[Elecraft] Elecraft CW Net Announcement
Good Evening, Once again I draft this epistle as the day is swiftly waning. This first day of Autumn was busy. I got quite a number of things checked off my list. A few more of Ms. P's antiques are getting ready for their spot in the house. My nephew and I dragged boxes from the house to the container after building another set of shelves. We also brought a few things back in to be cleaned and set up. I took him to the top of the mountain with a set of binoculars and a spotting scope. We saw a few of the mountains in the Cascades: Mt. Adams, Mt. Hood, South Sister (I think, it was the one south of Hood), but no St. Helens or Ranier since it was just too hazy. We filled his truck with fire wood for his trip home to Vancouver. No new antennas but I hope to get them up before the rains grow continuous again. Last week was quite chilly and wet. Today it was pleasant but Sam is enjoying his box next to the fire I built at dark. It is not warm enough to go without one. Tomorrow the weatherman says 75 or more but he does not live on a mountain! I try to extrapolate my weather from what I read and by looking out the window. I've found my weather rock is much more reliable than he is :) I did listen on forty this evening hearing many RTTY stations from end to end of the band. There were a few CW ops working but their contacts were short. The band sounded good though. Maybe tomorrow evening we will have luck reaching across the continent. Please join us: Sunday 2300z (Sunday 4pm PDT) 14050 kHz Monday 0200z (Sunday 7pm PDT) 7045 kHz Until tomorrow, Kevin. KD5ONS ___ 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: CW Recognition
Hi all: Well, before this thread is terminated by the moderatorI really know what the military folks are talking about, even though I never partook. One year, I decided that it would be cool to copy using a typewriter, so I started over learning the code in sync with typing. And it I really did have to relearn what to do as I copied each sound. What ended up happening is just what has been described. The sound (not words, not dits, not dahs) would enter my ear, be processed by brain without any comprehension at all, and my fingers would magically hit the correct keys (on the typewriter). When I was done with solid copy, I would have read what I had typed because I had no idea. It was like I was passive...I was just the shell for my brain-to-finger connection. I called it ZOMBIE COPY. Very Weird. After a year, I decided to stop that nonsense and go back to copying...in my head, which meant relearning again. Now I hear words again (well, for the last couple decades)...that's a lot better for hamming. de Doug KR2Q ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Re: CW Recognition
Doug, I'm glad someone else confirms the weird mental state (I like your description as Zombie Copy) and yes I am trying to keep this related to Elecraft so now back to the KXB3080 module build. Bob WA4MQW --- DOUGLAS ZWIEBEL [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi all: Well, before this thread is terminated by the moderatorI really know what the military folks are talking about, even though I never partook. One year, I decided that it would be cool to copy using a typewriter, so I started over learning the code in sync with typing. And it I really did have to relearn what to do as I copied each sound. What ended up happening is just what has been described. The sound (not words, not dits, not dahs) would enter my ear, be processed by brain without any comprehension at all, and my fingers would magically hit the correct keys (on the typewriter). When I was done with solid copy, I would have read what I had typed because I had no idea. It was like I was passive...I was just the shell for my brain-to-finger connection. I called it ZOMBIE COPY. Very Weird. After a year, I decided to stop that nonsense and go back to copying...in my head, which meant relearning again. Now I hear words again (well, for the last couple decades)...that's a lot better for hamming. de Doug KR2Q __ 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] Palm Mini Paddle
Palm Mini Paddle, Gray housing, Black Fingerpieces, with Quick Mount and Cord Matches K2 Mint Condition-$65.00 ___ 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] How Morse is learned
