[Elecraft] kx1 power supply with nimh batteries
Hi folks just a question: is it dangerous to connect external power when nimh batteries are installed? thanks luca -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/kx1-power-supply-with-nimh-batteries-tp5737097p5737097.html Sent from the [KX1] mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] k2 full optional for sale
installed :100w , 100watu, dsp, 160m, noise blanker, ssb 1200+shipping located in italy 73 -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/k2-full-optional-for-sale-tp5737112p5737112.html Sent from the [K2] mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 APF
wayne burdick wrote: Joe, If Lyle is using the same algorithm as before, and your results are as indicated below (virtually a tie), I don't understand how you could be hearing a lack of ringing in the new revision. I simply cannot hear any difference myself, and I'm extremely picky. We have nearly 100 people testing, and only two or three have perceived a difference, so given the statistical evidence, I'd suggest that background noise conditions are the variable here, not the firmware. Lyle has also completely reviewed the DSP implementation -- no change. I also suggested the background noise issue to Joe. The bands have been relatively quieter since the latest FW was released, and white noise (i.e. galactic) does not cause the same amount of ringing as impulse noise (i.e. lightning). Therefore the quiescent state of APF may sound less ringy than before. I listened to a very weak DS5USH on 80m this morning and the APF was very effective at bringing him out of the noise. I also did a few measurements using the latest 5 Hz SHIFT. The worst case attenuation (when off zerobeat by 5 Hz) is 0.5 dB which is probably less than most ears will detect. However only ONE setting of SHIFT is optimum so you need to listen carefully when adjusting. 73, Bill -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K3-APF-tp5735159p5737366.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] Radio Marti Interference
Those of you in the southeast U.S. using a K3 with a panadapter, I would appreciate a 40m scan around 7050 kHz and at 7405 kHz . Something appears to have gone very awry with Radio Marti this morning. I am seeing extremely wide sidebands on 7405 and interference near 7050. Please reply by direct E-mail. I need this confirmed by others before I escalate the issue. Paul, W9AC __ 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 APF
I'm still in a quandry :) I am too G. The measured results are rather clear but I miss the magic results I saw with 4.16 ... The feeling I get with 4.21 is that the Q has been reduced compared to 4.16 but since the quantitative data shows that's obviously not the case, I'll just need to continue working with it to see if I can regain the magic. Maybe it is just conditions ... noise levels have been a lot lower the last couple days but there haven't been as many weak signals either. 73, ... Joe, W4TV On 11/13/2010 11:48 PM, Wayne Burdick wrote: Joe, If Lyle is using the same algorithm as before, and your results are as indicated below (virtually a tie), I don't understand how you could be hearing a lack of ringing in the new revision. I simply cannot hear any difference myself, and I'm extremely picky. We have nearly 100 people testing, and only two or three have perceived a difference, so given the statistical evidence, I'd suggest that background noise conditions are the variable here, not the firmware. Lyle has also completely reviewed the DSP implementation -- no change. But since the customers are always right, I'm still in a quandry :) tnx Wayne On Nov 13, 2010, at 6:27 PM, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote: I'll count this as another vote in favor of adding the Variable Q setting... Not on your life. The lack of ringing on the newer version seems to go along with a general decline in effectiveness. If anything I'd prefer to see higher Q. Just for grins I reloaded 4.16 to make the same measurements using the XG-2 as I made on 4.21. Here is the comparison: BW 4.21 4.16 - 0 dB 1 2 Hz -1 dB 8 9 Hz -6 dB 31 31 Hz -10 dB 52 49 Hz -20 dB 165 162 Hz -30 dB 345 351 Hz Gain 9.0 9.1 dB Unlike W4ZV, I found only a 3 Hz offset in 4.16 (the peak response was 3 Hz above zero beat - or the indicated spot/shift frequency). Even though the test results were generally the same within the measurement tolerances, I still feel the 4.16 version was more effective in on air listening. These measurements were generated with an XG-2 set for 1 uV with the K3 attenuator engaged for an effective signal level of -118 dBm. 73, ... Joe, W4TV On 11/13/2010 8:07 PM, The Smiths wrote: I'll count this as another vote in favor of adding the Variable Q setting... At least a choice of 3 perhaps Wide, Med and Narrow. Even if one perceives the APF as less ringy and comments on it being a good thing, that means that they are happy to know that the Q got widened out a little, and things seem to sound better. From: w5...@cybermesa.net To: li...@subich.com; elecraft@mailman.qth.net Date: Sat, 13 Nov 2010 21:19:46 + Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 APF Joe wrote: I did not make similar measurements with the original alpha test version but this version seems subjectively less tight than the original ... there is certainly less ringing with this one but signals did not seem to pop like they did on the earlier version when I tried it last night on 160/80/40. Joe, I agree with your subjective observation. No, the signals don't pop as much -- but there is less ringing. This is a trade-off, of course, and the precise balance of peak gain versus ringing is always going to be a matter of personal preference. I like this less-ringy version better, I think. Haven't had time to play with it a lot yet, but I will. I'm sure we will see many other opinions. So far, I think the current version is very smooth and adequately peaky. (Opinion subject to revision upon more extensive usage.) Bill W5WVO -Original Message- From: Joe Subich, W4TV Sent: Saturday, November 13, 2010 20:35 To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 APF I made a similar set of measurements ... using the XG-2 and the AFV/dBV capability ... I measure the peak at 1 Hz wide (e.g. -.1dB +/- 1 Hz) the 1 dB points are 8 Hz wide the 6 dB points are 31 Hz wide the 20 dB points are 165 Hz wide the 30 dB points are 345 Hz wide gain is right at 9 dB. The measurements were made on 40 Meters with the XG-2 set to 1 uV and the K3 attenuator activated yielding a -108 dBm test signal. I did not make similar measurements with the original alpha test version but this version seems subjectively less tight than the original ... there is certainly less ringing with this one but signals did not seem to pop like they did on the earlier version when I tried it last night on 160/80/40. 73, ... Joe, W4TV On 11/13/2010 1:24 PM, Bill W4ZV wrote: For my own curiosity I did some measurements of the latest APF. They agree with measurements of the first release with the exception that the filter peak is now zero beat instead of +10 Hz: Zero beat = 7040.021 Flat passband = 021-020 (both 0.0 to -0.1 dB) -1 dB passband = 026-018 (-1.2 dB and -0.8 dB) -6 dB passband = 037-009 (-5.8 and -6.0 dB) Flat = 2 Hz BW (at zero beat) -1 dB = 8 Hz BW -6
Re: [Elecraft] K3 APF
The magic is only good for one shot Joe. Same thing happened when I saw the Grand Canyon for the second time. Steve - Original Message - From: Joe Subich, W4TV li...@subich.com To: Wayne Burdick n...@elecraft.com Cc: Elecraft Reflector elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Sunday, November 14, 2010 9:02 AM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 APF I'm still in a quandry :) I am too G. The measured results are rather clear but I miss the magic results I saw with 4.16 ... The feeling I get with 4.21 is that the Q has been reduced compared to 4.16 but since the quantitative data shows that's obviously not the case, I'll just need to continue working with it to see if I can regain the magic. Maybe it is just conditions ... noise levels have been a lot lower the last couple days but there haven't been as many weak signals either. 73, ... Joe, W4TV On 11/13/2010 11:48 PM, Wayne Burdick wrote: Joe, If Lyle is using the same algorithm as before, and your results are as indicated below (virtually a tie), I don't understand how you could be hearing a lack of ringing in the new revision. I simply cannot hear any difference myself, and I'm extremely picky. We have nearly 100 people testing, and only two or three have perceived a difference, so given the statistical evidence, I'd suggest that background noise conditions are the variable here, not the firmware. Lyle has also completely reviewed the DSP implementation -- no change. But since the customers are always right, I'm still in a quandry :) tnx Wayne On Nov 13, 2010, at 6:27 PM, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote: I'll count this as another vote in favor of adding the Variable Q setting... Not on your life. The lack of ringing on the newer version seems to go along with a general decline in effectiveness. If anything I'd prefer to see higher Q. Just for grins I reloaded 4.16 to make the same measurements using the XG-2 as I made on 4.21. Here is the comparison: BW 4.21 4.16 - 0 dB 1 2 Hz -1 dB 8 9 Hz -6 dB 31 31 Hz -10 dB 52 49 Hz -20 dB 165 162 Hz -30 dB 345 351 Hz Gain 9.0 9.1 dB Unlike W4ZV, I found only a 3 Hz offset in 4.16 (the peak response was 3 Hz above zero beat - or the indicated spot/shift frequency). Even though the test results were generally the same within the measurement tolerances, I still feel the 4.16 version was more effective in on air listening. These measurements were generated with an XG-2 set for 1 uV with the K3 attenuator engaged for an effective signal level of -118 dBm. 73, ... Joe, W4TV On 11/13/2010 8:07 PM, The Smiths wrote: I'll count this as another vote in favor of adding the Variable Q setting... At least a choice of 3 perhaps Wide, Med and Narrow. Even if one perceives the APF as less ringy and comments on it being a good thing, that means that they are happy to know that the Q got widened out a little, and things seem to sound better. From: w5...@cybermesa.net To: li...@subich.com; elecraft@mailman.qth.net Date: Sat, 13 Nov 2010 21:19:46 + Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 APF Joe wrote: I did not make similar measurements with the original alpha test version but this version seems subjectively less tight than the original ... there is certainly less ringing with this one but signals did not seem to pop like they did on the earlier version when I tried it last night on 160/80/40. Joe, I agree with your subjective observation. No, the signals don't pop as much -- but there is less ringing. This is a trade-off, of course, and the precise balance of peak gain versus ringing is always going to be a matter of personal preference. I like this less-ringy version better, I think. Haven't had time to play with it a lot yet, but I will. I'm sure we will see many other opinions. So far, I think the current version is very smooth and adequately peaky. (Opinion subject to revision upon more extensive usage.) Bill W5WVO -Original Message- From: Joe Subich, W4TV Sent: Saturday, November 13, 2010 20:35 To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 APF I made a similar set of measurements ... using the XG-2 and the AFV/dBV capability ... I measure the peak at 1 Hz wide (e.g. -.1dB +/- 1 Hz) the 1 dB points are 8 Hz wide the 6 dB points are 31 Hz wide the 20 dB points are 165 Hz wide the 30 dB points are 345 Hz wide gain is right at 9 dB. The measurements were made on 40 Meters with the XG-2 set to 1 uV and the K3 attenuator activated yielding a -108 dBm test signal. I did not make similar measurements with the original alpha test version but this version seems subjectively less tight than the original ... there is certainly less ringing with this one but signals did not seem to pop like they did on the earlier version when I tried it last night on 160/80/40. 73, ... Joe, W4TV On 11/13/2010 1:24 PM, Bill W4ZV wrote: For my own curiosity I did some measurements of the
Re: [Elecraft] off on 20 meters
Thank you guys very much, Once I build em, I move on and get into other things, -Neil On Sat, Nov 13, 2010 at 9:49 PM, Don Wilhelm w3...@embarqmail.com wrote: Sam, Go to www.n0ss.net and download it from there. If you are not successful there, email me direct and I will send you either Specrtogram 5.17 or Spectrogram 16 which had both been released as Freeware before the author pulled the plug on all his software. 73, Don W3FPR On 11/13/2010 9:31 PM, Samuel Strongin wrote: Hi I was looking for Spectrogram, my old computer crashed and I wanted to download it, Looks like it is no longer available!! Sam kf4yox -Original Message- From: Don Wilhelm Sent: Saturday, November 13, 2010 9:01 PM To: Neil Shubert Cc: elecraft group Subject: Re: [Elecraft] off on 20 meters Neil, For K2 Dial Calibration issues, go to my website www.w3fpr.com and look at the K2 Dial Calibration article there. It should solve your problem - do the whole process including the filter parts. 73, Don W3FPR On 11/13/2010 8:21 PM, Neil Shubert wrote: Hi all, Its been a long time since I tinkered with my K2 and I am getting reports that I am a few KC's off on 20M sure enough they sound that way too, so when I tune them in better, I am about 7-8 Kc off frequency what should I start looking at? -Neil Ac2o __ 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 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] kx1 power supply with nimh batteries
Luca, Not at all. Both the batteries and the external power source have isolation diodes. The KX1 will draw power from the source having the greater voltage level. 73, Don W3FPR On 11/14/2010 3:48 AM, iz0fyl wrote: Hi folks just a question: is it dangerous to connect external power when nimh batteries are installed? thanks luca __ 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] k8dd SK !!!!
