Re: [Elecraft] Wide CW Signals
They're rotten. Nothing new tho. http://www.arrl.org/news/the-old-man-rotten-damped-spark-stuff On Jan 14, 2016, at 9:48 AM, Amateur Radio Operator N5GE wrote: > Is there something wrong with my P3, or are all of those extremely > wide raged CW signals I see in the DX pile-ups really that bad? > ARS N5GE > > __ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto: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...@triconet.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] Wide CW Signals
I've also been chasing NPOTA stations, most of whom are on 20 SSB. It is hard to believe until you hear one but there are fools running 12 KHz wide AM there. On Jan 14, 2016, at 9:48 AM, Amateur Radio Operator N5GE wrote: > Is there something wrong with my P3, or are all of those extremely > wide raged CW signals I see in the DX pile-ups really that bad? > ARS N5GE > > __ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto: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...@triconet.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 output power spikes
Not to worry, my K3S does it too :-( On Mar 1, 2016, at 8:12 AM, Bill Hammond via Elecraft wrote: > Hi John, > My power dances all over the place (my serial number is 00069). Just had a > quick QSO with the KPA500 indicating 560 watts at the beginning and then > going down to 480 at the end. That is typical. My 12 volt supply drops to > 12.2 on transmit, 13.3 on receive. I have a long 12 volt cable from the > supply so “I" squared losses are understandable in the cable. Driving power > from the K3 is variable per band but typically set to 25 watts or so. The > QSO described above was on 17 Meters and the drive is 25 watts there for ~500 > watts out or just below after stabilization. > > I remember the power fluctuation issue being discussed years ago on this > reflector and it was explained that the power control uses a sampling and > feedback loop that takes “time” to stabilize. That said, I believe we are > both experiencing some power fluctuation over 10% in a short period of time. > Depending on the amplifiers we are using this could cause real downstream > issues, like distorted signals, spurs or alarm faulting of smart amplifiers. > > Could we have some aging component that is aggravating this issue? Our K3’s > are among the oldest on the air. > > 73, > Bill-AK5X > > > >> On Feb 29, 2016, at 2:24 PM, John K1JD wrote: >> >> Hi All, >> My K3 SN #071 was purchased new November 2007. It’s had a few mods/upgrades >> along the way and its firmware is current. >> >> Last Field Day 2015 at W5YA, the K3’s LPA failed after a close lightning >> strike. I was able to successfully repair the LPA replacing both discrete >> and SMD components. Performed a Pout calibration using the K3 Utility >> program afterward and it passed. >> >> My 9500 amplifier (driven by the K3) has had a few instances of a high plate >> current faults since new in December 2010. These faults had been infrequent >> enough to ignore. More recently though the problems have been occurring more >> often. Swapping the tube did not help nor did careful inspection inside the >> amplifier reveal anything. >> >> Evidence that the problem is related to the K3 and not the amplifier >> presented itself by accident a few days ago. I had the K3’s output set to >> 40w and the Alpha was off. I inadvertently bumped the key and noted an >> instantaneous output of 54w on the Powermaster II wattmeter. A few more >> dits, and the power output settled back to 40w. Hmmm… if the amplifier had >> been in line, the K3’s drive set for full legal limit and a first dit >> resulted in an additional 30% drive, a high plate current fault might >> certainly happen. >> >> This morning I was using the KPA500 amp with my K3’s power set to 28 watts. >> After an early AM CW fix I left the station on, walked away and came back in >> a few hours hours. On first dit the KPA’s instantaneous power showed 650w on >> the Powermaster II and illuminated a red LED on the KPA500, then settled >> back down to <500w. >> >> OK, so it IS the K3 causing the problem BUT the power output spikes occur >> very infrequently. It’s difficult to nail down the cause or even the >> conditions under which the problem is most likely to occur. >> >> Reading the archives, others have had power spike issues over the years. Is >> there a known fix? I’ve looked briefly at Elecraft’s alerts and mods but >> nothing jumps out. >> >> 73, >> John K1JD >> Santa Fe, NM >> >> >> >> >> __ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto: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 wham...@aol.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 w...@triconet.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] Incredible Receiver
Or as they say in real estate, "Location, location, location" On 4/1/2016 7:43 AM, Peter Chamalian wrote: Well the K3 is just amazing me once again. Without the benefit of anything special for antennas I have managed to hear and work VK0EK 160-10. As the saying goes, you can't work 'em if you can't hear them. The toughest was 160 (a hold your breath and focus) but there it was in the log! Ditto this morning on 10 although they were louder but lots of QSB. Thanks again Elecraft for a truly great radio! Pete, W1RM __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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: Mobile operation "bible"
Jeeze, that's QRP. My Elmer was a neighbor, Lee, W7UVR. Before SSB he ran a 4-1000A high-level modulated in his mobile. I can assure you that there weren't any toilet tank balls on his antennas. The need for those is IMHO, an old wives tale. After SSB, the 4-1000 ran as a linear. There was 5KW of generator and while stationary, the mini-beam was blown up to 30' above the roof. The mobile in motion antennas were a pair of whips, with remotely (driver's seat) motor tuned vacuum variables and silver-plated edge-wound inductors in the matching networks The car was a '55 Mercury station wagon with a bored and stroked '56 Lincoln engine and a truck rear axle and springs. There was one extra leaf in the spring under the side with the pole pig HV and modulation transformers. There is some more about him (which is a repeat of what I wrote) under "High Power Mobile" at http://www.k0bg.com/yesteryear.html and photos here: http://www.k0bg.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=1039 As to the question about where the wife sat, there was no wife. On 4/2/2016 12:22 PM, Mel Farrer via Elecraft wrote: Yep, and I remember HWL running the ART13 and blew the poorly mounted SS tip off the whip at a convention. That makes me older than dirt. Mel, K6KBE __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] 80 Meter loop question
If you're not using Dan's (AC6LA) AutoEZ program as a front end to Eznec, you don't know what you're missing. On 4/2/2016 12:20 PM, Mel Farrer via Elecraft wrote: I agree, I use ver 5 also. Easier to move stuff around. Once you try modelling you will find it consumes an incredible amount of your time, but FUN. Mel, K6KBE From: Jim Brown To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Saturday, April 2, 2016 10:44 AM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] 80 Meter loop question On Sat,4/2/2016 6:45 AM, Clay Autery wrote: Does anyone have any information or a link to information data on an 80 meter loop's complex impedance and VSWR values across the HF bands? It's pretty easy to model with NEC, which yields this data in the form a plot of VSWR vs frequency with data points as closely spaced as you choose. Move the cursor to each data point and you'll see complex Z. I've learned a lot from using NEC, not only to design antennas but also to learn from the results of the model, changing variables, etc. 4NEC2 is free and quite powerful. I use EZNEC 5.0 because I find the UI easier to relate to, but it costs money. :) 73, Jim K9YC 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
Re: [Elecraft] AFSK-A with K3s
Make sure the TX mark frequency in MMTTY is the same as what you've chosen in the K3. On 4/13/2016 7:11 AM, Mike Dodd wrote: Thanks to all who replied off-list to my question about choosing a Mark frequency. Now on to a new question Last night I was receiving RTTY using MMTTY and the AFSK-A mode on the K3s. This morning I am trying to get the K3s to transmit, but not having much luck. I'm using the internal USB sound card in the K3s. I have successfully configured MMTTY to: 1. Receive and decode tones from the sound card. 2. Key the K3s when I click the TX button in MMTTY. 3. Send tones to the K3s when the TX button is clicked. I can hear the tones in the K3s speaker and headphones. If I choose a different Mark frequency in MMTTY, I hear the expected tones on the K3s. Clearly audio tones are being sent to the K3s. But no RF comes out. I have PWR set to 50W (into a dummy load), and when I hold TUNE, the RF bar graph shows that power level (half scale, 5 bars). But when I click TX in MMTTY, and hear the tones on the K3s, the RF bar graph shows 0 (one bar). What must I do to make the K3s transmit the audio it's receiving from MMTTY? Thanks in advance. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] AFSK-A with K3s
You've run into a common problem: poor reading comprehension. On 4/13/2016 9:26 AM, Mike Dodd wrote: Various people wrote: VOX on? You need some way for MMTTY to switch the K3S between receive and transmit. Sigh Please excuse my frustration. My original posting was clear: MMTTY _is_ putting the K3s into transmit and _is_ sending tones to the built-in sound card. I can hear the tones when the K3s is in XMIT, but no RF comes out the antenna connector. The red TX LED on the K3s turns on, and the RF bar graph displays one bar, or zero watts. I can hear the tones in the K3s speaker and phones plugged into the rear panel. There is no need for VOX -- MMTTY puts the K3s into XMIT if PTT is turned on _and/or_ if VOX is turned on. Everything is fine except the K3s is not transmitting the audio from the built-in sound card. I'll keep trying. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] AFSK-A with K3s
So? On 4/20/2016 10:22 AM, Nr4c wrote: This is not AGSK A mode. It is FSK D. Sent from my iPhone ...nr4c. bill __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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's receiver performance table updated
I'm not smackin' this tar baby except to note that a direct sampling radio*is* a heterodyne radio. On 4/25/2016 8:19 PM, Robert Vargas-KP4Y via Elecraft wrote: I agree that comparisons between an heterodyne radio and direct-sampling radio is not like comparing apples vs apples. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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's receiver performance table updated
My son is the IT Manager for a midsized nationwide corporation. He doesn't like touch screens either. But he uses iPhones and iPads. Go figure. On 4/26/2016 3:28 PM, Clay Autery wrote: Coat it however you want... Doesn't stop dirt and grime being put on the screen possibly scratching and/or gooping up the corners and edges... I've been in IS/IT for 25+ years... Screens are not for touching. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] Feedline loss w/wo tuner
I don't own one, but I've helped put one up for a fellow club member. Based on his. and other members' experiences, if you like failures out of the box, and as an ongoing proposition, go for it. On 4/27/2016 1:08 PM, Mel Farrer via Elecraft wrote: Along came SteppIR. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] Feedline Loss With Mismatched Loads
Where are the errors? On 4/27/2016 3:40 PM, Jim Brown wrote: Actually, Walt Maxwell is NOT the best source -- there are fundamental errors in it, which is why ARRL no longer publishes 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 arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Feedline Loss With Mismatched Loads
Google is most definitely not my friend, or anyone else's for that matter. I was hopeful that you had an answer On 4/27/2016 10:57 PM, Jim Brown wrote: On Wed,4/27/2016 10:32 PM, Wes wrote: Where are the errors? K6OIK has published on the subject. Google is your friend. :) 73, Jim __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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 panadapter choices
I can't vouch for its performance yet because it's still in transit, but I've ordered one of these: http://www.ebay.com/itm/111973884221 I have a couple of SDR-IQs, one of which I use as a panadapter on my K3S, the other will get the preamp for use as a general purpose monitor receiver/spectrum analyzer. Wes N7WS On 5/1/2016 6:23 AM, Jim Allen wrote: I've been in a very helpful discussion with Don Wilhelm about using my Funcube Dongle Pro Plus in a second receiver/panadapter role with the K2. Don suggests the Clifton Labs Z1B buffer amplifier, but those aren't available anymore. Does anyone have one of those devices sitting around unused, or know where to find one, or are there any suggestions for alternatives? TIA 73 de W6OGC Jim Allen __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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 helpful review...
