[Elecraft] Elecraft CW Net Announcement

Good Evening,    One activity I mixed with radio was XC skiing in the Manzanos, a mountain range south and east of Albuquerque where they store nukes and supposedly some aliens on levels far beneath.  Pat and I would take a break from school and drive south from Tijeras  to some park land

Re: [Elecraft] Too Much Power

Jack, I just assumed you were throwing in an extra 8 db for the difference between a beam and a wire dipole. _ 73, Jim - N4ST -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net On Behalf Of Jack Brindle Sent: Saturday, May 26,

Re: [Elecraft] A little late, but.... CQ WPX (CW) going on right now

Thanks Wayne!!! I am having a blast just with the KX3, PX3, and KXPA100, what great designs!!! The 20 M band is going great!!! I'm just spending a few minutes here and there today and got through on the first try to UK, Finland, Slovak, and Czech. Back to the radio Much Regards, Dwight

Re: [Elecraft] KX3 2M module SMA connector loosening

Yes, there is very limited space in that area so it's difficult to tighten that nut unless you have a very compact tool. My thinnest, smallest crescent spanner couldn't fit (much less turn) in that space, but rather than put the project on hold to find the right-sized tool, which in retrospect

Re: [Elecraft] PX3 Screen Issue [clarification on repair/replacement]

Wayne said ~$100 for the LCD. Support claimed I had to buy the LCD and front panel board together as 1 unit. I'm asking what is it? John N1JM Don Wilhelm wrote > John, > > If the part costs $500, I don't know how you could get it repaired for > $100! Good luck. > > 73, > Don W3FPR > > On

Re: [Elecraft] PX3 Screen Issue [clarification on repair/replacement]

John, If the part costs $500, I don't know how you could get it repaired for $100! Good luck. 73, Don W3FPR On 5/26/2018 10:12 PM, John_N1JM wrote: Hi Wayne: Recently I had a problem with my PX3. The VFO A cursor bar was black instead of green and some other artifacts. Elecraft support

[Elecraft] A little late, but.... CQ WPX (CW) going on right now

Hi all, I should have sent this yesterday, but it’s not too late to get in on the action: It’s the CQ WPX CW weekend. This is one of the best contests of the year in which to work some new countries, test your antennas, try a new rig, etc. 20 meters, in particular, is really hopping. The

Re: [Elecraft] P3 problem

Congratulations to have found the cause. If signal level on P3 screen becomes unstable while the BNC cable is completely plugged in at both sides, check the cable itself. My case was that the signal level was unstable and sometimes went very low. I had thought that K3 or P3 circuit was in

Re: [Elecraft] PX3 Screen Issue [clarification on repair/replacement]

Hi Wayne: Recently I had a problem with my PX3. The VFO A cursor bar was black instead of green and some other artifacts. Elecraft support said it was probably the LCD and I would have to replace the front panel board and LCD at a cost of over $500. I consequently bought a used PX3 at much less

Re: [Elecraft] Ham Radio as a Side Dish

Ham-activated avocations Rebuilding the instrument cluster in a 1988 Ford Mustang for road racing. Two fasteners, two factory Ford plugs and presto...out comes the dash pod! Mega squirt air/spark/fuel engine management KIT, yes lots of soldering, same car now with a race built 347 stroker

[Elecraft] Ham Radio as a Side Dish

Like many others on the list, I survived decades as a pilot (commercial-instrument, multi- and single- / former CFI / some noncompetitive aerobatics / and a glider rating.) In fact, I discovered long ago that many GA pilots are hams and vice - versa. More than one might expect. The advantage

Re: [Elecraft] Art of Electronics

You mean Bob Shrader W6BNB? 73 Josh W6XU Sent from my mobile device > On May 26, 2018, at 8:23 AM, Dave Fugleberg wrote: > > Schraeder was the text for my Communications class in tech school in the > early 80s. > One requirement to pass the course was to earn the FCC

Re: [Elecraft] KX3 2M module SMA connector loosening

All, SMA's are also supposed to be torqued to 9 lb./in.. They make break over open end torque wrenches to do just that They are spendy so unless your installing hundreds of the things I'd use a deep well socket and a thin combination wrench of appropriate size. I haven't looked at the

