[Elecraft] WTB K3 or K2
Hello Group, If you are considering selling your K2 or K3, please advise me the following information OFF the list : 1. first 2 digits of the serial no. of your radio e.g. 66xx 2. options installed 3. working environment (smoking or non-smoking) 4. your expected price (no worry about the shipping costs which will be addressed at a later stage) 73 Johnny VR2XMC __ 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] Blank P3 Cases
Is there any likelihood of blank P3 cases being made available in the future (as with the EC1, EC2) for people who would like to build their own matching accessories? - Julian, G4ILO. K2 #392 K3 #222. * G4ILO's Shack - http://www.g4ilo.com * KComm - http://www.g4ilo.com/kcomm.html * KTune - http://www.g4ilo.com/ktune.html -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/Any-P3-Updates-tp5290528p5291502.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] Let's Try This Again -- was [K3] ... A 750 Hz, 8-Pole ... Filter?
You might consider that it's not a contesting bandwidth, more a pleasant casual operating bandwidth. And in casual conditions my SSB 1.8 roofing filter with DSP set to 750 does as well, which I do. It's only in contests that I get a 35 over 9 signal up 350 Hz that I need to keep out of the hardware AGC. 73, Guy. On Tue, Jul 13, 2010 at 10:36 PM, Gary Hvizdak garyhviz...@cfl.rr.com wrote: Referring to http://mailman.qth.net/pipermail/elecraft/2010-June/131426.html recently I posted several reasons why K3 owners might be interested in a 750 Hz 8-pole INRAD roofing filter. The response to that post was immediate and enthusiastic, but it wasn't sufficient for us to commission INRAD to begin production. Perhaps the reason for the limited response was that folks were already firmly focused on Field Day? Whatever the reason ... once again ... if you are interested in a 750 Hz 8-pole INRAD roofing filter for your K3, please email me (off-Reflector) at webmas...@unpcbs.com to express your interest. If instead you think that there might be a greater demand for some other bandwidth 8-pole INRAD roofing filter, please email me (off-Reflector) to let me know that width and include your reasoning for desiring that other width. 73 and TNX for the B/W, Gary KI4GGX K3 #2724 P.S. Keep in mind that if Wayne and company ever do get around to offering a few choices of their long-promised dual-width (formerly variable-width) filters, that those filters will almost certainly be of the same 5-pole design as the three existing Elecraft roofing filters. __ 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] Let's Try This Again -- was [K3] ... A 750 Hz, 8-Pole ... Filter?
On Wed, 14 Jul 2010 09:06:04 -0400, Guy Olinger K2AV wrote: You might consider that it's not a contesting bandwidth, more a pleasant casual operating bandwidth. And in casual conditions my SSB 1.8 roofing filter with DSP set to 750 does as well, which I do. It's only in contests that I get a 35 over 9 signal up 350 Hz that I need to keep out of the hardware AGC. Guy is right. You're trying to solve a problem that doesn't exist, at least not for most of us. 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] Blank P3 Cases
Is there any likelihood of blank P3 cases being made available in the future (as with the EC1, EC2) for people who would like to build their own matching accessories? Ditto. __ 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-
Hello all, I have been thinking about building another K3 for EME . In the Aug QST on page 49 it states that Elecraft recommends throttling back the external ( XV144 Xverter )to 5 watts in FM or data modes, Is this true ?? If this is not true How much power can I run with JT65 mode. This is the mode that we use for 2M EME. I was looking at the internal K144XV , But it may not have enough drive for a power amp. Thanks 73 Ken K5DNL __ 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] Let's Try This Again -- was [K3] ... A 750 Hz, 8-Pole ... Filter?
Wed Jul 14 09:06:04 EDT 2010 Guy Olinger (K2AV) wrote ... ... it's not a contesting bandwidth, more a pleasant casual operating bandwidth ... my SSB 1.8 roofing filter with DSP set to 750 does as well ... Wed Jul 14 09:36:33 EDT 2010 Jim Brown (K9YC) wrote ... You're trying to solve a problem that doesn't exist, at least not for most of us. --- - - - --- Guy, Not everyone has a 1.8 kHz filter and not everyone operates CW contests. And yes the whole idea for 750 Hz was that it offers a pleasant casual operating width, and for some operators might be preferred versus INRAD's existing 500 Hz filter (which is too narrow) and their 1 kHz filter (which is too wide). Jim, The fact that the problem doesn't exist for most of us doesn't negate the fact that there are folks who feel differently. Some simply think it's a good idea, while others are eager to purchase such a filter today if were it available! 73, Gary KI4GGX K3 #2724 __ 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: narrow filter
Hello, I have in my K3, in both MAIN and SUB this filters: KFL3A-400 400 Hz, narrow 8-pole filter KFL3A-1.8K 1.8 kHz, 8-pole filter When I reduce width, I notice that it went down to 200 in CW. This is true? So that´s means I don´t need the KFL3A-250 250 Hz, narrow 8-pole filter to narrow less than 400Hz? 73, Jorge CX6VM/CW5W K3 #4077 __ 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] continuous relay click in RX ANT IN
Thanks Tom, I have the later version, will check with relays it have. Will install it, taking care of the amp relay control. I have the diagram to connect it right. Thanks ! 73, Jorge CX6VM/CW5W -Mensaje original- De: Tom W8JI [mailto:w...@w8ji.com] Enviado el: Martes, 13 de Julio de 2010 11:37 a.m. Para: Jorge Diez - CX6VM; 'Elecraft Reflector' Asunto: Re: [Elecraft] continuous relay click in RX ANT IN Seems is similar to this made from ICE, at least will add extra protection to the K3, what do you think? Or it will decrease the RX signals I can receive in the K3? As far as I know that unit uses reed relays, and should have no detectable loss. I think there might be two models of that, but I have only seen a reed relay version. The advantage of the one I saw is the low loss and no signal distortion using relays. You must run the amplifier relay control through it to be sure the protection sequence is correct. 73 Tom __ 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] Let's Try This Again -- was [K3] ... A 750 Hz, 8-Pole ... Filter?
As another data point in this discussion... I operate 100% CW with my K3, which is equipped with 200, 500, 1000, and 2.7KHz filters. During FD 2010 I made 400+ CW QSO's during my two 4 hour operating shifts. The great majority of that operating time was spent with the DSP bandwidth at 600-700 Hz (and the 1KHz crystal filter.) Only once, when digging out a weak one, did I narrow the bandwidth tight enough to engage the 200Hz crystal filter. FD may not be the ultimate contest environment test, but it's busy. Calling stations are often pretty far off zero beat in FD, so one needs a fairly wide bandwidth to hear many of them. The 1KHz crystal filter combined with the K3 DSP did a swimmingly good job this year and in FD's 09 and 08. Would a 750 Hz crystal filter be better? Perhaps, but I'm quite happy with what I have now. 73, john WA1ABI __ 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] Let's Try This Again -- was [K3] ... A 750 Hz, 8-Pole ... Filter?
Gary, you said: existing 500 Hz filter (which is too narrow)and their 1 kHz filter (which is too wide). 500 Hz is too narrow? For what? 1 kHz too wide? For what? What's in this bandwidth gap? I have both the 500Hz and 1kHz filters in my K3, and they are perfect for their intended purpose. I see no need or potential benefit in creating something that would be somewhere in between the two. I'm puzzled by your conclusion that 750 Hz will provide something special. For what and for who? 73, Bob W5OV __ 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: narrow filter
There are two levels of filtering going on. The DSP (software) filtering is independent of the crystal roofing (hardware) filtering. You set the roofing filters to automatically kick in to match what you dial for the DSP. You have to tell the radio what filters you have installed and when you want them to kick in. It is all in the menus. I have mine set up so the 500 hz roofing filter kicks in when I reduce the DSP to 600 hz. Sounds to me like you don't have the filters coordinated. Buck k4ia k3# 101 In a message dated 7/14/2010 10:45:38 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, cx6vm.jo...@adinet.com.uy writes: Hello, I have in my K3, in both MAIN and SUB this filters: KFL3A-400 400 Hz, narrow 8-pole filter KFL3A-1.8K 1.8 kHz, 8-pole filter When I reduce “width”, I notice that it went down to 200 in CW. This is true? So that´s means I don´t need the KFL3A-250 250 Hz, narrow 8-pole filter to narrow less than 400Hz? 73, Jorge CX6VM/CW5W K3 #4077 __ 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] eHam.net forum message
I wonder if he is talking about QRN from storms, etc. or manmade QRN? I've heard this before. The K3's AGC pulse rejection feature is intended to improve performance in this area. Has anyone tried to quantify or describe this better? It would need to be done with an a/b comparison. It's not so easy to describe types of QRN, either. 'QRN' is meaningless, because of the huge differences in the nature of noise, which anyone who tries to compare noise blankers, for example, soon learns! On 7/13/2010 9:37 PM, r...@aol.com wrote: Dick Van Zandt (K9OM) has sent you a forum message for you to review. - start of message - Noisy DSP experiences. Forum: Articles Subject: An Interesting CQ WPX CW Experience Thequot;noisy DSPquot; phenomena is well known. Rob Sherwood has also identified this problem and has written about it. I have the following radios K3 K2 Flex5000 IC7700 Perseus ALL the above radios except the K2suffer from the noisy front end problem when mild QRN is around. It sounds like these radios have a reverb unit on the receiver which multiplies static and pulse noise. Elecraft claims to have a cure for this problem, however I still find the receiver noisy. The K2 I prefer over the K3 on CW when there is QRN around. The filters on the K2 sound better on CW when there is QRN about. It amazes me every time that I turn on any of my old old analog radios like the TS830S or the FT1000D and do a comparison. The QRN all of a sudden becomes tolerable and not so nerve wrecking. The TS830S is still my favorite low band radio for picking weak signals out of QRN on 160 and 80 meters. This is especially so when there is a lot static and QRN around. Its unfortunate that there is no current model analog transceiver manufactured that has fantastic receiver dynamic range numbers like the Elecraft K3. The only option available is to build your own like the PA3AKE H-mode mixer high performance receiver. http://www.xs4all.nl/~martein/pa3ake/hmode/ -- Vic, K2VCO Fresno CA http://www.qsl.net/k2vco/ __ 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] Let's Try This Again -- was '[K3] ... A 750 Hz, 8-Pole ... Filter?'
