[Elecraft] [K3] Solar Power
Guys and Gals of the K3 ilk, I am interested in setting up my K3 to run off of solar power but know very little about what it will take. I assume a battery and a controller/charger but what size battery would work best for operation up to 10 watts, and what would work best up to 100 watts (occasionally!) (and I do not need 120 pound flooded lead acid batteries -- lighter weight, gelled cells in the 60 pound range are preferable -- my back is not what it used to be!) Charging off the grid is acceptable at first, but the idea is to switch over to the solar panel (what size, capacity?) as soon as I can. I am familiar with solar power as I have had, in the past, solar panels charging batteries for some of the house current (running through inverters), although presently I only send the power back into the grid without battery backup. Who out there is doing this for emergency or regular use with the K3 and can offer some assistance? Bill, W4ISH __ 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] N2CQ QRP Contest Calendar: Sep 11 - Oct 11, 2009
~ N2CQ QRP CONTEST CALENDAR September 11 - October 11, 2009 ~ Worked All ARCI Challenge (CW/Dig/Ph) QRP Event! thru Dec 31 Info: http://www.qrparci.org/waac ~ JAY HUDAK MEMORIAL 80M SPRINT (PSK31) ... QRP Category Sep 11, 2000 Local to 0200 Local Rules: http://www.podxs070.com/contests/80m_sprint_rules09.htm ~ Ohio State Parks On The Air (All) ... QRP Category Sep 12, 1600z to 2400z Rules: http://parks.portcars.org/ ~ Worked All Europe DX Contest (SSB) 100W Power Category Sep 12, z to Sep 13, 2400z Rules: http://www.darc.de/referate/dx/xedcwr.htm ~ Swiss HTC QRP Sprint (CW) *** QRP Contest *** Sep 12, 1300z to 1859z Rules: http://www.htc.ch/de/htc_sprint_contest.htm or: http://www.sk3bg.se/contest/htcqrpsp.htm ~ Arkansas QSO Party (CW/SSB/PSK31) ... QRP Category Sep 12, 1400z to Sep 13, 0600z and Sep 13, 1500z to Sep 13, 2400z Rules: http://www.arkan.us/ ~ ARRL September VHF QSO Party (All) Low Power Category Sep 12, 1800z to Sep 14, 0300z Rules: http://www.arrl.org/contests/rules/2009/sepvhf.html ~ Second Class Operator Club Marathon (CW) *** QRP Contest *** Sep 12, 1800z to 2400z Rules: http://www.qsl.net/soc/contests.htm#top ~ QRP ARCI VHF Contest *** QRP Contest *** Sep 12, 1900z to Sep 13, 0400z Rules: http://www.qrparci.org ~ NA Sprint (CW)... QRP Category Sep 13, z to 0400z Rules: http://www.ncjweb.com/sprintrules.php ~ SKCC Weekend Sprintathon (Straight Key CW) ... QRP Category Sep 13, z to 2359z Rules: http://www.skccgroup.com/sprint/wes/ ~ NAQCC Straight Key/Bug Sprint *** QRP CONTEST! *** EDT: Sep 16, 8:30 PM to 10:30 PM UTC: Sep 17, 0030z to 0230z Rules: http://www.arm-tek.net/~yoel/contests.html ~ Scandinavian Activity Contest (CW) ... QRP Category Sep 19, 1200z to Sep 20, 1200z Rules: http://www.sk3bg.se/contest/sacnsc.htm ~ South Carolina QSO Party (ALL) ... QRP Category Sep 19, 1300z to Sep 20, 2100z Rules: http://carc.ham-radio-op.net/scqp/scqsoweb2009.shtml ~ QRP Afield (All) *** QRP Contest *** Sep 19, 1500z to Sep 20, 0300z Rules: http://newenglandqrp.org/afield ~ Washington State Salmon Run (CW/SSB) ... QRP Category Sep 19, 1600z to Sep 20, 0700z Sep 20, 1600z to Sep 20, 2400z Rules: http://www.wwdxc.org/ ~ NA Sprint (SSB)... QRP Category Sep 20, z to 0400z Rules: http://www.ncjweb.com/sprintrules.php ~ RUN FOR THE BACON (CW) *** QRP CONTEST *** EDT: Sep 20, 9 PM to 11 PM UTC: Sep 21, 0100z 0300z Rules: http://www.fpqrp.com/ ~ SKCC Sprint (Straight Key CW) ... QRP Awards Sep, 22, z to 0200z Rules: http://www.skccgroup.com/sprint/sks/ ~ CQWW RTTY DX Contest ... 150w Category Sep 26, z to Sep 27, 2400z Rules: http://www.cq-amateur-radio.com/RTTYDXContest.html ~ Scandinavian Activity Contest (SSB) ... QRP Category Sep 26, 1200z to Sep 27, 1200z Rules: http://www.sk3bg.se/contest/sacnsc.htm ~ Texas QSO Party (All) ... QRP Category Sep 26, 1400z to Sep 27, 0200z Sep 27, 1400z to Sep 27, 2000z Rules: http://www.txqp.org/ ~ AGCW VHF/UHF CW Contest ... QRP Category Sep 26, 1600z to 2100z Rules: http://www.agcw.org/en/?Contests:VHF-UHF_Contest ~ MQFD Monthly Sprint (CW/PH/Digital) *** QRP Contest *** Sep 27, 1800z to 2200z Rules: http://w2agn.net/mqfdsprint.html ~ Fall QRP Homebrewer Sprint (CW/PSK31) ***QRP CONTEST*** Sep 28, z to 0400z Rules: http://www.njqrp.org/data/qrphomebrewersprint.html ~ TARA PSK31 Rumble (PSK31 only) ... QRP Category Oct 3, z to 2400z
[Elecraft] batteries
Oh go ahead and get the flooded cells. The weight is spread over six individual cells and the weight is under a hundred pounds per cell. That way you can have quite a few cloudy days without concern. I have six stacked on the floor against the wall under my operating table. Solar backup would be a great way to go. Unfortunately the K3 draws a LOT of power just on receive. Bill __ 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] Need KAT2 Help
Thanks to both of you for the sugestions. I actually got this to work, and I am not sure if it originally worked, or if my resoldering fixed a problem. I was able to obtain a voltage reading but only over about 20 degrees of the rotation of C55. I had no idea it would be this touchy. Also, the lowest I can get is about 009-011 on the reading. If this sounds normal, I may be OK. If not, I may still want to do some more checking/debugging. The ATU does now appear to be working. In general, I found the KAT2 instructions were not quite up to th elevel of excellance of the other K2 components I have assembled. A couple small things like telling you that R6 was nt yet installed at the end of board assembly would have helped. Also, I was told to remove some stuff that was not there, and told to add some stuff that was already there (of course the later made me happy). As always, thanks for the help. Tom, KG3V On Sep 10, 2009 8:19pm, Don Wilhelm w3...