Rick, and Bob, Thanks for the reviews. I note that Rick started his off with
a clever limerick. Here's another limerick in honor of both reviews: The K4 has
been a long wait,
There's been lots of talk and debate.
But its finally here,
And the verdict is clear;
Reviewers say:"It's really
I had a similar problem with our K3/Astron PS atP40L-P49Y. Removing the power
cable from the back of the Astron and sanding the wires ends lightly (though no
corrosion could be seen) solved the problem.
73, andy ae6y
Sent from Mail for Windows 10
From: donov...@erols.com
Sent: Wednesday,
This is certainly getting way off topic on the Elecraft reflector, but I can’t
resist mentioning that I have visited the FAST telescope in Guizhou Province.
Here is a brief explanation from my trip notes (we were guests because my wife
is an astronomer with many Chinese colleagues). It’s odd
For one data point, when I got up for other reasons this morning at 2:20
a.m., I turned on the radio, as I need KH1 on 160. They were very solid
copy on 1822.5, and easy to work, using my K3 and KPA500, with only an
inverted vee for TX and RX. I was surprised that they were solid copy, as
DX Engineering sells several also.
73, andy ae6y
-Original Message-
From: Rose
Sent: Monday, January 08, 2018 12:19 PM
To: Elecraft Reflector
Subject: [Elecraft] Fwd: PTT switch for K3
Music equipment stores usually have a variety of foot switches ...
73!
Ken - K0PP
Although I haven't tried them, DX Engineering sells several.
73, andy ae6y
-Original Message-
From: Bob via Elecraft
Sent: Monday, January 08, 2018 10:31 AM
To: John Marvin ; elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] PTT switch for K3
You might want to try an industrial supply
Eric,
Hallelujah! First acknowledgment of such a possibility! I vote to put a
second amp module in the RF Deck (i.e., an RF deck that is the same as the
total size of the KPA500) and have a separate switching supply in another
box. 1200-1300 watts would be a sweet spot if 1.5K is a problem.
I thought I would share a fix to my KPA-500 with the group in case someone
else might have the same problem.
I have an old amp (two-digit serial number), and it has performed flawlessly
until yesterday. Suddenly the Operate-Standby button stopped working, and
then I noticed that other buttons
Ian,
At P49Y, I also like to use SLP=0 for pileups, because then one can "ride"
the RF Gain control to try to differentiate signals within a pileup. On the
other hand, for casual operation, it is easier on your ears to use higher
values of SLP in order to make the volume of signals more
Yes, that was the problem when it happened to me. It was a cable problem
that was inadvertently closing the key in (PA Key) input on the back of
the KPA500. Clearing that up restored normal operation.
73, andy ae6y
-Original Message-
From: Mike K2MK
Sent: Friday, January 30, 2015
It does, and I find it very helpful for tuning a linear. I keep Tune power
set at 20 watts, and use it to get in the ballpark with the amp, then retune
at higher power. Different strokes.
73, andy ae6y
-Original Message-
From: Phil Debbie Salas
Sent: Wednesday, August 27,
I take my K3 to Aruba in a backpack several times a year. About half the
time, TSA at SFO flags it and asks me to take it out of the backpack to be
run through separately. But that has never been any kind of problem, other
than a few minutes delay.
73, andy ae6y
-Original Message-
Yes, this is a very helpful menu item. I normally keep TUN PWR set at 20
watts, which allows amp tuneup to be started at lower power with less
likelihood of damage due to a switching or antenna mistake.
73, andy ae6y
-Original Message-
From: Mike Reublin
Sent: Friday, November 22,
Another source is http://www.j-works.com/index.php. They have a broad
product line. I've used one of their devices (USB to 4 SPST relays) for
years with my logging program CQPWIN, instead of using serial or parallel
port outputs for various rig control functions (e.g., PTT, Radio switching,
Dick,
I've had a K3 for over 5 years, and a 7600 for a few months (but before
that a 756 Pro2 for years). What specific questions do you have? They
should be very similar in CW reception, though the K3 would have an edge in
very crowded (e.g., contest) conditions.
