[Elecraft] A modest proposal...
I would like to suggest that the good folks at Elecraft consider making paper manuals an optional item at check out time. It could save a little money and paper, and some like myself are more inclined to download the info in any case. Especially with radios that are evolving, like the K3, one ends up doing this when new firmware makes the old paper manual incomplete. So just being able to eliminate the paper completely would be a fine thing, IMHO. NH7O __ 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] 40m low power
I have built my new Elecraft KX1 with great attentions to Elecraft manual instructions. The transceiver now work in a wonderful way. A lot of nice qsos... But something should be wrong: on 20 m the rig output power is more than 4 watts, on 40 m band the output power is only 2 watts. Can somebody suggest me where I maked a mistake in assembling it? The rig is without power modification. Many thanks. Ian IK4EWX -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/40m-low-power-tp6708066p6708066.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] XV-222 Oscillation during TX
Mike, I've had the very same problems with both my 222 and 432 transverters just as you. With the top of the enclosure in place, it goes into oscillation. With the top removed, problem solved. I don't have the problem with my 144 transverter. Also, I have found that I can't stack anything metallic on top of either the 222 or 432 transverters with the top of the enclosure removed or oscillation becomes a problem again. I have replaced both top covers with plexiglass purchased from Lowes. Easy to cut on the bandsaw. All problems are now solved and it also looks cool. :-) 73MyronK4YA > From: k...@flash.net > To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net > Date: Sat, 20 Aug 2011 13:29:16 -0500 > Subject: [Elecraft] XV-222 Oscillation during TX > >Last night I was talking with a local on 222 SSB, and I noticed most of > the lights on my XV-222 bar graph were staying on in TX, like it was in a > peak-hold mode. At the same time I noticed Hi-RFI alarm coming up on the K3 > display while transmitting. A quick check and everything seemed tight, SWR > was good, and no other rigs were on (at least in TX). I did look at some of > the reported RFI cases here on the reflector, but they seemed to be RFI into > the XV-222 from other rigs. > >So, I popped it on my spectrum analyzer and, while transmitting, there it > was, a strong osciilation at about 300 MHz. Now, with 222 present it swamps > the oscillation so when you're sending CW, the oscillation is present > between the character spaces, and on the watt meter all you see is around > 15-20 watts output. Or like FSK with a 78 MHz shift. > >Next I popped off the XV-22 top cover and of course the problem was gone. > I suspected that there was coupling from the PA output into the top cover > and back into an earlier stage causing this instability. In fact, I can > hold the cover in my hands, and covering just half of the XVTR PA and it > starts oscillating. Has anyone seen their XV-222 unit oscillate during TX > (sans an applied 222 signal)? > >Oh, yea, everything has been sanded and grounded per the instructions and > as suggested by Wayne in the RFI emails. > >Has anyone seen this on their unit? Is there a tech note or app note out > there on this? > >Thanks in advance. > > 73 Mike K9MK/5 Haslet TX. > > > __ > 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] A modest proposal...
An excellent suggestion! Many manufacturers already do this, e.g. my Samsung Galaxy Tab comes with a bare piece of "getting started" paper, but on-line there is an excellent 144 page (3.2 MB) "users' manual." I have owned or now own several pieces of Elecraft hardware, and in no case have I ever refered to the printed manual (either "Assembly" or "Users''"). To me the production of pretty-printed paper manuals is twice a nuisance: (1) it is a waste of paper and manufacturers' process time, and (2) it is an aggravation for me because of the storage problem -- I have manuals of practically every description, size and color, and they just take up shelf space. Storing a manual as a PDF file is a very efficient use of space. My "manuals" folder contains 280 files in 51 sub-folders, and takes up only 226 MB of disk space. Storage is dirt-cheap these days; I chuckle over my first, 5MB, hard drive that was three times the size of my K3, and the "disk packs" I carried around to stick in the "washing machines" that used them. Moreover, once one frees oneself from the rather squinty corporate attitude of Adobe embodied in "Adobe Acrobat" and uses "after-market" PDF editors (some of which are free), one has a quite natural way of incorporating the small "erratum/errata" changes that usually accompany hardware evolution. Take note, Elecraft, and join the wave of the twentieth century! John Ragle -- W1ZI = On 8/21/2011 4:14 AM, Alastair Couper wrote: > I would like to suggest that the good folks at Elecraft consider making > paper manuals an optional item at check out time. __ 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] A modest proposal...
On 21 Aug 2011 at 6:56, John Ragle wrote: > > I would like to suggest that the good folks at Elecraft consider > > making paper manuals an optional item at check out time. > It may suit some, but I cannot see how you could sensibly build a K2 from an electronic manual. You would have to print out the relevant pages, and it is probably cheaper for Elecraft to do this with professional printing. I repair consumer electronics and getting proper printouts of circuit diagrams is a constant problem. Bring back the old paper manuals... 73 Dave G3YMC http://www.davesergeant.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] XV-222 Oscillation during TX
On 08/20/2011 02:29 PM, Mike & Becca Krzystyniak wrote: > Last night I was talking with a local on 222 SSB, and I noticed most of > the lights on my XV-222 bar graph were staying on in TX, like it was in a > peak-hold mode. At the same time I noticed Hi-RFI alarm coming up on the K3 > display while transmitting. A quick check and everything seemed tight, SWR > was good, and no other rigs were on (at least in TX). I did look at some of > the reported RFI cases here on the reflector, but they seemed to be RFI into > the XV-222 from other rigs. The XV432 was giving me all kinds of trouble like your XV222, while preparing for the June VHF contest this year. It worked fine in the past with a solid state amp, but when I tried using a Henry 1KW amp, the XV oscillated and displayed similar symptoms as you describe. The XV has been modified as per the Elecraft site. I varied the coax lengths between the xv and amp, drilled holes to connect the top/bottom ground planes, double sanded the case, ensured the N connectors were tight, preset the amp loading using my TS2K as a driver, etc. All with varying success, but nothing permanent. Note, the xv never oscillated when I used a 50 ohm dummy load. Our final solution (thanks to WA0DYJ) was to use a 50 ohm dummy load in parallel with the load using a T connector on the output. Luckily, there was still enough power to drive the amp. The combination worked well during the VHF contest. BTW - we also use a XV222. It feeds a solid state amp and I think we have the right length of coax and load. I noticed we needed to be careful about routing the power and RF cables to ensure we don't introduce any RF back into the XV. The Elecraft guys have been very responsive and helpful, but it seems we are fighting some sort of stray capacitance problem that may be inherent in the design/layout. So try the various methods mentioned. We didn't try the plexiglass cover. Stu2 W7IY __ 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] A modest proposal...
Not to mention that fraction of builders who -do not- have internet access. Or will be in a location without internet for an interval of time, but want to have reference material available... for example, when on a DXpedition. Maybe it could be an ordering option, with a modest discount for choosing "paperless" manuals. Since is paperless idea is "green".. perhaps Elecraft would donate the cost of printing a manual to an environmental fund, thereby doubling the value of not printing a manual. Personally, I would like both options. 73 de Ray K2ULR On Aug 21, 2011, at 7:28 AM, Dave Sergeant wrote: > On 21 Aug 2011 at 6:56, John Ragle wrote: > >>> I would like to suggest that the good folks at Elecraft consider >>> making paper manuals an optional item at check out time. >> > > It may suit some, but I cannot see how you could sensibly build a K2 > from an electronic manual. You would have to print out the relevant > pages, and it is probably cheaper for Elecraft to do this with > professional printing. I repair consumer electronics and getting > proper > printouts of circuit diagrams is a constant problem. Bring back the > old > paper manuals... > > 73 Dave G3YMC > > http://www.davesergeant.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] KPA100 Installation Q:
Andy, If the KPA100 has red core toroids at L15 and L16, it is the old level and the KPA100UPKT should be installed. If there are blue core toroids at RFC1 and L16, it has already been installed. 73, Don W3FPR On 8/21/2011 2:30 AM, andyatd wrote: > Don, > > Reading the KPA100 manual I anticipated re-alignment and setup would be a > good idea. The procedure looks straightforward and I do have adequate > equipment for the process. The KPA100 will be installed on a 48xx series > serial number K2 and I am not sure whether the KPA100UPKT has been installed > or not, but I will do so if it is not. > > Thank you for your recommendations. > > Andy > N3LCW > > > -- > View this message in context: > http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KPA100-Installation-Q-tp6707741p6707897.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 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] A modest proposal...
I respectfully disagree. If I had been presented a URL or pdf manual for my stuffed K2/100 kit rather than the paper manuals I would have sold the kit. Looking through my K2 manual right now there is a check mark next to every construction step. When building the rig, I didn't mark the manual till the component was installed correctly or the procedure completed successfully. By using this process I eliminated a lot of problems before they ever cropped up. I also understood the rig much better since assembly and operator manual was one in the same. Trying to build something like a K2/100, loaded with options, from a .pdf on a computer would have tripled the time of assembly and no doubt produced many mistakes. I'd be willing to say we have so many questions about the K3 and accesories because the manusl(s) don't get read. Having a separate assembly and operators manual was a mistake IMHO, especially having to refer to the operators manual to finish the assembly (configuration and alignment). Not good process. Yes, I know, a lot of K3's get sold as assembled units not in kit form. A combined manual might still be of use to those who don't buy the kit but want to know the basics of how one is built. Or, they could simply skip the assembly parts. /Beginning of OT part The "paperless office" was/is a fallacy foisted on us by the PC/IT industry. I work in IT, it ain't ever gonna happen. I'm planning on retiring in 20 some years. I'd be willing to bet there are the same number or more printers in service then as there are now. The only thing the PC contributed to the paperless office was kill the typewriter market and shift printing from many manual printers to not quite so many network or locally attached printers. /End of OT part. Just my .03 On 8/21/2011 5:56 AM, John Ragle wrote: > An excellent suggestion! Many manufacturers already do this, e.g. my > Samsung Galaxy Tab comes with a bare piece of "getting started" paper, > but on-line there is an excellent 144 page (3.2 MB) "users' manual." > > I have owned or now own several pieces of Elecraft hardware, and in no > case have I ever refered to the printed manual (either "Assembly" or > "Users''"). To me the production of pretty-printed paper manuals is > twice a nuisance: (1) it is a waste of paper and manufacturers' process > time, and (2) it is an aggravation for me because of the storage problem > -- I have manuals of practically every description, size and color, and > they just take up shelf space. -- R. Kevin Stover ACØH __ 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] A modest proposal...
The paper manuals are spiral bound and quality printed on both sides of the page. I like the idea of saving but not this one. When it comes time to sell in ten years at least I will have the manual to pass on. 73 Doug EI2CN __ 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] A modest proposal...