Well, I don't know who Belk's is, but livening up our local Macy's wouldn't be a bad thing. But I agree, only unbiased Elecraft Kool Aid drinkers should be allowed to post here, and if they do, it should be only praise to the perfection and superiority of Elecraft radios. On 5/1/2016 1:32 PM, Guy Olinger K2AV wrote: I had a nastier response which I decided to deep six since it was Sunday. But just one thing, if one went into Macy's and started hanging up Belk's posters, how would that be received? Rude, stupid, trespassing, illegal, what? I wonder if the same post also went to the Kenwood and Yaesu reflectors or it was just us that were "blessed"? My RELIABLE (caps intended) source of dope on new rigs comes from other PVRC (Potomac Valley Radio Club) membership who in contesting tend to use the rigs harshly. This is often discussed on the PVRC reflector, where no one expects commentary to center on any particular brand or age of rig. I have found the aggregate experience of PVRC folk on rigs to be accurate in the extreme, with never a pulled punch, particularly in the range of reactions to a given rig, where the RANGE of reaction is highly informative. I also get to go visit and try the rigs out if I want. We also have one soul on that reflector who rarely keeps a rig more than three months, and that running soap opera is pretty informative. Personally, I don't need Icom information here, don't want Icom information here, not trusting of Icom information here since some of it is obviously trolling. I have a really good place to get such if I want, that isn't hanging Belk's posters in Macy's. Here, I'm mostly looking for Elecraft owners that need some help off line. 73, Guy. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] RTTY
Allow me to add a dissenting voice. I found it much easier (with admittedly more clutter) to set proper audio/ALC levels with my K3 and the computer sound card than I do with my K3S and the built in sound card/USB interface. There are other issues related to Mic/Line Level/VOX/Anti-VOX that I brought to Elecraft's attention 8 months ago and that reportedly were "discovered" by one of their engineers before my report and was going to be bumped up "the list." If this had been fixed, I wouldn't be bringing it up. On 5/1/2016 4:48 PM, Mike Dodd wrote: On 5/1/2016 7:33 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote: Gerald, Can I assume a K3S or a K3 that has been upgraded with the KIO3B? The "built-in" soundcard on your K3S is like an external soundcard. You will not use the internal soundcard on the computer, but use that USB "soundcard" instead for the data audio to and from the K3. Allow me to add that the internal USB sound card is _wonderful._ It is as simple to use as Don described, and is easy to set up in MMTTY. Naturally, you'll select AFSK-A instead of FSK-D when using the sound card. For me, it eliminated a bunch of cables, and a little PC board I bought to interface my PC's sound card to my former rig (KX3) -- and all the hassles that entails -- is now surplus. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] RTTY
http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/Mic-VOX-interaction-td7606353.html On 5/1/2016 5:15 PM, Wes wrote: Allow me to add a dissenting voice. I found it much easier (with admittedly more clutter) to set proper audio/ALC levels with my K3 and the computer sound card than I do with my K3S and the built in sound card/USB interface. There are other issues related to Mic/Line Level/VOX/Anti-VOX that I brought to Elecraft's attention 8 months ago and that reportedly were "discovered" by one of their engineers before my report and was going to be bumped up "the list." If this had been fixed, I wouldn't be bringing it up. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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: Relay noise?
http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KPA500-clicking-td7596512.html Read carefully to avoid the "you don't know what you're talking about" comments. Wes N7WS On 12/15/2019 11:52 AM, Nolan Kienitz wrote: Talk about dredging up some history ... from 2009??!! I've read through this thread and a few others and have not found upon any solid answers that was posed by the OP. My K3 (S/N: 9013, Assembled: 05/10/15) started having the very faint key clicks late yesterday afternoon. As noted in the thread they seem to come from the top, right-rear of the K3. I've not yet taken the cover off and put a "tube" to my ear to narrow down source. When I first turned on my K3 today I did not hear the clicks, but after I was in the mist of a QSO they became 'hearable'. Still very faint. Rig is basic with 100w feeding a dipole. No sub-receiver. No receive antenna in use. If anyone has any thoughts about the very soft 'relay click' when operating CW I'd appreciate the input. BTW - same response with my single-lever paddle or straight key. Same response if I'm feeding my dipole or a dummy load on Ant-2. Do NOT hear the 'relay click' when it TEST mode. - 73 - Nolan Kienitz, KI5IO __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] Operating from a retirement home
I hope you're joking. If not, why not give up the ham ticket too and just stick to the iPhone? Wes N7WS On 12/17/2019 11:41 AM, William Levy wrote: A laptop, an iPad or iPhone will allow you to ham all you want. Let other folks worry about the antennas and maintenance. www.remotehamradio.com I live in an apartment in NYC and I have huge towers with stacked antennas, 160mm 4 squares, 80 meter 4 squares located on the East Coast and the West Coast. Are you renting the space in your retirement home? Why not rent your radio too! This is such a simple solution I don't know why everyone isn't doing it. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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 YouTube Video List by Date
I can say that I would be looking at a TS-890 on my desk if it wasn't for the reported abysmal NB/NR performance. I can believe the reports because as best as I can determine, Kenwood used the same processing in the '890 as they did in the TS-870. Before Elecraft I owned an '870 and loved everything about it except for the NB/NR. I had remarked more than once that Kenwood wasted valuable panel space by including controls for those features. Frankly, I'm not very satisfied with the K3/K3S NB performance either. (I seldom bother with NR) Twenty-one settings for hardware and 21 settings for DSP blanking are ridiculous. IMHO, of course. If the K4 does significantly better then I'll be an optimist and buy myself one for my 79th birthday. The bugs should be resolved by then. re: Sensitivity, this is a non-issue for any decent radio built in the last 20 years or more. Wes N7WS On 12/23/2019 10:20 AM, John Stengrevics wrote: POTENTIALLY better NR & NB will have to wait for hard data and independent reviews. And, this will absolutely determine whether or not I transition from the K3S to the K4 (along with improved sensitivity). 73, John WA1EAZ On Dec 23, 2019, at 9:43 AM, M. George wrote: It's not surprising that there many looking for all the information they can get on the K4 etc.. Here is a YouTube link that lists K3 related video 'Search for Elecraft K4 Sorted by Date for Video posted this year' <https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=elecraft+k4&sp=CAISBAgFEAE%253D> : https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=elecraft+k4&sp=CAISBAgFEAE%253D Just use the filter option in YouTube in this case to narrow down the videos to the latest postings based on the search criteria to get the latest video by date. The first video in this list contains a lot of detail at 38 minutes long (Eric). (ELECRAFT K4 IN DEPTH with WA6HHQ at Waters & Stanton Ltd Portsmouth UK). Take the time and watch the whole video... there is a lot of detail in this one. For the questions that seem to persist about how the K4 will compare to the K3... you quickly begin to understand that the receiver specs will be similar to the K3S, especially once you understand the K4 design approach with the hyrbird direct sampling approach and superhet addition in the K4HD. At the same time, I'm not going to underestimate the potential for some eye popping numbers when the K4HD module is introduced. (think Third-Order Dynamic Range Narrow Spaced rankings). However if the specs are similar to the K3S or even a little better, it's becoming more clear to me that the K4 platform and it's future potential with advances and refinements in the software are where the real advantages are. Big leaps here over the K3S. Leaps that the K3S can simply never take do to the limited processing power. The K3 and K4 are not even in the same league in this area. You also begin to see the much higher potential the K4 has as far as noise reduction / noise blanking capability due to algorithms having access to a much wider bandpass with the SDR direct sampling approach. Just my opinion, but I suspect there will be some big improvements in these areas as compared to the K3/S line. The speed of the processing power and access to bandwidth will allow for better noise reduction etc... plus the software improvements over time and head room for processing power sets up the K4 for some big performance leaps improvements are made in software (IMHO). You can glean all of this from the videos (reading between the lines) in my opinion. i.e. Elecraft potentially adding the capability with diversity receive to do phase shifting to null out noise, similar to the capability you get with a NCC-2 box for example. And consider the design approach to upgrade the ADC processing... the K4 seems to be setup for a long life with some interesting improvements down the road, not only with the software, but think hardware processing upgrades too. I can't speak for anyone else, but since the K4 has been announced I have gone through a phase of trying to convince myself that the K4 isn't any better than my K3S, so why would I consider a K4? ($4K to $6K for a new rig sure isn't chump change and could be spent on other station improvements right?) As far as some of the tell-tell specs like dynamic range blocking with strong signals near your band-pass etc... I think with the K4HD, the specs will be similar, but overall, what is beginning to interest me is the amazing potential the K4 design has. We are talking about two very different animals here. (with the same linage) I have also spent a considerable amount of time looking at the direct sampling competitors and as I start to dig in, I'm really seeing some lacking features as they relate to a CW operator's rig. I guess I'm biased as a current Elecraft Fan-Boy / CW operator (I'll admit it), b
Re: [Elecraft] Reaching Across the Chronological Divide
Please don't let him learn code by sight. I taught myself from the list in my Boy Scout Handbook (still have it) and I've never overcome doing it the wrong way. Passed a 20 WPM Extra exam but it was a struggle. Still my favorite mode though. Wes N7WS On 12/26/2019 12:46 PM, Bill Frantz wrote: They also have a morse code chart printed on the radio and a button to use for sending morse code. My grandson's father (KI6NVN, but not a CW op) and I described morse code to him, and I sent some things, including his name, in code. We told him we didn't expect him to learn code quickly -- he's just in kindergarten -- but we would let him hear what it sounds like. Who knows where this moment will lead. 73 Bill AE6JV __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] Johnson SpeedX printed Morse
To expand a bit. In high school (circa 1958) some kids tried to start a radio club. The sponsor was the electronics shop teacher (interesting enough I never took any electronic courses) who I don't believe was all that interested. The school principal was also a Lt. Commander in the Naval Reserve and IIRC was in charge of the local Navy Reserve operation. I remember that they had a couple of 100' telephone poles and an open-wire fed antenna, that I always drooled over. Permission was arranged for our club to tape record (reel to reel) the Navy's code records. We started listening but only met once a week, which meant that by the second week we had forgotten last week's letters, so we started over. After about a month I had enough and broke out the Scout handbook. I was the only one to get a license. I did meet one older kid, Luke Russell, who had an expired Novice license, other than that I was on my own. There was one ham (W7UVR-SK) about two blocks away from our house who I didn't know but I knocked on his door and asked whether he would sign off my Novice paperwork. These guys are mentioned on my QRZ bio (https://www.qrz.com/db/N7WS) Wes N7WS On 12/27/2019 10:54 AM, KENT TRIMBLE wrote: Well, not exactly the /worst/ thing you could have used, but you're right, visualizing a chart is adding an extra step in the learning process toward aural copying. And Wes is also correct. A whole generation or two of amateur radio operators had nothing at hand but charts printed in the Boy Scout Handbook and Signalling Merit Badge booklet. However, no one told us it was the wrong way to go. Those charts got many of us a Novice license in addition to Merit Badges. Later, I studied from Ameco vinyl records which got me a 13 wpm General. Nightly work on the National Traffic System got me a 20 wpm Extra. The bottom line is that many of those Scouts who learned by charts are today's 30 wpm and higher operators. W4RK and I have taught code classes every Saturday morning (sometimes three) for many years. We do not allow charts in class. What students use at home is anybody's guess. But with today's online Morse programs there is no reason to complicate (and slow) the learning process by consulting a printed chart. 73, Kent K9ZTV On 12/27/2019 7:00 AM, Charlie T wrote: OH, yeah.I can see it in front of me now, a little Johnson SpeedX Morse Code chart. WORST thing I could possibly have usedYUGE plateau at 7 WPM ! 73, Charlie k3ICH Please don't let him learn code by sight. I taught myself from the list in my Boy Scout Handbook (still have it) and I've never overcome doing it the wrong way. Passed a 20 WPM Extra exam but it was a struggle. Still my favorite mode though. Wes N7WS __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] Copying CW at high speeds
You remember correctly. I owned one. I also used the modulated HV to run an 829B on two-meter AM. Wes N7WS On 12/30/2019 10:55 AM, Jim Brown wrote: On 12/29/2019 3:53 PM, K8TE wrote: where I operated SSB on a friend's DX-100 and HQ-170. Bill, I remember the DX100 as an AM/CW rig. As a teenager, I was loaned one (and an SX-101) by a local ham who couldn't pass his 13 wpm code speed test. 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
Re: [Elecraft] FS: K3S/10 - $1095 shipped USPS
Since the S/N is lower than 10,000 it's not a K3S, regardless of what synthesizer it has. Suggesting someone drive an amplifier with this set to 12 watts is a disservice to other hams. It's a 10-watt radio with two extra watts of IMD when operated this way. This coming from an ARRL staffer is particularly troubling to me. Wes N7WS On 1/9/2020 11:09 AM, Bart Jahnke wrote: All, Thinning my heard. FS: I have too many HF transceivers, and this one is not getting the use it deserves. Spare to my needs is this Elecraft K3S/10 transceiver, serial 5623. This unit was upgraded from a K3/10 to a K3S/10 with the KSYN3A mod added - it has the KXV3A transverter I/O interface - and has an IRC 701A 400 Hz 8-pole CW filter. Comes with microphone, power cable, and printed manual. For those with LDMOS amplifiers, this 12 watt radio has more than enough drive. Asking $1095 shipped to any US Postal Address - PayPal (friends and family) or USPS Money Order! See https://swap.qth.com/search-results.php?keywords=w9jj&fieldtosearch=call 73 Bart W9JJ __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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 wes_n...@triconet.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....s Raspberry Pi 4 B
So have I, perhaps even longer. The only downside with Elecraft radios is that VOX audio sampling follows the mic/line gain setting and is of course affected by them. Without judicious setting of digital mode line level/sound card level/WSJT "power level" settings, there is a nonsensical need to readjust VOX gain when changing modes. A request to remember VOX gain between modes has always fallen on deaf ears. With the K4 now the focus, this will never happen. Wes N7WS On 1/20/2020 11:45 AM, Jim Brown wrote: VOX is a perfectly good way to key the radio. I've used nothing but VOX for SSB, RTTY, and WSJT modes for at least 15 years. 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
Re: [Elecraft] anyone recommend where to buy a SERIAL to USB cable fora k3
Good advice from others, however, if you think you might need other serial ports for other devices, I highly recommend Edgeport USB to serial adapters. Easily found on the auction site (which doesn't seem to run many auctions these days). Wes N7WS On 1/25/2020 2:51 PM, Richard Donner wrote: Hi I have new Windows 10 PC and everything is a software battle! What I need now is a SERIAL to USB cable for a k3. If you know exactly where to purchase it that would help. Thanks Richard Wa6kyr __ __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] KPA3 in K3S mostly not working
I know this doesn't have the non-gold pin problem but I would remove and replace the KPAIO3A and KPA just to scrub the pins and to make sure everything is seated properly. Wes N7WS On 2/3/2020 3:34 PM, Carl Yaffey wrote: When I get my K4 (hopefully May . . .), I currently plan to send in my K3S for repair. I have already talked with support. The symptoms are: 1) In transmit mode, no power when raising the power above 11 watts. This happens about 90% of the time. So the 100w amp is not totally gone. 2) In receive mode, sound drops considerably when raising the power above 11 watts. This is, of course, coincident with the 100w amp failing. I haven’t found anything that causes the amp to come and go. Seems random. In can be OK while sending and the suddenly fail. Also, the transmit calibration fails. Anyone have this problem? Is there a “fix” without sending in the rig? 73, Carl Yaffey K8NU cyaffey at gmail.com 614 268 6353, Columbus OH http://www.carl-yaffey.com http://www.grassahol.com http://www.bluesswing.com Https://www.columbusfolkmusicsociety.org http://www.timbrewolves.carl-yaffey.com http://www.folkramblers.carl-yaffey.com Http:www.clintonvillegrass.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 wes_n...@triconet.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] 10 MHz reference osc. suggestion?