Let me know if there is
Wayne,
I was pleased to see the APF added to the K3, though I think it is not as
useful on radios with such good basic filtering, as compared to older
radios. OTOH: it's a favorite feature of my old FT1000D!
73, andy ae6y
-Original Message-
From: Wayne Burdick
Sent: Tuesday, June 26,
An unsolicited endorsement: This is a terrific book -- highly recommended
for all K3 users/wannabe users.
73, Andy AE6Y
-Original Message-
From: Cady, Fred
Sent: Tuesday, May 15, 2012 5:10 AM
To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Elecraft] KE7X book Lulu discount
Lulu has a 20%
I would like to add that I bought the book a month or so ago, and it is
really a terrifically useful and well-produced guide to getting the most out
of your K3. Fred has done an outstanding, and very professional job on it.
Highly recommended.
73, andy ae6y
-Original Message-
From:
Alan,
It's easy to activate the voice memories simply by sending a macro to tap
the appropriate button. It's a bit more complicated to measure the length
of the message, if you want to set up an auto-repeat function, but that can
also be done. I do that in my program, CQPWIN, and also
Mike,
I carry my K3 in a backpack from SFO to MIA a few times a year on the way
to Aruba. I leave it in the backpack at TSA. The last two times there were
no issues at all. Occasionally in the past they have asked me to remove it.
They have then checked it for explosives with some kind of
Not to beat this topic to death, but if anyone wants to see a picture of a
KPA-500 with light grey buttons (and red ones for Operate and Power), email
me and I'll send it to you.
73, andy ae6y
__
Elecraft mailing list
Home:
This is really a matter of personal preference. I don't have my KPA500
right in front of me, and it's hard to find the Operate button at a glance,
particularly in dim light. The buttons are small and in my shack seem to
blend into the black background. But it may look different to you.
73,
I agree. I'd like to see a replacement kit offered (ok to charge for it)
with buttons that have some contrast. Particularly in dim light, they are
hard to see.
73, andy ae6y
-Original Message-
From: Bob
Sent: Thursday, January 19, 2012 2:32 PM
To: W2XB
Cc: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Gary,
This is purely a matter of personal preference. I've used the K3 (with a
Heil Pro headset) in 48-hour contests since 2007 and find it a pleasure to
use for extended periods. YMMV, but don't assume there is any consensus as
to which RXs are easiest to listen to.
GL and 73, andy, ae6y
Jim,
At P49Y, I have found it useful on CW to use an AGC slope setting that
reduces agc compression.That way you can use the RF gain control to help
manage the pileup. But I recommend keeping the AGC on so that you don't get
blasted by a very strong signal after you have been straining to
Joe,
Re my unit (#77):
1) Don't notice SWR, seems quite low.
2) No, I've used it with a 756 Pro2, and it switches bands on the first dit.
Very impressive.
3) It stays quite low; I don't even notice it in normal operation.
It's a very impressive work of engineering!
73, andy ae6y
Pete,
In my experience, a standard extension cable does work, provided all 15
pins are connected through. Cables marketed as VGA extender cables, however,
often don't have all 15 pins connected.
The Elecraft cable doesn't either, but they are a different set. Using a
normal extension cable
Although you probably won't have big pileups on FD, I'll pass along again
the settings that I have found effective at P49Y in CW contests. AGC-S, AGC
SLP=6, AGL THR=6, allow using the rf gain control to help manage pileups,
without losing the benefits of AGC in protecting you from really
to turn on when you turn on the K3? Mine do not
do that.
Thanks,
Dave, N4QS
- Original Message -
From: Andrew Faber andrewfa...@ymail.com
To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Sent: Monday, June 20, 2011 3:40 PM
Subject: [Elecraft] KPA500 kit
Just to whet everyone's
Just to whet everyone's appetites further, here's a one week report on my
new KPA500 (ser. 077, almost matches my K3, ser. 076), built as a Field Test
kit.
