Re: [Elecraft] New Elecraft Products
Why would you lose out on the wattmeter? The power (forward and reflected) is derived from an on-board coupler and calculations are done in the KAT's MCU. VRFdet doesn't have anything to do with that. On May 24, 2006, at 10:15 AM, Leigh L Klotz, Jr. wrote: I wish it were possible to use the KAT100 wattmeter with an amplifier other than the KPA100 but it isn't. I have an HFPacker amp, and if you bring VRFdet into the K2, it applies the K2 ALC to the output of the amplifier, and the RF gain knob won't go past 15W. The solution from Gary was to use the internal VRFdet, but that means I lose out on the wattmeter. Maybe I could make a PIC-based display or even a simple vu-style comparator that reads the external VRFdet! Leigh/WA5ZNU On Wed, 24 May 2006 7:07 am, Don Wilhelm wrote: JT, The Elecraft KAT2, KAT1, KXAT1, KAT100 and KAT100 already contain wattmeters, so if you have one of these in your station, you do have a wattmeter buit in - no need to carry a separate wattmeter, particularly for the trail. Of course, if you are using a non-Elecraft QRP rig, then the need is obvious, and the T1 can serve the purpose there. 73, Don W3FPR -Original Message- Speaking of test equipment, I'd like to see Elecraft come out with a real QRP watt meter at a decent price. Something small that can be taken to the field and can read 1 mW up to 20W. The OHR QRP watt meter is nice but too big for the trail and a bit on the expensive side IMO. I think a watt meter of this type could probably be offered in the $50 - $75 range, especially in kit form. 72 de JT, W6FO -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.7.0/346 - Release Date: 5/23/2006 ___ 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 - Jack Brindle, W6FB - ___ 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] DX News and two questions
-- Date: Wed, 24 May 2006 00:13:12 +0300 From: Bekir Kemal Ataman [EMAIL PROTECTED] Is it possible at all to work from a train in motion? de TA2RX - Merhebe Bekir, Yes, you can operate from a train, see LA5XOA's story from last year about LA1TRAIN - LA9TRAIN where they also operated in motion from a steam-powered train: http://193.213.26.174/main_trip_train.htm?1148454757239 I think you will have a fun time doing this! 73 Sverre LA3ZA http://www.qslnet.de/la3za/ ___ 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: Re [Elecraft] DX News and two questions
Yes, 2-meters is no problem, HF may be a bit harder but not impossible. Our trains here are kinda noisy though, I swear some of those cars have square wheels! 73 de Alex NS6Y On May 24, 2006, at 12:17 AM, Sverre Holm wrote: -- Date: Wed, 24 May 2006 00:13:12 +0300 From: Bekir Kemal Ataman [EMAIL PROTECTED] Is it possible at all to work from a train in motion? de TA2RX - Merhebe Bekir, Yes, you can operate from a train, see LA5XOA's story from last year about LA1TRAIN - LA9TRAIN where they also operated in motion from a steam- powered train: http://193.213.26.174/main_trip_train.htm?1148454757239 I think you will have a fun time doing this! 73 Sverre LA3ZA http://www.qslnet.de/la3za/ ___ 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] 80-m KX1 QSOs?
Hi, Sure, though my 80m-antenna is only a HamStick at my balcony. In EMEA there is often the possibility to have some fine QSOs around 3540-3580. CW speed is low (often abt. 12 wpm), so good to have some relaxing contacts. Even with the limited antenna reports are within 539-579. 73 de Michael, DL3DCM .. K2 #768 KX1 #1425 -Original Message- From: wayne burdick [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Dienstag, 23. Mai 2006 18:47 To: Elecraft Reflector Subject: [Elecraft] 80-m KX1 QSOs? Just wondering if those of you who have added the KXB3080 option have been making QSOs on 80 meters. What are the best segments within the 80-m CW band in your area? Seems like 3535-45 are pretty busy here some nights. I use the KX1's new scanning feature to monitor the entire CW segment while I'm doing other things around the lab. 73, Wayne N6KR --- 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] New Elecraft Products
I'm not interested in the amps, although they look great and hope that they are a big success. I really enjoy the test equipment kits such as the XG-2 and noise source. Hopefully more specialized small test equipment such as this can be done w/o a really large RD commitment. Of the big projects being discussed, the K3 is the only one that captures my interest and enthusiasm. I love my K2 - best rig I've ever had - but it sits in my shack on its small footprint as I twiddle the small knobs and drill down thru menus (if I can remember how) to operate it. My ideal K3 would NOT need to be contest grade with 2 receivers, etc. But I would like a larger self contained unit with less menus and more knobs and a larger (color??) display. 12 V power, 100 W out, built in tuner, CW SSB, IF DSP, spectrum display, and if possible 6 and 2 w/o external adapters. Tall order I know, but what fun it would be to build and operate!! 73 ... Craig AC0DS ___ 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] K3 or K2-B (New Elecraft Products)
-Original Message- From: Craig D. Smith Of the big projects being discussed, the K3 is the only one that captures my interest and enthusiasm. -- Funny you mention a K3. I was thinking about it this morning. After using the K2 for a bit I find my need for a K3 to be less. The K2 does pretty much all I need. I have a lot of fun with it as it is. If I want 100 watts I can add an option and I'm there. But having a larger package, bigger knobs, real analog s-meter, larger display, less menus (add an encoder or two that can be assigned to control a few things) - these would be great changes. So here's my proposal for a K3. Design a new display and control board that is larger and provides larger UI features. Hook it up to the K2 RF board. Mount it in a somewhat larger case. Voila, you have K3 - a base version of the K2. While you're at it, put a larger rear heat sink on the 100 watt PA and have no fan. These changes could be bought by K2 owners to allow a K2 to be changed into a K3. Most of the existing options would be swap-able between the two versions of the rig. Maybe this isn't a K3. Maybe this is a K2-B (version B for Base). - Keith KD1E - - K2 5411 - ___ 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] Excellent!! (KPA800/1500 pricing evolutionary forces within ourcontrol)
Now THAT sounds promising. I too am a low-budget ham (contrary to my wife's opinion). For me $2000 and above is out of reach. But, if Elecraft builds a great full featured, full priced amp and then brings out a Q$P (that's QRP for dollars) version of it that gives basic solid 800 watts out - well, that would be Excellent! I'll be waiting watching ... :-) - Keith KD1E - - K2 5411 - -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of wayne burdick Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2006 1:13 AM To: Elecraft Reflector Subject: [Elecraft] KPA800/1500 pricing evolutionary forces within ourcontrol For those of you who have noted that $5K+ is not cheap, a very brief history lesson and prediction follows. 1999: - Elecraft's first transceiver was pretty big and sophisticated for a QRP rig. We gambled on this to get people's attention. The K2 then evolved in many directions. Subsequent transceivers were smaller and lower in cost, but benefitted from what we had learned. 2006: - Elecraft's first amplifier is rather big and sophisticated. We're gambling on this to get people's attention. The amp will evolve in many directions. Subsequent models will be smaller and lower in cost, but will benefit from what we've learned. :) Wayne 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] New Elecraft Products
As long as we are dreaming...I wish the KPA800 photo had a K2 or some other way of determining the size/dimentions. If the KPA800/1500 is not much larger than a Ten-Tec Orion then I would love to see a K3 that matched the amp in size. Make it modular and expandable. Have slots on the motherboard for 2nd rcvr, 6M/2M/220/440 transverter modules etc. Include FM, SSTV etc as an Optional Mode Module. Perhaps include decoding of SSTV and text from other digital modes for display on an optional flat panel display. Make the PA upgradable with choice of 20W or 200W output. Make it a 12V for mobile/battery operation but include a built-in quiet switching supply. Maybe have the 20W be 12VDC and the 200W have a built-in 50V switching supply for running on 120VAC. Just thinking out loud here. And make some provision for split operation indicators such as putting the sidetone into only one side of a stereo headphone so that operators can HEAR the difference between when they are transmitting split and when they are not. A visual indication such as having all the frequency readouts turn red in transmit during split operation and some other color when operating simplex. An operator would KNOW from the first dit if he was intending to work a DXpedition split and started to call simplex on the DX stations frequency. (Maybe a mild shock to the keyer paddle is needed?) A low end version would be a 20W 160-10M CW only rig (although I suspect SSB would not add that much cost). A high end version would run 200W with an internal AC supply and cover 160-microwave all modes including general coverage on 2 receivers and auto-tuning on all bands below 144Mhz. I think a K3 like that would be at least as expensive as adding up the price of a 100W K2 with all accessories, options and converters and doubling or tripling the total price. Tom K2TA - Original Message - From: Craig D. Smith [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2006 8:06 AM Subject: [Elecraft] New Elecraft Products I'm not interested in the amps, although they look great and hope that they are a big success. I really enjoy the test equipment kits such as the XG-2 and noise source. Hopefully more specialized small test equipment such as this can be done w/o a really large RD commitment. Of the big projects being discussed, the K3 is the only one that captures my interest and enthusiasm. I love my K2 - best rig I've ever had - but it sits in my shack on its small footprint as I twiddle the small knobs and drill down thru menus (if I can remember how) to operate it. My ideal K3 would NOT need to be contest grade with 2 receivers, etc. But I would like a larger self contained unit with less menus and more knobs and a larger (color??) display. 12 V power, 100 W out, built in tuner, CW SSB, IF DSP, spectrum display, and if possible 6 and 2 w/o external adapters. Tall order I know, but what fun it would be to build and operate!! 73 ... Craig AC0DS ___ 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] What's Happening at the Elecraft Dayton Booth? NewProducts, Building Demo, T-Shirts, Amp and More.
Eric - When can I buy an EC8 enclosure (based upon the KPA800 cabinet) to begin my home brew K3? ;) - Original Message - From: Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Augie (Gus) Hansen [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: Elecraft Reflector elecraft@mailman.qth.net; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, May 17, 2006 2:14 AM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] What's Happening at the Elecraft Dayton Booth? NewProducts, Building Demo, T-Shirts, Amp and More. Hi Augie, The KPA800 and 1500 both use the same desk top size enclosure. (I only had a picture of the 800 for the news release.) We move the power supply out of the 800 case and add a 2nd set of RF decks for the 1500. And we also change the front panel labels. 73, Eric Augie (Gus) Hansen wrote: Nice to see the amplifier. Looks great! One little problem. Either the caption on the photo page (and the reference above) is wrong, or the amp has been mislabeled (it shows KPA800). Is it reasonable to assume that the two amps look nearly identical? I hope you sell a lot of them. Gus Hansen KB0YH ___ 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] KX1 on 80 meters from KL7CW
Hi Rick, I've been usinga 52 ft wire with 50 ft counterpoise on 80. I forget the SWR now but the KXAT1 tunes it on all four bands. I grew up in AK- the last four year on Annette Island near Ketchikan. 72, Bruce N7CEE ___ 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] New Elecraft Products
Speaking of test equipment, I'd like to see Elecraft come out with a real QRP watt meter at a decent price. Something small that can be taken to the field and can read 1 mW up to 20W. The OHR QRP watt meter is nice but too big for the trail and a bit on the expensive side IMO. I think a watt meter of this type could probably be offered in the $50 - $75 range, especially in kit form. 72 de JT, W6FO ___ 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] New Elecraft Products
Just my $0.02, but I think there is a problem looming for Elecraft as it concerns a new radio. The next logical step in terms of performance is a contest grade K3 with SO2R capability to match the new amps. The major problem with this is that is not compatible with a kit... IMHO. I just don't see the big gun contesters spending months building a radio with that kind of performance. It would have to be a kit in the same context as the new amps... in other words, not really a kit. Of course, there is no rule that says that all future Elecrafts have to be kits. I think there is a KIT market for a new radio, with bigger form factor, more knobs, fewer menus, but not all the bells and whistles of a contest grade rig. Maybe there is a modular approach that could be offered, with a motherboard and plug-in options... more like the venerable Drake TR-7 in terms of physical layout of the boards... with a loaded price tag of maybe $2,000. Larry N8LP Tom Althoff wrote: As long as we are dreaming...I wish the KPA800 photo had a K2 or some other way of determining the size/dimentions. If the KPA800/1500 is not much larger than a Ten-Tec Orion then I would love to see a K3 that matched the amp in size. Make it modular and expandable. Have slots on the motherboard for 2nd rcvr, 6M/2M/220/440 transverter modules etc. Include FM, SSTV etc as an Optional Mode Module. Perhaps include decoding of SSTV and text from other digital modes for display on an optional flat panel display. Make the PA upgradable with choice of 20W or 200W output. Make it a 12V for mobile/battery operation but include a built-in quiet switching supply. Maybe have the 20W be 12VDC and the 200W have a built-in 50V switching supply for running on 120VAC. Just thinking out loud here. And make some provision for split operation indicators such as putting the sidetone into only one side of a stereo headphone so that operators can HEAR the difference between when they are transmitting split and when they are not. A visual indication such as having all the frequency readouts turn red in transmit during split operation and some other color when operating simplex. An operator would KNOW from the first dit if he was intending to work a DXpedition split and started to call simplex on the DX stations frequency. (Maybe a mild shock to the keyer paddle is needed?) A low end version would be a 20W 160-10M CW only rig (although I suspect SSB would not add that much cost). A high end version would run 200W with an internal AC supply and cover 160-microwave all modes including general coverage on 2 receivers and auto-tuning on all bands below 144Mhz. I think a K3 like that would be at least as expensive as adding up the price of a 100W K2 with all accessories, options and converters and doubling or tripling the total price. Tom K2TA - Original Message - From: Craig D. Smith [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2006 8:06 AM Subject: [Elecraft] New Elecraft Products I'm not interested in the amps, although they look great and hope that they are a big success. I really enjoy the test equipment kits such as the XG-2 and noise source. Hopefully more specialized small test equipment such as this can be done w/o a really large RD commitment. Of the big projects being discussed, the K3 is the only one that captures my interest and enthusiasm. I love my K2 - best rig I've ever had - but it sits in my shack on its small footprint as I twiddle the small knobs and drill down thru menus (if I can remember how) to operate it. My ideal K3 would NOT need to be contest grade with 2 receivers, etc. But I would like a larger self contained unit with less menus and more knobs and a larger (color??) display. 12 V power, 100 W out, built in tuner, CW SSB, IF DSP, spectrum display, and if possible 6 and 2 w/o external adapters. Tall order I know, but what fun it would be to build and operate!! 73 ... Craig AC0DS ___ 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.):
Re: [Elecraft] Begali contacts - old thread reprise...
