[Elecraft] FSK power
First I want to thank all who responded to my FSK question earlier this week. The information was helpful and appreciated. Now, one more. How much power can I safely use with FSK? I have made several contacts so far at about 50 watts. Can I use more? there is a RTTY contest this weekend, and I don't want to damage the radio, but don't want to start off with a weak signal if I can do better. Thanks ...bc nr4c __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] P3 #513 working
My P3 kit has arrived moon-day. Assembled in one hour and now it is working very well. For the Italian guys: total cost , inclusive of shipping :610 Euro +120 euro for customs. Thanks Elecraft for this beautiful accessory! Now I hope for new improvements, as promised: digital mode, SSTV etc. 73 Giuliano I0CG ITALY www.i0cg.com __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] P3 MKR off freq?
I'm sure this is user error, but so far this user fails to figure it out. This started happening right around the time I loaded the current firmware into both the K3 and the P3. When I tune or recall a memory in the K3, the P3 correctly displays the frequency and it appears to be centered within the brackets on the smallest scan. However, when I use either marker and line it up with a signal off the current K3 frequency and tap select on the P3, the end result on the K3 is off about a KHz and this also shows up on the P3 - ie the signal I thought I put the marker on is now showing up down from current frequency. Any ideas? Yes, I have calibrated the P3 according to the instructions on p19 of the manual, and the transceiver settings are unchanged and specify K3. Thanks in advance Gary W2CS __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] K3 Split function
Hi people Need help. My split function to tx on VFOB. Not function on cw. Works ok on SSB VFO B frequency shows a + sign after and when press split says N/A QRQ Any ideas of what may have gone wrong Thanks Norm VK4NP __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3: QRQ high-speed QSK
W8JI wrote: Who the heck is copying that and what are they copying??? The highest speed record for a long time, of copying unexpected text, was only around 70-80 WPM. That record held the whole time I was growing up, and it was from the 30's I think. It is certainly impossible to copy 300 WPM without decoding. I have some nagging questions about these speed claims. Tom - I was reviewing some of the archived posts and ran across this one. FYI, QSOs at 100 WPM happen on 40 CW and on the Internet (iCW). This is copying in one's head, not on paper. There are a handful of guys, and one YL, who have broken the 200 WPM barrier with RUFZ, copying a single callsign at that speed. I forget who was first - either Goran, YT7AW or Fabian, DJ1YFK, both of whom I've met at the HST competition - and they look normal :.) There are also some incredibly fast eastern EUs who copy very high speeds on paper with a shorthand system. I presented at the Contest Forum in Dayton 4-5 years ago and showed a picture of what the shorthand looks like. McElroy's ~75 WPM (on paper) record is long gone. Barry W2UP If you'd like to hear QRQ CW, I invite you all to visit our website. http://qrqcwnet.ning.com/ Here you can listen to recordings of QSO's at 100+ wpm, find tips, advice and software to help you make the jump from QRS (50 wpm) to QRQ. There is also software to allow you to use ICW, Internet CW. ICW allows you to participate in QSO's, roundtables and club nets, when the bands are down. By the way, CW at 100 wpm is often mistaken for some sort of digital mode transmission, as you'll see, if you listen to the recordings on the website. Joe, KH6/W3GW has a QRQ article in the most recent CQ magazine (Sept. 2010). An expanded version is also posted on the club site. 73 de Dana W8DH QRQ-CW __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 Split function
Norm, Split is not available if QRQ is set on. RIT/XIT do not work in QRQ mode either, but Wayne has promised a limited range RIT sometime in the future. The SHIFT will not function either - see the firmware release notes for version 4.03. Go to CONFIG: CW QRQ in the menu and set it to OFF and you will have split back again. If you value QRQ more than split, you will have to live with the limitations. 73, Don W3FPR On 9/23/2010 4:08 AM, Norm Shirley Greenaway wrote: Hi people Need help. My split function to tx on VFOB. Not function on cw. Works ok on SSB VFO B frequency shows a + sign after and when press split says N/A QRQ Any ideas of what may have gone wrong Thanks Norm VK4NP __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] K3 Filter Presets
Just getting to know the K3, so this may be pilot error, but the filter presets seem to behave strangely. With the 2.8 and 2.1 kHz filters enabled for USB, for example, I saved them as presets I and II. That seemed to work with the I/II switch, until I held the NORM switch once. After that, I/II would not switch to the 2.1 kHz filter. Behavior was similar in CW mode. Am I missing something? 73, Scott K9MA Scott Ellington Madison, Wisconsin USA __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] P3 MKR off freq?
