Re: [Elecraft] Receiving Stations Sound Like Inside a Barrel (WU6R/Mark Wheeler)
$10 says you have Shift moved off center. 73, Dave AB7E On 12/22/2019 11:50 AM, Mark Wheeler via Elecraft wrote: I turned on the K3s today and very contact on all bands (3.5MHz, 7MHz and 14 MHz sounds like everyone is talking inside a barrel. I figured my filters need to be adjusted, but after referring to the manual and making some filer and DSP adjustments, no improvements. I also adjusted NB and NR settings to no avail. Any suggestions on what I'm doing wrong are appreciated. Thanks, Mark/WU6R __ 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] Reaching Across the Chronological Divide
That's true from my perspective as well. But you and I don't count. Wayne started this thread in the context of drawing new members into the hobby (understandably so since his business depends upon it for the long term). If those of us already invested in this hobby aren't interested in ragchewing anymore, at least not to any significant degree as any non-contest day clearly shows, why on earth would we expect ragchewing to be the draw that brings in new members, especially considering the relative barriers (cost, space, license, HOAs, etc)? I'll even bet that the majority of folks subscribed to this reflector spend more time each week reading it than they do ragchewing on the air. It's not like the old days, even for us. So I'll say it one more time and then I'll mercifully refrain from further posts on the topic. Unless ham radio figures out how to evolve into something that actually has appeal for today's youngsters, we're still going to primarily be an aging (and diminishing) club of old people. More of the same, no matter how strongly we try to convince anyone, isn't going to change anything. 73, Dave AB7E On 12/22/2019 9:37 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote: I think we need to be focusing on the personal aspect of one on one communications with someone who we have never met - without the need for the internet, Facebook or any other internet app. It is a thrill to me to be able to have a conversation with someone new via ham radio. Of course, even that element is fading out in ham radio with the emphasis on quick DX contacts or contest points. Ragchewing with someone new to get to know something about them personally or their location is what gives me the thrill of ham radio. So sad to see that element being diminished. Bring ragchewing back, and I am not talking about the nets on 80 and 40 meters, it is reaching out to someone new and telling a bit about ourselves and getting the same in return. 73, Don W3FPR On 12/22/2019 11:17 PM, David Gilbert wrote: I think we already discussed that aspect, and the point is that young people with a technological inclination are far more likely to be interested in software, or robotics, or biomedical ... stuff that has more relevance to advancing the world and actually leading to a job. It might be a challenge to bounce a signal of the ionosphere but people were doing that 100 years ago. 73, Dave AB7E On 12/22/2019 6:52 PM, Robert G Strickland via Elecraft wrote: There is a constant refrain about "communicating with far away places." No doubt that has been one attraction of our hobby. For myself, I was never particularly interested in "communicating." For me it was mastery of a technical environment. Communicating was just the proof that the environment had been mastered. Another way of saying this -maybe- is technology versus sociology. There are many traditional activities that have been replaced by more modern versions [eg, horses versus cars, walking versus bicycling, bow/arrow versus guns]. Yet, there is still interest in the "old way," because the earlier challenges remain in spite of more modern solutions. Getting a signal from my radio, out into the ether, bouncing it off the ionosphere, and back down on the other side is still a challenge. Satellite links and the internet don't negate the ionospheric challenge. Perhaps engaging prospective hams in the technical challenges of the hobby will brings in those who like such challenges. Communicating may be the benny on the other side of mastery. __ 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] NB/NR for K4 vs K4D
I'm not overly anxious about the K4 initial release date because I'll be waiting for the kit version. But in choosing between a K4 and K4D I'm wondering how much performance difference there is in NB/NR for the two models. It could be significant, no? 73, Drew AF2Z __ 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] Reaching Across the Chronological Divide
I think we need to be focusing on the personal aspect of one on one communications with someone who we have never met - without the need for the internet, Facebook or any other internet app. It is a thrill to me to be able to have a conversation with someone new via ham radio. Of course, even that element is fading out in ham radio with the emphasis on quick DX contacts or contest points. Ragchewing with someone new to get to know something about them personally or their location is what gives me the thrill of ham radio. So sad to see that element being diminished. Bring ragchewing back, and I am not talking about the nets on 80 and 40 meters, it is reaching out to someone new and telling a bit about ourselves and getting the same in return. 73, Don W3FPR On 12/22/2019 11:17 PM, David Gilbert wrote: I think we already discussed that aspect, and the point is that young people with a technological inclination are far more likely to be interested in software, or robotics, or biomedical ... stuff that has more relevance to advancing the world and actually leading to a job. It might be a challenge to bounce a signal of the ionosphere but people were doing that 100 years ago. 73, Dave AB7E On 12/22/2019 6:52 PM, Robert G Strickland via Elecraft wrote: There is a constant refrain about "communicating with far away places." No doubt that has been one attraction of our hobby. For myself, I was never particularly interested in "communicating." For me it was mastery of a technical environment. Communicating was just the proof that the environment had been mastered. Another way of saying this -maybe- is technology versus sociology. There are many traditional activities that have been replaced by more modern versions [eg, horses versus cars, walking versus bicycling, bow/arrow versus guns]. Yet, there is still interest in the "old way," because the earlier challenges remain in spite of more modern solutions. Getting a signal from my radio, out into the ether, bouncing it off the ionosphere, and back down on the other side is still a challenge. Satellite links and the internet don't negate the ionospheric challenge. Perhaps engaging prospective hams in the technical challenges of the hobby will brings in those who like such challenges. Communicating may be the benny on the other side of mastery. __ 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] Reaching Across the Chronological Divide
