Re: [Elecraft] K3: CW feature request
Added to the list -- thanks for the suggestion. 73, Wayne N6KR On Dec 1, 2009, at 10:43 PM, Ralph Parker wrote: > I've tried really hard to adjust to CW on LSB, but it just doesn't > work for > me. > To make matters worse, much software (eg. N1MM) insists on re- > setting the > CW mode to 'normal' (after I've set it to 'REV') at the most > inopportune > moments. > > I plead for a CONFIG option to set CW 'normal' to USB. > I'd even pay money for this! > > VE7XF __ 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
[Elecraft] K3: CW feature request
I've tried really hard to adjust to CW on LSB, but it just doesn't work for me. To make matters worse, much software (eg. N1MM) insists on re-setting the CW mode to 'normal' (after I've set it to 'REV') at the most inopportune moments. I plead for a CONFIG option to set CW 'normal' to USB. I'd even pay money for this! VE7XF __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3: killing RX key clicks
Paul Christensen wrote: >> When I first received my Icom 756Pro (now my backup rig) several years >> ago I discovered that the default rise/fall times (adjustable in one of >> the menus) was set to 2 msec (!). That's unconscionable... > > It's unconscionable with some rigs, but not all. Take a look at the K3's > keying envelope on a scope since the ca. 3.00 firmware release earlier this > year. Compare it against the QST Product Reviews. I currently measure the > rise time of about 2.5 msec and the K3 occupies minimal RF spectrum. Even > at very fast CW speeds, it's the slope of the rise and fall that primarily > determines occupied bandwidth. As keying speed increases, there's a point > where the keying rate becomes a dominant factor but that's largely due to > the fact that as the keying rate increases so must the envelope slope. > > The clicks heard with many transmitters occurs because the slope is > discontinuous. Using a Blackman-Harris or raised-cosine window function > minimizes occupied bandwidth but that function is also dependent on envelope > distortion created by a transmitter's ALC circuitry. So, it's possible to > set two completely different brands of transmitters to 2 msec and the > bandwidth results can be radically different. > > Paul W9AC > Are you sure about 2.5 ms? As far as I remember I measured my K3 to about 5 ms and Elecraft also stated 5 ms. This was over a year ago however, if 2.5 is correct they have changed it or my memmory is corrupted. / SM2EKM __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] [K3] K3: Yaesu copies K3's design
Just under 53 pounds! I have a question for Rob or anyone who might know. What is Yaesu's mu-Tuning unit? Is it just a preselector? I remember Motorola using helical resonators many years ago. -- View this message in context: http://n2.nabble.com/K3-Yaesu-copies-K3-s-design-tp4049475p4098047.html Sent from the [K3] mailing list archive at Nabble.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
[Elecraft] K3 in the CQWW contest
>I did call QRL? a few times before starting my run. He obviously felt I was a bit close to his run frequency so He spotted me with a comment. > (other other similar posts) It's good that you called "QRL?and that may be "cool" to slip in close to somebody's "run" freq, but the problem is that other stations calling him may not be on the run stations freqit's common to spread out a little. So, in that regard, you could be causing QRM, especially to weak signal DX calling him. It's also quite common for a run station to select a slightly "wide" filter so they don't miss the off-freq signals. Charlie, N0TT __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft Digest, Vol 68, Issue 1
> Another one that may have always been there and I never noticed , when engaging the NB control the signals drop noticably, my settings are T1-4 and IF Narrow -4 when I press NB to remove power line noise the signal also drops in strength, as I say that may be "normal" and I have not noticed it before. Right... I also noticed that the the RX audio would sometimes take a long time to recover after transmitting. It acts like a very long AGC, so long that I would occasionally miss the other station's snappy return. I'm using the latest firmware. 73, Charlie, N0TT __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Data Mode Change on Split
Fixed in 3.59. On Dec 1, 2009, at 7:47 PM, Lee Finkel wrote: > Using 3.57 when I go split on RTTY and listen on B, the mode changes > from > FSK-D to AFSK-A on its own. I change it back to FSK-D and if I do not > switch from A to B, no problem, but as soon as I do switch it goes > back to > AFSK-A. > > Lee, KY7M __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Data Mode Change on Split
Hi Lee, We fixed this in the latest beta-test revision (now a production release). 73, Wayne N6KR On Dec 1, 2009, at 7:47 PM, Lee Finkel wrote: > Using 3.57 when I go split on RTTY and listen on B, the mode changes > from > FSK-D to AFSK-A on its own. I change it back to FSK-D and if I do not > switch from A to B, no problem, but as soon as I do switch it goes > back to > AFSK-A. > > Lee, KY7M __ 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
[Elecraft] Data Mode Change on Split
Using 3.57 when I go split on RTTY and listen on B, the mode changes from FSK-D to AFSK-A on its own. I change it back to FSK-D and if I do not switch from A to B, no problem, but as soon as I do switch it goes back to AFSK-A. Lee, KY7M __ 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
[Elecraft] K1 For Sale
Hello All, I am selling my K1 #2646. Purchased last October and finished in June of this year. 2 band module 80 and 15. Internal battery kit installed. Works great. Price is lowered to $300. 73, Jim C KC2ROF __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Touch Lamps
Back In my youth I lived in this little grandmother cottage (converted garage) behind a house in San Jose. One day, after I had been on 75 meters the previous night with my HW-101 and SB-220 (the cottage didn't have a 230V line but did have both sides so I made a 230V "extension cord"), the neighbor in the front house came back to talk to me. His wife had heard a loud "WOH-WOH-WOH" coming from the TV set (not turned on) the previous night around midnight while he was working the graveyard shift. She was scared out of her mind that the TV was poseessed by Satan. She bundled up their 6-month old son and drove immediately to her mother's house in Sacramento. This was when those cheap, non Western Electric phones had just flooded the market. While she was out of the house a few days later, we tracked down the source to that cheap phone rectifying the RF and broadcasting harmonics all over the place. I think I gave them a new phone. Problem solved. 73, Eric WD6DBM __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Aliens showing "Displeasure?"
Some of the newer electric blankets have a CHEAP switching P/S similar to those on laptop power supplies. Check them out too - good possibility as nights are colder. Some stay on whenever plugged in others cycle on and off. Some also have an IR controlled temperature control (at least mine does) that would cause the load to vary and thus the frequency. I need to unplug mine when using the radio. I threw one away that had NO filtering of any type (not even a rf choke or ferrite core) inside the white plastic box containing the switching P/S. Rich JIM DAVIS-11 wrote: > > Gentlemen, > > I'm experiencing an ODD rather broad noise USUALLY on 20m @ the lower end > of the band (CW) between > 14.020 up to about 14.060mhz. -- View this message in context: http://n2.nabble.com/Aliens-showing-Displeasure-tp4091840p4097409.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.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
[Elecraft] Sale...Ranbow Tuner Kit
Original NJQRP/AMQRP kit in original packaging.
Description:
Resistive-type SWR bridge displays the relative SWR by illuminating
combinations of colorful LEDs. Handles up to 5W RF power and includes a tunable
parallel resonant circuit ("ATU") using a tapped inductor that readily tunes an
end-fed half wave antenna to cover 7.0-10.16 MHz. When assembled, pc board
mounts nicely in an Altoids mint tin, included in the kit!
$15.00 + 3.00 shipping.
Check or Money Order ok.
Thanks, Ken, W2GIW
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Re: [Elecraft] K3 static electricity
Re static discharge problems: I've posted this story before but it sounds like it is worth repeating. K3 #95 suffered from ESD when I touched the VFO A knob, and in reaction the radio would go all dark, then re-boot on its own. The first time it occurred, I had no idea of what had just happened and it was a frightening experience. The second time it happened, I felt the shock when I touched the knob and I noticed that I had just finished sliding my wheeled chair over a protective plastic mat over the floor, which pointed to the source of the static electricity. I did three things: 1. Threw away the plastic floor mat; 2. Checked the VFO A encoder shaft to see if it was grounded to the chassis. It wasn't. 3. Had Elecraft fix the encoder grounding problem when I had the radio in there for other reasons. There have been no recurrences and we are well into ESD season here. Gary, VE1RGB -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Greg - AB7R Sent: December 1, 2009 7:51 PM To: a...@cablespeed.com; 'KM5Q'; 'e...@mailman.qth.net; swa...@mailman.qth.net; -...@mailman.qth.net; wa6...@mailman.qth.net; 'Elecraft''e...@elecraft.com; 'Steve Ellington' Cc: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 static electricity Thanks Steve. Please keep k3supp...@elecraft.com informed of what you find. Also check the hex nuts the go over the encoder shaft on the top of the FP (under the knob) to make sure they are snug enough to ensure the bare metal underneath is in contact with the inside tooth washer. If those retaining nuts are not snug you may not have good contact. - 73, Greg - AB7R Whidbey Island WA NA-065 On Tue Dec 1 15:46 , "Steve Ellington" sent: >I'll get the ohmmeter after it tomorrow and find out if the vfo shaft is >actually grounded. Serial #410 but the FP is almost new. I didn't have this >problem last winter so the new FP must need some attention. 73 >Steve >N4LQ >n...@carolina.rr.com >- Original Message - >From: "Greg - AB7R" a...@cablespeed.com> >To: "KM5Q" k...@mac.com>; e...@mailman.qth.net>; >swa...@mailman.qth.net>; -...@mailman.qth.net>; wa6...@mailman.qth.net>; >"Elecraft'" e...@elecraft.com> >Cc: elecraft@mailman.qth.net> >Sent: Tuesday, December 01, 2009 6:19 PM >Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 static electricity > > >>I email'd him when he first posted to check for good bare metal contact >>with the inside >> tooth washer on the encoder shaft behind the FP. Never heard back. >> >> - >> 73, >> Greg - AB7R >> Whidbey Island WA >> NA-065 >> >> >> On Tue Dec 1 15:00 , "Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft" sent: >> >>>I've asked our support guys to contact him. This usually only is a >>>problem on very earlyK3s where the inside area of the front panel sheet >>>metal was not masked off when powder coated. That resulted in leaving >>>the VFO encoder shaft un-grounded. Its possible one of the newer FP >>>sheet metal pieces slipped through our QC inspection with this. >>> >>>73, Eric >>> >>> >>>KM5Q wrote: Hold on a moment Steve. Before you buy a humidifier, let me suggest that something appears to be ungrounded internally as you suggest. My shack is in an unhumidified work space in New Mexico. I can generate a good bit of static if I wear a fleece sweater and slide just so on my office chair. I've zapped against my K3 many times (it's grounded of course) and it's never once caused a reaction. You might want to ask the factory. I think you have a problem. Windy KM5Q >>>__ >>>Elecraft mailing list >>>Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >>>Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >>>Post: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net','','','')">Elecraft@mailman.qth.net >>> >>>This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >>>Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> >> >> __ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net','','','')">Elecraft@mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > > >--- - > > > >No virus found in this incoming message. >Checked by AVG - www.avg.com >Version: 9.0.709 / Virus Database: 270.14.88/2538 - Release Date: 12/01/09 >02:59:00 > __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 in the CQWW contest
My suggestion of a kHz was for operating near the QRP frequencies where simple receivers and rock-bound transmitters are often in use. As I said, I use less spacing in other parts of the band after a "QRL?" although I always listen with a wide bandwidth for those with broad-as-a-barn receivers who may be nearby. Once I'm using a frequency, I don't readily move just because someone parks close by. I do it only if the station(s) I'm working can't copy through him. You are quite right that using "normal" operating procedures isn't very productive in a contest. That's why I'll never be found on a high-scoring contest list. I used to join in contests as a way of seeing how my station was "getting out" but I stopped doing even that when signal reports all became 599. Ron AC7AC -Original Message- Are you recommending in a CW contest that one not engage in running if one cannot find a space with an open kHz above and an open kHz below? :>) Common contest practice in recent decades is 500 kHz between signals regardless of folks without filters. And that seems to be squeezing down to 400 and narrower, which some folks derisively have called the K3 effect. Last weekend I spent nearly 3 hours 350 Hz below HG1-, who had bad clicks, and managed it with the K3's extraordinary DSP NB. He parked up 350 after I had been running on the frequency for nearly an hour. I didn't move and made many Q's on the frequency with him up there. I'm sure he thought I would go away, and I probably didn't bother him at all because my K3's transmitted signal is devoid of key clicks. For casual operation I agree with you, but in the contests, it's just p**ing in the wind. 73, Guy. __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 construction tools:RF Pwr meter 1 mW to 5W, Sig Gen 50uV on 20m or 40m
I put mine together with a digital VOM and an anti-static mat/wristband. Works great. 73, Mike NF4L Richard Hill wrote: > What cheap/accurate tools are available for K3 construction? I'm aware of > the Elecraft XG2 which I think can be used as a signal generator. NorCal QRP > has a NorCal S9 signal generator, but their kits are not currently available. > > I'm struggling to find a 1 mW to 5W capable RF power meter. I have a DL-1, > but think it is not useful at 1 mW. > > Getting ready to build my K3/10. > > Thanks > Rich > NU6T > __ > 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 > > __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 construction tools:RF Pwr meter 1 mW to 5W, Sig Gen 50uV on 20m or 40m
