[Elecraft] KX1 s/n:1476 OTA
Just a quick note to let you know that my KX1 is singing (and listening) nicely. The receiver nearly deaf problem was discovered to be an open L5 which is part of the 14 MHz LPF. The short story is that without the 5.6 uH inductor, the filter was essentially sending most of the signal from the DDS to ground, and not onto the mixer. Many thanks to Gary, Scott, and especially Don for staying me with uncountable emails and getting to the bottom of this. It was tough at times, but actually fun and definitely rewarding. See you all on the air. Regards, Vin KR2F K1-4 s/n:1977 KX1 s/n:1476 ___ 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] Antenna wire question for long spans
Hi John, The only advice I can offer is from experience. Unless you string it up on a very cold day, be sure to leave a good catenary for contraction later on. Tom, KJ3D -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of n0evh Sent: Thursday, August 17, 2006 11:38 PM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] Antenna wire question for long spans I have an opportunity to put up an end fed long wire at our EOC for use on 40, 80 and 160. The span distance is 270 feet, a real handy length for regional communication on low bands. Height will be about 65 feet. We will tune it remotely with an SGC tuner. My concern is what type of wire will take that long of a span and hold up to wind and ice we have here in the midwest. Would appreciate comments from those who have had long spans of wire up in the air. John N0EVH (Every Volt Helps) ___ 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] Elecraft Toroid Winding
I missed the earlier question. Count me as another leftie (write left-handed, bat right-handed, use paddle right-handed). I had no real problems winding the toroids. One toroid in the middle of the set was wound backward, discovered on inspection after winding but before installation, and rewound correctly. I paid very close attention to the diagrams when winding rather than just winding what seemed natural. Both my brothers are left-handed, and one is an electronics tech. I do suspect there's something to this; high correlations like this are pretty rare when there's no cause! Cathy N5WVR ___ 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] Antenna wire question for long spans
On Thu, 17 Aug 2006 22:38:04 -0500, n0evh [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote : I have an opportunity to put up an end fed long wire at our EOC for use on 40, 80 and 160. The span distance is 270 feet, a real handy length for regional communication on low bands. Height will be about 65 feet. We will tune it remotely with an SGC tuner. My concern is what type of wire will take that long of a span and hold up to wind and ice we have here in the midwest. Would appreciate comments from those who have had long spans of wire up in the air. Some kind of copperweld would be the best bet. The 500+ foot one at W8LT was up for 30+ years and used #10. History: http://arc.org.ohio-state.edu/history.php Picture of the longwire: http://arc.org.ohio-state.edu/images/station/old/3.jpg I worked a VU2 on 75m with that antenna one winter. Pat N8VW ___ 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] Antenna wire question for long spans
On Thursday 17 August 2006 23:38, n0evh wrote: Would appreciate comments from those who have had long spans of wire up in the air. My house is surrounded by trees. I have 500 feet of wire threaded over and through the trees using a catapult (slingshot). The wire at the far end descends to a spool with another 500 feet of wire, ready for when the trees are bare so that I can finish a horizontal loop (if I ever do). So currently, it is an end-fed unfinished loop, the end entering the basement from the top of a 50' tree to an SG-231 tuner. I bought the wire at Home Depot - 12 gauge insulated copper multistranded. It has withstood five years of weather and trees mightily swaying in countless storms. It appears to have stretched or slipped over the years - the join I made in the middle of the 1000 feet of wire is now near the ground at the spool whereas it was up in the trees a couple of years ago. In 27 years as a radio amateur, I have used only my own wire aerials - end-feds, dipoles, inverted Vs, loops, verticals and whatnots. I regarded them all as temporary and experimental, not minding if they broke, fell down or were dismantled - the inevitable fate of them all. Ian, G4ICV, AB2GR, K2 #4962 -- ___ 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] Antenna wire question for long spans