If I may add one comment please, someone may have a fix for it, to save untold hours of effort. With a PDF for a manual, not a printed copy, just the pdf, on a building bench, what can be used to make notes in the construction or on the schematic, or in the manual, to note the test results.?? In the K2 manual there are numerous points to note results that need to be referred back to, not only during this particular moment on the bench but also in a week or two.. or a year later... Is there any way to do this...? It is cumbersome to write on the screen, take a photo, print the photo, clean the screen, and move to the next page... ;o) I always lose the photo, get it out of order, have to go back and redo the tests again Thank you, Have a great day, --... ...-- Dale - WC7S in Wy __ 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] A modest proposal...
The original suggestion was to make the paper manual 'optional' at time of order and although I do not know what price reduction this would make, it would be good for some folks...as long as they do read the PDF manual BEFORE asking questions that could easily be answered by reading the manual in either form. I have my printed manual and happy to keep it. Sure i will pass it on when I sell the K3, after my dead fingers let go...:-) My 2.5 cents Gary On 21 August 2011 22:52, Doug Turnbull wrote: > > The paper manuals are spiral bound and quality printed on both sides of the > page. I like the idea of saving but not this one. When it comes time to > sell in ten years at least I will have the manual to pass on. > > 73 Doug EI2CN > > > __ > 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 > -- VK4FD - Motorhome Mobile Elecraft Equipment K3 #679, KPA-500 #018 Living the dream!!! __ 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] A modest proposal...
While "green is good", I do not think an assembly or operator's manual in electronic form is practical. It would only result in most owners printing the manual locally, and that nullifies the overall "greenness". It is more costly for individuals to print locally than for the manual to be printed in bulk, so the overall global cost would be increased even if a few dollars could be saved on the kit price. Have you ever tried to put checkmarks into an electronic manual on a computer screen? I shudder at the thought of following a long list of resistors or capacitors to be inserted on a computer display. It is just too easy to lose your place - take a look at the K2 assembly if you do not know about the lists I refer to. How about working your way through a multipage schematic on a computer display during troubleshooting? Printed pages are a great help in those instances. I agree that in many instances .pdf manual have advantages, especially for archiving, but Elecraft already makes those available for download. 73, Don W3FPR On 8/21/2011 4:14 AM, Alastair Couper wrote: > I would like to suggest that the good folks at Elecraft consider making > paper manuals an optional item at check out time. It could save a little > money and paper, and some like myself are more inclined to download the > info in any case. Especially with radios that are evolving, like the K3, > one ends up doing this when new firmware makes the old paper manual > incomplete. So just being able to eliminate the paper completely would be > a fine thing, IMHO. > > NH7O > __ 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] 40m low power
Ian, My first guess is that you wound an extra turn on the toroids. Count the number of times the wire passes through the center of the core. A straight wire through the core is one turn, a full wrap around the core is 2 turns. If you did not realize that when winding the toroids, it is likely that you have added an extra turn. 73, Don W3FPR On 8/21/2011 5:17 AM, IK4EWX wrote: > I have built my new Elecraft KX1 with great attentions to Elecraft manual > instructions. > The transceiver now work in a wonderful way. > A lot of nice qsos... > But something should be wrong: on 20 m the rig output power is more than 4 > watts, on 40 m band the output power is only 2 watts. > Can somebody suggest me where I maked a mistake in assembling it? > The rig is without power modification. > Many thanks. > Ian IK4EWX > __ 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] A modest proposal...
At Visalia this past spring, while I was struggling trying to decide what format to publish "The K3" book, I did a survey of those interested and it was pretty nearly split 50/50 between printed hard copy and soft copy (pdf, etc). So, that answered that question and I decided to go both ways :-) (the customer is always right!) KE7X "The Elecraft K3: Design, Configuration, and Operation" www.ke7x.com -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Doug Turnbull Sent: Sunday, August 21, 2011 6:52 AM To: 'Dave Sergeant'; elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] A modest proposal... The paper manuals are spiral bound and quality printed on both sides of the page. I like the idea of saving but not this one. When it comes time to sell in ten years at least I will have the manual to pass on. 73 Doug EI2CN __ 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] Pretty-printed manuals...
Although my original response to "the original suggestion" was intended to be somewhat jocular, I am really quite appalled at the number of people who (a) thought I suggested DOING AWAY with manuals, and (b) took their hip-shot at me for making a suggestion which was (1) not mine, and (2) not what was suggested anyhow. It makes me wonder if written manuals serve any purpose at all -- since people evidently can't extract meaning from what they read. It is also appalling (but no longer surprising to me) that there are so many hams out there who are relegating themselves to the early 20th century. The Elecraft design line is very modern and designed to take advantage of, but not be dependent upon, the ubiquitous presence of computers. According to the latest surveys, roughly 2/3 of ALL American households contain at least one computer. Why is it that a supposedly technologically-adept hobby like ham radio contains such a larger than average Luddite constituency? In addition, though some readers thought they saw the concept "GREEN" in my note, again this is reading with no comprehension. The original point, which BTW came from Alistair Cooper's post, was that people might recognize the choice offered and save the manufacturer and themselves money by not requesting a pretty-printed manual. The lovely Elecraft manuals, printed on high quality stock, are not cheap to produce, and local printing of a few selected pages on cheap Staples stock is certainly "greener." With regard to checking boxes, I have made a K2 with almost all its accessories, an XV144, along with numerous other kits over the years, and in the recent half-dozen builds, I have not used the printed manuals at all. Anyone who thinks it is somehow difficult to check the boxes in an electronic version is just plain out of touch with reality. If one has a computer, for heaven's sake use it! After all, it is supposed to be a labor-saving tool, not some shibboleth from a previous culture. John Ragle -- W1ZI = On 8/21/2011 9:04 AM, Gary Gregory wrote: > The original suggestion was to make the paper manual 'optional' at > time of > order... __ 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][KAT2] Is it working as well as can be expected?
I recently bought a K2 (s/n 3873) with KAT2 module (f/w 1.06) on Ebay. The K2 is working well, but I'm not sure the KAT2 is. Here is what I get tuning into a 25 ft vertical wire with 16 ft counterpoise on the ground: f SWR L C Net 3.540 1.2 18.2 0.66 N1 7.050 1.6 3.9 0.24 N1 10.106 1.1 1.6 0.05 N2 14.100 2.6 2.6 0.04 N1 18.089 1 1.9 0.15 N1 21.100 9.4 1.3 0.09 N1 24.900 1.1 1.2 0.1 N1 28.100 1.2 0.5 0 N1 My AA-230 analyzed this antenna this way: f SWR R X LC Z 3.54 19 465 -478 93pf 668 7.05 15 105 -252 89pf 273 10.106 4.2 166 85 1333nh 186 14.1 15 750 78 876nh 760 I can see that the antenna is pretty close to 1/2 wave for 15m so would be hard to tune to. And I can also see that the impedance of 760 ohms is very high for 20 meters, so maybe I can't expect an SWR of 2:1 when we're starting off at 15:1, but my KX1 gets 1.2:1 using the same inductance but .02 nF. Perhaps the 22 pf capacitor or relay is bad on the KAT2, but would welcome any comments. I do hear relay action as I move to each inductor, capacitor, n1, and n2. Thanks, Chip AE5KA __ 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] A modest proposal...
I rely completely on PDF manuals. I can usually find answers to questions through a quick and simple search. The idea to offer it as an option is green. I had my K3 factory built. I would always want a manual if I were building, e.g., KX1, and my K2 and all it's options! Bill K9YEQ Gary Gregory wrote: The original suggestion was to make the paper manual 'optional' at time of order and although I do not know what price reduction this would make, it would be good for some folks...as long as they do read the PDF manual BEFORE asking questions that could easily be answered by reading the manual in either form. I have my printed manual and happy to keep it. Sure i will pass it on when I sell the K3, after my dead fingers let go...:-) My 2.5 cents Gary On 21 August 2011 22:52, Doug Turnbull wrote: > > The paper manuals are spiral bound and quality printed on both sides of the > page. I like the idea of saving but not this one. When it comes time to > sell in ten years at least I will have the manual to pass on. > > 73 Doug EI2CN > > > __ > 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 > -- VK4FD - Motorhome Mobile Elecraft Equipment K3 #679, KPA-500 #018 Living the dream!!! __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] K3 #5717 OTA
Received it Wednesday, started assembly Thursday evening. Finished assembly Friday. K3/100 KXV3A KRX3 KBPF3 P3 Didn't get the tuner, running an LDG AT-600Pro after my Ameritron AL-811 Main Rcvr has 6 Khz, 2.7 kHz, and 500 Hz filters. Sub Rcvr has 2.7 kHz filter. I plan on getting a vertical up to complement my 66' doublet so I can benefit from diversity receive. I'm not a CW operator but that may change, and I'm looking forward to getting into some data modes. I assembled the P3 first, that was only about an hour and gave me a look at some of the various connectors, hardware, and procedures so I was more comfortable starting on the K3. I would recommend this. Guess it's time to give K2 #5345 back to my dad (Dale K6PJV, K3 #1183). Thanks for the loan for the last six months! 73 Dennis NJ6G __ 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] [KX3] ADC/DAC access, keyer input
-- Dave G KK7SS Richland, WA '59 Morris Minor 1000 - working on it.. '65 Sprite - in process :( '76 Midget - co-owned with #4 Son :) '06 Honda Civic Hybrid __ 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] [KX3] ADC/DAC access, keyer input
Lyle wrote: > There are a number of technical as well as practical reasons > why the IQ output from the KX3 is buffered analog rather than USB. > Or Firewire, or Thunderbolt, or Ethernet, or S/PDIF, or AES3 > or one of the other myriad digital standards... "The great thing about standards, is that there are so many of them!" -- Dave G KK7SS Richland, WA '59 Morris Minor 1000 - working on it.. '65 Sprite - in process :( '76 Midget - co-owned with #4 Son :) '06 Honda Civic Hybrid __ 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] Confusion on Roofing Filters
I'm a bit confused on the specifications of the roofing filters on the KX3. Will there be a roofing filter that is standard with the KX3, like the K3, or are you required to buy at least one as an option? Are the roofing filters in the same format as for the K3, or is it a different setup? Mike -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/Confusion-on-Roofing-Filters-tp6708928p6708928.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] A modest proposal...