Not really. Remember that these are roofing filters and their job is to reduce the amount of signal that the DSP has to deal with. The ultimate selectivity is based on the IF/AF DSP. Also review the manual about the dual context feature. This gives you a center narrow filter and a wider one with reduced sensativity to alloy you to hear those who are calling a bit off freq but not so much as to hinder someone you are working on frequency. - 73, Greg - AB7R Whidbey Island WA NA-065 On Wed Jul 14 8:30 , John King sent: As another data point in this discussion... I operate 100% CW with my K3, which is equipped with 200, 500, 1000, and 2.7KHz filters. During FD 2010 I made 400+ CW QSO's during my two 4 hour operating shifts. The great majority of that operating time was spent with the DSP bandwidth at 600-700 Hz (and the 1KHz crystal filter.) Only once, when digging out a weak one, did I narrow the bandwidth tight enough to engage the 200Hz crystal filter. FD may not be the ultimate contest environment test, but it's busy. Calling stations are often pretty far off zero beat in FD, so one needs a fairly wide bandwidth to hear many of them. The 1KHz crystal filter combined with the K3 DSP did a swimmingly good job this year and in FD's 09 and 08. Would a 750 Hz crystal filter be better? Perhaps, but I'm quite happy with what I have now. 73, john WA1ABI __ 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: narrow filter
On Wed, 14 Jul 2010 11:45:01 -0300, Jorge Diez - CX6VM wrote: Hello, I have in my K3, in both MAIN and SUB this filters: KFL3A-400 400 Hz, narrow 8-pole filter KFL3A-1.8K 1.8 kHz, 8-pole filter When I reduce width , I notice that it went down to 200 in CW. This is true? Yes, and it can be set as narrow as 50 Hz! So that´s means I don´t need the KFL3A-250 250 Hz, narrow 8-pole filter to narrow less than 400Hz? Right. BUT -- let's clearly understand the function of these fixed filters. First, let's talk about how the K3 works. Older radios were built with fixed bandwidth IFs, and with crystal filters that could be switched in for wide and narrow bandwidths. The K3 does not work that way -- instead, it uses a DSP system to provide IF filtering, and you set the width of that IF when you tune the WIDTH knob. Those FIXED filters that you plug into a K3 are ROOFING filters -- that is, they sit in front of the DSP system to protect it from overload by very strong signals that are very close in frequency. That is their ONLY function in the context of general operation. In the context of heavy QRM (contesting or a pileup), the selectivity of the roofing filter does a lot more -- it ADDS to the selectivity of the IF. This only matters when the QRM is VERY strong, and is most useful when the IF is set to the same bandwidth as the roofing filter. For example, let's say that you've got a 40dB over S9 signal 200Hz away from your frequency, and you're trying to copy an S3 signal. The DSP IF set to 400 Hz might reject that 40dB over S9 signal by 10 dB, and a 400 Hz roofing filter might add another 6 dB of rejection. If you narrow the DSP IF to 200 Hz, you might get 25 dB of rejection from the DSP IF. That same 400 Hz filter still gives you that 6dB more rejection, but a 250 Hz roofing filter might give you 15-20 dB of additional rejection. This combining of filtering is called CASCADING. Until last fall, I also used only 400 Hz and 1.8 kHz filters. I added a 250 Hz filter to one of my K3s in time for the winter contests, and soon found that it really helped on weak signals in heavy QRM. I've since added 250 Hz filters to my other K3 (the one with the sub-RX). When you use the MENU to set up the K3 properly, you tell the K3 what filters are installed in which sockets, and the K3 automatically switches them in when you change the WIDTH. For example, my 400 Hz filter switches in when I reduce the bandwidth from 450 Hz to 400 Hz, and my 250 Hz filter switches in at 250 Hz. You can also cause the filters to switch at different WIDTH settings by lying to the K3 about their bandwidth. For example, you could cause the 400 Hz filter to switch at 500 Hz by telling the K3 that it is a 500 Hz filter. Some very good operators do that and like it. 73, Jim Brown 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] Let's Try This Again -- was [K3] ... A 750 Hz, 8-Pole ... Filter?
I would have no use for a 750 Hz filter. 99% of the time I use SSB bandwidth on emty CW bands, or less than 500 Hz BW. I have my filters set so the 500 Hz roofing kicks in at 600 Hz BW, my 250 roofing in at 350. This is in an attempt to soften the big 50 Hz selectivity steps when using narrow filters. The only selectivity thing I would like to change is the huge percentage of step change at narrow selectivity. I find the steps much too abrupt, especially when the DSP changes at the same time the roofing filter does in a step. :-) The 50 Hz steps really annoy me at narrow CW selectivities. __ 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] eHam.net forum message
Thank you for posting K9OM's comment. FWIW I have a Perseus and two other receivers which both use H-Mode mixers, one of which uses a version of PA3AKE's H-Mode front end. With the Perseus used as a stand alone receiver, I have not experienced this noise problem in the presence of mild or quite strong static or manmade pulse QRN, UNLESS I wind up the Perseus' NR too far, then indeed there is some tunnel/ reverberation effect, which can at times be annoying. With the Perseus connected to the IF of either H-Mode receiver right after the first mixer, mainly for use as a panadapter, I very seldom use the Perseus' NR and then only at a low setting, and use the main receiver's LO noise blanker if required.. 73, Geoff GM4ESD On Wednesday, July 14, 2010 5:37 AM, RLVZ wrote: Dick Van Zandt (K9OM) has sent you a forum message for you to review. snip ALL the above radios except the K2suffer from the noisy front end problem when mild QRN is around. It sounds like these radios have a reverb unit on the receiver which multiplies static and pulse noise. Elecraft claims to have a cure for this problem, however I still find the receiver noisy. The K2 I prefer over the K3 on CW when there is QRN around. The filters on the K2 sound better on CW when there is QRN about. It amazes me every time that I turn on any of my old old analog radios like the TS830S or the FT1000D and do a comparison. The QRN all of a sudden becomes tolerable and not so nerve wrecking. The TS830S is still my favorite low band radio for picking weak signals out of QRN on 160 and 80 meters. This is especially so when there is a lot static and QRN around. Its unfortunate that there is no current model analog transceiver manufactured that has fantastic receiver dynamic range numbers like the Elecraft K3. The only option available is to build your own like the PA3AKE H-mode mixer high performance receiver. http://www.xs4all.nl/~martein/pa3ake/hmode/ __ 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] eHam.net forum message
FWIW I have a Perseus and two other receivers which both use H-Mode mixers, one of which uses a version of PA3AKE's H-Mode front end. With the Perseus used as a stand alone receiver, I have not experienced this noise problem in the presence of mild or quite strong static or manmade pulse QRN, UNLESS I wind up the Perseus' NR too far, then indeed there is some tunnel/ reverberation effect, which can at times be annoying. I think people are talking about two different things here. What I am talking about, and what I understand some others to be talking about, is a problem with DSP systems processing noise floor signal, especially when the noise is a bit rough, without adding artifacts that make copy or quality worse. This is not anything to do with noise blanker use, which would have limited use with a weak noise-floor signal. Processing with a noise blanker punches a hole or reduces gain for fast level increases, and noise blanking in a DSP is a different process. I'm not sure what goes on now, but years ago when I worked on some DSP NR systems it was necessary to compare many samples of signal and look for repeating patterns that would be a steady signal and try to subtract out things that did not repeat. This always caused a delay or echo or distortion, depending on the aggressiveness of the noise reduction. I fully expect any kind of blanker or processor to screw up the signal characteristics. There is no way around it. :-) My concern is when the processing is off and there should be a faithful accurate reproduction of signal, even when it is below noise floor. I have no problem at all with how the K3 blanker and noise reduction works, and actually IMO it does a good job for me. I just don't think any DSP radio is as good as a full analog system when signal levels are near noise levels, especially when the noise floor is a bit rough. 73 Tom __ 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: narrow filter
