Re: [Elecraft] COAX for audio cables ???

[Jim Brown]

On Sun, 31 Jan 2010 21:36:46 -0800 (PST), Bob - W0GI wrote:

>I will need to make some audio cables for the new K3 for the 
>LP-PAN to the audio box, and also to the other soundcard.

The only important thing about unbalanced audio cable is that 
it the shield has low DC resistance. The calls for a decent 
copper braid shield. Mini coax like RG176 works fine. So does 
ordinary RG58. But remember, I said COPPER BRAID, NOT 
ALUMINUM FOIL!  

AND -- resistance isn't even that important if you follow the 
simple instructions on bonding all the chassis together with 
short pieces of copper. I use either the braid stripped from 
coax (equivalent to #12 - #10) or an equivalent piece of THHN 
(house wire). 

To understand all this, see the Ham Interfacing Power Point 
and the chapter on solving problems in the shack in my RFI 
Tutorial.

http://audiosystemsgroup.com/publish.htm  

73,

Jim K9YC




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[Elecraft] COAX for audio cables ???

[Bob - W0GI]

I will need to make some audio cables for the new K3 for the LP-PAN to the
audio box, and also to the other soundcard.

I think I read somewhere in one of the K3 manuals that it is best to use
small coax, as it has better shielding.

Makes sense to me, and LMR100 seems to fit the bill, but at $0.64 per foot,
I wonder what else is available?

Not cheesy RS audio cable, but decent coax?

Considering the length involved, the LMR100 isn't going to break the bank.
:>)
-- 
View this message in context: 
http://n2.nabble.com/COAX-for-audio-cables-tp4492686p4492686.html
Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
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Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft Net

[Fred Atchley]

Hi Ian, 

I listened for you at 0900Z (1:00 PST) at 3658 kHz. All I heard was some
very faint SSB ops about 2 kHz up. Was that possibly you? Did you have any
NA ops check in? 

73, Fred, AE6IC in southern California.  hamkt...@att.net

 

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[Elecraft] Elecraft CW Net Report for January 31st & February 1st, 2010

[Kevin Rock]

Good Evening,
   Both nets ran fairly well.  A little QSB on each but the noise levels were 
much lower than they have been in quite a while, especially on forty meters.  
It was pleasant not having to worry about digging under the noise by cranking 
the gain levels to where it hurts.  I did go for a short walk after the second 
net but that was more because the day was so nice than for any noise issues.  I 
did have to work through a number of pileups where I got only a tone.  
Sometimes the first and last ops got through and the rest were a howl.  The 
'hail' signs come in handy during these periods of good propagation.  When it 
gets much better I may have to work split or run by region.  

   On to the lists =>

  On 14050.5 kHz at 2300z:
NO8V - John - MI - K3 - 820  * QNI # 110 * 
W0CZ - Ken - ND - K3 - 457
AB9V - Mike - IN - K3 - 398
N0TA - John - CO - K3 - 994
WB5BKL - Nick - TX - K3 - 231
N0AR - Scott - MN - K2 - 4866
K9ZTV - Kent - MO - K3 - 21
K4JPN - Steve - GA - K2 - 1422
W8OV - Dave - TX - K3 - 3139
K1THP - Dave - CT - K3 - 686
WB3AAL - Ron - PA - K2 - 1392
KL7CW - Rick - AK - KX1 - 798* QNI # 195 *
KB3FBR - Joe - PA - K2 - 6178
K4NVJ - Joe - AL - K3 - 241 

  On 7045 kHz at z:
NO8V - John - MI - K3 - 820
KL7CW - Rick - AK - KX1 - 798
AB9V - Mike - IN - K3 - 398
K1THP - Dave - CT - K3 - 686
N0TA - John - CO - K3 - 994
K4JPN - Steve - GA - K2 - 1422
W0CZ - Ken - ND - K3 - 457
N0AR - Scott - MN - K2 - 4866
WB3AAL - Ron - PA - K2 - 1392
K6DGW - Fred - CA - K3 - 642
KD5ZLB - Edwin - LA - K3 - 3147QNI # 5!
N2YC - John - NY - K2 - 5949
 
   The weather reports were for wintry weather across much of the area covered 
by the nets.  I did not receive any temperature readings which were higher than 
mine.  However, I did not get any check ins from Southern California or 
Arizona.  This has been an incredibly mild winter thus far.  I had snow until 
shortly after Christmas and it has not returned.  Not even a decent frost since 
then.  The storms are still stacked up in the Pacific ready to hit the coast 
but many of them pass to my south.  Often I am just on the northern fringe so 
as California gets its much needed rain I get sporadic clouds and sun.  It is 
not like I am drying out but it is nice to see the sun during the winter time.  
   For those of you in the colder regions I can tell you the sun is coming back 
albeit slowly.  Spring is coming, it will get warmer.  That is easy to prove 
because I know have four seed catalogs in front of me :)  Now to get to work 
and rebuild the greenhouse I lost in the nasty weather of a few years ago.  I 
am going to move the entire structure to very close to the house.  That way it 
will be more sheltered from the prevailing winds and give me easier access for 
water and electricity.  I think I will feed it with 24 VAC and then rectify it 
on site.  That way I can use smaller cabling and easily obtain the voltages my 
various test gadgets will need for ventilation, temperature, and humidity 
control.  Should be a fun project.
   Until next week stay warm and healthy,
  73,
 Kevin.  KD5ONS  (Net Control Operator 5th Class)

-
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[Elecraft] Elecraft SSB Net results (1-31-10)

[Phillip Shepard]

We had a very good net today.  Signals were generally strong, and we had 38
participants over the 35 minute net.  The discussions centered on shipment
status/dates for the upgraded DSP PCB and the P3.  Here is the list of the
group:

Station NameQTH Rig S/N

W4RKS   Jim AL  K3  3618
KA0NCR  Arnie   NE  K3  185
W0FMTerry   MO  K3  474
NZ0TBillKS  K3  1502
VE1JS   JohnNS  K3  3486
N4LCD   PaulGA  K3  350
W4CCS   Scott   GA  K3  2090
K4GCJ   Garry   NC  K3  1597
K4AEN   Tom VA  K3  3497
KY1RK   Robert  NC  K3  1461
W4TMCaryVA  K3  3491
KJ4ZM   Sam SC  Omni 6+
W9DVM   PhilFL  K3  1605
K2QYJohnNY  K3  3845
K8MBY   PhilOH  K3  609
N9YKE   Don WI  K3  2505
KA1OZ   DickMA  K3  859
WB8RAE  BillNY  K3  2389
AB4THarry   NC  K3  1471
KB9AVS  Steve   IN  K3  2443
K7SJRoger   WA  K3  75
AB2TC   Ken NY  K3  82
K8EAG   Gil MI  K3  95?
KA5KKT  DickKY  K3  1030
ZL1PWD  Peter   NZ  K3  139
AC9DDickCA  K3  3697
K4KBB   JohnNC  K3  2566
VE4QZ   DougMB  K3  1021
W8YMO   Harry   OH  K3  166
K1BBM   JohnMA  K3  2579
K4CCH   Charlie GA  K3  3509
W1LGX   DaleME  TS440
W6VYBob CA  K3  2765
KB0YH   Gus CO  K3  441
KA8PDan MI  K3  3320
AE6IC   FredCA  K3  2241
NQ3NBob NJ  K3  2829
W2RWA   DickNY  K3  2603
NS7PPhilOR  K3  1826


73,

Phil, NS7P


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[Elecraft] [K3] diversity ATT/Pre settings bug

[Carl Clawson]

When I double tap A->B to send all settings to B, the ATT and PRE settings
are transported from the main to the subreceiver when in diversity mode.
This is not appropriate because the subreceiver is NOT using VFO B settings.
It should be independent of the main and stay put where it's set by BSET. I
didn't check on the filter width, etc., so there may be some other things
that should stay put.

I tried blaming N1MM at first but narrowed it down to the K3 as I can
reproduce it even when running standalone from any software.

The K3 excelled in CQ 160. I am a very pleased owner. Diversity receive
ROCKS!

(BA4RF, I heard you several times but could not reach you, but be assured
you were heard by my K3. Let's keep trying! I have not logged BY yet on top
band, and it should not be hard from my west coast QTH.)

Version 3.68.

73 and thanks,
Carl WS7L
K3 #486

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[Elecraft] K3 #2571

[John Adams]

I have the following for sale.

K3/100-FK3 100W transceiver   factory assembled.  Serial # 2571
KAT3-F  K3 ATU   factory installed
KBPF3General coverage RX module
KFL3A-200 K3 200HZ,5 pole filter
KFL3A-1.8k1.8 kHz, 8 pole roofing filter
KFL3A-6K  AM K3 6 kHz, 8 pole filter
KFL3B-FM  FM-Bandwidth, 8 pole roofing filter
K3FLMATCH  K3 5 pole filter macthing to 40 Hz (2.7)
KPCA-FPower cable assembly (spare cable)
KRX3K3 2nd Rx modular kit
KTCX03-1K3 TCXO 1ppm F/W correction TO 0.5 ppm
KFL3A-1.8k 1.8kHz, 8 pole roofing filter (for second receiver)
KXV3K3 transverter interface
KDVR3  Digital voice recorder
PR66 meter preamp
MH2-R  Hand held microphone for K2/K3
Owner's manual revision D2 January 1, 2009

$4175.00 CAD plus shipping.

73.
John.
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Re: [Elecraft] K3 & Beverages on 160

[Guy Olinger K2AV]

This has absolutely nothing to do with your K3. Normally, well
constructed beverages will outperform a K9AY, and Gary does not claim
that his design will outperform good beverages.

Using a house ground for a signal ground on a beverage will IMPOSE
house noise on the beverage, rendering it useless and apparently
without pattern.

There are extensive excellent discussions in Topband archives on
suppressing feedline noise on beverages and how to ground them.

Very good reading. Avail yourself. Search on beverage and grounding.
It would take forever to copy that material into brand new posts on
the Elecraft reflector.

That your K9AY worked well clears your K3 and its settings from any suspicion.

73, Guy.

On Sun, Jan 31, 2010 at 12:23 PM, Gary Smith  wrote:
> I just posted this to the topband reflector thinking I might get some
> help from the folks who know about beverages for low band Dxing.
>
> Perhaps something in my K3 is not configured as well as it should be
> and that's maybe a cause of my problems so I'm posting this here as
> well. The answer lies somewhere between my expectations for Rx
> antennae and high atmospheric noise I'm hearing.
>
> My K3 is pretty well fully loaded and has a Sub Rx and a KXV3. The Rx
> antenna coax goes to the end of a BNC "T" where the shaft of the T
> connects to the Aux RF BNC and then the coax at the other end of the
> "T" connects to the left Rx Ant BNC on the KXV3.
>
> Here's what I posted to Topband:
>
>
>   Post to topband
> Well, it was a scramble trying to make these hastily thrown together
> beverages for the contest. I found some interesting discoveries which
>
> means I need to learn more.
>
> Radio is a K3. The preamp is turned off in the K3
>
> Beverage 1 runs from the house to the east and is 500' long. The wire
>
> comes in through the window sill and is held up by branches & it
> dips,. It has no termination resistor. The matching transformer is
> next to the window. The ground is connected to the station ground
> rod.
>
> Beverage 2 runs due north and is 350 feet long. it is connected to
> 100' of TV cable and it is grounded at the feed point 100' from the
> house where the matching transformer is. There is a 350 ohm carbon
> resistor (parallelled resistors) at the north tip and a 6' ground rod
>
> in swamp muck
>
> Both Beverages are about 8 feet off the ground except #1 which is
> settling down in the marsh reeds to where it will be closer to the
> ground at the distal end.
>
> K9AY is beside the house
>
> INV-L is 350 feet from the house, about 70 radials 130' each.
>
> Problem for me for an example is I can not hear JAs where others in
> the area are working them.
>
> My K9AY is much better in killing atmospheric noise than the vertical
>
> but it still does not pick up those JAs.
>
> So I decided to try these beverages to see how they do.
>
> My discoveries are thus: Both Beverages are full of atmospheric
> noise. Both of the beverages definitely had a good gain over the K9AY
>
> but the K9AY heard most everything these beverages heard but the
> noise was tremendously lower than the Beverages. The RF signals were
> attenuated a bit but the S/N ratio was by far better with the K9AY.
>
> I have the K3 configured so the main receiver listens through the Inv-
>
> L and the sub receiver uses the Rx antennae. I have all 3 Rx ants on
> a coax switch and this goes into the control head of the K9AY so I
> can use that pre is I wish.
>
> The atmospheric noise was so bad with the beverages I sometimes found
>
> it better to use just the main Rx & the Inv-L only to cut down on the
>
> atmospheric.
>
> It's my understanding the Beverage is supposed to be a quiet antenna
> but as mine are not, perhaps there's an obvious reason why mine
> behave so badly? #1 is in a salt marsh with nothing around it and #2
> runs along the marsh and terminates just before railroad tracks.
>
> I surely must be doing something wrong.
>
> Thanks
> Gary
> KA1J
> --end---
>
> Any suggestions on how I have my K3 setup?
>
> 73,
>
> Gary
> KA1J
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Re: [Elecraft] [OT] PCI Express sound card for digimodes

[Larry Phipps]

My system is a 5-year old single processor P4. I think that has a lot to do 
with it. Plus, I'm running the latest PowerSDR and CW Skimmer to get to these 
numbers. Still, the USB sound card produces double the load of my PCI sound 
cards.

