Re: [Elecraft] OT: Ground rods and concrete

Everyone seems tired of this thread by now, so I'll make my final comment an observation that there is zero exposed rebar in the picture of that guy wire base that supposedly exploded because of it. I'd offer the possibility that the base exploded because there wasn't enough rebar, not

[Elecraft] Is the antenna tuner needed on the KX2 to see SWR?

I'm building my first HF rig and I've opted to go without an antenna tuner since I plan on using a magnetic loop. I see in the loops instructions I need to know the SWR to tune the antenna. I see in the KX2 instructions it has overload protection based on the SWR. ... does the KX2 know the SWR

Re: [Elecraft] A little theory

The link was not off topic when I posted it. My intention was not to advertise an already famous person but rather to get folks more interested in learning theory. There has been so much discussion of grounding, dielectrics, antenna theory, impedance, and feedline problems which a few

[Elecraft] Ground Rods and Congrete - Enough Said!

This topic is taking on a life of its own. It appears that there are two camps in the discussion; each believing they have documented evidence that they are right. Perhaps it is time to agree to disagree and put the thread to rest. Respectfully, Terry de N7TB

[Elecraft] [K3] K3 For Sale

Selling my K3/100 Ser #3856. It has been upgraded to the new KSYN3A for main and sub receivers, so has most of the performance of a K3S. Includes manuals, Fred Cady’s 3rd edition K3/P3 book, Rose Kopp dust cover and K3 DXpedition model bag with foam front and back panel protection, and power

Re: [Elecraft] Sub Receiver & KBPF3

> > The TMP cables were in the way and sub-receiver box was a bit difficult > getting the SUBIN and SUBOUT boards to align and mate properly. I installed mine myself too.(And I just r/r recently with the addition of the gen coverage bp filters on the main board.) It is certainly fiddly.

Re: [Elecraft] A little theory

Aaargh. Here's the link: http://www.gocomics.com/alley-oop/2003/08/04 Ron AC7AC __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post:

Re: [Elecraft] A little theory

I forgot to add, if you have any comments, let us take them off the Elecraft list. The OT Traffic here has been FIERCE lately, Hi! 73, Ron AC7AC -Original Message- From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Ron D'Eau Claire Sent: Tuesday, April 18, 2017 7:43

Re: [Elecraft] A little theory

For all of you Feynman fans out there, you might get a chuckle out of these Alley Oop strips featuring Dick hisself from 2003. Arrow forward a couple of days an Dr. Feynman will enter center stage, complete with Bongos. 73, Ron AC7AC -Original Message- From: Elecraft

Re: [Elecraft] OT: Ground rods and concrete

Let me inject an experience that occurred while I was a field engineer for the phone co. working in Miami. We had a buried cable that ran diagonally across an open green area. About 1/3 of the way across was what we called a 'hand hole', a shallow pit where a splice or repair had been done.

Re: [Elecraft] PTT help KX3/KXPA100

The ACC2 port is 2.5mm TRS, not TRRS. Sent from my iPhone ...nr4c. bill > On Apr 18, 2017, at 1:53 PM, Michael Dinkelman wrote: > > Trying to get PTT working with a boom mic into the KX3. > The microphone works fine using VOX into the microphone jack of the KX3. > Of

Re: [Elecraft] OT: Ground rods and concrete

I have a deceased HAM buddy who espoused grounding to the nth degree. His recommendation, especially for his on premise cell phone towers, was to have as much metallic in the ground to detract large lightening hits to bypass radios and go to ground. K9KGM ( google his stuff) was his call and

[Elecraft] 1.8 kHz SSB filter for sale

I have for sale like new KFL3A-1.8K 1.8 kHz, 8-pole SSB filter for K3/K3S. $109 shipped CONUS. anegadasail at yahoo.com __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help:

Re: [Elecraft] OT: Ground rods and concrete

I sure hope so Bob K3DJC On Tue, 18 Apr 2017 18:10:48 -0400 "Terry Posey" writes: > I expect that the Moderator will be ending this Off Topic soon. > > However: > > One of my clients operates a large 90 tower (all self-supported) > microwave > system here in Florida.