Check your shift frequency. I had the same issue and it took me a bit to figure it out. Once the NORM button was held in, voila, fixed! There are other offsets I am sure which could also change the center freq, but my solution is the simple easy one. Bill K9YEQ -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Gary Ferdinand Sent: Thursday, September 23, 2010 11:33 AM To: Elecraft Subject: [Elecraft] P3 MKR off freq? I'm sure this is user error, but so far this user fails to figure it out. This started happening right around the time I loaded the current firmware into both the K3 and the P3. When I tune or recall a memory in the K3, the P3 correctly displays the frequency and it appears to be centered within the brackets on the smallest scan. However, when I use either marker and line it up with a signal off the current K3 frequency and tap select on the P3, the end result on the K3 is off about a KHz and this also shows up on the P3 - ie the signal I thought I put the marker on is now showing up down from current frequency. Any ideas? Yes, I have calibrated the P3 according to the instructions on p19 of the manual, and the transceiver settings are unchanged and specify K3. Thanks in advance Gary W2CS __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] FW: P3 MKR SOLVED
It is too embarrassing to tell. Tnx for reading :) -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft- boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Gary Ferdinand Sent: Thursday, September 23, 2010 12:33 PM To: Elecraft Subject: [Elecraft] P3 MKR off freq? I'm sure this is user error, but so far this user fails to figure it out. This started happening right around the time I loaded the current firmware into both the K3 and the P3. When I tune or recall a memory in the K3, the P3 correctly displays the frequency and it appears to be centered within the brackets on the smallest scan. However, when I use either marker and line it up with a signal off the current K3 frequency and tap select on the P3, the end result on the K3 is off about a KHz and this also shows up on the P3 - ie the signal I thought I put the marker on is now showing up down from current frequency. Any ideas? Yes, I have calibrated the P3 according to the instructions on p19 of the manual, and the transceiver settings are unchanged and specify K3. Thanks in advance Gary W2CS __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] FW: P3 MKR SOLVED
Gary, Tell us as one of us may do the same thing. God knows I've done a bunch of goofy things and try to figure them out. Bill K9YEQ -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Gary Ferdinand Sent: Thursday, September 23, 2010 12:51 PM To: Elecraft Subject: [Elecraft] FW: P3 MKR SOLVED It is too embarrassing to tell. Tnx for reading :) -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft- boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Gary Ferdinand Sent: Thursday, September 23, 2010 12:33 PM To: Elecraft Subject: [Elecraft] P3 MKR off freq? I'm sure this is user error, but so far this user fails to figure it out. This started happening right around the time I loaded the current firmware into both the K3 and the P3. When I tune or recall a memory in the K3, the P3 correctly displays the frequency and it appears to be centered within the brackets on the smallest scan. However, when I use either marker and line it up with a signal off the current K3 frequency and tap select on the P3, the end result on the K3 is off about a KHz and this also shows up on the P3 - ie the signal I thought I put the marker on is now showing up down from current frequency. Any ideas? Yes, I have calibrated the P3 according to the instructions on p19 of the manual, and the transceiver settings are unchanged and specify K3. Thanks in advance Gary W2CS __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3: QRQ high-speed QSK
If you'd like to hear QRQ CW, I invite you all to visit our website http://qrqcwnet.ning.com QRQ may also be found on: - the FOG (Fast Operators Group) net, Mondays and Thursdays at at 8 p.m. Eastern (Tue/Fri 00:00 UTC). They run a 60 WPM net but anybody interested in improving their speed is welcome to join in. (note: used to be Tuesday/Thursday but changed a while back to Monday/Thursday) - CFO (Chick Fat Operators) informal sked, Tuesdays at 9 p.m. Eastern (Wed 01:00 UTC). They tend to not run as fast as QRQ ( 50) but run anywhere from 30-60 on the sked, depending on conditions and abilities. All are welcome. Usually runs for an hour. For more info see the CFO Home Pagehttp://groups.google.com/group/Chicken-Fat-Operators-Club (sorry for the plugs and slightly OT, list...) .. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3: QRQ high-speed QSK
Dana Thanks for showing us this site. I was particularly interested in the article regarding neuroplasticity associated with learning Morse code: I thought you might like a note in a similar vein. My old friend Stuart Kind G4AYP (sk) was Director of Forensic Science here in the UK and he was of the opinion that reading Morse code was good for the brain. He listened to 40m Morse QSOs in French and Spanish while settling down to sleep, he told me. This is an article about him if you care to know more: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1428695/Professor-Stuart-Kind.html It doesn't even mention his fondness for amateur radio - he was often heard on local nets and would join ham friends and I for a drink at a local pub. Sorry for the bandwidth and thread drift, I couldn't resist. 73 David G3UNA If you'd like to hear QRQ CW, I invite you all to visit our website. http://qrqcwnet.ning.com/ 73 de Dana W8DH QRQ-CW __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 Split function