Larry N8LP




Date: Sun, 31 Jan 2010 11:02:03 -0800 (PST)
From: "Leigh L. Klotz Jr WA5ZNU" 
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft Digest, Vol 69, Issue 53
To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Message-ID: <1264964523136-4490521.p...@n2.nabble.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii


This may be OS dependent, or it may be due to hidden sample rate conversions
in the drivers.
I use the EMU-0202 with Quisk for LP-PAN and Griffin iMic with fldigi
simultaneously on Linux and don't notice this level of CPU load at all. 

Leigh/WA5ZNU

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Re: [Elecraft] [K3] Noise blanker insertion loss

[Wes Stewart]

Correct.  You can turn blanking on with the front panel switch and go to the 
setup function and dial it in and out with the knob and listen for the relay 
click.

--- On Sun, 1/31/10, Joe Planisky  wrote:

From: Joe Planisky 
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [K3] Noise blanker insertion loss
To: "Lyle Johnson" 
Cc: "Wes Stewart" , elecraft@mailman.qth.net, "IIIEdward 
Dickinson" 
Date: Sunday, January 31, 2010, 6:32 PM

Nearly the same here (-2.2dB), but only when the IF NB is used.  No  
loss at all with just the DSP NB engaged.

73
--
Joe KB8AP

On Jan 31, 2010, at 4:31 PM, Lyle Johnson wrote:

>
>> I just noted that my noise blanker has an S-unit of insertion loss.
>
> I measure 2.0 dB (AGC OFF, using AFV/dBV internal functions and
> monitoring a steady nominal S5 carrier on 6 meters).
>
> 73,
>
> Lyle KK7P
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Re: [Elecraft] [K3] Noise blanker insertion loss

[Wes Stewart]

Thanks Lyle,

I put my stepped attenuator in the line between the K3 and the XG2 and checked 
the S-meter.  The way I had it calibrated, a 3dB step took it from S9 down to 
S8.  I re-calibrated the S-meter offset until the meter read S9 and a 6dB step 
was required to take it to S8.  (Offset value went from 22 down to 20)

Now I don't see an S-unit of change with the blanker in and out and using your 
method, I read 2.8 dB of insertion loss.  Higher than yours but not quite as 
troublesome.

Regards,

Wes  N7WS

--- On Sun, 1/31/10, Lyle Johnson  wrote:

From: Lyle Johnson 
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [K3] Noise blanker insertion loss
To: "Wes Stewart" 
Cc: elecraft@mailman.qth.net, "IIIEdward Dickinson" 
Date: Sunday, January 31, 2010, 5:31 PM


> I just noted that my noise blanker has an S-unit of insertion loss.

I measure 2.0 dB (AGC OFF, using AFV/dBV internal functions and monitoring a 
steady nominal S5 carrier on 6 meters).

73,

Lyle KK7P



  
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Re: [Elecraft] [K3] Noise blanker insertion loss

[Joe Planisky]

Nearly the same here (-2.2dB), but only when the IF NB is used.  No  
loss at all with just the DSP NB engaged.

73
--
Joe KB8AP

On Jan 31, 2010, at 4:31 PM, Lyle Johnson wrote:

>
>> I just noted that my noise blanker has an S-unit of insertion loss.
>
> I measure 2.0 dB (AGC OFF, using AFV/dBV internal functions and
> monitoring a steady nominal S5 carrier on 6 meters).
>
> 73,
>
> Lyle KK7P
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Re: [Elecraft] [Elecraft_K3] TX CW discrepancy

[Vic K2VCO]

Igor Sokolov wrote:
> Here is the picture to illustrate the problem.
> http://forum.qrz.ru/attachment.php?attachmentid=29596&d=1264954098
> 
> again, QSK is not used. This shows one of the long series of dots sent 
> with external PTT.
> 73, Igor UA9CDC

This is probably caused by advancing the TX DLY. What it is doing is waiting 
after key 
closure to start generating RF. The fact that you are not using the vox/qsk to 
initiate 
closure of the amp key circuit doesn't matter.
-- 
73,
Vic, K2VCO
Fresno CA
http://www.qsl.net/k2vco
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Re: [Elecraft] Signal - RF Generator

[dw]

Hi,
This may not help you much but I use a very simple crystal-can
oscillator which is set at a fixed frequency of 7,328.00 Mhz which I
purchased from mouser.
It is rock solid stable and only cost me $25 with the rest of the parts.
I use it primarily to align my K2 filters and the main display.
I don't have a PC with a sound card to use the spectrum software, and
the osc works like a charm with no fussing over audio interconnect.

N1BBR
-- 
 bw...@fastmail.net

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Re: [Elecraft] [Elecraft_K3] TX CW discrepancy

[Vic K2VCO]

Igor Sokolov wrote:

>>> On all 3 units series of dots were sent using external keyer with 50% 
>>> weight. While on the monitor output the weight remained to be 50% the 
>>> RF output showed shortening of dots (and therefore lengthening of 
>>> spaces) by 7 or 8 msec. This effect does not depend on WPM speed and 
>>> therefore less pronounced at slower speeds.
>>> Could somebody confirm this please. We do not want to trouble 
>>> Elecraft without being 100% sure that the problem exists.

>> What is CONFIG: TX DLY set to? I have noticed that setting it higher 
>> than about 10 or 12 causes CW element shortening. This is the number 
>> of ms delay from the time the KEY OUT jack goes low and RF is 
>> generated. A true QSK amp should be able to work with the default 
>> setting of 8.

> Hi Vic,
> QSK is not used here. We are using external PTT. Does TX DLY setting 
> affect sending anyway? I think in  at least one case it is 20ms but why 
> should it affect anything in a series of dots sent with PTT permanently 
> enabled?

I'm not near my radio to try it, but try setting it to NOR 08 and see if the 
problem goes 
away. I know it is intended for QSK, but it does delay the onset of RF so it 
may shorten 
the keyed elements even if you are using ptt.
-- 
73,
Vic, K2VCO
Fresno CA
http://www.qsl.net/k2vco
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Re: [Elecraft] [K3] Noise blanker insertion loss

[Brett Howard]

I just got done using that feature to measure filter flatness for
someone...  Gotta admit thats a VERY handy feature!

~Brett

On Sun, 2010-01-31 at 16:31 -0800, Lyle Johnson wrote:
> > I just noted that my noise blanker has an S-unit of insertion loss.
> 
> I measure 2.0 dB (AGC OFF, using AFV/dBV internal functions and 
> monitoring a steady nominal S5 carrier on 6 meters).
> 
> 73,
> 
> Lyle KK7P
> __
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Re: [Elecraft] [K3] Noise blanker insertion loss

[Lyle Johnson]

> I just noted that my noise blanker has an S-unit of insertion loss.

I measure 2.0 dB (AGC OFF, using AFV/dBV internal functions and 
monitoring a steady nominal S5 carrier on 6 meters).

73,

Lyle KK7P
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Re: [Elecraft] [K3] Noise blanker insertion loss

[Wes Stewart]

Thanks. Too bad.
--- On Sun, 1/31/10, Edward Dickinson, III  wrote:

From: Edward Dickinson, III 
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [K3] Noise blanker insertion loss
To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Date: Sunday, January 31, 2010, 2:27 PM

Yes...


73,

Dick - KA5KKT




I just noted that my noise blanker has an S-unit of insertion loss.

Anyone else see this?

Wes  N7WS




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Re: [Elecraft] K2 Power Fluxuation Question

[Don Wilhelm]

Lee,

That would seem to be the Power Stability problem with the K2 - it is 
caused by too much gain in the RF chain with the KPA100 added in-line.
The cure is to increase the value of R98 on the bottom of the RF Board.
Follow the instructions in the Optional K2 Power Control Mod in the 
Builder's Resource page at the Elecraft website or use the direct link 
of http://www.elecraft.com/Apps/Power_Control_Mod.html.

73,
Don W3FPR

Lee Buller wrote:
> I have not used by K2/100 - KAT2 in quite some time.  If I set the power 
> control to 80 watts...the unit jumps to 112...then to 101...then to 90 and 
> then to 82 watts and it seems to stabilize there.  Then I key it again at it 
> goes to around 40 watts...jumps to 55 watts and then goes to 82 watts.  
>
> If I let it sit for a minute or two then the first scenario starts again.  
> When I key it again right after that...the power goes to the second scenario.
>
> It seems to jump to 10 watt increments either up or down.
>
> Never seen this before.  Have anyone seen this before?
>
> Lee - K0WA
>   
>
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Re: [Elecraft] KAT3 antenna tuner

[Wes Stewart]

>From what I calculate, 22 +j8 ought to be relatively easy to match, if the 
>KAT3 schematic is correct.  A low-pass L with series L = 1.48 uH, C = 1967 pF 
>gets it to 1.009:1, assuming no strays and Qc = 1000, Ql = 200. 

If my paper and pencil addition is correct, the available C ~ 2600 pF allows a 
match to a load of ~16 +j20. (with L ~ 0)

Since I prefer matching at the antenna, I don't have a KAT3, so this is all a 
paper guess.

Wes  N7WS

--- On Sun, 1/31/10, Kok Chen  wrote:

> From: Kok Chen 
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KAT3 antenna tuner
> To: "Elecraft Reflector" 
> Date: Sunday, January 31, 2010, 1:27 PM
> 
> On Jan 31, 2010, at 1/31    10:34 AM, Roger D
> Johnson wrote:
> 
> > I started on this topic because the tuner failed to
> find a good  
> > match at
> > 1800.
> 
> To see the approximate range of the internal K3 antenna
> tuner at 1800  
> kc, take a look here
> 
> http://homepage.mac.com/chen/Technical/Tuner/tuner1.8.pdf
> 
> (warning, it is a very large 9 MB PDF file (lots of
> points), if you  
> download as PDF and view with a PDF reader, you can
> rescale, etc  
> faster than viewing from a web browser).
> 
> Each dot indicates the impedance at the antenna port when
> the radio  
> port of the tuner is set to 50 ohms.  So the tuner
> should tune an  
> antenna that is the conjugate of where a dot lands on the
> Smith Chart.
> 
> The green points are for the case trx > series L : shunt
> C > antenna,  
> and the blue points are when the tuner switches to trx >
> shunt C >  
> series L > antenna.
> 
> > My VNA shows the impedance at the TX connector as
> 22+j8 which should
> > be well within the proper range.
> 
> 
> The conjugate of 22 + j8 ohms appears as 0.44 - j0.16 ohm
> on the  
> normalized Smith Chart in the PDF file.  That is just
> barely inside  
> the coverage region of the tuner.
> 
> You might try manually setting the tuner to the trx >
> shunt C > series  
> L > antenna position, turn C to the max
> (1200+600+300+...) and then  
> manually adjusting around the small values of L for lowest
> SWR.
> 
>  From my fiddling with the values, a 50 ohm source appears
> to prefer  
> large shunt C followed by a small series L on the way to a
> 22 + j8  
> ohms antenna .  It could be possible that other
> circuitry is  
> preventing you from reaching precisely that area of the
> tuner.
> 
> One thing you can do is to move the impedance of what you
> see at the  
> end of your current transmission line.  Since you have
> a VNA, you  
> might want to play with changing the line length of the 50
> ohm  
> transmission line (or use a short length of a different
> impedance line  
> to transform the impedance that you are currently seeing)
> so that its  
> conjugate is more inside the dotted region of the PDF
> file.
> 
> Also, since you have a VNA, why not temporarily disconnect
> the  
> transceiver output from the tuner, replace it with a 50 ohm
> resistor  
> and look at antenna port of the tuner with the VNA? 
> You can then see  
> the conjugate of the impedances which your tuner can
> transform into 50  
> ohms.
> 
> 73
> Chen, W7AY
> 
> P.S.  Anyone who wants to run this program for other
> frequencies just  
> send me a note and I can either send you the app or the
> Xcode project.  
> You need to be running at least Mac OS X 10.5 (also works
> fine on  
> 10.6).  If you want to modify it for the KAT100 L and
> C values, you  
> will need to change the component tables in the source, and
> recompile  
> under the Xcode IDE.
> 
> Some caveats: the chart shows the combinations of C and L
> values  
> without taking into consideration any strays.  It also
> does not take  
> into consideration the effects of the KBPF3.



  
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Re: [Elecraft] WriteLog, MK2R and K3, The Rest of the Story

[Joe Subich, W4TV]

Tom, 

Which version of WriteLog?  

What PTT settings in WriteLog?  
 Comm PTT checked for the K3? 
 "On LPT pin 16/COM RTS" in CW PTT Setup? 

Any PTT ports defined in microHAM Router? 
"Steer serial CW/PTT" checked? 
"Steer WinKey CW/PTT" checked? 

What control method for MK2R - LPT ("Classic" control) or 
microHAM Control Protocol (CW Keyer type = microHAM MK2R 
in WriteLog)? 

