[Elecraft] KX3 feature request: mAh counter

Hi, A feature that would be very handy (if possible) would be a mAh counter that could be reset as needed. With many of the batteries we use in the field (LiFePO4 external or high quality NiMH internal) having relatively flat discharge curves, monitoring voltage doesn't give you a very good

[Elecraft] KX3 on 2 Meters

I have a KX3 and am curious to hear from users that have the 2 meter module installed how you find the performance with the various modes. Any good DX with SSB or CW? 73, John www.wd1v.com __ Elecraft mailing list Home:

Re: [Elecraft] KX3 feature request: mAh counter

There are a number of compact devices available that do that and more. I use the miniature "Watt's Up" watt meter/power analyzer which displays battery voltage, current, mAh, watts and Wh. It came with APP connectors already installed on short pigtail wires. It seems to be available from

[Elecraft] KPA500 finals blown

KPA500 shut off with a bang while operating RTTY @300W. Antenna is a steppir beam. On opening the KPA500,found 2 ceramic? caps of VRF2933 adrift with underside of the said caps,black. Have written to support.Is this the first time this has happened in a KPA500? 73 and HNY, Nandu VU2NKS

[Elecraft] PX3 Updating on transmit on CW with VOX ?

I notice that if I use VOX for CW on my KX3 that the PX3 does not stop updating the waterfall display while I transmit, despite the CW VOX Delay being set to 0.75 sec for semi break-in as I am using external transverter and linear amplifier with slow relays and a sequencer. The TX LED on the

Re: [Elecraft] [KX3][XPA100] KX3 drops out of PA MODE ON

Hi Glen. I've had this probleme several times and what I have to do (or at least do) is to disconnect the radio from the PC. After that it normally works. Maybe you have to switch the radio off/on. When everything works again, you can connect to the PC. 73 de Hal/la4xx On 16-01-21 08:51, Glen

Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 finals blown

I would like to know what the continous keydown power output rating is. The manual talks about ICAS. I know when I get on RTTY I does not take long for The fans to come up to full speed running 300 watts. Earl, K4Kay -Original Message- From: Elecraft

Re: [Elecraft] KX3 feature request: mAh counter

Excellent news Wayne. Thanks for keeping us updated! 73 from David GM4JJJ > On 21 Jan 2016, at 15:33, Wayne Burdick wrote: > > This is already on the KX3 firmware task list. We tested the basic idea, and > it works very well. Just a bunch of details in the UI to consider.

[Elecraft] K2 raspy side tone

Hello; I have an older K2 that has developed a raspy, scratchy sounding CW note on receive. All bands affected. The transmit sidetone is clean as a whistle. Headphones or external sparker are the same. Seems like there is some popping and scratching when I bump or play with the AF gain control.

Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 finals blown

As applied to solid-state transmitters, ICAS does not imply reduced device life, as unlike vacuum tubes, the RF power devices are not regarded as consumables. Rather, ICAS in a solid-state environment implies de-rating to keep the device junction and case temperatures within their maximum

Re: [Elecraft] CESSB Duty Cycle

The finals could handle it, just as they handle full-carrier modes like RTTY and FM. The bigger problem, specifically described in the article, is the power supply. Many operators who use SSB or CW only, not full-carrier modes, are using power supplies that are barely adequate. They can handle

Re: [Elecraft] CESSB Duty Cycle

Hi Bob, It was an interesting article as are the QEX articles by the same author. That QST article concludes that the RF amplifier likely won't be +thermally+ strained by the CESSB, as if means that amplifier stages are operating further towards the higher efficiency point. Normal SSB has

Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 finals blown

This in the specs in the KPA500 manual "Duty Cycle at 500 Watts 10 minutes key down / 5 minutes standby" seems pretty definitive for normal operations, even RTTY, Earl. 73, Phil W7OX On 1/21/16 6:44 AM, efortner wrote: I would like to know what the continous keydown power output rating is.