In message [EMAIL PROTECTED], n0evh [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes I have an opportunity to put up an end fed long wire at our EOC for use on 40, 80 and 160. The span distance is 270 feet, a real handy length for regional communication on low bands. Height will be about 65 feet. We will tune it remotely with an SGC tuner. My concern is what type of wire will take that long of a span and hold up to wind and ice we have here in the midwest. Would appreciate comments from those who have had long spans of wire up in the air. John N0EVH (Every Volt Helps) I used to run exactly that configuration throughout the 70's. Not much in the way of ice to worry about but plenty of wind. I used Hard drawn stranded copper which was available from Radio Shack in 50 or 100ft lengths, I can't recall which. A single run with a bit of slack to compensate for tree movement. It ran NW/SE favouring the USA off one end and put out a cracking signal on 20m, I wish I still had it! The only problem I ever had was due to an irate neighbour. One morning I found my antenna in neat 1 foot lengths stacked at the bottom of my garden :-) Trev G3ZYY -- Trevor Day UKSMG #217 www.uksmg.org ___ 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] ANNOUNCEMENT: QRP-ARCI Silent Key Memorial Sprint
Hello Everybody. It is time once again to remember and recognize those that have come before us, and have now gone on to a better place. The QRP-ARCI Silent Key Memorial Contest is this weekend! Purpose: Our contest celebrates and honors the QRP luminaries who no longer answer CQ's. Those generous people who graciously donated to the QRP community their time, effort and knowledge to advance the premise that more fun could be had using less than 5 watts. Some were irascible and some were even considered curmudgeons but when you took a keen look at their accomplishments and listened to those who knew them well you discovered truly wonderful people who would give you their last diode. The people we are celebrating are well known among the QRP Community. Some passed recently and some have enjoyed their reward many years. They are not forgotten for their accomplishments live on either on the bands, the internet, through published works or organizations that benefited from their largess. This contest celebrates ALL SK's who now call CQ from above, where all sigs are 599 and all contacts QSL 100%. Celebrate the many SKs that we have known and loved in years past. Date/Time: 19 August 2006, 1500Z to 1800Z. Mode: 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 = 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. Email Log 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 20 September 2005. Snail mail Log Submission: Submit Logs along with a summary stating your Callsign, Entry Category, Actual Power and Station Description along with score calculation to: Silent Key Memorial Sprint c/o Jeff Hetherington, VA3JFF 139 Elizabeth St. W. Welland, Ontario Canada L3C 4M3 Entries must be postmarked on or before 19 September 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. Certificates may be awarded for 2nd and 3rd place if entries are sufficient in a category. 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 ___ 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] Thanks ref - Antenna wire question for long spans
Wow, I have read this reflector now for about four years. I always enjoy the responses given to the many who post needs/questions. But, when you post one of your own and get this fabulous reply on the reflector and many others to your email account...geeze what a great group of hams! Thanks for the bandwidth and slightly off topic question. I feel confident we can hoist a durable antenna at our EOC here in Independence, Missouri. BTW our website of activities is here - http://www.birch.net/~jwatkins/IndependenceRACES.html 73's to all, John N0EVH K2#2006 and KX1#802 ___ 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] Heil ProSet-K2 Headset
My suggestion is to not buy the K2 ProSet but to go for the deluxe one. I don't know what mods you'll have to make to your radio (the drive might be too low) but you won't have to make any mods to YOUR HEAD. I'm sure this depends on the person, but the K2 ProSet hurts my ears because the cups don't go all the way around the ears. Some people prefer the cups this way. I'd suggest finding friends with various ProSets and trying them out first. On Fri, 18 Aug 2006, Carter W. Craigie wrote: Before I go and lay out $147.00 for a Heil ProSet-K2 headset to go with my ancient K2 (S/N 678, Revision B, with software version 2.03d), can you helpful folks tell me about any pitfalls to installing this unit? -- Hisashi T Fujinaka - [EMAIL PROTECTED] BSEE(6/86) + BSChem(3/95) + BAEnglish(8/95) + MSCS(8/03) + $2.50 = latte ___ 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] Thanks ref - Antenna wire question for long spans