@embarqmail.com wrote: Tom, You must obtain a low balance reading before you can do any *valid* power or SWR calibration. If you cannot null with the capacitor, there is something wrong - normally that something is associated with T1 and the other wattmeter components, but you say you have checked those. OK, the next logical step is to find out for certain whether you have a problem with the wattmeter or the LC board. Separate the Control board from the LC board and place a jumper from J4 pin 2 to J5 pin 15 (yes, it is a long jumper - the second pin in from the far ends). Now, with only the Control Board (you must use the ANT1 connector) - connect a dummy load and again try to balance the wattmeter - if you find that the capacitor now achieves a null, look for the problem (likely a relay) on the LC Board -but if you still cannot null the wattmeter, take another look at T1 and its associated components. 73, Don W3FPR kg3vt...@gmail.com wrote: Just finished assembling a KAT2 for my K2. When I started testing I found a problem. I only get HI on the display in the CALn step, where you are supposed to adjust for a reading of 000. Reducing power as low as I can go, I can get a 000 display, but as soon as I increase the power, I get HI. I tried CALP and I did get readings that made some sense (a high value for FWD and low value for REF power) but the FWD was something like 22 watts, which seems too high. I disassembled and reveiwed the SWR bridge section, counted turns on T1, removed the link on T1 and pulled up T1 to inspect the leads and soldering. Also verified all the component values and soldering in that area. So my streak is over. Thought you just finished assembl, turned on power, and all this Elecraft stuff just worked! Guess it had to happen. Any ideas/ Thanks/73, Tom, KG3V __ 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] Good experiance using the K3-100 on battery power
I have used my K2 and later K2-100 as my camping rig since the year 2000. This year I wanted to try my K3-100 for field day as QRP 1B ND. I took the K3 with me over Memorial day and ran it at 100 W CW. On Sunday morning I did 160 meter SSB and AM. I was pleasantly surprised how well the battery lasted and no body gave me any bad reports. The time I tried the same thing with my IC-737 I was getting chirp reports within the first half hour and later on the receiver lost mow5 its sensitivity due to the low voltage. On the IC-737 I had to add a dry cell to the battery bus for the lower power stages but it was generally not a satisfactory situation. The K2 was never bothered by the low voltages and in fact I never even saw the power back down as the regulators and auto gain circuits compensated well for the low voltages. I continued with the K2 even though I had the K3 last year as I felt any rig with all those nice features of the K3 could not possibly work on my camping battery. I ran the K3 as QRP 1B ND for field day and was pleased with how well it worked and my battery did not run down. I had always wanted to take a ham radio vacation to the woods of Northern Minnesota and decided this should work with the K3-100. I am using a three year old 105 amp hour group 24 RV battery and picked out a camp ground with no electricity for no AC line noise. I bought a Honda EU2000I generator and used my MFJ-4225MV switching power supply to recharge the battery. I changed every DC connector to the same PowerPole connector as the K3-100 uses for ease of charging and changing 12 volt configurations. I ran the K3-100 well over 100 hours and 25 days this summer at 100W CW using the following procedure. I would rag chew 3 to 5 hours a day and let the XL use the camper lights. The K3 would indicate 12.0 V on receive at the end of this time. Every afternoon I would run the generator for two hours. I would charge the battery at 16 amps untill the voltage reached 13.9 volts than I would continue until the charging current dropped down to 3.5 amps. This always took almost exactly two hours. The battery never used any water as I checked the levels in the cells. The battery lasted as well the last day as it did the first. The low background noise gave me the best ham radio experience I have ever had. The Honda generator used about a gallon of gas every 6 days. I operated a few times while the battery was charging and the noise from the Honda was low if a wrapped a 50 foot extension cord into a small coil but of course the battery by it self was another S unit or so quieter. I hope my report is helpful to others that want to operate in remote locations. I never thought I would replace the K2 with the K3 for battery operation but now I plan to stick with the K3 for all my camping. 73 Ken W0CZ __ 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 S/N 3309
Alan W1HYV built this little gem for me and he did a beautiful job. This was a very old kit s/n 192 but it had the rev B RF board so it ended up with the newer serial number. Alan also installed a few mods which have occured over the years since this old kit was bought. With the help of the Elecraft web site and Tom N0SS I've got it all calibrated, the BFO's set properly and the Audio filter adjusted to peak at my 600 Hz offset. My settings not be exact because I've not used the Spectrogram program but I'm real close! Calibration is within 20 Hz at 10 mHz and the s-meter peaks when the signals are tuned in on their zero beat frequencies on CW, CW-R and both sidebands. I may tweek it a bit more once I make up a cable to send the audio to my sound card. This is the basic radio with only the AF/RTC installed. I also have the KSB2 kit and may build it at some time in the future but it sure has a lot of small parts densely packed on a tiny board - not a easy looking task for sure. I also communicated with support at Elecraft about the old KNB2 kit I also have and found out I need to update it a bit before building and installing it. They sure responded extremely quickly to my query! I understand now why they have such a strong following. Not only do they make outstanding radios, they give outstanding support to their customers. Back to working some CW DX and a few rag chews with this fun and great performing little radio. 73, Puck W4PM __ 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] Re： [K2] XV50 vs FT817?