FWD: Subject: [nidxa] K8DD - Silent Key Some of you may know Hank Kohl, K8DD. He often attended W9DXCC. He recently went into the hospital for a relatively routine surgery, but caught pneumonia which lead to respiratory complications. He died last night after 4 weeks in ICU. Hank was an avid DX-er and contester and went on many expeditions. 73, John K9EL i SAW THI ON ANOTHER REFLECTOR BILL /3 __ 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 S/N 4904 QRV
I'm rather late coming to this particular party, as these days I mostly operate with my home built Picastar transceiver. Plans to activate T88ZM and KH0/G3ZEM early in the new year, combined with a sense of foreboding over the idea of braving the vagaries of world-wide airport security, whilst armed with a home made electronic contrivance, have persuaded me to finally take the plunge adding a K3 to my Elecraft inventory. S/N 4904 kit including KXV3A and KPA100 arrived here yesterday morning. I had a thoroughly enjoyable day assembling the unit then running through alignment. The new baby finally hit the airwaves at 1545z in a 40m long path QSO with VE6MRV. I am absolutely delighted. I now just await arrival of a 500Hz roofer from Inrad. Lisa handled my order placement with great charm and efficiency. Elecraft certainly delivers quality in style. Many thanks to the Elecraft team. 73 Bob, 5B4AGN __ 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] soldering station
The Weller WES51 and the Aoyue 937 were both highly recommended (I don't have experience with either. I use a Hakko 936, also an excellent soldering station). The Hakko has a grounded tip. I don't know whether the others are isolated or grounded. I note that Amazon.com has a sale going on featuring the WES56 and Aoyue 937. Don't know how competitive the prices are overall - I didn't check other sites. Ron AC7AC -Original Message- Gang last week there was a thread on soldering stations,, before I ordered one I lost a week of e mail... I dont want to start the thread again but could someone off list give me a head up on the recommended station I believe it had an isolated tip etc Bob K3DJC __ 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] off on 20 meters
One of the earliest members of this list, Tom N0SS, has Spectrogram for downloading from his web site at: http://www.n0ss.net/index_k2.html Ron AC7AC -Original Message- Hi I was looking for Spectrogram, my old computer crashed and I wanted to download it, Looks like it is no longer available!! Sam kf4yox __ 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: Right paddle key not working?
Good morning Elecrafters, I decided to try and bypass RFC4 by using a small wire jumper soldered to vias connected to RFC4. Please see link below for image. So far, everything seems to work just fine now, which confirms my suspicion that RFC4 was dead even before I did anything. I should have tried the jumper first! Probably could have saved me a lot of time tearing the K3 apart. Anyway, here's the picture of the jumper: http://jamespaulsarte.com/temp/k2qi/k3_rfc4_jumper.jpg Now that the choke has been bypassed, what could possibly happen? RF entering the rig through the paddle cable? -- 73 de James K2QI President UNARC/4U1UN __ 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] soldering station
One point not mentioned earlier is that there's a difference between temperature control, where the tip contains a sensor and soldering stations advertised as variable temperature. The better stations contain a tip temperature sensor. It's easy to be deceived in purchasing the wrong type of station based on unusually low price and the wording used in an ad. Paul, W9AC - Original Message - From: Ron D'Eau Claire r...@cobi.biz To: riese-k3...@juno.com; Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Sunday, November 14, 2010 12:20 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] soldering station The Weller WES51 and the Aoyue 937 were both highly recommended (I don't have experience with either. I use a Hakko 936, also an excellent soldering station). The Hakko has a grounded tip. I don't know whether the others are isolated or grounded. I note that Amazon.com has a sale going on featuring the WES56 and Aoyue 937. Don't know how competitive the prices are overall - I didn't check other sites. Ron AC7AC -Original Message- Gang last week there was a thread on soldering stations,, before I ordered one I lost a week of e mail... I dont want to start the thread again but could someone off list give me a head up on the recommended station I believe it had an isolated tip etc Bob K3DJC __ 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 APF
Steve has a serious point. I've used filters just like this for a good many years on CW. One gets used to its effect and the Gee Whiz! response does diminish. On the K3 (the only receiver I've use my external filters with that has such variable bandwidth) I've noticed the effect varies greatly with the overall bandwidth chosen as well, whether I'm using the internal APF or my external active peaking filter. Might that be some of the difference people are noticing? Ron AC7AC -Original Message- The magic is only good for one shot Joe. Same thing happened when I saw the Grand Canyon for the second time. Steve __ 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] soldering station
Egad! Are they still around? Decades ago we used to make variable temperature irons plugging a conventional iron into a Variac. The ARRL handbook included a piece on using a (then new) lamp dimmer to vary the power to a conventional iron. I can say for from experience that the Hakko has a temp sensor and is variable temperature. It is spec'd at maintaining idle tip temperature within 1 degree C. Ron AC7AC -Original Message- One point not mentioned earlier is that there's a difference between temperature control, where the tip contains a sensor and soldering stations advertised as variable temperature. The better stations contain a tip temperature sensor. It's easy to be deceived in purchasing the wrong type of station based on unusually low price and the wording used in an ad. Paul, W9AC __ 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: Right paddle key not working?
The worst that could happen if you bypass it is that if you have a long lead to the paddle and if it happens to pick up RF, it might upset the keying. So just try it on all bands with your various antennas to make sure it's OK. If it isn't, you should hear it right away. On 11/13/2010 11:04 PM, James Sarte wrote: I suppose you're right Vic. I've just never been too confident in my soldering skills when it comes to small surface-mount parts like this choke. Like I said earlier, my iron slipped and I even managed to slightly warp the plastic casing on the choke. Ugh. When it comes to larger, thru-hole stuff then it isn't a problem. If I bypass the choke, what's the worst that could happen? Anyway, I'm still thinking about sending it back... Aptos agreed to swap out the filter and mic encoders for the newer, less-viscous feeling versions after my original encoders went kaput and they sent me an FP board with these stiff ones. So either way, I'd be out of a K3 for a few days. I could kill two birds with one stone and also have them do a complete check to make sure everything else is working before sending it back. I wouldn't be completely dead in the water anyway. I have an Icom 756 Pro III that I could use in the meantime. Tnx, James K2QI On Sun, Nov 14, 2010 at 12:29 AM, Vic K2VCO v...@rakefet.com mailto:v...@rakefet.com wrote: If you could get to it to reheat the terminals, you can replace it. And, as the previous poster indicated, it's just an RF filter for the paddle. Chances are you can short it out and you won't have a problem. You can get back on the air until Elecraft sends you a replacement part. You don't need to send your radio to the factory to fix this! -- Vic, K2VCO Fresno CA http://www.qsl.net/k2vco/ -- 73 de James K2QI President UNARC/4U1UN -- Vic, K2VCO Fresno CA http://www.qsl.net/k2vco/ __ 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 APF
Wayne I also think that the background noise characteristic and intensity are the major factors that influence the performance of the APF, which seems to work very well. Ami 4X4DK __ 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 APF
On 11/14/2010 4:20 AM, Bill W4ZV wrote: I also suggested the background noise issue to Joe. This makes sense to me, Bill. It's the noise that excites the ringing, and the TRANSIENT waveform of the noise is almost certain to affect the extent of the ringing. I have VERY limited experience with the Beta (a few QSOs in CWSS with 4.17 and a few more during OK/OM this weekend with 4.21). The waveform of the CW probably also matters -- there was a LOT of flutter on the OK/OM signals here in CA. Some of those OK/OM signals were also quite weak, but I didn't find the APF any more useful than a narrow IF setting in pulling them out. In general, I found the APF to be effective on some signals and a waste of time on others. I also found it tricky to tune in, and thus not as effective in contest operation. As to Joe's measurements -- I've done a LOT of measurements, and I'd call these two sets of data he posted a dead heat. FWIW -- I loaded 4.21 Friday afternoon and ran a couple of hours in OK/OM on 20M Saturday morning and about 8 hours in JIDX SSB.After loading 4.21, I also used a new version of K3 Util to recal TX power. No issues with the Beta. 73, Jim K9YC __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] soldering station
Well, my favorite is the METCAL PS2E-01. Takes all tip configurations and temp ranges. An older unit, but has never failed in over 15 years. Price used is $130 up but worth every penny. Check them out on the web. Mel, K6KBE From: Ron D'Eau Claire r...@cobi.biz To: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Sun, November 14, 2010 9:48:11 AM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] soldering station Egad! Are they still around? Decades ago we used to make variable temperature irons plugging a conventional iron into a Variac. The ARRL handbook included a piece on using a (then new) lamp dimmer to vary the power to a conventional iron. I can say for from experience that the Hakko has a temp sensor and is variable temperature. It is spec'd at maintaining idle tip temperature within 1 degree C. Ron AC7AC -Original Message- One point not mentioned earlier is that there's a difference between temperature control, where the tip contains a sensor and soldering stations advertised as variable temperature. The better stations contain a tip temperature sensor. It's easy to be deceived in purchasing the wrong type of station based on unusually low price and the wording used in an ad. Paul, W9AC __ 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] OT: QST's review of the Yaesu FTDX5000MP
Did anyone read the December QST's review of the FTDX5000MP? And I quote: The FTDX5000 series establishes a new benchmark, the highest close-in IMD dynamic range and third-order intercept we've ever measured. And the review goes on to state: For Receiver A, at the where-it-really-matters 2kHz spacing, the two-tone third-order IMD dynamic range at 14 MHz is just as good as at 20 kHz spacing. In all cases, IMD dynamic range was well over 100dB. This is the receiver with a 9 MHz first IF and narrow roofing filters, currently the hot setup for top-of-the-line close-in dynamic range. For Receiver B, with a VHF IF and without the narrow roofing filters, the worst-case dynamic range was 88 dB on 14 MHz at 2 kHz spacing; all other numbers were in the 90s, the best being 98 dB on 14 MHz at 5 kHz spacing, yielding an IP3 of +25 dBm. According to the measurement summary, 2 kHz blocking gain compression is 136 dB on 20m and 80m. The third-order dynamic range was measured at 114 dB on 20. On the TX side, transmit 3rd order IMD was -30 dB on 80m, and -35 dB on 20. I don't know about the rest of you guys, but that's pretty impressive. Even the sub receiver's performance (while no match for the K3's sub with filters) still puts on a good show, and is a lot better receiver than some other rig's main receivers. For $6,000, it's a lot of radio (literally), and would never fit on my desk. But if you compare it to the FT-9000 or IC-7800, it's a relative bargain. Honestly, it looks like a great radio if you like a lot of knobs and buttons. I won't be buying an FTDX5000 anytime soon, as the K3 does all of that and more at the fraction of the cost, size, and weight. Plus, Elecraft has in my opinion the best support in the industry. For those however that want a big rig, I think this is the one to beat. -- 73 de James K2QI President UNARC/4U1UN __ 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] Key in K3 not working
Have you tried a different key? While slim chance it is that simple might be worth a try before you tear into the radio? 73 Chuck AA8VS Here's what I did now to rule out the actual K3 jack: I took the rear bottom panel off. I checked continuity with a plug connected to the socket. I touched ground on the plug and G on the RF main board and that passed. Did the same with ring R, and tip T, and all passed. So there doesn't appear to be anything wrong with the contacts inside the jack itself. Strange... -- 73 de James K2QI President UNARC/4U1UN __ 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] OT: How do unrelated features get broken?
