Re: [Elecraft] K-1 4-bander suggestions?
Could you give a little more info on your foam tape suggestion. I have noticed some vibrations with my K1 when a loud station is heard. Where exactly do you put the tape? How thick of a tape did you use? Thanks so much for the help. Stan AE7UT -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K-1-4-bander-suggestions-tp7561724p7561811.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K-1 4-bander suggestions?
On 8/27/2012 8:04 PM, Mike Morrow wrote: I didn't realize that Novice exams were ever given at an FCC office, nor Technician exams either, Yep, *all* exams were before an FCC Examiner except the Conditional which was a General administered by others if you were too far from the FCC office. I can still remember, terrified at 13 in 1953, walking into the office in Los Angeles and seeing that Boehme punched tape reader with the speedometer dial sticking up. It almost seemed like a torture device. My seat was right next to it at the long table, it sat on a tin plate with a little lip around it into which the oil dripped, and I can almost smell it today. The examiner, who [not making this up] was wearing a green eyeshade, explained the process, adjusted the speed to 5 WPM and asked two applicants to verify it, and then ran it for 5 min. We needed one continuous minute of error-free copy -- 25 characters. It was plain text including numbers period, comma, slash, and question mark. He collected the papers, and hand-graded them one by one, saying nothing. When he finished, he announced the names of those who passed, one was me :-), and the rest left. He handed out the written exams, as I recall we had an hour but memory there is vague. Like the code, he collected the papers, graded all of them, and announced who passed. KN6DGW arrived in the mail about 5 weeks later. 73, Fred K6DGW - Northern California Contest Club - CU in the 2012 Cal QSO Party 6-7 Oct 2012 - www.cqp.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
Re: [Elecraft] K-1 4-bander suggestions?
Fred, you forgot the step between passing the received code test and the written test: a sending test. When I upgraded from Novice to General in 1953 at that same office, one of the applicants passed on receiving but failed at sending. He was so nervous that his fist was just too shaky to control the hand key. Novice testing by volunteers started around 1956 or so. 73, Bob N7XY (WN6SWE/W6SWE in the old days). On Aug 28, 2012, at 1:31 PM, Fred Jensen k6...@foothill.net wrote: On 8/27/2012 8:04 PM, Mike Morrow wrote: I didn't realize that Novice exams were ever given at an FCC office, nor Technician exams either, Yep, *all* exams were before an FCC Examiner except the Conditional which was a General administered by others if you were too far from the FCC office. I can still remember, terrified at 13 in 1953, walking into the office in Los Angeles and seeing that Boehme punched tape reader with the speedometer dial sticking up. It almost seemed like a torture device. My seat was right next to it at the long table, it sat on a tin plate with a little lip around it into which the oil dripped, and I can almost smell it today. The examiner, who [not making this up] was wearing a green eyeshade, explained the process, adjusted the speed to 5 WPM and asked two applicants to verify it, and then ran it for 5 min. We needed one continuous minute of error-free copy -- 25 characters. It was plain text including numbers period, comma, slash, and question mark. He collected the papers, and hand-graded them one by one, saying nothing. When he finished, he announced the names of those who passed, one was me :-), and the rest left. He handed out the written exams, as I recall we had an hour but memory there is vague. Like the code, he collected the papers, graded all of them, and announced who passed. KN6DGW arrived in the mail about 5 weeks later. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K-1 4-bander suggestions?
On 8/28/2012 2:03 PM, Bob Nielsen wrote: Fred, you forgot the step between passing the received code test and the written test: a sending test. When I upgraded from Novice to General in 1953 at that same office, one of the applicants passed on receiving but failed at sending. He was so nervous that his fist was just too shaky to control the hand key. Indeed, I did. I knew I could copy reliably at around 10 WPM with my Elmer sending, but that mechanical monster right next to me seriously increased my stress. When I found out I passed, and that thing was turned off, the sending test on the FCC's J-38 wasn't a problem. I used it for the General about six months later too. When I went for the Extra after the 2 years service was up, I took my Lionel J-36 bug. I ended up sending at 25 WPM for the 2T [accidentally, long story], but got 20 WPM credit for the Extra that afternoon. The nostalgia is fun [for a few minutes], but I think we in the US have evolved very well in the examination process. We're a volunteer, hobby-oriented service ... far better we should have a volunteer examination force rather than paying government employees with green eyeshades and machines from hell to terrorize 13 yr olds. :-) 73, Fred K6DGW - Northern California Contest Club - CU in the 2012 Cal QSO Party 6-7 Oct 2012 - www.cqp.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
Re: [Elecraft] K-1 4-bander suggestions?