Rich, Yes, you can buy an HP435A with sensors for big bucks, and you will have power measurement accuracy over a wide range. But there are other less expensive ways (homebrew) --- Have you considered building an RF Power Meter? Take a look at the one published by Wes Hayward W7ZOI and Bob Larkin W7PUA in QST June 2001 (pg 38ff) and available in the Member's Only section of the ARRL website. There is additional updated information on Wes's website http://w7zoi.net/Power%20meter%20updates.pdf. That meter, properly constructed, will measure down to about -70 dBm and with the companion 40 dB power tap, it will measure up to 100 watts (+50 dBm). When calibrated it can provide very good accuracy. It does require two known signal levels to calibrate (the Elecraft XG1 or XG2 will provide that), and if the front end is well shielded (see Wes's updates) it will be accurate and if carefully constructed, it is good up to at least 200 MHz, more likely 500 MHz. An analog meter can give reasonable readout, but there is provision for attaching a DMM for more precision. This meter is not only good for measuring 1 mW, but even goes down to the nanowatt region. I like mine, and use it frequently. Use batteries mounted inside the enclosure, do not even think about powering such a sensitive instrument from an external supply if you want the isolation it needs for low level signals. The other good and convenient meter (actually computing SWR and power meter) is the Tandem Match - An Accurate Directional Wattmeter (originally published in QST January 1987), which is still a very good meter - without the coupler, it will measure power from -20 dBm (10 microW) to +32 dBm (1.5 watts) and with careful construction should be good to 500 MHz. With the coupler, its high frequency end is determined primarily by the coupler. This is an older design by Elecraft's own John Grebenkemper KI6WX (his call was KA3BLO at that time). FAR Circuits has boards, but I caution you on these boards - they do not have through plated holes and some traces need to have continuity from one side of the board to the other, so you must solder many components on both sides of the board (ask me how I know!). 73, Don W3FPR Richard Hill wrote: > I'm struggling to find a 1 mW to 5W capable RF power meter. I have a DL-1, > but think it is not useful at 1 mW. > > __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3: killing RX key clicks
> The 'RC rise/decay' wave shape that was in the handbooks for many years > is actually a *bad* shape because it has a very sharp corner on key-up. Ian, *bad* may be a bit too harsh. The League's optimized envelope was described during a time when only simple R/C values were used to develop a keyed envelope. I'm not sure how one would have produced an economical Blackman-Harris or raised cosine function until say...the early to mid '90s. How would you have done it? Probably the only solution at the time was to set leading and trailing edges produced by the R/C network so soft that they're painful to copy. Myself, I actually prefer the R/C keying as shown in those issues of the ARRL Handbook for reasons that Ron cited. What I like is a slightly fast leading edge, but an exponential trail of the falling edge. Irrational? Yes, I'll admit it. My favorite rig to listen during a CW rag-chew is either the Drake T-4XC or TR-7. Both produce nearly identical keyed envelopes. And, yes, neither are optimized for minimal bandwidth. However, with just a bit of help on the leading edge, keying bandwidth can be kept reasonably narrow. Paul, W9AC __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 static electricity
Thanks Steve. Please keep k3supp...@elecraft.com informed of what you find. Also check the hex nuts the go over the encoder shaft on the top of the FP (under the knob) to make sure they are snug enough to ensure the bare metal underneath is in contact with the inside tooth washer. If those retaining nuts are not snug you may not have good contact. - 73, Greg - AB7R Whidbey Island WA NA-065 On Tue Dec 1 15:46 , "Steve Ellington" sent: >I'll get the ohmmeter after it tomorrow and find out if the vfo shaft is >actually grounded. Serial #410 but the FP is almost new. I didn't have this >problem last winter so the new FP must need some attention. 73 >Steve >N4LQ >n...@carolina.rr.com >- Original Message - >From: "Greg - AB7R" a...@cablespeed.com> >To: "KM5Q" k...@mac.com>; e...@mailman.qth.net>; >swa...@mailman.qth.net>; -...@mailman.qth.net>; wa6...@mailman.qth.net>; >"Elecraft'" e...@elecraft.com> >Cc: elecraft@mailman.qth.net> >Sent: Tuesday, December 01, 2009 6:19 PM >Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 static electricity > > >>I email'd him when he first posted to check for good bare metal contact >>with the inside >> tooth washer on the encoder shaft behind the FP. Never heard back. >> >> - >> 73, >> Greg - AB7R >> Whidbey Island WA >> NA-065 >> >> >> On Tue Dec 1 15:00 , "Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft" sent: >> >>>I've asked our support guys to contact him. This usually only is a >>>problem on very earlyK3s where the inside area of the front panel sheet >>>metal was not masked off when powder coated. That resulted in leaving >>>the VFO encoder shaft un-grounded. Its possible one of the newer FP >>>sheet metal pieces slipped through our QC inspection with this. >>> >>>73, Eric >>> >>> >>>KM5Q wrote: Hold on a moment Steve. Before you buy a humidifier, let me suggest that something appears to be ungrounded internally as you suggest. My shack is in an unhumidified work space in New Mexico. I can generate a good bit of static if I wear a fleece sweater and slide just so on my office chair. I've zapped against my K3 many times (it's grounded of course) and it's never once caused a reaction. You might want to ask the factory. I think you have a problem. Windy KM5Q >>>__ >>>Elecraft mailing list >>>Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >>>Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >>>Post: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net','','','')">Elecraft@mailman.qth.net >>> >>>This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >>>Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> >> >> __ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net','','','')">Elecraft@mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > > > > > > >No virus found in this incoming message. >Checked by AVG - www.avg.com >Version: 9.0.709 / Virus Database: 270.14.88/2538 - Release Date: 12/01/09 >02:59:00 > __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3: killing RX key clicks
>I suspect that over-driving an external amplifier is a major cause of > excessive clicks on the bands today. Many Hams think that CW doesn't > require > the final amplifier be linear and drive their rigs into saturation. But a > "linear" amplifier needs to be linear for CW just as with any amplitude > modulation (SSB, AM, CW, etc.) Key clicks also occur when bias is suddenly applied to an amp where the transceiver is already producing an RF envelope. I recently experienced this when I purchased the SPE 1K-FA solid-state amp. The amp is advertised as being "Full QSK" compatible. However, it uses general purpose frame relays at the RF input and output. As such, the firmware is programmed to apply bias at a very long 15 msec after the amp's relay line is pulled low by the transceiver. The problem isn't terribly bad with a transceiver like the K3 as its RF envelope can be delayed in the K3 menu. However, rigs like the Icom 7700 and 7800 produce RF at ~ 9 msec. after key closure and there's no menu to adjust it. On the scope, WYSIWYG. In the K3's default setting of 8 msec., my SPE amp was hot switching as a result of bias being applied at 15 msec when the K3 was already producing its RF envelope at exactly 12 msec after key closure. And so, the RF envelope was being truncated by 3 msec in full QSK mode. SPE chose that bias time to give the general-purpose frame relays an opportunity to settle without contact bounce. Sure, the amp's relays were not being hot-switched, but the effect of key clicks is the same when the sudden onset of bias causes the FET output transistors to instantly conduct, producing a sharp vertical rise time of the RF envelope. I then delayed the K3 to 16 msec and the hot-switch problem disappeared. But in doing so, the keyed elements were also being shortened, albeit without RF hot-switching. That fix requires use of pulse-stretching key compensation using an external keyer. Next, I tried using the K3's TX INH handshake with the SPE amp. More dit shortening problems. Was the problem with the K3 or the SPE amp. I honestly don't know and don't care. I only care that there's a viable solution is available. Really, the only way to cleanly fix these problems is at the source of the timing issue. The solution: I ended up modifying a beat-up Ameritron QSK-5, keeping the logic interface between the QSK-5 and the SPE amp100% optically-isolated. http://72.52.250.47/images/QSK-5-Interface.pdf Now, instead of the amp's firmware setting the bias activation time, the QSK-5 tells the SPE amp when to apply bias. QSK is pretty awesome with this set-up and even the first leading 'dit' switches cleanly with no keyed element shortening. Long-term, the fix calls for using a Gigavac GH-1 vacuum relay at the amp's output and an Aromat RSD-12V RF reed relay at the amp's input. SPE has sent me the revised firmware that reduces bias time to 8 msec, but that requires an EEPROM programmer and a spare chip that I need to order. But with either solution, bias key clicks won't be a problem. Paul, W9AC __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3: killing RX key clicks
On Tue, 1 Dec 2009 16:52:00 -0500, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote: >Not quite ... keyclicks are often a second derivative effect. >They occur when the rate of change of the rate of change is >high - specifically at the "corners" of the waveform (a abrupt >change in the slope coupled with high power levels). No disagreement from me on this -- you're simply looking at it in greater detail than my simpllification. 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 6M operation
I've got the preamp, but my antennae have been on the ground since I got the K3. Going back up this weekend, and I'd definitely like to hear what people have to say about it, so I'd appreciate the discussion being held on the reflector. 73, Mike NF4L rfenab...@gmail.com wrote: > Hi, > > Well I just completed my first 6M contest this past weekend and found it > quite good. > > There was some time ago a lot of comments on the K3's sensitivity on 6M. > > The result was Elecraft produced a pre-amp and not much comment has been seen > since. > > If anyone on the list is a 6m operator with a pre-amp it would be good if > they could contact me off list and let me know what they think of running > with or without the pre-amp... > > I don't wish to clog the reflector with this topic. > > Regards > Gary > VK4WT > Sent via BlackBerry® from Telstra > __ > 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 > > __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 static electricity
I'll get the ohmmeter after it tomorrow and find out if the vfo shaft is actually grounded. Serial #410 but the FP is almost new. I didn't have this problem last winter so the new FP must need some attention. 73 Steve N4LQ n...@carolina.rr.com - Original Message - From: "Greg - AB7R" To: "KM5Q" ; <'e...@mailman.qth.net>; ; <-...@mailman.qth.net>; ; "Elecraft'" Cc: Sent: Tuesday, December 01, 2009 6:19 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 static electricity >I email'd him when he first posted to check for good bare metal contact >with the inside > tooth washer on the encoder shaft behind the FP. Never heard back. > > - > 73, > Greg - AB7R > Whidbey Island WA > NA-065 > > > On Tue Dec 1 15:00 , "Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft" sent: > >>I've asked our support guys to contact him. This usually only is a >>problem on very earlyK3s where the inside area of the front panel sheet >>metal was not masked off when powder coated. That resulted in leaving >>the VFO encoder shaft un-grounded. Its possible one of the newer FP >>sheet metal pieces slipped through our QC inspection with this. >> >>73, Eric >> >> >>KM5Q wrote: >>> Hold on a moment Steve. Before you buy a humidifier, let me suggest >>> that something appears to be ungrounded internally as you suggest. My >>> shack is in an unhumidified work space in New Mexico. I can generate a >>> good bit of static if I wear a fleece sweater and slide just so on my >>> office chair. I've zapped against my K3 many times (it's grounded of >>> course) and it's never once caused a reaction. >>> >>> You might want to ask the factory. I think you have a problem. >>> >>> Windy KM5Q >>> >>> >>__ >>Elecraft mailing list >>Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >>Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >>Post: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net','','','')">Elecraft@mailman.qth.net >> >>This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >>Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > > > __ > 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 No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.709 / Virus Database: 270.14.88/2538 - Release Date: 12/01/09 02:59:00 __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3: killing RX key clicks
Joe Subich, W4TV wrote: > > >> Clicks are a function of a FAST RISE TIME and DISTORTION, not >> keying speed. > >Not quite ... keyclicks are often a second derivative effect. >They occur when the rate of change of the rate of change is >high - specifically at the "corners" of the waveform (a abrupt >change in the slope coupled with high power levels). > >At one time W8JI had some scope and spectrum samples of CW >waveforms with "slow" rise/fall rates but very bad clicks. >In every case the ramp was fine but there was an abrupt change >when the ramp reached the steady state (on) condition or at >instant of transition from the steady state (on) condition to >the start of the decay phase. > Correct - both the overall rise/fall time and absence of sharp corners are important. W9CF shows that an optimum wave shape has a gradual start, accelerating to a more rapid rise/fall through the middle part, and then slowing to a more gradual finish. The 'RC rise/decay' wave shape that was in the handbooks for many years is actually a *bad* shape because it has a very sharp corner on key-up. Another factor that can cause nasty key-clicks from a K3 is the default TX delay of 8ms. This may not be enough time for some amplifiers to change over, causing clicks due to hot-switching. This time can be increased using CONFIG / TX DLY. -- 73 from Ian GM3SEK http://www.ifwtech.co.uk/g3sek __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 static electricity
I email'd him when he first posted to check for good bare metal contact with the inside tooth washer on the encoder shaft behind the FP. Never heard back. - 73, Greg - AB7R Whidbey Island WA NA-065 On Tue Dec 1 15:00 , "Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft" sent: >I've asked our support guys to contact him. This usually only is a >problem on very earlyK3s where the inside area of the front panel sheet >metal was not masked off when powder coated. That resulted in leaving >the VFO encoder shaft un-grounded. Its possible one of the newer FP >sheet metal pieces slipped through our QC inspection with this. > >73, Eric > > >KM5Q wrote: >> Hold on a moment Steve. Before you buy a humidifier, let me suggest >> that something appears to be ungrounded internally as you suggest. My >> shack is in an unhumidified work space in New Mexico. I can generate a >> good bit of static if I wear a fleece sweater and slide just so on my >> office chair. I've zapped against my K3 many times (it's grounded of >> course) and it's never once caused a reaction. >> >> You might want to ask the factory. I think you have a problem. >> >> Windy KM5Q >> >> >__ >Elecraft mailing list >Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >Post: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net','','','')">Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > >This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 construction tools:RF Pwr meter 1 mW to 5W, Sig Gen 50uV on 20m or 40m