Re: [Elecraft] Ham radio as a side dish

And expensive. R. Kevin StoverAC0H ARRL, FISTS, SKCC, NAQCC. One of the guys that made sneakernet irrelevant, in my little corner of the world. "If it doesn't work the first time you push the button it won't work the 20th.Just stop." -Original Message- From:

Re: [Elecraft] Ham radio as a side dish

Not me, a friend of mine... Who is a pilot. Not just a pilot, but certified by the FAA to give check rides for small airplanes. I don't know the specifics, but he does aerobatics and all that. Anyways, he's a contester and DX'er as well. But, even though I'm sure he's a really good pilot,

Re: [Elecraft] Ham radio as a side dish

They do banner towing at the airport I was taking lessons at. What I had in mind was more like dropping a wire antenna like they drop the banner hook without the need to fly low and actually hook a banner.  But I wasn't really being serious either. On 5/26/2018 13:55, ANDY DURBIN wrote:

[Elecraft] P3 problem

Thanks to all who replied so quickly.  The BNC cable wasn't completely plugged-in at one end.  Sometimes it's humbling being human!   73, Doug  N7QS __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help:

Re: [Elecraft] P3 problem...

Hello Doug, My guess would be that the cable that should connect the P3 "RF IN" BNC to the K3 "IF OUT" BNC is either not fully-engaged on both ends, or is defective. 73, Dale - WA8SRA On Sat, May 26, 2018 at 4:52 PM, Doug Eaton via Elecraft < elecraft@mailman.qth.net> wrote: > Hello

Re: [Elecraft] Field repairs to K3s

Personally, I would read through the kit assembly instruction for the K3S and see if the module tests were helpful. http://www.elecraft.com/manual/E740259%20K3s%20Assembly%20Manual.pdf When you need more than that, I’ve seen awesome support on this list and from Elecraft support. They will

Re: [Elecraft] Too Much Power

Joe should build in a random number generator that generates a random between 1 and 20, then apply that number to signal strengths by adding a + in front of it. If you are stronger than the random number, WSJT-X drops your call from the list... 73s and thanks, Dave NK7Z https://www.nk7z.net

Re: [Elecraft] P3 problem...

Did you plug the BNC IF cable back in? Michael Blake k9...@mac.com > On May 26, 2018, at 4:52 PM, Doug Eaton via Elecraft > wrote: > > Hello Elecrafters. I recently moved my station to a different room. After > setting everything up

Re: [Elecraft] P3 problem...

Check your coax connection for the IF input. If you have another one, try another jumper. Grant NQ5T K3 #2091, KX3 #8342 > On May 26, 2018, at 4:52 PM, Doug Eaton via Elecraft > wrote: > > Hello Elecrafters. I recently moved my station to a different room. After

[Elecraft] P3 problem...

Hello Elecrafters.  I recently moved my station to a different room.  After setting everything up in the new location, everything works normally except for the P3..  The P3 turns on and boots-up normally, but there are no signals on the display.  The frequency of the K3 is displayed correctly

Re: [Elecraft] Too Much Power

Good point about "weak signal". Really refers to receiving and not transmitting. Example: eme operators are so dense in population in EU they have mutually agreed to transmit during the same sequence in order to minimize interference. New: digital modes use on HF *should* augment operating

Re: [Elecraft] KX3 2M module SMA connector loosening

THIS!  There is no substitute for having the correct tools for the job!! There are multi-size thin spanner wrenches made JUST for SMA and other small connectors...  Here is a link to the one that comes with my SDR-Kits DQ8SAQ VNWA: https://www.sdr-kits.net/Flat%20Spanner They sell it

Re: [Elecraft] Ham radio as a side dish

For me music ability aided sending good CW, not the reverse. I played a band instrument from 5th grade thru end of HS, but acquired my Novice in my 8th grade (Nov. 1958, almost 60-years ago). I passed the tech. 1959 (which used the General Class written exam) a year before taking algebra.