I think we already discussed that aspect, and the point is that young people with a technological inclination are far more likely to be interested in software, or robotics, or biomedical ... stuff that has more relevance to advancing the world and actually leading to a job. It might be a challenge to bounce a signal of the ionosphere but people were doing that 100 years ago. 73, Dave AB7E On 12/22/2019 6:52 PM, Robert G Strickland via Elecraft wrote: There is a constant refrain about "communicating with far away places." No doubt that has been one attraction of our hobby. For myself, I was never particularly interested in "communicating." For me it was mastery of a technical environment. Communicating was just the proof that the environment had been mastered. Another way of saying this -maybe- is technology versus sociology. There are many traditional activities that have been replaced by more modern versions [eg, horses versus cars, walking versus bicycling, bow/arrow versus guns]. Yet, there is still interest in the "old way," because the earlier challenges remain in spite of more modern solutions. Getting a signal from my radio, out into the ether, bouncing it off the ionosphere, and back down on the other side is still a challenge. Satellite links and the internet don't negate the ionospheric challenge. Perhaps engaging prospective hams in the technical challenges of the hobby will brings in those who like such challenges. Communicating may be the benny on the other side of mastery. ...robert KE2WY On 12/22/2019 16:06, Paul Lannuier wrote: Chariot racing wasn’t about the chariots; it was about the racing. It was fundamentally no different than modern F1 racing. 73, WW2PT Sent from my iPad On Dec 14, 2019, at 12:24 PM, Dauer, Edward wrote: I wonder if the chariot racers of two or three milennia ago lamented the death of their sport. I too tried to interest my grandson, now 13, in the ham radio hobby, but with no success. He just couldn't see the point. So I reflected on when I was 13 with a newly printed Novice ticket, some 62 years ago, and when I was captivated for life by the wizardry of radio electronics, ionospheric physics, the smell of solder and rosin (and of exploding caps), the excitement of doing successfully what most people can't do at all, the fascination of international communications . . . . . all of the things we now-grandpas found and still find attractive. He found it a yawn. I reflected on it some. So what? The ham radio industry will care, and those who still believe that ham radio is imperative for emergency communications will care (though let's be honest -- cellular and satellite communications have taken much of the wind out of that sail.) But if I enjoy it and you enjoy it, and we both do it, why should we fret if other people don't? If amateur radio evolves in ways that are attractive to the next generation, all to the good. And a form of natural selection may shape the evolution that way. But if ham radio as we know it today doesn't get past a generational divide, if the mutations that survive an evolutionary end point don't occur, does it really matter? Excuse the philosophy, but I have to ask the question: Is our culture really impoverished by the demise of chariot racing? Or is that sport still with us, only morphed over time into something the next generation found attractive. OK. Break time over. Back to the ten-meter contest. Curse this solar minimum! Ted, KN1CBR On 12/13/2019 9:36 PM, David Gilbert wrote: This of course is a discussion that isn't likely to die before we do, but I really don't think that any significant portion of today's youth will ever look at amateur radio like we do.? I wish that weren't the case, but reality bites. 1.? The major lure of amateur radio for most of us was the ability to freely talk to faraway places.? Young people today can do that with FM quality and yet often they don't ... they text or chat via message groups and forums. 2.? Communicating today is license free, and while even now with today's lesser requirements getting an amateur radio license is maybe not a roadblock it's a nuisance to have to study for something that you don't otherwise care about. 3.? Effectively communicating today is far cheaper hardware-wise than for amateur radio, especially for long distances. 4.? Communicating today is independent of time of day or position in the sunspot cycle. 5.? A basic competency in amateur radio was once considered a stepping stone to a technical career.? That is hardly the case today.? In fact, I remember one manager of a test department in another company telling me he tried to avoid hiring hams because they talked about it too much on the job. One thing I do believe has carryover appeal is the spirit of competition.? Humans in general always seem keen to compete at almost anything ... from eating hot dogs to running to vicariously
Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft CW Net Report
You must have all been on Christmas cheer to operate her. On 12/22/2019 6:39 PM, kevinr wrote: On 17050.5 kHz at 2200z: __ 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] Elecraft CW Net Report