Personally, I don't see how that suggestion saves anyone anything. The great majority of those who order anything in kit or modular form are going to want a printed manual, and I'd bet that at least half of any buyer of an assembled item is going to want one as well, especially if it is free. So all you get is a small reduction in printed manuals at the cost of more hassle and opportunity for error on the part of Elecraft. From a purely manufacturing point of view, variability and the need for a decision (do I send a manual with this order or don't I?) represent complexity and opportunity for error. How happy are folks who wanted a manual going to be when their item arrives without it by mistake? What is it going to cost Elecraft to expedite the shipment of one? Eliminating paper completely may or may not be a bad thing depending upon the situation, but if you can't do it completely it is rarely even a good thing. 73, Dave AB7E On 8/21/2011 1:14 AM, Alastair Couper wrote: > I would like to suggest that the good folks at Elecraft consider making > paper manuals an optional item at check out time. It could save a little > money and paper, and some like myself are more inclined to download the > info in any case. Especially with radios that are evolving, like the K3, > one ends up doing this when new firmware makes the old paper manual > incomplete. So just being able to eliminate the paper completely would be > a fine thing, IMHO. > > NH7O __ 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] Confusion on Roofing Filters
Mike, w0ih wrote: > I'm a bit confused on the specifications of the roofing filters on > the KX3. > Will there be a roofing filter that is standard...? The KX3's direct-conversion/quadrature (I/Q) receiver works with or without roofing filters. You could certainly start with the basic unit and add the roofing filter module later, if necessary, for your operating conditions. In fact, the KX3 is the only transceiver of this type that we know of that even offers a balanced roofing filter in the receive I/Q path. It's been a challenge, but we the results will be worth it. Adding this module makes the KX3's receiver perform more like a superhet, with better blocking and IMD dynamic range. But it will retaining the advantages of I/Q demodulation, including very flat passband response, fewer mixing spurs, no-tune RF filtering, and the ability to use SDR (software-defined-radio) applications. We'll clarify all this when we update the KX3 brochure. 73, Wayne __ 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] Printer Manuals
Hi to the Group -- Dave -- your correct -- Most of us that are building a kit or troubleshooting a problem want to have hard copy to look at and write notes, etc. Thanks for your comment -- it makes sense too. There is nothing worse than trying to work on some piece of equipment while navigating only a partial schematic on the terminal, laptop, or pad. Yuck! I too understand the thinking of wanting to reduce paper usage but, in this case it would only serve to make more work for Elecraft folks to have to make that decision, comply with the order options. I vote to keep the manuals coming -- they are great Rick NU7Z __ 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] A modest proposal...
Actually, although the manuals are all available in the most recently updated versions as PDFs on the web site, I think another format would even be superior (in addition though, not replacing PDFs or printed). The other format is a nice interactive web site -- not merely a PDF called up with your browser but an interactive structured web "application" that includes the technical material and descriptions as well as cross linked to related items. Color of course is valuable in this kind of thing along with lots of diagrams and schematic parts. Maybe even background electronics or radio theory to deepen our understanding. Of course, this is hard to do and takes quite of design and effort to carry out -- but, we have done this in our own business for the big complicated wholesale energy markets we build. I would point you to these sites but they require logins and unless you are a registered market participant you can't get access. Or, a much easier to accomplish system is one where the technical information of the manuals is decomposed into shorter one page (target this size at least) bits of information and then you use the power of HTML linking to create the access paths needed to discover information and read material. This is a popular method for software documentation of large systems such as Microsoft or Apple. Actually, I like Apple better but maybe that is my Mac fanaticism showing through. Here is a pointer to the Mac developer pages as an example of what I mean: http://developer.apple.com/library/mac/navigation/ 73, phil, K7PEH On Aug 21, 2011, at 9:46 AM, David Gilbert wrote: > > > Personally, I don't see how that suggestion saves anyone anything. The > great majority of those who order anything in kit or modular form are > going to want a printed manual, and I'd bet that at least half of any > buyer of an assembled item is going to want one as well, especially if > it is free. So all you get is a small reduction in printed manuals at > the cost of more hassle and opportunity for error on the part of > Elecraft. From a purely manufacturing point of view, variability and > the need for a decision (do I send a manual with this order or don't I?) > represent complexity and opportunity for error. How happy are folks who > wanted a manual going to be when their item arrives without it by > mistake? What is it going to cost Elecraft to expedite the shipment of one? > > Eliminating paper completely may or may not be a bad thing depending > upon the situation, but if you can't do it completely it is rarely even > a good thing. > > 73, > Dave AB7E > > > > On 8/21/2011 1:14 AM, Alastair Couper wrote: >> I would like to suggest that the good folks at Elecraft consider making >> paper manuals an optional item at check out time. It could save a little >> money and paper, and some like myself are more inclined to download the >> info in any case. Especially with radios that are evolving, like the K3, >> one ends up doing this when new firmware makes the old paper manual >> incomplete. So just being able to eliminate the paper completely would be >> a fine thing, IMHO. >> >> NH7O > __ > 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] Pretty-printed manuals...
I think you are making a hugely arrogant and erroneous assumption that anyone who sees the need for a printed manual is a Luddite. "Appalling"? Seriously? While you may not be overtly suggesting that Elecraft do away with manuals, below you are indeed sneering at those who still feel the need for one. Why on earth would you expect everyone to be able to assemble their kit within reach of their computer? And you are in error when you say that local printing is significantly cheaper or greener than that provided by Elecraft when you consider the cost of disposable ink jet cartridges. And as my earlier post points out, it isn't likely to save Elecraft anything either. Not everyone who disagrees with you is unable to comprehend what they read, and in fact many are able to think beyond what they read. Dave AB7E On 8/21/2011 7:42 AM, John Ragle wrote: > Although my original response to "the original suggestion" was intended > to be somewhat jocular, I am really quite appalled at the number of > people who (a) thought I suggested DOING AWAY with manuals, and (b) took > their hip-shot at me for making a suggestion which was (1) not mine, and > (2) not what was suggested anyhow. > > It makes me wonder if written manuals serve any purpose at all -- since > people evidently can't extract meaning from what they read. > > It is also appalling (but no longer surprising to me) that there are so > many hams out there who are relegating themselves to the early 20th > century. The Elecraft design line is very modern and designed to take > advantage of, but not be dependent upon, the ubiquitous presence of > computers. According to the latest surveys, roughly 2/3 of ALL American > households contain at least one computer. Why is it that a supposedly > technologically-adept hobby like ham radio contains such a larger than > average Luddite constituency? > > In addition, though some readers thought they saw the concept "GREEN" in > my note, again this is reading with no comprehension. The original > point, which BTW came from Alistair Cooper's post, was that people might > recognize the choice offered and save the manufacturer and themselves > money by not requesting a pretty-printed manual. The lovely Elecraft > manuals, printed on high quality stock, are not cheap to produce, and > local printing of a few selected pages on cheap Staples stock is > certainly "greener." > > With regard to checking boxes, I have made a K2 with almost all its > accessories, an XV144, along with numerous other kits over the years, > and in the recent half-dozen builds, I have not used the printed manuals > at all. Anyone who thinks it is somehow difficult to check the boxes in > an electronic version is just plain out of touch with reality. If one > has a computer, for heaven's sake use it! After all, it is supposed to > be a labor-saving tool, not some shibboleth from a previous culture. > > John Ragle -- W1ZI > __ 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] A modest proposal...
For now, we'll continue to send printed manuals with the kits and make the .pdf versions available for download. However, if you find that you don't use the paper manual, and you have a green streak (like me!), feel free to return it so we can reuse it. Meanwhile, I'll ask Lisa and Eric if there's a practical way for us to make printed manuals optional. 73, Wayne N6KR > On 8/21/2011 1:14 AM, Alastair Couper wrote: >> I would like to suggest that the good folks at Elecraft consider >> making >> paper manuals an optional item at check out time. It could save a >> little >> money and paper, and some like myself are more inclined to download >> the >> info in any case. Especially with radios that are evolving, like >> the K3, >> one ends up doing this when new firmware makes the old paper manual >> incomplete. So just being able to eliminate the paper completely >> would be >> a fine thing, IMHO. >> >> NH7O > __ > 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] A modest proposal...
I would suggest that there is a deduct on the price if there is no manual. But I bet if you start to remove stuff that is standard in your BOM that your costs will go up. In my original order I thought that I had to purchase a manual separately and this was an expensive option. I was relieved when I found out it was included. I was on a tight budget when I built my K3 and built it as low cost as possible for a starting point. ~73 Don KD8NNU On Sun, Aug 21, 2011 at 1:11 PM, Wayne Burdick wrote: > For now, we'll continue to send printed manuals with the kits and make > the .pdf versions available for download. > > However, if you find that you don't use the paper manual, and you have > a green streak (like me!), feel free to return it so we can reuse it. > > Meanwhile, I'll ask Lisa and Eric if there's a practical way for us to > make printed manuals optional. > > 73, > Wayne > N6KR > > >> On 8/21/2011 1:14 AM, Alastair Couper wrote: > >>> I would like to suggest that the good folks at Elecraft consider >>> making >>> paper manuals an optional item at check out time. It could save a >>> little >>> money and paper, and some like myself are more inclined to download >>> the >>> info in any case. Especially with radios that are evolving, like >>> the K3, >>> one ends up doing this when new firmware makes the old paper manual >>> incomplete. So just being able to eliminate the paper completely >>> would be >>> a fine thing, IMHO. >>> >>> NH7O >> __ >> 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] A modest proposal...
An answer by someone who understands manufacturing and a standard BOM. ~73 Don KD8NNU On Sun, Aug 21, 2011 at 12:46 PM, David Gilbert wrote: > Personally, I don't see how that suggestion saves anyone anything. > The great majority of those who order anything in kit or modular form > are going to want a printed manual, and I'd bet that at least half of > any buyer of an assembled item is going to want one as well, > especially if it is free. So all you get is a small reduction in > printed manuals at the cost of more hassle and opportunity for error > on the part of Elecraft. From a purely manufacturing point of view, > variability and the need for a decision (do I send a manual with this > order or don't I?) represent complexity and opportunity for error. > How happy are folks who wanted a manual going to be when their item > arrives without it by mistake? What is it going to cost Elecraft to > expedite the shipment of one? > > Eliminating paper completely may or may not be a bad thing depending > upon the situation, but if you can't do it completely it is rarely > even a good thing. > > 73, > Dave AB7E > > > > On 8/21/2011 1:14 AM, Alastair Couper wrote: >> I would like to suggest that the good folks at Elecraft consider >> making >> paper manuals an optional item at check out time. It could save a >> little >> money and paper, and some like myself are more inclined to download >> the >> info in any case. Especially with radios that are evolving, like the >> K3, >> one ends up doing this when new firmware makes the old paper manual >> incomplete. So just being able to eliminate the paper completely >> would be >> a fine thing, IMHO. >> >> NH7O > __ > 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] A modest proposal...
