[Elecraft] K3S on 2m: AGC OFF / Meteor Scatter : weird behavior
Hello, I'm using my K3s with the internal K144XV on 2m, currently focusing on Meteor Scatter with FSK144. Due to the transient nature of Meteor Scatter bursts/pings, the best AGC setting is OFF, as the AGC would flatten the signal, potentially impacting decoding. In MS we RX 30s and send the next 30s; the weird behavior I'm observing is that the RX audio level on the USB souncard output is varying between RX periods, i.e. the AF level changes up and down (around 10dB) between different RX periods. The AF level stays the same within the same period. I initially suspected some relay issue (PA / LNA) but I've tested everything including a different receiver with AGC off and the problem is definitely the K3. Any hint what may be happening ? I've tried changing the AF Lim value but that only seems to have an effect on the Loudspeaker audio, not on the USB soundcard. 73 Marco HB9CAT __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Microham Station Master Inhibit - K3 ?
All, FYI I've got a response from Microham as well, expanding Joe's response: - direct INH connection to K3: OK if Station Master has at least Hardware revision 4 - SM grounds Inhibit output when everything is OK - SM is pretty conservative and will set Inhibit for any non-normal condition, like antenna switching, SteppIR tuning, band locks, PA locks. Interesting enough these include events inherited by other Microham devices through the iLink connection. In my case a for example MK2R+ setting a same band lock. Thanks for all replies, topic closed Marco HB9CAT -Original Message- From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Joe Subich, W4TV Sent: sabato, 22. agosto 2015 01:37 To: Elecraft Reflector Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Microham Station Master Inhibit - K3 ? Then why do I measure 12V in rest state, when no switching occurs? Isn't it the other way around ? (I can't test it right now) No, High is the at rest state - Inhibit line is pulled low *after* PTT - the time delay is set in the PTT Sequencer settings. PA PTT is currently given by an MK2R+ so SM PTT doesn't apply; but if SM would set INH during tuning the K3 wouldn’t TX PTT and PA PTT in MK2R+ are coupled to PTT in SM via iLINK. SM KEYOUT (on PA Port) and MK2R+ PA PTT are the same (logical) signal. PA PTT and KEYOUT are inhibited (blocked) if SteppIR is tuning independent of any use of the inhibit output. Since Icom and Kenwood transceivers do not support inhibit, the amplifier must be disabled when tuning. 73, ... Joe, W4TV On 8/21/2015 5:43 PM, Marco HB9CAT wrote: Thanks a lot for your reply Joe, my Station Masters are pretty new (2014/2015) so I shall be safe to connect Inhibit directly. Just like Yaesu, SM Inhibit provides +12V to inhibit and pulls the Inhibit line low to enable transmit (/Inhibit). Then why do I measure 12V in rest state, when no switching occurs ? Isn't it the other way around ? (I can't test it right now) PA PTT is inhibited during antenna tuning. Low power is still possible as is the case with SteppIR's own tuning relay. PA PTT is currently given by an MK2R+ so SM PTT doesn't apply; but if SM would set INH during tuning the K3 wouldn’t TX Are we both the only ones using Station Masters with Elecraft ? Curious to gather experiences Marco HB9CAT -Original Message- From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Joe Subich, W4TV Sent: giovedì, 20. agosto 2015 22:14 To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Microham Station Master Inhibit - K3 ? According to the Microham manual this output is provided to be connected to Yaesu, TenTec and Elecraft transceivers; I was tempted to plug it directly into my K3, but I decided to measure the voltage on the Station Master's Inhibit out connector: it's 13V. Measure the current on the SM Inhibit jack. Early units sourced +12V across a 2K2 pull-down to inhibit in order to work with some early Yaesu rigs. Later units have changed the output to a 4K7 pull-up resistor to +12V and an NPN transistor that pulls the +12V to ground to transmit. If you see more than 3 mA on the Inhibit line, you have an early unit. The K3 Inhibit input is a 220 Ohm resistor to a port on the controller. The later versions of Station Master should be fine with it (3 mA max current) but if you have an early Station Master, I'd use a voltage divider or a series resistor and shunt 5.1V zener diode between the Station Master and K3. Question 2: I assume Station Master's Inhibit is active when this signal goes to 0V, so K3's TX INH configuration shall be LO=INH. Anyone has experience ? Just like Yaesu, SM Inhibit provides +12V to inhibit and pulls the Inhibit line low to enable transmit (/Inhibit). Question 3: Station Master is controlling a SteppIR antenna: does Inhibit activate during the antenna tuning procedures ? PA PTT is inhibited during antenna tuning. Low power is still possible as is the case with SteppIR's own tuning relay. 73, ... Joe, W4TV On 8/20/2015 7:23 AM, Marco HB9CAT wrote: Hello, I'm optimizing the shack setup and taking a more careful look at hot switching; Antenna switching is managed through a couple of Microham Station Masters, which provide an Inhibit Output as cinch connector. So Inhibit will be set during any Antenna transtition to protect the switches, the PA etc. According to the Microham manual this output is provided to be connected to Yaesu, TenTec and Elecraft transceivers; I was tempted to plug it directly into my K3, but I decided to measure the voltage on the Station Master's Inhibit out connector: it's 13V. Question 1: Is that voltage OK to be connected to the Inhibit pin in the K3's ACC connector ? I prefer to ask before doing it. Question 2: I assume Station Master's Inhibit is active when this signal goes to 0V, so K3's TX INH
Re: [Elecraft] Microham Station Master Inhibit - K3 ?
