A grounding system, or an antenna is not a "lightning >>> magnet". If it doesn't strike it won't. If it does it will and the grounding >>> system assures the energy will be less likely to cause harm. Some places and >>> circumstances are more or less likely but everywhere is possible. If that >>> possibility happens, a good grounding system is why it is likely to be >>> survived. >>> A key thing to understand is that when Lightning strikes in nature, all the >>> energy travels along the surface of the ground. It can do this for many >>> feet and be lethal doing it. Anything that stands along the radius from the >>> point of the strike (one part closer and the other further) is in danger. >>> Four legged animals, having more distant contact points, more dangerous. >>> The purpose of a ground stake (8' straight down) is to channel the >>> electricity deep, rather than along the surface. >>> Don't use emotional theories. Read the lightning mitigation and grounding >>> books offered by the ARRL. Use UL approved conductors and stakes. Do not >>> use your homes electrical service ground stake. Keep that separate. >>> All the above is a "cliffs notes" and so is anything else posted here. Read >>> the books. Ask senior members of a local club, to review your plan. >>> W1GCF Geoff > __ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraf
Re: [Elecraft] [OT] A dumb question about lightning
Lightning can’t tell whether something is grounded because the energy pulse hasn’t gotten that far yet. Lightning induces a current in every nearby conductor. When that pulse of current reaches a building or electronics, we want to provide a low impedance path to a safe sink (ground rods) and a high impedance path to the equipment (a choke). A lightning arrestor is a temporary low impedance path to ground for conductors that aren’t normally grounded. The best high impedance path is disconnecting your equipment. That won’t stop a direct strike, because that will induce currents in the disconnected equipment. But it will help almost all the time. wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Jul 28, 2023, at 1:31 PM, Al Lorona wrote: > > Please don't laugh at me; I'm a transplant from a region of the country with > essentially no lightning to a region where you have to worry about it quite a > bit. > > We had a doozy of a storm last night, with lots of lightning overhead. I felt > like a sitting duck, even though I had grounded both sides of the balanced > feedline of the antenna, switched the antenna switch to the middle (grounded) > position, and even disconnected the coax leading to the K3's rear-panel > antenna port. > > Whenever lightning happens, I always wonder if it really is in fact better to > ground everything. Because, doesn't that essentially make a lightning rod of > the antenna? If I simply disconnected the antenna and left it floating, > wouldn't it be less likely to attract a lightning bolt? > > I'm of the belief that it's better to try to avoid a direct hit than to > attract one and trust your grounding system to do its thing. I'm of the > belief that no grounding system is perfectly effective. > > Al W6LX/4 > > __ > 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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 Power-hunting on FT8
I recommend finding someone with a P3 or other spectrum display and trying this on *your* K3 rather than looking at pictures of “a K3”. Running with insufficient audio drive, which is what you are doing, has known problems, which you are experiencing. I would be glad to do it with my KX3 and PX3, but I’m on the other side of the US. wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Jul 20, 2023, at 7:33 PM, Pete Smith N4ZR wrote: > > OK guys - rather than reply individually, let me try to pull everything > together in one message. > > In a previous effort at FT8 I followed the standard advice to set the power > slider in WSJT-X (on the lower RIGHT side) so that my K-3 showed 4 bars on > the ALC meter, just below the threshold for ALC starting, and that seemed to > work fine. Then a technically-qualified local ham showed me spectrum > analyzer images of a K-3 at 4 bars versus at no bars, and the difference was > startling - the no bars signal was clean and narrow, while the 4-bars signal > looked like some of those SSB sigs we hear during contests, wide and with > many artifacts. I am not going to identify my source here, but I'm fairly > sure he reads this reflector, so maybe he'll join the discussion > > Anyway, I'm kind of at sea - WSJT-X works fine with no bars - I've finished > 12 and 17M, as well as digital DXCC in the last few weeks, following his > advice. But the hunting typically takes almost 20 seconds of transmitting - > roughly 1 1/2 FT-8 cycles - to reach full power - and happens every time I > change bands, which puts me behind the curve if I switch bands, see someone I > need, and have to spend 1 1/2 transmit cycles getting up to full power before > I can call him effectively. > > 73, Pete N4ZR > > __ > 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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 Power-hunting on FT8
By “first flickers of ALC” do you mean one bar flickering? If so, that will cause power hunting. Not sure who advised against setting it at the 4th bar, but that was probably bad advice. That sounds like advice for non-Elecraft transmitters. I recommend following the setup instructions on pages 31 and 32 of the manual. https://ftp.elecraft.com/K3/Manuals Downloads/E740107 K3 Owner's man D10.pdf <https://ftp.elecraft.com/K3/Manuals%20Downloads/E740107%20K3%20Owner's%20man%20D10.pdf> wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Jul 20, 2023, at 2:16 PM, Pete Smith N4ZR wrote: > > I've recently started operating FT8, and on advice from other K3 users, have > been adjusting the power slider in WSJT-X to a level just short of or just > into the first flickers of ALC. I did this because I was advised that > setting the slider for 4 or 5 bars of ALC generated junk in the FT8 passband. > I am running the K3 in Data A mode > > Since I did this, I've noticed strange (to me, anyway) behavior from my K3. > When WSJT-X starts an FT8 transmit cycle, after I have just switched to the > current band or changed the power slider in WSJT-X or the PWR control on my > K-3, the K3's power output starts essentially at zero and slowly ramps up > through 1- 1 1/2 FT8 transmit cycles. Once it reaches the expected level, > subsequent transmissions stay at that level. > > I've been told (not by Elecraft) that this behavior is a result of the K3's > firmware "hunting" for the right power level, but such a slow and repetitious > behavior doesn't fit with the rest of what I've come to expect from my K3. > It doesn't happen on CW or SSB either. So what's going on? > > -- > 73, Pete N4ZR > __ > 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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K2: Filter Aliginment software for Apple MACs.
These days, it is probably easier to just get a TinySA device for $70. wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Jul 3, 2023, at 10:41 AM, Alan D. Wilcox > wrote: > > Francis, > > FWIW, I was hunting for a Mac subst for Spectrogram recently, and really > didn't find much at all. > "iSpectrum" is all I could find free - or even at a modest price - and it > didn't come close to Spectrogram. It could hardly display the passband of the > K2, much less allow for any alignment using it. > > I use a Win7 desktop in the shop, and Spectrogram does excellently for K2 > alignments. > > Short of a specific Mac application, one might run a Windows virtual machine > (VirtualBox, Parallels, etc) as a host for Spectrogram. The catch is, at > least for the newer Apple silicon (M1, M2), is that you'd need a copy of > Windows that can run on non-Intel codebase. I've not researched that > alternative much however. For the number of times Spectrogram might be > needed, it's easier/cheaper to just use an old Win PC. > > If you do find something that works on your Mac, let us all know! > > Thanks for writing. > > Alan > > Alan D. Wilcox, W3DVX (K3S-10457, SKCC 22955) > 570-916-9590 (cell, text) > https://WilcoxEngineering.com > http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/6768 ... Elecraft Client Comments > http://amazon.com/author/alandwilcox > Williamsport, PA 17701 > > On 7/2/23 13:53, Francis Cummings, III via Elecraft wrote: >> Hi All >> >> What software can you use on a Mac in place of Spectrogram to set up filters? >> Any details on the set up the S/W that would be helpful too! >> >> Thank you and 73 >> >> Francis KB7IP >> K2 >> >> >> __ >> 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 >> Message delivered to a...@wilcoxengineering.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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K4 Rx is awesome...
Some practices vary with the type of contact—casual, contest, organized program (SOTA/POTA), event (JOTA, Field Day), DXpedition—and some are just good practices. This document is a good consensus description, with a lean towards contesting and DXpedition practices. It is called “Ethics and Operating Procedures for the Radio Amateur” and was developed by experience European hams. https://www.iaru-r1.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Eth-operating-IARU-ENGLISH-version3-2010-amended-2021.pdf I also recommend the ARRL Operating Manual, though I haven’t read a recent edition. I actually have it ready to pick up at my library right now. https://home.arrl.org/action/Store/Product-Details/productId/114292 The numbers are usually “serial numbers”. They start with 1 for your first contact and increase with each contact. http://www.arrl.org/contest-basics https://www.qsl.net/zs1an/contesting_faq.html wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Jun 27, 2023, at 7:53 AM, Karl W Hubbard via Elecraft > wrote: > > I tried driving out to my local ham fest location as indicated on the ARRL > website, but no one was there, and then went to the past site at the high > school football stadium. No one was there either. > I consider my self a newby, don’t even know the etiquette for contests or > “interrupting” some SSB rag chews I hear on my KX3. People might assume on a > look up on QRZ that I am an “experienced” ham and conclude that I’m one of > those A h0l*s. I am still having to hold a copy of the ARRL band plan in my > left hand as I dial in frequencies and bands with my right! Reading the > instructions as I go. No Elmer’s here. > Questions like: Do you or if so why do some repeat both call signs of > participants of a QSO vs just your own? Are the numbers at the conclusion of > a QSO “ you’re number 28” assigned by the contestant just a way of confirming > or tabulating a QSO? > I guess it’s similar to talking to air traffic control with flying. Most of > ATC conversation with rapid fire instructions is anticipation, but even then > I had trouble reading back directions and squawk numbers etc. I think I must > have some auditory dyslexia, even though my age adjusted frequencies of > hearing are very good. > I am limited by my antenna arrangement, and thus ability to transmit > effectively with 100W running through my KPA100. I would think it becomes a > sort of chicken or the egg issue when it comes to QSOs if you have availed > yourself of all reasonable antenna options (but I am not erecting a 60 foot > tower in the back of my building or mounting my 30 ft MFJ mast with 24 > ground radials spread over the parking lot) and the only weapon left is > transmission power. But the easier it is for people to hear you, the more > enjoyable the radio can be and your communication skills snowball. I’m 68, > and in excellent health, so hopefully I might have a few years at it. I am > looking at taking the plunge next year and getting the K4D and the KPA1500 > but want to increase my knowledge base and will need to upgrade my Buckmaster > 300W 7 band OCFD currently in use to the 3000 W version. I cheat on CW with > keyboard encoding and decoding on the KPX3 set at 15 WPM although all I seem > to get on the KX3 is decoded gibberish**E*EE ** etc. > Finally, how much more sensitive is the K4 for signal reception compared to > the fully filtered KX3? > 73’s > Karl. AF5LQ > > > Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone > > > On Tuesday, June 27, 2023, 5:34 AM, Doug Turnbull wrote: > > Jan, > You are an inspiration to this 79 year old.I like the city lot > idea as well.Keep pounding the brass in good health. > > 73 Doug EI2CN > > On Tue 27 Jun 2023, 02:29 Jim Brown, wrote: > >> On 6/26/2023 2:01 PM, Jan wrote: >>> The K4/at is a delight to operate anytime; this last weekend it was used >> >>> Thanks to the hundred that I had exchanges with >>> >>> 73, Jan K1ND >>> >>> PS: At 86 years of age it was fun! >> >> At W6BX, W6JTI and I, also octogenarians, worked you on at least one >> band. We were QRP with a K3/P3/SVGA, with the entire station on battery >> power. >> >> 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 >> Message delivered to turnb...@net1.ie >> > __
Re: [Elecraft] Starting to Ship K3 & K3S Option Last Time Buy Orders (3/1/23)
> On Jun 1, 2023, at 4:00 PM, Jim Cliver wrote: > > This two year wait period is a bit unnerving.. I recently ordered a KX3 shack > in a pack with a few accessories. Are there any indications that a KX3 order > will experience the same delay period? The website indicated 3 to 4 months > delay. I like the sound of crickets well enough but.. ;-) The long wait is for a special run of accessories for the K3, which is out of production. The KX3 is in production. The shipping status is "Backordered due to vendor parts delay. ESD 12-16 weeks from the date of order”. https://elecraft.com/pages/shipping-status wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Microphone Setup Confusion
That link has some weird special characters stuck on the end of it. Not sure how that happened. This link works https://elecraft-kx.groups.io/g/main/message/9486 and is the link in the updated blog post. wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On May 17, 2023, at 12:21 PM, Jay wrote: > > Walter, > > Tried link. Got the following message: That message number does not exist. > The message may have been deleted. > > Maybe a digit missing on the message number? > > 73 > Jay K3 BH > > On Wed, May 17, 2023, at 11:51, Walter Underwood wrote: >> Ah, found the original. groups.io <http://groups.io/> <http://groups.io/> >> did a really nice job of copying over the archives from Yahoo! Groups. >> >> https://elecraft-kx.groups.io/g/main/message/9486 >> <https://elecraft-kx.groups.io/g/main/message/9486%EF%BF%BC> >> wunder >> K6WRU >> Walter Underwood >> CM87wj >> http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) >> >> >> > On May 17, 2023, at 8:44 AM, Walter Underwood > > <mailto:wun...@wunderwood.org>> wrote: >> > >> > Thanks, I’ll check the link. Ah, that is a link to the post on Yahoo! >> > Groups, but Yahoo! shut all that down and didn’t even leave the archives >> > live. Sigh. I’ll try and find it elsewhere. >> > >> > It looks like I reposted his 2012 post in 2014, so maybe I’ll link to that. >> > >> > https://elecraft-kx.groups.io/g/main/message/46148?p=%2C%2C%2C20%2C0%2C0%2C0%3A%3Acreated%2C0%2Ckk7p+mic+bias%2C20%2C2%2C0%2C35006985 >> > >> > <https://elecraft-kx.groups.io/g/main/message/46148?p=%2C%2C%2C20%2C0%2C0%2C0%3A%3Acreated%2C0%2Ckk7p+mic+bias%2C20%2C2%2C0%2C35006985%EF%BF%BC> >> > >> > wunder >> > K6WRU >> > Walter Underwood >> > CM87wj >> > http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) >> > >> >> On May 17, 2023, at 8:35 AM, Hank > >> <mailto:h...@optilink.us>> wrote: >> >> >> >> I went back and re-read you article. I had made a setup for my KX3 a few >> >> years back and couldn’t remember all of the details. Thanks for >> >> reposting!! >> >> >> >> BTW, Lyle’s article you mention, the link is dead. It was a great >> >> resource if you can find it again! >> >> >> >> Thanks, >> >> Hank >> >> K4HYJ >> >> >> >> >> >>> On May 17, 2023, at 12:07 AM, Walter Underwood > >>> <mailto:wun...@wunderwood.org>> wrote: >> >>> The mic bias is +3.3 V on the tip. On the KX3, there is also a logic >> >>> level DC voltage on the ring. This is not as clean as the mic bias and >> >>> can cause some noise on mics that short those. You can split out those >> >>> signals with a TRS plug or a stereo-to-mono splitter. See this blog post >> >>> (from me) for details. >> >>> >> >>> https://observer.wunderwood.org/2015/08/16/yamaha-cm500-headset-with-ptt-on-elecraft-kx3/ >> >>> >> >>> Phantom power for studio mics is quite different. >> >>> >> >>> wunder >> >>> K6WRU >> >>> Walter Underwood >> >>> CM87wj >> >>> http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) >> >>> >> >>>> On May 16, 2023, at 6:40 PM, Alan Geller via Elecraft >> >>>> mailto:elecraft@mailman.qth.net>> wrote: >> >>>> >> >>>> Is what Elecraft calls mike “bias” in the K3 and K3s Owners handbooks >> >>>> Equivalent to the “48 volt ghost voltage” required for condenser mikes >> >>>> et al >> >>>> In the broadcast and music industry ? >> >>>> >> >>>> It is mentioned that “mike bias” needs to to be turned on for condenser >> >>>> type mikes >> >>>> But off for dynamic types which is also equivalent for the more common >> >>>> Term “48 volt ghost voltage” >> >>>> >> >>>> Thanks for any help >> >>>> >> >>>> Alan/K6ADG >> >>>> __ >> >>>> Elecraft mailing list >> >>>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> >>>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> >>>> Post: mailto:Elecraft@
Re: [Elecraft] Microphone Setup Confusion
Ah, found the original. groups.io <http://groups.io/> did a really nice job of copying over the archives from Yahoo! Groups. https://elecraft-kx.groups.io/g/main/message/9486 wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On May 17, 2023, at 8:44 AM, Walter Underwood wrote: > > Thanks, I’ll check the link. Ah, that is a link to the post on Yahoo! Groups, > but Yahoo! shut all that down and didn’t even leave the archives live. Sigh. > I’ll try and find it elsewhere. > > It looks like I reposted his 2012 post in 2014, so maybe I’ll link to that. > > https://elecraft-kx.groups.io/g/main/message/46148?p=%2C%2C%2C20%2C0%2C0%2C0%3A%3Acreated%2C0%2Ckk7p+mic+bias%2C20%2C2%2C0%2C35006985 > > wunder > K6WRU > Walter Underwood > CM87wj > http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > >> On May 17, 2023, at 8:35 AM, Hank wrote: >> >> I went back and re-read you article. I had made a setup for my KX3 a few >> years back and couldn’t remember all of the details. Thanks for reposting!! >> >> BTW, Lyle’s article you mention, the link is dead. It was a great resource >> if you can find it again! >> >> Thanks, >> Hank >> K4HYJ >> >> >>> On May 17, 2023, at 12:07 AM, Walter Underwood >>> wrote: >>> The mic bias is +3.3 V on the tip. On the KX3, there is also a logic level >>> DC voltage on the ring. This is not as clean as the mic bias and can cause >>> some noise on mics that short those. You can split out those signals with a >>> TRS plug or a stereo-to-mono splitter. See this blog post (from me) for >>> details. >>> >>> https://observer.wunderwood.org/2015/08/16/yamaha-cm500-headset-with-ptt-on-elecraft-kx3/ >>> >>> Phantom power for studio mics is quite different. >>> >>> wunder >>> K6WRU >>> Walter Underwood >>> CM87wj >>> http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) >>> >>>> On May 16, 2023, at 6:40 PM, Alan Geller via Elecraft >>>> wrote: >>>> >>>> Is what Elecraft calls mike “bias” in the K3 and K3s Owners handbooks >>>> Equivalent to the “48 volt ghost voltage” required for condenser mikes et >>>> al >>>> In the broadcast and music industry ? >>>> >>>> It is mentioned that “mike bias” needs to to be turned on for condenser >>>> type mikes >>>> But off for dynamic types which is also equivalent for the more common >>>> Term “48 volt ghost voltage” >>>> >>>> Thanks for any help >>>> >>>> Alan/K6ADG >>>> __ >>>> 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 >>>> Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org >>> >>> __ >>> 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 >>> Message delivered to h...@optilink.us >> > > __ > 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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Microphone Setup Confusion
Thanks, I’ll check the link. Ah, that is a link to the post on Yahoo! Groups, but Yahoo! shut all that down and didn’t even leave the archives live. Sigh. I’ll try and find it elsewhere. It looks like I reposted his 2012 post in 2014, so maybe I’ll link to that. https://elecraft-kx.groups.io/g/main/message/46148?p=%2C%2C%2C20%2C0%2C0%2C0%3A%3Acreated%2C0%2Ckk7p+mic+bias%2C20%2C2%2C0%2C35006985 wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On May 17, 2023, at 8:35 AM, Hank wrote: > > I went back and re-read you article. I had made a setup for my KX3 a few > years back and couldn’t remember all of the details. Thanks for reposting!! > > BTW, Lyle’s article you mention, the link is dead. It was a great resource if > you can find it again! > > Thanks, > Hank > K4HYJ > > >> On May 17, 2023, at 12:07 AM, Walter Underwood wrote: >> The mic bias is +3.3 V on the tip. On the KX3, there is also a logic level >> DC voltage on the ring. This is not as clean as the mic bias and can cause >> some noise on mics that short those. You can split out those signals with a >> TRS plug or a stereo-to-mono splitter. See this blog post (from me) for >> details. >> >> https://observer.wunderwood.org/2015/08/16/yamaha-cm500-headset-with-ptt-on-elecraft-kx3/ >> >> Phantom power for studio mics is quite different. >> >> wunder >> K6WRU >> Walter Underwood >> CM87wj >> http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) >> >>> On May 16, 2023, at 6:40 PM, Alan Geller via Elecraft >>> wrote: >>> >>> Is what Elecraft calls mike “bias” in the K3 and K3s Owners handbooks >>> Equivalent to the “48 volt ghost voltage” required for condenser mikes et al >>> In the broadcast and music industry ? >>> >>> It is mentioned that “mike bias” needs to to be turned on for condenser >>> type mikes >>> But off for dynamic types which is also equivalent for the more common >>> Term “48 volt ghost voltage” >>> >>> Thanks for any help >>> >>> Alan/K6ADG >>> __ >>> 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 >>> Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org >> >> __ >> 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 >> Message delivered to h...@optilink.us > __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Microphone Setup Confusion
The mic bias is +3.3 V on the tip. On the KX3, there is also a logic level DC voltage on the ring. This is not as clean as the mic bias and can cause some noise on mics that short those. You can split out those signals with a TRS plug or a stereo-to-mono splitter. See this blog post (from me) for details. https://observer.wunderwood.org/2015/08/16/yamaha-cm500-headset-with-ptt-on-elecraft-kx3/ Phantom power for studio mics is quite different. wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On May 16, 2023, at 6:40 PM, Alan Geller via Elecraft > wrote: > > Is what Elecraft calls mike “bias” in the K3 and K3s Owners handbooks > Equivalent to the “48 volt ghost voltage” required for condenser mikes et al > In the broadcast and music industry ? > > It is mentioned that “mike bias” needs to to be turned on for condenser type > mikes > But off for dynamic types which is also equivalent for the more common > Term “48 volt ghost voltage” > > Thanks for any help > > Alan/K6ADG > __ > 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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Experience with Energizer Lithium AA Batteries?