The assembly was very straightforward, easier than the K3. It was speeded
up by the fact that the parts inventory was missing from the
John,
Thanks for sharing your experiences. Sounds like a great trip.
While not exactly dxpeditioning, I take my P3 to P4 for contests, and find
it to be invaluable, both for checking band activity and for finding open
spots for running. Here's a picture of a prototype P3 in use in 2010 WPX
How about Elecraft's commissioning one of the PS manufacturers to design a
package to fit into a P3 enclosure. There's lots of space in there for a
PS, not to mention a good speaker.
- Original Message -
From: John Ragle tpcj1...@crocker.com
To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Sent: Friday,
Sorry for the bandwidth, but I forgot to sign this message from me.
73, andy, ae6y
- Original Message -
From: Andrew Faber andrewfa...@ymail.com
To: tpcj1...@crocker.com; elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Sent: Friday, April 08, 2011 2:16 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] New product suggestion
How
There is, or was, a K3 wiki. This would seem to be an ideal vehicle for the
desired user manual. Win-Test has a wiki.
73, andy, ae6y
- Original Message -
From: gary bartlett garybartl...@accesswave.ca
To: 'Elecraft Reflector' Elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Sent: Friday, December 10, 2010
I have no doubt that AGC adjustments are largely a matter of personal
preference, and I congratulate Elecraft on making the K3 as adjustable as it
is without overwhelming us with so many variations that we'd go crazy trying
to figure it out.
As an example of individual adjustments, I used the
Fred,
In CQPWIN, I did work out a way to measure the precise length of each
message so you can have accurate repeat intervals for each message, even if
they are of differing lengths. If any logging software types are curious,
I'll be happy to share the approach taken.
73,andy, ae6y
-
Like Ed, I carry a K3 in a backpack to Aruba. The last two times in SFO
they have removed the K3 and run it through separately, but no problem (of
course at SFO you now have to take your wallet out of your pocket also!).
In Aruba, the TSA never seems to notice.
My Begali paddle in the
Phil,
That would be Ginny, N6RER, XYL of Bill, K6KM. I'm copying her with this
message, so maybe she can explain her set up to you. She's a naturally
warm-sounding person, so maybe that's part of it, hi.
73, andy, ae6y
- Original Message -
From: Phil Townsend phi...@mac.com
To:
Joe,
An even simpler approach that doesn't even require a computer is to just
use the text decode feature of the K3, which scrolls RTTY text on the VFO B
display. I made a number of search and pounce Qs this way in the contest.
Memories with your callsign and the exchange can be recorded
Al,
Thanks for the reply.
Regarding the reference level, the Icom always seems to simply set it
correctly. I assume it is not merely remembering the level when bands are
switched, but is rather computing a new floor each time. Is that a bad
approach? I like having the ability to adjust
Dick,
Good idea, but I'm not sure it is necessary. I used a prototype P3 in WPX
CW in May at P49Y with my K3, serial 0076, which does not have the mod. Now
this was in a contest, and I wasn't particularly looking for the weakest
signals, but it did seem to interface fine with the older K3,
My experience is exactly the same as Mark's. I have carried my K3 on
commercial flights many times. Sometimes TSA wants it taken out of my
backpack and they either swab it for explosive residues or they run it
through separately, but they never ask questions about it, nor have they
asked me
My experience with the K3 as hand luggage has been good. I have been taking
my K3 to and from Aruba for 2 1/2 years. At SFO, about half the time I have
to take it out of the backpack for it to be checked. They then swab it
briefly for explosives and usually run it through the x-ray machine
Rob,
True, but, for example, I can do that on my 756Pro2 and it is often I want
to in a contest. For example, if I have narrowed the filter settings to
pull out a weak one and want to go back to a normal wider setting, this is
something to do while the computer is sending the next CQ. Now
Julian,
I had this problem with Vista, but solved it by changing the permission
level given to programs (I think they call this the UAC level -- something
like User Account Control). Unless you reduce the level of security,
programs are not allowed to write to the Program Files folder. It
David,
I'll be on with my K3, #076. Hope to work you at about 1400Z or so??
