A caution for K3/100 kit builders: The female spade lug fell off one of the
gray wires coming from the main PA board on my KPA3 100-watt amplifier
module because of what appears to have been an inadequate crimp. Suggest
you check for a physically good termination on those two wires before you
W4CAK:
I have listened to both the recordings of the K3 very carefully
and notice some raspiness in the cw note.
HB9DRV:
It's the recording.
I agree. Having been using my trusty TS-930S for the
past 7 months, I know what good CW audio should sound like.
One of the more striking first
- Original Message -
From: Gary Bartlett VE1RGB [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Monday, December 03, 2007 6:47 AM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KPA3 100 Watt PA - Spade Lug Crimping
I just finished soldering that lug on and that cured my problem. Of course
one has to solder
K3/100 kit sn #119 arrived here on the Arctic Circle to-day.
Hope to join you on the air.
Benny OH9NB
K2 # 3969
K3 # 119
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I recently purchased a SPE 1K A linear solid state amplifier. It does not
operate properly without negative ALC on SSB.
Why produce a new rig that is not compatible with present solid state
amplifiers?
I hope this is corrected before mine is ready to be delivered, or I will just
cancel my
I recently purchased a SPE 1K A linear solid state amplifier. It does not
... (stuff removed) ...
cancel my order.
I'm sorry, but I slowly am starting to feel that this ALC discussion is getting
out of hand. Personally I have never needed ALC, but do understand that in some
cases it might be
Interesting discussion about operating parameters displayed on the K3
screen.
I think the only thing worse than not enough data is trying to cram too
much, or too small, data into a small screen.
I propose that an item for the SW development list (if it isn't there
already) be a Windoze app
I do not own an amp or use one when I operate from home. I also do
not have any involvement with Elecraft other than being a
customer. I have used amps while guests at other stations (many
times I forget to even turn them on!). When I purchased my K3, the
ALC was not a issue for me, as I
DJ7MGQ::
And, imho, the use of ALC to continuously control the exciter is usually not a
good idea, unless the timing and other characteristics of the ALC match the
exciter perfectly.
I agree. I have *never* used ALC in 50 years. It causes
more problems than it solves, especially on CW.
I'm afraid that is unlikely to work during a contest - I believe the
contest software needs exclusive use of the rig's interface. To get
software display of the extra parameters, I believe you'll have to
convince the contest software developers (N1MM, etc) to either
incorporate the parameter
I have never used ALC with any amps, tube or solid-state without any issue.
Felt the power control on the rig gave me enough control. But I can see why
some may feel they need it.
But I have a question about this. Besides needing the option of positive or
negative going ALC, would there need to
I like to use Spectrogram, and setup markers for 500 600 Hz, these are
the tones most often heard on WWV, and then use that to zero beat WWV.
With that setup I was able to get down to where I was 9.997 or 8 for the
10 Khz WWV signal.
-
David Wilburn
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
K4DGW
K2 S/N 5982
On
Guess there is an advantage to having an amp (like the ACOM 2000a)
that upon a fault condition like a bad coax,,,high swr shuts itself
into a fault standby modesuch as happened when i was feeding a
bad 80 meter feed line.
This rather than relying on an exterior component ( on an ALC
Right on, Bill. Joe's comments are some of the most useful I have seen in all the K3 related postings. With all the menu choices the K3 has, it seems like they could have incorporated (could still incorporate?) the option of industry standard or Elecraft choices for some of these functions. I
Joe Subich, W4TV, wrote:
However, all three changes could have been incorporated in the K3 for
pennies in parts instead of requiring user modifications or add on
boxes with just a little market research beyond the tight-knit group
of insiders who do not push the operating envelope.
While I
Paul,
The exact frequency of the 4 MHz (nominal) reference oscillator may be
slightly different than exactly 4 MHz.
If you have a well calibrated external frequency counter, you can adjust
the 4 MHz reference (adjust C22) by measuring the frequency at TP1 with
both the internal counter and
Be a better friend, newshound, and
know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now.
http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ
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Hi Don,
I have read your website (and 50+ posts) and done this procedure about 5
times over the last 3 days - each time with the same result (no change).
Followed a procedure that made the two frequencies (TP3 and TP2)
exactly 10MHz apart by varying C22. Ran CAL PLL (7.1 Mhz) and then ran
I guess I'm just wondering, the day after, how I got
roped into an amplifier discussion when I don't even
have one!!!
Oh yeah - here's that Neat Video one more time. ;-)
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=10f_1196591072
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Paul,
Your original post had the BFO at 4913.19 kHz and the VFO at 14913.05
when receiving 10 MHz WWV. Clearly the difference is not 10 MHz, and
that indicates that C22 was not properly adjusted.