However, QRQ split is available if there's a KRX3 installed. There may be other conditions to enable QRQ mode, I don't recall. I have programmed a macro to engage split. It also adds 2 kHz to the second VFO. Paul, W9AC - Original Message - From: Don Wilhelm w3...@embarqmail.com To: Norm Shirley Greenaway nw...@bigpond.com Cc: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Thursday, September 23, 2010 1:27 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Split function Norm, Split is not available if QRQ is set on. RIT/XIT do not work in QRQ mode either, but Wayne has promised a limited range RIT sometime in the future. The SHIFT will not function either - see the firmware release notes for version 4.03. Go to CONFIG: CW QRQ in the menu and set it to OFF and you will have split back again. If you value QRQ more than split, you will have to live with the limitations. 73, Don W3FPR On 9/23/2010 4:08 AM, Norm Shirley Greenaway wrote: Hi people Need help. My split function to tx on VFOB. Not function on cw. Works ok on SSB VFO B frequency shows a + sign after and when press split says N/A QRQ Any ideas of what may have gone wrong Thanks Norm VK4NP __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] FSK power
The specifications for the transmitter in the Owner's Manual say 100% 10 min 100W key-down at 25 C ambient, so RTTY at 100 watts is within spec even for extended transmissions, and an RTTY contest with its short transmissions should be no problem at all at 100 watts. You can monitor the temperature of the finals by tapping the DISP key and rotating the VFO B knob until you see PA xxC (where xx is the current temperature). I believe there is a protective thermal shut-down somewhere up around 80C, but I doubt whether you will come anywhere near that. Mine gets into the mid-50s near the end of long transmissions during digital mode ragchews, but it doesn't get that hot during contests. The ambient temperature has a significant influence, too. If you do monitor the PA temperature, don't be surprised if you observe temperature readings that are slightly higher during receive than during transmit periods. The voltage drop in the power cable at the high transmit current draw results in lower voltage at the rig, which in turn causes the temperature indication (not the actual temperature) to drop slightly. In digital modes I often observe the fans speeding up in receive and slowing down in transmit when the PA temperature reading happens to be close to the threshold for a fan speed change. I found this disconcerting at first, until I realized what was happening! 73, Rich VE3KI NR4C wrote: Now, one more. How much power can I safely use with FSK? I have made several contacts so far at about 50 watts. Can I use more? there is a RTTY contest this weekend, and I don't want to damage the radio, but don't want to start off with a weak signal if I can do better. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3: QRQ high-speed QSK
An astute reader has pointed out I forgot to include the frequency of the FOG net and CFO sked. FOG: Mondays and Thursdays at at 8 p.m. Eastern (Tue/Fri 00:00 UTC) on 7032 kHz CFO: Tuesdays at 9 p.m. Eastern (Wed 01:00 UTC) around 7030 to 7032 kHz --Andrew .. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] FSK power
I've become a firm believer in air flow during rtty contests. I use a 24 volt 5 inch muffin fan blowing air down into the K3 across the PA fins. I run the fan with about 12 volts which cuts the noise down somewhat. Looking at the PA temp while doing this, it's hard to get it up much over 35C during a contest. Mark n2qt NR4C wrote: Now, one more. How much power can I safely use with FSK? I have made several contacts so far at about 50 watts. Can I use more? there is a RTTY contest this weekend, and I don't want to damage the radio, but don't want to start off with a weak signal if I can do better. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] P3 function buttons
I hate to predict when any specific feature will be implemented, but I can say that this one is high on the list. It requires changes both to P3 firmware and to P3 Utility. It shouldn't affect K3 firmware. Alan N1AL On Wed, 2010-09-22 at 18:11 -0700, O. Johns wrote: Alan and Wayne, I see you're busy fixing a bug at the moment, but ... I wonder how high on the priority list is the ability to use the function buttons on the P3 to send macros to the K3? Right now I have MEM 0-9 set to BAND SEL. I used VM to set it up so that I press MV and then 1 for 10 meters 2 for 20 meters 3 for 30 meters 4 for 40 meters 5 for 15 meters 6 for 6 meters 7 for 17 meters 8 for 80 meters 9 for 12 meters 0 for 160 meters Then I have M1 to M4 set for CW, SSB, Data, WWV (when applicable), respectively. This is a pretty common trick, I think. It works fine, but I'd sure like to have the first P3 function button be 40 CW tap and 40 SSB hold, etc., etc. Also, the P3 screen labels would have to be user definable for the buttons to be useful. Any idea when that might be implemented? 73, Oliver W6ODJ __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] FSK power