I've had all of the Begali keys, and helped a bunch of others with theirs. When we got them, the gap had to be changed often, close one day, not so close the next. I had a conversation with Bob Crane (W8SX, not Col. Hogan,) who learned me that the contacts should be slightly It is not learned me. It is TAUGHT me. Learn English. john-n3drk ___ 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] New Elecraft Products
Check out my LP-300 digital handheld wattmeter kit at www.telepostinc.com. Also, for base station use, my LP-100 digital vector wattmeter kit was a huge success at Dayton. The LP-300 is accurate for power and SWR from 10 mW to 120W. The LP-100 is good from 50 mW to the legal limit. 73, Larry N8LP JT Croteau wrote: Speaking of test equipment, I'd like to see Elecraft come out with a real QRP watt meter at a decent price. Something small that can be taken to the field and can read 1 mW up to 20W. The OHR QRP watt meter is nice but too big for the trail and a bit on the expensive side IMO. I think a watt meter of this type could probably be offered in the $50 - $75 range, especially in kit form. 72 de JT, W6FO ___ 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] New Elecraft Products
Yes, a watt meter that is the right level for the K2 for less than $100 would be great! I'm currently using my Palstar meter which I have wired backwards. The reflected scale then gives me QRP resolution for measuring forward power. Of course my ability to measure SWR is gone but at 5 or 10 watts that meter doesn't really support SWR measurement anyway. One of the things I really like about my Palstar is that it is active and really measures and reports peak power. I'll get 100 watts key down with my ic-735. Go to a string of dits and it still reads 100 watts. Call CQ on SSB and it shows 100 watts. Nice. Of course, an active meter may not be so conducive to portable operation. - Keith KD1E - - K2 5411 - -Original Message- From: JT Croteau Speaking of test equipment, I'd like to see Elecraft come out with a real QRP watt meter at a decent price. Something small that can be taken to the field and can read 1 mW up to 20W. The OHR QRP watt meter is nice but too big for the trail and a bit on the expensive side IMO. I think a watt meter of this type could probably be offered in the $50 - $75 range, especially in kit form. ___ 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] New Elecraft Products
JT, The Elecraft KAT2, KAT1, KXAT1, KAT100 and KAT100 already contain wattmeters, so if you have one of these in your station, you do have a wattmeter buit in - no need to carry a separate wattmeter, particularly for the trail. Of course, if you are using a non-Elecraft QRP rig, then the need is obvious, and the T1 can serve the purpose there. 73, Don W3FPR -Original Message- Speaking of test equipment, I'd like to see Elecraft come out with a real QRP watt meter at a decent price. Something small that can be taken to the field and can read 1 mW up to 20W. The OHR QRP watt meter is nice but too big for the trail and a bit on the expensive side IMO. I think a watt meter of this type could probably be offered in the $50 - $75 range, especially in kit form. 72 de JT, W6FO -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.7.0/346 - Release Date: 5/23/2006 ___ 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] New Elecraft Products
My LP-300 has a peak power mode with a peak-hold display on the numerical readout. It also has fast analog bargraphs for power and SWR that can follow voice peaks. It shows accurate SWR down to about 10 mW forward power. It runs on a 9V Duracell or Lithium battery, or external 12v. Larry N8LP Darwin, Keith wrote: Yes, a watt meter that is the right level for the K2 for less than $100 would be great! I'm currently using my Palstar meter which I have wired backwards. The reflected scale then gives me QRP resolution for measuring forward power. Of course my ability to measure SWR is gone but at 5 or 10 watts that meter doesn't really support SWR measurement anyway. One of the things I really like about my Palstar is that it is active and really measures and reports peak power. I'll get 100 watts key down with my ic-735. Go to a string of dits and it still reads 100 watts. Call CQ on SSB and it shows 100 watts. Nice. Of course, an active meter may not be so conducive to portable operation. - Keith KD1E - - K2 5411 - -Original Message- From: JT Croteau Speaking of test equipment, I'd like to see Elecraft come out with a real QRP watt meter at a decent price. Something small that can be taken to the field and can read 1 mW up to 20W. The OHR QRP watt meter is nice but too big for the trail and a bit on the expensive side IMO. I think a watt meter of this type could probably be offered in the $50 - $75 range, especially in kit form. ___ 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] K2 power output measurement accuracy?
My K2 and my watt meter do not agree. When I set the K2 power output at 5 watts I get almost 10 according to the external watt meter. Setting K2 power output at about 12 watts gives something between 15 and 20 out on the external meter. At settings above about 13 watts on the K2 knob, I get the high current warning. This is all driving a 1.2 : 1 or lower SWR, btw. It leads me to believe the K2's power output is fine but it's ability to measure and report it is off. How accurate is the power output control knob supposed to be? I don't recall doing any calibration steps or alignment steps that affect that part of the rig. I have not (yet) measured voltage into a 50 ohm dummy load but am seriously considering dragging the rig, PS, dummy load cables into work to have access to a scope. - Keith KD1E - - K2 5411 - ___ 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] Who is P40A?
Up-to-date DX news is easy to come by and free. Although some bulletins are pay subscription based, I wouldn't agree that most require a paid subscription. Here are links to 4 excellent and free email/internet based DX bulletins: OPDX: http://www.papays.com/opdx.html DX News Letter: http://www.darc.de/referate/dx/fedxms.htm ARRL DX News: http://www.arrl.org/w1aw/dx/ (you can subscribe to receive the bulletins via email if you're an ARRL member) 425 DX News: http://www.425dxn.org/ Lou, WØFK Message: 12 Date: Tue, 23 May 2006 21:22:17 -0400 From: Bill Coleman [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Who is P40A? To: Darwin, Keith [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Message-ID: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed snip There are lots of DX bulletins, most of which you have to pay for. Perhaps the most up-to-date source is the DX packetcluster (although most people access it through the internet these days). Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASELMail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Quote: Not within a thousand years will man ever fly! -- Wilbur Wright, 1901 ___ 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] K2 power output measurement accuracy?
I tried TWO good watt meters on the K2 and I found that the K2 is NOT accurate. The ONLY place I found it to be accurate is at exactly two watts. I also found that my K2/100 will go down to 100 Mw then jump to just over one watt, then to over to three and etc, it's not a smooth transition. I wish it would go from zero all the way up smoothly, but no way. My Icom is a lot smoother but will only go down to 1 1/2 watts. Working QRPP with my K2 requires 100 MW and thatâs all because it's too jumpy to set anywhere else. I don't have RF problems as far as I know but it sure is acting like it with the K2 but NOT on the Icom. That is my only beef with the K2 because my Icom acts more like a real QRP rig that the K2 does. k3ey k2/100 s/n 5417 Darwin, Keith [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: My K2 and my watt meter do not agree. When I set the K2 power output at 5 watts I get almost 10 according to the external watt meter. Setting K2 power output at about 12 watts gives something between 15 and 20 out on the external meter. At settings above about 13 watts on the K2 knob, I get the high current warning. This is all driving a 1.2 : 1 or lower SWR, btw. It leads me to believe the K2's power output is fine but it's ability to measure and report it is off. How accurate is the power output control knob supposed to be? I don't recall doing any calibration steps or alignment steps that affect that part of the rig. I have not (yet) measured voltage into a 50 ohm dummy load but am seriously considering dragging the rig, PS, dummy load cables into work to have access to a scope. - Keith KD1E - - K2 5411 - ___ 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] What's Happening at the Elecraft Dayton Booth? NewProducts, Building Demo, T-Shirts, Amp and More.
Tom Althoff wrote: Eric - When can I buy an EC8 enclosure (based upon the KPA800 cabinet) to begin my home brew K3? ;) I don't think you want to do this. The KPA's are *much* bigger than a Tentec Orion. I would say that they are at least as big as my National HRO-5TA1. Hmm, now that I think about it... -- 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] K2 power output measurement accuracy?
100 MW now that's what I call QRPP ! When is the next Elecraft QRO amp due ? :) 73 Stewart G3RXQ On Wed, 24 May 2006 07:45:19 -0700 (PDT), Curt wrote: I tried TWO good watt meters on the K2 and I found that the K2 is NOT accurate. The ONLY place I found it to be accurate is at exactly two watts. I also found that my K2/100 will go down to 100 Mw then jump to just over one watt, then to over to three and etc, it's not a smooth transition. I wish it would go from zero all the way up smoothly, but no way. My Icom is a lot smoother but will only go down to 1 1/2 watts. Working QRPP with my K2 requires 100 MW and thatââ¢s all because it's too jumpy to set anywhere else. I don't have RF problems as far as I know but it sure is acting like it with the K2 but NOT on the Icom. That is my only beef with the K2 because my Icom acts more like a real QRP rig that the K2 does. k3ey k2/100 s/n 5417 Darwin, Keith wrote: My K2 and my watt meter do not agree. When I set the K2 power output at 5 watts I get almost 10 according to the external watt meter. Setting K2 power output at about 12 watts gives something between 15 and 20 out on the external meter. At settings above about 13 watts on the K2 knob, I get the high current warning. This is all driving a 1.2 : 1 or lower SWR, btw. It leads me to believe the K2's power output is fine but it's ability to measure and report it is off. How accurate is the power output control knob supposed to be? I don't recall doing any calibration steps or alignment steps that affect that part of the rig. I have not (yet) measured voltage into a 50 ohm dummy load but am seriously considering dragging the rig, PS, dummy load cables into work to have access to a scope. - Keith KD1E - - K2 5411 - ___ 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] New Elecraft Products
wayne said; all functional modules simply plug in So I would expect that the PA modules that are in the KPA800/1500 could have been engineered to be put in other things: a smaller amp ??? a transceiver ?? a mobile amp ?? utilizing the motherboard concept... Maybe the K4 will have a spot on the mother board for spectrum board ...(opt5) a spot for the second full receiver .( optional would keep the entry price down) the super duper noise blanker board, if you need it like I do .(opt2) maybe even a slot for daughter board in-box computer...( not for me ) BUT PLEASE don't make it like the form factor of the TITANTIC Y brand product line. and if they do add the SO2R feature set , I can pull out all my Top Ten devices surrounding my HercII !! phew,,, now back to reality,,,and the nice stuff I'm lucky to have already. bill ny9h ___ 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] New Elecraft Products
But Bill... BUT PLEASE don't make it like the form factor of the TITANTIC Y brand product line. ...don't you know,m that real radios have to weigh at least twice as much as the OP... hi hi vy 73 de toby ___ 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] New Elecraft Products
Hi Larry, Maybe they will need to do something like they are doing with the new amps - kit or assembled? And critical boards already stuffed and checked out. I built a K2 because that is the only way it comes. I bought it for the performance and the size. I enjoy putting kits together and I feel I do a good job at it. But I would rather be operating than soldering, especially if the price differential isn't great - an example is the KPA1500. For an additional 7% I get an amp assembled and checked out. I agree that some contesters and Dxers would rather buy it assembled and tested. And some will continue to like to build it. To me both are good choices to have for all of us. And while I am at it, here is my list of things I would like to see in a new rig. These are the minimum things I would want over a K2 in a K3: - Fast, quiet QSK - Dual receive - The ability to listen in stereo so when running split you can listen in one ear on the transmit freq and at the same time listen in the other ear to the receive frequency. - 6-160M - maybe even 2M? - Push button clear switch for RIT and XIT. - Better close in (2KHZ) dynamic range performance. - Switchable front end filters 73, N2TK, Tony #3481 -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Larry Phipps Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2006 9:38 AM To: Tom Althoff Cc: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] New Elecraft Products Just my $0.02, but I think there is a problem looming for Elecraft as it concerns a new radio. The next logical step in terms of performance is a contest grade K3 with SO2R capability to match the new amps. The major problem with this is that is not compatible with a kit... IMHO. I just don't see the big gun contesters spending months building a radio with that kind of performance. It would have to be a kit in the same context as the new amps... in other words, not really a kit. Of course, there is no rule that says that all future Elecrafts have to be kits. I think there is a KIT market for a new radio, with bigger form factor, more knobs, fewer menus, but not all the bells and whistles of a contest grade rig. Maybe there is a modular approach that could be offered, with a motherboard and plug-in options... more like the venerable Drake TR-7 in terms of physical layout of the boards... with a loaded price tag of maybe $2,000. Larry N8LP Tom Althoff wrote: As long as we are dreaming...I wish the KPA800 photo had a K2 or some other way of determining the size/dimentions. If the KPA800/1500 is not much larger than a Ten-Tec Orion then I would love to see a K3 that matched the amp in size. Make it modular and expandable. Have slots on the motherboard for 2nd rcvr, 6M/2M/220/440 transverter modules etc. Include FM, SSTV etc as an Optional Mode Module. Perhaps include decoding of SSTV and text from other digital modes for display on an optional flat panel display. Make the PA upgradable with choice of 20W or 200W output. Make it a 12V for mobile/battery operation but include a built-in quiet switching supply. Maybe have the 20W be 12VDC and the 200W have a built-in 50V switching supply for running on 120VAC. Just thinking out loud here. And make some provision for split operation indicators such as putting the sidetone into only one side of a stereo headphone so that operators can HEAR the difference between when they are transmitting split and when they are not. A visual indication such as having all the frequency readouts turn red in transmit during split operation and some other color when operating simplex. An operator would KNOW from the first dit if he was intending to work a DXpedition split and started to call simplex on the DX stations frequency. (Maybe a mild shock to the keyer paddle is needed?) A low end version would be a 20W 160-10M CW only rig (although I suspect SSB would not add that much cost). A high end version would run 200W with an internal AC supply and cover 160-microwave all modes including general coverage on 2 receivers and auto-tuning on all bands below 144Mhz. I think a K3 like that would be at least as expensive as adding up the price of a 100W K2 with all accessories, options and converters and doubling or tripling the total price. Tom K2TA - Original Message - From: Craig D. Smith [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2006 8:06 AM Subject: [Elecraft] New Elecraft Products I'm not interested in the amps, although they look great and hope that they are a big success. I really enjoy the test equipment kits such as the XG-2 and noise source. Hopefully more specialized small test equipment such as this can be done w/o a really large RD commitment. Of the big projects being discussed, the K3 is the only one that captures my interest and enthusiasm. I love my K2 - best rig I've ever had - but it sits in my shack on its small footprint as I
RE: [Elecraft] New Elecraft Products
These have been great posts. As I convalesce from back surgery, my dreams of Elecraft kits have become much more vivid. I ran across Larry N8LP's kits, that may be what you are thinking of, JT. Check out http://www.telepostinc.com/n8lp.html . 73, Jamie WB4YDL -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of JT Croteau Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2006 8:29 AM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] New Elecraft Products Speaking of test equipment, I'd like to see Elecraft come out with a real QRP watt meter at a decent price. Something small that can be taken to the field and can read 1 mW up to 20W. The OHR QRP watt meter is nice but too big for the trail and a bit on the expensive side IMO. I think a watt meter of this type could probably be offered in the $50 - $75 range, especially in kit form. 72 de JT, W6FO ___ 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] First 80m QSO w/KXB3080 a little odd...