Briefly, the procedure is:
NOTE: The K2 must be in LSB or USB mode - not CW.
1) Tune WWV
For narrow receive SSB filtering (crystal and DSP) for contesting and other
crowded band conditions, use the HIGH CUT control rather than WIDTH and
SHIFT.
In an earlier post, I reported that the K3 1.8kHz crystal filter is
excellent for SSB contesting and had no degradation of audio quality over
Oh dear, you have made me a little worried now Ian.
I use two Topten Band Decoders, with new source driver boards. Each one
has a cable wired for Yeasu, ie terminated in a Din plug which goes into
the Band Data out socket on the FT1kMP. One also has a twin screened
lead which picks up Amp
It would be really cool if somebody could make a video showing the front panel
of the radio (with good video resolution) while it is in actual operation
during weak-signal reception, so we can see/hear how the adjustments relate to
readability. I'm interested in both CW and SSB, but
K3 SN 109 arrived in NYC 12/3/07 from an order placed on May 1.
YAHOo.
Tom, AK2B
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At 10:32 AM 12/3/2007, Ian White GM3SEK wrote:
SNIPThe problem was simply that, on the issue of compatibility with
existing technical standards in the market, nobody picked up the ball.
SNIP
3. Reverse logic in the band data output. Again, this 4-bit encoding
was originated by Yaesu, and
Hi Don,
You are right that I interchanged TP1 and TP3 in my post but the
information was correct otherwise. While the orginal post did have a
difference of .86 Khz instead of 10MHz, I have rerun the procedure
with an exact difference of 10MHz (by small adjustments in C22).
Last run:
Okay Jerry - I was attempting to address problems in
quality assurance with a newly introduced radio, maybe
you feel this falls in that category as well, it
wouldn't really for me. But good enough, the issue got
lots of milage so it's certainly out there now. 73,
Don...
--- Jerry Flanders
At 11:37 AM 12/3/2007, you wrote:
I guess I'm just wondering, the day after, how I got
roped into an amplifier discussion when I don't even
have one!!!
Because you mentioned the plastic film issue is the biggest problem
you had seen. I replied with the problems I have seen and it has
K3 CW for me has been smmoth as silk, and I have a sensitive ear. Only
deviation I've seen is when I run the DSP filter at 50 Hs there is somewhat of
a
rolling off of the higher frequency components of the tone. But, there is also
an improved performance of the CMP with the reduction in noise
Are you talking about a dial reading of 1.12 (120 Hz) or 10012.00
(12,000 Hz)? Most of us get the readings within plus or minus 30 Hz. 10 KHz
is way out of whack.
Confused in Atlanta
Dan / WG4S / K2 #2456 (Reads 1.01 on WWV)
-Original Message-
All bands are off by at least
It looks like the K3 will be with us for a long time to come. At least I
hope so. I have heard several on in recent contests, and they sound good.
I hope to be able to purchase one after the dust settles. Perhaps in 2013
(hi hi). I hope that the K4 doesn't come along anytime soon.
73,
Jerry,
I am presently using a method in which my PC reads the rig freq and
generates band-data signals for the amp (
http://www.ab4oj.com/quadra/w4uk.html or
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/rwilliams309/QUADRA_interface.html ).
This works OK, but always requires the logging computer is
Hi gang,
Apart from the fundamental discussion do you really need ALC yes/no, I
have raised this issue already quite some time ago. I have an SPE 1K-FA and
K3 on order, and I want to work both full power barefoot as well as with the
amp, but do not want to run the risk to accidentally overdrive
Mine is .98.
-
David Wilburn
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
K4DGW
K2 S/N 5982
On Mon, 2007-12-03 at 14:14 -0500, Dan Barker wrote:
Are you talking about a dial reading of 1.12 (120 Hz) or 10012.00
(12,000 Hz)? Most of us get the readings within plus or minus 30 Hz. 10 KHz
is way out of whack.
From: Joe Subich, W4TV [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2007 14:58:57 -0500
Jerry,
I am presently using a method in which my PC reads the rig freq and
generates band-data signals for the amp (
http://www.ab4oj.com/quadra/w4uk.html or
Now THAT subject line will hit all the mailboxes/folders
With all the great stuff flowing along, it certainly makes it easier
if we keep the model in the subject line
just a request from the midlands, where it's 21F, the ground is
frozen and I worked my first K3 yesterday.
thanks
BTW, I hope the KPA800/1600 will either provide negative
going ALC as an option or have a built-in fast acting
attenuator to obviate the need for external power control if
they want a broader audience than K3 owners ;-)
I would hope they have an attenuator that can be adjusted in
0.5 dB
Again, firmware upgradable radios are, and will be (by definition) equal
in functionality regardless of serial number.