73, andy, ae6y
- Original Message -
From: chen dave lowb...@gmail.com
To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Sent: Friday, January 29, 2010 5:20 AM
Subject: [Elecraft] cqww 160m contest
Hello all,
Anyone will
You can also try borrowing an Icom Pro series (or presumably their larger
radios as well), and hook the if out to the antenna input on the Pro, which
will then act as a bandscope for the K3 when tuned to 8215 kHz.. I do this
at P49Y (an idea from W0YK) and it works very well.
73, andy, ae6y
Phil,
It's no big deal to add the subrx later. Don't make a decision based on
that as an issue.
73, andy, ae6y
- Original Message -
From: Phil Hystad k7...@comcast.net
To: Dave, W8OV w...@verizon.net
Cc: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Sent: Wednesday, November 18, 2009 2:17 PM
Subject: Re:
Dave's suggestions are good ones, but having used a K3 for over 6,000 Qs in
ARRL Phone from P49Y, I can say that they only go so far. You will still
get splatter from close stations. The K3 is excellent at not creating
digital artifacts due to nearby signals, but unfortunately a lot of the
* this
accessory, other than having a computer-less environment
which, in today's contesting environment, is not going to be
very competitive (unless your QTH is P5, Mt. Athos or
something exotic)?
Lu Romero - W4LT
K3 S# 3192
Message: 8
Date: Wed, 14 Oct 2009 12:22:23 -0700
From: Andrew
Brett,
As I see it the advantage is that you can send messages from the keyboard
(particularly useful if you have an SO2R setup with the radios spread
apart). Furthermore, you can integrate the message sending into the normal
message sending functionality, like message repeating and hitting
Don,
By the way, this is an odd and awkward way to add a sub receiver to the
K3.
If you use an Icom 756 Pro to do the listening, it's also an odd and
awkward way to add a bandscope to a K3. I did this in CQP and it works
fine (thanks to W0YK for the tip a few years ago).
73, andy, ae6y
I agree with Merv's analysis. The 756 Pros have this variable rate tuning
and it is very convenient and unobtrusive.
73, andy, ae6y
- Original Message -
From: Merv Schweigert k...@flex.com
Cc: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Sent: Wednesday, May 27, 2009 12:56 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3
Bill,
We have one of these at P40L-P49Y in Aruba. It works great for switching
beverage receive antennas between two radios. But it's not intended for
transmitting, so it may not fill the bill. For transmitting, we use band
decoders feeding a SixPak (and, as noted, the Yaesu decoder works
Sverre,
What's great about this vocabulary (and Ed, W0YK, who is a master vintner
may want to comment) is that you can use this same wonderfully imprecise
audio vocabulary to describe another object of notoriously subjective
taste -- wine. For example, I've been tempted to hit Ed with the
Greg,
I noticed the same problem sending CW to the K3 using my own software,
CQPWIN, and a Winkeyer when using the Winkeyer to assert PTT. The cure was
adding even a small amount of Winkey keying delay (as little as 10 msec did
the trick). So if N1MM allows you to do that, you might
Lee,
Those commands are in the programmer's reference (i.e., you simulate
button pushes or button holds). You should send a K31 command first, to
allow the button commands to work.
I'm planning to do this in ARRL Phone this weekend from P49Y using my
software, CQPWIN. I ended up having
Julius,
Though we're now drifting off topic from Elecraft, WinKey USB works fine
on my Vista laptop keying my K3. It also has the advantage of not tying up
any serial ports, since it runs off the USB port (the driver creates a
virtual serial port). You can also use it for PTT, thus avoiding
I can't recall which one, but I had a radio that worked exactly this way.