I finally got a chance to try my KX1 on 80m last night. I've had the new KXB3080 installed for several weeks and did the resistor/L3 power mods, but haven't actually gotten on the air before now. Late yesterday, about 2330 EDT I heard a weak station at around 3720. Zeroed him in with the K6XX tuning indicator, and replied to his call. He pause for a bit, then resumed calling CQ. Okay, I don't always get a reply -- my antenna is definitely not optimal for 80m, a 40m horizontal loop at about 20 ft, tuned with an externa tuner. I then tuned up the band a few hundred hertz, and to my surprise found the same station calling at 599!! I answered him on this frequency, and we had a brief QSO. My report was not that great, 479/QRN and it turned out he was quite local, only about 30 miles away. A textbook example of NVIS I suppose, given my antenna. So what did I hear the first time? Could that have been some kind of image on the other sideband leaking through? Groundwave? (whatever that means...) This is sort of like low band crop circles ;-) Anyway, the KXB3080 seems to be working fine, and I will check out the other bands over the next few days. The receiver in the KX1 seems better since I made the mods, but that could just be a result of better alignment than before. 73, Mike ___ 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] New Elecraft Products
On Wed, 24 May 2006, Toby Deinhardt wrote: But Bill... BUT PLEASE don't make it like the form factor of the TITANTIC Y brand product line. ...don't you know,m that real radios have to weigh at least twice as much as the OP... hi hi And at the very least require that they be mounted in a 3 foot relay rack with super-sized casters. My present to myself when I passed my general a 1000 years ago was a tranmitter that had an 813 final and plate modulationit was in one of those racks. Brought it homeunloaded it from the truck and my father made me go buy two of the adjustable foundation jacks and a steel beam before he would let me put in in the house. 73,Thom-k3hrn www.zerobeat.net Home of QRP Web Ring, Drakelist home page,Drake Web Ring, 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] RE: K1 tuner on 80 meters
Just completed a 80/17 board for my K1 and would like to know if the K1 tuner will tune on 80 meters. Thanks. 73 Gene N0MQ ___ 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] K2 power output measurement accuracy?
The basic K2 power ouput indication is very accurate when operating into a 50 ohm non-reactive load. If it is driving anything other than that load, the indication will be inaccurate - he basic K2 does not have a wattmeter, t does have an RF Probe type detector which reports the RF Voltage to the microprocessor and the 'power' is computed based on the assumption that the load is 50 ohms. If the KAT2, KAT100 or KPA100 is intalled, the RF Probe type detector is not used, but the real wattmeter in these options is used instead (the firmware knows which to use with no user input), and the power readings on the K2 will be asaccurate as your calibration allowed. Be aware that wattmeters are notorious for inaccuracies, many staqte their accuracy based on a percentage of full scale - even the Bird does this, so with a recently calibrated Bird with a 100 watt slug, the error can be as great as 5 watts anywhere on the scale. How many hams have properly calibrated wattmeters? Youn can actually calibrate your wattmeter with the RF Probe in the basic K2 - all it takes is a known non-reactive 50 ohm load. I use 1% precision thick film power resistors, so I know my dummy loads are good to 50 MHz or more, and with these loads, I know the base K2 power indication to be accurate. If you have the basic K2, the power control circuits will adjust the power to make the RF voltage at the power detector probe equal to that required to produce the requested power into a 50 ohm load -- but if the load is different than 50 ohms (as it will be with a 1.2 SWR), then the power indication will not be correct - tosay how far off it will be requires knowledge of the resistive and reactive components of the 1.2 SWR (all 1.2 SWRs are not equal, the range of possibilities form a circle on the Smith Chart). 73, Don W3FPR -Original Message- My K2 and my watt meter do not agree. When I set the K2 power output at 5 watts I get almost 10 according to the external watt meter. Setting K2 power output at about 12 watts gives something between 15 and 20 out on the external meter. At settings above about 13 watts on the K2 knob, I get the high current warning. This is all driving a 1.2 : 1 or lower SWR, btw. It leads me to believe the K2's power output is fine but it's ability to measure and report it is off. How accurate is the power output control knob supposed to be? I don't recall doing any calibration steps or alignment steps that affect that part of the rig. I have not (yet) measured voltage into a 50 ohm dummy load but am seriously considering dragging the rig, PS, dummy load cables into work to have access to a scope. - Keith KD1E - - K2 5411 - -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.7.0/346 - Release Date: 5/23/2006 ___ 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] K2 power output measurement accuracy?
Curt, The base K2 power reading is quite accurate if (and only if) the load is 50 ohms pure resistance. See my other post on the subject. Since you have a K2/100, the included wattmeter should be as accurate as your calibration of it. Prhaps you should re-do the calibration - or possibly both your external wattmeters are not properly calibrated (see my other post for more info) 73, Don W3FPR -Original Message- I tried TWO good watt meters on the K2 and I found that the K2 is NOT accurate. The ONLY place I found it to be accurate is at exactly two watts. I also found that my K2/100 will go down to 100 Mw then jump to just over one watt, then to over to three and etc, it's not a smooth transition. I wish it would go from zero all the way up smoothly, but no way. My Icom is a lot smoother but will only go down to 1 1/2 watts. Working QRPP with my K2 requires 100 MW and thatâs all because it's too jumpy to set anywhere else. I don't have RF problems as far as I know but it sure is acting like it with the K2 but NOT on the Icom. That is my only beef with the K2 because my Icom acts more like a real QRP rig that the K2 does. k3ey k2/100 s/n 5417 Darwin, Keith [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: My K2 and my watt meter do not agree. When I set the K2 power output at 5 watts I get almost 10 according to the external watt meter. Setting K2 power output at about 12 watts gives something between 15 and 20 out on the external meter. At settings above about 13 watts on the K2 knob, I get the high current warning. This is all driving a 1.2 : 1 or lower SWR, btw. It leads me to believe the K2's power output is fine but it's ability to measure and report it is off. How accurate is the power output control knob supposed to be? I don't recall doing any calibration steps or alignment steps that affect that part of the rig. I have not (yet) measured voltage into a 50 ohm dummy load but am seriously considering dragging the rig, PS, dummy load cables into work to have access to a scope. - Keith KD1E - - K2 5411 - ___ 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 -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.7.0/346 - Release Date: 5/23/2006 -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.7.0/346 - Release Date: 5/23/2006 ___ 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] New Elecraft Products
Now that the K3 has dual receivers (grin) and stereo audio it needs to be able to slave the two receivers to provide binaural I-Q receive. Mike Scott AE6WA Tarzana, CA (near LA) Elecraft KX1 4-Watts -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of N2TK, Tony Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2006 8:40 AM To: 'Larry Phipps'; 'Tom Althoff' Cc: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: RE: [Elecraft] New Elecraft Products Hi Larry, Maybe they will need to do something like they are doing with the new amps - kit or assembled? And critical boards already stuffed and checked out. I built a K2 because that is the only way it comes. I bought it for the performance and the size. I enjoy putting kits together and I feel I do a good job at it. But I would rather be operating than soldering, especially if the price differential isn't great - an example is the KPA1500. For an additional 7% I get an amp assembled and checked out. I agree that some contesters and Dxers would rather buy it assembled and tested. And some will continue to like to build it. To me both are good choices to have for all of us. And while I am at it, here is my list of things I would like to see in a new rig. These are the minimum things I would want over a K2 in a K3: - Fast, quiet QSK - Dual receive - The ability to listen in stereo so when running split you can listen in one ear on the transmit freq and at the same time listen in the other ear to the receive frequency. - 6-160M - maybe even 2M? - Push button clear switch for RIT and XIT. - Better close in (2KHZ) dynamic range performance. - Switchable front end filters 73, N2TK, Tony #3481 -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Larry Phipps Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2006 9:38 AM To: Tom Althoff Cc: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] New Elecraft Products Just my $0.02, but I think there is a problem looming for Elecraft as it concerns a new radio. The next logical step in terms of performance is a contest grade K3 with SO2R capability to match the new amps. The major problem with this is that is not compatible with a kit... IMHO. I just don't see the big gun contesters spending months building a radio with that kind of performance. It would have to be a kit in the same context as the new amps... in other words, not really a kit. Of course, there is no rule that says that all future Elecrafts have to be kits. I think there is a KIT market for a new radio, with bigger form factor, more knobs, fewer menus, but not all the bells and whistles of a contest grade rig. Maybe there is a modular approach that could be offered, with a motherboard and plug-in options... more like the venerable Drake TR-7 in terms of physical layout of the boards... with a loaded price tag of maybe $2,000. Larry N8LP Tom Althoff wrote: As long as we are dreaming...I wish the KPA800 photo had a K2 or some other way of determining the size/dimentions. If the KPA800/1500 is not much larger than a Ten-Tec Orion then I would love to see a K3 that matched the amp in size. Make it modular and expandable. Have slots on the motherboard for 2nd rcvr, 6M/2M/220/440 transverter modules etc. Include FM, SSTV etc as an Optional Mode Module. Perhaps include decoding of SSTV and text from other digital modes for display on an optional flat panel display. Make the PA upgradable with choice of 20W or 200W output. Make it a 12V for mobile/battery operation but include a built-in quiet switching supply. Maybe have the 20W be 12VDC and the 200W have a built-in 50V switching supply for running on 120VAC. Just thinking out loud here. And make some provision for split operation indicators such as putting the sidetone into only one side of a stereo headphone so that operators can HEAR the difference between when they are transmitting split and when they are not. A visual indication such as having all the frequency readouts turn red in transmit during split operation and some other color when operating simplex. An operator would KNOW from the first dit if he was intending to work a DXpedition split and started to call simplex on the DX stations frequency. (Maybe a mild shock to the keyer paddle is needed?) A low end version would be a 20W 160-10M CW only rig (although I suspect SSB would not add that much cost). A high end version would run 200W with an internal AC supply and cover 160-microwave all modes including general coverage on 2 receivers and auto-tuning on all bands below 144Mhz. I think a K3 like that would be at least as expensive as adding up the price of a 100W K2 with all accessories, options and converters and doubling or tripling the total price. Tom K2TA - Original Message - From: Craig D. Smith [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2006 8:06 AM Subject: [Elecraft] New Elecraft Products I'm not interested in the amps, although
RE: [Elecraft] K2 power output measurement accuracy?
Thanks Don, So with my basic K2, I should get agreement between the K2's setting and its output when driving my 50 ohm dummy load. I'll check it that way and report back. I never completed the RF probe with the K2 (didn't need it). I assume it simply converts RF AC voltage into DC voltage (probably RMS) so you can measure it with a DVM, right? So at 10 watts into a dummy load, I should see 22.4 volts? Does the diode drop some voltage so I'll actually see 21.7? There is so much I don't know about this stuff since rig since it went together with no problems and worked fine the first time. It didn't give much opportunity to do any trouble shooting. Gee Darn :-) - Keith KD1E - -Original Message- From: Don Wilhelm [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] The basic K2 power ouput indication is very accurate when operating into a 50 ohm non-reactive load. If it is driving anything other than that load, the indication will be inaccurate - the basic K2 does not have a wattmeter, it does have an RF Probe type detector which reports the RF Voltage to the microprocessor and the 'power' is computed based on the assumption that the load is 50 ohms. ___ 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] New Elecraft Products
Gee, maybe we are up to the K5 with this feature? N2TK, Tony -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Mike Scott Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2006 12:54 PM To: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: RE: [Elecraft] New Elecraft Products Now that the K3 has dual receivers (grin) and stereo audio it needs to be able to slave the two receivers to provide binaural I-Q receive. Mike Scott AE6WA Tarzana, CA (near LA) Elecraft KX1 4-Watts -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of N2TK, Tony Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2006 8:40 AM To: 'Larry Phipps'; 'Tom Althoff' Cc: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: RE: [Elecraft] New Elecraft Products Hi Larry, Maybe they will need to do something like they are doing with the new amps - kit or assembled? And critical boards already stuffed and checked out. I built a K2 because that is the only way it comes. I bought it for the performance and the size. I enjoy putting kits together and I feel I do a good job at it. But I would rather be operating than soldering, especially if the price differential isn't great - an example is the KPA1500. For an additional 7% I get an amp assembled and checked out. I agree that some contesters and Dxers would rather buy it assembled and tested. And some will continue to like to build it. To me both are good choices to have for all of us. And while I am at it, here is my list of things I would like to see in a new rig. These are the minimum things I would want over a K2 in a K3: - Fast, quiet QSK - Dual receive - The ability to listen in stereo so when running split you can listen in one ear on the transmit freq and at the same time listen in the other ear to the receive frequency. - 6-160M - maybe even 2M? - Push button clear switch for RIT and XIT. - Better close in (2KHZ) dynamic range performance. - Switchable front end filters 73, N2TK, Tony #3481 -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Larry Phipps Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2006 9:38 AM To: Tom Althoff Cc: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] New Elecraft Products Just my $0.02, but I think there is a problem looming for Elecraft as it concerns a new radio. The next logical step in terms of performance is a contest grade K3 with SO2R capability to match the new amps. The major problem with this is that is not compatible with a kit... IMHO. I just don't see the big gun contesters spending months building a radio with that kind of performance. It would have to be a kit in the same context as the new amps... in other words, not really a kit. Of course, there is no rule that says that all future Elecrafts have to be kits. I think there is a KIT market for a new radio, with bigger form factor, more knobs, fewer menus, but not all the bells and whistles of a contest grade rig. Maybe there is a modular approach that could be offered, with a motherboard and plug-in options... more like the venerable Drake TR-7 in terms of physical layout of the boards... with a loaded price tag of maybe $2,000. Larry N8LP Tom Althoff wrote: As long as we are dreaming...I wish the KPA800 photo had a K2 or some other way of determining the size/dimentions. If the KPA800/1500 is not much larger than a Ten-Tec Orion then I would love to see a K3 that matched the amp in size. Make it modular and expandable. Have slots on the motherboard for 2nd rcvr, 6M/2M/220/440 transverter modules etc. Include FM, SSTV etc as an Optional Mode Module. Perhaps include decoding of SSTV and text from other digital modes for display on an optional flat panel display. Make the PA upgradable with choice of 20W or 200W output. Make it a 12V for mobile/battery operation but include a built-in quiet switching supply. Maybe have the 20W be 12VDC and the 200W have a built-in 50V switching supply for running on 120VAC. Just thinking out loud here. And make some provision for split operation indicators such as putting the sidetone into only one side of a stereo headphone so that operators can HEAR the difference between when they are transmitting split and when they are not. A visual indication such as having all the frequency readouts turn red in transmit during split operation and some other color when operating simplex. An operator would KNOW from the first dit if he was intending to work a DXpedition split and started to call simplex on the DX stations frequency. (Maybe a mild shock to the keyer paddle is needed?) A low end version would be a 20W 160-10M CW only rig (although I suspect SSB would not add that much cost). A high end version would run 200W with an internal AC supply and cover 160-microwave all modes including general coverage on 2 receivers and auto-tuning on all bands below 144Mhz. I think a K3 like that would be at least as expensive as adding up the price of a 100W K2 with all accessories, options and converters and
Re: [Elecraft] New Elecraft Products
I wish it were possible to use the KAT100 wattmeter with an amplifier other than the KPA100 but it isn't. I have an HFPacker amp, and if you bring VRFdet into the K2, it applies the K2 ALC to the output of the amplifier, and the RF gain knob won't go past 15W. The solution from Gary was to use the internal VRFdet, but that means I lose out on the wattmeter. Maybe I could make a PIC-based display or even a simple vu-style comparator that reads the external VRFdet! Leigh/WA5ZNU On Wed, 24 May 2006 7:07 am, Don Wilhelm wrote: JT, The Elecraft KAT2, KAT1, KXAT1, KAT100 and KAT100 already contain wattmeters, so if you have one of these in your station, you do have a wattmeter buit in - no need to carry a separate wattmeter, particularly for the trail. Of course, if you are using a non-Elecraft QRP rig, then the need is obvious, and the T1 can serve the purpose there. 73, Don W3FPR -Original Message- Speaking of test equipment, I'd like to see Elecraft come out with a real QRP watt meter at a decent price. Something small that can be taken to the field and can read 1 mW up to 20W. The OHR QRP watt meter is nice but too big for the trail and a bit on the expensive side IMO. I think a watt meter of this type could probably be offered in the $50 - $75 range, especially in kit form. 72 de JT, W6FO -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.7.0/346 - Release Date: 5/23/2006 ___ 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: RE: [Elecraft] New Elecraft Products
From: Mike Scott [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Wed May 24 11:54:12 CDT 2006 To: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: RE: [Elecraft] New Elecraft Products K3-K5? Too many features can cause a drop in the need for operating skills. I think Elecraft builders and CW Ops can be held in a high regard for thier operating skills as well as thier knowledge of electronics. With the deregulations of the ham ticket, No Code, I am happy with the Elecraft K2/100, and if a K3 never comes along I will not be dissapointed, As everyone has different requirements or needs, I think the module idea is great so add ons can be made. Bill KA3IXF Now that the K3 has dual receivers (grin) and stereo audio it needs to be able to slave the two receivers to provide binaural I-Q receive. Mike Scott AE6WA Tarzana, CA (near LA) Elecraft KX1 4-Watts -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of N2TK, Tony Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2006 8:40 AM To: 'Larry Phipps'; 'Tom Althoff' Cc: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: RE: [Elecraft] New Elecraft Products Hi Larry, Maybe they will need to do something like they are doing with the new amps - kit or assembled? And critical boards already stuffed and checked out. I built a K2 because that is the only way it comes. I bought it for the performance and the size. I enjoy putting kits together and I feel I do a good job at it. But I would rather be operating than soldering, especially if the price differential isn't great - an example is the KPA1500. For an additional 7% I get an amp assembled and checked out. I agree that some contesters and Dxers would rather buy it assembled and tested. And some will continue to like to build it. To me both are good choices to have for all of us. And while I am at it, here is my list of things I would like to see in a new rig. These are the minimum things I would want over a K2 in a K3: - Fast, quiet QSK - Dual receive - The ability to listen in stereo so when running split you can listen in one ear on the transmit freq and at the same time listen in the other ear to the receive frequency. - 6-160M - maybe even 2M? - Push button clear switch for RIT and XIT. - Better close in (2KHZ) dynamic range performance. - Switchable front end filters 73, N2TK, Tony #3481 -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Larry Phipps Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2006 9:38 AM To: Tom Althoff Cc: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] New Elecraft Products Just my $0.02, but I think there is a problem looming for Elecraft as it concerns a new radio. The next logical step in terms of performance is a contest grade K3 with SO2R capability to match the new amps. The major problem with this is that is not compatible with a kit... IMHO. I just don't see the big gun contesters spending months building a radio with that kind of performance. It would have to be a kit in the same context as the new amps... in other words, not really a kit. Of course, there is no rule that says that all future Elecrafts have to be kits. I think there is a KIT market for a new radio, with bigger form factor, more knobs, fewer menus, but not all the bells and whistles of a contest grade rig. Maybe there is a modular approach that could be offered, with a motherboard and plug-in options... more like the venerable Drake TR-7 in terms of physical layout of the boards... with a loaded price tag of maybe $2,000. Larry N8LP Tom Althoff wrote: As long as we are dreaming...I wish the KPA800 photo had a K2 or some other way of determining the size/dimentions. If the KPA800/1500 is not much larger than a Ten-Tec Orion then I would love to see a K3 that matched the amp in size. Make it modular and expandable. Have slots on the motherboard for 2nd rcvr, 6M/2M/220/440 transverter modules etc. Include FM, SSTV etc as an Optional Mode Module. Perhaps include decoding of SSTV and text from other digital modes for display on an optional flat panel display. Make the PA upgradable with choice of 20W or 200W output. Make it a 12V for mobile/battery operation but include a built-in quiet switching supply. Maybe have the 20W be 12VDC and the 200W have a built-in 50V switching supply for running on 120VAC. Just thinking out loud here. And make some provision for split operation indicators such as putting the sidetone into only one side of a stereo headphone so that operators can HEAR the difference between when they are transmitting split and when they are not. A visual indication such as having all the frequency readouts turn red in transmit during split operation and some other color when operating simplex. An operator would KNOW from the first dit if he was intending to work a DXpedition split and started to call simplex on the DX stations frequency. (Maybe a mild shock to the keyer paddle is needed?) A low end version would be a 20W 160-10M CW only rig (although I suspect
Re: [Elecraft] K2 power output measurement accuracy?