Thanks. Looking at the data sheets, the Energizer lithium's internal resistance is "120 to 240 milliohms (depending on method)” and for the Eneloop Pro, the internal impedance is “Approx. 25 mΩ (at 1 kHz)”. Not really the same spec, but the ESR is probably similar to those numbers. Also, the max discharge for the lithium AA cells is 2.5 amps continuous or 4.0 amps pulse (2 sec on / 8 sec off), so that should be fine for running the KX3. wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On May 11, 2023, at 5:25 PM, Matthew Cook wrote: > > Walter, > > Like all primary cells they do have some ESR which is a little higher than > other secondary cell chemistries. > > Like Julia I have pushed these cells towards 1A/cell at -30 celsius and > achieved reasonable results and the load curve is very flat. > > The additional terminal voltage is good for overcoming some of the ESR > problems at high load, but if the final amplifier is prone to distortion or > AM modulation due to voltage drop then things get a little more difficult. > > The proof is in the pudding, so I'd simply purchase a set, place your > multimeter across the cells (maybe use a RF choke if TX not into a dummy > load) and watch the terminal voltage when you TX with your desired > modulation, you'll quickly know if you have a problem. > > If your experiment is unsuccessful the E2 energisers go forever in your > remote controls and wireless mouses, they will certainly not be wasted ! > > 73 > > Matthew > VK5ZM > > > On Fri, 12 May 2023 at 02:15, Walter Underwood <mailto:wun...@wunderwood.org>> wrote: >> Thanks, that is actually on the data sheet, now that I look. >> >> https://data.energizer.com/pdfs/l91.pdf >> >> My biggest concern is whether they hold up under a 2+ A current draw. The >> data sheet stops at 1 A. >> >> wunder >> K6WRU >> Walter Underwood >> CM87wj >> http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) >> >> > On May 9, 2023, at 9:10 PM, Matthew Cook > > <mailto:vk...@bistre.net>> wrote: >> > >> > Walter, >> > >> > These cells have a slightly higher terminal voltage 1.82 c.f 1.65 (when >> > full) from your normal heavy duty alkaline battery... flat is still the >> > same at 1.0V under load discharge curve is what you'd expect under >> > moderate/high loads. >> > >> > We regularly fly these (and only these cells) in our high altitude balloon >> > experiments at reasonable currents (> 200mA), so at temperatures below >> > zero celsius (+32F) they still have significant usable capacity. They >> > will certainly give your Enerloops a run for their money. >> > >> > 73 >> > >> > Matthew >> > VK5ZM >> > >> > >> > On Tue, 9 May 2023 at 06:04, Walter Underwood > > <mailto:wun...@wunderwood.org> <mailto:wun...@wunderwood.org >> > <mailto:wun...@wunderwood.org>>> wrote: >> >> I’m considering taking Energizer Ultimate Lithium AA batteries >> >> (non-rechargeable) in my KX3 on a backpacking trip. They are half the >> >> weight of Eneloop Pro and have about 40% more Watt-hours of energy. >> >> >> >> Anybody tried these? How did they work? >> >> >> >> wunder >> >> K6WRU >> >> Walter Underwood >> >> CM87wj >> >> http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) >> >> >> >> __ >> >> Elecraft mailing list >> >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> >> Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net <mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net> >> >> <mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net <mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net>> >> >> >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net <http://www.qsl.net/> >> >> <http://www.qsl.net/> >> >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> >> Message delivered to vk...@bistre.net <mailto:vk...@bistre.net> >> >> <mailto:vk...@bistre.net <mailto:vk...@bistre.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 <mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net> >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net <http://www.qsl.net/> >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> Message delivered to vk...@bistre.net <mailto:vk...@bistre.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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Experience with Energizer Lithium AA Batteries?
Thanks, that is actually on the data sheet, now that I look. https://data.energizer.com/pdfs/l91.pdf My biggest concern is whether they hold up under a 2+ A current draw. The data sheet stops at 1 A. wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On May 9, 2023, at 9:10 PM, Matthew Cook wrote: > > Walter, > > These cells have a slightly higher terminal voltage 1.82 c.f 1.65 (when full) > from your normal heavy duty alkaline battery... flat is still the same at > 1.0V under load discharge curve is what you'd expect under moderate/high > loads. > > We regularly fly these (and only these cells) in our high altitude balloon > experiments at reasonable currents (> 200mA), so at temperatures below zero > celsius (+32F) they still have significant usable capacity. They will > certainly give your Enerloops a run for their money. > > 73 > > Matthew > VK5ZM > > > On Tue, 9 May 2023 at 06:04, Walter Underwood <mailto:wun...@wunderwood.org>> wrote: >> I’m considering taking Energizer Ultimate Lithium AA batteries >> (non-rechargeable) in my KX3 on a backpacking trip. They are half the weight >> of Eneloop Pro and have about 40% more Watt-hours of energy. >> >> Anybody tried these? How did they work? >> >> wunder >> K6WRU >> Walter Underwood >> CM87wj >> http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) >> >> __ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net <mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net> >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net <http://www.qsl.net/> >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> Message delivered to vk...@bistre.net <mailto:vk...@bistre.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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] Experience with Energizer Lithium AA Batteries?
I’m considering taking Energizer Ultimate Lithium AA batteries (non-rechargeable) in my KX3 on a backpacking trip. They are half the weight of Eneloop Pro and have about 40% more Watt-hours of energy. Anybody tried these? How did they work? wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] CM 500 Ear Covers
Replacement ear pads are available, but the internal wiring is very fragile. I managed to get the replacements on, but broke a wire. After four breaks and three re-solderings, there wasn’t enough wire left to work with, so I bought a new headset. The Koss UR-20 is the same headphone as the Yamaha CM-500 and Koss SB-40, but without a boom mic. The link to these replacements was posted in this email reflector (11/1/19) by Josh W6XU. These are the ones I ordered. https://www.koss.com/accessories/cushions/ur20-ear-cushion This video walks you through the replacement steps. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gz-atFziEz4 This guy just glued on the new ones, which might be a safer approach. http://n4cf.mdodd.com/cm500_pads.html wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On May 2, 2023, at 7:24 AM, Paul Ecker wrote: > > Realize this subject has been around before, most of postings in archives > are dated. Does anyone have a good current source for replacement ear > covers for the Yamaha CM 500 Headset? > > 73 Paul w2eck > __ > 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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] Elmers, not proofreaders
A ham asked a simple question about the TUN function and got a bunch of criticism about terminology. There was only one post (mine) that actually answered his question helpfully. That is not a good look for this list. Let’s try to be Elmers and dial back the negative stuff. wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KX3 manual page 14 regardincg "TUNE".
You are correct, it puts out a plain carrier, CW with the key held down. wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Feb 4, 2023, at 10:46 AM, JEROME SODUS wrote: > > Hello, > > My question is about the "TUNE" selection (half second hold of the XMIT > button). > > The manual's wording is > "TUNE is used to put out a CW signal at the power level selected by the __ > PWR control.". > > Normally, "CW" means morse-code. > But, in this instance, am I correct in thinking it stands for "continuous > wave" or, in other words, an unmodulated FM signal (constant carrier and > amplitude)? > > The reason for my email is > I am setting up a Magnetic-Loop-Antenna that has a "remote tuning" capability > and that "remote tuning" set-up is not going very well for me. > If the KX3 is putting out a continuous wave, then there is a serious problem > with the "remote tuning" box. > > TIA for any reply. > 73 jerry km3k > KX3 #6088 > __ > 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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KXFL3 - How to Use It
It is automatically switched in as the passband width is narrowed. The XFIL icons on the display show which filters are in use. It won’t change anything inside the passband, but if strong signals outside the passband are causing problems, it will reduce them. Search for “xfil” or “roofing filters” in the KX3 manual. wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Jan 26, 2023, at 4:11 PM, John Overbaugh wrote: > > Ok every field day, I complain about loud signals stomping on me. Everyone > says “then get a roofing filter,” so I bought, installed, and configured > the KXFL-3 in my KX3 recently. And I have NO idea how to use it. The Cady > book explains what it does and how to configure it but don’t really cover > when and how to engage it. The Elecraft install instructions do as well. > I’m led to believe that it kicks in automatically, could that actually be > the case or am I missing something? > > TL;DR: can anyone point me to interwebz or printed content on how to use > the KXFL3 roofing filter, in time for WFD this weekend? > > Thanks again, > > John O. > K7JTO > Salt Lake City, Ut, USA > > KX3 with built-in tuner, KXPA100 with built-in tuner > __ > 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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 App
It is right here, under “Macintosh”. https://elecraft.com/pages/kpa500-500-watt-linear-amplifier-firmware-and-utility wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Dec 14, 2022, at 3:06 PM, Joel Black wrote: > > Before I go looking too hard, is there a macOS app for the KPA500 or *just* > the Windows app on the Elecraft site. > > If it matters, I’m looking to interface the KPA500/KAT500 combo to a Flex > 6400… Maybe. I’ve not bought the amp or tuner… Yet. > > My preferred OS is macOS but I do use Win11 in a VM for Winlink using my Flex. > > Thanks, > Joel - W4JBB > __ > 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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] Timeline of KX3 mods
A couple of weeks ago, somebody asked about KX3 serial numbers vs mods and design changes. That info is on the Elecraft website, but not gathered in one place. So I made a post collecting it. Please comment about things I missed or got wrong. https://observer.wunderwood.org/2022/12/03/elecraft-kx3-modifications-timeline/ wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Yamaha Headphones
That is exactly why I said “inexpensive” dynamic mics. Yes, a $400 dynamic mic sounds great. But a $2 electret mic element sounds nearly as good. Electrets are a really amazing technology, invented at Bell Labs. They are a cheap, rugged relative of the condenser mics used in studios. Here is one for $1.50: https://www.adafruit.com/product/1064 <https://www.adafruit.com/product/1064> wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ <http://observer.wunderwood.org/> (my blog) > On Nov 21, 2022, at 12:03 PM, Al Lorona <mailto:alor...@sbcglobal.net>> wrote: > >>>> An electret mic has much better fidelity than an inexpensive dynamic mic, >>>> so the CM500 is probably a better choice. > > Is that really true? If you looked inside all of your local AM broadcast > stations, all you'd see are dynamic microphones. > > I'm not sure why most headsets have electret mics. Maybe it's because they > have a higher output which lessens the need for a lot of preamplification? I > don't know. > > Al W6LX/4 > > __ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > <http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft> > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm <http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm> > Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net <mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net> > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net <http://www.qsl.net/> > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > <http://www.qsl.net/donate.html> > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org <mailto:wun...@wunderwood.org> __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Yamaha Headphones
On Nov 18, 2022, at 6:24 AM, Mike Smith VE9AA wrote: > > Recently I bought a few sets of the Koss SB40 and by gosh they look an awful > lot like the Yamaha's..maybe made in the same factory - who knows. They are > starting to get hard to find as well but I found mine on amazon.ca for > around $60 CDN The Koss SB40 appears to be the same headset as the Yamaha CM500, but with a dynamic mic. My first CM500 headset actually said “KOSS” on the microphone plug, so yes, they are probably made in the same factory. An electret mic has much better fidelity than an inexpensive dynamic mic, so the CM500 is probably a better choice. wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] 40-80m choices antenna for KX3
The Hy-Power trap/fan antenna for 80/40/20 is a very clever design. A full length 40 m dipole, then a loaded 80 m dipole where the center portion is cut for 20 m. The loading coils act as traps. The loaded dipole is just about the same length as the 40 m dipole, 70 feet. Check out the 3B2080SFAN on this page. https://www.hypowerantenna.com/products/fan-dipole <https://www.hypowerantenna.com/products/fan-dipole> I had to take mine down a few years ago when our walnut tree died. I just figured out how to rig it diagonally across our roof after a few frustrating years with a home-brew non-resonant vertical. Here are a couple of photos of the previous installation. That is a Balun Designs QRP balun at the feed point. That dropped noise by about 6 dB. https://www.flickr.com/photos/walter_underwood/5907110302/in/album-72157626885239329/ <https://www.flickr.com/photos/walter_underwood/5907110302/in/album-72157626885239329/> https://www.flickr.com/photos/walter_underwood/5854609078/in/album-72157626885239329/ <https://www.flickr.com/photos/walter_underwood/5854609078/in/album-72157626885239329/> wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ <http://observer.wunderwood.org/> (my blog) > On Nov 2, 2022, at 9:18 PM, Jim Brown <mailto:j...@audiosystemsgroup.com>> wrote: > > On 11/2/2022 5:38 PM, Karl W Hubbard via Elecraft wrote: >> How to rig and which antennas for my KX3 (has ATU) given the following >> layout andlimitations: > > When I moved into a new QTH 16 years ago, I made a scaled drawing that > included my house, shack in detached garage-apartment, and available supports > (in my case, tall redwoods), and in relationship to North. That took a while. > > Antennas have two important functions -- transmit, and receive, and every > antenna has some sort of directivity. Many antennas transmit well enough, but > pick up so much noise from our neighborhood that we can't hear most of the > stations calling us, and if we can't hear 'em, we can't work 'em! > > The most noise resistant antennas are horizontal dipoles that are resonant on > the bands where we want to use them, are fed with coax, and have an effective > common mode choke at the feedpoint. SO -- study your own possible skyhooks > (trees, buildings, a guyed mast you might add to a building) and figure out > which combinations might support dipoles. Dipoles are VERY easy to build -- > you need plain ordinary wire (I mostly use single-conductor house wire), a > center insulator, end insulators, and rope to rig it. > > OCF dipoles transmit OK, but they are terrible for receive noise, and there's > no good way to kill that noise. Ditto for end-fed wires. We're moving into a > solar maxima, so the higher bands (40-10M) are going to be much better than > the lower ones (160-60M). > > It's also possible to build multi-wire fan dipoles that cover multiple bands. > Take a look at what I did in Chicago with a fan for 20-15-10. Here in > California, I've used 2-wire fans for 80 and 40. > > http://k9yc.com/LimitedSpaceAntennas.pdf > <http://k9yc.com/LimitedSpaceAntennas.pdf> > > And it's possible to build 2-band dipoles using loading coils, and 3-band > dipoles using traps. Both types are shorter than a simple half-wave dipole > for the lowest frequency. In Chicago, I had an 80/40 with a loading coil that > was about 100 ft long, that fit between a TV mast on the front of my house > and another on the garage at the back of my lot, and it worked pretty well in > some directions on 30 and 17M. HyPower Antenna Company (a Pennsylvania ham in > his basement, advertising in QST) sold it. > > 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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Recommendation for Microphone for K3s?
