[Elecraft] K3 RX Issue?

[Lee Hiers]

Hi All,

Recently I've noticed that signal levels have been down on 20m on my
K3/10.  At first, I thought it was just band condx and didn't pay much
attention to it, but over the weekend I switched to the KX3 and signals
were much better - S-meter, P(X)3, and my ears...like maybe 30dB or so.  40
meters seems fine on the K3.  I think I'm OK on 15m and up as well, but I'm
not 100% sure I listened there.

Output is normal on 20m.

I've checked the preamp and attenuator on/off and those don't seem to be
the issue.

Obviously, I need to do some more digging on this before I contact Elecraft
service, but I was wondering if anyone had any ideas?

73 de Lee, AA4GA
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Re: [Elecraft] Experience with Energizer Lithium AA Batteries?

[Julia Tuttle]

I use them in a lot of things and love them. They're lighter, slightly
higher voltage than alkaline (which are themselves higher than NiMH), they
maintain a flat voltage longer, and they handle in the cold or under high
loads (but not both) better.

My only caution is that, because the discharge curve is so flat, you get
*very little* warning when they die. If you're used to judging remaining
capacity based on voltage, you'll be unpleasantly surprised.

Hope this helps,

Julie



On Wed, May 10, 2023, 00:11 Matthew Cook via Elecraft <
elecraft@mailman.qth.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 
> 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)
> >
> > __
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Re: [Elecraft] Experience with Energizer Lithium AA Batteries?

[Walter Underwood]

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  > 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)
>> 
>> __
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[Elecraft] FW: RE: K3 RX Issue?

[Gary K9GS]

Hello Lee,My K3 developed a similar problem. It turned out to be D5 PIN diode 
on the KXV3 Board.  It's on its way back from Wilcox Engineering,  W3DVX, and 
should arrive tomorrow. I could hear a few very loud signals and transmitted 
fine.  I checked the usual, wrong antenna selected, RX antenna selected. Band 
selection did not matter.You can see the blown diode in the upper left corner 
of the attached picture. (Had to delete the picture as the reflector didn't 
like)73,Gary K9GS
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Re: [Elecraft] K3 RX Issue?

[Lee Hiers]

I thought about quoting Jack Nicholson from A Few Good Men when he said
"well don't I feel like a" but thought better of it.

100% operator error.  As diagnosed by N7GP and W0GHZ, I had my RX antenna
button pushed.  I don't have an RX antenna, so I never push it...on
purpose.

I'm glad it wasn't a problem like K9GS had...although I had suspected
something like that.

All looks well now - thanks everyone for the help.

73 de Lee, AA4GA



On Thu, May 11, 2023 at 11:38 AM Lee Hiers  wrote:

> Hi All,
>
> Recently I've noticed that signal levels have been down on 20m on my
> K3/10.  At first, I thought it was just band condx and didn't pay much
> attention to it, but over the weekend I switched to the KX3 and signals
> were much better - S-meter, P(X)3, and my ears...like maybe 30dB or so.  40
> meters seems fine on the K3.  I think I'm OK on 15m and up as well, but I'm
> not 100% sure I listened there.
>
> Output is normal on 20m.
>
> I've checked the preamp and attenuator on/off and those don't seem to be
> the issue.
>
> Obviously, I need to do some more digging on this before I contact
> Elecraft service, but I was wondering if anyone had any ideas?
>
> 73 de Lee, AA4GA
>
>
>
>
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Re: [Elecraft] K3 RX Issue?

[Gary K9GS]

Glad you got it sorted out Lee73,Gary K9GS
 Original message From: Lee Hiers  Date: 
5/11/23  5:21 PM  (GMT-06:00) To: Elecraft Mailing List 
 Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 RX Issue? I thought about 
quoting Jack Nicholson from A Few Good Men when he said"well don't I feel like 
a" but thought better of it.100% operator error.  As diagnosed by N7GP and 
W0GHZ, I had my RX antennabutton pushed.  I don't have an RX antenna, so I 
never push it...onpurpose.I'm glad it wasn't a problem like K9GS had...although 
I had suspectedsomething like that.All looks well now - thanks everyone for the 
help.73 de Lee, AA4GAOn Thu, May 11, 2023 at 11:38 AM Lee Hiers 
 wrote:> Hi All,>> Recently I've noticed that signal 
levels have been down on 20m on my> K3/10.  At first, I thought it was just 
band condx and didn't pay much> attention to it, but over the weekend I 
switched to the KX3 and signals> were much better - S-meter, P(X)3, and my 
ears...like maybe 30dB or so.  40> meters seems fine on the K3.  I think I'm OK 
on 15m and up as well, but I'm> not 100% sure I listened there.>> Output is 
normal on 20m.>> I've checked the preamp and attenuator on/off and those don't 
seem to be> the issue.>> Obviously, I need to do some more digging on this 
before I contact> Elecraft service, but I was wondering if anyone had any 
ideas?>> 73 de Lee, 
AA4GA__Elecraft 
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[Elecraft] For Trade: KPA1500 for KPA500/KAT500 + $

[Michael Gillen via Elecraft]

Hello All,

I am looking to see if there is anyone out there interested in upgrading their 
KPA500/KAT500 to the KPA1500 (plus some $). I really don’t need a legal limit 
amp so I thought first I would check here to see if there is some interest.