It's a standard diode peak detector I believe, so it would indicate 31.7 VDC (minus the drop) at 10 W for a 50 ohm load. I expect the drop is about 0.3 V. Larry N8LP Darwin, Keith wrote: Thanks Don, So with my basic K2, I should get agreement between the K2's setting and its output when driving my 50 ohm dummy load. I'll check it that way and report back. I never completed the RF probe with the K2 (didn't need it). I assume it simply converts RF AC voltage into DC voltage (probably RMS) so you can measure it with a DVM, right? So at 10 watts into a dummy load, I should see 22.4 volts? Does the diode drop some voltage so I'll actually see 21.7? There is so much I don't know about this stuff since rig since it went together with no problems and worked fine the first time. It didn't give much opportunity to do any trouble shooting. Gee Darn :-) - Keith KD1E - -Original Message- From: Don Wilhelm [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] The basic K2 power ouput indication is very accurate when operating into a 50 ohm non-reactive load. If it is driving anything other than that load, the indication will be inaccurate - the basic K2 does not have a wattmeter, it does have an RF Probe type detector which reports the RF Voltage to the microprocessor and the 'power' is computed based on the assumption that the load is 50 ohms. ___ 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] K2 power output measurement accuracy?
Ya lost me there Larry. P = E^^2 / R. R is 50 ohms, P is 10 watts, E works out to sqrt(500) or 22.36 volts. But are we talking RMS, peak, or peak-to-peak? Let's see, if my number is an RMS and you're number is peak, then 22.36 is about 22.4. Multiply by 1.41 and I get 31.6 Pretty close to your number. Or am I way off base? - Keith - -Original Message- From: Larry Phipps [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] It's a standard diode peak detector I believe, so it would indicate 31.7 VDC (minus the drop) at 10 W for a 50 ohm load. I expect the drop is about 0.3 V. Darwin, Keith wrote: I never completed the RF probe with the K2 (didn't need it). I assume it simply converts RF AC voltage into DC voltage (probably RMS) so you can measure it with a DVM, right? So at 10 watts into a dummy load, I should see 22.4 volts? Does the diode drop some voltage so I'll actually see 21.7? ___ 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] Wha'ts Wrong With Our Radios (WAS:NewProducts, Building Demo, T-Shirts, Amp and More.)
What I don't understand is why we keep putting small gear in little rectangular boxes. We need a human sized panel for human sized knobs and buttons but that doesn't mean we need a BIG rig! Indeed, it can be very small and friendly on modern desks. Look at a modern flat panel computer or TV display. Why not a desk-top rig that is built like a thick version of one of those? Big and relatively thin? Stand it on a foot like the displays. Heatsink on the back, if needed, along with necessary connectors, and lots of space for controls on the front. The large panel area would allow the layout of the circuits to follow a logical path, with controls closely associated with the circuits they're associated with. If there's a really heavy part, like a big heat sink for the finals, put it down at the bottom at the foot. You want the antenna connectors down there anyway. And no multiple layers of tightly packed PC boards to wade through when troubleshooting either! That's nothing new. It's how radios were built in the 1920's, 30's and at least through the 50's. Remember seeing pictures of those huge, long 1920-vintage broadcast-band receivers with a whole row of knobs across the front? Those were tuned-radio-frequency sets with a whole row of tubes amplifying the signal before it was detected (turned into audio). Each knob adjusted the tuning of the amplifier behind it. Parts were big, so the cabinet had to be pretty deep, but the first step in the design was to lay out the controls so they were close to the associated circuits. As superhets took over, fewer controls were needed to tune R.F. amplifiers and more controls were needed for the I.F. and audio stages, but the same basic layout remained, progressing from the antenna to the audio output. The form factor was constrained by the front panel and the unit was only as deep as needed by the bulk of the parts used. Smaller sets were often built right on the back of the front panel with no chassis at all, just a box to hold the front panel vertical and keep inquisitive fingers from breaking tubes or getting into high voltages. The logical evolution would have been for those to get thinner and thinner until modern solid state radios were simply a thick front panel. Instead we kept the old rectangular form factor and reduced the size of the front panel and the controls! Wayne took a big step in the direction I'm suggesting with the KX1, putting the controls on the top of the box instead of the front. The original rig had one main PCB behind the panel with the controls laid out near the associated circuits. Picture a 100 watt KX1 tilted up at a 45 degree angle with a base and having the same thickness but a panel size of, say, 14x18 inches (35X45 cm) with suitable knobs and meters... Ah... Meters...but that's another story... 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] New Elecraft Products
Somehow, I don't see Elecraft coming out with a new transceiver in the near future. Their accomplishments in developing new products and innovations is pretty amazing. Tasking Wayne with the design of a new radio would be way too much overload. But if we were to do so, I second all the features that have been mentioned, but I would also include on the design list variable passband tuning, and a good notch filter. And K3 as a name? No way! There is no K3, there was but it is now known as Broad Peak. (Located about 5 miles away from K2 in the Karakoram range.) I think the radio Wayne is ultimately destined to design should be named McKinley. Joe N9JR - Original Message From: Mike Scott [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2006 11:54:12 AM Subject: RE: [Elecraft] New Elecraft Products Now that the K3 has dual receivers (grin) and stereo audio it needs to be able to slave the two receivers to provide binaural I-Q receive. Mike Scott AE6WA Tarzana, CA (near LA) Elecraft KX1 4-Watts -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of N2TK, Tony Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2006 8:40 AM To: 'Larry Phipps'; 'Tom Althoff' Cc: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: RE: [Elecraft] New Elecraft Products Hi Larry, Maybe they will need to do something like they are doing with the new amps - kit or assembled? And critical boards already stuffed and checked out. I built a K2 because that is the only way it comes. I bought it for the performance and the size. I enjoy putting kits together and I feel I do a good job at it. But I would rather be operating than soldering, especially if the price differential isn't great - an example is the KPA1500. For an additional 7% I get an amp assembled and checked out. I agree that some contesters and Dxers would rather buy it assembled and tested. And some will continue to like to build it. To me both are good choices to have for all of us. And while I am at it, here is my list of things I would like to see in a new rig. These are the minimum things I would want over a K2 in a K3: - Fast, quiet QSK - Dual receive - The ability to listen in stereo so when running split you can listen in one ear on the transmit freq and at the same time listen in the other ear to the receive frequency. - 6-160M - maybe even 2M? - Push button clear switch for RIT and XIT. - Better close in (2KHZ) dynamic range performance. - Switchable front end filters 73, N2TK, Tony #3481 -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Larry Phipps Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2006 9:38 AM To: Tom Althoff Cc: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] New Elecraft Products Just my $0.02, but I think there is a problem looming for Elecraft as it concerns a new radio. The next logical step in terms of performance is a contest grade K3 with SO2R capability to match the new amps. The major problem with this is that is not compatible with a kit... IMHO. I just don't see the big gun contesters spending months building a radio with that kind of performance. It would have to be a kit in the same context as the new amps... in other words, not really a kit. Of course, there is no rule that says that all future Elecrafts have to be kits. I think there is a KIT market for a new radio, with bigger form factor, more knobs, fewer menus, but not all the bells and whistles of a contest grade rig. Maybe there is a modular approach that could be offered, with a motherboard and plug-in options... more like the venerable Drake TR-7 in terms of physical layout of the boards... with a loaded price tag of maybe $2,000. Larry N8LP Tom Althoff wrote: As long as we are dreaming...I wish the KPA800 photo had a K2 or some other way of determining the size/dimentions. If the KPA800/1500 is not much larger than a Ten-Tec Orion then I would love to see a K3 that matched the amp in size. Make it modular and expandable. Have slots on the motherboard for 2nd rcvr, 6M/2M/220/440 transverter modules etc. Include FM, SSTV etc as an Optional Mode Module. Perhaps include decoding of SSTV and text from other digital modes for display on an optional flat panel display. Make the PA upgradable with choice of 20W or 200W output. Make it a 12V for mobile/battery operation but include a built-in quiet switching supply. Maybe have the 20W be 12VDC and the 200W have a built-in 50V switching supply for running on 120VAC. Just thinking out loud here. And make some provision for split operation indicators such as putting the sidetone into only one side of a stereo headphone so that operators can HEAR the difference between when they are transmitting split and when they are not. A visual indication such as having all the frequency readouts turn red in transmit during split operation and some other color when operating simplex. An operator would KNOW from the first dit if he was
Re: [Elecraft] Wha'ts Wrong With Our Radios (WAS:NewProducts, Building Demo, T-Shirts, Amp and More.)
That's an interesting thought, Ron. It would also give a lot more room for rear panel connectors. 73, Larry N8LP Ron D'Eau Claire wrote: What I don't understand is why we keep putting small gear in little rectangular boxes. We need a human sized panel for human sized knobs and buttons but that doesn't mean we need a BIG rig! Indeed, it can be very small and friendly on modern desks. Look at a modern flat panel computer or TV display. Why not a desk-top rig that is built like a thick version of one of those? Big and relatively thin? Stand it on a foot like the displays. Heatsink on the back, if needed, along with necessary connectors, and lots of space for controls on the front. The large panel area would allow the layout of the circuits to follow a logical path, with controls closely associated with the circuits they're associated with. If there's a really heavy part, like a big heat sink for the finals, put it down at the bottom at the foot. You want the antenna connectors down there anyway. And no multiple layers of tightly packed PC boards to wade through when troubleshooting either! That's nothing new. It's how radios were built in the 1920's, 30's and at least through the 50's. Remember seeing pictures of those huge, long 1920-vintage broadcast-band receivers with a whole row of knobs across the front? Those were tuned-radio-frequency sets with a whole row of tubes amplifying the signal before it was detected (turned into audio). Each knob adjusted the tuning of the amplifier behind it. Parts were big, so the cabinet had to be pretty deep, but the first step in the design was to lay out the controls so they were close to the associated circuits. As superhets took over, fewer controls were needed to tune R.F. amplifiers and more controls were needed for the I.F. and audio stages, but the same basic layout remained, progressing from the antenna to the audio output. The form factor was constrained by the front panel and the unit was only as deep as needed by the bulk of the parts used. Smaller sets were often built right on the back of the front panel with no chassis at all, just a box to hold the front panel vertical and keep inquisitive fingers from breaking tubes or getting into high voltages. The logical evolution would have been for those to get thinner and thinner until modern solid state radios were simply a thick front panel. Instead we kept the old rectangular form factor and reduced the size of the front panel and the controls! Wayne took a big step in the direction I'm suggesting with the KX1, putting the controls on the top of the box instead of the front. The original rig had one main PCB behind the panel with the controls laid out near the associated circuits. Picture a 100 watt KX1 tilted up at a 45 degree angle with a base and having the same thickness but a panel size of, say, 14x18 inches (35X45 cm) with suitable knobs and meters... Ah... Meters...but that's another story... 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 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] Wha'ts Wrong With Our Radios (WAS:NewProducts, Building Demo, T-Shirts, Amp and More.)
