[Elecraft] for sale, K2 #3134
Hi all I have decided to sell my K2 #3134, after a many good hours of QSO's It is not because the rig is run down, on the contrary, but I have been bitten by that little "bug" that I fear rummage around in many shacks. And I have got the building itch again, hi. But if I am to build another K2 I need to sell the pressent one first. It have the PLL ref kit, overload diodes, KSB2, KAF, KAT2, internal battery option, MH2 mike and of cource all the manuals. Price is € 1100,- or the equivelant here of. The unit is in Denmark and can be shipped. Pictures can of cource be mailed. Please repply of list 73- Henning OZ4XF___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Weller WTCPT tip longevity
The tip will last until the iron coating wears through and the copper slug physically erodes. I would suspect that the switch contacts in the handle of your iron have broken or welded closed. If viewed in the dark, an "always on" TCP will get red hot. [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I use a PTF7 solder tip on my WTCPT and recently found that after about 5 minutes of use, the tip suddenly starts to develop a thick char at the end and makes the solder turn dark. I replaced the tip with a newer one (<5 hours of use) and the same thing happens to that one. I will next try a brand new tip to see if the same thing happens. Either the problem is with the tip or it is with the heater/barrel nut assembly contaminating the tip. Has anyone experienced the same thing? How long should a typical solder tip last? Has anyone found a tip cleaning or storage method that helps prolong tip life? Thanks. Jeff Fedison in Niskayuna, NY ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] FS FT-100 Tuning Knob and Code Quick CW training program
FT-100 tuning knob $12 Code Quick CW Training program $10 I have an Yaesu FT-100 tuning knob that I used on my K2. It looked good and worked great, however I longed for the stock Elecraft look so I installed the Finger Dimple on my K2 knob and I am very pleased with the results. So if someone has been looking for a very nice tuning knob for their K2 the FT-100 knob is available for $12 including shipping in the US. I also have a complete set of Code Quick tapes (including the manual and cards). Code Quick may not be the preferred training method to some, but it made learning code fun and got me up and on the air so I would like to see them in continued service. Code Quick tapes $10 in the US. 73, KI4DGH Chuck Gehring ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] Power Supplies
You all gave me the idea to charge up my old model airplane battery at 9.5 volts nominal and try it on the rig. Should work FB and last just as long as a set of AA cells without the need to keep opening the radio. Leaving the internal cell cases available for emergency uses. Alan VY2WU ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] Another K1 on the air
I'm happy to announce the addition of a new little one, K1 S/N 2124, who joined his big brother K2 S/N 2152 on January 7, 2006. His loud cries with 5 watts on 40 meters into a dipole at 50 feet were first heard by Buki, YT7YT who said he was about 569. Hiro, VE3CGC later told him that he was a robust 589 into Ontario. Big brother is doing well, since he knows K1 will be doing a lot of vacation and business travel and not hogging the antennas at home. Great little rig - with the KAT-1 in there, it looks like we'll have a lot of fun together. Thanks again to Eric, Wayne, and the rest of the Elecraft gang. 73, and see you all on ECN. Bill K1EV ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] Elecraft] OT: Help designing power supply and toroid
Hi Don, As others have advised, winding the transformer is not as easy as it sounds and a ready-made one will do the job. I think you should be more concerned with preventing RF noise on the AC line from getting into your power supply and hence into the Grundig radio. Here is where toroid cores and capacitors come into play. Do a search on emi and rfi filtering and then add filtering to the transformer, rectifier, regulator circuits as already described. Cores and wire are available from Amidon and other sources. GL Allen KA5N ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] a story that will have a happy ending, soon (slightly OT)
Steve Jackson wrote: I was surfing on eBay and found auction #5852424318 for a partially-built K2, under circumstances I have not seen before -- and certainly wish that it was not so. The rig is being sold by the owner's widow. I did not know the sk N9PT myself, but I'd bet a dollar he'd have wanted that rig completed and put on the air. I wish I could buy it myself and do just that! Hopefully the new owner will come on here and let us know when this particular radio is finished. I really must ask. How come the moderator on QRP-L says that NO mention of eBay is permitted, because the owner of QSL.NET/QTH.NET forbids it, yet I see it frequently here on the Elecraft list? Could there be some prevarication involved here? John W2AGN ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
RE: [Elecraft] a story that will have a happy ending, soon (slightlyOT)
How come this question is on the Elecraft list? Shouldn't it be on the QRP-L list? Dan / WG4S / K2 #2456 ps: Admittedly, I'm curious about the answer too. How come the moderator on QRP-L says that NO mention of eBay is permitted, because the owner of QSL.NET/QTH.NET forbids it ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] FS FT-100 Tuning Knob and Code Quick has been sold
The response was very quick. The FT-100 Tuning knob and Code Quick Programs have already been spoken for. 73 KI4DGH Chuck Gehring ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] a story that will have a happy ending, soon (slightlyOT)
Dan Barker wrote: How come this question is on the Elecraft list? Shouldn't it be on the QRP-L list? Dan / WG4S / K2 #2456 ps: Admittedly, I'm curious about the answer too. How come the moderator on QRP-L says that NO mention of eBay is permitted, because the owner of QSL.NET/QTH.NET forbids it For one thing, I am not a member of QRP-L any longer, and for another, I was curious if this list was subjected to the same constraints. John W2AGN ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] [Fwd: K2 VCO, wrong frequency] **FIXED**
In the immortal words of Emily Latella. "Never mind" Yes, I said I checked things carefully. Tired old eyes. K13 was not soldered, sigh. I still think the voltage chart for U4 pin 5 and 7 is incorrect (and the places they connect to). Will report back later when I make it through the rest of Part 2 alignment. 73, Bill N2BC ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] ARCBS 2006 Kissing Bridge Event!
Hello all, The ARCBS is proud to sponsor its second Kissing Bridge Event. This year the ARCBS will host numerous nice events. The grand prize for the Kissing Bridge Event is a $50 Dinner-For-Two! Please remember that some of the events require current ARCBS Membership for free prizes, awards and certificates. Check it out at: http://www.arcbs.org 73, Ed, WA3WSJ ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] The "right" tool for removing IC pins
There has been much talk here and on other lists about the safe/correct way to remove ICs from circuit boards. Conventional ICs (as opposed to the surface mount jobs, which are another whole animal) can be removed cleanly and easily with a vacuum desoldering machine. Handheld vacuum poppers are not a good substitute for a motorized desoldering machine. For one thing, the popper's recoil will pull it off the work as it discharges. If you've ever used or seen one of these desoldering machines in action, they are nothing short of amazing. You put the tip over a pin, and it sucks the hole clean and dry in a fraction of a second. Do this fourteen times, and the IC can be easily removed intact with two fingers. The holes left behind are so clean that a new IC will drop right in as if they were virgin. So, if you're building your dream K2, and you make an IC mistake, you want to find a local ham who has one of these machines. They're too expensive (upwards of $200 used) to buy for a one-shot deal, but they are the kind of tool you'd want around a serious workbench--kind of like a good oscilloscope. And they require maintenance. My suggestion is to get on the local repeater and ask who has one, rather than trying to wrestle the pins out of a hot circuit board. If you're local to me (Long Island) just ask. I have a working desoldering machine. Yes, you can clean out an IC using a combination of solder wick and vacuum poppers; but you will almost certainly do some damage to the traces/holes in the process, particularly on boards with plated through holes. Better to find someone to give you a couple of minutes of time with a desoldering machine. 72, Preston Douglas WJ2V ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
RE: [Elecraft] The "right" tool for removing IC pins
Preston and all, Good advice, but remember when considering de-soldering anything that the value of the individual component (no matter how expensive) is very small compared to the value of the board with all the other mounted components. So if you do not have one of these de-soldering tools, the best method is to waste the component by cutting off its mounting leads and then remove the remaining bits from the board one at a time. While it may be inconvenient to wait for a new component, doing so will protect your investment (both time and money) in the remainder of the board. Even with a Hakko 808 in residence here, I sometimes resort to cutting the component leads myself if removal becomes a bit troublesome. 73, Don W3FPR > -Original Message- > > There has been much talk here and on other lists about the > safe/correct way > to remove ICs from circuit boards. Conventional ICs (as opposed to the > surface mount jobs, which are another whole animal) can be > removed cleanly and > easily with a vacuum desoldering machine. Handheld vacuum > poppers are not a good > substitute for a motorized desoldering machine. For one thing, > the popper's > recoil will pull it off the work as it discharges. If you've > ever used or > seen one of these desoldering machines in action, they are > nothing short of > amazing. You put the tip over a pin, and it sucks the hole > clean and dry in a > fraction of a second. Do this fourteen times, and the IC can be > easily removed > intact with two fingers. The holes left behind are so clean > that a new IC > will drop right in as if they were virgin. > > So, if you're building your dream K2, and you make an IC mistake, > you want to > find a local ham who has one of these machines. They're too expensive > (upwards of $200 used) to buy for a one-shot deal, but they are > the kind of tool > you'd want around a serious workbench--kind of like a good > oscilloscope. And > they require maintenance. > > My suggestion is to get on the local repeater and ask who has one, rather > than trying to wrestle the pins out of a hot circuit board. If > you're local to > me (Long Island) just ask. I have a working desoldering > machine. Yes, you > can clean out an IC using a combination of solder wick and vacuum > poppers; but > you will almost certainly do some damage to the traces/holes in > the process, > particularly on boards with plated through holes. Better to > find someone to > give you a couple of minutes of time with a desoldering machine. > > 72, > > Preston Douglas WJ2V ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] Camp-Run-A-MOC: N3EPA!