On Tuesday 01 December 2009 01:59:36 pm Richard Hill wrote: > What cheap/accurate tools are available for K3 construction? I'm aware of > the Elecraft XG2 which I think can be used as a signal generator. NorCal > QRP has a NorCal S9 signal generator, but their kits are not currently > available. > > I'm struggling to find a 1 mW to 5W capable RF power meter. I have a DL-1, > but think it is not useful at 1 mW. > Here is what I used for my PFR-3, K1 and K2. Doesn't really fit into the "cheap" category, but ... http://www.ohr.com/wattmeter.htm Gary -- KJ7RT Sun City, AZ U.S.A. Life Member ARRL - FISTS #14460 - NAQCC # 3709 Elecraft K1 #2760 Elecraft K2 #6815 __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 static electricity
I've asked our support guys to contact him. This usually only is a problem on very earlyK3s where the inside area of the front panel sheet metal was not masked off when powder coated. That resulted in leaving the VFO encoder shaft un-grounded. Its possible one of the newer FP sheet metal pieces slipped through our QC inspection with this. 73, Eric KM5Q wrote: > Hold on a moment Steve. Before you buy a humidifier, let me suggest > that something appears to be ungrounded internally as you suggest. My > shack is in an unhumidified work space in New Mexico. I can generate a > good bit of static if I wear a fleece sweater and slide just so on my > office chair. I've zapped against my K3 many times (it's grounded of > course) and it's never once caused a reaction. > > You might want to ask the factory. I think you have a problem. > > Windy KM5Q > > __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3: killing RX key clicks
I suspect that over-driving an external amplifier is a major cause of excessive clicks on the bands today. Many Hams think that CW doesn't require the final amplifier be linear and drive their rigs into saturation. But a "linear" amplifier needs to be linear for CW just as with any amplitude modulation (SSB, AM, CW, etc.) Ron AC7AC -Original Message- It IS better since he converted to K3s a couple of years ago, but his splatter was 10 kHz wide during SS. Another guy, a casual operator and sometimes contester, runs a high priced ICOM rig into a high priced auto-tune power amp. He's also a click generator. 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
Re: [Elecraft] K2 in CQ WW
Yeah, and the K2 has MOJO. It's just simple and pure. ;-) Gary, N7HTS __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 in the CQWW contest
Hi John, While I agree with much of your argument, there could be a price to pay in the form of Equipment Type Approval.if further regulations were imposed on the Amateur Service. Without doubt Type Approval would increase the selling price of the "black boxes", and put an end to the use of homebrewed equipment. As matters stand, the Amateur Service is viewed by most Authorities as a "Self Regulatory" Service. The standards for amateur transmitter harmonic and spurious levels are intended to protect Services other than the Amateur Service from interference caused by amateur transmitters, a fact that I am sure you already know. There is talk about reducing these levels. IMHO the problem of clicks, splatter ad nauseum must be solved somehow by us amateurs without having further regulations imposed. For example here in Europe deliberate jamming is a serious problem, but attempts have been and are being made by amateurs to find the culprits. 73, Geoff GM4ESD juergen piezo wrote on Tuesday, December 01, 2009 at 8:35 PM: Hi Matt Most of us are black box operators. We need regulations for the amateur service that specifies how our transmitters must perform, just like every other HF spectrum user. Its amazing how the amateur service holds its head up high as some sort of technical demigod society, yet we cant even clean up our own camp. Arguments that transmitter standards interferes with technical development is a nonsense argument in my view. Its time that the ARRL lobbied the FCC for standards for amateur transmitters, and these standards should include keyclicks and SSB transmitter and amplifier IMD levels. We know keyclicks are unacceptable, why would it be so hard to specify by how much keyclicks should be suppressed by and what the maximum bandwidth should be? How does setting such standards interfere with technical development? We already have standards for harmonic and spurious levels. The FCC said a long time ago that we cant interfere with televisions or other services if our transmitters are crap. They set harmonic levels for transmitters. Its now time for them to say its also unacceptable for hams to interfere with hams using crap equipment. Its a disgrace that anyone can go buy a cheap 12 volt mobile radio and then go buy a cheap RM Italy amplifier and then get on the ham bands and call CQDX. Its equally sad that such operators think that they are legally entitled to do so without worrying about the consequences to others. Its selfish and not in the ham spirit. How is it fair that this kind of brain dead operation is classed as "technical experimenting" when it causes so much interference to others? Why the law stinks, is that if I decided to tune up on this individual for 1 hour I would be breaking the law because I am causing deliberate interference. Yet if I use a class C CB amplifier with a substandard transmitter it would be okay to cause interference all day and I am legal. We need to wake up to ourselves and our regulations. John __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Touch lamps
Many years ago, I build a full size vertical for 160 M with 19 full length radials, see, "W6SAI HF antenna handbook, section 6-17". OK so far. In testing, I found the ground currents and the close in field substantial at 1 KW. One of the storage building was about 60 feet from the base of the tower and one night the wife was out there cleaning up some gardening efforts right next to a rack that had 8 foot flourescent tubes, Are you ready? I keyed the amplifier and called CQ. At the end of my CQ, there was my wife standing in the doorway and looked like a ghost of the scarecrow with some liquid dripping off her head and covered with lawn seed she was putting away. Needless to say the tubes lit off by the RF had startled her. We didn't talk about that for a long time, until the next Halloween. I keyed the transmitter with a long memory CQ and then you can see me with a sheet over my head running around the back yard between the houses waving 8 foot tubes that were looking like Skywalker and his light sabers. The neighbor kids didn't come to our house that night. Memories of times past, Mel, K6KBE --- On Tue, 12/1/09, Robert Fish wrote: From: Robert Fish Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Touch lamps To: "Duncan Carter" Cc: "Ken Kopp" , "Elecraft Reflector" Date: Tuesday, December 1, 2009, 1:48 PM Hi Guys, A few years ago I was up late at night and decided to send a couple of late night CQ's on 40 meters. On about my third CQ my wife appeared at the door to my shack looking very upset. She had gone to bed a couple of hours earlier and was awakened by the touch lamps blinking on either side of our bed in what was a very dark room. We had just installed the lamps for reading a few weeks before and neither of us had been back there while I was transmitting so we didn't know they did this. My wife doesn't know much about radio so the first thing she thought wasn't RFI. She was convinced our house was under siege from demonic spirits. It took awhile before she saw the humor in this episode. Of course every time I think about it it makes me smile. Bob K6GGO > I had two tough controlled reading lamps in my bedroom. They didn't > cause rfi but they changed on/off state each time I transmitted. > Ferrite clamps didn't change the sensitivity of the lamps to RF. I > replaced them with manual switch controlled lamps; my #2 son who is not > a ham has them now. > > 73m Dunc, W5DC > > > __ 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 __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3: killing RX key clicks
It's basic physics, Jim. A keyed signal is amplitude modulated and an amplitude modulated signal produces sidebands. Your are quite right that the rise time affects the amount of spectrum the sidebands make. Of course, higher keying speeds require faster rise and fall times, otherwise one code element would begin before the fall time allowed the previous element to stop. Indeed, the way to reduce clicks is to extend the rise and fall times. The slower the rise and fall the less "click" energy around the carrier. In the extreme you make the rise and fall times infinite (that is, you don't key the carrier at all). Then you'll have no sidebands (clicks) at all. If you modulated the signal 100% with a pure sine wave, you'd only have two sidebands at discrete frequencies above and below the carrier separated by the frequency of the modulating signal. The issue with CW is that we don't use a sine wave. No matter how we look at it, we distort the keying signal by stopping it at the point the carrier is full on during the rise and full off at the fall. That distortion produces further sideband energy beyond the sideband produced by the keying waveform. Advanced shaping techniques such as those used in the K3 minimize that energy in the sidebands, but it's still there. Poorly designed and operated rigs can produce keying sidebands far in excess of what's needed for good communications, just as poorly designed and operated AM or SSB rigs produce sidebands far in excess of what's needed. It sounds like you've run into one of those. I think anyone who spends enough time on the CW bands will find them. They come from two sources. One is the design of the rig itself. You are quite right that some rigs are better than others. Considering that just about any transmitter built since the demise of spark in the 1920's is perfectly legal on our bands today, sometimes it's a limitation of the design. Among current designs, some are better than others. The other is operator error. In these days of mostly factory-designed and built rigs, it's usually caused by over-driving an amplifier in the mistaken belief that linearity isn't important in CW. Linearity is very important to retain the keying waveform of the rig driving the amplifier, just as it's very important to preserve the waveform of an SSB signal. It's also why it's bad practice to turn the POWER knob on a K3 or K2 full clockwise, even on CW. IMD (distortion) increases as you go past the rated 100 watts output. On CW distortion is heard as clicks as Jim notes. Indeed, for over half a century that I know of, we've always defined "clicks" as excessive CW sidebands, recognizing that normal sidebands are always present. Until fairly recently, it was not possible to listen to the sidebands in a CW signal using a typical communications receiver without hearing the carrier too. They were just too close together. Nowadays our advanced receivers can split the sideband off of the keyed signal, just as for years we've been able to split the sidebands off of an AM signal. On CW those sidebands sound like clicks. Ron AC7AC -Original Message- And I strongly DISAGREE with Ron's statement that clicks are an essential part of CW. Clicks are a function of a FAST RISE TIME and DISTORTION, not keying speed. There's a KH6 contester who moved from K4 with a monster signal, monster clicks, monster SSB splatter, and monster attitude to go with it. I've told him about his clicks and splatter several times, but the clicks, splatter, and attitude are still there. 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3: killing RX key clicks
> Clicks are a function of a FAST RISE TIME and DISTORTION, not > keying speed. Not quite ... keyclicks are often a second derivative effect. They occur when the rate of change of the rate of change is high - specifically at the "corners" of the waveform (a abrupt change in the slope coupled with high power levels). At one time W8JI had some scope and spectrum samples of CW waveforms with "slow" rise/fall rates but very bad clicks. In every case the ramp was fine but there was an abrupt change when the ramp reached the steady state (on) condition or at instant of transition from the steady state (on) condition to the start of the decay phase. These effects can be most readily observed in rigs with high IF gain as they are quite similar to clicks generated in the old class C amplifiers as the drive level passed from AB into "hard" C. 73, ... Joe, W4TV > -Original Message- > From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net > [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Jim Brown > Sent: Tuesday, December 01, 2009 1:42 PM > To: Elecraft List > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3: killing RX key clicks > > > On Tue, 01 Dec 2009 11:29:24 -0700, David Gilbert wrote: > > >In my experience with the K3 in several major contests since > I bought > >it > >last January, the very great majority of bad signals I've > heard on the > >air have been due to the TX on the other end, not the RX on my end. > > Strongly agree. > > And I strongly DISAGREE with Ron's statement that clicks are > an essential > part of CW. Clicks are a function of a FAST RISE TIME and > DISTORTION, not > keying speed. There's a KH6 contester who moved from K4 with > a monster > signal, monster clicks, monster SSB splatter, and monster > attitude to go > with it. I've told him about his clicks and splatter several > times, but > the clicks, splatter, and attitude are still there. > > 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 __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Touch lamps
Hi Guys, A few years ago I was up late at night and decided to send a couple of late night CQ's on 40 meters. On about my third CQ my wife appeared at the door to my shack looking very upset. She had gone to bed a couple of hours earlier and was awakened by the touch lamps blinking on either side of our bed in what was a very dark room. We had just installed the lamps for reading a few weeks before and neither of us had been back there while I was transmitting so we didn't know they did this. My wife doesn't know much about radio so the first thing she thought wasn't RFI. She was convinced our house was under siege from demonic spirits. It took awhile before she saw the humor in this episode. Of course every time I think about it it makes me smile. Bob K6GGO > I had two tough controlled reading lamps in my bedroom. They didn't > cause rfi but they changed on/off state each time I transmitted. > Ferrite clamps didn't change the sensitivity of the lamps to RF. I > replaced them with manual switch controlled lamps; my #2 son who is not > a ham has them now. > > 73m Dunc, W5DC > > > __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 in the CQWW contest
On 30 nov 2009, at 22.49, Jim Brown wrote: > Thanks to my K3, I didn't even know they were there, and > couldn't hear them with my IF opened up to 400 Hz. I had a very strong station throwing a couple of hundred dits into my passband when I was trying to copy a weak JA. Just narrowed the passband from 200 to 50 and the offender was gone and JA station in the clear. NIce, really nice! 73 de Björn, SM0MDG SE0X __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 in the CQWW contest