Geez, Ron...that's actually brilliant! Eric KE6US www.ke6us.com -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Ron D'Eau Claire Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2006 10:49 AM To: 'Elecraft Reflector' Subject: RE: [Elecraft] Wha'ts Wrong With Our Radios (WAS:NewProducts,Building Demo, T-Shirts, Amp and More.) What I don't understand is why we keep putting small gear in little rectangular boxes. Picture a 100 watt KX1 tilted up at a 45 degree angle with a base and having the same thickness but a panel size of, say, 14x18 inches (35X45 cm) with suitable knobs and meters... 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 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] Wha'ts Wrong With Our Radios (WAS:NewProducts, Building Demo, T-Shirts, Amp and More.)
Ron, Interesting take on the flat pannel rigs. I've long wanted to mount my Kenwood TS-850S/AT to that the controls are flush with the desktop, but that put too much below the desk for knees, little hands, and pets to clobber. As an alternative, mounting the controls so they are at a 45 degree angle of greater for easy visibility. Again too much sticking below the desk and it would have to be too close to the front edge to accommodate for the depth of the rig. My IC-706MKIIG is about as close to this as I can get, but you are right, small controls, especially for aging eyes. The K2 front pannel is easily remoted and I've seen a few K2s mobile with the front remoted. Very slick. Now if I can only get my K2 transmitting again, I would be in business. Mark Saunders, KJ7BS Glendale, AZ Ron D'Eau Claire [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: = What I don't understand is why we keep putting small gear in little rectangular boxes. We need a human sized panel for human sized knobs and buttons but that doesn't mean we need a BIG rig! Indeed, it can be very small and friendly on modern desks. Look at a modern flat panel computer or TV display. Why not a desk-top rig that is built like a thick version of one of those? Big and relatively thin? Stand it on a foot like the displays. Heatsink on the back, if needed, along with necessary connectors, and lots of space for controls on the front. The large panel area would allow the layout of the circuits to follow a logical path, with controls closely associated with the circuits they're associated with. If there's a really heavy part, like a big heat sink for the finals, put it down at the bottom at the foot. You want the antenna connectors down there anyway. And no multiple layers of tightly packed PC boards to wade through when troubleshooting either! That's nothing new. It's how radios were built in the 1920's, 30's and at least through the 50's. Remember seeing pictures of those huge, long 1920-vintage broadcast-band receivers with a whole row of knobs across the front? Those were tuned-radio-frequency sets with a whole row of tubes amplifying the signal before it was detected (turned into audio). Each knob adjusted the tuning of the amplifier behind it. Parts were big, so the cabinet had to be pretty deep, but the first step in the design was to lay out the controls so they were close to the associated circuits. As superhets took over, fewer controls were needed to tune R.F. amplifiers and more controls were needed for the I.F. and audio stages, but the same basic layout remained, progressing from the antenna to the audio output. The form factor was constrained by the front panel and the unit was only as deep as needed by the bulk of the parts used. Smaller sets were often built right on the back of the front panel with no chassis at all, just a box to hold the front panel vertical and keep inquisitive fingers from breaking tubes or getting into high voltages. The logical evolution would have been for those to get thinner and thinner until modern solid state radios were simply a thick front panel. Instead we kept the old rectangular form factor and reduced the size of the front panel and the controls! Wayne took a big step in the direction I'm suggesting with the KX1, putting the controls on the top of the box instead of the front. The original rig had one main PCB behind the panel with the controls laid out near the associated circuits. Picture a 100 watt KX1 tilted up at a 45 degree angle with a base and having the same thickness but a panel size of, say, 14x18 inches (35X45 cm) with suitable knobs and meters... Ah... Meters...but that's another story... 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 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] New Elecraft Products
Mike Scott wrote: Now that the K3 has dual receivers (grin) and stereo audio it needs to be able to slave the two receivers to provide binaural I-Q receive. What would this sound like? I've always wanted to try some kind of crossover device that would distribute the signal between the two earphones according to frequency. Then as I tune through a CW signal, it would seem to move. Is this the same idea? -- 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
[Elecraft] Ron's Flat Panel K3
You're on to something, Ron. - I Like it. Now picture this. There is a protective cover over the front of the radio hinged on the right side of the radio. For travel and dust protection when not using the radio, the hinged panel is closed over the knobs displays on the radio and provides for a protective outer surface. Now you swing the panel open. On the inside of the protective panel is a color LCD for display of logging programs, radio control programs, etc from the built in processor. Now the total display area of the radio is twice what it was before. Add a wireless keyboard and I'm one happy camper!! (or base station operator). 73 ... Craig AC0DS ___ 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] First 80m QSO w/KXB3080 a little odd...
Mike wrote: Late yesterday, about 2330 EDT I heard a weak station at around 3720. Zeroed him in with the K6XX tuning indicator, and replied to his call. He pause for a bit, then resumed calling CQ. Okay, I don't always get a reply -- my antenna is definitely not optimal for 80m, a 40m horizontal loop at about 20 ft, tuned with an externa tuner. I then tuned up the band a few hundred hertz, and to my surprise found the same station calling at 599!! I answered him on this frequency, and we had a brief QSO. My report was not that great, 479/QRN and it turned out he was quite local, only about 30 miles away. A textbook example of NVIS I suppose, given my antenna. So what did I hear the first time? Could that have been some kind of image on the other sideband leaking through? Groundwave? (whatever that means...) This is sort of like low band crop circles ;-) Anyway, the KXB3080 seems to be working fine, and I will check out the other bands over the next few days. The receiver in the KX1 seems better since I made the mods, but that could just be a result of better alignment than before. -- Yes, you heard an image. All superheterodyne receivers (like the KX1) that use a BFO for CW/SSB reception have two of them because they have two mixers: one at the input to convert the signal frequency to the intermediate frequency (I.F.) and another at the detector to convert the I.F. to audio. It works like this. When you inject a signal and a second local signal (local oscillator or BFO) into a mixer, the mixer reproduces the signal at its output on frequencies that are the sum and difference of the input frequencies. The KX1 uses an I.F of about 4913.6 kHz. All signals coming in at the antenna are converted to this frequency, amplified, filtered and passed to the detector which is a mixer. A 'beat frequency oscillator' (BFO) produces a signal at 4913.0 kHz. That means the detector puts out two signals, the sum of these two frequencies and the difference between these two frequencies. The sum is a very high RF frequency - over 9 MHz. That's easily filtered out. The difference frequency is what we're interested in: 600 Hz. That's the audio frequency you hear in the phones. Now suppose you tune slightly so the same signal produces an I.F. of 4912.4 kHz. That mixes with the 4913.0 BFO to produce 600 Hz again! You'll hear the same signal at two places on the dial separated by exactly twice the beat frequency. In this case, they're 1200 Hz apart. All superhets do this. In earlier receivers before modern crystal filters, it was a very well understood phenomena. As the I.F. filters got better, they would reject one of the signals. In this case, a high-performance crystal filter (such as in the K2) would reduce the signal at the I.F. of 4912.4 so much you'd not likely hear it at all. Manufacturers called this single signal reception: each signal now only appeared once as we tuned across the bands. Amazing! G. We've come to expect single signal reception in all modern gear these days, but it depends entirely on how strong the signal is and how good the I.F. filter is. The tiny filter used in the KX1 is not as good as the those used in larger and more expensive rigs like the K2. Its stop band attenuation isn't as good. That, coupled with your hearing a very strong signal on the band, allowed you to hear that other signal that's normally suppressed. Even with the simple filter used in the KX1 you should only be able to hear the second signal when listening to a very strong station! 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] Begali contacts - old thread reprise...
There were a few inquiries about what I did to improve the Begali contacts, so I thought I'd answer here, for any that are interested: I've used several different abrasive paper grit grades ...400-600-800-1000, use about three of these. Take off the contact post, being very, very, very careful to preserve the spring and TINY ball that bears against the threads for tension. Then, start with the 400 or 600, with a piece over the ball of a finger, and work on smoothing and convexifying [not an actual word] the contact...it doesn't take too long. How to make it convex as you go? You sort of think convex, which, I guess, translates to applying a bit more effort around the edges than in the center, and allowing the contact to press into the sheet of paper a bit as you work. Change grades of paper until you get to the finest. Check your work with a 10X loupe as you go, if you have one on hand. Careful observation reveals when the effect of each grade seems done - when rubbing stops changing the appearance of the contact. Working on the contact on the fixed side is a bit different, as it's wider, and has a spiral land on it. You will be able to smooth and widen the land, and perhaps create a bit of convexity. Before use, and periodically, pull a piece of paper through the almost-tightened-down contacts to remove any specks or oxidation, and Bob's your uncle. LL/K3ESE ___ 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] First 80m QSO w/KXB3080 a little odd...
One way to determine if you are listening to an image is to note how the signal tunes. On 40M and 80M the pitch of the signal should increase as you turn the KX1 tuning knob clockwise (higher frequency). If the tone decreases instead it is not being listened to on the proper side and you should tune higher yet in frequency past zero beat to find the real signal. On 30M and 20M the effect is just the opposite of the above description; the proper signal will be on the lower side. (For the experienced ops, why is the upper sideband found by tuning to the lower side? I have wondered about the reverese logic of upper and lower terms for a while). As Ron noted you will only experience this on signals strong enough to be heard through the attenuation of the crystal filter. I grew up without single signal receive capability, in those days the signal sounded the same on either side of zero beat. My first kit was the Heathkit HR10 receiver. Mike Scott AE6WA Tarzana, CA (near LA) Elecraft KX1 4-Watts -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Ron D'Eau Claire Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2006 11:38 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: RE: [Elecraft] First 80m QSO w/KXB3080 a little odd... Mike wrote: Late yesterday, about 2330 EDT I heard a weak station at around 3720. Zeroed him in with the K6XX tuning indicator, and replied to his call. He pause for a bit, then resumed calling CQ. Okay, I don't always get a reply -- my antenna is definitely not optimal for 80m, a 40m horizontal loop at about 20 ft, tuned with an externa tuner. I then tuned up the band a few hundred hertz, and to my surprise found the same station calling at 599!! I answered him on this frequency, and we had a brief QSO. My report was not that great, 479/QRN and it turned out he was quite local, only about 30 miles away. A textbook example of NVIS I suppose, given my antenna. So what did I hear the first time? Could that have been some kind of image on the other sideband leaking through? Groundwave? (whatever that means...) This is sort of like low band crop circles ;-) Anyway, the KXB3080 seems to be working fine, and I will check out the other bands over the next few days. The receiver in the KX1 seems better since I made the mods, but that could just be a result of better alignment than before. -- Yes, you heard an image. All superheterodyne receivers (like the KX1) that use a BFO for CW/SSB reception have two of them because they have two mixers: one at the input to convert the signal frequency to the intermediate frequency (I.F.) and another at the detector to convert the I.F. to audio. It works like this. When you inject a signal and a second local signal (local oscillator or BFO) into a mixer, the mixer reproduces the signal at its output on frequencies that are the sum and difference of the input frequencies. The KX1 uses an I.F of about 4913.6 kHz. All signals coming in at the antenna are converted to this frequency, amplified, filtered and passed to the detector which is a mixer. A 'beat frequency oscillator' (BFO) produces a signal at 4913.0 kHz. That means the detector puts out two signals, the sum of these two frequencies and the difference between these two frequencies. The sum is a very high RF frequency - over 9 MHz. That's easily filtered out. The difference frequency is what we're interested in: 600 Hz. That's the audio frequency you hear in the phones. Now suppose you tune slightly so the same signal produces an I.F. of 4912.4 kHz. That mixes with the 4913.0 BFO to produce 600 Hz again! You'll hear the same signal at two places on the dial separated by exactly twice the beat frequency. In this case, they're 1200 Hz apart. All superhets do this. In earlier receivers before modern crystal filters, it was a very well understood phenomena. As the I.F. filters got better, they would reject one of the signals. In this case, a high-performance crystal filter (such as in the K2) would reduce the signal at the I.F. of 4912.4 so much you'd not likely hear it at all. Manufacturers called this single signal reception: each signal now only appeared once as we tuned across the bands. Amazing! G. We've come to expect single signal reception in all modern gear these days, but it depends entirely on how strong the signal is and how good the I.F. filter is. The tiny filter used in the KX1 is not as good as the those used in larger and more expensive rigs like the K2. Its stop band attenuation isn't as good. That, coupled with your hearing a very strong signal on the band, allowed you to hear that other signal that's normally suppressed. Even with the simple filter used in the KX1 you should only be able to hear the second signal when listening to a very strong station! Ron AC7AC ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to
Re: RE: [Elecraft] First 80m QSO w/KXB3080 a little odd...
Thanks to Ron for his excellent explanation and all the others who replied. Now that I know about the 1200 hz difference I will keep an ear out for this phenomenon. Do you think this would happen in the K1 also, or are the K1 filters sharper? I'm much more used to hearing very weak signals rather than very strong ones -- after all I did answer the supressed image first :-) 73, Mike N2HTT Yes, you heard an image. All superheterodyne receivers (like the KX1) that use a BFO for CW/SSB reception have two of them because they have two mixers: one at the input to convert the signal frequency to the intermediatefrequency (I.F.) and another at the detector to convert the I.F. to audio. It works like this. When you inject a signal and a second local signal (local oscillator or BFO) into a mixer, the mixer reproduces the signal at its output on frequencies that are the sum and difference of the input frequencies. The KX1 uses an I.F of about 4913.6 kHz. All signals coming in at the antenna are converted to this frequency, amplified, filtered and passed to the detector which is a mixer. A 'beat frequency oscillator' (BFO) producesa signal at 4913.0 kHz. That means the detector puts out two signals, the sum of these two frequencies and the difference between these two frequencies. The sum is a very high RF frequency - over 9 MHz. That's easily filtered out. The difference frequency is what we're interested in: 600 Hz. That's the audio frequency you hear in the phones. Now suppose you tune slightly so the same signal produces an I.F. of 4912.4 kHz. That mixes with the 4913.0 BFO to produce 600 Hz again! You'll hear the same signal at two places on the dial separated by exactly twice the beat frequency. In this case, they're 1200 Hz apart. All superhets do this. In earlier receivers before modern crystal filters,it was a very well understood phenomena. As the I.F. filters got better, they would reject one of the signals. In this case, a high-performance crystal filter (such as in the K2) would reduce the signal at the I.F. of 4912.4 so much you'd not likely hear it at all. Manufacturers called this single signal reception: each signal now only appeared once as we tunedacross the bands. Amazing! G. We've come to expect single signal reception in all modern gear thesedays, but it depends entirely on how strong the signal is and how good the I.F. filter is. The tiny filter used in the KX1 is not as good as the those used in larger and more expensive rigs like the K2. Its stop band attenuation isn't as good. That, coupled with your hearing a very strongsignal on the band, allowed you to hear that other signal that's normally suppressed. Even with the simple filter used in the KX1 you should only be able to hear the second signal when listening to a very strong station! 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 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] Elecraft Product Ideas
This is definately OT, but regarding the cost of a 6146, when I was a teenager a 6146 (for my DX-60)cost a about 6 bucks. Taking a teenage girl out on a Saturday night also cost about 6 bucks back then. So I had a choice...I won't tell you what my decision was, however, on another thread here a guy posted that his (blond and attractive) wife was trying to buy him a new rig, but she couldn't get near the Elecraft booth with all the 'nerds' hanging out there...maybe I made the wrong choice on how to spend that 6 bucks. Tom WB2QDG K2 1103 -- Original message -- From: Bob Nielsen [EMAIL PROTECTED] On May 23, 2006, at 4:24 PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: In a message dated 5/23/06 11:47:23 AM Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Don't use 6146's! two Raytheon 4D32's would do the job much better. They are as cheap as 6146's now. Actually, one 4D32 has almost the power rating of two 6146s. Two 4D32s could probably due 200W easy. I recall that the 4D32 was pretty expensive back in the 1950s, while 6146s were much cheaper. Things change. The Johnson Viking I (4D32) was rated at 150W input (CW) and the Viking II (2x6146) was rated at 180 watts input. My first kit was a Viking II plus external VFO (1953). Three 6146s would probably also do 200W output. I would suggest that anyone building a rig with either tube purchase several spares while they are still available. 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 ___ 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] K2 power output measurement accuracy?