Thanks all for the info. Jim your email is very clear for me, I not understand too much how works roofing filers and DSP, buy you clarify me something. I have the same filters you have, and seems will be good to add the 250Hz filter, since I am in contests and I notice QRM of stations near my frequency. I not have too much 59+ station here, not too much hams here..., but seems will be good to have also the 250Hz filter. So now I have another question, I think I have room for only one more filter, so how will affect DIVERSITY if I have 250Hz, 400Hz, 1.8kHz in MAIN and 400Hz, 1.8kHz in SUB? I cannot do DIVERSITY with a 250Hz narrow filters (because I will not have it in both receivers), buy the K3 will work OK using the 400Hz I have in MAIN and SUB? Thanks, Jorge CX6VM/CW5W K3 #4077 -Mensaje original- De: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] En nombre de Jim Brown Enviado el: Miércoles, 14 de Julio de 2010 12:52 p.m. Para: Elecraft Reflector Asunto: Re: [Elecraft] K3: narrow filter On Wed, 14 Jul 2010 11:45:01 -0300, Jorge Diez - CX6VM wrote: Hello, I have in my K3, in both MAIN and SUB this filters: KFL3A-400 400 Hz, narrow 8-pole filter KFL3A-1.8K 1.8 kHz, 8-pole filter When I reduce width , I notice that it went down to 200 in CW. This is true? Yes, and it can be set as narrow as 50 Hz! So that4s means I don4t need the KFL3A-250 250 Hz, narrow 8-pole filter to narrow less than 400Hz? Right. BUT -- let's clearly understand the function of these fixed filters. First, let's talk about how the K3 works. Older radios were built with fixed bandwidth IFs, and with crystal filters that could be switched in for wide and narrow bandwidths. The K3 does not work that way -- instead, it uses a DSP system to provide IF filtering, and you set the width of that IF when you tune the WIDTH knob. Those FIXED filters that you plug into a K3 are ROOFING filters -- that is, they sit in front of the DSP system to protect it from overload by very strong signals that are very close in frequency. That is their ONLY function in the context of general operation. In the context of heavy QRM (contesting or a pileup), the selectivity of the roofing filter does a lot more -- it ADDS to the selectivity of the IF. This only matters when the QRM is VERY strong, and is most useful when the IF is set to the same bandwidth as the roofing filter. For example, let's say that you've got a 40dB over S9 signal 200Hz away from your frequency, and you're trying to copy an S3 signal. The DSP IF set to 400 Hz might reject that 40dB over S9 signal by 10 dB, and a 400 Hz roofing filter might add another 6 dB of rejection. If you narrow the DSP IF to 200 Hz, you might get 25 dB of rejection from the DSP IF. That same 400 Hz filter still gives you that 6dB more rejection, but a 250 Hz roofing filter might give you 15-20 dB of additional rejection. This combining of filtering is called CASCADING. Until last fall, I also used only 400 Hz and 1.8 kHz filters. I added a 250 Hz filter to one of my K3s in time for the winter contests, and soon found that it really helped on weak signals in heavy QRM. I've since added 250 Hz filters to my other K3 (the one with the sub-RX). When you use the MENU to set up the K3 properly, you tell the K3 what filters are installed in which sockets, and the K3 automatically switches them in when you change the WIDTH. For example, my 400 Hz filter switches in when I reduce the bandwidth from 450 Hz to 400 Hz, and my 250 Hz filter switches in at 250 Hz. You can also cause the filters to switch at different WIDTH settings by lying to the K3 about their bandwidth. For example, you could cause the 400 Hz filter to switch at 500 Hz by telling the K3 that it is a 500 Hz filter. Some very good operators do that and like it. 73, Jim Brown 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: Now I've heard everything
Thanks Joe and Chen, I'm using a series of power and stepped attenuators to couple the K3 to the SDR-IQ. The input attenuator is underrated a bit so I've been necessarily limiting transmit time at the higher levels. When time permits, I'll drag in a directional couple from storage and use it. Chen does your K3 PA talk back? Wes --- On Mon, 7/12/10, Joe Subich, W4TV li...@subich.com wrote: Can anyone else confirm or deny that their PA talks back to them? Does not do it here. I've made the same tests using the SDR-IQ with the directional coupler from my LP-100 and additional attenuation for the input to the SDR-IQ. IMD was stable as long as the power level was stable (Keep ALC at 5 bars and adjust power with the power control) and not particularly temperature sensitive although I did not push long key down times. I also made measurements of transmit image (+/- 30 KHz) using the FM filter for transmit in SSB and CW (no measurable image within the range of the SDR-IQ) using the same test set-up. The only thing I found necessary was to keep the SDR-IQ and K3 separated (could not leave the SDR-IQ set on the top of the K3) and use good quality cable between the SDR-IQ and directional coupler to limit any direct pick-up. 73, ... Joe, W4TV --- On Mon, 7/12/10, Kok Chen c...@mac.com wrote: For what its worth, when I ran close-spaced IMD measurements (*very* closed spaced -- the BPSK31 idle tone :-), I did not notice much drifting in IMD values once I got the ALC meter up to 4 to 5 bars. The transmit IMD will vary a little (I saw 2 dB) depending on the input drive, even while maintaining a constant 5 bars on the ALC meter. But the reading was stable as long as I kept the drive stable. Also, are you systematically tapping the signal from the dummy load? If you are just using a short pickup wire on the antenna port of the SQR-IQ, you could be seeing other artifacts. I had used Elecraft's directional coupler kit (no one should be without one :-) plus oodles of attenuation to directly feed the measurement receiver. 73 Chen, W7AY __ 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: narrow filter
On Wed, 14 Jul 2010 14:12:45 -0300, Jorge Diez - CX6VM wrote: So now I have another question, I think I have room for only one more filter, so how will affect DIVERSITY if I have 250Hz, 400Hz, 1.8kHz in MAIN and 400Hz, 1.8kHz in SUB? I cannot do DIVERSITY with a 250Hz narrow filters (because I will not have it in both receivers), buy the K3 will work OK using the 400Hz I have in MAIN and SUB? It is BEST to have the same filters in both RX for diversity, but diversity will still work with different filters, maybe not as well. The reasons relate to amplitude and phase response in the IFs of the two receivers. The only reason I can think of for not putting it in both receivers is money. But you're going to want two, so order two now and save the cost of the second shipping. :) 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] P3 shipping Status Update
As Wayne mentioned in his email, we've been shipping P3s to our Field Testers and are in the process of verifying the manual and P3 operation, and incorporating suggestions from our field Testers. First shipment estimate for P3s is 7/26-7/30. We now expect to receive our first production shipment of assembled PC boards early next week (7/19) and we will begin production testing them then. Final painted sheet metal has been delayed at the vendor 1-2 weeks and should arrive here by 7/23. It will take 5-6 weeks to ship the large backlog of P3 orders. New P3 orders received now will ship early September. We'll keep you updates here as we get closer to release. (We're running as fast as we can ;-) 73, Eric WA6HHQ __ 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] Blank P3 Cases
Not near term, but we'll revisit this as we get caught up on P3s. 73, Eric On 7/14/2010 6:52 AM, Andrew Moore wrote: Is there any likelihood of blank P3 cases being made available in the future (as with the EC1, EC2) for people who would like to build their own matching accessories? __ 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] Let's Try This Again -- was [K3] ... A 750 Hz, 8-Pole ... Filter?
We're talking roofing filters here, not operating bandwidth. The functional difference between a 750 Hz roofing filter and a DSP setting of 750Hz versus a 1000 Hz roofing filter and a DSP setting of 750Hz is just plain trivial ... ESPECIALLY in a non-contest environment. At least it seems Inrad understands that. 73, Dave AB7E On 7/14/2010 7:21 AM, Gary Hvizdak wrote: Guy, Not everyone has a 1.8 kHz filter and not everyone operates CW contests. And yes the whole idea for 750 Hz was that it offers a pleasant casual operating width, and for some operators might be preferred versus INRAD's existing 500 Hz filter (which is too narrow) and their 1 kHz filter (which is too wide). Jim, The fact that the problem doesn't exist for most of us doesn't negate the fact that there are folks who feel differently. Some simply think it's a good idea, while others are eager to purchase such a filter today if were it available! 73, Gary KI4GGX K3 #2724 __ 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: Now I've heard everything
On Jul 14, 2010, at 10:31 AM, Wes Stewart wrote: Chen does your K3 PA talk back? Nothing that I can hear over my tinnitus, Wes. 73 Chen, W7AY __ 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] Fw: [CQ-Contest] WRTC final scores
The link below shows which radios were used by WRTC participants. There was certainly a preponderance of K3's. Dave Hachadorian, K6LL Big Bear Lake, CA -- From: Igor Booklan SRR ra3...@srr.ru Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2010 10:27 AM To: wrtc2...@wrtc2010.ru Cc: cq-cont...@contesting.com Subject: [CQ-Contest] WRTC final scores Guys, We've just opened a link to WRTC-2010 final scores http://www.wrtc2010.ru/?id=75 73, Harry RA3AUU ___ CQ-Contest mailing list cq-cont...@contesting.com http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest __ 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] Let's Try This Again -- was [K3] ... A 750 Hz, 8-Pole ... Filter?
Wed Jul 14 1130 EDT John King (WA1ABI) wrote ... During FD 2010 I made 400+ CW QSO's ... the great majority ... with the DSP bandwidth at 600-700 Hz ... Hi John, I appreciate your comments and I wouldn't expect you to want to make a change for a 25% narrower filter. Rather my intention is to offer another choice for folks who still have four empty slots, or don't yet even have a K3. 73, Gary KI4GGX K3 #2724 __ 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] Let's Try This Again -- was [K3] ... A 750 Hz, 8-Pole ... Filter?