Another aspect of printed manuals is that the one that comes with the radio is the one that matches that radio. With products that are so well updated as Elecraft does it may be a bit of a problem several years after a radio is bought/built determining just what version of online documents is appropriate for that particular radio. Being able to write on paper notes and such is very handy too. Of course updates done to the radio over time further complicates things. I myself think that a complete manual should come with the radio. Its also very nice to have the information online. 73 - Mike WA8BXN __ 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] Tunable carrier (birdie) 20445khz
Just for fun I tested the response of my K3 to external signals with ANT1 directly terminated with a 50-ohm term (no coax). The radio has 2m transverter connections, 6m preamp in/out, and both IF out connections, 10-MHz Ref cable, keys and Inhibit control lines connected to ACC per usual set up. Using my XG3 is a signal source on 14.020, I get an S3 signal in CW with 0 dBm level, but nothing is heard at -33 dBm. I think this indicates pretty good shielding. I would doubt that external birdies would be heard with ANT terminated. They would have to be very strong, radiating from something in the shack, to be heard. Therefore, making internal birdie survey should work well if you terminate the antenna (use no coax). PS: test with ANT1 open with no cable connected is the same. I did note than if I placed the XG3 antenna over the speaker grill of the K3 I could get a weak signal at -33 dBm. Note: My XG3 is installed in a diecast Hammond box with BNC connector so radiation is only via the BNC connector to a 2m rubber duckie. Using this enclosure with a 20-dB fixed and 30-dB step attenuator I can reduce the XG3 signal to -157 dBm for testing my eme system at the preamp input. 73, Ed - KL7UW, WD2XSH/45 == BP40IQ 500 KHz - 10-GHz www.kl7uw.com EME: 50-1.1kw?, 144-1.4kw, 432-100w, 1296-60w, 3400-? DUBUS Magazine USA Rep dubus...@gmail.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] A modest proposal...
While good in theory, the lack of printed manuals has annoyed and displeased a lot of people in many different groups; I know a lot of people that have been playing video games since the mid1990's that wish the game developers would still include proper manuals with the games instead of the minimal excuses for manuals that come with them now. Matthew Pitts N8OHU --- On Sun, 8/21/11, R. Kevin Stover wrote: From: R. Kevin Stover Subject: Re: [Elecraft] A modest proposal... To: tpcj1...@crocker.com Cc: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Date: Sunday, August 21, 2011, 8:42 AM I respectfully disagree. If I had been presented a URL or pdf manual for my stuffed K2/100 kit rather than the paper manuals I would have sold the kit. Looking through my K2 manual right now there is a check mark next to every construction step. When building the rig, I didn't mark the manual till the component was installed correctly or the procedure completed successfully. By using this process I eliminated a lot of problems before they ever cropped up. I also understood the rig much better since assembly and operator manual was one in the same. Trying to build something like a K2/100, loaded with options, from a .pdf on a computer would have tripled the time of assembly and no doubt produced many mistakes. I'd be willing to say we have so many questions about the K3 and accesories because the manusl(s) don't get read. Having a separate assembly and operators manual was a mistake IMHO, especially having to refer to the operators manual to finish the assembly (configuration and alignment). Not good process. Yes, I know, a lot of K3's get sold as assembled units not in kit form. A combined manual might still be of use to those who don't buy the kit but want to know the basics of how one is built. Or, they could simply skip the assembly parts. /Beginning of OT part The "paperless office" was/is a fallacy foisted on us by the PC/IT industry. I work in IT, it ain't ever gonna happen. I'm planning on retiring in 20 some years. I'd be willing to bet there are the same number or more printers in service then as there are now. The only thing the PC contributed to the paperless office was kill the typewriter market and shift printing from many manual printers to not quite so many network or locally attached printers. /End of OT part. Just my .03 On 8/21/2011 5:56 AM, John Ragle wrote: > An excellent suggestion! Many manufacturers already do this, e.g. my > Samsung Galaxy Tab comes with a bare piece of "getting started" paper, > but on-line there is an excellent 144 page (3.2 MB) "users' manual." > > I have owned or now own several pieces of Elecraft hardware, and in no > case have I ever refered to the printed manual (either "Assembly" or > "Users''"). To me the production of pretty-printed paper manuals is > twice a nuisance: (1) it is a waste of paper and manufacturers' process > time, and (2) it is an aggravation for me because of the storage problem > -- I have manuals of practically every description, size and color, and > they just take up shelf space. -- R. Kevin Stover ACØH -Inline Attachment Follows- __ 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] A modest proposal...
It should be possible to just treat them like any other option, such as filters or tuners. They would need a part number. If a customer wants one, they would order and pay for it. If not, they would not have to buy for something that they didn't need. In my case, I would need them, as I don't have a computer in my shack. 73, Rick Dettinger K7MW > > Meanwhile, I'll ask Lisa and Eric if there's a practical way for us to > make printed manuals optional. > > 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] A modest proposal...
Wayne et al, I find that I never refer to the manuals that came with my Elecraft equipment. I keep a PDF copy of the latest version and refer to it when I need to. Perhaps you could include a "Getting Started" page or two with the factory built units that included a simple power and antenna connection diagram that also has the FTP address of the full blown manual. 73, Tom Amateur Radio Operator N5GE ARRL Lifetime Member QCWA Lifetime Member On Sun, 21 Aug 2011 10:11:41 -0700, Wayne Burdick wrote: >For now, we'll continue to send printed manuals with the kits and make >the .pdf versions available for download. > >However, if you find that you don't use the paper manual, and you have >a green streak (like me!), feel free to return it so we can reuse it. > >Meanwhile, I'll ask Lisa and Eric if there's a practical way for us to >make printed manuals optional. > >73, >Wayne >N6KR > > >> On 8/21/2011 1:14 AM, Alastair Couper wrote: > >>> I would like to suggest that the good folks at Elecraft consider >>> making >>> paper manuals an optional item at check out time. It could save a >>> little >>> money and paper, and some like myself are more inclined to download >>> the >>> info in any case. Especially with radios that are evolving, like >>> the K3, >>> one ends up doing this when new firmware makes the old paper manual >>> incomplete. So just being able to eliminate the paper completely >>> would be >>> a fine thing, IMHO. >>> >>> NH7O >> __ >> 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] A modest proposal...
Being in the shack I usually use the PDF manual. But the printed one is always with me when portable with the radio (and no laptop with me) ... you don't want to be in the field and have no idea how to setup not that often needed functions, will you? ;-)) On the other hand with KE7X's superb book now who needs a manual anyway? ;-)) 73, Olli - DH8BQA - Original Message - From: To: "Wayne Burdick" Cc: "Elecraft Reflector" Sent: Sunday, August 21, 2011 7:50 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] A modest proposal... > > Wayne et al, > > I find that I never refer to the manuals that came with my Elecraft > equipment. I > keep a PDF copy of the latest version and refer to it when I need to. > > Perhaps you could include a "Getting Started" page or two with the factory > built > units that included a simple power and antenna connection diagram that > also has > the FTP address of the full blown manual. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] P3 flashing VFO cursors
Obvously doing something Stupid. Both my VFO cursors are flashing. Thisnhas not happened before. I`ve tried changing Xtal filter, Mode bands and restarting P3 without sucess. Is this on a Menu somewhere. Regards Paul G3SEM __ 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 KNB2 Issue
Hi All I have an elderly K2 which had the original KNB2 installed, the one with the two trimming capacitors in the bandpass filter circuit. I ordered the revised board and this was built yesterday. The issue is that with the new board installed the sensitivity is very much reduced which is confirmed using the XG3 at 50uV output, with the original board the S-meter indicates S9 where as with the revised board the S-meter indicates S3. I have checked that all the components are in all the right places paying particular attention to the capacitor values, that all the inductors have the correct number of windings and that there is continuity between each end of the inductionr (0.04Ohm). Is there anything I can further check? Test equipment available: XG3 50MHz Oscilloscope MFJ Antenna Analyser Fluke 77 multimeter with RF probe. As an added bonus today I was using the K2 at a special event where we had multiple stations running. One of the other stations came on my frequency and transmitted. The result (with the KPA100) installed is that I get a constant high current reading on the display and SWR of 9.9, I’m presuming that the diodes D16 and D17 in the KPA100 will have been fried (?) All recommendations greatly received. Regards Nidge (G0NIG) IO93dv __ 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] Tunable carrier (birdie) 20445khz
Don, For those who chase weak signals, any spurious signal generated inside the receiving system on the receiving spectrum is trouble. I operate with a 144-MHz receiver with -156 dBm sensitivity and add 21.3 dBi of antenna gain to that, so I hear VERY WELL. I find most of the problem signals come from external to my station and are directly picked up by the antenna system. Nothing to do about that unless one moves to the far side of the moon. But any internal spurious or mixing product signal is a problem when you are working with such extreme weak signals. One asset of the preamp gain is sky noise is amplified by 25-dB which can cover up the weakest internal "birdies". At 144-MHz sky noise is approx. 200K min. but at 1296-MHz it is 10K, or less, so birdies can be more troublesome. 28.000-28.100 MHz is the sub-band that needs to be birdie free for VHFers, etc. as most transverters output there for the weak-signal frequencies. If you are one of the growing users of WSPR on HF, those frequencies are sensitive to interference from "birdies", as detection is -29 dB below noise in 2.5 KHz bw. HF sky noise really sets a limit on receiver sensitivity, though. 73, Ed - KL7UW -- Message: 24 Date: Sat, 20 Aug 2011 23:28:15 -0400 From: Don Wilhelm Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Tunable carrier (birdie) 20445khz Cc: 'Elecraft' Message-ID: <4e507b4f.6070...@embarqmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed Ron and I will have to just disagree with the definition of a "birdie" - and it is only a matter of definition. My definition is the result of multiples of the various signals and oscillator frequencies present in the receiver, and since they are always multiples greater than 1 of any signal (or oscillator), will always result in a fast tuning response. OTOH, there are unavoidable mixing products in any down-conversion receiver that will tune as a normal signal. The goal of the designer is to choose the IF frequencies to keep those spurious responses out of the bands of interest to the target users - in this case, the ham bands. So, if your definition of "birdies" agrees with Ron's, so be it - I will continue to refer to extraneous direct mixing products (those responses that do not produce fast tuning signals) as spurious responses. It is just a matter of definition. BTW, this is one of the advantages of up-conversion - those direct responses are so far away from the desired signal that they do not become troublesome, but up-conversion designs have their own share of troublesome problems. 73, Don W3FPR 73, Ed - KL7UW, WD2XSH/45 == BP40IQ 500 KHz - 10-GHz www.kl7uw.com EME: 50-1.1kw?, 144-1.4kw, 432-100w, 1296-60w, 3400-? DUBUS Magazine USA Rep dubus...@gmail.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] A modest proposal...
