Dipole is great. If you want a multiband I have 2 G5RV antennas. 105' for 80m and up and another for 160m and up. Both are reasonable compromises. You must have a tuner.
If you have the KX3 then you will be QRP. I bought a couple hundred feet of insulated 24 ga wire. I have lengths cut for the 15, 20, 30 and 40 m bands. Each wound separately and stored in a plastic pill container. The wire can be had real cheap at Hamfests so losing a run is not a problem. Bob/nz2z Bob Bennett Sent from my iPhone > On Dec 7, 2015, at 9:12 PM, elecraft-requ...@mailman.qth.net wrote: > > Send Elecraft mailing list submissions to > elecraft@mailman.qth.net > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > elecraft-requ...@mailman.qth.net > > You can reach the person managing the list at > elecraft-ow...@mailman.qth.net > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of Elecraft digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Re: New K3SYNA and RTTY (Rich) > 2. Re: KRX3 & K144XV question (Don Wilhelm) > 3. Re: KRX3 & K144XV question (Oliver Dr?se) > 4. Advice on First HF Antenna (CRAIG SCHROEDER) > 5. Re: Advice on First HF Antenna (Gerald Manthey) > 6. Re: Advice on First HF Antenna (Dr. William J. Schmidt, II) > 7. Advice on First HF Antenna (James Wilson) > 8. Re: Advice on First HF Antenna (Barry LaZar) > 9. Re: Advice on First HF Antenna (tnny...@yahoo.com) > 10. Re: Advice on First HF Antenna (Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT) > 11. Re: Advice on First HF Antenna (CRAIG SCHROEDER) > 12. Re: Advice on First HF Antenna (John Kramer) > 13. Re: Advice on First HF Antenna (David Guernsey) > 14. Re: [OT] increasing CW copy speed: practice slow -v- practice > fast (Kevin Cozens) > 15. Re: Advice on First HF Antenna (Don Wilhelm) > 16. Re: Advice on First HF Antenna (Augie "Gus" Hansen) > 17. K3S rocking on flat surface - SOLVED! (Dauer, Edward) > 18. NAQCC Sprint this Tuesday Evening (Larry W2LJ) > 19. Re: Advice on First HF Antenna (Sfbonk) > 20. Re: K3S rocking on flat surface - SOLVED! (Don Wilhelm) > 21. Re: K3S rocking on flat surface - SOLVED! (Bob Novas) > 22. Re: Fwd: Re: [OT] increasing CW copy speed: practice slow -v- > practice fast (Robert G Strickland) > 23. Re: Fwd: Re: [OT] increasing CW copy speed: practice slow -v- > practice fast (Don Wilhelm) > 24. Re: Advice on First HF Antenna (Jim Brown) > 25. Re: Fwd: Re: [OT] increasing CW copy speed: practice slow -v- > practice fast (Robert G Strickland) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Mon, 7 Dec 2015 16:57:52 -0500 > From: Rich <rwnewbo...@comcast.net> > To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] New K3SYNA and RTTY > Message-ID: <566600e0.1050...@comcast.net> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed > > I am talking about the RX decoding. I would have no real way of > knowing which the sender is using. I guess to be more precise I was > using Writelog/MMTTY for decoding, however I did watch the K3 display > every now and then. The decode on the K3 was just as accurate. I was > sending FSK. > > Rich > > On 12/7/2015 3:30 PM, efortner wrote: > Are you using afsk or fsk? > > Earl, K4KAY > >> On 12/7/2015 3:30 PM, efortner wrote: >> Are you using afsk or fsk? >> >> Earl, K4KAY >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Rich >> Sent: Monday, December 07, 2015 12:19 AM >> To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net >> Subject: [Elecraft] New K3SYNA and RTTY >> >> I am seeing dramatic improvements in weak signal RTTY decoding. >> >> Are other K3 RTTY contesters out there seeing the same remarkable >> improvement? >> >> Rich >> ______________________________________________________________ >> 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 efort...@ctc.net > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 2 > Date: Mon, 7 Dec 2015 16:58:29 -0500 > From: Don Wilhelm <w3...@embarqmail.com> > To: Alan Muldawer <a...@muldawer.com>, elecraft@mailman.qth.net > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KRX3 & K144XV question > Message-ID: <56660105.10...@embarqmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed > > Alan, > > Set the Config menu VFO IND to YES. > > 73, > Don W3FPR > >> On 12/7/2015 3:58 PM, Alan Muldawer wrote: >> I have a K3 with the second receiver KRX3 and I also have the internal 2 >> meter card K144XV and what I would like to do is to be on 6 meter, VFO A >> and to listen to 2 meters on VFO B . I have had no luck! It looks like in >> the information for K144XV it seems that this is possible : "If you have a >> KRX3 sub receiver installed, you can tune HF-6 meters with the sub while >> operating on 2 meters with the main receiver/transmitter. " >> http://www.elecraft.com/manual/K144XV%20Data%20Sheet%20rev%204sm.pdf >> I have separate antennas for both bands. The 6 meter antenna is on #2 and >> the 2 meter antenna is on #3. > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 3 > Date: Mon, 7 Dec 2015 23:00:16 +0100 > From: Oliver Dr?se <dro...@necg.de> > To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KRX3 & K144XV question > Message-ID: <56660170.80...@necg.de> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed > > Alan, > > as your quoted instructions say: VFO A on 2 m, VFO B on HF-6. Does not > work vice versa (as in your request) as the K144XV only connects to the > main RX (plus the sub RX if you share both, that would mean VFO A + B > both on 2 m). Also take a look at the RX switching PDF on the Elecraft > website for deeper insight into possible RX path'. > > 73, Olli - DH8BQA > > Contest, DX & radio projects: http://www.dh8bqa.de > > >> Am 07.12.2015 um 21:58 schrieb Alan Muldawer: >> I have a K3 with the second receiver KRX3 and I also have the internal 2 >> meter card K144XV and what I would like to do is to be on 6 meter, VFO A >> and to listen to 2 meters on VFO B . I have had no luck! It looks like in >> the information for K144XV it seems that this is possible : "If you have a >> KRX3 sub receiver installed, you can tune HF-6 meters with the sub while >> operating on 2 meters with the main receiver/transmitter. " >> http://www.elecraft.com/manual/K144XV%20Data%20Sheet%20rev%204sm.pdf >> I have separate antennas for both bands. The 6 meter antenna is on #2 and >> the 2 meter antenna is on #3. >> Has anyone been able to do this and how. Thanks! >> 73 Alan N3ALN >> ______________________________________________________________ >> 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 dro...@necg.de > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 4 > Date: Mon, 07 Dec 2015 16:13:22 -0600 > From: CRAIG SCHROEDER <craigschroe...@mac.com> > To: "elecraft@mailman.qth.net" <elecraft@mailman.qth.net> > Subject: [Elecraft] Advice on First HF Antenna > Message-ID: <01dc4aef-3cde-46a6-802f-50e1cd517...@mac.