Re: [Elecraft] k3s radio kit

2016-08-05 Thread Vic Rosenthal
I like metal cupcake tins (muffin pans). They are shaped so it's easy to get little parts out, and you can set them on your antistatic mat or connect them to it. -- Vic 4X6GP On August 6, 2016 3:45:43 AM GMT+03:00, Edward R Cole wrote: >Hey folks, stop raiding your

Re: [Elecraft] k3s radio kit

2016-08-05 Thread Hisashi T Fujinaka
My least favorite part is all the errata. Make all the notes in the manual about where you have to look at the other piece of paper. You'll see what I mean when you download the manual and the errata. I'd suggest just-in-time printing and versioned manuals, but I don't run the company. On Fri,

Re: [Elecraft] k3s radio kit

2016-08-05 Thread Don Wilhelm
Hi all, I also like Brie and Camembert - yummy cheese! My assembly practices differ from Ron's, I put all the hardware parts into a tray (no dividers). From previous experience from a 10 year woodworking career, I have a very good idea of the difference between 3/16 inch and 1/4 inch as well

Re: [Elecraft] ½ λ dipoles

2016-08-05 Thread Ron D'Eau Claire
Egzactly Walter... that's the antenna arrangement I was thinking of back before DX on the "short waves" was discovered! Thanks, 73, Ron AC7AC -Original Message- From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Walter Underwood Sent: Friday, August 5, 2016 5:23

Re: [Elecraft] k3s radio kit

2016-08-05 Thread Ron D'Eau Claire
Ha, Ha!!! Actually I do most of the cooking here and have a fondness for Brie and Camembert cheese that comes in little circular wooden containers about 4.5 inches in diameter and an inch high. They are my favorite parts boxes. If I'm sorting a bunch of small screws by size, etc., I use many of

Re: [Elecraft] k3s radio kit

2016-08-05 Thread Edward R Cole
Hey folks, stop raiding your wife's kitchen; go to your local store (Walmart is where I went) and look in the sports dept for tackle boxes. You're likely to find similar clear plastic organizer boxes for the home shop. I have several of them to hold and organize small parts, hardware,

Re: [Elecraft] ½ λ dipoles

2016-08-05 Thread Walter Underwood
Some of the early “clothesline” antennas were a large capacity hat on a vertical. If the antenna has one vertical wire connected to all of the top wires, it is probably a capacity-loaded vertical. This Wikimedia image shows a top-loaded vertical.

Re: [Elecraft] ½ λ dipoles

2016-08-05 Thread Ron D'Eau Claire
What Don says is quite right for the 1930's, 40's and onward. I was describing the early antennas of the teens an 20's. They have but one wire feed with several parallel wires the last few feet to connect to the horizontal wires. Once Hams moved quickly from 200 meters to 80, 40 and even the

Re: [Elecraft] k3s radio kit

2016-08-05 Thread Don Wilhelm
Kevin, While the magnetized screwdrivers may be a bit of a help for the K3/K3S or KX3 build, I prefer to keep anything magnetized away from my workbench. I do work with thru-hole components in the Elecraft legacy gear and have bits of cutoff leads "afloat" on my workbench most of the time.

Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft Digest,Vol 148, issue 10

2016-08-05 Thread Kevin - K4VD
And then the conversation gets terminated. I was enjoying the discussion and learning from it. It's too bad there isn't an easy way to move conversations strangely deemed off-topic or maybe boring to a few to a side conversation for those still interested. Reading archives is for librarians. Hams

Re: [Elecraft] ½ λ dipoles

2016-08-05 Thread Don Wilhelm
Charlie, A bit of history --- Most of those ham antennas that used parallel wires were folded dipole antennas - yes they were mostly 1/2 wavelength long. The feedpoint impedance for that antenna is 300 ohms. Add a 3rd wire or a 4th and the impedance increases. So to my mind, that was an

Re: [Elecraft] k3s radio kit

2016-08-05 Thread Kevin
Ditto, and here's another vote for hemostats. The first tool I acquired before building my K2 was a collection of curved nose and straight 8" hemostats, smooth and serrated. I married into a family full of doctors so the price was right and being stainless steel won't ever rust. Second thing

