Re: [Elecraft] KX3 FD Operations?
John N0HJ and Steve N0MHQ joined me Saturday afternoon on the deck of our recently-purchased home in the mountains of Woodland Park, CO to make a few FD contacts with my KX3. First time I've had the chance to get on HF since last fall, thanks to all the activities associated with selling one house and then buying and moving into another. John brought his pneumatic launcher which did a wonderful job of putting a line over a tree near the deck and hoisting my half-size G5RV in an inverted V configuration. I ran the KX3 off a gel cel at about 10W and made mostly CW contacts but also a few on SSB, all on 20 m. Had a real pipeline to CA early, but then bagged a few east coast stations later in the day. I think the three of us (and my wife) spent as much time yakking as we did operating, but it was a great afternoon. The KX3 was a dream to operate, although all I did was spin the tuning knob and occasionally tweak the filter. 73, Dave NK0E On 6/30/2015 4:38 PM, elecraft-requ...@mailman.qth.net wrote: Wondering how many ops on this reflector had a KX3 station running this past weekend in Field Day? I had mine running five watts, along with a PX3, set up on our back patio. Ran a LiFePO4 battery and solar panel, along with a half-sized G5RV in inverted Vee mode, apex up 25 feet. Conditions weren't great here (25 miles east of Sacramento) but still had fun and the KX3 performed quite well. The bulk of my QSO's were made on 40 and 20 meters. A handful on 15 and four on 80 meters. I listened, but heard ZERO stations on 10 meters either day. Ughhh Jim Bennett / W6JHB (1E, SV) Folsom, CA __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] FD K2, K3's KX3
Worked field day this year with my KX3 setup on 80 15 meters. Nice to be able to operate CW Digital SSB simultaneously on the same band with very small antenna separations. Thanks Elecraft for the bata Fixed mode for the PX3, worked well, however I would like to see an adjustment added that would allow a gain/frequency adjustment to make the passband look flatter when one is near the edge of the display I still have a problem with a false peak 600 Hz off frequency on the display in CW mode even after the recommended adjustments. John K7JLT __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] KX3 FD Operations?
I used the KX3 on 40 meter CW and PSK31 with Win4K3 software, DigiPan, an HF Packer Amplifier and 40 meter Loop Skywire at the River City ARCS Field Day in Rio Linda, CA. The power source were 105 Ah of sealed lead acid batteries and 90 watt solar panel. Some photos are at https://picasaweb.google.com/114032640816757126398/FieldDayStation Carol, KP4MD @ N6NA Field Day Station __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] FS: Factory built KX3 with Accessories
Both the KX3 and the IC-7000 have been sold. Thanks for playing :) B On 6/30/15, 6:54 AM, Brian Sheets bri...@fl240.com wrote: I need to fund the downpayment on a new (to me) vehicle so the KX3 has to go. Factory Built Serial Number 1366 Excellent Condition Current Firmware Non-Smoker owned, no scratches dents or otherwise Gem products side KX endplates dust cover (original end pieces included too) Think Tank padded lens case to keep it safe All original boxes and manual All currently available options (except 2M module) KX3-PCKT Accessory Cable Set USB Cable KXAT3 ATU for the KX3 KXBC3 Internal NiMH Charger and RTC Eneloop NiMH AA batteries KXFL3 Dual-Passband Roofing Filter KXPD3 Paddle with KXPD3 Upgrade Kit (not installed) MH3 Hand Mic XG3 Signal Generator pignology piglet and serial cable allows wireless control from iPad or Android Pro Audio Engineering Heat sink (no paint removed) This has been thermal calibrated using the XG3 I'd like to get $1400 + shipping, double boxed and insured. Paypal only. I also have a Icom IC-7000 mobile package with Tarheel II and Tune Controller if anyone is interested. Brian KA7KDX __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to bri...@fl240.com __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft Digest, Vol 134, Issue 30
I, too, ran my KX3 for FD: 5 watts, battery power. From LAX I was able to work both Hawaii and the East Coast. Amazing what 5 watts and CW can do. --Jeff, K6JW __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] FS: Factory built KX3 with Accessories