We just think they are not related, funny how software/ hardware works isn't it Wayne... 73 Chuck AA8VS -Original Message- From: Wayne Burdick Sent: Saturday, November 13, 2010 16:53 To: Barry Cc: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] How do unrelated features get broken? Even though features may not be related, one can cause side-effects in another due to unintentional modification of variables. Of course we jump through a lot of hoops to avoid this, but programmers are (unfortunately) human. 73, Wayne N6KR __ 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 APF
I dunno, maybe I'm missing something, but I have always tuned the APF to 550 Hz, which is where my CW pitch is set, and find it works well without tuning. That's the way my TS-930's APF worked, and I always found it very helpful even on moderate strength signals. 73, Pete N4ZR The World Contest Station Database, updated daily at www.conteststations.com The Reverse Beacon Network at http://reversebeacon.net, blog at reversebeacon.blogspot.com, spots at telnet.reversebeacon.net, port 7000 On 11/14/2010 1:09 PM, Jim Brown wrote: In general, I found the APF to be effective on some signals and a waste of time on others. I also found it tricky to tune in, and thus not as effective in contest operation. __ 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] OT: QST's review of the Yaesu FTDX5000MP
Impressive! Sets an new standard for big Japanese radios. Sure would tick me off if I had recently bought an FT-2000 or worse yet, an FTdx-9000! For myself, I would not be in the least bit tempted to replace my K3 with it though. I'll be interested in Rob's numbers when he gets around to it. Rick K6LE __ 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] Still no tx or rx on new K3
Help! I am still stuck. My new K3 (just finished partial assembly to K3-10 stage) does not transmit or receive. I discovered this yesterday when I tried to do the TX gain calibration. It failed (due to 0 output). I think hooked an antenna to Ant 1 and found I had almost no receive either. I can receive very strong signals but they are very weak on the K3. The ATU is installed and enabled as is the transverter io board. I have not installed the 100w amp, the second rx, or the 2mtr xvtr yet. What might be causing this? I am really frustrated that my new radio is fighting me in this way. -- 73, Bob K5SM __ 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] Key in K3 not working
Hi Chuck, I didn't have another paddle to try, but all of my testing has shown that choke RFC4 was to blame. It's wide open with no continuity. I have since bypassed the choke with a piece of wire and now everything works properly. I'm still waiting to hear back from Dale whether or not he will send me a replacement choke, or if I should just send the K3 back to Aptos. Here's a pic of my mod http://jamespaulsarte.com/temp/k2qi/k3_rfc4_jumper.jpg 73, James K2QI On Sun, Nov 14, 2010 at 2:15 PM, Chuck Mabbott crmabb...@comcast.netwrote: Have you tried a different key? While slim chance it is that simple might be worth a try before you tear into the radio? 73 Chuck AA8VS Here's what I did now to rule out the actual K3 jack: I took the rear bottom panel off. I checked continuity with a plug connected to the socket. I touched ground on the plug and G on the RF main board and that passed. Did the same with ring R, and tip T, and all passed. So there doesn't appear to be anything wrong with the contacts inside the jack itself. Strange... -- 73 de James K2QI President UNARC/4U1UN __ 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 -- 73 de James K2QI President UNARC/4U1UN __ 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] FT-5000
Reading a bit further in the review on the FT-5000 they mention noticeable noise of a relay clicking during CW QSK operation (probably the antenna changeover relay). I can't imagine paying $5K for a radio that produces noticeable clicks on CW/QSK. And to think I paid less than half of that for my K3/100 that is absolutely silent during CW QSK operation. Guess Yaesu doesn't design antenna switching networks using PIN diodes. I wonder who got the design right??? (grin). Back to my silent CW/QSK on my lowly K3. 73, Joe W2KJ I QRP, therefore I am __ 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: Right paddle key not working?
What kind of thing is that to tell someone??? It may take months to get your K3 back??? First off, have you even bothered to ask Elecraft how long their back log is??? Second, How about you just order a new board under warranty and do an advanced replacement returning the bad board when you exchange it out. You've obviously proven that you're capable of digging into the K3 on your own and getting things done. Swapping a board is nothing. Furthermore, telling someone to short out a choke that was put there for a reason is an even worse idea, whether it would work or not isn't the question. You're just asking for problems later when something else goes wrong. Doing that to TEST something is fine, but to repair it, no thank you.. I'm glad I didn't bring my rig to your shop... From: n...@carolina.rr.com To: k2qi@gmail.com; k6...@sbcglobal.net Date: Sat, 13 Nov 2010 23:16:07 -0500 CC: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net; d...@w3fpr.com Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3: Right paddle key not working? Just bypass it with a piece of wire. It probably won't matter. It might take months to get your K3 back! N4LQ Steve - Original Message - From: James Sarte k2qi@gmail.com To: Gene Langendorff k6...@sbcglobal.net Cc: Elecraft Elecraft@mailman.qth.net; d...@w3fpr.com Sent: Saturday, November 13, 2010 10:56 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3: Right paddle key not working? Gene et all, I reheated the contacts on RFC4 to the point that I think I even slightly warped the casing of the choke on one side. No good. No continuity at all from any of the trace points or direct contact with the chokes leads. Looks like RFC4 is dead and K3 #2730 will have to go back to Aptos for repair. 73 de James K2QI On Sat, Nov 13, 2010 at 10:02 PM, James Sarte k2qi@gmail.com wrote: On Sat, Nov 13, 2010 at 9:04 PM, Gene Langendorff k6...@sbcglobal.netwrote: I had the same symptom on my year old newly completed K3 kit a few months ago (S/N 3172). With Gary's guidance found the trouble to be one of the surface mount chokes (RFC3 or RFC4) between the paddles jack (J12) and the board needed resoldering. Check for continuity with your ohmmeter and you will probably find one of them not connected. Carefully resolder each end while applying downward pressure, one end at a time, and it should work. Gene K6TTM -- 73 de James K2QI President UNARC/4U1UN __ 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: Right paddle key not working?
Hi there ??? (apologies, but I don't recall ever seeing your name or call in emails)... Not sure if Aptos would be willing to send a whole RF board out just for a small choke. I could ask them, but even then, that's a whole lot of work. I'm not sure if it'd be worth it for me to go that route as I have very little spare time. I think I'd rather take my chances with replacing the choke myself. I've already done the IF OUTPUT BUFFER mod, and the VFO noise mod, so some of the fear of working on the K3 is already gone. Still - dealing with little SMD components isn't my bag baby! hi hi. Anyway, Dale already told me he'd send a replacement choke out. I still have an open RMA though to have my stiff encoders swapped out with the newer, less-viscous versions, so I may just send it back to kill two birds with one stone. The jumper that I soldered to the board will not stay. It was just a way for me to fully verify that RFC4 was indeed faulty - which it is. I will probably leave it in until I get the new choke, or until I send the unit back to California. I just wanted to practice my code anyway by using the CW decoder... I don't intend to TX yet as I've got a sloppy fist. 73 de James K2QI On Sun, Nov 14, 2010 at 3:07 PM, The Smiths notforc...@hotmail.com wrote: Second, How about you just order a new board under warranty and do an advanced replacement returning the bad board when you exchange it out. You've obviously proven that you're capable of digging into the K3 on your own and getting things done. Swapping a board is nothing. Furthermore, telling someone to short out a choke that was put there for a reason is an even worse idea, whether it would work or not isn't the question. You're just asking for problems later when something else goes wrong. Doing that to TEST something is fine, but to repair it, no thank you.. I'm glad I didn't bring my rig to your shop... From: n...@carolina.rr.com To: k2qi@gmail.com; k6...@sbcglobal.net Date: Sat, 13 Nov 2010 23:16:07 -0500 CC: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net; d...@w3fpr.com __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3: Right paddle key not working?
I'm sure that if you weren't confident about your soldering the SMD parts they would send you another board to swap out, especially if you were under warranty. I don't think that they 'expect' anyone to solder smd parts on an under warranty piece of equipment. That's the kind of service and support that we've all seen time after time with Elecraft. Another one of the big reasons that I not only bought a K3, but repair them for others when they have problems too. I know that Dale at Elecraft is FAST and efficent at sending both boards and SMD or other parts to me when requested. This was offered as a Kit radio (if ordered that way) and for that reason alone I would think there shouldn't be any issues with Elecraft swapping out whole boards for isolated problems. Of course if time is an issue, and it doesn't seem to be in this case as we've seen you trouble shoot, then soldering to repair, and once again jumping the choke to test with. Than in that case a person should send their rig in for repair. I think that I was more concerned about the person announcing on the reflector that it could take MONTHS to get back. Especially when they probably haven't done any research to find out what the current turn around time is at Aptos. As you know, with the seasons the demand for repairs etc. tends to go up and down. Still, I don't know of a case where the word months would be appropriate. Perhaps a few weeks, even a Month and a half... but months tends to indicate MANY months time. Date: Sun, 14 Nov 2010 15:21:09 -0500 Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3: Right paddle key not working? From: k2qi@gmail.com To: notforc...@hotmail.com CC: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Hi there ??? (apologies, but I don't recall ever seeing your name or call in emails)... Not sure if Aptos would be willing to send a whole RF board out just for a small choke. I could ask them, but even then, that's a whole lot of work. I'm not sure if it'd be worth it for me to go that route as I have very little spare time. I think I'd rather take my chances with replacing the choke myself. I've already done the IF OUTPUT BUFFER mod, and the VFO noise mod, so some of the fear of working on the K3 is already gone. Still - dealing with little SMD components isn't my bag baby! hi hi. Anyway, Dale already told me he'd send a replacement choke out. I still have an open RMA though to have my stiff encoders swapped out with the newer, less-viscous versions, so I may just send it back to kill two birds with one stone. The jumper that I soldered to the board will not stay. It was just a way for me to fully verify that RFC4 was indeed faulty - which it is. I will probably leave it in until I get the new choke, or until I send the unit back to California. I just wanted to practice my code anyway by using the CW decoder... I don't intend to TX yet as I've got a sloppy fist. 73 de James K2QI On Sun, Nov 14, 2010 at 3:07 PM, The Smiths notforc...@hotmail.com wrote: Second, How about you just order a new board under warranty and do an advanced replacement returning the bad board when you exchange it out. You've obviously proven that you're capable of digging into the K3 on your own and getting things done. Swapping a board is nothing. Furthermore, telling someone to short out a choke that was put there for a reason is an even worse idea, whether it would work or not isn't the question. You're just asking for problems later when something else goes wrong. Doing that to TEST something is fine, but to repair it, no thank you.. I'm glad I didn't bring my rig to your shop... From: n...@carolina.rr.com To: k2qi@gmail.com; k6...@sbcglobal.net Date: Sat, 13 Nov 2010 23:16:07 -0500 CC: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net; d...@w3fpr.com __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3: Right paddle key not working?