My suggestion would be not to change existing button usage at all, but do as
Vic suggests, and allow a programmable button to be set to a quick split,
that would equalize frequency (or maybe put in a variable offset),
I like this idea also. But then we also would need some way of knowing when
a message finishes. For example, under computer control, if I send a TX
command to go into TX mode, then a command to start playing a message, the
radio has to let me know somehow when the message is finished, so that
What's really fun is that you can adjust the AGC slope on the K3 in the
config menu. In fact, if you do this while listening to a very strong
signal, you can hear exactly what the AGC does to reduce the gain while you
are making the adjustment.For this contest, I put in the maximum degree
Wayne,
This is great stuff, but
Suggestion for Elecraft: make a K3 panadaptor and a KW automatic, SO2R amp
higher priorities!
73, Andy, AE6Y
- Original Message -
From: Terry Schieler terry.schie...@wirelessusa.com
To: 'wayne burdick' n...@elecraft.com; 'Dan Romanchik KB6NU'
David,
I've taken my K3 to Aruba several times. I put it in my backpack cushioned
with bubble wrap and maybe a towel or some clothing. I just put the
backpack on the conveyor belt to start with. I sometimes have to remove it
for separate handling (only at SFO) and sometimes not. But no one
Joe,
I agree with Jim's advice here. I have used my K3 several times in CW
contests from Aruba as P49Y, most recently on a 40m single band operation in
CQWW, on a very crowded band. For that kind of usage, I think the narrow
CW filter is advisable. With it, I was never bothered by signals
With Dean's permission, I am posting to the Elecraft reflector the report by
Dean Straw, N6BV, regarding his use of the K3 at K6TA in SS CW. As you can
see, he is a convert!
73, andy, ae6y
[Report by N6BV]:
My primary motivation for operating SS CW for the last 10 years has been to
Rich,
I've used the K3 in both SSB and CW contests from P49Y. SSB works great,
in part because it retains very good intelligibility when cranked down
pretty narrow (i.e., below 2.0 kHz). It seems to work better to use the Hi
and Lo mode instead of Shift and Width.
OTOH, for CW, the rx is
Joe,
I find the spectrum scope to be very useful in the an SO2R situation. For
example, at home I use a K3 as my normal run radio and a 756 Pro2 as a
second radio. The K3 is a much better run radio mostly because of its much
superior receiver performance. OTOH, the spectrum scope on the
A quick note. I operated casually with my K3 barefoot, CW only, for about
two hours. I was using full break-in. One feature that I noticed was the
ability to tune the subreceiver while CQing and actually find other stations
while transmitting. Of course, I couldn't make out fully what was
Those dashes sound a little long. The formula normally used to calculate
lengths of elements is
dot length (msec) equals 1200 divided by wpm.
Thus, at 22 wpm, the dot length should be 54.5 msec. Dashes are normally
three times as long, i.e., 163.5 msec.
73, andy, ae6y
- Original
Drew,
I don't think that is correct. Normal CW has a dash that is three times
as long as a dot. If you have dashes as short as twice as long as dots, the
code sounds very strange. The ratio, i.e., three to one, is purely of the
length of the character. Normal spacing between dots and
Drew,
OK, now I understand: your times are for a dash plus one space. So, in
effect a dot would be one quarter of that length at normal weighting.
Sounds like the calibration may be within the error of measurement.
73, andy, ae6y
- Original Message -
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To:
I would vote not to make Test mode persistent. While I find it very useful,
it can be a trap for an inexperienced K3 user, to whom it might look like
the radio simply isn't working. There is no indication that the radio is in
Test mode, other than the failure to transmit.
73, andy, ae6y
Lisa,
That's great. I'll see you then.
73, andy, ae6y
- Original Message -
From: Lisa Jones - Elecraft Sales [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: Andrew Faber [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Tuesday, May 13, 2008 3:26 PM
Subject: Re:Re: KRX3 Invoice
Andy,
I'll check with Ed, but for sure we will have
Knut,
I agree. I like the gritty feel, as it is consistent with these
functions being changed in discrete steps, not continually.