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii > > I am pretty new ham and a brand new KX3/PX3 owner excited to try my hand at > DX'ing! If you were buying your first HF base antenna, primarily looking for > performance on 20 and 40 meters, what would you recommend? Also, what do you > suggest as a high performance field antenna for QRP? > > Thank you, > > Craig > KD0TXL > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 5 > Date: Mon, 7 Dec 2015 16:24:11 -0600 > From: Gerald Manthey <kc6...@gmail.com> > To: CRAIG SCHROEDER <craigschroe...@mac.com> > Cc: "elecraft@mailman.qth.net" <elecraft@mailman.qth.net> > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Advice on First HF Antenna > Message-ID: <59b5eb49-a36c-46d4-bf55-b02e8730e...@gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii > > Craig > Do you have the real estate to have dipoles up or are you limited in space? > Tnx > Gerald KC6CNN > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 6 > Date: Mon, 7 Dec 2015 16:24:51 -0600 > From: "Dr. William J. Schmidt, II" <b...@wjschmidt.com> > To: CRAIG SCHROEDER <craigschroe...@mac.com> > Cc: "elecraft@mailman.qth.net" <elecraft@mailman.qth.net> > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Advice on First HF Antenna > Message-ID: <d0181822-2853-41f2-b93f-1c530a8d2...@wjschmidt.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 > > How much money do you want to spend? > > > Dr. William J. Schmidt - K9HZ J68HZ 8P6HK ZF2HZ PJ4/K9HZ VP5/K9HZ PJ2/K9HZ > > Owner - Operator > Big Signal Ranch ? K9ZC > Staunton, Illinois > > Owner ? Operator > Villa Grand Piton - J68HZ > Soufriere, St. Lucia W.I. > Rent it: www.VillaGrandPiton.com > > email: b...@wjschmidt.com > > >> On Dec 7, 2015, at 4:13 PM, CRAIG SCHROEDER <craigschroe...@mac.com> wrote: >> >> I am pretty new ham and a brand new KX3/PX3 owner excited to try my hand at >> DX'ing! If you were buying your first HF base antenna, primarily looking >> for performance on 20 and 40 meters, what would you recommend? Also, what >> do you suggest as a high performance field antenna for QRP? >> >> Thank you, >> >> Craig >> KD0TXL >> ______________________________________________________________ >> 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 b...@wjschmidt.com > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 7 > Date: Mon, 7 Dec 2015 16:31:45 -0600 > From: James Wilson <w4rk...@gmail.com> > To: Elecraft <elecraft@mailman.qth.net> > Subject: [Elecraft] Advice on First HF Antenna > Message-ID: > <cajnrscyozcod4nxu+crwrhmu+sdxba8syowolkj-qfnod6c...@mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 > > Craig, > For a first HF antenna, I would suggest not buying but building your basic > antenna. A Half-Wave wire antenna (made from stranded copper wire from a > "big box" store) that is resonant (trimmed to the right length) at the > frequency you want to operate is both fundamental and highly effective. > > Take a look at half wave dipole antennas in an ARRL Handbook or Antenna > Book. > > This will get you on the air quite effectively. > >> I am pretty new ham and a brand new KX3/PX3 owner excited to try > >> my hand at DX'ing! If you were buying your first HF base antenna, > >> primarily looking for performance on 20 and 40 meters, what would > >> you recommend? > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 8 > Date: Mon, 07 Dec 2015 22:33:38 +0000 > From: "Barry LaZar" <k3...@comcast.net> > To: "CRAIG SCHROEDER" <craigschroe...@mac.com>, > "elecraft@mailman.qth.net" <elecraft@mailman.qth.net> > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Advice on First HF Antenna > Message-ID: <em4e75bdaf-7b72-439b-9229-d7f1b6a42229@barry-laptop2> > Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset=utf-8 > > Craig, > Let me start with there is such thing as the perfect antenna. Each > is a compromise. Now having said that, there are several antennas that > come to mind. First, there is a simple dipole, fan dipole, or off center > fed dipole. This assumes that you have supports, trees or equal, that > can allow you to get the antenna up at least 35' and are at least 70' > apart. I prefer a 40 meter off center fed dipole, OCFD, as it covers all > the bands, and being off center fed, allow it to be tuned fairly easily. > A simple 40 meter dipole fed in the center will work on 20, but it will > require a 4:1 current balun in the system. Fan dipoles can be made to > operate on both bands, but tuning is interactive. > > If you want to spend ~$600, a Gap Titan is a good antenna. It is a > bit cumbersome to stand up, but they work. Just make sure the bottom of > the antenna is about 10' above ground. This height prevents clothes > lining friends and relatives, and no radials are required. > > There are other antennas. Each has something good or bad, price, > performance, difficulty, etc. My belief is simple is best. And, the same > should be true field work. > > 73, > Barry > K3NDM > > ------ Original Message ------ > From: "CRAIG SCHROEDER" <craigschroe...@mac.com> > To: "elecraft@mailman.qth.net" <elecraft@mailman.qth.net> > Sent: 12/7/2015 5:13:22 PM > Subject: [Elecraft] Advice on First HF Antenna > >> I am pretty new ham and a brand new KX3/PX3 owner excited to try my >> hand at DX'ing! If you were buying your first HF base antenna, >> primarily looking for performance on 20 and 40 meters, what would you >> recommend? Also, what do you suggest as a high performance field >> antenna for QRP? >> >> Thank you, >> >> Craig >> KD0TXL >> ______________________________________________________________ >> 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...@comcast.net > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 9 > Date: Mon, 7 Dec 2015 22:35:48 +0000 (UTC) > From: <tnny...@yahoo.com> > To: CRAIG SCHROEDER <craigschroe...@mac.com>, > "elecraft@mailman.qth.net" <elecraft@mailman.qth.net> > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Advice on First HF Antenna > Message-ID: > <218189586.16992559.1449527748182.javamail.ya...@mail.yahoo.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 > > Craig, my best advise, ARRL Antenna Book. > There are way too many variables , and when it comes to Antenna, the only > high performance Antenna there is, is measured in dbi. > Go back through the archives here on the forum and you'll find many of > educating > discussion of different antenna subject. > > Best of luck, and WELCOME to Ham Radio and Elecraft. > ((((73)))) Milverton / W9MMS. > > From: CRAIG SCHROEDER <craigschroe...@mac.com> > To: "elecraft@mailman.qth.net" <elecraft@mailman.qth.net> > Sent: Monday, December 7, 2015 4:13 PM > Subject: [Elecraft] Advice on First HF Antenna > > I am pretty new ham and a brand new KX3/PX3 owner excited to try my hand at > DX'ing!? If you were buying your first HF base antenna, primarily looking for > performance on 20 and 40 meters, what would you recommend?? Also, what do you > suggest as a high performance field antenna for QRP? > > Thank you, > > Craig > KD0TXL > ______________________________________________________________ > 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 tnny...@yahoo.com > > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 10 > Date: Mon, 7 Dec 2015 14:41:08 -0800 > From: "Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT" <k...