The K3 has the best heat dissipation scheme I have ever seen in a 100W transceiver. Though Wayne and co. don't want to hear about us doing it, some of us have done the brick on key thing at 110 watts for a long time, and watched the temp level out in the 50's. Fan comes on, goes to high, and blows a lot of reasonably warm air out. Yes, you CAN muck up the top cover and blow more air in if that makes you feel good. But the prevailing opinion will be that's unnecessary. It would not be accurate to tell anyone that a top fan is necessary. 73, Guy. On Thu, Sep 23, 2010 at 3:10 PM, Mark n2qt n...@verizon.net wrote: I've become a firm believer in air flow during rtty contests. I use a 24 volt 5 inch muffin fan blowing air down into the K3 across the PA fins. I run the fan with about 12 volts which cuts the noise down somewhat. Looking at the PA temp while doing this, it's hard to get it up much over 35C during a contest. Mark n2qt NR4C wrote: Now, one more. How much power can I safely use with FSK? I have made several contacts so far at about 50 watts. Can I use more? there is a RTTY contest this weekend, and I don't want to damage the radio, but don't want to start off with a weak signal if I can do better. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 RTTY program
Thanks to all who have replied both on and off reflector. I have read a bunch of the AA5AU website stuff which is very helpful. The only disappointment is that the K3 is not reviewed under his RTTY Radios tab. I have decided to try the AFSK-A method. After a false start I got MMTY going on receive only for now. The tuning scope thing is a big help. I am surprised that the K3 doesn't decode what MMTY does, I have tried the 45 and 75 setting in AFSK and nothing helps, it is as garbled as when I tried K3 Util. It also seems that the sound output from Lin Out plug on the back (set at nor-10 in the K3) varies with the AF gain control. Is this normal? Getting ready for transmit I have turned off Windoze sounds and disabled the internal mic on the laptop. I would like to leave the CM-500 plugged in for SSB use and also have RTTY ready to go. Should Mic + Lin be set to on to make this possible? 73, Joe, W8JH K3 1713 -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K3-RTTY-program-tp5561083p5564645.html Sent from the [K3] mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] FSK power
There seems to be some variation in this. I often run around 70W and the temp usually tops out around 60 - 65C. It's gone as high as 72C on a warm day. 73 -- Joe KB8AP On Sep 23, 2010, at 1:03 PM, Guy Olinger K2AV wrote: ... some of us have done the brick on key thing at 110 watts for a long time, and watched the temp level out in the 50's. Fan comes on, goes to high, and blows a lot of reasonably warm air out. ... 73, Guy. On Thu, Sep 23, 2010 at 3:10 PM, Mark n2qt n...@verizon.net wrote: I've become a firm believer in air flow during rtty contests Mark n2qt NR4C wrote: Now, one more. How much power can I safely use with FSK? I have made several contacts so far at about 50 watts. Can I use more? __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] FSK power
Necessary no, but I am eager for my K3 to have a long and productive life, and cooler semiconductors are always better.I put some plastic press on feet on the bottom of the fan I use, and a screen on the top to keep fingers out so no changes to the K3 cover. Feeling good is not a bad reason to do things. 73, Mark - Original Message - From: Guy Olinger K2AV To: Mark n2qt Cc: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Thursday, September 23, 2010 4:03 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] FSK power The K3 has the best heat dissipation scheme I have ever seen in a 100W transceiver. Though Wayne and co. don't want to hear about us doing it, some of us have done the brick on key thing at 110 watts for a long time, and watched the temp level out in the 50's. Fan comes on, goes to high, and blows a lot of reasonably warm air out. Yes, you CAN muck up the top cover and blow more air in if that makes you feel good. But the prevailing opinion will be that's unnecessary. It would not be accurate to tell anyone that a top fan is necessary. 73, Guy. On Thu, Sep 23, 2010 at 3:10 PM, Mark n2qt n...@verizon.net wrote: I've become a firm believer in air flow during rtty contests. I use a 24 volt 5 inch muffin fan blowing air down into the K3 across the PA fins. I run the fan with about 12 volts which cuts the noise down somewhat. Looking at the PA temp while doing this, it's hard to get it up much over 35C during a contest. Mark n2qt NR4C wrote: Now, one more. How much power can I safely use with FSK? I have made several contacts so far at about 50 watts. Can I use more? there is a RTTY contest this weekend, and I don't want to damage the radio, but don't want to start off with a weak signal if I can do better. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] K2 #6980 -- ON THE AIR!