Re: [Elecraft] KX3 2M module SMA connector loosening

Ryan, You need 2 wrenches (not pliers) - preferably thin ones. Tighten the nut down until the lockwashers bite into the KX3 enclosure metal so the teeth have good conductivity to the enclosure. 73, Don W3FPR On 5/26/2018 11:01 AM, Ryan Noguchi via Elecraft wrote: I recently bought and

Re: [Elecraft] Too Much Power

> The reality is the introduction of those who run high power has changed the > weak signal FT-8 ecosphere, and for the worse. Sadly high power has become > the new normal. Yes, very sad. Either they don’t realize or don’t care that their huge splattering signals make it difficult and

[Elecraft] First solid state QSK rig

Paul NA5N - the Ten Tec Triton IV was available in 1976, which is when I bought one from 'Ham Buerger' in Philadelphia, where I lived at that time. As you say, it was the first 100 watt solid state rig with full break in. 73, Tom G3OLB __

Re: [Elecraft] Too Much Power

Folks - Thread closed is the interest of avoiding email overload for other list readers. Also, in the interest of keeping the list signal to noise level reasonable, please take personal operating arguments to other venues. 73, Eric Moderator etc. elecraft.com _..._ > On May 26, 2018, at

Re: [Elecraft] Too Much Power

Also he did say that the JA gave him a -24 signal report. That doesn't sound like he's melting anybody's receive antennas with the 800 watts :-) 73 Jeff kb2m -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Jack Brindle

Re: [Elecraft] Field repairs to K3s

Gerald, There are no details for how to troubleshoot to the component level. In most cases, the FRU (Field Replacable Unit) is a board. In some cases, Elecraft support is able to assist with your troubleshooting as long as it does not get too involved. Many times customers have replaced

[Elecraft] Ham radio as a side dish

"Drag a wire behind you like they tow banners." If it were as simple as you suggest then I think a few of us would be doing it. Picking up banners with an aircraft in flight is a skill that most pilots don't have. It would be far better to use a retractable antenna. However, a legal

Re: [Elecraft] Ham radio as a side dish

For 35 years I raised and ran sled dogs here in AK. 1982-1988 I volunteered as radio operator from remote checkpoints on the Iditarod Sled Dog Race held each March from Anchorage to Nome (nearly 1200 miles thru the AK roadless wilderness). In the early years of the race, ham radio provided

Re: [Elecraft] KX3 2M module SMA connector loosening

I agree with Mike, Because of Arrow-induced self-flagellation, I'm using a SMA to BNC cable when I do satellite work, with the adapter cable secured with a little homemade clamp at the knurled KX3 cabinet screw to keep stress and torque off the KX3 connector. 73 Scott ka9p

Re: [Elecraft] Too Much Power

Thank you! > On May 26, 2018, at 2:42 PM, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote: > > > *WHEN* will people get it through their heads that WEAK SIGNAL is > not the same as low power? Carl Yaffey K8NU Recording studio. cyaffeyno_s...@gmail.com 614 268 6353, Columbus OH

Re: [Elecraft] Too Much Power

On 2018-05-26 2:11 PM, Joseph Reed wrote: > I agree it is a weak signal mode. ... Unfortunately the advent of FT-8 has introduced a large number of > individuals not brought up in the tradition of using low power to > communicate on a weak signal mode. *WHEN* will people get it through

Re: [Elecraft] K2 Build: Options Advice

I just finished my K2 build, with all the options and Agree with Peter, there if you buy the options now, the K2 manual will point out just when you should install the various plugs and other components during the main K2 build. My advice, all the K2 manuals are online as PDF at the Elecraft

[Elecraft] PA DISS fault and relationship to SWR

Up until this weekend I had experienced 3 PA DISS faults with my new KPA500. I provided data to Elecraft and, after a fairly long and informative email exchange, I was told the fault is very rare and most likely caused by some problem at my station. I developed a 10 frames per second data

Re: [Elecraft] KX3 2M module SMA connector loosening

Ryan, Another option is to use a short length of coax, sma male to sma female, to avoid the issue of something torquing the SMA jack on the KX3 loose. Something like this?