Good Evening, Santa will have to search for snow in most parts of the country. I could get some by Wednesday but it won't last long. Even Ken in Fargo, ND reports mild winter winter weather. Steve, in Georgia, is having weather much like mine: mild, gray, and very wet. The river in the sky is coming from near Hawaii. Once the weather starts coming from the Gulf of Alaska I'll need a lot more wood in the house. Propagation was pretty good. Some band noise and a variety of QSB. I switched between antennas for the best signal. Almost everyone had some indoor project in the works. I bought some restaurant quality pots and pans a few months ago so I am learning how to cook with them. It is a very different experience. A few electronic projects were reported too as were a few antenna murmurings. The weather needs to be just right for most of us to get out the chainsaw and test a new model. If I build an E or F class rocket I could use it to string the leader lines to pull long antennas through the trees. The rockets would let me aim more accurately as long as I find a windless and wet day to try it. On 17050.5 kHz at 2200z: W0CZ - Ken - ND K6XK - Roy - IA AB9V - Mike - IN K4JPN - Steve - GA K4TO - Dave - KY On 7047.5 kHz at z: K4TO - Dave - KY KG7V - Marv - WA K0DTJ - Brian - CA K6PJV - Dale - CA W6JHB - Jim - CA W0CZ - Ken - ND K0JFJ - Nick - AZ Until next week Merry Christmas and 73, Kevin. KD5ONS - __ 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] Reaching Across the Chronological Divide
There is a constant refrain about "communicating with far away places." No doubt that has been one attraction of our hobby. For myself, I was never particularly interested in "communicating." For me it was mastery of a technical environment. Communicating was just the proof that the environment had been mastered. Another way of saying this -maybe- is technology versus sociology. There are many traditional activities that have been replaced by more modern versions [eg, horses versus cars, walking versus bicycling, bow/arrow versus guns]. Yet, there is still interest in the "old way," because the earlier challenges remain in spite of more modern solutions. Getting a signal from my radio, out into the ether, bouncing it off the ionosphere, and back down on the other side is still a challenge. Satellite links and the internet don't negate the ionospheric challenge. Perhaps engaging prospective hams in the technical challenges of the hobby will brings in those who like such challenges. Communicating may be the benny on the other side of mastery. ...robert KE2WY On 12/22/2019 16:06, Paul Lannuier wrote: Chariot racing wasn’t about the chariots; it was about the racing. It was fundamentally no different than modern F1 racing. 73, WW2PT Sent from my iPad On Dec 14, 2019, at 12:24 PM, Dauer, Edward wrote: I wonder if the chariot racers of two or three milennia ago lamented the death of their sport. I too tried to interest my grandson, now 13, in the ham radio hobby, but with no success. He just couldn't see the point. So I reflected on when I was 13 with a newly printed Novice ticket, some 62 years ago, and when I was captivated for life by the wizardry of radio electronics, ionospheric physics, the smell of solder and rosin (and of exploding caps), the excitement of doing successfully what most people can't do at all, the fascination of international communications . . . . . all of the things we now-grandpas found and still find attractive. He found it a yawn. I reflected on it some. So what? The ham radio industry will care, and those who still believe that ham radio is imperative for emergency communications will care (though let's be honest -- cellular and satellite communications have taken much of the wind out of that sail.) But if I enjoy it and you enjoy it, and we both do it, why should we fret if other people don't? If amateur radio evolves in ways that are attractive to the next generation, all to the good. And a form of natural selection may shape the evolution that way. But if ham radio as we know it today doesn't get past a generational divide, if the mutations that survive an evolutionary end point don't occur, does it really matter? Excuse the philosophy, but I have to ask the question: Is our culture really impoverished by the demise of chariot racing? Or is that sport still with us, only morphed over time into something the next generation found attractive. OK. Break time over. Back to the ten-meter contest. Curse this solar minimum! Ted, KN1CBR On 12/13/2019 9:36 PM, David Gilbert wrote: This of course is a discussion that isn't likely to die before we do, but I really don't think that any significant portion of today's youth will ever look at amateur radio like we do.? I wish that weren't the case, but reality bites. 1.? The major lure of amateur radio for most of us was the ability to freely talk to faraway places.? Young people today can do that with FM quality and yet often they don't ... they text or chat via message groups and forums. 2.? Communicating today is license free, and while even now with today's lesser requirements getting an amateur radio license is maybe not a roadblock it's a nuisance to have to study for something that you don't otherwise care about. 3.? Effectively communicating today is far cheaper hardware-wise than for amateur radio, especially for long distances. 4.? Communicating today is independent of time of day or position in the sunspot cycle. 5.? A basic competency in amateur radio was once considered a stepping stone to a technical career.? That is hardly the case today.? In fact, I remember one manager of a test department in another company telling me he tried to avoid hiring hams because they talked about it too much on the job. One thing I do believe has carryover appeal is the spirit of competition.? Humans in general always seem keen to compete at almost anything ... from eating hot dogs to running to vicariously watching football to quilting to barbeque.? Young people today have video games that provide a FAR richer competitive environment than any ham radio contest (I do both, by the way), and I've always thought that one way to drum up interest in ham radio is to develop a contest format that has similar elements.? Ham radio contests are essentially endurance events that involve independent action throughout the contest with the comparison occurring at the end, and often weeks
