[Elecraft] K2 Amp for KX3
I know that the 100 watt amp for the K2 can't be driven by just any rig, but can it work with the KX3? Does anyone have any bright ideas? Thanks David G4CWB __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] Some Year End Thoughts about Elecraft and Innovative Radio Manufactures of the Past
While large organizations can be productive, really new ideas tend to come from one person's motivation and insight. Elecraft is the product of two such people, each with their expertise. I hope that one-two punch provides enough satisfaction for them to continue. From the 4 K2s built to my current K3 and KX1, the satisfaction of ownership has been outstanding. KX3 order is on the list. Anyone need a 706 MKII? Monty K2DLJ On Dec 30, 2011, at 8:56 PM, Bill wrote: I just finished reading an article about some companies that may not or will not be around for 2012. For example, SEARS has been in business for 125 years but they are closing hundreds of stores. Because of the current economy, the list of failing businesses in this country is long and growing longer each day. This got me thinking of some of the innovative radio manufactures and equipment of the past. The Central Electronics 100V was one of the first no-tune transmitters. Pretty cool for the 1950’s. The Collins S Line and KWM-380 were pricey but nice. How about the Signal One Milspec 1030. I believe Signal One was a company that was about the same size as Elecraft. Some of the companies such as Collins are still in business making Avionics but sadly they no longer make Amateur Radio equipment. How lucky we are to be able to jump on the web and order some of the latest technology rigs from Elecraft such as the KX3. I believe that Elecraft rigs are high in performance but still very reasonable in price when compared to the competition. Good job guys! It takes more than innovative thinking and engineering expertise to run a business in the state of California. There are expensive business licenses and permits, costly insurance, environmental restrictions, high business taxes, and the list goes on. We even get “Cap and Trade” starting in 2012. Even though small businesses provide many of the jobs in this state the climate is almost hostile towards them having any kind of success. I try to keep these things in mind before bugging Wayne about the KX3 manual. That reminds me…. When can I order that new display board for the P3 J Thanks to everyone at Elecraft and Happy New Year to all. 73, Bill – K6WLM __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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 SSB audio distorted. Realignment, MIC gain mod etc.
Andy, I assume you have the K2/100 rather than the K2/10. The KPA100 can couple into the KSB2 board giving audio distortion. Remove the right side panel and tuck the ribbon cable and speaker cable up into the space between the KPA100 and the top of the Control Board. Mods to increase the mic gain have been several - change the value of resistor R14 is the simplest, adding a mic preamp is a bit more involved, and for those who want a bit better performance there is the KI6WX SSB Increased RF Gain mod. If the latter is installed in a K2/100, changes to the KSB2 ALC circuit should also be made - if you have a transistor added to your KSB2 near U5 (either on the top or bottom of the board), then you have that mod installed - I can give you the ALC changes that should be made. Since you have an older KPA100, do you have the shield up to date? You should have a shield on the speaker magnet, there should be clips on the shield and there should be a direct connection between the top of the shield and the SO-239 jack (that connection is usually made with 2 solder lugs connected together). 73, Don W3FPR On 12/31/2011 2:47 AM, Andreas Hofmann wrote: Hi I have SN 2555 and have exclusively used it for CW. Now, I am trying to use it for SSB, but I am getting reports of distortion. Even with SSBA 1 and SSBC 1:1. If I speak really quietly, with microphone about 10 inches away, the distortion is manageable but not fully gone. ALC seems to go a couple of LEDS before it settles down to 1 LED on 40m. This happens for both MH2 and the Heil Pro-Set Plus!. I believe, I did some mods years ago to increase MIC gain, but I have a hard time to find the information now on the website to double check. What would be the mostly likely reason my audio is distorted? I scanned the manuals but there is no procedure to align the MIC gain anywhere. How can this be done? The rig is 7-8 years old, I am considering spending an evening and realigning everything. Is this something that could fix this issue? If my memory is right, and there was a MIC gain mod at some point, can someone send me a copy/details, so I can investigate if I have it and possibly undo it? Thanks And 73, Andy, KU7T __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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 Amp for KX3
No, the KPA100 needs K2 specific signals to operate properly. Those specific signal lines are not provided by the KX3. 73, Don W3FPR On 12/31/2011 4:20 AM, David Andrews wrote: I know that the 100 watt amp for the K2 can't be driven by just any rig, but can it work with the KX3? Does anyone have any bright ideas? __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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 vs FT817 (comparing apples+oranges)
Hi All, I read the comments by Doug, KR2Q, (and Wayne's response as well), and while I tend to agree with much of Doug's analysis, I have a serious question. Doug infers that the outstanding specs for the KX3 are superfluous when operating in the field. I honestly don't understand his point. I suspect I'm missing something or not connecting the dots right. For one thing, when I go to the field, which tends to be fairly often, I usually have better antennas there than at home. That doesn't say anything very good about my home setup, but I have antenna restrictions and I live in the desert. Setting up a decent antenna in the field isn't necessarily that difficult, unless you are in a big hurry. Trees or not, I can have a fairly decent dipole at 40 feet in about 5 minutes. Alternatively, I can use something like an end fed half wave, or a vertical arrangement of some sort. If I have trees, so much the better. I also have a Buddipole system, but I tend to use it as a Buddistick, which works very well. In any event, whether I'm at home or out camping, I find plenty of reason to appreciate a better radio. The late, but welcome, arrival of our current sunspot cycle has certainly enhanced activity on the bands. Signals are often very LOUD, and not that far apart. I agree that contests and pile-ups exacerbate things, but it seems to me that there isn't that much difference in conditions regardless of where I operate. It is certainly understandable that folks would immediately ponder the trail friendly qualities of the KX3. Anything small and light leads you to that as an option. However, I don't think Elecraft approached this design with that as their main objective. Rather I think they were trying to enhance versatility. In other words, trying to make a small version of the K3, and as close to a K3 as they could get. I'm remembering something from a number of years back, when the KX1 was fairly new. I commented that I had even operated my KX1 while sitting in bed. Wayne responded that he had done that too! So, maybe what Wayne really was trying to do was come up with a way to take his K3 to the bedroom! Hi. Anyway, I don't think the challenge was just to make a smaller radio. I think it was making a really good radio smaller. To do the former only trumps a few alternative radios. To do the latter trumps a bunch of other radios--at least in versatility. That was, in my view, the real objective--versatility. Maybe that's not exactly the word they had on the flip chart during the brain storming sessions about designing the KX3, but I tend to think it at least partially describes their objective. For a long time I've wished I could be a fly on the wall when they discuss this stuff! Dave W7AQK __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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 vs FT817 (comparing apples+oranges)
David Yarnes wrote For a long time I've wished I could be a fly on the wall when they discuss this stuff! http://www.mail-archive.com/elecraft@mailman.qth.net/msg99836.html 73, Bill -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KX3-vs-FT817-comparing-apples-oranges-tp7139599p7140614.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] Have orders filled up yet? Is there a cap?