Re: [Elecraft] Remoting KAT500 to base of antenna

Gore-Tex might let moisture out, but it might let it in. Moisture migrates from the more humid side of the membrane to the less humid side. It is a pretty slow process. wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Jan 20, 2016, at 11:39 PM, Ian White

Re: [Elecraft] KX3 feature request: mAh counter

This is already on the KX3 firmware task list. We tested the basic idea, and it works very well. Just a bunch of details in the UI to consider. 73, Wayne N6KR On Jan 21, 2016, at 5:08 AM, David Orman wrote: > Hi, > > A feature that would be very handy (if possible)

[Elecraft] CESSB Duty Cycle

The recent article in February QST describing the CESSB mode is of interest. Just wondering if that mode can or will be added to the code operating the K3S? Also, wondering if the higher duty cycle of the CESSB mode will exceed the ratings of the PA stage and that of the KPA500? From what

Re: [Elecraft] Remoting KAT500 to base of antenna

Right... THAT is how you have to look at it when you are engineering/buying an enclosure. NOT just at the acquisition costs, but that you are preventing the loss of many hundreds or thousands of dollars in equipment AND accomplishing the mission at the same time. 73, __

Re: [Elecraft] Remoting KAT500 to base of antenna

I have no doubt that the Gore solutions work well. But Gore does have an amazing hype machine, and has encouraged people to believe that putting a plastic membrane in clothing does something magic. The Gore vents will make sure that the inside of the box is about as humid as the air outside the

Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 finals blown

Irwin, There's an easy modification you could do that might net 4-5c reduction in temperature. On the top of the amp install an additional matching fan blowing *in* through the intake. One could conceivably wire it to the fan power on the amp (though I would check what max draw

Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 finals blown

In discussions with Elecraft at Dayton, we should be able to run the KPA500 at 300 watts during a RTTY contest. This would include Running versus S/P. The fans on mine do come on high and I keep an eye on the temp reading. I do need to stop occasionally to allow the amp to cool down. I am not sure

Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 finals blown

Thermal design and supplementation of existing designs is not often a trivial task. To do it properly, requires a well-reasoned, step-by-step plan that is both scientifically and mathematically driven AND limited. One cannot break the laws of physics... you can sometimes appear to bend them,

Re: [Elecraft] Remoting KAT500 to base of antenna

Just a wee note about the fitting of those nice Gore vents. It is important to have a suitably sized vent or vents for the volume of box and the type of equipment inside it, and Gore can calculate that for you. For a simple small box for a masthead preamp it is OK to just choose one of the

Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 finals blown

Not a bad tip... Additionally, IF you make sure your input fan has some sort of filtering device on it, AND that as filtered produces 25%+ more CFM than the exhaust fan, you will have a VERY slightly positive pressured chassis which will assist in keeping the internals dust and dirt free. Don't

Re: [Elecraft] Postal Price Increase

Yes, but think about it - fuel prices are... oh, wait. nevermind! ;^) On 01/20/2016 06:06 PM, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote: > >> I have had some international orders for just the K3 sides at 49.95 > > but they get hit with over 60 bucks in shipping fees before this fee > > increase. > > International

Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 finals blown

The KPA500 will automatically go into standby if it feels it is getting too hot. This is done with a safety margin between that temperature and the max operating temp for the PA's. Its perfectly OK to operate it at the full fan speed. We expect it to go there in normal higher duty cycle

Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 finals blown

Well ... it says that, in any 15 minute interval, you can be key-down continuously for 10 minutes followed by key-up for 5 minutes which looks like a 0.66 duty cycle on my slide rule. Presumably, this could be followed by another such sequence. Is 10 min down/5 min up repeatedly the same as

[Elecraft] Pe text mode

i am unable to switch my K3s/P3 display into text mode. i have the latest firmware. Anyone suggestions? Ray W8LYJ __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm

Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 finals blown

I've run echo tests on 6m EME for hours at a time which is 50% duty cycle and 500w+. I always run RTTY contests at 500+. Yes the fans get going. That's what they're supposed to do. But I've never had a problem. 73 jim ab3cv On Thu, Jan 21, 2016 at 1:12 PM, Fred Jensen

Re: [Elecraft] Remoting KAT500 to base of antenna

Dear Walter, It isn't -all- it does really - because without the vent the problem is that the water vapour that gets in due to diurnal temperature pressure differentials cannot get back out and then continues to build up inside and forms liquid water inside your lovely expensive box. Other

Re: [Elecraft] Long RS232 Runs - RS422

On Thu,1/21/2016 10:32 AM, Michael Walker wrote: I wanted to mention that for those that want long RS232 runs for devices (Steppir, Rotator, Elecraft Amp), It helps to define "long." Distance for RS232 was originally defined in feet. Many years ago, it was redefined in terms of capacitance

Re: [Elecraft] CESSB Duty Cycle

That said, we will be playing with this in DSP code to see if it's worth the trouble. In theory it should be worth the trouble as the distortion (other than any increased background noise) should be less than typical "hard" clipping with a non-phase equalized filter (for the K3, that's the

[Elecraft] Long RS232 Runs - RS422

All I wanted to mention that for those that want long RS232 runs for devices (Steppir, Rotator, Elecraft Amp), I have been using these commercially for some time with great success. They are made in the US and are pretty reasonably priced at about $35 each. Of course, you need a pair of them.

Re: [Elecraft] Remoting KAT500 to base of antenna

At the risk of repeating myself, I do not use any mesh covering vent holes on enclosures that are above ground level (at least a few feet). I've not had any intrusion of "critters" and we have wasp nests which seem to prefer underside of roof eves. I'm guessing the wildlife have plenty of

Re: [Elecraft] Postal Price Increase

Folks - we're drifting way OT. Let's close this thread now in the interest of controlling list volume and overload for others. 73, Eric Moderator /elecraft.com/ On 1/21/2016 10:09 AM, Jeff Schmidt wrote: Yes, but think about it - fuel prices are... oh, wait. nevermind! ;^) On 01/20/2016

Re: [Elecraft] Long RS232 Runs - RS422

I agree with Jim. I have pushed long runs of RS232 at lower baud rates (4800) out to about 1000' for some temporary commercial applications. Some of us just try it and see if it works, and others want to do what is know to work. Me, I'm a just try it type of person. Mike va3mw On Thu, Jan

Re: [Elecraft] Long RS232 Runs - RS422

The old criteria was 50 feet, but that was set before the specification for any twisted pair for digital, let alone Cat 5.  In short, it it works well, it is OK but 200 feet sounds reasonable.  RS-232 uses a 5 volt signal level.  RS-422 uses a higher signal level, I believe 12 volts, but that

Re: [Elecraft] Long RS232 Runs - RS422

RS-232 use +3 to +15VDC and -3 to -15VDC for signaling levels, thus -5 and +5 will work too, but *not* 0VDC and +5VDC Like others, I've run RS-232 over 100's of feet. RS-422 will go much further and has the advantages of multi-drop and noise immunity due to its differential nature. 73,

Re: [Elecraft] Remote KAT500

Hi Fred, Best to avoid connectors mounted -on- the box if possible, as it is another possible point of water entry through screw holes and connector holes. Mil spec waterproof connectors are expensive. Of course it goes without saying that connectors for 120 V AC need to be suitable items

Re: [Elecraft] Remoting KAT500 to base of antenna

Dear Walter, Please see Gore's website where this is all explained. http://www.gore.com/en_xx/products/venting/protective/index.html It is the way professionals do this, they don't use bits of gauze, wicks made from shoe laces or any of the other amateur solutions seen ;-) 73 from David