I would never recommend the CM500 for music. I tried that after my Grado headphones died and quickly switched to Apple earbuds. Then I ordered new, upgraded Grado headphones. I’m always surprised at all the ham-specific headsets when there are actual professional broadcast headsets from Audio-Technica and Sennheiser with real vocal mics. wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Nov 2, 2022, at 1:07 PM, Dan Presley wrote: > > I guess it is personal..I purchased a pair of the Arlan phones earlier this > year and I would never use anything else. They were a total game changer for > me in terms of comfort and clarity.I am almost exclusively a CW guy. This > was the first field day in years I didn’t end up throwing a headset across > the tent in frustration with fit and bad sound-particularly the Yamahas. Also > the sound isolation for me is second to none. As a professional studio > musician for 40 years I’ve suffered through a lot of bad phones…. > > Dan Presley 503-701-3871 > danpresley@me. com > n7...@arrl.net > > >> On Nov 2, 2022, at 11:47, Wes wrote: >> >> Don't forget the $100+ cable and $26 shipping. >> >> Wes N7WS >> >>> On 11/2/2022 11:26 AM, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote: >>> On 2022-11-02 12:34 PM, Lou Laderman via Elecraft wrote: >>> >>>> Nobody has yet suggested RadioSport boomsets (Arlan Communications, >>> >>> At $299 each (on sale) they are like the Heil headsets, grossly over >>> priced for what you get - 5 X the price for the CM500 or SB45. The >>> RadioSport sets are much heavier/harder on the head and neck. >>> >>> 73, >>> >>> ... Joe, W4TV >> >> __ >> 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 >> Message delivered to n7...@arrl.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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Recommendation for Microphone for K3s?
That is odd, because the Koss SB40 appears to be a Yamaha CM500 with a dynamic mic. My first CM500 even said “KOSS” on the microphone connector. They should fit exactly the same. wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Nov 2, 2022, at 10:09 AM, Wes wrote: > > On 11/2/2022 8:53 AM, Walter Underwood wrote: >> I tried the Koss SB45 and hated it. It sat on top of my ears instead of >> around them, unlike the CM500. Very uncomfortable. I returned them and got a >> new CM500 headset. > I said the same about the SB40. > __ > 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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Recommendation for Microphone for K3s?
Yes, the CM500 works just fine on the KX3. I recommend getting an off the shelf stereo splitter cable to get cleaner mic bias and to split out PTT. Details here. https://observer.wunderwood.org/2015/08/16/yamaha-cm500-headset-with-ptt-on-elecraft-kx3/ wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Nov 2, 2022, at 9:50 AM, Ian Maude via Elecraft > wrote: > > > >> On 2 Nov 2022, at 16:19, Ian Maude wrote: >> >> Out of interest, can the CM-500 be used on the KX3? >> >> 73 Ian >> >>> On 2 Nov 2022, at 16:15, Bob McGraw wrote: >>> >>> Likewise, I'm a retired pro audio engineer, studio and live music. The >>> CM500 is a very good headset and plugs directly into the rear of the K3S. >>> Turn on the bias. They are available from Sweetwater Sound (no connection >>> to me) for about $60. I also use the Koss SB40 ($29 on Amazon) which has a >>> dynamic mike. One has to be careful with the mike-to-mouth placement as it >>> is a dynamic mike (no bias required) and thus is prone to proximity effects >>> or boosted low end. Taking a different approach I use a Shure SM-58 ($100) >>> on a boom. I did make my own XLR-3 to Foster 8 pin cable. Very easy to do >>> and connects to the front panel MIC connector. No bias required. I also >>> have used a Behringer XM8500 ($29) with very similar results as the SM-58. >>> The SM-58, or its like in wireless form, is a very popular stage vocal >>> mike. >>> >>> One factor I've observed and stressed is "proper microphone technique". >>> That is proper placement of the microphone with regard to the mouth. I >>> find many hams have been taught incorrectly in this regard or perhaps do >>> not understand the relationship that exists. One needs to experiment with >>> a specific mike and their voice in order to attain desired results. Many >>> dynamic microphones will have proximity effect which will make them bottom >>> heavy or bassy. Simply back the mike away from the mouth to correct the >>> concern. Many microphones have extended high end response. This produces >>> lots of lip and mouth and breath/nasal sounds. Again, correct placement >>> above the mouth, or to the side or below the mouth usually corrects the >>> concern. And of course, proper adjustment of microphone gain and any >>> compression is mandatory with each mike. >>> >>> Jim, K9YC recommendations for TX EQ is an excellent starting point. In my >>> case, I've tweaked the numbers a wee bit to suit my voice and my microphone >>> choice. >>> >>> Listen to your signal by recording it and then playing it back from the >>> various SDR remote receivers around the country.That way you know how >>> your station sounds. >>> >>> 73 >>> >>> Bob, K4TAX >>> >>> >>> On 11/2/2022 9:44 AM, elecraft-requ...@mailman.qth.net wrote: >>>> Message: 18 >>>> Date: Tue, 1 Nov 2022 17:48:31 -0700 >>>> From: Jim Brown >>>> To:elecraft@mailman.qth.net >>>> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Recommendation for Microphone for K3s? >>>> Message-ID: >>>> >>>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed >>>> >>>> I strongly agree with Rick's advice. I'm retired from pro audio, did >>>> lots of live recording, still have some great pro mics, but I've been >>>> using the CM500 since around 2009. I can't think of a better choice. I >>>> find the headphones comfy enough for a long weekend contest, and they >>>> sound great! >>>> >>>> 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 >>> Message delivered to ijma...@icloud.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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Recommendation for Microphone for K3s?
I tried the Koss SB45 and hated it. It sat on top of my ears instead of around them, unlike the CM500. Very uncomfortable. I returned them and got a new CM500 headset. Here is a blog post comparing the two. https://observer.wunderwood.org/2021/01/27/koss-sb-45-vs-yamaha-cm500/ <https://observer.wunderwood.org/2021/01/27/koss-sb-45-vs-yamaha-cm500/> On the cheap side, because we are hams, the Koss CS100 looks like it should work fine for $15 (dual plug model). https://www.amazon.com/Koss-CS100-Recognition-Computer-Headset/dp/B00C121ZOK?th=1 <https://www.amazon.com/Koss-CS100-Recognition-Computer-Headset/dp/B00C121ZOK?th=1> Amazon says “dynamic element”, but Koss says it is an electret mic. https://koss.com/products/cs100 <https://koss.com/products/cs100> wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ <http://observer.wunderwood.org/> (my blog) > On Nov 2, 2022, at 7:46 AM, Pete Smith N4ZR <mailto:pete.n...@gmail.com>> wrote: > > The Koss SB45 has been tested by several CM500 users, alarmed by the > potential loss of supply. Works FB! > > 73, Pete N4ZR > Check out the new Reverse Beacon Network > web server at<https://reversebeacon.net <https://reversebeacon.net/>>. > For spots, please use your favorite > "retail" DX cluster. > > On 11/2/2022 10:43 AM, k...@comcast.net <mailto:k...@comcast.net> wrote: >> Not sure about the manufacturing aspect but still available from amazon, >> sweetwater, etc. >> Hank / KR7X >> >> -Original Message- >> From:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net >> <mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net> > <mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net>> On >> Behalf ofj...@kk9a.com <mailto:ofj...@kk9a.com> >> Sent: Tuesday, November 1, 2022 9:57 PM >> To:elecraft@mailman.qth.net <mailto:elecraft@mailman.qth.net> >> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Recommendation for Microphone for K3s? >> >> Is the Yamaha CM500 still being manufactured? >> >> John KK9A >> >> >> Rick NK7I wrote: >> >> They're nothing special; you can dial in equalization just as well in the >> K3S. I bought the Heil with my K3 and quickly gave up on them. >> >> The Yamaha CM500 plugs into the rear (with bias) and the headphones are >> comfy for hours, without spending a lot (by comparison, you can get a few >> for the cost of one Heil). They block most of the noise in my shack. I >> keep a couple spares as the foam covers do wear out. >> >> If you need to block of lot of shack noise, there are other options, most >> are expensive. >> >> A search of the archives is recommended, this topic has been covered many >> times before. >> >> 73, >> Rick nk7i >> >> __ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home:http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> <http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft> >> Help:http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm <http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm> >> Post:mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net <mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net> >> >> This list hosted by:http://www.qsl.net <http://www.qsl.net/> >> Please help support this email list:http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> <http://www.qsl.net/donate.html> Message >> delivered tok...@comcast.net <mailto:tok...@comcast.net> >> __ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home:http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> <http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft> >> Help:http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm <http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm> >> Post:mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net <mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net> >> >> This list hosted by:http://www.qsl.net <http://www.qsl.net/> >> Please help support this email list:http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> <http://www.qsl.net/donate.html> >> Message delivered topete.n...@gmail.com <mailto:topete.n...@gmail.com> > __ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > <http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft> > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm <http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm> > Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net <mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net> > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net <http://www.qsl.net/> > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > <http://www.qsl.net/donate.html> > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org <mailto:wun...@wunderwood.org> __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KXAT2 vs. KXAT3 vs. T1
The KX3 has extra range so that it covers 160 m and 6 m compared to the KX2, which is 80 to 10 m. The T1 is spec’ed to cover 160 to 6 m, so I’m not sure about the details of that. The KX3 might have a wider matching range on just the HF bands. I’ve only had it fail to match once. A few years ago, there was a discussion on this list that gave all the component values for all the ATUs. I’m not having any luck finding those posts right now. wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ <http://observer.wunderwood.org/> (my blog) > On Oct 25, 2022, at 9:51 AM, Julia Tuttle <mailto:ju...@juliatuttle.net>> wrote: > > Hi folks, > > I was looking at Elecraft's antenna tuners, and I'm a little confused at > their specs. > > The T1 and KXAT2 are listed as having 7L7C networks, while the KX3 is > listed as having an 8L8C network, but all three are listed as being able to > match up to a 10:1 SWR. > > Why doesn't the KXAT3 have a wider matching range from the extra inductor > and capacitor? > > Is the 10:1 spec conservative and in reality all three can exceed it but > the KXAT3 will outperform the other two? Do the eighth inductor and > capacitor on the KXAT3 provide *closer* matches instead of a *wider* > matching range? > > Thanks and 73, > > Julie > __ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > <http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft> > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm <http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm> > Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net <mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net> > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net <http://www.qsl.net/> > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > <http://www.qsl.net/donate.html> > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org <mailto:wun...@wunderwood.org> __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KX3 Question on S-Meter Calibration
I’m pretty sure the K3 has an S-meter absolute mode that adjusts the S-meter reading when preamps and/or attenuators are turned on. The KX3 is supposed to have that mode, but it is not implemented. From the manual errata: "Not implemented: S-meter absolute mode (MENU:SMTR MD); addressing of multiple transverters (XVn ADR)." https://ftp.elecraft.com/KX3/Manuals%20Downloads/E740163E%20KX3%20Owner%27s%20Manual%20Errata%20C5-3.pdf wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Oct 10, 2022, at 2:04 PM, D Remy wrote: > > Does that also apply to the K3? > > David R Hourdequin, PE > 828-421-6216 > >> On Oct 10, 2022, at 14:20, Don Wilhelm wrote: >> >> Greg, >> >> The KX3 is designed around having the preamp on most of the time. >> >> 73, >> Don W3FPR >> >>> On 10/10/2022 1:58 PM, WA1JXR ALGIERI wrote: >>> I have noticed with my KX3 that the S-Meter is not calibrated that is 50 >>> microvolts (-73 dBm) at the antenna connector equals a S9 signal only when >>> the preamp is turned on. Is this normal and the way the KX3 is designed? >>> I thought it might be with the preamp off. >>> >>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >>> Message delivered to d...@w3fpr.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 >> Message delivered to d...@dremy.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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Speaking of Counterpoise
Probably one of the sizes of “Toughcoat Silky” from The Wireman and other suppliers. This is the 26 AWG wire. I use this for my non-resonant SOTA antennas. https://thewireman.com/product/antenna-wire-26-awg-copper-clad-steel-stranded-jacketed/ <https://thewireman.com/product/antenna-wire-26-awg-copper-clad-steel-stranded-jacketed/> I believe that DX Engineering and HRO also carry it. wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ <http://observer.wunderwood.org/> (my blog) > On Sep 26, 2022, at 4:32 PM, Rich WC3T mailto:r...@wc3t.us>> > wrote: > > Www.thewireman.com <http://www.thewireman.com/>.Slickwire. > > 72, > Rich Hurd / WC3T / DMR: 3142737 > Grid: FN20is > Bureaucracy is always in search of self-preservation. — AA7BQ > >> On Sep 26, 2022, at 16:56, Bill Lederer > <mailto:w8lv...@gmail.com>> wrote: >> >> Folks: >> >> I think there was a little note in the KX2 bundle about the type of wire >> that is used in the counterpoise wires shipped with the KX2. However, I am >> unable to locate it. >> >> I think it had "slick" in its name. >> Thanks, >> -- >> --w8lvn-- >> __ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> <http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft> >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm <http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm> >> Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net <mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net> >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net <http://www.qsl.net/> >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> <http://www.qsl.net/donate.html> >> Message delivered to r...@wc3t.us <mailto:r...@wc3t.us> > __ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > <http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft> > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm <http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm> > Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net <mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net> > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net <http://www.qsl.net/> > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > <http://www.qsl.net/donate.html> > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org <mailto:wun...@wunderwood.org> __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] [K3] KIO3 failure mode
You could get one of these “router EMF guards". Tinfoil hat is optional. Do not click on this if stupidity makes your brain hurt. https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07MXD75TR/ <https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07MXD75TR/> wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Aug 24, 2022, at 11:20 AM, Nick - WB5BKL wrote: > > What Dave said. Almost identical here. > > Now, during t-storms, the K3 is a box sitting on the desk with _nothing_ > repeat _nothing_ connected. If I thought wrapping it with tinfoil* would > help... > > cln - Nick > WB5BKL > Lake Buchanan, TX > > * One of my neighbors has a plentiful supply. > > > > On 8/24/22 11:49, elecraft-requ...@mailman.qth.net wrote: >> Message: 9 >> Date: Tue, 23 Aug 2022 14:47:24 -0700 >> From: David Gilbert >> To: >> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [K3] KIO3 failure mode >> >> >> When my KIO3 got zapped, I had everything disconnected.? Antenna and all >> accessories from the K3 ... power supply as well.? The one thing I >> didn't have disconnected was the RS-232 link between the laptop and the >> KIO3.? Somehow a transient from a nearby lightning strike (not a direct >> one to my tower) traveled through the laptop power brick and to an >> otherwise completely floating K3.? If I remember correctly, the laptop >> power supply was even plugged into a quality surge protected UPS. >> >> It takes very little to zap the KIO3.? I now disconnect EVERYTHING in >> the shack during lightning season. > > __ > 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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KX3 Internal Batteries
I have Eneloop Pro batteries in mine. I replaced them (originally called Eneloop XX) after seven years. A bit after that, one had a small leak. So mine are now on a five year replacement schedule. wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood https://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Jul 26, 2022, at 5:10 PM, Jim Brown wrote: > > On 7/26/2022 4:56 PM, Doug Plunkett wrote: >> to avoid the rare instance of a battery leaking onto the circuitry. > > Several years ago, I switched away from lead-acid batteries in most of > equipment that uses AA and AAA cells in favor of NiMH rechargeables, after > reading that they are far less likely to leak. So far, no leaks. > > From the beginning, at least five years ago, the batteries in my KX3 have > been high-capacity NiMH that I bought at Pacificon. > > 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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] switchbox KX3 to signalink/mike+headphones
It might work to split it into two problems. MFJ makes some boxes to switch microphones and rigs, 2:1, 1:2, and 2:2. Maybe more. https://mfjenterprises.com/products/mfj-1260 <https://mfjenterprises.com/products/mfj-1260> There are also simple 2- and 4-channel mixers that would do it. I use a simple splitter for the headphones and drive everything all the time. https://smile.amazon.com/Belkin-RockStar-5-Jack-Headphone-Splitter/dp/B00904WS2K/ <https://smile.amazon.com/Belkin-RockStar-5-Jack-Headphone-Splitter/dp/B00904WS2K/> This is a headphone distribution amp (build with op-amps), so you can adjust gain for each output. $29. https://smile.amazon.com/Behringer-HA400-Ultra-Compact-4-Channel-Headphone/dp/B000KIPT30/ <https://smile.amazon.com/Behringer-HA400-Ultra-Compact-4-Channel-Headphone/dp/B000KIPT30/> Rigblaster makes some nice stuff, though I’m not that familiar with it. I think they have boxes that would replace the Signalink and do the switching. http://www.westmountainradio.com/rigblaster.php <http://www.westmountainradio.com/rigblaster.php> wunder Walter Underwood K6WRU https://observer.wunderwood.org <https://observer.wunderwood.org/> (my blog) > On Jul 24, 2022, at 3:52 PM, wrote: > > > I respect that this could be whipped up. > > But > > I wanted to take advantage of the user community to see if there were slick > products out there. > > > > -Original Message- > From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net On > Behalf Of Ed Cole > Sent: Sunday, July 24, 2022 1:21 PM > To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] switchbox KX3 to signalink/mike+headphones > > I made something similar: I wanted to breakout the mic PTT line from my > IC9700 to control a sequencer (which was already wired to control preamps, > TR relays and amplifier PTT's). > > I found 8-pin connectors on Amazon that would mate to the IC9700 mic jack, > used RG-174 for shielded cable for the mic audio jumper inside a small > aluminum box and used cat-5e for mic cable jumper from radio to switch box > and added a clamp-on ferrite bead at the radio end (for ac hum/noise > rejection). > > I used 4-pin mic connectors to route the PTT to/from the sequencer (and > using more cat-5e for that jumper). I added a toggle switch to defeat radio > PTT if I was running my K3 with the sequencer to avoid accidental keying of > the IC9700 by the sequencer. > http://www.kl7uw.com/IC9700_Hints > > For interfacing KX3 mic/signal link, you will need a four conductor mini > phone jack to mate into the radio. They can be found with a little > searching. > > I made a computer interface for my KX3 using a West Mountain Rigblaster > Nohmic: > http://www.kl7uw.com/KX3_Computer_Interface.htm > > These are NOT hard to do projects. No surface-mount soldering of computer > components, involved, > > 73, Ed - KL7UW > __ > 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 Message > delivered to her...@comcast.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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] COM port problems
Finally, a sensible post about this. It is funny that we argue about the purpose of amateur radio, because (for US amateurs) it is spelled out in FCC regulations. There are five purposes, two technical, one about technical and communication education, one about public service, and one about international goodwill. An amateur doing any one of those is solidly within the purposes of their license. An amateur following the regs and good practice and having fun on the air is also doing just fine in my book, even if they don’t know Amps from Volts. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-97 Heartily agree about RS-232. When I got back into the hobby, I was appalled at all the serial control. The very last time that I used RS-232 with a computer was in 2001, rebuilding the kernel on an HP-UX server at Inktomi. I threw away my collection of RS-232 connector shells and crimp pins not long after that. Imagine my surprise when I was looking at rigs in 2009. Anybody who’d like to learn more is welcome in the Amateur Radio Elmers group on Facebook. We welcome your questions and have zero tolerance for bad behavior. https://www.facebook.com/groups/483873128439168 wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Jul 7, 2022, at 4:03 AM, Gerry Hull wrote: > > LOL! > > Jim and Dave, > > You both have made great contribution to the hobby. > > I am an ex ARRL Assistant Technical Editor, working with Doug DeMaw, > W1FB, and Jerry Hall, K1TD in the Tech Department of ARRL, and was a > contributor to the ARRL Handbook and QST editor. Oh, and 47 years in the > hobby now: I think i know a thing or two about radio, but, am always > learning -- that's what keeps it interesting. > > Other than that, I've spent 35+ years as a software engineer. > > Measuring a ham's worth by what they know technically is, sad to say, a > very myopic view of the world. Many hams are non-technical, especially > new ones. Many come to the hobby from non-technical backgrounds, and are > usually excellent communicators. They enrich our hobby tremendously, > never the less. > > From my experience, RS-232 and CAT in general is one of the most difficult > issues hams deal with. "Plug and Play" and the details of the intricacies > of the USB bus and different Windows device driver models are not on any > ham exam, nor should an end user ever have to mess with them.It is a > difficult challenge to solve for end uses due to the incredible complexity > of the Windows PC ecosystem. > > As a contester, I know messing with interfacing CAT, Sound and Networking > are the bain of many, and consume the most time in prep for any event. > This is the nature of our hobby today. However, there is no need to get a > CS degree to have fun. > Please keep contributing, but remember not everyone has your skills. > > Judging from the number of private emails I've received, I know I'm helping > people solve their issues. > > We are on the Elecraft reflector. > > Bravo to the Elecraft team. They build radios for communicators, not > computer geeks. IMHO, the only company that really gets that. > > Peace. > > 73, > > Gerry W1VE > > > > > > > > > On Thu, Jul 7, 2022, 4:58 AM Jim Brown wrote: > >> On 7/7/2022 12:58 AM, Dave B via Elecraft wrote: >>> Well, this is a "technical" hobby, and such technicalities are not going >>> to go away anytime soon I suspect. Especially in regards to the use of >>> computers in the shack. >> >> Yep. Traditionally, ham radio has been a hobby for those who what to >> LEARN stuff. The guys who put us in space and on the moon started out >> with ham radio and the ARRL Handbook. I'm of that generation, worked in >> other fields, but that's how I started out! >> >> 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 >> Message delivered to ge...@w1ve.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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] The RIGHT way is to adjust COMP
Seven years ago, I collected advice on setting TX EQ and compression from this
list and compiled it into a blog post. This uses the DVR to A/B test
compression settings to get the highest level that does not cause artifacts on
your voice. The article says “KX3”, but the procedure is the same for the K3.