Keith, The way I am going to do mine is get the rig kit, CW key, and charger option. I am waiting for the 2m module so I will have to do a second order when that is available regardless. Once I have the rig and get to use it a bit I will adjust the other features at that time. Some other options I am looking at are the roofing filters and tuner, for example. The biggie for me, though, is the 2m module... no two ways about that one! -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/Have-orders-filled-up-yet-Is-there-a-cap-tp7139304p7140636.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] Have orders filled up yet? Is there a cap?
Steve, The roofing filters and internal battery pack are definitely in the first purchase. The mic and key are also definitely of in the mix. I will definitely without a doubt be getting the remote rig option for the K3 and also the 100W amp when that comes out. I am planning to use this as my travel rig as I am on the road a ton about 100% weekly as a business and IT consultant. This will be nice when I can't drive my truck to the client assignments. I will need to figure out a travel pack / hard case for it. Keith Sent from my iPhone please excuse typos On Dec 31, 2011, at 7:26 AM, Steve KC8QVO kc8...@yahoo.com wrote: Keith, The way I am going to do mine is get the rig kit, CW key, and charger option. I am waiting for the 2m module so I will have to do a second order when that is available regardless. Once I have the rig and get to use it a bit I will adjust the other features at that time. Some other options I am looking at are the roofing filters and tuner, for example. The biggie for me, though, is the 2m module... no two ways about that one! -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/Have-orders-filled-up-yet-Is-there-a-cap-tp7139304p7140636.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] Have orders filled up yet? Is there a cap?
I don't have a K3, but it is a great rig. That will be neat to see how the interface works between them. My portable rig for years has been the FT-857D. When I flew to Florida last month I threw both the K2 and the FT-857D in. If I had to do it over at the time I would have only taken the FT-857D, too much hassle and extra space with both. The KX3 will take the place of the FT-857D. I am a backpacker too and really like taking a rig along, although I haven't always. Last trip I just took an HT and that irritated me but at least I could catch the weather reports. As long as the 2m module receives up in to the 162 range for NOAA weather that would be great. I could confine my trail and airplane-friendly rigs to just the KX3 saving space and weight. I put a note out to the HFPack yahoo group that orders were open. My guess is everyone in that group that is/would be interested already has ordered one, but it might generate a few more orders :) -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/Have-orders-filled-up-yet-Is-there-a-cap-tp7139304p7140699.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] open wire feeders
Those of you using open wire feed lines. How do you keep RF out of the shack? 73 George/W2BPI K2/100 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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 vs FT817 (comparing apples+oranges)
I do agree with some of what Doug says. I see the numbers side with the pricing - you are more than double the original price Doug outlined with a KX3. The FT-817ND now is in the $700+ range. Going off that number a base KX3 is $300 more - not a double in price. Regarding the apples to oranges comment - I entirely agree. In fact, I find it hard to compare the KX3 to a lot of radios because there is so much under the cover (and on the cover). My potable radio for years has been the FT-857D. That is my every day rig in the mobile (160-6m, 2m, 70cm) and is my grab'n'go rig. I have a K2 also and that is nice when car-camping, but at that point the FT-857D is along too - it has VHF/UHF capabilities the K2 does not. Adding in the 2m module to the KX3 will let me grab that instead of un-installing the FT-857D. I am anxious to throw it in the backpack and head out to the Appalachians for a few days. My pack weight will drop substantially and my back will thank me! For what the FT-817 is - it is a neat little rig. That satisfied a niche for years in the HFPack community. It is really hard to knock the useability of the rig. For those that currently have them maybe, as Doug alludes to, it will remain a staple in their portable arsenals. My FT-857D will be a staple in my arsenal in some instances I would assume, but there is some versatility in that rig that the KX3 will replace, no doubt. At the time I got the FT-857D I considered other rigs - and the FT-817 was one of them. Where I use my FT-857D most of the time is as my every-day mobile rig, and to that point there still is no radio on the market that satisfies that niche to the same capacity - the FT-857D, as heavy as it is, still has made its way in to my backpack for trips around southern Ohio and the Appalachian mountains. It is compact and the receive current is low (500-550mA = low enough to run on batteries). Try that with an IC-7000 (one of the better mobile rigs on the market). That rig's current consumption is at least 2 amps (2000mA) and it is also heavier. Or, conversely, try putting an FT-817 in the mobile... Doesn't work too well - the faceplate doesn't remote and the power output is low. Who knows - maybe the KX3 will make it in to my mobile station with the KXPA100... Then the FT-857D for VHF/UHF and the KX3 for HF? HI. The possibilities are endless. We are all entitled to our own opinions. What the base of those opinions is can vary, but we're the ones that choose our tools. What we want our tools to do or have change, but guess what? They all do the same job. All radios let you communicate. Do you want CW only? SSB only? Both? HF only? A few bands or all bands? Is VHF important to you? Do you travel? Do you operate from home? -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KX3-vs-FT817-comparing-apples-oranges-tp7139599p7140785.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] open wire feeders
Sssshhh don't tell them, they are supposed to radiate I've got three runs, into my shack, and as long as the current in each side of the line is balanced, the radiation is minimal... and of course installation concerns are observed, with spacing away from metal and the like.. They work fine... balanced. Good Luck and Happy New Year!! --... ...-- Dale - WC7S in Wy From: w2b...@aol.com Date: Sat, 31 Dec 2011 11:25:54 -0500 To: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] open wire feeders Those of you using open wire feed lines. How do you keep RF out of the shack? 73 George/W2BPI K2/100 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] Have orders filled up yet? Is there a cap?
__ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] open wire feeders
Open wire (or 'parallel conductor') feed lines connected to a reasonably balanced load do NOT radiate (or receive noise, etc.) The currents, hence the electric fields, around each wire are opposite and equal at all points, even though the line may have a high SWR. Those equal and opposite fields cancel, meaning no radiation from the line nor can an external RF field induce a current in the line. Note that a perfect open wire line has two attributes. Both conductors are in the same physical space - a physical impossibility - and the load is perfectly balanced - physically more possible but not common. However, spacing the wires a small distance apart (in terms of wavelength) and a reasonable amount of balance in the load still results in a transmission line that is as free from radiation or unwanted pickup as many coaxial lines. Note that coaxial line itself suffers from the fact that the outside of the shield is a conductor at RF completely separate from the inside surface of the shield, since RF travels only on the surface of a conductor, not through it. So, if you have 50 feet of coaxial line running from your antenna to the rig, you also have a separate 50 foot random wire antenna leading into the shack. That's why special care must be taken to control or suppress currents on the outside of the shield to avoid RF in the Shack issues with coax. Ron AC7AC -Original Message- Those of you using open wire feed lines. How do you keep RF out of the shack? 73 George/W2BPI K2/100 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] open wire feeders
George, Short question, long answer follows -- Do to constraints at home, I no longer use open wire or ladder line feeders, but when I did use them, I found several things were true if you did not want them to radiate (and create RF in the Shack). My first rule is to use balanced antennas - off center fed antennas are famous for feedline radiation and RF in the shack. The second rule is to run the feedline away from the antenna at right angles for as great a length as you can manage, but certainly for a quarterwavelength - The feedline can pick up radiation from the antenna if this rule is not followed. Third is to run the feedline correctly - use nice gentle bends if you must change direction, support it using as few hangers as possible (if you can put the feedline under tension, you can get away with very few supports) but support it so it is stable even in the wind. Do not run it parallel to other conductors, but you may cross a conductor at right angles if necessary. The line should be spaced away from other objects by at least 3 times the spacing of the conductors. Lastly, If I could, use a true balanced tuner, link coupled is best, so if you see a Johnson Matchbox at a hamfest, get it. If you must use an unbalanced tuner, use a good balun at the output (see K9AY's info on baluns). BTW, do not assume that a 4:1 balun is the thing to use, the feedpoint impedance in the shack can vary wildly from very low to very high. If you do encounter a high impedance feedpoint on any band, that will place a high RF voltage point at the shack end - add or subtract some feedline to bring the feedpoint impedance down. If you do not understand how the feedpoint impedance changes with the length, take a look at the Antenna article on my website www.w3fpr.com 73, Don W3FPR On 12/31/2011 11:25 AM, w2b...@aol.com wrote: Those of you using open wire feed lines. How do you keep RF out of the shack? 73 George/W2BPI K2/100 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] open wire feeders
Don... Many hams - as I have done/do - use coax to get out of the house, connect it to a balun, and then connect twinlead from the balun to an antenna. There is a lot of commentary on this setup, but perhaps another time through would be helpful. The questions arise: - if the coax is short, say under ten feet, is this setup more or less equivalent to running the twinlead all the way from the antenna to the transmitter? - again, if the coax is short, will RG8 or 213 be sufficient to the task? - is there any advantage of one balun ratio to another [1:1, 4:1, 9:1]? Happy New Year, and thanks for your contributions here on the Elecraft reflector. ...robert On 12/31/2011 17:42, Don Wilhelm wrote: George, Short question, long answer follows -- Do to constraints at home, I no longer use open wire or ladder line feeders, but when I did use them, I found several things were true if you did not want them to radiate (and create RF in the Shack). My first rule is to use balanced antennas - off center fed antennas are famous for feedline radiation and RF in the shack. The second rule is to run the feedline away from the antenna at right angles for as great a length as you can manage, but certainly for a quarterwavelength - The feedline can pick up radiation from the antenna if this rule is not followed. Third is to run the feedline correctly - use nice gentle bends if you must change direction, support it using as few hangers as possible (if you can put the feedline under tension, you can get away with very few supports) but support it so it is stable even in the wind. Do not run it parallel to other conductors, but you may cross a conductor at right angles if necessary. The line should be spaced away from other objects by at least 3 times the spacing of the conductors. Lastly, If I could, use a true balanced tuner, link coupled is best, so if you see a Johnson Matchbox at a hamfest, get it. If you must use an unbalanced tuner, use a good balun at the output (see K9AY's info on baluns). BTW, do not assume that a 4:1 balun is the thing to use, the feedpoint impedance in the shack can vary wildly from very low to very high. If you do encounter a high impedance feedpoint on any band, that will place a high RF voltage point at the shack end - add or subtract some feedline to bring the feedpoint impedance down. If you do not understand how the feedpoint impedance changes with the length, take a look at the Antenna article on my website www.w3fpr.com 73, Don W3FPR On 12/31/2011 11:25 AM, w2b...@aol.com wrote: Those of you using open wire feed lines. How do you keep RF out of the shack? 73 George/W2BPI K2/100 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html -- Robert G. Strickland, PhD, ABPH - KE2WY rc...@verizon.net Syracuse, New York, USA __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] open wire feeders
The coax will be exposed to whatever SWR is on the feedline. The SWR will vary as a function of line length, characteristics, antenna length/height and frequency of operation. If you know the SWR you will be seeing then you can use coax loss calculators available online to see what the impact of the various coax types and lengths. The use of a balun is generally counterproductive for this purpose. A common mode choke is what you want. Google W9CF for math to show theoretical details and K9YC for practical implementations. A practical CM choke is inexpensive and easy to build. 73 jim ab3cv __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] open wire feeders