- Original Message - From: Don Wilhelm [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Darwin, Keith [EMAIL PROTECTED]; elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2006 9:29 AM Subject: RE: [Elecraft] K2 power output measurement accuracy? K2 - all it takes is a known non-reactive 50 ohm load. I use 1% precision thick film power resistors, so I know my dummy loads are good to 50 MHz or more, and with these loads, I know the base K2 power indication to be accurate. If you have the basic K2, the power control circuits will adjust the power to make the RF voltage at the power detector probe equal to that required to produce the requested power into a 50 ohm load -- but if the load is different than 50 ohms (as it will be with a 1.2 SWR), then the power indication will not be correct - tosay how far off it will be requires knowledge of the resistive and reactive components of the 1.2 SWR (all 1.2 SWRs are not equal, the range of possibilities form a circle on the Smith Chart). 73, Don W3FPR --- With my K2 into a DL1, my WM-2 meter shows up to 20 % higher power than my DMM and slide rule indicates. Is the DL1 likely more accurate than my WM-2 meter. If so, I will recalibrate my K2 with the DL1 and DDM. Than I will have a stronger QRP signal and be able to work 300 new countries. I could also recalibrate my WM-2. Also, I wonder if the K2 maximum output power is increased if the voltage goes up. Just in case I need to cheat a little with QRO power (15watts or so). But I promise not to get an amplifyer. 73 (72) Rick Dettinger K7MW ___ 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] K2 power output measurement accuracy?
Rick, K7MW asked: With my K2 into a DL1, my WM-2 meter shows up to 20 % higher power than my DMM and slide rule indicates. Is the DL1 likely more accurate than my WM-2 meter. If so, I will recalibrate my K2 with the DL1 and DDM. Than I will have a stronger QRP signal and be able to work 300 new countries. I could also recalibrate my WM-2. Also, I wonder if the K2 maximum output power is increased if the voltage goes up. Just in case I need to cheat a little with QRO power (15watts or so). But I promise not to get an amplifyer.. -- At decent power levels (several watts), diode detector with a capacitor across the output to the DMM (to charge up and show peak voltage) is the most accurate wattmeter most hams can get. The accuracy is limited solely by the accuracy of the DMM and accuracy of the value of the resistive load on the RF source. Notice resistive in that statement. It's absolutely essential the AC (or RF) signal be looking into a non-reactive load. So go for it, and rack up those new countries!! All QRPers know that milliwatts are important. But you make an excellent point. A few milliwatts (or even watts) makes very little difference on the air in a given contact. The real thing to look at in comparing on-air performance is dB. We can hear a 6 dB difference pretty clearly, if we're listening for it. That's about 1 S-unit on most receivers. Although 1 dB is defined as that minimum change just perceptible in human hearing, most communications engineers consider 3 dB to be about the minimum discernable change in radio communications in the most ideal conditions. That's why twice that - 6 dB - is commonly consider an S-Unit. It's just enough change to say the signal got stronger or weaker in most situations. I consider 6 dB to be about the minimum amount of change worth pursuing if I'm thinking of changing my power levels. Going from 15 watts with a QRP K2 to 100 watts with my K2/100 increased my signal by just over 8 dB. That's enough to be noticed. Going from 100 watts to 800 watts adds another 9 dB again. Again enough to be noticed. But I'd never spend a moment worrying about whether anyone can hear the difference between, say, 15 watts and 10 watts or between 100 watts and 50 watts. It just isn't going to happen. It's worth chasing milliwatts when we're trying to assemble the most efficient station. They add up. But in practice, doubling or even tripling the power (or reducing it that much) simply isn't going to be noticed. 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] K3
I like the sound of this... Maybe a few more items accessible directly from a switch (Rx antenna in/out, filter settings, maybe a dual display so you can see where VFO B is (and not make a fool of yourself in a pileup)). Maybe a USB compatible port? Built in 4P antenna switch... Ahh the mind boggles!! *nudge nudge wink wink* I'm a buyer. 73, Julius n2wn --- Funny you mention a K3. I was thinking about it this morning. After using the K2 for a bit I find my need for a K3 to be less. The K2 does pretty much all I need. I have a lot of fun with it as it is. If I want 100 watts I can add an option and I'm there. But having a larger package, bigger knobs, real analog s-meter, larger display, less menus (add an encoder or two that can be assigned to control a few things) - these would be great changes. So here's my proposal for a K3. Design a new display and control board that is larger and provides larger UI features. Hook it up to the K2 RF board. Mount it in a somewhat larger case. Voila, you have K3 - a base version of the K2. While you're at it, put a larger rear heat sink on the 100 watt PA and have no fan. These changes could be bought by K2 owners to allow a K2 to be changed into a K3. Most of the existing options would be swap-able between the two versions of the rig. Maybe this isn't a K3. Maybe this is a K2-B (version B for Base). - Keith KD1E - - K2 5411 - ___ 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] Watt meter
OK, I can understand wanting a good reasonably accurate watt meter. I can even see why there would be interest ina QRPp meter... But can someone please explain to me spending $1500 for a watt meter? Julius n2wn ___ 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] KPA800/1500 pricing evolutionary forces within our control
Those are the kind of words I like to hear! 73, Doug, W6JD -- Original message -- From: wayne burdick [EMAIL PROTECTED] For those of you who have noted that $5K+ is not cheap, a very brief history lesson and prediction follows. 1999: - Elecraft's first transceiver was pretty big and sophisticated for a QRP rig. We gambled on this to get people's attention. The K2 then evolved in many directions. Subsequent transceivers were smaller and lower in cost, but benefitted from what we had learned. 2006: - Elecraft's first amplifier is rather big and sophisticated. We're gambling on this to get people's attention. The amp will evolve in many directions. Subsequent models will be smaller and lower in cost, but will benefit from what we've learned. :) Wayne 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] Wha'ts Wrong With Our Radios (WAS:NewProducts, Building
My K2 is connected to a computer which substantially increases its size. I have macros made up for MixW that cover most of the commands for the K2. I pretty much never touch the K2 except for the occasional gain adjustment. The radio is essentially the size of my LCD monitor. There are several radios out these days that you can hide away and never touch. Ah, you say, it’s the knobs I miss! Well, maybe some sort of flat panel with a bunch of actual and functional knobs and meters connected to a USB port to satisfy our tactile and visual needs. In fact, this sort of panel could be used with any computer controlled rig for now or the future. We could have designer panels to suit our personalities - more, bigger knobs, flashing lights, meters. Hmmm, I like the way I think. Tom, AK2B Ron D'Eau Claire wrote: What I don't understand is why we keep putting small gear in little rectangular boxes. We need a human sized panel for human sized knobs and buttons but that doesn't mean we need a BIG rig! Indeed, it can be very small and friendly on modern desks. Look at a modern flat panel computer or TV display. Why not a desk-top rig that is built like a thick version of one of those? Big and relatively thin? Stand it on a foot like the displays. Heatsink on the back, if needed, along with necessary connectors, and lots of space for controls on the front. The large panel area would allow the layout of the circuits to follow a logical path, with controls closely associated with the circuits they're associated with. If there's a really heavy part, like a big heat sink for the finals, put it down at the bottom at the foot. You want the antenna connectors down there anyway. And no multiple layers of tightly packed PC boards to wade through when troubleshooting either! That's nothing new. It's how radios were built in the 1920's, 30's and at least through the 50's. Remember seeing pictures of those huge, long 1920-vintage broadcast-band receivers with a whole row of knobs across the front? Those were tuned-radio-frequency sets with a whole row of tubes amplifying the signal before it was detected (turned into audio). Each knob adjusted the tuning of the amplifier behind it. Parts were big, so the cabinet had to be pretty deep, but the first step in the design was to lay out the controls so they were close to the associated circuits. As superhets took over, fewer controls were needed to tune R.F. amplifiers and more controls were needed for the I.F. and audio stages, but the same basic layout remained, progressing from the antenna to the audio output. The form factor was constrained by the front panel and the unit was only as deep as needed by the bulk of the parts used. Smaller sets were often built right on the back of the front panel with no chassis at all, just a box to hold the front panel vertical and keep inquisitive fingers from breaking tubes or getting into high voltages. The logical evolution would have been for those to get thinner and thinner until modern solid state radios were simply a thick front panel. Instead we kept the old rectangular form factor and reduced the size of the front panel and the controls! Wayne took a big step in the direction I'm suggesting with the KX1, putting the controls on the top of the box instead of the front. The original rig had one main PCB behind the panel with the controls laid out near the associated circuits. Picture a 100 watt KX1 tilted up at a 45 degree angle with a base and having the same thickness but a panel size of, say, 14x18 inches (35X45 cm) with suitable knobs and meters... Ah... Meters...but that's another story... Ron AC7AC -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.7.0/346 - Release Date: 5/23/2006 ___ 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] Ron's Flat Panel K3
Gee whiz folks, that sounds an awful lot like a laptop running one of the rig control programs - the possibilities are endless! Logging programs, DX Cluster spots, scanning, and lots of other things could be added. Come to think of it, I can do that already with my K2 and HRD or N4PY software. 73, Don W3FPR -Original Message- You're on to something, Ron. - I Like it. Now picture this. There is a protective cover over the front of the radio hinged on the right side of the radio. For travel and dust protection when not using the radio, the hinged panel is closed over the knobs displays on the radio and provides for a protective outer surface. Now you swing the panel open. On the inside of the protective panel is a color LCD for display of logging programs, radio control programs, etc from the built in processor. Now the total display area of the radio is twice what it was before. Add a wireless keyboard and I'm one happy camper!! (or base station operator). 73 ... Craig AC0DS -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.7.0/346 - Release Date: 5/23/2006 ___ 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] Proud new owner of K1 #292
I am officially the proud new owner of K1-2 Serial #292 with KAT1 and 40/20 meters purchased from K5MO. Very smooth transaction with John, very reputable guy to deal with. I also have parts on order from Elecraft to add a couple more band modules. The K1 was designed as a 2-band rig and I plan on keeping it that way. I'm positive the 4-band filter board works fine as designed by Wayne and Co. but I'm not partial to all the component sharing. I'm probably going to build an 80/40 board, a 20/15 board, and a 30/17 board. I may then rebuild my board and see if I can get 160M and/or 10M to work as some others have. As this is a pretty low serial number, I'm off to crack open the K1 and see if the updates and latest firmwares have been applied. 72 de JT, W6FO ___ 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] Watt meter
Not when there are such fine QRP capable meter kits out there. For a lot less bucks. Stuart K5KVH ___ 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] K2 power output measurement accuracy?
At 15W the DL-1 is by far more accurate. It is probably within a few percent, based on a normal random distribution of resistor values, and 5% worst case if they're all off in the same direction. Keep in mind though that the resistance changes as temperature rises... so it's best to take a quick reading before the resistors heat up. Larry N8LP Ron D'Eau Claire wrote: Rick, K7MW asked: With my K2 into a DL1, my WM-2 meter shows up to 20 % higher power than my DMM and slide rule indicates. Is the DL1 likely more accurate than my WM-2 meter. If so, I will recalibrate my K2 with the DL1 and DDM. Than I will have a stronger QRP signal and be able to work 300 new countries. I could also recalibrate my WM-2. Also, I wonder if the K2 maximum output power is increased if the voltage goes up. Just in case I need to cheat a little with QRO power (15watts or so). But I promise not to get an amplifyer.. -- At decent power levels (several watts), diode detector with a capacitor across the output to the DMM (to charge up and show peak voltage) is the most accurate wattmeter most hams can get. The accuracy is limited solely by the accuracy of the DMM and accuracy of the value of the resistive load on the RF source. Notice resistive in that statement. It's absolutely essential the AC (or RF) signal be looking into a non-reactive load. So go for it, and rack up those new countries!! All QRPers know that milliwatts are important. But you make an excellent point. A few milliwatts (or even watts) makes very little difference on the air in a given contact. The real thing to look at in comparing on-air performance is dB. We can hear a 6 dB difference pretty clearly, if we're listening for it. That's about 1 S-unit on most receivers. Although 1 dB is defined as that minimum change just perceptible in human hearing, most communications engineers consider 3 dB to be about the minimum discernable change in radio communications in the most ideal conditions. That's why twice that - 6 dB - is commonly consider an S-Unit. It's just enough change to say the signal got stronger or weaker in most situations. I consider 6 dB to be about the minimum amount of change worth pursuing if I'm thinking of changing my power levels. Going from 15 watts with a QRP K2 to 100 watts with my K2/100 increased my signal by just over 8 dB. That's enough to be noticed. Going from 100 watts to 800 watts adds another 9 dB again. Again enough to be noticed. But I'd never spend a moment worrying about whether anyone can hear the difference between, say, 15 watts and 10 watts or between 100 watts and 50 watts. It just isn't going to happen. It's worth chasing milliwatts when we're trying to assemble the most efficient station. They add up. But in practice, doubling or even tripling the power (or reducing it that much) simply isn't going to be noticed. 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 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] Watt meter
Because it matches your Alpha? ;-) Larry N8LP J F wrote: OK, I can understand wanting a good reasonably accurate watt meter. I can even see why there would be interest ina QRPp meter... But can someone please explain to me spending $1500 for a watt meter? Julius n2wn ___ 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] Questions about my new K1 #292
On 5/24/06, JT Croteau [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: As this is a pretty low serial number, I'm off to crack open the K1 and see if the updates and latest firmwares have been applied. Well, I definitely have a Rev. D K1-2 and K1FIL2. MCU Firmware is 1.09E and I'm now trying to determine if K1UPKT has been applied to the rig to bring it up to match current K1's. KAT1 firmware is 1.10 and I'm guessing is a bit outdated. How big of a deal is the latest firmware? Also, how important is it to apply K1UPKT? Is it a necessary upgrade? Thanks 72 de JT, W6FO ___ 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] What size DC Power Plug for K1
My K1 did not come with the original DC Power Plug. I see in the parts list that J4 is 2.1mm in size. The local Radio Shack has two with an ID of 2.1mm - one they call a Size M and the other is a Size K. Anyone have a clue as to which would be the better gamble to try so I don't have to buy both? Thanks 72 de JT, W6FO ___ 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] What size DC Power Plug for K1
The K1 is small enough you can take it to the store to try them both. Good luck and 73 Bob N6WG -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of JT Croteau Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2006 2:15 PM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] What size DC Power Plug for K1 My K1 did not come with the original DC Power Plug. I see in the parts list that J4 is 2.1mm in size. The local Radio Shack has two with an ID of 2.1mm - one they call a Size M and the other is a Size K. Anyone have a clue as to which would be the better gamble to try so I don't have to buy both? Thanks 72 de JT, W6FO ___ 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] Watt meter
I own the Alpha (87A) but instead I purchased the LP-100 digital watt meter kit by N8LP. Just as accurate, at 1/5th the price, and it will match the looks of my Alpha even better! Got to love the sexy PLED Display ;-) Frank - W6NEK Larry N8LP wrote: Because it matches your Alpha? ;-) Larry N8LP J F wrote: OK, I can understand wanting a good reasonably accurate watt meter. I can even see why there would be interest ina QRPp meter... But can someone please explain to me spending $1500 for a watt meter? Julius n2wn ___ 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: Re [Elecraft] DX News and two questions
With all the metal close to practical antennas, it is much more difficult than automobile mobile. It is the restriction on height and width of the antennas compared to train size. You may do best with low dipole and be content with NVIS technique. (Contacts out to 800 miles are possible). DX is much harder to work. Stuart K5KVH ___ 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] What size DC Power Plug for K1
On 5/24/06, Robert Tellefsen [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: The K1 is small enough you can take it to the store to try them both. I'll just order one from Elecraft. Tom Hammond says to avoid the RS ones as they have the hot (inner) contact extending out just barely past the end of the insulation, so it can readily short out against anything grounded. I'll listen to N0SS on this one. I think I'll order the upgrade kit for my K1 and possibly the new firmware for the KAT1 anyway. Thanks for all the replies. - JT ___ 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] Wha'ts Wrong With Our Radios (WAS:NewProducts, Building Demo, T-Shirts, Amp and More.)