Correct me if I'm wrong but it sounds like you are talking about catalog web sites. If you are, you have made the right choice. Having worked in the printing and software development business, I can see both sides of the issue. Catalogs must be updated constantly to reflect changes in technology and price changes. Using web technology to keep them up to date is the right choice. I once worked for Gulf Printing in Houston, TX. At that time they were the largest phone book and petroleum drilling equipment catalog printers in the USA. When catalog and phone book time came around we had 24 hour a day activity with two shifts. We all got rich from overtime pay, but the cost to SW Bell and the petroleum equipment venders must have been horrendous. The Internet has taken all of that away, except for small vendors. As for Elecraft and similar businesses, trying to do what you suggest would be very cost prohibitive due to the enormous development and maintenance cost of that type of web application. It would probably end up making the retail cost of their products in line with the manufacturers of seven and ten killobuck equipment, at the same time lowering their profit margin greatly. I suspect that Elecraft does all of it's web development, and I think they do a good job of it. In closing, I do agree with the OP that looking into less use of paper is a good idea. Sorry for the long winded reply... 73, Tom Amateur Radio Operator N5GE ARRL Lifetime Member QCWA Lifetime Member On Sun, 21 Aug 2011 10:07:40 -0700, Phil Hystad wrote: >Actually, although the manuals are all available in the most recently updated >versions as PDFs on the web site, I think another format would even be >superior (in addition though, not replacing PDFs or printed). > >The other format is a nice interactive web site -- not merely a PDF called up >with your browser but an interactive structured web "application" that >includes the technical material and descriptions as well as cross linked to >related items. Color of course is valuable in this kind of thing along with >lots of diagrams and schematic parts. Maybe even background electronics or >radio theory to deepen our understanding. > >Of course, this is hard to do and takes quite of design and effort to carry >out -- but, we have done this in our own business for the big complicated >wholesale energy markets we build. I would point you to these sites but they >require logins and unless you are a registered market participant you can't >get access. > >Or, a much easier to accomplish system is one where the technical information >of the manuals is decomposed into shorter one page (target this size at least) >bits of information and then you use the power of HTML linking to create the >access paths needed to discover information and read material. This is a >popular method for software documentation of large systems such as Microsoft >or Apple. Actually, I like Apple better but maybe that is my Mac fanaticism >showing through. Here is a pointer to the Mac developer pages as an example >of what I mean: http://developer.apple.com/library/mac/navigation/ > >73, phil, K7PEH > > [snip] __ 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] A modest proposal...
That's a good point, Olli. When mobile with the K3 I only use CW, so I only need to know how to connect the antenna, power and keyer ;-) 73, Tom Amateur Radio Operator N5GE ARRL Lifetime Member QCWA Lifetime Member On Sun, 21 Aug 2011 20:03:39 +0200, Oliver Dröse wrote: >Being in the shack I usually use the PDF manual. But the printed one is >always with me when portable with the radio (and no laptop with me) ... you >don't want to be in the field and have no idea how to setup not that often >needed functions, will you? ;-)) On the other hand with KE7X's superb book >now who needs a manual anyway? ;-)) > >73, Olli - DH8BQA > > >- Original Message - >From: >To: "Wayne Burdick" >Cc: "Elecraft Reflector" >Sent: Sunday, August 21, 2011 7:50 PM >Subject: Re: [Elecraft] A modest proposal... > > >> >> Wayne et al, >> >> I find that I never refer to the manuals that came with my Elecraft >> equipment. I >> keep a PDF copy of the latest version and refer to it when I need to. >> >> Perhaps you could include a "Getting Started" page or two with the factory >> built >> units that included a simple power and antenna connection diagram that >> also has >> the FTP address of the full blown manual. > >__ >Elecraft mailing list >Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > >This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K2 KNB2 Issue
Nidge, The only components the KNB2 adds to the receive path are in the bandpass filter. If you have checked capacitors C3 through C7 for correct values (and are all in the right places) and well soldered, the next on the suspect list is L1 and L2. You say you have checked the number of turns, so look carefully at the connections on the solder side. If you see a ring in the solder around any lead, that indicates the lead was not well stripped and tinned. Remove the inductor and re-tin the lead. Check to be certain R8 is 120 ohms and R9 is 300 ohms - swapping them will significantly reduce the signal. If all seems well with the bandpass filter proper, do a test after removing capacitors C16 and C8. With these capacitors removed, the NB will not function, but it assures that the only components in the signal path are the bandpass filter components. If you have come this far and it still reduces the signal, I would conclude you have a bad capacitor in the bandpass filter - obtain replacements for capacitors C3 through C7 on the premise that one is bad. It is difficult to tell which one unless you remove them and measure with a capacitance meter. 73, Don W3FPR On 8/21/2011 2:14 PM, Nigel (Nidge) Smith wrote: > Hi All > > I have an elderly K2 which had the original KNB2 installed, the one with the > two trimming capacitors in the > bandpass filter circuit. I ordered the revised board and this was built > yesterday. The issue is that with > the new board installed the sensitivity is very much reduced which is > confirmed using the XG3 at 50uV > output, with the original board the S-meter indicates S9 where as with the > revised board the S-meter > indicates S3. I have checked that all the components are in all the right > places paying particular > attention to the capacitor values, that all the inductors have the correct > number of windings and that > there is continuity between each end of the inductionr (0.04Ohm). > > Is there anything I can further check? > > Test equipment available: > > XG3 > 50MHz Oscilloscope > MFJ Antenna Analyser > Fluke 77 multimeter with RF probe. > > As an added bonus today I was using the K2 at a special event where we had > multiple > stations running. One of the other stations came on my frequency and > transmitted. > The result (with the KPA100) installed is that I get a constant high current > reading > on the display and SWR of 9.9, I’m presuming that the diodes D16 and D17 in > the > KPA100 will have been fried (?) > > All recommendations greatly received. > > Regards > > Nidge (G0NIG) > __ 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] Tilt stand information please
I'm having a clear-out. I have no recollection of why I have it, but I have found a tilt stand complete with mounting hardware etc. The label on the bag says ETS15, yet I don't believe that the tilt stand inside is the same height. The one in the bag measures about 2 1/4 inches in height. Is that the ETS2? And I wonder which one is the standard tilt on the EC2 enclosure? It looks like I may have bought the ETS15 and swapped over tilt stands, putting my original tilt stand back in the bag with the mounting hardware unused, since I was only replacing the metal stand bit itself. Before I offer it for sale however, I need to be more positive about its exact type, is it ETS15 or ET2? Thanks and 73, Stephen G4SJP __ 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] Tilt stand information please
Stephen, If the height measures 2 1/4 inches, it is the ETS2 which will elevate the front of the K2 (or EC2 enclosure) 3 inches above the table. 73, Don W3FPR On 8/21/2011 2:50 PM, Stephen Prior wrote: > I'm having a clear-out. I have no recollection of why I have it, but I have > found a tilt stand complete with mounting hardware etc. > > The label on the bag says ETS15, yet I don't believe that the tilt stand > inside is the same height. The one in the bag measures about 2 1/4 inches in > height. Is that the ETS2? And I wonder which one is the standard tilt on > the EC2 enclosure? It looks like I may have bought the ETS15 and swapped > over tilt stands, putting my original tilt stand back in the bag with the > mounting hardware unused, since I was only replacing the metal stand bit > itself. > > Before I offer it for sale however, I need to be more positive about its > exact type, is it ETS15 or ET2? > > Thanks and 73, > __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] A modest proposal...
Actually the PDF format has the ability to allow comments to be added to the PDF but this would have to be turned on by Elecraft as it is currently turned off, at least on the documents that I have looked at. Personally I think it is always best to give the consumer the option. That way we can all have it our way. :) The "Paperless Office" is a reality for many but not all. And some would go screaming into the night if they were forced :) I personally have stopped purchasing books, magazines, manuals or any "printed" material much preferring to have electronic copies which I find much more convenient and efficient. But thats just me and YMMV. As to passing on printed manuals, it is a great tradition. But I have found that many of my printed manuals have not survived the test of time for various reasons up to and including getting lost or used by one of my pets in various ways ;) So again I think I would prefer the electronic version. JMHO -- Thanks Jon KG6VDW __ 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] A modest proposal...
On Sun, Aug 21, 2011 at 12:07 PM, Phil Hystad wrote: > ...The other format is a nice interactive web site -- not merely a PDF > called up with your browser but an interactive structured web "application" > that includes the technical material and descriptions... Well, this is what Adobe provides for Photoshop in lieu of a manual. (This approach is no doubt partly responsible for the huge plethora of instructional books and websites that try to fill in what Adobe has left out.) It has its good and bad points, but two things are for sure: it requires a big allocation of resources, and even so it is incomplete and out of date. Adobe of course has plenty of software resources to throw at this, and has various ways of trying to get incremental revenues out of their web-based help. However, Elecraft gets revenues only when they sell hardware. Tony KT0NY -- http://www.isb.edu/faculty/facultydir.aspx?ddlFaculty=352 __ 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] Pretty-printed manuals...
John Ragle posted " >Why is it that a supposedly >technologically-adept hobby like ham radio contains such >a larger than average Luddite constituency? " LOL John I would have to respectfully disagree with you on this part of your comment. The positive opinions expressed here regarding printed manuals are actually very widespread. If you want to see an even more spirited discussion, just go over to the LinuxJournal site which just announced the end of the printed version of its magazine. People are literally up in arms about this.. :) Of course they are not being given a choice. The reality is that we are all on different points along the journey to the paperless office and no one likes to be forced to change. So your idea of making it an option is definitely the best choice imho. I think we often forget that not everyone shares our world view of things. And just because they don't agree with our view doesn't mean that we shouldn't respect theirs. -- Thanks Jon KG6VDW __ 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] Pretty-printed manuals
John, W1ZI, wrote: "It is also appalling (but no longer surprising to me) that there are so many hams out there who are relegating themselves to the early 20th century. The Elecraft design line is very modern and designed to take advantage of, but not be dependent upon, the ubiquitous presence of computers." Unfortunately, technology can be a curse, as well as blessing. I have many job files, 10 to 15 years, old which are no longer readable by modern software. Supposed "translation utilities" are sometimes helpful, but more typically are ineffective. Yet, the paper files for the same work are still perfectly readable. I suppose that someday those paper files will fall apart--but probably after I do. For now, I'll keep my paper manuals, each with its notes and portability. Oh, the .PDF of the most current manual will reside on my computer or flash drive as an *additional *resource. 73, Blair K3YD __ 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] KPA500 Switch Off
If firmware could give an option for the the KPA500 to switch off automatically when the K3 is switched off (using AUX cable), would people find it convenient? I certainly would. 73 to all Geoff G3UCK __ 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] A modest proposal...
While I doubt Elecraft will give up printed manuals ... I'm in the printed manual camp. 1. PDF's are great, at times, for example you can search them. For "real" use, I need a book with pages to turn and a place to stick post-its. I know you can do that in a PDF, but it's not the same. 2. I end up printing pages out of PDF manuals anyway. 3. My KE7X book is spiral bound, it lays flat, it is perfect. 4. I write and draw in my manuals on the theory that, "If I figure it out once, I don't want to have to do it again." 5. I can't imagine assembling my K2 or KX1 from a screen. 73, Fred K6DGW Auburn CA On 8/21/2011 7:29 AM, Cady, Fred wrote: > At Visalia this past spring, while I was struggling trying to decide > what format to publish "The K3" book, I did a survey of those > interested and it was pretty nearly split 50/50 between printed hard > copy and soft copy (pdf, etc). __ 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] manuals ...