I have often had a voltage loop at the rig end of my open wire feed line and have never experienced a problem with stray RF, even though a neon bulb lying near the ATU blinked as I sent CW. HOWEVER - I do use a homebrew link-coupled ATU with open wire line. It lacks the dual-differential tuning capacitors that Johnson used to adjust virtual coil taps for the feed line in the Matchbox, but mine has a much wider matching range using actual taps on the coil. (The Johnson Matchbox is only rated to match balanced lines with impedances up to 1200 ohms). Link coupling has a number of advantages including a high order of suppression of stray signals since there is no direct electrical connection between the antenna and the rig. Everything coming in (or going out) has to pass magnetically across the link coupling and through the tuned circuit. That's especially handy if you live near a broadcast station. And of course, you can use the same tuner with unbalanced lines (e.g. coax). Just connect the shield to the center of the coil and tap the center conductor out to either side. WZ5Q has a great example of a beautifully link coupled tuner at: http://www.wz5q.net/index/shack_data/tuna.htm It's bigger and neater than mine but the circuit is the same right down to the RF current sensors. Ron AC7AC -Original Message- If you do encounter a high impedance feedpoint on any band, that will place a high RF voltage point at the shack end - add or subtract some feedline to bring the feedpoint impedance down. If you do not understand how the feedpoint impedance changes with the length, take a look at the Antenna article on my website www.w3fpr.com 73, Don W3FPR __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] open wire feeders
Robert, When that is done, I recommend doing several things: 1 - prune the balanced feedline until the feedpoint impedance is close to the characteristic impedance of the coax. You may not be able to accomplish that on all desired bands, so plan to switch in extra feedline to accomplish that goal. 2 - If the parallel line feedpoint impedance is in the 150 to 300 ohm range, use a 4:1 balun (make certain it is a common mode choke type as has been recently pointed out. 3 - If the parallel line impedance is in the 25 to 100 ohm range, use a 1:1 balun (or more properly a common mode choke - see Jim Brown's Balun articles. Actually, the only thing accomplished by this technique is that the coax can be run into the shack more readily without regard for keeping the line away from other objects. It is just as easy to use two parallel lengths of coax with the shield grounded and the balanced feedline connected to the two center conductors. That will produce a shielded balanced line that you can bring into the shack just like a single coax. As I said, the best is a link coupled balanced tuner, and no balun is needed at all. The link coupling takes away concerns about common mode current and does a lot to cure RF in the Shack - unfortunately such couplers are scarce as hen's teeth, and although you can easily build your own on a piece of wood (no need for shielding), they are not readily adaptable to bandswitching. Most of the ones I have built use plug-in coils. 73, Don W3FPR On 12/31/2011 1:40 PM, Robert G. Strickland wrote: Don... Many hams - as I have done/do - use coax to get out of the house, connect it to a balun, and then connect twinlead from the balun to an antenna. There is a lot of commentary on this setup, but perhaps another time through would be helpful. The questions arise: - if the coax is short, say under ten feet, is this setup more or less equivalent to running the twinlead all the way from the antenna to the transmitter? - again, if the coax is short, will RG8 or 213 be sufficient to the task? - is there any advantage of one balun ratio to another [1:1, 4:1, 9:1]? Happy New Year, and thanks for your contributions here on the Elecraft reflector. ...robert On 12/31/2011 17:42, Don Wilhelm wrote: George, Short question, long answer follows -- Do to constraints at home, I no longer use open wire or ladder line feeders, but when I did use them, I found several things were true if you did not want them to radiate (and create RF in the Shack). My first rule is to use balanced antennas - off center fed antennas are famous for feedline radiation and RF in the shack. The second rule is to run the feedline away from the antenna at right angles for as great a length as you can manage, but certainly for a quarterwavelength - The feedline can pick up radiation from the antenna if this rule is not followed. Third is to run the feedline correctly - use nice gentle bends if you must change direction, support it using as few hangers as possible (if you can put the feedline under tension, you can get away with very few supports) but support it so it is stable even in the wind. Do not run it parallel to other conductors, but you may cross a conductor at right angles if necessary. The line should be spaced away from other objects by at least 3 times the spacing of the conductors. Lastly, If I could, use a true balanced tuner, link coupled is best, so if you see a Johnson Matchbox at a hamfest, get it. If you must use an unbalanced tuner, use a good balun at the output (see K9AY's info on baluns). BTW, do not assume that a 4:1 balun is the thing to use, the feedpoint impedance in the shack can vary wildly from very low to very high. If you do encounter a high impedance feedpoint on any band, that will place a high RF voltage point at the shack end - add or subtract some feedline to bring the feedpoint impedance down. If you do not understand how the feedpoint impedance changes with the length, take a look at the Antenna article on my website www.w3fpr.com 73, Don W3FPR On 12/31/2011 11:25 AM, w2b...@aol.com wrote: Those of you using open wire feed lines. How do you keep RF out of the shack? 73 George/W2BPI K2/100 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] elecraft vs oriental rigs
I have had many rigs in my 35 years of hamming. My favorites are always American. Why? My first rig was an FT200, the poor man's Yaesu. I think it was callled a Tempo one in the US. I bought it new and the dealer demanded that it be sent back to Yaesu, he wouldn't fix it under warranty. So I avoided Yaesu for many years. I finally succumb to the FT857 and the audio was so lousy that I hated it. Then, silly me, I bought an FT817 (used) and within a year it wouldn't work on some bands. (turned out to be a common problem) and 130$ later I sold it ... Never again. None of the YIK people admit to a fault. None of the YIK people provide a solution to a problem. I had an SGC 2020 bought new and under warranty. When it chirped on CW they said that they could make it right. IF i sent the rig back and my cheque for $160 plus shipping - UNDER WARRANTY! I was so upset I sold the damn thing. I have built a K1, KX1, K2 (all of the accessories but not the basic K2 cw). The few times I have had a problem Elecraft was there to help me resolve it. I am not a techy. But they were willing to talk me through it. I once considered buying a K1 that had been lightning damaged. I emailed Elecraft to see what my potential bill might be to have it fixed by them. Their reply was: You can fix it yourself, and we will help you do that. Imagine what YIK would say! I see a lot of what I sometimes think are silly questions on the Elecraft list. And then I remember; there are no silly questions, just really good advise from Elecraft and the unsung hero's of the list. I have ordered my KX3 sight unseen, and I am not waiting for a year for the design to mature because I think that Elecraft will continue it's excellent service and provide user installable upgrades the same way that it has done with all of the other rigs that it sells. Bill, VA3OL __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] open wire feeders