Hello all! Please keep an ear out for the N3EPA Call. The bears at Camp-Run-A-MOC will activate this call from 1/13 to 1/16. During the Polar Bear Hunt/Sprint, we will be worth 100 bonus points per valid contact! The camp will have two stations on the air one will be N3EPA and the other will be the call sign of the PB operator. Also look for the new Polar Bear Club Calls and Numbers. We presently have two PB Clubs: N3EPA PA1 EPA QRP Club N0QG NE1 Midwest Home Brewers And QRP Group NE Please note that all club numbers start with their state abbreviation and then a digit. For more info about the Polar bear Hunt go to: http://www.n3epa.org/Pages/Jan2006PolarbearSprint.htm Now go bag your bear! 72, Ed, WA3WSJ PB #2 ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] QRP viability during solar cycle min?
K1 or K2. Hmmm, the debate continues. But wait, we're approaching a sunspot min. My antennas are pretty limited. I have a 28 foot vertical (fed with a tuner near the base) for 40 thru 15 and a dipole at 25 feet but that is about it. No towers, no high wires, no yagis. How limiting will 5 or 10 watts (even with that Elecraft Mojo) be under current conditions? Are we entering into conditions where QRP with simple antennas will become rather frustrating? Is it K2/100 time? - Keith KD1E - ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
RE: [Elecraft] QRP viability during solar cycle min?
Keith I run only wire antennas here with my 5w K2. Plus a 50 ft vertical on 160m. With the K2 at 5w, I have 160m QRP WAS, so you can have a lot of fun with 5w on the low bands. You do have to be a bit creative with your antennas to wring out the last drop of performance from them, but to me, that's part of the fun of ham radio. A good radio helps, too. For contesting, I would stick with the K2 over the K1. More features to work with, and access to all bands. I work all the contests, and throw my 5w in there among the big boys. Fun is where you find it. Get out there and stir something up. 73, Bob N6WG The Little Station with Attitude -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Darwin, Keith Sent: Wednesday, January 11, 2006 9:20 AM To: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] QRP viability during solar cycle min? K1 or K2. Hmmm, the debate continues. But wait, we're approaching a sunspot min. My antennas are pretty limited. I have a 28 foot vertical (fed with a tuner near the base) for 40 thru 15 and a dipole at 25 feet but that is about it. No towers, no high wires, no yagis. How limiting will 5 or 10 watts (even with that Elecraft Mojo) be under current conditions? Are we entering into conditions where QRP with simple antennas will become rather frustrating? Is it K2/100 time? - Keith KD1E - ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] QRP viability during solar cycle min?
Hi Keith, During the solar minimum the higher frequencies don't open as often or for as long, that is 10 & 15m. I find that 20m and 17m are open nearly every day and are both great bands for making QRP QSOs, and similarly I use mostly 17m while HF mobile (I estimate that the poor mobile antenna efficiency with a 100W rig is about the same as QRP, HI HI!). These bands are open during the daytime and closed (at my QTH) at night generally. Okay, now for the good part. If you have a vertical antenna with good radial system to minimize ground loss you've got a great antenna for DX and stateside QSOs on 40m during the night. I've worked many European DX stations on 40m while competing with 100 to 1 KW stations on the bottom of 40m and have always made QSOs on 7.040 (when the RTTY & PSK31 doesn't encroach). DX is probably easier on 160 to 40m during a sunspot minimum because more stations that used to be active on higher frequencies are forced to go to lower frequencies if they want to stay active. Also, there is less D-layer absorbtion so the path losses are less. Both of these add up to a win-win for QRP! BTW, I have a Carolina Windom 160 antenna up about 60'. It is an okay all-around antenna but I've had better antennas, I just can't do anything different currently. I'd love to have a tower with a yagi, but it would go to waste during the dark hours (which is when I'm home from work to be able to play radio anyway) at this point. Don't look for excuses to stay off the air (sunspot cycle minimum)! Look for opportunities to be active! 73 & good luck! Mark, NK8Q K2 4786 >From: "Darwin, Keith" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Date: Wed Jan 11 11:19:39 CST 2006 >To: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net >Subject: [Elecraft] QRP viability during solar cycle min? >K1 or K2. Hmmm, the debate continues. But wait, we're approaching a >sunspot min. My antennas are pretty limited. I have a 28 foot vertical >(fed with a tuner near the base) for 40 thru 15 and a dipole at 25 feet >but that is about it. No towers, no high wires, no yagis. > >How limiting will 5 or 10 watts (even with that Elecraft Mojo) be under >current conditions? Are we entering into conditions where QRP with >simple antennas will become rather frustrating? Is it K2/100 time? > >- Keith KD1E - >___ >Elecraft mailing list >Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net >You must be a subscriber to post to the list. >Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > >Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm >Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] QRP viability during solar cycle min?
BTW, last night 160m sounded pretty good. I didn't have time to spend on the radio but I did work my second European DX with 5W from my K2. I worked G3PQA (I think that was it, my memory may not be 100% since I'm in a training course today). Apparently he is a fairly big "Top Band" station. It took a little while until he got my callsign, but afterward, he did say "Nice job for 5W" so I was happy! Mark, NK8Q >From: "Darwin, Keith" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Date: Wed Jan 11 11:19:39 CST 2006 >To: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net >Subject: [Elecraft] QRP viability during solar cycle min? >K1 or K2. Hmmm, the debate continues. But wait, we're approaching a >sunspot min. My antennas are pretty limited. I have a 28 foot vertical >(fed with a tuner near the base) for 40 thru 15 and a dipole at 25 feet >but that is about it. No towers, no high wires, no yagis. > >How limiting will 5 or 10 watts (even with that Elecraft Mojo) be under >current conditions? Are we entering into conditions where QRP with >simple antennas will become rather frustrating? Is it K2/100 time? > >- Keith KD1E - >___ >Elecraft mailing list >Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net >You must be a subscriber to post to the list. >Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > >Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm >Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] 14.9V to KX1?
> I think you're giving too little thought to the quality of your power > supplies. Jim, Not at all - and this kind of comment is exactly why I posted - thanks. Lower weight is only part of the equation, and I recognize that - I'm new at this game and still trying to understand all the tradeoffs. Suffice it to say that I'll be looking for a small regulated switcher at the local surplus place, because I think that is more what I want (I'll take my KX-1 along and listen for noise...) 73 de chris K6DBG ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] QRP viability during solar cycle min?
Darwin, Keith wrote: How limiting will 5 or 10 watts (even with that Elecraft Mojo) be under current conditions? Are we entering into conditions where QRP with simple antennas will become rather frustrating? Is it K2/100 time? You can still make plenty of contacts with 10 watts. During the day, 20 meters is usually open, and 40 in the evening. I worked Europe from here (California) with 5 watts on 40 meters during a sunspot minimum with a vertical. 30 meters can be quite good as well. If you could get another 10 feet of height for your dipole, that would be a big improvement. But you will make more good QSOs with 100 watts. My advice is: get the KPA100. You can operate at 5 or 10 watts output as much as you want, but you will be able to turn up the power when you are not heard or start to have difficulty during a contact. -- 73, Vic, K2VCO Fresno CA http://www.qsl.net/k2vco ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
RE: [Elecraft] QRP viability during solar cycle min?
Keith, KD1E wrote: K1 or K2. Hmmm, the debate continues. But wait, we're approaching a sunspot min. My antennas are pretty limited. I have a 28 foot vertical (fed with a tuner near the base) for 40 thru 15 and a dipole at 25 feet but that is about it. No towers, no high wires, no yagis. How limiting will 5 or 10 watts (even with that Elecraft Mojo) be under current conditions? Are we entering into conditions where QRP with simple antennas will become rather frustrating? Is it K2/100 time? - The difference between 10 and 100 watts (10 dB) is about 1.5 "S" units on most receivers. Band conditions changing from hour to hour will cause a much bigger variation that that. The biggest difference will depend upon whether you focus on working DX as you primary activity. Overall, signal strengths will tend to be slightly lower than we see on 10 meters during the sunspot maxima, so it is true that QRP may suffer slightly. Unless you're trying to bust a pileup for a rare DX station you shouldn't notice a lot of difference in your ability to make contacts, even good stable contacts for long-winded rag chews if you want, as long as you adjust the bands your using to follow the changes in propagation and the maximum usable frequency (MUF). What you will notice about the sunspot minimum is that the 10 through 18 meter bands will be open less often than they were. Indeed, in the years around the minimum, you may find that 10 meters is open only sporadically for short periods of time. Even 20 and occasionally 40 may shut down to long skip for days. The issue isn't whether a particular band is 'open' but rather the maximum usable frequency (MUF). Fifteen and ten meters have been great DX bands during the sunspot maxima because they're typically close to the MUF. On occasion the MUF even gets as high as 6 meters, and long skip contacts suddenly become easy there. During the sunspot minima the MUF will drop down to 14 MHz and, on occasion, even 7 MHz. When that happens those bands are roaring with DX much like 10 has for years throughout the sunspot maxima, and the higher frequency bands will be quiet except for locals. Still, there's a couple of big differences. First, the ionization of the lower atmosphere affects lower-frequency signals more. That's why you don't hear daytime "DX" on the AM standard broadcast band (550 - 1700 kHz) but it often booms in at night. The ions produced in the lower atmosphere by the sun absorb those frequencies, but as soon as the sun sets those ions dissipate and the atmosphere becomes transparent to RF. That effect extends up to, typically, somewhere between 7 and 15 MHz. As the frequency goes up the absorption drops. That's why you can work distances with 5 watts on 80, 40 or 20 in the day that no amount of power from a station in the broadcast band will cover, and the DX gets better as you go up in frequency (as long as you stay below the MUF). That's also a large part of the reason why, after dark, better and better DX starts being heard on 160, 80 and 40 meters. The other big difference is that the typical Ham antenna is much less efficient for DX work at the lower frequencies. Vertical antennas suffer greater ground losses and, typically, horizontal antennas are too low for best DX. A horizontally polarized antenna, no matter the type, needs to be close to 1/2 wave or higher above the effective ground for best DX coverage. Most Ham antennas meet that criteria at 14 MHz and above. An antenna 35 feet up is a full half wave high on 20 meters, for example. Down at 7 or 3.5 MHz, the antenna needs to be 60 to 120 feet up to be an equivalent electrical height! That's above what most Hams can manage. Still, lower antennas are excellent for short skip out to 1,000 or 2,000 miles. They can even do better than antennas mounted higher up. So, no matter the power, if you're looking for consistent DX performance with a "typical" Ham installation, your bands of choice will shift down toward 20 and 40 meters instead of the higher frequencies during the sunspot minima, and your DX opportunities will appear more commonly along the gray line or during the hours of darkness when atmospheric absorption is a its lowest. For casual contacts and rag chewing, 80 will start to act a lot more like 40 meters has in the past and even 40, 30, and 20 meters will see a lot of stable short skip at times. A little extra power is always a help, but it's often only a psychological help. My K2/100 is at 100 watts a lot simply because in working a lot of stations, they "like" to know that I'm running a comparable power because they hate digging for signals near the noise. My power is always down at QRP levels when I'm around the QRP calling frequencies (7040, 14060, etc.) One time I called an OT retired radio operator I know and we had a nice long rag chew. Predictably, he thanked me for running "decent power", grumbling about all those QRPers who expect hi
Re: [Elecraft] QRP viability during solar cycle min?
