[Elecraft] Elecraft CW Net Report for March 29th & 30th, 2009
Good Evening, Forty meters was loud tonight. Not yet summer but the noise level is rising. However, contacts were pretty good through the QSB and QRN. Noise was increasing by the end so I may not have been able to drag out the last few. I just do not know if there was someone there or if I was trying to make sense of the noise. My snow from last night was gone by morning. I aimed the Red River in the wrong direction. I was told its water drains into the Hudson Bay. I did not know that. This is what causes the chronic flooding problem since the melt water proceeding northward is dammed by the still frozen river downstream. From what I have heard on the radio and from my relatives the dikes are holding for the most part. Another few days and life should start getting easier for them; I hope. On to the lists => On 14050.5 kHz at 2300z: N0AR - Scott - MN - K2 - 4866 KL7CW - Rick - AK - KX1 - 798 K1THP - Dave - CT - K3 - 686 N0SS - Tom - MO - K3 - 008 K9ZTV - Kent - MO - K3 - 21 N2ND - Richard - NC K6PJV - Dale - CA - K3 - 1183 W6ZH - Pete - CA - K3 - 657 W6JDB - Jay - OR - K3 - 1288 W9FFU/7 - Glenn - WA KS7D - Mike - FL - K3 - 118 W8FU - Bruce - OH - K3 - 2516 K2HYD - Ray - NC - KX1 - 608 K6WAC - Tom - CA On 7045 kHz at 0100z: W1TF - Ty - GA - K3 - 696 QNI #55!!! W5TM - Ed - OK - K3 - 342 N0TA - John - CO - K3 - 994 W0NTA - Dick - CO - K3 - 1208 W6ZH - Pete - CA - K3 - 657 W8FU - Bruce - OH - K3 - 2516 K1THP - Dave - CT - K3 - 686 QNI #75!!! K6PJV - Dale - CA - K3 - 1183 KL7CW - Rick - AK - KX1 - 798* QNI #160 * NO8V - John - MI - K3 - 820 N0AR - Scott - MN - K2 - 4866 WC7S - Dale - WY - K2 - 4360 If I missed anything or made an error please send me the correction via email. As the sun comes back conditions are improving. These times should work until the next time change. I can make and eat dinner between the nets if I do not dilly dally. I was not quite done eating when I had to go back to work. But I normally leave my salad until last. Thus the database and information lookup part of this report had me eating once again. I had better get this sent and get offline. Monday is coming and I have work to do. Hopefully spring is coming to your area of the country. I know it is coming here in its very sedate manner. Summer starts sometime around the end of July so spring lasts much longer than it does in other parts of the country. I expect my brother in Wisconsin will see his first sweet corn a month before I can plant it here. I need to get my greenhouse repaired and running again. Until next week stay well, 73, Kevin. KD5ONS (Net Control Operator 5th Class) - __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 RTTY MODE
For those interested in playing with microcontrollers, there is a very easy way to use an Atmel AVR to convert the AFSK from your favorite RTTY software to true FSK - and provide PTT as well. A few weeks ago, Kok Chen, W7AY, and I had a discussion about Atmel AVR microcontrollers. I told him I had always wanted to learn how to do it but couldn't come up with a good idea for a project to get me started. He directed me to this project developed by Doug Hall, K4DSP. http://k4dsp.homeip.net/~doug/regenerator/ This sparked my interest, and I decided to build one. Just finished it this weekend. It works like a charm with cocoaModem and the K3 - and I got my feet wet with microcontroller programming. David, W4SMT __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] new K3 owner sn 497, need help with choosing microkeyer cable
> microHam sells two different cables for the K3 to use with the > microKeyer/microKeyerII one that uses a front microphone jack > and the other that uses the rear microphone jack. Aside from > the obvious, one doesn't clutter the front panel with a cable > all the time, is there any other advantages to one over the > other? The only difference is that the rear mic version does not support the up/down controls or the +8V line that are available on the front mic jack. If you were to try to use a "Foster" style mic that required power or had up/down buttons they would not work with the rear mic cable (when the buttons are supported). > Also anyone out there that has the original microKeyer and > upgraded to the microKeyer II please explain what the > advantages are with using it on the K3. The "advantages" are in the additional features of microKEYER II - specifically the USB sound card, dual channel receive for KRX3 support, Icom transceive output for use with Icom accessories (e.g., band switching with a PW-1), native control of a SteppIR antenna, or an auxiliary serial port for rotor control. 