Re: [Elecraft] Too Much Power

I agree it is a weak signal mode. Years ago I used to set up the KX3 at 5 watts and VPN back to my home network from the hotel and operated JT65 and JT9 remotely quite successfully. Unfortunately the advent of FT-8 has introduced a large number of individuals not brought up in the tradition of

[Elecraft] Field repairs to K3s

Well stated. It's ridiculous to believe that with all of the components in a transceiver, one will not fail or that a design could not improvement once hundreds+ of the product are being used daily by various customers. John KK9A Bob McGraw K4TAX wrote: If you are looking for a radio which

Re: [Elecraft] Ham radio as a side dish

Drag a wire behind you like they tow banners.  You could fly steep turns and create a loop antenna. LOL On 5/26/2018 08:00, rich hurd WC3T wrote: Magnetic loop? Operating more than QRP might confuse avionics, however. I can't see running a gallon and a half while in flight. LOL On Sat, May

Re: [Elecraft] Field repairs to K3s

If you are looking for a radio which won't fail, I suggest one keep your money in the bank. All new radios, all brands, have a known failure rate, out if the box, at one year, and two years. That is the reason companies offer a warranty. They expect some number but of units to fail during the

Re: [Elecraft] Ham radio as a side dish

Speaking of music: I earned a music minor in college, and CW helped quite a bit. The rhythm final was to sing or clap a chaotic collection of eight notes and dotted quarter notes -- basically dots and dashes -- so I did Morse a cappella and got an A :) Wayne N6KR > On May 26, 2018, at 9:27

Re: [Elecraft] Ham radio as a side dish

Wayne, Here on the east coast, we have boaters who run up or down the intracoastal waterway. The direction is dependant on season. Ham radio is used for two important purposes, the marine nets and non-business email. In the morning, the Waterway Net meets for traffic, position reports, and

Re: [Elecraft] Too Much Power

Let me correct myself before others do. Its a 12db difference. And I will rib Bill about it. Still, to the west and north he has very high hills/mountains that block the RF path. Makes me wonder if he was using reverse path for the QSOs. 73, Jack, W6FB > On May 25, 2018, at 4:32 PM, Jack

[Elecraft] Looking for RFI snapshots from P3...

Hello, If you have a KNOWN RFI source, and you have a decent P3 capture of it, or an SDR capture, I would like it for my RFI Snapshots page. The page has a number of different sources and snapshots of what they look like via P3, and/or SDR. See: https://www.nk7z.net/rfi-snapshots/ If you

Re: [Elecraft] KX3 2M module SMA connector loosening

Ryan, I experienced the same issue on my kx3 also. I was able to tighten it down enough with a wrench to keep it snug so far, but still keep an eye on it. I also thought abt locktite but didn't like the idea of introducing non conductive material between the case and the jack. 73's Mike AB7RU On

Re: [Elecraft] Ham radio as a side dish

I can really relate to these two. As a kid I played drums. My father taught and played pretty much all his life until his hearing gave out. Though my CW has never been more than remedial mostly the sense of rhythm and timing is mostly excellent and I attribute it to those early years. When I

Re: [Elecraft] Field repairs to K3s

I've done a couple of repairs on my old K3: blown pin diodes on the transverter board, and the corroded 12 vdc connector pins on the KPA3 amp. Have also done several component-level mod kits supplied by Elecraft. I think Elecraft will supply all K3 parts that are still in production and, if

Re: [Elecraft] Ham radio as a side dish

Thanks, everyone, for the great stories and ideas on this thread (so far). Clearly I need to get out more :) 73, Wayne N6KR > On May 26, 2018, at 9:01 AM, Bjorn Pehrson wrote: > > Talking about oceans and sailing... I have a 28m2 IF-boat with an isolated > ~13m back stay

Re: [Elecraft] Ham radio as a side dish

Talking about oceans and sailing... I have a 28m2 IF-boat with an isolated ~13m back stay (http://www.sa0bxi.se) My wish-list includes  a waterproof  kx2 with accessoires like a cockpit mount-bracket, a solar panel charger and  an antenna cable kit to connect to the backstay and including a

Re: [Elecraft] Ham radio as a side dish

??? > On May 26, 2018, at 8:12 AM, Bob McGraw K4TAX wrote: > > I want to impress upon you that science today, as in the days of Newton, lies > before us a great uncharted ocean, and we have not sailed very far from the > coast of ignorance. - Immanual Velikovsky > > >