Keith - I was reading that the predicted low of the current cycle supposedly takes place this September. Using my K1 @ 5W there has been an opening to Europe every day for the past two weeks on 15MI was impressed that there were any stations outside of the usual North/South paths during sunspot minimums. I worked 12 different countries on 15M sometimes hammering out the QSO in a pileup with other higher power stations in the US. I'm REALLY impressed with ANYONE running under 100W on 160M!! 5W WAS on 160M with a 50ft vertical is SUPER-IMPRESSIVE! Congrats to N6WG. As others point out 40 and 20 are great havens for QRP operation with very little frustration and lots of QSO's. Definitely go for the K2 and upgrade as the need or urge arrives. 73 de Tom K2TA - Original Message - From: "Darwin, Keith" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Sent: Wednesday, January 11, 2006 12:19 PM Subject: [Elecraft] QRP viability during solar cycle min? K1 or K2. Hmmm, the debate continues. But wait, we're approaching a sunspot min. My antennas are pretty limited. I have a 28 foot vertical (fed with a tuner near the base) for 40 thru 15 and a dipole at 25 feet but that is about it. No towers, no high wires, no yagis. How limiting will 5 or 10 watts (even with that Elecraft Mojo) be under current conditions? Are we entering into conditions where QRP with simple antennas will become rather frustrating? Is it K2/100 time? - Keith KD1E - ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] Re: Weller
Jerry, Thanks for that advice. I did notice that the tip seemed to be glowing and that the charing is consistent with the tip being hotter than it should (ie always on). I checked the magnetic slug and is may have seized. I also noticed that there was no clicking sound when the problem charring occured. I have a copy of the WTCPT tech sheet and troubleshooting guide. My iron is only 2 months old and hadn't expected it to need repair so soon. On the WTCPT, how tight should the barrel nut be screwed in? I had been tightening finger tight but I wonder if it is better to back it off a few threads? Regards, Jeff <-Original Message-> >From: Jeremiah McCarthy >Sent: 1/11/2006 11:32:11 AM >To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >Subject: Re: Weller > >Jeff: > >I use the same 700 degree tips and they last for YEARS!!!...I am an Elecraft >builder who has built more than 50 units plus all the side goodies... > >It sounds like the tip is getting too hot...The magnetic plunger up inside the ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] a story that will have a happy ending, soon (slightlyOT)
w2agn wrote: Dan Barker wrote: How come this question is on the Elecraft list? Shouldn't it be on the QRP-L list? Dan / WG4S / K2 #2456 ps: Admittedly, I'm curious about the answer too. How come the moderator on QRP-L says that NO mention of eBay is permitted, because the owner of QSL.NET/QTH.NET forbids it For one thing, I am not a member of QRP-L any longer, and for another, I was curious if this list was subjected to the same constraints. But why ask the question in public? Asking the original poster or the moderator of QRP-L in email would have been a less tendentious way of getting your answer, it seems to me. 73, Joe, W2RBA ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] RE: a story that will have a happy ending, soon (slightly OT)
Fellow Elecrafters-- It's sad to learn N9PT never completed his K2. I searched the archives and he posted a few questions during construction in 2004. I visited the eBay listing, and it appears his widow believes she's selling an unfinished K2 when in fact she may be offering a K2 plus KNB2, KAT2, and KSB2 kits and the MD2 microphone. Since we Elecrafters are part of a community that looks after its own, perhaps we can best honor the memory of a fellow member by ensuring his widow receives fair value for his belongings. 73, John, N7ON K2/100 S/N 5023 P.S. I have no interest in the eBay item. Part of the joy of building my kits is calling Aptos and placing an order, then eagerly watching the mailbox for a USPS package. Next up: the KSB2 so I'll be ready to help make NV less rare in next year's RTTY Roundup. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] QRP viability during solar cycle min?
Keith: As you have no doubt seen from the other posts, you can do a lot with QRP on the low bands. As is clear from such feats as working intercontinental DX with 5 W on 160 m, QRP is limiting, but not severely so. I've done some NVIS calculations for New England. If you're interested in working stations within 200 miles, you can do so practically every night on 80 meters with 5 Watts to an inverted-V 20 feet high at the apex. If you're interested in DX, it is slightly more difficult, but far from impossible. If you could get up a full-size 40m dipole 30 feet or more off the ground, you'd be able to work Europe on 40 m QRP most (but not all) evenings. (Caution: 40 has a tendency to go dead between about midnight and sunrise. The flux is presently so low that the MUF to most locations drops below 7 MHz late at night. In that case you cannot work DX on 40 no matter how much power you run.) On 80 meters I have a dipole up about 40 feet. My experience this winter is that about two nights out of a week, the 80 meter DX opening at sunrise in Europe is strong enough that I can make contacts with 5 Watts. A couple of practical thoughts: Back when I worked in the RF Group at Oak Ridge National lab, we had a sign on the wall that said, "A dB is a dB is a dB, and every one is just as good as all the others, no matter where they come from." With that in mind, and considering that you're giving up 13 dB by reducing transmitter power from 100 to 5 Watts, you need to think about were else you can pick up some extra dBs. For example: 1) Put up the biggest highest antenna that you can. If you have a 20 foot high antenna, but could raise it to 25 feet, do so. It is worth the trouble doing. 2) If you cannot make your antenna system work for you, at least try to get it where it does not work against you. Avoid wave traps and tuning networks if possible. If you must use a Tuner or a matching network, make it out of the heaviest components you can; you want to minimize losses. Use the biggest transmission line you can afford and run it with the lowest SWR you can achieve. Make as direct a run from the transmitter to the antenna as possible, with as few breaks in the line and as few items inserted into the line (filters, directional couplers, ferrite baluns/isolators, etc.) as you can get away with. 3) In keeping with the above principle, you might want to try to set up dedicated 80 and 40 meter antennas and not worry about the high bands for the next couple of years. Multiband antennas will always be lossier than single band antennas. 4) Listen for the very loudest DX signal you can find and call that one. If one DX station is is markedly louder than the other DX, he's likely using a high gain antenna. One of the best tricks in QRP DX is making the other guy's high gain antenna work for you. 5) Your biggest source of extra dBs is the ionosphere. Use VOACAP to compute when the strongest openings from your location will occur, and operate at those times. (VOACAP is downloadable for free. It is well documented and easy to learn. To find out more, simply Google VOACAP.) 73, Steve AA4AK At 12:19 PM 1/11/2006, Darwin, Keith wrote: K1 or K2. Hmmm, the debate continues. But wait, we're approaching a sunspot min. My antennas are pretty limited. I have a 28 foot vertical (fed with a tuner near the base) for 40 thru 15 and a dipole at 25 feet but that is about it. No towers, no high wires, no yagis. How limiting will 5 or 10 watts (even with that Elecraft Mojo) be under current conditions? Are we entering into conditions where QRP with simple antennas will become rather frustrating? Is it K2/100 time? - Keith KD1E - ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Another K1 on the air
On Wed, 11 Jan 2006 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I'm happy to announce the addition of a new little one, K1 S/N 2124, who joined his big brother K2 S/N 2152 on January 7, 2006. His loud cries with 5 watts on 40 meters into a dipole at 50 feet were first heard by Buki, YT7YT who said he was about 569. Hiro, VE3CGC later told him that he was a robust 589 into Ontario. Jeezand I don;t smoke anymore, so I can't enjoy the cigarbut, you and others with new additions can add them to the birth registry of Elecraft rigs at http://www.zerobeat.net/qrp/k2data.html We are an equal opportunity listing service, newborns, adoptees and even purchased units can be listed. 73,Thom-k3hrn www.zerobeat.net Home of QRP Web Ring, Drakelist home page,Drake Web Ring, Free Classified Ads for amateur radio, QRP IRC channel, Drake IRC Channel, Elecraft Owners Database www.tlchost.net/hosting/ *** Web Hosting as low as 3.49/month ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] a story that will have a happy ending, soon (slightlyOT)
On Wed, 11 Jan 2006, Joe Malloy wrote: But why ask the question in public? Asking the original poster or the moderator of QRP-L in email would have been a less tendentious way of getting your answer, it seems to me. Perhaps there is a previous track record of the moderator of QRP-L not answering questions from various individuals. Thom www.baltimorehon.com/Home of the Baltimore Lexicon www.tlchost.net/hosting/ Web Hosting as low as 3.49/month ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] a story that will have a happy ending, soon (slightlyOT)
Joe Malloy wrote: But why ask the question in public? Asking the original poster or the moderator of QRP-L in email would have been a less tendentious way of getting your answer, it seems to me. 73, Joe, W2RBA So sorry. Of course, YOUR public post slapping my wrist is not "tendentious." (Bet that has folks at their dictionaries...or asking their 8th graders). But then, in gives one such a warm, fuzzy feeling to be righteously indignant. ;-) John W2AGN ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Re: Weller
Jerry I had the same problem with a WTCP at work. We replaced it and the bad one was recovered before it hit the trash can. The magnetic switch in the barrel was stuck 'on' and never cycled. When all else failed I gave it a good wack on the bench. That was enough to free the switch. It's given me good service for 30 years now, with most tips lasting several years. Warning - do not try this at home without proper training. John WA8KNE [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Jerry, Thanks for that advice. I did notice that the tip seemed to be glowing and that the charing is consistent with the tip being hotter than it should (ie always on). I checked the magnetic slug and is may have seized. I also noticed that there was no clicking sound when the problem charring occured. I have a copy of the WTCPT tech sheet and troubleshooting guide. My iron is only 2 months old and hadn't expected it to need repair so soon. On the WTCPT, how tight should the barrel nut be screwed in? I had been tightening finger tight but I wonder if it is better to back it off a few threads? Regards, Jeff <-Original Message-> From: Jeremiah McCarthy Sent: 1/11/2006 11:32:11 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: Weller Jeff: I use the same 700 degree tips and they last for YEARS!!!...I am an Elecraft builder who has built more than 50 units plus all the side goodies... It sounds like the tip is getting too hot...The magnetic plunger up inside the ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
RE: [Elecraft] a story that will have a happy ending, soon (slightlyOT)
a) We don't have an answer yet, and b) I'm not sure tendentious means what Joe thinks it means. Dictionary.com sez: "Marked by a strong tendency in favor of a particular point of view." Heck, he's just asking a question. I figured it had something to do with typing, as tendons are used. Dan So sorry. Of course, YOUR public post slapping my wrist is not "tendentious." (Bet that has folks at their dictionaries...or asking their 8th graders). ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] More ECN errata
Kevin, I still remember my father sending me M I S S I S S A U G A when I was 5 and learning CW. Leigh / WA5ZNU On Tue, 10 Jan 2006 7:01 pm, Kevin Rock wrote: ... Now there is one for the CW exam :) Just when you think you have a string they switch states on you! Mine had Athens, Louisiana in it. I was thinking Georgia but no that was not the case. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] QRP viability during solar cycle min?