Thanks to all for the feedback, comparing these two VHF solutions. Unfortunately, it's still not an obvious decision. I'm inclined to go with the XV-50, because I need another kit to build ... Peter N8MHD __ 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] Good experiance using the K3-100 on battery power
Nice, has anyone tried running the K3 (or other rig) directly from the DC outlet of a Honda generator? 73 de M0XDF -- Life is an eternal challenge, a variant on Maeterlinck's theme that the Bluebird of happiness is by the side of each and everyone of us, always within reach, yet, if pursued to catch and possess is beyond our grasp. - Donald Campbell, CBE. (1921-1967) On 11 Sep 2009, at 16:27, Kenneth A. Christiansen wrote: I bought a Honda EU2000I generator and used my MFJ-4225MV switching power supply to recharge the battery. I changed every DC connector to the same PowerPole connector as the K3-100 uses for ease of charging and changing 12 volt configurations. __ 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] KFK1-2 Question
I originally built my K1 using the KFL-4 for 40,30,2015, and shortly incorporated the KAT1. I have a KFL-2 kit am wanting to build for 8017, but note that a C78 and RFC8 is to be incorporated onto the RF board. This has given me pause because the K1 works flawlessly, hate to screw it up to allow using two other bands. I'd appreciate hearing from anyone who has walked the path I am contemplating with advice about utility of it, especially, switching out filter boards from time to time. What are the ramifications of not incorporating the RF board changes? If I incorporate these changes for 80, will that foul up performance if later reinstall the KFL-4? Regards, Curt, KB5JO __ 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] Good experiance using the K3-100 on battery power
Nice, has anyone tried running the K3 (or other rig) directly from the DC outlet of a Honda generator? On my EU2000i, this is an unregulated output and the maximum voltage output is higher than the K3 is rated for. Not recommended. 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
Re: [Elecraft] Good experiance using the K3-100 on battery power
On Fri, 11 Sep 2009 10:27:17 -0500, Kenneth A. Christiansen wrote: I hope my report is helpful to others that want to operate in remote locations. I never thought I would replace the K2 with the K3 for battery operation but now I plan to stick with the K3 for all my camping. In my shack at home and on Field Day, I've always run my ham gear from a big Costco deep cycle battery that is float charged from a little regulated 10A supply ($10 at a hamfest). It's a poor man's UPS, and works fine. Both the K2 and K3 were designed to minimize current drain, but the K3 draws considerably more current than the K2 on receive. That's why I'm keeping my K2/100 for use in emergencies. 73, Jim Brown K9YC __ 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] Good experiance using the K3-100 on battery power
--- On Fri, 9/11/09, David Ferrington, M0XDF m0...@alphadene.co.uk wrote: Nice, has anyone tried running the K3 (or other rig) directly from the DC outlet of a Honda generator? 73 de M0XDF This is supposed to be a battery charging source. I wouldn't even subject my batteries to this except in desperation. Definitely not my radios. __ 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] Good experiance using the K3-100 on battery power
I have a East Penn Deka 92 AH AGM battery in the shack that is on constant charge via a smart charger that I built using an Astron RM-35 for the raw DC and pass transistors and an AA Engineering board that I modified. A Honda EU2000 outside the shack completes my emergency/FD system. I have an N8XJK boost regulator on order. Wes N7WS --- On Fri, 9/11/09, Jim Brown j...@audiosystemsgroup.com wrote: From: Jim Brown j...@audiosystemsgroup.com Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Good experiance using the K3-100 on battery power To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net elecraft@mailman.qth.net Date: Friday, September 11, 2009, 10:37 AM On Fri, 11 Sep 2009 10:27:17 -0500, Kenneth A. Christiansen wrote: I hope my report is helpful to others that want to operate in remote locations. I never thought I would replace the K2 with the K3 for battery operation but now I plan to stick with the K3 for all my camping. In my shack at home and on Field Day, I've always run my ham gear from a big Costco deep cycle battery that is float charged from a little regulated 10A supply ($10 at a hamfest). It's a poor man's UPS, and works fine. Both the K2 and K3 were designed to minimize current drain, but the K3 draws considerably more current than the K2 on receive. That's why I'm keeping my K2/100 for use in emergencies. 73, Jim Brown K9YC __ 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] Good experiance using the K3-100 on battery power
What did you use for an antenna when you were camping in Northern Mn? This is a Honda eu2000i question mostly. They can make a lot of noise especially into low mounted verticals. Bob KB1FRW __ 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] Good experiance using the K3-100 on battery power
I used a Honda on field day a few years ago, (240V mains outlet) and was staggered by the amount of SMPS noise. I fitted a big filter grounded local to the generator about 60ft away that made it tolerable. David G3UNA - Original Message - From: Wes Stewart n...@yahoo.com To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net; M0XDFDavid Ferrington m0...@alphadene.co.uk Sent: Friday, September 11, 2009 5:40 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Good experiance using the K3-100 on battery power --- On Fri, 9/11/09, David Ferrington, M0XDF m0...@alphadene.co.uk wrote: Nice, has anyone tried running the K3 (or other rig) directly from the DC outlet of a Honda generator? 73 de M0XDF This is supposed to be a battery charging source. I wouldn't even subject my batteries to this except in desperation. Definitely not my radios. __ 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 Utility settings transfer