Re: [Elecraft] KX2 output power drop
Pierre, That may be normal behavior, the power will drop to 5 watts if either low voltage occurs or if a high PA temperature condition occurs. If you are operating digital modes, I suspect that the high PA temperature is causing the drop in power. Check the BAT MIN setting in the KX2 menu. See page 43 of the manual. The proper setting varies depending on the battery type, and the default is 10 volts. 73, Don W3FPR On 12/22/2019 6:26 PM, VE2PID wrote: Hi folks .. A question about the KX2: I saw this on other posts, and also experienced it in portable operations: ''The KX2 was able to pump out a full 10 watts of power for a little over one hour, then as the voltage dropped, it reduced output to 5 watts.''. So it seems to be normal, but is it documented somewhere in the KX2 specs? (FYI, I use an external rechargeable 12V 3000mAh Lithium ion Battery Pack.) __ 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] KX2 output power drop
Hi folks .. A question about the KX2: I saw this on other posts, and also experienced it in portable operations: ''The KX2 was able to pump out a full 10 watts of power for a little over one hour, then as the voltage dropped, it reduced output to 5 watts.''. So it seems to be normal, but is it documented somewhere in the KX2 specs? (FYI, I use an external rechargeable 12V 3000mAh Lithium ion Battery Pack.) 73, de Pierre VE2PID KX2 s/n 1464. __ 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] Elecraft SSB Net for Sunday December 22, 2019
Our normal net control Eric WB9JNZ is on a two week holiday vacation. With K1NW Brian’s help we were able to appease the propagation gods and collect 16 check ins. Propagation, football games, and Christmas shoplifting most likely limited our check ins this week. Thanks for the help Brian! Sunday December 23, 2019: K1NWBrian RI K3 4974Relay station K8NUCarlOH K3S 10996 K7BRR BillAZ K3S 10939 KS6FGuy CA K3S 10650 K6CGRichard CA K3 3697 KC1ACL Steven NM KX3 10677 N0MPM MikeIA K3S 10514 KC9FF Garry IL K2 7315 KD8CIV JohnMI KX3 4654 KK3AM Randy NC K2 472 K6VWE StanMI K3 650 ZL1PWD Peter NZ K3 139 KF7ZN Ron UT K3S 10832 K6WDE DaveCA KX3 4599 W1NGA Al CO K3 5765 NC0JW Jim CO KX3 1356Net control The Elecraft SSB Net meets on Sunday at 1800 UTC on or about 14.3035 MHz. With propagation at a low point we employ several relay stations located around the continental USA to assist with check ins. As conditions permit we take questions and comments after check ins. Make it a point to join us next week for the last net of the decade and to see what conditions materialize. 73 and Merry Christmas to all. Jim White - NC0JW ars.nc...@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] K4 rumors and Manual
Dear OMs and YLs, It is better to wait for a well written manual than one which needs work. Fred Cady had an advantage of a pre-existing manual and knowledge gained on the forum over a period of time. Elecraft does not have this luxury.Also Fred did not need to cover everything that the Elecraft manual covered but could elaborate in other areas. Well Fred was a teacher and writer so naturally he did a super job. Elecraft did a good job as well but it was good to have a second perspective. I pray that I did not step on the toes of the Elecraft technical writer who quite possibly is Wayne or Eric.It is a small company doing a wonderful job. Better the manual be a bit late than lacking.I am really anxious to see how this new radio performs. Specifications are not given or available yet. We will need to look at Sherwood Engineering test spectrum to see the whole story.Naturally, I am rooting for Elecraft. Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year to all,who work in Elecraft. 73 Doug EI2CN PS I suspect the changes in performance will be incremental. You will still work anything with a K3 that a K4 will work. Probably the user interface for the K4 will be improved and this may be quite significant to many of us. PPS It is good to see the modular approach still being used. You can start in with a relatively modest expenditure and build up over time.It seems to me that the real price of a fully loaded K4 is less than that of a fully loaded K3. This and the total box size is smaller. __ 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] Latest rumors on K4
somebody said: ... a good reason for Elecraft NOT release a manual before the radio is available is that there are competing companies that would love to have a copy of the K4 manual before the radio is available. That would allow those competitors to add features or performance enhancements to their own radios before the K4's release.? ... Nonsense. This sort of parochialism is not helpful to either Elecraft or consumers. First, Elecraft published a K4 product brochure months ago which clearly reveals the feature set and promised specifications. We and the competition already know what to expect ... the only bug in the ointment is WHEN we can buy one! Second, I highly doubt other manufacturers could possibly react as quickly as you suggest - this takes time to decide, develop, and modify production - which takes time and could never overtake K4 production. Third, I highly doubt the competition is waiting to see what Elecraft does before they design their next rig - that is no more credible than the Cadillac rep claiming the boys at Mercedes, BMW, Lexus, and others are all waiting to see what Cadillac does next so they can follow suit. Besides, Fourth, the other guys have already plotted, designed and released their newest radios long ahead of the K4, and the K4 is essentially following suit. And this is no complaint or knock on Elecraft, either. Somebody has to be first, but at this point the other guys have all adopted essentially the same size, form factor, and basic layout, each including a roughly a 7 inch (+/-) onboard spectrum scope with options for a larger external monitor, for ... ahem ... for the same or less money. Again, I am NOT dissing Elecraft by saying this. That is what hams want, and Elecraft will produce its horse in the race. And, it is sometimes better to follow the lead, than to be the leader and go off in the wrong direction ! Canon corporation's CEO clearly announced Canon would no longer spend the money it takes to lead the industry - it let others invent, and it will make whatever technology proves itself, and then beat the leaders at their game. And there is no reason to think Elecraft is not doing the same. The K4 will be unique-enough to carry its own freight in the marketplace - so this is no knock on it - but, I highly doubt the other teams are standing by to see what Elecraft puts in its user manual before they draw their own game plan. Just MY take. Drive on Elecraft ! Good luck. K8JHR __ 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 - Power cable voltage drop