Would it were that all baluns were the same. There is a limit to how much blocking can be put between the balanced line and the coax. What most people fail to account for in the balanced line business is how much COMMON MODE current and voltage there can be. Unbalanced current on the feedline is always common mode current. Most will never see it in a model because they DO NOT add the single conductor that gives the model the common mode path that exists in reality. I had a blocking need at the end of a long 450 window line run. I was doing very poorly in the matching, balancing business for this antenna. When I modeled everything literally, EZNEC said that with a PERFECT block there was 955 volts RF RMS across the common connection in the balun !!! Gads. There is NO balun ANYBODY makes that will stand up to that and work right. It will (and did) smoke ferrites. Conversion to an isolation transformer (which is not a balun...not inherently broadband) stopped all the issues. Of course an isolation transformer is a single band solution without a tuner, as the series inductance has to be tuned out somehow. Running the balanced line to an isolation transformer (not a balun) IMMEDIATELY followed by a tuner will handle common mode current. But then, who talks about isolation transformers any more. 73, Guy. On Sat, Dec 31, 2011 at 1:40 PM, Robert G. Strickland rc...@verizon.netwrote: Don... Many hams - as I have done/do - use coax to get out of the house, connect it to a balun, and then connect twinlead from the balun to an antenna. There is a lot of commentary on this setup, but perhaps another time through would be helpful. The questions arise: - if the coax is short, say under ten feet, is this setup more or less equivalent to running the twinlead all the way from the antenna to the transmitter? - again, if the coax is short, will RG8 or 213 be sufficient to the task? - is there any advantage of one balun ratio to another [1:1, 4:1, 9:1]? Happy New Year, and thanks for your contributions here on the Elecraft reflector. ...robert On 12/31/2011 17:42, Don Wilhelm wrote: George, Short question, long answer follows -- Do to constraints at home, I no longer use open wire or ladder line feeders, but when I did use them, I found several things were true if you did not want them to radiate (and create RF in the Shack). My first rule is to use balanced antennas - off center fed antennas are famous for feedline radiation and RF in the shack. The second rule is to run the feedline away from the antenna at right angles for as great a length as you can manage, but certainly for a quarterwavelength - The feedline can pick up radiation from the antenna if this rule is not followed. Third is to run the feedline correctly - use nice gentle bends if you must change direction, support it using as few hangers as possible (if you can put the feedline under tension, you can get away with very few supports) but support it so it is stable even in the wind. Do not run it parallel to other conductors, but you may cross a conductor at right angles if necessary. The line should be spaced away from other objects by at least 3 times the spacing of the conductors. Lastly, If I could, use a true balanced tuner, link coupled is best, so if you see a Johnson Matchbox at a hamfest, get it. If you must use an unbalanced tuner, use a good balun at the output (see K9AY's info on baluns). BTW, do not assume that a 4:1 balun is the thing to use, the feedpoint impedance in the shack can vary wildly from very low to very high. If you do encounter a high impedance feedpoint on any band, that will place a high RF voltage point at the shack end - add or subtract some feedline to bring the feedpoint impedance down. If you do not understand how the feedpoint impedance changes with the length, take a look at the Antenna article on my website www.w3fpr.com 73, Don W3FPR On 12/31/2011 11:25 AM, w2b...@aol.com wrote: Those of you using open wire feed lines. How do you keep RF out of the shack? 73 George/W2BPI K2/100 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html -- Robert G. Strickland, PhD, ABPH - KE2WY rc...@verizon.net Syracuse, New York, USA __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft
Re: [Elecraft] P3 SVGA module
Yes, the pics that appear to show an Ethernet connector and a USB connector (maybe). I wonder what they do? On 12/30/2011 3:42 PM, Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft wrote: See the pics at the bottom of the page at: http://www.elecraft.com/P3/p3.htm 73, Eric --- www.elecraft.com On 12/30/2011 3:38 PM, Richard Fjeld wrote: I saw a post that orders for the mod will be about a week away. Could we get some preliminary details of all that the mod will do now, and ultimately. There have been rumors. Richard Fjeld, n0ce -- 73, Vic, K2VCO Fresno CA http://www.qsl.net/k2vco __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] P3 SVGA module
Actually they are both USB - One USBa and one USBb. One is for keyboard input for data modes and the other one is not yet defined. (for future use) The keyboard data function will be part of a firmware upgrade we'll release shortly after the SVGA ships. 73, Eric www.elecraft.com _..._ On Dec 31, 2011, at 11:58 AM, Vic K2VCO k2vco@gmail.com wrote: Yes, the pics that appear to show an Ethernet connector and a USB connector (maybe). I wonder what they do? On 12/30/2011 3:42 PM, Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft wrote: See the pics at the bottom of the page at: http://www.elecraft.com/P3/p3.htm 73, Eric --- www.elecraft.com On 12/30/2011 3:38 PM, Richard Fjeld wrote: I saw a post that orders for the mod will be about a week away. Could we get some preliminary details of all that the mod will do now, and ultimately. There have been rumors. Richard Fjeld, n0ce -- 73, Vic, K2VCO Fresno CA http://www.qsl.net/k2vco __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] Question about forthcoming KAT500
Did I read right that the forthcoming KAT500 would be able to match up to a 10:1 SWR? So, this should mean that the impedance range of the tuner is anywhere from 5 to 500 ohms (absolute value of Z). I currently use an AT1KM tuner with impedance range of 20 to 1500 ohms. I use this with a horizontal delta loop and I am able to match all of my important bands that I operate on this antenna which are 80, 40, 30. I use a 5-band hex beam for the other bands. But, I can easily get a good match well under 1.5:1 using the AT1KM. But, I also measured the impedance and SWR at the point that the coax hooks into the AT1KM. These measures are then of the raw, un-tuned, antenna system (coax and delta loop) made with my MFJ-259B. According to these measurements, the raw impedances I need to match are more then 10:1 for some of the bands. Indeed, I am close to 24:1 for the low part of 80 but I operate fine in this region using the AT1KM. Should I then assume that the KAT500 will not work for me with my current antenna system? I also noticed that other auto-tuners have similar wider ranges. For example, MFJ-998 supports a matching range of 12 to 1600; and, the old Palstar AT-Auto supports a matching range of 15 to 1500 (now Kessler Engineering). Apparently, the new the new Palstar HF-Auto is reported as 10:1 SWR which may be the same as KAT500. Therefore, can someone (Wayne, Eric or others in the know) confirm that with my current antenna configuration, I will probably NOT be able to use the KAT500 for 80 meters (at least). My options I suppose are not to use the KAT500 at all, not use it for 80, or reconfigure my delta loop (although, my degrees of freedom for this are small). 73, phil, K7PEH __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] open wire feeders
I have a balanced fed balanced length dipole. The dipole sits atop 40' of rope guyed fiberglass pole. 55 feet on each side. About 45 feet of 450 ohm balanced line comes into the far end of the back side of the house into one of my 7 , um, junk/storage rooms! There I have a 4:1 balun, which then hits a LDG RT-11 antenna tuner. The RT-11 is a remote controlled tuner. A little control sits in the shack. I tap the tune button on the K3, tap the tune button on the little LDG box and the tuner works. I don't know what the experts or Enzec says about this antenna, but I'll tell you that it works, and very well. So much so that I have a second copy of it in a plastic box in the garage that is used on field day. Anyone who uses that antenna at field day is very impressed. I have about 60 feet of rg-8x from the shack to the remote antenna tuner. Zero RF in the shack, ever. No chokes on any feed line. And it has worked K5C and VP6DX and others on all bands from 80 to 10. I have no idea how the success ratio is divided between the antenna and K3! Now, maybe we can build a simple interface to the KAT500 tuner to convert its need to communicate to the K3 to a balanced rs-485 configuration. That would allow us to remote the tuner hundreds of feet. I would then use that at my remote base site. But that antenna does work. Tom K8TB __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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 vs. Apple
