Re: [Elecraft] Hakko in Europe
Hello Thanks, Trevor for your info. I bought 4 years ago a German ( was it a Chinese made stuff...?) desoldering system. Worked not so well, but was somehow helpful. Needed it after a year of non-use, and just refuses to suck ! And it seems difficult to open : no screws, but a queer sort of clip on the cover and bottom. So I wonder if it shouldn't be wiser to get a definitely reliable tool ! Thanks again for the help Jim F9OJ K2 #937 - Original Message - From: Trevor Smithers [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; elecraft@mailman.qth.net Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, July 21, 2007 9:44 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Hakko in Europe Jacques, The Hakko distributor in the UK/EU is Dancap Electronics - info on the 808 here, http://www.dancap.co.uk/desoldering/808CE.htm Trevor G0KTN -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.467 / Virus Database: 269.10.6/902 - Release Date: 15/07/07 14:21 ___ 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] KFL1-4H ?
I completed a K1-4 about ten months ago, for 40,30,20,15. Lately am missing 17, and sometimes 10 would be handy. This will become more evident as we climb out of sunspot minimum. Found a note from 2006 from a Japanese ham who converted a K-1 filter to 10 meters. Wayne had responded, mentioning the possibility of a future KFL1-4H option (H for high bands): a version of the 4-band K1 module that covers some combination of 10, 12, 15, 17, and 20 meters. Wondering if there is further news on this, or whether anyone has reconfigured a filter for say 20, 17, 15, and 10? I would sure buy one if it became available. ___ 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 practice mode or dummy load?
I would like to practice sending wo transmitting with my KX-1. Is there a way to put it into a practice mode w/o using a dummy load? If a dummy load is required can someone direct me to where I can get one? Paul Minerva KC9JJU ___ 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] N6XI NAQP RTTY July, 2007 with K3
North American QSO Party, RTTY Comments: Made my 1st RTTY QSO in 37 years the day before the contest. Thanks to W0YK for goading me into RTTY. Had some social obs that limited my available time but it was a fun first run. The K3 worked very well, although I have no RTTY experience with which to compare it. It was very easy to integrate - just a DE9-DE15 cable with two resistor-transistor keying circuits in the DE9 shell gave me true FSK. And a simple stereo audio cable handled audio output from K3 Line Out to the sound card. No external transformers or other gew-gaws were required. Class: Single Op LP QTH: Truckee, CA Operating Time (hrs): 6:27 Summary: Band QSOs Mults --- 80: 3211 40: 5932 20: 15642 15:5 4 10: --- Total: 25289 Total Score = 22,428 Club: Northern California Contest Club Team: Team K3 Posted using 3830 Score Submittal Forms at: http://www.hornucopia.com/3830score/ ___ 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] N6XI NAQP RTTY July, 2007 with K3
WHICH PROMPTS THE QUESTION,,, was the K3 able to decode RTTY in the window bill At 12:18 PM 7/22/2007, Rick Tavan N6XI wrote: North American QSO Party, RTTY Comments: Made my 1st RTTY QSO in 37 years the day before the contest. Thanks to W0YK for goading me into RTTY. Had some social obs that limited my available time but it was a fun first run. The K3 worked very well, although I have no RTTY experience with which to compare it. It was very easy to integrate - just a DE9-DE15 cable with two resistor-transistor keying circuits in the DE9 shell gave me true FSK. And a simple stereo audio cable handled audio output from K3 Line Out to the sound card. No external transformers or other gew-gaws were required. Class: Single Op LP QTH: Truckee, CA Operating Time (hrs): 6:27 Summary: Band QSOs Mults --- 80: 3211 40: 5932 20: 15642 15:5 4 10: --- Total: 25289 Total Score = 22,428 Club: Northern California Contest Club Team: Team K3 Posted using 3830 Score Submittal Forms at: http://www.hornucopia.com/3830score/ ___ 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] N6XI NAQP RTTY July, 2007 with K3
Yes, the K3 can decode RTTY and display it on its own LCD, but I didn't use that feature during the contest. /Rick N6XI On 7/22/07, Bill NY9H [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: was the K3 able to decode RTTY in the window ___ 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] N6XI NAQP RTTY July, 2007 with K3
WHICH PROMPTS THE QUESTION,,, was the K3 able to decode RTTY in the window Yes, the current firmware decodes CW, RTTY and PSK in the VFO-B display area. However, it is just the first pass implementation and more tweaking and functionality is on the way. This is a great feature (coupled with the upcoming DATA mode encoding from CW keying) for DATA mode QSOs using just the radio without a computer. However, for serious contesting or DXpeditions, an interfaced PC is desirable. And, there is the possibility for the K3 DATA mode decoder to make its output available to the PC as an alternative to, or in addition to, other software decoders or hardware TNCs. 73, Ed - W0YK ___ 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] N6XI NAQP RTTY July, 2007 with K3
At 12:50 PM 7/22/2007, J. Edward \(Ed\) Muns wrote: WHICH PROMPTS THE QUESTION,,, NOW THAT THE ELECRAFT WAY IT DOES THE STUFF IS WAS SUPPOSED TO DO THE FIRST TRIP OUT THE DOOR !!! tick...tick...tick bill ___ 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] KX-1 practice mode or dummy load?