I have a Bodnar dual output GPSDO although I don't use it on my K3S. Be advised that the software is very clunky and while you can get two different frequencies out, there are limitations on what they can be. Frankly, I don't know why you would want something like this for the K3(S). The high stability TCXO is fine if you leave the radio powered continuously as I do, otherwise, it's quite good after about a 20 minute warmup. Use your counter to measure the TCXO directly and adjust the ref cal parameter manually. Wes N7WS On 2/5/2020 12:48 PM, Dave Van Wallaghen wrote: Hi Gary, Here is the one I use: http://www.leobodnar.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=107&products_id=234 It feeds my K3 and I also use the other port to calibrate the oscillator for the main MCU on all the K2's I service. 73, Dave, W8FGU On 2/5/2020 2:43:46 PM, "Gary Peterson" wrote: Does anyone have any recommendations for a particular 10 MHz GPS disciplined oscillator that would work well as an external reference for a K3S? I might also use a GPSDO as an external time base for my frequency counter. Either recommendations or products one should avoid would be most appreciated. Feel free to reply off list. Thanks in advance. Gary, K0CX kzer...@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 arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] What softwares are available for Point-and-Click SDR/K3control?
My solution might be unobtainium these days, but I use an SDR-IQ from RF Space and SpectraVue software. The SDR-IQ is no longer produced but they show up used from time to time. (I bought my third one a month ago) Wes N7WS On 2/17/2020 6:17 AM, bw...@fastmail.fm wrote: Hi all, I'm wondering what software solutions are available to provide an SDR band display, which incorporates Point-and-Click functionality that controls both the SDR and the K3 frequency? In other words, identifying a signal on an SDR display and the action of clicking on that signal moves both the SDR and the K3 frequency to it. I'm hoping there is one single software solution that incorporates both features requiring only one single USB interconnect into the PC. Thanks Duane __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] RFI issues
Me too. I was just complaining to my XYL about having to fill the bean grinder, grind the beans, and water the brewer and suggested getting one. They use them in her law office but she said no, she likes fresh ground. I guess this ends that idea. Wes N7WS On 2/19/2020 5:17 AM, Dave Cole wrote: Thanks, I was considering one of those... 73, and thanks, Dave (NK7Z) https://www.nk7z.net ARRL Volunteer Examiner ARRL Technical Specialist ARRL Asst. Director, NW Division, Technical Resources On 2/18/20 7:55 PM, hawley, charles j jr wrote: We bought a new Keurig coffee maker which does a pot or also the pods. It puts a huge noise out to the ham frequencies. Have to turn it off to get on 80M Chuck Jack Hawley KE9UW __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] VP8PJ + KPA1500
If you don't know whether you worked them, you didn't. Wes N7WS On 2/25/2020 9:07 PM, eric norris via Elecraft wrote: I'm not entirely sure I've worked VP8PJ yet--they are in the noise on my modest antennas--but if I did, it was some KPA1500 setup advice a while back from Dick Dievendorff, K6KR, another Elecraft guy who doesn't get enough praise. Thanks, Dick. My K3/KPA1500 is a joy to use on CW pileups. 73, Eric WD6DBM 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 arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K4 news?
They will deliver before FD. What year is the question. Wes N7WS On 3/3/2020 1:39 PM, Joseph Trombino Jr wrote: Howdy Gang. Has anyone picked up any news from the Mothership as to the K4 production process and timeline? Sure hope they can start deliveries well before Field Day. Keep sending those ditties. 73, Joe W2KJ __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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 is Elecraft Support ?
Before I retired the second time I was managing a small group of components engineers. Several of my guys worked full time on parts obsolescence issues. "Lifetime buys" sound like a good idea until you run up against the procurement and QC people. Try managing inventory of pricey Mil-spec parts for 10 or more years, maintaining QC traceability. Not easy and when you finally need them you'll find they were thrown away after the last reorganization. (I never liked the word reorganized, as it suggests that you were previously organized, something that I never found to be the case.) BTW, several sources will still sell you a MC68000. Wes N7WS On 3/7/2020 6:02 PM, Fred Jensen wrote: You can always emulate the US Department of Defense if you'd like ... it's called a "Lifetime Buy." When the airplane builder's contract finally ends and he no longer is required to stock parts, the engineers and logistics folks decide on the further lifetime of the airplane fleet and buy enough parts to keep it flying until it will be retired to Arizona which might be in 20 more years. A lot of folk believe that science and engineering are the same thing. They're not. Engineering is science coupled with economics, logistics, mathematics, fabrication, maintenance, supply chain management, and a host of other trade-off's, sometimes including labor relations and law. Bell Labs "invented" the transistor. Companies like TI, Fairchild Semiconductor, Intel, Motorola, and AMD put them in the marketplace and they get to stop making them when something better comes along. See if you can find a Moto 68000 replacement for your old Mac. [:=) My K3 is S/N 642, and has been upgraded multiple times. I think it's about 10 years old and I think Elecraft has done a very good job compared to what the other guys do. I'm a little in awe that Elecraft has been in business long enough now for the inevitable to be happening. 73, Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW Sparks NV DM09dn Washoe County __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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 doesn't work in AFSK-A mode but DATA-A does work.What's broken?
Do the MMTTY tones match the ones (Pitch) in the K3? Wes N7WS On 3/20/2020 5:40 AM, Joe N9OK wrote: I've reached out to Elecraft Tech Support on this issue. With their locale on lockdown, I think they have their hands full just trying to maintain some sense of normalcy. So I'm hoping someone here can point me in the right direction. I've recently upgraded my K3 with numerous "last time buy" options (KAT3A antenna tuner, 2 KSUN3A synthesizers, and KIO3B usb board). One goal was to remove the Microkeyer II and simplifying the setup. What I'm finding now is that I can't make RTTY work correctly. I use MMTTY to generate a simple warble signal, which is sent to my K3. The K3 is set to AFSK-A, VOX enable, audio levels set correctly. What happens is that the K3 TX LED illuminates, but nothing is heard with the Monitor (ie, thru the K3 speaker), and there is no RF transmitted. However, when I use DATA-A, I do hear tones using Monitor, and there is RF power. I get the same results using either the K3 internal sound card, or externally-generated audio (fed from my PC soundcard to Line-In on the K3). Hoping there was a configuration issue, I factory reset my K3. That didn't help. It's probable this issue has been there since I first purchased my K3 new 8 years ago, but I never noticed. My MKII was used as my interface, and I was running FSK for RTTY. I did have many configuration issues with my MKII setup, which in retrospect might well be related to the AFSK issue that's now obvious. I'm suspecting this is a hardware issue. I have the 59 pages of schematics, and am going thru them to see if I can identify the issue so I can fix it. I would appreciate comments / suggestions / ideas to point me in the right direction. 73, Joe N9OK 73, Joe N9OK __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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 wes_n...@triconet.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] Fwd: K3 doesn't work in AFSK-A mode but DATA-A doeswork. Why?
One more stab at this. In MMTTY Demodulater Tab is the "Ham Default" set to 1275? Wes N7WS On 3/20/2020 6:31 AM, Joe N9OK wrote: Wes: Do the MMTTY tones match the ones (Pitch) in the K3? Wes N7WS = Yes. MMTTY shows Mark 1275, Shift 150 K3 shows Mark 1275, Shift 170. Here's an idea... maybe take my signal generator, perform a sweep, and see what audio freq... if any... my K3 will key up on. 73, Joe N9OK __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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 doesn't work in AFSK-A mode but DATA-A does work. What's broken?
I have used a K3 on AFSK RTTY beginning in 2008 with the laptop computer internal sound card until I got a K3S and ultimately converted to the internal sound device. I always use VOX and a variant of MMTTY (AXETTY for DXBase). My earlier suggestions were based on cockpit errors that I have encountered. Now the system works flawlessly, even while using LPBridge to share a single port with multiple apps. Wes N7WS On 3/20/2020 7:36 PM, Jim Rhodes wrote: I have seen several different people make suggestions (often the same ones others have suggested) but I have not seen anyone with a similar setup tell what their experience is. I do have a similar setup but am not currently living near home due to temporary work location. I will be home over the weekend and will try to duplicate the issue. I have always used FSK when running RTTY but use DATA A of course when using FT modes so I have no comparison until I try AFSK in RTTY. K3 is currently boxed up since returning from a portable op, so will attempt to find time to set it all back up and give AFSK a try. (Why do we call it "wireless"?) __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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 Big Three...
FWIW. I took a cursory look at the top 10 to see what they were using. You have to get to 5th place to find a pair of K3s. Sixth and 7th places use one K3 and something else for the second radio. So four out of 20 radios were K3s. Also of interest 6 out of 10 used WinTest with 4 using N1MM+. Wes N7WS On 3/29/2020 2:50 AM, Paul Gacek via Elecraft wrote: If you follow the link you can see what radios the 50+ WRTC 2018 participant teams used. Lots of K3. http://wrtc2018.de/competition/finalscores.php Paul W6PNG/M0SNA www.nomadic.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 Big Three...
I suppose that as a sometimes NASCAR fan, I gravitate to the top ten :-) Wes N7WS On 3/29/2020 6:52 AM, Paul Gacek wrote: Wes I think virtually all of the ~134 participants are by definition are top contesters and not just the top 10 of the 67 teams but you are correct that the top 10 aren’t dyed in the wool Elecrafters. I did a quick mental tally and think 50% of the rigs are K3 (~67 out of 134). The next largest group are IC7xxx for about 17. Paul Gacek W6PNG/M0SNA www.nomadic.blog On Mar 29, 2020, at 6:32 AM, Wes wrote: FWIW. I took a cursory look at the top 10 to see what they were using. You have to get to 5th place to find a pair of K3s. Sixth and 7th places use one K3 and something else for the second radio. So four out of 20 radios were K3s. Also of interest 6 out of 10 used WinTest with 4 using N1MM+. Wes N7WS On 3/29/2020 2:50 AM, Paul Gacek via Elecraft wrote: If you follow the link you can see what radios the 50+ WRTC 2018 participant teams used. Lots of K3. http://wrtc2018.de/competition/finalscores.php Paul W6PNG/M0SNA www.nomadic.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 w6...@yahoo.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 arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] The Big Three...