On 12/22/2019 9:44 AM, Bob McGraw wrote: Rid your station of the DC power strip. It will cause problems. More connections in the path will be more DC voltage drip. The radios should be connected direct to the power supply. Yes and no. My station has direct short runs from a 100Ah Bioenne LiFePO4 battery to my two K3s. The radio very close to the battery is #10; the longer run (about five ft) to the radio on the other side of the desk is two #10s in parallel. This battery is used because it's operating voltage remains well about 13VDC throughout its discharge curve (as opposed to the SLA, which is closer to 11.5VDC under load). The difference results in lower IMD. The other 12V gear (and LED strips for task lighting) runs from a 100Ah 12V SLA battery through a DC power strip. All the gear is bonded together. Both batteries are float-charged by spare Thinkpad power supplies with Genasun charge regulators. The power strips are fine for low current drain devices, but, as Bob notes, not for the radios. 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Power cable voltage drop
I used to run my K3S with an auto turn on Rigrunner which I liked very much, convenient. But the voltage drop was concerning. I go direct now to the rig. Chuck Jack Hawley KE9UW Sent from my iPhone, cjack > On Dec 22, 2019, at 10:21 AM, Don Wilhelm wrote: > > Tony, > > While those figures with the 10 gauge wire are good, they would be better if > you ran the K3 power directly from the power supply rather than from the > power distribution strip. > > Each connection will have some voltage drop, so in addition to increasing the > wiring gauge, reducing the connection points will help just as much. > > 73 Merry Christmas, or Happy Hanukkah whichever you choose to celebrate. > Don W3FPR > >> On 12/22/2019 10:47 AM, N2TK via Elecraft wrote: >> I have been using an Astron SS-30M power supply for several years to feed >> two K3's. >> I use 12ga wire from the power supply to an MFJ-4012 power strip. From the >> power strip I use 12ga wire to each K3. Total length from power supply to a >> K3 was 8'. Each K3 is set for 100W on 30M into a dummy load. The K3's were >> tested one at a time. The power supply voltage went from 14.38 to 14.30 at >> 100W. >> Both K3's read the same on the K3's internal voltmeter - 14.1V in receive >> and 12.7V at 100W setting on the K3's. The P3 read 107W out. >> Changed the cable to 10ga wire direct from the power supply to each K3. >> Length of each is 7'. Same test. Power supply voltage was still 14.39/14.30. >> Voltage on each K3 was now 14.2v. Key down 13.6V. So, 0.6V drop in 7' of >> 10ga wire. >> P3 output was now 114W. > __ > 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 c-haw...@illinois.edu __ 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 - Power cable voltage drop
I still connect all of the equipment which used walwarts to my power supply. I made provisions to have many many DC connections, as described below, to my supplies. All of my DC power leads have the correct size crimp ring terminal for the application. Never use stranded wire around a screw. Thus many problems solved. I know the DC distribution strips look cool with their LEDs and fuses and connectors, and are very easy to use for convenience. But I find just like AC strips, are a source of many problems. I've found many of the AC strips which have a poor 3rd wire connection. They are a matter of convenience and not of reliable functionality. As to the Astron SS-30M, I have 3 of those. They are great. I did find the provided DC connections where the wires are inserted into the blocks and secured with a screw from the side would not accommodate the 4 needs for DC at my station.Therefore, I took two pieces of 2" x 10-32 brass machine screw, cut off the head, filed a small flat spot on one side at the end to make it slightly D shaped. Inserted that end into the DC connector and tightened the set screw against the flat spot. Then added as needed the brass nuts, flat washers and lock washers, secured finally by another brass nut. This in effect gives me very adequate terminal length to attach as many DC power leads with suitable ring terminals as needed. DC resistance has therefore been minimized. The 10 ga wire is a good addition for radio power needs. I also added a dedicated ground between the ground screw on the back of the radio to the ground screw on the power supply. 73 Bob, K4TAX __ 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 - Power cable voltage drop
In my current station layout the rack-mounted Astron-50M is separated from the radio shelf, so I need a 15-foot run of cable. The Astron runs 14.2 vdc. I have 13.69 v at the main power strip (handles 10ga wiring). The primary dc power cable is No. 6 welding cable (more flexible than std No. 6) so I have a BUSS30 fuse at the main power strip. The Astron is capable of 50 amps if the main cable were to short (cable is rated for a over 200A for welding). I use the std power cord that came with my K3/10 and see 13.3v displayed by the K3 in transmit with 10w RF output. The K3/10 does not draw a lot of current. I drive a KXPA100 which has 5-foot Elecraft power cable (looks like No.12). I get 100w on all bands with about 5w drive (only 6m requires 8w drive for 80w output). I have not measured the voltage at the power-pole connector when in transmit but should be approx 13.5v based on current draw of 20 A. I run several high power solid-state amplifiers that draw up to 50A at 50v so paying attention to dc voltage drop in dc wiring is quite important. 73, Ed - KL7UW http://www.kl7uw.com Dubus-NA Business mail: dubus...@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] Latest rumors on K4