73, ... Joe Subich, W4TV microHAM America http://www.microHAM-USA.com http://groups.yahoo.com/group/microHAM supp...@microham.com > -Original Message- > From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net > [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of David Shelton > Sent: Sunday, March 29, 2009 9:54 AM > To: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > Subject: [Elecraft] new K3 owner sn 497,need help with > choosing microkeyer cable > > > Hello all Elecrafters, > microHam sells two different cables for the K3 to use with the > microKeyer/microKeyerII one that uses a front microphone jack > and the > other that uses the rear microphone jack. Aside from the > obvious, one > doesn't clutter the front panel with a cable all the time, is there > any other advantages to one over the other? Also anyone out > there that > has the original microKeyer and upgraded to the microKeyer II please > explain what the advantages are with using it on the K3. > Thanks and 73, > David, N4IN __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] K3 firmware Problem
I am having the same problem as others have stated. I started with the installation of MCU 02.82 my KXV3 stopped working to listen to AM radio, yes the RX Antenna was used and the KXV3 was set to NORM. The power on Data fell a little but the power on SSB was near zero strange messages while on 40 meters flowed across the screen it went so fast that I was unable to even write it down to see what it said, numbers and letters. I installed MCU 3.04 today the KXV3 still does not work. The SSB bands are working 40 meters reaches about 70 watts. I was able to get the SSB working with MCU 02.82 by reinstalling the configuration that I had saved. Any suggestions would be appreciated I am not the sharpest tack at making K3 work, reading your posts makes me feel very inferior. Duane W6DDR __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] [K3] K3 3.04 Power Output After Tune
Here ya go Wayne. Config TUN PWR nor Config PWR SET per band Band and Mode all bands phone usb and lsb and front panel PWR control. 120w I can't seem to change to cw mode and have it correct the low power out after tune. I have cw wght set to ssb+cw btw. I actually turn the power control cw (up) even though it is maxed on the lcd, and after several turns all is ok until the next tune. I tried different setting on tun pwr and pwr set with no change. I have cleared tuner mem settings with no help. This k3 seems to have lower output than my other k3. s/n 2737 vs s/n1194. It's about 20w less on phone. I've seen this since k3fw3r03 btw. k3fw2r82 and before has normal power out after a tune, although still quite a bit lower than the s/n 1194. 100w on s/n1194 shows 100w on my peak reading meter. 2737 around 70w depending on band. I'm sticking with 2r82 for now. Randy K8RDD __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K2: AGC Problem
Michael, Is this new K2 as sensitive (ability to receive weak signals) as the prior ones? If not, you have have a fault somewhere in the receiver section. Do strong signals activate the S-meter bargraph? Try adjusting the S-meter (CAL S-LO and CAL S-HI) as indicated in the manual, then if you have an XG1 or XG2 or other source of a 50 uV signal, connect that to the antenna and see how close that signal source comes to indicating S-9 on 40 meters with the preamp off. If it indicates anywhere between S-7 and S-9, there is nothing wrong with the receiver, and you can adjust for an S-9 indication using CAL S HI. If the receiver is functioning well according to the above checks, then it may be that the AGC OFF signal is not doing it proper function. Check the orientation of Control Board D2. Then, if properly oriented, be certain the voltage at the cathode goes to a low value when the AGC is turned off - if it does not, check pin 9 of CB U6 - it should be the same voltage as the D2 cathode - and if that pin does not go low when AGC is off, the microprocessor chip has a bed output pin (pin 9). 73, Don W3FPR Michael van Hauten wrote: > With my new K2 i have a strange AGC behavior. I cannot detect a difference > between AGC on and off. The voltage at pin 5 U2 is exactly 3.8v after > changing the 8V regulator to a better one. All my earlier k2's had a large > increase in AF when switching off AGC. I possibly made a short between pin 5 > and pin 6 of u2 when measuríng the AGC voltage at pin 5. So possibly 3.8 V > came to pin 6. Do i have a defective u2? Reception works very well, only > swiching on/off of the AGC is without any change. > Some hints for me? > Michael, DC0ZO > > K3 #1999, K2 #6614 > > __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] Test