Dick: How many lines of code would it take to write a script to accomplish this process behind the UI? Would this significantly add to the download overhead of the Utility application? Would it take an inordinate ammount of time to develop? I use a Laptop and a Desktop both with configuration programs (along with K3-EZ) with my radio. A Export Utilities settings and a Import Utility settings script set with a big square button for each (OK, put it in the file menu!) would be a handy addition to the software package's feature set. There is plenty of room on the sheet as it apears now, so its not a question of sheet real estate. Although I personally feel comfortable working with RegEdit, many do not, and keeping registry manipulation away from users is usually a good thing. Serious damage can occur if you dont pay attention any time youre messing with the Windows' Registry. Just a thought for your development features list. Thanks for letting me know that this process is doable at the registry level. Wish I would have known about it two weeks ago :( -Lu Romero - W4LT- K3 #3192 - Date: Thu, 10 Sep 2009 16:13:04 -0700 From: Dick Dievendorff die...@comcast.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Utility settings transfer To: 'Thom LaCosta' k3...@zerobeat.net,'Chris M0PSK' chrism0...@googlemail.com Cc: 'Elecraft Reflector' elecraft@mailman.qth.net Message-ID: 01ca326c$40aa7490$c1ff5d...@net Content-Type: text/plain;charset=us-ascii ini files have their own problems, that's why they have long been deprecated for new application development. Raymond Chen explains why in http://blogs.msdn.com/oldnewthing/archive/2007/11/26/6523907.aspx. There are issues with the Registry as well, but it's the solution a whole lot of software authors choose for rapid hierarchal access to configuration data. If I were writing the K3 Utility with extensive library support (pick your run-time library, VBRUN, .Net, Java, RealBasic, Qt, whatever), I might have used an XML configuration file, as I did with K3 Voice. One of the constraints I accepted for the K3 Utility was a relatively small download size (currently it's just over a megabyte, and about 2/3 of that is help text and help file images), and to avoid prerequisite downloads and installation issues commonly referred to as the DLL Hell problem. Writing XML configuration files when things change is quite slow when compared with registry writes as controls change. YMMV for the software you write, Thom. Dick, K6KR -Original Message- From: Thom LaCosta [k3...@zerobeat.net] Sent: Thursday, September 10, 2009 3:19 PM To: Dick Dievendorff; Chris M0PSK Cc: Elecraft Reflector Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Utility settings transfer At 12:06 PM 09/10/09, Dick Dievendorff wrote: You can use the registry editor (regedit) to export the registry key If the software used a config or an .ini file, then one qould not have to do the registry dance. 73, Thom k3hrn __ 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 ERR KEY
This happened a month ago and then went away. Now it's coming on more regular. Usually I remove the power and when turned back on, it's gone. Today I have put it off and on 6/7 times and it still remains. Checked all the PTT connections etc and OK. Even removed the PTT mike. No key attached. Ideas? Phil Philip LaMarche LaMarche Enterprises, Inc. http://www.instantgourmetspices.com/ www.instantgourmetspices.com www.w9dvm.com http://www.w9dvm.com/ 800-395-7795 pin 02 727-944-3226 FAX 727-937-8834 NASFT 30210 K3 #1605 CCA 98 00827 CRA 1701 W9DVM __ 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] KFK1-2 Question
Curt, Go ahead and install C78 and RFC8. They are necessary for 80 meters, but will do no harm to the other bands or any of your calibrations. 73, Don W3FPR Curt wrote: I originally built my K1 using the KFL-4 for 40,30,2015, and shortly incorporated the KAT1. I have a KFL-2 kit am wanting to build for 8017, but note that a C78 and RFC8 is to be incorporated onto the RF board. This has given me pause because the K1 works flawlessly, hate to screw it up to allow using two other bands. I'd appreciate hearing from anyone who has walked the path I am contemplating with advice about utility of it, especially, switching out filter boards from time to time. What are the ramifications of not incorporating the RF board changes? If I incorporate these changes for 80, will that foul up performance if later reinstall the KFL-4? Regards, Curt, KB5JO __ 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] Need KAT2 Help
Tom, Yes, the balance point is very 'touchy' - such is the situation anytime you are trying to get a null (on any kind of equipment - the null range is very small, and ideally is a single point). On the KAT2, the normal lowest reading on the display is in the 009 to 011 range as you have found - from that I would say all is well. Yes, the Elecraft K2 option manuals do not have as much detailed supplemental information as the K2 manual because the builder would normally have already experienced the details in the K2 manual. That was true initially, but now many K2 are being purchased used and the new owner adds options without having that initial K2 building experience. As far as removing stuff that was not there, the manual must be written to cover any possible K2 configuration - thus, it is important to observe all the If statements - if you do not have a particular option installed, you will have nothing to remove. 73, Don W3FPR kg3vt...@gmail.com wrote: Thanks to both of you for the sugestions. I actually got this to work, and I am not sure if it originally worked, or if my resoldering fixed a problem. I was able to obtain a voltage reading but only over about 20 degrees of the rotation of C55. I had no idea it would be this touchy. Also, the lowest I can get is about 009-011 on the reading. If this sounds normal, I may be OK. If not, I may still want to do some more checking/debugging. The ATU does now appear to be working. In general, I found the KAT2 instructions were not quite up to th elevel of excellance of the other K2 components I have assembled. A couple small things like telling you that R6 was nt yet installed at the end of board assembly would have helped. Also, I was told to remove some stuff that was not there, and told to add some stuff that was already there (of course the later made me happy). As always, thanks for the help. Tom, KG3V __ 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] KFK1-2 Question