Paul, Set the KX1 to 'Keyer Test Mode' - see the manual page 66 (lower right corner). It works for both keying and message playback. 73, Don W3FPR Paul Minerva wrote: I would like to practice sending wo transmitting with my KX-1. Is there a way to put it into a practice mode w/o using a dummy load? If a dummy load is required can someone direct me to where I can get one? ___ 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] N6XI NAQP RTTY July, 2007 with K3
From my perspective, those keying circuits want to be inside the radio, safe from harm. Is there any reason why they weren't made part of the radio - or why I shouldn't put them in when I get my K3? (Assuming of course I can get into that part to do so...) The K3 accepts open collector(or open drain) to ground as inputs, or can be driven with 0 = x = +5 volts. Some stations use RS232 levels (which can be as high as +/- 25V) for direct FSK. Such levels need to be converted to 5 volts for the K3 digital inputs. Further, RS232 specifies a 1 as -3 x -25V and a 0 as +3 x +25V, so a polarity inversion (in hardware or software) is also required. 73, Lyle kK7P ___ 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] N6XI NAQP RTTY July, 2007 with K3
As a counter to Jeff's perspective, I find that similar things which are integrated inside the radio will slave that radio to one particular way of providing that function. Times change, desires change, but that radio is locked into the past because of the 'way things were done back then'. Moving such functions into a small external box or cable is much preferable IMHO. Although it is great that RTTY and PSK31 are built into the K3, I wonder how long those modes will be used *in the same manner* that they are today. Of course, since the K3 does many things in downloadable firmware, future changes may be possible - but still it would be even more flexible to use a small interface box. That is just my opinion and preferences - they do not have to agree with yours, and I don't want to argue about it with anyone, just pointing out that what is 'best' for one is not necessarily 'best' for all of us. 73, Don W3FPR Jeff Stai wrote: From my perspective, those keying circuits want to be inside the radio, safe from harm. Is there any reason why they weren't made part of the radio - or why I shouldn't put them in when I get my K3? (Assuming of course I can get into that part to do so...) Thanks! - jeff wk6i Rick Tavan N6XI wrote: It was very easy to integrate - just a DE9-DE15 cable with two resistor-transistor keying circuits in the DE9 shell gave me true FSK. ___ 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] KX-1 practice mode or dummy load?