Fear not the sunspot cycle, Darwin. In the past 18 months, I have completed WAS with 5w and a dipole. I currently have 49 states with 1 watt, and 44 states with 100mW. I think I enjoy the challenge of the sunspot trough more than "shooting fish in a barrel" during the sunspot peak. The feeling of accomplishment is greater. Just be patient, and when the bands are good, get on and make some QSO's. When condx are poor, read up on what makes for good propagation conditions. 72 es good luck, ed - k9ew ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] QRP viability during solar cycle min?
Keith, If you want to hear how strong signals from a 100, 10 , 1 or 0.1 watt transmitter can be in real time, take a listen to the International Beacon Project stations on 20m through 10m. These beacons are located across the world, and transmit in sequence on each band. When it is a particular beacon's turn to transmit, it sends its call in CW followed by four long dashes - one at 100w followed by one at 10w, one at 1w and lastly one at 0.1mW. Then the next beacon does the same. Each beacon is given 10 seconds transmission time. The transmitters operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and somewhere I have the details of their antennas which I think are all omnidirectional verticals. Their frequencies are 14100, 18110, 21150, 24930 and 28200 kHz , and these beacons are a very useful 'tool' for catching band openings especially on 12m and 10m at this point in the solar cycle. It is surprising how often 10m is open even now but no ham signals are heard because everybody is listening, or is elsewhere. It is my belief that in working DX a very important thing is a good calling technique. A continental friend of mine runs 100mW, works DX on 40m, and it is a treat to hear him drop in his call whilst the mob catches its breath. 73, Geoff GM4ESD Keith, KD1E, wrote on Wednesday, January 11, 2006 5:19 PM K1 or K2. Hmmm, the debate continues. But wait, we're approaching a sunspot min. My antennas are pretty limited. I have a 28 foot vertical (fed with a tuner near the base) for 40 thru 15 and a dipole at 25 feet but that is about it. No towers, no high wires, no yagis. How limiting will 5 or 10 watts (even with that Elecraft Mojo) be under current conditions? Are we entering into conditions where QRP with simple antennas will become rather frustrating? Is it K2/100 time? - Keith KD1E - ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] Anticipating Morse (WAS: More ECN errata)
Leigh wrote: I still remember my father sending me M I S S I S S A U G A when I was 5 and learning CW. - Learning not to anticipate letters is invaluable. It was critical for accurately copying five letter groups of random letters, numbers and punctuation marks (including things like $, (,), # etc) which we did for the commercial radiotelegraph exam years ago. That helps avoid lots of mistakes and lost copy too when you're surprised that what you thought the word was isn't . Trivia item: probably 90% of the Hams know the Morse for the ampersand (&) and don't realize it. It's "ES" or dit, dit-dit-dit. Ron AC7AC ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] Which Heil Headphone is suitable?
I am looking for a Headset from Heil with microphone, which incorporates the feature of the "quiet phone" and can´t find out which one that would be. Can anybody give me a hint, what the products name would be and whether I need an additional adaptor? At present I run my K2 with the Heil MD2 as delivered from elecraft. I purchased the entire K2 and MD2-set directly from elecraft, but would not wish to bother with importing from US only for the headset when I possibly can order from a local dealer. 73 Karsten ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
RE: [Elecraft] QRP viability during solar cycle min?
I use the beacons as a propagation tool. Recently there have been many days when I can hear very few and no strong beacon signals on any band. On days like these you will be hard pressed to work dx on any band at any power. However from time to time at QRO you can make some surprising contacts. One I was pleased with lately was Singapore on 80m at sunset. That contact could not have been made at QRP. Interestingly enough the view of 10 years ago that when the HF bands are at their worst due to an inactive sun, 160m-40m will be at their best. This certainly seemed to be true a number of cycles back, but not in the last two cycles. During good propagation conditions it is possible to work good DX on 160m with 100W or somewhat less, but if you look at the leaders on the band they are nearly all QRO. I tend to park my QRP gear when the cycle goes sour and to use it a lot in better parts of a decent cycle. Nothing like the thrill of a long haul DX contact with QRP, but you may want to haul out a bigger rig or amp on many days till the sun starts being more active. Bob W2WG -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Geoffrey Mackenzie-Kennedy Sent: Wednesday, January 11, 2006 4:07 PM To: Darwin, Keith Cc: Elecraft Discussion List Subject: Re: [Elecraft] QRP viability during solar cycle min? Keith, If you want to hear how strong signals from a 100, 10 , 1 or 0.1 watt transmitter can be in real time, take a listen to the International Beacon Project stations on 20m through 10m. These beacons are located across the world, and transmit in sequence on each band. When it is a particular beacon's turn to transmit, it sends its call in CW followed by four long dashes - one at 100w followed by one at 10w, one at 1w and lastly one at 0.1mW. Then the next beacon does the same. Each beacon is given 10 seconds transmission time. The transmitters operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and somewhere I have the details of their antennas which I think are all omnidirectional verticals. Their frequencies are 14100, 18110, 21150, 24930 and 28200 kHz , and these beacons are a very useful 'tool' for catching band openings especially on 12m and 10m at this point in the solar cycle. It is surprising how often 10m is open even now but no ham signals are heard because everybody is listening, or is elsewhere. It is my belief that in working DX a very important thing is a good calling technique. A continental friend of mine runs 100mW, works DX on 40m, and it is a treat to hear him drop in his call whilst the mob catches its breath. 73, Geoff GM4ESD Keith, KD1E, wrote on Wednesday, January 11, 2006 5:19 PM K1 or K2. Hmmm, the debate continues. But wait, we're approaching a sunspot min. My antennas are pretty limited. I have a 28 foot vertical (fed with a tuner near the base) for 40 thru 15 and a dipole at 25 feet but that is about it. No towers, no high wires, no yagis. How limiting will 5 or 10 watts (even with that Elecraft Mojo) be under current conditions? Are we entering into conditions where QRP with simple antennas will become rather frustrating? Is it K2/100 time? - Keith KD1E - ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
RE: [Elecraft] QRP viability during solar cycle min?
Thanks for the replies. Much of it is info that I do already know, having worked QRP for a number of years. The thing I DON'T have is the experience of working QRP during various phases of the sunspot cycle. My ham activity has always gone in blips and blops and has been mostly out of phase with the 11 yr solar cycle. In other words, I get interested and active when we're near a low point and become inactive during the peaks. I've done it that way since the early 1980s :-) I find as I work folks on 40, I'm glad to have a "full" 80 watts. Noise level is high, QSB is an issue, QRM is an issue. Yea, 5 watts is only 1.5 S-units down but that makes a difference when conditions are not optimal. Last night, after aligning my rig, I happen to catch HA3MQ (?) on 40 CW. He was fluttery but I could copy so I answered him. We did the usual short exchange. He gave me 559, I gave him 449. Turns out he was running 100 watts to a Yagi at 30 meters. So even when using the other guy's beam, we pretty much needed the power to make the QSO. I don't know, maybe 5 watts would have done it, but I doubt it. I guess the way to find out is to just turn my rig down to 5 watts for a few weeks and see if I'm still having fun ... 73! - Keith - ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] a story that will have a happy ending, soon (slightly OT)
On Jan 11, 2006, at 6:24 AM, w2agn wrote: Steve Jackson wrote: I was surfing on eBay and found auction #5852424318 for a partially-built K2, under circumstances I have not seen before -- and certainly wish that it was not so. The rig is being sold by the owner's widow. I did not know the sk N9PT myself, but I'd bet a dollar he'd have wanted that rig completed and put on the air. I wish I could buy it myself and do just that! Hopefully the new owner will come on here and let us know when this particular radio is finished. I really must ask. How come the moderator on QRP-L says that NO mention of eBay is permitted, because the owner of QSL.NET/QTH.NET forbids it, yet I see it frequently here on the Elecraft list? Could there be some prevarication involved here? I believe that qth.net was using a filter which dropped any messages with a mention of that site. Perhaps that has changed or maybe this combination of upper/lower case didn't get caught by the filter. It wasn't list-specific. Bob, N7XY ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Anticipating Morse (WAS: More ECN errata)
Ahh yes, I remember ES from a year as a costal marine relief operator at 16. What I have forgotten, and it's only been a year or so, is the new prosign for "@" that was invented. Fred K6DGW Auburn CA CM98lw Trivia item: probably 90% of the Hams know the Morse for the ampersand (&) and don't realize it. It's "ES" or dit, dit-dit-dit. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] QRP viability during solar cycle min?