73, 

   ... Joe, W4TV 
 
 

> -Original Message-
> From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net 
> [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of K5RC
> Sent: Sunday, January 31, 2010 12:35 PM
> To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
> Cc: 'microHAM Support'
> Subject: [Elecraft] WriteLog, MK2R and K3, The Rest of the Story
> 
> 
>  
> 
> Half way through the 160 contest I changed computers from an 
> AMD Turion dual-core Processor to an Intel Celeron 
> single-core processor. The WinKey malfunctioned only once in 
> 4 hours of testing. I then turned off all PTT functions in 
> the Microham Router and in the WL setup and used the VOX in 
> the K3. The system worked flawlessly for the remaining 15 
> hours of the contest.
> 
> Not sure if it was the computer, the dual-core processor or 
> the PTT issues, but at least the WinKey com problem seems to 
> be solved. Of course, we did not use the K3 bandswitch all 
> weekend but we will test that next week in Sprint.
> 
>  
> 
> Tom Taormina, K5RC
> 
> Virginia City NV
> 
>  
> 
>  
> 
> Ever since we got our K3's last fall, we've had a continuing 
> problem with both WinTest and WriteLog losing com with the 
> Microham MK2R/Server. We've had lots of dialogue with 
> Microham and no response from WinTest.
> 
> I have swapped MK2R's with the one on the second station that 
> runs the FT1000D's. No difference. 
> 
>  
> 
> This weekend we are using WriteLog for the CQ 160 contest. 
> For no apparent reason, the keyboard will start sending 
> jibberish on its own. Just resetting the MK2R does not help. 
> Closing WL, turning off the MK2R and closing and restarting 
> the Microham server puts everything back in working order.
> 
>  
> 
> In CQ 160 the problem did not happen until 4 hours into the 
> contest. Then it recurred regularly for several hours and 
> then it settled down again. What is different this time (and 
> why I finally subscribed) is that the operator caught a 
> glimpse of PTT ERR on the K3 once while this event was happening. 
> 
>  
> 
> This morning I changed computers (the last thing to change 
> besides the K3) and, after several hours of running the CQ 
> message over and over in TEST mode, the problem recurred. I 
> made sure the PTT and KEY RTS and DTR are OFF and I now 
> changed the Microham PTT configuration to QSK to stop it from 
> invoking any PTT. It is CQing again.
> 
>  
> 
> Anyone else had this issue? Any ideas? 
> 
>  
> 
> Tom Taormina, K5RC
> 
> Virginia City NV
> 
> Home of W7RN and K7RC
> 
> http://k5rc.cc   FOC 1760
> 
> "Communication is the problem to the answer" - 10cc  
> 
>  
> 
> 

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Re: [Elecraft] [OT] PCI Express sound card for digimodes

[Julian, G4ILO]

The Asus Xonar PCI Express 7.1 seems to have a good specification (24bit, up
to 192KHz sample rate) and is widely available for well under $100 on eBay.
There is a review here: http://xaddr.com/a1hg that gives the spec.

I have ordered one so you will be able to read of my experiences with it in
my blog in a few days time, hopefully.

-
Julian, G4ILO. K2 #392  K3 #222.
* G4ILO's Shack - http://www.g4ilo.com
* KComm - http://www.g4ilo.com/kcomm.html
* KTune - http://www.g4ilo.com/ktune.html

-- 
View this message in context: 
http://n2.nabble.com/OT-PCI-Express-sound-card-for-digimodes-tp4485694p4491620.html
Sent from the [HAM] mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
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[Elecraft] K2 Power Fluxuation Question

[Lee Buller]

I have not used by K2/100 - KAT2 in quite some time.  If I set the power 
control to 80 watts...the unit jumps to 112...then to 101...then to 90 and then 
to 82 watts and it seems to stabilize there.  Then I key it again at it goes to 
around 40 watts...jumps to 55 watts and then goes to 82 watts.  

If I let it sit for a minute or two then the first scenario starts again.  When 
I key it again right after that...the power goes to the second scenario.

It seems to jump to 10 watt increments either up or down.

Never seen this before.  Have anyone seen this before?

Lee - K0WA



 In our day and age it seems that Common Sense is in short supply.  If you 
don't have any Common Sense - get some Common Sense and use it.  If you can't 
find any Common Sense, ask for help from somebody who has some Common Sense.  
Is Common Sense divine?

Common Sense is the image of the Creator expressing revealed truth in my mind. 
-  J. Wolf
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Re: [Elecraft] [OT] PCI Express sound card for digimodes

[Ron - PE8E]

Hi Julian and fellow elecrafters,

Sorry for the late response, but I'am a slow digest reader.

I am at the exact same spot, also looking for a internal PCI-e soundcard
to put in my new pc-assembly. My mainboard does have PCI slots, but I need
them for other stuff.

Creative, the manufacturer of the well known E-MU 0202, announced some new
PCI-e cards : "http://www.emu.com/news/pressreleases/pr11609-1.asp";.  The
ones that look most promissing are the PCI-e versions of the 0404 and the
1212 (the 1616, I consider overkill). Prices are a bit more than 15 quit,
ranging from 100 to 170 USD
Both should be able to do 192kHz. The only snag with the 1212 is that you
have to have an extra slot for a daughtercard (without mainboard
connection).
Haven't done much research on them yet, found them only yesterday.

Maybe somebody on this elaborate reflector has any (early) experience with
these new boards and can comment on them?

73 de PE8E, Ron.
K3-100 #00201 / K3-10 #01201 / K2 + various mini modules.






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[Elecraft] Attenuator and RF Gain Settings

[Jim Brown]

On Sun, 31 Jan 2010 14:23:33 -0500, Brian Machesney wrote:

>For the first time, I turned on the K3's ATT and found that I was even
>better able to separate callers, particularly when trying to pick out
>relatively weaker EU signals from stronger NA signals responding to my CQ.

Those of us with lots of grey hair learned 50 years ago that the most 
important control on our receiver was the RF Gain. They didn't come with 
attenuators or preamps in those days, but we also learned to switch them to 
a shorter antenna when they got overloaded. 

With a modern radio, on bands below 20M, the ATTenuator should almost 
always be ON and the PREamp should almost always be OFF for the greatest 
ability to separate weak signals from strong ones. On 20M you can usually 
turn off the ATTenuator, but you may not need the preamp until you go to 
higher bands. 

Another hint -- to pull really weak ones out from between strong signals, 
turn down the RF gain to the point where you are just hearing the weak one. 
During the 160M contest this weekend, preamp was off, ATT was on, and my RF 
gains were at about 2'o'clock. 

73,
Jim K9YC


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Re: [Elecraft] Signal / RF generator

[Don Wilhelm]

WOW!  I think I will sell mine at Amazon.com and with the proceeds buy 9 
from ARRL - sell 8 of them at Amazon and I will have the price of a 
fully loaded K3 in the profit! :-)- so I can have a 2nd K3 after 
all!  Really don't need it, but what the heck.

As a sidenote there was a similar statement about price of the W1FB 
Notebooks on QRP-L.org.  I have 3 of them, so I will now be keeping them 
in a safe place.

73,
Don W3FPR

Don Nelson wrote:
> Don,
> Thank you for the description of the signal generators that you use. The 
> book "Experimental Methods in RF Design" you reference for one generator 
> design is an ARRL publication and is available from ARRL for $49.95. The 
> ARRL web page is 
> http://www.arrl.org/catalog/?words=Experimental+Methods+in+RF+Design.
>
> Do be wary of Amazon for they are offering the same book for from $500 
> to $1100 as can be seen here: 
> http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/0872598799/ref=dp_olp_0?ie=UTF8&condition=all.
>  
> I was unable to figure out how to let Amazon know of their mistake.
>
> Don, N0YE
>   
>
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Re: [Elecraft] TX CW discrepancy

[Paul Christensen]

> On all 3 units series of dots were sent using external keyer with 50%
> weight. While on the monitor output the weight remained to be 50% the RF
> output showed shortening of dots (and therefore lengthening of spaces) by 
> 7
> or 8 msec. This effect does not depend on WPM speed and therefore less
> pronounced at slower speeds.

The effect of so-called "dit shortening" becomes more noticeable at higher 
keying speeds since the amount of rise-time truncation remains fixed for all 
keyed elements, regardless of keying speed.

Igor, were you using PTT CW keying?   PTT CW from a contest card results in 
perfect timing by the K3.  In that mode, RF is generated only 3 ms after 
external key closure and RF keyed element length exactly matches the dry 
contact closure time.

If you were using an external keyer without PTT activation, then you may 
want to experiment with the NEW and OLD QSK settings.  The NEW QSK mode 
appears to truncate keyed elements to a greater degree than the OLD QSK 
mode.  I see no timing differences between full QSK and Semi-QSK.

In OLD QSK, my K3 truncates keyed elements by only 3 ms.  That amount is 
made up by adding 3 ms of compensation with a microHam keyer.  With the K3's 
TX DLY set for the default 8 ms and QSK set for OLD, the total CW delay time 
from external key closure to the start of the RF envelope is 15 ms.  The NEW 
QSK setting adds further delay of ~  4 ms for a total delay of 19 ms. 
However, the added delay is not made up at the end of the envelope and the 
NEW setting will start sounding choppy sooner than the OLD setting.

By the way, the TX DLY setting is meant to control the timing of an external 
amplifier from the KEY OUT jack until first RF appears in 1 ms steps.  But, 
others have found (myself included), that TX DLY also has an effect on the 
keyed element duration, particularly the first dit or dah.

Paul, W9AC 

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Re: [Elecraft] Signal / RF generator

[Don Nelson]

On 1/31/2010 1:55 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote:
> Since the question was about what signal generators we have, I thought I
> would add the list of what I have here - some have specific purposes
> while others are general purpose.
>
> I have several signal generators.  The two most important properties of
> a signal generator (for me) are frequency stability and clean sine-wave
> output.  If one has attenuators, then control of the output level is not
> a requirement as long as the generator level is steady.
> Generators that I have available
> - A homebrew generator with about 10 dBm output (variable in steps down
> to about -20 dBm - the design is the dual range generator shown in
> Experimental Methods for RF Design.  This was built in an ARC-5
> transmitter frame so it has mechanical stability lots of bandspread with
> the geared tuning capacitor(s) drive. and covers from about 3 MHz to 50 MHz.
> -  A DDS vfo that is controlled by the parallel port on the workshop
> computer 100 Hz to 30 MHz in 1 Hz steps.  Very stable and no warm-up
> drift.  No level adjustment on the output, uses the AmQRP DDS kit as its
> basis.
> - A high level generator as shown in the K1 and K2 manuals
> (Troubleshooting section).  I used a plug-in crystal so I can change
> input frequencies easily.
> - The Elecraft XG2 for calibrating S-meters and doing MDS related
> measurements.
> - An HP8640B - this is my main workhorse generator, it has very low
> phase noise, and is quite stable after a 2 hour warmup period plus it
> has AM and FM modulation and provisions for sweeping it if required.  It
> goes down to 500 kHz and up to 512 MHz.  It is very well shielded so
> there is no leakage and the output level can be adjusted from a high of
> +23 dBm to -140 dBm with its internal attenuator.
> - In addition, I have my K2 and a few QRP transmitters which can also
> serve as a high level signal generator within the ham bands, and yes, I
> can use the output from my MFJ259B or my Micro908 antenna analyzers as a
> useful signal source in many cases.  The generator I choose depends on
> what I am trying to accomplish.
>
> Get a copy of Experimental Methods in RF Design and turn to the
> Measurements chapter if you have a mind to build a generator, several
> are detailed there.
>
> I might also mention that I have a LOT of 28.322 MHz oscillators if
> anyone wants to use one as a base for a signal generator (think about a
> divider followed by a Low Pass Filter.  I can mail one to you for $3.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
>
>
>
>> "SO figure I would query the group to see what everyone else is using.  IF
>> your using a signal / RF generator,  what brand, model and options are you
>> using ???"
>>
>>
>>  
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>
>
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> Version: 8.5.432 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2659 - Release Date: 01/31/10 
> 06:39:00
>
>
Don,

Thank you for the description of the signal generators that you use. The 
book "Experimental Methods in RF Design" you reference for one generator 
design is an ARRL publication and is available from ARRL for $49.95. The 
ARRL web page is 
http://www.arrl.org/catalog/?words=Experimental+Methods+in+RF+Design.

Do be wary of Amazon for they are offering the same book for from $500 
to $1100 as can be seen here: 
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/0872598799/ref=dp_olp_0?ie=UTF8&condition=all.
 
I was unable to figure out how to let Amazon know of their mistake.

Don, N0YE
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Re: [Elecraft] [qrp-l.org] Signal / RF generator

[Don Wilhelm]

Jerry,

I answered on the Elecraft reflector, but will repeat it here for those 
interested.

Since the question was about what signal generators we have, I thought I 
would add the list of what I have here - some have specific purposes 
while others are general purpose.

I have several signal generators.  The two most important properties of 
a signal generator (for me) are frequency stability and clean sine-wave 
output.  If one has attenuators, then control of the output level is not 
a requirement as long as the generator level is steady.
Generators that I have available
- A homebrew generator with about 10 dBm output (variable in steps down 
to about -20 dBm - the design is the dual range generator shown in 
Experimental Methods for RF Design.  This was built in an ARC-5 
transmitter frame so it has mechanical stability lots of bandspread with 
the geared tuning capacitor(s) drive. and covers from about 3 MHz to 50 
MHz.
-  A DDS vfo that is controlled by the parallel port on the workshop 
computer 100 Hz to 30 MHz in 1 Hz steps.  Very stable and no warm-up 
drift.  No level adjustment on the output, uses the AmQRP DDS kit as its 
basis.
- A high level generator as shown in the K1 and K2 manuals 
(Troubleshooting section).  I used a plug-in crystal so I can change 
input frequencies easily.
- The Elecraft XG2 for calibrating S-meters and doing MDS related 
measurements.
- An HP8640B - this is my main workhorse generator, it has very low 
phase noise, and is quite stable after a 2 hour warmup period plus it 
has AM and FM modulation and provisions for sweeping it if required.  It 
goes down to 500 kHz and up to 512 MHz.  It is very well shielded so 
there is no leakage and the output level can be adjusted from a high of 
+23 dBm to -140 dBm with its internal attenuator.
- In addition, I have my K2 and a few QRP transmitters which can also 
serve as a high level signal generator within the ham bands, and yes, I 
can use the output from my MFJ259B or my Micro908 antenna analyzers as a 
useful signal source in many cases.  The generator I choose depends on 
what I am trying to accomplish.