Completed K2 #6980, including a very careful alignment, at 5:00 p.m. today, EDT here in NY. Tests into a 50 ohm dummy load showed nearly 16 watts output. Without a tuner, my 20 meter dipole (which happens to be up in my attic) has a 2.1:1 SWR at 14.060 so I cranked the power down to a safer yet still respectable 5 watts and called CQ. SM7GUY came right back with a 579 and we had a nice chat. I grabbed a camera and took a picture of the K2 for my records, tuned to 14060, sitting amidst tools and test equipment, with my hastily scratched out copy from the QSO. I sure hope Ingvar is willing to QSL! I could not have asked for a better ending to my perfect Elecraft experience! Stan Levandowski WB2LQF HF QRP CW -- Doing more with less for over 50 years! QCWA #35038 OOTC #4558 NAQCC #4740 SKCC #6488 FISTS #14992 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 Filter Presets
Scott, The filter presets I/II are not fixed presets. The manual calls them floating presets. If you happened to have setting II active at the time you pressed the NORM button, the II setting would have been changed to the NORM setting. If you want fixed presets, you need to use the custom settings (NORM1 and NORM2). You could think of the I/II settings in somewhat the same way as you think of the two VFOs, whereas the NORM1/2 settings are more like frequency memories. 73, Rich VE3KI K9MA wrote: Just getting to know the K3, so this may be pilot error, but the filter presets seem to behave strangely. With the 2.8 and 2.1 kHz filters enabled for USB, for example, I saved them as presets I and II. That seemed to work with the I/II switch, until I held the NORM switch once. After that, I/II would not switch to the 2.1 kHz filter. Behavior was similar in CW mode. Am I missing something? __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] FSK power
On Thu, 23 Sep 2010 14:28:41 -0700, Joe Planisky jp...@jeffnet.org wrote: The variation is probably due to a difference in ambient shack temperature. All of my ham radio equipment runs cool due to it's being in a computer/server room with it's AC system set to 75F. BT 73 ES GUD LUK DE N5GE, QCWA LIFE MEMBER 35102, LICENSED SINCE 1976 AR SK n...@n5ge.com http://www.n5ge.com There seems to be some variation in this. I often run around 70W and the temp usually tops out around 60 - 65C. It's gone as high as 72C on a warm day. 73 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 RTTY program
If the K3's menu setting for the RTTY tone freq does not match that used by MYTTY, they will not both decode at the same time. Same for the menu entry for RTTY baud rate. 73, Eric WA6HHQ Elecraft On 9/23/2010 1:42 PM, W8JH wrote: Thanks to all who have replied both on and off reflector. I have read a bunch of the AA5AU website stuff which is very helpful. The only disappointment is that the K3 is not reviewed under his RTTY Radios tab. I have decided to try the AFSK-A method. After a false start I got MMTY going on receive only for now. The tuning scope thing is a big help. I am surprised that the K3 doesn't decode what MMTY does, I have tried the 45 and 75 setting in AFSK and nothing helps, it is as garbled as when I tried K3 Util. It also seems that the sound output from Lin Out plug on the back (set at nor-10 in the K3) varies with the AF gain control. Is this normal? Getting ready for transmit I have turned off Windoze sounds and disabled the internal mic on the laptop. I would like to leave the CM-500 plugged in for SSB use and also have RTTY ready to go. Should Mic + Lin be set to on to make this possible? 73, Joe, W8JH K3 1713 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 RTTY program
Joe, The 45 and 75 are the RTTY baud rates - they must be set to the same rate as the originating station is sending. To decode using K3 Utility (or the VFO B text area), turn on CWT, reduce the passband width and tune for 3 bars on each side of center in the CWT indicator. Most RTTY operation is at 45 bps. If your line output level changes with the AF Gain, you must have the CONFIG: LIN OUT menu parameter set to =phones - set it to nor - tap the 1 button to toggle (see the manual page 20 and page 57). The MIC + LIN menu entry is not applicable for data modes - so you can leave your settings in place for SSB operation and set the MIC SEL to LINE IN independently for data modes. If you bring up the MIC SEL menu entry and cycle through all the modes, you will see that it is independent in DATA. 73, Don W3FPR On 9/23/2010 4:42 PM, W8JH wrote: I have decided to try the AFSK-A method. After a false start I got MMTY going on receive only for now. The tuning scope thing is a big help. I am surprised that the K3 doesn't decode what MMTY does, I have tried the 45 and 75 setting in AFSK and nothing helps, it is as garbled as when I tried K3 Util. It also seems that the sound output from Lin Out plug on the back (set at nor-10 in the K3) varies with the AF gain control. Is this normal? Getting ready for transmit I have turned off Windoze sounds and disabled the internal mic on the laptop. I would like to leave the CM-500 plugged in for SSB use and also have RTTY ready to go. Should Mic + Lin be set to on to make this possible? 73, Joe, W8JH K3 1713 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] FSK power
The difference in power between 50 watts and 100 watts is essentially insignificant. If you can't work 'em at 50 watts with the antenna you have... 100 watts ain't gonna make the difference. Period. 500 watts... 1KW.. OK.. maybe that'll help. Just because the rig can take it... the extra power and dissipated heat is just wasted. My opinion. 73 de Ray K2ULR FN20kg Warrington, PA On Sep 23, 2010, at 3:02 PM, Richard Ferch wrote: The specifications for the transmitter in the Owner's Manual say 100% 10 min 100W key-down at 25 C ambient, so RTTY at 100 watts is within spec even for extended transmissions, and an RTTY contest with its short transmissions should be no problem at all at 100 watts. You can monitor the temperature of the finals by tapping the DISP key and rotating the VFO B knob until you see PA xxC (where xx is the current temperature). I believe there is a protective thermal shut- down somewhere up around 80C, but I doubt whether you will come anywhere near that. Mine gets into the mid-50s near the end of long transmissions during digital mode ragchews, but it doesn't get that hot during contests. The ambient temperature has a significant influence, too. If you do monitor the PA temperature, don't be surprised if you observe temperature readings that are slightly higher during receive than during transmit periods. The voltage drop in the power cable at the high transmit current draw results in lower voltage at the rig, which in turn causes the temperature indication (not the actual temperature) to drop slightly. In digital modes I often observe the fans speeding up in receive and slowing down in transmit when the PA temperature reading happens to be close to the threshold for a fan speed change. I found this disconcerting at first, until I realized what was happening! 73, Rich VE3KI NR4C wrote: Now, one more. How much power can I safely use with FSK? I have made several contacts so far at about 50 watts. Can I use more? there is a RTTY contest this weekend, and I don't want to damage the radio, but don't want to start off with a weak signal if I can do better. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K2 #6980 -- ON THE AIR!