Background: I am a teacher. I learned Morse at 12 years of age, now 61. I use Cw exclusively. Not everyone can learn Morse for a variety of reasons. Some people, especially a high percentage of those with dyslexia, can not discern as separate sounds which do not persist for relatively long periods of time, typically 200 ms. That is the speed of a dit (or a space) at about ten wpm which is why some people get stuck forever below ten wpm. Morse, like all languages, is easier to learn while language areas of the brain are developing, but it can be learned later not so much with hard work, as consistent practice several times a day, day after day. Here are the neurological steps involved in the process of traditional learning. Some of the newer approaches of listening to high speed early try to skip some of these steps with varying degrees of success for some people, and failure for others. Traditional approach: Step # 1 is to memorize the cipher. Dit-Dah is an A. You generally learn the letters in groups of five letters at a time. Making words of the few letters learned, rather than code groups, may encourage moving into language interpretation later on rather than neurological auto-response. Code is then deciphered from a look-up table residing in short-term memory. With practice, short-term memory can interpret the cipher up to about ten wpm. Step # 2: Regular use across days and weeks and sometimes months eventually leads to the mind committing the look-up table to long-term memory. Once the look-up table is moved into long-term memory, something that occurs in your sleep by the way, access and retrieval is faster. Response time is reduced such that with further practice, speed will rapidly rise from the previous plateau of about 10 wpm, to a new plateau of about 18 wpm. Hence the old General test was 13 wpm. You may not have full privileges until you have located Morse in long-term memory. Step # 3: What happens next may vary with how one is trained. Many old timers moved the look-up table into a reflexive response literally governed by the spinal-column. This op could copy code groups the same as words. this op typically typed the copy, and did not know what was typed unless they went back and read it. Constant practice with code groups (or just contest call-signs) will lead to this result. I know several contest ops who can copy calls, but can not carry on a conversation in Morse. Most ham ops would prefer to move the code from a memorized look-up table into the language area of the brain. It is almost an instantaneous response. At first it is letter by letter. Eventually it is by syllables, then sometimes even words. the first word I learned to interpret instantly with the language center was and or dit dididit which I thought was ES as a kid, but now know is American Morse for the sign. How to get it there? Invariably, when you are copying with the look-up table, you print, even if you never print normally. Once you have been at 18 wpm for a while, and feel stuck there, it is time to move on as it were. You can do so by forcing yourself, and it is difficult, forcing yourself to change to script. Script runs the letters together into syllables and words and that is what accesses the language area of the mind. Step # 4: Early on in the language center, you are hearing the op spell to you. You will generally comprehend this up to around 28 wpm. this plateau is less hard than previous ones. to go on past, put the pencil down, and just listen. In no time at all you will copy 30, 35, 40, 45 wpm. You don't copy behind. you simply hear the person speaking. You either hear it or you don't (QSB, QRM, loss of concentration). As the speed rises, you will struggle more and more, concentrating to actually hear what happened. It isn't the speed of it, but the hearing of it that is limiting now. You lean beack in the chair, eyes closed, and words materialize in your head, you simply know what was said. Step # 5: If somewhere between 45 wpm and 60 wpm the dits and dahs seem to blur into one another, you are normal. For me the limit seems to be 56 wpm. I know precisely because when I copy calls from the contest simulators, it always settles on that speed. What's it all about, Alfie? It's about your built in echo-suppressor, also known as the Haas Effect. The normal person does not discern as separate sounds which do not persist for at least 20 ms (the speed of a dit or space at 60 wpm). It is theorized this came about to make speech understandable in an echoing environment (caves?). Surround sound capitalizes on this effect by the way. The same sound as is in the front speakers are fed to the rear speakers 7 ms later. You can not discern it, but the ear hears it, the mind interprets it as an echo, and this provides the full sensation of live. People who copy 70, 80, and 90 wpm, and there are a
Re: [Elecraft] How Morse is learned