Wasn't my subject line. But I'll see your four and raise it to five: Elecraft, Flex, Icom, Kenwood and Yaesu. Wes N7WS On 3/29/2020 6:55 AM, Michael Walker wrote: I find you mention the big 3, but it is really the big 4. Mike va3mw On Sun, Mar 29, 2020 at 9:28 AM Wes <mailto:wes_n...@triconet.org>> wrote: FWIW. I took a cursory look at the top 10 to see what they were using. You have to get to 5th place to find a pair of K3s. Sixth and 7th places use one K3 and something else for the second radio. So four out of 20 radios were K3s. Also of interest 6 out of 10 used WinTest with 4 using N1MM+. Wes N7WS On 3/29/2020 2:50 AM, Paul Gacek via Elecraft wrote: > If you follow the link you can see what radios the 50+ WRTC 2018 participant teams used. > > Lots of K3. > > http://wrtc2018.de/competition/finalscores.php > > Paul > W6PNG/M0SNA > www.nomadic.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 Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to va...@portcredit.net <mailto:va...@portcredit.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] K4 Update: Transmit Features -- Emphasis on SSB
That's worth $4K right there. Why manufacturers provide only front panel connectors for these functions is a mystery to me. Wes N7WS On 3/29/2020 11:37 AM, Wayne Burdick wrote: ... There are mic and headphone jacks on both the front and rear panels. Some operators prefer to use the rear panel connections to avoid cluttering the operating position. Audio for both voice and data modes can be either analog (LINE in/out) or digital (via USB or Ethernet). __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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 SSB filters
Until you get down to the noise floor isn't it always the sum (in dB) of the rejection? Wes N7WS On 3/31/2020 8:52 PM, Jim Brown wrote: On 3/31/2020 8:36 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote: What the roofing filters will do is keep the receiver from reducing the hardware AGC for stations which are within the roofing filter passband. In addition, when the DSP IF filters are set to about the same width as the roofing filters, the two filters "cascade" -- the rejection of adjacent signals is the sum of the rejection of the two filters. 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 SSB filters
You said: "In addition, when the DSP IF filters are set to about the same width as the roofing filters, the two filters "cascade" -- the rejection of adjacent signals is the sum of the rejection of the two filters. " There is no requirement that the widths be about the same. They could be widely different. If one passes an interfering signal with no attenuation and the other has 100 dB rejection then the sum is 0 + 100 = 100. Either could be first in the lineup. If the K3 second mixer was stronger, hardware AGC might not be necessary and the only need for a "roofing" filter would be to eliminate the image. A single 10-12 kHz filter would suffice and DSP would be the final filter. Sounds like a K4HD doesn't it? On 4/1/2020 10:23 AM, Jim Brown wrote: On 4/1/2020 7:17 AM, Wes wrote: Until you get down to the noise floor isn't it always the sum (in dB) of the rejection? Isn't that what I said? Perhaps I said it badly. 73, Jim __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] VF Varies With Frequency
I would not be buying any cable from them. Wes N7WS On 4/1/2020 2:45 PM, Mpridesti via Elecraft wrote: Requested technical comment from a long established coaxial cable manufacturer on this topic. This was the response: The Vp is not measured at any frequency and is independent of frequency. The only variable in play is the dielectric constant. The Vp represents the speed at which a signal transmits along the cable as a % of the speed of air. Air/vacuum will be the fasted medium to use to transmit an RF signal. The thing is, air is usually not practical since there is nothing to support the center conductor, can be easily crushed and is susceptible to the ingress of moisture. We use foamed dielectrics and expanded tapes to get as close to air as possible. Vp will vary based on the specific dielectric used. The vast majority of our cables range in velocity of propagation from 76% to 86%. For a given cable, the Vp will likely not vary more that +/- 1% over it’s length but as I mentioned earlier, it would be best to use +/-2% for planning purposes. End response Regards, Mark, K1RX __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] Hum on KPA1500
I believe that is the case. However, one point on the water piping should be bonded to the service ground for safety reasons. Using the piping for current-carrying purposes is a really bad idea. Keywords: Copper pipe, dirt, concrete slab, jackhammer. Don't ask me how I know. Wes N7WS On 4/5/2020 10:51 PM, Clay Autery wrote: NO "water pipe" should ever be used as a service ground... I thought the code was changed to actually bar that practice entirely. __ Clay Autery, KY5G (318) 518-1389 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] KPA 500
I think this is a lot of worry about normal behavior. Although it's not directly discussed, some insight might be gleaned by reading through this old thread: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K3-SWR-Numerical-Indication-td7643839.html Wes N7WS On 4/10/2020 6:59 AM, Lyn Norstad wrote: At 100w on 20m, my KAT500 Utility shows an SWR of 1.00 with the KPA500 on Standby and temp around 38ºC. But as I switch the KPA to Operate and increase the power to 300w the SWR goes up as high as 1.10. If I hold it there (key down) long enough the KPA temp starts rising slowly. At about 50ºC I can hear the fan picking up speed. By the time I get to 60ºC the fan is at probably level 2 or 3. SWR is still at 1.10 (max). Right or wrong, I've always assumed there is some slight heating in the antenna system (Tuner, Balun, Lightning protection) although all components after the tuner are rated at 5 KW. 73 Lyn, WØLEN -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Alan - G4GNX Sent: Friday, April 10, 2020 6:27 AM To: Elecraft Reflector Subject: [Elecraft] KPA 500 I have a strange fault a couple of times recently, where the SWR starts to increase during the time of a single 'over'. I've been using the K3S set at 100W out, via the KPA500 (in standby) and the KAT500 tuner, without any problem, but after I've switched the linear to Operate and driving it to 200W, the SWR creeps up. I don't think it's an antenna issue, but a possible heat problem with the KPA500. I watched the temperature display on the KPA500 and initially on Standby it shows about 38 degrees C. After transmitting at 200W the temperature slowly rises above 60 degrees C, but the fan doesn't cut in. Does anyone know if this is normal behavior and what temperatures I should expect to see? I have tested the fan via the Menu function and it works as expected. 73, Alan. G4GNX __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] KAT3A Question
Really? Mine doesn't and it doesn't have a 2nd RX either, something that everyone "knows" you have to have to work DX. Wes N7WS DXCC Honor Roll and 9-band DXCC (All from the same city) On 4/11/2020 6:12 PM, Nr4c wrote: Yes. No K3(S) should exist without the appropriate KAT3(a). __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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 Recommendation Audio Spectrum Analyzer app for Win10
Spectrum Lab is the gold standard. Be prepared for a steep learning curve. Maybe Audacity depending on your needs. Wes N7WS On 4/20/2020 8:50 AM, gregg.w6i...@gmail.com wrote: Looking for recommendations Thanks in advance Gregg W6IZT __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] Power supply for KS
I second IOTA. I've used them in my RV, replacing another brand to get rid of the RFI. Mission accomplished. Disclaimer: IOTA is located in Tucson, and a long time ago in another life I moonlighted for the founders in another startup company. Wes N7WS On 4/20/2020 12:51 PM, Ken Winterling wrote: Richard, I use an IOTA DLS-55 SMPS power supply ( https://www.iotaengineering.com/dls55.htm). It provides 55 amps, doesn’t produce RFI, is audibly quiet, and rugged. The dimensions are 9.7" x 6.7" x 3.4" and the weight is 5.0 lbs. Mine is on 24/7/365. IOTA also makes them in other output voltages and currents. Ken WA2LBI __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] Power supply for KS
Sadly, that is not always true. There is a remarkable dependence upon frequency as well. The sweet spot on my K3S is at 7 MHz. The IMD is actually lower at 100W than at lower power. That said it goes to pot at 1.8 and 25 MHz but is lower again at 28 MHz. Wes N7WS On 4/20/2020 1:55 PM, Jim Brown wrote: [snip] Note also that IMD in Elecraft output stages is greatest at maximum power out, and falls by a lot at 1/4 to 1/2 power. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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 receiver and high-precision frequencydetermination?
I don't recall that discussion you're talking about, but I can say the K3(s) has nowhere near that stability or resolution. (At least mine doesn't) I don't know why Elecraft would design intentional instability into the radio. During a recent thread about the TCXO option, I did some quick-n-dirty measurements of my old K3 with standard reference and my newer K3S with the high stability reference. I have a cable that I can run from the reference board to a frequency counter (BG7TBL FA-2 w/Bodnar GPSDO reference). For this I have to remove the top covers on the radios. I found the old radio to be inaccurate but precise. I could touch the crystal oscillator and see the frequency move from temperature effects but recover quickly. The TCXO was another story. It moved around when I just laid a sheet of paper over the open box. I didn't quantify this as I had to move on to other things; maybe later. The frequency conversion scheme in these radios is proprietary but it entails a lot of fussing around, with sideband switching, bandwidth adjusting, etc. All of this AFAIK is done with DDSes which are not exact, they move in steps, albeit little steps, but steps nonetheless. If you want better you might look at the past results of the ARRL FMT (which coincidentally was held last night) to read the soapbox comments of what other folks are using. http://fmt.arrl.org/fmtresults.php Wes N7WS On 4/24/2020 10:11 AM, Frank O'Donnell wrote: Sometime (probably last year) I remember seeing a discussion of why the K3/K3S receiver isn't suitable to do high-precision frequency measurement tests at the level of hundredths of a Hertz. As I vaguely recall, the receiver is designed so that its frequency actually varies a bit intentionally, and I remember someone posting a plot demonstrating this. However, I'm striking out on finding any of those posts. Can anyone either help with them, or point to any other discussion/explanation on this? Thanks much, Frank K6FOD __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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: The Colpitts mystery
On September 13, 1982, public law 97-259 was enacted which amended the Communications Act of 1934 to permit the FCC to accept the services of private individuals and organizations acting to prepare and administer examinations for applicants wishing to obtain (or upgrade) an Amateur Radio license. (Source: Anchorage Amateur Radio Club) Wes N7WS On 4/28/2020 9:27 PM, Jim Brown wrote: On 4/28/2020 4:16 PM, EricJ wrote: but some time in the mid-50s it was given over to volunteer hams. My memory is that it was a LOT later than that. I'd guess late '70s to early '80s. 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
Re: [Elecraft] [K3S] intermittent RF path interruption
Yes, good job. Some pretty scary factory workmanship in there. Wes N7WS On 4/30/2020 10:53 PM, donov...@starpower.net wrote: Excellent detective work and documentation Ben! 73 Frank W3LPL - Original Message - From: "Ben Gelb" To: "Benjamin Gelb" Cc: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Friday, May 1, 2020 5:19:43 AM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [K3S] intermittent RF path interruption And now the exciting conclusion I decided the most likely spot for the problem to exist was in the T/R switching circuit in the KPA3A. Schematic on pg. 46 of https://ftp.elecraft.com/K3S/Manuals%20Downloads/E740323%20K3s%20Schematic%20Files.pdf. I removed the KPA3A to take some pictures and figure out how to probe some points of interest, then re-installed it, and took following measurements: Drain of Q4 - 0.25V during RX, 122V during TX Drain of Q6 - 13.7V during RX, 0.24V during TX ... so far seems reasonable ... Measured both sides of L3 and saw 7.42V during RX. Also seems reasonable. Then measured both sides of L1 and saw that it appeared to be floating... h. L1 and L3 should basically see identical voltages during RX. L1 should not be floating. This means that there's no DC voltage being applied to D2 or D5 anode. That would mean no connection from antenna input to either PA output or RX path. Fits the problem description. I took the KPA3A back out again and did some continuity checking. Shortly I was able to discover that one of the ends of R5 (facing L1) had a failed solder joint to the PCB. When I touched it with the probe, the bad end actually came completely free and lifted up off of the PCB. After starting at it for another minute, I realized that there is a mismatch between the component package size and the footprint on the PCB. The pad spacing on the PCB is too narrow, and even when perfectly centered, there is almost no overlap of the package pins on the resistor and the solder pads that it is supposed to attach to. This is also true of R6 and R12 (though they seem to be connected, at least for now - though notably R12 has a green wire attached to one end). This seems like an assembly defect. Doesn't seem very surprising that with a poor mechanical connection that the solder joint would not hang on. Maybe it can (or already has been in a later run?) be corrected by selecting a resistor that has a package that matches the PCB footprint? Seems likely to me that more KPA3As out there would fail similarly. I noted by contrast that R18 uses the same package as the R5, R6 and R12 components, but appears to have a PCB footprint that correctly aligns with the component. Anyhow, I removed R5 and soldered it back on (turning it at a slight angle, and borrowing the nearby pad of C17 to ensure it had a good solder connection). Now all seems to be well again. Hear lots of signals on RX w/ amp inline an make power out on TX. Hooray! Here are a few pix of the adventure. Hopefully they might be helpful to someone else. https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1kP9cR6HbBqP1Xy35QOOd945Bm2KgYW7T 73, Ben N1VF __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] CM500 headset on K3S and KX3?