Most of the advice came from K3 operators. The idea to use the DVR is from Lyle
Johnson, KK7P.
https://observer.wunderwood.org/2015/09/09/transmit-audio-and-compression-with-the-elecraft-kx3/
<https://observer.wunderwood.org/2015/09/09/transmit-audio-and-compression-with-the-elecraft-kx3/>
wunder
K6WRU
Walter Underwood
CM87wj
http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog)
> On Jun 30, 2022, at 9:50 AM, Bob McGraw wrote:
>
> Start with COMP at 0, adjust the MIC gain while speaking normal voice to
> attain 5 to 6 bars {no more} as indicated on the ALC meter. Then adjust the
> COMP for a value to indicate about 10 on voice peaks.
>
> For those that believe in using the "I turned it up a little bit, now how
> does that sound?" approach, . forget it. Set it correctly as described
> above and it will sound great. There is a right way to do this. Anything
> else is flying by the seat of your pants.
>
> If you desire to have it sound different, then twiddle the EQ values until
> your hearts content. After doing so, you may need to reset the MIC and COMP
> levels to be correct.
>
> I much prefer to listen to my signal on a remote SDR and record my signal on
> the SDR site. Then listen to it in my shack on my speakers. Then I know HOW
> MY SIGNAL SOUNDS. That's what is important. I make adjustments from there.
>
> As to others, they can adjust their receivers, their speakers, their hearing
> aids and a host of other things that will make ones signal sound..err,
> many different ways. So which one of the "many different ways" is best?
> Likely none of them.
>
> 73
>
> Bob, K4TAX
>
>
> On 6/29/2022 8:59 PM, elecraft-requ...@mailman.qth.net wrote:
>> Message: 10
>> Date: Wed, 29 Jun 2022 13:10:17 -0700
>> From: Jim Brown
>> To:elecraft@mailman.qth.net
>> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Ham Qualifications, Customer Service
>> Message-ID:
>>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
>>
>> On 6/29/2022 9:39 AM, Ed Cole wrote:
>>> Note on SSB compression, I've run at 20 with no complaints of distortion
>>> or splatter.
>> Dial readout is the WRONG way to set compression -- it's meaningless.
>> The RIGHT way is to adjust COMP for a METER reading of 10 dB on voice
>> peaks.
>>
>> 73, Jim K9YC
>
> --
> IF ONE EXPECTS COMPUTERS AND TECHNOLOGY TO SOLVE THEIR PROBLEMS,
> ONE DOESN'T UNDERSTAND COMPUTERS AND TECHNOLOGY
> AND ONE DOESN'T UNDERSTAND THEIR PROBLEMS."
> __
> 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
> Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org
__
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Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
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Re: [Elecraft] KX3 Bias Voltage
According to the Fred Cady book, the mic bias on the tip is +3.3 V. The ring has a different voltage, used for PTT and UP/DOWN. That voltage is not as clean as the mic bias. It is better tot split that out. You can do that with an off-the-shelf stereo to mono splitter. See this blog post for details. https://observer.wunderwood.org/2015/08/16/yamaha-cm500-headset-with-ptt-on-elecraft-kx3/ wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Jun 22, 2022, at 7:23 PM, John Pierce via Elecraft > wrote: > > What is the bias voltage provided? Is there a current limitation? > > > > AD2F John > > __ > 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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KX3/KPA100/Powerwerx Revisited
Are the fans on those power supplies running? Both of those power supplies have fans on the back. wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Jun 12, 2022, at 12:51 PM, Jim Ruff via Elecraft > wrote: > > Thanks everyone for your quick responses. So far, none of the suggested > solutions have worked, so I hooked the KPA100 up to a different power supply, > an Alinco DM-330MV, and I had the same whirling noise, only not quite as > loud. > > This leads me to believe that something in the KPA100 is causing some kind of > line noise to the power supply. Is there a fix for this? If not, the noise > doesn't really bother me, but is this noise affecting my signal when I TX? > That is my real concern and I should have made that clearer in my first email. > Thanks,Jim W7JHR > > > > Sent from Yahoo Mail. Get the app > __ > 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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KX3 and Heatsink
Instructions are here. Doesn’t look difficult. https://ftp.elecraft.com/KX3/Mod%20Notes%20Alerts/E740254%20KX3HSMDKT%20Heat%20Sink%20Installation%20rev%20B.pdf <https://ftp.elecraft.com/KX3/Mod%20Notes%20Alerts/E740254%20KX3HSMDKT%20Heat%20Sink%20Installation%20rev%20B.pdf> wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Jun 13, 2022, at 7:36 PM, Eric Norris wrote: > > How difficult is it to install the later factory heatsink on an early KX3? > > 73 Eric WD6DBM > > On Mon, Jun 13, 2022, 5:20 PM Don Wilhelm wrote: > >> Bill, >> >> If you run 12 watts on AM, FM and digital then the supplied heatsink >> (assuming it is the newer heatsink the wraps around the bottom of the >> KX3) then it should be adequate. >> If you want to run the full 15 watts on those modes, I would suggest >> adding the Pro Audio Engineering heatsink for additional cooling of the PA. >> >> Early versions of the heatsink had only a plate on the back which was >> adequate for 12 watts on low duty cycle operation - Tx for 2 minutes and >> then a RX period of about 3 minutes or more. >> >> The KX3 will protect itself by reducing power if it gets too hot. >> >> 73, >> Don W3FPR >> __ >> 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 >> Message delivered to norrislawfi...@gmail.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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Mac Logging Software
The MacHamRadio blog is a good way to track releases of new ham radio software for the Mac. I follow it via RSS in NetNewsWire. https://www.machamradio.com <https://www.machamradio.com/> This page lists hardware and software for the Mac. https://www.machamradio.com/links/ <https://www.machamradio.com/links/> wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Jun 12, 2022, at 4:08 PM, a4...@sy-edm.com wrote: > > Kevin, > SkookumLogger is my #1 logger on a Mac. The source code is available - > so you can add your own features (I added a Voice Player for example as my > K3S does not have that hardware). > > RumLog is a good all-round logger also, easy to configure to work with > WJJTX also for maintaining an ft8/4 log should that interest you. > > Try them both - they are free > > Tim > DU3TW/DV3A > >> On Jun 13, 2022, at 01:37, Kevin McQuiggin wrote: >> >> Hi Richard: >> >> I will second Rich Lim’s positive comments re MacLoggerDX (MLDX). I’ve been >> using it for several years now. It is a fantastic logging application with >> full LoTW/QRZ/eQSL/etc upload integration. It also tracks >> grids/states/DXCC/zones etc and tracks award eligibility. It does spots, has >> an interactive map, and has many other features. >> >> User support is top notch, as Rich noted. Don VE3VRW (the developer) also >> accepts good suggestions from the user base and incorporates them into beta >> releases, and then eventually into the production releases, which come out >> 3-5 times a year. >> >> MLDX also integrates easily with “GridTracker”, a free MacOS application >> that displays grid squares and QSOs that your radio is hearing in real time. >> This is actually more valuable info that what pskreporter reports, as >> MLDX/GridTracker is displaying the stations you are actually receiving. >> >> 73, >> >> Kevin VE7ZD/KN7Q >> >> >>> On Jun 12, 2022, at 10:22 AM, Rich Lim via Elecraft >>> mailto:elecraft@mailman.qth.net>> wrote: >>> >>> Another option is MacLoggerDX (MLDX). It is a paid application but works >>> beautifully well. It is full featured and has lots of bells and whistles, >>> some which I thought I wouldn’t need or use, but having them opened my eyes >>> to the possibility. For example, I use MLDX as my main Mac logging program >>> and when I run WSJTx it will receive broadcast QSO info from WSJTx and log >>> it directly into my main database. It has a telnet application to spot dx >>> and if you like it can qsy you to that station with a mouse click. It’s >>> again one of those things you don’t know you need or want until you try it. >>> It integrates w LoTW, EQSL and Club Log. Plus the owner Don Agro is a great >>> guy, he will reply to queries often in a few minutes after you send an >>> email. It’s worth a look. >>> Rich KQ9L >>> >>> Rich >>> >>> >>> Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone >>> >>> >>> On Sunday, June 12, 2022, 12:10 PM, Rick Tavan wrote: >>> >>> I'll second the nomination of RUMlog for general QSO logging on a Mac. I >>> don't care for the contest section but I haven't really spent enough time >>> with it for my observations to be definitive. It does not appear to support >>> SO2R or SO2V and doesn't have nearly the configurability of N1MM, my >>> preferred contest logger. But for general QSOs, RUMlog has everything I >>> might ask for, much better than limping along with a contest logger. >>> >>> 73, >>> >>> /Rick N6XI >>> >>> On Sun, Jun 12, 2022 at 5:04 AM Richard wrote: >>> >>>> I’m looking for a simple basic logging program for the Mac, preferably one >>>> that I can tailor to my needs, one that would be good for SSB contacts. >>>> >>>> Any recommendations? >>>> >>>> Thanks. >>>> >>>> Richard Kunc >>>> W4KBX >>>> __ >>>> 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 >>>> Message delivered to rta...@gma
Re: [Elecraft] New K4 Beta Software Available (Release 30/Beta 2)
> On Jun 1, 2022, at 7:30 PM, Wayne Burdick wrote: > > "There's always another bug," to quote an anonymous sage, but please...go for > it. We'd love to get hundreds of K4s going on this new release, and hopefully > promote it to full production status next week. Q: What does it mean when the Python test suite passes? A: It means the test suite is incomplete. wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Receiver impedance?
Thanks. I’ll make a wild generalization that transceivers are generally designed for the receiver portion to be 50 Ω. Anybody have an idea about SWL receivers? wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On May 25, 2022, at 10:05 AM, Wayne Burdick wrote: > > All antenna-facing stages in our receivers are designed for a nominal 50 ohm > input. All of the preamp stages incorporate feedback to ensure a predictable, > constant input impedance. > > 73, > Wayne > N6KR > > >> On May 25, 2022, at 9:44 AM, John Oppenheimer wrote: >> >> Hi Walter, >> >> Elecraft receivers, I'm familar with (K2,K3,KX[23], use "Feedback >> Amplifiers" for their Pre Amp. The Feedback Amplifiers are designed for >> nominal 50 ohm input impedance. Fifty ohm input impedance is somewhat >> import for operation of the receiver bandpass filter. >> >> I'll assume detector input impedance, preAmp bypass, is also nominal 50 >> ohm impedance. >> >> John KN5L >> >> On 5/25/22 11:05 AM, Walter Underwood wrote: >>> What is a typical input impedance for modern receivers, or specifically >>> Elecraft receivers? >>> >>> I’m asking because antenna tuners are a frequent question on an SWL group I >>> follow and I’m pretty sure that they are not needed for most situations. If >>> the receiver input impedance is not 50 Ω, that is a big data point. >>> >>> My belief is that receivers are generally medium or high impedance, >>> depending on whether the first RF preamp is bipolar or FET, but either way, >>> mostly voltage-oriented. >>> >>> And, yes, I know that antenna tuners can be a LPF or HPF, depending on >>> their configuration. >> __ >> 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 >> Message delivered to n...@elecraft.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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] Receiver impedance?