Test __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] [K3] K3 3.04 Power Output After Tune
There are two menu entrys that effect power in addition to the front panel PWR control. There may be interaction between these in certain combinations of settings or BAND and MODE. Wayne has limited internet access this weekend and has asked me to request information from those who are experiencing this problem. Please send your settings for the following. Config TUN PWR Config PWR SET Band and Mode and front panel PWR control. Please send this information to n...@elecraft.com Thanks, 73, Bob N6CM On Sun, Mar 29, 2009 at 9:48 AM, Julius Fazekas n2wn wrote: > > Llye, > FWIW, I am experiencing the same issue running QRP with the KAT3, when it is > in use, in 3.03 > > It does not seem to happen when the KAT3 is bypassed. Engaging the main TUNE > button (not the KAT tune), seems to put it back to normal. > > Now if I can figure out why my "two" sounds like "zero" *sigh* > > 73, > Julius > > > Thank you for the observations on SSB Power Control before and after > KAT3 tuning or when in bypass. We'll be looking more closely at this > next week. > > 73, > > Lyle KK7P > > > __ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > > > > > - > Julius Fazekas > N2WN > > Tennessee Contest Group > http://www.k4ro.net/tcg/index.html > > Tennessee QSO Party > http://www.tnqp.org/ > > Elecraft K2/100 #4455 > Elecraft K3/100 #366 > -- > View this message in context: > http://n2.nabble.com/K3-3.04-Power-Output-After-Tune-tp2547895p2553180.html > Sent from the [K3] mailing list archive at Nabble.com. > > __ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > > __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] [K3] Please try K3 main/sub receiver band independence and other new features
It's neat to watch the ATU blink a couple times as it sets itself across the band. Nice feature indeed! Thanks, Julius Hi all, The major features introduced in K3 beta revision 3.03 (DSP 2.10) have now had quite a bit of on-air time. Thanks to feedback from early adopters, we've just improved them further with the release of 3.04 (DSP 2.11). These features are excellent additions to the K3 that you really should try: - Band independence for the sub receiver (CONFIG:VFO IND) - New AGC features, especially for use in pileups (CONFIG:AGC DCY, AGC HLD) - Fast-tuning spurious receive signal removal (CONFIG:SIG RMV) - Multiple ATU settings per band; per-band/per-antenna auto/bypass selection - Improved behavior of PTT and the TX LED - Extended transverter frequency coverage when used with a 10-m I.F. It's pretty easy to do a beta installation; see instructions at http://www.elecraft.com/K3/k3_software.htm Please let us know how the new features are working. Meanwhile, Lyle (KK7P) and I are working on the next round 73, Wayne N6KR --- http://www.elecraft.com __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html - Julius Fazekas N2WN Tennessee Contest Group http://www.k4ro.net/tcg/index.html Tennessee QSO Party http://www.tnqp.org/ Elecraft K2/100 #4455 Elecraft K3/100 #366 -- View this message in context: http://n2.nabble.com/Please-try-K3-main-sub-receiver-band-independence-and-other-new-features-tp2540792p2553189.html Sent from the [K3] mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] [K3] K3 3.04 Power Output After Tune
Llye, FWIW, I am experiencing the same issue running QRP with the KAT3, when it is in use, in 3.03 It does not seem to happen when the KAT3 is bypassed. Engaging the main TUNE button (not the KAT tune), seems to put it back to normal. Now if I can figure out why my "two" sounds like "zero" *sigh* 73, Julius Thank you for the observations on SSB Power Control before and after KAT3 tuning or when in bypass. We'll be looking more closely at this next week. 73, Lyle KK7P __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html - Julius Fazekas N2WN Tennessee Contest Group http://www.k4ro.net/tcg/index.html Tennessee QSO Party http://www.tnqp.org/ Elecraft K2/100 #4455 Elecraft K3/100 #366 -- View this message in context: http://n2.nabble.com/K3-3.04-Power-Output-After-Tune-tp2547895p2553180.html Sent from the [K3] mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] [K3] K3 3.04 Power Output After Tune
During the WPX SSB contest I have noticed the same low output that others have noticed after ATU TUNE. I just wanted to add one comment. After low output is remedied with TUNE, the firmware seems to remember that fact. That is, when I return to that vicinity after S&P QSOs elsewhere (ATU flashes), the output seems OK. TUNE doesn't seem necessary unless ATU TUNE has just been used to reduce SWR. 73, Paul W8TM __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Transmitting low power through the PA
