Re: [Elecraft] SWR issue with K3

2016-12-02 Thread Edward R Cole 

Date: Thu, 1 Dec 2016 13:00:02 -0500
From: Guy Olinger K2AV <k2av@gmail.com>
To: Elecraft Reflector <elecraft@mailman.qth.net>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] SWR issue with K3

Except those that grab the cover off the HVPS and then Darwin 
"laughs"!  No progeny afterward!

Applies to tower work, too!  Don't bat that hornet's nest.
Up here in Alaska we say "grinin never works on ole grizz", better a 
loaded shotgun.  Read instructions before firing.

Well they're napping for the winter:  21F and a few inches of snow

So as the squad room police Sargent says: "Be careful there, today!"

==snip
If there actually will be any change in normative instinctive behavior
because of electronics in our lives, for sure none of us will be around to
see it. Neither will our
great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandchildren. No effect on
whether we die, no opportunity for any Darwinian effect.
==snip

73, Ed - KL7UW
  http://www.kl7uw.com
Dubus Magazine business:
  dubususa@gmail,com

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Re: [Elecraft] SWR issue with K3

2016-12-01 Thread Guy Olinger K2AV 
Howdy y'all. Happy day. Do hope your holiday season is nicely warming up
and causing a smile or two.

Mike wrote:

>The only thing
> that was done was I put up the Christmas lights on our balcony. After the
> process of elimination I found the extension cord feeding the lights was
the
> issue! When the extension cord is removed from the balcony the issue is
> solved. As a matter of fact all that has to be done is unpluging it from
the
> outlet on the balcony.
> 73
> Mike
> VE3WDM

I have watched over the years, with amusement, with exasperation and about
everything in between as people blame the little black K3 box in front of
them for what was ailing them, even though a little minor statistical work
in the Elecraft archives should give them a real distrust of that gut
lurch.

There is a well-founded reason for that instinctive gut lurch, methinks.
Humans have been around way way longer than recorded history, and way, way,
way, way longer than electronically equipped humans.

Instinctive behavior is formed by an eon of humans making the wrong
decision in the instant, and paying for it with their lives. That in turn
meant that any progeny with the same unuseful inherited  instincts were
reduced, perished because of lack of support, or never happened in the
first place. The ones with the correct gut lurch lived to have
grandchildren.

If there actually will be any change in normative instinctive behavior
because of electronics in our lives, for sure none of us will be around to
see it. Neither will our
great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandchildren. No effect on
whether we die, no opportunity for any Darwinian effect.

So we are stuck with our instinctive gut lurches. One of those instinctive
gut lurches is that the thing right in front of us is the problem. Actually
that's a good one, if we look over the entire time span of human population.

That mean, hungry-looking sabre-tooth tiger right in front of us REALLY IS
the problem. The gut lurch that swings into action before we have time to
think, it's a life-saver.

Then understanding ourselves, if we do not train ourselves to look around
when something goes wrong, INSTINCT will direct us to tear apart the K3,
just because it's the thing in front of us, even when the trouble is the 15
meter resonant piece of the Christmas decorations.

Oh lordy, I love that story. I just about choked on my coffee when I read
it.  An electronic parable for the ages.

73, y'all and remember to look outside the box before shipping it to
Watsonville.

Guy K2AV
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Re: [Elecraft] SWR issue with K3

2016-11-30 Thread Nr4c 
Note to self:  When asked "What did you change since it worked before?" Is not 
restricted to the radio system!

Sent from my iPhone
...nr4c. bill


> On Nov 30, 2016, at 7:30 AM, VE3WDM  wrote:
> 
> I just wanted to give an update to my SWR issue and thank everyone for their
> time and helpful input. I solved the issue and the SWR on 20m is back to
> normal now. What i did was this..I never had this issue in the past
> which had me sitting down and thinking "what has changed"? The only thing
> that was done was I put up the Christmas lights on our balcony. After the
> process of elimination I found the extension cord feeding the lights was the
> issue! When the extension cord is removed from the balcony the issue is
> solved. As a matter of fact all that has to be done is unpluging it from the
> outlet on the balcony. 
> 73 
> Mike 
> VE3WDM
> 
> 
> 
> --
> View this message in context: 
> http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/SWR-issue-with-K3-tp7624316p7624363.html
> Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
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Re: [Elecraft] SWR issue with K3

2016-11-30 Thread Jorge Diez - CX6VM 
hello

talking about SWR issue, I had a issue that took my attention many moths
ago but since I can solve it, now just I have the concern to know why this
happens

Some times i notice high SWR on the K3 (2.4:1) and normal on my LP100
(1.3:1).