Re: [Elecraft] ½ λ dipoles

2016-08-05 Thread Ron D'Eau Claire
A 1/2 wave radiator (a.k.a. "dipole") is the shortest 'self resonant' radiator independent of the ground. By self-resonant I mean that it has zero reactance. Heinrich Hertz used a dipole in his demonstrations of electromagnetic waves in the form of a 1/2 wave pipe bent nearly in a circle so the

Re: [Elecraft] ½ λ dipoles

2016-08-05 Thread riese-k3djc
early on the antenna would help define the operating frequency spark made RF everywhere and the tank and antenna coupled the RF to the operating frequency Bob K3DJC On Fri, 5 Aug 2016 18:41:57 -0400 "Charlie T, K3ICH" writes: > I'm curious as to when the concept of a ½ λ

[Elecraft] Elecraft Digest,Vol 148, issue 10

2016-08-05 Thread Hans Bonnesen
Reading Elecraft Digest, vol 148 issue 10 was a delight Extremely pleasant to follow the G5RV topics and all the assembly advices. You sit back with a faint smile and a pleasant feeling of being part of a wonderful comradeship of Elecraft owners. Thanks fellas OZ5RB, Hans

[Elecraft] Kit Building

2016-08-05 Thread Ron D'Eau Claire
Assembling a kit rig is just like any other important activity: If you don't have time to do it right, you must find time to do it over. 73, Ron AC7AC __ Elecraft mailing list Home:

Re: [Elecraft] ½ λ dipoles

2016-08-05 Thread Charlie T, K3ICH
I'm curious as to when the concept of a ½ λ dipole became the norm? In other words, the idea of the current distribution as exists on a dipole. Early pictures of typical ham antennas looked more like a set of parallel clothesline wires. What I gather from reading early articles, it seemed that

[Elecraft] K3s kit

2016-08-05 Thread David Mackey
I just put one together over July 4th weekend. A lot of fun. Besides the very good advice from others I would add the following. I would have some small plastic divider boxes on hand for hardware sorting. The main RF board has most of the hardware components, but you will have a number of sub

Re: [Elecraft] k3s radio kit

2016-08-05 Thread Charlie T, K3ICH
I would suggest a JIS screwdriver set. I found they fit better than standard Phillips. They are more like a Fearson drive than Phillips. 73, Charlie k3ICH -Original Message- From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Don Wilhelm Sent: Friday, August 05,

Re: [Elecraft] KXBC3 install...

2016-08-05 Thread Don Wilhelm
Tom, If you built the KX3, it should be no problem. There is one 2-56 size screw but the rest are 4-40 size. The #4 lockwasher is the smallest part, so if you can handle that you will not have a problem. Download the KXBC3 manual to get an idea of what is involved. 73, Don W3FPR On

Re: [Elecraft] KXBC3 install...

2016-08-05 Thread Walter Underwood
The KXBC3 is very easy to install. As I remember, the trickiest bit was getting the adhesive shield lined up right before I stuck it on. Installation instructions are here, starting on page five. You can open up your radio and look at the screws where it will go. I don’t remember them being

[Elecraft] KXBC3 install...

2016-08-05 Thread Tom Francis
Greetings, What I didn't order with the KX3 was the internal battery charger. Now that I have the KX2 and know how handy it is to have the internal battery, I'm considering getting the KXBC3 for my KX3. What I need to know is how hard is it to install? I have advanced arthritis in my fingers

Re: [Elecraft] k3s radio kit

2016-08-05 Thread John Stengrevics
I’ll chime in. I had never built anything previously. So, successfully building the K3S gave me a great sense of accomplishment. The assembly manual for the K3S is excellent. Follow it carefully. I made 3 goofs during construction. No big problems, easily diagnosed by tech support. I

[Elecraft] For Sale: K1 with Four Band Board

2016-08-05 Thread Jim
K1 is listed on eHam under ‘Transceivers’. Please contact me off list. __ 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

Re: [Elecraft] k3s radio kit

2016-08-05 Thread Ralph Parker
>Pay very close attention to the screw lengths and sort them out carefully... >later you may need the 3/16" and the 1/4" is tooo long :) Amen to that, brother! After 50+ years of building radios, I built my K3 very carefully. However, on completion, the output was very intermittent. Tapping on