I respectfully disagree that Inrad's 500 Hz roofing filter is too narrow. In my opinion, you are trying to market a solution to a problem that doesn't exist. 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] eHam.net forum message
Thanks for your explanation, I had missed the point of RLVZ's comment. A related cause and I am speculating here without doing the calculations, when the noise is rough and signals are at or under the noise floor might be the added in-passband low level intermodulation products generated by a narrow bandwidth roofing filter when hit by all of the received noise power, which the DSP then has to cope with, given that the OIP3 of a narrow bandwidth crystal filter is usually worse than that of a wider filter - all else being equal. I do have some crystal filter OIP3 vs filter bandwidth measured data which shows this effect, but will stop speculating on the effect on a DSP :-) I agree with your comment about DSP radios vs full analogue radios. 73, Geoff GM4ESD Tom W8JI wrote: I think people are talking about two different things here. What I am talking about, and what I understand some others to be talking about, is a problem with DSP systems processing noise floor signal, especially when the noise is a bit rough, without adding artifacts that make copy or quality worse. snip I have no problem at all with how the K3 blanker and noise reduction works, and actually IMO it does a good job for me. I just don't think any DSP radio is as good as a full analog system when signal levels are near noise levels, especially when the noise floor is a bit rough. __ 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] Fw: [CQ-Contest] WRTC final scores
20 of the 48 teams and three of the top 10 were 100% Elecraft. Another five teams were 50% Elecraft. More than half of all transceivers in use for WRTC were K3s ... For a product as new as the K3 that is an amazing accomplishment. The next most popular transceiver (five teams) was the FT-1000MP - a 10+ year old product. 73, ... Joe, W4TV On 7/14/2010 2:19 PM, Dave Hachadorian wrote: The link below shows which radios were used by WRTC participants. There was certainly a preponderance of K3's. Dave Hachadorian, K6LL Big Bear Lake, CA -- From: Igor Booklan SRRra3...@srr.ru Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2010 10:27 AM To:wrtc2...@wrtc2010.ru Cc:cq-cont...@contesting.com Subject: [CQ-Contest] WRTC final scores Guys, We've just opened a link to WRTC-2010 final scores http://www.wrtc2010.ru/?id=75 73, Harry RA3AUU ___ CQ-Contest mailing list cq-cont...@contesting.com http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest __ 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] Let's Try This Again -- was [K3] ... A 750 Hz, 8-Pole ... Filter?
Gary Hvizdak wrote: If instead you think that there might be a greater demand for some other bandwidth 8-pole INRAD roofing filter, please email me (off-Reflector) to let me know that width and include your reasoning for desiring that other width. I'd be interested in a **true** 6 dB BW 8-pole for 200-250 Hz (Inrad's 250 is actually 370 Hz BW and I don't want that). 73, Bill -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/Let-s-Try-This-Again-was-K3-A-750-Hz-8-Pole-Filter-tp5290695p5294270.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] Let's Try This Again -- was [K3] ... A 750 Hz, 8-Pole ... Filter? [END of thread]
Let's end this thread for now. If you have further questions or comments, please correspond directly with Gary. 73, Eric WA6HHQ Elecraft List Modulator - On 7/14/2010 11:40 AM, Duncan Carter wrote: I respectfully disagree that Inrad's 500 Hz roofing filter is too narrow. In my opinion, you are trying to market a solution to a problem that doesn't exist. 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] Let's Try This Again -- was [K3] ... A 750 Hz, 8-Pole ... Filter?
I never said that it was, and I'm not the guy who thinks a 750Hz filter is an important additional option. I use the 250 Hz 8-pole filter in my K3 when I need a narrow filter for CW, and I use the 1.5 KHz 8-pole filter any time I have the DSP set for greater than 300 Hz. Both work great. 73, Dave AB7E On 7/14/2010 11:40 AM, Duncan Carter wrote: I respectfully disagree that Inrad's 500 Hz roofing filter is too narrow. In my opinion, you are trying to market a solution to a problem that doesn't exist. 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] eHam.net forum message
Would it be possible to add a function to the utility which creates a file which lists all the K3 settings and configurations and control settings when it is invoked? Something that could be cut and pasted into an email or attached? This would be useful for many problem resolve sessions. I'm thinking that there are real issues here, solving or identification made problematic by unintentionally fuzzy descriptions. IF this could be boiled down to a certain kind of signal and precisely defined settings producing a widely agreed upon result, there could be a resolution. It is very hard to code solutions to impressions, particularly it is not at all clear whether NR was on at the same time, what settings were in use, and whether IF and/or DSP in use for NB, etc, etc, etc. Backing off PRE/ATT/RFgain settings in a noisy situation definitely helps the clarity of DSP functions, but this tactic seems eternally to fall on deaf ears. It is clear in some posts that the term noise reduction is used when the NB functions of the K3 are being addressed. On the other side of this, I've never seen an analog radio nullify key clicks. I don't think we know everything that is possible with DSP processing in the digital realm given time? Very careful and precise descriptions would be helpful. 73, Guy. On Wed, Jul 14, 2010 at 2:54 PM, Geoffrey Mackenzie-Kennedy gm4...@btinternet.com wrote: Thanks for your explanation, I had missed the point of RLVZ's comment. A related cause and I am speculating here without doing the calculations, when the noise is rough and signals are at or under the noise floor might be the added in-passband low level intermodulation products generated by a narrow bandwidth roofing filter when hit by all of the received noise power, which the DSP then has to cope with, given that the OIP3 of a narrow bandwidth crystal filter is usually worse than that of a wider filter - all else being equal. I do have some crystal filter OIP3 vs filter bandwidth measured data which shows this effect, but will stop speculating on the effect on a DSP :-) I agree with your comment about DSP radios vs full analogue radios. 73, Geoff GM4ESD Tom W8JI wrote: I think people are talking about two different things here. What I am talking about, and what I understand some others to be talking about, is a problem with DSP systems processing noise floor signal, especially when the noise is a bit rough, without adding artifacts that make copy or quality worse. snip I have no problem at all with how the K3 blanker and noise reduction works, and actually IMO it does a good job for me. I just don't think any DSP radio is as good as a full analog system when signal levels are near noise levels, especially when the noise floor is a bit rough. __ 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] eHam.net forum message
This is a huge undertaking, and the MCU config variables are a moving target. But it is (low) on my list of possible K3 Utility enhancements. Dick, K6KR Sent from my iPhone On Jul 14, 2010, at 12:41 PM, Guy Olinger K2AV olin...@bellsouth.net wrote: Would it be possible to add a function to the utility which creates a file which lists all the K3 settings and configurations and control settings when it is invoked? Something that could be cut and pasted into an email or attached? This would be useful for many problem resolve sessions. I'm thinking that there are real issues here, solving or identification made problematic by unintentionally fuzzy descriptions. IF this could be boiled down to a certain kind of signal and precisely defined settings producing a widely agreed upon result, there could be a resolution. It is very hard to code solutions to impressions, particularly it is not at all clear whether NR was on at the same time, what settings were in use, and whether IF and/or DSP in use for NB, etc, etc, etc. Backing off PRE/ATT/RFgain settings in a noisy situation definitely helps the clarity of DSP functions, but this tactic seems eternally to fall on deaf ears. It is clear in some posts that the term noise reduction is used when the NB functions of the K3 are being addressed. On the other side of this, I've never seen an analog radio nullify key clicks. I don't think we know everything that is possible with DSP processing in the digital realm given time? Very careful and precise descriptions would be helpful. 73, Guy. On Wed, Jul 14, 2010 at 2:54 PM, Geoffrey Mackenzie-Kennedy gm4...@btinternet.com wrote: Thanks for your explanation, I had missed the point of RLVZ's comment. A related cause and I am speculating here without doing the calculations, when the noise is rough and signals are at or under the noise floor might be the added in-passband low level intermodulation products generated by a narrow bandwidth roofing filter when hit by all of the received noise power, which the DSP then has to cope with, given that the OIP3 of a narrow bandwidth crystal filter is usually worse than that of a wider filter - all else being equal. I do have some crystal filter OIP3 vs filter bandwidth measured data which shows this effect, but will stop speculating on the effect on a DSP :-) I agree with your comment about DSP radios vs full analogue radios. 73, Geoff GM4ESD Tom W8JI wrote: I think people are talking about two different things here. What I am talking about, and what I understand some others to be talking about, is a problem with DSP systems processing noise floor signal, especially when the noise is a bit rough, without adding artifacts that make copy or quality worse. snip I have no problem at all with how the K3 blanker and noise reduction works, and actually IMO it does a good job for me. I just don't think any DSP radio is as good as a full analog system when signal levels are near noise levels, especially when the noise floor is a bit rough. __ 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] eHam.net forum message