What is a typical input impedance for modern receivers, or specifically Elecraft receivers? I’m asking because antenna tuners are a frequent question on an SWL group I follow and I’m pretty sure that they are not needed for most situations. If the receiver input impedance is not 50 Ω, that is a big data point. My belief is that receivers are generally medium or high impedance, depending on whether the first RF preamp is bipolar or FET, but either way, mostly voltage-oriented. And, yes, I know that antenna tuners can be a LPF or HPF, depending on their configuration. wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] The Dreaded 400 Hz hump
About seven years ago, there was an extended discussion on this list about equalization settings for transmit. I collected all the settings people used and posted about the majority contour. https://observer.wunderwood.org/2015/09/09/transmit-audio-and-compression-with-the-elecraft-kx3/ wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On May 20, 2022, at 6:07 PM, Bob McGraw wrote: > > Oh yes it is there on many SSB signals where the OP is a male. That is where > most of the fundamental male voice energy occurs. Those signals which look > uniform across the SSB TX bandpass do sound good. > > I attribute this to the fact most hams will "boost this and boost that" and > never give thoughts to attenuating. In fact the characteristics of the EQ in > the boost mode are noticeable different than the attenuate mode. Yes, one > can hear the difference. > > In my world of pro audio, it is a practice to attenuate first and then boost > if absolutely necessary. Hams just can't get over the fact they must always > have more...boost boost boost. > > So if ones signal is muddy or bassy, what's to do? Attenuate the low end > first, and rarely if ever, boost the high end. Of course boosting the high > end will make it brighter, but not attenuating the low end will consume lots > of unnecessary transmitter power not being used for effective communications. > 50Hz - 16dB, 100Hz -16dB, 200Hz - 16dB, 400Hz - 9dB, 800Hz - 0dB, 1.6kHz - > 0dB, 2.4kHz +0dB, 2.4kHz +3dB, 3.2kHz + 6 dB. > > Works for me. > > 73 > > Bob, K4TAX > > On 5/20/2022 4:30 PM, elecraft-requ...@mailman.qth.net wrote: >> Message: 8 >> Date: Thu, 19 May 2022 02:14:10 + (UTC) >> From: Al Lorona >> To: Elecraft Reflector >> Subject: [Elecraft] [OT] The dreaded 400 Hz hump >> Message-ID:<1840135010.161126.1652926450...@mail.yahoo.com> >> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 >> >> Have you studied how SSB signals look on your panadapter? I believe about >> 90% of all phone signals have a very pronounced peak at about 400 or 500 Hz. >> This peak is sometimes 10 dB (or more) higher than the rest of the >> bandwidth. This is wasted power and, to my ear, makes signals sound muddier. >> >> On the other hand, every once in a while you'll see a signal that has a more >> or less flat frequency response, without any huge peaks. Sometimes, a signal >> will actually have slightly*more* power in the higher frequencies, say, >> 2000 Hz and higher. I've noticed that these signals have much more >> articulation and punch. But these signals are all too scarce. >> >> It's pretty well known that the aging population of hams collectively >> suffers from a high frequency hearing loss. It seems to me that this is even >> more reason to carefully shape your frequency response and cut the dreaded >> 400 Hz hump. >> >> R, >> >> Al? W6LX/4 > > -- > IF ONE EXPECTS COMPUTERS AND TECHNOLOGY TO SOLVE THEIR PROBLEMS, > ONE DOESN'T UNDERSTAND COMPUTERS AND TECHNOLOGY > AND ONE DOESN'T UNDERSTAND THEIR PROBLEMS." > > > __ > 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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] ARRL Antenna Book (and other antenna books)
> On May 11, 2022, at 10:40 PM, Jim Brown wrote: > > And I agree with W4TV about the usefulness of the Antenna Book. I contribute > both to it and to the Handbook. These three ARRL books have been central to > my learning, in some ways, at least as important as my EE education. > > 73, Jim K9YC I changed the subject line because this has dritted away from the dipole quandry. The ARRL Antenna Book is a rare kind of technical writing that works for many different levels of expertise. I learned things from it when I was 14 and I’ve learned things from it when I was 65. To be fair, I was a 14 year old who got a slide rule for Christmas. Now I’m a 65 year old with a BSEE. I can’t think of another technical book that works from 8th grade to post-grad. Maybe the CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics. The ON4UN book is also excellent. The only similarly detailed discussion of radial systems seems to be in some AM broadcast manual that costs hundreds of dollars. The only topic not covered in those two books is grounding and bonding, which is covered in the also excellent ARRL Grounding and Bonding for the Radio Amateur. Yeah, the ARRL does not do creative book titles. I guess I should get a current Handbook. I wore out my 1970 edition. wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] PayPal holding payment.
I got scammed on PayPal, sent something that wasn’t even close to what I paid for. The seller in China offered to refund half of the cost. I refused. PayPal ignored my further complaints and I got zero refund. It was only $30, but PayPal clearly had zero interest in consumer protection. wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On May 7, 2022, at 10:55 AM, Dave wrote: > > Even eBay is moving away from PayPal. > > Dave wo2x > > Sent from my waxed string and tin cans. > >> On May 7, 2022, at 1:43 PM, David Deelstra wrote: >> >> Warning: Before you use PayPal to sell a rig, consider using something else. >> >> I just sold a rig through PayPal, with UPS tracking number, but after >> payment was received into my account, PayPal placed a 21 DAY HOLD on the >> funds. >> >> "We've placed the money on hold because this transaction is inconsistent >> with your previous selling activity. The money has been added to your on >> hold balance. It'll be available once we can confirm that your customer has >> received the goods or services." >> >> "Here's what you can do to get your money sooner >> >> Provide shipment information (Already done) >> >> Add a valid tracking number and your money will be available 1 day after >> PayPal confirms that the shipment has been delivered. (Again, already done) >> >> Print a shipping label" >> (I did not use their ShipStation service because the rig was packed and >> labeled before the payment was received by PayPal. >> >> The rig was delivered, no problems, notice of delivery was received, I have >> been an EBay seller since 1994, and a Paypal seller nearly as long. >> >> Do they do this with "Friends and Family" if the receiver has never received >> a large payment? >> >> I have spent over three hours attempting to reach a live person. >> >> Their customer service is the typical endless loop automated system. >> >> Caveat emptor, I guess. >> >> -Dave N7ISH >> >> -- >> This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. >> https://www.avast.com/antivirus >> >> __ >> 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 >> Message delivered to rocke...@gmail.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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KX3 Option Advice Wanted
I have the battery charger and the ATU. I use internal NiMH batteries for SOTA activations, it is less stuff to pack and if 5 W isn’t enough, 15 W probably won’t be enough either. The ATU is amazing. Hang a 26 foot wire in a tree, lay some other wire on the ground, press ATU TUNE and you are on the air. The roofing filters are useful for contesting or DX pileups, but if you are going to do that and aren’t going on the trail, get a used K3S instead. That is a better receiver than the KX3, easier to use, and cheaper than a KX3 plus the KXPA100. I haven’t missed the roofing filters. The 2 m option is only interesting if you are doing 2 m SSB or CW. Otherwise, a dual-band HT is much more useful. I take an HT and the KX3 on SOTA activations and listen to both VHF and HF. Consider getting a PX3 with the money saved on roofing filters and the 2 m transverter. The PX3 is awesome. wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On May 3, 2022, at 8:12 AM, Paul Jewell wrote: > > > > On 02/05/2022 17:47, Eric Garner wrote: >> I have a KX3 fully loaded (KXFL3, KXAT3, KXBC3, KX3-2M) the only one I >> would skip if I had to do it over is the KXBC3. The NiMH batteries just >> don't have the oomph to justify adding them for me and having the RTC >> doesn't really matter to me, your needs might be different. I just use an >> external LiFePO4 pack for power. > > My KX3 isn't fully loaded, but does have the KXBC3 fitted. Like Eric, if I > was buying it again, I wouldn't bother with this board. As it is, I power the > radio with an external LiFePO4 pack. I also don't _need_ to RTC, but I > suppose it is useful to see the time for the log. > > I wish I had the internal tuner fitted - I have heard nothing but good about > it. I have an external T1 which has developed a fault, so I bought an N7DDC > ATU-10 from banggood to keep me going until I have an opportunity to > troubleshoot the T1. It is quite a statement on the current world situation > that I can buy a very capable QRP tuner for less than the repair costs for my > T1 and get it from China in less than two weeks! > > Enjoy your KX3 when you get it - it's a fantastic radio! > __ > 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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Test
He’s not seeing message from the list, so replying to the list doesn’t help. I’ve already replied directly, as he asked, so other people don’t need to reply. wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On May 3, 2022, at 8:04 AM, Paul Van Dyke wrote: > > Randy > I see you real well here on 20 meters errr .. on the list > > Paul KB9AVO > > On Tue, May 3, 2022, 10:58 AM Randy Farmer wrote: > >> Is this coming through? I haven't received any messages from the list >> since August 2021. An attempt to re-subscribe just generates a message >> telling me I'm already subscribed. If this comes through on the list, >> can someone please let me know at w8fn at arrl dot net? >> >> Thanks & 73... >> Randy, W8FN >> __ >> 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 >> Message delivered to pvandyke1...@gmail.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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Sherwood Receiver Tests
I believe the K4HD is the model that is designed to be near the top of the chart. wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Apr 28, 2022, at 6:41 PM, Gary Gregory wrote: > > Reading the Sherwood tests today I noticed the K4D tested ranked below the > K and K3s and I started to look at the data published and I am still a > little unsure of why it scores lower having assumed it would be > significantly better in performance over the K3 and K3s. > > Perhaps somebody could point out to me if I am not seeing what is > important. > > I believe in if I can hear them, I can work them but like most folk I like > a quiet noise floor and a comfy buffer of audio over noise. > > My current thinking is hold onto my K3 until the K4 is improved as my > upgraded #679 has served me so well and is the only transceiver I have ever > loved and kept. It's not going anywhere soon hi hi. > > Gary > VK1ZZ/K3NHL > __ > 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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] SK Station Disposition
What kind of person would put a list of states in almost, but not quite, reverse alphabetical order? wunder K6WRU > On Apr 24, 2022, at 7:19 PM, Edward Mccann wrote: > > To Ed’s point: > > “Some states recognize memorandums of personal property as legally binding, > but there are 20 states that don’t categorize them as legitimate legal > documents, including West Virginia, Vermont, Texas, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, > Rhode Island, Ohio, Oklahoma, New Hampshire, North Carolina, New York, > Mississippi, Kentucky, Maryland, Louisiana, Illinois, Alabama, Georgia, and > Connecticut.” > > > Ed McCann > AG6CX > > Sent from my iPhone > >> On Apr 24, 2022, at 7:08 PM, Edward Dauer wrote: >> >> Related to the thread on helping other hams' families deal with their >> stations after they go SK, there is an idea that I think I mentioned on the >> Reflector a couple of years ago, but which may be worth repeating given >> that the general subject has come up again. I have to begin but saying >> that, though a lawyer myself, I should not be understood as offering legal >> advice with the following note. I mention it only as something anyone >> interested might want to pursue with their own counsel. >> >> Wills are complex instruments and, by themselves, sometimes cumbersome in >> dealing with personal property -- like amateur radio equipment -- that may >> change in shape and value over time. Amending a will can sometimes be a >> big, by which I mean costly, deal. In many states, if not most, there is >> another way. It's called various things in various places, though where I >> live it's called a Memorandum Disposition of Personal Property. It's a >> document that anyone can write, amend, tear up, whatever, at any time >> without going through the trouble of amending a will or a trust. If the >> Will correctly refers to it, the document becomes an effective way of >> directing the disposition of tangible personal property. Using the proper >> form at the outset I can describe what I want to have happen to my station, >> or any piece of it, in a simple document that alone can write. If the >> equipment list changes, and I want to change where the rest goes, I can >> change the Memorandum. No need to amend the Will or a testamentary trust. >> >> I should stop there, and say only that it's not widely known but t's worth >> looking into. >> >> Ted, KN1CBR >> __ >> 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 >> Message delivered to edwmcc...@gmail.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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Diversity speaker set for sale
> On Apr 18, 2022, at 11:45 AM, Jim Brown wrote: > > FALSE! Impedance matching has not been practiced in audio for at least 60 > years -- it dates to the days of vacuum tube output stages. There's nothing > wrong with using 2 ohm speakers with gear rated 4-8 ohms -- indeed, they will > play a bit louder for the same volume setting! Well, I did have a problem with my Hafler DH-220 providing enough current to my 2 Ω Magneplanars for the O-Daiko drum (biggest taiko drum). Had to turn it down. But that kind of bass is unlikely to be a problem with communications audio. And my son has the Maggies now, plus I’m currently replacing the power supply in the Hafler. These drums: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7HL5wYqAbU wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KX2 WTB(uild) external amplified speaker
This post describes what I put together for my KX3. That specific amp is no longer available, but there are similar ones. https://observer.wunderwood.org/2017/03/04/speakers-for-my-elecraft-kx3/ wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Apr 14, 2022, at 4:50 PM, Andrew Moore wrote: > > KX2 arrived yesterday after a ~15 week wait, which was pretty much spot on > with Elecraft's original estimate. > > One of the best features is, especially for a compact rig with limited > dedicated controls, the ability to assign a programmable function button to > an otherwise buried menu feature. For menu features that are binary choices > (such as enable/disable CW transmit), not only does the PFn button activate > the menu item, but it also toggles the parameter and dumps you right back > into operating mode. For example, you can toggle between "CW transmit" and > "CW practice (no transmit)" by pressing only two buttons. No need to go > through deep menus. Kudos to KX2 designers for thinking ahead. > > One of the not so great features is the internal speaker. It's even raspier > and more distorted than the forward-facing one supplied with the KX3. This > is to be expected; there are design trade-offs and this rig wasn't designed > to be a desktop model with high wattage audio output. > > My typical use case for the KX2 is to listen to it in the background on the > desktop with good quality speaker audio, and then to switch to > headphones/earphones when in QSO. > > So I'd like to build an audio amplifier to convert the KX2 headphone output > levels to say 5 watt speaker output (one of the two channels will suffice) > for listening to relatively undistorted audio in the shack. A good starting > point is knowing what the output level and impedance is for the headphones > jack. I measured approx 20 mV P-P (impedance unknown) at an audio output > level around "AF 10" according to the KX2 display. Does this sound about > right? > > Bonus points: First QSO with the KX2 was from Maine to Bermuda at 1 watt. > > Thanks, > -Andrew NV1B > .. > __ > 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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Boom mounted Mike for a KX3
I’m not an audio expert, but I’d probably get a simple voice-oriented mic, maybe an Electro-Voice 635A. If you need a preamp, the Rolls MP13 Mini-Mic looks like a good match. It is a single-channel mic preamp with an unbalanced output. You would need some sort of adapter cable to go from either the XLR or 1/4-inch output to the TRRS jack on the KX3. The MP13 1/4-inch jack might be for stereo headphones, it isn’t quite clear. The Rolls preamp is exactly what I’d expect for a $60 preamp, does the job but not something designed for a studio. For the EV 635A, there should be tons of those available used. We used those onstage in my high school in the early 1970s and they’ve been the go-to news gathering mic for all that time. If you find a used one that looks like it has been used to drive nails, it is probably fine. They call it the Buchanan Hammer because of its durability. wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Apr 3, 2022, at 6:58 PM, John Pierce via Elecraft > wrote: > > I have a Kx3, because I can take it to the field. But most of the time I > use it at the home shack. I recently got an amp to use with the KX3, but I > am getting tired of using the elecraft hand mike. I have a boom mount for > a microphone, but am finding out that the KX3 does not handle a dynamic > microphone well. So my dilemma for a dynamic mike seems to be: 1- adding > a mixing board that will boost the output of the dynamic mike to acceptable > levels for the KX3. 2 - Getting an inline mike amp and a 48v power supply > to run the inline amp. The mixing board solution would work, but I don't > have the desk space for it. For a condenser microphone solution, it would > need to operate off the 3v bias voltage from the KX3. Does anyone have > ideas of how to solve my dilemma?. Any solution would be a mike that will > mount on my boom mike arm. > > > > John, AD2F > > > > __ > 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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Unassembled K2 Vs Assembled Marketability
Yes, that is exactly why I haven’t pasted the handy label inside the lid of my Altoids tin. Unfortunately, the instructions are an image in a PDF, so I’ll need to create a label from scratch. wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Mar 14, 2022, at 12:23 PM, Kevin Cozens wrote: > > On 2022-03-14 14:26, Walter Underwood wrote: >> I built this code practice oscillator, nice kit. I glued some brass >> standoffs into an Altoids tin for a case. >> https://www.nfarl.org/kits/ > > Looks like a nice kit for a beginner. Shame it shows dots and dashes for the > morse code instead of dits and dahs to help people learn it by sound. I first > started learning code with a CPO that also had the letters with their dots > and dashes. I blame that for hampering may ability to handle higher speed > code. It gets one in to the habit of an extra translation step of sound to > dots/dashes then letter/number instead of sound to letter/number. > > -- > Cheers! > > Kevin. > > http://www.ve3syb.ca/ | "Nerds make the shiny things that > https://www.patreon.com/KevinCozens | distract the mouth-breathers, and >| that's why we're powerful" > Owner of Elecraft K2 #2172 | > #include | --Chris Hardwick > __ > 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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Unassembled K2 Vs Assembled Marketability
I built this code practice oscillator, nice kit. I glued some brass standoffs into an Altoids tin for a case. https://www.nfarl.org/kits/ Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories makes some nice beginner kits, like the flickery flame series. https://shop.evilmadscientist.com/directory#soldering wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Mar 14, 2022, at 10:14 AM, jerry wrote: > > On 2022-03-14 08:19, Douglas Hagerman via Elecraft wrote: >> I think a K2 would not be a great project for most 8 year olds. >> However, a simpler (and cheaper) kit like this one from MFJ should be >> within a beginner skill level, given some reasonable coaching. (Also a >> soldering station to avoid soldering iron frustration!) > I keep meaning to show him how to solder. Don't want him to get burned > though. > > Some simple project with blinking lights.I also have a crystal radio that > I built > for him. Plan to take it apart and bundle it into a "kit" for him to put > together. > > At this point in his development, he is more interested in "how things look", > rather > than "how they work". He quickly gets impatient when I try to show him > schematics. > > We have soldering irons up the kazoo. The best one is an XYtronics LF-3200 > - it's > a 120W soldering station with an RF-powered iron. Just like a Metcal, only > without > the Metcal price. That sucker heats up in about 10 seconds. > >- Jerry KF6VB > > > > >> https://mfjenterprises.com/collections/kit/products/vec-1340k >> <https://mfjenterprises.com/collections/kit/products/vec-1340k> >> Which raises a question: what other similar kits are still around? As >> far as I know, the ones from the good old days (1990s) are defunct. >> Doug, W0UHU >> --- >> Message: 22 >> Date: Sun, 13 Mar 2022 17:44:50 -0400 >> From: Kevin Cozens mailto:ke...@ve3syb.ca>> >> To: K2 mailto:elecraft@mailman.qth.net>> >> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Unassembled K2 Vs Assembled Marketability >> Message-ID: <3006cfa4-f73e-efa0-93a2-f70717f91...@ve3syb.ca >> <mailto:3006cfa4-f73e-efa0-93a2-f70717f91...@ve3syb.ca>> >> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed >> On 2022-03-13 15:13, jerry wrote: >>> My 8 y/o son has been lusting after an $800 Lego kit. A walking Star >>> Wars tank. It has something like 8000 pieces. I explained to my wife >>> that it would reasonably keep him busy for a whole week. But she didn't >>> see the logic :). So we bought him a simpler kit with 1200 pieces that >>> will keep him busy for one day. >> I don't know whether the K2 or the $800 Lego kit would take less time to >> build but he will learn some new skills assembling the K2. The K2 could >> spark an interest that could last a lifetime where the walking Star Wars >> tank could be forgotten in a few months. >> -- >> Cheers! >> Kevin. >> http://www.ve3syb.ca/ <http://www.ve3syb.ca/> | "Nerds >> make the shiny things that >> https://www.patreon.com/KevinCozens >> <https://www.patreon.com/KevinCozens> | distract the mouth-breathers, >> and >>| that's why we're powerful" >> Owner of Elecraft K2 #2172 | >> #include | --Chris Hardwick >> - >> __ >> 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 >> Message delivered to je...@tr2.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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Reset KX2 to factory settings.