Paul, Press the menu button and rotate the VFO knob until it says PLY. Tap the VFO knob and it will say P=0 for test mode. You might want to print out this quick reference: http://www.elecraft.com/manual/*KX1*%20*quick*%20*ref*.pdf For a dummy load, the Elecraft DL1 would be a nice project; you'll need it and a double-F BNC connector, which Elecraft sells. You might find them at Radio Shack as well; the stores near my stock them. (The connector, not the dummy load, hi h.) 73, Leigh/WA5ZNU Paul Minerva wrote: I would like to practice sending wo transmitting with my KX-1. Is there a way to put it into a practice mode w/o using a dummy load? If a dummy load is required can someone direct me to where I can get one? Paul Minerva KC9JJU ___ 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] N6XI NAQP RTTY July, 2007 with K3
Lyle Johnson wrote: From my perspective, those keying circuits want to be inside the radio, safe from harm. Is there any reason why they weren't made part of the radio - or why I shouldn't put them in when I get my K3? (Assuming of course I can get into that part to do so...) The K3 accepts open collector(or open drain) to ground as inputs, or can be driven with 0 = x = +5 volts. Some stations use RS232 levels (which can be as high as +/- 25V) for direct FSK. Such levels need to be converted to 5 volts for the K3 digital inputs. Further, RS232 specifies a 1 as -3 x -25V and a 0 as +3 x +25V, so a polarity inversion (in hardware or software) is also required. hi Lyle - I appreciate that - but I believe that in 2007 the chances are pretty darn good that those inputs will be driven by a station computer, and that serial port is pretty well known - kind of like the serial port for controlling the radio, right? I'm just saying this was an opportunity to put the level shift in the radio, and I wonder why it wasn't, and why I couldn't/shouldn't modify my own K3? thanks! - jeff wk6i -- Jeff Stai [EMAIL PROTECTED] Twisted Oak Winery http://www.twistedoak.com/ Winery Blog http://www.elbloggotorcido.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] N6XI NAQP RTTY July, 2007 with K3
Hello Jeff! ...I'm just saying this was an opportunity to put the level shift in the radio, and I wonder why it wasn't, and why I couldn't/shouldn't modify my own K3? thanks! One of the modes that the K3 will use that very same data input pin for is direct PSK in the same sense that it might be used for direct FSK. A UART in a PC won't drive such a signal with the correct timing, it'll have to come from the parallel port, or ??? The K3 input is a general purpose input, not only an FSK for RTTY input, so we tried to make the interface levels general, too. You could modify your K3 to make it an RS232 level only input, or you could put a 2N3904 or 2N transistor plus a series base resistor inside the shell of the DE16 Accessory connector that you wire up for your station. Or??? Lots of options :-) 73, Lyle kK7P ___ 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] N6XI NAQP RTTY July, 2007 with K3
Hi Jeff: IF you do, how will you then tell the radio specific serial cable pin to look at for CW keying/RTTY keying/PTT/etc? If you place them, as Rick and others do, then you can create mode-specific interfaces for your software. IF you put them inside the rig, then THAT particular pin will ALWAYS be dedicated to that specific task, even though the next software might want to use a different pin to do the same task. I'd much prefer to have this sort of thing external to the rig and just use them to KEY the dedicated input on the rig. 73, Tom N0SS From my perspective, those keying circuits want to be inside the radio, safe from harm. Is there any reason why they weren't made part of the radio - or why I shouldn't put them in when I get my K3? (Assuming of course I can get into that part to do so...) Thanks! - jeff wk6i Rick Tavan N6XI wrote: It was very easy to integrate - just a DE9-DE15 cable with two resistor-transistor keying circuits in the DE9 shell gave me true FSK. ___ 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] N6XI NAQP RTTY July, 2007 with K3
hi Don - I'm confused. Open collector FSK inputs have been around for at least 20 years, probably longer. Radios have already been slaves to that particular way. What I'm saying is let's make it easier to get on FSK using a standard DB9 cable, and not require the user to build a special cable. In this aspect, the K3 is already locked in the past! And I'm afraid my skill set has never been up to the micro-surgery required to build circuits inside a connector shell a much better place for circuits is safely inside the chassis. 73 - jeff wk6i ps: I predict that RTTY, PSK, CW, and horseback riding will experience no significant changes in the manner in which they are performed in the next 20 years. :) Don Wilhelm wrote: As a counter to Jeff's perspective, I find that similar things which are integrated inside the radio will slave that radio to one particular way of providing that function. Times change, desires change, but that radio is locked into the past because of the 'way things were done back then'. Moving such functions into a small external box or cable is much preferable IMHO. -- Jeff Stai [EMAIL PROTECTED] Twisted Oak Winery http://www.twistedoak.com/ Winery Blog http://www.elbloggotorcido.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] N6XI NAQP RTTY July, 2007 with K3