I need to fund the downpayment on a new (to me) vehicle so the KX3 has to go. Factory Built Serial Number 1366 Excellent Condition Current Firmware Non-Smoker owned, no scratches dents or otherwise Gem products side KX endplates dust cover (original end pieces included too) Think Tank padded lens case to keep it safe All original boxes and manual All currently available options (except 2M module) KX3-PCKT Accessory Cable Set USB Cable KXAT3 ATU for the KX3 KXBC3 Internal NiMH Charger and RTC Eneloop NiMH AA batteries KXFL3 Dual-Passband Roofing Filter KXPD3 Paddle with KXPD3 Upgrade Kit (not installed) MH3 Hand Mic XG3 Signal Generator pignology piglet and serial cable allows wireless control from iPad or Android Pro Audio Engineering Heat sink (no paint removed) This has been thermal calibrated using the XG3 I'd like to get $1400 + shipping, double boxed and insured. Paypal only. I also have a Icom IC-7000 mobile package with Tarheel II and Tune Controller if anyone is interested. Brian KA7KDX __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] K3 PA temperature reading jumps / hot smell
Dear all, my K3 (S/N 8862) is developing a strange behaviour that is beginning to worry me a bit... Current firmware, assembled as kit, power calibration just repeated to be sure. First -- and this is not really new -- from time to time it produces a smell that is best described as 'hot', like in hot resistor, hot transistor and similar. I've never managed to track down the source, though it seems to be related to output power. Sometimes it appeared after just 1 minute of operation (the maximum I do is 100W RTTY with short QSOs and never more than 50% duty cycle) and was then gone for the rest of the day, sometimes it started a bit later, and sometimes it never appeared. The PA temperature was always fine in these cases, below 50 degC max. Now this smell seems to be increasing and I'm worried some real damage might develop. The second new issue is that during TX the PA temperature reading increases quite fast and then when switching back to RX *immediately* drops back by several deg C. Example: - start at PA temp = 33C - transmit 90W RTTY for 30s on 14MHz into dummy load -- temperature increases to 43 deg C - back to RX: temperature drops down instantly to 35 deg C Now the funny thing is: if I do that on 10MHz, it behaves completely normal. Temperature increase is just 2C, no drop at the end. That's how it was on 20m in the past as well. On 15m somewhere in between (+4, and then drop by 2), then on 12m and higher again back to normal. Anyone with similar observations? Any ideas what to check or test or do? Man thanks for any help, vy 73, Felix DL2FHO __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 PA temperature reading jumps / hot smell
possible issue in the Low Pass Filter From: Felix Hormuth horm...@mpia.eu To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Tuesday, June 30, 2015 8:16 AM Subject: [Elecraft] K3 PA temperature reading jumps / hot smell Dear all, my K3 (S/N 8862) is developing a strange behaviour that is beginning to worry me a bit... Current firmware, assembled as kit, power calibration just repeated to be sure. First -- and this is not really new -- from time to time it produces a smell that is best described as 'hot', like in hot resistor, hot transistor and similar. I've never managed to track down the source, though it seems to be related to output power. Sometimes it appeared after just 1 minute of operation (the maximum I do is 100W RTTY with short QSOs and never more than 50% duty cycle) and was then gone for the rest of the day, sometimes it started a bit later, and sometimes it never appeared. The PA temperature was always fine in these cases, below 50 degC max. Now this smell seems to be increasing and I'm worried some real damage might develop. The second new issue is that during TX the PA temperature reading increases quite fast and then when switching back to RX *immediately* drops back by several deg C. Example: - start at PA temp = 33C - transmit 90W RTTY for 30s on 14MHz into dummy load -- temperature increases to 43 deg C - back to RX: temperature drops down instantly to 35 deg C Now the funny thing is: if I do that on 10MHz, it behaves completely normal. Temperature increase is just 2C, no drop at the end. That's how it was on 20m in the past as well. On 15m somewhere in between (+4, and then drop by 2), then on 12m and higher again back to normal. Anyone with similar observations? Any ideas what to check or test or do? Man thanks for any help, vy 73, Felix DL2FHO __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to hlyin...@yahoo.com __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 PA temperature reading jumps / hot smell