Re: [Elecraft] k3s radio kit

2016-08-05 Thread Ian White
> >NOTHING in the process requires hammers or force... > That's a very good point to remember: EVERYTHING FITS CORRECTLY. If something doesn't seem to fit quite right, you only need to line it up better... then sure enough, it fits after all. There were many other good points earlier, especially

Re: [Elecraft] k3s radio kit

2016-08-05 Thread Don Wilhelm
For those not familiar with screw dimensions, pay attention to the information on the right side of page 12 in the assembly manual. Flat Head screws are measured from the top of the head to the bottom of the threads while Pan Head (and round head and others) are measured from the bottom of

Re: [Elecraft] k3s radio kit

2016-08-05 Thread rboutell
"... If you are not accustomed to judging screw lengths accurately, use a ruler to measure them. " I just wanted to throw in my 2 cents: Pay very close attention to the screw lengths and sort them out carefully. A 4-40x3/16" Pan Head might work when a 4-40x1/4" is called out, but later you may

Re: [Elecraft] k3s radio kit

2016-08-05 Thread efortner
A little deoxit on the TMP connectors makes them slide in much easier, but you must make sure they are lined up proper before applying force seat it fully. Earl, K4KAY -Original Message- From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Bob Novas Sent: Friday, August

Re: [Elecraft] k3s radio kit

2016-08-05 Thread Clay Autery
Yes... 1) While awaiting its delivery, download all the latest PDF documents for assembly and operation (sometimes combined) for each component in your setup. 2) Read ALL of them. 3) Re-read the K3s assembly manual. 4) Make SURE you have all the required tools and materials on hand. 5) Upon

Re: [Elecraft] k3s radio kit

2016-08-05 Thread Irwin Darack
I have build two this year. Each took a few days to complete, only spending a few hours each day on the project. I took over the dining room table, with my wife's permission, spread everything out and check the inventory before starting. All parts, especially screws, washers and nuts were sorted

Re: [Elecraft] k3s radio kit

2016-08-05 Thread George Kidder
And for heaven's sake, get a good anti-static pad and wrist strap! George, W3HBM On 8/5/2016 2:27 PM, Bob Novas wrote: For me, the TMP connectors were hard, and installing the sub receiver was hard. The rest was reasonably easy. Go slow and follow the advice in this thread. Maybe someone

Re: [Elecraft] k3s radio kit

2016-08-05 Thread Bob Novas
For me, the TMP connectors were hard, and installing the sub receiver was hard. The rest was reasonably easy. Go slow and follow the advice in this thread. Maybe someone else has words of wisdom on the TMP connectors. The TMP connectors killed my fingers. I wound up using needle nose pliers to

Re: [Elecraft] OT:. Tuner losses

2016-08-05 Thread Richard Fjeld
Eric closed the G5RV thread, so I will change this subject as it is not related to the G5RV. On 8/5/2016 11:57 AM, Richard Fjeld wrote: On 8/4/2016 4:00 PM, Alan Bloom wrote: It's true that tuner losses are the manufacturers' dirty little secret. Loss is rarely specified, partly because it

Re: [Elecraft] k3s radio kit

2016-08-05 Thread Ron D'Eau Claire
In addition to Wayne's comments, 1) Do the parts inventory even though your fingers are itching to start assembly. That's something many of us skip over and finding and identifying each part before you start helps avoid confusion during assembly. There's no "Argh!" moment as bad as

Re: [Elecraft] OT:. G5RV's

2016-08-05 Thread Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft
End of thread. (and related G5RV threads under similar subject lines..) We are now at 27 G5RV posts in less than 24 hours, several time the limit for OT posts. In the interest of relieving email overload for Elecraft focused readers and others, please take further discussion off list.

Re: [Elecraft] k3s radio kit

2016-08-05 Thread Jerry
May I suggest that you acquire from the XYL a bed sheet that will cover the area of the floor that you and the assembly bench will occupy (maybe even more). Nuts, bolts and other things that bounce when dropped do not bounce on the sheet. A white sheet is preferable because radio stuff cannot

Re: [Elecraft] OT:. G5RV's

2016-08-05 Thread Fred Jensen
The UK does not have a monopoly on such folk, Alan. Just ask Tom, K5RC/W7RN. 10 acres on a hilltop in an extremely rural area ... 3 1/2 years of legal battles with distant neighbors and the County government. Tom prevailed, finally, and I operate his station remotely from time to time.