The failures I have are the ear pads disintegrate. Someone said Koss pads could work but that hasn't been my experience. I've found some '500s at estate sales where I snap them up. Currently the law firm where my fiance is employed is working from home and she's using a set on her computer to "attend" on-line meetings. I guess I can add "IT Manager" to my resume, since I'm helping her with her connections. I second the use of VOX. Wes N7WS On 5/5/2020 5:32 PM, Jim Brown wrote: On 5/5/2020 4:44 PM, Paul Gacek via Elecraft wrote: For what its worth and everyones milage will vary, I had a brand new CM500 that I used for a week of hard operating while on a pretty island and the boom came loose after a couple of days. Your experience is unusual. In about 11 years, the only thing that has ever gone wrong with my CM500s have been a broken cable, which, unfortunately, is not replaceable. I'm kind of a klutz, so I'm hard on cables, dropping them, kicking them, etc. Perhaps it got broken in shipping? I've never used anything but VOX for SSB and digital modes. That's always worked just fine as long as there's not loud noise (like when the XYL walks through the shack and lets the screen door slam). :) 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 wes_n...@triconet.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???
I got a much needed haircut today. Usually I take the dog to grooming and I get a haircut on the same day. He got groomed two weeks ago. For the last couple of days I've been battling the annual infestation of killer bees in my fireplace. Two days ago I set a small newspaper fire to drive them out. I was rewarded with a big chunk of honeycomb falling down the flue into the firebox. It was full of angry bees, fortunately all behind glass doors. (Note I was stung a couple of years ago by one and had an acute reaction. My hand swelled to about twice normal size and I had hives (not bee hives) under my arms and in my groin. It took a steroid injection to give me relief.) After dark when they settled down I gave them a good dusting with Sevin. But they were still entrenched high up in the flue, so yesterday, I set a bigger fire. It burned for an hour or so and died out. I went outside and the chimney was smoking like crazy. It looked like I had a chimney fire so discretion being the better par of valor, I called the fire department. However, three deputy sheriff deputies showed up first. None of them had on masks or gloves. They left when the firemen arrived. The firemen/paramedics weren't in masks or gloves either. After a review of the situation they said let it burn, but given my sensitivity stay away from the bees and call a bee removal expert. Then we stood around in my living room for a few minutes and we queried them about the virus. They reported that in all the calls they've answered, they have yet to encounter a COVID victim. So we shook hands and they left. So much for social distancing. Wes N7WS ps. I'm one of those 78 year olds that might not live long enough to get a K4 but I'm ready for the country to get back to work. On 5/15/2020 3:54 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote: We here in North Carolina will be beginning to open after next Friday, but very carefully. We do not want to see a resurgence of this virus. I need a haircut, and an appointment with my chiropractor, but those will have to wait because those are close physical contact situations. Since many of us are in the high risk category due to age, we must remain careful and vigilant even as things reopen. Facemasks and gloves are the order of the day for all outings as well as handwashing when we return home and hand sanitizer when not at home. It would be nice if all of this just went away, but that is wishful thinking during a major worldwide pandemic. The K4 will be ready when Elecraft can get the parts and start shipping. In the meantime, firmware updates and some Field Testing is all they can do. 73 and stay safe, 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 arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 on battery?
"Working" rather than working well with a clean signal are two different things. A K3(S), as well as almost any other "12V" rig, is prone to increased TX IMD as the supply voltage is reduced. For FD, with reduced efficiency antennas and no amplifiers, it's probably okay, but for everyday use, it would be bad form. Wes N7WS On 5/27/2020 8:48 AM, Doug Faunt N6TQS +1-510-717-1197 wrote: How well does the K3 work with lower power supply voltage, such as from a deep cycle battery after some hours of use? I'm looking at resurrecting my station for FD, as 1E. Relearning the K3 would probably be easier than learning the KX3. 73, doug __ __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] NOT the feedline (was KPA-1500 faulting on 6m; SWR issues)
In an earlier message on a different, but related thread: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K3-SWR-Numerical-Indication-td7643839.html I wrote: "I would be surprised if two garden variety instruments, even placed at the same point, would agree. The directional bridges/couplers in most "(V)SWR" meters that hams routinely use externally or which are built into our radios are not precision instruments. There are a number of error sources in reflection measurements; source match, diode non-linearity, coupler tracking errors and often the most significant, directivity error. In an ideal coupler, (i.e signal separation device) one port measures the forward (incident signal) and another measures the reverse (reflected) signal and there is no coupling between ports in the unwanted direction(s). In other words there is no signal at the reverse port due to the forward signal. In a real world coupler there is some leakage signal appearing at the reverse port due to the forward signal, absent any reflected signal. The "goodness" of a directional coupler in this instance is called "directivity" and the error signal is directivity error. Directivity is usually specified in dB. Really good couplers might have directivities in the 40 dB neighborhood. Really really good directional bridges can be 50 dB, but so-so units might be 25-30 dB. Not ready for prime time units are lower than this. Now I have no way of knowing what the directivities are of the couplers built into K3s, KPA500s, KAT500s, etc. but considering that they have to work over about 5 octaves, I'm going out on a limb and saying that 25 to 30 dB is a fair estimate. If I'm wrong, I'm sure I'll hear about it. For sake of discussion I'm going to use 26.5 dB. What this means is that if I terminate the output spigot of one of these radios with a perfect 50+j0 load, I'm going to measure a leakage signal (directivity error) that is 26.5 dB below the incident value. I'll introduce the concept of return loss here. We hams usually speak in terms of SWR. SWR = (1 + p) / (1 - p) where p is the reflection coefficient. Here the p = the voltage measured at the reflected port and the constant 1 represents the incident signal. In reality both of these quantities are complex numbers, they have both magnitude and phase but SWR measurements are scalar, we throw away the phase (since it's difficult to measure) and just use the magnitude. (In fact the symbol "p", which is really the Greek letter rho, indicates the magnitude of the reflection coefficient in normal usage) We can also express this ratio as return loss, which is -20 * log10(p). So return loss, SWR and reflection coefficient are just different ways to express the same thing; the ratio of incident to reflected signal. Let's return to our example; the coupler with 26.5 dB directivity, which indicates a return loss (RL) of 26.5 dB even with a perfect termination. Doing the math and converting RL = 26.5 dB to SWR we get 1.1:1. Our perfect load measures 1.1:1 with our imperfect instrument. And this assumes that there are no other errors, which there always are. But it gets worse. Let's say that the load we want to measure really is 1.1:1. We now have two (apparent) reflections, 1) the real one and 2) the directivity error and they both have the same magnitude. In our simple detector, they sum together. Now I said earlier that we don't measure phase, only magnitude, but just because we don't, or can't measure the relative phases doesn't mean they aren't there. We will examine two cases to determine the limits of error. Case 1) both reflections are in phase, they add up to p + p or 2p, RL = 20.5 and SWR ~1.21:1. Case 2) they are exactly out of phase, they sum to zero. p = 0, RL is infinite and SWR = 1:1. The possible RL error is then -6 to +infinity dB! In other words, an actual SWR of 1.1:1 can be measured anywhere between 1.0:1 and 1.2:1. Is it any wonder that we often read about concerns that one device measures one thing, while another located at the same, or close location measures something different. Of course all of this is predicated on a directional coupler with 26.5 dB directivity and no other error sources. It's entirely possible that the Elecraft couplers are better than this. They are certainly no better than 40 dB since the internal reference resistors are 51 instead of 50 ohm. Plus the "Tandem Match" configuration is in itself not a great match to the transmitter output.(1) Furthermore, the coupler, at least in a K3 is driven by a LPF, which isn't a great 50 ohm source. Plus the coupler output port isn't connected directly to the coax connector. and so on and so forth (2). All of this creates "uncertainty." In a metrology lab heroic efforts are made to reduce uncertainty but do we, or should we, really care i
Re: [Elecraft] Trying RF Gain Calibration with XG3 but fails
No, RF Gain calibration. On 6/4/2020 2:48 PM, Nr4c wrote: Oh, “S” Meter Cal Sorry! Sent from my iPhone ...nr4c. bill __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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(s) main oscillator calibration
The various reference calibration methods, including direct measurement of the TCXO that I do, just determine what the actual reference frequency is, but don't change it. This value is then used internally to compute the correct frequencies. Wes N7WS On 6/6/2020 11:47 AM, h...@kpnplanet.nl wrote: Hi all, In the CONFIG menu REF CALL the value of the main oscillator can be set. However, this does not impact the TCXO frequency at all in a direct sense. Whatever the REF CALL value, the TXCO frequency stays the same. This can also be seen in the schematic. The TXCO just outputs 49.380 MHz and has no voltage/frequency-adjustment input. So where and how does the frequency correction take place? Somewhere at the 15 kHz level or in the KSYN3 DDS / KSYN3A divider? Who can explain the principle. 73 Henk PA0C __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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(s) main oscillator calibration
All synthesized radios tune in steps. The difference between them is some are
smaller steps than others. Eleven years ago I offered a fourth method for
calibrating the reference frequency in a K3. (I suspect, but do not know that
the K3S is different.) See:
http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/Ref-Osc-Cal-Method-4-td2595451.html
After reading about my observations another ham queried Wayne and he responded
with an explanation of the frequency generation in the K3. Once again, I don't
whether this applies to the K3S. Perhaps Wayne will let us know. Nevertheless,
the tuning step sizes are different for different bands with the higher bands
having greater step sizes, i.e. less accuracy. I-F BW/Shift requires changing
oscillator frequencies at I-F ("BFO") with commensurate changes in the LO.
Since the LO has different step sizes on different bands, changes in the beat
note (that I observed) do occur.
The K3(S) is a great transceiver, it isn't a great frequency meter.
Wes N7WS
On 6/6/2020 2:42 PM, Dave Cole wrote:
Hi,
As the other station siad, you will have Doppler issues. Also the K3 tunes in
steps, which make sustained .1 hz accuracy a dream, not attainable. It looks
to tune in .25 Hz., or larger steps. I am going from memory here, so it may
be something different.
I wanted to use my K3 to watch Ionospheric shifting, via Doppler shifts, from
WWV. I am unable to as a result of the method Elecraft chose for tuning.
I have the TXCO, and that just provides a reference for the radio, it does not
make the steps go away...
I was quite disappointed when I discovered this, but, the good stuff in the
rest of the radio makes up for that small loss. I'll buy some stable rig that
uses analog tuning.