Thanks a lot for your reply Joe, my Station Masters are pretty new (2014/2015) so I shall be safe to connect Inhibit directly. Just like Yaesu, SM Inhibit provides +12V to inhibit and pulls the Inhibit line low to enable transmit (/Inhibit). Then why do I measure 12V in rest state, when no switching occurs ? Isn't it the other way around ? (I can't test it right now) PA PTT is inhibited during antenna tuning. Low power is still possible as is the case with SteppIR's own tuning relay. PA PTT is currently given by an MK2R+ so SM PTT doesn't apply; but if SM would set INH during tuning the K3 wouldnt TX Are we both the only ones using Station Masters with Elecraft ? Curious to gather experiences Marco HB9CAT -Original Message- From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Joe Subich, W4TV Sent: giovedì, 20. agosto 2015 22:14 To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Microham Station Master Inhibit - K3 ? According to the Microham manual this output is provided to be connected to Yaesu, TenTec and Elecraft transceivers; I was tempted to plug it directly into my K3, but I decided to measure the voltage on the Station Master's Inhibit out connector: it's 13V. Measure the current on the SM Inhibit jack. Early units sourced +12V across a 2K2 pull-down to inhibit in order to work with some early Yaesu rigs. Later units have changed the output to a 4K7 pull-up resistor to +12V and an NPN transistor that pulls the +12V to ground to transmit. If you see more than 3 mA on the Inhibit line, you have an early unit. The K3 Inhibit input is a 220 Ohm resistor to a port on the controller. The later versions of Station Master should be fine with it (3 mA max current) but if you have an early Station Master, I'd use a voltage divider or a series resistor and shunt 5.1V zener diode between the Station Master and K3. Question 2: I assume Station Master's Inhibit is active when this signal goes to 0V, so K3's TX INH configuration shall be LO=INH. Anyone has experience ? Just like Yaesu, SM Inhibit provides +12V to inhibit and pulls the Inhibit line low to enable transmit (/Inhibit). Question 3: Station Master is controlling a SteppIR antenna: does Inhibit activate during the antenna tuning procedures ? PA PTT is inhibited during antenna tuning. Low power is still possible as is the case with SteppIR's own tuning relay. 73, ... Joe, W4TV On 8/20/2015 7:23 AM, Marco HB9CAT wrote: Hello, I'm optimizing the shack setup and taking a more careful look at hot switching; Antenna switching is managed through a couple of Microham Station Masters, which provide an Inhibit Output as cinch connector. So Inhibit will be set during any Antenna transtition to protect the switches, the PA etc. According to the Microham manual this output is provided to be connected to Yaesu, TenTec and Elecraft transceivers; I was tempted to plug it directly into my K3, but I decided to measure the voltage on the Station Master's Inhibit out connector: it's 13V. Question 1: Is that voltage OK to be connected to the Inhibit pin in the K3's ACC connector ? I prefer to ask before doing it. Question 2: I assume Station Master's Inhibit is active when this signal goes to 0V, so K3's TX INH configuration shall be LO=INH. Anyone has experience ? Question 3: Station Master is controlling a SteppIR antenna: does Inhibit activate during the antenna tuning procedures ? Thanks Marco, HB9CAT __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to li...@subich.com __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to hb9...@thezollingers.org __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] Microham Station Master Inhibit - K3 ?