Re: [Elecraft] OT: Ground rods and concrete

Thyir’er we go! 73, Rick K7MW > On Apr 18, 2017, at 6:01 PM, Matt Zilmer wrote: > > Time to update that list of frequently misspelled words. It is very long, but > also distinguished. > > How about it's versus its? The first is a contraction, and the second is a

Re: [Elecraft] OT: Ground rods and concrete

Time to update that list of frequently misspelled words. It is very long, but also distinguished. How about it's versus its? The first is a contraction, and the second is a possessive. I think, from experience, that this is the single most common spelling error that I see from English-first

[Elecraft] FS - KX3 Complete Base Station price drop

All, The XV222 transverter has been spoken for. Thanks to all that replied. -- 73 Jon KG6VDW __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post:

Re: [Elecraft] OT: Ground rods and concrete

This has been bugging me for a while and I am now in a mindframe to comment. Lightening: light·en·ing ˈlītniNG/ *noun* 1. a drop in the level of the uterus during the last weeks of pregnancy as the head of the fetus engages in the pelvis. Come on !! Randy N1KWF On Tue, Apr 18, 2017 at

[Elecraft] K3S Milliwatt Output Level on 630 Meter Band

Been in discussions with Elecraft regarding my K3S (110900 and its performance at 472-is kHz. My measurements surprised me a bit...I was expecting a bit more output but my particular K3S will output barely 285 uW (when power set to nominal 1.0 mw) and a max of about .45 mw with power control set

Re: [Elecraft] OT: Ground rods and concrete

I was the first to use the term "exploding tower base" in this discussion. The term "exploding" was probably not correct. As several others have phrased it, an instant expansion of steam is more correct. Concrete is never totally "dry" in the context of this conversation. I witnessed lightening

Re: [Elecraft] OT: Ground rods and concrete

some 40 years ago, maybe longer I put up a 50' rohn 25G tower. Dug the hole and set the tower base in it alone with a 12' 3/4" ground rod and poured the cement, left about 6" of ground rod protruding. I bonded to that rod and grounded the tower. 3 years later I had a huge lightning strike on my

Re: [Elecraft] OT: Ground rods and concrete

I expect that the Moderator will be ending this Off Topic soon. However: One of my clients operates a large 90 tower (all self-supported) microwave system here in Florida. Florida is often regarded as the lightning capital of the world. I have helped my client with repairing damaged

Re: [Elecraft] OT: Feedline Question

Yes, just like the bio (https://qrz.com/db/N7WS) says; been here 70 years. I like to say I was conceived here, since my parents met and married in Tucson, but were actually in San Diego when I was born. They moved back when I was a young child and I've never left. No reason to, unless I want

Re: [Elecraft] Low power out, ERR TXG when trying to calibrate power

Just to update on this thread: repeating the calibration on 10MHz with 13.8V applied does get to 4/6W indicated on the VFO B display, but on tapping XMIT, still gives ERR TXG (D=228 or thereabouts on the main bit of the display). I'll drop Elecraft an email. 73, Rob, M0VFC On 18 April 2017 at

Re: [Elecraft] OT: Ground rods and concrete

I should preface this by saying I live on the Pacific Coast of Alaska (2 miles from salt water). I worked in two-way communications for 30 years and recall all towers having external copper lines from the top to ground rods external to the concrete base. Most of the hardlines were equipped

Re: [Elecraft] OT: Ground rods and concrete

I expect that the Moderator will be ending this Off Top soon. However: One of my clients operates a large 90 tower (all self-supported) microwave system here in Florida. Florida is often regarded as the lightning capital of the world. I have helped my client with repairing damaged (cracked)

Re: [Elecraft] OT: Feedline Question

Hey, and it looks like you are really in 7-land, Wes! OTOH, I'm the "real W7OX", live in a suburb of Los Angeles and have not lived in 7-land (OR/WA) since 1960; farthest North was Palo Alto when I was at Stanford 1963-65. But 20 years ago we considered retiring to Portland very seriously,