John others I am going to go in another direction on wire size for long spans. I have been using the silky #18 and #26 from the wireman for all my antennas. The trick for keeping them up is to use a Dacron rope for a messenger line that supports the very light wire. With the rope strung between the supports with a lot of slack, I attach small rings of gray PVC pipe. A small loop of the rope is pushed through the ring and then the ring is passed through the loop. The antenna wire is hung in the rings with any feed line supported by the rope. The wire carries no weight. When the trees sway in the wind the rope can break. I just let it, but force it to break where I want. I make a loop with about 3 ft of the rope and tie it with a short length of cotton line. The cotton being weaker than the Dacron will break first allowing the loop to add about 3 ft of slack to the antenna. 73 John WA8KNE n0evh wrote: Wow, I have read this reflector now for about four years. I always enjoy the responses given to the many who post needs/questions. But, when you post one of your own and get this fabulous reply on the reflector and many others to your email account...geeze what a great group of hams! Thanks for the bandwidth and slightly off topic question. I feel confident we can hoist a durable antenna at our EOC here in Independence, Missouri. BTW our website of activities is here - http://www.birch.net/~jwatkins/IndependenceRACES.html 73's to all, John N0EVH K2#2006 and KX1#802 ___ 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] Antenna wire question for long spans
John How about this: Copper-coated steel wire. In the USA this wire goes by the name of copperweld or copperclad steel. Diameter is 1 mm and black coating is UV-resistant. Takes loads up to 40kg. Most important of all it's almost stealth and Your neighbours will love it. ;)) 73's Pentti oh7ps -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of n0evh Sent: 18. elokuuta 2006 6:38 To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] Antenna wire question for long spans I have an opportunity to put up an end fed long wire at our EOC for use on 40, 80 and 160. The span distance is 270 feet, a real handy length for regional communication on low bands. Height will be about 65 feet. We will tune it remotely with an SGC tuner. My concern is what type of wire will take that long of a span and hold up to wind and ice we have here in the midwest. Would appreciate comments from those who have had long spans of wire up in the air. John N0EVH (Every Volt Helps) ___ 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] Thanks ref - Antenna wire question for long spans
I like the way you think, John. THAT is engineering. Vin KR2F K1-4 s/n:1977 KX1 s/n:1476 - Original Message - From: John Young [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: elecraft list elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Friday, August 18, 2006 1:18 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Thanks ref - Antenna wire question for long spans John others I am going to go in another direction on wire size for long spans. I have been using the silky #18 and #26 from the wireman for all my antennas. The trick for keeping them up is to use a Dacron rope for a messenger line that supports the very light wire. With the rope strung between the supports with a lot of slack, I attach small rings of gray PVC pipe. A small loop of the rope is pushed through the ring and then the ring is passed through the loop. The antenna wire is hung in the rings with any feed line supported by the rope. The wire carries no weight. When the trees sway in the wind the rope can break. I just let it, but force it to break where I want. I make a loop with about 3 ft of the rope and tie it with a short length of cotton line. The cotton being weaker than the Dacron will break first allowing the loop to add about 3 ft of slack to the antenna. 73 John WA8KNE ___ 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: [Members] ANNOUNCEMENT: QRP-ARCI Silent Key Memorial Sprint
Hi Jeff, Will be taking part and operating the K2 at the 5 watt level so hope to make some qso's around 14.060 Regards, Brian GM4XQJ QRP-ARCI#7644 GQRP-C#2743 ___ 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] Thanks ref - Antenna wire question for long spans