This very message and a host of others in the archives are the very reason I own a K3 and have pre-ordered a P3. These guys listen to customer input, respond, and fix things as soon as possible!!! The P3 does NOT do what I really need in its initial form, BUT I am confident after emailing with P3's design engineer that it will, in later updates, do all I need it to do. I would never have this confidence with the major three manufacturers of ham gear!! I have been a year trying to get Icom to make one, simple firmware change to make the IC-7700 more user friendly on RTTY and am being stonewalled. Thanks Elecraft for NOT acting like that! 73, Don, WB5HAK - Original Message - From: Dick Dievendorff die...@comcast.net To: Guy Olinger K2AV olin...@bellsouth.net Cc: r...@aol.com; Elecraft Discussion List elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2010 2:52 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] eHam.net forum message This is a huge undertaking, and the MCU config variables are a moving target. But it is (low) on my list of possible K3 Utility enhancements. Dick, K6KR Sent from my iPhone On Jul 14, 2010, at 12:41 PM, Guy Olinger K2AV olin...@bellsouth.net wrote: Would it be possible to add a function to the utility which creates a file which lists all the K3 settings and configurations and control settings when it is invoked? Something that could be cut and pasted into an email or attached? This would be useful for many problem resolve sessions. I'm thinking that there are real issues here, solving or identification made problematic by unintentionally fuzzy descriptions. IF this could be boiled down to a certain kind of signal and precisely defined settings producing a widely agreed upon result, there could be a resolution. It is very hard to code solutions to impressions, particularly it is not at all clear whether NR was on at the same time, what settings were in use, and whether IF and/or DSP in use for NB, etc, etc, etc. Backing off PRE/ATT/RFgain settings in a noisy situation definitely helps the clarity of DSP functions, but this tactic seems eternally to fall on deaf ears. It is clear in some posts that the term noise reduction is used when the NB functions of the K3 are being addressed. On the other side of this, I've never seen an analog radio nullify key clicks. I don't think we know everything that is possible with DSP processing in the digital realm given time? Very careful and precise descriptions would be helpful. 73, Guy. On Wed, Jul 14, 2010 at 2:54 PM, Geoffrey Mackenzie-Kennedy gm4...@btinternet.com wrote: Thanks for your explanation, I had missed the point of RLVZ's comment. A related cause and I am speculating here without doing the calculations, when the noise is rough and signals are at or under the noise floor might be the added in-passband low level intermodulation products generated by a narrow bandwidth roofing filter when hit by all of the received noise power, which the DSP then has to cope with, given that the OIP3 of a narrow bandwidth crystal filter is usually worse than that of a wider filter - all else being equal. I do have some crystal filter OIP3 vs filter bandwidth measured data which shows this effect, but will stop speculating on the effect on a DSP :-) I agree with your comment about DSP radios vs full analogue radios. 73, Geoff GM4ESD Tom W8JI wrote: I think people are talking about two different things here. What I am talking about, and what I understand some others to be talking about, is a problem with DSP systems processing noise floor signal, especially when the noise is a bit rough, without adding artifacts that make copy or quality worse. snip I have no problem at all with how the K3 blanker and noise reduction works, and actually IMO it does a good job for me. I just don't think any DSP radio is as good as a full analog system when signal levels are near noise levels, especially when the noise floor is a bit rough. __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3: Now I've heard everything
Hi Wes, Meant to reply earlier but got distracted. Yes, my PA definitely sings with the 2-tone generator on. Like yours it's somewhat dependent on power level. Unlike yours, I can hear mine down to about 2.0w (albeit at a reduced level when the PA drops out.) 73 -- Joe KB8AP On Jul 12, 2010, at 10:25 AM, Wes Stewart wrote: ...I can hear the two tones acoustically emanating from the PA. The level is somewhat proportional to RF power and goes away completely when the power is reduced to the point where the PA drops out. Can anyone else confirm or deny that their PA talks back to them? Wes N7WS __ 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] eHam.net forum message
Regarding key clicks. I suspect this may vary considerably with the specific circumstances including the likelihood of considerable variations in the individual transmitter rise and fall times and and the roofing filter bandwidths. Last November, I think, I read a suggestion about blanking key clicks suggesting mainly the more extreme dsp settings, especially 3-7. In the following 160 contest, one of the local contesters who uses Yaesu equipment was kind enough to furnish loud key clicks that I was able to test with, At the time, I had the nominal 250 Hz filter and the 2.8 KHz filter with the 2.8 KHz filter being ineffective. Since I didn't have an antenna set up for transmitting at the time, I was free to experiment. The best blanking effect was with the 3-7 dsp setting and, at roughly 130 Hz spacing from center on the high side of the 250 Hz filter which has asymmetrical slopes, the click and other spur level was reduced by four S-units on the K3 meter, allowing me to copy weak signals at that separation. The analog blanker may have some effect on the blanking of clicks but it wasn't nearly as obvious as the dsp blanker. Since then, I've acquire a 500 Hz filter but I haven't had the chance to test it in the same combat conditions. I don't know if the NR would help with the 500 Hz filter; it does on other impulse noise whereas the NR is fairly useless at 250 Hz. 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] Fw: [CQ-Contest] WRTC final scores
On Wed, 14 Jul 2010 11:19:14 -0700, Dave Hachadorian wrote: he link below shows which radios were used by WRTC participants. There was certainly a preponderance of K3's. Yes, but there is (at least) one very interesting side story that I learned by watching the online video of the closing ceremonies (almost the only thing worthwhile -- it was lousy quality and mostly VERY boring). OE3DIA/OE6MBG started with two K3s, but both were put out of business by lightning. An FT857 was quickly subbed for one radio, and within a short while, another FT857 was found. They worked the contest with the 857s, and placed #37. W6OAT should be able to shed some light on this -- Rusty was their referee! 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] Let's Try This Again -- was [K3] ... A 750 Hz, 8-Pole ... Filter?
Bill W4ZV wrote: Gary Hvizdak wrote: If instead you think that there might be a greater demand for some other bandwidth 8-pole INRAD roofing filter, please email me (off-Reflector) to let me know that width and include your reasoning for desiring that other width. I'd be interested in a **true** 6 dB BW 8-pole for 200-250 Hz (Inrad's 250 is actually 370 Hz BW and I don't want that). Yes, the real gap in the available range of roofing filters is an 8-pole with a *true* 6dB BW of 250Hz. As for the choice between 250Hz and 200Hz, I have tried both bandwidths by modifying a stock 200Hz 5-pole filter (with design help from Wayne). In real-life contest QRM there is no noticeable difference between the two bandwidths on CW, but there is a huge difference for RTTY. With 170Hz shift, a 250Hz filter is very close to the lower limit of usable bandwidth, but definitely on the right side of the line - in heavy RTTY QRM, a 250Hz filter can be a game changer. But 200Hz is below that limit, not usable at all. For those reasons I would support 250Hz because it would meet the needs of more users, but would vote against 200Hz (and in this, I do literally mean vote with my pocketbook). -- 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: Now I've heard everything
Hi Joe, One more question, do you have the K3STFNR installed? Wes --- On Wed, 7/14/10, Joe Planisky jp...@jeffnet.org wrote: Hi Wes, Meant to reply earlier but got distracted. Yes, my PA definitely sings with the 2-tone generator on. Like yours it's somewhat dependent on power level. Unlike yours, I can hear mine down to about 2.0w (albeit at a reduced level when the PA drops out.) 73 -- Joe KB8AP __ 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] Let's Try This Again -- was [K3] ... A 750 Hz, 8-Pole ... Filter?