On Tue, 2012-08-28 at 14:03 -0700, Bob Nielsen wrote: Novice testing by volunteers started around 1956 or so. I actually took the Novice exam in an FCC office in 1968. I lived in Gettysburg, where the FCC's amateur licensing office was. Probably it was an informal arrangement with the local ham club. Alan N1AL __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K-1 4-bander suggestions?
I suspect that the FCC office could always give the novice test, but didn't have many takers when you could get the test from a volunteer in the comfort of his or your home. Everyone knows that the examiners would kill you and eat you if you failed their test. That is why there was so much fear of the office! At least it seemed that way from the fear shown by otherwise grown men. Willis 'Cookie' Cooke K5EWJ Trustee N5BPS, USS Cavalla, USS Stewart From: Alan Bloom n...@sonic.net To: Bob Nielsen n...@clearwire.net Cc: Elecraft List elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Tuesday, August 28, 2012 5:37 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K-1 4-bander suggestions? On Tue, 2012-08-28 at 14:03 -0700, Bob Nielsen wrote: Novice testing by volunteers started around 1956 or so. I actually took the Novice exam in an FCC office in 1968. I lived in Gettysburg, where the FCC's amateur licensing office was. Probably it was an informal arrangement with the local ham club. Alan N1AL __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K-1 4-bander suggestions?
My Elmer gave me the Novice exam in 1961. Then a guy in a near-by town (I think he had to be an Extra) gave me the Conditional General test the next year. I don't remember taking a code test for that, but surely it was required??? Then in 1968, just before graduating from college, I figured I knew as much about electronics as I ever would (I was right about that), I took the Extra exam at a federal building in Jackson, MS. The examiner required me to pass, in sequence, all of the code speed tests. I got the impression he was expecting me to fail, but CW was my thing and I think I got 100% copy on all of them. I remember him looking up at me after grading the 20 wpm test and smiling. I was very proud of my Extra ticket. My call back then was WA5ALL. 73, Randy, KS4L On Tue, 2012-08-28 at 14:03 -0700, Bob Nielsen wrote: Novice testing by volunteers started around 1956 or so. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] K-1 4-bander suggestions?
I was out of Ham Radio since the late 1960's getting my license back as an extra class guy one of the last to get the extra when you still had to pass with the 20 wpm test about 10-15 years ago, although frankly I would have made the test alot more difficult as I can remember sitting before the FCC examiner when I was 14 years old in 1966 shaking in my boots taking the novice test. I just ordered a K1-4 bander that should be here by the end of this week. My question is this. Those of you in the know on this group, can you please give me your input as to what additional items that I might want to order from Elecraft for this radio? I am remembering the Heathkits of the 1960's which made me nostalgic for a CW only radio. Brings back memories of my HW-16 now long gone ;)Thanks for any help that you fellows can give me. Lastly are there any other websites that you can suggest along this line of thought? Thanks guys! jim hahn dds at Tinker AFB in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma - __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K-1 4-bander suggestions?
Assuming you have made your own decisions about which band boards are important to0 you, the only other decisions are on the VFO rqnge your preferred sidetone pitch and the On 8/27/2012 8:49 PM, Jim Hahn wrote: I was out of Ham Radio since the late 1960's getting my license back as an extra class guy one of the last to get the extra when you still had to pass with the 20 wpm test about 10-15 years ago, although frankly I would have made the test alot more difficult as I can remember sitting before the FCC examiner when I was 14 years old in 1966 shaking in my boots taking the novice test. I just ordered a K1-4 bander that should be here by the end of this week. My question is this. Those of you in the know on this group, can you please give me your input as to what additional items that I might want to order from Elecraft for this radio? I am remembering the Heathkits of the 1960's which made me nostalgic for a CW only radio. Brings back memories of my HW-16 now long gone ;)Thanks for any help that you fellows can give me. Lastly are there any other websites that you can suggest along this line of thought? Thanks guys! jim hahn dds at Tinker AFB in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma - __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K-1 4-bander suggestions?