I have recently become interested in the WSPR beacon mode (http://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/K1JT), which involves transmitting a continuous signal for periods of 2 minutes. At a level of 5W the underside of the K3 gets uncomfortably hot. Since this is the sort of thing you want to leave running all day, I'd prefer the 100W PA with its big heatsink and pair of fans to take most of the strain. Is this possible? Julian, I'm quite active in WSPR and can confirm that the LPA module is getting hot. When I contacted Elecraft, they sent me a procedure to align several bias currents on the LPA board. To get access, you have to remove the KPA3. I realigned the bias currents but did not notice any significant difference in the temperature of the bottom cover. As a workaround, you can set PWR to let's say 15W and reduce the LINE IN (MIC) setting. Playing with PWR and MIC I can reduce my power all the way down to 100mW (measured with an OHR WM-2 QRP wattmeter). And to my surprise my signal was heard 2500km away... 73, Markus -- View this message in context: http://n2.nabble.com/Transmitting-low-power-through-the-PA-tp1299409p2552990.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] K2: AGC Problem
With my new K2 i have a strange AGC behavior. I cannot detect a difference between AGC on and off. The voltage at pin 5 U2 is exactly 3.8v after changing the 8V regulator to a better one. All my earlier k2's had a large increase in AF when switching off AGC. I possibly made a short between pin 5 and pin 6 of u2 when measuríng the AGC voltage at pin 5. So possibly 3.8 V came to pin 6. Do i have a defective u2? Reception works very well, only swiching on/off of the AGC is without any change. Some hints for me? Michael, DC0ZO K3 #1999, K2 #6614 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] K3 wish: Instant AGC setup recall
I posted the following last May and received no serious reponses. Maybe now, considering all the recent postings about AGC settings, it might be an idea whose time has come: Different band and QRM conditions can require different combinations of AGC parameters (HLD, SLP, THR, and decay rate). Thanks to Elecraft for allowing us to adjust all of these to our liking. But wouldn't it be even finer if we were able to program a few different combinations of those parameters for different operating conditions, and recall each combination as a package of settings with just one or two switch taps, maybe using the M1-M4 keys? Wayne, can this be done? Tony KM0O -- View this message in context: http://n2.nabble.com/K3-wish%3A-Instant-AGC-setup-recall-tp2552847p2552847.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] test ping
__ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] new K3 owner sn 497, need help with choosing microkeyer cable
Hello all Elecrafters, microHam sells two different cables for the K3 to use with the microKeyer/microKeyerII one that uses a front microphone jack and the other that uses the rear microphone jack. Aside from the obvious, one doesn't clutter the front panel with a cable all the time, is there any other advantages to one over the other? Also anyone out there that has the original microKeyer and upgraded to the microKeyer II please explain what the advantages are with using it on the K3. Thanks and 73, David, N4IN __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] UK Elecraft net report for Sunday 29th March
Despite the SSB contest this weekend, there were several stations on the net. Conditions were helped by the change to British Summer Time, although with a little continental QRM at times. Subjects this week included: One station had a PLL problem with his K3 under high temperature operation, there is a modification sheet on the Elecraft web site which matches the symptoms and hopefully will fix the problem. The Norbrek (Blackpool) Rally and potential car parking problems (there is apparently a marathon along the Promenade on the same morning). The ATU tune problem with SSB and the later firmware (3.04) didn't seem to impact any of the group as the one station using the internal ATU still used older firmware (2.82 I think). Linear amplifier configurations, including the attenuator in the Acom 1000. Modifications and earlier K3s Stations were: G0MJW, Mike G3UCA, Peter G4DQP, Vince GW0SYN, John M0CKE, Jim 73 until next week. Dave, G4AON K3/100 #80, f/w 3.04, Acom 1000 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