Re: [Elecraft] OT: Feedline Question

I'm cursed. It's bad enough that I've worked (I thought) several stations in DX pileups only to later have the DX say, "Nope, we worked N6WS, not N7WS". Now my work is attributed to him too. (Just kidding Jim) Actually, the article never appeared in QST. Too technical; it went right to

Re: [Elecraft] OT: Ground rods and concrete

If you have a 50 foot tower with a tribander on it among a bunch of 70 foot or taller Trees then perhaps you will survive lightning strikes without major damage. However if you have something like my situation things change rapidly. I have three towers the tallest is 175 feet to the top

Re: [Elecraft] OT: Ground rods and concrete

Working on a fire line in a national forest I've seen 75 foot pine trees that had been completely exploded from a lightening strike. The sap reaches boiling point in an instant and burning parts of the tree gets distributed over the ground which leads to a fire crew being dispatched. Most

Re: [Elecraft] OT: Feedline Question

What difference does oxidisation make on bare wire, ot tinning?? My feeders are mainly enamelled copper which won't corrode. Does the enamel make a significant difference? Hs anyone done the comparisons? Guy Olinger K2AV wrote: > What you appear to refer to by "open wire

Re: [Elecraft] Feedline Question

Ken Widelitz On Apr 18, 2017 1:53 PM, "Guy Olinger K2AV" wrote: > Guy, K2AV wrote: > > > The constant wire diameter reduces the manufacturing setup and run costs > > passed on to a cheep penny pinching ham population. > > > Please excuse, that should be "The constant wire

Re: [Elecraft] OT: Feedline Question

On Tue,4/18/2017 11:26 AM, Guy Olinger K2AV wrote: What you appear to refer to by "open wire line" is BARE wire with small spacers widely separated. That's what Wes built to compare with the window line. Most practical implementations of open wire line use much wider spacing. The increased

Re: [Elecraft] Recording Line Out on the K3

Thanks Bob I updated some weeks ago to 5.57, will update to 5.58 to have this "Tap 2" option and test it 73, Jorge CX6VM/CW5W 2017-04-18 15:47 GMT-03:00 Bob Wilson, N6TV : > You need K3 Beta firmware 5.58 or later. It has a new feature: > > TX LINE OUT (MONITOR) LEVEL NOW

Re: [Elecraft] Recording Line Out on the K3

You need K3 Beta firmware 5.58 or later. It has a new feature: TX LINE OUT (MONITOR) LEVEL NOW ADJUSTABLE: In CONFIG:LIN OUT menu entry, tap '2' (REV switch) to set the "T=" level (TX monitor). Tap '2' again to return to the RX LINE OUT setting. 73, Bob, N6TV On Tue, Apr 18, 2017 at 11:20

Re: [Elecraft] K3 & Heil HM-10 Dual

John, If you apply bias to a dynamic mic, the microphone element will be pulled off center by the bias voltage. Much the same as putting a voltage across a speaker. It *could* damage the element is the element wire is not large enough to handle the current, but with the mic element not in

Re: [Elecraft] OT: Feedline Question

Hi, Jim, What you appear to refer to by "open wire line" is BARE wire with small spacers widely separated. Performance changes a lot if the "open wire line" is constructed with unstripped THHN. Particularly with surface tension on new THHN. Where hung on the level in a misting rain, I have seen a

Re: [Elecraft] Recording Line Out on the K3

Hello how do you control TX output for the recording? I am doing some tests, I have LIN OUT = 10 and is recording properly what I RX on MAIN and SUB receivers. But my TX on the audio file, is to high compare with RX recording With LIN OUT = PHONES and MON = 10 is OK, but i dont like to have

Re: [Elecraft] PTT help KX3/KXPA100

Use a stereo to mono splitter. One leg is the mic, the other is PTT. https://observer.wunderwood.org/2015/08/16/yamaha-cm500-headset-with-ptt-on-elecraft-kx3/ wunder Walter Underwood