If one is building an antenna for an EOC you do NOT want to use too small a wire, and its attendant weak breaking strength. Use no. 14 or larger wire, stranded. Use heavier duty insulators, good ceramics or glass if you can get them in place of plastics which deteriorate in the sun in a short time. Use good quality tie off lines. Nylon stretches, but can be used if you tighten up the stretch or use a spring. There are compression springs made for electric fence gates. These are better than extension springs for antenna work. You can buy Phillystrand or other better quality synthetic lines to hold up the insulators on doublets, that stretch less. Remember, you do not want your antenna to come down in the storm, or The Big One. Check them on your regular station check outs at the EOC. They may mean taking off early from work so you can check the antenna visually in daylight. A pair of binoculars is useful to avoid climbing the tower. Expect to service your antenna twice a year for some storm induced problem. That has been our experience with a 65 foot tower at Red Cross here. 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] Antenna wire question for long spans
For an EOC operation, you want an omni direction of coverage. Put a usual antenna height, and end fed 270 foot wire on 40 m or even 80, is going to be getting to be directional toward the far end of the wire. MUCH better for EOC use is to put up such a wire as a center fed doublet. Then it could be tuned on any band 60m 75m 40m, 20m and up. If your primary coverage is your own state and adjoining states, put it up at an NVIS height, which is 0.15 wavelength or less at the lowest band you might use. Stuart K5KVH (Veteran of a very long 400 foot wire, which did not work out as I had hoped ie, little DX as it was TOO directional!) ___ 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] Antenna wire
If you choose to use Copperweld, be very careful to not nick the copper cladding, or the steel will eventually rust and the thing will come crashing down. Copperweld wire also needs gentle bends and hopefully lead-lined holes in any insulators. I would suggest you contact your power company, especially since it's a 'public interest' (EOC) project. They'd probably welcome some PR publicity. I'm a power company retiree and I can tell you that they always have scraps in a bin that are really not long enough to use and an appropiate piece might be had for a contribution the the line crew's coffee fund. Their normal #12 to #8 hard-drawn wire is certainly up to your needs. They also have some pretty nifty short fibreglas guy insulators just made for your antenna. Think stout! I use these in the guys for my four towers. If you were here in Montana I'd fix you up with everything you need for the project ... I have thousands of feet of the stuff. I have 120 radials under my 80/160 vertical made from the stuff. I built and installed such an antenna at our EOC about 15 years ago and it's still there ... although the EOC isn't. (Police union wouldn't allow us to function.) %^$%^'s !! I can e-mail you hardware photos if you'd like. 73! Ken Kopp - K0PP [EMAIL PROTECTED] or [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___ 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] Antenna wire - more
I'll bet it wouldn't take much arm-bending to get the power company to use a bucket truck to put the thing up ... especially if a reporter was alerted of a local interest story. 73! Ken Kopp - K0PP [EMAIL PROTECTED] or [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___ 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] Winding Toroids
After some experimentation - I decided to bite the bullet and BUY a K2 toroid-set from TOROID GUY. I felt it was the best decision I made in my K2 # 5422 build. I could never convince myself I ever got the tinning operation done well enough, and was also worried about nicking the fine toroid wire - causing future wire breaks. Another real risk would be not tinning far enough up the wire - and when the toroid is soldered into PCB - a dead connection is possible. I try to tension stretch the toroid wires from below the PCB, but again worried about stretching toroid wire past the tinned area. And loose toroids didn't make a lot of sense. The TOROID GUY seems to make almost perfectly wound and tinned toroids. I don't know who he is or how he does it - but he must have a ton of patience. I have no connection with his operation at all. Thanks, Fred N3CSY . right handed, but a bit ambi __ 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
[Elecraft] Winding Toroids
I cannot speak about the Toroid Guy...he has always had a good reputation, but I also dreaded the thought of winding toriods. Well, I tried a couple and soon found that I loved to do the work. In fact, I have had a case of toroid winding depression, but I got treated and am now better. Give it a trythey are addicting. Lee - K0WA Better living through Toroids Anonymous In our day and age it seems that Common Sense is in short supply. If you don't have any Common Sense - get some Common Sense and use it. If you can't find any Common Sense, ask for help from somebody who has some Common Sense. ___ 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] Will the real Elmer please stand up.