Welcome back! I remember my HW-16 fondly, and I came back to the hobby after a multi-year hiatus as well. I also remember that CW test at the FCC office as a teenager. I would only suggest that you take your time and really savor the build. There are a number of accessories available, but you can order them as you find the need. Try your new radio, engage with the community and get opinions. There are a lot of friendly and extremely knowledgeable folks on the Elecraft reflector. I started my Elecraft experience with a couple of mini-modules to get my soldering skills honed again, then I built a KX1. Then a K2, then a K3, then... I ended up selling off my other gear and now use most of the Elecraft product line. Now I work for them. I sold my first K2 and my second K2 kit is waiting for when I find a few hours free for a few days in a row. 73 de Dick, K6KR On Aug 27, 2012, at 5:49 PM, Jim Hahn jimh...@rocketmail.com wrote: I was out of Ham Radio since the late 1960's getting my license back as an extra class guy one of the last to get the extra when you still had to pass with the 20 wpm test about 10-15 years ago, although frankly I would have made the test alot more difficult as I can remember sitting before the FCC examiner when I was 14 years old in 1966 shaking in my boots taking the novice test. I just ordered a K1-4 bander that should be here by the end of this week. My question is this. Those of you in the know on this group, can you please give me your input as to what additional items that I might want to order from Elecraft for this radio? I am remembering the Heathkits of the 1960's which made me nostalgic for a CW only radio. Brings back memories of my HW-16 now long gone ;)Thanks for any help that you fellows can give me. Lastly are there any other websites that you can suggest along this line of thought? Thanks guys! jim hahn dds at Tinker AFB in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma - __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K-1 4-bander suggestions?
Jim wrote: I was out of Ham Radio since the late 1960's getting my license back as an extra class guy one of the last to get the extra when you still had to pass with the 20 wpm test about 10-15 years ago, although frankly I would have made the test alot more difficult as I can remember sitting before the FCC examiner when I was 14 years old in 1966 shaking in my boots taking the novice test... Welcome to the Elecraft list, Jim. I didn't realize that Novice exams were ever given at an FCC office, nor Technician exams either, unless the examiner gave a person credit for 5 wpm after a 13 wpm test failure, as sometimes occurred (as it did for me in 1969). I just ordered a K1-4 bander that should be here by the end of this week. My question is this. Those of you in the know on this group, can you please give me your input as to what additional items that I might want to order from Elecraft for this radio? I have found the following very useful, in order of importance: 1. Optional LCD backlight - Don't even think of building a K1 without this option!! This is an extremely useful feature that is dirt simple to install as part of the **initial** build of the K1 front panel board, but a real pain in the butt to back fit afterwards. This is truly an important option. (K1BKLTKT LCD Mod Kit) 2. Auto antenna tuner - It has 10 relays that switch its four inductors and five capacitors to produce an inductance range from 0 to 4.9 uH and a capacitance range from 0 to 300 pF in 2^10 (1024) various combinations, of which 1020 are unique. The tuning is a series inductor, with capacitance on either the transmitter side or the antenna side. (KAT1) 3. Noise Blanker - It does a good job on certain types of noise on its minimal setting (HIGH threshold), but can affect dynamic range significantly on the maximum (LOW threshold) setting. (KNB1) I did not find the internal battery option to be useful...no way to charge, a potential source of corrosion if leakage occurs, only eight AA-cells utilized. Also, the standard speaker sounds much better than the micro speaker used with the internal battery kit. (KBT1) I find the tilt stand to be way over-engineered when all I need is something that props up the front of the K1. (KTS1) I would recommend choosing 40, 30, 20, and 15 meters for your KFL1-4 filter board. The 17m band is nice, but it does not compare with the usefulness of 15m. That's one of the finest QRP bands as Solar Cycle 24 progresses. I also have found the 150 kHz VFO span option (you'll actually get about 170 kHz) to be very manageable, at close to 17 kHz per turn of the VFO knob. But some home-made felt washers between the front panel and the back of the VFO knob can prevent disturbing the dial as you remove your fingers from the dial. The 10-turn potentiometer has almost no resistance to rotation and is easily disturbed. I also believe that four small squares of foam tape should be stuck to the four corners of the front panel board, on the side with the MPU socket. This will prevent (1) Audible rattle/vibration at some audio frequencies when the internal speaker is in use, and (2) Visible front panel push button recession when one is depressed, due to play between the corners of the front panel PCB and the support blocks behind them. The K1 is a mature product that appeared in 2000. I built S/N 175 and it has always been my favorite QRP rig. I know of very little else, such as any electrical mods, which should be added. I am remembering the Heathkits of the 1960's which made me nostalgic for a CW only radio. I love listening to 15m when it is open, at 0400, hearing VK, JA, and ZL stations here in Alabama on 15 feet of hookup wire indoors. It's a great portable or backpack rig too. I think you'll like it! 73, Mike / KK5F __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