Hello, I'm optimizing the shack setup and taking a more careful look at hot switching; Antenna switching is managed through a couple of Microham Station Masters, which provide an Inhibit Output as cinch connector. So Inhibit will be set during any Antenna transtition to protect the switches, the PA etc. According to the Microham manual this output is provided to be connected to Yaesu, TenTec and Elecraft transceivers; I was tempted to plug it directly into my K3, but I decided to measure the voltage on the Station Master's Inhibit out connector: it's 13V. Question 1: Is that voltage OK to be connected to the Inhibit pin in the K3's ACC connector ? I prefer to ask before doing it. Question 2: I assume Station Master's Inhibit is active when this signal goes to 0V, so K3's TX INH configuration shall be LO=INH. Anyone has experience ? Question 3: Station Master is controlling a SteppIR antenna: does Inhibit activate during the antenna tuning procedures ? Thanks Marco, HB9CAT __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] K3S Power On / PTT
I configured my K3s to use DTR to key CW, (CONFIG:PTT-KEY to “Off-RTS”) and configured my logging program (Dxlog.net) accordingly; the COM port I’m using is the K3s virtual serial related to the USB connection. Everything worked fine. Later on I unplugged the K3s to use it in another location, where I’ve just connected power and antenna (no USB); right after powering it up it went to TX, USB RTS was probably in an undefined state being interpreted as high so it keyed CW. I knew that might be the problem so I tried to access the CONFIG:PTT-KEY menu: there was no way to get there while the K3s was stuck in TX, as usual I got to the the “FW Revs” default config menu but I couldn’t move to the other menus. The only possible solution has been to get hold of a PC, install USB drivers and set RTS low. Question: is there any alternative power-up sequence to enter a sort of safe mode allowing me to change configuration ? Thanks Marco HB9CAT P.S.: all firmware revisions are the latest __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3S Power On / PTT
Thanks Lyle, I tried the beta and it addresses exactly the issue I experienced; tried it out, works fine :-) For reference in case others experienced the same: * PTT/KEY USE WITH THE USB PORT IMPROVED: PC applications can activate PTT and KEY at the K3S via the USB port's RTS/DTR signals. However, initial setup of the rig's USB port by the PC may cause pulsed or continuous activation of the transmitter. This can happen if the computer is turned on after the K3S, or if the USB cable is not connected. There is now a Safe mode (the default) which disables PTT-KEY transmit until the K3S receives a command via USB, such as a read of the rig's VFO frequency. To turn on safe mode on/off, go into CONFIG:PTT-KEY and tap '1' to select USB SAFE or UNSAFE. Exit the menu and turn the K3S off/on. Applications that use PTT-KEY via USB but never send commands may require UNSAFE mode. In this case, unwanted transmit can be avoided by turning the PC on before the K3S. Marco HB9CAT -Original Message- From: Lyle Johnson [mailto:kk7p4...@gmail.com] Sent: sabato, 8. agosto 2015 20:27 To: hb9...@thezollingers.org; elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3S Power On / PTT This problem is fixed in the latest beta firmware for the K3/K3S. Until then, it is best to set PTT-KEY to OFF-OFF before taking the K3/K3S to a location without USB connectivity. 73, Lyle KK7P On 8/8/15 10:31 AM, Marco HB9CAT wrote: I configured my K3s to use DTR to key CW, (CONFIG:PTT-KEY to “Off-RTS”) and configured my logging program (Dxlog.net) accordingly; the COM port I’m using is the K3s virtual serial related to the USB connection. Everything worked fine. Later on I unplugged the K3s to use it in another location, where I’ve just connected power and antenna (no USB); right after powering it up it went to TX, USB RTS was probably in an undefined state being interpreted as high so it keyed CW. I knew that might be the problem so I tried to access the CONFIG:PTT-KEY menu: there was no way to get there while the K3s was stuck in TX, as usual I got to the the “FW Revs” default config menu but I couldn’t move to the other menus. The only possible solution has been to get hold of a PC, install USB drivers and set RTS low. Question: is there any alternative power-up sequence to enter a sort of safe mode allowing me to change configuration ? Thanks Marco HB9CAT P.S.: all firmware revisions are the latest __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to kk7p4...@gmail.com __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3S Power On / PTT
Thanks Lyle, I tried the beta and it addresses exactly the issue I experienced; tried it out, works fine :-) For reference in case others experienced the same: * PTT/KEY USE WITH THE USB PORT IMPROVED: PC applications can activate PTT and KEY at the K3S via the USB port's RTS/DTR signals. However, initial setup of the rig's USB port by the PC may cause pulsed or continuous activation of the transmitter. This can happen if the computer is turned on after the K3S, or if the USB cable is not connected. There is now a Safe mode (the default) which disables PTT-KEY transmit until the K3S receives a command via USB, such as a read of the rig's VFO frequency. To turn on safe mode on/off, go into CONFIG:PTT-KEY and tap '1' to select USB SAFE or UNSAFE. Exit the menu and turn the K3S off/on. Applications that use PTT-KEY via USB but never send commands may require UNSAFE mode. In this case, unwanted transmit can be avoided by turning the PC on before the K3S. Marco HB9CAT __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] TX Audio
Keith, May be obvious, but make sure MENU::MIC SEL is set To Line In, and as Lyle is saying nothing shall be plugged into the rear Line In port. On the PC, select Speakers (USB Audio Codec) 73 Marco HB9CAT -Original Message- From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Keith Robinson Sent: mercoledì, 5. agosto 2015 23:21 To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] TX Audio To all the new K3S owners, I need a little help with an issue I am having with my K3S so I thought I would ask for some input. The issue is with audio being sent from the PC to radio thru the USB cable. Simply put, I have non. Receive audio going back to the PC from the radio is fine. The S meter on HRD sees signals just fine. I can decode CW , PSK , and RTTY fine also. I just can’t transmit any audio. By the way CW sends great, no problem with that. Doesn’t matter what the source is. Could be a digital program or a logging program or a contesting program. I tried DVK files (wav.files) even recorded music but nothing. It appears that Windows is doing it’s job here. You can see the audio being played on the little meters in the playback devices window. But nothing at the radio. I have tried this on 3 different computers with the same results. With different OS. Win.7, Win.8.1. USB drivers seem to load fine when I connect the radio. I checked all the menu settings. Just don’t know where to go from here. Am I missing something? Any suggestions would be appreciated Keith Robinson W4KTR --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to hb9...@thezollingers.org __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