NOW I am totally confused!!! I am not saying they will change, I am saying they were designed to support general purpose usage. You will *not* need to disconnect data mode cabling to operate in CW or SSB or AM or FM or... Sorry, I should have taken this private. Lyle ___ 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] N6XI NAQP RTTY July, 2007 with K3
Jeff: And I'm afraid my skill set has never been up to the micro-surgery required to build circuits inside a connector shell a much better place for circuits is safely inside the chassis. Please allow me to direct your attention to: http://www.n0ss.net/lpt_keying_adapter.pdf Though this uses the LPT port, a similar PC board could be readily designed to allow for building a similar circuit into the serial port connector... you DO still do PC boards, right? G 73, Tom N0SS ___ 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] N6XI NAQP RTTY July, 2007 with K3
I'd much prefer to have this sort of thing external to the rig and just use them to KEY the dedicated input on the rig. Couldn't agree more. I think this stuff is made integral, even if barely usable in any other than a lets see if this really works mode, to get the blood heated up, feed the hype, and little else. It's pointless and generally exceptionally poor in performance compared to a simple PC and external software option, which virtually anyone owning the radio has access to for essentially no money. But you can tell from this thread (and old threads on the 7800 list for example), that this sort of think is seen as a wow factor, even if it turns out in the end to be little more than artificial flavor in the icing. I don't know why the developers waste their time, other than at the behest of the marketing department. Grant/NQ5T ___ 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: N6XI NAQP RTTY July, 2007 with K3
Jeff, The K3's I/O module already provides for the use of RTS or DTR for PTT and/or CW KEY in (two separate control lines). The exception is FSK, which is on the ACC connector. In the present incarnation, driving this line from a PC requires two external parts (one garden-variety NPN transistor and one resistor). I used MMTTY with this interface during NAQP this weekend. But one nice thing about the K3 is its modularity. Both the main I/O card and its audio and digital daughter boards can be easily changed to meet future needs. If for example we added an FSK interface to the digital daughter board, you'd be able to upgrade it very inexpensively, and installing it would take about 2 minutes. Also, we plan to design an external general-purpose I/O unit that would connect to the ACC jack. It would provide pre-wired connectors for use with various PC interfaces, transverters, the KRC2, etc. 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] Re: N6XI NAQP RTTY July, 2007 with K3
hi Wayne - thanks for the reply! I understand now what you're dealing with... the GPIO sounds like a cool way to get several different interfaces off the back panel of the radio. I guess I just joined the ranks of those who just can't wait for their K3 and then spew all over the reflector about it... I blame the fact I had to shlep a 70 pound radio one more time to the station I guest-operated at yesterday...;) thanks, and apologies to everyone! - jeff wk6i ps: one each transistor and resistor in a DB9 shell is in my skill set, two each are right out! wayne burdick wrote: Jeff, The K3's I/O module already provides for the use of RTS or DTR for PTT and/or CW KEY in (two separate control lines). The exception is FSK, which is on the ACC connector. In the present incarnation, driving this line from a PC requires two external parts (one garden-variety NPN transistor and one resistor). I used MMTTY with this interface during NAQP this weekend. But one nice thing about the K3 is its modularity. Both the main I/O card and its audio and digital daughter boards can be easily changed to meet future needs. If for example we added an FSK interface to the digital daughter board, you'd be able to upgrade it very inexpensively, and installing it would take about 2 minutes. Also, we plan to design an external general-purpose I/O unit that would connect to the ACC jack. It would provide pre-wired connectors for use with various PC interfaces, transverters, the KRC2, etc. 73, Wayne N6KR --- http://www.elecraft.com -- Jeff Stai [EMAIL PROTECTED] Twisted Oak Winery http://www.twistedoak.com/ Winery Blog http://www.elbloggotorcido.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] K3 and XV144...
I'm mainly going to use my K3 for 6m and 2m using my recently built XV144. However, in terms of optimising my station's performance (in this case, thinking of removing the MMIC after the PHEMT front-end to improve the XV144's dynamic range) I'm reliant on doing the maths based on other people's lab tests (like many I'm sure, I just don't have the lab gear!). The XV144 gain/NF plot on the website shows about 28dB gain and 0.6 dB NF - is this typical? Also the latest K3 specs show the MDS as being -136dBm...but is this pre-amp On or Off? At the moment I reckon the XV144 won't need the second stage of front-end gain, especially if the K3 has anything close to a 16dB NF at 28 MHzbut I'd appreciate some second opinions... No rush, I'm in the second production run :-) Regards Paul M0CVX (and AC5NO) - Email sent from www.virginmedia.com/email Virus-checked using McAfee(R) Software and scanned for spam ___ 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: N6XI NAQP RTTY July, 2007 with K3