Is there a How To Learn Morse reflector? -W4SK - Original Message - From: KT5X [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Sunday, September 24, 2006 9:59 AM Subject: [Elecraft] How Morse is learned Background: I am a teacher. I learned Morse at 12 years of age, now 61. I use Cw exclusively. Not everyone can learn Morse for a variety of reasons. Some people, especially a high percentage of those with dyslexia, can not discern as separate sounds which do not persist for relatively long periods of time, typically 200 ms. That is the speed of a dit (or a space) at about ten wpm which is why some people get stuck forever below ten wpm. Morse, like all languages, is easier to learn while language areas of the brain are developing, but it can be learned later not so much with hard work, as consistent practice several times a day, day after day. Here are the neurological steps involved in the process of traditional learning. Some of the newer approaches of listening to high speed early try to skip some of these steps with varying degrees of success for some people, and failure for others. Traditional approach: Step # 1 is to memorize the cipher. Dit-Dah is an A. You generally learn the letters in groups of five letters at a time. Making words of the few letters learned, rather than code groups, may encourage moving into language interpretation later on rather than neurological auto-response. Code is then deciphered from a look-up table residing in short-term memory. With practice, short-term memory can interpret the cipher up to about ten wpm. Step # 2: Regular use across days and weeks and sometimes months eventually leads to the mind committing the look-up table to long-term memory. Once the look-up table is moved into long-term memory, something that occurs in your sleep by the way, access and retrieval is faster. Response time is reduced such that with further practice, speed will rapidly rise from the previous plateau of about 10 wpm, to a new plateau of about 18 wpm. Hence the old General test was 13 wpm. You may not have full privileges until you have located Morse in long-term memory. Step # 3: What happens next may vary with how one is trained. Many old timers moved the look-up table into a reflexive response literally governed by the spinal-column. This op could copy code groups the same as words. this op typically typed the copy, and did not know what was typed unless they went back and read it. Constant practice with code groups (or just contest call-signs) will lead to this result. I know several contest ops who can copy calls, but can not carry on a conversation in Morse. Most ham ops would prefer to move the code from a memorized look-up table into the language area of the brain. It is almost an instantaneous response. At first it is letter by letter. Eventually it is by syllables, then sometimes even words. the first word I learned to interpret instantly with the language center was and or dit dididit which I thought was ES as a kid, but now know is American Morse for the sign. How to get it there? Invariably, when you are copying with the look-up table, you print, even if you never print normally. Once you have been at 18 wpm for a while, and feel stuck there, it is time to move on as it were. You can do so by forcing yourself, and it is difficult, forcing yourself to change to script. Script runs the letters together into syllables and words and that is what accesses the language area of the mind. Step # 4: Early on in the language center, you are hearing the op spell to you. You will generally comprehend this up to around 28 wpm. this plateau is less hard than previous ones. to go on past, put the pencil down, and just listen. In no time at all you will copy 30, 35, 40, 45 wpm. You don't copy behind. you simply hear the person speaking. You either hear it or you don't (QSB, QRM, loss of concentration). As the speed rises, you will struggle more and more, concentrating to actually hear what happened. It isn't the speed of it, but the hearing of it that is limiting now. You lean beack in the chair, eyes closed, and words materialize in your head, you simply know what was said. Step # 5: If somewhere between 45 wpm and 60 wpm the dits and dahs seem to blur into one another, you are normal. For me the limit seems to be 56 wpm. I know precisely because when I copy calls from the contest simulators, it always settles on that speed. What's it all about, Alfie? It's about your built in echo-suppressor, also known as the Haas Effect. The normal person does not discern as separate sounds which do not persist for at least 20 ms (the speed of a dit or space at 60 wpm). It is theorized this came about to make speech understandable in an echoing environment (caves?). Surround sound capitalizes on this effect by the way. The same sound as is in the front
[Elecraft] RE: How Morse is learned
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SolidCpyCW/ Very good reflector. Most push G4FON software and The Art and Skill of Radio Telegraphy, both avalable on the reflector web site. Steve, W2MY -Original Message- On Behalf Of John Gwin Is there a How To Learn Morse reflector? -W4SK -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.12.8/455 - Release Date: 9/22/2006 ___ 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] K1 and Z match tuner questions