Well, time is always an issue for me. This weekend I was lucky as I didn't have to work. I was able to troubleshoot the radio and figure out what the problem was. I guess what I'm trying to say is, I'd rather take my chances replacing the choke myself then spend hours tearing the K3 apart, then putting it back together again, hoping that nothing else would be wrong with it once I'm done. I did put my K3 together as a kit, so I do have experience working on it... it's just not something I look forward to doing. In the little time I do have to play radio, I'd rather play than fix. :) 73 de James K2QI On Sun, Nov 14, 2010 at 3:38 PM, The Smiths notforc...@hotmail.com wrote: Of course if time is an issue, and it doesn't seem to be in this case as we've seen you trouble shoot, then soldering to repair, and once again jumping the choke to test with. Than in that case a person should send their rig in for repair. __ 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] Still no tx or rx on new K3
Robert Redmon wrote: Help! I am still stuck. My new K3 (just finished partial assembly to K3-10 stage) does not transmit or receive. Save yourself some time and contact k3support at elecraft.com. You will deal with a true professional (Gary Surrency AB7MY) who knows the K3 inside out. He'll save you a lot of wild goose chases which you might take otherwise. 73, Bill -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/Still-no-tx-or-rx-on-new-K3-tp5738110p5738313.html Sent from the [K3] mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3: Right paddle key not working?
You handled it just like I would, James, and I've repaired communications equipment, LF through microwave, professionally as well as built countless kits and scratch-built Ham rigs, many of my own design. I don't know if the fellow behind The Smiths built his K3 from a kit, but you and I both know that replacing the RF board is a big job involving completely disassembling the K3 back to a kit except for the front panel assembly. I've done it. Time is required, just as with the original assembly. Rushing, while assuming one remembers exactly what to do, will certainly lead to time-consuming mistakes. RF chokes on leads leading outside the rig are for RF suppression - to keep RF in or, in this case, certainly to keep RF that might trigger the circuit out. You'd know instantly if there was a problem. Your rig would key when you operated something else, or stick in transmit if it's own RF trigger the key line. In your situation I'd replace the choke too, but if it were too difficult to get to, I'd add a similar value choke to points I could reach physically as close to the existing choke as possible. 73, Ron AC7AC -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of James Sarte Sent: Sunday, November 14, 2010 12:54 PM To: The Smiths Cc: Elecraft Reflector Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3: Right paddle key not working? Well, time is always an issue for me. This weekend I was lucky as I didn't have to work. I was able to troubleshoot the radio and figure out what the problem was. I guess what I'm trying to say is, I'd rather take my chances replacing the choke myself then spend hours tearing the K3 apart, then putting it back together again, hoping that nothing else would be wrong with it once I'm done. I did put my K3 together as a kit, so I do have experience working on it... it's just not something I look forward to doing. In the little time I do have to play radio, I'd rather play than fix. :) 73 de James K2QI On Sun, Nov 14, 2010 at 3:38 PM, The Smiths notforc...@hotmail.com wrote: Of course if time is an issue, and it doesn't seem to be in this case as we've seen you trouble shoot, then soldering to repair, and once again jumping the choke to test with. Than in that case a person should send their rig in for repair. __ 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: Right paddle key not working?
Who is The Smiths? Sure are touchy little guys aren't they? Smart too! N4LQ Steve - Original Message - From: The Smiths To: n...@carolina.rr.com ; k2qi@gmail.com ; k6...@sbcglobal.net Cc: Elecraft Reflector ; d...@w3fpr.com Sent: Sunday, November 14, 2010 3:07 PM Subject: RE: [Elecraft] K3: Right paddle key not working? What kind of thing is that to tell someone??? It may take months to get your K3 back??? First off, have you even bothered to ask Elecraft how long their back log is??? Second, How about you just order a new board under warranty and do an advanced replacement returning the bad board when you exchange it out. You've obviously proven that you're capable of digging into the K3 on your own and getting things done. Swapping a board is nothing. Furthermore, telling someone to short out a choke that was put there for a reason is an even worse idea, whether it would work or not isn't the question. You're just asking for problems later when something else goes wrong. Doing that to TEST something is fine, but to repair it, no thank you.. I'm glad I didn't bring my rig to your shop... From: n...@carolina.rr.com To: k2qi@gmail.com; k6...@sbcglobal.net Date: Sat, 13 Nov 2010 23:16:07 -0500 CC: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net; d...@w3fpr.com Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3: Right paddle key not working? Just bypass it with a piece of wire. It probably won't matter. It might take months to get your K3 back! N4LQ Steve - Original Message - From: James Sarte k2qi@gmail.com To: Gene Langendorff k6...@sbcglobal.net Cc: Elecraft Elecraft@mailman.qth.net; d...@w3fpr.com Sent: Saturday, November 13, 2010 10:56 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3: Right paddle key not working? Gene et all, I reheated the contacts on RFC4 to the point that I think I even slightly warped the casing of the choke on one side. No good. No continuity at all from any of the trace points or direct contact with the chokes leads. Looks like RFC4 is dead and K3 #2730 will have to go back to Aptos for repair. 73 de James K2QI On Sat, Nov 13, 2010 at 10:02 PM, James Sarte k2qi@gmail.com wrote: On Sat, Nov 13, 2010 at 9:04 PM, Gene Langendorff k6...@sbcglobal.netwrote: I had the same symptom on my year old newly completed K3 kit a few months ago (S/N 3172). With Gary's guidance found the trouble to be one of the surface mount chokes (RFC3 or RFC4) between the paddles jack (J12) and the board needed resoldering. Check for continuity with your ohmmeter and you will probably find one of them not connected. Carefully resolder each end while applying downward pressure, one end at a time, and it should work. Gene K6TTM -- 73 de James K2QI President UNARC/4U1UN __ 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: Right paddle key not working?
Hi Ron, Yes, replacement of the whole RF board would be very time and labor intensive; certainly something that I'd like to avoid at all possible costs. I would rather send the K3 back to Aptos, and use my Icom in the interim, then take the K3 apart to that level. Just last night, I removed the side panel with handle, the rear panel and everything attached to it. I also removed the KIO3 and transverter board so I could see what was on the other side of the RF board under the choke. Putting it back together, I had to spend some time looking at the manual - not because I couldn't remember how it was assembled, but because I couldn't recall the different screw sizes and types and which holes they thread in to. I can only imagine how much longer it would take me if I had to swap the whole RF board out! Anyway, I've asked Dale to send me two of the RFC4 chokes in case I damage one while performing the swap. If I can't get it right, then I'll send the K3 back to Aptos. 73 de James K2QI On Sun, Nov 14, 2010 at 4:35 PM, Ron D'Eau Claire r...@cobi.biz wrote: You handled it just like I would, James, and I've repaired communications equipment, LF through microwave, professionally as well as built countless kits and scratch-built Ham rigs, many of my own design. I don't know if the fellow behind The Smiths built his K3 from a kit, but you and I both know that replacing the RF board is a big job involving completely disassembling the K3 back to a kit except for the front panel assembly. I've done it. Time is required, just as with the original assembly. Rushing, while assuming one remembers exactly what to do, will certainly lead to time-consuming mistakes. RF chokes on leads leading outside the rig are for RF suppression - to keep RF in or, in this case, certainly to keep RF that might trigger the circuit out. You'd know instantly if there was a problem. Your rig would key when you operated something else, or stick in transmit if it's own RF trigger the key line. In your situation I'd replace the choke too, but if it were too difficult to get to, I'd add a similar value choke to points I could reach physically as close to the existing choke as possible. 73, Ron AC7AC __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3: Right paddle key not working?
James; Congratulations. You did everything right. Consulted with users, located defective part, bypassed the choke with wire as suggested and order replacement. That's exactly what I would have done. A job well done! 73 N4LQ Steve - Original Message - From: James Sarte k2qi@gmail.com To: Ron D'Eau Claire r...@cobi.biz Cc: Elecraft Reflector elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Sunday, November 14, 2010 4:53 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3: Right paddle key not working? Hi Ron, Yes, replacement of the whole RF board would be very time and labor intensive; certainly something that I'd like to avoid at all possible costs. I would rather send the K3 back to Aptos, and use my Icom in the interim, then take the K3 apart to that level. Just last night, I removed the side panel with handle, the rear panel and everything attached to it. I also removed the KIO3 and transverter board so I could see what was on the other side of the RF board under the choke. Putting it back together, I had to spend some time looking at the manual - not because I couldn't remember how it was assembled, but because I couldn't recall the different screw sizes and types and which holes they thread in to. I can only imagine how much longer it would take me if I had to swap the whole RF board out! Anyway, I've asked Dale to send me two of the RFC4 chokes in case I damage one while performing the swap. If I can't get it right, then I'll send the K3 back to Aptos. 73 de James K2QI On Sun, Nov 14, 2010 at 4:35 PM, Ron D'Eau Claire r...@cobi.biz wrote: You handled it just like I would, James, and I've repaired communications equipment, LF through microwave, professionally as well as built countless kits and scratch-built Ham rigs, many of my own design. I don't know if the fellow behind The Smiths built his K3 from a kit, but you and I both know that replacing the RF board is a big job involving completely disassembling the K3 back to a kit except for the front panel assembly. I've done it. Time is required, just as with the original assembly. Rushing, while assuming one remembers exactly what to do, will certainly lead to time-consuming mistakes. RF chokes on leads leading outside the rig are for RF suppression - to keep RF in or, in this case, certainly to keep RF that might trigger the circuit out. You'd know instantly if there was a problem. Your rig would key when you operated something else, or stick in transmit if it's own RF trigger the key line. In your situation I'd replace the choke too, but if it were too difficult to get to, I'd add a similar value choke to points I could reach physically as close to the existing choke as possible. 73, Ron AC7AC __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ 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: Right paddle key not working?