That does not affect the settings. Those are all saved in the configuration. wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Mar 2, 2022, at 5:50 PM, SGS 126 wrote: > > Have you tried reloading the firmware? > > On Wed, Mar 2, 2022 at 7:26 PM jimith...@gmail.com > wrote: > >> I messed up settings trying to learn the menus . How do I get back, or to >> factory settings ? >> 72, >> >> Jim W1FMR >> >> Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android >> __ >> 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 >> Message delivered to brlo...@gmail.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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] What happened to ALC?
“The modulator” means “the modulator code in the DSP” of course. If the compression is done by RF limiting, I expect that is also done in the DSP. The ALC you are describing is transmitter gain ALC. That is different from audio gain ALC. wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Jan 31, 2022, at 12:07 PM, Andy Durbin wrote: > > "If so, the ALC would be before the modulator and compression after it." > > I remember modulators but there isn't one in my TS-590. I doubt there is > one in any modern rig. In the TS-590 architecture compression is done in DSP > (Digital Signal Processing) and ALC is applied way down path at a TX IF > amplifier. > > ALC gets a bad rap but it is alive and well in Kenwood rigs. It works > without introducing signal distortion or harmonics. Having said that, I do > not use external ALC with my KPA500. > > Andy, k3wyc > __ > 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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] What happened to ALC?
ALC is supposed to be linear, non-distorting. Change the level without changing the waveform. Compression is non-linear and changes (distorts) the waveform. I’ve read that the K3 uses RF limiting at the first IF for compression. If so, the ALC would be before the modulator and compression after it. wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Jan 31, 2022, at 5:32 AM, Bob Schwerdlin wrote: > > I agree. From one old sound engineer to another... I see this as audio > compression. > > Bob, WG9L > > On 1/30/2022 6:17 PM, ws6x@gmail.com wrote: >> -Original Message- >> From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net On Behalf Of Fred Jensen >> Sent: Sunday, January 30, 2022 4:10 PM >> To: Elecraft Reflector >> Subject: [Elecraft] What happened to ALC? >> >> I can remember, shortly after SSB appeared on the ham bands that "ALC" >> showed up and was immediately inducted into that top category of things like >> canned beer and sliced bread. It would reduce the dynamic range of your >> signal and fill out your RF envelope... >> Maybe I'm not well-versed in today's whiz-bang technology, but to this old >> sound engineer this sounds suspiciously like compression. >> Jim - WS6X >> >> __ >> 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 >> Message delivered to w...@comcast.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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] What happened to ALC?
I expect that ALC is being used for two different parts of the transmission chain. Audio ALC would reduce the dynamic range of the audio. That automatically reduces the microphone gain to maintain a consistent level of modulation. That would be inside the audio part of transmitter, before the modulator. No external connector involved. ALC between a transmitter and amplifier does use an external connector. That kind of ALC reduces the transmitter power to try and avoid overdriving the amplifier. It can cause overdriving and splatter. Unlike the audio version, in amp ALC the two parts of the control loop (sensor and gain control) are in different boxes, maybe made by different manufacturers. Because the response time and sensitivity of the transmitter gain control are unknown, the system relies on luck to have a stable control loop that doesn’t oscillate. The way to avoid oscillation is to have a slow time constant on the sensor. That means that it just cannot respond quickly, so overshoot will happen and will cause splatter. With audio ALC, the control loop is an integrated whole and can be designed to be quick and stable. wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Jan 30, 2022, at 1:10 PM, Fred Jensen wrote: > > I can remember, shortly after SSB appeared on the ham bands that "ALC" showed > up and was immediately inducted into that top category of things like canned > beer and sliced bread. It would reduce the dynamic range of your signal and > fill out your RF envelope with DX inducing energy. It didn't matter if you > preferred the James Earl Jones sound by close talking your microphone, or the > Storm Drain sound with the gain up and speaking from across the room. Not to > worry, ALC will take care of it for you and you will fully pack your RF > envelope. > > Tomorrow is the first day of February 2022 and ALC occupies a less than > coveted spot in the same category that also contains last night's broccoli > casserole. One wonders why manufacturers even put connectors and meters > labeled "ALC" on their radios. "Four solid bars, and the fifth barely > flashing because the fifth bar is where ALC starts. Just barely flashing ... > you DO NOT want to engage the ALC!" > > I realize that while we believe that the rules of electricity don't change > and none of us ever inspect our electricity very closely ... if we did we'd > find the power company is selling us used electricity as if it was new ... > what changed? If ALC was slicker than snot back then, why isn't it now? > > 73, > > Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW > Sparks NV DM09dn > Washoe County > > > > -- > This email has been checked for viruses by AVG. > https://www.avg.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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] RPN Calc App For Android
It is invalid syntax in RPN. Perhaps you meant 6 7 *. :-) wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Jan 28, 2022, at 2:24 PM, kevin wrote: > > What is 6 * 7? > > KD5ONS > > > On 1/28/22 14:10, Dale Chayes wrote: >>> On Jan 28, 2022, at 16:16 , Walter Underwood wrote: >>> >>> What kind of phone? On iPhones and Macs, I’ve used PCalc for years. It’s >>> great. >>> >>> https://pcalc.com >> I second the Pcalc recommendation (for iPhones and Macs) - I’ve used it for >> many generations of laptops and phones - since at least 2008. >> >> One of the numerous features under “Constants” (in addition to all the >> normal ones, and the CODATA constants) under Universal constants you will >> find the Ultimate Answer - who needs more? >> >> -Dale >> KB1ZKD >> >>> wunder >>> K6WRU >>> Walter Underwood >>> CM87wj >>> http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) >>> >>>> On Jan 28, 2022, at 12:50 PM, Jim Brown wrote: >>>> >>>> The HP41 emulator I've used for years on older phones isn't compatible >>>> with my new one. I still own a few simple RPN calcs, but the phone is >>>> always in my pocket. Recommendations? >>>> >>>> Thanks and 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 >>>> Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org >>> __ >>> 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 >>> Message delivered to d...@ldeo.columbia.edu >> __ >> 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 >> Message delivered to kev...@coho.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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] RPN Calc App For Android
Never mind, the title said “Android”. wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Jan 28, 2022, at 1:16 PM, Walter Underwood wrote: > > What kind of phone? On iPhones and Macs, I’ve used PCalc for years. It’s > great. > > https://pcalc.com > > wunder > K6WRU > Walter Underwood > CM87wj > http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > >> On Jan 28, 2022, at 12:50 PM, Jim Brown wrote: >> >> The HP41 emulator I've used for years on older phones isn't compatible with >> my new one. I still own a few simple RPN calcs, but the phone is always in >> my pocket. Recommendations? >> >> Thanks and 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 >> Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org > > __ > 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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] RPN Calc App For Android
What kind of phone? On iPhones and Macs, I’ve used PCalc for years. It’s great. https://pcalc.com wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Jan 28, 2022, at 12:50 PM, Jim Brown wrote: > > The HP41 emulator I've used for years on older phones isn't compatible with > my new one. I still own a few simple RPN calcs, but the phone is always in my > pocket. Recommendations? > > Thanks and 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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K4 microphone match.
I don’t know if the same exact procedure works on the K4, but this is a way to use the digital voice recorder to compare compression levels. The procedure is for the K3 and KX3. https://observer.wunderwood.org/2015/09/09/transmit-audio-and-compression-with-the-elecraft-kx3/ <https://observer.wunderwood.org/2015/09/09/transmit-audio-and-compression-with-the-elecraft-kx3/> wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Dec 23, 2021, at 7:59 AM, Robert Sands wrote: > > My PR 781 was great with my K3. K4 not so good. What is recommended mic for > K4?? Using compression makes audio much worse with 781. Was not true with > K3 > Bob > K7VO > __ > 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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Best Portable Wire
I was using the Coghlan’s laundy reels, but it took a long time to wind up the wire, they would bind (not smooth turning), and would pop open when dropped. Now I use the Midi Winders from SOTAbeams. Wind the wire on in a figue-8, no kinks and quck to get on and off. SOTAbeams makes three sizes. The Midi Winders are the same length as my KX3. https://www.sotabeams.co.uk/midi-winders/ wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Dec 20, 2021, at 6:48 AM, email wrote: > > I have been using a couple of "things"... > > First see: > https://www.amazon.com/Coghlans-Camp-Laundry-Reel-21-Foot/dp/B001QBZM4Q/ref=sr_1_29?crid=3GJ5K4I006OGB=camping+clothesline=1640011049=camping+clothesline%2Caps%2C109=8-29 > as a wire winder. > > I use 24ga Teflon wire. The copper strands are silver plated, with a banana > plug attached. I have been using the winder + Teflon wire for many years. > Works great. > > For my 135' ladderline fed dipole, I use 24ga silver plated wire that is (I > think) nylon coated. I picked it out of the "junk box" (trash) at work YEARS > ago. The closest replacement would be Teflon wire. The silver plating makes > for GREAT conduction. > > Otherwise, I would use Wireman stealth wire either 26ga or 18ga. > > 73, steve WB3LGC > > On 12/19/21 6:52 PM, K4SRQ-Burt wrote: >> Ok, quick question for all you portable geeks. I am running the Wayne style >> end fed random wire thrown over a tree. Using AWG 14 but need a smaller >> wire. Anyone have a favorite wire you use for the Ant and Ground Plane? >> Rugged, straightens nice etc.? >> >> Burt >> >> K4SRQ >> Sarasota >> >> __ >> 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 >> Message delivered to em...@nr3i.org > __ > 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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Best Portable Wire
Beat me to it. This is the 26 AWG. Breaking strength is 25 pounds, though I’ve never broken it. https://thewireman.com/product/antenna-wire-26-awg-copper-clad-steel-stranded-jacketed/ <https://thewireman.com/product/antenna-wire-26-awg-copper-clad-steel-stranded-jacketed/> For my 53 foot wire, I use the 18 AWG, also light, but with a breaking strength of 125 pounds. https://thewireman.com/product/antenna-wire-18-awg-copper-clad-steel-stranded-jacketed/ <https://thewireman.com/product/antenna-wire-18-awg-copper-clad-steel-stranded-jacketed/> wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Dec 19, 2021, at 4:46 PM, Wayne Burdick wrote: > > 26 AWG "Silky" from the Wireman. > > Wayne > > >> On Dec 19, 2021, at 3:52 PM, K4SRQ-Burt wrote: >> >> Ok, quick question for all you portable geeks. I am running the Wayne style >> end fed random wire thrown over a tree. Using AWG 14 but need a smaller >> wire. Anyone have a favorite wire you use for the Ant and Ground Plane? >> Rugged, straightens nice etc.? >> >> Burt >> >> K4SRQ >> Sarasota >> >> __ >> 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 >> Message delivered to n...@elecraft.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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KX3 - Holding Power Output at Set Value\
Looks like the wall wart cannot provide the 2.5 A needed for transmit. The drop to 10 V automatically triggers dropping to 5 W. If you want a small supply, the KX-33 can provide 4 A at 14 V. https://proaudioeng.com/products/pae-kx33-low-rfi-ac-power-supply/ wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Dec 7, 2021, at 1:16 PM, David Hourdequin wrote: > > I am in the process of getting familiar with my newly acquired KX3 purchased > for POTA and am enjoying it immensely. > > I am powering it with a 14.8V, high quality, Yamaha walwart - very little > internal noise. Settings indicated in the VFO B display area using DISP are > normal. > > When I set the PWR level to 10 watts and then key the xmtr, the power > immediately drops to 5 watts. With the key down, I am monitoring the VFO B > display which indicates a drop from 14.8V to 10+V and 1+A. That makes it > 10W. If so, why does the reading when I push in PWR drop to 5W? Is that > ‘input’ power vs ‘output’ power, ie, 50% efficiency? > > If that is true, how does one achieve and maintain 10W of output power? > > Any help would be most appreciated. Feel free to RSVP here or call if you > like - or send me your number and I’ll call you! > > Tnx es 73, David, NS4V > > David R. Hourdequin, PE > 828-421-6216 > d...@dremy.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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] what soundcard for K3 and Mac
This list was updated in 2018. http://www.telepostinc.com/soundcards.html <http://www.telepostinc.com/soundcards.html> wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Oct 31, 2021, at 11:54 AM, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote: > > >> What I haven’t quite figured out is how important is this really is >> to weak signal digital decoding. > > Low noise in a sound card is important to weak signal decoding in two > ways: > > 1) you want the inherent noise floor in the sound card to be 10 to 15 > dB *LESS* than the minimum - receiver noise + "antenna" - noise. On > VHF with a very quiet receiver the receiver noise can be quite low. > > 2) high noise level in a sound card directly subtracts from the dynamic > range (ADC clipping - noise floor). With a high noise floor, strong > signals either overflow the ADC or the receiver AGC must reduce gain > with moves the weak signals below the (higher) noise floor. > >> After testing, I settled on a Sound BlasterX G5 model SB1700 which > > tested at about -120dB noise level. > > -128 dB relative to what? A quality 16 bit sound card has a theoretical > dynamic range of 97dB - a quality 16 bit card (low noise) will produce > about 90 dB dynamic range in practice. A 24 bit sound card has 144 dB > theoretical dynamic range but a practical 24 bit sound card will produce > maybe 115 dB dynamic range but to take advantage of that dynamic range > the sound card (any audio preamps and the ADC) need to operate with a > supply voltage greater than the typical 3.3 or 5 V USB supply. A 24 bit > sound card with a 5 V (USB) supply will be lucky to achieve 100 dB > dynamic range. > > 73, > > ... Joe, W4TV > > > On 2021-10-31 10:41 AM, SteveL wrote: >> Dave, >> This interest caught my eye awhile back: >> http://members.chello.at/oe1mww/sound-card-check/ >> <http://members.chello.at/oe1mww/sound-card-check/> >> I’ve tested several of the inexpensive (<$10) nameless USB sound card >> dongles using his method and saw a wide variety of noise floors - however >> significantly higher than a name brand USB card. After testing, I settled >> on a Sound BlasterX G5 model SB1700 which tested at about -120dB noise >> level. How does this compare? My nameless sound dongles noise level tested >> -70 to -90dB - a big difference. >> What I haven’t quite figured out is how important is this really is to weak >> signal digital decoding. >> Steve >> aa8af >>> On Oct 30, 2021, at 10:49 PM, David Christ wrote: >>> >>> Yes this has been bead to death previously. Jim Brown made a number of >>> suggestions in a paper from 2014. However the market has changed. Those >>> models are all discontinued and those manufacturers' follow ons are much >>> more expensive and have features that are not needed for sound card modes. >>> Any offerings of these older models seem to be coming from overseas. The >>> $100 and under market seems to be dominated by mystery brand dongles which >>> are a gamble. >>> >>> So can any one recommend a tried and true sound card interface for use >>> between an K3 (without a sound card) and a MacBook Pro (which has no mike >>> or line in jack)? I would like to hear from people who have actually the >>> unit, not just speculation. >>> > > > __ > 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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] feeding a half-wave dipole with ladder line
Are you sure your ladder line is 200-300 Ω? My calculations say that 12 AWG conductors 12 inches apart makes 680 Ω line. wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Oct 28, 2021, at 2:47 PM, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote: > > > Your 130' dipole will be damn near impossible to feed on 40 meters as > the center is very high impedance. You would be better served to > hang a parallel dipole (33' per side) under the 65' wires and use > RG213/RG8 for the vertical section. > > The additional 33' wires will give you marginally more top loading > and the coax will work just as well for the vertical element since > you are shorting it top and bottom. While you're at it, push the > feeedpoint up to 50 feet ... more vertical for 160/630m and better > performance for the dipole on 80/40. > > 73, > > ... Joe, W4TV > > > On 2021-10-28 5:23 PM, Ed Cole wrote: >> I am redesigning my 40/80/160/630m antennas. >> A year ago the tower I was supporting my 630m Invert-L was damaged by wind >> and taken down. Replacement tower is shorter so not suitable end wire >> support for HF antenna. >> I decided to repurpose my 80/40m dual dipole into a based-loaded 40-foot >> vertical using the 80 & 40m wires for top hat loading on 160/630m. To do >> that I purpose to run 40-foot of ladder-line vertical and either load the >> bottom using a balun for 80/40m or short the ladder line for the loaded >> vertical. >> http://www.kl7uw.com/630mTee.jpg >> My question is what balun to use for 80/40m. ladder line is 200-300 ohm >> whereas the dipoles are near 50-ohm. Should I use a 9:1 balun or would my >> original 1:1 balun work? Tuners will be in the shack (KXAT at 100w; Drake >> MN-2000 at 1200w). RG-13 coax to base of ladder-line. >> I have a couple vac-relays to short the ladder-line and connect the loading >> coil for 160/630m. >> Thanks, Ed - KL7UW > > > __ > 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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KXBC3 charger question
Nice analysis. For Eneloop Pro batteries, with 2550 mAh capacity, that would be 21% of capacity for the clock plus 15% for self-discharge. Of course, whenever the KX3 is connected to “shore power”, that is used instead of the battery. wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Oct 6, 2021, at 9:00 AM, Jon Poland wrote: > > I opened my KX3 and measured the current draw on my internal Eneloop > batteries while the radio is off. That current is 60 microamps. At that > rate, my 2000mAh batteries will completely drain in roughly 3 years, 9 > months. > > Looking at it from a different angle: After 1 year, a fully charged set of > batteries will have drained to ~60-65% capacity, ~10% from internal > leakage + ~27% from the KX3 load. > > Jon N0WL > > On Mon, Oct 4, 2021 at 10:16 PM Eddy - k6sdw wrote: > >> I have a KX3 with the KXBC3 Nimh charger and Nimh batteries installed. My >> question is: What's the current drain on the NICADS when I store the KX3 >> for long periods of time? The KX3 is primarily used for portable operation >> and when I put the KX3 on the bench the batteries are dead needing >> recharging. I wonder if I should pull on AA battery out during storage? >> >> Many thanks >> >> GL/73 >> >> Ed/k6sdw >> __ >> 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 >> Message delivered to jonpol...@gmail.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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Wire antenna ends and spools?