On 5/24/06, Ron D'Eau Claire [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: What I don't understand is why we keep putting small gear in little rectangular boxes. I agree. I hope my next QRP rig is the size of Apple's iPod nano *. :-) http://www.apple.com/ipodnano/ * 3.5 x 1.6 x 0.27 inches and 1.5 ounces or 89 x 41 x 7 mm and 42.5 grams ___ 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] What size DC Power Plug for K1
My K1 did not come with the original DC Power Plug. I see in the parts list that J4 is 2.1mm in size. The local Radio Shack has two with an ID of 2.1mm - one they call a Size M and the other is a Size K. Anyone have a clue as to which would be the better gamble to try so I don't have to buy both? My K1 came with a 5.5 OD x 2.1 ID plug. That maps to a Radio Shack type M Adaptaplug, if I'm not mistaken. BTW, there is enough slop in the (5.0,5.5) x (2.1,2.5) plugs and jacks such that various loose or tight misfittings can be made to work depending on manufacturere's tolerances. In any case, a type M gives a good fit. HTH and 73, Ken K3VV Coopersburg, PA ___ 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] KPA800/1500 pricing evolutionary forces within our control
One clarification - Wayne is correct in stating that many of our products evolve and morph into additional versions over time. But its important to note that we are not developing any other amplifiers right now besides the KPA800 and KPA1500. We're 100% committed to getting these out and want to keep our engineering and production energy focused. These definitely are higher end, high performance products. What is important is that they bring a whole new crowd of customers into the Elecraft world, broadening our appeal and customer base - which insures our long term survival. Getting products like these on line also will generate the revenue necessary for us to design even more new products covering the complete range of pricing, features, power etc. Don't worry - we have lots of fun products planned for the next several years :-) Now - back to the lab! :-) 73, Eric WA6HHQ Elecraft -- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Those are the kind of words I like to hear! 73, Doug, W6JD -- Original message -- From: wayne burdick [EMAIL PROTECTED] For those of you who have noted that $5K+ is not cheap, a very brief history lesson and prediction follows. 1999: - Elecraft's first transceiver was pretty big and sophisticated for a QRP rig. We gambled on this to get people's attention. The K2 then evolved in many directions. Subsequent transceivers were smaller and lower in cost, but benefitted from what we had learned. 2006: - Elecraft's first amplifier is rather big and sophisticated. We're gambling on this to get people's attention. The amp will evolve in many directions. Subsequent models will be smaller and lower in cost, but will benefit from what we've learned. :) Wayne ___ 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] Proud new owner of K1 #292
You might be better off building a 160/80 and then a 30/17, or 30/15 board. The 10 meter band is still in some limbo stages I think. Just be aware that it's not wise to have two boards with the same band (like an 80/40 and 40/20 board as the CPU can only remember one corrective offset per band.) I've been tickled pink with my K1. Have 160/80 then the 4 band 40/30/20/15. Thinking of a 17/10 meter board in future once the bugs outta the 10 meter modification. 73, Sandy W5TVW K1 #1178 - Original Message - From: JT Croteau [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2006 3:30 PM Subject: [Elecraft] Proud new owner of K1 #292 | I am officially the proud new owner of K1-2 Serial #292 with KAT1 and | 40/20 meters purchased from K5MO. Very smooth transaction with John, | very reputable guy to deal with. | | I also have parts on order from Elecraft to add a couple more band | modules. The K1 was designed as a 2-band rig and I plan on keeping it | that way. I'm positive the 4-band filter board works fine as designed | by Wayne and Co. but I'm not partial to all the component sharing. | I'm probably going to build an 80/40 board, a 20/15 board, and a 30/17 | board. I may then rebuild my board and see if I can get 160M and/or | 10M to work as some others have. | | As this is a pretty low serial number, I'm off to crack open the K1 | and see if the updates and latest firmwares have been applied. | | 72 de JT, W6FO | ___ | 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 | | | | -- | No virus found in this incoming message. | Checked by AVG Free Edition. | Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.7.1/347 - Release Date: 5/24/2006 | | ___ 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] Ideas - new Elecraft Products
I love the product idea for a K2b or K3, based on an upgrade to K2 base! New Front Panel, New Control Board - and some new options that plug into one's existing K2 RF Board. (I couldn't readily find who put up that idea - but great!) New Ideas - I beg to differ, and my 3 cents. In any large organization, one would think that they think and create new product ideas regularly and quite naturally. When in fact this is often not the case. It is often NOT design, NOT marketing, NOT RD - who come up with the new product or invention ideas. I worked for 30 years in more than a few RD orgs - where ideas could flourish - and marketing would squash. What drives new products? Marketing's quest for profit centers. At Kodak, in the 70's - the thought of a 35mm Kodak camera was NO. The camera was a consummer of film - perhaps the camera itself, as a product, was a loss leader - (it was) to create more and predictable film consumption. In ham radio - so many very creative hams, have a many very good ideas, needs, and operating observations. I think it is great, if one's Manufactuging choice for ham gear, encourages that. It sure looks like Elecraft, is such a company! Ideas, what if ideas - often, like new musical scores - magically appear. It is not often something one can creat a new product group, and expect them to crank out new product ideas. It is said, Handel came up with the entire Messiah in a matter of weeks. (over 20 or 30 very very complicated compositions) The practical side of me, wants a K3 with more knobs and operator variable inputs, not less. I don't want to have a PC control center - with a RIG BOX somewhere back in the closet awaiting the next PC command. I've just spent oodles of time - working with my new K2 #005422 - and Spectrogram, tweaking the CW and neg CW and SSB filter characteristics. It's starting to sound very sensitive. I'd now like to think there is some upgrade path for my K2 - more options, big options, K3 options, K2B new Control Broard, new FRONT PANEL And a few outboard options - to hang onto or sit next to my K2, would be nice. I don't want to wire a AMP inside my K2 - me, I'd like to sit it next to my K2. An outboard RF Output/SWR meter, an AMP, a tuning indicator, a set of quality Earphones, a good Elecraft mobile Mike, .., a Meter option for my K2B, top mounted?, a K2 bus I/O option - coming out of K2 side panel - to allow attachment of a whole range of auxilliary and useful outboard bells and whistles! :) Project? The IEEE, in 1978, saved away all of the then Vacuum Tube technologies - into a huge IEEE data base. So there must be something to those tubes, some inherent quality. HOW SMALL COULD YOU DESIGN A dual-6146 TUBE AMPLIFIER, how big would it be, sitting next to my K2? How much PEP/CW Power could it put out onto a Dipole? What would the power requirements be? Could my Astron 35M power it? Would a dual-tube 6146 AMP, sound more powerful, than todays 100W solid state amp? Do tubes inherently have a magic audio quality, that is discernable on the airwaves? Does someone know of such a circuit, with a 2006 parts list. Is it buildable, by a few hams? Does QST have such a beast? Sure sounds like a fun ham, project to this ham. It is said, McIntosh's TUBE AMPLIFEIRS still draw BIG BUCKS, for the hi-fi/stereo buff. Why? Fred N3CSY having fun with my K2 # 005422 nice way to spend some of my retirement! what can I add to or beside it, nexs? 5/24 __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.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] Proud new owner of K1 #292
JT wrote: The K1 was designed as a 2-band rig and I plan on keeping it that way. I'm positive the 4-band filter board works fine as designed The K1 was not compromised in any way by the introduction of the four-band filter board. I have K1 #175, and I originally built 40/20 and 30/15 boards in late 2000. The later availability of the four-band board MORE than DOUBLED the utility of my K1. It's highly highly recommended. I re-built one of my old two-band boards for 80/17. The K1 is NOT really designed to support very frequent filter board swaps. You won't really be wanting to do this often. ...but I'm not partial to all the component sharing. There are no real technical issues here. The four-band board design provides as good or BETTER performance on any band as was provided by a two-band board with the same band on it. MCU Firmware is 1.09E and I'm now trying to determine if K1UPKT has been applied to the rig That's still the latest version of FW. KAT1 firmware is 1.10 and I'm guessing is a bit outdated. How big of a deal is the latest firmware? The last KAT1 firmware is version 1.30, I think. I upgraded mine, but I can't tell much difference. Also, how important is it to apply K1UPKT? Is it a necessary upgrade? In my opinion, the most important upgrades from that kit are: 1. VFO linearization. Just requires one 100k resistor (R19) on the front panel circuit. 2. Attenuator pop reduction. Just requires one 15 uH RF choke on the bottom of the RF board. I did NOT find it desirable to do the RF Detector Switch nor the Transmit Offset Test Switch mods. There is another mod to reduce QSK thump, if that is a problem, that is described at: http://www.elecraft.com/Apps/K1_qsk_app_note.htm This mod is NOT part of the K1UPKT. Also, the K1UPKT does not mention or install two components that are to be installed on Rev. E K1 RF boards to support 80m operation: C78 (22 uF) and RFC8 (100 uH). But these should be added to the Rev. D boards too. If you have the KNB1 noise blanker installed, it is important that it has been modified to add a .01 uF bypass cap from U1 pin 1 to ground, otherwise the KNB1 will sometimes generate the most gosh-awful noise in the receiver during QSK, at certain frequencies in the 20m band. I also think that the RF board AGC capacitor C31 results in much much better AGC performance when lowered from 2.2 uF to 1 uF (or even lower). The Rev. E boards can easily be configured so that the front panel phone connection can be used for MONO phones without the mono phone plug shorting out the audio. I had to figure out which traces to cut and bridge on my Rev. D RF board to do the same thing, and believe me, after the K1 is assembled, it is NOT obvious which traces should be cut and bridged to do this. 73, Mike / KK5F ___ 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] New Elecraft Products
Vic Rosenthal wrote: What would this sound like? I've always wanted to try some kind of crossover device that would distribute the signal between the two earphones according to frequency. Then as I tune through a CW signal, it would seem to move. Is this the same idea? -- Several ways to skin this cat Vic, but yes the signal seems to move. Bit like being in a room at a party with people, or you, moving around as you tune. When you stop tuning everybody stops moving, some on one side of you others on the other side. It is possible to sort out those in front and those behind - the almost zero beat guys- but this is best done in other circuitry. Combine this with the brain's ability to zero in on a particular conversation (The 'cocktail party effect') and life will never be the same. 73, Geoff GM4ESD PS Strong receiver design information is almost ready for you. ___ 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] Ideas - new Elecraft Products
Fred (FL) wrote: It is said, McIntosh's TUBE AMPLIFEIRS still draw BIG BUCKS, for the hi-fi/stereo buff. Why? Because some people confuse superstition and science. -- 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
[Elecraft] QRP backpacking trip coming up
A backpacking trip is being planned that will consist of 3 QRPers: Guy N7UN/2, Ed WA3WSJ and myself. We plan to hike a 29 mile section of the Appalachian Trail in northwestern NJ over the weekend of June 2-4 and hope to be on the air on the evenings of the 2nd and 3rd after setting up camp. I'll be carrying my KX1, dipole and LiPoly battery - not sure what the other guys are bringing rig-wise, but we'll all be radioactive. As the date nears, I'll post more details at http://www.ae5x.com/at2.htm . After the trip, photos, etc will be posted to the same web page. Hopefully the wx and the bands will cooperate! 73, John Harper AE5X Portable QRP: http://www.ae5x.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] KX-1 demo
I am looking for someone in the greater Dayton area who owns a KX-1 who would let me come visit and try it out. thanks Mike W8LPR ___ 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] Begali contacts - old thread reprise...
A tenth-drop of Deoxit on the contacts will produce the same effect with no abrasion at all. best wishes, dave belsley, w1euy On May 24, 2006, at 9:37 AM, n3drk wrote: I've had all of the Begali keys, and helped a bunch of others with theirs. When we got them, the gap had to be changed often, close one day, not so close the next. I had a conversation with Bob Crane (W8SX, not Col. Hogan,) who learned me that the contacts should be slightly It is not learned me. It is TAUGHT me. Learn English. john-n3drk ___ 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 - david a. belsley professor of economics ___ 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] New Elecraft Products
Sometime last night K2TA posted what I was thinking: As long as we are dreaming...I wish the KPA800 photo had a K2 or some other way of determining the size/dimentions. If the KPA800/1500 is not much larger than a Ten-Tec Orion then I would love to see a K3 that matched the amp in size. Make it modular and expandable. Have slots on the motherboard for 2nd rcvr, 6M/2M/220/440 transverter modules etc. I don't think doing an internalized set of XVs makes sense, but the basic approach is neat (though as K2VCO pointed out, perhaps a bit on the large side). Hopefully more of a kit than the new KPAs, it might be reasonable to expect doing one or two significant additional features to the basic radio in a post-K2 product. Take general coverage. BPFs as a module gives choice of not having to pay for cost of feature one might not need, or change to something even more robust for more demanding ham-band-only use. Enough room in that cabinet to transplant some of those FT9k preselectors? ;^) A sub-RX isn't entirely a rabid contester feature - I use it more DXing realize if we had it in the past, it would have been handy when NCSing 7RN. Perfect thing to make into a module. All sorts of interesting possibilities. Hopefully starting with a good, solid radio. Keeping kit serviceability in mind, maybe unlikely to have things like IF DSP. More remote controllability please, though remember every knob on an encoder is significantly more expensive. Something more like as N8LP described. Some of the features mentioned here are probably not practical. I see some of it driven by Brand-K/I/Y domestic market, something Elecraft probably now has the momentum to go against. An SO2R-ready-out-of-the-box K3 is the last thing this contester would like to see a modernized TR7 as Larry mentioned or something starting from like an OMNI6-as- a-kit - that would go down well with a far wider market, too. N2TK - I'm thinking all solid-state TS820/830-like performance in a kit, maybe even use an IF so that filters can be recycled from other rigs. Are you with me? Divide-from-VHF PLL is start towards Tony's W4ZV's previous mention of close-in performance - GM4ESD, got any other ideas? Then add some first-string big-box features based on modules there's something for everybody. Nice to dream, isn't it? ;^) 73, VR2BrettGraham ___ 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] Begali contacts - old thread reprise...