All the DX is still out there, it's just quieter! Paul K7PM ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Anticipating Morse (WAS: More ECN errata)
On Jan 11, 2006, at 3:13 PM, Fred Jensen wrote: Ahh yes, I remember ES from a year as a costal marine relief operator at 16. What I have forgotten, and it's only been a year or so, is the new prosign for "@" that was invented. Dah-di-dah-di-di-dah (CA, as in "commercial at"). 73, Bob N7XY ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] eBay permission - END of Thread
Guys - Lets end this thread immediately. No more postings, please. It is absolutely OK to mention eBay listings here when the items are among the areas we already say are OK to mention for sale on this reflector. (Elecraft items, related ham stuff etc.) To my knowledge each list owner can make their own decision on what is OK to post. There is no global edict from qth.net. And guys, if you have a problem with someone's posting, please never post your complaint to the list. We have enough traffic without postings of that type and there is no justification for public statements of this type. Personal attacks (on or -off- list) may result in removal from the list at my discretion. Let's remember that this is a relaxed, cordial group, and there is no excuse to directly and personally criticize anyone - period. :-) If you have a problem, feel you have been wronged, slandered, etc., please email me directly and I'll make the decision on how to deal with it. Just keep repeating: "Its only a hobby, Its only a hobby..." ;-) 73, Eric WA6HHQ Elecraft list moderator w2agn wrote: So sorry. Of course, YOUR public post slapping my wrist is not "tendentious." (Bet that has folks at their dictionaries...or asking their 8th graders). But then, in gives one such a warm, fuzzy feeling to be righteously indignant. ;-) John W2AGN ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
RE: [Elecraft] Which Heil Headphone is suitable?
Karsten, I believe what you are looking for is listed at http://www.heilsound.com/amateur/pro_set_quiet_phone.htm - for operation with the K2, you may need the mic element for the Icom, the HC4 and HC5 elements usually need a preamp to properly operate with the K2 - and you may need an adapter (or build your own). A note to Bob Heil may be the best way to have your questions properly addressed. 73, Don W3FPR > -Original Message- > > I am looking for a Headset from Heil with microphone, which incorporates > the feature of the "quiet phone" and can´t find out which one that would > be. Can anybody give me a hint, what the products name would be and > whether I need an additional adaptor? > At present I run my K2 with the Heil MD2 as delivered from elecraft. I > purchased the entire K2 and MD2-set directly from elecraft, but would > not wish to bother with importing from US only for the headset when I > possibly can order from a local dealer. > 73 > Karsten > > ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] a story that will have a happy ending, soon (slightlyOT)
Hello all, Regarding QRP-l and the mention of E-bay. I made the mistake of trying to help some fellow hams out who were looking for 2 meter crystals and pointed them to an E-bay auction, I did this on QRP-l. Since that incident, all my posts are now "awaiting moderator approval". I questioned the moderator about this and was pointed to the following URL: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/qrp-l specifically "While this list may be used to buy, sell, trade or seek QRP equipment for sale, no auctions are to be conducted, discussed, facilitated or referred to in any way. Violators of this policy will be subject to moderation without notice. To be clear, this pertains especially to eBay. Anyone using the list to promote his own auction will be removed from the list without warning. " So, please don't make the same foolish mistake I made. You will find yourself banished to the "Pointless Forest". I have learned my lesson, the rules must be obeyed or you will be in trouble. They are watching. 73 Larry Dan Barker wrote: a) We don't have an answer yet, and b) I'm not sure tendentious means what Joe thinks it means. Dictionary.com sez: "Marked by a strong tendency in favor of a particular point of view." Heck, he's just asking a question. I figured it had something to do with typing, as tendons are used. -- 73 Larry WA2DGD ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
RE: [Elecraft] [Fwd: K2 VCO, wrong frequency] **FIXED**
Bill, The chart is correct if one considers the active state of the signal - but you will not see that with a DMM, only possible with a 'scope. So, yes the chart is incorrect if you consider the normal voltage that you will read with a DMM. These are the serial clock and serial data lines coming from the microprocessor and are not really meaningful unless you setup with a delayed sweep 'scope and know the bit pattern that should be present - not a task for those of us who do not have the microprocessor code being executed available - that is Elecraft proprietary. It further complicates things because the microprocessor 'sleeps' whenever it can to minimize any digital noise. 73, Don W3FPR > -Original Message- > > I still think the voltage chart for U4 pin 5 and 7 is incorrect (and the > places they connect to). Will report back later when I make it through > the rest of Part 2 alignment. > > 73, Bill N2BC > ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] Re: Elecraft postings blocked by sorbs etc as SPAM
Hi Dave, It is probably not anything directly related to your email content. Qth.net, like many major ISPs, uses several methods to prevent their system's overload by floods of spam. One method is to use the blacklists hosted at http://www.us.sorbs.net/ (See this page for more details.) Your ISP's mail server, the same one you use to send email, may have another user whose computer is infected by a SPAM sending virus and is in turn flooding the net with SPAM emails. When this happens the sorbs server temporarily blacklists your email server's address so everyone can block the SPAM before it overloads their main mail systems. Unfortunately this also blocks all legitimate emails sent via that send mail SMTP server. Fortunately your ISP is usually very motivated to find the offending party so their server can become un-blocked. Typically these blocks are lifted after a day or two. So check to see if you can send after waiting a day or more. If it is still blocked, feel free to email us at: [EMAIL PROTECTED] and we will repost for you while this gets sorted out. 73, Eric WA6HHQ Elecraft List Moderator Dave Sublette wrote: Eric, I don't seem to be able to post to the Elecraft list. I have been having trouble for about a week. One reject I recieved from when I was on the road at the Opryland Hotel said something about being identified as a source of SpamI don't spam. Is there something wrong with my subscription status? Thanks for looking into this. 73, Dave Sublette, K4TO ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] QRP viability during solar cycle min?
In a message dated 1/11/2006 1:27:55 PM Mountain Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Fear not the sunspot cycle, Darwin. In the past 18 months, I have completed WAS with 5w and a dipole. I currently have 49 states with 1 watt, and 44 states with 100mW. Well, I guess that ends me whining about poor propagation and not making many contacts. Thanks for sharing these fantastic achievements--it is truly motivating...72/73, Ci Ci Jones, WU7R K-2 #4615, K-1 #933, KX-1 #957 FISTS #10789 NAQCC #306 ARCI #12163 ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] test
test Tom, KJ3D ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] Latest WAS Award Winner
Dear Fellow Elecrafters, I would like to take this opportunity, on behalf of all the good folks at Elecraft, to publicly congratulate Bruce Hagerty, WØQQS upon his earning the coveted Elecraft Worked All States Award. Bruce used his K2 sn 3646 to complete the required QSOs with all 50 United States. That Bruce earned certificate #43 is a testament to the fact that this award is quite an achievement; and is not issued lightly. Congratulations, Bruce, your certificate is making its way to you via the ever reliable and dependable Unites States Postal Service. Now there may be newer Elecrafters out there who are not familiar with the Elecraft Awards Program. There are quite a few to shoot for. One is quite easy; but the others vary in degree of difficulty. Rather than go into the details here, I would ask you to visit: http://www.qsl.net/w2lj/index%20page%2010.html That we are in a sunspot minimum would make the achievement of earning one of these awards all the sweeter! I hope to see your application for one of these awards in my mailbox soon! 73 de Larry W2LJ Your humble Elecraft Awards Administrator ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
RE: [Elecraft] Anticipating Morse (WAS: More ECN errata)
Bob, N7XY wrote: > Ahh yes, I remember ES from a year as a costal marine relief > operator at 16. What I have forgotten, and it's only been a year > or so, is the new prosign for "@" that was invented. Dah-di-dah-di-di-dah (CA, as in "commercial at"). Uh, oh! I based my use of "CA" on this announcement from the ARRL last April 30: ==>NEW MORSE "@"; CHARACTER BECOMES OFFICIAL MAY 3 The International Morse code officially gains a new character on May 3. That's when the now-familiar "@"; symbol joins the Morse lexicon as the letters "AC" run together (.--.-.). Known as the "commercial at" or "commat," the @ symbol never rose to the level of usage that demanded a unique Morse character until it gained currency as a critical component of e-mail addresses during the past decade or so. Last December, the International Telecommunication Union Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) Study Group 8 agreed on the wording of a Draft New Recommendation ITU-R M.[MORSE] that specified the international Morse code character set and transmission procedures and included the new Morse code character. The pending change has attracted some attention in the media, including mentions on National Public Radio's All Things Considered and in The New York Times. Will the REAL Morse "@" please stand up? Ron AC7AC ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] QRP viability during solar cycle min?