Get a copy of Experimental Methods in RF Design and turn to the 
Measurements chapter if you have a mind to build a generator, several 
are detailed there.

I might also mention that I have a LOT of 28.322 MHz oscillators if 
anyone wants to use one as a base for a signal generator (think about a 
divider followed by a Low Pass Filter.  I can mail one to you for $3.

73,
Don W3FPR



n0jrn wrote:
> Gang:  Considering the purchase of a signal generator for 
> aligning the projects in the shack.
>
> Looking on e-bay shows several low cost options.  Most are pretty old 
> and likely in need of some work.
>
> SO figure I would query the group to see what everyone else is using.
>
> IF your using a signal / RF generator,  what brand, model and options 
> are you using ???
>
> Was there a reason you choice the unit you have over some other 
>
> Just curious
>
> 73 Jerry N0JRN
>
> ___
> http://www.qrpedia.com/
> A place for QRP homebrewers to share their projects with the world.
>
> http://mail.qrp-l.org/mailman/listinfo/qrp-l_qrp-l.org
> 
>
>
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com 
> Version: 9.0.733 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2659 - Release Date: 01/31/10 
> 01:39:00
>
>   
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Re: [Elecraft] Signal / RF generator

[Matt Zilmer]

I have a Singer CE-6 (also known as Gerch or Gurch).  The best sig gen
I have here is an HP8656B with the high accuracy TCXO, followed by a
Kay 0-100 dB step attenuator.  The CE-6 is really a service monitor,
and has a sig gen from 10 MHz through 1.2 GHz.  The HP sig gen goes up
to 990 MHz, but it's a lot more accurate and much easier to calibrate
than the CE-6.

You can get either of these on eBay at fire sale prices.  Caution:
They're both heavy as !...@. 

73,
matt W6NIA
K3 #24

On Sun, 31 Jan 2010 13:38:04 -0600, you wrote:

>"SO figure I would query the group to see what everyone else is using.  IF 
>your using a signal / RF generator,  what brand, model and options are you 
>using ???"
>
>I've been using antenna analyzers as signal generators.  The output levels 
>are normally AGC controlled and are pretty accurate.  I started with a 
>MFJ-259B which worked OK, but it does drift around a bit so you need to 
>externally pwer it and let it settle down a bit.  Now my Array Solutions 
>AIM4170C gives me a great signal generator good for 5khz-170 MHz (plus, of 
>course, a great antenna analyzer).  I use a MFJ-762 step attenuator with a 
>home-brew fixed attenuator to give me all the range I need.  An article on 
>some of this is in the "Measurements" section of my website at www.ad5x.com.
>
>Phil - AD5X 
>
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Re: [Elecraft] K2 Alignment and Test, Part II results with missing resistor

[Don Wilhelm]

Bob,

Those 2 resistors are not likely to change any of the alignments 
significantly, but do swap them because they could change the stability 
of the VFO.

With respect to the 4 MHz Reference alignment, I would encourage you to 
re-do that anyway after the K2 is complete.  Your attempts to set it at 
exactly 4 MHz, while good, do not assure you of accurate dial 
calibration.  After you have everything together and working, I 
encourage you to do the steps in the K2 Dial Calibration article on my 
website www.w3fpr.com.  You will not need an external frequency counter 
at all, but you will want to use Spectrogram or some other audio 
spectrum analyzer to get it "just right" and align your filters as well 
(an important part of the overall process).  The settings in the manual 
will get your filters 'in the ballpark', but they do need to be 
refined.  Wait until you have the KSB2 and the K160RX and the K60XV 
options installed if indeed you will be installing those options.

73,
Don W3FPR

Bob G. wrote:
> After successfully completing Part II of the receiver alignment and test I
> look back and see where I skipped R29 (10k) on the RF board bottom side.  I
> installed R29's resistor at R19 instead.  So R29 was empty and R19 held a
> 10k instead of 2.7k.  Your most excellent method of orienting the resistors
> in a strip raised the red flag for me when I started installing resistors
> again.  So much for my careful review and inspection.  The Part II alignment
> came out excellent.  Do these two errors affect the alignment results such
> that I need to go back and do the session over again?  I hope it did not
> affect the 4 MHz Oscillator Calibration - I worked hard to find and use an
> external counter and hope not to re-do it.  Thanks for any thoughts.
>
> Bob Gordon
> KE5WZK
> K2 S/N 6667
>   
>   
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Re: [Elecraft] [K3] Noise blanker insertion loss

[Edward Dickinson, III]

Yes...


73,

Dick - KA5KKT




I just noted that my noise blanker has an S-unit of insertion loss.

Anyone else see this?

Wes  N7WS




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[Elecraft] K2 Alignment and Test, Part II results with missing resistor

[Bob G.]

After successfully completing Part II of the receiver alignment and test I
look back and see where I skipped R29 (10k) on the RF board bottom side.  I
installed R29's resistor at R19 instead.  So R29 was empty and R19 held a
10k instead of 2.7k.  Your most excellent method of orienting the resistors
in a strip raised the red flag for me when I started installing resistors
again.  So much for my careful review and inspection.  The Part II alignment
came out excellent.  Do these two errors affect the alignment results such
that I need to go back and do the session over again?  I hope it did not
affect the 4 MHz Oscillator Calibration - I worked hard to find and use an
external counter and hope not to re-do it.  Thanks for any thoughts.

Bob Gordon
KE5WZK
K2 S/N 6667
-- 
View this message in context: 
http://n2.nabble.com/K2-Alignment-and-Test-Part-II-results-with-missing-resistor-tp4491059p4491059.html
Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
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[Elecraft] K3

[Phil LaMarche]

I thought I had my power problem fixed because on 20 metes it worked fine.
Went back to 75 and using push to talk the power would show 90 watts while
talking but I could see instability in the meter and after  45 seconds it
would drop to zero. Everything checked out with mike cord etc.  Proper
grounding.  Interesting.
 
Phil
 

Philip LaMarche 
LaMarche Enterprises, Inc.

www.w9dvm.com   

727-944-3226 
FAX 727-937-8834 

K3  #1605

CCA 98  00827
CRA 1701

W9DVM 


 
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Re: [Elecraft] Signal / RF generator

[Don Wilhelm]

Since the question was about what signal generators we have, I thought I 
would add the list of what I have here - some have specific purposes 
while others are general purpose.

I have several signal generators.  The two most important properties of 
a signal generator (for me) are frequency stability and clean sine-wave 
output.  If one has attenuators, then control of the output level is not 
a requirement as long as the generator level is steady.
Generators that I have available
- A homebrew generator with about 10 dBm output (variable in steps down 
to about -20 dBm - the design is the dual range generator shown in 
Experimental Methods for RF Design.  This was built in an ARC-5 
transmitter frame so it has mechanical stability lots of bandspread with 
the geared tuning capacitor(s) drive. and covers from about 3 MHz to 50 MHz.
-  A DDS vfo that is controlled by the parallel port on the workshop 
computer 100 Hz to 30 MHz in 1 Hz steps.  Very stable and no warm-up 
drift.  No level adjustment on the output, uses the AmQRP DDS kit as its 
basis.
- A high level generator as shown in the K1 and K2 manuals 
(Troubleshooting section).  I used a plug-in crystal so I can change 
input frequencies easily.
- The Elecraft XG2 for calibrating S-meters and doing MDS related 
measurements.
- An HP8640B - this is my main workhorse generator, it has very low 
phase noise, and is quite stable after a 2 hour warmup period plus it 
has AM and FM modulation and provisions for sweeping it if required.  It 
goes down to 500 kHz and up to 512 MHz.  It is very well shielded so 
there is no leakage and the output level can be adjusted from a high of 
+23 dBm to -140 dBm with its internal attenuator.
- In addition, I have my K2 and a few QRP transmitters which can also 
serve as a high level signal generator within the ham bands, and yes, I 
can use the output from my MFJ259B or my Micro908 antenna analyzers as a 
useful signal source in many cases.  The generator I choose depends on 
what I am trying to accomplish.

Get a copy of Experimental Methods in RF Design and turn to the 
Measurements chapter if you have a mind to build a generator, several 
are detailed there.

I might also mention that I have a LOT of 28.322 MHz oscillators if 
anyone wants to use one as a base for a signal generator (think about a 
divider followed by a Low Pass Filter.  I can mail one to you for $3.

73,
Don W3FPR



> "SO figure I would query the group to see what everyone else is using.  IF 
> your using a signal / RF generator,  what brand, model and options are you 
> using ???"
>
>   
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[Elecraft] [K3] Noise blanker insertion loss

[Wes Stewart]

I just noted that my noise blanker has an S-unit of insertion loss.

Anyone else see this?

Wes  N7WS


  
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Re: [Elecraft] [Elecraft_K3] TX CW discrepancy

[Igor Sokolov]

We did that Willis. With 3 of the K3s it was easy to send on one and listen on 
the other. Still the best friend was the instrument that clearly revealed the 
problem. Here is the picture again 
http://forum.qrz.ru/attachment.php?attachmentid=29596&d=1264954098
Please have a look and tell me what  you think.

73, Igor UA9CDC

  - Original Message - 
  From: WILLIS COOKE 
  To: Igor Sokolov ; Elecraft@mailman.qth.net 
  Cc: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net 
  Sent: Monday, February 01, 2010 1:20 AM
  Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [Elecraft_K3] TX CW discrepancy


  Igor, before I did anything else I would have a good friend whose judgment 
you trust listen to the Morse you generate with a critical ear and give you an 
honest opinion.  Preferably someone who can hear you quite well and on a clear 
band.  Contest comments can be accurate with the best of good will and they can 
be made with malice by someone who does not wish you well.
   
  Willis 'Cookie' Cooke 
  K5EWJ 





--
  From: Igor Sokolov 
  To: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net
  Cc: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net
  Sent: Sun, January 31, 2010 8:49:22 AM
  Subject: [Elecraft] [Elecraft_K3] TX CW discrepancy

  It has started with complains of some of our contacts in the contest. They 
  told us that the weighting of out TX CW is not standard.
  Two channel oscilloscope was brought into shack and 3 K3 tcvrs were checked:
  SN 1651 SW ver 3.06
  SN 2929  SW ver 3.68
  SN 3553  SW ver. 3.41
  On all 3 units series of dots were sent using external keyer with 50% 
  weight. While on the monitor output the weight remained to be 50% the RF 
  output showed shortening of dots (and therefore lengthening of spaces) by 7 
  or 8 msec. This effect does not depend on WPM speed and therefore less 
  pronounced at slower speeds.
  Could somebody confirm this please. We do not want to trouble Elecraft 
  without being 100% sure that the problem exists.

  73, Igor UA9CDC 

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Re: [Elecraft] Signal / RF generator

[Jack Smith]

Pair of HP 8657A synthesized generators 100 KHz - 1024 MHz
Pair of HP 8640B analog w/ lock generators, one with internal doubler 
(1024 MHz) and reverse power protection
Panasonic VP8191A synthesized 100 KHz - 135 MHz

8640B is quite plentiful, and when properly working is  very hard to 
beat for phase noise and all around use. However, these are 30+ years 
old and are notorious for bad switches which are works of art involving 
circular PCB and spring fingers, custom made by HP.  If you are 
mechanically inclined and have the patience to work on them, the 
switches can be repaired.

HP made several "moderately priced" synthesized generators that show up 
frequently, 8656A is not recommended as the specs are marginal and they 
use a mechanical (relay) controlled attenuator that may be worn out if 
the particular unit you buy was exercised enough.

HP8657A and B. I have a pair of A units and they are fine, if you 
understand their limits. The main limit is that they have spurious 
products. Some nearby the carrier from 120 Hz noise. Others further 
away, such as at integer multiples of 1 MHz. Phase noise is so-so. B 
units are better  than A units. Difficult to use if you want to test 
close in IP because phase noise and 120 Hz spurs and discrete 
synthesizer spurs can interfere with your measurements.

HP8642A. Don't have one but been thinking about buying a pair. Supposed 
to be major improvement over  the 8657A and B in terms of phase noise 
and synthesizer spurs. Appear on E-bay in the $1K to $2.5K range.

Anyone with hands-on experience with the 8642A care to comment?

If you don't mind the inconvenience, HP generators with the RF output 
and modulation input appearing only on the rear panel (used in computer 
controlled arrangements) are generally cheaper than ones with the more 
normal front panel connectors.

Jack K8ZOA
www.cliftonlaboratories.com


On 1/31/2010 1:58 PM, n0jrn wrote:
> Gang:  Considering the purchase of a signal generator for
> aligning the projects in the shack.
>
> Looking on e-bay shows several low cost options.  Most are pretty old and
> likely in need of some work.
>
> SO figure I would query the group to see what everyone else is using.
>
> IF your using a signal / RF generator,  what brand, model and options are
> you using ???
>
> Was there a reason you choice the unit you have over some other 
>
> Just curious
>
> 73 Jerry N0JRN
>
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Re: [Elecraft] KAT3 antenna tuner

[Kok Chen]

On Jan 31, 2010, at 1/3110:34 AM, Roger D Johnson wrote:

> I started on this topic because the tuner failed to find a good  
> match at
> 1800.

To see the approximate range of the internal K3 antenna tuner at 1800  
kc, take a look here

http://homepage.mac.com/chen/Technical/Tuner/tuner1.8.pdf

(warning, it is a very large 9 MB PDF file (lots of points), if you  
download as PDF and view with a PDF reader, you can rescale, etc  
faster than viewing from a web browser).

Each dot indicates the impedance at the antenna port when the radio  
port of the tuner is set to 50 ohms.  So the tuner should tune an  
antenna that is the conjugate of where a dot lands on the Smith Chart.