@coldrockshotbrooms.com> > To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Advice on First HF Antenna > Message-ID: <56660b04.7080...@coldrockshotbrooms.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed > > Wire antennas are flexible, work well and are incredibly inexpensive. > > Put up as many as you can as big as you can. If they stay up, they were > too small. > > 73 -- Lynn > >> On 12/7/2015 2:13 PM, CRAIG SCHROEDER wrote: >> I am pretty new ham and a brand new KX3/PX3 owner excited to try my hand at >> DX'ing! If you were buying your first HF base antenna, primarily looking >> for performance on 20 and 40 meters, what would you recommend? Also, what >> do you suggest as a high performance field antenna for QRP? >> >> Thank you, >> >> Craig >> KD0TXL >> ______________________________________________________________ >> 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 k...@coldrockshotbrooms.com > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 11 > Date: Mon, 07 Dec 2015 16:45:35 -0600 > From: CRAIG SCHROEDER <craigschroe...@mac.com> > To: Gerald Manthey <kc6...@gmail.com> > Cc: "elecraft@mailman.qth.net" <elecraft@mailman.qth.net> > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Advice on First HF Antenna > Message-ID: <bc45cb5a-f5af-453b-8971-a2ac17bf6...@mac.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii > > Hi Gerald, > > I own a large lot with 2 tall trees that could accommodate an 80 meter > dipole, and with the cooperation of a friendly neighbor, I could fit 160 > meters using his large tree across the back of his property. My trees run > east to west and using the neighbors tree I can run north to south. I'm > located almost right in the center of the United States. > > Performance is the driving factor, but I world like to stay under $500 for > the antenna itself. > > BTW, I ordered my KX3 with the internal antenna tuner and roofing filters. > > Thank you, > > Craig > >> On Dec 7, 2015, at 4:24 PM, Gerald Manthey <kc6...@gmail.com> wrote: >> >> Craig >> Do you have the real estate to have dipoles up or are you limited in space? >> Tnx >> Gerald KC6CNN > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 12 > Date: Tue, 8 Dec 2015 00:45:54 +0200 > From: John Kramer <jkra...@iafrica.com> > To: CRAIG SCHROEDER <craigschroe...@mac.com> > Cc: "elecraft@mailman.qth.net" <elecraft@mailman.qth.net> > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Advice on First HF Antenna > Message-ID: <2db82a94-ea8b-4188-bcaf-7526c4255...@iafrica.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii > > I can suggest an antenna by www.myantennas.com Look for their antenna > called an EFHW 80-10. It will take 1 KW, and has a low SWR on all bands > 80/40/30/20/17/15/12/10 bands. It is a half wave design, that I have had > tremendous success with as a second antenna to my SteppIR beams. > It is easy and quick to get up, and will serve you well until such time that > you > decide whether to put up a tower and beam. It will also serve well as a > portable > antenna. I have done comparisons to numerous OCFD, Gap Titan vertical, > G5RV, ZS6BKW, loops and other wire antennas, and in most cases it > outperformed all of them. > > 73 > John ZS5J > > > > > On 08 Dec 2015, at 12:13 AM, CRAIG SCHROEDER <craigschroe...@mac.com> wrote: > > I am pretty new ham and a brand new KX3/PX3 owner excited to try my hand at > DX'ing! If you were buying your first HF base antenna, primarily looking for > performance on 20 and 40 meters, what would you recommend? Also, what do you > suggest as a high performance field antenna for QRP? > > Thank you, > > Craig > KD0TXL > ______________________________________________________________ > 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 jkra...@iafrica.com > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 13 > Date: Mon, 7 Dec 2015 22:53:49 +0000 (UTC) > From: David Guernsey <mooo1...@yahoo.com> > To: CRAIG SCHROEDER <craigschroe...@mac.com>, > "elecraft@mailman.qth.net" <elecraft@mailman.qth.net> > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Advice on First HF Antenna > Message-ID: > <1259522120.17187909.1449528829477.javamail.ya...@mail.yahoo.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 > > My first HF antenna was an inverted V up?aboutt 30 ft at feed point. It was > cut for 20 meters, but worked on 15 and 4o also.?73 de Dave KJ6CBS > From: CRAIG SCHROEDER <craigschroe...@mac.com> > To: "elecraft@mailman.qth.net" <elecraft@mailman.qth.net> > Sent: Monday, December 7, 2015 4:13 PM > Subject: [Elecraft] Advice on First HF Antenna > > I am pretty new ham and a brand new KX3/PX3 owner excited to try my hand at > DX'ing!? If you were buying your first HF base antenna, primarily looking for > performance on 20 and 40 meters, what would you recommend?? Also, what do you > suggest as a high performance field antenna for QRP? > > Thank you, > > Craig > KD0TXL > ______________________________________________________________ > 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 mooo1...@yahoo.com > > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 14 > Date: Mon, 7 Dec 2015 18:00:17 -0500 > From: Kevin Cozens <ke...@ve3syb.ca> > To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [OT] increasing CW copy speed: practice slow > -v- practice fast > Message-ID: <56660f81.1040...@ve3syb.ca> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed > >> On 15-12-07 12:33 AM, Bill Frantz wrote: >> The DX vocabulary is very small, and it is fairly easy to learn it at high >> speed. The major words are: >> >> CQ, AGN, ?, UP, TU, and your own call sign. > > The other major word during a lot of contests, or for DX, is "5nn". > > -- > Cheers! > > Kevin. > > http://www.ve3syb.ca/ |"Nerds make the shiny things that distract > Owner of Elecraft K2 #2172 | the mouth-breathers, and that's why we're > | powerful!" > #include <disclaimer/favourite> | --Chris Hardwick > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 15 > Date: Mon, 7 Dec 2015 18:39:44 -0500 > From: Don Wilhelm <w3...@embarqmail.com> > To: CRAIG SCHROEDER <craigschroe...@mac.com>, > "elecraft@mailman.qth.net" <elecraft@mailman.qth.net> > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Advice on First HF Antenna > Message-ID: <566618c0.2010...@embarqmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed > > Craig, > > For the home station, your first consideration is build or buy. It is > quite easy to build a pair of dipoles, one for 40 and one for 20 if > those are your most desirable bands. Get some wire, and some good coax > and a good common mode choke for each antenna and use the ARRL handbook > section on dipoles to build your own - it is not difficult. > Look at what you have for antenna supports - the higher the better, but > for 40 meters, 50 feet is a suggested minimum for good performance. > If you have only one support that high, an inverted Vee works nicely. > Use resonant dipoles center fed and feed with 50 ohm coax. Low loss > RG8X is almost as low loss as RG8 but not as heavy. If you are going to > run power, use the RG-8 or RG-213 right from the start. > > With a single tall support, for an inverted Vee configuration, position > a 40 meter radiator at right angles with a 20 meter radiator and feed > both with a single feedline. Being placed at right angles to each > other, there is little if any interaction. Get the ends of the > inverted Vee radiators up as high as possible - if you can get the ends > up to the same height as the center, that is great - you will have a > pair of dipoles, so much the better. > Put the dipoles up, cut a bit long from what the "formula" tells you, > and then trim it a bit at a time for the lowest SWR or for a reactance > of zero should you have access to an antenna analyzer at the midpoint of > your operating frequency. > > If you have room for another dipole, consider adding a multiband antenna > such as a G5RV so you can explore bands other than 40 and 20. > > Use a good common mode choke at the antenna feedpoint (for the G5RV at > the junction of the parallel feedline and the coax). You will need a > tuner for a G5RV or most any other multiband antennas. > > If your horizontal space is limited, try a vertical. I can recommend > the GAP Titan, being a halfwave vertical, it needs no radials. Mount > the base 10 feet off the ground so the loop for 40 meters is above head > level and use a good common mode choke at the feedpoint. > > This is just for starters on your antenna quest. That quest is an > ongoing exercise for most hams. > Do not strive for the "best" antenna for starters, just get something up > in the air and start operating - with time you will be able to determine > how you want to improve your antenna farm. > > For portable QRP operation, take a look at the End Fed Halfwave antennas > offered by LNR Precision - They work and they have a good "trail > friendly" lightweight version. An EFHW can be easily deployed with one > end in a tree and the other end near the transmitter. > If your field operations are more of the picnic table variety than the > backpacking type, then consider a 32 foot heavy duty telescoping pole to > hold up the center of an inverted VEE antenna. Tie the center of a > dipole antenna to the top of the pole and push it up - anchor the pole > to whatever vertical support is available with bungy cords. Extend the > radiator ends out to whatever bushes or other supports are available. > > So my suggestion is to start simple with homebuilt dipoles or other wire > antennas, then grow your antenna farm after you get on the air and > determine what you really want, and that may be a 150 foot tower with > stacked rotating beams sometime in the future. If you have space and > want "beam" antennas using wire, consider 4 130 foot wires spaced 45 > degrees apart (total of 180 degrees spread) and you will have V-beams > that can be steered - a very effective beam on 20 meters, but does > require some feedline switching to select the pair of radiators to > properly direct the radiation (it is bi-directional). > > 73, > Don W3FPR > > >> On 12/7/2015 5:13 PM, CRAIG SCHROEDER wrote: >> I am pretty new ham and a brand new KX3/PX3 owner excited to try my hand at >> DX'ing! If you were buying your first HF base antenna, primarily looking >> for performance on 20 and 40 meters, what would you recommend? Also, what >> do you suggest as a high performance field antenna for QRP? > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 16 > Date: Mon, 7 Dec 2015 16:47:06 -0700 > From: "Augie \"Gus\" Hansen" <augie.han...@comcast.net> > To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Advice on First HF Antenna > Message-ID: <56661a7a....@comcast.net> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed > > > >> On 12/7/2015 3:41 PM, Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT wrote: >> Wire antennas are flexible, work well and are incredibly inexpensive. > > Agreed - you can afford to experiment and learn a lot about antennas by > building simple wire dipoles and loops before investing big money in > towers and aluminum. And getting a copy of the ARRL Antenna Book, even > an old edition at a swap meet or from a ham friend is highly recommended. > >> Put up as many as you can as big as you can. If they stay up, they >> were too small. > > Nah, let's get Craig started in the right direction. When I got into ham > radio in the 1970s I often heard the expression "if your antenna didn't > fall down last winter it wasn't big enough." But that's kind of like > saying "If you're driving on the highway and you don't crash you're not > driving fast enough." > > I prefer to suggest that we should try to design and construct antennas > well so that they stay up and work right. Putting a pulley and weight on > the support of one end of a dipole suspended between two trees to > accommodate tension changes from wind is an example of good technique. > > Happy antenna building Craig. > > Gus Hansen > KB0YH > > > > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 17 > Date: Mon, 7 Dec 2015 23:54:00 +0000 > From: "Dauer, Edward" <eda...@law.du.edu> > To: "elecraft@mailman.qth.net" <elecraft@mailman.qth.net> > Subject: [Elecraft] K3S rocking on flat surface - SOLVED! > Message-ID: <4cc216bc-b912-45c6-adde-37a67797b...@law.du.edu> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" > > Hmmm . . . If the parts inventory was accurate at the outset, does this > mean that somewhere inside there is a standoff that?s 1/32 too short? > > Sorry about that . . . Someone once said that it?s a lawyer?s job to worry > about things that aren?t going to happen. > > Ted, KN1CBR > > > > > On 12/7/15, 2:36 PM, "elecraft-requ...@mailman.qth.net" > <elecraft-requ...@mailman.qth.net> wrote: > >> Message: 22 >> Date: Mon, 7 Dec 2015 09:43:28 -0800 >> From: Phil Wheeler <w...@socal.rr.com> >> To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net >> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3S rocking on flat surface - SOLVED! >> Message-ID: <5665c540.6010...@socal.rr.com> >> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed >> >> Uhhh .. it seems we all miss *something*, Bob :-) >> Good that it resulted only in "rocking on a flat >> surface" vs. smoke or worse! >> >> 73, Phil W7OX > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 18 > Date: Mon, 07 Dec 2015 18:58:26 -0500 > From: "Larry W2LJ" <w...