Re: Topband: Rig Question
If I want great sounding SSB I fire up the CE-100V with the factory 160M option, NCL-2000 modified to include 160, and highly modified 75A4; along with a D-104. Ive had all since the 60's. Carl KM1H - Original Message - From: Radio KH6O radio.k...@gmail.com To: Bob Kupps n...@yahoo.com Cc: topband@contesting.com Sent: Tuesday, June 17, 2014 1:13 AM Subject: Re: Topband: Rig Question I'm still living in the 60s. I use a Galaxy GT-550 for non 160M work. 73, Jeff KH6O / 6 _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2014.0.4592 / Virus Database: 3972/7692 - Release Date: 06/17/14 _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Rig Question
This past winter season I borrowed a friend's K3 and used it and my Kenwood TS-590S in a SO2R setup in a number of RTTY contests. I found that 99% of the time the TS-590S heard what the K3 did. It was a pleasant surprise. Neither rig suffered 2 kHz spacing IMD crud. I also ran a SO2R RTTY contest setup with my TS-590S and an Icom IC-7600 and the TS-590S was the clear winner. Using 2 kHz spacing for IMD when I printed weak RTTY signals against strong RTTY signals on the Icom IC-7600 it failed every time. In that circumstance I could see and hear approximately 6 db of IMD crud on the IC-7600. I sold the Icom IC-7600 and bought a second TS-590S for SO2R RTTY contesting. As far as the TS-590S ALC issue there is a brief millisecond spike of output power that occurs on keydown and it can trip a solid state amplifier into safe mode. But I didn't test for that problem on my TS-590S's. As I use an Ameritron AL-80B the ALC power output spike problem is not an issue. Kenwood will fix the ALC power output issue for free whether the rig is in or out of warranty. You have to pay for shipping to Kenwood and they pay for return shipping. 73 God Bless, Thomas F. Giella W4HM Lakeland, FL, USA thomasfgie...@gmail.com W4HM's Amateur SWL Autobiography: http://www.w4hm.org - Original Message - From: Thomas W4HM thomasfgie...@gmail.com To: a topband @ COL topband@contesting.com Sent: Sunday, June 15, 2014 12:27 PM Subject: Re:Rig Question Trent the Kenwood TS-590S would meet your requirements and it has a better receiver in it than the TS-2000. The TS-590S receiver section rivals the K3. 73 God Bless, Thomas F. Giella W4HM Lakeland, FL, USA thomasfgie...@gmail.com W4HM's Amateur SWL Autobiography: http://www.w4hm.org --- This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active. http://www.avast.com _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Topband: K3 vs THE REST
I have owned a K3 for just over 3 years and my impression is that, for “normal” operation on the bands there is little difference between it and several other transceivers. However, where the K3 shines is on CW, digging out readable copy on stations which are right down in the crud. No Yaesu, ICOM or Kenwood radio I have used comes close to what the K3 can do in that regard IMHO. Operated in diversity mode (two antennas, one vertically and one horizontally polarized) with the proper filter and bandwidth, it is truly amazing what the l’il guy can pull out of the noise. But of course all this is very subjective! Bill VE3CSK _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Rig Question
It's not that long ago when everyone would be raving about the Drake R-4C , so many pictures of top Topband Dxer's with one on the table, how times change. 73, Max M0GHQ/W8BX _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Rig Question
I had a pair of C Lines from about 77-86 when they were replaced by a pair of TS-930's. Prior to that it was the highly modified 75A4 I still have and often use as the second RX on 160. In stock shape the R-4C audio was horrible and I used the Sherwood circuit. I worked my 160 DXCC with it Carl KM1H - Original Message - From: Max Cotton airra...@dsl.pipex.com To: topband@contesting.com Sent: Tuesday, June 17, 2014 3:59 PM Subject: Re: Topband: Rig Question It's not that long ago when everyone would be raving about the Drake R-4C , so many pictures of top Topband Dxer's with one on the table, how times change. 73, Max M0GHQ/W8BX _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2014.0.4592 / Virus Database: 3972/7692 - Release Date: 06/17/14 _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Rig Question
I suppose that means that you prefer your customized phase-locked Drake C-line? 73, Mike www.w0btu.com On Mon, Jun 16, 2014 at 3:22 PM, Tom W8JI w...@w8ji.com wrote: I prefer analog detection of weak signals in noise, but I can live with the K3 when it is adjusted to my liking. _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Rig Question