Personally, I hope Elecraft is giving itself a well deserved, quiet, peaceful, no-stress, Holiday break. They’re certainly going to need the rest before the inevitable onslaught after the first of the year :-) Happy Holidays, everyone …. Grant NQ5T > On Dec 22, 2019, at 1:57 PM, Dan Baker wrote: > > We can wait. None of us wish to flex our K4s back to Elecraft to have items > reattached on the inside that fell off or have modifications made that > could have been caught before shipped. > > To Wayne, Eric and the crew. Merry Christmas and happy new year. You have > our blessing to wait as long as needed to ship the K4. > __ 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 - Power cable voltage drop
Bob, The power strip is gone for the K3's. Now direct connections from the PS to each K3. The power strip is good for replacing the walwarts. N2TK, Tony -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net On Behalf Of Bob McGraw Sent: Sunday, December 22, 2019 12:45 PM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Power cable voltage drop Rid your station of the DC power strip. It will cause problems. More connections in the path will be more DC voltage drip. The radios should be connected direct to the power supply. As to the Astron SS-30M, I have 3 of those. They are great. I did find the provided DC connections where the wires are inserted into the blocks and secured with a screw from the side would not accommodate the 4 needs for DC at my station.Therefore, I took two pieces of 2" x 10-32 brass machine screw, cut off the head, filed a small flat spot on one side at the end to make it slightly D shaped. Inserted that end into the DC connector and tightened the set screw against the flat spot. Then added as needed the brass nuts, flat washers and lock washers, secured finally by another brass nut. This in effect gives me very adequate terminal length to attach as many DC power leads with suitable ring terminals as needed. DC resistance has therefore been minimized. The 10 ga wire is a good addition for radio power needs. I also added a dedicated ground between the ground screw on the back of the radio to the ground screw on the power supply. 73 Bob, K4TAX 12/22/2019 10:47 AM, N2TK via Elecraft wrote: > I have been using an Astron SS-30M power supply for several years to > feed two K3's. > I use 12ga wire from the power supply to an MFJ-4012 power strip. From > the power strip I use 12ga wire to each K3. Total length from power > supply to a > K3 was 8'. Each K3 is set for 100W on 30M into a dummy load. The K3's > were tested one at a time. The power supply voltage went from 14.38 to > 14.30 at 100W. > Both K3's read the same on the K3's internal voltmeter - 14.1V in > receive and 12.7V at 100W setting on the K3's. The P3 read 107W out. > Changed the cable to 10ga wire direct from the power supply to each K3. > Length of each is 7'. Same test. Power supply voltage was still 14.39/14.30. > Voltage on each K3 was now 14.2v. Key down 13.6V. So, 0.6V drop in 7' > of 10ga wire. > P3 output was now 114W. > I never transmit with both K3's at the same time. > Just a data point. > 73 and Merry Christmas > N2TK, Tony > > > __ > 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 > rmcg...@blomand.net > __ 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 tony@verizon.net __ 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] Latest rumors on K4
We can wait. None of us wish to flex our K4s back to Elecraft to have items reattached on the inside that fell off or have modifications made that could have been caught before shipped. To Wayne, Eric and the crew. Merry Christmas and happy new year. You have our blessing to wait as long as needed to ship the K4. 73, Dan KM6CQ -- Sent from my iPhone X __ 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] Receiving Stations Sound Like Inside a Barrel (WU6R/Mark Wheeler)
I turned on the K3s today and very contact on all bands (3.5MHz, 7MHz and 14 MHz sounds like everyone is talking inside a barrel. I figured my filters need to be adjusted, but after referring to the manual and making some filer and DSP adjustments, no improvements. I also adjusted NB and NR settings to no avail. Any suggestions on what I'm doing wrong are appreciated. Thanks, Mark/WU6R __ 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 - Power cable voltage drop
Hi Don, With the 10ga wire the power distribution strip is not used. There are two runs of 7' each direct from the power supply to a K3. The run is 7' because I have the power supply with the rest of my supplies, router, etc. all mounted underneath my desk to the side to keep the desktop clean. I don't hink 0.6V drop is too much to be concerned with. The amps are in the basement. In the process of adding Green Heron Everywhere wireless remotes to eliminate the manual switches too. 73 and merry Christmas N2TK, Tony -Original Message- From: Don Wilhelm Sent: Sunday, December 22, 2019 11:21 AM To: tony@verizon.net; elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Power cable voltage drop Tony, While those figures with the 10 gauge wire are good, they would be better if you ran the K3 power directly from the power supply rather than from the power distribution strip. Each connection will have some voltage drop, so in addition to increasing the wiring gauge, reducing the connection points will help just as much. 73 Merry Christmas, or Happy Hanukkah whichever you choose to celebrate. Don W3FPR On 12/22/2019 10:47 AM, N2TK via Elecraft wrote: > I have been using an Astron SS-30M power supply for several years to > feed two K3's. > I use 12ga wire from the power supply to an MFJ-4012 power strip. From > the power strip I use 12ga wire to each K3. Total length from power > supply to a > K3 was 8'. Each K3 is set for 100W on 30M into a dummy load. The K3's > were tested one at a time. The power supply voltage went from 14.38 to > 14.30 at 100W. > Both K3's read the same on the K3's internal voltmeter - 14.1V in > receive and 12.7V at 100W setting on the K3's. The P3 read 107W out. > Changed the cable to 10ga wire direct from the power supply to each K3. > Length of each is 7'. Same test. Power supply voltage was still 14.39/14.30. > Voltage on each K3 was now 14.2v. Key down 13.6V. So, 0.6V drop in 7' > of 10ga wire. > P3 output was now 114W. __ 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 - Power cable voltage drop
