Re: [Elecraft] Dual Receiver Tricks

Some years ago when operating HF packet in S. FL., I built an antenna switching arrangement which would take the error signal from my PK-232, count the errors and at some point switch to the other antenna.   One antenna was an 80M inverted V, the other was a Butternut vertical mounted over a

Re: [Elecraft] Dual Receiver Tricks

You are correct, I didn't acknowledge peak - null situations. I generally thought this was also done using antennas, which was perhaps your point which I had no interest. Bill 920-421-1172 From: David Gilbert Sent: Tuesday, June 25, 2019 8:36:44 PM To: Bill

Re: [Elecraft] QRP FD KX2 Batteries & FT8 Report

"good hike away ... from home conveniences (... restrooms .. Kitchen ...)" Rather ambiguous. So, if you can't shout at wife to bring you a beer, it's far enough? My living room fits that description. I'm on 80 acres, and since my hiking days are over, I have several favorite spots to which I

Re: [Elecraft] Dual Receiver Tricks

Not sure what you are describing.  If you mean two antennas feeding two receivers at RF for diversity reception, yes ...  that works well but is not the same thing at all.  Your brain is doing some spatial processing, but it doesn't peak or null.  It also, as is apparent from the antennas

Re: [Elecraft] Dual Receiver Tricks

Dave, the two receivers fed from two antennas give you what you are looking for at rf level. It works super well. On upper bands I have used SteppIR short vert with dipole. My experience has been excellent vs single antenna. Bill 920-421-1172 From:

Re: [Elecraft] Firmware Updates

Bernie - and all, I would suggest that you download and install the latest K3 Utility, then connect with your K3S and "Copy Files from Elecraft". After that, look in the K3 Utility Help file for the Firmware Release Notes. You will find information on the firmware updates between what you

Re: [Elecraft] Firmware Updates

I tend to go a couple+ years between updating my K3 P3 KPA. Unlike MS, updating has never broken anything. I would do it without hesitation. And of course backup first. But I’ve never needed a backup. 73 Josh W6XU Sent from my mobile device > On Jun 25, 2019, at 4:51 PM, Bernie and Cheryl

Re: [Elecraft] Firmware Updates

If you run the K3 Utility and the KPA500 Utility, download the latest from Elecraft and install same.  Also while you have those utilities up and running, do a back-up of each.  The current version for the KPA500 is 1.54 and for the K3S is 5.67 for the MCU.   I'd say both of your items are

Re: [Elecraft] Dual Receiver Tricks

Over the past few years I have twice requested Elecraft include something like that as a software modification, but nobody (either at Elecraft or here on the list) seems interested in the least. Since phase is preserved during down conversion in a superhet circuit the software crunching

[Elecraft] Firmware Updates

I got my K3s (#10323) back in October, 2015, and got my KPA 500 (#2664) a few months later (I have the full K line including the KAT 500). When I built them, I promptly updated the firmware, and haven't done it since.  I checked and my K3s has Firmware Version 5.35 and the KPA 500 has Version

[Elecraft] Comments from another 1st-time K4 op

>From George, KJ6VU, at the Bay-Net FD operation: * * * The K4 was exactly what I expected to see. The combination of my K3's great performance with super smooth CW keying and the P3 pan adapter all rolled into one. It's great to see everything in a single package with a large display. I

Re: [Elecraft] P3 Panadapter and non Elecraft transceivers

Jim, Refer to your Icom CT-9100 manual. First thing to be determined is -- does it have an IF output? If so, the 2nd thing to determine is -- What is the IF output frequency? The P3 can be tuned to use an IF output between 455kHz and 21MHz. If there is no IF output, then you would have to add

Re: [Elecraft] Low Power Output on 160 and 6 meters

56" for the original cable is quite long. What gauge cable are you using? Russ, N3CO Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android On Tue, Jun 25, 2019 at 10:05 AM, Everett via Elecraft wrote: Hi Jim, You brought up a good point that I had not thought of and that is the voltage drop at the K3S itself.