Contrary to the idea that high serial numbers are superior to lower
ones, many Collins collectors actually prefer lower-numbered
Winged-emblem gear over the higher-numbered
We have just released new versions of the K3's firmware and of the K3
firmware downloader. You can get more information on these on our K3
Software page at:
http://www.elecraft.com/K3/k3_software.htm
What's new?
* Noise Reduction feature re-enabled.
* Improved menu usability (new power-on
I have been looking at the reflector from time to time,
and was shocked to read that the 100 plus K3's that have shipped
do not have many options they were supposed to have, like
AM mode, FM mode, AM sync detection, a working noise blanker,
the high accuricy frequency readout, the variable
Jerry and all,
OTOH, I would be quite uncomfortable purchasing a modern SS amplifier
that did not implement protection from excessive SWR without depending
on the exciter to throttle back the power.
To my mind, depending on some external device (the exciter) to protect
the amp is a recipe
That's useful information. If the K3 band select lines can tolerate
12V pullups,
They can.
73,
Lyle KK7P
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At 02:59 PM 12/3/2007, Enno, PF5X wrote:
Hi gang,
SNIP A very
quick response from Wayne gave the following info. Sufficient to cool the
discussion for a while I would say ...
Not so - Wayne's comments seem directed at those who might want to
use ALC as if it were a substitute for the mike
The variable bandwidth roofing filters are a separately purchasable option,
and they're not yet available. There are a number of other roofing filters
that are immediately available. I chose the 8-pole fixed bandwidth filters.
The Noise Blanker seems to work fine. The Noise Reduction (NR)
It does not seem right to ship radios without most of the features
they were supposed to have, no other manufacturer could get away with that,
or do I have it all wrong and the things listed above work great on all the
new K3's?
Yep, you have it all wrong. Elecraft can ship K3s with a promise
WA6HHQ:
We have just released new versions of the K3's firmware and of the K3
firmware downloader.
Wow...my first update experience! What an absolutely painless process!
Didn't even have to reboot my rig and everything was updated.
Nice job guys!
Bill W4ZV
Jerry Flanders wrote:
Not so - Wayne's comments seem directed at those who might want to use
ALC as if it were a substitute for the mike gain control.
It worries me when I see the discussion wander away from amplifier
safety in an antenna catastrophe situation, which is my main concern. I
Alinco DM-330MV power supply. Does anyone know if or how it can be changed
to work on 220V AC? My K3 order date is June
On the DM-330MVE (European version) there is a switch 115/230 inside. To
access it remove the bottom plate.
LA9XFA
Eivind Reiersen
I admit, I may not be the sharpest knife in the drawer, but to see a
reference to an amp, and the words 'full power' and RTTY, all together?
Wow. That raised my eyebrows.
With the power density of RTTY, isn't that a full blown stress test of
your complete RF system, at 100% duty cycle, or
At 05:03 PM 12/3/2007, Don Wilhelm wrote:
Jerry and all,
OTOH, I would be quite uncomfortable purchasing a modern SS
amplifier that did not implement protection from excessive SWR
without depending on the exciter to throttle back the power.
Good point. I think I would prefer this also. But
I guess I could wait until I get my K3, but inquiring minds want to know.
I understand that the narrow (focus) filter is a fixed bandwidth and that the
wider (context) filter bandwidth can be varied.
What is the width of the focus filter? Also, I assume that the context
filter
My only concern w/ the K3 is I may be updating more than operating...
73 John K7FD, K3 stuck at the North Pole...
Mark Bayern [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
It does not seem right to ship radios without most of the features
they were supposed to have, no other manufacturer could get away
What's new?
* Noise Reduction feature re-enabled.
... etc. etc. etc.
I assume this means that the ability to use two audio inputs, e.g. front
panel microphone and line in, at the same time is not implemented yet.
Time to start lubing my voice box for the ARRL 10m Pray for Sun Spots
In my view there are 2 issues here:
1 in my view the amplifier should be self-protecting against overloads, eg
antenna fault (I am mindful of virtually any other equipment which must be
tested by law with overload conditions)
2 ALC has its problems and thus not always connected, but
I used to run 5KW AM all day long myself with nary a break. Had to
check the plate current every half hour or so but that was about it. I
think the amp was using 813's but I can't remember. Of course, we were
on 300 meters back then.