Re: [Elecraft] OT: Ground rods and concrete

I'm with you, Wes. And I strongly agree with AB7E's excellent post. The cited article does NOT say that "The Broadcast industry doesn’t seem to put their faith in Uber grounding." It DOES say that a Ufer ground done improperly can be a problem structurally. Notice also that the author "is

Re: [Elecraft] OT; Feedline question

And your effort is most sincerely appreciated. :) __ Clay Autery, KY5G On 4/17/2017 10:31 PM, Al Lorona wrote: > This obsessive exercise on my part illustrates that spacers don't make a > whole lot of difference, but they do make a difference. You may want to > include

[Elecraft] K3 & Heil HM-10 Dual

If you use an electret with no bias you have no audio. What happens if you use a dynamic mic with bias on such as the HC4/HC5 element in the subject line? John KK9A From: Don Wilhelm Tue Apr 18 07:35:33 EDT 2017 "Rule of thumb" - if the microphone produces any audio at all with no bias, it

[Elecraft] PTT help KX3/KXPA100

Trying to get PTT working with a boom mic into the KX3. The microphone works fine using VOX into the microphone jack of the KX3. Of course, XMIT works too. Trying to trigger PTT using the GPIO port of the KX3/KXPA100 accessory cable. 1) MICBTN configured to OFF (tried PTT too) 2) ACC2 IO

Re: [Elecraft] Feedline Question

Guy, K2AV wrote: > The constant wire diameter reduces the manufacturing setup and run costs > passed on to a cheep penny pinching ham population. Please excuse, that should be "The constant wire SPACING reduces the manufacturing setup and run costs. 73, Guy K2AV

[Elecraft] OT: A little theory, again.

The Challenger Disaster demonstration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Rwcbsn19c0 For those interested in this remarkable person's life, a lightweight biography: "Surely You're Joking Mr. Feynman!" (This is the actual title, not "Airplane" wordplay HI!) 72, Tim Colbert K3HX Message: 20

Re: [Elecraft] OT: Ground rods and concrete

Part of the mental imaging problem here is that our brains, in their internal emotional response to orders of magnitude, simply cannot scale the destructive power in lightning. Lightning is quite capable of melting the leads to six properly done ground rods, AND at the same time blowing up a

Re: [Elecraft] OT: Feedline Question

On Tue,4/18/2017 10:10 AM, Guy Olinger K2AV wrote: Then there is the loss based on number of spacers and loss tangent of the spacer material modifying the lesser air loss. Below UHF, loss in transmission line is virtually all due to copper losses unless the dielectric material is wet or is

Re: [Elecraft] OT: Ground rods and concrete

I don't know whether I would call that "extensive" damage but whatever... I have my own photos of me standing next to this anchor, but since I can't send attachments, here is a link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KVLY-TV_mast#/media/File:KVLYPylon.jpeg I didn't see any extra grounding

Re: [Elecraft] OT: Ground rods and concrete

Dave is correct, just read a little on CEE or Ufer grounds, perhaps the idea of exploding bases comes from a statement about Ufer grounds, A disadvantage of Ufer grounds is that the moisture in the concrete can flash into steam during a lightning strike or similar high energy fault

Re: [Elecraft] OT: Feedline Question

The effect of spacers is a very complex equation. One large modifier to the end result is the number of spacers per unit of length. Then there is the issue that the relative permittivity in between spacers reverts to air away from the spacer. Then there is the area on either side of a spacer where

Re: [Elecraft] P3/SVGA Digital terminal questions

Hi Ken, 1) That is correct. The P3/SVGA does not actually decode any RF. All that is done inside the radio and you must choose between any of built-in modes, such as FSK-D, PSK-D or CW. 2) The manual instructs you to turn off text display ONLY if you're going to use the K3 or P3 Utility's

[Elecraft] KX3 serial programming (TQ issue)

Hi Folks, I am writing some code to control my KX3 and referring to Rev. G1, March 16, 2017 of the programmer’s manual. I have found that the RX command (turn PTT off) followed by TQ always returns TQ1. It seems that a huge delay of about 500ms is required before calling TQ to get the updated