The green points are for the case trx > series L : shunt C > antenna,  
and the blue points are when the tuner switches to trx > shunt C >  
series L > antenna.

> My VNA shows the impedance at the TX connector as 22+j8 which should
> be well within the proper range.


The conjugate of 22 + j8 ohms appears as 0.44 - j0.16 ohm on the  
normalized Smith Chart in the PDF file.  That is just barely inside  
the coverage region of the tuner.

You might try manually setting the tuner to the trx > shunt C > series  
L > antenna position, turn C to the max (1200+600+300+...) and then  
manually adjusting around the small values of L for lowest SWR.

 From my fiddling with the values, a 50 ohm source appears to prefer  
large shunt C followed by a small series L on the way to a 22 + j8  
ohms antenna .  It could be possible that other circuitry is  
preventing you from reaching precisely that area of the tuner.

One thing you can do is to move the impedance of what you see at the  
end of your current transmission line.  Since you have a VNA, you  
might want to play with changing the line length of the 50 ohm  
transmission line (or use a short length of a different impedance line  
to transform the impedance that you are currently seeing) so that its  
conjugate is more inside the dotted region of the PDF file.

Also, since you have a VNA, why not temporarily disconnect the  
transceiver output from the tuner, replace it with a 50 ohm resistor  
and look at antenna port of the tuner with the VNA?  You can then see  
the conjugate of the impedances which your tuner can transform into 50  
ohms.

73
Chen, W7AY

P.S.  Anyone who wants to run this program for other frequencies just  
send me a note and I can either send you the app or the Xcode project.  
You need to be running at least Mac OS X 10.5 (also works fine on  
10.6).  If you want to modify it for the KAT100 L and C values, you  
will need to change the component tables in the source, and recompile  
under the Xcode IDE.

Some caveats: the chart shows the combinations of C and L values  
without taking into consideration any strays.  It also does not take  
into consideration the effects of the KBPF3.

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Re: [Elecraft] Signal / RF generator

[Craig D. Smith]

The most often used signal generator here is also an AIM4170 from Array
Solutions.  Indeed, it is the most useful single piece of test equipment I
have.  Great for component measurements in addition to being a superb
antenna analyzer. 

For more $$, their new 2 port VNA also offers higher output levels plus
programmable level settings when used as a signal generator.

73   Craig  AC0DS



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Re: [Elecraft] [Elecraft_K3] TX CW discrepancy

[WILLIS COOKE]

Igor, before I did anything else I would have a good friend whose judgment you 
trust listen to the Morse you generate with a critical ear and give you an 
honest opinion.  Preferably someone who can hear you quite well and on a clear 
band.  Contest comments can be accurate with the best of good will and they can 
be made with malice by someone who does not wish you well.
 Willis 'Cookie' Cooke 
K5EWJ 





From: Igor Sokolov 
To: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Cc: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Sent: Sun, January 31, 2010 8:49:22 AM
Subject: [Elecraft] [Elecraft_K3] TX CW discrepancy

It has started with complains of some of our contacts in the contest. They 
told us that the weighting of out TX CW is not standard.
Two channel oscilloscope was brought into shack and 3 K3 tcvrs were checked:
SN 1651 SW ver 3.06
SN 2929  SW ver 3.68
SN 3553  SW ver. 3.41
On all 3 units series of dots were sent using external keyer with 50% 
weight. While on the monitor output the weight remained to be 50% the RF 
output showed shortening of dots (and therefore lengthening of spaces) by 7 
or 8 msec. This effect does not depend on WPM speed and therefore less 
pronounced at slower speeds.
Could somebody confirm this please. We do not want to trouble Elecraft 
without being 100% sure that the problem exists.

73, Igor UA9CDC 

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Re: [Elecraft] HELP!

[WILLIS COOKE]

I had a similar problem last week Phil.  I decided that the KPA3 was toast, so 
I pulled it out, inspected it with a magnifier for burns, cracks and other.  I 
also took a close look at the tuner and tried the QRP transmitter.  When I 
could find nothing wrong, I reinstalled the KPA3 and everything works (to the 
tune of a 70,448 160 meter score).  The only thing that I can figure is that a 
pin or two on the drive side of the amp were not making good contact.  My power 
setting reading was normal, but on CW the power quit increasing at about 40 
watts out.  My other theory is that it is a poltergeist.
 Willis 'Cookie' Cooke 
K5EWJ 





From: Phil LaMarche 
To: Elecraft Reflector 
Sent: Sun, January 31, 2010 10:10:27 AM
Subject: [Elecraft] HELP!

K3.While barefoot and transmitting SSB, The power drops to zero.  Start
over and only a few words before drop off.  Turned off and on several times.
Any idea?

Phil


Philip LaMarche 
LaMarche Enterprises, Inc.

www.w9dvm.com   

727-944-3226 
FAX 727-937-8834 

K3  #1605

CCA 98  00827
CRA 1701

W9DVM 



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Re: [Elecraft] Beat the drum a little

[Lyle Johnson]

> One question I have,  when the band is wall to wall with strong signals
> the CW note seems to have a raspy quality on receive,

Please see the firmware release notes for MCU 3.03/DSP 2.10 from 17 
March 2009.  Especially the topic "New AGC features especially for use 
in pileups"

73,

Lyle KK7P

PS- Firmware release notes are available for viewing in K3 Utility Help.  LJ
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Re: [Elecraft] Beat the drum a little

[WILLIS COOKE]

Merv, I agree with all that except feeling guilty.  I think some of the 
raspyness comes from a very loud signal with the audio gain set too high.  I 
notice it in contests when the heat is on, but not so much otherwise.  I turn 
the gain up to pick out a weak one then don't turn it back down until the raspy 
distortion gets to me.  I enjoyed my K3 more this time than before because of 
the "NOISE" thread that went on and on to the distress of some.  This thread 
helped me to understand the fine points of the AGC and NB much better and 
increased the considerable ability of the K3 by using these features better 
than before.

It was a great contest with great propagation in spite of some local noise 
(that the NB handled superbly) and S8 to S9 atomospheric noise for a lot of the 
time.  Great contest, great transceiver, but how did we miss each other Merv?  
You are a frequent contest contact, but not this time!
 Willis 'Cookie' Cooke 
K5EWJ 





From: Merv Schweigert 
Cc: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Sent: Sun, January 31, 2010 12:53:22 PM
Subject: [Elecraft] Beat the drum a little

After another interesting round of CQ 160 I would like to beat
the K3 drum a little also,
I found myself feeling guilty many times,  I had the width set down
under 400HZ and tuning the band would work DX and not even
realize there was a 10 over 9 station less than a half KC up or
down from me.  Had no problem with klix etc with most stations.
Had one /KH6 out here that would be at times 10 KHZ wide with
strange buzz on his signal,  raspy and wide.  Be interested to know
what type or radio that was.
Can say bar none that the K3 performs better than any radio I have
owned or used under these type of conditions. 
I have my pet peeves about a few items but they are over ridden at
present by its performance in crowded conditions.
Worked about 5 new ones even so was a nice contest for me.

One question I have,  when the band is wall to wall with strong signals
the CW note seems to have a raspy quality on receive,  not a real
pure DC note,  is this some side effect of DSP or what?  Maybe its
just my ears.  Tuned 20 meters this morning and all sounds fine,
its just when there are many many strong signals on the band, I hear
this,  have heard it before but figured it is my ears.  This is
slight and most may not even hear it. 
No blanker on, no NR on,  just standard settings. 
73 Merv KH7C
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Re: [Elecraft] [Elecraft_K3] TX CW discrepancy

[Igor Sokolov]

Here is the picture to illustrate the problem.
http://forum.qrz.ru/attachment.php?attachmentid=29596&d=1264954098

again, QSK is not used. This shows one of the long series of dots sent with 
external PTT.
73, Igor UA9CDC

> Igor Sokolov wrote:
>> It has started with complains of some of our contacts in the contest. 
>> They told us that the weighting of out TX CW is not standard.
>> Two channel oscilloscope was brought into shack and 3 K3 tcvrs were 
>> checked:
>> SN 1651 SW ver 3.06
>> SN 2929  SW ver 3.68
>> SN 3553  SW ver. 3.41
>> On all 3 units series of dots were sent using external keyer with 50% 
>> weight. While on the monitor output the weight remained to be 50% the RF 
>> output showed shortening of dots (and therefore lengthening of spaces) by 
>> 7 or 8 msec. This effect does not depend on WPM speed and therefore less 
>> pronounced at slower speeds.
>> Could somebody confirm this please. We do not want to trouble Elecraft 
>> without being 100% sure that the problem exists.
>
> What is CONFIG: TX DLY set to? I have noticed that setting it higher than 
> about 10 or 12 causes CW element shortening. This is the number of ms 
> delay from the time the KEY OUT jack goes low and RF is generated. A true 
> QSK amp should be able to work with the default setting of 8.
> -- 
> 73,
> Vic, K2VCO
> Fresno CA
> http://www.qsl.net/k2vco 

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Re: [Elecraft] [K2] frequency drifting

[Don Wilhelm]

Werner,

My best guess - a bad solder connection that responds to thermal changes.
It could be either in the VFO or the BFO.  The first thing to determine 
is which of the two is causing the drift, then track it down to the 
component that is causing the problem.
Because it does not fail after a short warmup period, it real source may 
be difficult to find unless one has access to an environmental chamber.
It may be easier to reflow the solder in both areas and hope it does not 
re-appear.

73,
Don W3FPR

Dr. Werner Furlan wrote:
> this morning I was trying a new antenna for portable use and therefore I 
> turned my K2 on. When I was first listening I thought I had not connected 
> the antenna because no sound came out of the radio. I switched it on and 
> off and suddenly it worked. 
> Then I listened to a station on 80m and suddenly it was slowly drifting 
> away - I could follow it with the VFO for some seconds, then it 
> disappeared completely (the radio went silent) and with a small plop it 
> was there again on its original frequency. The frequency display did not 
> move when this happened unless I turned the VFO. This repeated several 
> times, I switched the radio on and off, no joy, but after a short time, I 
> guess about half a minute or so the problem had disappeared. 
> I could make QSO and everything looks ok. 
> What could this be?
>
> 73! de Werner OE9FWV
>   
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Re: [Elecraft] [Elecraft_K3] TX CW discrepancy

[Igor Sokolov]

> Igor Sokolov wrote:
>> It has started with complains of some of our contacts in the contest. 
>> They told us that the weighting of out TX CW is not standard.
>> Two channel oscilloscope was brought into shack and 3 K3 tcvrs were 
>> checked:
>> SN 1651 SW ver 3.06
>> SN 2929  SW ver 3.68
>> SN 3553  SW ver. 3.41
>> On all 3 units series of dots were sent using external keyer with 50% 
>> weight. While on the monitor output the weight remained to be 50% the RF 
>> output showed shortening of dots (and therefore lengthening of spaces) by 
>> 7 or 8 msec. This effect does not depend on WPM speed and therefore less 
>> pronounced at slower speeds.
>> Could somebody confirm this please. We do not want to trouble Elecraft 
>> without being 100% sure that the problem exists.
>
> What is CONFIG: TX DLY set to? I have noticed that setting it higher than 
> about 10 or 12 causes CW element shortening. This is the number of ms 
> delay from the time the KEY OUT jack goes low and RF is generated. A true 
> QSK amp should be able to work with the default setting of 8.
> -- 
> 73,
> Vic, K2VCO
> Fresno CA
> http://www.qsl.net/k2vco
Hi Vic,
QSK is not used here. We are using external PTT. Does TX DLY setting affect 
sending anyway? I think in  at least one case it is 20ms but why should it 
affect anything in a series of dots sent with PTT permanently enabled?

73, Igor UA9CDC 

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Re: [Elecraft] Signal / RF generator

[Phil & Debbie Salas]

"SO figure I would query the group to see what everyone else is using.  IF 
your using a signal / RF generator,  what brand, model and options are you 
using ???"

I've been using antenna analyzers as signal generators.  The output levels 
are normally AGC controlled and are pretty accurate.  I started with a 
MFJ-259B which worked OK, but it does drift around a bit so you need to 
externally pwer it and let it settle down a bit.  Now my Array Solutions 
AIM4170C gives me a great signal generator good for 5khz-170 MHz (plus, of 
course, a great antenna analyzer).  I use a MFJ-762 step attenuator with a 
home-brew fixed attenuator to give me all the range I need.  An article on 
some of this is in the "Measurements" section of my website at www.ad5x.com.

Phil - AD5X 

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[Elecraft] [K2] frequency drifting

[Dr. Werner Furlan]

this morning I was trying a new antenna for portable use and therefore I 
turned my K2 on. When I was first listening I thought I had not connected 
the antenna because no sound came out of the radio. I switched it on and 
off and suddenly it worked. 
Then I listened to a station on 80m and suddenly it was slowly drifting 
away - I could follow it with the VFO for some seconds, then it 
disappeared completely (the radio went silent) and with a small plop it 
was there again on its original frequency. The frequency display did not 
move when this happened unless I turned the VFO. This repeated several 
times, I switched the radio on and off, no joy, but after a short time, I 
guess about half a minute or so the problem had disappeared. 
I could make QSO and everything looks ok. 
What could this be?

73! de Werner OE9FWV

-- 
es gibt Leute sind dümmer als ein Büchse Whiskas. Denn 
im Whiskas hat es immerhin ein bisschen Hirn.


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Re: [Elecraft] Beat the drum a little

[Brian Machesney]

Merv,

I noticed some of the "raspy" or "buzzy" quality you heard, but for me it
was not on all signals. I have also noted that quality on signals for the
past week or so; perhaps it is atmospheric.