Re: [Elecraft] QRP FD KX2 Batteries & FT8 Report

This would seem to be "from the horse's mouth" Sorry about the formatting as copied from the PDF file - George, W3HBM From: http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Field-Day/2019/2019-FD-FAQ-RevA.pdf Q. We don’t have an area club, but we do have a small group of area hams (generally two or three of us

[Elecraft] P3 Panadapter and non Elecraft transceivers

Has anyone added a P3 Panadapter to an ICOM CI-9100 transceiver? If so, are there any reasonably detailed instruction available to mod up the IC-9100 to accommodate the P3? I am new to amateur radio and not an engineer but have a modest level of skill with a soldering station. Thanks in

Re: [Elecraft] QRP FD KX2 Batteries & FT8 Report

Peter, You can get significantly more key-down time or run more FT8 power if you install our Kx22 heatsink: (https://proaudioeng.com/pae-kx22-heatsink-elecraft-kx2/). With the heatsink installed the rig still fits all of the cases Elecraft sells for the KX2. Running 5 watts FT8 is usually

Re: [Elecraft] K3S glitching on startup

Thanks for the advice. Thankfully, there was a very simple solution. Although I had disconnected the CW paddle, as well as a number of other cables, I couldn't crane my head around enough to notice that I'd left a 1/4"-to-1/8" adapter in the paddle jack on the back panel, which apparently had

Re: [Elecraft] ALC for Digi, One Last Check Please

Kev et al: The most complex issues have the most simple solutions.   It's just knowing where to hit it with the hammer. Glad the non-issue is resolved and glad to assist. 73 Bob, K4TAX On 6/25/2019 3:32 PM, Kevin, N4TT wrote: Bob: You nailed it again. 1500 Hz is where I normally set my

Re: [Elecraft] ALC for Digi, One Last Check Please

Reducing Windows output helps in most situations like this. Sent from my iPhone ...nr4c. bill > On Jun 25, 2019, at 3:42 PM, Kevin, N4TT wrote: > > I've made a few PSK-31 contacts on the K3s and I've not gotten any bad > reports. However, I'm still a little concerned about what I see for

Re: [Elecraft] ALC for Digi, One Last Check Please

Bob: You nailed it again. 1500 Hz is where I normally set my audio so when I do my quick test before operating this pulsating is what I see. I went to 1700 Hz (and a few others) and ran the same tests. It was steady as a rock in tune and exactly as expected in transmit (4+1 blinking). Sometimes

Re: [Elecraft] ALC for Digi, One Last Check Please

The pulsating is the result of the refresh rate of the display and the 1500 Hz tone.  Change the TUNE tone to a non- 500 Hz interval such as 1250 Hz. or 1700 HZ as such.   Yes, in FLDIGI the TUNE tone is a single frequency you have selected on the waterfall scale or in the box at the bottom of

Re: [Elecraft] QRP FD KX2 Batteries & FT8 Report

One FT-8 cycle is 15 seconds transmit, 15 seconds receive.  I construe that to be one cycle.   FT-4 is 7.5 seconds transmit, and 7.5 seconds receive. Perhaps I shouldn't have used the word "cycle" terminology. I found a good bit of FT-8 and FT-4 activity on 6M during FD. 73 Bob, K4TAX

[Elecraft] ALC for Digi, One Last Check Please

I've made a few PSK-31 contacts on the K3s and I've not gotten any bad reports. However, I'm still a little concerned about what I see for ALC. The video below (no audio) shows the ALC meter responding first to a "TUNE" command from fldigi. This sounds like a pure tone in the headphones but the

Re: [Elecraft] QRP FD KX2 Batteries & FT8 Report

Thanks, Bob. Useful information on the current releases. I believe you meant to say that FT8 is 15 seconds between overs and FT4 is about 8 seconds. At least that’s what Joe Taylor K1JT said at the Flex Radio Banquet was the plan for FT4. Sounds like an exciting contest mode. 73, Carl

Re: [Elecraft] QRP FD KX2 Batteries & FT8 Report

Covered in ARRL FD FAQ: http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Field-Day/2019/2019-FD-FAQ-RevA.pdf convenient backyard operations on property of home stations remain either Class D (commercial power) or Class E (emergency power), even if home antenna structures are not used John KN5L On 6/25/19 1:52