Curt, Switching filter boards on the K1 is quick, but enough of a pain that I find I don't do it often. Unscrew the top cover, unscrew the tuner (if you have it, which you should, I think), lift out the tuner, lift out the filter board, plug in the new board, screw in the tuner, screw the top back on, go to the menu and reset the bands. A tip: use a couple of toothpicks to line up the spacers under the tuner, and to hold one of them while you're putting the long screw in the other. Maybe only two minutes total, but not something you do just to see what's happening on the band. Peter N8MHD Curt wrote: (snip) especially, switching out filter boards from time to time. Regards, Curt, KB5JO __ 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 ERR KEY
This happened a month ago and then went away. Now it's coming on more regular. Usually I remove the power and when turned back on, it's gone. Today I have put it off and on 6/7 times and it still remains. Checked all the PTT connections etc and OK. Even removed the PTT mike. No key attached. Ideas? If you have an attached computer and have set things so the RS232 port can assert PTT (CONFIG:PTT-KEY), it may be that when you power up the K3 the computer RTS or DSR line(s) are in a state to be interpreted as an assertion of PTT. 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
[Elecraft] K3
Thanks to the super stars, Lyle and Greg. I'm now working. Phil Philip LaMarche LaMarche Enterprises, Inc. http://www.instantgourmetspices.com/ www.instantgourmetspices.com www.w9dvm.com http://www.w9dvm.com/ 800-395-7795 pin 02 727-944-3226 FAX 727-937-8834 NASFT 30210 K3 #1605 CCA 98 00827 CRA 1701 W9DVM __ 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] KAT2 Debate
After purchasing a KAT2 kit together with my K2 kit in 2008, I never built the KAT2. After using K2 s/n 6424 for more than a year with a ZM2 tuner, am debating whether to just sell the KAT2 kit. Not sure what if anything am missing by not having an autotuner installed in the K2. Any advice? 73, Curt KB5JO __ 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 Utility settings transfer
You mean something like Regedit /E myfile.reg HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Elecraft\K3 Utility Use notepad to examine myfile.reg to verify that it has what you expect (only keys and subkeys of the K3 Utility) Copy myfile.reg to the other machine, and on the other machine, Regedit myfile.reg ? Dick, K6KR -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Lu Romero Sent: Friday, September 11, 2009 10:23 AM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Utility settings transfer Dick: How many lines of code would it take to write a script to accomplish this process behind the UI? Would this significantly add to the download overhead of the Utility application? Would it take an inordinate ammount of time to develop? I use a Laptop and a Desktop both with configuration programs (along with K3-EZ) with my radio. A Export Utilities settings and a Import Utility settings script set with a big square button for each (OK, put it in the file menu!) would be a handy addition to the software package's feature set. There is plenty of room on the sheet as it apears now, so its not a question of sheet real estate. Although I personally feel comfortable working with RegEdit, many do not, and keeping registry manipulation away from users is usually a good thing. Serious damage can occur if you dont pay attention any time youre messing with the Windows' Registry. Just a thought for your development features list. Thanks for letting me know that this process is doable at the registry level. Wish I would have known about it two weeks ago :( -Lu Romero - W4LT- K3 #3192 - Date: Thu, 10 Sep 2009 16:13:04 -0700 From: Dick Dievendorff die...@comcast.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Utility settings transfer To: 'Thom LaCosta' k3...@zerobeat.net,'Chris M0PSK' chrism0...@googlemail.com Cc: 'Elecraft Reflector' elecraft@mailman.qth.net Message-ID: 01ca326c$40aa7490$c1ff5d...@net Content-Type: text/plain;charset=us-ascii ini files have their own problems, that's why they have long been deprecated for new application development. Raymond Chen explains why in http://blogs.msdn.com/oldnewthing/archive/2007/11/26/6523907.aspx. There are issues with the Registry as well, but it's the solution a whole lot of software authors choose for rapid hierarchal access to configuration data. If I were writing the K3 Utility with extensive library support (pick your run-time library, VBRUN, .Net, Java, RealBasic, Qt, whatever), I might have used an XML configuration file, as I did with K3 Voice. One of the constraints I accepted for the K3 Utility was a relatively small download size (currently it's just over a megabyte, and about 2/3 of that is help text and help file images), and to avoid prerequisite downloads and installation issues commonly referred to as the DLL Hell problem. Writing XML configuration files when things change is quite slow when compared with registry writes as controls change. YMMV for the software you write, Thom. Dick, K6KR -Original Message- From: Thom LaCosta [k3...@zerobeat.net] Sent: Thursday, September 10, 2009 3:19 PM To: Dick Dievendorff; Chris M0PSK Cc: Elecraft Reflector Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Utility settings transfer At 12:06 PM 09/10/09, Dick Dievendorff wrote: You can use the registry editor (regedit) to export the registry key If the software used a config or an .ini file, then one qould not have to do the registry dance. 73, Thom k3hrn __ 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] Good experiance using the K3-100 on battery power