For the first time, I turned on the K3's ATT and found that I was even
better able to separate callers, particularly when trying to pick out
relatively weaker EU signals from stronger NA signals responding to my CQ.
This, of course, was all going on in the midst of many strong signals spaced
very close together.

Brian K1LI

On Sun, Jan 31, 2010 at 1:53 PM, Merv Schweigert  wrote:

>
> One question I have,  when the band is wall to wall with strong signals
> the CW note seems to have a raspy quality on receive,  not a real
> pure DC note,  is this some side effect of DSP or what?  Maybe its
> just my ears.   Tuned 20 meters this morning and all sounds fine,
> its just when there are many many strong signals on the band, I hear
> this,  have heard it before but figured it is my ears.  This is
> slight and most may not even hear it.
> No blanker on, no NR on,  just standard settings.
> 73 Merv KH7C
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Re: [Elecraft] Unable to resolve apparent S-meter noise level on K3 with AGC on

[Laurent F6DEX]

Lance,

Something I forgot. If your smeter is calibrated with preamp OFF (as
required), set CONFIG: SMTR MD = ABS so you have same reading with PRE ON.
Eventually, this may help...

73, Laurent
-- 
View this message in context: 
http://n2.nabble.com/Unable-to-resolve-apparent-S-meter-noise-level-on-K3-with-AGC-on-tp4488538p4490546.html
Sent from the [K3] mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
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Re: [Elecraft] [OT] PCI Express sound card for digimodes

[Leigh L. Klotz Jr WA5ZNU]

See more follow-ons in this thread:
http://n2.nabble.com/Re-Elecraft-Digest-Vol-69-Issue-53-td4489512.html#a4489512
-- 
View this message in context: 
http://n2.nabble.com/OT-PCI-Express-sound-card-for-digimodes-tp4485694p4490532.html
Sent from the [HAM] mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
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Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft Digest, Vol 69, Issue 53

[Leigh L. Klotz Jr WA5ZNU]

This may be OS dependent, or it may be due to hidden sample rate conversions
in the drivers.
I use the EMU-0202 with Quisk for LP-PAN and Griffin iMic with fldigi
simultaneously on Linux and don't notice this level of CPU load at all. 

Leigh/WA5ZNU


N8LP wrote:
> 
> I think you'll find that the FW card takes fewer resources than a USB
> card, at least that's what I've found as a general rule. On my system
> anyway, the PCI sound cards take the least resources, followed by FW,
> followed by USB. The same is generally true of serial ports. If you have a
> desktop PC, always lean towards PCI interfaces rather than USB if you have
> the slots to do so.
> 
> FWIW, I have 6 sound cards installed on a 2.8GHz P4 without problems, but
> the USB cards add about 50% to the CPU load when they're running.
> 
> Larry N8LP
> 

-- 
View this message in context: 
http://n2.nabble.com/Re-Elecraft-Digest-Vol-69-Issue-53-tp4489512p4490521.html
Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
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[Elecraft] Signal / RF generator

[n0jrn]

Gang:  Considering the purchase of a signal generator for 
aligning the projects in the shack.

Looking on e-bay shows several low cost options.  Most are pretty old and 
likely in need of some work.

SO figure I would query the group to see what everyone else is using.

IF your using a signal / RF generator,  what brand, model and options are 
you using ???

Was there a reason you choice the unit you have over some other 

Just curious

73 Jerry N0JRN 

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[Elecraft] Beat the drum a little

[Merv Schweigert]

After another interesting round of CQ 160 I would like to beat
the K3 drum a little also,
I found myself feeling guilty many times,  I had the width set down
under 400HZ and tuning the band would work DX and not even
realize there was a 10 over 9 station less than a half KC up or
down from me.  Had no problem with klix etc with most stations.
Had one /KH6 out here that would be at times 10 KHZ wide with
strange buzz on his signal,  raspy and wide.  Be interested to know
what type or radio that was.
Can say bar none that the K3 performs better than any radio I have
owned or used under these type of conditions. 
I have my pet peeves about a few items but they are over ridden at
present by its performance in crowded conditions.
Worked about 5 new ones even so was a nice contest for me.

One question I have,  when the band is wall to wall with strong signals
the CW note seems to have a raspy quality on receive,  not a real
pure DC note,  is this some side effect of DSP or what?  Maybe its
just my ears.   Tuned 20 meters this morning and all sounds fine,
its just when there are many many strong signals on the band, I hear
this,  have heard it before but figured it is my ears.  This is
slight and most may not even hear it. 
No blanker on, no NR on,  just standard settings. 
73 Merv KH7C
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[Elecraft] No "spot" button on HRD?

[Brian Pepperdine]

I seem to have come "late to the party" on some things and been missing some 
joy :)

Last Friday I bought a USB-Serial adapter so I could get ready for the 
installation of the  LP PAN outfit I will be getting going (after I open up and 
get the KXV3A installed).

Anyhow, I thought I would first check out if the adapter worked or not and thus 
I installed the K3 Firmware utility and all seemed fine for that handshaking.
Then I installed Ham Radio Deluxe on my new computer and it seemed fine too.
Had not really used HRD before, since my old laptop's screen was too small for 
it to give me any real use... but on my new big monitor HRD seems FB for 
helping things out.

I used it a bit on the 160 m contest.
Anyhow.. to my point
I discovered that the SPOT button the K3 has an auto zero beat function. Wow.
Though I actually do have good tuning pitch so this is not a biggie but it 
does help out in a rush (contest)... making things easier for guy on other end 
probably.

But I found that there is no corresponding SPOT button the HRD layout.
Is there a reason for that? I could not find any button to add within HRD to 
add to the default or unassigned buttons.

Anyhow, I thought it odd that so many functions of the K3 panel were on HRD, 
but not SPOT. 
(again I admit... things sometimes do evade me.. hence my hailing of YL to find 
the marmalade in the fridge sometimes.. hi)

tnx
Brien 
VE3VAW
Toronto
  
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[Elecraft] KAT3 antenna tuner

[Roger D Johnson]

I've recently installed the KAT3  in my K3.  The instructions are quite
vague and I'm not sure mine is operating correctly.

First, the manual says there are 30 memories/band for the ATU settings.
These seem to change automatically as I tune around. The question is, does
the unit switch settings at the points at which I tuned or half way between?
IOW, if I tuned at 1820 and 1860, and tune up from the bottom of the band,
the tuner should start with the 1820 settings. Ideally, when I get to 
1840 it
should switch to the 1860 settings. Is this what happens?

When I go to the LC set menu, I see the value of C and L. The manual says
I can change C by turning the VFO A knob. When I do, the relays click but
the display doesn't change. If I turn the VFO B knob to change L nothing
happens. After turning VFO B, VFO A stops working! If I then tap ATU
TUNE, it goes to another part of the menu entirely!

I started on this topic because the tuner failed to find a good match at 
1800.
My VNA shows the impedance at the TX connector as 22+j8 which should
be well within the proper range.

73, Roger



-- 
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http://ussliberty.org/ 

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Re: [Elecraft] K3 = Results

[Jan Erik Holm]

K5RC wrote:
>  
> 
> Here's what is possible from the West Coast USA using a K3's Diversity RX
> with two DXE 4SQ  RX antennas 800' apart.
> 
>  
> 
>   CQ 160-Meter Contest, CW
> 
> Call: W7RN
> 
> Operator(s): K7NV
> 

Still you did TX better then RX. Called you many times Saturday
morning but NIL and I do not have a puny signal.

73 Jim SM2EKM
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[Elecraft] WriteLog, MK2R and K3, The Rest of the Story

[K5RC]

 

Half way through the 160 contest I changed computers from an AMD Turion
dual-core Processor to an Intel Celeron single-core processor. The WinKey
malfunctioned only once in 4 hours of testing. I then turned off all PTT
functions in the Microham Router and in the WL setup and used the VOX in the
K3. The system worked flawlessly for the remaining 15 hours of the contest.

Not sure if it was the computer, the dual-core processor or the PTT issues,
but at least the WinKey com problem seems to be solved. Of course, we did
not use the K3 bandswitch all weekend but we will test that next week in
Sprint.

 

Tom Taormina, K5RC

Virginia City NV

 

 

Ever since we got our K3's last fall, we've had a continuing problem with
both WinTest and WriteLog losing com with the Microham MK2R/Server. We've
had lots of dialogue with Microham and no response from WinTest.

I have swapped MK2R's with the one on the second station that runs the
FT1000D's. No difference. 

 

This weekend we are using WriteLog for the CQ 160 contest. For no apparent
reason, the keyboard will start sending jibberish on its own. Just resetting
the MK2R does not help. Closing WL, turning off the MK2R and closing and
restarting the Microham server puts everything back in working order.

 

In CQ 160 the problem did not happen until 4 hours into the contest. Then it
recurred regularly for several hours and then it settled down again. What is
different this time (and why I finally subscribed) is that the operator
caught a glimpse of PTT ERR on the K3 once while this event was happening. 

 

This morning I changed computers (the last thing to change besides the K3)
and, after several hours of running the CQ message over and over in TEST
mode, the problem recurred. I made sure the PTT and KEY RTS and DTR are OFF
and I now changed the Microham PTT configuration to QSK to stop it from
invoking any PTT. It is CQing again.

 

Anyone else had this issue? Any ideas? 

 

Tom Taormina, K5RC

Virginia City NV

Home of W7RN and K7RC

http://k5rc.cc   FOC 1760

"Communication is the problem to the answer" - 10cc  

 

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[Elecraft] K3 = Results

[K5RC]

 

Here's what is possible from the West Coast USA using a K3's Diversity RX
with two DXE 4SQ  RX antennas 800' apart.

 

  CQ 160-Meter Contest, CW

Call: W7RN

Operator(s): K7NV

Station: W7RN

 

Class: Single Op Assisted HP

QTH: NV

Operating Time (hrs): 30

 

Summary:

Total:  QSOs = 1,106  State/Prov = 59  Countries = 58  Total Score = 459,342

 

Club: Northern California Contest Club

 

Comments:

 

Best effort yet from here. Having the K3 with two DXE 4 Squares 800' apart
made for an extraordinary diversity RX system.

 

  160  Total  %

NA 921 92183.3

EU  41  41 3.7

SA   8   8 0.7

AF   3   3 0.3

OC   9   9 0.8

AS 124 12411.2

 

 

Tom Taormina, K5RC

Virginia City NV

Home of W7RN and K7RC

http://k5rc.cc   FOC 1760

"Communication is the problem to the answer" - 10cc  

 

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[Elecraft] K3 & Beverages on 160

[Gary Smith]

I just posted this to the topband reflector thinking I might get some 
help from the folks who know about beverages for low band Dxing.

Perhaps something in my K3 is not configured as well as it should be 
and that's maybe a cause of my problems so I'm posting this here as 
well. The answer lies somewhere between my expectations for Rx 
antennae and high atmospheric noise I'm hearing.

My K3 is pretty well fully loaded and has a Sub Rx and a KXV3. The Rx 
antenna coax goes to the end of a BNC "T" where the shaft of the T 
connects to the Aux RF BNC and then the coax at the other end of the 
"T" connects to the left Rx Ant BNC on the KXV3.

Here's what I posted to Topband:


  Post to topband
Well, it was a scramble trying to make these hastily thrown together 
beverages for the contest. I found some interesting discoveries which 

means I need to learn more.

Radio is a K3. The preamp is turned off in the K3

Beverage 1 runs from the house to the east and is 500' long. The wire 

comes in through the window sill and is held up by branches & it 
dips,. It has no termination resistor. The matching transformer is 
next to the window. The ground is connected to the station ground 
rod.

Beverage 2 runs due north and is 350 feet long. it is connected to 
100' of TV cable and it is grounded at the feed point 100' from the 
house where the matching transformer is. There is a 350 ohm carbon 
resistor (parallelled resistors) at the north tip and a 6' ground rod 

in swamp muck

Both Beverages are about 8 feet off the ground except #1 which is 
settling down in the marsh reeds to where it will be closer to the 
ground at the distal end.

K9AY is beside the house

INV-L is 350 feet from the house, about 70 radials 130' each.

Problem for me for an example is I can not hear JAs where others in 
the area are working them.

My K9AY is much better in killing atmospheric noise than the vertical 

but it still does not pick up those JAs.

So I decided to try these beverages to see how they do.

My discoveries are thus: Both Beverages are full of atmospheric 
noise. Both of the beverages definitely had a good gain over the K9AY 

but the K9AY heard most everything these beverages heard but the 
noise was tremendously lower than the Beverages. The RF signals were 
attenuated a bit but the S/N ratio was by far better with the K9AY.

I have the K3 configured so the main receiver listens through the Inv-

L and the sub receiver uses the Rx antennae. I have all 3 Rx ants on 
a coax switch and this goes into the control head of the K9AY so I 
can use that pre is I wish. 

The atmospheric noise was so bad with the beverages I sometimes found 

it better to use just the main Rx & the Inv-L only to cut down on the 

atmospheric.

It's my understanding the Beverage is supposed to be a quiet antenna 
but as mine are not, perhaps there's an obvious reason why mine 
behave so badly? #1 is in a salt marsh with nothing around it and #2 
runs along the marsh and terminates just before railroad tracks.

I surely must be doing something wrong.

Thanks
Gary
KA1J
--end---

Any suggestions on how I have my K3 setup?

73,

Gary
KA1J
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Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft Digest, Vol 69, Issue 53

[Larry Phipps]

My comment didn't address built-in (integrated motherboard) sound cards. 
I haven't had any trouble testing them, but don't actually use them 
except for desktop PC sounds and such.