Rid your station of the DC power strip. It will cause problems. More connections in the path will be more DC voltage drip. The radios should be connected direct to the power supply. As to the Astron SS-30M, I have 3 of those. They are great. I did find the provided DC connections where the wires are inserted into the blocks and secured with a screw from the side would not accommodate the 4 needs for DC at my station. Therefore, I took two pieces of 2" x 10-32 brass machine screw, cut off the head, filed a small flat spot on one side at the end to make it slightly D shaped. Inserted that end into the DC connector and tightened the set screw against the flat spot. Then added as needed the brass nuts, flat washers and lock washers, secured finally by another brass nut. This in effect gives me very adequate terminal length to attach as many DC power leads with suitable ring terminals as needed. DC resistance has therefore been minimized. The 10 ga wire is a good addition for radio power needs. I also added a dedicated ground between the ground screw on the back of the radio to the ground screw on the power supply. 73 Bob, K4TAX 12/22/2019 10:47 AM, N2TK via Elecraft wrote: I have been using an Astron SS-30M power supply for several years to feed two K3's. I use 12ga wire from the power supply to an MFJ-4012 power strip. From the power strip I use 12ga wire to each K3. Total length from power supply to a K3 was 8'. Each K3 is set for 100W on 30M into a dummy load. The K3's were tested one at a time. The power supply voltage went from 14.38 to 14.30 at 100W. Both K3's read the same on the K3's internal voltmeter - 14.1V in receive and 12.7V at 100W setting on the K3's. The P3 read 107W out. Changed the cable to 10ga wire direct from the power supply to each K3. Length of each is 7'. Same test. Power supply voltage was still 14.39/14.30. Voltage on each K3 was now 14.2v. Key down 13.6V. So, 0.6V drop in 7' of 10ga wire. P3 output was now 114W. I never transmit with both K3's at the same time. Just a data point. 73 and Merry Christmas N2TK, Tony __ 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 rmcg...@blomand.net __ 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] Latest rumors on K4
When the KPA1500 came out I was one who said I should wait for it to be fully tested and out for a while before thinking about getting one. That is why I fairly earlysent my full deposit in to get the free shipping and get on the waiting list, hi. I did the same thing on the K4 and I did good by waiting until 6 days ago before sending in my full deposit for a K4HD. I figure I can play with the K4D for a few monthsand get real familiar with it then install the HD option when it comes out. I will be way down on the early list but at least it will be the first group. I plan on retiring my FT1000mpbut will use it and my K3/P3 until the K4 comes in. Merry Xmas to all (esp me, hi) BillK3WJV On Friday, December 20, 2019, 10:51:19 AM EST, Joseph Trombino, Jr wrote: Howdy Gang. Has anyone picked up any intel from the Mother Ship on the K4 delivery schedule? Not much on the website lately on the subject. 73, Joe W2KJ I QRP, therefore I am __ 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 k3...@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] Configuration suggestions 1st Elecraft
In view of the typo correction, yes, a properly equipped KX3 will meet those conditions. The PX3 panadapter is a separate device, but can be docked with external adapters. On Sat, Dec 21, 2019 at 3:00 PM Séamus McLaughlin wrote: > Typo … corrected : KX3 > > Sent from Mail for Windows 10 > > From: Paul Gacek > Sent: Saturday, December 21, 2019 9:22 AM > To: Jim McLaughlin > Cc: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Configuration suggestions 1st Elecraft > > Hi Jim > > What is a DX3? Is that the name of your concept, a typo or what? > > Your email sounds intriguing but I’m missing something about the nature of > your project/request. > > Paul > W6PNG/M0SNA > www.nomadic.blog > > > On Dec 19, 2019, at 10:53 PM, Jim McLaughlin wrote: > > > > I am working on developing a portable rig with the heart of the > > project being a new DX3 w/ panadpter > > > > - Would like to buy "made in america" > > - I would like to minimize or avoid the concept of upgrading at a later > > date > > - I would like 2 meter capability included > > - The rig would be stand alone portable > > - DX before CW > > > > Any suggestions, do's and dont's would be appreciated. > > > > > > > > 73 > > AG7WV > > __ > > 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 w6...@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 jimk...@gmail.com -- Jim K0XU j...@rhodesend.net __ 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 - Power cable voltage drop
Tony, While those figures with the 10 gauge wire are good, they would be better if you ran the K3 power directly from the power supply rather than from the power distribution strip. Each connection will have some voltage drop, so in addition to increasing the wiring gauge, reducing the connection points will help just as much. 73 Merry Christmas, or Happy Hanukkah whichever you choose to celebrate. Don W3FPR On 12/22/2019 10:47 AM, N2TK via Elecraft wrote: I have been using an Astron SS-30M power supply for several years to feed two K3's. I use 12ga wire from the power supply to an MFJ-4012 power strip. From the power strip I use 12ga wire to each K3. Total length from power supply to a K3 was 8'. Each K3 is set for 100W on 30M into a dummy load. The K3's were tested one at a time. The power supply voltage went from 14.38 to 14.30 at 100W. Both K3's read the same on the K3's internal voltmeter - 14.1V in receive and 12.7V at 100W setting on the K3's. The P3 read 107W out. Changed the cable to 10ga wire direct from the power supply to each K3. Length of each is 7'. Same test. Power supply voltage was still 14.39/14.30. Voltage on each K3 was now 14.2v. Key down 13.6V. So, 0.6V drop in 7' of 10ga wire. P3 output was now 114W. __ 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] Reaching Across the Chronological Divide