Thanks for that info Lyle, I wasn't sure. 73 de M0XDF -- What is the purpose of the giant sequoia tree? The purpose of the giant sequoia tree is to provide shade for the tiny titmouse. -Edward Abbey, naturalist and author (1927-1989) On 11 Sep 2009, at 17:28, Lyle Johnson wrote: Nice, has anyone tried running the K3 (or other rig) directly from the DC outlet of a Honda generator? On my EU2000i, this is an unregulated output and the maximum voltage output is higher than the K3 is rated for. Not recommended. __ 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] KAT2 Debate
At 02:55 PM 11/09/09, you wrote: Not sure what if anything am missing by not having an autotuner installed in the K2. Any advice? 73, Curt KB5JO Curt, I have the KAT2 in each of my K2's. I usually have them in line. However, the main reason I have them is because they provide a port for a second transmit/receive antenna. I suppose they provide some band pass isolation when in line. John k7up __ 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] Good experiance using the K3-100 on battery power
On Fri, 11 Sep 2009 18:21:40 +0100, David Cutter wrote: I used a Honda on field day a few years ago, (240V mains outlet) and was staggered by the amount of SMPS noise. I fitted a big filter grounded local to the generator about 60ft away that made it tolerable. VERY important point. Ground for a filter has NOTHING to do with EARTH. Rather, the 'ground of the filter (its shielding enclosure) needs a zero length connection to the chassis of the noise source (the generator). You CAN tie this point to the earth, and it may help a bit, but it is the connection between the filter chassis and the generator chassis that is most important. BTW -- winding about 10 turns of the power cord around one or more toroids is also a very effective common mode filter for 2-10 MHz. Use fewer turns for the higher HF bands. See http://audiosystemsgroup.com/RFI-Ham.pdf for detailed winding guidelines and measured data for chokes. You should be able to get 10 turns of 14-3 cable through a 2.4-inch toroid. While you may want bigger conductors for the long run, you can certainly insert a short length of #14-3 at the generator without serious IR drop. An earth connection for the generator chassis can help here too. In both cases, the earth connection and the line cord through the choke form a current divider for RF current. The earth connection is typically on the order of a 50-100 ohms or so, and a big choke can be a few KOhms. 73, Jim Brown K9YC __ 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] Re： KAT2 Debate
Hello John, Agreed. ATU is a preselector / filter in certain extend. It will improve isolation and selectivity though not significant but noticeable. KAT2 is not cheap when compared with other antenna tuners say from LDG or ZM2. However, the merit of having KAT2 is that you get everything in one box. Just throw up a wire of say 30 ft and push the ATU bottom then you are doing your QSO. This is the reason why K2 is my most favorite field day HF rig. On the other hand, if you have a number of QRP rigs, then you may consider whether you would like to have an ATU which can also work other rigs apart from K2. To this end, I always praise / admire Elecraft's talent in radio design / marketing / production cost control / price decision - a classic business school case worth studying. cheers, Johnny Siu VR2XMC 寄件人﹕ John k...@hughes.net 收件人 elecraft@mailman.qth.net 傳送日期﹕ 2009 年 9月 12 日 星期六 上午 6:18:38 主題： Re: [Elecraft] KAT2 Debate At 02:55 PM 11/09/09, you wrote: Not sure what if anything am missing by not having an autotuner installed in the K2. Any advice? 73, Curt KB5JO Curt, I have the KAT2 in each of my K2's. I usually have them in line. However, the main reason I have them is because they provide a port for a second transmit/receive antenna. I suppose they provide some band pass isolation when in line. John k7up Yahoo!香港提供網上安全攻略，教你如何防範黑客! 請前往 http://hk.promo.yahoo.com/security/ 了解更多! __ 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 Utility settings transfer
I see your point. :)
At the sake of being too simplistic, here is *my* point:
Yes, but more like:
User opens application by double clicking the icon
User selects the Configuration tab from the tab group
User selects the Export Program Settings box
Software raises selection form Save Export As...
User chooses name and location from presented menu (standard Windows Save As
form).
System checks destination upon entry. If destination contains selected file
name and extension, software raises File already exists: Save Anyway -
Cancel
Upon successful selection, software runs script containing the following
commands:
- Find required registry keys that determine the settings.
- Create a package that contains the settings
- Runs a examination routine that determines only valid keys are being
copied
- Saves the package to the selected destination.
- If check and save are successful, Software raises completion form: File
Created successfully
- If file check and/or save are unsuccessful, software raises error form:
Error Saving File: {reason} + Not enough room at destination + Incorrect
syntax found + Destination Write Protected... Etc etc.
A similar process for importing is also created.
The benefit is that the user never needs to see or remember the base level
commands you describe below which might be intimidating to him/her. The
computer does what it is supposed to do, shield the user from the process by
automation.
You have probably read this:
http://www.joelonsoftware.com/uibook/chapters/fog62.html
I find the writings useful in fields other than software development.
Yes, I know editing the registry is easy and un intimidating.
Others might not find it so.