On 1 dec 2009, at 00.14, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote: > Operators were mixed > when it came to receiving a single signal on a quiet band > - those who preferred other radios felt the K3 was too > "noisy." The K3 can feel a little "over charged" with full RF Gain and preamp inline... like driving a race car in rush hour traffic. As an experiment I used NR throughout the CQ WW CW contest and it worked great, especially when bands where a little quiet it made static and hiss a little less fatiguing. Anyone else tried this? 73 de Björn, SM0MDG SE0X __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 in the CQWW contest
John wrote:s > At 01:36 PM 01/12/09, you wrote: > >> And that seems to be squeezing >> down to 400 and narrower, which some folks derisively have called the >> K3 effect. >> > > > The effect started showing up with the K2...I first noticed it in > 2002 SSCW qrp. > > John > k7up > I'm a new K3 owner and not, at this point, a serious contester although I was back in the dark ages, aka when I had hair on top of my head. I have a 8 pole 2.8 kHz and a 250 Hz filter. What I'm finding is that my "normal-broad" cw width is 200 Hz with the narrower dsp settings as needed. 300 to 400 hz width is only used on cw when I'm scanning a semi-dead band. If the ability to use less bandwidth routinely is a K3 effect, it seems to be a desirable effect. For agc and gain control, on most bands and conditions, I use the attenuator and only occasionally switch it on on 15 meters and above; my location in a townhouse complex is not quiet enough to allow more sensitivity. I usually have the AF gain at about 1/3 open and adjust the RF gain so that the station that I'm listening to is at the threshold where th "s-meter" increases only on stronger signals which is about the same technique as I used with my Hallicrafters S-40 50+years ago. 73, Dunc, W5DC __ 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
[Elecraft] K3 construction tools:RF Pwr meter 1 mW to 5W, Sig Gen 50uV on 20m or 40m
What cheap/accurate tools are available for K3 construction? I'm aware of the Elecraft XG2 which I think can be used as a signal generator. NorCal QRP has a NorCal S9 signal generator, but their kits are not currently available. I'm struggling to find a 1 mW to 5W capable RF power meter. I have a DL-1, but think it is not useful at 1 mW. Getting ready to build my K3/10. Thanks Rich NU6T __ 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
[Elecraft] K2 in CQ WW
My little K2 performed very well in the contest too! Don't let the K3 guys think they have the only rig capable of feats of magic...the K2 filters and sturdy front end allowed me to pull out some really weak DX sigs on 80 and 40 right next to full S-meter stateside signals, with no problem! I was amazed again and again just how well the little rig performs in crowded band condx. Way to go Elecraft! Jeff N7KRT __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 in the CQWW contest
At 01:36 PM 01/12/09, you wrote: >And that seems to be squeezing >down to 400 and narrower, which some folks derisively have called the >K3 effect. The effect started showing up with the K2...I first noticed it in 2002 SSCW qrp. John k7up __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3: Yaesu copies K3's design
Karl N6XVT, Saw this old email. Also saw ad in QST, sounds more like a copey of Icom 7700. Sent from my iPhone On Nov 23, 2009, at 10:43 AM, "David Y." wrote: > Just curious--is it true the FT-5000 only has one receiver? In the > brochure > I see multiple AF and RF gain controls, which suggest to me there is > a 2nd > RX. They do, however, seem to infer that only the "main RX" can be > loaded > with narrow roofing filters. And where did the "$10,000" price tag > come > from? I haven't seen anything about price, but I bet it's more than a > K3--by a good bit too. > > Anyway, there's way too much speculating going on about a radio we > don't > really know much about yet. I'm a long way from being concerned > that my K3 > is about to be "trumped" by another manufacturer! And "concern" > isn't even > the right word probably. The competition would probably be a good > thing in > the long run. > > Dave W7AQK > > > - Original Message - > From: "Richard Squire - HB9ANM" > To: > Sent: Monday, November 23, 2009 10:05 AM > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3: Yaesu copies K3's design > > >> >> I am amazed at the number of things that can be said on this >> reflector >> about >> another brand's radio nobody owns... >> >> The K3 is and remains my radio. And if anyone thinks the Japanese >> copied >> the >> 9 MHz IF from Elecraft, let me mention that my Ten-Tec Omni-D had >> the same >> concept some 30 years ago... Of course, no DSP. Did Yaesu copy the >> Omni-D? >> Of course not. Only, the big JA's at last realized that you cannot >> have >> narrow roofing filters with an IF around 70 MHz! >> >> And they failed to "copy" some of the K3's features: >> >> The AC supply excludes any mobile operation and restricts portable >> operation >> to places where such power is available. I like to work portable >> from my >> car >> (with a separate battery) from any convenient site. >> >> No 100 W version? That must be the reason – those MosFETs need som >> e 50 >> V... >> But with 200 W, who is going to notice the 3 dB difference (1/2 S- >> unit) on >> his S Meter? >> >> And how about a 2nd RX? Should a rig cost more than $ 10,000 to >> offer this >> feature? >> K3 owners know the answer. >> >> If some people (not) in the know think the FT5K will be priced at >> some $ >> 5,000, then you can afford a K3 and a few accessories to go with it >> (e.g. >> the W2...). >> >> The K3 is still "The Only Affordable – and Portable – Elite Class >> Transceiver"! >> >> 73 >> Richard >> >> >> >> >> - >> Richard - HB9ANM >> -- >> View this message in context: >> http://n2.nabble.com/K3-Yaesu-copies-K3-s-design-tp4049475p4052441.html >> Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.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 > > __ > 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 __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3: killing RX key clicks
On Tue, 01 Dec 2009 08:55:55 -1000, Merv Schweigert wrote: >Not sure if you checked his signal in the last couple contests? If so >you are criticizing a K3 for having monster Klix and SSB splatter. The exciter is not the ONLY click or trash generator in a station. ANY non-linear device can produce splatter and clicks. An overdriven power amp can create clicks and splatter. The most common way that happens is depending on ALC to reduce the drive to hit the desired TX power. A poorly tuned power amp will also produce clicks and splatter. A VERY well known contester and K3 user lives about 15 miles from me. His clicks and splatter make life miserable for several of his neighbors including K6RB, K6XX, and me. He's otherwise a nice guy and a member of our club, but he's long been in denial about the trash on his signal. It IS better since he converted to K3s a couple of years ago, but his splatter was 10 kHz wide during SS. Another guy, a casual operator and sometimes contester, runs a high priced ICOM rig into a high priced auto-tune power amp. He's also a click generator. 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 in the CQWW contest
Are you recommending in a CW contest that one not engage in running if one cannot find a space with an open kHz above and an open kHz below? :>) Common contest practice in recent decades is 500 kHz between signals regardless of folks without filters. And that seems to be squeezing down to 400 and narrower, which some folks derisively have called the K3 effect. Last weekend I spent nearly 3 hours 350 Hz below HG1-, who had bad clicks, and managed it with the K3's extraordinary DSP NB. He parked up 350 after I had been running on the frequency for nearly an hour. I didn't move and made many Q's on the frequency with him up there. I'm sure he thought I would go away, and I probably didn't bother him at all because my K3's transmitted signal is devoid of key clicks. For casual operation I agree with you, but in the contests, it's just p**ing in the wind. 73, Guy. On Tue, Dec 1, 2009 at 12:17 PM, Ron D'Eau Claire wrote: > Even with a lesser receiver, I allow plenty of frequency spacing between > myself and another station on CW, recognizing that the other station may not > have superb selectivity. Around the CW QRP frequencies, I often allow a full > kHz and several hundred Hz on other frequencies. > > When getting ready to transmit on new frequency I always open up the > selectivity before sending "QRL?" so I can hear if anyone nearby responds > who I would never hear with less selectivity. Besides, as others observed, > other stations are often not quite on frequency and the CQing station using > narrow selectivity may just keep heating the aether while others are trying > to respond just outside of his bandpass. > > Ron AC7AC > > > > > __ > 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 > __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 in the CQWW contest
Hi Matt Most of us are black box operators. We need regulations for the amateur service that specifies how our transmitters must perform, just like every other HF spectrum user. Its amazing how the amateur service holds its head up high as some sort of technical demigod society, yet we cant even clean up our own camp. Arguments that transmitter standards interferes with technical development is a nonsense argument in my view. Its time that the ARRL lobbied the FCC for standards for amateur transmitters, and these standards should include keyclicks and SSB transmitter and amplifier IMD levels. We know keyclicks are unacceptable, why would it be so hard to specify by how much keyclicks should be suppressed by and what the maximum bandwidth should be? How does setting such standards interfere with technical development? We already have standards for harmonic and spurious levels. The FCC said a long time ago that we cant interfere with televisions or other services if our transmitters are crap. They set harmonic levels for transmitters. Its now time for them to say its also unacceptable for hams to interfere with hams using crap equipment. Its a disgrace that anyone can go buy a cheap 12 volt mobile radio and then go buy a cheap RM Italy amplifier and then get on the ham bands and call CQDX. Its equally sad that such operators think that they are legally entitled to do so without worrying about the consequences to others. Its selfish and not in the ham spirit. How is it fair that this kind of brain dead operation is classed as "technical experimenting" when it causes so much interference to others? Why the law stinks, is that if I decided to tune up on this individual for 1 hour I would be breaking the law because I am causing deliberate interference. Yet if I use a class C CB amplifier with a substandard transmitter it would be okay to cause interference all day and I am legal. We need to wake up to ourselves and our regulations. John - On Tue, 12/1/09, Matt Zilmer wrote: > From: Matt Zilmer > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 in the CQWW contest > To: "Hector Padron" > Cc: elecraft@mailman.qth.net > Date: Tuesday, December 1, 2009, 7:59 AM > I see a little odd symmetry here, > between a local interference case > (my QTH) and contesting with the K3. > > Incidentally, I get same complaints on CW and SSB. > Can't hear them, > but their radios have such poor filtering or selectivity > that my TX is > wrecking what they receive, when close to their freq. > And that's > without the crowded contest environment, a majority of the > time. > > There's also a local ham with "clockwise syndrome", > who runs way too > much power to make sure he amplifies the splatter. He > has > off-frequency energy and gets into the K3 from many KHz > away. I've > complained to him numerous times about wasting energy by > blasting it > all over the spectrum, etc. No argument works with > this guy. Showing > him a spectrum plot of his signal from an 8656B didn't help > - he said > my spectrum analyzer was defective, despite same-band same > strength > signals looking different and narrower than his. > Maybe he'd believe a > P3 plot? > > So we can have the problem both ways. The K3 can hear > gudge thrown > off by improperly set up TX, and it can't hear nearby > signals with TX > run correctly, because it's designed for this. > > This sort of thing happens when a revolutionary > breakthrough happens > in most infrastructure. The yesteryear equipment and > today's SOTA > eqmt aren't compatible any more. That's an extreme > statement, because > we should consider our neighbors (we K3'ers). Just > the same the > neighbors probably won't consider anyone but > themselves. This is how > it has always been, imho, for some special privileged class > of ham. > SIC. And we don't have to act like that, because most > ops want to be > the best - and that isn't just a technical factor. > > Now, if everyone just threw in the towel on the old > equipment and > bought K3's we would all be compatible again. I > neglected to ask > Wayne or Eric when their sales forecasts projected this to > happen, but > it might be a few more years. > > This same topic has come up on the list many times, so that > means the > problem cited has occurred many times more than that. > If we just > think of others using inferior equipment on HF for RX, we > might > operate a little differently. Think of someone using > a Hammarlund > receiver ca. 1945 with no crystal filtering at all, and > just a BFO to > make sideband usable. > > Maybe there should be separate band segments for K3-only > operation? :) > > 73, > matt W6NIA > K3 #24 > K2 #2810 > > > On Tue, 01 Dec 2009 06:02:43 -0800 (PST), you wrote: > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >That is exactly what's happening to me daily but on > SSB,guys with poor selectivity radios about 3Khz from me > come to my freq to complain I
Re: [Elecraft] Touch lamps