Hello everyone, I have a ZM-2 and a BLT tuner which I connect to an end fed wire of 33 feet length. Most of the antenna is outside, but it is only 10 feet above ground. I am using an inside counterpoise of 23 feet, mainly for 30M and works well on 40M too. The K-1 is for 20/15M. I notice that if I adjust either of the tuners for minimum LED brightness on 20M (the light does not go completely out) that the LCD on the K-1 shows one hatch mark when the key is closed. If I hold the key down and adjust the tuner without regard to the LED I can easily get the LCD to show 4 hatch marks. Could it be that the Z matches are so sensitive that LED out means 1:1 swr ratio and on means perhaps 1:1.3, etc. and bright means anything? Can I safely and to good effect tune the radio by hatch mark and ignore the LED? Why do you suppose the K-1 and Z matches don't agree? TNX for advice. Bob N5JYW Wisconsin ___ 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] K1 and Z match tuner questions
The K1 (and QRP version of the K2) indicates output by measuring the RF voltage at the antenna jack (unless you have the Elecraft tuners built in, which I assume you don't since you are using an outboard tuner). The RF voltage varies according to the RF power output AND it varies according to the impedance of the load connected to the rig. When you adjust your outboard tuner, you're varying the load impedance and so the RF voltage jumps around. This is *not* an indication of more output, merely a change in load impedance. Indeed, the rig is designed to deliver RF into a 50 ohm non-reactive load so it's most efficient when doing that, even though the output indicator might show a higher (RF voltage) reading when you change the load. Ron AC7AC -Original Message- Hello everyone, I have a ZM-2 and a BLT tuner which I connect to an end fed wire of 33 feet length. Most of the antenna is outside, but it is only 10 feet above ground. I am using an inside counterpoise of 23 feet, mainly for 30M and works well on 40M too. The K-1 is for 20/15M. I notice that if I adjust either of the tuners for minimum LED brightness on 20M (the light does not go completely out) that the LCD on the K-1 shows one hatch mark when the key is closed. If I hold the key down and adjust the tuner without regard to the LED I can easily get the LCD to show 4 hatch marks. Could it be that the Z matches are so sensitive that LED out means 1:1 swr ratio and on means perhaps 1:1.3, etc. and bright means anything? Can I safely and to good effect tune the radio by hatch mark and ignore the LED? Why do you suppose the K-1 and Z matches don't agree? TNX for advice. Bob N5JYW Wisconsin ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] Re: CW recognition
On Fri, 22 Sep 2006 08:05:32 -0500, Tom Hammond [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: If you have a PC that'll play DOS programs (even if you just wanted to boot to DOS from a floppy or CD), I'd be happy to try modifying my program for you to play with. Interested? Tom, I don't know what to say, you and the rest of the guys on the Elecraft reflector are so helpful and encouraging, I'm proud just to be a member of such a group. I had two goals in mind when I first responded to this thread; one was simple curiosity concerning the physiology of listening to CW and the second was another approach to learning. I've had the G4PHON software fro over a year, but have used it only sporadically. I opted for the Adams' CD because I could take it with me. When I'm seriously studying code, I always write down the characters as I hear them (my penmanship has never been better!) and I try to do two 15 minute sessions per day with each session broken into three 5 minute segments. Occasionally, though, I'll just slip on the headphones and listen to Adams' CD while relaxing in my easy chair or enjoying the evening air on my balcony. I do think it's time for me to give G4FON a fair shot; make it my primary learning tool for serious CW study. I'll have to maintain a certain proximity to the computer, but that's easy enough to do. I would like to thank you, Tom, and all the rest of you for your comments, thoughts and advice. It really means a lot to me. Besides, how could I ever let such wonderful people down? ___ 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: CW Recognition
By the way...one last point that I don't think has been mentioned (probabaly because it is obvious?). You can copy CW much better using headphones than via a speaker. The faster, the more important. de Doug KR2Q ___ 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] CW recognition