-lu-w4lt-
-Original Message-
From: Dick Dievendorff [mailto:die...@comcast.net]
Sent: Friday, September 11, 2009 4:37 PM
To: lrom...@ij.net; elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] K3 Utility settings transfer
You mean something like
Regedit /E myfile.reg HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Elecraft\K3 Utility
Use notepad to examine myfile.reg to verify that it has what
you expect (only keys and subkeys of the K3 Utility)
Copy myfile.reg to the other machine,
and on the other machine,
Regedit myfile.reg
?
Dick, K6KR
-Original Message-
From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Lu Romero
Sent: Friday, September 11, 2009 10:23 AM
To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Utility settings transfer
Dick:
How many lines of code would it take to write a script to
accomplish this process behind the UI? Would this
significantly add to the download overhead of the Utility
application? Would it take an inordinate ammount of time to develop?
I use a Laptop and a Desktop both with configuration programs
(along with K3-EZ) with my radio. A Export Utilities
settings and a Import Utility settings script set with a
big square button for each (OK, put it in the file menu!)
would be a handy addition to the software package's feature
set. There is plenty of room on the sheet as it apears now,
so its not a question of sheet real estate.
Although I personally feel comfortable working with RegEdit,
many do not, and keeping registry manipulation away from
users is usually a good thing.
Serious damage can occur if you dont pay attention any time
youre messing with the Windows' Registry.
Just a thought for your development features list.
Thanks for letting me know that this process is doable at the
registry level. Wish I would have known about it two weeks ago :(
-Lu Romero - W4LT-
K3 #3192
-
Date: Thu, 10 Sep 2009 16:13:04 -0700
From: Dick Dievendorff die...@comcast.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Utility settings transfer
To: 'Thom LaCosta' k3...@zerobeat.net,'Chris
M0PSK'
chrism0...@googlemail.com
Cc: 'Elecraft Reflector' elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Message-ID: 01ca326c$40aa7490$c1ff5d...@net
Content-Type: text/plain;charset=us-ascii
ini files have their own problems, that's why they have long
been deprecated for new application development. Raymond Chen
explains why in
http://blogs.msdn.com/oldnewthing/archive/2007/11/26/6523907.aspx.
There are issues with the Registry as well, but it's the
solution a whole lot of software authors choose for rapid
hierarchal access to configuration data.
If I were writing the K3 Utility with extensive library
support (pick your run-time library, VBRUN, .Net, Java,
RealBasic, Qt, whatever), I might have used an XML
configuration file, as I did with K3 Voice. One of the
constraints I accepted for the K3 Utility was a relatively
small download size (currently it's just over a megabyte, and
about 2/3 of that is help text and help file images), and to
avoid prerequisite downloads and installation issues commonly
referred to as the DLL Hell
problem.
Re: [Elecraft] [K2] XV50 vs FT817?
Peter - The XV-50 and a K2 is not really a cost effective way of getting on VHF. Besides the KIO2, you will also need either the K60XV or the K160RX. And if you want SSB, you will need the KSB2. If you already have the K2, the cost may be reasonable given the good performance achieved, but if you are starting from scratch, the cost of a K2, the options required for transverter operation, and the XV50 are pretty close to a 10 Watt K3, and the K3 has a lot better performance. The K2 does offer a very nice transverter interface, but going that way is fairly expensive. The FT-817 is a different beast. The receiver performance under crowded band conditions is not great and you really need to add the narrow CW filter to bring it up to snuff on CW receive. That said, you get a lot of bang for your buck with the 817, and if you want to contest at VHF, two meters is almost essential. You will find that everyone you work in a VHF contest will ask you if you have any other bands. You will with the FT-817, you won't with the K2/XV50. In the June contest, with Es, you can get by with 6M only, but the rest of the year you will probably be better off with 2M as the main band. As to QRP at VHF, there is more to be said on that, which I will in another post. - De. Megacycle KK6MC/5 -- KK6MC James Duffey Cedar Crest NM __ 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] QRP at VHF
Bill is a good friend of mine and he has given me lots of points in VHF/UHF contests, for which I am very grateful. I think his views on QRP at VHF are overly harsh though. QRP does not fit into Bill's six meter goals and operating style, and I accept that, but that does not mean QRP is unsuitable for everyone. QRP certainly requires patience and hard work, as well as relying on CW and accepting that you will not be the loudest station on the band. It is not for those who can't stand hearing a rare station and not working it. There is a QRP Portable category in the ARRL contests and a Hilltopper category in the July CQ contest, both of which are limited to 10 Watts or less. In either of these contests, if you go to a hilltop, or even a high spot in a sparsely populated grid square with an FT-817, 15 or 20 ft of TV mast or EMT, a homebrew Moxon like N2MH has on his web page, and the longest WA5VJB cheap yagis for 2M and 70 cm, again home brew, you can have a lot of fun, and if there is reasonable activity work a lot of stuff. In the January contest you will likely do better than if you had 100 Watts on 6M only. The QRP combination is good for contacts out to 150-200 miles on CW perhaps half that on SSB. The QRP Portable category is under represented in the contests and there is some low lying fruit to be picked there in terms of section and division certificates. QRP will work from a fixed site as well. The key is good antennas, up high and low loss feed line. On the other hand, if you put up a loop in the attic, drive it with the FT-817, you will only get a small taste of what VHF operating is about. In my experience many, but not all, VHF ops on SSB will come back to you if you call them on CW. Cross mode contacts are fairly common, and if you are in a grid they need, they will work hard to put you in the log. That said, you will quickly note the lack of power on VHF, even more so than on HF. There is lots of stuff at or near the noise level, particularly when the band is opening and closing that you will miss with QRP. You will hear the big stations far away, but they will not hear you, even when you call on CW. You will quickly learn that the key to success in VHF contesting is to be loud on two. If you are satisfied with the QRP experience, you can meet this objective by putting up more antenna. If you long for more than QRP can give you, brick amplifiers are readily available and will put you in the 150 Watt class pretty easily without a big investment. Going from 5 or 10 Watts on 2M to 150 Watts opens whole new worlds. And in contesting, that means on 6M and 70 cm as well. QRP is fun on VHF and you can work a lot of stuff, but it only gives a taste of what VHF is good for. But for some a taste is enough. Get on with what you have, even if it is QRP and see if you like it. If you do you can go QRO later. And then you will want to add 222 MHz, or the microwaves, or go roving, or try meteor scatter, or moonbounce. There is lots of adventure up on VHF and UHF, all of it pretty accessible these days to the average ham who is willing to work a bit. There is a VHF contest this weekend, so if you have SSB/CW capability on VHF or UHF, give it a try. It is a lot of fun. I am roving along the 100th parallel south from Nebraska tomorrow, so I need to get up early and finish getting the rover read. Listen for the weak ones. - Dr. Megacycle KK6MC/5 -- KK6MC James Duffey Cedar Crest NM __ 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] Re： [K2] XV50 vs FT817?