I had two tough controlled reading lamps in my bedroom. They didn't cause rfi but they changed on/off state each time I transmitted. Ferrite clamps didn't change the sensitivity of the lamps to RF. I replaced them with manual switch controlled lamps; my #2 son who is not a ham has them now. 73m Dunc, W5DC Jim Wiley wrote: > To start with, visit the neighbor and explain the problem. They will > think you are nuts, but it you ask them if they have any > touch-controlled devices, and the answer is yes, then you may be able to > get them to unplug or temporarily power-down any such devices to see if > the interference stops. If it doesn't them try the next device or look > elsewhere. if the interference quits when the device is disconnected, > you can take the next steps. > > > Be the way, it isn't just touch control lamps. I experiences a similar > problem with an automatic battery charger that had a semiconductor based > controller - it put out a "wavery - drifty" signal at spots all across > the lower part of the HF spectrum. > > > You can point out to him that the part 15 rules REQUIRE him to cease > using any device that causes interferences to a licensed radio service > (that's us). If you don't like that approach, you might take the tack > that his lamp isn't supposed to be transmitting signals, and maybe it is > defective, and defective electrical devices have been known to cause > fires. If that doesn't work, send a note to the FCC, and they will in > turn send the neighbor a more "official" communication that explains the > part 15 rules in detail and outlines and what he or she needs to do. > That last can escalate to some pretty powerful language after a few > iterations or so. That's what that "radio interference" notice on the > device is all about. Fines are not unknown in these cases - rarely > assessed, it's true, but not impossible. > > The neighbor may be able to take the lamp or other interfering device > back to where they got it and get a refund or replacement. You can > offer to go with them, taking a portable radio that tunes the > frequencies of interest, to make sure any new offerings are "clean" > before they leave the store. In any case, NEVER offer to fix the device > yourself. If you do, and _anything_ electrical in their house ever > fails from that day forward, it will be seen as your fault. > > > I know everyone likes to be neighborly and all that, but this sort of > thing won't get fixed until enough complaints are heard to cause action > on the part of manufacturers. If the neighbor is mad at the store for > selling him a product that causes problems, then encourage him to > complain to the store manager. One complaint won't do much, but over > time, enough of them will cause sufficient negative feedback that the > mess gets fixed. Of course, if you just want to "roll over" and put up > with the problem, that's your call. > > > - Jim, KL7CC > > > > Steve Ellington wrote: > >> I suspect my neighbor has one now and I'm trying to figure >> out how to approach him about it. >> Steve >> N4LQ >> >> >> > __ > 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 > > __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3: killing RX key clicks
Not once in my experience has the K3 NB made clicks worse (that's N*B* I'm talking about, not N*R*). I gave a formula in an earlier post in this thread. I invite anyone to actually try it and see. NR does not seem to do anything for or against clicks. 73, Guy. On Tue, Dec 1, 2009 at 12:57 PM, Paul Christensen wrote: > All good suggestions, Ron -- including turning off the NB if not mentioned > previously. Engaging the NB function oftentimes produces > internally-generated clicks. > > Paul, W9AC > > - Original Message - > From: "Ron D'Eau Claire" > To: "'Elecraft Reflector'" > Sent: Tuesday, December 01, 2009 12:51 PM > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3: killing RX key clicks > > >> Key clicks can be generated by several different mechanisms within the >> receiver itself. Paradoxically, it's easier to produce false clicks with a >> high performance receiver than it is with a lesser receiver. >> >> These have nothing to do with the transmitted signal. >> >> The first line of "defense" is to turn off the Preamp and turn on the >> Attenuator to reduce the overall strength of the signals. Next is to set >> the >> AGC to "Slow" to ensure a strong signal isn't within the roofing filter >> bandpass and triggering the AGC while the variable DSP filter is set >> narrow >> so the beat note isn't heard. In some cases using the RF gain to control >> the >> level helps a great deal. Another approach is to use a narrower roofing >> filter or to shift your bandpass so the edge of the roofing filter is very >> close to the desired signal on the side toward the interfering station and >> as far from the interfering station as possible. Shifting the bandpass may >> require you open up your DSP bandwidth to continue to hear the desired >> signal or shifting the DSP filter position within the roofing filter >> bandpass. >> >> And, remember, "clicks" are an essential component of a CW signal. They >> are >> the sidebands created by modulating (keying) the signal. Very careful >> shaping of the keying envelope, such as used in the K2 and K3, can >> minimize >> clicks while maintaining an easily readable signal, but the only way to >> completely eliminate clicks is to not key the signal at all. With a really >> high-performance you can snuggle up very close to a signal, as many here >> have noted. When you do that, you're much more likely to hear the >> essential >> clicks required for good keying. >> >> Ron AC7AC >> >> > > > > > >> __ >> 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 > > __ > 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 > __ 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
[Elecraft] K3 Static Electricity
I have an early K3 that had the ESD problem. I removed the front panel and board attached to the front panel. I removed the VFO A encoder and burnished the paint off around the backside of the front panel encoder hole. I have not had an ESD lockup since. I also had an Omni VII that had the same problem. Ten-Tec service said I could send it back to them, and they would see what they could do. I sold the Omni VII. Just be glad you have a K3. It CAN be fixed. Roy Morris W4WFB __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Aliens showing Displeasure
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. K3 in the CQWW contest (DOUGLAS ZWIEBEL) >2. Heil ProSet 4 for sale (k9foh) >3. [K3] Minor XIT/RIT display glitch with band change by RS232 > (Carl Clawson) >4. ANNOUNCEMENT: QRP-ARCI TOP BAND SPRINT (Jeff Hetherington) >5. K2 Denoiser (n0jrn) >6. Re: K3 in the CQWW contest (Jim Brown) >7. Re: K2 Denoiser (Lyle Johnson) >8. Re: K3 in the CQWW contest (Bob Tellefsen) >9. [K3] Nabble - can't get there from the Elecraft page? (NZ0T) > 10. Re: [K3] Minor XIT/RIT display glitch with band change > byRS232 (Joe Subich, W4TV) > 11. Re: K3 in the CQWW contest (Joe Subich, W4TV) > 12. Audio blast from the past (Merv Schweigert) > 13. K2 Side tone not working (Dave Barr) > 14. Re: [K3] Nabble - can't get there from the Elecraft page? > (Julian, G4ILO) > 15. Re: K3 in the CQWW contest (David Gilbert) > 16. USB Sound Card for digital modes. (Kenneth A. Christiansen) > 17. Re: [K3] Nabble - can't get there from the Elecraft page? > (Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft) > 18. Re: K2 Side tone not working (Don Wilhelm) > 19. Re: K3 in the CQWW contest (Brendan Minish) > 20. [K2] Question on K2 audio output (Tom McCulloch) > 21. Re: [K2] Question on K2 audio output (Don Wilhelm) > 22. Re: USB Sound Card for digital modes. (Joe Subich, W4TV) > 23. Re: [K3] Nabble - can't get there from the Elecraft page? (NZ0T) > 24. K3 static electricity (Steve Ellington) > 25. Aliens showing "Displeasure?" (JIM DAVIS) > 26. Re: K3 in the CQWW contest (Dyarnes) > 27. Re: K3 static electricity (Guy Olinger K2AV) > 28. Re: USB Sound Card for digital modes. (Rich) > 29. Re: Aliens showing "Displeasure?" (Leigh L. Klotz, Jr WA5ZNU) > 30. Re: Aliens showing "Displeasure?" (Ken Kopp) > 31. Re: K3 in the CQWW contest (GW0ETF) > 32. Re: K3 in the CQWW contest (Bill W4ZV) > 33. Re: K3 in the CQWW contest (Hector Padron) > 34. K3: killing RX key clicks (Brian Machesney) > 35. Re: K3 static electricity (Brian Machesney) > 36. Re: K3 in the CQWW contest (Hector Padron) > 37. Re: K3 static electricity (Bill W4ZV) > 38. Re: K3 static electricity (Paul Christensen) > 39. Re: K3 in the CQWW contest (Matt Zilmer) > 40. Re: K3 in the CQWW contest (Guy Olinger K2AV) > 41. Re: Aliens showing "Displeasure?" (Byron Servies) > 42. Re: K3 static electricity (Paul Christensen) > 43. Re: K3 static electricity (KM5Q) > 44. Re: K3 static electricity (Alan Sewell N5NA) > 45. Re: K3 static electricity (Ron D'Eau Claire) > 46. Re: K3 static electricity (Steve Ellington) > 47. Re: K3: killing RX key clicks (Guy Olinger K2AV) > > > -- > > Message: 1 > Date: Mon, 30 Nov 2009 12:37:46 -0500 > From: DOUGLAS ZWIEBEL > Subject: [Elecraft] K3 in the CQWW contest > To: Elecraft Reflector > Message-ID: > <456b616e0911300937s3d4357dexc669e51d2c0c0...@mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 > > from a perennial winner (or 2nd placer)... > > http://lists.contesting.com/pipermail/3830/2009-November/186148.html > > Says it all (only need to ready first two paragraphs, although he > again lauds the K3 further down). > > What a great radio > > Thanks Aptos (or wherever you are now). > > de Doug KR2Q > > > -- > > Message: 2 > Date: Mon, 30 Nov 2009 12:41:58 -0500 > From: "k9foh" > Subject: [Elecraft] Heil ProSet 4 for sale > To: > Message-ID: > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" > > Heil ProSet 4 (DX element boom mike with dual headset) in excellent condition > with box and instruction sheet for sale, $100 shipped in the lower 48. Used > with my K-3, rear panel connections. Upgraded to Heil ProSet Plus. Contact > off line please. Cheers, Bob, k9...@comcast.net > > > > -- > > Message: 3 > Date: Mon, 30 Nov 2009 10:13:57 -0800 > From: "Carl Clawson" > Subject: [Elecraft] [K3] Minor XIT/RIT display glitch with band change > by RS232 > To: > Message-ID: <633840543eba44a8b3be76667e5ea...@thumbelina> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii > > This happens using N1MM logger V9.10.3 and K3 V3.6.3. I don't have any > serial snooper tools handy so I can't give the exact RS232 command sequence, > but it appears as if N1MM tries to turn off RIT/XIT on band change. To > reproduce: > > Go to a band a
Re: [Elecraft] Touch lamps
To start with, visit the neighbor and explain the problem. They will think you are nuts, but it you ask them if they have any touch-controlled devices, and the answer is yes, then you may be able to get them to unplug or temporarily power-down any such devices to see if the interference stops. If it doesn't them try the next device or look elsewhere. if the interference quits when the device is disconnected, you can take the next steps. Be the way, it isn't just touch control lamps. I experiences a similar problem with an automatic battery charger that had a semiconductor based controller - it put out a "wavery - drifty" signal at spots all across the lower part of the HF spectrum. You can point out to him that the part 15 rules REQUIRE him to cease using any device that causes interferences to a licensed radio service (that's us). If you don't like that approach, you might take the tack that his lamp isn't supposed to be transmitting signals, and maybe it is defective, and defective electrical devices have been known to cause fires. If that doesn't work, send a note to the FCC, and they will in turn send the neighbor a more "official" communication that explains the part 15 rules in detail and outlines and what he or she needs to do. That last can escalate to some pretty powerful language after a few iterations or so. That's what that "radio interference" notice on the device is all about. Fines are not unknown in these cases - rarely assessed, it's true, but not impossible. The neighbor may be able to take the lamp or other interfering device back to where they got it and get a refund or replacement. You can offer to go with them, taking a portable radio that tunes the frequencies of interest, to make sure any new offerings are "clean" before they leave the store. In any case, NEVER offer to fix the device yourself. If you do, and _anything_ electrical in their house ever fails from that day forward, it will be seen as your fault. I know everyone likes to be neighborly and all that, but this sort of thing won't get fixed until enough complaints are heard to cause action on the part of manufacturers. If the neighbor is mad at the store for selling him a product that causes problems, then encourage him to complain to the store manager. One complaint won't do much, but over time, enough of them will cause sufficient negative feedback that the mess gets fixed. Of course, if you just want to "roll over" and put up with the problem, that's your call. - Jim, KL7CC Steve Ellington wrote: > I suspect my neighbor has one now and I'm trying to figure > out how to approach him about it. > Steve > N4LQ > > __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 static electricity
Karl N6XVT, Ground the radio. If it is, test it. The see if your front panel is grounded. Hope it will help. N6XVT 73 Sent from my iPhone On Nov 30, 2009, at 6:39 PM, "Steve Ellington" wrote: > What can I do to eliminate the static electricity problem with K3? > Every > time I touch the main VFO (A) knob the display goes dark, audio goes > off, > frequency changes among other things. After about 5 seconds it > recovers but > somewhat off frequency. Just a little foot shuffling will develop > enough > charge to cause this. Touching the metal on the rig will discharge > things > but it's hard to remember to do this. Am I missing a ground on this > VFO knob > or what? BTW...The FP is only a few months old, new version. > > Steve > N4LQ > n...@carolina.rr.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 __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3: killing RX key clicks
> When I first received my Icom 756Pro (now my backup rig) several years > ago I discovered that the default rise/fall times (adjustable in one of > the menus) was set to 2 msec (!). That's unconscionable... It's unconscionable with some rigs, but not all. Take a look at the K3's keying envelope on a scope since the ca. 3.00 firmware release earlier this year. Compare it against the QST Product Reviews. I currently measure the rise time of about 2.5 msec and the K3 occupies minimal RF spectrum. Even at very fast CW speeds, it's the slope of the rise and fall that primarily determines occupied bandwidth. As keying speed increases, there's a point where the keying rate becomes a dominant factor but that's largely due to the fact that as the keying rate increases so must the envelope slope. The clicks heard with many transmitters occurs because the slope is discontinuous. Using a Blackman-Harris or raised-cosine window function minimizes occupied bandwidth but that function is also dependent on envelope distortion created by a transmitter's ALC circuitry. So, it's possible to set two completely different brands of transmitters to 2 msec and the bandwidth results can be radically different. Paul W9AC __ 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
[Elecraft] Antenna expert Jerry Sevick, W2FMI, SK
>From the CQ newsroom... Jerry Sevick, W2FMI, became a Silent Key on November 29 after a brief illness. Sevick was a renowned authority on antennas and transmission line transformers, and was active on the air until just days before his passing. He was 90 years old. Sevick is best known among hams as author of "Transmission Line Transformers," "Building and Understanding Baluns and Ununs," and "The Short Vertical Antenna Handbook." He was also a prolific author of magazine articles in both amateur and professional technical media. Jerry attended Wayne State University on an athletic scholarship and was drafted by two professional football teams, but he became a U.S. Army Air Corps pilot in World War II and was introduced to radio and electronics while in the military. He also discovered ham radio, which he often said changed his life, as he changed career goals after returning from the war, going on to earn a Ph.D. in applied physics from Harvard University. After teaching at Wayne State and working as a local weather forecaster for WXYZ-TV in Detroit, Jerry went to work for Bell Laboratories in Murray Hill, New Jersey, where he retired as Director of Technical Relations. For those in the New Jersey area, a memorial service is scheduled tomorrow, December 2, at 10 AM, at Fellowship Village, 8000 Fellowship Rd., Basking Ridge, NJ. __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3: killing RX key clicks