For those reasons I would support 250Hz because it would meet the needs of more users, but would vote against 200Hz (and in this, I do literally mean vote with my pocketbook). I agree with Ian here ... a filter with a reliable 270 Hz bandwidth would be nearly ideal for RTTY and far better than the so called 250 Hz 8 pole filter. I would almost certainly replace the 5-pole 200 Hz filters with 8-pole 250-270 Hz filters. 73, ... Joe, W4TV On 7/14/2010 5:05 PM, Ian White GM3SEK wrote: Bill W4ZV wrote: Gary Hvizdak wrote: If instead you think that there might be a greater demand for some other bandwidth 8-pole INRAD roofing filter, please email me (off-Reflector) to let me know that width and include your reasoning for desiring that other width. I'd be interested in a **true** 6 dB BW 8-pole for 200-250 Hz (Inrad's 250 is actually 370 Hz BW and I don't want that). Yes, the real gap in the available range of roofing filters is an 8-pole with a *true* 6dB BW of 250Hz. As for the choice between 250Hz and 200Hz, I have tried both bandwidths by modifying a stock 200Hz 5-pole filter (with design help from Wayne). In real-life contest QRM there is no noticeable difference between the two bandwidths on CW, but there is a huge difference for RTTY. With 170Hz shift, a 250Hz filter is very close to the lower limit of usable bandwidth, but definitely on the right side of the line - in heavy RTTY QRM, a 250Hz filter can be a game changer. But 200Hz is below that limit, not usable at all. For those reasons I would support 250Hz because it would meet the needs of more users, but would vote against 200Hz (and in this, I do literally mean vote with my pocketbook). __ 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: narrow filter
Jorge Diez - CX6VM wrote: I cannot do DIVERSITY with a 250Hz narrow filters (because I will not have it in both receivers), buy the K3 will work OK using the 400Hz I have in MAIN and SUB? Yes diversity will work OK since both filters have offset = 0. For very narrow BWs, I can even use a 200 5-pole in Main and a 500 8-pole in Sub with no problems (warbling sounds). 73, Bill -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K3-narrow-filter-tp5292902p5295211.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] k3: K144XV and odd repeater offsets
Our club's repeater has an odd offset. TX is 146.475 and receive is 147.420 (- 0.945). Getting this programmed with the K144XV has proven to be a problem. * The menu option for repater offset does not allow a 5 KHz change. I can pick only .940 or .950 * I can program the K144XV for split operation, with the TX frequency in VFO B. That works fine, but . . . * When I save this combination into memory, it does not retain the split. When I recall the frequency from memory, I have to manually enable split again. This is not a huge deal, but it seems to me it should save the split. Any ideas of a way to work around this problem? Thanks, John, WA6L -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/k3-K144XV-and-odd-repeater-offsets-tp5295237p5295237.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 and USB Audio Codec
I have kind of ignoring this thread, but just realized that it addresses a long-term desire of mine. I would like to tap the IQ data for both the main and sub receivers simultaneously for pc processing with special eme sw. I can do one channel using the SDR-IQ but there are advantages to having two channels (polarity diversity reception). Both channels need to be phase-locked in freq. My discussions with Wayne indicate that it may be possible interface at a later time thru the P3. To take advantage of the 15-KHz SDR in the K3 this interface will eventually very desirable. That opens the K3 to equal footing with other SDR's to fulfill the no obsolescence promise of SDR. 73, Ed - KL7UW -- Message: 6 Date: Tue, 13 Jul 2010 10:10:17 -0700 From: Kok Chen c...@mac.com Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 and USB Audio Codec To: Elecraft Reflector elecraft@mailman.qth.net Message-ID: 2e745a19-d7ed-4bb1-a9c6-d7080d6e1...@mac.com Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed; delsp=yes On Jul 10, 2010, at 7/102:57 PM, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote: If one were going to provide digital output, it would be far better to stream the raw in I/Q data from the DSP's ADC via firewire rather than push it through two additional A/D and D/A steps and reduce it to a single channel of audio. FireWire is not necessarily a great solution either. It will definitely require special drivers at the computer end (viz, the Edirol FA-66 that is common in ham SDR circles). One good connection that I have come across is S/PDIF that is available on the Icom IC-7800. It allows a connection between the radio and the computer that is completely non-galvanic. No ground loops, no RFI, down to -144 dB. S/PDIF provides an audio path with up to 20 bits of resolution (about 120 dB, with 1 bit being 6.02 dB), with 24 bits being an option by using the extra 4 steering bits as data. The standard sampling rate for S/PDIF is 48,000 samples per second stereo, which would support almost 50 kHz of bandwidth on an baseband I/Q channel. S/PDIF provides up to about 30 feet separation between equipment. Both Firewire and S/PDIF lacks a standard way of passing control/ status signals. The Flex-5000 (which uses FireWire) used to hack into the MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) channel for control/ status; but I have not been following that development and it might have since changed. The Icom IC-7800 goes through its regular CAT path (RS-232 or CI-V, you get to choose, I believe). In any case, if you want a rig like the K3 to support 123 dB of dynamic range I/Q output, it will not come cheap. The Asahi AK-5394A is probably the most expensive component in the front end of the Flex-5000, and you have to be very careful with the circuit layout to get a -125 dB noise floor when mixing analog and digital components. We are definitely not talking about 16-bit codecs like the one in the SignaLink USB -- which by the way, is a TI/Burr-Brown PCM-2902, and it is not the $20 that people have been mentioning, but is $5.85 at DigiKey :-). 73 Chen, W7AY 73, Ed - KL7UW, WD2XSH/45 == BP40IQ 500 KHz - 10-GHz www.kl7uw.com EME: 144-QRT*, 432-100w, 1296-QRT*, 3400-fall 2010 DUBUS Magazine USA Rep dubus...@hotmail.com == *temp __ 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] Elecraft price increase?
A friend told me about a price increase. Is this true? Chris W7CTH __ 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 price increase?
Yes, it was announced on the reflector yesterday. Takes effect the end of the month on K3 and some other products. Check back to yesterday and you should find it. 73, Don, WB5HAK - Original Message - From: Chris Hembree w7...@yahoo.com To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2010 7:04 PM Subject: [Elecraft] Elecraft price increase? A friend told me about a price increase. Is this true? Chris W7CTH __ 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: 9.0.830 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3005 - Release Date: 07/14/10 13:36:00 __ 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
[Elecraft] K3: what do contesters think?
Actions speak louder than words. Not bad for the new kid on the block Here are the results (and rigs) for the just completed World Radio Team Championship help in Russia (concurrent with IARU contest). Talk about popular! http://www.wrtc2010.ru/?id=75 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3: what do contesters think?
Something I noticed in the pictures when I first saw them was the WRTC K3 shelf. I'm getting ready to build one for the shack, but it will have the width for a P3 too. 73 de W3OU, Steve -Original Message- From: DOUGLAS ZWIEBEL doug...@gmail.com To: Elecraft Reflector elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Wed, Jul 14, 2010 8:32 pm Subject: [Elecraft] K3: what do contesters think? Actions speak louder than words. Not bad for the new kid on the block Here are the results (and rigs) for the just completed World Radio Team Championship help in Russia (concurrent with IARU contest). Talk about popular! http://www.wrtc2010.ru/?id=75 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] Elecraft price increase?
They may only getting to what's worth, at least from my field day experience with a K3; the greatest receive capability that I've ever heard in 53 years on the air. I worked SSB within 4 feet of another guy on CW - the amazing thing, was that we both on 20 meters and never heard a peep from one another. We had always tried to separate the CW and SSB stations by close to the maximum allowed. At one point, I looked at him and said I can't hear you - he smiled and said I can't hear you either. That is a receiver! 73, Bob -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Chris Hembree Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2010 7:04 PM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] Elecraft price increase? A friend told me about a price increase. Is this true? Chris W7CTH __ 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] K2 Static
I have an annoying static that rides on the receive signal of my K2/100. It is in the audio and it comes in on CW and SSB regardless of which filter I am using. Filters seem set ok. Both phone CW receive audio sound fine, but the static rides on the audio. The stronger the signal, the more the static. The unit is an older K2/100. Serial is 642. Anyone ever have this problem. Art WA8VSJ __ 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 price increase?
On 7/14/10 8:19 PM, Don Cunningham wrote: Yes, it was announced on the reflector yesterday. Takes effect the end of the month on K3 and some other products. Check back to yesterday and you should find it. 73, Don, WB5HAK Actually, it says the end of NEXT month 73, Ross N4RP -- FCC Section 97.313(a) “At all times, an amateur station must use the minimum transmitter power necessary to carry out the desired communications.” __ 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] Very Efficient Ear Buds
I just heard about some ear buds which are quite efficient. They use multiple drivers for each frequency ranges. Here is a link to a description of them: http://news.cnet.com/8301-13645_3-20005384-47.html More here: http://www.jhaudio.com/store/ I think it would be fun to test them in the field. 73, Kevin. KD5ONS __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft price increase?
So it does!!! I stand corrected and that should help with the purchase Chris had in mind, whether he chooses July or August!! Thanks for telling us, Ross. 73, Don, WB5HAK - Original Message - From: Ross Primrose N4RP n...@aiko.com To: Don Cunningham wb5...@martineer.net Cc: Chris Hembree w7...@yahoo.com; elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2010 8:07 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft price increase? On 7/14/10 8:19 PM, Don Cunningham wrote: Yes, it was announced on the reflector yesterday. Takes effect the end of the month on K3 and some other products. Check back to yesterday and you should find it. 73, Don, WB5HAK Actually, it says the end of NEXT month 73, Ross N4RP -- FCC Section 97.313(a) “At all times, an amateur station must use the minimum transmitter power necessary to carry out the desired communications.” No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.830 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3005 - Release Date: 07/14/10 13:36:00 __ 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] Very Efficient Ear Buds
Yep, The price is also very reasonable, just ordered mine ;-) Kevin Rock wrote: I just heard about some ear buds which are quite efficient. They use multiple drivers for each frequency ranges. Here is a link to a description of them: http://news.cnet.com/8301-13645_3-20005384-47.html More here: http://www.jhaudio.com/store/ I think it would be fun to test them in the field. 73, Kevin. KD5ONS __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ 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 Static
Art, That sounds suspiciously like a capacitor that is breaking down somewhere between the product detector output and the speaker/headphones. As such it is going to be difficult to locate. Of course, my guess could be wrong, and it could be coming from somewhere ahead of the Product Detector. Is there any 'static' at all when there is no signal? If there is, then does it depend on the setting of the RF Gain control? If the level changes with the AF gain control then it is between the AF gain and the Product Detector - if there is no change when the AF Gain is reduced, then the problem is associated with the AF amplifier stage. Does it go away if you short the /MUTE signal (Control Board U6 pin 17 to ground? If so, then the components on the Control Board are OK - replace RF Board C177. Do you have either the KAF2 or KDSP2 installed? If you do, remove them and add the jumpers. If the noise is gone, the removed option is the source of the problem. I would suggest that you equip yourself with replacements for C177, on the RF board, C23, C25, C26, C27, C30, C28, and C29 on the Control Board, then either replace them wholesale or one at a time seeing if the problem goes away after each one. The other problem is that my definition of 'static' can be quite different from your perception. To me, staic is a sharp impulse type noise such as you would hear with nearby thunderstorms. Perhaps you can be more descriptive and it would help with the analysis. 73, Don W3FPR Arthur Lewis wrote: I have an annoying static that rides on the receive signal of my K2/100. It is in the audio and it comes in on CW and SSB regardless of which filter I am using. Filters seem set ok. Both phone CW receive audio sound fine, but the static rides on the audio. The stronger the signal, the more the static. The unit is an older K2/100. Serial is 642. Anyone ever have this problem. Art WA8VSJ __ 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] Let's Try This Again -- was [K3] ... A 750 Hz, 8-Pole ... Filter?