Over the past year of lurking and taking in all the info I could from this newsgroup, one person has continued to stand out when it comes to helpful advice and troubleshooting skills. After the first sign of problems with my K2 this evening accompanied by the panic and fear of never stroking the antenna with RF again, I realized that I would need to contact Don Wilhelm, W3FPR. I have emailed Don many times in the past few months, always receiving helpful advice but with my panic level at a state that touched my wife as well, I took a leap of faith and called Don. Not only was he gracious enough to not object to my intrusion on his personal time, he also spent close to a half hour chatting with me and leading me to the obvious problem that I should have discovered for myself. ( did I mention the panic ) It is not surprising that an Engineer of his level of expertise would have little trouble with this radio, but what is surprising is his commitment to all of us who own Elecraft's Thanks Don, I doubt you will ever receive your just rewards for your thankless service to all of us on this reflector, but I would like to tell you how much your contribution means and I am sure that I am not alone in my debt to you. Jim Dooley - WX9J K2 # 4892 Linux - Windows Free since 93 ___ 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] KXB3080 power questions
After some pushing the LPF turns back and forth I was able to get all bands between 3 and 4W with a gel cell supply. Which I guess means it's time to get out and throw some wire in a tree. Thanks for all the help. David, k3tue . --- Don Wilhelm [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: David, Spreading the turns of the low pass filter toroids may give you a better spread of power across all the bands. With a 13.8 volt supply, I typically expcet close to 4 watts on 80, 40 and 30, and about 3.5 to 3.8 watts on 20 meters using a 14 volt power suppy. Yes, the major contributor to power output deviations from these values is the L1 and L2 toroid inductors. The transformer T1 is a secondary candidate for power output vsriation. Proper caslibration of the KXAT1 wattmeter is essential to determining the actual power output, but the difference between bands is likely a function of the Low pass filter inductance. 73, Don W3FPR -Original Message- I just finished installing my KXB3080, which seems to work fine. Using my DL-1 dummy load I noted the following power ratings? When I first tested it I got the following power readings with R4 fully clockwise: full power: 20m: 2.8w 40m: 3.5w 30m: 3.7w 80m: 6.3w ___ 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] Will the real Elmer please stand up.
I'll second that. Don has certainly helped me with my building problems and with understanding how to alignment my K2. His help was greatly appreciated. THANKS Don. Gary, WD8ICX - Original Message - From: jim [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Friday, August 18, 2006 11:02 PM Subject: [Elecraft] Will the real Elmer please stand up. Over the past year of lurking and taking in all the info I could from this newsgroup, one person has continued to stand out when it comes to helpful advice and troubleshooting skills. After the first sign of problems with my K2 this evening accompanied by the panic and fear of never stroking the antenna with RF again, I realized that I would need to contact Don Wilhelm, W3FPR. I have emailed Don many times in the past few months, always receiving helpful advice but with my panic level at a state that touched my wife as well, I took a leap of faith and called Don. Not only was he gracious enough to not object to my intrusion on his personal time, he also spent close to a half hour chatting with me and leading me to the obvious problem that I should have discovered for myself. ( did I mention the panic ) It is not surprising that an Engineer of his level of expertise would have little trouble with this radio, but what is surprising is his commitment to all of us who own Elecraft's Thanks Don, I doubt you will ever receive your just rewards for your thankless service to all of us on this reflector, but I would like to tell you how much your contribution means and I am sure that I am not alone in my debt to you. Jim Dooley - WX9J K2 # 4892 Linux - Windows Free since 93 ___ 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] Will the real Elmer please stand up.