While on 160m a few nights ago I heard loud key clicks and tracked it down to a ham just 1 mile away who was chasing a DX station. When he transmitted, my K3 was rendered totally deft from any signal within 10 Khz of him! My 200hz roofing filter, ATTN, preamp off and RFG down had no effect. I guess even the K3 has it's limits. Steve N4LQ n...@carolina.rr.com - Original Message - From: "David Gilbert" To: "Ron D'Eau Claire" Cc: "'Elecraft Reflector'" Sent: Tuesday, December 01, 2009 1:29 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3: killing RX key clicks > > I'll accept all of that, but it still doesn't change the fact that there > are some rigs out there that generate bad key clicks for no reason other > than the fact that their users either don't realize it or don't care > enough to fix them. > > When I first received my Icom 756Pro (now my backup rig) several years > ago I discovered that the default rise/fall times (adjustable in one of > the menus) was set to 2 msec (!). That's unconscionable, but I'll bet > the majority of Icom users never bothered to check it. Many of the > Yaesu rigs generate horrible key clicks unless their users have > performed a simple hardware modification on them (see the info at > W8JI.com). > > I operated about 36 hours in the contest this last weekend and made over > a thousand contacts using the 8-pole 250Hz roofing filter. Many times > I'd be running a frequency within 200 Hz of a S9+30db station without > even knowing he was there. Other times I'd hear key clicks (loud enough > to cover the dits in callsigns I was trying to copy) from stations I > couldn't even find while tuning with the subreceiver! One large M/M > operation had great sounding signals on all bands except 15m, where the > key clicks were objectionable two KHz away even when their signal was > S5-S7. At least in that case they have promised to find the problem and > fix it. > > Actually, there is a third reason why some stations have bad key > clicks. They admit they do it on purpose in a contest because it gives > them more elbow room. > > In my experience with the K3 in several major contests since I bought it > last January, the very great majority of bad signals I've heard on the > air have been due to the TX on the other end, not the RX on my end. > > 73, > Dave AB7E > > > > Ron D'Eau Claire wrote: >> Key clicks can be generated by several different mechanisms within the >> receiver itself. Paradoxically, it's easier to produce false clicks with >> a >> high performance receiver than it is with a lesser receiver. >> >> These have nothing to do with the transmitted signal. >> >> The first line of "defense" is to turn off the Preamp and turn on the >> Attenuator to reduce the overall strength of the signals. Next is to set >> the >> AGC to "Slow" to ensure a strong signal isn't within the roofing filter >> bandpass and triggering the AGC while the variable DSP filter is set >> narrow >> so the beat note isn't heard. In some cases using the RF gain to control >> the >> level helps a great deal. Another approach is to use a narrower roofing >> filter or to shift your bandpass so the edge of the roofing filter is >> very >> close to the desired signal on the side toward the interfering station >> and >> as far from the interfering station as possible. Shifting the bandpass >> may >> require you open up your DSP bandwidth to continue to hear the desired >> signal or shifting the DSP filter position within the roofing filter >> bandpass. >> >> And, remember, "clicks" are an essential component of a CW signal. They >> are >> the sidebands created by modulating (keying) the signal. Very careful >> shaping of the keying envelope, such as used in the K2 and K3, can >> minimize >> clicks while maintaining an easily readable signal, but the only way to >> completely eliminate clicks is to not key the signal at all. With a >> really >> high-performance you can snuggle up very close to a signal, as many here >> have noted. When you do that, you're much more likely to hear the >> essential >> clicks required for good keying. >> >> Ron AC7AC >> >> >> >> >> __ >> 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 > __ > 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 No virus
Re: [Elecraft] K3: killing RX key clicks
> > > And I strongly DISAGREE with Ron's statement that clicks are an essential > part of CW. Clicks are a function of a FAST RISE TIME and DISTORTION, not > keying speed. There's a KH6 contester who moved from K4 with a monster > signal, monster clicks, monster SSB splatter, and monster attitude to go > with it. I've told him about his clicks and splatter several times, but > the clicks, splatter, and attitude are still there. > > 73, > > Jim K9YC > Not sure if you checked his signal in the last couple contests? If so you are criticizing a K3 for having monster Klix and SSB splatter. He has ran a K3 now for some time. He is 40 to 50 over nine here on 160 meters and I can get within less than 1/2KC and copy the weakest DX signals, so have to say K3 to K3 I dont have any problems with him. I do have problems with a couple other KH6 stations on that same island, they have klix and splatter that covers several KC of the band and they are only 20 over 9. Understand the radio is only as good as the operator setting it up, but that goes for both ends of the QSO. Merv KH7C > > __ > 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 > > __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Touch lamps
Oh how well I know! We had a touch lamp that produced a signal at 450khz so strong it could be heard for blocks. I gutted the circuit and installed a line cord switch. I suspect my neighbor has one now and I'm trying to figure out how to approach him about it. Steve N4LQ n...@carolina.rr.com - Original Message - From: "Ken Kopp" To: "Byron Servies" Cc: "Elecraft Reflector" Sent: Tuesday, December 01, 2009 1:08 PM Subject: [Elecraft] Touch lamps > Hi Byron, > > A "touch lamp" is a lamp that is turned ON and OFF by > touching ... usually a table lamp of some sort ... with the > base / stand responding to the capacity of one's hand > for the switching action. Basically the lamp has a > free-running oscillator that is "detuned" when the lamp > is touched, causing the switching action. I'm aware of > some that operate in the 80M range. > > Once took a crew on a 400+ mile round-trip ... Montana's > a big state ... to respond to a ham's line noise complaint. > After much searching, involving switching off the power to > an entire block, and then to individual houses, found two > touch-lamps in the bedroom of his parent's house next > door. (;-) > > Some light dimmers are noise generators, also. > > 73! Ken Kopp - K0PP > elecraftcov...@rfwave.net > http://tinyurl.com/7lm3m5 > > > > __ > 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 No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.709 / Virus Database: 270.14.88/2538 - Release Date: 12/01/09 02:59:00 __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3: killing RX key clicks
On Tue, 01 Dec 2009 11:29:24 -0700, David Gilbert wrote: >In my experience with the K3 in several major contests since I bought it >last January, the very great majority of bad signals I've heard on the >air have been due to the TX on the other end, not the RX on my end. Strongly agree. And I strongly DISAGREE with Ron's statement that clicks are an essential part of CW. Clicks are a function of a FAST RISE TIME and DISTORTION, not keying speed. There's a KH6 contester who moved from K4 with a monster signal, monster clicks, monster SSB splatter, and monster attitude to go with it. I've told him about his clicks and splatter several times, but the clicks, splatter, and attitude are still there. 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
[Elecraft] K3 6M preamp
Gary, I will echo Lance's comment about the 6M preamp. I had built a Down East Microwave kit ... a well thought of company here in the US ... and found the Elecraft PR3 to be equal, so sold the DEM preamp to a local friend and kept the PR3 because of it's easy integration into the K3. My only improvement observation the power / control cable is too short and keeps the preamp too closely tethered to the K3. It's easily unplugged from the preamp when moving the other cables to/from the back of the K3. 73! Ken Kopp - K0PP elecraftcov...@rfwave.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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 6M operation
On Tue, 01 Dec 2009 18:23:22 +, Lance Collister wrote: >You DEFINITELY need to use a high gain low noise external preamp >if you are interested in any weak signal work on 6m. Because this is a general interest topic, I'm responding to the reflector. YES, unless you live in a really noisy QTH, you definitely need an external preamp on 6M. Since I'm an OT on that band, I already owned an ARR GaSFET preamp, and simply plugged it into the RXOUT/RXIN patch point. It works quite well, and I'm sure that the preamp that Elecraft sells does too. 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3: killing RX key clicks
I'll accept all of that, but it still doesn't change the fact that there are some rigs out there that generate bad key clicks for no reason other than the fact that their users either don't realize it or don't care enough to fix them. When I first received my Icom 756Pro (now my backup rig) several years ago I discovered that the default rise/fall times (adjustable in one of the menus) was set to 2 msec (!). That's unconscionable, but I'll bet the majority of Icom users never bothered to check it. Many of the Yaesu rigs generate horrible key clicks unless their users have performed a simple hardware modification on them (see the info at W8JI.com). I operated about 36 hours in the contest this last weekend and made over a thousand contacts using the 8-pole 250Hz roofing filter. Many times I'd be running a frequency within 200 Hz of a S9+30db station without even knowing he was there. Other times I'd hear key clicks (loud enough to cover the dits in callsigns I was trying to copy) from stations I couldn't even find while tuning with the subreceiver! One large M/M operation had great sounding signals on all bands except 15m, where the key clicks were objectionable two KHz away even when their signal was S5-S7. At least in that case they have promised to find the problem and fix it. Actually, there is a third reason why some stations have bad key clicks. They admit they do it on purpose in a contest because it gives them more elbow room. In my experience with the K3 in several major contests since I bought it last January, the very great majority of bad signals I've heard on the air have been due to the TX on the other end, not the RX on my end. 73, Dave AB7E Ron D'Eau Claire wrote: > Key clicks can be generated by several different mechanisms within the > receiver itself. Paradoxically, it's easier to produce false clicks with a > high performance receiver than it is with a lesser receiver. > > These have nothing to do with the transmitted signal. > > The first line of "defense" is to turn off the Preamp and turn on the > Attenuator to reduce the overall strength of the signals. Next is to set the > AGC to "Slow" to ensure a strong signal isn't within the roofing filter > bandpass and triggering the AGC while the variable DSP filter is set narrow > so the beat note isn't heard. In some cases using the RF gain to control the > level helps a great deal. Another approach is to use a narrower roofing > filter or to shift your bandpass so the edge of the roofing filter is very > close to the desired signal on the side toward the interfering station and > as far from the interfering station as possible. Shifting the bandpass may > require you open up your DSP bandwidth to continue to hear the desired > signal or shifting the DSP filter position within the roofing filter > bandpass. > > And, remember, "clicks" are an essential component of a CW signal. They are > the sidebands created by modulating (keying) the signal. Very careful > shaping of the keying envelope, such as used in the K2 and K3, can minimize > clicks while maintaining an easily readable signal, but the only way to > completely eliminate clicks is to not key the signal at all. With a really > high-performance you can snuggle up very close to a signal, as many here > have noted. When you do that, you're much more likely to hear the essential > clicks required for good keying. > > Ron AC7AC > > > > > __ > 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 __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 6M operation
Hi Gary, You DEFINITELY need to use a high gain low noise external preamp if you are interested in any weak signal work on 6m. If all you are interested in doing on 6m is woring strong Es or TE signals, then you can obviously get by without it. In fact, you will probably be thrilled to be able to work everyone you can copy ;-) But the noise figure of the K3 on 6m is over 13 dB, so you will benefit greatly by adding a receive preamplifier. The one offered by Elecraft is a great unit, and is what I use when operating portable during 6m EME DXpeditions. GL and VY 73, Lance > Hi, > > Well I just completed my first 6M contest this past weekend and found it > quite good. > > There was some time ago a lot of comments on the K3's sensitivity on 6M. > > The result was Elecraft produced a pre-amp and not much comment has been seen > since. > > If anyone on the list is a 6m operator with a pre-amp it would be good if > they could contact me off list and let me know what they think of running > with or without the pre-amp... > > I don't wish to clog the reflector with this topic. > > Regards > Gary > VK4WT > Sent via BlackBerry® from Telstra > __ > 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 > > -- Lance Collister, W7GJ (ex: WN3GPL, WA3GPL, WA1JXN, WA1JXN/C6A, ZF2OC/ZF8, E51SIX) P.O. Box 73 Frenchtown, MT 59834 USA QTH: DN27UB TEL: (406) 626-5728 URL: http://www.bigskyspaces.com/w7gj 2m DXCC #11, 6m DXCC #815 Interested in 6m EME? Ask me about subscribing to the Magic Band EME email! __ 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
[Elecraft] K3 6M operation
Hi, Well I just completed my first 6M contest this past weekend and found it quite good. There was some time ago a lot of comments on the K3's sensitivity on 6M. The result was Elecraft produced a pre-amp and not much comment has been seen since. If anyone on the list is a 6m operator with a pre-amp it would be good if they could contact me off list and let me know what they think of running with or without the pre-amp... I don't wish to clog the reflector with this topic. Regards Gary VK4WT Sent via BlackBerry® from Telstra __ 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
[Elecraft] Touch lamps
Hi Byron, A "touch lamp" is a lamp that is turned ON and OFF by touching ... usually a table lamp of some sort ... with the base / stand responding to the capacity of one's hand for the switching action. Basically the lamp has a free-running oscillator that is "detuned" when the lamp is touched, causing the switching action. I'm aware of some that operate in the 80M range. Once took a crew on a 400+ mile round-trip ... Montana's a big state ... to respond to a ham's line noise complaint. After much searching, involving switching off the power to an entire block, and then to individual houses, found two touch-lamps in the bedroom of his parent's house next door. (;-) Some light dimmers are noise generators, also. 73! Ken Kopp - K0PP elecraftcov...@rfwave.net http://tinyurl.com/7lm3m5 __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3: killing RX key clicks