@verizon.net> > To: "elecraft" <elecraft@mailman.qth.net> > Subject: [Elecraft] NAQCC Sprint this Tuesday Evening > Message-ID: <7906379f4a0c754685ff72a2cc433703@192.168.1.4> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="ascii" > > The December sprint is this coming Tuesday evening local time (December 8th, > EDT - 8:30-10:30PM, CDT - 7:30-9:30PM, MDT - 6:30-8:30PM, PDT - 5:30-7:30PM), > which translates as Wednesday, December 9th, 0130 to 0330Z in all cases. > > For all the "official" information, please go to: > > http://naqcc.info/sprint201512.html > > There you will find all the details as to time, frequencies and other > important > information. > > Certificates: SWA (simple wire antennas) certificates by call area, VE and DX > for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finishers (New!). A Certificate for top score in > the > GAIN antenna category. > > Prizes: Too many to list!! - check out the prizes page on our website. > > This is a monthly event that caters to the CW veteran, the CW newcomer, > straight > key and bug fans. All are welcome to participate (this includes QRO); but you > must use QRP power levels to compete for awards. > > If you've been hesitant to join in our sprints because you hear other sprints > running at breakneck speeds, have no fear. Our sprints are geared to the > newcomer to CW and/or contesting. Virtually everyone including the many > veteran > contesters who regularly enter our sprints will slow down to YOUR speed to > help > you make your contacts. > > If you are not already a member of NAQCC... membership is FREE! Now is your > chance to join the largest QRP CW Club in the world!! We currently have 7100+ > members in: All 50 States - 9 VE Provinces - 100 Countries. Sign up on the > NAQCC website today (http://naqcc.info/) and receive a handsome certificate, > with your membership number on it, which is good for life. > > Come join us and have a real good time! > > And since this is the last REGULAR Sprint for 2015, may I take the > opportunity on behalf > of the NACQQ to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! > > 72/73 de Larry W2LJ > NAQCC #35 > > for NAQCC > http://naqcc.info/ > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 19 > Date: Mon, 7 Dec 2015 19:18:12 -0500 > From: Sfbonk <sfb...@aol.com> > To: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Advice on First HF Antenna > Message-ID: <1517ef3e855-6783-11...@webstg-m05.mail.aol.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 > > > Another advantage of the 40 & 20 dipoles is that the 40 dipole should load up > well on 15 (while it is still hanging in there prop wise). Will have some > gain and the main lobes will be closer to the wire than broadside, so watch > the orientation for DX coverage. I put up a G5RV at my vacation home and it > loads with a tuner on 80 to 10. Has some gain on the higher bands ,keep in > mind that nulls go along with the gain main lobes. > > W3OU Steve > > > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Don Wilhelm <w3...@embarqmail.com> > To: CRAIG SCHROEDER <craigschroe...@mac.com>; elecraft > <elecraft@mailman.qth.net> > Sent: Mon, Dec 7, 2015 6:41 pm > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Advice on First HF Antenna > > Craig, > > For the home station, your first consideration is build or buy. It is > quite easy to build a pair of dipoles, one for 40 and one for 20 if > those are your most desirable bands. Get some wire, and some good coax > and a good common mode choke for each antenna and use the ARRL handbook > section on dipoles to build your own - it is not difficult. > Look at what you have for antenna supports - the higher the better, but > for 40 meters, 50 feet is a suggested minimum for good performance. > If you have only one support that high, an inverted Vee works nicely. > Use resonant dipoles center fed and feed with 50 ohm coax. Low loss > RG8X is almost as low loss as RG8 but not as heavy. If you are going to > run power, use the RG-8 or RG-213 right from the start. > > With a single tall support, for an inverted Vee configuration, position > a 40 meter radiator at right angles with a 20 meter radiator and feed > both with a single feedline. Being placed at right angles to each > other, there is little if any interaction. Get the ends of the > inverted Vee radiators up as high as possible - if you can get the ends > up to the same height as the center, that is great - you will have a > pair of dipoles, so much the better. > Put the dipoles up, cut a bit long from what the "formula" tells you, > and then trim it a bit at a time for the lowest SWR or for a reactance > of zero should you have access to an antenna analyzer at the midpoint of > your operating frequency. > > If you have room for another dipole, consider adding a multiband antenna > such as a G5RV so you can explore bands other than 40 and 20. > > Use a good common mode choke at the antenna feedpoint (for the G5RV at > the junction of the parallel feedline and the coax). You will need a > tuner for a G5RV or most any other multiband antennas. > > If your horizontal space is limited, try a vertical. I can recommend > the GAP Titan, being a halfwave vertical, it needs no radials. Mount > the base 10 feet off the ground so the loop for 40 meters is above head > level and use a good common mode choke at the feedpoint. > > This is just for starters on your antenna quest. That quest is an > ongoing exercise for most hams. > Do not strive for the "best" antenna for starters, just get something up > in the air and start operating - with time you will be able to determine > how you want to improve your antenna farm. > > For portable QRP operation, take a look at the End Fed Halfwave antennas > offered by LNR Precision - They work and they have a good "trail > friendly" lightweight version. An EFHW can be easily deployed with one > end in a tree and the other end near the transmitter. > If your field operations are more of the picnic table variety than the > backpacking type, then consider a 32 foot heavy duty telescoping pole to > hold up the center of an inverted VEE antenna. Tie the center of a > dipole antenna to the top of the pole and push it up - anchor the pole > to whatever vertical support is available with bungy cords. Extend the > radiator ends out to whatever bushes or other supports are available. > > So my suggestion is to start simple with homebuilt dipoles or other wire > antennas, then grow your antenna farm after you get on the air and > determine what you really want, and that may be a 150 foot tower with > stacked rotating beams sometime in the future. If you have space and > want "beam" antennas using wire, consider 4 130 foot wires spaced 45 > degrees apart (total of 180 degrees spread) and you will have V-beams > that can be steered - a very effective beam on 20 meters, but does > require some feedline switching to select the pair of radiators to > properly direct the radiation (it is bi-directional). > > 73, > Don W3FPR > > >> On 12/7/2015 5:13 PM, CRAIG SCHROEDER wrote: >> I am pretty new ham and a brand new KX3/PX3 owner excited to try my hand at >> DX'ing! If you were buying your first HF base antenna, primarily looking >> for performance on 20 and 40 meters, what would you recommend? Also, what >> do you suggest as a high performance field antenna for QRP? > > ______________________________________________________________ > 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 sfb...@aol.com > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 20 > Date: Mon, 7 Dec 2015 19:21:07 -0500 > From: Don Wilhelm <w3...@embarqmail.com> > To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3S rocking on flat surface - SOLVED! > Message-ID: <56662273.7070...@embarqmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed > > Ted, > > Since that builder was able to swap the wrong standoff for the right > one, I think the inventory would have been correct, but that builder > simply selected the wrong one during his assembly process. Not an > uncommon occurrence - no "lawyering" required. > 1/32" difference is difficult for some to discern visually - measurement > may be required. > > OTOH, if a wrong part was supplied, pa...@elecraft.com is available to > provide the right part quickly. > > 73, > Don W3FPR > >> On 12/7/2015 6:54 PM, Dauer, Edward wrote: >> Hmmm . . . If the parts inventory was accurate at the outset, does this >> mean that somewhere inside there is a standoff that?s 1/32 too short? >> >> Sorry about that . . . Someone once said that it?s a lawyer?s job to worry >> about things that aren?t going to happen. > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 21 > Date: Mon, 07 Dec 2015 19:31:25 -0500 > From: "Bob Novas" <bob.no...@verizon.net> > To: "'Dauer, Edward'" <eda...@law.du.edu>, <elecraft@mailman.qth.net> > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3S rocking on flat surface - SOLVED! > Message-ID: <022901d1314f$c5c64da0$5152e8e0$@verizon.net> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 > > there's a whole bag of leftover parts. Kinda like when I rebuilt my engine. > :) > >> -----Original Message----- >> From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Dauer, >> Edward >> Sent: Monday, December 07, 2015 6:54 PM >> To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net >> Subject: [Elecraft] K3S rocking on flat surface - SOLVED! >> >> Hmmm . . . If the parts inventory was accurate at the outset, does this >> mean that somewhere inside there is a standoff that?s 1/32 too short? >> >> Sorry about that . . . Someone once said that it?s a lawyer?s job to worry >> about >> things that aren?t going to happen. >> >> Ted, KN1CBR >> >> >> >> >> On 12/7/15, 2:36 PM, "elecraft-requ...@mailman.qth.net" >> <elecraft-requ...@mailman.qth.net> wrote: >> >>> Message: 22 >>> Date: Mon, 7 Dec 2015 09:43:28 -0800 >>> From: Phil Wheeler <w...@socal.rr.com> >>> To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net >>> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3S rocking on flat surface - SOLVED! >>> Message-ID: <5665c540.6010...@socal.rr.com> >>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed >>> >>> Uhhh .. it seems we all miss *something*, Bob :-) Good that it resulted >>> only in "rocking on a flat surface" vs. smoke or worse! >>> >>> 73, Phil W7OX >> ______________________________________________________________ >> 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 bob.no...@verizon.net > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 22 > Date: Tue, 08 Dec 2015 01:27:32 +0000 > From: Robert G Strickland <rc...@verizon.net> > To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Fwd: Re: [OT] increasing CW copy speed: > practice slow -v- practice fast > Message-ID: <56663204.80...@verizon.net> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed > > Bob's approach to increasing speed once a basic level of cw proficiency > has been achieved speak directly to my original thoughts on the subject. > Using a 5-letter group of random letters as the practice message, then > my question, in terms of Bob's approach, could be stated as follows. > Which is the quickest way to achieve some target speed: to start the > group at a speed where only one/two character are correct, or to start > where three/four are correct? I have no doubt that with the regular and > intense "concentration" that Bob advocates, any method [within common > sense limits] will result in higher copying speed. That said, which > starting point is going to get the operator to the target speed the > quickest? I don't know. Most of the folks who can comfortably copy at > speeds in excess of 30wpm seem to be from the "old school" in that many > learned in the military and have been at it a very long time. I have to > believe that their speed developed over time with continuous > usage/practice. Nothing beats time in the saddle. An interesting > "experiment" would be to take a bunch of hams who can copy at 20wpm, > divide them into the two approaches being discussed and "measure" how > long it takes each group to be comfortable at 30/35wpm. A human factors > issue is a person's task motivation and tolerance for frustration. > Starting with only one character correct out of five may be pretty > daunting for some and a piece of cake for others. But, that's a separate > issue. > > Enjoying and learning from the discussion. Thanks Elecraft! > > ...robert > >> On 12/6/2015 08:00, Robert Harmon wrote: >> >> Bill, >> >> We are not discussing entry level code learning. We are discussing >> increasing your code speed on receive. And speed is vitally important ! >> K7QQ is not the only one that can copy high speed CW, there are many of >> us out here. Transitioning to higher speed copy can be done through >> systematic and regular exercise. I have been a CW operator for over >> 40 years and it wasn't until fairly late in the game that I accepted the >> advice from several high speed ops on how to progress past mediocre copy >> speed. ( I will share this below) >> First we need to realize there are two distinct types of training for >> CW. The first is developing your rote memorization skills for learning >> the characters. I recommend the Farnsworth method for this. With >> Farnsworth the characters are sent faster than the words. For instance >> at 10 wpm each character is sent at 20 wpm but enough time is added to >> slow down the rate to 10 wpm. The ARRL adopted this method years ago >> for their morse code training materials and the W1AW morse >> transmissions. For example when W1AW is sending at 18 wpm the >> characters are sent at 20 wpm. >> >> Now to increase your speed you need to approach your training >> differently. (which is the subject of Roberts >> original post) There are different variations of the training used to >> increase your speed but they all have a >> common denominator. They all in some form or another introduce copying >> at a faster speed (go figure) >> >> Here is what I found to be most effective method for me I learned from >> other ops. >> Its great to spend time in the saddle copying QSO's in which your >> current copying speed will allow, but to really increase your copying >> speed you need to spend some time exercising your copying abilities each >> day by practice copying ONLY at speeds faster than you can comfortably >> copy. You wont increase your copying speed by always copying at the >> same comfortable speeds. Practice at a speed where you are only able to >> copy one or two characters in each word. Concentrate !! Do this for >> only 10 minutes each day. If you are really concentrating you will find >> 10 minutes is about when you are ready to throw in the towel for the day >> anyway Later on after you find you are able to copy about half of the >> overall text then increase the speed back to where