[Elecraft] OT: Feedline Question

Message: 4 Date: Tue, 18 Apr 2017 03:31:59 + (UTC) From: Al Lorona To: "elecraft@mailman.qth.net" Subject: Re: [Elecraft] OT; Feedline question Message-ID: <852881305.2998918.1492486319...@mail.yahoo.com> Content-Type: text/plain;

Re: [Elecraft] OT: Ground rods and concrete

Here is an article that described a Ufer ground failure that prompted the installation of an extensive external grounding system on a 1900’ BC tower. http://www.radioworld.com/headlines/0045/proper-grounding-and-bonding-are-crucial/338510 The Broadcast industry doesn’t seem to put their faith

Re: [Elecraft] OT: Ground rods and concrete

The Electric Utility Industry spends a lot of money bypassing steel reinforced concrete tower legs with copper conductor to a ground system for lightening protection. 73, Rick K7MW > On Apr 18, 2017, at 7:16 AM, JOE wrote: > > Well, in my cellular experience of watching

[Elecraft] OT: Ground rods and concrete

Well, in my cellular experience of watching many tower and monopole installations, tower grounds going thru concrete was generally not allowed. Several reasons that I have been told are moisture in the concrete can turn to steam during a direct lightning hit, damaging the concrete base

Re: [Elecraft] K3 & Heil HM-10 Dual

Steve, Here are the settings I use with various Heil elements. I am currently using a Heil Proset K2/K3 with my desk K3 and a Elecraft MH2 with my "portable" K3, but have used all these combinations with success at one time or another. Your mileage may vary. 73, Bill - NA5DX Elecraft

Re: [Elecraft] OT: Groond rods and concrete

The first time I put up a tower I just put the ground rods down from the bottom of the hole and brought the connecting wire up through the concrete. No problems happened, but maybe I just got lucky. Nobody had ever said anything to me to the contrary. For radio grounding to earth, I use 1/2

Re: [Elecraft] Low power out, ERR TXG when trying to calibrate power

Rob, I would try running the TX Gain Calibration with a higher voltage power source - at least 13.8 volts. If it still fails, contact Elecraft support. 73, Don W3FPR On 4/18/2017 5:55 AM, M0VFC wrote: Hi folks, My KX3 seems to have developed a low output power problem. All used to be

Re: [Elecraft] K3 & Heil HM-10 Dual

"Rule of thumb" - if the microphone produces any audio at all with no bias, it should be run with no bias - it is a dynamic type. Electret elements will not produce any audio at all unless bias is turned on. 73, Don W3FPR On 4/18/2017 12:27 AM, Matt Zilmer wrote: Thanks, Jim. The gain

Re: [Elecraft] A little theory.

Sorry, it is you are confusing the two. It was Feynman on both counts. Sagan would have been 8 years old when the Manhattan Project was started. Feynman was also on the Rogers Commission that was tasked with investigating the Challenger disaster (Carl Sagan was not involved). 73, John AC0ZG

[Elecraft] Low power out, ERR TXG when trying to calibrate power

Hi folks, My KX3 seems to have developed a low output power problem. All used to be fine, but over the weekend I noticed it now only gives ~6W maximum on CW despite a good SWR indication. I have reproduced this into a dummy load (1.1:1 SWR) and checked DC input voltage (11.2V key down, external

Re: [Elecraft] A little theory.

I believe people are confusing Feynman and Sagan. I think it was Carl Sagan who demonstrated the sloppy practices with combination locks and did the Challenger enquiry. I did read some of Feynman's lectures, in high school. -- David Woolley K2 06123 tOn 17/04/17 02:32, k...@juno.com wrote:

Re: [Elecraft] OT: Ground rods and concrete

You also have many thousands of ham radio towers in northwest 7 land with either Ufer grounds or embedded tower bases. You tell me how many of them have exploded during lightning strikes, and how that justifies the admonition to "never encase a ground rod in a tower base". I once did an