Great information. Too bad it isn't possible to make K3 DSP changes via macros. I wouldn't want to use those settings all the time in a contest, but it would be nice to quickly jump to them with the push of a K3 button or N1MM function key when needed. 73, Dave AB7E Guy Olinger K2AV wrote: > Already done. > > Using roofing and DSP width that are closely matched, a clicky signal > that is down very steep skirts will be converted into pulses. The > roofing and DSP skirts need to **combine to be as steep as possible**. > > Set the NB to off for IF, and use DSP settings 2-7 or 3-7. I've had > 3-7 suppress S9+10 key clicks to S3 (ABS noise level) in some > instances, and able to use slow AGC as if the offending signal were > not there. 2-7 makes the CW sound somewhat mushy, 3-7 makes CW > signals sound real mushy, but fully readable. I routinely use NB set > to DSP 2-7, no IF, just for this purpose. > > I use the 250 Hz (really 310 or 320) 8 pole narrow CW filter defined > to the radio as 350 Hz and 350 DSP to live with ghastly clicks from a > signal up 400 Hz while running. > > 73, Guy. > > On Tue, Dec 1, 2009 at 8:25 AM, Brian Machesney wrote: > >> Stewart, >> >> I'm starting a new thread on this subject because your post reminded me to >> write in on the subject. >> >> Since a "key click" is an impulse of signal to the RX, perhaps they could be >> reduced by a "noise blanker" type of function. That will make it even more >> impossible to know that you're close to an offending station! Now, if we >> could just cancel the offending station's signal all together, there will be >> no more QRM! >> >> -- >> 73 -- Brian -- K1LI >> >> __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3: killing RX key clicks
All good suggestions, Ron -- including turning off the NB if not mentioned previously. Engaging the NB function oftentimes produces internally-generated clicks. Paul, W9AC - Original Message - From: "Ron D'Eau Claire" To: "'Elecraft Reflector'" Sent: Tuesday, December 01, 2009 12:51 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3: killing RX key clicks > Key clicks can be generated by several different mechanisms within the > receiver itself. Paradoxically, it's easier to produce false clicks with a > high performance receiver than it is with a lesser receiver. > > These have nothing to do with the transmitted signal. > > The first line of "defense" is to turn off the Preamp and turn on the > Attenuator to reduce the overall strength of the signals. Next is to set > the > AGC to "Slow" to ensure a strong signal isn't within the roofing filter > bandpass and triggering the AGC while the variable DSP filter is set > narrow > so the beat note isn't heard. In some cases using the RF gain to control > the > level helps a great deal. Another approach is to use a narrower roofing > filter or to shift your bandpass so the edge of the roofing filter is very > close to the desired signal on the side toward the interfering station and > as far from the interfering station as possible. Shifting the bandpass may > require you open up your DSP bandwidth to continue to hear the desired > signal or shifting the DSP filter position within the roofing filter > bandpass. > > And, remember, "clicks" are an essential component of a CW signal. They > are > the sidebands created by modulating (keying) the signal. Very careful > shaping of the keying envelope, such as used in the K2 and K3, can > minimize > clicks while maintaining an easily readable signal, but the only way to > completely eliminate clicks is to not key the signal at all. With a really > high-performance you can snuggle up very close to a signal, as many here > have noted. When you do that, you're much more likely to hear the > essential > clicks required for good keying. > > Ron AC7AC > > > __ > 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 __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3: killing RX key clicks
Key clicks can be generated by several different mechanisms within the receiver itself. Paradoxically, it's easier to produce false clicks with a high performance receiver than it is with a lesser receiver. These have nothing to do with the transmitted signal. The first line of "defense" is to turn off the Preamp and turn on the Attenuator to reduce the overall strength of the signals. Next is to set the AGC to "Slow" to ensure a strong signal isn't within the roofing filter bandpass and triggering the AGC while the variable DSP filter is set narrow so the beat note isn't heard. In some cases using the RF gain to control the level helps a great deal. Another approach is to use a narrower roofing filter or to shift your bandpass so the edge of the roofing filter is very close to the desired signal on the side toward the interfering station and as far from the interfering station as possible. Shifting the bandpass may require you open up your DSP bandwidth to continue to hear the desired signal or shifting the DSP filter position within the roofing filter bandpass. And, remember, "clicks" are an essential component of a CW signal. They are the sidebands created by modulating (keying) the signal. Very careful shaping of the keying envelope, such as used in the K2 and K3, can minimize clicks while maintaining an easily readable signal, but the only way to completely eliminate clicks is to not key the signal at all. With a really high-performance you can snuggle up very close to a signal, as many here have noted. When you do that, you're much more likely to hear the essential clicks required for good keying. Ron AC7AC __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 in the CQWW contest
Even with a lesser receiver, I allow plenty of frequency spacing between myself and another station on CW, recognizing that the other station may not have superb selectivity. Around the CW QRP frequencies, I often allow a full kHz and several hundred Hz on other frequencies. When getting ready to transmit on new frequency I always open up the selectivity before sending "QRL?" so I can hear if anyone nearby responds who I would never hear with less selectivity. Besides, as others observed, other stations are often not quite on frequency and the CQing station using narrow selectivity may just keep heating the aether while others are trying to respond just outside of his bandpass. Ron AC7AC __ 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
[Elecraft] F.S. Elecraft K-1
Elecraft K-1 for sale. 2 band, mint, plus extras. Please contact via w9...@arrl.net. 72 Bob, W9EWW __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3: killing RX key clicks
Already done. Using roofing and DSP width that are closely matched, a clicky signal that is down very steep skirts will be converted into pulses. The roofing and DSP skirts need to **combine to be as steep as possible**. Set the NB to off for IF, and use DSP settings 2-7 or 3-7. I've had 3-7 suppress S9+10 key clicks to S3 (ABS noise level) in some instances, and able to use slow AGC as if the offending signal were not there. 2-7 makes the CW sound somewhat mushy, 3-7 makes CW signals sound real mushy, but fully readable. I routinely use NB set to DSP 2-7, no IF, just for this purpose. I use the 250 Hz (really 310 or 320) 8 pole narrow CW filter defined to the radio as 350 Hz and 350 DSP to live with ghastly clicks from a signal up 400 Hz while running. 73, Guy. On Tue, Dec 1, 2009 at 8:25 AM, Brian Machesney wrote: > Stewart, > > I'm starting a new thread on this subject because your post reminded me to > write in on the subject. > > Since a "key click" is an impulse of signal to the RX, perhaps they could be > reduced by a "noise blanker" type of function. That will make it even more > impossible to know that you're close to an offending station! Now, if we > could just cancel the offending station's signal all together, there will be > no more QRM! > > -- > 73 -- Brian -- K1LI > > On Tue, Dec 1, 2009 at 4:41 AM, GW0ETF wrote: > >> >> Ref key clicks. adjust the onboard system which emits anti-phase sound >> to cancel the engine noise and so make them silent to other vessels nearby. >> >> So I wonder if it might be feasible to develop a system on the K3 to use >> the 2nd rx to listen to the offending signal and the software produce an >> anti-phase 'key click' in the main receiving bandwidth to cancel the >> clicks...? >> >> 73, >> >> Stewart Rolfe, GW0ETF (GW6W in cqww..) >> >> >> > __ > 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 > __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 static electricity
Just received this from Elecraft: "The paint should be removed around the inside of the front panel where the encoder mounts. This was not done on some early models, but it should have been done on all later units. You might check that, and make sure the lock washer is there on the threads of the encoder and the hex nut on the front panel is tight." The problem is the K3, not my house. Humidity is now 37% which is pretty typical for this time of year. I will check the grounding of the VFO knob and report back to the group. I did not have this problem last year. During the summer, Elecraft sent me a new front panel with the latest revisions. Since then I've had this static problem so someone must have slipped up! 73 Steve N4LQ n...@carolina.rr.com - Original Message - From: "Alan Sewell N5NA" To: Sent: Tuesday, December 01, 2009 11:15 AM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 static electricity >I had this problem occur with my Omni VI back in the 90's. When I would > walk in the room and touch the VFO the rig would shut down. A friend > across town had the same problem with his Omni VI. It took us a while > to figure out it was static electricity. > > Ten-Tec's fix was to send out a short piece of braid with a solder lug > on each end. One end went around the encoder shaft, the other end was > attached to the rig chasis. That solved the problem. > > Someone said "Static electricity is YOUR problem, not the K3's." I have > to disagree. The K3 shouldn't be susceptible to static electricity. > > 73, > > Alan N5NA > > > Paul Christensen wrote: >> Steve, >> >> I recall a VFO static problem with one of the Ten Tec models. My memory >> has >> faded, but I thought part of their solution used a series of highly >> conductive felt washers on the encoder shaft. Anyway, it would be >> interesting to see if Ten Tec's encoder kit for that problem could be >> adapted to the K3 -- as long as it does not otherwise affect the spin of >> the >> VFO knob. >> >> Paul, W9AC >> >> __ >> 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 >> >> > __ > 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 No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.709 / Virus Database: 270.14.88/2538 - Release Date: 12/01/09 02:59:00 __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 static electricity
Since touching the VFO knob causes the problem while touching the case does not, I suspect your VFO encoder is not grounded to the front panel sheet metal. You can check with an ohmmeter if you're not adverse to removing the VFO A knob*. Put one probe on the metal shaft of the encoder and the other on a bare metal chassis ground point such as the knurled nut on the PHONES jack. If it's not nearly a dead short, there's a grounding problem. If the circuit is open, suggest you post a query to k3support at elecraft dot com. *The knob comes off easily. First slide the rubber "tire" off (get your finger nails behind the edge nearest the front panel and work it off toward you). Then you'll find set screw holes under the tire. A wrench came with your K3 that will loosen the screws. When you put it back together, the usual approach to getting the tension against the felt washers behind the knob right is to stand the K3 on its back panel and set the knob onto the encoder shaft. The weight of the knob usually produces the right amount of friction. Ron AC7AC -Original Message- What can I do to eliminate the static electricity problem with K3? Every time I touch the main VFO (A) knob the display goes dark, audio goes off, frequency changes among other things. After about 5 seconds it recovers but somewhat off frequency. Just a little foot shuffling will develop enough charge to cause this. Touching the metal on the rig will discharge things but it's hard to remember to do this. Am I missing a ground on this VFO knob or what? BTW...The FP is only a few months old, new version. Steve N4LQ n...@carolina.rr.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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 static electricity
I had this problem occur with my Omni VI back in the 90's. When I would walk in the room and touch the VFO the rig would shut down. A friend across town had the same problem with his Omni VI. It took us a while to figure out it was static electricity. Ten-Tec's fix was to send out a short piece of braid with a solder lug on each end. One end went around the encoder shaft, the other end was attached to the rig chasis. That solved the problem. Someone said "Static electricity is YOUR problem, not the K3's." I have to disagree. The K3 shouldn't be susceptible to static electricity. 73, Alan N5NA Paul Christensen wrote: > Steve, > > I recall a VFO static problem with one of the Ten Tec models. My memory has > faded, but I thought part of their solution used a series of highly > conductive felt washers on the encoder shaft. Anyway, it would be > interesting to see if Ten Tec's encoder kit for that problem could be > adapted to the K3 -- as long as it does not otherwise affect the spin of the > VFO knob. > > Paul, W9AC > > __ > 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 > > __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 static electricity
Hold on a moment Steve. Before you buy a humidifier, let me suggest that something appears to be ungrounded internally as you suggest. My shack is in an unhumidified work space in New Mexico. I can generate a good bit of static if I wear a fleece sweater and slide just so on my office chair. I've zapped against my K3 many times (it's grounded of course) and it's never once caused a reaction. You might want to ask the factory. I think you have a problem. Windy KM5Q > Steve Ellington > Mon, 30 Nov 2009 18:40:06 -0800 > > What can I do to eliminate the static electricity problem with K3? > Every > time I touch the main VFO (A) knob the display goes dark, audio goes > off, > frequency changes among other things. After about 5 seconds it > recovers but > somewhat off frequency. Just a little foot shuffling will develop > enough > charge to cause this. Touching the metal on the rig will discharge > things > but it's hard to remember to do this. Am I missing a ground on this > VFO knob > or what? BTW...The FP is only a few months old, new version. > > Steve > N4LQ > n...@carolina.rr.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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 static electricity
A little further investigating and I found this: > "We also had a few occasions where the operator stood up (sliding across > the chair) and touched the radio [Omni VII] and got zapped - resulting in > the radio needing to be turned off and on again. Unlike the ORION, this > routine takes only a couple of seconds. Ten-Tec's response: "The static > discharge is real. The fix is already implemented in production. It is > just a case of adding a ground from the encoder frame to the chassis." My guess is that Ten Tec can probably supply you with a kit that will work just fine with the K3. Paul, W9AC __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Aliens showing "Displeasure?"