Doug: I was just the opposite of you in basic training in San Diego. (July of 1958) I was able to copy solid 35WPM with a pencil, thanks to a vocational course in high school that taught basic and advanced electronics and an instructor that allowed us to work on our ability to copy code for 30 minutes a day. I took the exam for my Novice license in Nov 1956 during my first year of vocational school and then upgraded to General in March 1957. We also had to pass the 3rd Radio Telephone the first year and the 2nd Radio Telephone in our last year. The FCC tests were are final exams. (No pressure at all...LOL) I wanted to make sure that I went to ET school instead of RM school so I intentionally missed every question on the CW recognition exam. I didn't go to ET school but lucked out and was assigned to AT school at Millington, TN. I might note that because the instruction was so good in my high school vocational courses that I never had to study in AT school until we got into radar principals in the final few weeks. I aced AT A School. I don't know where you went to basic but I was back in San Diego last year and all that is left of the boot camp there is the adminstrative buildings and the training destroyer escort USS Neversail. All the barracks and classrooms have been torn down and the grinders are now covered with brand new low income housing. One other note, when I was discharged I went to work for Federal Electric Corp in Paramus, NJ as a Field Engineer and my entry electronics exam for employment was waived because of my Navy electronics training. 73 Jim Younce K4ZM exK4LXU ___ 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 mini-module kits
Anyone bring back any information and/or photos of the new wattmeter with computer interface from the convention? 73 -- Don N4HH - Original Message - From: wayne burdick [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Elecraft Reflector elecraft@mailman.qth.net; QRP-L [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, September 20, 2006 9:21 PM Subject: [Elecraft] Elecraft at ARRL S.W. Convention; new mini-module kits SNIPSNIP We'll have some new mini-module kits with us, including a wattmeter with computer interface; an analog audio filter with bandpass and lowpass functions; and a six-section, 40-dB step attenuator. 73, Wayne, N6KR ___ 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 QRP Version Max. Safe RF Output Power?
Hi gang, Now that we're at the bottom of the solar cycle, I'd like to be able to run more than five watts on occasion, but not at the expense of putting my final PA at risk. What is the highest level of RF output power that a K2, QRP version, can run on CW without putting the finals at risk? My K2's power, as indicated by the internal LCD display, reaches a maximum of 15.2 watts, but it's my understanding that it's not safe to transmit for any length of time with the power control turned fully clockwise. I have the KAT2 internal antenna tuner, which is supposed to make the LCD display's power readings more accurate, but I've gotten the impression from others that, even with the KAT2 installed, the readings are not terribly accurate, especially at the high end of the range. Is my impression correct? I believe the instruction manual warns not to set the power to a higher level than the transmitter is capable of producing. Am I correct in assuming that a fairly accurate external wattmeter is required to determine whether the transmitter is failing to deliver the requested power (with requested power indicated by the K2's display), or is there a way to identify this state of affairs without an external wattmeter? Alternatively, assuming that CAL CUR is set appropriately, am I safe in cranking the power right on up, as long as doing so doesn't cause a HI CUR warning? Thanks very much, 73 72, Jeff WB5GWB Long Island, NY K2 #821 ___ 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] VCO Alignment
Hello. I am building K2 #5731 and I have run into two problems. The first, and most serious, is in VCO alignment. When moving L30, the voltage at the left end of R30 does not change from 8.03vdc. I have been through the entire range of L30, very carefully, with no change. I pulled out T5 and rewound it. It is as nearly perfect as I can get it. When I measure vdc on T5, I see approximately 0.01vdc on 1 and 2 and 2.65 on 3 and 4. I checked voltages on U4 and U6 and they are in the range of the table in the back of the manual. I've checked all the components installed and the soldering. This is my second K2 and I have been a lot more careful. I'm stumped. Anybody got any ideas. The second thing is that parts of the mode indicator on the display have become intermittent. Any ideas on that? Thanks. Jim, K4ZMV ___ 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 QRP Version Max. Safe RF Output Power?