Thank you Steve, I couldn't have done it without support from the reflector and the great crew at Elecraft. Again, one of the many reasons why Elecraft and its user community is head and shoulders above the rest. 73, James K2QI On Sun, Nov 14, 2010 at 5:00 PM, Steve Ellington n...@carolina.rr.comwrote: James; Congratulations. You did everything right. Consulted with users, located defective part, bypassed the choke with wire as suggested and order replacement. That's exactly what I would have done. A job well done! 73 N4LQ Steve __ 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] soldering station
A few years ago I needed to get a new soldering station suitable for SMT work. Since my old station made by Weller was still going strong after some 40 years, I looked to the same brand. Almost got a WES51, but then I noticed that I could have an 80 watt unit, WD1002, that still had a very compact pencil (50 mm from tip to handle) and with a wide selection of very fine tips. This unit was touted as particularly good for lead-free work, likely to become common soon. I splurged and got this unit that is currently about $300. Maybe overkill for an amateur, but I don't think I will need to buy another in my lifetime. The unit consists of a WD1 power station with digital display, a pencil stand and a WP80 pencil. 3 pushbuttons allow easy change between 3 favorite adjustable temperatures. ESD safe of course. The tip is connected to a jack on the power unit, and can be left floating or connected to ground or a potential of your choosing. In today's economic climate I might have gone for the cheaper unit, but no regrets, I enjoy this unit every time I use it. __ 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] OT: QST's review of the Yaesu FTDX5000MP
Sure would tick me off if I had recently bought an FT-2000 Ticks me off as an early owner of a FT-2000. The FT-5000 provides the performance that the FT-2000 *should have provided*. Instead, Yaesu released a transceiver that is arguably the modern day FT-101. 73, ... Joe, W4TV On 11/14/2010 2:38 PM, Rick Prather wrote: Impressive! Sets an new standard for big Japanese radios. Sure would tick me off if I had recently bought an FT-2000 or worse yet, an FTdx-9000! For myself, I would not be in the least bit tempted to replace my K3 with it though. I'll be interested in Rob's numbers when he gets around to it. Rick K6LE __ 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] OT: QST's review of the Yaesu FTDX5000MP
I'm so glad I didn't buy the FT2K when I was looking for something to replace my Yaesu FT-840. Before buying the K3, I based my search on the following criteria: 1. Excellent receiver 2. Great customer support and user interaction 3. Made in USA (not mandatory, but it's always nice to support your country) 4. Easy enough to move around The only product that met those requirements was the Elecraft K2 and K3. I'm happy with my purchase decision, even after 2 years of ownership. Maybe one day, when I have a proper home and room for a big box radio, the FTDX5000 will be a contender. Or who knows... maybe the K4 will be the next big thing... :) 73, James K2QI On Sun, Nov 14, 2010 at 5:23 PM, Joe Subich, W4TV li...@subich.com wrote: Sure would tick me off if I had recently bought an FT-2000 Ticks me off as an early owner of a FT-2000. The FT-5000 provides the performance that the FT-2000 *should have provided*. Instead, Yaesu released a transceiver that is arguably the modern day FT-101. 73, ... Joe, W4TV __ 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] KPA100 fan test
I have checked out just fine up until the fan test on page 49 of the assembly manual. I set the power control to above 11 watts now to edit the PA menu I get to the point were the display on the k3 reads PAON If I tap the display button I am not getting to the fan setup menu. I know I am doing something wrong with button pushing or something but just not sure what. In the manual it tells me to Edit the PA menu parameter I seem to be tapping menu and then tapping display to get to the secondary menu but when I get to PA I just can't get to the fan control options to do the fan test. Mike VE3WDM http://ve3wdm.blogspot.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] KPA100 fan test
Mike, Is the underline cursor under the ON in the PA ON menu? It must be. To set up to Edit the menu parameter, you must hold the EDIT button, and the cursor will move to the right. Once it is there, tap the DISPLAY button to cycle through the fan modes. 73, Don W3FPR On 11/14/2010 5:37 PM, Mike Weir wrote: I have checked out just fine up until the fan test on page 49 of the assembly manual. I set the power control to above 11 watts now to edit the PA menu I get to the point were the display on the k3 reads PAON If I tap the display button I am not getting to the fan setup menu. I know I am doing something wrong with button pushing or something but just not sure what. In the manual it tells me to Edit the PA menu parameter I seem to be tapping menu and then tapping display to get to the secondary menu but when I get to PA I just can't get to the fan control options to do the fan test. Mike VE3WDM http://ve3wdm.blogspot.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] KPA100 fan test
Thanks very much DonWeird thought that was what I was doing but seems not. I did as you said and all checked out with the fan speed just fine. Now it is on the the Bias currant adjustment going to use an DMM for this oneI have a Fluke that can be configured for 10 amps the other options is only 400ma rated. Thanks Don -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KPA100-fan-test-tp5738497p5738538.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] OT: QST's review of the Yaesu FTDX5000MP
I read and enjoyed the review. It looks like a very good product, and will no doubt sell well - as it should. For me the only advantage it would have over my K3/P3 is the integrated 200 W capability and integrated power supply with 12V power - both nice features. But I wouldn't consider buying one, the deal breakers being: size/weight, audible QSK relay and single color panadapter w/o waterfall. Not to mention the more intangibles, such as ease of firmware updates and ability to do 80% of the servicing myself. Close, but no cigar ;) 73 Craig AC0DS __ 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] KPA100 fan test
I'm not sure what you are looking at Mike. The K3 Assembly manual has nothing about the fans on page 49. Testing the fans is covered on page 14 of the KPA3 option manual, as follows: Press the POWER button to turn the K3 on. Hold CONFIG to select the Configuration menu, then turn VFO B to KPA3. Turn the VFO A knob to PAIO ON, then turn it further to PAIO TST. When moving between ON and TST, you should hear a relay click on the KPAIO3 board. If you don't, press the K3 POWER button to switch it off, then on again and retry the test. Turn the VFO A knob on past TST to FN1, then FN2, FN3 and FN4. The fans should start turning at FN1 and increase speed as you continue to FN4. 73, Ron AC7AC -Original Message- I have checked out just fine up until the fan test on page 49 of the assembly manual. I set the power control to above 11 watts now to edit the PA menu I get to the point were the display on the k3 reads PAON If I tap the display button I am not getting to the fan setup menu. I know I am doing something wrong with button pushing or something but just not sure what. In the manual it tells me to Edit the PA menu parameter I seem to be tapping menu and then tapping display to get to the secondary menu but when I get to PA I just can't get to the fan control options to do the fan test. Mike VE3WDM http://ve3wdm.blogspot.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] OT: QST's review of the Yaesu FTDX5000MP
I don't have the article in front of me at the moment, but I believe I read that Yaesu was aware of the QSK relay issue and a circuit fix is available for existing customers. All future production units will have the fix already implemented. James K2QI On Sun, Nov 14, 2010 at 6:03 PM, Craig D. Smith cr...@powersmith.netwrote: I read and enjoyed the review. It looks like a very good product, and will no doubt sell well - as it should. For me the only advantage it would have over my K3/P3 is the integrated 200 W capability and integrated power supply with 12V power - both nice features. But I wouldn't consider buying one, the deal breakers being: size/weight, audible QSK relay and single color panadapter w/o waterfall. Not to mention the more intangibles, such as ease of firmware updates and ability to do 80% of the servicing myself. Close, but no cigar ;) 73 Craig AC0DS -- 73 de James K2QI President UNARC/4U1UN __ 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] KPA100 fan test
Mike, Use the Fluke. You will have to measure about 1 amp. Do it just like the manual says. You will probably have to make several trials until you get it right. The current rises quickly, and with a digital display, the first reading flashed is not valid, so wait until the 2nd or 3rd update from the Fluke. Hint - if typical, the adjustment pot will end up at about 1/3 rotation from fully counter-clockwise. 73, Don W3FPR On 11/14/2010 5:58 PM, VE3WDM wrote: Thanks very much DonWeird thought that was what I was doing but seems not. I did as you said and all checked out with the fan speed just fine. Now it is on the the Bias currant adjustment going to use an DMM for this oneI have a Fluke that can be configured for 10 amps the other options is only 400ma rated. Thanks Don __ 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] OT: QST's review of the Yaesu FTDX5000MP
There's the rub members of my local club were not overly interested in my K3 as it doesnt have all the knobs etc on the front panel, you cant change the color of the display and it isnt heavy I really find that sad ,, I would get lost from time to time placing my TS 850 in a unknown state by accidently pushing a wrong button ,, hasnt happened on the K3 the GUI is great but simple and some think simple relates to poor or ineffective as I am a casual operator and dont use 1/10 the features avaible but wanted a rig that would hold up to some of the nasty krap on HF ,,, K3 Rocks,, was fun to build and has great support Bob K3DJC Honestly, it looks like a great radio if you like a lot of knobs and buttons. I won't be buying an FTDX5000 anytime soon, as the K3 does all of that and more at the fraction of the cost, size, and weight. Plus, Elecraft has in my opinion the best support in the industry. For those however that want a big rig, I think this is the one to beat. -- 73 de James K2QI Become Six Sigma Certified Villanova Six Sigma Certification 100% Online Program - Free Info. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3141/4ce06ccc49b0e5560bm03vuc __ 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] OT: QST's review of the Yaesu FTDX5000MP
OTOH, locals here are impressed with the receiver and what the K3 CAN do and it's inbuilt versatility and great receiver. Nobody seemed too concerned withthe lack of size, knobs, whistles, clicks and bells etc offered with 'other' boxes. If enough people took the time to 'LEARN' how to set up there own K3 such as on SSB adjusting the Hi/Lo Cut then most would stop complaining about what some term 'edgy' AF etc. What constantly amazes me is the barrage of seemingly endless complaints about some perceived limitation or design deficiency in the K3 when a little more time spent in front of the K3 'learning' 'how' to use the K3 would enhance their personal appreciation of a superb radio. In Australia we live in a 'throw away' or 'trade-in' society due to lack of manufacturing and I for one appreciate very much the amount of thought and sweat that has gone into the production of the K3 and being badged Born in the USA' is a very real factor in deciding what next I will 'acquire'. Just about everything we turn over to look at the label states 'Made in China' and whilst many good products come from Asia it is still terrific to see a very well run company responsive to customer concerns without the common response of 'send it back for replacement' or trade it in on the next new 'box' being released to 'fix' the design or manufacturer faults created at birth. Oh well, turn of my mouth and sit and receive for awhile now:-) Flame suit on and zipped up, air bag at the ready :-) 73's Gary On Sun, Nov 14, 2010 at 11:11 PM, riese-k3...@juno.com wrote: There's the rub members of my local club were not overly interested in my K3 as it doesnt have all the knobs etc on the front panel, you cant change the color of the display and it isnt heavy I really find that sad ,, I would get lost from time to time placing my TS 850 in a unknown state by accidently pushing a wrong button ,, hasnt happened on the K3 the GUI is great but simple and some think simple relates to poor or ineffective as I am a casual operator and dont use 1/10 the features avaible but wanted a rig that would hold up to some of the nasty krap on HF ,,, K3 Rocks,, was fun to build and has great support Bob K3DJC Honestly, it looks like a great radio if you like a lot of knobs and buttons. I won't be buying an FTDX5000 anytime soon, as the K3 does all of that and more at the fraction of the cost, size, and weight. Plus, Elecraft has in my opinion the best support in the industry. For those however that want a big rig, I think this is the one to beat. -- 73 de James K2QI Become Six Sigma Certified Villanova Six Sigma Certification 100% Online Program - Free Info. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3141/4ce06ccc49b0e5560bm03vuc __ 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 -- Gary VK4FD - Motorhome Mobile http://www.qsl.net/vk4fd/ K3 #679, P3 #546 For everything else there's Mastercard!!! __ 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: Right paddle key not working?