So i turn on the ATU, adjust SWR on the K3 with ATU TUNE and it´s now
normal on the K3 (1.3:1).  then I turn off ATU and SWR remain good in 1.3:1

So why this first reading of 2.4:1? really strange

73,
Jorge
CX6VM/CW5W

2016-11-30 9:30 GMT-03:00 VE3WDM :

> I just wanted to give an update to my SWR issue and thank everyone for
> their
> time and helpful input. I solved the issue and the SWR on 20m is back to
> normal now. What i did was this..I never had this issue in the past
> which had me sitting down and thinking "what has changed"? The only thing
> that was done was I put up the Christmas lights on our balcony. After the
> process of elimination I found the extension cord feeding the lights was
> the
> issue! When the extension cord is removed from the balcony the issue is
> solved. As a matter of fact all that has to be done is unpluging it from
> the
> outlet on the balcony.
> 73
> Mike
> VE3WDM
>
>
>
> --
> View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.
> nabble.com/SWR-issue-with-K3-tp7624316p7624363.html
> Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
> __
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> Message delivered to cx6vm.jo...@gmail.com
>



-- 
73,
Jorge
CX6VM/CW5W
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Re: [Elecraft] SWR issue with K3

2016-11-30 Thread VE3WDM 
I just wanted to give an update to my SWR issue and thank everyone for their
time and helpful input. I solved the issue and the SWR on 20m is back to
normal now. What i did was this..I never had this issue in the past
which had me sitting down and thinking "what has changed"? The only thing
that was done was I put up the Christmas lights on our balcony. After the
process of elimination I found the extension cord feeding the lights was the
issue! When the extension cord is removed from the balcony the issue is
solved. As a matter of fact all that has to be done is unpluging it from the
outlet on the balcony. 
73 
Mike 
VE3WDM



--
View this message in context: 
http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/SWR-issue-with-K3-tp7624316p7624363.html
Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
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Re: [Elecraft] SWR issue with K3

2016-11-28 Thread Nr4c 
Are you "checking" with a constant CW carrier or voice?

Sent from my iPhone
...nr4c. bill


> On Nov 28, 2016, at 4:56 PM, Mike Weir  wrote:
> 
> While on 20m I tuned the MFJ 1788 to the lowest SWR which was 1.2:1. I did 
> this using the tune button on the K3. I noticed the SWR on the K3 was 
> bouncing around from 1.2, 1.3, 1.7, 1.4 and so on and never settling on just 
> one reading. This only happens on 20m and no other band that I tuned on. Here 
> is some of the trouble shooting I did.
> 
>  1.  I have a KX3 and hooked it up to the MFJ 1788 loop antenna and read the 
> SWR. It showed 1.2:1 and no "bouncing" issues. I did remove the PL259 from 
> the K3 ANT1 port and connected it to the KX3 so the test would include all 
> that was in line with the K3. In line meaning coax, antenna switch and MFJ 
> tuner box.
> 
>  2.  I opened up the K3 and tightened all screws ( boards, case, SO-239 and 
> any checked out the seating of coax jumpers in the rig for a secure fit.
> 
>  3.  I tried the K3 on a dummy load and all was good.
> 
> I am at a loss as to what is going on and am looking for some input? I check 
> the rig again today on 20m and it's still having SWR bouncing issues. I have 
> never had this in the past and am looking for feed back on things to check?
> 
> 
> Setup information
> 
> Radio K3 with antenna tuner (not being used rig is on bypass)
> 
> Antenna MFJ 1788 mag loop
> 
> Power 5 watts QRP
> 
> Coax RG 8X 30 ft
> 
> Thanks in advance
> 
> Mike VE3WDM
> 
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> While on 20m I tuned the MFJ 1788 to the lowest SWR which was 1.2:1. I did 
> this using the tune button on the K3. I noticed the SWR on the K3 was 
> bouncing around from 1.2, 1.3, 1.7, 1.4 and so on and never settling on just 
> one reading. This only happens on 20m and no other band that I tuned on. Here 
> is some of the trouble shooting I did.
> 
>  1.  I have a KX3 and hooked it up to the MFJ 1788 loop antenna and read the 
> SWR. It showed 1.2:1 and no "bouncing" issues. I did remove the PL259 from 
> the K3 ANT1 port and connected it to the KX3 so the test would include all 
> that was in line with the K3. In line meaning coax, antenna switch and MFJ 
> tuner box.
> 
>  2.  I opened up the K3 and tightened all screws ( boards, case, SO-239 and 
> any checked out the seating of coax jumpers in the rig for a secure fit.
> 
>  3.  I tried the K3 on a dummy load and all was good.
> 
> I am at a loss as to what is going on and am looking for some input? I check 
> the rig again today on 20m and it's still having SWR bouncing issues. I have 
> never had this in the past and am looking for feed back on things to check?
> 
> 
> Setup information
> 
> Radio K3 with antenna tuner (not being used rig is on bypass)
> 
> Antenna MFJ 1788 mag loop
> 
> Power 5 watts QRP
> 
> Coax RG 8X 30 ft
> 
> Thanks in advance
> 
> Mike VE3WDM
> 
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Re: [Elecraft] SWR issue with K3

2016-11-28 Thread Don Wilhelm 

Mike,

What is the proximity of the magnetic loop antenna to the K3?

I suspect RF feedback from the K3 being within the strong field of the 
magnetic loop.