Re: [Elecraft] OT:. G5RV's

2016-08-05 Thread Richard Fjeld
On 8/4/2016 4:00 PM, Alan Bloom wrote: It's true that tuner losses are the manufacturers' dirty little secret. Loss is rarely specified, partly because it can be pretty bad, and partly because it is hard to measure, but also because it is not constant - it depends on the particular impedance

Re: [Elecraft] G5RV

2016-08-05 Thread Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft
End of thread. We are now at 27 G5RV posts in less than 24 hours, several time the limit for OT posts. In the interest of relieving email overload for Elecraft focused readers and others, please take further discussion off list. (Please self moderate in the future and end these OT threads

Re: [Elecraft] OT:. G5RV's

2016-08-05 Thread Jim Vohland
When I started in the hobby, I worked 150 countries before I found out a G5RV didn't work. Took it down and haven't used it since. Sent from my iPhone > On Aug 5, 2016, at 11:21 AM, William Lagerberg wrote: > > And you now dear list users, i have a G5RV and i really

[Elecraft] G5RV

2016-08-05 Thread Gmail
The open wire feed line on the G5RV is a matching section for 20 meters so it's length and impedance is critical That's why the ADs say it works on 20 but needs antenna tuner for other bands. The same technique is used on the Butternut vertical only it uses 14 feet of 75 ohm cable. Ray W8LYJ

Re: [Elecraft] OT:. G5RV's

2016-08-05 Thread Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT
The problem with every one of these antenna discussions is that some of us are looking for a reasonable set of compromises, and that discussion tends to get lost in the "this antenna ain't perfect!" discussion that invariably results. When I bought this house, I knew the lot size, and I saw

Re: [Elecraft] k3s radio kit

2016-08-05 Thread Grady Harper via Elecraft
All are excellent bits of advice, especially 6 and 7. Make sure you download the K3s manual and not the K3, and have fun. I enjoyed building mine, but I went too fast. Enjoy it. AJ4YA Sent from my iPad > On Aug 5, 2016, at 10:50, Peter Pauly wrote: > > 6. Use a muffin

Re: [Elecraft] OT:. G5RV's

2016-08-05 Thread William Lagerberg
And you now dear list users, i have a G5RV and i really love it it works allways, and give’s me good results :-)) Just have to say that. Regards William PE1BSB > On 05 Aug 2016, at 16:58, Phil Wheeler wrote: > > Alas, the poor G5RV. Now that its been flogged to death,

[Elecraft] Trapped antennas

2016-08-05 Thread Bill
Back in the day, I put up a wire antenna with a single set of traps and worked all bands. Had a great time with it. I don't see those traps anymore, but, I have not been looking too hard either. Would I go back to a trap wire antenna? Yes, as a backup here or as primary in a smaller place.

Re: [Elecraft] k3s radio kit

2016-08-05 Thread Mark E. Musick
Make sure you use a quality anti-static mat with a wrist strap during assembly. The one I use is manufactured by 3M. As Wayne says, follow the manual and don't skip steps. Check each step off after you have completed it. Depending on what options you purchased it will take several hours to

Re: [Elecraft] OT:. G5RV's

2016-08-05 Thread Phil Wheeler
Alas, the poor G5RV. Now that its been flogged to death, maybe we need a new target -- say the Windom? Phil W7OX On 8/4/16 10:22 PM, Wes Stewart wrote: The tuner loss also depends on how it is adjusted. For example the very popular high-pass Tee with three adjustable elements has an

Re: [Elecraft] k3s radio kit

2016-08-05 Thread Peter Pauly
6. Use a muffin tin to separate all the screws types and parts. 7. Take your time. No need to finish it in one night. Stop when you get tired so you don't make mistakes. On Fri, Aug 5, 2016 at 10:43 AM, Nr4c wrote: > 1/ Download the assembly manual and read it. > > 2/ Pay