73, and thanks,
Dave (NK7Z)
https://www.nk7z.net
ARRL Volunteer Examiner
ARRL Technical Specialist
ARRL Asst. Director, NW Division, Technical Resources
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Re: [Elecraft] K3(s) main oscillator calibration
If you look at my earlier message in this thread, you'll see the link to nabble and my post from 11 years ago where I describe this method. :-) Wes N7WS On 6/7/2020 6:03 AM, Randy Farmer wrote: The best way I've found to calibrate the K3 reference oscillator is to use the 500 Hz and 600 Hz audio tones transmitted by WWV. I put the line out audio through a sound card and look at it with SpectrumLab. Tune in WWV in USB or LSB mode and tweak the reference trim until the tones are correct when you switch sidebands with the dial at precisely XX.000 000 MHz. I've found that you can't get precise agreement between sidebands, probably because of quantization limits in the synthesizer, but it will certainly be less than a couple of Hertz. This is plenty accurate for amateur (or probably any other kind) of service. 73... Randy, W8FN On 6/6/2020 10:20 PM, Bob McGraw K4TAX wrote: From my take, it is "ham radio" therefore +/-1 Hz. should be good enough for most operations. After all, the K3S resolution is 1 Hz., +/-1 count as I see it. I can keep mine +/-2 or 3 Hz on most bands. I use WWV with the radio in CW mode and CWT on, tune close to WWV and press SPOT. If it settles on the WWV frequency that's good. If it is off a few Hz, then I tweak the REF CAL up or down a few Hz until I get the accuracy I wish by repeating the process several times. Still I find +/- 1 Hz is about it, even with the high stability TXCO and very adequate warm-up time of about 2 hrs. If one needs something more accurate, then Don is correct, test equipment is the way to go. And expect to spend big bucks for good quality equipment that IS traceable to NIST. If the NIST document or calibration is more than 1 year old, the results will be questionable. I wrote an article which was published in QST, Sept 2015. It deals with "Transmit and Receive On Frequency". It shows that digital readouts are just that, readouts, and they are not frequency determining or measuring circuits. And when it is accurate on one band it may not have the same accuracy on another band. 73 Bob, K4TAX On 6/6/2020 5:20 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote: With the main K3 fine tuning at 1 Hz steps, I don't know that 0.1Hz or even 0.25Hz doppler shift will matter much in the final result. My frequency counter is good to 10 exp-9 which equates to +/-0.1 Hz at the TCXO frequency, so the WWV method provides as good or better accuracy, even considering the doppler shift possibility. The main problem is chasing the beat note down to a stable solid note. You usually can't truly get there, but you can get close enough that you hear about 10 or 20 seconds between peaks. Close enough for me. It can be quite expensive to obtain stability better than the K3S in an analog oscillator. My HP8640B signal generator will do that, but it takes at least a 3 hour warmup before it becomes stable. Yes, all the internal enclosures in my '8640 have covers with all the screws installed - that helps. OK, that is 'old iron', but I am not going to spend several $10,000 for something better. I have better things to do with my money, and no longer have access to modern lab quality equipment to achieve that kind of stability. We have a ham band transceiver - not a precision lab instrument. As long as we can stay inside our ham bands, that is all that matters to me. I would not put a carrier exactly on 7,000.00 kHz with any transceiver. 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 wes_n...@triconet.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(s) main oscillator calibration
You might have, but you're not who I'm thinking of:-) On 6/6/2020 7:45 PM, Dave Cole wrote: Thanks for the info, I think the other ham that asked Wayne, was me... :) __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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 - No RF output
On 6/15/2020 1:10 AM, Dick Dievendorff wrote: Is TX test on? 73 de Dick, K6KR On Jun 15, 2020, at 01:06, G4BVH wrote: Hi, I have had a fault develop on my K3 whereby there is no RF being produced. I have emailed the details to Elecraft support and am hoping to receive a reply with suggestions. However, I thought I would also send the details here in case anyone can suggest something to try or investigate further. I have a K3, serial number 6482 which I built from a kit. It has worked flawlessly since I built it. I have the 400Hz and 2.7kHz (2.8kHz?) filters fitted and the 100W module but no other additions. A few days ago, it was running 20W of FT8 and I suddenly discovered that it hadn't been transmitting. Everything appeared that it should be transmitting: the red TX LED was lit,_it was not in TEST mode (TX not flashing)_ but there was no RF output displayed on the bar graph and definitely nothing coming out on any mode. There is no RF if I wind down the power below the 10W level, there is the usual relay click going through 12W - 13W and still no RF above this level, ie on towards 100W. The K3 metering shows 13.5V and 0.84 on receive, 0.97A on the lower power level setting and 1.18A on the higher power setting on transmit. The RF output bar graph always displays 1 bar on transmit no matter what the power level is set but there is no RF coming out. I tried the TX calibration but it fails saying the power level didn't reach that required. The receiver works fine and I can hear the CW side tone and SSB, AM and FM audio monitoring as normal. I have removed and reseated the front panel and also the 3 coax patch leads behind the front panel but this made no difference. There is a yellow LED, D33, on the main board which is lit on receive and goes out on transmit. The latest firmware is installed - I updated this a month or so ago. TX inhibit is OFF and the 20A breaker has not tripped. Any thoughts or suggestions gratefully received. Very many thanks and 73, Peter, G4BVH __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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 Audio Interfaces 2020?
What's the matter with the internal soundcard in your computer? Wes N7WS On 6/15/2020 9:30 AM, Eric KG6MZS wrote: Hello All, I just scanned the archives for recommendations on a good external USB audio interface for sound card digital. In 2017 Jim (K9YC) recommended two (ASUS and Newmark) that are no longer available. What are the current favs that are out there now? TIA, Eric KG6MZS __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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 Audio Interfaces 2020?
OK QSL. All of my computers have soundcards including the, soon to be replaced, shack Lenovo laptop. I tried a TASCAM US-100, highly recommended by K9YC, without seeing any improvement over the Lenovo on digital modes. Wes N7WS On 6/15/2020 2:59 PM, Eric wrote: Hi Wes, Thank you (and everybody) for the replies. I am using the computer’s sound card for receive audio right now on my old computer, but my new laptop doesn’t have a mic jack, so I need to go to some kind of external device to get the audio from the radio to the computer. 73 de Eric, KG6MZS On Jun 15, 2020, at 2:31 PM, Wes wrote: What's the matter with the internal soundcard in your computer? Wes N7WS On 6/15/2020 9:30 AM, Eric KG6MZS wrote: Hello All, I just scanned the archives for recommendations on a good external USB audio interface for sound card digital. In 2017 Jim (K9YC) recommended two (ASUS and Newmark) that are no longer available. What are the current favs that are out there now? TIA, Eric KG6MZS __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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 k...@hollywoodtitle.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 arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Best Audio Interfaces 2020?
The first thing I do when getting a new (to me) computer is turn off Windows sounds. I watch Youtube using ROKU on the big screen. Wes N7WS On 6/15/2020 2:47 PM, W6IPA wrote: The matter is that you will send all the OS sounds to that interface (because you have only one)- and at this point you need to chase all the notifications what will be sending sound, and you cannot watch youtube anymore :-) JC/W6IPA. On Jun 15, 2020, at 2:31 PM, Wes wrote: What's the matter with the internal soundcard in your computer? Wes N7WS On 6/15/2020 9:30 AM, Eric KG6MZS wrote: Hello All, I just scanned the archives for recommendations on a good external USB audio interface for sound card digital. In 2017 Jim (K9YC) recommended two (ASUS and Newmark) that are no longer available. What are the current favs that are out there now? TIA, Eric KG6MZS __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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 w6...@poxika.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] Best Audio Interfaces 2020?
I should have stated for KG6MZS that my computers do have audio inputs to the internal cards. And when I spoke of digital modes, I meant RTTY, the only one I seriously use. Wes N7WS On 6/15/2020 8:51 PM, Jim Brown wrote: On 6/15/2020 4:55 PM, Wes wrote: OK QSL. All of my computers have soundcards including the, soon to be replaced, shack Lenovo laptop. I tried a TASCAM US-100, highly recommended by K9YC, without seeing any improvement over the Lenovo on digital modes. Hi Wes, You might want to look at the piece I wrote on the topic, which details my testing. It was pretty rigorous. The USB interfaces I recommended were equally good, decoded to much greater signal to noise levels, and produced almost twice as many decodes as the sound system built into the two T43 Thinkpads used for the tests. Pulling out the weakest signals requires a lot of dynamic range if very strong signals are present, and cheap A/D converters can have poor linearity close to the low end of the dynamic range. WSJT-X uses 48 kHz 16-bit, theoretical 96 dB, real life more like 90. It's not unusual for there to be locals 30-50 dB over S9 when the band is open, so every little bit of dynamic range can matter when you're trying to work the weak ones. All of this is why I started my search in the semi-pro audio world. One thing I differ with in the WSJT-X instructions is to set band noise to 30 dB on the green voltmeter bar. That's fine for modes like MSK144 and ISCAT B, but gives up FAR too much dynamic range for modes like FT8, FT4, JT65, and JT9. 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3s discontinued?
Speaking of pricing shock, two weeks ago I took, "Sparky", my little 18-pound Poodle-mix dog to his favorite dog park. Inside the enclosure there is a half-buried piece of 3-foot diameter concrete pipe that makes a tunnel for the dogs to run through. He ran in and immediately yipped, came out and ran to the far end of the enclosure faster that I've ever seen him go. I ran to the pipe and discovered a very agitated Diamondback rattlesnake, buzzing away. I gathered up Sparky and discovered puncture wounds right on his snout. Fortunately, our vet's office was ten minutes away. They are using "curb service" with the virus issue so they took in the dog and my credit card. Once they ran the card for a $1K deposit they began treatment. Several days and nights of agony for us and the dog later, he is doing fine with just a couple of scabs left on the nose. The final cost was $3,200, almost exactly the price I paid for my K3S. Wes N7WS On 6/15/2020 8:32 PM, Charlie T wrote: I don't understand the "shock" at the K4 pricing. If you "load-up" a K3S with all the options you'd have to buy that are included in the K4, AND add a P3, with VGA & transmit monitor, I think you'll find the K4 is a BARGAIN! 73, Charlie k3ICH -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net On Behalf Of Wayne Burdick Sent: Monday, June 15, 2020 11:24 PM To: Gary Gregory Cc: Elecraft Reflector Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3s discontinued? Gary, VK1ZZ, wrote: I was hoping to add a K3s to my current setup (K3 #679) but that appears to be out of the question dammit. Hi Gary, We sold the last K3S, I believe, but we'll have a number of upgraded, fully warranted K3's available for purchase on the web site sometime soon. Some were used for DXpeditions. Was there a reason why the K3s was discontinued? Yes; we felt it was time to create a new, hybrid SDR with a large, integrated touch screen and virtually unlimited hardware/software expansion capability. The K3/K3S had a good run -- over 12 years. During that time we created many options and accessories and released dozens of free firmware upgrades. Everything we learned from that experience, plus a lot of new R&D, is being incorporated into the K4. (It's an exciting radio. For me, every morning it's a battle of wills to stop playing with it and get my work done :) We're looking forward to getting the K4 into customers' hands. Our suppliers are coming back on line. And so are we ... but we're prioritizing the health of our staff, which requires some heroics from the facilities department. 73, Wayne N6KR __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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 pin...@erols.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 wes_n...@triconet.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] Field Day and clean radios
If you're going to worry about it, nitrile gloves. Wes N7WS On 6/16/2020 4:02 PM, AB1DD wrote: Hi All, Question on cleaning a K3, specifically during Field Day. We need to clean the K3 before a change of operators. What is safe, IE not take off the button labels? Alcohol? We will take the rubber ring off the tuning nob. What's good? __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] Field Day and clean radios
I'm glad to see such agreement. Since I used to do a little woodworking I had a half box of 3M N95 masks in my shop when this thing hit. I also bought nitrile gloves by the box and had about a hundred each of large and small (for my SO) on hand. Since then, I've purchased a couple of boxes more of each size although the gouging doubled the price on the last batch. Despite now having hundreds of them, we keep just a couple of pair in the car when we go out and use sanitizer on them when we get back in the car. It doesn't damage the gloves and saves our hands. I would suggest doing that for the FD operation. Wes N7WS On 6/16/2020 4:31 PM, Wes wrote: If you're going to worry about it, nitrile gloves. Wes N7WS On 6/16/2020 4:02 PM, AB1DD wrote: Hi All, Question on cleaning a K3, specifically during Field Day. We need to clean the K3 before a change of operators. What is safe, IE not take off the button labels? Alcohol? We will take the rubber ring off the tuning nob. What's good? __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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 wes_n...@triconet.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] Future of KPA500 & KAT500
15 dB Wes N7WS On 6/17/2020 12:13 PM, Nr4c wrote: The KAT500 has three antenna out ports. It only needs one In so the KPA500 needs only one out port. As for the 10 W in and 500 out idea. That is prohibited by law. They’re only allowed to sell an amp with max gain of 13dB. Sent from my iPhone ...nr4c. bill __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] Future of KPA500 & KAT500
My whole home station runs on one 120VAC 20A circuit. https://www.qrz.com/db/N7WS for stats. Wes N7WS On 6/17/2020 1:58 PM, Jim Brown wrote: On 6/17/2020 1:44 PM, Josh Fiden wrote: Also nice to have an amp you can run from 120v if needed. Yes. The KPA500 and KAT500 see a lot of use for 7QP and CQP expeditions, and for 6M grid expeditions. 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
Re: [Elecraft] Auto-spot, tuning aids, and the arcane history of CW pitch-matching
Are you serious? Wes N7WS On 1/22/2019 1:45 PM, Dave New, N8SBE wrote: Don't know how i did without it all these years... 73, -- Dave, N8SBE __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] Urban Stealth
This thread brings back memories of an antenna I once used mobile for a weekend. I was headed to a hamfest in Phoenix from Tucson back when two-meter AM was still in vogue. Should give you and idea of time-frame. I owned a Heathkit "Twoer" and a 1956 Corvette (wish I had this back---the car---not the Heathkit). In those days BC stations still used "transcription discs" that could be obtained if you knew the right person at a station. These were 16" diameter aluminum discs, normally covered in lacquer that when stripped yielded a beautiful 2-meter ground plane. In the C1 Corvette the soft top was folded and stowed under a hinged hatch behind the seats. When it was up, a couple of toggle clamps secured the rear of the soft top, to the hatch. These clamps created a hole in the hatch through which the vertical whip could be passed. So the hatch could be opened, the disc placed in the storage compartment with the whip sticking through the hatch after it was closed. All of this was fiberglass so the antenna was mounted "in the clear" albeit pretty close to ground. With this rig, sitting in a friend's driveway in Tempe, I was able to work another friend back in Tucson over a path once described in QST's "World above 50 Mc" as "difficult." Wes N7WS __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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 S-meter reading and coax input or antenna voltage ?