73,
Leigh/WA5ZNU
On Mon, 3 Dec 2007 2:41 pm, Greg - AB7R
There are amps out there that will do full legal limit in RTTY all day long
with the
exciter at 30-50W. Some of these amps are not stressed at all at that level and
are
just loafing along happy as can be. :)
-
73,
Greg - AB7R
Whidbey Island WA
NA-065
K3#0009
On Mon
I understand that the narrow (focus) filter is a fixed bandwidth and that the
wider (context) filter bandwidth can be varied.
What is the width of the focus filter?
Currently it is 150 Hz.
Do the roofing filters simply track the context filter bandwidth as it is
narrowed?
Yes.
John,
Even though you may have meant a 'tongue in cheek' response, let me
provide a serious answer. I believe one can skip the updating if the
new items are not of benefit to a particular operator.
I have not kept count, but it seems to me that there has been about 1
update per week, and
I was using UpperSB. I tried the DATA A mode with the same results. I
didn't like the very narrow bandwidth the DATA mode uses.
I am a little confused by the DATA mode selections. I don't want to send
PSK via CW paddles or by FSK. I am just trying to go to/through the computer
Brett,
The only item in your list that is hardware related is the variable
bandwidth filters, and it has been known from the start that these would
be a delayed option. FM mode is waiting on the wider FM filter to be
available.
As far as modulation modes, that is all done in DSP which is
Regarding the discussion of the display on the K3, not that anybody
asked, but I'm solidly in the I want a larger radio and display camp.
Perhaps you could design an interface for the K3 that would let
someone hook it up to a 22 inch LCD monitor.
Why stop at a 22 monitor? What about
I am having a little trouble with PSK. The power output meter is not moving
above 1 bar. I have selected Line In in the MIC SEL menu. I can hear the
PSK warble in the monitor. I can run up the Line In Gain to make the ALC
meter show 6 bars but the Power meter still doesn't move.
My thinking was (and remains): Lower serial number = older = more
hours of use = less desirable. Putting aside, for the moment,
ultra-low serial numbers.
ICOM just changed the PA in the IC-756ProIII, because the previous
transistors have been discontinued. If I owned an earlier ProIII,
Regarding the discussion of the display on the K3, not that anybody
asked, but I'm solidly in the I want a larger radio and display camp.
I know the Yeah, but you can take the K3 portable argument, and
that's all well and good, but I don't tend to schlepp my rigs around.
Anyway, perhaps
On Mon, 3 Dec 2007, Steve Sacco NN4X wrote:
Regarding the discussion of the display on the K3, not that anybody asked,
but I'm solidly in the I want a larger radio and display camp.
Perhaps you could design an interface for the K3 that would let someone hook it
up to a 22 inch LCD monitor.
On Mon, 3 Dec 2007, Steve Sacco NN4X wrote:
Do you think K3 owners that operate CW should wear garters on their shirts
and maybe have green eye shades?
Huh? I don't get it. I consider CW to be a highly advanced form of
communication, actually. It's the AM and ESSB folks who, IMO, should
David Cutter [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote
on Monday, December 03, 2007 10:55 PM :
In my view there are 2 issues here:
1 in my view the amplifier should be self-protecting against overloads,
eg antenna fault (I am mindful of virtually any other equipment which must
be tested by law with
The K3 2nd receiver, DVR and FM options have been updated to show a 1/30
availability date.
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Eric, Wayne, et al:
On the next early in the week update (soon, I trust), would you
please make some mention of why the sub-receiver availability date
keeps moving. Is it the vendor or is it simply not on the front
burner (and if the latter, why) or something else?
I don't have one on order,
Well, I am primarly an AM operator, and a new K3
would not even receive AM, and NOT A THING was said about
all the stuff that does not work yet, why it is not working, has it ever
worked,
and how long is it going to be before everything the web page says
the K3 will do, it can actualy do?
I cant
Some comments on the history of ALC, especially with older transceivers,
that do not have a variable RF output control.
During the early years of transceiver designs, such as the Kenwood TS-930S
and other rigs from that era, these radios were not designed with variable
RF power output controls.
2 ALC has its problems and thus not always connected, but
everyone uses PTT which can be very easily disabled (allow
the rig to self protect) or tx inhibit, tx enable, or others?
I STRONGLY disagree ... I WANT a graceful foldback if the antenna
SWR is slightly out of range. 10%
Thanks for the contact on 40M. Great Signal!
pse QSL ; )
Al WA6VNN K3 sn0031
**Check out AOL's list of 2007's hottest
products.