On Wed, 14 Jul 2010 12:01:30 -0700 (PDT), Bill W4ZV btipp...@alum.mit.edu wrote: I second that. I wonder why they don't label them as the width they really are? Tom, N5GE K3 #806 with SUB RX, PR6, KRC2 and K144XV K3 #1055 with PR6 and XV432 W1, 2 W2's and other small kits QCWA Life Member 35102 n...@n5ge.com http://www.n5ge.com http://www.swotrc.net I'd be interested in a **true** 6 dB BW 8-pole for 200-250 Hz (Inrad's 250 is actually 370 Hz BW and I don't want that). 73, Bill __ 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] Wiggly Mic Plug
Hi All, I am the proud new owner of a k2, ser# 2676 I have torn it apart and its been built really well. The only curious thing is the mic plug is a little wiggly and the 2 threaded standoffs next to the mic plug do not seem to be attached to anything, other than the board, as if they are there to prevent the board from being pulled forward. Does this sound normal? Thanks guys Neil AC2O __ 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 S Meter behavior
While I've seen many post regarding S meter calibration I have a question to which I haven't found an answer in the archives. Let's say I'm listening to a signal that's peaking at S7. I usually decrease the RF gain so that, with no signal, the S meter reads about S5. This reduces the background noise. However when I do this on my K3, the signal that was peaking at S7 is now peaking at S9 +10db. Reducing the RF gain further shows the signal peaking near S9 +20db. I am accustomed to having the signal still peak at S7 since the signal strength hasn't actually increased at all. I'm still getting used to the K3 (s/n 4411). Is there a configuration parameter that I may have set incorrectly? Robert - N9EF __ 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] Wiggly Mic Plug
Neil, That is quite normal. The microphone jack pins are secured to the board, but there is some play between the pins and the shell/housing of the jack. The two standoffs are used as spacers to maintain the proper distance between the metalwork and the front panel board - and as you indicated, to prevent board flexing when a mic plug is removed. You can secure the mic jack shell by removing the left side panel and scraping some of the solder mask off the board ground plane close to the mic jack. Then with a large tipped soldering iron, heat the mic jack shell and the ground plane until the mic jack shell will flow solder - form a solder bridge between the shell and the ground plane. Grounding the mic jack shell is a good step to reducing the possibility of RF feedback, and should be done on all K2s with the KSB2 option installed. 73, Don W3FPR Neil Shubert wrote: Hi All, I am the proud new owner of a k2, ser# 2676 I have torn it apart and its been built really well. The only curious thing is the mic plug is a little wiggly and the 2 threaded standoffs next to the mic plug do not seem to be attached to anything, other than the board, as if they are there to prevent the board from being pulled forward. Does this sound normal? __ 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 - WRTC Customs Pro Forma listings
Incredibly interesting between-the-lines reading here. http://www.wrtc2010.ru/press/R3_license_for_SVO.pdf http://www.wrtc2010.ru/press/R3_license_for_DME.pdf What I find amazing in these lists is that Scott Robbins, the Ex-Product Manager of the Ten Tec Orion transceiver product line, brought with him, for his personal use... ...An Elecraft K3! That's like Col. Sanders going to Chick-Fil-A for lunch! Or Papa John ordering Pizza Hut for Dinner! And, contesting Jedi and CQ WW Champion Multi Multi station owner Tim Duffy, who operates the defacto NASCAR Factory Team for Icom (complete with Team ICOM uniforms), and who apears in advertisements touting the superior performance of the Icom 7XXX line of transceivers, brought with him for his personal use... ...An Elecraft K3! That's like Dale Ernhardt bringing a Toyota Camry to drive in the Daytona 500! This list is sort of like discovering that Bill Gates uses an Apple Mac Book running OS/X to do Microsoft presentations with! Now, we all know that the invitees to this party could afford to bring *anything* they wanted to bring. Im also sure that any rig manufacturer would have been happy to supply them with anything they wanted, just for the asking... But they both showed up with K3's. So did most of the competitors! Why? Did Eric and Wayne stack the deck by giving away free radios (the *real* reason for the upcoming price increases, right)? But even if I got a free radio, wouldnt I want to use what I am most familiar operating with and had the highest possible performance in this important competition? Could it be because they would have exceeded their baggage weight limit if they brought their usual rig? Or was it because of the tables supplied for the tents had fragile light weight legs that could collapse if loaded with 80lbs of radio? Or maybe because the organizers would not supply trucks to take their radios to the tents... Its a really big field at WRTC, you know. Lugging a 7800 or a 9000 on your back for a kilometer could be life threatening to you and career enhancing for your Chiropractor! The choices these two guys, as well as most of the other competitors, made for their personal WRTC competition rig say alot to me. -lu w4lt (currently/9V1)- __ 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] For KX-1 fans -- some real simple ways to pack up some outboard batteries...
Hi folks, Just in case anyone is looking for some very simple ideas on packing up some external AAs for the KX-1 or other small QRP rigs... http://wilcoxengineering.com/projects/amateur-projects/42-bat-pak http://w1pns.wordpress.com/2010/07/14/power-to-the-peanut-whistle/ With best regards, Pete -- Peter N. Spotts -- W1PNS http://www.w1pns.net Email: w1...@arrl.net | Skype: pspotts QCWA #34679 | SKCC #4853T | QRP-ARCI #4174 NEQRP #714 | NAQCC #2446 | WARC-CC #147 __ 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] LP-100A MCLoader program
Does anyone have the MCLoader program for the TelePost LP100 or -100A? I am unable to obtain it from TelePost. Guess Larry's too busy; I've tried him via email several times on this. Please send direct to mzil...@verizon.net. 73 and TNX, matt W6NIA K3 #24 K2 #2810 __ 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] Fw: [CQ-Contest] WRTC final scores
You betcha, Dave! Remember the old commercial line for Dial soap, Aren't you glad you use Dial? Don't you wish everybody did? Well, that's how I felt about our K3s at WRTC. I was confident that I wasn't generating significant phase noise, key clicks, mixer products, harmonics and other crud. I was delighted that I could operate very close to S9+60 neighbors. (Our closest was N6TV/N2IC, also using K3s.) And occasionally I got grossed out by clicks, lousy audio and too-loud harmonics from other participants. The K3 was the dominant radio at WRTC (over 50% of rigs in use) for at least three reasons: 1. Many participants had already chosen the K3 as their home rig and there was no reason not to bring it. This is probably the main reason. 2. This was essentially Field Day via airliner with today's draconian luggage restrictions. Some people who didn't have K3s may have borrowed or acquired them to save packing weight and volume. They may become converts as a result. 3. Some people may have borrowed or acquired K3s to take advantage of their strong signal capabilities in the hostile RF environment of WRTC. More potential converts. Elecraft can be justifiably proud of creating the contest rig of choice in our day. I don't have any more skinny on the lightning damage to the Austrians' K3s, but the storm was pretty ferocious and could have damaged any radio. It was quite localized, with some stations off the air for 10-40 minutes but most able to stay on throughout. I was half expecting our referee to call time-out based on a central edict - that was the advance plan - but it didn't happen. I was also ready to pull the plugs myself if the storm got any closer to us. But fortunately K6XX and I got through it with no worse interruption than having to request a few extra repeats due to electrical and acoustic noise. /Rick N6XI On 7/14/10, Dave Hachadorian k...@arrl.net wrote: The link below shows which radios were used by WRTC participants. There was certainly a preponderance of K3's. Dave Hachadorian, K6LL Big Bear Lake, CA -- From: Igor Booklan SRR ra3...@srr.ru Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2010 10:27 AM To: wrtc2...@wrtc2010.ru Cc: cq-cont...@contesting.com Subject: [CQ-Contest] WRTC final scores Guys, We've just opened a link to WRTC-2010 final scores http://www.wrtc2010.ru/?id=75 73, Harry RA3AUU ___ CQ-Contest mailing list cq-cont...@contesting.com http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest __ 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 -- Rick Tavan N6XI Truckee, CA __ 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 S Meter behavior
Robert, That is just the way the S-meter response works - it is the same on many receivers - the S-meter will indicate higher when the RF Gain is reduced. The K3 does have a cure, and that is to set the S-meter to ABS (absolute) in the Configuration Menu (see the manual). With that setting, the S-meter does not change with the PRE/ATT/RF Gain. If you use the absolute S-meter setting, you may want to modify the S-meter calibration from that indicated in the manual. In other words, adjust the S-meter to read S-9 with a 50 uV signal imput with the Preamp OFF rather than ON as the manual indicates. The S-meter is a relative indication, and can be calibrated to give almost any reading you want with any given signal level. Set it to your preference whether that be as the manual suggests or as you understand how an S-meter should respond - there are no rules, but Elecraft has adhered to the Collins 'standard' of S-9 equals a 50 uV signal level for its nominal (and default) settings. The Elecraft XG2 is an excellent source of s 50 uVsignal level. 73, Don W3FPR Robert Mitilieri - N9EF wrote: While I've seen many post regarding S meter calibration I have a question to which I haven't found an answer in the archives. Let's say I'm listening to a signal that's peaking at S7. I usually decrease the RF gain so that, with no signal, the S meter reads about S5. This reduces the background noise. However when I do this on my K3, the signal that was peaking at S7 is now peaking at S9 +10db. Reducing the RF gain further shows the signal peaking near S9 +20db. I am accustomed to having the signal still peak at S7 since the signal strength hasn't actually increased at all. I'm still getting used to the K3 (s/n 4411). Is there a configuration parameter that I may have set incorrectly? __ 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] Let's Try This Again -- was [K3] ... A 750 Hz, 8-Pole ... Filter?