Rick wrote: Or from future historians who want to know how Elecraft became the ham equivalent of Apple. ;-) One must really, really hope not. If Elecraft's products and policies and attitudes toward the customer reflected those of Apple, the purchaser wouldn't even be allowed to open the case and change the battery! Mike / KK5F __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] open wire feeders
I don't have a problem with it at all, even with a kw. RG213 goes 8 feet to a window feed-thru, then to a balun, then 75 feet of 450-ohm line. The only problem I had was when I installed a second antenna (a 40m vertical dipole) and fed it with ladder line as well. Then tuning settings on my first antenna changes by quite a bit on some bands so I ended up feeding that 2nd antenna with RG213 to use as an antenna on that band only. The origianl reason for the ladder line was to use it 10-40. I think interaction between plural ladder line fed antennas is more of an issue than RF in the shack. John Harper http://www.ae5x.com/blog __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] open wire feeders
Ron, Thank you for the references. I found the information very interesting to say the least. Parts here would be an issue, but the construction and methods to check and adjust the tuner were most valuable. Now just to have some drawer space! As Don had mentioned in an earlier post, getting the balanced feed line to the shack can be quite a challenge, especially for those of us who have rebar enforce concrete with no simple method to feed through the wall. I think even the double coax systems to be a difficulty especially when having to drill into the side of the house and miss all the surrounding materials, esp. the rebar. This may not be my last shack so I have filed the project and will see what I can find for parts now before this stuff gets extinct. That copper tubing is really becoming scarce and I am not even sure how much copper really is in the tubing and what impact it has on the coils if not of the same purity. I did locate some surplus Comet vacuum capacitors in the $800+ range??!!! 73, Bill K9YEQ -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Ron D'Eau Claire I have often had a voltage loop at the rig end of my open wire feed line and have never experienced a problem with stray RF, even though a neon bulb lying near the ATU blinked as I sent CW. HOWEVER - I do use a homebrew link-coupled ATU with open wire line. It lacks the dual-differential tuning capacitors that Johnson used to adjust virtual coil taps for the feed line in the Matchbox, but mine has a much wider matching range using actual taps on the coil. (The Johnson Matchbox is only rated to match balanced lines with impedances up to 1200 ohms). Link coupling has a number of advantages including a high order of suppression of stray signals since there is no direct electrical connection between the antenna and the rig. Everything coming in (or going out) has to pass magnetically across the link coupling and through the tuned circuit. That's especially handy if you live near a broadcast station. And of course, you can use the same tuner with unbalanced lines (e.g. coax). Just connect the shield to the center of the coil and tap the center conductor out to either side. WZ5Q has a great example of a beautifully link coupled tuner at: http://www.wz5q.net/index/shack_data/tuna.htm It's bigger and neater than mine but the circuit is the same right down to the RF current sensors. Ron AC7AC -Original Message- If you do encounter a high impedance feedpoint on any band, that will place a high RF voltage point at the shack end - add or subtract some feedline to bring the feedpoint impedance down. If you do not understand how the feedpoint impedance changes with the length, take a look at the Antenna article on my website www.w3fpr.com 73, Don W3FPR 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] State Of Maine Elecrafters - Can We Get Group Together For Coffee?
I've seen a number of Maine call signs up here, with the cold weather finally upon us, and Lobstercon at least 6 months away, what do you think about getting together to discuss Elecraft products and radio in general? I'm a Elecraft builder and user, K1, K2, K3, KX1, etc. Also like low power portable operations, often take a portable station with me when traveling. Other interests include boat anchors - older tube gear and restorations. I'm in the Midcoast, could host here, or at a convenient restaurant more central to others. Would be nice to meet each other, talk about our projects, stations, radio activities, who knows what might come out of it. Think about lunch, coffee, bringing along photos or some of Elecraft gear to show the group, an informal introduction and show and tell. Interested? I'd love to hear your thoughts and ideas. Email me at w1...@arrl.net and I'd be happy to coordinate. Thanks! 73 Bruce J. Howes W1UJR www.w1ujr.net Sent from my iPad __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] Elecraft vs. Apple
I have to wholeheartedly agree with Mike, KK5F. As an 16 yr. veteran IT professional, I decided to give Apple a fair shake and purchased a MacBook for my wife and a MacBook Pro for myself. After a year (A fair time period.) I went back to my beloved ThinkPads. My 13 yr. old daughter, Sam, W2SSC now has the MacBook Pro as she and my wife love them. They are meant to be relatively easy and discourage most under the hood upgrades. I, however, dislike the our way or the highway approach. Wishing everybody and their families a healthy and happy new year. Take care es... Vy 73 de Bert WA2SI -Original Message- From: Mike Morrow [mailto:k...@earthlink.net] Sent: Saturday, December 31, 2011 15:56 To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] Elecraft vs. Apple Rick wrote: Or from future historians who want to know how Elecraft became the ham equivalent of Apple. ;-) One must really, really hope not. If Elecraft's products and policies and attitudes toward the customer reflected those of Apple, the purchaser wouldn't even be allowed to open the case and change the battery! Mike / KK5F __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] Question about forthcoming KAT500
An interesting question!! And it directly affects my situation, too. So, here is a slight add-on to Phil's query - perhaps Eric or Wayne can shed some light here. My main antenna is an 88' foot long doublet at 45 feet, fed with 600-ohm ladder line, and a 1:1 balun where my eight feet of coax from the K3/100 connects to the balanced line. The K3's tuner gives me a match on this antenna on 80 through 6 meters. I'm a happy camper with this antenna working pretty darn well on all bands, although it is mostly NVIS on 80. So, my question is - how close in performance will the KAT500 be to the KAT3? Can I expect the KAT500 to match this antenna as well as the KAT3 does? I'd certainly NOT be happy to spend the dollars for the new tuner to find that it is not capable of doing what the KAT3 can do. Jim / W6JHB On Saturday, Dec 31, 2011, at Saturday, 12:33 PM, Phil Hystad wrote: Did I read right that the forthcoming KAT500 would be able to match up to a 10:1 SWR? So, this should mean that the impedance range of the tuner is anywhere from 5 to 500 ohms (absolute value of Z). I currently use an AT1KM tuner with impedance range of 20 to 1500 ohms. I use this with a horizontal delta loop and I am able to match all of my important bands that I operate on this antenna which are 80, 40, 30. I use a 5-band hex beam for the other bands. But, I can easily get a good match well under 1.5:1 using the AT1KM. But, I also measured the impedance and SWR at the point that the coax hooks into the AT1KM. These measures are then of the raw, un-tuned, antenna system (coax and delta loop) made with my MFJ-259B. According to these measurements, the raw impedances I need to match are more then 10:1 for some of the bands. Indeed, I am close to 24:1 for the low part of 80 but I operate fine in this region using the AT1KM. Should I then assume that the KAT500 will not work for me with my current antenna system? I also noticed that other auto-tuners have similar wider ranges. For example, MFJ-998 supports a matching range of 12 to 1600; and, the old Palstar AT-Auto supports a matching range of 15 to 1500 (now Kessler Engineering). Apparently, the new the new Palstar HF-Auto is reported as 10:1 SWR which may be the same as KAT500. Therefore, can someone (Wayne, Eric or others in the know) confirm that with my current antenna configuration, I will probably NOT be able to use the KAT500 for 80 meters (at least). My options I suppose are not to use the KAT500 at all, not use it for 80, or reconfigure my delta loop (although, my degrees of freedom for this are small). 73, phil, K7PEH __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] Elecraft vs. Apple