Chariot racing wasn’t about the chariots; it was about the racing. It was fundamentally no different than modern F1 racing. 73, WW2PT Sent from my iPad > On Dec 14, 2019, at 12:24 PM, Dauer, Edward wrote: > > I wonder if the chariot racers of two or three milennia ago lamented the > death of their sport. > > I too tried to interest my grandson, now 13, in the ham radio hobby, but with > no success. He just couldn't see the point. So I reflected on when I was 13 > with a newly printed Novice ticket, some 62 years ago, and when I was > captivated for life by the wizardry of radio electronics, ionospheric > physics, the smell of solder and rosin (and of exploding caps), the > excitement of doing successfully what most people can't do at all, the > fascination of international communications . . . . . all of the things we > now-grandpas found and still find attractive. > > He found it a yawn. > > I reflected on it some. So what? The ham radio industry will care, and > those who still believe that ham radio is imperative for emergency > communications will care (though let's be honest -- cellular and satellite > communications have taken much of the wind out of that sail.) But if I enjoy > it and you enjoy it, and we both do it, why should we fret if other people > don't? If amateur radio evolves in ways that are attractive to the next > generation, all to the good. And a form of natural selection may shape the > evolution that way. But if ham radio as we know it today doesn't get past a > generational divide, if the mutations that survive an evolutionary end point > don't occur, does it really matter? > > Excuse the philosophy, but I have to ask the question: Is our culture really > impoverished by the demise of chariot racing? Or is that sport still with > us, only morphed over time into something the next generation found > attractive. > > OK. Break time over. Back to the ten-meter contest. Curse this solar > minimum! > > Ted, KN1CBR > > >>On 12/13/2019 9:36 PM, David Gilbert wrote: >> >> This of course is a discussion that isn't likely to die before we do, >> but I really don't think that any significant portion of today's youth >> will ever look at amateur radio like we do.? I wish that weren't the >> case, but reality bites. >> >> 1.? The major lure of amateur radio for most of us was the ability to >> freely talk to faraway places.? Young people today can do that with FM >> quality and yet often they don't ... they text or chat via message >> groups and forums. >> >> 2.? Communicating today is license free, and while even now with >> today's lesser requirements getting an amateur radio license is maybe >> not a roadblock it's a nuisance to have to study for something that >> you don't otherwise care about. >> >> 3.? Effectively communicating today is far cheaper hardware-wise than >> for amateur radio, especially for long distances. >> >> 4.? Communicating today is independent of time of day or position in >> the sunspot cycle. >> >> 5.? A basic competency in amateur radio was once considered a stepping >> stone to a technical career.? That is hardly the case today.? In fact, >> I remember one manager of a test department in another company telling >> me he tried to avoid hiring hams because they talked about it too much >> on the job. >> >> One thing I do believe has carryover appeal is the spirit of >> competition.? Humans in general always seem keen to compete at almost >> anything ... from eating hot dogs to running to vicariously watching >> football to quilting to barbeque.? Young people today have video games >> that provide a FAR richer competitive environment than any ham radio >> contest (I do both, by the way), and I've always thought that one way >> to drum up interest in ham radio is to develop a contest format that >> has similar elements.? Ham radio contests are essentially endurance >> events that involve independent action throughout the contest with the >> comparison occurring at the end, and often weeks or months later.? >> Video games require different but otherwise comparable proficiency >> (both mental and physical) but involve real time counter moves to any >> opponent. The closest we hams come to offsetting somebody we view as >> competition is to steal their frequency or QRM them.? I'm not at all >> suggesting that we do any such thing, but a contest where we could >> take some action that subtracted from somebody else's score is the >> kind of thing I'm talking about.? And no, I don't know how to do that >> either, but it illustrates what I'm talking about. >> >> It's not any surprise to me that contesting is one of the few >> surviving ham radio activities with high participation.? Even >> ragchewing has practically died out, and if anyone disputes that take >> a look at how much time you spend each week reading email reflectors >> versus being on the air (other than in a
[Elecraft] K3 - Power cable voltage drop
I have been using an Astron SS-30M power supply for several years to feed two K3's. I use 12ga wire from the power supply to an MFJ-4012 power strip. From the power strip I use 12ga wire to each K3. Total length from power supply to a K3 was 8'. Each K3 is set for 100W on 30M into a dummy load. The K3's were tested one at a time. The power supply voltage went from 14.38 to 14.30 at 100W. Both K3's read the same on the K3's internal voltmeter - 14.1V in receive and 12.7V at 100W setting on the K3's. The P3 read 107W out. Changed the cable to 10ga wire direct from the power supply to each K3. Length of each is 7'. Same test. Power supply voltage was still 14.39/14.30. Voltage on each K3 was now 14.2v. Key down 13.6V. So, 0.6V drop in 7' of 10ga wire. P3 output was now 114W. I never transmit with both K3's at the same time. Just a data point. 73 and Merry Christmas N2TK, Tony __ 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