Darwin, Keith wrote: K1 or K2. Hmmm, the debate continues. But wait, we're approaching a sunspot min. My antennas are pretty limited. I have a 28 foot vertical (fed with a tuner near the base) for 40 thru 15 and a dipole at 25 feet but that is about it. No towers, no high wires, no yagis. How limiting will 5 or 10 watts (even with that Elecraft Mojo) be under current conditions? Are we entering into conditions where QRP with simple antennas will become rather frustrating? Is it K2/100 time? - Keith KD1E - ___ Keith, Fear not fellow Elecrafter! We QRPers laugh at the sunspot minimum! Sunspots .. who needs 'em? I know, actually we all do. But to be serious as bad as band conditions were in 2005, I managed to make at least one QRP CW QSO everyday in 2005. If you want to check out some of who I worked (and there was a goodly bit of DX mixed in) then please check out: http://www.qsl.net/w2lj/index%20page%209.html My antennas are not much more substantial (if any) than yours. I have a G5RV at 25 feet and a Butternut HF9V vertical which is ground mounted in the backyard. To me it seems that if you don't spend too much time concentrating on what you think are deficiencies; but go out with the aim to just have fun, then you will be amazed at what you can accomplish! 73 de Larry W2LJ K1# 1647, K2# 4090 ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
RE: [Elecraft] Anticipating Morse (WAS: More ECN errata)
That was an EASY one for me, just check my call sign. It's di-dah-dah-di-dah-dit! Or "AC" as a prosign (run together as one character). Ron AC7AC -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Fred Jensen Sent: Wednesday, January 11, 2006 3:14 PM To: Elecraft Reflector Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Anticipating Morse (WAS: More ECN errata) Ahh yes, I remember ES from a year as a costal marine relief operator at 16. What I have forgotten, and it's only been a year or so, is the new prosign for "@" that was invented. Fred K6DGW Auburn CA CM98lw > Trivia item: probably 90% of the Hams know the Morse for the ampersand > (&) and don't realize it. It's "ES" or dit, dit-dit-dit. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] QRP viability during solar cycle min?
K9QRG ON 5/12? Just checking :>) Tony W7GO - Original Message - From: "Larry Makoski W2LJ" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Darwin, Keith" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Cc: Sent: Wednesday, January 11, 2006 4:54 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] QRP viability during solar cycle min? Darwin, Keith wrote: K1 or K2. Hmmm, the debate continues. But wait, we're approaching a sunspot min. My antennas are pretty limited. I have a 28 foot vertical (fed with a tuner near the base) for 40 thru 15 and a dipole at 25 feet but that is about it. No towers, no high wires, no yagis. How limiting will 5 or 10 watts (even with that Elecraft Mojo) be under current conditions? Are we entering into conditions where QRP with simple antennas will become rather frustrating? Is it K2/100 time? - Keith KD1E - ___ Keith, Fear not fellow Elecrafter! We QRPers laugh at the sunspot minimum! Sunspots .. who needs 'em? I know, actually we all do. But to be serious as bad as band conditions were in 2005, I managed to make at least one QRP CW QSO everyday in 2005. If you want to check out some of who I worked (and there was a goodly bit of DX mixed in) then please check out: http://www.qsl.net/w2lj/index%20page%209.html My antennas are not much more substantial (if any) than yours. I have a G5RV at 25 feet and a Butternut HF9V vertical which is ground mounted in the backyard. To me it seems that if you don't spend too much time concentrating on what you think are deficiencies; but go out with the aim to just have fun, then you will be amazed at what you can accomplish! 73 de Larry W2LJ K1# 1647, K2# 4090 ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] Re: Elecraft Digest, Vol 21, Issue 15
Weller Soldering Tip Care and Use (Adobe Acrobat) can be found on their web site, as well as other helpful documents on soldering: http://www.cooperhandtools.com/brands/electronic_applications/index.htm The PTF tip is a 1/32" (0.031") conical flat tip -- VERY SMALL tip surface area and useful for some surface mount work. Always remember to match you tip to the surfaces being soldered (YES, it means that you sometimes have to change a tip -- just like changing a drill bit). For the PTF, I try to avoid 800 degree tips due to the tip size. 700 is better and some users may prefer 600 degree - depending upon the work (heat sensitive components, etc) Electronix Express web page has very good graphics to show the tip and its plating http://www.elexp.com/t_solder.htm === I find older TCP-1 irons where the SW-60 magnetic switch has seized and a "wack" on the bench does not always solve the problem. :-) When a TCP series is used in production workbenches (24x7x7), the SW-60 switch cycles about 124,800 times each year (assuming one cycle per minute on average) I don't know of many light switches that survive that many cycles ! This is one of the areas I check when refurbishing units from unknown operations Weller added a 3 amp fuse in the 24 VAC line in models after about 1970 (WTCP-L; WTCPK; WTCPN; WTCPS) of the TCP series. This was a useful change to prevent shorted SW-60 (runaway heaters) and heaters that fail as dead short. I add this fuse, if not present, to almost every pre-WTCPT station that I refurbish. In fact many "dead base units" just have a blown 3 amp fuse inside !! When they got to the WTCPT model 15 years ago, they switched the fuse to the 120 VAC primary winding of the transformer. Greg w9gb - Original Message - From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Sent: Wednesday, January 11, 2006 6:54 PM Date: Wed, 11 Jan 2006 09:37:40 + From: "Nigel A. Gunn G8IFF/KC8NHF" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Weller WTCPT tip longevity The tip will last until the iron coating wears through and the copper slug physically erodes. I would suspect that the switch contacts in the handle of your iron have broken or welded closed. If viewed in the dark, an "always on" TCP will get red hot. [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I use a PTF7 solder tip on my WTCPT and recently found that after about 5 minutes of use, the tip suddenly starts to develop a thick char at the end and makes the solder turn dark. I replaced the tip with a newer one (<5 hours of use) and the same thing happens to that one. I will next try a brand new tip to see if the same thing happens. Either the problem is with the tip or it is with the heater/barrel nut assembly contaminating the tip. Has anyone experienced the same thing? How long should a typical solder tip last? Has anyone found a tip cleaning or storage method that helps prolong tip life? Thanks. Jeff Fedison in Niskayuna, NY ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Anticipating Morse (WAS: More ECN errata)
Good Grief Folks! At (@) is simple di-dah dah :) I wondered why they made it so complicated when the entire word is much shorter. Kevin. KD5ONS By the way: the AND sign comes from American Morse. It is truly a single character with one of those odd length spaces rife in American Morse. KJR On Wed, 11 Jan 2006 15:13:33 -0800, Fred Jensen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: Ahh yes, I remember ES from a year as a costal marine relief operator at 16. What I have forgotten, and it's only been a year or so, is the new prosign for "@" that was invented. Fred K6DGW Auburn CA CM98lw Trivia item: probably 90% of the Hams know the Morse for the ampersand (&) and don't realize it. It's "ES" or dit, dit-dit-dit. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
RE: [Elecraft] Anticipating Morse (WAS: More ECN errata)
Try sending the e-mail address: [EMAIL PROTECTED]. All of the characters on the keyboard have Morse equivalents defined by the ITU to avoid confusion. I guess that's why we're confused. The & may have originated in American Morse, but the ITU recognizes it as the prosign 'ES'. Ron AC7AC -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Kevin Rock Sent: Wednesday, January 11, 2006 6:23 PM To: Elecraft Reflector Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Anticipating Morse (WAS: More ECN errata) Good Grief Folks! At (@) is simple di-dah dah :) I wondered why they made it so complicated when the entire word is much shorter. Kevin. KD5ONS By the way: the AND sign comes from American Morse. It is truly a single character with one of those odd length spaces rife in American Morse. KJR ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Anticipating Morse (WAS: More ECN errata)
On Wed, 11 Jan 2006, Kevin Rock wrote: Good Grief Folks! At (@) is simple di-dah dah :) I wondered why they made it so complicated when the entire word is much shorter. Some of us old, imfirm, QLF types might confuse that with W (g) What corfuses a lot of folks is the ~ 73,Thom-k3hrn www.zerobeat.net Home of QRP Web Ring, Drakelist home page,Drake Web Ring, Free Classified Ads for amateur radio, QRP IRC channel, Drake IRC Channel, Elecraft Owners Database www.tlchost.net/hosting/ *** Web Hosting as low as 3.49/month ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] Prosign confusion (was: Anticipating Morse (WAS: More ECN errata))
I don't think I ever got the hang of the prosigns... I got the AR. To me, BT is a dash (-) but I don't know if that's correct or not. I sometimes get the ',' and '?' confused. The / character I know well, because I always hear it on our local repeater ident, and it it's in my beacon's ident (va3grr/b). But how can you tell an ES from the letter H? The other ones, the AR, BT, the / character, all have 'unique' sounds when you hear them, right? Isn't ES the same as 'h'? Or am I completely lost? 73 de Stephanie va3uxb K1 # 02132 p.s. As an aside, I stumbled onto the W1AW code practice session last night on 80 meters; that's a great tool for helping build code speed and confidence. I got about 80% of the 10wpm, so I'm not doing as bad as I thought. I was only getting about 50% of the 13wpm but I probably would have done better if I was writing it down. This morning I looked up the W1AW schedule so I'll know when to find them again. It's much better, in my opinion, than tapes or computer- generated stuff, because it's 'real', over the air. The computer stuff and tapes always seemed to me to be too sterile, too perfect. Perhaps too boring and too dull. On 11-Jan-2006, at 21.33.43, Ron D'Eau Claire wrote: Try sending the e-mail address: [EMAIL PROTECTED]. All of the characters on the keyboard have Morse equivalents defined by the ITU to avoid confusion. I guess that's why we're confused. The & may have originated in American Morse, but the ITU recognizes it as the prosign 'ES'. Ron AC7AC -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Kevin Rock Sent: Wednesday, January 11, 2006 6:23 PM To: Elecraft Reflector Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Anticipating Morse (WAS: More ECN errata) Good Grief Folks! At (@) is simple di-dah dah :) I wondered why they made it so complicated when the entire word is much shorter. Kevin. KD5ONS By the way: the AND sign comes from American Morse. It is truly a single character with one of those odd length spaces rife in American Morse. KJR ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] a story that will have a happy ending, soon (slightlyOT)
Gee, that's simple. The folks on the Elecraft list are much nicer :) Kevin. KD5ONS On Wed, 11 Jan 2006 09:30:39 -0500, Dan Barker <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: How come this question is on the Elecraft list? Shouldn't it be on the QRP-L list? Dan / WG4S / K2 #2456 ps: Admittedly, I'm curious about the answer too. How come the moderator on QRP-L says that NO mention of eBay is permitted, because the owner of QSL.NET/QTH.NET forbids it ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
RE: [Elecraft] QRP viability during solar cycle min?