Congrats on finishing K2 #6980 and your dx contact first crack out of the box. Wishing you many more. Great call, btw. People have accused me of QLF...hi 72 Tom WB2QDG K2 1103 - Original Message - From: stan levandowski sjl...@optonline.net To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Thursday, September 23, 2010 5:53 PM Subject: [Elecraft] K2 #6980 -- ON THE AIR! Completed K2 #6980, including a very careful alignment, at 5:00 p.m. today, EDT here in NY. Tests into a 50 ohm dummy load showed nearly 16 watts output. Without a tuner, my 20 meter dipole (which happens to be up in my attic) has a 2.1:1 SWR at 14.060 so I cranked the power down to a safer yet still respectable 5 watts and called CQ. SM7GUY came right back with a 579 and we had a nice chat. I grabbed a camera and took a picture of the K2 for my records, tuned to 14060, sitting amidst tools and test equipment, with my hastily scratched out copy from the QSO. I sure hope Ingvar is willing to QSL! I could not have asked for a better ending to my perfect Elecraft experience! Stan Levandowski WB2LQF HF QRP CW -- Doing more with less for over 50 years! QCWA #35038 OOTC #4558 NAQCC #4740 SKCC #6488 FISTS #14992 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] K3 and Steppir antenna
I have a K3 and would like to control the Steppir band and frequency segment selection via the Steppir data port. I am confused as to what is needed. I do not have a computer attached to the K3 nor the Steppir. Any advice as to what to do? Thanks Rich W3ACO __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] Elecraft CW Net Report for September 12th 13th, 2010
Good Evening, I have missed two net reports so I am busy getting them logged into the database and out to you. Forty meters has not been great lately but last night (September 22nd) it was better. Maybe we should try later but the sun is doing it for us. Soon the second net will be well after dark even here in the Pacific Northwest. On to the lists = On 14051 kHz at 2200z: K1THP - Dave - CT - K3 - 686 K4JPN - Steve - GA - K2 - 1322 W6BK - Dave - CA - K2 - 4910 KB3FBR - Joe - PA N0TA - John - CO - K3 - 994 ND3D - Robert - MD W0CZ - Ken - ND - K3 - 457 AB9V - Mike - IN - K3 - 398 N0AR - Scott - MN - K2 - 4866 NK6A - Don - CA - K3 - 3569 On 7045 kHz at z: N0TA - John - CO - K3 - 994 W0CZ - Ken - ND - K3 - 457 K6PJV - Dale - CA - K3 - 1183 Hopefully this is OK. I'll get the next report out in a few minutes and try to stay on top of things for this coming set of nets. Fall is a busy time for me and this one has been complicated by a very early rainy season. Seems like the weekends are the only time we get dry weather so I am out collecting the wood I have cut. Then I get to split and stack it which makes my hands less sensitive. However, that shall soon be over. Either all the wood will be collected or it will be far too muddy to get into the woods. See you this weekend, 73, Kevin. KD5ONS (Net Control Operator 5th Class) - __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] FSK power
Well, you know what they say about opinions. If you're jabbering away with some locals across town they might never know the difference. But three dB can make a difference, especially on RTTY and in contests. Try telling a contester that the Kilobucks he just spent to stack another Yagi on his tower was a waste of money. --- On Thu, 9/23/10, Ray Sills raysi...@comcast.net wrote: The difference in power between 50 watts and 100 watts is essentially insignificant. If you can't work 'em at 50 watts with the antenna you have... 100 watts ain't gonna make the difference. Period. 500 watts... 1KW.. OK.. maybe that'll help. Just because the rig can take it... the extra power and dissipated heat is just wasted. My opinion. 73 de Ray K2ULR FN20kg Warrington, PA __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] Elecraft CW Net Report for September 19th 20th, 2010
Good Evening, Here is the second report which is required for me to catch up. I just heard the weather report for the next few days. Temperatures are going over 70 degrees!!! Wow! After a week of soggy days and temperatures at or below 60 degrees this will be a treat. It may be the last time I can open all the windows and get the last bit of fresh air through the house. On to the lists = On 14050 kHz at 2200z: NO8V - John - MI - K3 - 820 K1THP - Dave - CT - K3 - 686 K4JPN - Steve - GA - K2 - 1422 W0CZ - Ken - ND - K3 - 457 N0AR - Scott - MN - K2 - 4866 KB3FBR - Joe - PA KS4L - Randy - AL - K2 - 337 W0RSR - Mike - CO - K2 - 5767 WC7S - Dale - WY - K2 - 4360 On 7045 kHz at z: NO8V - John - MI - K3 - 820 N0TA - John - CO - K3 - 994 K6PJV - Dale - CA - K3 - 1183 W0RSR - Mike - CO - K2 - 5767 This should get me caught up. Now I can get outside and fill the truck a couple times with all the wood stacked around it. Heating season is here so more wood is better. I think it is going to be a very cold and long winter after the abbreviated and cold summer