(http://money.aol.com/special/hot-products-2007?NCID=aoltop000301)
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Hi Don,
Congratulations! One correction, we show your order as coming in on May
1st at 17:17:31 - 0400 on the computer.
The match with your K1 s/w is a total coincidence. Wow! I just checked
with Lisa and she didn't do anything special. I guess the stars were
aligned properly for you. :-)
K3 #123 was sitting on my doorstep when I got home from work today! And Mr.
Brown didn't even dent the box!
Ordered late in the day May 2nd.
Interesting that the SN is the same as my K1 #123. My K2 is #789. Looks like
I have a consecutive numbering scheme going here!
I wonder if whoever has
In a message dated 12/3/2007 2:04:14 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
I have been looking at the reflector from time to time,
and was shocked to read that the 100 plus K3's that have shipped
do not have many options they were supposed to have, like
AM mode, FM mode, AM
Hello Brett,
... and I can get one real time ... I suspect you'll be waiting
quite a long while
I knew there were things about the radio waiting in the wings.
It's of little matter ... to most of us. As someone else has
said ... it's likely not to ever be finished. Hey, getting new
Eric,
You are correct, sir! It was May 1st.
Fat fingers!
Don
K5DW
- Original Message -
From: Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: Don Wines [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Cc: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Sent: Monday, December 03, 2007 8:38 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3: Another K3
The downloader utility did not reset the baud rate back from the 38,400 for
the download to the 4800 specified for the rig control - I know I read
somewhere it was supposed to do this. As a result my logging program stopped
responding to the radio. I reset the logging program to accept
Buck. Please report issues such as this to the [EMAIL PROTECTED]
address that was included with the radio.
I'll pass this on to our software person who designed the downloader. This
must be associated with the new downloader as I've not seen this reported
before.
The issue of Line-In staing
I am having a little trouble with PSK.
big snip
Did you put the K3 in Data A mode?
You should be running mic gain so that ALC barely registers, or below.
Zero is Good. Set the power however you want.
I included a previous summary of settings I've uesd that might help
out with this.
matt -
Right on, Don.
The amp must protect itself by itself and for itself.
Like Overdrive, High SWR, Hi drain current, ad infinitum.
Modern SS amplifiers all have this built in protection.
Like many, I have never used ALC, being CW only, but I
take care of drive power to protect the amplifier.
de Joe,
Hi, Buck.
The K3 Utility attempts to communicate with the MCU initially to establish
its baud rate. This is done by sending a small command at each of the
supported speeds. If the MCU responds at one of those speeds, the baud rate
is saved and an attempt is made to restore that setting after
I have an opportunity to do a two month work assignment in 9V, Singapore,
and was wondering about taking my trusty KX1, collapsible mast and some wire
with me.
Does any one know what the requirements are for foreign nationals to get
operating privileges there?
Thanks,
Ralph Webb; VE7OM
On Mon, 03 Dec 2007 08:38:01 -0500, you wrote:
I have never used ALC with any amps, tube or solid-state without any issue.
Felt the power control on the rig gave me enough control. But I can see why
some may feel they need it.
But I have a question about this. Besides needing the option of
Could this account for the Intel Hex file ran out of bytes before Intel
End file record was read -and- Intel Hex Read error: Expected start
characher : not found messages when attempting (unsuccessfully)
to load the new upgrade into my K3?
73! Ken Kopp - K0PP
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
- Original
Hi group.
I just assembled and installed a KAT2 module into my K2/QRP #5949. It seems to
be working fine.
On page 6, the 6th step instructs you to install the two standoffs onto the
Control board. The illustration shows the washer between the standoff and PC
board. I followed that
Hi, Buck. The K3 Utility attempts to communicate with
the MCU initially to establish its baud rate. This is
done by sending a small command at each of the
supported speeds. snip
Soapbox ON.
IMO - This is a tragic WASTE of BITS.
And this happens every time there is an update?
Calculate the
No, that sounds like you got a bad file from the Elecraft file server. I'd
recommend erasing the hmcu*.hex file and re-do the Copy files from
elecraft. If you open the hex file in Notepad, every line should start
with a colon.
73 de Dick, K6KR
-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL
Huh? The command is one byte, a semicolon. There are four supported speeds.
It takes a few parts of a second to do all this.
Dick
-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Don Rasmussen
Sent: Monday, December 03, 2007 9:40 PM
To:
Ralph,
Take a look at the 9V radio club www.sarts.org.sg and the IARU site at iaru.org
for info plus contact emails for the club officers. Surely they will be able to
give you some guidance. The SARTS boys seem to be very active socially.
May be over there myself later next year.
73
Tom
CX7TT
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