At the antenna spigot. On 1/23/2019 10:00 AM, Phil Hystad via Elecraft wrote: If I had an S-meter reading, S9 for example, on my K3, what could I infer about the voltage level of that signal at the Coax input to my K3? A table I found on the Internet for singals below 30 MHz says that an S-9 meter reading is a signal of 50-microvolts but where in the system is that registering 50 microvolts. At the input the K3 or some other circuit within the K3? Thanks -- just mostly curious about this and the connection between S-meter reading and actual signals input to the receiver. 73, phil, K7PEH __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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 wes_n...@triconet.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] Auto-spot, tuning aids, and the arcane history of CW pitch-matching
You should be subscribed to Timenuts. But clearly one of us is confused. If you're using an OCXO in your transverter and up converting the K3, how does K3 drift/inaccuracy "compound" at UHF? Can you read that watch to 50 ms? What are you going to do when WWVB goes QRT? Wes N7WS On 1/23/2019 12:26 PM, Dave New, N8SBE wrote: Wes, Yes. I'm a stickler for accuracy. It always bothered me that the so-called 'temperature compensated' LO in the K3 was not actively being steered by temperature compensation (i.e. I could only put static temperature offsets into the rig memory from the data sheet that came with the oscillator). That was a 'feature' that was never released. At HF frequencies, it was only an annoyance, but using UHF transverters, the error compounds (I'm using a crystal oven in my UHF transverter, but the lack of one in the K3 caused drifting). I use a Citizen watch with WWVB reception, so the time on my wrist is never more than 50 ms off. Anally yours, -- Dave, N8SBE __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] Auto-spot, tuning aids, and the arcane history of CW pitch-matching
Of course I know that. Mine was a rhetorical question. On 1/23/2019 6:08 PM, ab2tc wrote: Hi, It doesn't "compound". A 10Hz drift at the antenna output of the K3, will be reflected as a 10Hz drift at the output of any transverter, be it VHF, UHF or microwave. At the higher frequencies even a transverter with an OCXO its drift would probably dominate. AB2TC - Knut Wes Stewart-2 wrote You should be subscribed to Timenuts. But clearly one of us is confused. If you're using an OCXO in your transverter and up converting the K3, how does K3 drift/inaccuracy "compound" at UHF? Can you read that watch to 50 ms? What are you going to do when WWVB goes QRT? Wes N7WS On 1/23/2019 12:26 PM, Dave New, N8SBE wrote: Wes, Yes. I'm a stickler for accuracy. It always bothered me that the -- 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 wes_n...@triconet.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] KAT500/KPA500 - Sanity Check Please
Not necessarily. That is true for purely resistive (real) loads, but for reactive loads with the same SWR the real part can be much different and may or may not be matched even at <10:1. Wes N7WS On 1/26/2019 8:16 AM, Bob McGraw K4TAX wrote: ... A 10:1 SWR basically says the impedance is somewhere between 5 ohms and 500 ohms 73 Bob, K4TAX __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] FW: [Elecraft-K3] K3S Comparison table finalized(linkattached)
I agree. On 1/30/2019 10:08 AM, Roger wrote: A comparison with TS-890S would be interesting. 73, Roger DL2YDP __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] FW: [Elecraft-K3] K3S Comparison table finalized(linkattached)
How could you possibly know that? On 1/30/2019 2:08 PM, Ron Genovesi wrote: Having owned both, I can assure you of one thing. You really don’t want to go there. Believe me Ron Genovesi N3ETA Sent from my iPhone On Jan 30, 2019, at 12:30 PM, Wes <mailto:wes_n...@triconet.org>> wrote: I agree. On 1/30/2019 10:08 AM, Roger wrote: A comparison with TS-890S would be interesting. 73, Roger DL2YDP __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] Elecraft business practices
How about take note? On 2/8/2019 6:42 AM, Mike Morrow wrote: As I stated, they did this twice so I suspect more than a glitch. I did try to talk to sales and received several excuses but no definitive answers. Lou W2ROW What, EXACTLY, are you expecting readers of the Elecraft list to do for you? 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KPA-1500 failed!
I think a two-tone test is the best evaluation tool.. The generator is built into the K3 if you have another receiver that you can use to listen to the amp output. I use an SDR-IQ which is a very nice tool for this but any other SDR would do. Sorry for your pain. Wes N7WS On 2/16/2019 7:28 AM, li...@w2irt.net wrote: I was operating in the ARRL-CW contest this morning and on 20m, with a 1.2:1 SWR on the Yagi, all of a sudden I saw my power drop to about 450-500W with about 40W in. Worked a few stations but not as easily as when I turned everything on this morning. Switched over to phone and made a few contacts. Audio is fine barefoot with 100W out of the K3s-which suffered blown finals itself during CQWW SSB last fall, but with the amp in I got reports that my audio was badly distorted. Before I send it in, is there anything I should look at or any diagnostics I can easily perform? For the cost of this, I'd have thought protection would have kicked in to prevent anything untoward from happening. I'm in complete disbelief, to be honest. - 73 and Good DX Peter, W2IRT __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] KPA-1500 failed!
Unfortunately, you're wrong. My K3S has failed multiple times. Fortunately, my KPA500 has not. I'm not in the market for a KPA1500. Wes N7WS On 2/16/2019 9:01 AM, Mark Goldberg wrote: It's been said there are no coincidences. Have you checked your coaxes / connectors? I agree that protection built in should not allow radios to blow finals, but this sounds like too much of a coincidence with two different radios blowing to not be an external intermittent connection. Try wiggling all the cables with low power. Unfortunately, sometimes a problem will only show up as arcing at high power. Is there another HAM near you with a powerful amp and antenna close to yours? Best of luck, Mark W7MLG On Sat, Feb 16, 2019 at 8:50 AM wrote: Exact same thing happened to my K3s in October, now my KPA-1500. Yeah, So done here. Once repaired and confirmed working it will be up for sale. Going back to a tube amp after this. - pjd -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net On Behalf Of Paul Baldock Sent: Saturday, February 16, 2019 10:28 AM To: rocke...@gmail.com; elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KPA-1500 failed! It sounds like one of the output devices have failed. Half power out is usually the indicator. A number here have reported this happening. It would be nice to know why this problem is occurring and if Elecraft are working on a fix. - Paul At 07:10 AM 2/16/2019, rocke...@gmail.com wrote: I talked to Peter on the phone. He has no bias current when amp is transmitting with no power applied (key on SSB without talking. He is reading 54 volts and has tried power cycling amp from power supply switch and reseated all cables. Definitely BAD distortion on SSB (we are close enough to hear each other). Looks like one RF device let loose and it is dragging down the bias voltage. That is my guess. Dave wo2x -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net On Behalf Of Wes Sent: Saturday, February 16, 2019 9:49 AM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KPA-1500 failed! I think a two-tone test is the best evaluation tool.. The generator is built into the K3 if you have another receiver that you can use to listen to the amp output. I use an SDR-IQ which is a very nice tool for this but any other SDR would do. Sorry for your pain. Wes N7WS On 2/16/2019 7:28 AM, li...@w2irt.net wrote: I was operating in the ARRL-CW contest this morning and on 20m, with a 1.2:1 SWR on the Yagi, all of a sudden I saw my power drop to about 450-500W with about 40W in. Worked a few stations but not as easily as when I turned everything on this morning. Switched over to phone and made a few contacts. Audio is fine barefoot with 100W out of the K3s-which suffered blown finals itself during CQWW SSB last fall, but with the amp in I got reports that my audio was badly distorted. Before I send it in, is there anything I should look at or any diagnostics I can easily perform? For the cost of this, I'd have thought protection would have kicked in to prevent anything untoward from happening. I'm in complete disbelief, to be honest. - 73 and Good DX Peter, W2IRT __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] KPA-1500 failed!