you can only copy one >> or two characters in each word. (This isn't supposed to be easy this is >> a training exercise.) >> Try this only ten minutes a day and see what happens ! Also this needs >> to be practiced regularly, every day and if you miss a day, no worries, >> jump back in. Many hams never improve their speed and are content when >> they reach around 20 wpm max. In many chasing DX and contest operating >> CW activities it gives you an big advantage to be able to operate at >> higher speeds. We have all heard the high speed ops during a contest >> and marvel at how fast their contacts go by. It is great to be able to >> match their speed and grab a contact ! Its not that difficult folks, >> just 10 minutes a day of concentrated practice. As you are gaining your >> speed don't get frustrated over losing a word or words when you are in a >> CW QSO and losing the intelligibility of the conversation, that happens >> to all of us and will be remedied when you copying speed is increased. >> Lastly, you will with practice, increase your "comfortable" copy speed >> to upwards of 30 to 35 wpm and more. >> You will be able to really enjoy morse as a language. You will sit >> there and listen to sentences and >> paragraphs go by in your head with complete understanding. It is very >> enjoyable ! >> >> >> 73, >> Bob >> K6UJ >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> On 12/5/15 11:54 AM, Bill Rowlett wrote: >>> The best way to learn CW is the same as learning any language, by the >>> sound of the letters or charters. The speed you use to practice is not >>> important, it is writing down the letter when heard, over and over >>> again. K7QO has a CW program on his site which does just that. Also, >>> it is finding the time and dedication to put in the time needed. K7QO >>> by the way has won copy contest at over 100wpm, he knows what he speaks. >>> >>> Just my two cents. Now, back to the practice. >>> >>> 73 and good DX >>> >>> Bill KC4ATU >>> >>> >>> On Dec 5, 2015, at 2:37 PM, Kevin Stover<kevin.sto...@mediacombb.net> >>> wrote: >>> >>>> I've always thought the Farnsworth method was directly responsible >>>> for the "10 wpm wall" newcomers were running into. Reading "The Art >>>> and Skill of Radio Telegraphy" Pierpont says the same thing. By >>>> stretching the time between words you give people more time to >>>> translate. if your going to copy Morse faster than about 10wpm you >>>> don't have time to translate. You have to know the character as soon >>>> as you hear it without using the look up table in your head. The Koch >>>> method has no exaggerated spacing between words or elements. You want >>>> to be proficient at 35 wpm, you practice with dit/dah and word speed >>>> set for 35 wpm. >>>> >>>> Building speed on the air is great as long as the code you are >>>> copying is "good" code meaning close to properly spaced and timed >>>> code. The nice thing about the computer programs is they send perfect >>>> code. With G4FON you can make it more realistic by adding QRM, QRN >>>> and QSB in varying levels. The only thing your missing is an old >>>> timer on his bug sending with the "Lake Erie Swing". >>>> >>>> -- >>>> R. Kevin Stover >>>> AC0H >>>> ARRL >>>> FISTS #11993 >>>> SKCC #215 >>>> NAQCC #3441 >>>> >>>> >>>> --- >>>> This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. >>>> https://www.avast.com/antivirus >>>> >>>> ______________________________________________________________ >>>> 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 tokc4...@hotmail.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 tok...@pacbell.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 rc...@verizon.net > > -- > Robert G Strickland, PhD ABPH - KE2WY > rc...@verizon.net.usa > Syracuse, New York, USA > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 23 > Date: Mon, 7 Dec 2015 20:46:33 -0500 > From: Don Wilhelm <w3...@embarqmail.com> > To: Robert G Strickland <rc...@verizon.net>, elecraft@mailman.qth.net > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Fwd: Re: [OT] increasing CW copy speed: > practice slow -v- practice fast > Message-ID: <56663679....@embarqmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed > > Robert, > > What is missing is that each person learns at a different level and > pace. Each of us has our brains "wired differently". > In other words, what will work well for one person does not mean that it > will work well for all. > The quickest way to increasing CW speed is to get on the air and start > copying stations that stretch your current copying speed. In other > words, push yourself to higher speeds even if you cannot copy everything. > ARRL Code Practice is good up to 35 WPM, so try that, but on the air > conversations may drop you back to 25 WPM because of CW being sent > imperfectly. > When you can copy imperfect code (from a bug or keyer without perfect > spacing), then you have 'arrived'. > > There is no substitute for practice - I advocate the 10 minutes a day at > trying to copy above your comfortable speed limit. More time than that > leads to frustration. > > 73, > Don W3FPR > >> On 12/7/2015 8:27 PM, Robert G Strickland wrote: >> Bob's approach to increasing speed once a basic level of cw >> proficiency has been achieved speak directly to my original thoughts >> on the subject. Using a 5-letter group of random letters as the >> practice message, then my question, in terms of Bob's approach, could >> be stated as follows. Which is the quickest way to achieve some target >> speed: to start the group at a speed where only one/two character are >> correct, or to start where three/four are correct? I have no doubt >> that with the regular and intense "concentration" that Bob advocates, >> any method [within common sense limits] will result in higher copying >> speed. That said, which starting point is going to get the operator to >> the target speed the quickest? I don't know. Most of the folks who can >> comfortably copy at speeds in excess of 30wpm seem to be from the "old >> school" in that many learned in the military and have been at it a >> very long time. I have to believe that their speed developed over time >> with continuous usage/practice. Nothing beats time in the saddle. An >> interesting "experiment" would be to take a bunch of hams who can copy >> at 20wpm, divide them into the two approaches being discussed and >> "measure" how long it takes each group to be comfortable at 30/35wpm. >> A human factors issue is a person's task motivation and tolerance for >> frustration. Starting with only one character correct out of five may >> be pretty daunting for some and a piece of cake for others. But, >> that's a separate issue. > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 24 > Date: Mon, 7 Dec 2015 17:48:48 -0800 > From: Jim Brown <j...@audiosystemsgroup.com> > To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Advice on First HF Antenna > Message-ID: <56663700.3060...@audiosystemsgroup.