73,
Larry N8LP



Wes Stewart wrote:
> I'm sure you're correct, but I went to the FW card because of problems with 
> the built-in sound card.  Presumably that had the least overhead of all.
>
> Wes  N7WS
>
> --- On Sun, 1/31/10, Larry Phipps  wrote:
>
>   
>> From: Larry Phipps 
>> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft Digest, Vol 69, Issue 53
>> To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
>> Date: Sunday, January 31, 2010, 6:56 AM
>> I think you'll find that the FW card
>> takes fewer resources than a USB card, at least that's what
>> I've found as a general rule. On my system anyway, the PCI
>> sound cards take the least resources, followed by FW,
>> followed by USB. The same is generally true of serial ports.
>> If you have a desktop PC, always lean towards PCI interfaces
>> rather than USB if you have the slots to do so.
>>
>> FWIW, I have 6 sound cards installed on a 2.8GHz P4 without
>> problems, but the USB cards add about 50% to the CPU load
>> when they're running.
>>
>> Larry N8LP
>>
>>
>>
>> Date: Sat, 30 Jan 2010 11:35:17 -0800 (PST)
>> From: Wes Stewart 
>> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [OT] PCI Express sound card for
>> digimodes
>> To: w...@q.com
>> Cc: elecraft@mailman.qth.net,
>> G4ILOJulian 
>> Message-ID: <262124.96639...@web52303.mail.re2.yahoo.com>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
>>
>> Hi Lance,
>>
>> Hmmm... I don't think so.  The computer has a 2.3 GHz
>> Core2 Duo processor and 2 GB of RAM.  As I said, but
>> not clearly enough, I gave up on the LP-Pan (for now anyway)
>> so it wasn't running.  The only thing running was
>> whichever RTTY/log software and Firefox, which I use for
>> looking at Internet spots.  Since in some of these
>> contests I was in an unassisted category, even that wasn't
>> always open.
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>> Wes
>>
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>> 
>
>
>   
>
>   

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[Elecraft] K3: Using the MFJ-998 IntelliTuner

[Luis V. Romero]

Phil:

>Does anyone use an MFJ-998 IntelliTuner with their K3 that includes the
ATU?

Yes, I have one along with an ALS600.

>If so, does the K3 interface to the MFJ-998 in a supported fashion where
the tune
>button on the K3 would control the MFJ-998 instead of the internal tuner.

No, but I have found it is not as critical as I had once thought.  I set the
MFJ for Auto Tune and set the tune power out of the K3 to 10 watts.  I then
preset the tuner memories by going to all the bands I use on all the
antennas that I use through the tuner and do a tune cycle every 10kHz.  This
memorizes the antennas to the tuner (don't worry about memory space, there
is plenty of it in the '998).  My antennas are pretty resonant, and I use
the tuner to "broaden" them out, especially on the low bands.

I run the amp through the tuner's bypass circuitry.

Then, in operation with the amp, things are simple.  Set Tune Power on the
K3 to 10 watts.  Choose a frequency and press and hold the XMIT button.  The
rig outputs a 10 watt carrier, the amp makes that 50 watts and the tuner
"snaps" in to the memorized settings.  Press and hold XMIT again when the
tune cycle is done, which usually takes about a second.  You're done!

On CW, just send some dahs.  If the SWR is too high, the tuner will bypass
the amp till it goes below your set point (mine is 1.8:1)  If the amp trips,
just flip the Operate/Standby switch when the tuner is done tuning.  

On RTTY, tap the XMIT button.  The tuner will bypass the amp, sending the
K3's full power to the antenna, the tuner tunes and then re-enables the amp
when the SWR drops to below the set point after you stop transmitting by
pressing the XMIT button again.  Or just use the low power method I describe
above (which, with the amp on its RTTY setting, gives you 35w out).

If you have a catastrophic failure in your antenna, select the wrong antenna
or simply forget to select one on your antenna routing, the tuner protects
the amp even before the amp protects itself (the amp will auto-bypass at 2:1
SWR).

Just like if you had a hard wired interface, but without the wire.

Without the amp, and on 6 meters when needed, I use the KAT3 tuner which I
HAD to purchase just so I could have two antenna inputs on the rig :(  And,
after all, its there  :)

-lu-W4LT- 

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Re: [Elecraft] [Elecraft_K3] TX CW discrepancy

[Vic K2VCO]

Igor Sokolov wrote:
> It has started with complains of some of our contacts in the contest. They 
> told us that the weighting of out TX CW is not standard.
> Two channel oscilloscope was brought into shack and 3 K3 tcvrs were checked:
> SN 1651 SW ver 3.06
> SN 2929  SW ver 3.68
> SN 3553  SW ver. 3.41
> On all 3 units series of dots were sent using external keyer with 50% 
> weight. While on the monitor output the weight remained to be 50% the RF 
> output showed shortening of dots (and therefore lengthening of spaces) by 7 
> or 8 msec. This effect does not depend on WPM speed and therefore less 
> pronounced at slower speeds.
> Could somebody confirm this please. We do not want to trouble Elecraft 
> without being 100% sure that the problem exists.

What is CONFIG: TX DLY set to? I have noticed that setting it higher than about 
10 or 12 
causes CW element shortening. This is the number of ms delay from the time the 
KEY OUT 
jack goes low and RF is generated. A true QSK amp should be able to work with 
the default 
setting of 8.
-- 
73,
Vic, K2VCO
Fresno CA
http://www.qsl.net/k2vco
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Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft Digest, Vol 69, Issue 53

[Wes Stewart]

I'm sure you're correct, but I went to the FW card because of problems with the 
built-in sound card.  Presumably that had the least overhead of all.

Wes  N7WS

--- On Sun, 1/31/10, Larry Phipps  wrote:

> From: Larry Phipps 
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft Digest, Vol 69, Issue 53
> To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
> Date: Sunday, January 31, 2010, 6:56 AM
> I think you'll find that the FW card
> takes fewer resources than a USB card, at least that's what
> I've found as a general rule. On my system anyway, the PCI
> sound cards take the least resources, followed by FW,
> followed by USB. The same is generally true of serial ports.
> If you have a desktop PC, always lean towards PCI interfaces
> rather than USB if you have the slots to do so.
> 
> FWIW, I have 6 sound cards installed on a 2.8GHz P4 without
> problems, but the USB cards add about 50% to the CPU load
> when they're running.
> 
> Larry N8LP
> 
> 
> 
> Date: Sat, 30 Jan 2010 11:35:17 -0800 (PST)
> From: Wes Stewart 
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [OT] PCI Express sound card for
> digimodes
> To: w...@q.com
> Cc: elecraft@mailman.qth.net,
> G4ILOJulian 
> Message-ID: <262124.96639...@web52303.mail.re2.yahoo.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
> 
> Hi Lance,
> 
> Hmmm... I don't think so.  The computer has a 2.3 GHz
> Core2 Duo processor and 2 GB of RAM.  As I said, but
> not clearly enough, I gave up on the LP-Pan (for now anyway)
> so it wasn't running.  The only thing running was
> whichever RTTY/log software and Firefox, which I use for
> looking at Internet spots.  Since in some of these
> contests I was in an unassisted category, even that wasn't
> always open.
> 
> Regards,
> 
> Wes
> 
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> 


  
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Re: [Elecraft] [OT] PCI Express sound card for digimodes

[Luis V. Romero]

Julian:

Welcome to the world of computer planned obsolescence!  

PCI-E cards are still expensive as PCI-E has not made much of an inroad in
PC architecture yet.  More in Mac than PC.  Also, the specs for PCI-E cards
have not shaken out yet.  So there are quite a lot of variables in the
quality of the cards on the market.

The idea of an external card is a good one, but understand that this will
add overhead to your computer.  Depending on the computer, this may impact
the "responsiveness" of the software you are running on it, especially if
you have multiple processes going at the same time.

I considered the very inexpensive Signal Link, but it has no rig control and
you cant use it to send true CW.  It has a VOX circuit that it uses to key
the PTT or Key line.  Works, but not ideal.

I used to use a Behringer external sound card on my laptop (a rather old
Dell 1.2Ghz machine) and it worked well.  The internal sound card on it was
true garbage.  The Behringer UCA202 was $29 US at an internet retailer.  

http://www.zzounds.com/item--BEHUCA202

Its basically a Signal Link without the VOX keying circuit.  It worked just
fine, but I still needed two com ports on the machine, one for CW the other
for CAT.  Too many wires.

For me the solution was a MicroHam MicroKeyer (the original model) which I
found at a SK sale.  It works perfectly, no issues, and relieves me of using
the serial port on the computer completely.  With it, I use two USB cables,
one for the sound card and one for the Micro Keyer.  But still you need
audio cables to the interface from the sound card.

A more elegant solution is the MicroKeyer 2.  This admittedly more expensive
solution has a built in sound card.  Now a single USB cable between the
computer and the MicroKeyer takes care of things for all modes, including
SSB DVK.  It has dual receive inputs for my dual receiver K3 too which I use
for Diversity RTTY with two MMTTY windows in N1MMLogger.  

I currently use the MicroKeyer 1 and UCA202 on my secondary Kenwood TS570D
and the MicroKeyer 2 on my K3.  The rigs share a single computer (a Dell
GX280 3.4GHz P4 with 1M RAM) with no issues.  Router has a setup "tab" for
each interface and both work independently of each other.  Each can have
their own settings and for my use, I have enough virtual ports to do
everything I need to do.  I can even use my Bencher paddles with the
interfaces, switched by a small box with a 3PDT miniature switch.

Flawless CW, RTTY, PSK, DVK and never a burp or slowdown with both the old
Dell laptop when portable or the Dell Desktop when at home.

This setup works for me.  Your mileage may vary.

73

-Lu W4LT-




>> Apologies for the OT question but I'm at my wits end. I just bought a new
>> computer for the shack and find that I can't install my SB Live 24 card
that
>> I kept from the old one because it doesn't have PCI Slots. Instead, it
has
>> what I've been told are PCI Express slots. Even my local computer shop
hadn't
>> heard of a PC without PCI slots, and said PCI EXpress is only for
graphics
>> cards. But that can't be right as the computer has 4 of them, 3 short
ones
>> which are PCIe x1 and one long one which is PCIe x16.
>>
>> The built in Realtek sound card has all kinds of controls for special
>> effects, karaoke etc. but I can't find an option for "look, just convert
it
>> to digital as accurately as possible and don't mess with it." In any
case, I
>> really want to use the internal board for normal audio as it has front
panel
>> sockets for headphones etc. which is why I had the second sound card.
However
>> when I search for PCI Express sound cards they are all pretty expensive.
The
>> cheapest seems to be an Asus Xonar DX 7.1. I admit the DX part sounds
>> promising, but it still has these special effects features and outputs
for
>> subwoofers and so on none of which I need.
>>
>> What's a guy who just wants to work digital modes to do? A few years ago
you
>> could buy a 16-bit ISA sound card for 15 quid. Surely we don't all have
to go
>> out and splash ?200 on a RigExpert or MicroHam now? Someone suggested I
got a
>> "cheap USB audio device" but how cheap is OK? You can buy these things on
>> eBay for $2, I kid you not, but I bought one once and tossed it after 5
>> minutes it was so bad.
>>
>> I'd appreciate hearing from anyone who has had this problem and solved it
>> satisfactorily because I'm getting withdrawal symptoms not being able to
work
>> digimodes. Is it just me, or is technology getting way too complicated?
>>
>> - Julian, G4ILO. K2 #392  K3 #222. * G4ILO's Shack -
>> http://www.g4ilo.com * KComm - http://www.g4ilo.com/kcomm.html * KTune -
>> http://www.g4ilo.com/ktune.html




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[Elecraft] HELP!

[Phil LaMarche]

K3.While barefoot and transmitting SSB, The power drops to zero.  Start
over and only a few words before drop off.  Turned off and on several times.
Any idea?
 
Phil
 

Philip LaMarche 
LaMarche Enterprises, Inc.

www.w9dvm.com   

727-944-3226 
FAX 727-937-8834 

K3  #1605

CCA 98  00827
CRA 1701

W9DVM 


 
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Re: [Elecraft] Unable to resolve apparent S-meter noise level on K3 with AGC on

[Laurent F6DEX]

Lance,

Yes, switching OFF the AGC does lower smeter reading: I also confirm but
HERE by one or two units only maximum but it it also lowers reading for all
values of incoming signal and S9 becomes S8/S7... (here).

I think if I recalibrate with AGC OFF, I will have same readings.

Yours may be different.

73, Laurent
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Re: [Elecraft] K2 build progress and question

[Don Wilhelm]

LS,

You may want to add the header for the AUX RF before you mount the heat 
sink on the K2 RF Board, and that part is included with the KPA100 kit.  
All other changes or additions are easily accessible by removing the 
bottom cover.  Removing the heat sink is not a nasty chore, but is more 
involved than simply removing the screws.

73,
Don W3FPR

lstavenhagen wrote:
> Hi all,
> I just completed the control and front panel board builds yesterday. The kit
> is really remarkable, even the mounting of the LCD and diffuser basically
> went off without a hitch. I did have a capacitor left over at the end of the
> front panel build. Went back through the manual and saw the one I'd
> accidentally skipped, had to take it all apart again to install it, hi hi,
> but no more parts leftover. 
>
> Anyway, now my question. I'm at the beginning of the RF board build now. I'm
> planning to add the noise blanker and 100W amp options (nothing else, if I
> ever need more than that I'm just getting the K3). I havn't read ahead in
> the assy manual but are there any decisions I should make at this point for
> adding these in future? Or does it not matter, i.e. I have to complete the
> basic kit before I add these two options anyway? 
> If so, I should probably go ahead and order the options now...
>
> Thanks,
> LS
> W5QD
>   
>   
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Re: [Elecraft] [Elecraft_K3] TX CW discrepancy

[Olli Tuppurainen]

What I have noticed is that K3 internal keyer weight changes between VOX and
use of footswitch.