Thanks for looking!
Michael
KK6RWK

Solana Beach, CA 92075

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[Elecraft] K1 power output

[DAVID MOORMAN]

I have a K1 that I’m looking to sell, and took a look at the power output 
before listing it.  Power output is as follows:

40 meters 5.2 watts
30 meters 4.5 watts
20 meters   1.3 watts
17 meters 0.7 watts

These are obviously not the expected power output levels.  Power supply voltage 
= 12.8 volts.  Output set to 7 in the menu.  

What type of fault would this indicate?

Thanks,

Dave  K9SW
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Re: [Elecraft] Experience with Energizer Lithium AA Batteries?

[Matthew Cook via Elecraft]

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 
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  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  > 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)
> >>
> >> __
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Re: [Elecraft] K3 RX Issue?

[Michael Carter]

Hi Lee,

Do you also have a reduced RX signal level
on 30 meters as well as 20 meters, at least
by comparison with your KX3?

Since the TX output is OK, I will hazard a
guess that one of the relays in the
20/30M bandpass filter is not making
good contact or has developed a weak
solder joint on the RF board.  While that
should also reduce the TX output, the
TX Power control loop may compensate
enough to make the added loss through
the relay less noticeable.

I would carefully inspect all solder joints
in the 20/30M bandpass filter circuit,
maybe do the same for the lowpass
filter.  I would try gently pressing on the
relay casings while listening to a good
strong signal on 20 meters and 30 meters
to see if there is an audible change in RX signal
level.

73,
Mike, K8CN
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Re: [Elecraft] K3 RX Issue?

[Lee Hiers]

Thanks Mike - it was an ID-10T error:  I had the RX antenna selected with
nothing on the RX antenna port.

73 de Lee, AA4GA


On Thu, May 11, 2023 at 9:47 PM Michael Carter  wrote:

> Hi Lee,
>
> Do you also have a reduced RX signal level
> on 30 meters as well as 20 meters, at least
> by comparison with your KX3?
>
> Since the TX output is OK, I will hazard a
> guess that one of the relays in the
> 20/30M bandpass filter is not making
> good contact or has developed a weak
> solder joint on the RF board.  While that
> should also reduce the TX output, the
> TX Power control loop may compensate
> enough to make the added loss through
> the relay less noticeable.
>
> I would carefully inspect all solder joints
> in the 20/30M bandpass filter circuit,
> maybe do the same for the lowpass
> filter.  I would try gently pressing on the
> relay casings while listening to a good
> strong signal on 20 meters and 30 meters
> to see if there is an audible change in RX signal
> level.
>
> 73,
> Mike, K8CN
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Re: [Elecraft] K1 power output

[Vincent Shu]

Hello David,

The same issue also exists in my two K1. Waiting for help
73,

Vincent BH5HTF
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Re: [Elecraft] K1 power output

[DAVID MOORMAN]

Numbers using the Elecraft 20 watt dummy load rather than resonated antennas:

40 M   4.8 W
30 M   5.5 W
20 M2.0 W
15 M1.7 W

Dave  K9SW


> On May 11, 2023, at 6:52 PM, DAVID MOORMAN  wrote:
> 
> I have a K1 that I’m looking to sell, and took a look at the power output 
> before listing it.  Power output is as follows:
> 
> 40 meters 5.2 watts
> 30 meters 4.5 watts
> 20 meters 1.3 watts
> 17 meters 0.7 watts
> 
> These are obviously not the expected power output levels.  Power supply 
> voltage = 12.8 volts.  Output set to 7 in the menu.  
> 
> What type of fault would this indicate?
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Dave  K9SW
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Re: [Elecraft] For Trade: KPA1500 for KPA500/KAT500 + $

[don_roberts2000 via Elecraft]

I would be interested. Have a KPA500 and KAT500Don, W4CBS  Sent from my 
T-Mobile 5G Device
 Original message From: Michael Gillen via Elecraft 
 Date: 5/11/23  7:49 PM  (GMT-05:00) To: Elecraft 
Mailing List  Subject: [Elecraft] For Trade: KPA1500 
for KPA500/KAT500 + $ Hello All,I am looking to see if there is anyone out 
there interested in upgrading their KPA500/KAT500 to the KPA1500 (plus some $). 
I really don’t need a legal limit amp so I thought first I would check here to 
see if there is some interest.Thanks for looking!MichaelKK6RWKSolana Beach, CA 
92075__Elecraft 
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