The 20 meter temperature increase sounds normal to me. The 10 MHz and 21 MHz behavior is a little strange. Here is a link to a PA temp experiment that I conducted on both of my K3's: http://marc.info/?l=elecraftm=128534687205664w=2 Dave Hachadorian, K6LL Yuma, AZ -Original Message- From: Felix Hormuth Sent: Tuesday, June 30, 2015 5:16 AM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] K3 PA temperature reading jumps / hot smell Dear all, my K3 (S/N 8862) is developing a strange behaviour that is beginning to worry me a bit... Current firmware, assembled as kit, power calibration just repeated to be sure. First -- and this is not really new -- from time to time it produces a smell that is best described as 'hot', like in hot resistor, hot transistor and similar. I've never managed to track down the source, though it seems to be related to output power. Sometimes it appeared after just 1 minute of operation (the maximum I do is 100W RTTY with short QSOs and never more than 50% duty cycle) and was then gone for the rest of the day, sometimes it started a bit later, and sometimes it never appeared. The PA temperature was always fine in these cases, below 50 degC max. Now this smell seems to be increasing and I'm worried some real damage might develop. The second new issue is that during TX the PA temperature reading increases quite fast and then when switching back to RX *immediately* drops back by several deg C. Example: - start at PA temp = 33C - transmit 90W RTTY for 30s on 14MHz into dummy load -- temperature increases to 43 deg C - back to RX: temperature drops down instantly to 35 deg C Now the funny thing is: if I do that on 10MHz, it behaves completely normal. Temperature increase is just 2C, no drop at the end. That's how it was on 20m in the past as well. On 15m somewhere in between (+4, and then drop by 2), then on 12m and higher again back to normal. Anyone with similar observations? Any ideas what to check or test or do? Man thanks for any help, vy 73, Felix DL2FHO __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to k6ll.d...@gmail.com __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3, KX3, and FD
Ted, Just a couple of comments: Our 2A station used a barefoot K3 throughout FD 2015. This one is a newer unit (#7811) with recently-installed KSYN3As. We operated QRQ 100%, at around 25 WPM for 17 hours. I noticed the same improved performance you did. I'd used an older K3 (#24) with new synthesizers for a number of months but hadn't put it in a competitive setting like FD. Our other station (Kewwood-something-or-other) operator never complained when we were running on the same band. But of course if he accidentally put the Kenwood into TX, he obliterated our RX. The KSYN3A's phase noise improvement makes a great tool for multi-station ops on the same band. The two stations' antennas were only about 150 feet apart. The K3 retains its rock star status in the ham world, through constant improvement. I also noticed the changed conditions on Sunday morning (6 AM through Noon, Pacific Time). 20m started weak out here, and 10m opened only a little bit before FD ended. I saw 10m shut down, then 15m get very watery, and finally it was even difficult to get any new action on 20m right near the end. 73, matt W6NIA On Tue, 30 Jun 2015 03:20:50 +, you wrote: I used the K3-KPA500 on 10-15-20 during the day and the KX3-KXPA100 on 40 overnight, and so had a good chance to compare them, albeit subjectively and on different bands at different times. Both setups performed flawlessly, and the K3¹s new synths were impeccable at QRQ. snip As for conditions, from my operating position (at elevation 8,600 feet just west of the Continental Divide in Colorado) conditions were remarkably good for this part of the cycle and this season. At about 1:30 local (19:30 Z) Sunday snip Ted, KN1CBR Matt Zilmer, W6NIA -- Always store beer in a dark place. -R. Heinlein __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 on 50 MHz - noise and possible harmonics
In recent testing of a new Cloud-IQ SDR, I found the same thing at home. Two tones about 500 Hz apart and reoccurring at about the same interval. I used my KX3 to track it down to the 100BASE-T ethernet cables. The noise floor on the SDR is 140 dB and was able to pick it up. 73 Mike N4MHO On Mon, Jun 29, 2015 at 11:26 PM, Steve Lund k6um.el...@gmail.com wrote: I have all these spurious signals in my K3, too. They are caused by my wireless router. But are the result of using wired connections to my office computers. When I remove the LAN cables these signals disappear, along with many on the hf bands. I have received the ferrites recommended by K9YC. The plan is to install them on Wednesday. I have both the #43 and #61 material. Steve, K6UM On Mon, Jun 29, 2015 at 7:43 PM, Chris Hallinan challi...