Re: [Elecraft] QRP FD KX2 Batteries & FT8 Report

You can find the latest version {2.0.1}  of WSJT-X here: https://www.physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/K1JT/ Also you can find version 2.1.0-RC-7 at

Re: [Elecraft] QRP FD KX2 Batteries & FT8 Report

Thanks, Gentlemen. I guess I must not have the latest version of WSJT-X, or I somehow missed that feature. I do have a 2.x version. I wish I had known about that because I was running a low power 1B station on SSB with a very compromised antenna system and would have done much better on FT8.

Re: [Elecraft] QRP FD KX2 Batteries & FT8 Report

Interesting question. He reports: When our club’s plans for FD fell through at the last minute I set up 1B with my trusty KX-2 with a Bioenno battery and two internal KX2 battery pacs on my back porch. Got a Par 40-20-10 end-fed up about 40’ in a north-south orientation only to find band

[Elecraft] FS Alpha 87A

Alpha 87A for sale. Details off list. TKS & 73 - Steve WB6RSE __ 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

Re: [Elecraft] QRP FD KX2 Batteries & FT8 Report

On 6/25/2019 6:37 AM, Peter West wrote: When our club’s plans for FD fell through at the last minute I set up 1B with my trusty KX-2 with a Bioenno battery and two internal KX2 battery pacs on my back porch. FWIW, that puts you in 1E, not 1B. 73, Jim K9YC

Re: [Elecraft] QRP FD KX2 Batteries & FT8 Report

On 6/25/2019 8:25 AM, Carl Jón Denbow wrote: I am curious how you got FT8 to do the proper FD exchange? Simple. Read the WSJT-X online manual! There's a setup option on the Advanced tab specifically for FD. 73, Jim K9YC __

Re: [Elecraft] QRP FD KX2 Batteries & FT8 Report

The WSJT-X software does have a provision for the correct Field Day exchange found under the Advanced tab.   I worked several stations on FT-8 and also on FT-4 with the latest version.    Most activity was on FT-8 of which a lot was found on 6M.   There are a few issues with RC-7 for FT-4. 

Re: [Elecraft] QRP FD KX2 Batteries & FT8 Report

Hi Carl, One of our club stations (6m) wanted to operate FT8. I asked him to install wsjt-x before coming onsite. I then configured wsjtx-x for him. It took less than 30s to do that. Wsjt-x has an ARRL field day mode with an entry field to add in your exchange. Click click click and you’re

Re: [Elecraft] More than you ever wanted to know about solar cycles

I think it's fascinating. Anyhow, it's nice to hear a solar activity analysis that is based upon science. I half suspect that some of the sunspot predictions we've heard are made by ex stock market quants and commodities chartists; it wouldn't surprise me if they started referring to inverse

[Elecraft] T1 stopped cooperating

My wonderful new T1 has just developed the following condition: I can't access the Info or Bypass; tapping PWR always and only results in a blinking yellow. I also tried to do the L-network test; no response. I can't think of anything that changed, since the last time I accessed these functions.

Re: [Elecraft] QRP FD KX2 Batteries & FT8 Report

Meanwhile, some CW stations were running contacts at a rate of several per minute. With no automation :) Wayne N6KR > On Jun 25, 2019, at 8:25 AM, Carl Jón Denbow wrote: > > Peter, > > I am curious how you got FT8 to do the proper FD exchange? I read a post > where some hams were

Re: [Elecraft] More than you ever wanted to know about solar cycles

When the financial crisis hit in 2008 I stopped opening my 401(k) statements for a couple years. I think I might do the same with propagation forecasts. Don't worry, be happy! 73, Carl WS7L On Mon, Jun 24, 2019 at 6:56 PM kevinr wrote: > I found this paper and thought some of you would be

Re: [Elecraft] QRP FD KX2 Batteries & FT8 Report

Peter, I am curious how you got FT8 to do the proper FD exchange? I read a post where some hams were discussing this and it sounded very difficult and complex, so I decided against trying it. One guy actually had two FT8 programs running simultaneously, with one connected to HRD, which