Jeff, The max power output from the K2 (or any transceiver) depends on dissipating the heat from the PA as well as the length of time the PA is producing output. The K2 will develop more power on some bands than others just due to the gain of the transmit stages vs. frequency. I for one would not exceed 12 watts out for any significant length of time. The difference between 12 watts and 16 watts is only 1.25 dB and will not likely be heard at the receiving end. This power limit is not 'official' in any way and simply represents my personal opinion. The KAT2 will properly display the power output if (and only if) it is properly calibrated. I have calibrated many a KAT2 within 5% and I can say that it tracks very well at both the high and low ends as well as the center (except for extremely low levels where the diode knee becomes significant). If you wish to calibrate your KAT2 with accuracy, you will need a good dummy load - known to be 50 ohms resistive at the band of measurement to within 1%, and you will need to measure the RF Voltage with an accuracy of at least 5% (you can do that with a calibrated 'scope using a 10X probe across the dummy load and using interpolated readings). Oh, of course before you do the forward power calibration, you will need to adjust the KAT2 trimmer accurately - when adjusted properly, the KAT2 will display the same SWR with an accurate (1%) dummy load of 100 ohms value and also with a 25 ohm (1%) dummy load. After the trimmer is balanced in that manner, you can set the SWR indication to 2.0. If you calibrate the KAT2 in the manner above, you will achieve an accuracy equal to or exceeding that of the spec for a recently calibrated Bird wattmeter (5% of full scale) - how accurate the Bird is depends on the slug, if you have a 10 watt slug, it is accurate to within 1/2 watt, but a 100 watt slug yields an accuracy that can only be trusted to within 5 watts. If you simply calibrate the KAT2 wattmeter with any external wattmeter, all you can say about it is that the KAT2 calibration is almost as good as the external wattmeter, and that is not very good at all. Many wattmeter specs state 20% of the full scale reading - and that is 10 watts potential error on a 50 watt scale - and that error is the same regardless of the power level - just what it says, percentage of the full scale reading. I have not yet seen any information on the Elecraft wattmeter, but I can wager that it is quite accurate and can be used for calibration. There are many ICs available that will provide precision power measurements, but they are not used in the typical wattmeters available in hamshacks. EMRFD contains a lot of good information about accurate power measurement, and I refer you to that resource for further details. 73, Don W3FPR -Original Message- Hi gang, Now that we're at the bottom of the solar cycle, I'd like to be able to run more than five watts on occasion, but not at the expense of putting my final PA at risk. What is the highest level of RF output power that a K2, QRP version, can run on CW without putting the finals at risk? My K2's power, as indicated by the internal LCD display, reaches a maximum of 15.2 watts, but it's my understanding that it's not safe to transmit for any length of time with the power control turned fully clockwise. I have the KAT2 internal antenna tuner, which is supposed to make the LCD display's power readings more accurate, but I've gotten the impression from others that, even with the KAT2 installed, the readings are not terribly accurate, especially at the high end of the range. Is my impression correct? I believe the instruction manual warns not to set the power to a higher level than the transmitter is capable of producing. Am I correct in assuming that a fairly accurate external wattmeter is required to determine whether the transmitter is failing to deliver the requested power (with requested power indicated by the K2's display), or is there a way to identify this state of affairs without an external wattmeter? Alternatively, assuming that CAL CUR is set appropriately, am I safe in cranking the power right on up, as long as doing so doesn't cause a HI CUR warning? Thanks very much, 73 72, Jeff WB5GWB Long Island, NY K2 #821 ___ 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: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.12.8/455 - Release Date: 9/22/2006 ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr.
[Elecraft] K2 #5428 Finally Hits the Airwaves!