Hey guys, don't get me wrong. I never meant to say that James didn't do a wonderful job at trouble shooting than testing by shorting out the choke. That wasn't my point at all. I wasn't even meaning to comment on his work at all. Other than to say that he appears to be a very competent person for sure. It seemed that he knew exactly where he was going, and seemed to get it done right. What I was responding to was the other person that was trying to tell james that he shouldn't send his rig in because it would take MONTHS to get back. My point to that other person was it was wrong of him to make such a complaint unfounded, and that without knowing what the actual back log at Elecraft was. He really shouldn't be trying to 'scare' people like that. As for the board swap, I was just mentioning it as an option because I knew that James didn't want to be without his rig any longer than he needed to be. Plus I was confident that with a Kit rig like the K3 it wouldn't be any trouble for Elecraft to send another RF board because of a simple Choke that had been manufactured improperly. Furthermore, as I just stated, I could clearly tell that James is perfectly capable of swapping a board after he's done all this work. To me as someone that repairs gear I would NEVER leave a choke shorted out just because it worked that way.. You never know what other problems your going to create for yourself later on. Of course if James wants to replace the choke by itself that would be ideal. That would save him a lot of time disassembling the rig, and could fix his problem post haste. I'm not sure where my message was read wrong.. But to answer your question as to whether or not I bought my rig as a kit, Yes, of course, as someone that repairs these rigs I would be a hypocrite if I hadn't built my own.. well, that or a very busy guy... LOL 73 both... From: r...@cobi.biz To: k2qi@gmail.com Date: Sun, 14 Nov 2010 13:35:04 -0800 CC: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3: Right paddle key not working? You handled it just like I would, James, and I've repaired communications equipment, LF through microwave, professionally as well as built countless kits and scratch-built Ham rigs, many of my own design. I don't know if the fellow behind The Smiths built his K3 from a kit, but you and I both know that replacing the RF board is a big job involving completely disassembling the K3 back to a kit except for the front panel assembly. I've done it. Time is required, just as with the original assembly. Rushing, while assuming one remembers exactly what to do, will certainly lead to time-consuming mistakes. RF chokes on leads leading outside the rig are for RF suppression - to keep RF in or, in this case, certainly to keep RF that might trigger the circuit out. You'd know instantly if there was a problem. Your rig would key when you operated something else, or stick in transmit if it's own RF trigger the key line. In your situation I'd replace the choke too, but if it were too difficult to get to, I'd add a similar value choke to points I could reach physically as close to the existing choke as possible. 73, Ron AC7AC -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of James Sarte Sent: Sunday, November 14, 2010 12:54 PM To: The Smiths Cc: Elecraft Reflector Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3: Right paddle key not working? Well, time is always an issue for me. This weekend I was lucky as I didn't have to work. I was able to troubleshoot the radio and figure out what the problem was. I guess what I'm trying to say is, I'd rather take my chances replacing the choke myself then spend hours tearing the K3 apart, then putting it back together again, hoping that nothing else would be wrong with it once I'm done. I did put my K3 together as a kit, so I do have experience working on it... it's just not something I look forward to doing. In the little time I do have to play radio, I'd rather play than fix. :) 73 de James K2QI On Sun, Nov 14, 2010 at 3:38 PM, The Smiths notforc...@hotmail.com wrote: Of course if time is an issue, and it doesn't seem to be in this case as we've seen you trouble shoot, then soldering to repair, and once again jumping the choke to test with. Than in that case a person should send their rig in for repair. __ 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:
Re: [Elecraft] OT: QST's review of the Yaesu FTDX5000MP
Not everything is made in China, I drive a car made in Australia. Unfortunately, the new management (the US government) decided to kill the brand (Pontiac). I'm an old guy driving a young person's performance car while in China, the young Chinese love our old folks' Buicks. It's a crazy world. --- On Sun, 11/14/10, Gary Gregory garyvk...@gmail.com wrote: Just about everything we turn over to look at the label states 'Made in China' and whilst many good products come from Asia it is still terrific to see a very well run company responsive to customer concerns without the common response of 'send it back for replacement' or trade it in on the next new 'box' being released to 'fix' the design or manufacturer faults created at birth. __ 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 APF
Pete Smith N4ZR wrote: I dunno, maybe I'm missing something, but I have always tuned the APF to 550 Hz, which is where my CW pitch is set, and find it works well without tuning. That's the way my TS-930's APF worked, and I always found it very helpful even on moderate strength signals. Pete I've had a TS-930S since 1984 (still works great) but I never found its APF to be of much use. In fact it became one of several functions (like FM, AM and RIT) that never got the new worn off in some 12 years of daily use (FT-1000MP in 1996). I don't think any of the Kenwood or Icom APFs are in the same league as the FT-1000's APF. The 930 definitely did not have the extremely narrow bandwidth/gain of the latter. I don't know if you've used the K3's APF yet but it definitely needs very careful tuning to work right (i.e. within 5 Hz of a signal peak...and most callers don't zero beat me that closely). Will be interested to see if you have the same opinion after you try APF in the K3. 73, Bill -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K3-APF-tp5735159p5738666.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] OT: QST's review of the Yaesu FTDX5000MP
A great many people purchase what they feel others will admire or that has the correct look and feel based on their personal bias. Objective performance of a rig may be nowhere near the top of their list of decision-making criteria. A life-long home brewer, I've had other Hams tell me they'd never consider building a rig from scratch because they do not have the money or resources to make it look professional (i.e. factory-assembled). Sometimes it's not even the Ham but the XYL who refuses to have anything in the house that doesn't look right. (Shoot back in the 1950's and 60's Collins used to run ads directed at XYLs telling them to insist 'hubby' get one of their rigs because of its neat appearance on the desk!) Personally, I'm just happy if my creations work. We can never make everyone we know happy. The goal, I think, is to avoid making others unhappy. Ron AC7AC -Original Message- There's the rub members of my local club were not overly interested in my K3 as it doesnt have all the knobs etc on the front panel, you cant change the color of the display and it isnt heavy I really find that sad ,, I would get lost from time to time placing my TS 850 in a unknown state by accidently pushing a wrong button ,, hasnt happened on the K3 the GUI is great but simple and some think simple relates to poor or ineffective as I am a casual operator and dont use 1/10 the features avaible but wanted a rig that would hold up to some of the nasty krap on HF ,,, K3 Rocks,, was fun to build and has great support Bob K3DJC __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] Re： OT: QST's review of the Yae su FTDX5000MP
Hello Craig, Is there a 'manual notch within AGC loop' in the FTDX5000? I have not read the product review yet. I trust 'manual notch within AGC loop' is a must in any high end transceiver. cheers, Johnny VR2XMC - 郵件原件 寄件人﹕ Craig D. Smith cr...@powersmith.net 收件人﹕ James Sarte k2qi@gmail.com; Joe Subich, W4TV li...@subich.com 副本(CC) elecraft@mailman.qth.net 傳送日期﹕ 2010/11/15 (一) 7:03:33 AM 主題： Re: [Elecraft] OT: QST's review of the Yaesu FTDX5000MP I read and enjoyed the review. It looks like a very good product, and will no doubt sell well - as it should. For me the only advantage it would have over my K3/P3 is the integrated 200 W capability and integrated power supply with 12V power - both nice features. But I wouldn't consider buying one, the deal breakers being: size/weight, audible QSK relay and single color panadapter w/o waterfall. Not to mention the more intangibles, such as ease of firmware updates and ability to do 80% of the servicing myself. Close, but no cigar ;) 73 Craig AC0DS __ 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 APF
Hi Bill, I can vouch for the fact that the APF on the IC-7700 was of no use. One would have thought that that might have been an item to be updated on a newer firmware version- but it never was at least as long as I owned the rig. Dale W4OP Pete I've had a TS-930S since 1984 (still works great) but I never found its APF to be of much use. In fact it became one of several functions (like FM, AM and RIT) that never got the new worn off in some 12 years of daily use (FT-1000MP in 1996). I don't think any of the Kenwood or Icom APFs are in the same league as the FT-1000's APF. The 930 definitely did not have the extremely narrow bandwidth/gain of the latter. I don't know if you've used the K3's APF yet but it definitely needs very careful tuning to work right (i.e. within 5 Hz of a signal peak...and most callers don't zero beat me that closely). Will be interested to see if you have the same opinion after you try APF in the K3. 73, Bill -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K3-APF-tp5735159p5738666.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 No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.869 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3257 - Release Date: 11/14/10 14:34:00 __ 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 APF
On 11/14/2010 4:23 PM, Bill W4ZV wrote: I don't know if you've used the K3's APF yet but it definitely needs very careful tuning to work right (i.e. within 5 Hz of a signal peak...and most callers don't zero beat me that closely). YES! That's exactly what I'm talking about with respect to it being difficult for contest operation. Jim __ 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] OT: QST's review of the Yaesu FTDX5000MP
First I have 2)K3s and I highly respect and like the folks at Elecraft. I agree with weight and size and knobs (thing about this... there are more knobs on the K3 than one might think), but the cost is not a great deal different when you option up the K3 to the same features as the 5K. Performance is probably a push, but Elecraft support rocks and that is the difference. Their competitors will achieve comparable performance levels, but they will not duplicate Elecraft as a company George, W6GF --- On Sun, 11/14/10, Gary Gregory garyvk...@gmail.com wrote: From: Gary Gregory garyvk...@gmail.com Subject: Re: [Elecraft] OT: QST's review of the Yaesu FTDX5000MP To: riese-k3...@juno.com Cc: Date: Sunday, November 14, 2010, 3:25 PM OTOH, locals here are impressed with the receiver and what the K3 CAN do and it's inbuilt versatility and great receiver. Nobody seemed too concerned withthe lack of size, knobs, whistles, clicks and bells etc offered with 'other' boxes. If enough people took the time to 'LEARN' how to set up there own K3 such as on SSB adjusting the Hi/Lo Cut then most would stop complaining about what some term 'edgy' AF etc. What constantly amazes me is the barrage of seemingly endless complaints about some perceived limitation or design deficiency in the K3 when a little more time spent in front of the K3 'learning' 'how' to use the K3 would enhance their personal appreciation of a superb radio. In Australia we live in a 'throw away' or 'trade-in' society due to lack of manufacturing and I for one appreciate very much the amount of thought and sweat that has gone into the production of the K3 and being badged Born in the USA' is a very real factor in deciding what next I will 'acquire'. Just about everything we turn over to look at the label states 'Made in China' and whilst many good products come from Asia it is still terrific to see a very well run company responsive to customer concerns without the common response of 'send it back for replacement' or trade it in on the next new 'box' being released to 'fix' the design or manufacturer faults created at birth. Oh well, turn of my mouth and sit and receive for awhile now:-) Flame suit on and zipped up, air bag at the ready :-) 73's Gary On Sun, Nov 14, 2010 at 11:11 PM, riese-k3...@juno.com wrote: There's the rub members of my local club were not overly interested in my K3 as it doesnt have all the knobs etc on the front panel, you cant change the color of the display and it isnt heavy I really find that sad ,, I would get lost from time to time placing my TS 850 in a unknown state by accidently pushing a wrong button ,, hasnt happened on the K3 the GUI is great but simple and some think simple relates to poor or ineffective as I am a casual operator and dont use 1/10 the features avaible but wanted a rig that would hold up to some of the nasty krap on HF ,,, K3 Rocks,, was fun to build and has great support Bob K3DJC Honestly, it looks like a great radio if you like a lot of knobs and buttons. I won't be buying an FTDX5000 anytime soon, as the K3 does all of that and more at the fraction of the cost, size, and weight. Plus, Elecraft has in my opinion the best support in the industry. For those however that want a big rig, I think this is the one to beat. -- 73 de James K2QI Become Six Sigma Certified Villanova Six Sigma Certification 100% Online Program - Free Info. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3141/4ce06ccc49b0e5560bm03vuc __ 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 -- Gary VK4FD - Motorhome Mobile http://www.qsl.net/vk4fd/ K3 #679, P3 #546 For everything else there's Mastercard!!! __ 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] NAQCC Sprint Wednesday night!