Wayne, You might want to bump up that parts count to 3 - and add a diode from the base to the emitter of that transistor (cathode toward the base) - protects the transistor from damage on the most negative excursion of the RS232 signal line which can go to 25 volts negative by the RS232 spec. There is not likely to be a problem when driving from a PC serial port because the PC usually does not drive that far negative, but just the same, I like to have things that work over the full range of the spec rather than work in most situations. 73, Don W3FPR wayne burdick wrote: Jeff, The K3's I/O module already provides for the use of RTS or DTR for PTT and/or CW KEY in (two separate control lines). The exception is FSK, which is on the ACC connector. In the present incarnation, driving this line from a PC requires two external parts (one garden-variety NPN transistor and one resistor). I used MMTTY with this interface during NAQP this weekend. ___ 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] probably a stupid question
I recently bought an assembled T1 tuner. I'm going to hook it up to a homebrew dipole-like antenna that consists of 2 helically wound wires. It seems like I should use a twin-lead line to feed it. So I supposed I should use a balun (like your BL1). I'm assuming I should have the balun near the rig and run twin lead to the antenna - and measure SWR between the rig and the balun. Or does the balun go at the antenna and measure SWR between the rig and coax? Ted ___ 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: N6XI NAQP RTTY July, 2007 with K3
For making keying interfaces you can buy transistors with the pull up resistors built in My personal favorites come in SMT format and are small enough to easily build into pretty much any connector you can read more here http://www.fairchildsemi.com/products/transistors/integrated_digital_transistors.html these are seriously useful devices for all sorts of hackery. My 'vote' is in favor of having general purpose I/O pins and doing the interfacing externally. 73's brendan EI6IZ (waiting impatiently for my K3 :-) ___ 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: N6XI NAQP RTTY July, 2007 with K3
Personally I would like to modulate and demodulate in the radio, with the communication with the terminal (computer program) via RS-232 in ASCII. Keying could be by a key line or by command codes via 232. Some how, going from analog to digital to analog and back again to digital strikes me as a bit silly. A tuning display could still be via audio card and display software in the computer. As with everything, this has advantages and disadvantages - to each his own. vy 73 de toby -- DD5FZ, 4N6FZ (ex dj7mgq, dg5mgq, dd5fz) K2 #885, K2/100 #3248 K3/100 #??? ( #200) DOK C12, BCC, DL-QRP-AG ___ 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] Wrist strap ground...
Steve, The key element in ESD protection is to have everything at the same potential - that does not necessarily mean Mother Earth Ground, but it means that everything should connect to a common point in the vicinity of the work bench. The 3 wire cords are supposed to accomplish that for 'grounded' AC devices, including your grounded soldering iron. You say you have an extension cord running to your work area. Hopefully that is a 3 wire cord with the safety ground having been tested for continuity. If so, connect everything to the safety ground conductor of that cord (at the work area end). If that is not so, then by all means make it that way. A good 3 wire extension cord and one of the 6 position AC power strips is an acceptable setup. If your power strip has a metal case and uses screws to hold the receptacles in place, those screws *should* be a good place to connect to - but do drag out your DMM and do a continuity test from that screw back to the ground pin that plugs into the wall socket. Also use one of the inexpensive 'outlet testers' to determine if the receptacle feeding all that stuff is really connected properly. As I started with, the 'magic' is to have everything (including your body) at the same potential - that creates a local grounding system and is sufficient even though it may not be at Mother Earth Ground potential. As a side note - with a grounded soldering iron tip, do not even think about soldering on a live circuit, that is what irons with an isolated tip are used for (yes, those can be ESD safe too with a resistance to ground). 73, Don W3FPR Steve Kallal wrote: I have been building the KPA100 100 watt option for the K2. I'm half through page 16 right now. Very soon I'll be installing some of the solid state devices. I have a ground strap but am hard pressed in deciding where to ground it. I have an new Weller WTCPT soldering station, which is highly recommended by Scott at Elecraft. It is supposed to have a grounded tip. My work table is set up away from any outlets. Even the soldering station is power through an oranged extension cable from the next room. My shack outlets are all committed. I don't see a place on the soldering station to connect the strap to. I could make up a long braid from my station ground, which runs to a ground rod just outside the shack wall. I didn't bother with a ground strap for the diodes, although a re-reading of the manual recommends it. Any anti-static grounding ideas out there? 73, Steve N6VL ___ 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] K3: No sound card interface required?