[Elecraft] Dual Receiver Tricks

A late model SDR Receiver (only) is said to have a soon to be released software update. I've seen a demonstration whereby using 2 antennas and a computer device, the unit will be able (to some degree?) determine signal direction. Does Elecraft have plans to develop K4D software with such

Re: [Elecraft] KX3 batteries

That may be, though the discharge curves on the data sheets seem very similar. Note that the two data sheets use different discharge rates, like 2000 mAh vs 2500 mAh. They both have the same specs for "Internal Impedance (after discharge to E.V.=1.0V)”: Approx. 25mΩ(at 1KHz). I have to admit

Re: [Elecraft] Low Power Output on 160 and 6 meters

Hi Jim, You brought up a good point that I had not thought of and that is the voltage drop at the K3S itself. So I set up the voltage reading a the VFO B window and noticed that the voltage had dropped down to 12.1V when I keyed down, but the power supply said 13.7V at key down. So I shortened

Re: [Elecraft] K3S glitching on startup

This sounds like the K3S is getting commands fed to it when perhaps it shouldn’t be. With that in mind, try: 1) Check the front panel to see if any keys are stuck. 2) Disconnect the serial port then power up the radio. 3) If the above don’t work, reset the parameters. This is described on page

[Elecraft] QRP FD KX2 Batteries & FT8 Report

When our club’s plans for FD fell through at the last minute I set up 1B with my trusty KX-2 with a Bioenno battery and two internal KX2 battery pacs on my back porch. Got a Par 40-20-10 end-fed up about 40’ in a north-south orientation only to find band conditions here were pretty bad here in

Re: [Elecraft] KX3 batteries

I think Eneloop Pro have a higher internal resistance than the regular Eneloop. In my experience, using both of them sequentially, the KX3 went more quickly to the enforced 5 watt maximum output with the Eneloop Pro cells compared to the standard Eneloop, despite the higher ultimate capacity of

Re: [Elecraft] Low Power Output on 160 and 6 meters

I see the same output powers on my K3S. Key down voltage is 13.4 volts on the VFO B display at maximum power out. Elecraft offered to upgrade my PA chain for $100, but I'm not concerned about ~1dB and is within spec for 6m anyway. Glad that diode is in there. I tested its function once.

Re: [Elecraft] Low Power Output on 160 and 6 meters

Everett, What is your power supply voltage during transmit at 100 watts as measured with the Alternate VFO B display? With a solid 13.8 volt power supply voltage, you should see no lower than 12.7 volts (there is a diode drop inside the K3). If lower, check the connections in the power

Re: [Elecraft] More than you ever wanted to know about solar cycles

The evidence has already made this article obsolete. No grand minimum. John WA1EAZ > On Jun 24, 2019, at 9:55 PM, kevinr wrote: > > I found this paper and thought some of you would be interested. Warning: > things look grim from 2019 to 2055 since we'll be in a grand solar minimum. > Looks

Re: [Elecraft] K3S glitching on startup

Call support. Sent from my iPhone ...nr4c. bill > On Jun 25, 2019, at 12:07 AM, Frank O'Donnell wrote: > > This evening I used my new K3S for a normal session of FT8 (K3S connected to > computer via a single USB cable for both CAT control and audio transfer), > then powered it down. > >

[Elecraft] Buddy Pole

I got to see the Buddy Pole antenna for first time at FD last weekend. Very impressed in quality of materials and ease of installation. It was set up for 40m and I helped them tune it by use of my MFJ-269B antenna tuner. The loading coil arrangement was a little awkward, I thought. By

Re: [Elecraft] Low Power Output on 160 and 6 meters

Well I have a K3/10 and KXPA100 with fw vers 5.60 (yeah I need to update). K3/10 gets 10w on 14-MHz and 8w on 50-MHz. KXPA gives 100w on 14-MHz and 80w on 50-MHz using a Bird43 meter with a Bird dummy load. Into an antenna power is dependent on match (as one would expect). The KXPA only