I put the stuff on my keys a couple of years ago and haven't had any problems since. I think it will last indefinitely. I learned about the stuff on this reflector, so I suspect there are those with even longer experience who may want to chime in. best wishes, dave belsley, w1euy On May 24, 2006, at 9:54 PM, Kenneth Moorman wrote: Hi David, How long will the Deoxit treatment last? Thanks, Ken, NU4I - Original Message - From: David A. Belsley [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: n3drk [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: elecraft elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2006 9:26 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Begali contacts - old thread reprise... A tenth-drop of Deoxit on the contacts will produce the same effect with no abrasion at all. best wishes, dave belsley, w1euy On - david a. belsley professor of economics ___ 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] Begali contacts - old thread reprise...
Dave- I bought a Graciella at Dayton so am very interested in this thread. Are you talking about Caig Deoxit or something else? Bob W2WG -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of David A. Belsley Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2006 10:21 PM To: Kenneth Moorman Cc: Elecraft Reflector Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Begali contacts - old thread reprise... I put the stuff on my keys a couple of years ago and haven't had any problems since. I think it will last indefinitely. I learned about the stuff on this reflector, so I suspect there are those with even longer experience who may want to chime in. best wishes, dave belsley, w1euy On May 24, 2006, at 9:54 PM, Kenneth Moorman wrote: Hi David, How long will the Deoxit treatment last? Thanks, Ken, NU4I - Original Message - From: David A. Belsley [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: n3drk [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: elecraft elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2006 9:26 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Begali contacts - old thread reprise... A tenth-drop of Deoxit on the contacts will produce the same effect with no abrasion at all. best wishes, dave belsley, w1euy On - david a. belsley professor of economics ___ 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] Begali contacts - old thread reprise...
Yes. It's fantastic for virtually all contacts and pots. dave belsley, w1euy On May 24, 2006, at 10:28 PM, ROBERT CARROLL wrote: Dave- I bought a Graciella at Dayton so am very interested in this thread. Are you talking about Caig Deoxit or something else? Bob W2WG -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of David A. Belsley Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2006 10:21 PM To: Kenneth Moorman Cc: Elecraft Reflector Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Begali contacts - old thread reprise... I put the stuff on my keys a couple of years ago and haven't had any problems since. I think it will last indefinitely. I learned about the stuff on this reflector, so I suspect there are those with even longer experience who may want to chime in. best wishes, dave belsley, w1euy On May 24, 2006, at 9:54 PM, Kenneth Moorman wrote: Hi David, How long will the Deoxit treatment last? Thanks, Ken, NU4I - Original Message - From: David A. Belsley [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: n3drk [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: elecraft elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2006 9:26 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Begali contacts - old thread reprise... A tenth-drop of Deoxit on the contacts will produce the same effect with no abrasion at all. best wishes, dave belsley, w1euy On - david a. belsley professor of economics ___ 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 - david a. belsley professor of economics ___ 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] Begali contacts - old thread reprise...
David A. Belsley wrote: A tenth-drop of Deoxit on the contacts will produce the same effect with no abrasion at all. Not with the Begali 'alloy' contacts it won't! I struggled with them for some time, trying all kinds of things, including deoxit, without solving the problem of funny contact resistance behavior. I wonder if the reshaping/polishing is a permanent fix, too. I finally bit the $$ bullet and ordered replacement gold (plated?) contacts which work great. -- 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
[Elecraft] eham site down?
I think the web site eham.net is down, as in permenantly. This is a loss because it's a useful source of reviews on all kinds of equipment, not only Elecraft but other makers too. As well as articles, discussions, elmers QA, and a bunch of other great resources. However, they've been down for a few days now, with not even a placeholder message telling when they'll be back up. Disappearances like this are seen in cases like: Hurricane Katrina (when the servers are at least 10ft below the water line), direct missile strikes, or sudden and severe cases of bankruptcy where the site owner, webmaster, etc. dont' have time to leave any info because they have to catch that redeye flight out of country. However Eham has come to its demise, it will be missed. It was a really good site. RIP. 73 de Alex NS6Y. ___ 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] Begali contacts - old thread reprise...
I'm one of those who has used DeOxit on some old keys - two bugs from the 1950's that see regular service on my operating desk. I was having to constantly buff the contacts. I used bit of paper, drawing it through the contacts while holding them closed several times. If I didn't use a particular key for several days, it'd be needing a considerable cleaning. Even when in constant use, I'd have to do a cleaning every week or so. Keep in mind that the contact closure is far more critical on a bug than it is on paddles. If the logic sees a contact closure when using a keyer, it'll make a dot or dash of exactly the correct length. With a bug, that dot or dash length is totally dependent upon the rig seeing a good, stable contact closure for exactly the right length of time. If the contact is dirty, the element will be truncated. The sending is often described as scratchy with the carrier jumping on and off perhaps several times in the length of one dash at 20 wpm as the keying circuit interprets the poor contact is alternately an open or closed circuit. It really makes for nasty sending. One day I was launching into yet another cleaning and saw, right next to my key, a little squeeze bottle of Caig DeOxit. So I put a small drop on the contacts. The surface tension held it in place with the contacts open. A few minutes later I tried the key. Perfect contact action. I did have to remove the excess DeOxit from the dot contacts since the liquid interfered with the smooth action of the pendulum that makes dots on a bug. So all that was left was the very thin film of DeOxit that clung to the metal. It was more than six months later that I noticed the contacts needing help. Before I had to clean them ever few days. I now keep a little squeeze bottle of DeOxit at the operating desk G. Ron AC7AC -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of David A. Belsley Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2006 7:48 PM To: ROBERT CARROLL Cc: 'Elecraft Reflector' Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Begali contacts - old thread reprise... Yes. It's fantastic for virtually all contacts and pots. dave belsley, w1euy On May 24, 2006, at 10:28 PM, ROBERT CARROLL wrote: Dave- I bought a Graciella at Dayton so am very interested in this thread. Are you talking about Caig Deoxit or something else? Bob W2WG -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of David A. Belsley Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2006 10:21 PM To: Kenneth Moorman Cc: Elecraft Reflector Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Begali contacts - old thread reprise... I put the stuff on my keys a couple of years ago and haven't had any problems since. I think it will last indefinitely. I learned about the stuff on this reflector, so I suspect there are those with even longer experience who may want to chime in. best wishes, dave belsley, w1euy On May 24, 2006, at 9:54 PM, Kenneth Moorman wrote: Hi David, How long will the Deoxit treatment last? Thanks, Ken, NU4I - Original Message - From: David A. Belsley [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: n3drk [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: elecraft elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2006 9:26 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Begali contacts - old thread reprise... A tenth-drop of Deoxit on the contacts will produce the same effect with no abrasion at all. best wishes, dave belsley, w1euy On - david a. belsley professor of economics ___ 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 - david a. belsley professor of economics ___ 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
[QRP-L] QRP-ARCI Hootowl Sprint Announcement
Hello Everybody! The Spring QSO Party results will be finalized by this weekend, as it looks as though the final snail mail entries that were postmarked by the deadline have all made it in. This of course means that it is now time for the 2006 running of the HOOTOWL SPRINT! This contest returned to it's traditional roots in 2005, and continues as a late evening local time contest. Please note that the contest runs from 8pm to midnight LOCAL TIME! DATE/TIME: 28 May 2006, 8pm to Midnight Local Time. To confirm - 8pm to midnight - *LOCAL TIME* The Hoot Owl is unique as it is a contest where start and end times are based on YOUR local time. OBJECTIVE: To test your ability to make contacts late into the evening local time. MODE: HF CW Only. EXCHANGE: Members send: RST, State/Province/Country, ARCI member number Non-Members send: RST, State/Province/Country, Power Out QSO POINTS: Member = 5 points Non-Member, Different Continent = 4 points Non-Member, Same Continent = 2 points MULTIPLIER: SPC (State/Province/Country) total for all bands. The same station may be worked on multiple bands for QSO points and SPC credit. POWER MULTIPLIER: 5 Watts = x1 1 - 5 Watts = x7 250 mW - 1 Watt = x10 55 mW - 250 mW = x15 55 mW or less = x20 SUGGESTED FREQUENCIES: 160m 1810 kHz 80m 3560 kHz 40m 7030 kHz (please listen at 7040 kHz for rock bound participants) 20m 14060 kHz 15m 21060 kHz 10m 28060 kHz SCORE: Final Score = Points (total for all bands) x SPCs (total for all bands) x Power Multiplier Bonus Points. BONUS POINTS: If you are operating PORTABLE using battery power AND a temporary antenna, add 5000 points to your final score. (You can NOT be at your shack operating from battery power using your home station antenna to qualify for this bonus.) This is to help level the playing field for contesters who work from the field against contest stations with 5 element yagis at 70 ft. CATEGORIES: Entry may be All-Band, Single Band, High Bands (10m-15m-20m) or Low Bands (40m-80m-160m) HOW TO PARTICIPATE: Get on any of the HF bands except the WARC bands and hang out near the QRP frequencies. Work as many stations calling CQ QRP or CQ TEST as possible, or call CQ QRP or CQ TEST yourself! You can work a station for credit once on each band. LOG SUBMISSION: Email Submission: Submit Logs in plain text format along with a summary stating your Callsign, Entry Category, Actual Power and Station Description along with score calculation to [EMAIL PROTECTED] on or before 29 June 2005. Snail mail Submission: Submit Logs along with a summary stating your Callsign, Entry Category, Actual Power and Station Description along with score calculation to: ARCI Hoot Owl Sprint c/o Jeff Hetherington, VA3JFF 139 Elizabeth St. W. Welland, Ontario Canada L3C 4M3 Entries must be postmarked on or before 28 June 2006. RESULTS: Will be published in QRP Quarterly and shown on the QRP-ARCI website. CERTIFICATES: Will be awarded to the top scoring entrant in each category, as well as the top scoring entrants from each State, Province and Country. Certificates may be awarded for 2nd and 3rd place if entries are sufficient in a category. Good Luck! 73/72 Jeff - VA3JFF = L. Jeffrey Hetherington - VA3JFF QRP-ARCI (sm) Contest Manager QRP-ARCI (sm) #9223 / K2 #3375 / KX1 #631 __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com __ QRP-L mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/qrp-l Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: [Elecraft] Ideas - new Elecraft Products
- Original Message - From: Vic K2VCO [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Elecraft Reflector elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2006 5:13 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Ideas - new Elecraft Products Fred (FL) wrote: It is said, McIntosh's TUBE AMPLIFEIRS still draw BIG BUCKS, for the hi-fi/stereo buff. Why? Because some people confuse superstition and science. -- 73, Vic, K2VCO Fresno CA -- When I worked for a power company, our customer representative got a call from a customer wanting to know how his power was generated . He had read an article in a stereo magazine informing the readers that power generated by natural means (hydro,wind or solar) would produce more natural sounding music. Its hard for engineers to give advice in such instances. My impulse was to tell him that our power was not only natural but organic also. Rick Dettinger K7MW ___ 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] Begali contacts - old thread reprise...
Interesting post on the DeOxit.. I just got a bug and was told, They're not as good as modern keyers, they truncate their dits. But maybe some DeOxit and paper burnishing will change this. Thanks for the info, 73 de Alex NS6Y On May 24, 2006, at 9:11 PM, Ron D'Eau Claire wrote: I'm one of those who has used DeOxit on some old keys - two bugs from the 1950's that see regular service on my operating desk. I was having to constantly buff the contacts. I used bit of paper, drawing it through the contacts while holding them closed several times. If I didn't use a particular key for several days, it'd be needing a considerable cleaning. Even when in constant use, I'd have to do a cleaning every week or so. Keep in mind that the contact closure is far more critical on a bug than it is on paddles. If the logic sees a contact closure when using a keyer, it'll make a dot or dash of exactly the correct length. With a bug, that dot or dash length is totally dependent upon the rig seeing a good, stable contact closure for exactly the right length of time. If the contact is dirty, the element will be truncated. The sending is often described as scratchy with the carrier jumping on and off perhaps several times in the length of one dash at 20 wpm as the keying circuit interprets the poor contact is alternately an open or closed circuit. It really makes for nasty sending. One day I was launching into yet another cleaning and saw, right next to my key, a little squeeze bottle of Caig DeOxit. So I put a small drop on the contacts. The surface tension held it in place with the contacts open. A few minutes later I tried the key. Perfect contact action. I did have to remove the excess DeOxit from the dot contacts since the liquid interfered with the smooth action of the pendulum that makes dots on a bug. So all that was left was the very thin film of DeOxit that clung to the metal. It was more than six months later that I noticed the contacts needing help. Before I had to clean them ever few days. I now keep a little squeeze bottle of DeOxit at the operating desk G. Ron AC7AC -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of David A. Belsley Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2006 7:48 PM To: ROBERT CARROLL Cc: 'Elecraft Reflector' Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Begali contacts - old thread reprise... Yes. It's fantastic for virtually all contacts and pots. dave belsley, w1euy On May 24, 2006, at 10:28 PM, ROBERT CARROLL wrote: Dave- I bought a Graciella at Dayton so am very interested in this thread. Are you talking about Caig Deoxit or something else? Bob W2WG -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of David A. Belsley Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2006 10:21 PM To: Kenneth Moorman Cc: Elecraft Reflector Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Begali contacts - old thread reprise... I put the stuff on my keys a couple of years ago and haven't had any problems since. I think it will last indefinitely. I learned about the stuff on this reflector, so I suspect there are those with even longer experience who may want to chime in. best wishes, dave belsley, w1euy On May 24, 2006, at 9:54 PM, Kenneth Moorman wrote: Hi David, How long will the Deoxit treatment last? Thanks, Ken, NU4I - Original Message - From: David A. Belsley [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: n3drk [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: elecraft elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2006 9:26 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Begali contacts - old thread reprise... A tenth-drop of Deoxit on the contacts will produce the same effect with no abrasion at all. best wishes, dave belsley, w1euy On - david a. belsley professor of economics ___ 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 - david a. belsley professor of economics ___ 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] Re: failure notice
Here is the message again. I keep going back and checking, and they've been nuked off of the face of the earth. I have visions of the owner/webmaster either making a panicky buy of plane tickets under assumed names to Switzerland or Brazil, or of them under a bridge right now, deciding who gets the Spam and who gets the pork'n'beans and who keeps first watch. The site was very, very, very good. The reviews were an irreplaceable service. They will be missed. 73 de Alex NS6Y. ___ 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: eham site down?
Alexandra Carter wrote: I think the web site eham.net is down, as in permenantly. This is a loss because it's a useful source of reviews on all kinds of equipment, not only Elecraft but other makers too. As well as articles, discussions, elmers QA, and a bunch of other great resources. They may have shut down because of a denial-of-service attack. This has happened several times. On one occasion they were down for over four days rebuilding and/or moving to a different server. 73, Wayne N6KR --- 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