OK - my experience with digital modes is really limited, so pardon me for asking me this probably lame question. Since the K3 has an isolated sound card interface, this will *completely* replace the interface I currently use to run digital from my PC to an HF rig? I'm pretty sure it does, but just want to make sure before I put my interface (West Mountain Radio data jack Plug Play) up for sale. 73, Mike, KW1ND ___ 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 CW Net Announcement
Kevin, it was tough out here in the midwest for the Sunday 20 meter net. You copied my new K2 and serial just fine. I am near Cleveland and pleased to come aboard. I've got K2 serial 6146 and can't forget it because of the venerable power tube probably 50 years old or more. - regards and hope to get into the ECN soon again. 73s Bob W8SU Buckeye ___ 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 In NAQP RTTY
I used a field-test K3 and an Icom ProIII in NAQP RTTY yesterday. The K3 worked well, and flawlessly, for its first major RTTY contest. I've been using the same pair of radios this past month in the weekly NCCC Sprint (CW) practice contests as well as a bit during IARU. Since folks are eager to hear about the K3, I'll describe how it worked in RTTY mode. Interconnection The K3 has excellent interconnection capability that has been well-thought out for how we actually use our radios. For example, in addition to the microphone and headphone connectors on the front panel, both are additionally available on the rear panel where the cables can be out of the way of the operating area. In my case, I use a Top Ten DX Doubler for the SO2R switching between two radios and their standard pig-tail radio cable was easy to install four connectors on to connect to the K3 rear panel (microphone, headphones, key and PTT). A standard RS232 cable connected the K3 to a COM port on the PC for radio control with the logging software. Of course, the station ground buss and antenna coax connections were made along with the APP 12VDC supply cable. For RTTY, interconnection is much simpler than any of the Kenwood, Yaesu or Icom radios I've used. For AFSK, all that is needed is two off-the-shelf 1/8 phone plug audio patch cables running from the K3 LINE IN and OUT jacks to the PC sound card LINE OUT and IN jacks respectively.The K3 has audio isolation transformers built-in for each line, so the typical add-on transformer dongle is eliminated. The levels in each of these lines will be settable in the K3 configuration menu and will stay constant as the AF Gain control on the front panel is varied for operator headphone level. (After initial setting, the sound card levels can be readily adjusted by assigning a front panel button to bring up the menu item or the Windows sound card level applet can be used.) These connections are independent of the microphone, headphones and speaker connections, so nothing needs be disturbed to add RTTY connections. The only additional thing I did was insert a Y-adapter in the K3 LINE OUT jack so I could run the receive audio to a Hal DXP38 in parallel with the MMTTY software decoder. For assurance against ground loops, I did use an isolation transformer, but I don't think it was really necessary. For FSK, the typical level-shifted keying interface used for CW or FSK is connected from a PC COM port to the DIG0 input on the Accessory DE15 jack on the K3 rear panel. PTT is also on this connector so both signals can run from the same COM port. Of course, for FSK the audio cable connecting the K3 LINE IN with the PC LINE OUT for AFSK is not needed. What I also eliminated from my normal setup was the JPS NIR-12 which gave me independent headphone level control as well as additional AF DSP filtering. With the K3 IF and AF DSP, plus its internal independent LINE and headphone level controls, the NIR-12 is no longer needed. And if it weren't for my parallel hardware modem, no audio isolation transformers would be needed. Note that with the K3 I will never have to move the headphone cable(s) when switching from CW/phone to RTTY in order to have headphone level adjustment independent of decoder input level. KRC2 I have been using the KRC2 band decoders since I field-tested it several years ago. I've used them on Kenwood radios, K2s, Icoms and now the K3. One on each radio controls my band pass filters and SixPak antenna switch. I made up a cable to connect the AuxBus between the K3 and KRC2, downloaded newly-released firmware with AuxBus control code and had automatic station control from the K3. There is also an Array Solutions SixPak control box with LED indicators for the band selected for each radio and manual switches that are wire-OR'd with the KRC2. K3 DATA Mode The user interface for the data modes is more powerful, yet simpler than any I've used. As always, AFSK can be run with the K3 in LSB mode. But, AFSK can also be run in DATA mode and enjoy all the features of FSK, including a dial frequency of the Mark signal. Now, when someone says, meet me on 14083.7, both the AFSK and FSK operators of K3s can dial in the same frequency and be zero-beat. So, first the MODE button is pressed to move the radio into DATA mode (other choices being CW, LSB, USB, AM, FM). Then, the DATA MD button is held for a second to bring up the DATA MODE menu. Here the operator selects the data mode with the VFO-B knob: AFSK, FSK and PSK are currently implemented. The speed is selected with the VFO-A knob, although for now there is only one choice for each of these three modes (45, 45 and 31 baud respectively). Third, the PITCH button is held for one second to bring up the TONE and SHIFT menu. VFO-A selects the Mark tone frequency, currently 915, 1275, 1415 and 2125 for AFSK and FSK. VFO-B selects the shift frequency, currently the only choice is 170 Hz for AFSK and FSK. If you prefer