Thousands of people; without issue. Wes N7WS On 2/16/2019 1:55 PM, John Stengrevics wrote: Who uses PL-259s? __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] OT: Totally
This week it's rodeo days in Tucson. A favorite of the snowbirds. This morning however, it seems the snowbirds brought the snow with them. Yep, it's snowing in Tucson. Not looking forward to "rush" hour. Wes N7WS __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3- To zero beat or not to zero beat
I wrote about this almost 10 years ago: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/Ref-Osc-Cal-Method-4-td2595451.html Wes N7WS On 2/22/2019 10:28 AM, Randy Farmer wrote: A better method is to tune the receiver to the carrier frequency of the highest WWV frequency you can hear. Then put the receiver in SSB mode and look at the line out audio with a soundcard-based spectrum analyzer such as Spectrum Lab (https://www.qsl.net/dl4yhf/spectra1.html). Check to see if the 500 Hz and 600 Hz tones are correct. If not, adjust the REF CAL to make them right. Be sure to check on both USB and LSB; you may have to split the (usually very small) difference between the two sideband responses. 73... Randy, W8FN On 2/22/2019 9:01 AM, Bob McGraw K4TAX wrote: The method I've used to check my K3S, put the radio in CW mode, tune to each WWV frequency and then press SPOT. The automatic SPOT function will bring the radio to the WWV frequency +/- 1 Hz. The SPOT function matches the receiver sidetone offset of the WWV carrier and the audio of WWV is not applicable. If the display is other than the WWV frequency, then adjust the REF CAL number to correct the error. You do need to check all of the WWV frequencies you can receive to assure the accuracy holds on all bands. Unfortunately we have come to believe that the digital readouts are absolute, which indeed, they are not. They depend on the internal reference. If the internal reference is incorrect, then everything else is likewise incorrect. 73 Bob, K4TAX __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] ALC control of W6PQL amp from my K3
Indeed. Folks who would never think to turn off the AGC in their receivers get weak-kneed at the thought of AGC (ALC) being used in the transmit loop. In "Fundamentals of SSB", Collins radio speaks of ALC (pp.7-10,11) without any negativity, and in fact calls it a form of speech compression. As in many things, the devil is in the details. I suspect most of the Elecraft faithful would also be surprised to know that their beloved K3s use internal ALC as well as digital power control. This is not perfect, I've observed overshoot, power slowly increasing to set level and low level power jitter*. * You need a spectrum analyzer to see this and it's unlikely to be heard on the air, but it's there. Wes N7WS On 3/9/2019 10:59 AM, KENT TRIMBLE wrote: ... As a friend of mine puts it, the ALC controversy borders on being a religious issue. 73, Kent K9ZTV __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] ALC control of W6PQL amp from my K3
True to a point. I would (and did) lose the SignaLink. I use my Lenovo laptop's internal sound card, even with a K3S. Wes N7WS On 3/10/2019 2:16 PM, Bill Frantz wrote: What makes Don's excellend advice harder is that there may be as many as 4 audio level controls between the computer and the transmitter. (The one in the program, the OS's control, one on the interface box (SignaLink), and the one on the radio.) My solution is to have all but one, the one in the program, set to constant values, so they can be quickly set. 73 Bill AE6JV __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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* POD
Henning, This is the place. Wes N7WS On 3/13/2019 3:50 AM, Henning Hess wrote: Hallo, OMs How can I publish my questions at the right place? 73 de Henning (DJ7HH) __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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-POD Function key #'s mapping/Macro Assignments not matching K3 util assignments
Do you have the latest FW in your K3S? On 3/14/2019 3:36 PM, Brian Pietrzyk (ve3bwp) wrote: I read through the archive and found no mention of this issue: I just got a k-Pod and a K3s and am wanting to program Function keys but the tap assignments don’t seem to work. The hold ones seem to. I am referring to table 11-3 / p 235 in the Fred Kady K3s pdf ebook. The table says tap F1-F8 should map to K3 Macros 9-16, Hold F1-F8 should map to K3 Macros 1-8. I assigned F1 Tap to VFO FINE and Hold F1 to VFO Course. By putting SWT49; and SWH49; commands in Macro 1 & 9 lines respectively and this works as expected. For F2 TAP I just want to toggle NR on/off. So I put SWT34; into Macro 10. When I tap F2 nothing happens and VFO B displays MACRO 1. So I put SWT34; into MACRO 2 and Hold F2 works as expected. NR toggles on/off and VFO B displays MACRO 2 as expected when I hold F2. Not sure why Tap F2 acting this way? I have the same issue with F3 & F4. I assigned BAND ^ and BAND v to tap and nothing happens and VFO B display MACRO 1. Hold F3&4 Works fine. So essentially I can only get Tap F1 to work. I have to Hold the get the rest of the function keys to work. I tried reloading the firmware into the Kpod and no change. Did I get a defective KPOD? Thanks, Brian ve3bwp __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] Test please disregard
__ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] (no subject)
Debunked too many times to mention. On 3/22/2019 11:03 AM, TJ Campie wrote: You do not need to run 250w on ft8 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] Legacy = Low Latency: FSK-D mode
On 3/22/2019 9:14 AM, Wayne Burdick wrote: I waited until all of the frenzy subsided and bought myself a K3 back in '08 IIRC. I was using a TS-870SAT primarily on SSB at the time and frankly, I was disappointed in the K3, particularly from an ergonomic point of view. So in looking for a use for the K3 I investigated RTTY. Although I had been licensed for about 50 years at that time I had never operated RTTY. I've never to this day used the internal RTTY capability, nor FSK for that matter, but I did start using AFSK. I got hooked. So I thought to try for DXCC and now have a DXCC certificate that actually says "RTTY" on it. Today it's harder to find new ones, but I have 254 confirmed now with my modest station. It's great fun and even though it's a "digital" mode, operator skill still makes a difference. Unfortunately, I heard one of the current DXpeditions plopped on 14.080 using the abysmal FT8 the other day, so nothing is sacred anymore. Wes N7WS Next time you're listening on 20 meters, the most popular band for RTTY, take a quick spin above 14.080. If you hear some of those magical tones, turn on FSK-D mode and give this mode a try. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] Legacy = Low Latency: FSK-D mode
Sorry about the cut and paste. Clearly Wayne didn't write the top part, I did. On 3/22/2019 3:19 PM, Wes wrote: I waited until all of the frenzy subsided and bought myself a K3 back in '08 IIRC. I was using a TS-870SAT primarily on SSB at the time and frankly, I was disappointed in the K3, particularly from an ergonomic point of view. So in looking for a use for the K3 I investigated RTTY. Although I had been licensed for about 50 years at that time I had never operated RTTY. I've never to this day used the internal RTTY capability, nor FSK for that matter, but I did start using AFSK. I got hooked. So I thought to try for DXCC and now have a DXCC certificate that actually says "RTTY" on it. Today it's harder to find new ones, but I have 254 confirmed now with my modest station. It's great fun and even though it's a "digital" mode, operator skill still makes a difference. Unfortunately, I heard one of the current DXpeditions plopped on 14.080 using the abysmal FT8 the other day, so nothing is sacred anymore. Wes N7WS On 3/22/2019 9:14 AM, Wayne Burdick wrote: Next time you're listening on 20 meters, the most popular band for RTTY, take a quick spin above 14.080. If you hear some of those magical tones, turn on FSK-D mode and give this mode a try. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] Legacy = Low Latency: FSK-D mode
I know about FT8 DXPedition mode. I have used it a couple of times just for the hell of it but I never claim DXCC credit for FT8 contacts. I also know that 14080 isn't one of the "recommended" frequencies for FT8. I would argue about the efficacy compared to CW. I know it reports all of those negative SNRs but they are bogus. As to rates, when my friend Ned, AA7A, was operating RTTY from S. Georgia and S. Sandwich he was knocking them dead. On 15 meters VP8SGI made almost the same number of RTTY contacts as SSB contacts. They only operated RTTY on three bands yet about 10% of their total Qs were RTTY. Wes N7WS On 3/22/2019 4:08 PM, Jim Brown wrote: On 3/22/2019 3:29 PM, Wes wrote: DXCC certificate that actually says "RTTY" on it. Today it's harder to find new ones, but I have 254 confirmed now with my modest station. Congrats on that. I too am quite happy with AFSK. It's great fun and even though it's a "digital" mode, operator skill still makes a difference. Yep. RTTY contesting can be a lot of fun, especially with SO2R. A couple of guys in our contest club, WK6I and W0YK, win RTTY contests running three radios. And operator skill also matters with FT8, even though it's also possible to make QSOs with minimal operator involvement. Unfortunately, I heard one of the current DXpeditions plopped on 14.080 using the abysmal FT8 That's because 1) RTTY is very difficult for the DXpedition operator in a pileup, making for slow QSO rates; 2) the latest version of WSJT-X includes a "DXpedition mode" that allows far greater rates than RTTY; and the signal to noise advantage of FT8 over CW (moderate) and SSB (a lot) allows QSOs over more difficult paths and with more modest stations. 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
Re: [Elecraft] Legacy = Low Latency: FSK-D mode
Congratulations on your achievement! Very impressive. I need two, SV/A and FR/G, for top of the Honor Roll (mixed). My QRZ,com bio describes my station so I won't repeat it here, except to say that I have never owned a transceiver with two receivers. I'm not discounting the idea that two receives might be more effective in some cases, but I (obviously) don't think they are a requirement for working DX pileups. Case in point: As I said before I worked both VP8STI and VP8SGI on RTTY. AFAIK, Ned, AA7A was operating both times. I spent two hours calling him on 20m, while trying to figure out his pattern before I figured out that he didn't have one! I confirmed with him in person later that this was the case. He randomly tuned after every contact. I finally went up (from my log) 8 kHz and he found me. Trying to find the last guy worked is pointless sometimes. Regrettably, I think you are correct about FT8. Even the aforementioned AA7A in a presentation to our DX club discussed this. He has become a big promoter, and I believe worked on DXpedition mode development. He asked, "By a show of hands, how many of you RTTY guys listen to the audio?" I raised my hand. He shook his head and said that one reason that he really liked FT8 as a expedition operator was that he didn't have to listen to it. I won't editorialize further. Wes N7WS On 3/22/2019 10:41 PM, Peter Dougherty wrote: I concur. There have been some great RTTY ops at times, but more Dxpeditions had it as an afterthought and it showed in their rates. I've always hated RTTY pileups as a DXer. You need to have two active windows and a lot of luck finding the 599 on the second one, especially in a lidfest where nobody stops sending when the DX calls someone. I'm currently sitting at 329 worked in digital, every one of them was on RTTY (including deleteds; 327 without). Included in there were some truly hellacious pileups 15-30 kHz wide. While I still enjoy the mode for simplex DXing or a simple "up 3", for high-demand DXpeditions I am grudgingly accepting that FT8 F/H is the way of the future, and will make a lot of DXers happy down the line. With Bouvet slated for FT8 as the sole digital mode, I'm hoping somehow to get another 4 more that I still need the old way, then I can hang the diddle up for good. - pjd __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] Bouvet
Totally agree. See my QRZ bio. Wes N7WS On 3/23/2019 3:24 PM, Rick WA6NHC wrote: While the ARRL has accepted remotes as 'legal' for DXCC credit (a dubious decision) IF the user is within the same entity as the rest of the DXCC entries on the application, it then becomes a moral issue. It's faster than driving around the entity for better propagation, also entirely 'legit'; or owning several stations scattered about (also legal for DXCC and brings up the argument of 'buying' the DXCC, ignored for the moment). Ultimately, all operators must live with the moral choices they've made... no one else can shame or praise them as much as they do to themselves; presuming that each is honest to ones self. I can say with certainty that every entry in my log was made with my radio, using my antenna(s) that I put up personally (sometimes with assistance in this arena). Since I don't really compete against others and my fiercest competition, is me. That is the (moral) choice one must use; to be true to self. I refer to any DXCC standings, simply to see how I'm doing in the overall 'game'. Using my station remotely while traveling, doesn't affect that; it's still MY station. In fairness, not everyone can have a station these days (HOA, budget, space) so there is a place for a remote station... I'm not belittling that. But HOW it's used, is again, a moral choice. For me, having a selection of rented stations about, just to use the best propagation, violates my ethics. Choose wisely, you have to live with yourself. 73 Rick NHC __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] The case against touch screens
Speaking of F22s, I got to see a demo of one at this weekend's airshow at DMAFB. Also on hand were the USAF Thunderbirds. I think there are a lot politicians who should have to attend one of these to see how tax money should be spent. I understand the gloves comment. It's a PITA to have to remove my gloves while driving to simply change a radio station. On 3/25/2019 11:50 AM, Mark Petiford via Elecraft wrote: RE: You assume that touch screens are inherently unreliable. Try to convince and F22 pilot of that, or a 777 gunnery crew. You assume that aircraft with flat panel displays utilize touch screens. The military aircraft I have worked (Design Engineering) that have flat panel displays do NOT utilize touch displays. The reasons are primarily touch resolution, and stability. Military pilots must be able to select functions while wearing heavy gloves, so they do not have great resolution as to where their touch will land. They must also be able to reliably select functions during high G loading, both natural (turbulence) and induced (maneuvering). Consequently, their flat displays usually consist of the main display, surrounded by hardware buttons (switches) which are separated with raised "dividers" or "walls" to separate the buttons. These buttons have small on-screen labels that change depending on which screen is being displayed. We used to call these "soft buttons". I could go on, but will stop with that. While I love the modern flat screen color displays (my uBITX will have one soon), I must side with Wayne in that the functions that must be addressed when time is critical (can't remember how Wayne described it) should be hard buttons or "soft buttons" noted above). Mark, KE6BB __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] Macintosh version of Elecraft KX3 Utility
You could always do what some of us Windows users do; keep an old computer around with legacy OS. My two shack computers and my office desktop still run Win 7 Pro. To run my N2PK VNA, I have a laptop with a parallel port running WinXP and I think there is still a 386 laptop out in the garage somewhere with Win95, just in case :-) Of course the latter two have no WiFi cards in them to avoid troubles. Wes N7WS ps. My son, who is the IT Manager for a national corporation, thinks I'm a Luddite. On 3/27/2019 1:43 PM, Bill Frantz wrote: Apple plans to not support 32 bit applications with the next major release of MacOS. This change will hit a number of ham radio applications as well as the Elecraft utilities. My favorite program for SO2V RTTY, cocoaModem is one of them, and there is no formal support for it, and the available sources won't build under the modern MacOS development environment. I'm hoping for a miracle. 73 Bill AE6JV __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] Macintosh version of Elecraft KX3 Utility
Andy, Maybe for some, but my eyes glaze over when you start talking about that stuff. I've already experienced the sunk costs for the old hardware. Wes On 3/27/2019 3:13 PM, Andy McMullin wrote: Wes, I wonder if a better answer would be to push for versions of the utilities that compile on an ARM chip so that it could be run on a Raspberry Pi. Particularly as it’s already been compiled for an X86 under Linux, so all the libraries should be there. I don’t think many of us would worry about spending 25 quid on a little computer to have just to run the utilities and maybe some of the modern digital modes? Regards Andy, G8TQH On 27 Mar 2019, at 21:23, Wes wrote: You could always do what some of us Windows users do; keep an old computer around with legacy OS. My two shack computers and my office desktop still run Win 7 Pro. To run my N2PK VNA, I have a laptop with a parallel port running WinXP and I think there is still a 386 laptop out in the garage somewhere with Win95, just in case :-) Of course the latter two have no WiFi cards in them to avoid troubles. Wes N7WS ps. My son, who is the IT Manager for a national corporation, thinks I'm a Luddite. On 3/27/2019 1:43 PM, Bill Frantz wrote: Apple plans to not support 32 bit applications with the next major release of MacOS. This change will hit a number of ham radio applications as well as the Elecraft utilities. My favorite program for SO2V RTTY, cocoaModem is one of them, and there is no formal support for it, and the available sources won't build under the modern MacOS development environment. I'm hoping for a miracle. 73 Bill AE6JV __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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