Hi, Blair... What you say about 'job files" is quite true. I've been in & around computers since the late 1950's, and although I've ditched all my 8" floppies, I still have some 5 1/4" that I have saved in the forlorn hopes that they will become useful again for some other function than as coasters. ...but about the lifetime of tech manuals, I think the significant yardstick by which to measure them would be the average lifetime of the hardware they describe. Granted that eBay has the occasional SX-24 or HRO, or even the FT-101, I think that progress in the field is such that over a 10 or 15 year interval the useful hardware's lifetime is exceeded on average. Emphasis on "average!" The equipment in my ham operation looks very different from the way it looked 10 years ago, and on the computer side, I reckon 2 or 3 years is the absolute maximum life for hardware. Manuals designed to last for 25 or 50 years are just silly. John Ragle -- W1ZI __ 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] KPA500 Switch Off
Good idea! On 8/21/2011 2:42 PM, Geoffrey Downs wrote: > If firmware could give an option for the the KPA500 to switch off > automatically when the K3 is switched off (using AUX cable), would people > find it convenient? I certainly would. > > 73 to all > > Geoff > G3UCK > __ > 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] Pretty-printed manuals...
Kind of mean-spirited, no? I have a number of files and documents stored on 5 1/4" 360 KB floppies [remember those], including my master's thesis. They were put there by me, mainly using an MS-DOS very early forerunner to MS Office called "Enable" running on a 10 MHz AT&T desktop built by Olivetti, with a green screen. I don't know where I could find a 5 1/4" drive now, I don't know where I can find a copy of that version of Enable [it stored stuff in some form of compressed binary because 4GB USB sticks hadn't been invented then [OK, USB hadn't been invented either] and it had to work within what today we would consider laughable storage limits, and I suspect at least some of the diskettes are no longer readable. Fortunately, I have printed copies of them, especially the thesis I worked so hard on, and they are as readable as the day I printed them. Does that make me a Luddite? 73, Fred K6DGW Auburn CA On 8/21/2011 7:42 AM, John Ragle wrote: > Why is it that a supposedly > technologically-adept hobby like ham radio contains such a larger than > average Luddite constituency? __ 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] A modest proposal...
I went online and downloaded and printed my own assembly manual. I had read it completely twice before my K3 arrived. I could not have done this if I had to wait for a printed manual to come with my radio and most likely would not have read it as carefully as I did waiting for my K3. I was not in a rush to get-er-done. I learned a lot studying the assembly instructions without having the radio parts to look at and many times I had to read a passage carefully more than once to understand what they were talking about since I could not look at the part or area of the radio pictured. I would not want to bypass the experience and knowledge gained by printing my own instructions. I did not use the book that came with the radio as I had a newer one downloaded that had just been released when my radio arrived. 73, de Jim KG0KP - K3 #1442 - Original Message - From: "Gary Gregory" To: "Doug Turnbull" Cc: Sent: Sunday, August 21, 2011 7:04 AM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] A modest proposal... > The original suggestion was to make the paper manual 'optional' at time of __ 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] Old drives, old formats. Re: Pretty-printed manuals...
I have boxes of those 5 1/4 diskettes plus a few 8 inchers. Everything I wrote in the '70s and most of what I wrote in the '80s is now unavailable to me. Just the musty printouts give me a trail of provenance. Some of the algorithms I created back then would still be of value but I cannot get to them. An acoustic analysis program I wrote to simulate the noise pollution around a surface phosphate mine would be nice to have. It was fun to write within the confines we had then but the transition to C and Pascal made life much simpler. Variables with actual descriptive names were a boon to getting the work done faster and the debugging went more quickly in the new modular forms. To this day I am influenced by the integer variables in Fortran: i, j, k. Forth forced me to think in functional decomposition. I do not miss the confines of 65 kB but it was nice to know the wiring of the entire computer and how each bit of the rudimentary OSes of the day fit together. Getting to the I/O lines was much easier then too. Now to dig out my CP/M box and see if it still boots from those 8 inch floppies :) 73, Kevin. KD5ONS On Sun, 21 Aug 2011 14:19:26 -0700, Fred Jensen wrote: > Kind of mean-spirited, no? I have a number of files and documents > stored on 5 1/4" 360 KB floppies [remember those], including my master's > thesis. They were put there by me, mainly using an MS-DOS very early > forerunner to MS Office called "Enable" running on a 10 MHz AT&T desktop > built by Olivetti, with a green screen. I don't know where I could > find a 5 1/4" drive now, I don't know where I can find a copy of that > version of Enable [it stored stuff in some form of compressed binary > because 4GB USB sticks hadn't been invented then [OK, USB hadn't been > invented either] and it had to work within what today we would consider > laughable storage limits, and I suspect at least some of the diskettes > are no longer readable. > > Fortunately, I have printed copies of them, especially the thesis I > worked so hard on, and they are as readable as the day I printed them. > Does that make me a Luddite? > > 73, > > Fred K6DGW > Auburn CA > > On 8/21/2011 7:42 AM, John Ragle wrote: > >> Why is it that a supposedly >> technologically-adept hobby like ham radio contains such a larger than >> average Luddite constituency? > __ > 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 -- Using Opera's revolutionary e-mail client: http://www.opera.com/mail/ __ 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] KPA500 Switch Off
I agree that it's a good idea, but I wonder if it's feasible... It appears the the KPA500 is currently only transmitting on the AUXBUS, not receiving. If it was able to receive, it seems there shouldn't be a need for BCD band-data in the AUX cable for a K3 (although other rigs would still need it). So, perhaps there's no way for the KPA500 to "know" when the K3 has been powered off. Details of AUXBUS workings seem to be somewhat shrouded in mystery.. 73, ~iain / N6ML On Sun, Aug 21, 2011 at 9:06 PM, Mike Fatchett W0MU wrote: > Good idea! > > On 8/21/2011 2:42 PM, Geoffrey Downs wrote: >> If firmware could give an option for the the KPA500 to switch off >> automatically when the K3 is switched off (using AUX cable), would people >> find it convenient? I certainly would. >> >> 73 to all >> >> Geoff >> G3UCK >> __ >> 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] A modest proposal...
Jim, You printed the manual locally, and if you count the ink and paper, that cost you more than ordering an extra manual from Elecraft - and unless you went to the trouble of printing it double-sided (and no sheets stuck together in the process), you had twice as many sheets of paper. I think that is false economy (if the intent is economy). That said, I really like the .pdf files of the manual - mainly because they can be called up without searching through a stack of paper manuals (yes, I have a file for each Elecraft product manual). They are great when you are doing a search - that is easy to accomplish and works quite nicely. I have those files on a networked file server so I can access them from any computer in the house - the workbench is not in the same place as the hamshack, and I answer email from yet another computer, so that give me access to those reference files at any location I choose. However, when doing assembly or troubleshooting, I find no substitute for a printed manual and printed schematics. I cannot do that effectively on a computer screen. The printed manual is essential for me at the workbench. I think many others are the same - we need both, each has its own purpose - Elecraft is doing it right - don't monkey with what works and works quite well. 73, Don W3FPR On 8/20/2011 9:41 PM, Jim Miller KG0KP wrote: > I went online and downloaded and printed my own assembly manual. I had read > it completely twice before my K3 arrived. __ 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] Pretty-printed manuals...[End of Thread]
Time to end this thread. 73, Eric List Moderator Eric www.elecraft.com _..._ On Aug 21, 2011, at 4:19 PM, Fred Jensen wrote: > Kind of mean-spirited, no? I have a number of files and documents > stored on 5 1/4" 360 KB floppies [remember those], including my master's > thesis. They were put there by me, mainly using an MS-DOS very early > forerunner to MS Office called "Enable" running on a 10 MHz AT&T desktop > built by Olivetti, with a green screen. I don't know where I could > find a 5 1/4" drive now, I don't know where I can find a copy of that > version of Enable [it stored stuff in some form of compressed binary > because 4GB USB sticks hadn't been invented then [OK, USB hadn't been > invented either] and it had to work within what today we would consider > laughable storage limits, and I suspect at least some of the diskettes > are no longer readable. > > Fortunately, I have printed copies of them, especially the thesis I > worked so hard on, and they are as readable as the day I printed them. > Does that make me a Luddite? > > 73, > > Fred K6DGW > Auburn CA > > On 8/21/2011 7:42 AM, John Ragle wrote: > >> Why is it that a supposedly >> technologically-adept hobby like ham radio contains such a larger than >> average Luddite constituency? > __ > 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] Old drives, old formats. Re: Pretty-printed manuals...[Thread Ended]
Let's end this thread and its variants. 73, Eric WA6HHQ List Moderator www.elecraft.com _..._ On Aug 21, 2011, at 4:40 PM, "Kevin Rock" wrote: > I have boxes of those 5 1/4 diskettes plus a few 8 inchers. Everything I > wrote in the '70s and most of what I wrote in the '80s is now unavailable > to me. Just the musty printouts give me a trail of provenance. Some of > the algorithms I created back then would still be of value but I cannot > get to them. An acoustic analysis program I wrote to simulate the noise > pollution around a surface phosphate mine would be nice to have. It was > fun to write within the confines we had then but the transition to C and > Pascal made life much simpler. Variables with actual descriptive names > were a boon to getting the work done faster and the debugging went more > quickly in the new modular forms. To this day I am influenced by the > integer variables in Fortran: i, j, k. Forth forced me to think in > functional decomposition. I do not miss the confines of 65 kB but it was > nice to know the wiring of the entire computer and how each bit of the > rudimentary OSes of the day fit together. Getting to the I/O lines was > much easier then too. Now to dig out my CP/M box and see if it still > boots from those 8 inch floppies :) >73, > Kevin. KD5ONS > > > On Sun, 21 Aug 2011 14:19:26 -0700, Fred Jensen wrote: > >> Kind of mean-spirited, no? I have a number of files and documents >> stored on 5 1/4" 360 KB floppies [remember those], including my master's >> thesis. They were put there by me, mainly using an MS-DOS very early >> forerunner to MS Office called "Enable" running on a 10 MHz AT&T desktop >> built by Olivetti, with a green screen. I don't know where I could >> find a 5 1/4" drive now, I don't know where I can find a copy of that >> version of Enable [it stored stuff in some form of compressed binary >> because 4GB USB sticks hadn't been invented then [OK, USB hadn't been >> invented either] and it had to work within what today we would consider >> laughable storage limits, and I suspect at least some of the diskettes >> are no longer readable. >> >> Fortunately, I have printed copies of them, especially the thesis I >> worked so hard on, and they are as readable as the day I printed them. >> Does that make me a Luddite? >> >> 73, >> >> Fred K6DGW >> Auburn CA >> >> On 8/21/2011 7:42 AM, John Ragle wrote: >> >>> Why is it that a supposedly >>> technologically-adept hobby like ham radio contains such a larger than >>> average Luddite constituency? >> __ >> 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 > > > -- > Using Opera's revolutionary e-mail client: http://www.opera.com/mail/ > __ > 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] A modest proposal
>Elecraft is doing it right - >don't monkey with what works and works quite well. Amen to that, Don! That applies to ALL the products, not just the manuals, IMHO. I'd hate to see my Elecraft stuff 'fiddled to death'. Ralph, VE7XF __ 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] A modest proposal...[END of Thread]
This thread and its variants have been ended. Folks, This thread has way exceeded the posting volume limit. Please self limit and do not reply to high volume threads like this in the future. It is not necessary to argue out every deatil on OT threads. 73, Eric WA6HHQ List Moderator www.elecraft.com _..._ On Aug 21, 2011, at 4:47 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote: > Jim, > > You printed the manual locally, and if you count the ink and paper, that > cost you more than ordering an extra manual from Elecraft - and unless > you went to the trouble of printing it double-sided (and no sheets stuck > together in the process), you had twice as many sheets of paper. I > think that is false economy (if the intent is economy). > > That said, I really like the .pdf files of the manual - mainly because > they can be called up without searching through a stack of paper manuals > (yes, I have a file for each Elecraft product manual). They are great > when you are doing a search - that is easy to accomplish and works quite > nicely. I have those files on a networked file server so I can access > them from any computer in the house - the workbench is not in the same > place as the hamshack, and I answer email from yet another computer, so > that give me access to those reference files at any location I choose. > > However, when doing assembly or troubleshooting, I find no substitute > for a printed manual and printed schematics. I cannot do that > effectively on a computer screen. The printed manual is essential for > me at the workbench. I think many others are the same - we need both, > each has its own purpose - Elecraft is doing it right - don't monkey > with what works and works quite well. > > 73, > Don W3FPR > > On 8/20/2011 9:41 PM, Jim Miller KG0KP wrote: >> I went online and downloaded and printed my own assembly manual. I had read >> it completely twice before my K3 arrived. > __ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] [K2][KAT2] Is it working as well as can be expected?