May be I would like to add another point for the setting up of XV50+K2. It is NOT quite necessary to get the KIO2 and KV60 transverter interface to work K2 + XV50. XV50 is so well designed that it can work with a wide variety of combinations. To be marketable product, the entire XV series can work with variety of rigs and set-up combination. K2 can TX at a stable low power of about 1 watt (actually well lower than that in my own experience). All you need is a simple Keying Kit from N0SS to PTT the transverter. Of course, if you really need to go for 60m or computer control, then you will need the KIO2 or KV60. Otherwise, you can save some $ for your K2 + XV50 set up. AsI mentioned in the past in this email reflector, when you add up all the preferred options for either K2 or K3, the overall bill could be quite handsome. Clearly, you are given the full liberty to make your own choices of options and reduce your bill accordingly. FT817, is really another kind of animal. It is handy, multifunction and entertaining. Of course, it is much cheaper - only about US$570 in Hong Kong for a MF to UHF multiband all mode rig. When the band is dead, you even listen to FM broadcast for amusement. While I use K2 for HF field day, I would prefer using FT817 for ARES or local community social services. Just my 2 cents opinion. 73 Johnny Siu VR2XMC 寄件人﹕ James Duffey jamesduf...@comcast.net 收件人 elecraft@mailman.qth.net 副本(CC) James Duffey jamesduf...@comcast.net 傳送日期﹕ 2009 年 9月 12 日 星期六 上午 9:47:58 主題： Re: [Elecraft] [K2] XV50 vs FT817? Peter - The XV-50 and a K2 is not really a cost effective way of getting on VHF. Besides the KIO2, you will also need either the K60XV or the K160RX. And if you want SSB, you will need the KSB2. If you already have the K2, the cost may be reasonable given the good performance achieved, but if you are starting from scratch, the cost of a K2, the options required for transverter operation, and the XV50 are pretty close to a 10 Watt K3, and the K3 has a lot better performance. The K2 does offer a very nice transverter interface, but going that way is fairly expensive. The FT-817 is a different beast. The receiver performance under crowded band conditions is not great and you really need to add the narrow CW filter to bring it up to snuff on CW receive. That said, you get a lot of bang for your buck with the 817, and if you want to contest at VHF, two meters is almost essential. You will find that everyone you work in a VHF contest will ask you if you have any other bands. You will with the FT-817, you won't with the K2/XV50. In the June contest, with Es, you can get by with 6M only, but the rest of the year you will probably be better off with 2M as the main band. As to QRP at VHF, there is more to be said on that, which I will in another post. - De. Megacycle KK6MC/5 -- KK6MC James Duffey Cedar Crest NM __ 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 Yahoo!香港提供網上安全攻略，教你如何防範黑客! 請前往 http://hk.promo.yahoo.com/security/ 了解更多! __ 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] QRP at VHF
How times change. At one time 5 or 10 watts was pretty typical on 6, 2 and 1-1/4 meters unless you were one of the rare fellows trying for EME. And we were running AM phone to boot! My first 2 meter rig (homebrew of course) ran less than 1 watt. It was not uncommon to work 50 or 100 miles with that power into a simple ground plane antenna. Of course, one of the big attractions was that gain antennas were physically rather small. Ron AC7AC __ 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] QRP at VHF
It is awe inspiring what one can do with a 1 watt rig, and a homebrew 8 element wide spaced beam... at 10 to 12 wavelengths high... and it doesn't tear up the tvs in the area either. 36 states in a couple months was enough to tickle my interest! --... ..--- Dale - WC7S in Wy _ Windows Live: Keep your friends up to date with what you do online. http://windowslive.com/Campaign/SocialNetworking?ocid=PID23285::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:SI_SB_online:082009 __ 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] Good experiance using the K3-100 on battery power
On WB6ZQZ's advice I got one of 40A RV charger power supplies on eBay and use it with a Group 24 battery from Tempost. I bought the charger refurb and saved some money. It made a faint noise on some bands with no antenna attached, so I put a big #31 ferrite toroid on the output and it's quite quiet now. http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/6848 Leigh/WA5ZNU Jim Brown K9YC wrote: ...In my shack at home and on Field Day, I've always run my ham gear from a big Costco deep cycle battery that is float charged from a little regulated 10A supply ($10 at a hamfest). It's a poor man's UPS, and works fine. ... __ 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