After sitting ignored for over a month after being completed, K2 #5428 has finally seen the business end of an antenna feedline! QSO #1 - OK7FL, Vasek. RST 539, 20m at 1658Z QSO #2 - UT5UIA, Serge. RST 559, 20m at 1925Z I was portable VE9 at the time and both contacts were with a 20m vertical running 8 - 10 watts. I'm still learning a lot about the K2's features as I go along and I have to say I'm mightily impressed! Only one thing I don't love: The AF and RF Gain, Speed and Power controls are too close together. I'd consider spacing them farther apart or even putting AF and RF gain on one side of the tuning knob and Speed and Power on the other side. 73 for now, Ken Alexander VE3HLS ___ 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] VCO Alignment
Thanks, Don. Found the intermittent display problem. And, it was a solder problem. I checked the thermistor and all checks OK there. I'll keep looking ... think I have ruled out the misplaced or misused component option. I'll just go through all the RF board installation steps and check each one. All the other test results are perfect. Got to be something in the synthesizer circuits I have goofed up. Just gotta find it. Thanks again. 73, Jim, K4ZMV - Original Message - From: Don Wilhelm [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Jim Brassell [EMAIL PROTECTED]; elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Sunday, September 24, 2006 9:34 PM Subject: RE: [Elecraft] VCO Alignment Jim, The most common source of problems with the PLL or VCO is a solder bridge on the thermistor board. There are other possible sources, but check there first. You can often get to the back of the thermistor board by removing the front panel and the control board. You intermittent display is most likely an unsoldered connection (or poorly soldered) - usually on the front panel itself. So check the soldering first, then re-check the soldering, and when that is done, check the soldering - that is the most common failure and misplaced components runs in second place. Bad components are way down the list. 73, Don W3FPR -Original Message- I am building K2 #5731 and I have run into two problems. The first, and most serious, is in VCO alignment. When moving L30, the voltage at the left end of R30 does not change from 8.03vdc. I have been through the entire range of L30, very carefully, with no change. I pulled out T5 and rewound it. It is as nearly perfect as I can get it. When I measure vdc on T5, I see approximately 0.01vdc on 1 and 2 and 2.65 on 3 and 4. I checked voltages on U4 and U6 and they are in the range of the table in the back of the manual. I've checked all the components installed and the soldering. This is my second K2 and I have been a lot more careful. I'm stumped. Anybody got any ideas. The second thing is that parts of the mode indicator on the display have become intermittent. Any ideas on that? Thanks. Jim, K4ZMV ___ 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] Peculiar problem on 80 M
Fellow Elecrafters: I have a strange problem with my K2/100 on 80 meters. The situation is as follows: I work QRP DX at the low end of 80 M, (say 3508 kHz or thereabouts) with a requested power of 4.5 watts, and get an indicated 5 watts out. I then check into the Pine Tree Net on 3596 kHz and crank up the requested power to 10 watts (this is before the relay clicks; I'm still in QRP mode), and I get about 10 watts out. So far so good, right? Then I go back to 3508 kHz, without resetting the power request level knob, but the rig puts out 5 watts, even though the display acknowledges my ten watt request. If I go back to 3596 the output goes back to 10 watts in agreement with the requested level. Note the essential point, when I make a big excursion in frequency, the radio is putting out a level of power substantially different from the requested level. I can correct the output level at the low end by sweeping the requested level either low (near 0) or high enough to make the QRO relay click, and then adjust it down to and desired QRP level, and the rig will put out approximately the requested level of power. The phenomenon occurs whether I change frequency by switching VFOs preset to the two frequencies, or if I retune one VFO using the tuning knob. This is not an issue of varying antenna impedance. I get this effect with a commercial dry dummy load as well as a real (very well matched) antenna. I can also create the effect the other way around. If I request 5 watts at the 3596 then go to the low end and request 10 watts, then go back to 3596 with the knob in the 10 watt position, I still get 5 watts until I jigger the power level request knob. I have tried to reproduce this effect on 40 meters, requesting 5 and 10 watt levels at frequencies differing by about 100 kHz. In that case I get what I would regard as normal behavior. The rig always puts out the approximately the requested level of power irrespective of when I set the power level request knob. Has anyone else run into this phenomenon? Is it a quirk in the software? Is something wrong with the radio? 73, Steve Kercel AA4AK ___ 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