I've been playing around with EZNEC trying to come up with a DX antenna that will work at my QTH. The vertical dipole seems to have a fantastic pattern for DX with low takeoff angles. I may be able to hang a vertical wire dipole in one of my trees and have it nearly invisible. Anyone have experience with vertical dipoles that they could share? Thanks, Kevin N8IQ -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Tony Morgan Sent: Wednesday, January 11, 2006 8:39 PM To: Elecraft Subject: Re: [Elecraft] QRP viability during solar cycle min? K9QRG ON 5/12? Just checking :>) Tony W7GO - Original Message - From: "Larry Makoski W2LJ" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Darwin, Keith" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Cc: Sent: Wednesday, January 11, 2006 4:54 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] QRP viability during solar cycle min? > Darwin, Keith wrote: > >>K1 or K2. Hmmm, the debate continues. But wait, we're approaching a >>sunspot min. My antennas are pretty limited. I have a 28 foot vertical >>(fed with a tuner near the base) for 40 thru 15 and a dipole at 25 feet >>but that is about it. No towers, no high wires, no yagis. >> >>How limiting will 5 or 10 watts (even with that Elecraft Mojo) be under >>current conditions? Are we entering into conditions where QRP with >>simple antennas will become rather frustrating? Is it K2/100 time? >> >>- Keith KD1E - >>___ >> >> > Keith, > > Fear not fellow Elecrafter! We QRPers laugh at the sunspot minimum! > Sunspots .. who needs 'em? > > I know, actually we all do. But to be serious as bad as band > conditions were in 2005, I managed to make at least one QRP CW QSO > everyday in 2005. If you want to check out some of who I worked (and > there was a goodly bit of DX mixed in) then please check out: > http://www.qsl.net/w2lj/index%20page%209.html > > My antennas are not much more substantial (if any) than yours. I have a > G5RV at 25 feet and a Butternut HF9V vertical which is ground mounted in > the backyard. To me it seems that if you don't spend too much time > concentrating on what you think are deficiencies; but go out with the > aim to just have fun, then you will be amazed at what you can accomplish! > > 73 de Larry W2LJ > K1# 1647, K2# 4090 > > ___ > Elecraft mailing list > Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > You must be a subscriber to post to the list. > Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Prosign confusion
Stephanie Maks wrote: Isn't ES the same as 'h'? Or am I completely lost? ES isn't a prosign, like AR, SK, BT, etc. It's a two letter abbreviation for 'and'. So there's a letter space between the E and he S. -- 73, Vic, K2VCO Fresno CA http://www.qsl.net/k2vco ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
RE: [Elecraft] Prosign confusion (was: Anticipating Morse)
Stephanie, VA3UXB wrote: I don't think I ever got the hang of the prosigns... I got the AR. To me, BT is a dash (-) but I don't know if that's correct or not. I sometimes get the ',' and '?' confused. The / character I know well, because I always hear it on our local repeater ident, and it it's in my beacon's ident (va3grr/b). But how can you tell an ES from the letter H? The other ones, the AR, BT, the / character, all have 'unique' sounds when you hear them, right? Isn't ES the same as 'h'? Or am I completely lost? Excellent point, Stephanie! All prosigns are sent as a single character and indicated, for the sake of simplicity, as letters that, if sent without the normal space, will produce the prosign. All prosigns are chosen so they won't have the problems you mention. This is a list of the prosigns I'm familiar with: AR - End of message AS - Stand by BK - Invite receiving station to transmit BT - Pause; Break For Text KA - Beginning of message KN - end of transmission CL - Going off the air (clear) CQ - Calling any amateur radio station K -- Go, invite any station to transmit KN - Go only, invite a specific station to transmit R -- All received OK SK - End of contact (sent before call) VE - Understood (VE) AV - Warning SOS Distress Although it can't be shown here in ASCII, a prosign is identified by a line or bar above the letters. You'll hear most of these on the Ham bands although some, like VE or AV and especially SOS will be very rarely heard. In addition to prosigns we have actual Morse characters for the arcane characters on our keyboards. These are NOT "prosigns" but simply combinations of dots and dashes like any letter of the English alphabet or number. (My apologies for getting careless with terminology and calling the ampersand a "prosign". That's not right. Hang on. I'll get back to that). I say English because, of course, there are many other languages that have corresponding Morse codes such as the 70-odd characters used for Japanese or the various odd characters used to represent diacritical marks and special letter combinations in other European languages including Hebrew. I won't even get into Arabic and Cyrillic. In many countries, Hams have to learn and be proficient in two or three "Morse Codes" to get a license! Here in the USA, commercial operators recognized a group of characters for the various symbols found on a common keyboard. These were codified by the ITU for use in commercial communications by Morse. We Hams use some of them almost daily, such as the period, question mark, comma and solidus (slash). A few more are: + (plus sign) di-dah-di-dit-dah = (equal sign) dah-di-di-dit-dah (We Hams use that for a dash a lot but as dash is really) - (dash) dah-di-di-di-di-dah " (quotation mark) di-dah-di-di-dah-dit ' (single quote) di-dah-dah-dah-dah-dit _ (underscore) di-di-dah-dah-di-dah $ (dollar sign) di-di-di-dah-di-di-dah There are more. There's probably one for the Euro by now . Now THOSE you won't fine in common use on the Ham bands, at least not in any QSO I've heard! That is except for our "pause" when we often use the = sign. As Kevin Rock, KD5ONS, mentioned that some characters we use commonly came from the old American Morse that used variations on spacing and element lengths that don't occur in Continental or International Morse code. Dit, di-di-dit is one of those. Sent as E S it is the ampersand. Another very common one that is fading from use because of the popularity of keyers is the American Morse zero - the long dash. I'm sure others with far more background in the American Morse, Continental Morse, and various international codes will have more to say. Ron AC7AC ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
RE: [Elecraft] QRP viability during solar cycle min?
Kevin: I think vertical dipoles are wonderful. I have used them on a heavily wooded lot with great success on both 20 and 30 meters. The higher you can get them off the ground the better. It is very desirable to be sure the feedline comes off reasonably perpendicular to the antenna for a quarter wavelength or so. Another effective trick (especially for 80 or 40) is an inverted L fed with coax at the corner. Its almost as good as a vertical dipole. Again, it is very desirable to be sure the feedline comes off reasonably perpendicular to both legs of the antenna for a quarter wavelength or so. However, don't be too enchanted by the low angle pattern, it is also a bit lossy. If you overlay your EZNEC vertical dipole elevation pattern with the EZNEC broadside elevation pattern of a straight dipole at say 5/8 wavelength elevation, you'll see that although the vertical concentrates its energy at low angles, the actual dBi values are not that much better than the horizontal. W4RNL has shown that putting a very elaborate ground screen under your vertical dipole gets you virtually no advantage. The losses are actually from ground losses a few thousand feet from the antenna. For that reason, if you're right on a seashore, you'll get spectacular results in the seaward direction. (This is the Desert Island effect.) I'm located near the coast of Maine, about 4 miles inland; the Desert Island Effect does not help me much. I have both a 20 m vertical dipole (center about 20 feet off the ground) and a 20 m horizontal dipole about 45 feet up. Which one does better depends on propagation conditions. I have worked lots of South Pacific QRP with the vertical. 73 Steve AA4AK At 11:20 PM 1/11/2006, Kevin Shaw wrote: I've been playing around with EZNEC trying to come up with a DX antenna that will work at my QTH. The vertical dipole seems to have a fantastic pattern for DX with low takeoff angles. I may be able to hang a vertical wire dipole in one of my trees and have it nearly invisible. Anyone have experience with vertical dipoles that they could share? Thanks, Kevin N8IQ -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Tony Morgan Sent: Wednesday, January 11, 2006 8:39 PM To: Elecraft Subject: Re: [Elecraft] QRP viability during solar cycle min? K9QRG ON 5/12? Just checking :>) Tony W7GO - Original Message - From: "Larry Makoski W2LJ" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Darwin, Keith" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Cc: Sent: Wednesday, January 11, 2006 4:54 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] QRP viability during solar cycle min? > Darwin, Keith wrote: > >>K1 or K2. Hmmm, the debate continues. But wait, we're approaching a >>sunspot min. My antennas are pretty limited. I have a 28 foot vertical >>(fed with a tuner near the base) for 40 thru 15 and a dipole at 25 feet >>but that is about it. No towers, no high wires, no yagis. >> >>How limiting will 5 or 10 watts (even with that Elecraft Mojo) be under >>current conditions? Are we entering into conditions where QRP with >>simple antennas will become rather frustrating? Is it K2/100 time? >> >>- Keith KD1E - >>___ >> >> > Keith, > > Fear not fellow Elecrafter! We QRPers laugh at the sunspot minimum! > Sunspots .. who needs 'em? > > I know, actually we all do. But to be serious as bad as band > conditions were in 2005, I managed to make at least one QRP CW QSO > everyday in 2005. If you want to check out some of who I worked (and > there was a goodly bit of DX mixed in) then please check out: > http://www.qsl.net/w2lj/index%20page%209.html > > My antennas are not much more substantial (if any) than yours. I have a > G5RV at 25 feet and a Butternut HF9V vertical which is ground mounted in > the backyard. To me it seems that if you don't spend too much time > concentrating on what you think are deficiencies; but go out with the > aim to just have fun, then you will be amazed at what you can accomplish! > > 73 de Larry W2LJ > K1# 1647, K2# 4090 > > ___ > Elecraft mailing list > Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > You must be a subscriber to post to the list. > Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mail
Re: [Elecraft] QRP viability during solar cycle min?