Try moving the loop further from the K3 or rotate it so the maximum RF 
is not directed at the K3.


Yes, those RF problems can be present even at 5 watts.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 11/28/2016 4:56 PM, Mike Weir wrote:

While on 20m I tuned the MFJ 1788 to the lowest SWR which was 1.2:1. I did this 
using the tune button on the K3. I noticed the SWR on the K3 was bouncing 
around from 1.2, 1.3, 1.7, 1.4 and so on and never settling on just one 
reading. This only happens on 20m and no other band that I tuned on. Here is 
some of the trouble shooting I did.

  1.  I have a KX3 and hooked it up to the MFJ 1788 loop antenna and read the SWR. It 
showed 1.2:1 and no "bouncing" issues. I did remove the PL259 from the K3 ANT1 
port and connected it to the KX3 so the test would include all that was in line with the 
K3. In line meaning coax, antenna switch and MFJ tuner box.

  2.  I opened up the K3 and tightened all screws ( boards, case, SO-239 and 
any checked out the seating of coax jumpers in the rig for a secure fit.

  3.  I tried the K3 on a dummy load and all was good.

I am at a loss as to what is going on and am looking for some input? I check 
the rig again today on 20m and it's still having SWR bouncing issues. I have 
never had this in the past and am looking for feed back on things to check?


Setup information

Radio K3 with antenna tuner (not being used rig is on bypass)

Antenna MFJ 1788 mag loop

Power 5 watts QRP

Coax RG 8X 30 ft

Thanks in advance

Mike VE3WDM

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Re: [Elecraft] SWR issue with K3

2016-11-28 Thread Ron D'Eau Claire 
My guess is common-mode current on the feed line from RF picked up from the
loop since the SWR is stable into a dummy load. 

In an rf-rich environment the rig itself becomes part of the antenna, so
everything cannot be exactly the same switching between the KX3 and K3. 

Assuming you don't have a good low-impedance RF path to earth on the K3, you
might take a 16 foot long piece of wire and attach it to the K3 ground post.
That might eliminate the issue but even if it only changes the behavior of
the SWR bridge in the K3 it would indicate stray RF currents are the cause. 

73 Ron AC7AC 

-Original Message-
From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Mike
Weir
Sent: Monday, November 28, 2016 1:56 PM
To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Elecraft] SWR issue with K3

While on 20m I tuned the MFJ 1788 to the lowest SWR which was 1.2:1. I did
this using the tune button on the K3. I noticed the SWR on the K3 was
bouncing around from 1.2, 1.3, 1.7, 1.4 and so on and never settling on just
one reading. This only happens on 20m and no other band that I tuned on.
Here is some of the trouble shooting I did.

  1.  I have a KX3 and hooked it up to the MFJ 1788 loop antenna and read
the SWR. It showed 1.2:1 and no "bouncing" issues. I did remove the PL259
from the K3 ANT1 port and connected it to the KX3 so the test would include
all that was in line with the K3. In line meaning coax, antenna switch and
MFJ tuner box.

  2.  I opened up the K3 and tightened all screws ( boards, case, SO-239 and
any checked out the seating of coax jumpers in the rig for a secure fit.

  3.  I tried the K3 on a dummy load and all was good.

I am at a loss as to what is going on and am looking for some input? I check
the rig again today on 20m and it's still having SWR bouncing issues. I have
never had this in the past and am looking for feed back on things to check?


Setup information

Radio K3 with antenna tuner (not being used rig is on bypass)

Antenna MFJ 1788 mag loop

Power 5 watts QRP

Coax RG 8X 30 ft

Thanks in advance

Mike VE3WDM

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[Elecraft] SWR issue with K3

2016-11-28 Thread Mike Weir 
While on 20m I tuned the MFJ 1788 to the lowest SWR which was 1.2:1. I did this 
using the tune button on the K3. I noticed the SWR on the K3 was bouncing 
around from 1.2, 1.3, 1.7, 1.4 and so on and never settling on just one 
reading. This only happens on 20m and no other band that I tuned on. Here is 
some of the trouble shooting I did.

  1.  I have a KX3 and hooked it up to the MFJ 1788 loop antenna and read the 
SWR. It showed 1.2:1 and no "bouncing" issues. I did remove the PL259 from the 
K3 ANT1 port and connected it to the KX3 so the test would include all that was 
in line with the K3. In line meaning coax, antenna switch and MFJ tuner box.

  2.  I opened up the K3 and tightened all screws ( boards, case, SO-239 and 
any checked out the seating of coax jumpers in the rig for a secure fit.

  3.  I tried the K3 on a dummy load and all was good.

I am at a loss as to what is going on and am looking for some input? I check 
the rig again today on 20m and it's still having SWR bouncing issues. I have 
never had this in the past and am looking for feed back on things to check?


Setup information

Radio K3 with antenna tuner (not being used rig is on bypass)

Antenna MFJ 1788 mag loop

Power 5 watts QRP

Coax RG 8X 30 ft

Thanks in advance

Mike VE3WDM

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