Re: [Elecraft] Long RS232 Runs - RS422

This one is rated to 1250 meters... with CAT-3 cable (TELCO). Use better cable and proper terminations and you MIGHT be able to extend that a bit. Add an inline amp/repeater, and the distance could be extended to... well... a long way... How far you need to go? 73, __ Clay

Re: [Elecraft] Long RS232 Runs - RS422

For me at my remote, it is only 100ft, so I am using RS232 for the rotator and the steppir. For a big ski race in Kitzbuhel Austria, we pushed RS485 (1/2 duplex) 6000m at 19200 without an issue. Mike va3mw On Thu, Jan 21, 2016 at 3:25 PM, Clay Autery wrote: > This one is

Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 finals blown

Holy smokes. If the ceramic was actually blown off of the transistor packages (!), be careful not to inhale any ceramic dust that may be present. That's beryllium oxide which is quite toxic in dust form. Al  W6LX __ Elecraft mailing

Re: [Elecraft] Pe text mode

Hi Ray, In the P3 SVGA menu you will find SVGA data. Tap Select to toggle the data display on and off. Cheers, Fred KE7X For all KE7X Elecraft books, see www.ke7x.com From: Elecraft on behalf of Raymond Benedict

Re: [Elecraft] Remote KAT500

Hi, Interesting thread. We have seen everything from using a bottomless Tupperware container with a single computer interface in it to a complete house entry system. My remote CAT500 box is somewhere in between, but closer to an oversize Tupperware box than anything else. I don't have an

Re: [Elecraft] Remote KAT500

Fred, I have used wx-proof fittings designed for small electrical conduit and/or cables to bring both ext cords, heavy power cable and RG-8 sized coax into outdoor compartments. Found them at local building and electrical supply. Typically are plastic with rubber stopper and compression

[Elecraft] KIO3B Problem

Hi Elecrafters, I just installed a KIO3B in my K3, SN8214. Installation was easy, and I have it connected via the USB port to the computer. I'm trying to use it on digital modes: PSK31, PSK63 etc, using DigiPan and WSJT software. The receive function is working perfectly; as a matter of

[Elecraft] Re Remote KAT500

On military equipment which has to be sealed from the elements there are two main approaches: 1) use a very well sealed metal box with o-rings etc. This will drag in some moisture owing to hearing/cooling cycles. You mitigate this by putting a bag of desiccant inside. Seal manufactures will

Re: [Elecraft] Remote KAT500

On Thu,1/21/2016 3:11 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote: Both cable resistance and cable capacitance will reduce the levels at the end of a long run. Cable capacitance rolls off the high end, which softens the rise and fall time of the pulses. The primary effect is to limit the baud rate. 73, Jim K9YC

Re: [Elecraft] K2 raspy side tone

Jacob, If the AF Gain is scratchy when turned, the best cure is to replace it. Those small pots are sealed, and I doubt that you could get any DeOxit into the body of the control. Even if you can get some inside the pot, the "cure" will not be long lasting, you will eventually have to

Re: [Elecraft] KIO3B Problem

Doug, Bring up the USB soundcard on your computer and look at the output (speaker) volume. Just how you do that is OS dependent so specific instructions are not possible at this point. Make certain the "speakers" are not muted. 73, Don W3FPR On 1/21/2016 4:40 PM, Doug via Elecraft wrote:

[Elecraft] Remote KAT500

Again, thanks to all. To summarize for all who took the time to offer information and suggestions: 1. From an Elecraft engineer [who I happen to know quite well]: The AUX cable is probably not a good choice to extend. In addition to voltage and RFI issues, there are timing constraints on

Re: [Elecraft] Remote KAT500

Fred, "Real" RS-232 drivers use +/- 15 volts rather than +/-5 or even +/- 12 volts - the maximum open circuit voltage is +/- 25 volts. The key is that at the receiver end, the levels must be +/-3 volts or greater. Both cable resistance and cable capacitance will reduce the levels at the end