Before this degenerates further, I was referring to Elecraft/Apple producing a product that is so good that the public didn't know they wanted it; then couldn't live without it once exposed to it (iPod, iPhone, iPad; K1, K2, K3, KX3). We all know that Elecraft (unlike Apple) understands that customer support is the actual product that they really sell. The rest is just hardware. Rick WA6NHC -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Bert Craig Sent: Saturday, December 31, 2011 1:22 PM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft vs. Apple I have to wholeheartedly agree with Mike, KK5F. As an 16 yr. veteran IT professional, I decided to give Apple a fair shake and purchased a MacBook for my wife and a MacBook Pro for myself. After a year (A fair time period.) I went back to my beloved ThinkPads. My 13 yr. old daughter, Sam, W2SSC now has the MacBook Pro as she and my wife love them. They are meant to be relatively easy and discourage most under the hood upgrades. I, however, dislike the our way or the highway approach. Wishing everybody and their families a healthy and happy new year. Take care es... Vy 73 de Bert WA2SI -Original Message- From: Mike Morrow [mailto:k...@earthlink.net] Sent: Saturday, December 31, 2011 15:56 To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] Elecraft vs. Apple Rick wrote: Or from future historians who want to know how Elecraft became the ham equivalent of Apple. ;-) One must really, really hope not. If Elecraft's products and policies and attitudes toward the customer reflected those of Apple, the purchaser wouldn't even be allowed to open the case and change the battery! Mike / KK5F __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] open wire feeders
Hi, Wow, gorgeously constructed tuner by WZ5Q. I wish I had one. But is the center tap of the secondary really connected to the coax input ground as indicated in the schematic? AB2TC - Knut Bill K9YEQ wrote Ron, Thank you for the references. I found the information very interesting to say the least. Parts here would be an issue, but the construction and methods to check and adjust the tuner were most valuable. Now just to have some drawer space! As Don had mentioned in an earlier post, getting the balanced feed line to the shack can be quite a challenge, especially for those of us who have rebar enforce concrete with no simple method to feed through the wall. I think even the double coax systems to be a difficulty especially when having to drill into the side of the house and miss all the surrounding materials, esp. the rebar. This may not be my last shack so I have filed the project and will see what I can find for parts now before this stuff gets extinct. That copper tubing is really becoming scarce and I am not even sure how much copper really is in the tubing and what impact it has on the coils if not of the same purity. I did locate some surplus Comet vacuum capacitors in the $800+ range??!!! 73, Bill K9YEQ -Original Message- From: elecraft-bounces@.qth [mailto:elecraft-bounces@.qth] On Behalf Of Ron D'Eau Claire I have often had a voltage loop at the rig end of my open wire feed line and have never experienced a problem with stray RF, even though a neon bulb lying near the ATU blinked as I sent CW. HOWEVER - I do use a homebrew link-coupled ATU with open wire line. It lacks the dual-differential tuning capacitors that Johnson used to adjust virtual coil taps for the feed line in the Matchbox, but mine has a much wider matching range using actual taps on the coil. (The Johnson Matchbox is only rated to match balanced lines with impedances up to 1200 ohms). Link coupling has a number of advantages including a high order of suppression of stray signals since there is no direct electrical connection between the antenna and the rig. Everything coming in (or going out) has to pass magnetically across the link coupling and through the tuned circuit. That's especially handy if you live near a broadcast station. And of course, you can use the same tuner with unbalanced lines (e.g. coax). Just connect the shield to the center of the coil and tap the center conductor out to either side. WZ5Q has a great example of a beautifully link coupled tuner at: http://www.wz5q.net/index/shack_data/tuna.htm It's bigger and neater than mine but the circuit is the same right down to the RF current sensors. Ron AC7AC snip -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/open-wire-feeders-tp7140748p7141208.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] open wire feeders
Oops, I didn't look closely enough at his schematic. He used a single section cap. Mine is a dual section with the ends of the main coil connected to each stator, the rotor floating, and no grounded center tap on the main coil. Ron AC7AC -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of ab2tc Sent: Saturday, December 31, 2011 2:01 PM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] open wire feeders Hi, Wow, gorgeously constructed tuner by WZ5Q. I wish I had one. But is the center tap of the secondary really connected to the coax input ground as indicated in the schematic? AB2TC - Knut __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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 vs. FT817 (comparing apples+oranges)
Steve, I enjoyed your analysis. I own the FT817 with the SSB filter, upgraded battery pack that has great shelf life and the Analog DSP device all added a number of years ago. I am most unhappy with the battery life and the much too tiny controls and display. A bit taller profile would have allowed so much more. I badgered Wayne in 2004 before taking a trip to Antarctica to come up with a KX1 style device that had SSB, single band would be just fine as long as I could have band selection. He also expressed similar discontent. Unbeknownst, he must have had the idea for a KX3-like device in the mental works. I like the form factor of the FT-817 for walkabouts with an antenna attached to the face of the radio with my carry case and sling over shoulder while dragging my counterpoise. Great for operating as long as there wasn't much noise or much close interference. I also found the radio's rejection of noise was poor even with the DSP working, unless I turned it to an aggressive position which then created digital artifacts which are also annoying. The FT-817 does have the walkabout benefit. I like to operate at 2 watts SSB. I do this on my KX1 and K2 as well. I go to 1.00 watt on the K3 on CW as I can use a fixed station antenna. I love SSB and only occasionally work CW. The better receiver on the KX3 will be a huge benefit in my opinion. I had an FT-857 in my mobile for all band. It was horrible on HF for me because of the noise in metro areas, etc. When I moved to an IC7000 it was like day and night. (The FT-817 and 857 were too similar for my liking.) I can work HF without