which came before. All the locals on the mountain are planning for deep snow and cold. Now to gather some hay bales to keep the water from freezing. I am used to below zero winters but this house is not. Here in Oregon zero is considered the absolute bottom on the thermometer (Lord Kelvin notwithstanding) so they put water pipes in exterior walls and run water from the wells to the house only inches below the surface. In my home state of Wisconsin the frost line was eight feet. Winter was COLD!! Here it is mild so when it does get chilly the locals go a little crazy. Kind of like when it snows in the valleys :) See you this weekend, 73, Kevin. KD5ONS (Net Control Operator 5th Class) - __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] K2 #6980 -- ON THE AIR!
You will work lots of DX with that rig. I run my k2 at 10 Watts and work some DX every day, Even in pileups. I have the tuner so I can work DX on 40, 30, 20, and 17. Enjoy your new toy. 72 George/W2BPI __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] FSK power
No, I don't think that is normal variation. 72C is 162F. I think that is too high and reflects something else. You would be well served to chase that down. Are your fans running at max at that temp? Do the fans blow out to the rear or pull air in? What is your supply voltage showing on DISP under full load. Have you done the temperature calibration per the manual, and the power calibration. (One soul due to an error was putting out 110 when he was set to 60. He too was getting over temps besides his power woes of only going up to an indicated 90 watts.) 73, Guy. On Thu, Sep 23, 2010 at 5:28 PM, Joe Planisky jp...@jeffnet.org wrote: There seems to be some variation in this. I often run around 70W and the temp usually tops out around 60 - 65C. It's gone as high as 72C on a warm day. 73 -- Joe KB8AP On Sep 23, 2010, at 1:03 PM, Guy Olinger K2AV wrote: ... some of us have done the brick on key thing at 110 watts for a long time, and watched the temp level out in the 50's. Fan comes on, goes to high, and blows a lot of reasonably warm air out. ... 73, Guy. On Thu, Sep 23, 2010 at 3:10 PM, Mark n2qt n...@verizon.net wrote: I've become a firm believer in air flow during rtty contests Mark n2qt NR4C wrote: Now, one more. How much power can I safely use with FSK? I have made several contacts so far at about 50 watts. Can I use more? __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] FSK power
Hi folks- 3 db in my qrp world is HUGE. On Sep 23, 2010, at 7:15 PM, Wes Stewart wrote: Well, you know what they say about opinions. If you're jabbering away with some locals across town they might never know the difference. But three dB can make a difference, especially on RTTY and in contests. Try telling a contester that the Kilobucks he just spent to stack another Yagi on his tower was a waste of money. --- On Thu, 9/23/10, Ray Sills raysi...@comcast.net wrote: The difference in power between 50 watts and 100 watts is essentially insignificant. If you can't work 'em at 50 watts with the antenna you have... 100 watts ain't gonna make the difference. Period. 500 watts... 1KW.. OK.. maybe that'll help. Just because the rig can take it... the extra power and dissipated heat is just wasted. My opinion. 73 de Ray K2ULR FN20kg Warrington, PA __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] FSK power
If the RTTY demodulator is of the FM type, i.e., a limiter followed by a discriminator (or, more likely these days, the software version of a limiter and discriminator) 3 dB difference between two signals could well cause the stronger signal to capture the limiter and suppress the weaker signal. Exactly what happens with some of the more exotic DSP-based demodulation algorithms when the input is two signals differing by 3 dB but on the same frequency and with asynchronous data is a more difficult question. Jack On 9/23/2010 8:15 PM, Wes Stewart wrote: Well, you know what they say about opinions. If you're jabbering away with some locals across town they might never know the difference. But three dB can make a difference, especially on RTTY and in contests. Try telling a contester that the Kilobucks he just spent to stack another Yagi on his tower was a waste of money. --- On Thu, 9/23/10, Ray Sillsraysi...@comcast.net wrote: The difference in power between 50 watts and 100 watts is essentially insignificant. If you can't work 'em at 50 watts with the antenna you have... 100 watts ain't gonna make the difference. Period. 500 watts... 1KW.. OK.. maybe that'll help. Just because the rig can take it... the extra power and dissipated heat is just wasted. My opinion. 73 de Ray K2ULR FN20kg Warrington, PA __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] FSK power