Chip, The KAT2 and the KX1 use a similar tuning algorithm, it searches for the lowest SWR - but the KX1 capacitor and inductor selections are much more limited than those of the KAT2. I am surprised that the KX1 gives you a match, but the KAT2 cannot handle the same antenna. Try setting the K2 ATU menu to ALT before giving up - that uses a slower but more critical algorithm. If the ALT setting still does not produce a good match, yes, you may have some inductor or capacitor in the L-C section of the KAT2 that is not doing its job properly. Even though the relays click when going through the various menu settings, that only means that the relays are operating properly. Whether the relays actually add the inductor or capacitor is quite another matter. If the inductor leads are not well stripped or a capacitor is not well soldered, it will not function as expected even though its relay is engaged. There are ways to determine externally whether the inductor or capacitor are actually placed 'in-circuit' by the relay, but that requires an antenna analyzer or VNA or similar instrument. I would suggest that you first do a visual examination of the inductor and capacitor soldering on the L-C board, and check each relay to assure that all pins are well soldered. 73, Don W3FPR On 8/21/2011 11:38 AM, Chip Stratton wrote: > I recently bought a K2 (s/n 3873) with KAT2 module (f/w 1.06) on Ebay. The > K2 is working well, but I'm not sure the KAT2 is. Here is what I get tuning > into a 25 ft vertical wire with 16 ft counterpoise on the ground: > > f SWR L C Net 3.540 1.2 18.2 0.66 N1 7.050 1.6 3.9 0.24 N1 10.106 1.1 > 1.6 0.05 N2 14.100 2.6 2.6 0.04 N1 18.089 1 1.9 0.15 N1 21.100 9.4 1.3 > 0.09 N1 24.900 1.1 1.2 0.1 N1 28.100 1.2 0.5 0 N1 > My AA-230 analyzed this antenna this way: > > f SWR R X LC Z 3.54 19 465 -478 93pf 668 7.05 15 105 -252 89pf 273 > 10.106 4.2 166 85 1333nh 186 14.1 15 750 78 876nh 760 > I can see that the antenna is pretty close to 1/2 wave for 15m so would be > hard to tune to. And I can also see that the impedance of 760 ohms is very > high for 20 meters, so maybe I can't expect an SWR of 2:1 when we're > starting off at 15:1, but my KX1 gets 1.2:1 using the same inductance but > .02 nF. > > Perhaps the 22 pf capacitor or relay is bad on the KAT2, but would welcome > any comments. I do hear relay action as I move to each inductor, capacitor, > n1, and n2. > > Thanks, > Chip > __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] [K2][KAT2] Is it working as well as can be expected?
I would suspect Chip has some sort of problem Don, my KAT2 has never failed to get a match to anything conductive :-). Actually, it won't load an end-fed half-wave on 40, but does with a 1.3:1 SWR on 20. Go figure. Just out of curiosity, is the KAT2 some sort of steepest descent algorithm? ... or maybe that's proprietary. At any rate, both my KX1 and KAT2 ATU's really do work. Fred K6DGW Auburn CA On 8/21/2011 4:06 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote: > Chip, > > The KAT2 and the KX1 use a similar tuning algorithm, it searches for the > lowest SWR - but the KX1 capacitor and inductor selections are much more > limited than those of the KAT2. I am surprised that the KX1 gives you a > match, but the KAT2 cannot handle the same antenna. __ 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] A modest proposal...
A double hernia precludes me putting a monitor on my stomach when I'm lying in bed or on the couch (my preferred reading spots). :-P I took my KE7X pdf on a cd to Office Depot and they printed a very nice spiral bound book with clear plastic cover and plastic back for less than I could have bought the printed copy from Lulu. Best of both worlds. To support those with no internet connection, a cd can be shipped. The production cost would have to be a fraction of the cost of printing. 73, Mike NF4L - and no, the "L" doesn't stand for Luddite. On 8/20/2011 9:41 PM, Jim Miller KG0KP wrote: > I went online and downloaded and printed my own assembly manual. I had read > it completely twice before my K3 arrived. I could not have done this if I > had to wait for a printed manual to come with my radio and most likely would > not have read it as carefully as I did waiting for my K3. I was not in a > rush to get-er-done. I learned a lot studying the assembly instructions > without having the radio parts to look at and many times I had to read a > passage carefully more than once to understand what they were talking about > since I could not look at the part or area of the radio pictured. I would > not want to bypass the experience and knowledge gained by printing my own > instructions. I did not use the book that came with the radio as I had a > newer one downloaded that had just been released when my radio arrived. > > 73, de Jim KG0KP - K3 #1442 > > - Original Message - > From: "Gary Gregory" > To: "Doug Turnbull" > Cc: > Sent: Sunday, August 21, 2011 7:04 AM > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] A modest proposal... > > >> The original suggestion was to make the paper manual 'optional' at time of > > __ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] [K2][KAT2] Is it working as well as can be expected?
Fred, I do not know what the algorithm is (that is a question for Wayne), but what I do know is that in the KAT2, there are 2 levels - the normal algorithm which is fast to find a match, and the ALT which is slower, but will often find a match in difficult times. 73, Don W3FPR On 8/21/2011 7:24 PM, Fred Jensen wrote: > I would suspect Chip has some sort of problem Don, my KAT2 has never > failed to get a match to anything conductive :-). Actually, it won't > load an end-fed half-wave on 40, but does with a 1.3:1 SWR on 20. Go > figure. > > Just out of curiosity, is the KAT2 some sort of steepest descent > algorithm? ... or maybe that's proprietary. At any rate, both my KX1 > and KAT2 ATU's really do work. > > Fred K6DGW > Auburn CA > > On 8/21/2011 4:06 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote: >> Chip, >> >> The KAT2 and the KX1 use a similar tuning algorithm, it searches for the >> lowest SWR - but the KX1 capacitor and inductor selections are much more >> limited than those of the KAT2. I am surprised that the KX1 gives you a >> match, but the KAT2 cannot handle the same antenna. > __ > 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] KPA500 Switch Off
There was a time when I really wanted a single switch (the infamous "big switch" that one "pulled" at day's end) to turn on/off everything in the shack. That was before almost everything embedded a CPU. Now I'm quite willing to switch 'em all manually. If everything is on, that's less than a dozen and takes about 15 seconds. Now that I'm retired, that doesn't seem too oppressive. ;-) Rick N6XI On Aug 21, 2011, at 1:42 PM, "Geoffrey Downs" wrote: > If firmware could give an option for the the KPA500 to switch off > automatically when the K3 is switched off (using AUX cable), would people > find it convenient? I certainly would. > > 73 to all > > Geoff > G3UCK > __ > 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] Looking for a SGC Powercube Amp
If anyone is getting rid of a SGC Powercube Amp because the purchased a the new Elecraft Amp, let me know. I want to get one to share between my mobile operation and my K3. Thanks ~73 Don KD8NNU __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] [K2][KAT2] Is it working as well as can be expected?
On Sun, Aug 21, 2011 at 6:24 PM, Fred Jensen wrote: > ...is the KAT2 some sort of steepest descent > algorithm? ... ... = Fred, I don't know that answer, but the little research I've done into auto-tuner algorithms suggests that it doesn't have to be too fancy -- some version of Newton's method, or just a binary search. For a concrete example, go to: http://fermi.la.asu.edu/w9cf/tuner/tuner.html It has a link to the Java code for a simple T-Network autotuner, so you can follow the code and see exactly the algorithm used. 73, Tony KT0NY __ 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] KPA500 Switch Off
If it doesn't receive on the AUXBUS, why does it change bands when I use the band button on the K3 to change bands? :-) 73, Tom Amateur Radio Operator N5GE ARRL Lifetime Member QCWA Lifetime Member On Sun, 21 Aug 2011 21:42:10 +, iain macdonnell - N6ML wrote: >I agree that it's a good idea, but I wonder if it's feasible... It >appears the the KPA500 is currently only transmitting on the AUXBUS, >not receiving. If it was able to receive, it seems there shouldn't be >a need for BCD band-data in the AUX cable for a K3 (although other >rigs would still need it). So, perhaps there's no way for the KPA500 >to "know" when the K3 has been powered off. Details of AUXBUS workings >seem to be somewhat shrouded in mystery.. > >73, > >~iain / N6ML > > > >On Sun, Aug 21, 2011 at 9:06 PM, Mike Fatchett W0MU wrote: >> Good idea! >> >> On 8/21/2011 2:42 PM, Geoffrey Downs wrote: >>> If firmware could give an option for the the KPA500 to switch off >>> automatically when the K3 is switched off (using AUX cable), would people >>> find it convenient? I certainly would. >>> >>> 73 to all >>> >>> Geoff >>> G3UCK >>> __ >>> 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] [K2][KAT2] Is it working as well as can be expected?