I tried the Coghlan’s laundry reels and switched to the SOTAbeams midi winders. The laundry reels were slow and took a lot of winding. The quality control is a little iffy, too. Sometimes you get one that binds, sometimes they are smooth. And if you drop them just right, they pop open. wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Oct 6, 2021, at 4:14 AM, steve WB3LGC wrote: > > https://www.amazon.com/Coghlans-Camp-Laundry-Reel-21-Foot/dp/B001QBZM4Q/ref=sr_1_14_mod_primary_new?dchild=1=clothesline+camping=1633518594=RZvfv%2F%2FHxDF%2BO5021pAnSA%3D%3D=8-14 > > works for me. I use two with 60+ feet of teflon. The wire can be wrapped > around the cleat and tied at the other end of the reel. I have used them for > many years. > > 73, steve WB3LGC > > > On 10/5/21 6:33 PM, Julia Tuttle wrote: >> Hi folks, >> >> I'm putting together the Elecraft Standard Wire Antenna(tm), two 25-foot >> pieces of 26-gauge wire with relatively slippery insulation. >> >> I've got banana plugs on the near (radio) ends of the wires, and I've >> temporarily got the two lengths coiled and held with velcro cable ties, but >> I'm wondering if anyone has ideas on: >> >> 1. What to put on the far (tree/wherever) ends so I can tie a rope to them >> without the slippery insulation just slipping out of the knot. My >> girlfriend suggests a ring terminal, which seems reasonable -- any other >> ideas? >> 2. How to coil them more securely. W3ATB suggests a chalk line reel ( >> https://w3atb.com/wire-antenna-winder/) but I'm not a fan of the >> termination there. >> >> Thanks and 73, >> >> Julie >> __ >> 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 >> Message delivered to sm.shearer...@gmail.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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Wire antenna ends and spools?
I looped the wire and taped it with electrical tape. For winding, I use the SOTAbeams midi winders. They are the same length as my KX3. I tried camping clothesline reels, but they would bind and it just took too danged long to wind them up. https://www.sotabeams.co.uk/midi-winders/ <https://www.sotabeams.co.uk/midi-winders/> For rope into trees, arborist throw line is great. It is lightweight and specifically designed to not get stuck in trees. wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Oct 5, 2021, at 3:33 PM, Julia Tuttle wrote: > > Hi folks, > > I'm putting together the Elecraft Standard Wire Antenna(tm), two 25-foot > pieces of 26-gauge wire with relatively slippery insulation. > > I've got banana plugs on the near (radio) ends of the wires, and I've > temporarily got the two lengths coiled and held with velcro cable ties, but > I'm wondering if anyone has ideas on: > > 1. What to put on the far (tree/wherever) ends so I can tie a rope to them > without the slippery insulation just slipping out of the knot. My > girlfriend suggests a ring terminal, which seems reasonable -- any other > ideas? > 2. How to coil them more securely. W3ATB suggests a chalk line reel ( > https://w3atb.com/wire-antenna-winder/) but I'm not a fan of the > termination there. > > Thanks and 73, > > Julie > __ > 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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KXBC3 charger question
From the instructions: "Only a few microamperes of current are required to keep the clock running when the KX3 is off. This is supplied by either the external power supply or the internal batteries.” https://ftp.elecraft.com/KX3/Manuals%20Downloads/E740167%20Elecraft%20KXBC3%20Installation%20and%20Operation%20Rev%20B1.pdf <https://ftp.elecraft.com/KX3/Manuals%20Downloads/E740167%20Elecraft%20KXBC3%20Installation%20and%20Operation%20Rev%20B1.pdf> The self-discharge of NiMH batteries will probably be higher than the clock current. What kind of batteries? Eneloop Pro batteries are low self-discharge, with 85% of charge after one year of storage. High-capacity NiMH batteries (often 2700 mAh or higher) can have higher self-discharge rates. wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Oct 4, 2021, at 9:25 PM, Gwen Patton wrote: > > Docs call for Nickel Metal Hydride batteries, not Nickel Cadmium. I don't > think the internal charger is designed for NICAD batteries. Unless you're > using a separate charger? > > 73, > Gwen, NG3P > > On Mon, Oct 4, 2021, 11:16 PM Eddy - k6sdw wrote: > >> I have a KX3 with the KXBC3 Nimh charger and Nimh batteries installed. My >> question is: What's the current drain on the NICADS when I store the KX3 >> for long periods of time? The KX3 is primarily used for portable operation >> and when I put the KX3 on the bench the batteries are dead needing >> recharging. I wonder if I should pull on AA battery out during storage? >> >> Many thanks >> >> GL/73 >> >> Ed/k6sdw >> __ >> 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 >> Message delivered to ard...@gmail.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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Ground Wire & Coax
Is the second edition published yet? ARRL shows First Edition, Fourth Printing. http://www.arrl.org/shop/Grounding-and-Bonding-for-the-Radio-Amateur/ wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Aug 23, 2021, at 8:27 PM, Jim Brown wrote: > > On 8/23/2021 6:42 PM, James Bennett via Elecraft wrote: >> Per N.E.C. specs, I need to tie the ground system at the shack entrance to >> the house utility ground - probably 150’ or so from the coax entrance panel >> to that Ufer spot. > > There's a bit more to it than that. In essence, more grounds are better and > you can have as many as you want, but they must ALL be bonded together. That > includes power, telco, CATV, shack, etc. > > My electrician said that a #4 solid copper wire running from the coax > entrance panel to the Ufer point would suffice for keeping the grounds > together. Looking at the ARRL book on grounding and bonding, it appears that > what I’m going to do is to install a “perimeter ground.” > > Not quite -- it would be a perimeter ground if that #4 (yes, big enough) were > connecting driven rods spaced at least 1.5 - 2x their length around the > perimeter. > > Do you have the first or second edition of the book? Ward and I worked > through some of the issues involved with situations like yours for the second > edition. > > 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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KX2 temperature
I expect he meant “existed for the KX2/KX3”. The Heathkit SB-230 is conduction-cooled with a beryllium oxide thermal link to conduct heat away from the anode to the heat sink. wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Aug 21, 2021, at 8:04 PM, Jim Brown wrote: > > On 8/21/2021 7:48 PM, Gary Memory wrote: >> I had no idea heat sinks existed. > > Heat sinks have been widely used since the introduction of semi-conductors in > the '50s. I don't know, but I suspect that they were used with high power > tube gear. They are discussed in Chapter 4.11 of the ARRL Handbook. > > 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] Flaky mic jack on KX3
The mic jack on my KX3 is not making good contact with my MH3. I need to push the plug in an extra bit, then feel a small click, then PTT works. If I move the cable at all, it backs out past that click and the PTT switch doesn’t make the rig transmit. The same thing happens with other plugs. This is a fairly early model, serial number 29xx. Any ideas other than sending it in for repair? wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Connectors
Silver oxide is a good conductor, but the tarnish we see is silver sulfide, which is a semiconductor. That causes problems at low voltages. This StackExchange answer has more details: https://physics.stackexchange.com/a/365483 wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Jul 12, 2021, at 4:06 PM, Bob Liesen wrote: > > Hi gang, > I have been told by several people who are clearly in the know of many > things, that tarnished silver is a >better< conductor than untarnished. > And I have also been told by others just as in the know, that that is a > myth. > Anyone have definite info? > > Bob WB0POQ > > On Mon, Jul 12, 2021 at 4:11 PM Bill Frantz wrote: > >> I was told that all the compounds produced when silver is >> tarnished are conductive. So, when I built a single-lever >> paddle, I used two short pieced of silver wire, obtained from a >> jeweler friend, at right angles for the contacts. I haven't had >> any contact problems with that paddle. >> >> 73 Bill AE6JV >> >> On 7/12/21 at 3:35 PM, wes_n...@triconet.org (Wes) wrote: >> >>> On 7/12/2021 11:47 AM, Paul Dluehosh wrote: >>>> ...They may look ugly with a black patina, but that may be >>>> because they have real silver plating. >>> >>> That's what TARN-X is for. >> >> --- >> Bill Frantz| Privacy is dead, get over | Periwinkle >> (408)348-7900 | it. | 150 Rivermead >> Rd #235 >> www.pwpconsult.com |- Scott McNealy (1999) | Peterborough, >> NH 03458 __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Chasing paddles around desk top
Yep, Museum Wax is the good stuff. https://www.amazon.com/Quakehold-66111-Museum-Ounce-Clear/dp/B000FJU29U <https://www.amazon.com/Quakehold-66111-Museum-Ounce-Clear/dp/B000FJU29U> wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Jul 8, 2021, at 12:47 PM, Steve Lawrence via Elecraft > wrote: > > Or Museum Wax which holds indefinitely, is easy to move/remove and leaves no > marks. > > Steve WB6RSE > >> On Jul 8, 2021, at 12:38 PM, Frank Krozel wrote: >> >> And there goes my secret >> >> -73- FrankKG9H >> kg9hfr...@gmail.com >> >>> On Jul 8, 2021, at 2:34 PM, Art Nienhouse wrote: >>> >>> Gwen >>> Try this trick dust off the desk top ...wet fingers wipe the rubber feet >>> with wet fingers (spit) works place the paddle down it will stick its self >>> to the operating surface nicely. >>> Regards >>> Art >>> ka9zap >>> > > __ > 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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Heil Pro 7 headset with KX3 - RF feedback?
I don’t know how their Y cable is wired, but a simple wiring will tie the logic bias (mic buttons) and mic bias together. That gives a lower bias voltage and lower mic output for some mics. It also adds some noise, because the logic bias isn’t as clean as the mic bias. You can split out the mic bias with a stereo splitter. Details in this blog post: https://observer.wunderwood.org/2015/08/16/yamaha-cm500-headset-with-ptt-on-elecraft-kx3/ <https://observer.wunderwood.org/2015/08/16/yamaha-cm500-headset-with-ptt-on-elecraft-kx3/> wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Jul 3, 2021, at 2:05 PM, Drew Arnett wrote: > > No luck sorting this out in the field during FD, especially with a > workaround available. (Alternative mic.) I'd like to resolve it if > possible before replacing the Pro 7, the KX3, or both. :-O So, now > that I'm unpacked at home, I'll try a simple setup for debugging. > > Trouble shooting setup now: KX3 (with new, charged internal NiMH), > Pro 7 with Y cable and that little clip on PTT switch they include, 3 > FT coax to (shielded) dummy load. Electret mic element. MIC BIAS on, > CMP 0, PWR 5, 14 MHz, SSB. > > With MON 0, no RF output indicated while transmitting and speaking or > whistling for MIC GAIN 0 to 80. > > With MON 3 (a level I like for CW sidetone) and PTT on, doesn't matter > if I'm speaking/whistling or not. The RF output indicates nothing > until about MIC GAIN 70 when it abruptly comes up with a harsh sound. > Other electret microphone sounds fine at MIC GAIN 60. > > This is probably something simple. I just haven't found it, yet. > > Thanks, > > Drew > n7da > > On Thu, Jun 17, 2021 at 3:36 AM Drew Arnett wrote: >> >> Shield of mic jack goes to bare metal Elecraft thoughtfully left on >> the chassis metal. 10 nF shunt to ground. (Need to see where that >> is, but hopefully SMT and with very small loop area.) Sheet 9: >> https://ftp.elecraft.com/KX3/Manuals%20Downloads/KX3SchematicDiagramDec2012.pdf >> >> Heil suggests on their tips page generous ferrite choking of all 3 >> leads of their Y adapter cable: >> https://heilhamradio.com/support/tips/ >> >> Drew >> n7da >> >> On Thu, Jun 17, 2021 at 3:23 AM Drew Arnett wrote: >>> >>> Hi, >>> >>> In the KX3 for Field Day department, we plan to use it for the GOTA >>> station for phone on HF. (Yes, will have antennas not on top of each >>> other and bandpass filters on ALL radios.) Would be great to setup >>> with a headset and foot switch. >>> >>> Last weekend, I used my KX3 barefoot on 6 and with a >>> transverters-store.com transverter (also barefoot) for 2. 6m antenna >>> was 2 elements about 15 ft above the ground and 2m antenna 6 elements >>> at 10 feet above the ground. >>> >>> I worked a couple of contacts on 2m phone with the headset. Later, >>> when I tried to use the headset for phone on 6, seemed like I was >>> having a feedback problem. Cabling was the stock cabling that comes >>> with the Heil Pro 7 headset and a footswitch. Monitor was on and set >>> to 4. >>> >>> So, ALC didn't indicate anything at the normal level (60), and >>> increasing it very abruptly caused horrible sounding audio. (Yes, >>> acts like positive feedback.) >>> >>> I have a small electret mic on a 1/8 plug thing I bought some time ago >>> from the computer store. (Meant at the time for adding mic to >>> laptops.) I have a 1/8" audio extension cable for it. I plugged that >>> in instead of the headset mic and it seemed to act normally. >>> >>> Is this purely an RF from the TX antenna getting into the mic audio >>> problem or is it something else? >>> >>> Best practice to avoid this problem? >>> >>> On my todo list: >>> - ask here >>> - look at KX3 schematic to see if it has RF ingress mitigation on the mic >>> jack >>> - ask Heil >>> - unplug the Heil mic element and gator clip my cheap electret mic on >>> instead and try on 6m in driveway with identical antenna/mast/radio >>> setup >>> - look for or assemble an RF filter to inline with the mic jack (tough >>> to do with this little time >>> before field day) >>> >>> Thanks and best regards, >>> >>> Drew >>> n7da >>> >>> ps. Other than this, KX3 was great in the VHF test. Worked great >>> with the transverter on 2 and was a lot of fun running barefoot with
Re: [Elecraft] SDR Filter improvement
Two things about terminology. First, IQ is generally in-phase and quadrature. Also, what you are describing as direct conversion is commonly called direct sampling. The K4 is a direct sampling receiver. The KX2 and KX3 are direct conversion receivers, converting RF directly to baseband without an IF. The KX2 and KX3 are also SDRs, but with sampling at baseband. The filtering, demodulation, and modulation is done in software. This article has a nice bit of history about direct conversion receivers. https://www.n5dux.com/ham/files/pdf/Direct%20Conversion%20Receivers%20History%20-%20W7ZOI.pdf <https://www.n5dux.com/ham/files/pdf/Direct%20Conversion%20Receivers%20History%20-%20W7ZOI.pdf> wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Jul 3, 2021, at 5:48 AM, Geoffrey Feldman wrote: > > My career has been in software/hardware systems including some with signal > processing. Digital filters ultimately embody mathematical equations which > operate on a matrix of samples represented as complex numbers. IQ stands > for incident and quadrature, sine and cosine, real and imaginary or x and y. > All are the same concept but different nomenclature as represented in > memory. Connect to the IQ out of your Elecraft rig you are getting that > stream as left and right base band audio. A sound card and a bit of > software will convert that base band left and right to the numerical > representations. From there you can implement whatever is actually possible > in this technology as a software experiment on your own PC. Create your own > SDR Radio using the Elecraft hardware and experiment with filters, create > your own pan adapter or whatever. If successful you will have a prototype > to share with Elecraft. > > > > What is more likely is that you will more fully appreciate the value you > receive from Elecraft and all the hard work they did. It's not easy to > improve on. Signal Processing ALWAYS involves some fairly hairy math and > hairier software to implement it correctly as a real time experience. The > filter you want may be one that actually can be implemented. > > > > Direct Conversion SDR is a great technology to reduce cost and/or size in > relationship to a similarly good receiver. However, it has limitations > which relate to artifacts from the sampling process and dividing a > continuous stream of audio into "bins" or snapshots in the stream. Analog > filters in the IF stage is still a factor in design and you will see hybrid > SDR as an alternative to direct conversion designs. Similarly even in > direct conversion, there are some RF pre-filters. This last bit, is > argumentative and wise persons will differ. It's the same discussion as > tubes/transistors or vinyl/cd's etc. in the audiophile world. A lot comes > down to perception and how we personally discriminate what we hear, want to > hear, don't want to hear. Additionally there is processing (digital or > analog) of received audio, changing frequency response as an aid to this > perception process. The Heil PRAS is a great example of that sort of > processing. He has a terrific demo of that. > > > > Finally people with traditional hardware training find themselves at the > deep end of the pool with all this talk of matrices of complex numbers. > People with software training find themselves at the deep end of the pool > with the pragmatics of actually getting RF into their world of 1's and 0's. > It's fun to watch them trying to get along in a state of panic while in the > deep end of the pool. Again, hats off to Elecraft for helping them all to > swim and catch great products. > > > > Geoff > > W1GCF > > __ > 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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KX3 batteries
If that is the Biolite stove/charger, it isn’t a good stove or a good charger. Detailed review here, the conclusion is: "If you want to cook with wood in the backcountry, get yourself a decent wood stove or make your own. If you’re looking for a way to recharge USB enabled devices, I’d recommend you use batteries or a rechargeable power brick instead of the BioLite wood burning CampStove. This product is a gimmick that will be shelved in your basement after a single outing." https://sectionhiker.com/biolite-campstove-the-substance-beyond-the-hype/ <https://sectionhiker.com/biolite-campstove-the-substance-beyond-the-hype/> On the other hand, the PowerPot appears to actually work, and could be used with a good wood stove (SoloStove) or a camp stove. Here is the conclusion from that review (same reviewer): "I’m impressed with the PowerPot. Quite impressed. This is one of the most efficient power generating options available today for backpackers and campers who are off-the-grid for extended periods of time but need electricity to recharge battery-powered devices. If you’re using a solar charger/battery pack combo like the PowerMonkey Extreme (16 ounces) or the Goal Zero Guide 10 Plus Solar Kit (19 ounces) for backpacking adventures, you should take a look at using the PowerPot instead. It’s a lighter weight solution (14.1 ounces) that is seasonally and weather independent. Now if they’d only come out with a still lighter and smaller UL version." https://sectionhiker.com/powerpot-review/ <https://sectionhiker.com/powerpot-review/> wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Jul 2, 2021, at 11:19 AM, Julia Tuttle wrote: > > Whoa, can you share a link to that thermoelectric one? It sounds super neat. > > On Fri, Jul 2, 2021, 14:17 Gwen Patton wrote: > >> I saw that when you posted it, Howard. It's a neat system. I decided to go >> with a universal external battery solution. I have plenty of external PD >> and QC power from power banks that will also charge my other USB devices. I >> also have 3 different kinds of USB chargers for the power banks -- GaN AC >> charger, solar panel with USB output, and a thermoelectric USB charger that >> also makes hot water for coffee or dehydrated food. I suppose I can also >> count a USB car charger. >> >> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- >> 73, >> Gwen, NG3P >> >> >> On Fri, Jul 2, 2021 at 10:56 AM Howard Zehr wrote: >> >>> You might want to consider the option I describe in this blog entry. It >>> uses LifePO4 AA batteries and though they have to be charged outside the >>> rig, they are much more satisfactory in my opinion. >>> 73 Howard K4LXY >>> https://k4lxycw.wixsite.com/blog/blog < >>> https://k4lxycw.wixsite.com/blog/blog> >>> >>> >>> Howard Zehr >>> K4LXY >>> Radio blog: https://k4lxycw.wixsite.com/blog/blog >>> >>> Photo gallery: www.howardzehr.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 >>> Message delivered to ard...@gmail.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 >> Message delivered to ju...@juliatuttle.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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Temperature or Warmth of KPA500 when "Off" ?