NAQCC Sprint Wednesday night! Our November sprint is this coming Wednesday evening local time which is Thursday 0130-0330Z time. Please note your local time stays the same, but because of the switch back to Standard time, the UTC/Z time is different. I will refer you to the proper URL: http://home.windstream.net/yoel/sprint201011.html There you will find all the details as to time, frequencies and also a special prize. This month's Special Prize goes to the winner, to be decided by drawing among all who submit a valid log, gets a choice of paddle handles, straight key knobs, and/or K2 knob inserts donated by Gregg WB8LZG. This is a monthly event that caters to the CW veteran, the CW newcomer, straight key and bug fans. All are welcome to participate (this includes QRO); but you must use QRP power levels to compete for awards. Come join us and have a real good time! 72/73 de Dave VA3RJ NAQCC #0004 __ 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 APF
You don't have to wait for someone else to Zero Beat you Bill, that's why we have the RIT control on your rig. Maybe it's time you should discover that feature on the rig too... Date: Sun, 14 Nov 2010 16:23:27 -0800 From: btipp...@alum.mit.edu To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 APF Pete Smith N4ZR wrote: I dunno, maybe I'm missing something, but I have always tuned the APF to 550 Hz, which is where my CW pitch is set, and find it works well without tuning. That's the way my TS-930's APF worked, and I always found it very helpful even on moderate strength signals. Pete I've had a TS-930S since 1984 (still works great) but I never found its APF to be of much use. In fact it became one of several functions (like FM, AM and RIT) that never got the new worn off in some 12 years of daily use (FT-1000MP in 1996). I don't think any of the Kenwood or Icom APFs are in the same league as the FT-1000's APF. The 930 definitely did not have the extremely narrow bandwidth/gain of the latter. I don't know if you've used the K3's APF yet but it definitely needs very careful tuning to work right (i.e. within 5 Hz of a signal peak...and most callers don't zero beat me that closely). Will be interested to see if you have the same opinion after you try APF in the K3. 73, Bill -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K3-APF-tp5735159p5738666.html Sent from the [K3] mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Re： OT: QST's review of the Yae su FTDX5000MP
One of my pet peeves of the K3 is the notch is not within the agc loop and yes I know it's not good for IMD but so what. It's not engaged all the time. The other is excessive birdies which the 5000 does not hardly have any. John N1JM Johnny Siu wrote: Hello Craig, Is there a 'manual notch within AGC loop' in the FTDX5000? I have not read the product review yet. I trust 'manual notch within AGC loop' is a must in any high end transceiver. cheers, Johnny VR2XMC - 郵件原件 寄件人﹕ Craig D. Smith cr...@powersmith.net 收件人﹕ James Sarte k2qi@gmail.com; Joe Subich, W4TV li...@subich.com 副本(CC) elecraft@mailman.qth.net 傳送日期﹕ 2010/11/15 (一) 7:03:33 AM 主題： Re: [Elecraft] OT: QST's review of the Yaesu FTDX5000MP I read and enjoyed the review. It looks like a very good product, and will no doubt sell well - as it should. For me the only advantage it would have over my K3/P3 is the integrated 200 W capability and integrated power supply with 12V power - both nice features. But I wouldn't consider buying one, the deal breakers being: size/weight, audible QSK relay and single color panadapter w/o waterfall. Not to mention the more intangibles, such as ease of firmware updates and ability to do 80% of the servicing myself. Close, but no cigar ;) 73 Craig AC0DS __ 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 -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/OT-QST-s-review-of-the-Yaesu-FTDX5000MP-tp5738046p5738771.html Sent from the [HAM] mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 APF
On Sun, Nov 14, 2010 at 8:49 PM, The Smiths notforc...@hotmail.com wrote: You don't have to wait for someone else to Zero Beat you Bill, that's why we have the RIT control on your rig. Maybe it's time you should discover that feature on the rig too... :-)) I was responding to Pete's comment on works well without tuning. APF is not usable without tuning unless everyone is zero beat within 5-10 Hz. I guess I need to learn how to use radios. In 53 years on the air, Honor Roll at age 19 (before packet and lists), world high DXCC (331) on 160, all 6 current USA records on 10m (CQ WW, ARRL DX and CQ WPX, both modes), you'd think I'd have discovered RIT by now. In fact I never use RIT because I prefer the big VFO knob. I operate split even when in transceive so I never touch that dinky RIT knob. But then what do I know? ;-) 73, Bill W4ZV __ 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 APF
I've got to agree with The Smiths (whoever they are) on this one, Bill - the only thing I was trying to point out was that you don't need to find yourself to the Shift knob to move the APF around, if you tune it to the same point as your IF filter peak and tune with your RIT or the main tuning. 73, Pete N4ZR The World Contest Station Database, updated daily at www.conteststations.com The Reverse Beacon Network at http://reversebeacon.net, blog at reversebeacon.blogspot.com, spots at telnet.reversebeacon.net, port 7000 On 11/14/2010 8:49 PM, The Smiths wrote: You don't have to wait for someone else to Zero Beat you Bill, that's why we have the RIT control on your rig. Maybe it's time you should discover that feature on the rig too... Date: Sun, 14 Nov 2010 16:23:27 -0800 From: btipp...@alum.mit.edu To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 APF Pete Smith N4ZR wrote: I dunno, maybe I'm missing something, but I have always tuned the APF to 550 Hz, which is where my CW pitch is set, and find it works well without tuning. That's the way my TS-930's APF worked, and I always found it very helpful even on moderate strength signals. Pete I've had a TS-930S since 1984 (still works great) but I never found its APF to be of much use. In fact it became one of several functions (like FM, AM and RIT) that never got the new worn off in some 12 years of daily use (FT-1000MP in 1996). I don't think any of the Kenwood or Icom APFs are in the same league as the FT-1000's APF. The 930 definitely did not have the extremely narrow bandwidth/gain of the latter. I don't know if you've used the K3's APF yet but it definitely needs very careful tuning to work right (i.e. within 5 Hz of a signal peak...and most callers don't zero beat me that closely). Will be interested to see if you have the same opinion after you try APF in the K3. 73, Bill -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K3-APF-tp5735159p5738666.html Sent from the [K3] mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ 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 APF
I was thinking the same thing, I use the RIT all the time. Bob K6UJ On Nov 14, 2010, at 6:06 PM, Bill Tippett wrote: On Sun, Nov 14, 2010 at 8:49 PM, The Smiths notforc...@hotmail.com wrote: You don't have to wait for someone else to Zero Beat you Bill, that's why we have the RIT control on your rig. Maybe it's time you should discover that feature on the rig too... :-)) I was responding to Pete's comment on works well without tuning. APF is not usable without tuning unless everyone is zero beat within 5-10 Hz. I guess I need to learn how to use radios. In 53 years on the air, Honor Roll at age 19 (before packet and lists), world high DXCC (331) on 160, all 6 current USA records on 10m (CQ WW, ARRL DX and CQ WPX, both modes), you'd think I'd have discovered RIT by now. In fact I never use RIT because I prefer the big VFO knob. I operate split even when in transceive so I never touch that dinky RIT knob. But then what do I know? ;-) 73, Bill W4ZV __ 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 APF
On 11/14/2010 4:23 PM, Bill W4ZV wrote: I don't know if you've used the K3's APF yet but it definitely needs very careful tuning to work right (i.e. within 5 Hz of a signal peak...and most callers don't zero beat me that closely). YES! That's exactly what I'm talking about with respect to it being difficult for contest operation. Jim The best filter or audio device ever made is between your ears...including your ears. Amazing piece of work. As I grow older (Rats!), I've had to have some help with digital hearing aids and good radios like the K3. Makes things easierbut the best filter I've found is your brain! APF is good, but the good CW ops use a lot of biological filtering. Lee - K0WA __ 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] soldering station
Bob - IF you are looking for ANY Weller parts, contact me -- I will be happy to help or just advise. Read the eHam.net forum and ASK questions HERE, OR send me a personal e-mail. So tidbits, not yet mentioned. 1. The Weller WLC100 (orange station) is an OEM light dimmer and ungrounded iron. NOT ESD, Grounded or Temperature controlled. I do not recommend for Elecraft K1 or K2 builders. 2. The Haako 936-12 while widely popular (and copied/clones by every mfg. in China) -- has been discontinued by Haako earlier this year! http://www.hakko.com/english/discontinue/index.html It has been replaced by the new Haako FX-888 http://www.hakko.com/english/products/hakko_fx888.html 3. The Weller WES-51 and WESD-51 are very good stations and use the same ET tips that were used with the Weller EC series (1975-2002) 4. Aouye is one of the better known Haako clone makers from China. The Chinese ceramic heaters are not as good as the Japanese original product from Haako (The Chinese have yet to perfect quality control at Japanese levels -- so keep that in mind if you purchase that route). I have a demo WSD81 soldering station (WSP80 iron) with the hard to find base programmer that I would like to pass on to an Elecraft builder. IF you have a broken Weller unit, I do have documentation and parts for the older TCP units (e.g. SFA-1 springs and funnels for original PU-1 units) -- documentation can be found on BAMA from my library. Lastly, in 1957 Carl Weller, founder of Weller Electric wrote in his US Patent application the foundation and definition for temperature controlled soldering. It is freely available US document for any citizen to read and understand. For the Metcal/OKI crowd -- the OKI stations are based upon Carl's Magnetic Switch (Magnistat) works and acknowledges his 3 patents in their products as well as an earlier 1905 US patent for induction heating - the foundation for their RF/induction tip heating method. Greg w9gb - Original Message - From: Ron D'Eau Claire r...@cobi.biz To: riese-k3...@juno.com; Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Sunday, November 14, 2010 11:20 AM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] soldering station The Weller WES51 and the Aoyue 937 were both highly recommended (I don't have experience with either. I use a Hakko 936, also an excellent soldering station). The Hakko has a grounded tip. I don't know whether the others are isolated or grounded. I note that Amazon.com has a sale going on featuring the WES51 and Aoyue 937. Don't know how competitive the prices are overall - I didn't check other sites. Ron AC7AC -Original Message- Gang last week there was a thread on soldering stations,, before I ordered one I lost a week of e mail... I dont want to start the thread again but could someone off list give me a head up on the recommended station I believe it had an isolated tip etc Bob K3DJC __ 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] OT: QST's review of the Yaesu FTDX5000MP