@gmail.com wrote: I've been playing around with 50 MHz USB/CW down at the low end of the band with a plain ol' dipole. I'm curious about noise and birdies and other people's experience, as I really don't know what to expect. I have a steady S3/4 noise level at all frequencies with the preamp off, jumping to solid S5 with the preamp engaged. I have several strong signals (probably harmonics of some interference??) as follows listening in USB mode, preamp off: 50.026: S4 50.057: S6 50.087: S5 50.117: S6 50.148: S6 50:178: S4 and more as I tune up. Notice the 30KHz spacing. These are all steady 2-tone signals with perhaps a couple hundred hertz difference in the two tones. No variation with day/night or propagation as far as I can tell. They all disappear when the antenna is disconnected. First, is my background noise level local or should that be expected on 50 MHz? And what are these signals spaced every 30 KHz or so? Could this be broadcast overload way up here on 50 MHz? I do have a fairly close 1580 KHz AM station broadcasting 1100 watts during daytime, and 110 at night, but I use an Array Solutions BCB filter. What have others experienced? Thanks and 73, Chris K1AY -- Life is like Linux - it never stands still. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to k6um.el...@gmail.com __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to m...@tropo.org __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 on 50 MHz - noise and possible harmonics
On Mon,6/29/2015 9:26 PM, Steve Lund wrote: I have received the ferrites recommended by K9YC. The plan is to install them on Wednesday. I have both the #43 and #61 material Hi Steve, A clarification. #31 is the first weapon of choice for the HF bands -- it is effective from the AM broadcast band up to 50 MHz. #43 is slightly better above 10 MHz, but much less effective on 80 and 160M. #61 is NOT useful to kill noise below 2M -- it's loss is far too low, low enough that it can be used for transformers that handle power at HF. 2-3 turns through a #31 or #43 core puts the choke in the range of 50 MHz. Because you're using only 2-3 turns, more than one choke may be needed. The chokes go on both ends of all the cables connected to the router and the modem. That gear often creates birdies on 30M, 20M, and the low end of 10M. Follow my guidelines for RG58/8X coax for these chokes. These birdies are created by clocks local to the router, and their frequencies are not precise (although they are crystal-controlled). If you have neighbors, you'll likely hear their routers too, a few hundred Hz from yours. To identify yours, kill power to it. 73, Jim K9YC __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] [K2] Photo of Workaround for Failed K2 Headphone Jack
The usual K2 headphone jack failure results in the speaker going dead. To fix it requires replacing the jack, but a workaround is to short two pads together. The speaker will then run all the time, whether or not there are headphones plugged into the front of the rig. The speaker can be cut off by inserting a plug into the external speaker jack or by a switch. I put a photo showing which pads to jumper together on my web page. The link (and brief text) are near the bottom of this page: http://www.qsl.net/ve3sma/downloads2.html while the photo itself is at http://www.qsl.net/ve3sma/K2HeadphoneJackSwitchBypass.jpg Thanks to Don, W3FPR, for identifying the correct pads for me. 73,Steve VE3SMA __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] [K2] Photo of Workaround for Failed K2 Headphone Jack
Hmmmmailman and Yahoo between them have managed to mangle the links...they should be http://www.qsl.net/ve3sma/downloads2.html , while the photo itself is at http://www.qsl.net/ve3sma/K2HeadphoneJackSwitchBypass.jpg . Hope that works better. Steve VE3SMA __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] Filters KRX3 for sale
Hi guys, currently stripping down one of my K3's for a friend thus have a few original Elecraft high performance 8 pole filters surplus to my needs now. Available for sale: KFL3A-250 KFL3A-400 (2 pieces) KFL3A-1.0K KFL3A-2.8K Asking 99 EUR each, Europe/Germany preferred but will also ship worldwide if neccessary. ;-) For sale, too, is a KRX3 for 399 EUR. Please answer off list. 73, Olli - DH8BQA -- Contest, DX radio projects: http://www.dh8bqa.de __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] [K2] Photo of Workaround for Failed K2 Headphone Jack
Nope, in the email I received your links work just fine. Mark AD5SS On Tue, Jun 30, 2015 at 3:14 PM, Steve Kavanagh skavanag...@yahoo.ca wrote: Hmmmmailman and Yahoo between them have managed to mangle the links...they should be http://www.qsl.net/ve3sma/downloads2.html , while the photo itself is at http://www.qsl.net/ve3sma/K2HeadphoneJackSwitchBypass.jpg . Hope that works better. Steve VE3SMA __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to plcm...@gmail.com __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] Field day
Two of us shared a K3 on CW. There were four other HF stations on digital modes with very little antenna separation. We were never even aware that the other stations existed in the same building. QRM was not a problem unless multiple stations moved within a few Hertz of our receive frequency. Most impressive. WM6P Steve __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