Having just completed being host station for W1AW/5 and also a multi-op for the ARRL June VHF Contest where we had several guest operators at W5ZN who ranged from highly skilled HF ops, some mid level ops and some Rookie ops I have been reading this thread with both interest and humor. I have four K3's in the station here. I like 'em, best performing and best sounding radio I have ever owned but I have tweaked them for ME over time. Previous radios here (Yaesu FT1000 and Icom IC-7700) have also been great sound radios but I tweaked them for ME. After this past week it has become quite obvious, at least for me, that: 1. The factual results of performance tests by Rob Sherwood and others really can't be debated. Oh, you can debate facts just to hear yourself pontificate but it will not change the facts. ** Those tests are somewhat limited since the frequency used is seldom mentioned. IMO 10M is the place where RF performance falls for the HF bands and phase noise varies per band. A few tests appear to have operator or equipment error, they certainly arent the last word. So, when it comes down to I don't like the way the RX audio sounds for me it is simply: 1. Put three hams in a room and you will get six different opinions about how the audio sounds. We're all getting old and our hearing is changing/deteriorating. ** We are not talking about hi fi audiophools here, if anyone cant hear 300-3000Hz its not a radio he needs. 2. The Icom owners want the K3 to immediately sound just like the Icom at their shack that they have tweaked, peaked and pampered to their ear's audio pattern AND their shacks acoustic properties. 3. Ditto for Yaesu and Kenwood. 4. Most hams want to bring their own headphones that work great on their radio but sounds horrible on other radios...so it is the radio's fault and not their headset. I actually had this debate with an op this weekend and he learned there is a difference. ** Why is that if they are the correct impedance? Ive yet to experience that problem among the KIY family; any headphone should be plug-n-play between quality rigs. At real contest stations the headphones come with the operator unless they are the same brand he uses at home. Some are strictly guest ops with no home station. Ive been DXing and contesting since the late 50's where there was considerable variance, from high impedance off the audio amp grid, 500 and 3.2-8 Ohms off the output transformer. 5. The station owner (me, in this case) gets pretty PO'ed when a visiting ham says his radios sound like crap resulting is a response from the station owner thanking the op for visiting the station for the first and LAST time. ** More power to the person for speaking up, if you asked him to operate you should be ready to make adjustments in your fussy non standard equipment. Not being able to handle criticism is poor form as shown by many on the K3 forum. When I go to a restaurant or hotel and the service/quality isnt what I expect and if it isnt corrected THEN I AM the one to not return. Just wondering if maybe poor RX audio quality is why some hams like to confirm they actually made a QSO in the Chat rooms rather then on the air...just speculating, different topic but couldn't resist the urge. ** Wouldnt know, I wouldnt bother being in one. Now back to setting my K3's back to my personal hearing preferences. -- 73 Joel W5ZN www.w5zn.org ** Thats what I like about my TS-950SD, it is high performance as in a Caddy CTS-V and not cranky as with many high end European cars or medium quality with a fancy option package. A guest is running DX here within a few minutes of sitting down. Carl KM1H _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: K3 vs THE REST
YES!!! Good on ya, Pat!!! Always fun to chat and challenge others, technically, as LONG as we all get on the air, particularly on Top Band! Keep a sharp ear/eye out for us QRP o[s! 72, jim Rodenkirch K9JWV To: topband@contesting.com From: n...@linuxcolumbus.com Date: Tue, 17 Jun 2014 14:38:35 -0400 Subject: Re: Topband: K3 vs THE REST I'm not sure how any of this apples vs oranges debate is going to help get more activity in the summer Stew coming up June 21/22. Therefore, I'd suggest everyone on this list get on in the Stew and adjust your rx audio till it sounds great! Just to make sure you have it adjusted correctly, call cq so you can get a variety of signals to listen too. So remember June 21st, starting at 15z till June 22nd 15z. I'll shut up now. Pat N8VW Happy K3/100 Owner PS. vi is best. _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: K3 vs THE REST
So remember June 21st, starting at 15z till June 22nd 15z. I've been looking forward the the Stew for some time. Hopefully, the QRN will be much less than it has been for the past month or two. http://www.intellicast.com/Storm/Severe/Lightning.aspx 73, Mike www.w0btu.com _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