Re: [Elecraft] Remote KAT500

My 2 cents on remote mounting and dealing with non-salted air. I have long given up on keeping the water 100% out of the box. I am 100% in favour of keeping electronics dry (and there is a difference) and bug free. As an example, we had a linksys router 80ft up a tower in a tupperware container

Re: [Elecraft] KX3 feature request: mAh counter

On Thu,1/21/2016 5:58 AM, Al Duncan wrote: There are a number of compact devices available that do that and more. I use the miniature "Watt's Up" watt meter/power analyzer which displays battery voltage, current, mAh, watts and Wh. Yes and no. All versions of this product I've seen read

Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 finals blown

Hi, I had thought the use of beryllium oxide had been discontinued as the insulator for RF power transistors, but no such luck: Here is the safety note from Microsemi's data sheet: "HAZARDOUS MATERIAL WARNING: The ceramic portion of the device below the lead plane is beryllium oxide. Beryllium

Re: [Elecraft] Remote KAT500

1. The AUX cable... twisted pair cable or better, shielded twisted pair cable, would be nice to use, but typically only has 4-pair (8 conductors), and the KAT-500 DB-15 pinout shows straight through wiring of TEN (10) conductors (or 9 if you don't use have to have the ALC). You COULD get it

[Elecraft] Wanted: Inrad 250Hz 8-pole filter

If anybody has a spare Inrad 250Hz 8-pole filter for the K3, please email me directly. Thanks & 73, Barry N1EU __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post:

Re: [Elecraft] Remote KAT500

One popular brand of panel mount (and other types) liquid tight bushings is Heyco: http://www.heyco.com/ KF7P Metalwerks sells cable glands that fit coax cables. See below, about 2/3 of the way down the page: http://www.kf7p.com/KF7P/EntrancePanels.html On

[Elecraft] Genovation Keypad on teh K3/P3, solved

Hello, I now have a Genovation CP48USBHID keypad working on my P3/K3 feeding up to 48 different macros to the K3 at a single button press. See: http://nk7z.net/adding-an-external-keypad-to-the-k3/ for the how to, and a download for the patch to the Genovation to allow it to plug into the P3 and

Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 finals blown

On Thu, 21 Jan 2016 10:12:08 -0800, Fred Jensen wrote: > I know the original KPA500 field testers were encouraged to run the amp > at "full bars." I had also heard that, and it was run on RTTY at up to 700W during a contest. Gary - AG0N

Re: [Elecraft] Remote KAT500

On 1/21/2016 4:44 PM, Fred Jensen wrote: > 1. From an Elecraft engineer [who I happen to know quite well]: The > AUX cable is probably not a good choice to extend. In addition to > voltage and RFI issues, there are timing constraints on those > circuits. I can do what I need with RS-232. LOL!

Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 finals blown

On Thu, 21 Jan 2016 11:26:27 -0500, Irwin Darack wrote: > The fans on mine do come on high and I keep an eye on the temp reading. I > do need to stop occasionally to allow the amp to cool down. I am not sure > if there is a way to add an addition external fan to increase the air flow? I don't

Re: [Elecraft] K2 raspy side tone

If it's a REALLY old K2 there is a modification that you should perform in the wiring of the control as well as replacing it. It's on the Elecraft website. Vic 4X6GP/K2VCO > On 21 Jan 2016, at 11:36 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote: > > Jacob, > > If the AF Gain is scratchy when

[Elecraft] P3 Fixed/Tracking Toggle Broken

I switched my K3 to split to see the VP8STI pile-up. Now I am stuck in tracking mode. I go into menu/FixTrack and when I click to toggle, nothing happens, even after exiting split mode. I've turned the K3/P3 off to no avail. 73, Ken, K6LA / VY2TT

[Elecraft] Remote KAT500

Thanks for all the input on my plan to remote my KAT500 to the base of a flag pole. Plans are taking shape. I still have a couple of specific questions: 1. It appears that the "AUX cable" can be dispensed with using instead the KEY OUT line from the amplifier. Before I give up on the "AUX