On Nov 30, 2009, at 9:19 PM, Ken Kopp wrote: > Don't forget touch lamps notorious sources of noise. What is a "touch lamp" ? Byron KI6NUL __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 in the CQWW contest
Noisy is what the uninitiated say whenever they don't yet know to back off the RF gain just enough to take the riding band noise down to a comfortable level. This was one of the lessons new Orion owners had to learn as well, which could be set in the menu per band. 73, Guy. On Tue, Dec 1, 2009 at 8:25 AM, Hector Padron wrote: > Don't know why they say K3 is noisy.I have owned MK5,2000,Orion and lately > ProIII and so far the less noisier radio was the K3,sometimes it sounds so > quite that I am afraid it might be broken or off. > > AD4C > > > > > "For a refined ham it is compulsory to own a k3" > > --- On Mon, 11/30/09, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote: > > > From: Joe Subich, W4TV > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 in the CQWW contest > To: "'DOUGLAS ZWIEBEL'" , elecraft@mailman.qth.net > Date: Monday, November 30, 2009, 11:14 PM > > > > Received an e-mail from an EU MM group who tried the K3 > for the first time this weekend along side the typical > mix of FT-1000MP, MK V, 2000 radios (many with Inrad > roofing filters and W8JI NB mods). Operators were mixed > when it came to receiving a single signal on a quiet band > - those who preferred other radios felt the K3 was too > "noisy." However, when it came t dealing with QRM and a > busy band, the K3 was the unanimous choice. > > I'm sure that once they get used to the K3 and learn to > set-up the AGC characteristics (slope/threshold) for their > own taste and conditions. the former "world class" radios > will be a thing of the past. > > 73, > > ... Joe, W4TV > > > > >> -Original Message- >> From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net >> [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of DOUGLAS ZWIEBEL >> Sent: Monday, November 30, 2009 12:38 PM >> To: Elecraft Reflector >> Subject: [Elecraft] K3 in the CQWW contest >> >> >> from a perennial winner (or 2nd placer)... >> >> http://lists.contesting.com/pipermail/3830/2009-November/186148.html >> >> Says it all (only need to ready first two paragraphs, >> although he again lauds the K3 further down). >> >> What a great radio >> >> Thanks Aptos (or wherever you are now). >> >> de Doug KR2Q > > > > __ > 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 > > > > > __ > 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 > __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 in the CQWW contest
I see a little odd symmetry here, between a local interference case (my QTH) and contesting with the K3. Incidentally, I get same complaints on CW and SSB. Can't hear them, but their radios have such poor filtering or selectivity that my TX is wrecking what they receive, when close to their freq. And that's without the crowded contest environment, a majority of the time. There's also a local ham with "clockwise syndrome", who runs way too much power to make sure he amplifies the splatter. He has off-frequency energy and gets into the K3 from many KHz away. I've complained to him numerous times about wasting energy by blasting it all over the spectrum, etc. No argument works with this guy. Showing him a spectrum plot of his signal from an 8656B didn't help - he said my spectrum analyzer was defective, despite same-band same strength signals looking different and narrower than his. Maybe he'd believe a P3 plot? So we can have the problem both ways. The K3 can hear gudge thrown off by improperly set up TX, and it can't hear nearby signals with TX run correctly, because it's designed for this. This sort of thing happens when a revolutionary breakthrough happens in most infrastructure. The yesteryear equipment and today's SOTA eqmt aren't compatible any more. That's an extreme statement, because we should consider our neighbors (we K3'ers). Just the same the neighbors probably won't consider anyone but themselves. This is how it has always been, imho, for some special privileged class of ham. SIC. And we don't have to act like that, because most ops want to be the best - and that isn't just a technical factor. Now, if everyone just threw in the towel on the old equipment and bought K3's we would all be compatible again. I neglected to ask Wayne or Eric when their sales forecasts projected this to happen, but it might be a few more years. This same topic has come up on the list many times, so that means the problem cited has occurred many times more than that. If we just think of others using inferior equipment on HF for RX, we might operate a little differently. Think of someone using a Hammarlund receiver ca. 1945 with no crystal filtering at all, and just a BFO to make sideband usable. Maybe there should be separate band segments for K3-only operation? :) 73, matt W6NIA K3 #24 K2 #2810 On Tue, 01 Dec 2009 06:02:43 -0800 (PST), you wrote: > > > > > > > > > > > > > >That is exactly what's happening to me daily but on SSB,guys with poor >selectivity radios about 3Khz from me come to my freq to complain I am >bothering them and honestly I don't hear a thing even at 3Khz and with 30db >over 9 signal,when I go to CW I can be at just 300Hz away from a 599 signal >and still be able to pull a 559 signal with the 500Hz roofer and the DSP >dialed to 200Hz,this radio has an amazing selectivity no doubt about it. > >AD4C > > >"For a refined ham it is compulsory to own a k3" > >--- On Tue, 12/1/09, Dyarnes wrote: > > >From: Dyarnes >Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 in the CQWW contest >To: "Jim Brown" , "Elecraft Reflector" > >Date: Tuesday, December 1, 2009, 4:09 AM > > >That's an excellent point Jim! I don't think most folks realize how close >you can get to another station with a K3 and not even know they are there! >I used to have big problems with a fellow who lives about a quarter of a >mile from me--not his fault, but he was just LOUD! Now, I don't even know >he is on the band unless I stumble right on top of him! Let me just say >that narrow roofing filters in the K3 are for real! It's a whole different >world than with previous transceivers--even the Orion! > >Dave W7AQK > > >- Original Message - >From: "Jim Brown" >To: "Elecraft Reflector" >Sent: Monday, November 30, 2009 2:49 PM >Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 in the CQWW contest > > >> On Mon, 30 Nov 2009 12:37:46 -0500, DOUGLAS ZWIEBEL wrote: >> >>>What a great radio >> >> Yes. Several times I got complaints from guys who came on my new run >> frequency to complain when I landed too close to theirfrequency on >> 40M. Thanks to my K3, I didn't even know they were there, and >> couldn't hear them with my IF opened up to 400 Hz. Can't blame it on >> my TX -- on CW, I can run 500 Hz away from my close-in neighbors who >> also use K3s. >> >> 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 > >__ >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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 static electricity
Steve, I recall a VFO static problem with one of the Ten Tec models. My memory has faded, but I thought part of their solution used a series of highly conductive felt washers on the encoder shaft. Anyway, it would be interesting to see if Ten Tec's encoder kit for that problem could be adapted to the K3 -- as long as it does not otherwise affect the spin of the VFO knob. Paul, W9AC __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 static electricity
Guy, K2AV wrote: > > Static electricity is YOUR problem, not the K3's. If you are rubbing > your feet over a rug, spray it with static spray. Or ground yourself > on a little bit of static pad that you put there for the purpose. Do > something so you are not a lightning bolt every time you move. > I completely agree. All 3 of us live in NC where low humidity is seldom a problem. It's a very different story than when I lived in Colorado and could draw a 1/2" arc by walking across a carpet. If Steve has static electricity here, it's definitely his problem. I've never had static problems in my shack since moving back to NC from Colorado 16 years ago. 73, Bill -- View this message in context: http://n2.nabble.com/K3-static-electricity-tp4091602p4094103.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 in the CQWW contest
That is exactly what's happening to me daily but on SSB,guys with poor selectivity radios about 3Khz from me come to my freq to complain I am bothering them and honestly I don't hear a thing even at 3Khz and with 30db over 9 signal,when I go to CW I can be at just 300Hz away from a 599 signal and still be able to pull a 559 signal with the 500Hz roofer and the DSP dialed to 200Hz,this radio has an amazing selectivity no doubt about it. AD4C "For a refined ham it is compulsory to own a k3" --- On Tue, 12/1/09, Dyarnes wrote: From: Dyarnes Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 in the CQWW contest To: "Jim Brown" , "Elecraft Reflector" Date: Tuesday, December 1, 2009, 4:09 AM That's an excellent point Jim! I don't think most folks realize how close you can get to another station with a K3 and not even know they are there! I used to have big problems with a fellow who lives about a quarter of a mile from me--not his fault, but he was just LOUD! Now, I don't even know he is on the band unless I stumble right on top of him! Let me just say that narrow roofing filters in the K3 are for real! It's a whole different world than with previous transceivers--even the Orion! Dave W7AQK - Original Message - From: "Jim Brown" To: "Elecraft Reflector" Sent: Monday, November 30, 2009 2:49 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 in the CQWW contest > On Mon, 30 Nov 2009 12:37:46 -0500, DOUGLAS ZWIEBEL wrote: > >>What a great radio > > Yes. Several times I got complaints from guys who came on my new run > frequency to complain when I landed too close to theirfrequency on > 40M. Thanks to my K3, I didn't even know they were there, and > couldn't hear them with my IF opened up to 400 Hz. Can't blame it on > my TX -- on CW, I can run 500 Hz away from my close-in neighbors who > also use K3s. > > 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 __ 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 __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 static electricity
Steve,
In addition to being bad for your radio, the dry air that's allowing the
static charges to build up on your skin aren't good for the rest of your
body (sinuses, skin, etc.). We use a "whole house" humidifier that sits on
the floor near the wood stove ("Vermont crude" is a lot cheaper than the
slick stuff, even though it's more work...). No problems with static,
snoring, etc.
--
73 -- Brian -- K1LI
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[Elecraft] K3: killing RX key clicks
Stewart, I'm starting a new thread on this subject because your post reminded me to write in on the subject. Since a "key click" is an impulse of signal to the RX, perhaps they could be reduced by a "noise blanker" type of function. That will make it even more impossible to know that you're close to an offending station! Now, if we could just cancel the offending station's signal all together, there will be no more QRM! -- 73 -- Brian -- K1LI On Tue, Dec 1, 2009 at 4:41 AM, GW0ETF wrote: > > Ref key clicks. adjust the onboard system which emits anti-phase sound > to cancel the engine noise and so make them silent to other vessels nearby. > > So I wonder if it might be feasible to develop a system on the K3 to use > the 2nd rx to listen to the offending signal and the software produce an > anti-phase 'key click' in the main receiving bandwidth to cancel the > clicks...? > > 73, > > Stewart Rolfe, GW0ETF (GW6W in cqww..) > > > __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 in the CQWW contest
Don't know why they say K3 is noisy.I have owned MK5,2000,Orion and lately ProIII and so far the less noisier radio was the K3,sometimes it sounds so quite that I am afraid it might be broken or off. AD4C "For a refined ham it is compulsory to own a k3" --- On Mon, 11/30/09, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote: From: Joe Subich, W4TV Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 in the CQWW contest To: "'DOUGLAS ZWIEBEL'" , elecraft@mailman.qth.net Date: Monday, November 30, 2009, 11:14 PM Received an e-mail from an EU MM group who tried the K3 for the first time this weekend along side the typical mix of FT-1000MP, MK V, 2000 radios (many with Inrad roofing filters and W8JI NB mods). Operators were mixed when it came to receiving a single signal on a quiet band - those who preferred other radios felt the K3 was too "noisy." However, when it came t dealing with QRM and a busy band, the K3 was the unanimous choice. I'm sure that once they get used to the K3 and learn to set-up the AGC characteristics (slope/threshold) for their own taste and conditions. the former "world class" radios will be a thing of the past. 73, ... Joe, W4TV > -Original Message- > From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net > [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of DOUGLAS ZWIEBEL > Sent: Monday, November 30, 2009 12:38 PM > To: Elecraft Reflector > Subject: [Elecraft] K3 in the CQWW contest > > > from a perennial winner (or 2nd placer)... > > http://lists.contesting.com/pipermail/3830/2009-November/186148.html > > Says it all (only need to ready first two paragraphs, > although he again lauds the K3 further down). > > What a great radio > > Thanks Aptos (or wherever you are now). > > de Doug KR2Q __ 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 __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 in the CQWW contest
Another K3 user with a Topband score of note: http://lists.contesting.com/pipermail/topband/2009-November/032025.html N7UA is using a K3 in diversity with his TX 4SQ in one RX and phased Beverages in the other. For any not familiar with Topband propagation it's unheard of for the West Coast to ever beat the top East Coast scores (including multi-multis). Now Bob has done it two years in a row! Of course exceptionally quiet auroral conditions should get much of the credit but I'm sure the K3 helped. 73, Bill W4ZV -- View this message in context: http://n2.nabble.com/K3-in-the-CQWW-contest-tp4088913p4093056.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 in the CQWW contest
For a couple of years now, since getting K3 #145, I've had the impression that activity in the big contests like CQWW has been dropping off because now I don't seem to have problems finding a run frequency. Obviously it's all down to the K3:-) Ref key clicks.(bear with me!) I have relations who fish langoustine off north west Scotland in an area used as a 'testing site' for the Royal Navy nuclear submarine fleet. Here they analyse the sound spectrum emitted by new or serviced engines so they can adjust the onboard system which emits anti-phase sound to cancel the engine noise and so make them silent to other vessels nearby. So I wonder if it might be feasible to develop a system on the K3 to use the 2nd rx to listen to the offending signal and the software produce an anti-phase 'key click' in the main receiving bandwidth to cancel the clicks...? Just an idle thought while the coffee is brewing. 73, Stewart Rolfe, GW0ETF (GW6W in cqww..) Jim Brown-10 wrote: > > On Mon, 30 Nov 2009 12:37:46 -0500, DOUGLAS ZWIEBEL wrote: > > Several times I got complaints from guys who came on my new run > frequency to complain when I landed too close to theirfrequency on > 40M. Thanks to my K3, I didn't even know they were there, and > couldn't hear them with my IF opened up to 400 Hz. Can't blame it on > my TX -- on CW, I can run 500 Hz away from my close-in neighbors who > also use K3s. > > 73, > > Jim K9YC > > -- View this message in context: http://n2.nabble.com/K3-in-the-CQWW-contest-tp4088913p4092752.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.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