A related antenna with a couple dB gain is a "half-square". It's like half of a bobtail curtain, or two inverted L's connected at the ends of the horizontal parts (1/2 wave on top, 1/4 wave on the two vertical parts). It has a figure 8 broadside pattern, and is easily fed at one of the upper corners with coax. Larry N8LP Stephen W. Kercel wrote: Kevin: I think vertical dipoles are wonderful. I have used them on a heavily wooded lot with great success on both 20 and 30 meters. The higher you can get them off the ground the better. It is very desirable to be sure the feedline comes off reasonably perpendicular to the antenna for a quarter wavelength or so. Another effective trick (especially for 80 or 40) is an inverted L fed with coax at the corner. Its almost as good as a vertical dipole. Again, it is very desirable to be sure the feedline comes off reasonably perpendicular to both legs of the antenna for a quarter wavelength or so. However, don't be too enchanted by the low angle pattern, it is also a bit lossy. If you overlay your EZNEC vertical dipole elevation pattern with the EZNEC broadside elevation pattern of a straight dipole at say 5/8 wavelength elevation, you'll see that although the vertical concentrates its energy at low angles, the actual dBi values are not that much better than the horizontal. W4RNL has shown that putting a very elaborate ground screen under your vertical dipole gets you virtually no advantage. The losses are actually from ground losses a few thousand feet from the antenna. For that reason, if you're right on a seashore, you'll get spectacular results in the seaward direction. (This is the Desert Island effect.) I'm located near the coast of Maine, about 4 miles inland; the Desert Island Effect does not help me much. I have both a 20 m vertical dipole (center about 20 feet off the ground) and a 20 m horizontal dipole about 45 feet up. Which one does better depends on propagation conditions. I have worked lots of South Pacific QRP with the vertical. 73 Steve AA4AK At 11:20 PM 1/11/2006, Kevin Shaw wrote: I've been playing around with EZNEC trying to come up with a DX antenna that will work at my QTH. The vertical dipole seems to have a fantastic pattern for DX with low takeoff angles. I may be able to hang a vertical wire dipole in one of my trees and have it nearly invisible. Anyone have experience with vertical dipoles that they could share? Thanks, Kevin N8IQ -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Tony Morgan Sent: Wednesday, January 11, 2006 8:39 PM To: Elecraft Subject: Re: [Elecraft] QRP viability during solar cycle min? K9QRG ON 5/12? Just checking :>) Tony W7GO - Original Message - From: "Larry Makoski W2LJ" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Darwin, Keith" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Cc: Sent: Wednesday, January 11, 2006 4:54 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] QRP viability during solar cycle min? > Darwin, Keith wrote: > >>K1 or K2. Hmmm, the debate continues. But wait, we're approaching a >>sunspot min. My antennas are pretty limited. I have a 28 foot vertical >>(fed with a tuner near the base) for 40 thru 15 and a dipole at 25 feet >>but that is about it. No towers, no high wires, no yagis. >> >>How limiting will 5 or 10 watts (even with that Elecraft Mojo) be under >>current conditions? Are we entering into conditions where QRP with >>simple antennas will become rather frustrating? Is it K2/100 time? >> >>- Keith KD1E - >>___ >> >> > Keith, > > Fear not fellow Elecrafter! We QRPers laugh at the sunspot minimum! > Sunspots .. who needs 'em? > > I know, actually we all do. But to be serious as bad as band > conditions were in 2005, I managed to make at least one QRP CW QSO > everyday in 2005. If you want to check out some of who I worked (and > there was a goodly bit of DX mixed in) then please check out: > http://www.qsl.net/w2lj/index%20page%209.html > > My antennas are not much more substantial (if any) than yours. I have a > G5RV at 25 feet and a Butternut HF9V vertical which is ground mounted in > the backyard. To me it seems that if you don't spend too much time > concentrating on what you think are deficiencies; but go out with the > aim to just have fun, then you will be amazed at what you can accomplish! > > 73 de Larry W2LJ > K1# 1647, K2# 4090 > > ___ > Elecraft mailing list > Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > You must be a subscriber to post to the list. > Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub
Re: [Elecraft] QRP viability during solar cycle min?
Larry: I've never tried that. Maybe I should. 73, SteveAt 12:47 AM 1/12/2006, Larry Phipps wrote: A related antenna with a couple dB gain is a "half-square". It's like half of a bobtail curtain, or two inverted L's connected at the ends of the horizontal parts (1/2 wave on top, 1/4 wave on the two vertical parts). It has a figure 8 broadside pattern, and is easily fed at one of the upper corners with coax. Larry N8LP Stephen W. Kercel wrote: Kevin: I think vertical dipoles are wonderful. I have used them on a heavily wooded lot with great success on both 20 and 30 meters. The higher you can get them off the ground the better. It is very desirable to be sure the feedline comes off reasonably perpendicular to the antenna for a quarter wavelength or so. Another effective trick (especially for 80 or 40) is an inverted L fed with coax at the corner. Its almost as good as a vertical dipole. Again, it is very desirable to be sure the feedline comes off reasonably perpendicular to both legs of the antenna for a quarter wavelength or so. However, don't be too enchanted by the low angle pattern, it is also a bit lossy. If you overlay your EZNEC vertical dipole elevation pattern with the EZNEC broadside elevation pattern of a straight dipole at say 5/8 wavelength elevation, you'll see that although the vertical concentrates its energy at low angles, the actual dBi values are not that much better than the horizontal. W4RNL has shown that putting a very elaborate ground screen under your vertical dipole gets you virtually no advantage. The losses are actually from ground losses a few thousand feet from the antenna. For that reason, if you're right on a seashore, you'll get spectacular results in the seaward direction. (This is the Desert Island effect.) I'm located near the coast of Maine, about 4 miles inland; the Desert Island Effect does not help me much. I have both a 20 m vertical dipole (center about 20 feet off the ground) and a 20 m horizontal dipole about 45 feet up. Which one does better depends on propagation conditions. I have worked lots of South Pacific QRP with the vertical. 73 Steve AA4AK At 11:20 PM 1/11/2006, Kevin Shaw wrote: I've been playing around with EZNEC trying to come up with a DX antenna that will work at my QTH. The vertical dipole seems to have a fantastic pattern for DX with low takeoff angles. I may be able to hang a vertical wire dipole in one of my trees and have it nearly invisible. Anyone have experience with vertical dipoles that they could share? Thanks, Kevin N8IQ -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Tony Morgan Sent: Wednesday, January 11, 2006 8:39 PM To: Elecraft Subject: Re: [Elecraft] QRP viability during solar cycle min? K9QRG ON 5/12? Just checking :>) Tony W7GO - Original Message - From: "Larry Makoski W2LJ" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Darwin, Keith" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Cc: Sent: Wednesday, January 11, 2006 4:54 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] QRP viability during solar cycle min? > Darwin, Keith wrote: > >>K1 or K2. Hmmm, the debate continues. But wait, we're approaching a >>sunspot min. My antennas are pretty limited. I have a 28 foot vertical >>(fed with a tuner near the base) for 40 thru 15 and a dipole at 25 feet >>but that is about it. No towers, no high wires, no yagis. >> >>How limiting will 5 or 10 watts (even with that Elecraft Mojo) be under >>current conditions? Are we entering into conditions where QRP with >>simple antennas will become rather frustrating? Is it K2/100 time? >> >>- Keith KD1E - >>___ >> >> > Keith, > > Fear not fellow Elecrafter! We QRPers laugh at the sunspot minimum! > Sunspots .. who needs 'em? > > I know, actually we all do. But to be serious as bad as band > conditions were in 2005, I managed to make at least one QRP CW QSO > everyday in 2005. If you want to check out some of who I worked (and > there was a goodly bit of DX mixed in) then please check out: > http://www.qsl.net/w2lj/index%20page%209.html > > My antennas are not much more substantial (if any) than yours. I have a > G5RV at 25 feet and a Butternut HF9V vertical which is ground mounted in > the backyard. To me it seems that if you don't spend too much time > concentrating on what you think are deficiencies; but go out with the > aim to just have fun, then you will be amazed at what you can accomplish! > > 73 de Larry W2LJ > K1# 1647, K2# 4090 > > ___ > Elecraft mailing list > Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > You must be a subscriber to post to the list. > Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Y
RE: [Elecraft] QRP viability during solar cycle min?
Kevin N8IQ wrote: I've been playing around with EZNEC trying to come up with a DX antenna that will work at my QTH. The vertical dipole seems to have a fantastic pattern for DX with low takeoff angles. I may be able to hang a vertical wire dipole in one of my trees and have it nearly invisible. Anyone have experience with vertical dipoles that they could share? -- Are you modeling over a "real earth" in EZNEC, Kevin? The limitation verticals face is that vertically-polarized waves induce strong ground currents. In most grounds that means substantial loss of lower angles of radiation. For that reason, most verticals show their maximum lobe at somewhere between 20 and 30 degrees above the horizon. Everything lower is absorbed by the earth. Until the radiator gets so long the patter breaks up (up to about 5.8 wavelength) there is a slight improvement in gain as the radiator is made longer. Using a dipole does eliminate the requirement for a ground for a Marconi type radiator, but it does nothing to reduce the far-field ground losses from what I read. The "gain" of such a vertical will be about 0 dBi or the same as an "isotropic" radiator. By comparison, a horizontal antenna 7 MHz, will over 6.5 dBi gain at 20 degrees as long as the horizontal wire is about 1/4 wavelength (33 feet at 40 meters) above the ground. That is equal to a 4:1 power increase just by making the dipole horizontal! Of course, the horizontal requires a lot more "horizontal" space! That gain comes from just the reverse of the situation that costs a vertical signal. The waves from the horizontal are reflected from the ground to form a sort of "two-element" beam. Ron AC7AC ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
RE: [Elecraft] Prosign confusion (was: Anticipating Morse)
David G4DMP wrote: I don't know that one, Ron; we don't have Euros in the UK ;-) But don't forget the new one for @ for use in e-mail addresses @di-dah-dah-di-dah-dit - Yeah, that's what started the thread so I left it out. It's also the easiest for me to remember (look at my call sign!) As for British currency, there must be one for the "pound sign", Hi! Ron AC7AC ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