Re: [Elecraft] Art of Electronics

Schraeder was the text for my Communications class in tech school in the early 80s. One requirement to pass the course was to earn the FCC General Class Radiotelephone license. I believe nearly everyone in the class did. It also made it pretty easy to upgrade my ham ticket from Novice to Advanced

Re: [Elecraft] K2 Build: Options Advice

It's been a long time since I did this, but I remember there are a couple of connectors for the option boards that can be installed during the main board assembly, and make a tremendous difference in ease of installing the options when you get around to it. So there's an advantage in buying at

Re: [Elecraft] Field repairs to K3s

Thanks Paul: You have some wonderful luck. I bought a Tentec Eagle and Omni 7 and both failed within 2 years. I opened both to look for problems. though both were labeled ‘Made in USA’ most components were labeled ‘Made in China’ and are no longer available. For both repairs they need to be

Re: [Elecraft] Ham radio as a side dish

I want to impress upon you that science today, as in the days of Newton, lies before us a great uncharted ocean, and we have not sailed very far from the coast of ignorance. - Immanual Velikovsky 73 Bob, K4TAX __ Elecraft mailing

Re: [Elecraft] Field repairs to K3s

Gerald .. If you’re looking for the 50 page "troubleshooting and diagnosis" guide for the K3, it isn’t something you’ll find. But as others have said, this list and Elecraft support are invaluable resources. The K3 is largely built to be module replaceable. But the modules themselves are

[Elecraft] KX3 2M module SMA connector loosening

I recently bought and installed the KX3-2M transverter module in one of my KX3s and am enjoying a much better experience receiving the downlink from the Mode B AMSAT birds, compared to the TH-F6A I was using previously. Sensitivity and ergonomics are a huge improvement.   Unfortunately, I find

Re: [Elecraft] Ham radio as a side dish

Writing... Always wanted to be a writer. Started writing what today would be called a "journal" back around 1960 when I was 9 years old, writing about astronomical events and the space race. Got a Remco crystal radio kit about that time, got hooked on radio, so I started writing about radio.

Re: [Elecraft] Art of Electronics

Phil, Yes, I'm catching up on e-mail. Your description of physics cirriculum brought me back to my high school physics which was called "PSSC" based on the work done at MIT and described in: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physical_Science_Study_Committee. I had been licensed a couple of years

Re: [Elecraft] Ham radio as a side dish

My wife is a bird photographer (hobby, not professional, although she has been published). But, going with her on these trips is not like a hike or walk in the park. She will stalk a given bird for an hour or so waiting for the perfect shot. Me, I would be standing there waiting. So, more

[Elecraft] Field repairs to K3s

This list has some very knowledgeable people that are most helpful when trouble shooting. Also Elecraft support is very responsive and helpful. They have quickly shipped me warranty parts for my K3S and making the repair was easier than sending the radio back. Their customer service is second to

Re: [Elecraft] Ham radio as a side dish

Magnetic loop? Operating more than QRP might confuse avionics, however. I can't see running a gallon and a half while in flight. LOL On Sat, May 26, 2018 at 08:23 Chris Hallinan wrote: > I have recently discovered the thrill of "aeronautical mobile" on 2m FM > using a

Re: [Elecraft] Ham radio as a side dish

I can think of a couple of things where my ham radio experience blends with my other interests. Radio Control Models: for many years I used the 53 MHz band for my RC link. Now that the GHz equipment has come along, I use that. Music: I play trumpet in a couple of bands. My experience with

Re: [Elecraft] Ham radio as a side dish

I have recently discovered the thrill of "aeronautical mobile" on 2m FM using a handheld. Line of sight has an entirely different meaning at 8000 feet in unobstructed air! I would dearly love to figure out how to operate HF (20 meters) while flying a small general aviation single-engine

Re: [Elecraft] Field repairs to K3s

Gerald Capodieci writes: I'm looking to buy a radio that does not need to be sent back to the manufacturer for basic repairs. Gerald, Repair implies a failure has occurred. Most radios these days, and certainly Elecraft, are highly reliable rigs short of receiving some sort of abuse.