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed > >> On Mon,12/7/2015 2:13 PM, CRAIG SCHROEDER wrote: >> I am pretty new ham and a brand new KX3/PX3 owner excited to try my hand at >> DX'ing! If you were buying your first HF base antenna, primarily looking >> for performance on 20 and 40 meters, what would you recommend? > > Real hams don't BUY antennas, we BUILD them. Antennas are the most > important part of any station, and until you get into a tri-band beam, > it is easy to build better than you can buy, and for a tiny fraction of > the cost. > > First, BUY a copy of the ARRL Handbook and the ARRL Antenna Book. STUDY > (not quick read, but STUDY) these books so that you understand how > antennas work. Next, STUDY the resources at your real estate -- what's > available to support one or more wires up in the air? If the answer is > nothing, then consider buying a multi-band vertical. Suggestions about > that later. > > If you can support only one point, use it to support one or two "fan" > dipoles. Build one fan for 80 and 40M, and hang the center from the very > top of your single support. If you have two supports widely spaced > enough, hang it between them. Build a second fan dipole for 20, 15 and > 10M. On these bands, 30-40 ft is a good height. Feed these antennas with > 50 ohm coax. If the feedline will be much longer than about 100 ft, use > RG8 to minimize feedline losses. > > If you're limited to a vertical, go with the biggest Cushcraft R-series > you can afford, and try to mount it on your roof. HF verticals work > better up in the air than on the ground. Again, feed it with 50 ohm > coax, use the bigger RG8 if the feedline is very long. > > There are lots of practical tutorials about how to build antennas on my > website. k9yc.com/publish.htm Start with the slide show and the short > written piece about Antennas For Limited Space. > > For portable QRP use -- start with plain ordinary insulated wire. #18 - > #22 is a good size. Unroll a length close to a quarter wave, toss it > into a tree, using string or rope to hold it up. Unroll a second length > close to a quarter wave and connect it to the chassis of the KX3. Much > cheaper and works far better than so-called QRP antennas that you buy. > If there are no trees around where you plan to operate, buy one of the > telescoping fiberglass poles designed to hold wire antennas and tape the > wire to it that you would have tossed into a tree. Connect the second > wire to the chassis. There's a photo of me on my qrz.com page doing > exactly this about 12 years ago at a county park near Chicago. The rig > is a K2. > > 73, Jim K9YC > > >> Also, what do you suggest as a high performance field antenna for QRP? > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 25 > Date: Tue, 08 Dec 2015 02:12:37 +0000 > From: Robert G Strickland <rc...@verizon.net> > To: w3...@embarqmail.com, elecraft@mailman.qth.net > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Fwd: Re: [OT] increasing CW copy speed: > practice slow -v- practice fast > Message-ID: <56663c95.9040...@verizon.net> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed > > Don... > > For sure, individual differences make for a big difference, both in the > rate of learning and the appropriateness of any one approach. I think we > all agree that "stretching your current copying speed" is the only way > to get faster. That's certainly my experience. I think my curiosity > comes down to how much "stretch" is the sweet spot [individual > difference aside]. Lots of stretch - few characters/words copied, versus > some stretch - most characters/words copied. > > Speaking of individual factors... I was just practicing with Rufz and > noticed how long I "hang" on the first character which inevitably leads > to subsequent errors. So, I pushed myself to almost "ignore" the first > character and move right along. Overall error rate dropped > significantly. So, yes, lots going on. Nothing beats practicing, for > sure. Have a good day. > > ...robert > >> On 12/8/2015 01:46, Don Wilhelm wrote: >> Robert, >> >> What is missing is that each person learns at a different level and >> pace. Each of us has our brains "wired differently". >> In other words, what will work well for one person does not mean that it >> will work well for all. >> The quickest way to increasing CW speed is to get on the air and start >> copying stations that stretch your current copying speed. In other >> words, push yourself to higher speeds even if you cannot copy everything. >> ARRL Code Practice is good up to 35 WPM, so try that, but on the air >> conversations may drop you back to 25 WPM because of CW being sent >> imperfectly. >> When you can copy imperfect code (from a bug or keyer without perfect >> spacing), then you have 'arrived'. >> >> There is no substitute for practice - I advocate the 10 minutes a day at >> trying to copy above your comfortable speed limit. More time than that >> leads to frustration. >> >> 73, >> Don W3FPR >> >>> On 12/7/2015 8:27 PM, Robert G Strickland wrote: >>> Bob's approach to increasing speed once a basic level of cw >>> proficiency has been achieved speak directly to my original thoughts >>> on the subject. Using a 5-letter group of random letters as the >>> practice message, then my question, in terms of Bob's approach, could >>> be stated as follows. Which is the quickest way to achieve some target >>> speed: to start the group at a speed where only one/two character are >>> correct, or to start where three/four are correct? I have no doubt >>> that with the regular and intense "concentration" that Bob advocates, >>> any method [within common sense limits] will result in higher copying >>> speed. That said, which starting point is going to get the operator to >>> the target speed the quickest? I don't know. Most of the folks who can >>> comfortably copy at speeds in excess of 30wpm seem to be from the "old >>> school" in that many learned in the military and have been at it a >>> very long time. I have to believe that their speed developed over time >>> with continuous usage/practice. Nothing beats time in the saddle. An >>> interesting "experiment" would be to take a bunch of hams who can copy >>> at 20wpm, divide them into the two approaches being discussed and >>> "measure" how long it takes each group to be comfortable at 30/35wpm. >>> A human factors issue is a person's task motivation and tolerance for >>> frustration. Starting with only one character correct out of five may >>> be pretty daunting for some and a piece of cake for others. But, >>> that's a separate issue. > > -- > Robert G Strickland, PhD ABPH - KE2WY > rc...@verizon.net.usa > Syracuse, New York, USA > > > ------------------------------ > > Subject: Digest Footer > > _______________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > You must be a subscriber to post. > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com > > ------------------------------ > > End of Elecraft Digest, Vol 140, Issue 11 > ***************************************** ______________________________________________________________ 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