On 9/23/2010 4:37 PM, Ray Sills wrote: The difference in power between 50 watts and 100 watts is essentially insignificant. Any contester or DXer will tell you from experience that this is NOT TRUE. When you're 20 dB over the noise and QRM, 3dB doesn't matter, but when you're on the edge of making a contact, 1-2dB can matter a LOT. MANY times, I've been working a contest by running up and down the band, with the amp tuned at one end. When i get to the far end, I'm running less power. I'll work the guys who hear me well, but I've often had to retune the amp for another 2dB make the contact. Also, I often run my legal limit Ten Tec Titan at 1kW to save the tubes, but when I'm not getting through, I'll kick it up that extra 1.7dB to 1500 watts to make the contact. One of the big misunderstandings about dB and audibility is that when the desired signal is close to the noise level, a dB or so can be quite obvious. 73, Jim Brown K9YC __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] K3: Duration of button press 'beep' varies
On my K3/100, firmware 4.05, I've noticed some odd behavior with the audio confirmation beeps depending on how long I hold or tap a button. if I tap a button normally -- which I'd describe as a very brief hold-down on the button -- the length of the confirmation beep tone is consistent. If I tap a button as briefly as possible -- i.e. punch it and release, with no dwell time in the pressed position -- the confirmation beep tone is sometimes lengthened. It's inconsistent. One of the most prominent examples is when I have noise reduction (NR) engaged and I tape the A/B button (alt function on keypad 1). The confirmation tone is often drawn out for a relatively long time. I don't think this is a huge problem, but it's strange behavior. I'd expect a confirmation beep to be consistent, rather than dependent on the manner or context in which a button is pressed. Has anyone else noticed it? --Andrew, NV1B .. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] FSK power
On Sep 23, 2010, at 4:37 PM, Ray Sills wrote: The difference in power between 50 watts and 100 watts is essentially insignificant. Whether 3 dB of power difference is important depends on band conditions. Alex (Mr. CW Skimmer) VE3NEA has a nice set of measurements that he'd made a few years ago at http://www.dxatlas.com/RttyCompare/ The AWGN (Additive White Gaussian Noise) condition is basically the case of a quiet band (single path with no Watterson spreading). Notice that a 3 dB change in SNR can take you from practically perfect printing to no printing at all. The blue curve is what you see in textbooks for binary FSK. The others are three amateur software modems that he'd measured. On the other hand, in the presence of selective fading or flutter, a 3 dB power change won't improve the character error rate by very much, you need 10 dB of power change to transition the RTTY decoding threshold. 73 Chen, W7AY __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] FSK power
Do note that the 72C reading was on a day when it was probably around 32C (90F) in the shack. Normal summertime temps in the shack are closer to 27C (80F). Otherwise: Are your fans running at max at that temp? Oh yes. They kick into leaf blower mode around 55C. Do the fans blow out to the rear or pull air in? Blows out the back. What is your supply voltage showing on DISP under full load. 13.6V Have you done the temperature calibration per the manual, Yep. The rig and a thermocouple in my DMM usually agree within +/- 1C at startup. and the power calibration. Yes, but just to make sure I ran it again just now. 70W requested gives me about 63W into a dummy load (as measured with my oscilloscope.) You didn't ask, but yes, I'm adjusting my audio input for 5 bars on the ALC meter. Someone else asked about restricted airflow. The rig sits on an open shelf by itself with about 18 inches of clear space behind it and nothing but the ceiling about 4 feet above it. 73 -- Joe KB8AP On Sep 23, 2010, at 6:48 PM, Guy Olinger K2AV wrote: No, I don't think that is normal variation. 72C is 162F. I think that is too high and reflects something else. You would be well served to chase that down. Are your fans running at max at that temp? Do the fans blow out to the rear or pull air in? What is your supply voltage showing on DISP under full load. Have you done the temperature calibration per the manual, and the power calibration. (One soul due to an error was putting out 110 when he was set to 60. He too was getting over temps besides his power woes of only going up to an indicated 90 watts.) 73, Guy. On Thu, Sep 23, 2010 at 5:28 PM, Joe Planisky jp...@jeffnet.org wrote: There seems to be some variation in this. I often run around 70W and the temp usually tops out around 60 - 65C. It's gone as high as 72C on a warm day. 73 -- Joe KB8AP __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] FSK power
I run rtty at 75watts. No problems of course. Going to 100 is about 1.2 dbs. Not worth worrying about I suspect. John N1JM -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/FSK-power-tp5563724p5565605.html Sent from the [K3] mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