Well said Jim. We are very lucky to have his expertise available to the Elecrafter community. He graciously provides his time and knowledge to all who ask. We owe him a great deal, and I'm glad you brought it up. Paul N8NOV Over the past year of lurking and taking in all the info I could from this newsgroup, one person has continued to stand out when it comes to helpful advice and troubleshooting skills. After the first sign of problems with my K2 this evening accompanied by the panic and fear of never stroking the antenna with RF again, I realized that I would need to contact Don Wilhelm, W3FPR. ___ 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] CW Crystal Filter Signal Loss
My K2 S/N 3202 exhibits what seems to be undue loss of sensitivity as the CW crystal filter is narrowed. After calibrating and recalibrating with Spectrogram, and signal tracing through the receiver IF section, I purchased a new set of seven CW crystals. I installed the crystals today and recalibrated with Spectrogram. I get maybe 1 dBm of sensitivity improvement, probably due to my increased calibration proficiency. I am using an Elecraft XG1, 1 microvolt, 7040 kHz, signal generator to measure sensitivity as minimum detectable signal, MDS. I measure a sensitivity of -137 dBm with the 2.4 kHz SSB filter, -132 dBm with a 1.2 kHz CW filter, -129.5 dBm with a 800 Hz CW filter, and -126.5 dBm with a 400 Hz CW filter. That's over 10 dB loss of sensitivity as I narrow the filters which can easily lose a weak signal as I try to isolate it from nearby QRM. I can't believe that such loss of performance is normal. Has anyone else measured sensitivity with an XG1 1 microvolt signal source? The filter varactor bias is working evenly across all seven crystals. If a varactor was shorted or installed backwards an abnormal bias level would show up. Spectrogram shows the filter widths to be proper and also centered properly on the sidetone offset. At each filter setting the XG1 signal is also loudest at the sidetone frequency, 590 Hz. So, the calibration seems as good as it can get. My next steps might be to remove the SSB option, and the Noise Blanker. Any other suggestions? Has anyone had a similar experience? Thanks in advance for your help es 73, Dick, AD7AF Dick and Marty Lemke PO Box 1038 Ocean Park, WA 98640 Tel. 360-665-2438 www.lemkestudios.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 Crystal Filter Alignment Questions
Hi gang, I think my K2's crystal filter/BFO alignment (CAL FIL) is messed up, and I need a bit of guidance... Should the pitch of the background atmospheric noise change when CW RV is toggled on and off? Mine changes greatly, but it seems that it shouldn't, if all CW RV does is switch sidebands. Also, I have the KSB2 installed, and the pitch of the atmospheric noise changes greatly when I switch from USB to LSB or vice versa. It seems that this pitch change shouldn't happen, if the crystal filters are aligned properly. Finally, and most irritatingly of all, in CW mode, when I switch from filter FL1 to FL2, the pitch of the received CW signal changes significantly. However, when I switch from FL2 to FL3, or from FL3 to FL4, no such pitch change occurs, which is good. I assume that I inadvertently changed the FL1 BFO setting. However, I subsequently tried various settings and couldn't get the pitch of the received CW note for FL1 to match that of FL2. What am I doing wrong? Shouldn't I be able to correct this problem by trial-and-error, without using Spectrogram? Unfortunately, I'm not set up to use Spectrogram to align the filters. The problem is that I know very little about PC hardware, so I have no idea how to feed the K2 receiver's audio into my computer, or whether my computer and sound card are even capable of such a thing. I'd very much appreciate any advice. My filters have never been aligned carefully for SSB, but I haven't been too worried about it, since I work nearly 100% CW. However, the basic CW filters, FL1-FL4, were aligned by Gary at Elecraft before I installed the KSB2, so they were right at one time. Is the alignment of FL1-FL4 in CW mode affected by the addition of the KSB2? My K2 is an older one -- s/n 821 with no rev. B mods, nor any other mods. The options installed are the KSB2, KAT2, KAF2, KNB2, and KBT2. Thanks in advance, 73 72, Jeff WB5GWB Long Island, NY p.s. Here's a trivia question to which I'm curious to know the answer: Why is it that the KAT2's relays chatter pleasantly when you turn the K2 on, but make not a peep when you turn it off? ___ 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