As I wrote in an earlier post, the 250 Hz filter skirts are assymetrical, at least mine is. On one side, they are about right for using a 250 Hz dsp setting but on the other side, they are wider. You may also benefit from tweaking the filter center frequency which you can do using the configuration utility; my 250 Hz filter Freq. Offset 0s-s set at -.04 but you best setting may likely be something different; yes, it's nit-picking but what else is an old geezer to to when the bands are dead. Usually, best/least ringing response is obtained with the filter centered as best possible but you can also listen to noise. I usually set the default width for my 250 Hz filter at 200 Hz and the default center frequency of the 500 Hz filter at 450 Hz which gives a slight improvement in ringing response at 200 Hz and 450 Hz by getting the filter corner frequencies further down the dsp skirts; most of the time I just use either of these two default frequencies as I can toggle between them and the 1.8 KHz with the XFIL button. Dunc, W5DC Radio Amateur N5GE wrote: On Wed, 14 Jul 2010 12:01:30 -0700 (PDT), Bill W4ZV btipp...@alum.mit.edu wrote: I second that. I wonder why they don't label them as the width they really are? Tom, N5GE K3 #806 with SUB RX, PR6, KRC2 and K144XV K3 #1055 with PR6 and XV432 W1, 2 W2's and other small kits QCWA Life Member 35102 n...@n5ge.com http://www.n5ge.com http://www.swotrc.net I'd be interested in a **true** 6 dB BW 8-pole for 200-250 Hz (Inrad's 250 is actually 370 Hz BW and I don't want that). 73, Bill __ 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 - WRTC Customs Pro Forma listings
The last count I saw had 49 K3's 16 MP's 16 Pro III's and only a tiny scattering of newer Yakencom rigs. One Orion. There would have been 51 K3's but a lightning strike took out a pair, which were replaced on a hair-on-fire emergency basis with a pair of old Kenwoods (850's ?). On Wed, Jul 14, 2010 at 11:03 PM, Lu Romero lrom...@ij.net wrote: Incredibly interesting between-the-lines reading here. http://www.wrtc2010.ru/press/R3_license_for_SVO.pdf http://www.wrtc2010.ru/press/R3_license_for_DME.pdf What I find amazing in these lists is that Scott Robbins, the Ex-Product Manager of the Ten Tec Orion transceiver product line, brought with him, for his personal use... ...An Elecraft K3! That's like Col. Sanders going to Chick-Fil-A for lunch! Or Papa John ordering Pizza Hut for Dinner! __ 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 - WRTC Customs Pro Forma listings
I wouldn't be surprised if weight and size had something to do with their choice as well, though. 73, Dave AB7E On 7/14/2010 8:03 PM, Lu Romero wrote: Incredibly interesting between-the-lines reading here. http://www.wrtc2010.ru/press/R3_license_for_SVO.pdf http://www.wrtc2010.ru/press/R3_license_for_DME.pdf What I find amazing in these lists is that Scott Robbins, the Ex-Product Manager of the Ten Tec Orion transceiver product line, brought with him, for his personal use... ...An Elecraft K3! That's like Col. Sanders going to Chick-Fil-A for lunch! Or Papa John ordering Pizza Hut for Dinner! And, contesting Jedi and CQ WW Champion Multi Multi station owner Tim Duffy, who operates the defacto NASCAR Factory Team for Icom (complete with Team ICOM uniforms), and who apears in advertisements touting the superior performance of the Icom 7XXX line of transceivers, brought with him for his personal use... ...An Elecraft K3! That's like Dale Ernhardt bringing a Toyota Camry to drive in the Daytona 500! This list is sort of like discovering that Bill Gates uses an Apple Mac Book running OS/X to do Microsoft presentations with! Now, we all know that the invitees to this party could afford to bring *anything* they wanted to bring. Im also sure that any rig manufacturer would have been happy to supply them with anything they wanted, just for the asking... But they both showed up with K3's. So did most of the competitors! Why? Did Eric and Wayne stack the deck by giving away free radios (the *real* reason for the upcoming price increases, right)? But even if I got a free radio, wouldnt I want to use what I am most familiar operating with and had the highest possible performance in this important competition? Could it be because they would have exceeded their baggage weight limit if they brought their usual rig? Or was it because of the tables supplied for the tents had fragile light weight legs that could collapse if loaded with 80lbs of radio? Or maybe because the organizers would not supply trucks to take their radios to the tents... Its a really big field at WRTC, you know. Lugging a 7800 or a 9000 on your back for a kilometer could be life threatening to you and career enhancing for your Chiropractor! The choices these two guys, as well as most of the other competitors, made for their personal WRTC competition rig say alot to me. -lu w4lt (currently/9V1)- __ 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 S Meter behavior
Increasing the RF gain does deflect the meter upwards. I should have mentioned that there is an S3 noise floor. Here's the steps that I followed: Tune a signal that's peaking S7 with RF gain fully CW Tune away from any signal (S3 noise) adjust the RF gain CCW until the meter reads S5 Tune that same signal that was peaking S7 but now he's peaking S9 +10db. If I then increase the RF gain the signal returns to peaking at S7. I can reproduce this behavior with signals at any level On Jul 14, 2010, at 10:34 PM, Garry Shapiro wrote: In every radio I have had, reducing the RF gain deflects the Smeter upwards, not downwards. On 7/14/2010 7:56 PM, Robert Mitilieri - N9EF wrote: While I've seen many post regarding S meter calibration I have a question to which I haven't found an answer in the archives. Let's say I'm listening to a signal that's peaking at S7. I usually decrease the RF gain so that, with no signal, the S meter reads about S5. This reduces the background noise. However when I do this on my K3, the signal that was peaking at S7 is now peaking at S9 +10db. Reducing the RF gain further shows the signal peaking near S9 +20db. I am accustomed to having the signal still peak at S7 since the signal strength hasn't actually increased at all. I'm still getting used to the K3 (s/n 4411). Is there a configuration parameter that I may have set incorrectly? Robert - N9EF __ 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 S Meter behavior
Yes it does with respect to RF gain. --- On Wed, 7/14/10, Don Wilhelm w3...@embarqmail.com wrote: The K3 does have a cure, and that is to set the S-meter to ABS (absolute) in the Configuration Menu (see the manual). With that setting, the S-meter does not change with the PRE/ATT/RF Gain. __ 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] Fwd: K3: what do contesters think?
Check out the K6XX special, dual K3 shelf used at R31A: http://sites.google.com/site/rtavan/amateurradio/k6xx-dual-k3-shelf The photos were not intended to illustrate the majesty of this ultra-portable shelf but if you squint you should get the idea. The requirements were to: 1. Support two K3s stably, a few inches above two tables separated by several feet. 2. Support a logic and switching box accessible to both operators. 3. Provide cable dress and limited strain relief for cables from the logic box. 4. Break down to pack into a suitcase. 5. Weigh only a few ounces. It's in the shape of a very tall letter I (avec serifs) on its side. The main member is about four feet long but breaks down into two dowel-connected segments. The 6 cross members at the ends each support one front foot of a K3 on top and the extended bail nudges the side. A third point of contact is between the lateral member and the bottom panel of the K3, on the side opposite the one supported foot. It is surprisingly stable and held up through a frantic 24 hours and over 3100 QSOs. /Rick N6XI On 7/14/10, sfb...@aol.com sfb...@aol.com wrote: Something I noticed in the pictures when I first saw them was the WRTC K3 shelf. I'm getting ready to build one for the shack, but it will have the width for a P3 too. 73 de W3OU, Steve __ 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 S Meter behavior
Robert, You are relying on your S-meter too much IMHO. If you have an S-3 noise level, the first attack is to turn off the preamp - if that does not reduce the noise level enough, then turn the Attenuator ON. If the noise level is still so high as to be bothersome, turn the RF Gain control down until the noise level is low enough to be not a bother. What will you achieve by all that? - well, you will increase the dynamic range of your receiver - there is no sense in allowing the ambient noise to activate the AGC and reduce the receiver sensitivity. Yes, all that has nothing to do with the actual reading of the S-meter, but it is just good operating sense. As far as the S-meter is concerned, either use S-meter Absolute setting on the K3 or just ignore the reading and give signal reports as you hear them - 59 (or 599) for a good strong signal, S-7 for perfect copy from a not so strong signal and S-5 for all the others that you can copy with some difficulty. For those below that level, you are not copying them anyway, so a signal report number is a moot point. The K3 provides S-meter calibration capability in the menu. Set it for your own preferences, but I am suggesting that you use the S-meter only for relative comparisons between signals (for the guy who is asking you to evaluate the front to back ratio for his beam antenna), and not as an absolute for giving S-readings to other stations - for that, use your ears. Consider that in a contest, everyone is 59 (or 5nn) - vary from that and the other op will have trouble copying you because he is expecting to hear the 59 or 5nn in the rhythm of the exchange. 73, Don W3FPR Robert Mitilieri - N9EF wrote: Increasing the RF gain does deflect the meter upwards. I should have mentioned that there is an S3 noise floor. Here's the steps that I followed: Tune a signal that's peaking S7 with RF gain fully CW Tune away from any signal (S3 noise) adjust the RF gain CCW until the meter reads S5 Tune that same signal that was peaking S7 but now he's peaking S9 +10db. If I then increase the RF gain the signal returns to peaking at S7. I can reproduce this behavior with signals at any level On Jul 14, 2010, at 10:34 PM, Garry Shapiro wrote: __ 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