I’m pretty sure the first homebrew project I ever made was a switched outlet strip using utility boxes on a 1x3. Might be worth doing that again and adding some good filtering. wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Jul 2, 2021, at 1:10 AM, Jim Brown wrote: > > On 7/1/2021 2:24 PM, Bob McGraw wrote: >> One thing that really concerns me is the use of power distribution strips. > > That's the least of the problems -- the MOVs built into many (most?) strips. > advertised as surge protection are more likely to CAUSE destructive failures > of interconnected equipment than to protect it. > > Bob has the right idea -- build your own multi-outlet boxes from standard > electrical parts. See page 23 of http://k9yc.com/RFI-Ham.pdf > > These boxes and the generator choke were added to the ARRL Handbook several > years ago. > > 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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] SDR filter improvement
Here is the URL for that book: http://www.dspguide.com <http://www.dspguide.com/> wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Jul 1, 2021, at 8:08 AM, jerry wrote: > > On 2021-07-01 05:01, William Abernathy wrote: >> Hal, >> Thanks. I think the book is probably over my head. > *** There is another book, available free over the Internet. It's a detailed > presentation of Signal Processing for engineers - and it keeps the advanced > math to a minimum. > > "The Scientist and Engineers Guide to Digital Signal Processing" by Steven W. > Smith. > > "The goal is to present practical techniques while avoiding the barriers of > detailed mathematics and abstract theory." > > > - Jerry KF6VB > > > __ > 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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Heil Pro 7 headset with KX3 - RF feedback?
That happened to me with the Koss SB-45. The ear cups are smaller than those on the CM500, so they sat on my ears instead of around them. Really uncomfortable. https://observer.wunderwood.org/2021/01/27/koss-sb-45-vs-yamaha-cm500/ <https://observer.wunderwood.org/2021/01/27/koss-sb-45-vs-yamaha-cm500/> wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Jun 17, 2021, at 5:28 PM, Jim Brown wrote: > > On 6/17/2021 2:12 PM, Hank wrote: >> I dislike my CM500’s. They are uncomfortable to wear for an extended period >> of time. > > That's a GREAT reason for not liking them. And comfort in headsets is a very > individual thing -- all of us a built a bit differently. I had that > experience when I tried on the very expensive aviation-style headsets which > are being sold to hams, and which some guys find quite comfortable. And after > a few years when I heard a local contester saying how comfy they were, I > tried them on again at a hamfest, with the same result. :) > > I do have RFI issues with them when running full power on HF SSB. > > What makes you certain that either headset is related to the RFI issue? There > are MANY mechanisms that can be the cause, especially failure to do proper > bonding. > > 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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Heil Pro 7 headset with KX3 - RF feedback?
These are K9YC’s settings along with a procedure for setting compression level. The info is all from discussions on this list. Several years ago, a bunch of people shared their TX EQ settings. A few were out in left field, but most were very similar to this. This is written for the KX3, but the K3 TX EQ is the same. https://observer.wunderwood.org/2015/09/09/transmit-audio-and-compression-with-the-elecraft-kx3/ <https://observer.wunderwood.org/2015/09/09/transmit-audio-and-compression-with-the-elecraft-kx3/> wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Jun 17, 2021, at 9:55 AM, AL7CR wrote: > > Please list your TXEQ settings. > > On Thu, Jun 17, 2021, at 12:42 AM, Jim Brown wrote: >> Heil products are wildly overpriced and highly over-rated. No ham needs >> a boom mic headset better than a Yamaha CM500, which sounds great both >> in the headphones and one the air, is very comfortable, costs about $60, >> and has ZERO RFI issues. I'm a Fellow of the Audio Engineering Society, >> have a storage room full of great mics far better than anything Heil >> makes, do very serious contesting. and I've used nothing but the CM500 >> for more than ten years. What pro audio folks say about Bose applies >> equally to Heil -- "better sound through marketing." >> >> The CM500 plugs straight into the back of an version of a K3 (and >> probably a K4), and I'll be happy to list TXEQ settings that make it >> sound FAR better than Heil headset mics. >> >> I've been a member of the AES Standards Committee Working Group on >> Microphones for almost 30 years, and I've never met Bob Heil or anyone >> from his company. That should tell you something about how >> "professional" he and his company are. :) This whole thing about "I did >> sound for XXX rock band is, as my Black friends would say, "a whole >> bunch of shuck and jive." >> >> 73, Jim K9YC >> >> On 6/16/2021 8:36 PM, Drew Arnett wrote: >>> Shield of mic jack goes to bare metal Elecraft thoughtfully left on >>> the chassis metal. 10 nF shunt to ground. (Need to see where that >>> is, but hopefully SMT and with very small loop area.) Sheet 9: >>> https://ftp.elecraft.com/KX3/Manuals%20Downloads/KX3SchematicDiagramDec2012.pdf >>> >>> Heil suggests on their tips page generous ferrite choking of all 3 >>> leads of their Y adapter cable: >>> https://heilhamradio.com/support/tips/ >>> >>> Drew >>> n7da >>> >>> On Thu, Jun 17, 2021 at 3:23 AM Drew Arnett wrote: >>>> >>>> Hi, >>>> >>>> In the KX3 for Field Day department, we plan to use it for the GOTA >>>> station for phone on HF. (Yes, will have antennas not on top of each >>>> other and bandpass filters on ALL radios.) Would be great to setup >>>> with a headset and foot switch. >>>> >>>> Last weekend, I used my KX3 barefoot on 6 and with a >>>> transverters-store.com transverter (also barefoot) for 2. 6m antenna >>>> was 2 elements about 15 ft above the ground and 2m antenna 6 elements >>>> at 10 feet above the ground. >>>> >>>> I worked a couple of contacts on 2m phone with the headset. Later, >>>> when I tried to use the headset for phone on 6, seemed like I was >>>> having a feedback problem. Cabling was the stock cabling that comes >>>> with the Heil Pro 7 headset and a footswitch. Monitor was on and set >>>> to 4. >>>> >>>> So, ALC didn't indicate anything at the normal level (60), and >>>> increasing it very abruptly caused horrible sounding audio. (Yes, >>>> acts like positive feedback.) >>>> >>>> I have a small electret mic on a 1/8 plug thing I bought some time ago >>>> from the computer store. (Meant at the time for adding mic to >>>> laptops.) I have a 1/8" audio extension cable for it. I plugged that >>>> in instead of the headset mic and it seemed to act normally. >>>> >>>> Is this purely an RF from the TX antenna getting into the mic audio >>>> problem or is it something else? >>>> >>>> Best practice to avoid this problem? >>>> >>>> On my todo list: >>>> - ask here >>>> - look at KX3 schematic to see if it has RF ingress mitigation on the mic >>>> jack >>>> - ask Heil >>>> - unplug the Heil mic element and gator clip my cheap electret mic on >&
Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 Power Entry Module
You should be able to order it here. https://elecraft.com/pages/parts-order-form <https://elecraft.com/pages/parts-order-form> wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Jun 13, 2021, at 10:41 AM, Tom Berry wrote: > > Does anybody know where I can get a power switch for the KPA500. > It's the power switch on the back of the amp. > > Elecraft part number (Main Power Entry Module (Corcom)) E620184. > > I have emailed Elecraft with no response. > > Thanks > Tom AA4VV > __ > 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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KX-3/KXPA100 for multi-multi contesting?
Here are some KX3 tips from Wayne back in 2012. http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/Field-Day-Operating-Tips-including-some-KX3-specific-td7557858.html <http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/Field-Day-Operating-Tips-including-some-KX3-specific-td7557858.html> And to save you some typing, it is “KX3”, no need for a hyphen. wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Jun 1, 2021, at 7:23 PM, Drew Arnett wrote: > > Anyone try a KX-3/KXPA100 for multi-multi HF contesting like Field > Day? How does the RX hold up with loud signals on other bands? Plan > to run external band pass filters of course. The KX-3 is so great at > everything else. And it's great for single op HF contesting. Just > wondering if it will fold in a strong signal environment. > > Thanks and best regards, > > Drew > n7da > __ > 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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] OT Need copy of "Antenna Zoning and the Radio Amateur " second edition
It is $12 on Kindle. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ABLAH9W/ wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On May 26, 2021, at 3:28 PM, Walter Underwood wrote: > > Check with your local library and see if they can find it for interliibrary > loan. > A quick check of the union catalog at WorldCat doesn’t show very many > holdings, > but your library might have better search tools. > > https://www.worldcat.org/title/antenna-zoning-for-the-radio-amateur/oclc/915524568=brief_results > > Maybe there is some useful info on Fred Hopengarten’s site. He’s the author. > > https://www.antennazoning.com > > wunder > K6WRU > Walter Underwood > CM87wj > http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > >> On May 26, 2021, at 3:15 PM, Kurt Holbrook wrote: >> >> Thanks for the response Jim. >> >> Unfortunately ARRL has no stock and the book appears to be out of print. >> >> KU7RT >> >> -Original Message- >> From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net >> [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Jim Brown >> Sent: Wednesday, May 26, 2021 4:06 PM >> To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net >> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] OT Need copy of "Antenna Zoning and the Radio >> Amateur " second edition >> >> I think ARRL still sells it. Not cheap, but neither are lawyers. >> >> 73, Jim K9YC >> >> On 5/26/2021 1:34 PM, Kurt Holbrook wrote: >>> List Members, >>> >>> I'm in the process Applying for permits for my first tower. I have >> approval >>> from the developer and understand that this book is required reading to >> get >>> through the rest of the process. If anyone has a copy that they would be >>> willing to sell please let me know off list. >> __ >> 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 >> Message delivered to tem1...@usa.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 >> Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org > > __ > 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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] OT Need copy of "Antenna Zoning and the Radio Amateur " second edition
Check with your local library and see if they can find it for interliibrary loan. A quick check of the union catalog at WorldCat doesn’t show very many holdings, but your library might have better search tools. https://www.worldcat.org/title/antenna-zoning-for-the-radio-amateur/oclc/915524568=brief_results Maybe there is some useful info on Fred Hopengarten’s site. He’s the author. https://www.antennazoning.com wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On May 26, 2021, at 3:15 PM, Kurt Holbrook wrote: > > Thanks for the response Jim. > > Unfortunately ARRL has no stock and the book appears to be out of print. > > KU7RT > > -Original Message- > From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net > [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Jim Brown > Sent: Wednesday, May 26, 2021 4:06 PM > To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] OT Need copy of "Antenna Zoning and the Radio > Amateur " second edition > > I think ARRL still sells it. Not cheap, but neither are lawyers. > > 73, Jim K9YC > > On 5/26/2021 1:34 PM, Kurt Holbrook wrote: >> List Members, >> >> I'm in the process Applying for permits for my first tower. I have > approval >> from the developer and understand that this book is required reading to > get >> through the rest of the process. If anyone has a copy that they would be >> willing to sell please let me know off list. > __ > 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 > Message delivered to tem1...@usa.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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3/K3s keying with bugs, ponderings
>From a quick search, contact bounce appears to last less than 10 ms, which is >similar to the rise time for a CW signal. Dit duration at 70 wpm should be 17 >ms. Debounce should be similar to shaping the rise time. 70 wpm is certainly >close to the limit, even for the signal shaping. https://www.eejournal.com/article/ultimate-guide-to-switch-debounce-part-4/ <https://www.eejournal.com/article/ultimate-guide-to-switch-debounce-part-4/> https://morsecode.world/international/timing.html <https://morsecode.world/international/timing.html> wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On May 10, 2021, at 9:17 AM, Roy wrote: > > Relating to contact bounce, I wonder what the typical length of a bounce is? > We hear QRQ stations operating at 60+ wpm all the time. If Elecraft designed > to smooth out such short "dots" from semi-auto key bounce, then perhaps a K4 > would not allow 70+ wpm speeds to be sent either? > > 73, Roy K6XK > > __ > 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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Speaker upgrade
The COMspkr is amplified, which you don’t need with the K3. I use the Pyle cubes with my KX3 (and a small audio amp). They are fine. Currently $28.28 on Amazon. https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B000MCGF1O/ Another option would be the old Radio Shack AV speakers with the cast aluminum cabinets. I have a single Optimus PRO-X44AV for my Lowe HF-150, I should probable get a pair for the KX3. Similar speakers are the Optimus 77, the Minimus 7, and so on. wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Apr 24, 2021, at 8:50 AM, NJMike wrote: > > Can you confirm the West Mountain ComSpeaker is > #58410-950? > > Since I’m a new K3S owner and still learning the radio, can you also confirm > that those speakers can be hooked up while keeping the headphones plugged > into the rear jack? > > I’m sure there must be a Config menu change also. > > Thanks, > Mike NJ2OM > > > > -- > Sent from: http://elecraft.365791.n2.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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KX2 Questions
>From the KX-line brochure, the filter passband is variable from 50 to 4000 Hz. >The audio peaking filter goes narrower than that. https://ftp.elecraft.com/KX3/Manuals%20Downloads/kxline-11_16.pdf The specs give a current of 1 to 2 A at 10 W. That varies based on the supply voltage, so you need to pick a voltage to get a good answer for that. wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Apr 13, 2021, at 8:03 AM, djchase wrote: > > I am a long time CW operator, but new to this group. I am considering > purchasing a KX2, but I have been unable to find answers to these two > questions:1. What is the approximate current draw for the KX2 on transmit at > 5 watts CW?2. What is the narrowest receiver filter width on CW? Many thanks > in advance for any help with these questions.73 es 72,DaveK8RXB Sent from my > Galaxy > __ > 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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Where are the K4 reviews?
Just not true. The Ford F-150 production is limited by parts availability. In November, our order for a new fridge was canceled and the model is still not available. If huge industries like autos and appliances can’t get parts sourced, little guys like Elecraft have to wait or redesign. https://www.nbcnews.com/business/autos/chips-seating-foam-plastics-parts-shortages-continue-cripple-auto-industry-n1261773 wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Mar 31, 2021, at 10:34 AM, j...@kk9a.com wrote: > > The corona virus may have delayed kid's education and the K4 for a year but > certainly not everything. Most products are still being manufactured and are > available. > > John KK9A > > > > Ray wa6vab wrote: > > Maybe Eric should just say…….. > Life with the corona virus has delayed everything by One Year, > So it is with the Delivery of the K4 ! > I am sure You would not Accept or be Happy Either ! > Ray WA6VAB K3 > > __ > 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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] RUMlog controls K4
Great! RUMlogNG and SkookumLogger are independent efforts. RUMlogNG (Next Generation) is a general purpose logging program from DL2RUM. He has also written a couple of Elecraft-specific utilities. https://www.dl2rum.de/rumsoft/RUMLog.html https://www.dl2rum.de/rumsoft/Elecraft.html SkookumLogger is a contest-oriented logging program from K1GQ. https://www.k1gq.com/SkookumLogger/ wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Mar 30, 2021, at 4:33 PM, Rick Tavan wrote: > > FWIW, I have very little experience with RUMlog (or Skookum Logger which > may be a predecessor) but if you use RUMlog on your Mac you may be > encouraged by this tidbit: I have it running on MacOS Catalina doing rig > control of the K4 via the USB B port, calling it a K3. I'm keying CW > through the CAT interface which probably means CAT1ASC commands although > the documentation doesn't say. I've used both the general interface and the > contest window, both just enough to believe they work. > > If you're a RUMlog expert waiting for your K4 and want to discuss, feel > free to contact me directly. > > /Rick N6XI > -- > > Rick Tavan > Truckee and Saratoga, CA > __ > 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 > Message delivered to wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