73, andy, ae6y
- Original Message -
From: ab2tc [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Sent: Monday, May 05, 2008 1:37 PM
Subject: Re:
Al,
I'm confused. I always thought (at least before I became a lawyer and
stopped thinking about such things) that to reconstruct a waveform you
needed to sample at twice the highest frequency of the Fourier components
contained in the signal waveform. For a sine wave, that would be twice
Don,
For the benefit of Bay Area locals, I also found such a cable at my local
Fry's Computer Store. It was necessary, because one of the band output
signals is on pin 9, which is normally not present on the VGA cables. I cut
the other connector off the cable and wired up a special one to
Joe,
Yes, I agree. I tried Lyle's suggstion of turning off the ALC in the
config menu, but that didn't help the situation.
73,a ndy, ae6y
- Original Message -
From: Joe Subich, W4TV [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Cc: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Sent:
Don,
What answer of Lyle's are you referring to? I think I asked the original
question, but didn't get that answer, as far as I know. Thanks.
73, andy, ae6y
- Original Message -
From: Don Wilhelm [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Cc: 'Andy Faber' [EMAIL PROTECTED];
This does work. I just made 4 qsos in the contest with Field Tester Ed
Muns, P49X, using my K3 without any special software. What works for me is
to record messages in memories in CW mode, then send them in Data mode (FSK
D). At the end of each message add the character Greg describes, all
Toby,
Yes, that is a sensible way to do it. Does anyone have a simple circuit
for this in an SO2R setup, where you would need to ground the RX input to
the transmitting radio without grounding the receiving antenna that might
also be connected to the second radio?
73, andy, ae6y
-
Stewart,
I reported something similar after CQWW CW, and there was some discussion
about isolation between the RX antenna input and the TX stages of the radio.
I'm not sure if there is a plan to do anything about it or not, but would be
interested in solving this problem, as it impacted my
Chris,
I have my K3 hooked up to a Top Ten Yaesu decoder, and it seems to work
fine. You need to connect 5 wires: the four BCD outputs and ground. Once I
figured out the pin numbering it was straightforward (Pins on the ACC jack
are numbered 1-5, 6-10, 11-15 from right to left and top to
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Band decoder and Tx Inhibit
Oh thanks for that Andy. I'll get it wired up in the morning with
confidence then! I know that Dave N3RD (of Top Ten) and Sig N3RS are
eagerly awaiting their K3s and will also be interested.
73 Chris G3SJJ
Andrew Faber wrote:
Chris,
I
: Greg - AB7R [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: 'G3SJJ' [EMAIL PROTECTED]; 'Andrew Faber'
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Cc: Elecraft elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Sent: Tuesday, January 29, 2008 3:53 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Band decoder and Tx Inhibit
Only issue is that the Mic and Headphone jacks on the back
are pretty
Bob,
Also, bear in mind that some cables that are billed as VGA monitor cables
actually only use 13 pins, not all 15. In fact, they have Pin 9 missing,
which is one of the pins used for the Band Data Output signals. One of the
pins in the third row (i.e., 11 to 15) is also missing. So be
Dave,
Yes, I was listening to a very weak J5C last night on 80 next to his
pileup. On the K3 I could factor in some noise reduction and pull him out.
On my 756 PRO2, when I turned on the NR, I got various clicks and pops on
his frequency due to the pileup and couldn't read him.
I'm normally
Mike,
A Heil Kenwood adaptor works fine. I've used it. You can also simply
plug both the mic and the phones connectors from a Pro-Set into the back of
the K3 and not use the front panel inputs at all. This is really helpful in
reducing clutter in front of the radio.
73, andy, ae6y
-
Tom,
Without answering the question directly: I took my K3 to Aruba for CQWW
wrapped in bubble wrap inside a small shipping box, inside a regular
suitcase. Steve, K6AW, took his to the Galapagos, also wrapped in bubble
wrap, in a backpack as carry-on luggage. Both seemed to survive fine.
Hi all,
I'm new to the reflector, but did use my brand new K3 (ser #76) last
weekend in CQWW CW from P49Y, as a single band 40M HP entrant.
I loved the K3, and never felt that I was bothered by adjacent channel
interference. Also, the sound was much cleaner than with our PRO2s, without
any
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