I tend to press footswitch time to time to prevent amplifier relay sound (
AL1200 relay is loud ) but noticed this bit annoying feature after trying K3
internal keyer instead of microkeyer. 

The weight change is roughly from 1.10 to 1.20 ( from Vox to Footswitch )

Olli
OH6CT

> -Alkuperäinen viesti-
> Lähettäjä: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net 
> [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] Puolesta Igor Sokolov
> Lähetetty: 31. tammikuuta 2010 16:49
> Vastaanottaja: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net
> Kopio: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net
> Aihe: [Elecraft] [Elecraft_K3] TX CW discrepancy
> 
> It has started with complains of some of our contacts in the 
> contest. They told us that the weighting of out TX CW is not standard.
> Two channel oscilloscope was brought into shack and 3 K3 
> tcvrs were checked:
> SN 1651 SW ver 3.06
> SN 2929  SW ver 3.68
> SN 3553  SW ver. 3.41
> On all 3 units series of dots were sent using external keyer 
> with 50% weight. While on the monitor output the weight 
> remained to be 50% the RF output showed shortening of dots 
> (and therefore lengthening of spaces) by 7 or 8 msec. This 
> effect does not depend on WPM speed and therefore less 
> pronounced at slower speeds.
> Could somebody confirm this please. We do not want to trouble 
> Elecraft without being 100% sure that the problem exists.
> 
> 73, Igor UA9CDC 
> 
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[Elecraft] K2 build progress and question

[lstavenhagen]

Hi all,
I just completed the control and front panel board builds yesterday. The kit
is really remarkable, even the mounting of the LCD and diffuser basically
went off without a hitch. I did have a capacitor left over at the end of the
front panel build. Went back through the manual and saw the one I'd
accidentally skipped, had to take it all apart again to install it, hi hi,
but no more parts leftover. 

Anyway, now my question. I'm at the beginning of the RF board build now. I'm
planning to add the noise blanker and 100W amp options (nothing else, if I
ever need more than that I'm just getting the K3). I havn't read ahead in
the assy manual but are there any decisions I should make at this point for
adding these in future? Or does it not matter, i.e. I have to complete the
basic kit before I add these two options anyway? 
If so, I should probably go ahead and order the options now...

Thanks,
LS
W5QD
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[Elecraft] [Elecraft_K3] TX CW discrepancy

[Igor Sokolov]

It has started with complains of some of our contacts in the contest. They 
told us that the weighting of out TX CW is not standard.
Two channel oscilloscope was brought into shack and 3 K3 tcvrs were checked:
SN 1651 SW ver 3.06
SN 2929  SW ver 3.68
SN 3553  SW ver. 3.41
On all 3 units series of dots were sent using external keyer with 50% 
weight. While on the monitor output the weight remained to be 50% the RF 
output showed shortening of dots (and therefore lengthening of spaces) by 7 
or 8 msec. This effect does not depend on WPM speed and therefore less 
pronounced at slower speeds.
Could somebody confirm this please. We do not want to trouble Elecraft 
without being 100% sure that the problem exists.

73, Igor UA9CDC 

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Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft Digest, Vol 69, Issue 53

[Larry Phipps]

I think you'll find that the FW card takes fewer resources than a USB card, at 
least that's what I've found as a general rule. On my system anyway, the PCI 
sound cards take the least resources, followed by FW, followed by USB. The same 
is generally true of serial ports. If you have a desktop PC, always lean 
towards PCI interfaces rather than USB if you have the slots to do so.

FWIW, I have 6 sound cards installed on a 2.8GHz P4 without problems, but the 
USB cards add about 50% to the CPU load when they're running.

Larry N8LP



Date: Sat, 30 Jan 2010 11:35:17 -0800 (PST)
From: Wes Stewart 
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [OT] PCI Express sound card for digimodes
To: w...@q.com
Cc: elecraft@mailman.qth.net, G4ILOJulian 
Message-ID: <262124.96639...@web52303.mail.re2.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

Hi Lance,

Hmmm... I don't think so.  The computer has a 2.3 GHz Core2 Duo processor and 2 
GB of RAM.  As I said, but not clearly enough, I gave up on the LP-Pan (for now 
anyway) so it wasn't running.  The only thing running was whichever RTTY/log 
software and Firefox, which I use for looking at Internet spots.  Since in some 
of these contests I was in an unassisted category, even that wasn't always open.

Regards,

Wes

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Re: [Elecraft] K2 BFO not oscillating

[Don Wilhelm]

Conway,

Does your counter probe report a frequency reading when plugged into 
TP1?  If so, the probe is working, if not, then your problem is with 
either the probe itself or the Q9 and Q10 circuits on the Control Board.

If (and only if) the probe works in TP1, then do the following - 
otherwise skip the steps below.
Turn your manual to Appendix E page 11 and do the 4 test steps indicated 
at the top of the 1st column.  Then compare the DC voltages during CAL 
FCTR at the leads of Q24 and U11.  If that does not reveal the problem 
for you, tell us what those measurements are an we may be able to help.

73,
Don W3FPR

Conway Yee wrote:
> TP2 reads 0 MHz.
>
> Checking the components involving the BFO, No obvious missing components.
> No obvious cold joints.
>
> I checked the to pads adjacent to L33 which I believe to be the pads to
> the BFO crystal filters (two more are hidden under L33).  With power on,
> the voltages are different making me suspect that I did not short the
> crystals.
>
> The manual tells me that the BFO isn't working or the frequency probe is
> not hooked up (which it is).  It also tells me to go to the
> troubleshooting section.  The table in the section doesn't seem to
> illuminate anything.  The signal tracing part only seems to tell me to
> check the voltages (which are lower than the 0.020 volts).
>
> What do I do?
>
> tnx.
> Conway Yee, N2JWQ
>
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Re: [Elecraft] [Elecraft_K3] What's the 2nd best rig?

[Radio Amateur N5GE]

On Sun, 31 Jan 2010 02:40:14 -0700, "Greg"  wrote:

Drake C-Line Twins and Drake TR7/R7

Tom, N5GE

n...@n5ge.com
K3 #806 with SUB RX, K3 #1055, PR6,
XV144, XV432, KRC2,
W1, 2 W2's and other small kits

1 K144XV on order

http://www.n5ge.com
http://www.swotrc.net

>John - I'm sure everyone will have a different opinion.and if you include
>"rigs of the past", then what was once good really may not be comparable to
>today's radios.but radios that I have enjoyed using in the past - that I
>thought were good performers at the time I owned them -- include Signal/One
>CX7B, Kenwood TS-930S, Kenwood TS-950SD, and Yaesu FT-1000D.  I now have a
>K3 (actually two) and still have the FT-1000D which I still enjoy using
>occasionally.
>
> 
>
>Most disappointing radio I have owned - a Signal/One CX-11A.  It was
>supposed to be the "be all, end all". It wasn't.
>
> 
[snip]

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Re: [Elecraft] 2M with K3 - anyone doing it?

[Radio Amateur N5GE]

On Sun, 31 Jan 2010 01:34:52 -0800 (PST), "Julian, G4ILO"
 wrote:

Yes.

Both 2m and 70cm using the Elecraft XVTRS.  Both work very well.

Tom, N5GE

n...@n5ge.com
K3 #806 with SUB RX, K3 #1055, PR6,
XV144, XV432, KRC2,
W1, 2 W2's and other small kits

1 K144XV on order

http://www.n5ge.com
http://www.swotrc.net

>
>I believe the external transverters have slightly better NF than the internal
>one, which could be an additional advantage for the kind of things you seem
>to be interested in. If you can't build it yourself then I believe that the
>folks who advertise that they will build K2s for people will build other
>Elecraft kits as well.
>
>I think that the Elecraft transverter (or any decent trasnverter) in front
>of a K3 will give you a better receiver than the IC9100 will have.
>
>-
>Julian, G4ILO. K2 #392  K3 #222.
>* G4ILO's Shack - http://www.g4ilo.com
>* KComm - http://www.g4ilo.com/kcomm.html
>* KTune - http://www.g4ilo.com/ktune.html

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Re: [Elecraft] Unable to resolve apparent S-meter noise level on K3 with AGC on

[Laurent F6DEX]

I confirm this behavior (apparent high level of noise) but I am afraid it is
not an issue of the K3 but an issued of the other radios while most other
radios are inaccurate. K3's smeter is accurate and shows the reality. You
may eventualy calibrate the smeter (especially Offset) but switching OFF AGC
does not solve the problem.

Laurent F6DEX
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Re: [Elecraft] [Elecraft_K3] What's the 2nd best rig?

[Hector Padron]

Like you just said,everyone will have a different opinion but mine is that the 
second best rig which is very close to our K3's in performance is the Tentec 
Orion II that I owned as well in the past and sold because of  been too big on 
the desk.
 
AD4C
 


"For a refined ham it is compulsory to own a k3"

--- On Sun, 1/31/10, Greg  wrote:


From: Greg 
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [Elecraft_K3] What's the 2nd best rig?
To: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Date: Sunday, January 31, 2010, 9:40 AM


John - I'm sure everyone will have a different opinion.and if you include
"rigs of the past", then what was once good really may not be comparable to
today's radios.but radios that I have enjoyed using in the past - that I
thought were good performers at the time I owned them -- include Signal/One
CX7B, Kenwood TS-930S, Kenwood TS-950SD, and Yaesu FT-1000D.  I now have a
K3 (actually two) and still have the FT-1000D which I still enjoy using
occasionally.



Most disappointing radio I have owned - a Signal/One CX-11A.  It was
supposed to be the "be all, end all". It wasn't.



I'll be curious to see what others have to say.



73 de Greg-N4CC



  _  

From: John Merrill [mailto:johnn...@gmail.com] 
Sent: Saturday, January 30, 2010 9:40 PM
To: Elecraft_K3
Subject: Re: [Elecraft_K3] Re: K3 comparison to TT Omni VII



  

If the K3 is the best rig, what would be the second best including any of
the past?

John N1JM

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Re: [Elecraft] K3 on the way

[Hector Padron]

And that is why it will be the radio that will stay forever at your shack once 
it arrived.
 
AD4C
 
 


"For a refined ham it is compulsory to own a k3"

--- On Sun, 1/31/10, Rick Tavan N6XI  wrote:


From: Rick Tavan N6XI 
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 on the way
To: "Phil Hystad" 
Cc: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Date: Sunday, January 31, 2010, 6:42 AM


...or things that didn't exist last week!

On 1/28/10, Phil Hystad  wrote:
>
> The K3 experience just gets better each day especially when you discover
> new things that it can do that you never knew about.
>
>

-- 

Rick Tavan N6XI
Truckee, CA
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[Elecraft] Pulling my hair out K2

[G6YAQ Frank]

Hi folks 
Many thanks to all and especially to Don who  replied to my K2 problems,
Due to circumstances it is now in the hands of a fellow G ham who has
offered to sort it out for me,
any information I get regarding its stay in hospital and recovery, I will
pass on in due course as it may be of help to someone out there
Best 73 to all Frank
-- 
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Re: [Elecraft] [Elecraft_K3] What's the 2nd best rig?

[Greg]

John - I'm sure everyone will have a different opinion.and if you include
"rigs of the past", then what was once good really may not be comparable to
today's radios.but radios that I have enjoyed using in the past - that I
thought were good performers at the time I owned them -- include Signal/One
CX7B, Kenwood TS-930S, Kenwood TS-950SD, and Yaesu FT-1000D.  I now have a
K3 (actually two) and still have the FT-1000D which I still enjoy using
occasionally.

 

Most disappointing radio I have owned - a Signal/One CX-11A.  It was
supposed to be the "be all, end all". It wasn't.

 

I'll be curious to see what others have to say.

 

73 de Greg-N4CC

 

  _  

From: John Merrill [mailto:johnn...@gmail.com] 
Sent: Saturday, January 30, 2010 9:40 PM
To: Elecraft_K3
Subject: Re: [Elecraft_K3] Re: K3 comparison to TT Omni VII

 

  

If the K3 is the best rig, what would be the second best including any of
the past?

John N1JM

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Re: [Elecraft] 2M with K3 - anyone doing it?

[Julian, G4ILO]

I believe the external transverters have slightly better NF than the internal
one, which could be an additional advantage for the kind of things you seem
to be interested in. If you can't build it yourself then I believe that the
folks who advertise that they will build K2s for people will build other
Elecraft kits as well.

I think that the Elecraft transverter (or any decent trasnverter) in front
of a K3 will give you a better receiver than the IC9100 will have.

-
Julian, G4ILO. K2 #392  K3 #222.
* G4ILO's Shack - http://www.g4ilo.com
* KComm - http://www.g4ilo.com/kcomm.html
* KTune - http://www.g4ilo.com/ktune.html

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Re: [Elecraft] Unable to resolve apparent S-meter noise level on K3 with AGC on

[Julian, G4ILO]

Have you tried adjusting AGC THR? Increasing the level increases the point at
which AGC starts to operate and should stop weak signals being reduced to
the level of noise.

It's puzzling that the S-meter decreases when AGC is off but I think that is
normal. My K3 does the same, but the audio out increases dramatically when
AGC is off so it is working, it is only the meter that is affected.

-
Julian, G4ILO. K2 #392  K3 #222.
* G4ILO's Shack - http://www.g4ilo.com
* KComm - http://www.g4ilo.com/kcomm.html
* KTune - http://www.g4ilo.com/ktune.html

-- 
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