I've tried ALT, that did not improve the match on 20m and 15m. I have also very critically examined and re-flowed some solder joints without improved results. I can't identify by inspection any problems with the capacitors and inductors on the LC board. I do have a high quality antenna analyzer, a RigExpert AA230Pro, used to obtain the antenna figures in the second chart in my original post. I've also attached that analyzer to the antenna port of the KAT2, and activating each of the inductors and capacitors noted a change in the impedance with each change, but I did not look at this in a quantitative fashion. Don, is there a regular procedure for using the antenna analyzer to analyzer the KAT2? Thanks, Chip AE5KA On Sun, Aug 21, 2011 at 7:35 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote: > Fred, > > I do not know what the algorithm is (that is a question for Wayne), but > what I do know is that in the KAT2, there are 2 levels - the normal > algorithm which is fast to find a match, and the ALT which is slower, > but will often find a match in difficult times. > > 73, > Don W3FPR > > On 8/21/2011 7:24 PM, Fred Jensen wrote: > > I would suspect Chip has some sort of problem Don, my KAT2 has never > > failed to get a match to anything conductive :-). Actually, it won't > > load an end-fed half-wave on 40, but does with a 1.3:1 SWR on 20. Go > > figure. > > > > Just out of curiosity, is the KAT2 some sort of steepest descent > > algorithm? ... or maybe that's proprietary. At any rate, both my KX1 > > and KAT2 ATU's really do work. > > > > Fred K6DGW > > Auburn CA > > > > On 8/21/2011 4:06 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote: > >> Chip, > >> > >> The KAT2 and the KX1 use a similar tuning algorithm, it searches for the > >> lowest SWR - but the KX1 capacitor and inductor selections are much more > >> limited than those of the KAT2. I am surprised that the KX1 gives you a > >> match, but the KAT2 cannot handle the same antenna. > > __ > > 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] KPA500 Switch Off
Tom, The KPA500 reads the band data output of the K3. If you change bands on the KPA500, it signals the K3 over the AUXBUS, and the KPA500 does not change bands immediately, it waits until the K3 band data outputs indicate the band it is to switch to. 73, Don W3FPR On 8/21/2011 9:05 PM, n...@n5ge.com wrote: > If it doesn't receive on the AUXBUS, why does it change bands when I use the > band button on the K3 to change bands? :-) > > 73, > Tom > Amateur Radio Operator N5GE > ARRL Lifetime Member > QCWA Lifetime Member > > > On Sun, 21 Aug 2011 21:42:10 +, iain macdonnell - N6ML > wrote: > >> I agree that it's a good idea, but I wonder if it's feasible... It >> appears the the KPA500 is currently only transmitting on the AUXBUS, >> not receiving. If it was able to receive, it seems there shouldn't be >> a need for BCD band-data in the AUX cable for a K3 (although other >> rigs would still need it). So, perhaps there's no way for the KPA500 >> to "know" when the K3 has been powered off. Details of AUXBUS workings >> seem to be somewhat shrouded in mystery.. >> >> 73, >> >> ~iain / N6ML >> >> >> >> On Sun, Aug 21, 2011 at 9:06 PM, Mike Fatchett W0MU wrote: >>> Good idea! >>> >>> On 8/21/2011 2:42 PM, Geoffrey Downs wrote: If firmware could give an option for the the KPA500 to switch off automatically when the K3 is switched off (using AUX cable), would people find it convenient? I certainly would. 73 to all Geoff G3UCK __ 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 > __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] [K2][KAT2] Is it working as well as can be expected?
Chip, There is no regular procedure for using an antenna analyzer with the KAT2, but if you saw a change in impedance with each of the manual settings and those changes were consistent with adding (subtracting) the amount of reactance equal to the particular inductor or capacitor selected, then you have verified that the tuner is selecting the inductors and capacitors correctly. You will have to figure the reactance change from the manual inductor/capacitor values for the frequency that your antenna analyzer is using. 73, Don W3FPR On 8/21/2011 9:10 PM, Chip Stratton wrote: > I've tried ALT, that did not improve the match on 20m and 15m. I have also > very critically examined and re-flowed some solder joints without improved > results. I can't identify by inspection any problems with the capacitors and > inductors on the LC board. > > I do have a high quality antenna analyzer, a RigExpert AA230Pro, used to > obtain the antenna figures in the second chart in my original post. I've > also attached that analyzer to the antenna port of the KAT2, and activating > each of the inductors and capacitors noted a change in the impedance with > each change, but I did not look at this in a quantitative fashion. > > Don, is there a regular procedure for using the antenna analyzer to analyzer > the KAT2? > > Thanks, > Chip > __ 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 August 21st & 22nd, 2011
Good Evening, I am glad I moved the forty meter net to one hour later. It worked out very well. All the way into CT and TX and MN. Much better than just CA and OR. I did get a TX to TX relay though. Probably ground wave to Dave but I was hearing John at 559 so I could copy him along with Dave so there was little to relay except my responses. Poor Dave, K1THP, in Connecticut. He tried checking in during this relay but when I finally was able to call him QSB had taken him away. He will be surprised to find his name on the 40 m list too :) The twenty meter net was much like last week. I seem to have gained some local noise which has not changed much in two weeks. I wonder if they are working on the radio towers above me and that is causing the noise? Other than that there is little equipment close enough to bother me. Unless it is some grounding issue with my well's pump. Doesn't sound like any computer generated trash. Or I could simply blame the sun and be done with it :) If these conditions hold on both bands I will be actively beating the bushes for a more permanent relay station. Maybe that guy in Minnesota could be convinced to call a CQ or two :) But ad hoc relays are always welcome if you had not figured that out yet. Don, W3FPR, wants me to send mountain lions to North Carolina. I wonder what UPS or USPS would think of one crated and shipped? Have to sedate the poor kitty and warn Don about one very annoyed and large cat in a crate. But being an engineer I am sure he would figure out a way to free it without losing more than a couple fingers. On to the lists => On 14050 kHz at 2200z: K1THP - Dave - CT - K3 - 686 K4JPN - Steve - GA - K2 - 1422 AE6IC - Fred - CA - K3 - 2241 AB9V - Mike - IN - K3 - 398 N7KRT - Jeff - TX - K2 - 5471 N0AR - Scott - MN - K2 - 4866 K0DTJ - Brian - CA - K3 - 4113 W0RSR - Mike - CO - K2 - 5767 On 7045.5 kHz at 0100z: K6PJV - Dale - CA - K3 - 1183 K0DTJ - Brian - CA - K3 - 4113 AE6IC - Fred - CA - K3 - 2241 W8OV - Dave - TX - K3 - 3139 KN5L - John - TX - K3 - 4448 K1THP - Dave - CT - K3 - 686 N0AR - Scott - MN - K2 - 4866 The weather reports from around the country were milder than last week. At times my temperature was warmer than theirs; especially when Brian checked in. But then there was poor Jeff melting in Texas with another triple digit high. A record was set in Portland this weekend at 90 degrees. Wouldn't you know it the weekend of the airshow with so many folks outside and we get the hottest temperatures of the year? Hopefully the ECOM folks kept a lot of water flowing and did not have to deal with too many cases of heat stroke. Until next week stay cool, 73, Kevin. KD5ONS (Net Control Operator 5th Class) _ __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] KPA-500 Serial # 188 Is alive and well - But what a saga!
At last my KPA-500, serial # 188, amp is a goer. But what a saga. I ordered the amp on 12 April 2011. It finally shipped from Watsonville on 13 July 2011. That's when the fun began, 3 days from the US to Australia then 3 weeks or so to clear Aussie customs and finally arrive at my QTH. Upon opening the carton and doing an inventory check I found that I was missing quite a few screws, in particular the ones that fasten the the case sections together. I contacted Elecraft and was advised that they will send the missing screws immediately. I assembled the unit as much as I could then waited and waited for the very small envelope containing the missing screws to arrive from Watsonville from where they were posted on 8 August. The envelope arrived today 22 August. I finished assembly and am pleased to say that all systems are go. The amp works as designed and reports to date are very positive. I am driving the amp witha IC 756 Pr03. (Maybe a K3 soon) One other problem I encountered was that I found one leg of a 3K resistor on the power supply board was broken off, a simple job to resolder it into place. All in all, I am happy with the unit and with the support from Elecraft, but would strongly suggest that, particularly, with overseas orders they ensure that there are no missing parts as the time it takes to get even just a few screws replaced can be weeks, not a problem on mainland US but international post can be quite often described, as it is here in OZ, as "SNAIL-MAIL" I am waiting for the KAT-500 to be released, I imagine it will be available both in kit form and factory assembled. Yes I am slowly building the K-LINE in reverse Hi Hi cheers and 73 Dale VK4DMC / VK4SIX __ 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] Birdies
When I was involved with development of military radios we used IGUS or internally generated unwanted signals. That says it all. 73 Max ZL4VV __ 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 (8/21/11)
We had a big net today with generally good signal levels. There was no discussion after the check-ins today. We had 32 participants over a 28 minute period. Have a great week. Here is the list of participants. Station NameQTH Rig S/N AD5SX PaulNM IC706 K4GCJ Gerry NC K3 1597 WB5GCX Oscar OK K3 3647 N7EDK Ed AZ K2 6576 KE4WY Jim KY K3 4864 K5LAD Jim OK K3 1067 W6GFGeorge CA K3 4452 W5PAR PaulAZ K3 275 AK4IK Ian GA K3 281 N6DBRebar CA K3 3680 W8OVDaveTX K3 3139 W4RKS Jim AL K3 3618 W5ETJ GaryTX K3 3227 KC5RY George TX K3 5208 W5OAI Sam TX K3 4123 KL7UW Ed AK K3 4043QRP W4PFM PaulVA K3 1673 KB1LV/m Ben VT IC706 K6LMP Lew CA K3 3805QRP KK7PLyleWA K3 3036 K7BRR BillOR K3 5545 NJ6GDennis CA K3 5717 KN5LJohnTX K3 4448 WB6CLZ MikeCA K3 4522 N1OXA IvanME K3 4538 KB3FBR Joe PA K2 6178QRP KA1OZ DickMA K3 859 K6ADG AlanCA K3 4757 N5ZMEarlAR K3 3223 KE5RBS Kelvin AR K2 7162 AE6IC FredCA K3 2241 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] [K3] Filter loss and FLx GN settings
I am getting K3 sn 2308 sorted out. It has no mods, but all current firmware. I just installed a new version sub receiver board. The installation went fine. The main Rx has a 2.7 kHz 5 pole in FL3, 400 Hz 8 pole in FL4, and 250Hz 8 pole in FL5. The sub Rx has new 2.7 kHz 5 pole in FL3, and a new 400 Hz 8 pole in FL4. Using a sig gen centered on the narrow passband, on 20m, I see the following dBV readings, with AGC off: using FL3 -> +6.0dB using FL4 -> +2.1dB using FL5 -> 0.0dB Those readings are with the FLx GN settings for FL3 set to 0, FL4 and FL5 set to max, 8 dB. On the sub Rx, using the same conditions, I get: using FL3 -> -2.0dB using FL4 -> -2.6dB with the FL3 gain set to 0 and FL4 set to 6dB. It looks to me like there is a problem with the older set of 8 pole filters being more lossy than the new one. The drop in cw signal strength is quite noticeable when engaged. Any advice as to whether this is something that is remediable? I could swap the old 400Hz with the new one, or move the older filters to different positions, but that is a bit of work. Al __ 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