Re: [Elecraft] k3s radio kit

2016-08-05 Thread Don Wilhelm
Read the assembly instructions and follow them exactly as written. Get a new #1 Phillips screwdriver to use. If you are not accustomed to judging screw lengths accurately, use a ruler to measure them. In other words, just follow the instructions. If you have problems understanding the

Re: [Elecraft] k3s radio kit

2016-08-05 Thread Nr4c
1/ Download the assembly manual and read it. 2/ Pay attention to the "Tools needed" section. 3/ Read the assembly manual. 4/ Download and read the Users Manual. 5/ Re-read both manuals. Sent from my iPhone ...nr4c. bill > On Aug 5, 2016, at 10:05 AM, Wayne Michael

Re: [Elecraft] k3s radio kit

2016-08-05 Thread Arthur Nienhouse
*/All good advice add a self clamping 6" tweezers to the list ...you will be glad you did. Regards Art ka9zap /* On 8/5/2016 9:43 AM, Nr4c wrote: 1/ Download the assembly manual and read it. 2/ Pay attention to the "Tools needed" section. 3/ Read the assembly manual. 4/ Download and

Re: [Elecraft] k3s radio kit

2016-08-05 Thread Tony G6GLP
Any advise for a putting a K3S together? Another Suggestion is to read the instruction book first then mark up any pages that have amendments in order not to miss or undertake procedures. 73 de Tony G6GLP __ Elecraft mailing list

Re: [Elecraft] k3s radio kit

2016-08-05 Thread W1GO (Joe)
Get yourself a good pair of pointed tweezers. They will help your sanity as you pick various size screws from whatever multi compartment carrier you segment them the into. Good luck n enjoy. Joe > On Aug 5, 2016, at 10:05, Wayne Michael wrote: > > Any advise for a

Re: [Elecraft] k3s radio kit

2016-08-05 Thread Wayne Burdick
Hi Wayne, Assembly is very straightforward, with very clear instructions, drawings, and photos in the manual. The best advice is to read instructions carefully and perform the steps in order. 73, Wayne N6KR On Aug 5, 2016, at 7:05 AM, Wayne Michael wrote: > Any

[Elecraft] k3s radio kit

2016-08-05 Thread Wayne Michael
Any advise for a putting a K3S together? I just ordered it. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post:

Re: [Elecraft] OT:. G5RV's

2016-08-05 Thread Don Wilhelm
Alan, I do understand the situation for those with limited antenna space and restrictions. What I do not understand is the "magical" qualities that have been attributed to many antennas. They are compromise antennas, and I want everyone to understand that they are a compromise. If a ham

Re: [Elecraft] 43 ft vertical

2016-08-05 Thread Joe Subich, W4TV
> I collapse it down to 33ft6in. Why bother? Insert an 8' piece of fiberglass tubing in the top ... now you have a 50' +/- support. Install two 8' pieces of PVC or fiberglass tubing in a horizontal cross at 30 to 35'. On one, run your 80 meter wire - tie it back to the tip of the antenna and

[Elecraft] 43 ft vertical

2016-08-05 Thread Morgan Bailey
I personally love the idea of a 43 foot vertical. I use the Dx Engineering Thunderbolt for 60 meters, it is 1.5 inches at the top. I collapse it down to 33ft6in. Gives a fully resonant antenna on 40. Add a 17.5 foot wire with outrigger (pvc supported on vert by hose clamp) and now you have

Re: [Elecraft] OT:. G5RV's

2016-08-05 Thread G4GNX
Don, With respect for your wisdom and your good advice, in the UK in particular (home of the G5RV) the 'ordinary' ham has real-estate issues, big time! Louis Varney's garden/back yard was of average British size, which is actually quite small when compared to 'average' gardens that I've seen

[Elecraft] Elecraft K3 For Sale at Discount Price

2016-08-05 Thread pastormg2
Elecraft K3 For Sale at Discount Price Good Afternoon, I am looking to sell my K3. It has the most current firmware and has been used in a non-smoking home. K3-100 Transceiver, SN# 4805 The K3 has the following accessories! KXV3A RX Ant, IF Out, Xverter Int. KSYN3AUPG Ksyn3a Upgrade Kit