Hi John, Excessive birdies in K3 will consume a lot of the DSP power in eliminating them. I would think the DSP power should be used / reserved for other meaningful radio functions. cheers, Johnny VR2XMC - 郵件原件 寄件人﹕ N1JM johnn...@gmail.com 收件人﹕ elecraft@mailman.qth.net 傳送日期﹕ 2010/11/15 (一) 10:05:24 AM 主題： Re: [Elecraft] Re： OT: QST's review of the Yaesu FTDX5000MP One of my pet peeves of the K3 is the notch is not within the agc loop and yes I know it's not good for IMD but so what. It's not engaged all the time. The other is excessive birdies which the 5000 does not hardly have any. John N1JM Johnny Siu wrote: Hello Craig, Is there a 'manual notch within AGC loop' in the FTDX5000? I have not read the product review yet. I trust 'manual notch within AGC loop' is a must in any high end transceiver. cheers, Johnny VR2XMC - 郵件原件 寄件人﹕ Craig D. Smith cr...@powersmith.net 收件人﹕ James Sarte k2qi@gmail.com; Joe Subich, W4TV li...@subich.com 副本(CC) elecraft@mailman.qth.net 傳送日期﹕ 2010/11/15 (一) 7:03:33 AM 主題： Re: [Elecraft] OT: QST's review of the Yaesu FTDX5000MP I read and enjoyed the review. It looks like a very good product, and will no doubt sell well - as it should. For me the only advantage it would have over my K3/P3 is the integrated 200 W capability and integrated power supply with 12V power - both nice features. But I wouldn't consider buying one, the deal breakers being: size/weight, audible QSK relay and single color panadapter w/o waterfall. Not to mention the more intangibles, such as ease of firmware updates and ability to do 80% of the servicing myself. Close, but no cigar ;) 73 Craig AC0DS __ 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 -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/OT-QST-s-review-of-the-Yaesu-FTDX5000MP-tp5738046p5738771.html Sent from the [HAM] mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 APF
I beg to differ. The TS-930S APF works pretty good in combination with narrow (500Hz) set of filters in 2nd and 3rd IF. The problematic part is that as far as I recall in TS-930s the APF is in AF, which is little too late to correct other shortcomings of the receiver. 73, Igor -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Bill W4ZV Sent: Sunday, November 14, 2010 7:23 PM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 APF Pete Smith N4ZR wrote: I dunno, maybe I'm missing something, but I have always tuned the APF to 550 Hz, which is where my CW pitch is set, and find it works well without tuning. That's the way my TS-930's APF worked, and I always found it very helpful even on moderate strength signals. Pete I've had a TS-930S since 1984 (still works great) but I never found its APF to be of much use. In fact it became one of several functions (like FM, AM and RIT) that never got the new worn off in some 12 years of daily use (FT-1000MP in 1996). I don't think any of the Kenwood or Icom APFs are in the same league as the FT-1000's APF. The 930 definitely did not have the extremely narrow bandwidth/gain of the latter. I don't know if you've used the K3's APF yet but it definitely needs very careful tuning to work right (i.e. within 5 Hz of a signal peak...and most callers don't zero beat me that closely). Will be interested to see if you have the same opinion after you try APF in the K3. 73, Bill -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K3-APF-tp5735159p5738666.html Sent from the [K3] mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 APF
Pete Smith N4ZR wrote: I've got to agree with The Smiths (whoever they are) on this one, Bill - the only thing I was trying to point out was that you don't need to find yourself to the Shift knob to move the APF around, if you tune it to the same point as your IF filter peak and tune with your RIT or the main tuning. Pete I'm repeating myself but...if you tune the K3 in its normal VFO mode (not FINE) it tunes in 10 Hz steps. For extremely weak signals (for which APF is intended) you'll give up 1+ dB by not being able to peak signals that fall between the 10 Hz steps. For a signal at or below the noise floor, 1 dB can be the difference between copy and not. This is why Wayne went to 5 Hz steps instead of 10 Hz in the latest APF implementation. Of course you can also switch the VFO to FINE and tune in 1 Hz steps (which is what I did prior to the 5 Hz SHIFT mod) but 1 Hz is really overkill (...and slow). Regarding AF TUNE (...not APF) in the TS-930S, it's simply a tunable 3-pole active filter. It has NO gain and must be in the order of 80-100 Hz BW. Contrast that to the 30 Hz BW and 9 dB gain APF in the K3. I'd liken AF TUNE in the 930 to the original focus/context filter (DUAL PB for CW) in the K3 (which IMHO is not as useful as APF). 73, Bill -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K3-APF-tp5735159p5738862.html Sent from the [K3] mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] Elecraft SSB Net results (11-14-10)
Conditions seemed good this week. I could hear most everyone from here in Oregon, including KL7UW and ZL1PWD, both well off of my quad's front lobe. We had 34 participants over a 29 minute net. Discussions involved K8DD (SK), TX equalization for a Heil mic and what the blank spots on the back of the P3 are for. Thanks to everyone who checked in. Here is the list of participants. Station NameQTH Rig S/N WB6CLZ MikeCA K3 4522 KA0NCR Arnie NE K3 185 W6GFGeorge CA K3 4631 W0NTA DickCO K3 1208 W5ETJ GaryTX K3 3227 NZ0TBillKS K3 1502 N0YBLarry IA K3 3435 NF8JPaulMI K3 758 N1OXA IvanME K3 4538 W0CZKen ND K3 457 K1BBM JohnMA K3 2579 K5LAD Jim OK K3 1068 AC0NM Glenn GA K3 2843 W0BUW BoydOK K3 4864 K8JRM Tom OK K3 2936 AE6IC FredCA K3 2241 KD1TH PaulNH K3 4882 K6DSW Don CA K3 3138 KA1OZ DickMA K3 859 K8EAG Gil MI K3 99 AI4VZ George GA K3 2412 W4RKS Jim AL K3 3618 W7RBB RichWA K3 4786 NT5QDon NM K3 4179 KL7UW Ed AK K3 4043 W7WPZ Jay AZ TS480 KE5MO Larry TX K3 4499 W5IAY RichNM Swan 350 K7PEH PhilWA K3 3799 K2XTRickNJ K3 3814 W8YMO Harry OH IC7800 ZL1PWD Peter NZ K3 139 K4GCJ Gerry NC K3 1597 NS7PPhilOR K3 1826 73, Phil, NS7P __ 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 November 14th 15th, 2010
Good Evening, It was fun to get back on the air again after the long hiatus. I have been busy with computer work so have not gotten on my radio on a regular basis in almost two weeks. I am sure you could tell ;) Conditions on twenty meters were OK but the noise was high on my end. Forty meters was much better except for a little QSB and one spot of noise. Weather was grey and soggy here with a temperature around 40 degrees. Minnesota got its share of snow a bit early this year with about a foot of it. May not last so get your XC skiing in quickly so you'll be ready for the next snowfall. I wish it snowed more often here but I am too close to the ocean for it to stick all that often. On to the lists = On 14049.5 kHz at 2300z: W0CZ - Ken - ND - K2 - 1031 K4JPN - Steve - GA - K2 - 1422 KS4L - Randy - AL - K2 - 337 K1THP - Dave - CT - K2 - 3942 K0DTJ - Brian - CA - K3 - 4113 WB5BKL - Nick - TX - K3 - 231 N0AR - Scott - MN - K2 - 4866 NO8V - John - MI - K3 - 820 WB3AAL - Ron - PA - K2 - 1392 On 7045 kHz at 0100z: K6PJV - Dale - CA - K3 - 1183 NO8V - John - MI - K3 - 820 K1THP - Dave - CT - K2 - 3942 K0DTJ - Brian - CA - K3 - 4113 AB9V - Mike - IN - K3 - 398 N0TA - John - CO - K3 - 994 W0CZ - Ken - ND - K2 - 1031 N7KRT - Jeff - TX - K2 - 5471 W6SU - John - CA - K2 - 228 WI6O - John - CA - K1 - 922 NK6A - Don - CA - K3 - 3569 K6DGW - Fred - CA - K3 - 642 N0AR - Scott - MN - K2 - 4866 Hopefully conditions will continue to improve as the season progresses. I know the sun is getting back into action. With my house in flux I am unsure of where my radio gear will wind up. Luckily there are a couple ground rods and few access points for antennas. Where I am sitting would be nice though a bit cramped. I need to add some shelving and some more lights. It would be nice to sit next to the fire during the winter months but next summer the open windows of the back room will be better. Until next week stay well, 73, Kevin. KD5ONS (Net Control Operator 5th Class) - -- Using Opera's revolutionary email client: http://www.opera.com/mail/ - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 10.0.1153 / Virus Database: 424/3257 - Release Date: 11/14/10 __ 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] OT: QST's review of the Yaesu FTDX5000MP
Aaah, the humble Holden Commodore. Yes it IS a great car (not a Ford) made by GM of course. Have a look at the website for HSV Commodore and you will see the Oz version of the Pontiac. Awesome cars. There are few consumer products made here now which is sad but as we only have some 22 million people here I guess the price of production makes it all uneconomical to produce...:-( Elecraft are quite amazing in both their ability to design and manufacturer a leading contender (if not the best which it is in my personal opinion) HAM radio transceiver available. Gee, look at what the dealers are asking for an FT-5000 here and the K3 is by far a better solution. Yaesu still like to have expensive add-ons to sell and to my way of thinking they do not give me good value for money. There service here is legendary...or if you like plain talk...lousy, slow, expensive and uncommunicative...sorry Eric, that is an honest opinion and I don't wish to start a kerfuffle on the reflector, but, as I was previously a Yaesu Dealer I feel I have a right to be critical without denigrating anyone..:-) With advent of the KPA-500 and shortly thereafter the KAT-500?...my needs will be filled and I don't want any of you guys telling Elecraft to build a K4 coz I aint got room for one and don't want to feel left out...:-) OK, back in my hole I go 73' to all Elecraft Rocks...now who stole my Kool-Aid? Gary On Mon, Nov 15, 2010 at 3:00 AM, Johnny Siu vr2...@yahoo.com.hk wrote: Hi John, Excessive birdies in K3 will consume a lot of the DSP power in eliminating them. I would think the DSP power should be used / reserved for other meaningful radio functions. cheers, Johnny VR2XMC - 郵件原件 寄件人﹕ N1JM johnn...@gmail.com 收件人﹕ elecraft@mailman.qth.net 傳送日期﹕ 2010/11/15 (一) 10:05:24 AM 主題： Re: [Elecraft] Re： OT: QST's review of the Yaesu FTDX5000MP One of my pet peeves of the K3 is the notch is not within the agc loop and yes I know it's not good for IMD but so what. It's not engaged all the time. The other is excessive birdies which the 5000 does not hardly have any. John N1JM Johnny Siu wrote: Hello Craig, Is there a 'manual notch within AGC loop' in the FTDX5000? I have not read the product review yet. I trust 'manual notch within AGC loop' is a must in any high end transceiver. cheers, Johnny VR2XMC - 郵件原件 寄件人﹕ Craig D. Smith cr...@powersmith.net 收件人﹕ James Sarte k2qi@gmail.com; Joe Subich, W4TV li...@subich.com 副本(CC) elecraft@mailman.qth.net 傳送日期﹕ 2010/11/15 (一) 7:03:33 AM 主題： Re: [Elecraft] OT: QST's review of the Yaesu FTDX5000MP I read and enjoyed the review. It looks like a very good product, and will no doubt sell well - as it should. For me the only advantage it would have over my K3/P3 is the integrated 200 W capability and integrated power supply with 12V power - both nice features. But I wouldn't consider buying one, the deal breakers being: size/weight, audible QSK relay and single color panadapter w/o waterfall. Not to mention the more intangibles, such as ease of firmware updates and ability to do 80% of the servicing myself. Close, but no cigar ;) 73 Craig AC0DS __ 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 -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/OT-QST-s-review-of-the-Yaesu-FTDX5000MP-tp5738046p5738771.html Sent from the [HAM] mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html -- Gary VK4FD - Motorhome Mobile http://www.qsl.net/vk4fd/ K3 #679, P3 #546 For everything else there's Mastercard!!! __ 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