issue and have lots of power for V/U and the audio is very good. My dilemma for the KX3 as a mobile is the lack of FM features/bands common with the competition. I think I will remove the 7000 and get the KX3 with amplifier and add an FM transceiver. I like having a tuner to load whatever I can come up with for an antenna on my electric fold over mount and not have the SUV look like a porcupine mobile ground plane. (No offense intended for those who have porcupines, I don't like the look on my vehicle, my wife doesn't like what I already have which is very low profile and I cannot disagree to a point.) We'll see what Wayne and Eric come up with. Right now I will just sit and wait. 73, Bill K9YEQ -Original Message- I do agree with some of what Doug says. I see the numbers side with the pricing - you are more than double the original price Doug outlined with a KX3. The FT-817ND now is in the $700+ range. Going off that number a base KX3 is $300 more - not a double in price. Regarding the apples to oranges comment - I entirely agree. In fact, I find it hard to compare the KX3 to a lot of radios because there is so much under the cover (and on the cover). My potable radio for years has been the FT-857D. That is my every day rig in the mobile (160-6m, 2m, 70cm) and is my grab'n'go rig. I have a K2 also and that is nice when car-camping, but at that point the FT-857D is along too - it has VHF/UHF capabilities the K2 does not. Adding in the 2m module to the KX3 will let me grab that instead of un-installing the FT-857D. I am anxious to throw it in the backpack and head out to the Appalachians for a few days. My pack weight will drop substantially and my back will thank me! For what the FT-817 is - it is a neat little rig. That satisfied a niche for years in the HFPack community. It is really hard to knock the useability of the rig. For those that currently have them maybe, as Doug alludes to, it will remain a staple in their portable arsenals. My FT-857D will be a staple in my arsenal in some instances I would assume, but there is some versatility in that rig that the KX3 will replace, no doubt. At the time I got the FT-857D I considered other rigs - and the FT-817 was one of them. Where I use my FT-857D most of the time is as my every-day mobile rig, and to that point there still is no radio on the market that satisfies that niche to the same capacity - the FT-857D, as heavy as it is, still has made its way in to my backpack for trips around southern Ohio and the Appalachian mountains. It is compact and the receive current is low (500-550mA = low enough to run on batteries). Try that with an IC-7000 (one of the better mobile rigs on the market). That rig's current consumption is at least 2 amps (2000mA) and it is also heavier. Or, conversely, try putting an FT-817 in the mobile... Doesn't work too well - the faceplate doesn't remote and the power output is low. Who knows - maybe the KX3 will make it in to my mobile station with the KXPA100... Then the FT-857D for VHF/UHF and the KX3 for HF? HI. The possibilities are endless. We are all entitled to our own opinions. What the base of those opinions is can vary, but we're the ones that choose our tools. What we want our tools to do or have change, but guess what? They all do the same job. All radios let you communicate. Do you want CW only?
[Elecraft] SKN 2012
Straight Key Night is just a under two hours away: http://www.arrl.org/straight-key-night If you have a straight key, and maybe a vintage CW station, then it's time to get on the air. Those of you that have a K2, then you may have a vintage rig ready to go: vin·tage adj. 1. Of or relating to a vintage. 2. Characterized by excellence, maturity, and enduring appeal; classic. 3. Old or outmoded. Is the year for the K2 the date it was designed, a decade ago, or when it was built? My K2 is vintage 2011. The K2 is absolutely; excellent, very mature, and, because it's still sold today, must have an enduring appeal. Alas, the K2 is old and outmoded, as it will soon be replaced by many KX3s. Happy New Year, John, KN5L __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] Question about forthcoming KAT500
I've got the same antenna here. 88' of 300 Ohm transmitting twinlead configured as a folded dipole. Fed with about 50ft of 300 Ohm to a 1:1 balun and coax into the shack from there. My KAT100-1 matches it on all bands and(I haven't tried 160 because I don't expect miracles) at 100W. It's spec'd range is 10:1. I can't imagine the KAT500 won't match something close to that. If folks are expecting it to match the proverbial wet noodle or their downspouts AND take 500W they should probably change their expectations. On Sat, 31 Dec 2011 13:36:28 -0800 Jim Bennett w6...@mac.com wrote: An interesting question!! And it directly affects my situation, too. So, here is a slight add-on to Phil's query - perhaps Eric or Wayne can shed some light here. My main antenna is an 88' foot long doublet at 45 feet, fed with 600-ohm ladder line, and a 1:1 balun where my eight feet of coax from the K3/100 connects to the balanced line. The K3's tuner gives me a match on this antenna on 80 through 6 meters. I'm a happy camper with this antenna working pretty darn well on all bands, although it is mostly NVIS on 80. So, my question is - how close in performance will the KAT500 be to the KAT3? Can I expect the KAT500 to match this antenna as well as the KAT3 does? I'd certainly NOT be happy to spend the dollars for the new tuner to find that it is not capable of doing what the KAT3 can do. Jim / W6JHB On Saturday, Dec 31, 2011, at Saturday, 12:33 PM, Phil Hystad wrote: Did I read right that the forthcoming KAT500 would be able to match up to a 10:1 SWR? So, this should mean that the impedance range of the tuner is anywhere from 5 to 500 ohms (absolute value of Z). I currently use an AT1KM tuner with impedance range of 20 to 1500 ohms. I use this with a horizontal delta loop and I am able to match all of my important bands that I operate on this antenna which are 80, 40, 30. I use a 5-band hex beam for the other bands. But, I can easily get a good match well under 1.5:1 using the AT1KM. But, I also measured the impedance and SWR at the point that the coax hooks into the AT1KM. These measures are then of the raw, un-tuned, antenna system (coax and delta loop) made with my MFJ-259B. According to these measurements, the raw impedances I need to match are more then 10:1 for some of the bands. Indeed, I am close to 24:1 for the low part of 80 but I operate fine in this region using the AT1KM. Should I then assume that the KAT500 will not work for me with my current antenna system? I also noticed that other auto-tuners have similar wider ranges. For example, MFJ-998 supports a matching range of 12 to 1600; and, the old Palstar AT-Auto supports a matching range of 15 to 1500 (now Kessler Engineering). Apparently, the new the new Palstar HF-Auto is reported as 10:1 SWR which may be the same as KAT500. Therefore, can someone (Wayne, Eric or others in the know) confirm that with my current antenna configuration, I will probably NOT be able to use the KAT500 for 80 meters (at least). My options I suppose are not to use the KAT500 at all, not use it for 80, or reconfigure my delta loop (although, my degrees of freedom for this are small). 73, phil, K7PEH __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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 -- R. Kevin Stover AC0H __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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 for sale
Sorry for the bandwith but my k2 is relisted on ebay at a slightly cheaper price and better pics this time. The buy it now price is 1500 but if anyone on the list wants it I will let it go for $1400 via paypal on here and take it off ebay. John WT5Y __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] SKN 2012
I've got a homebrew 6C4 driving a 5763 to 8 watts input *somewhere* around 7.028 +/- the drift ;) but my K2 is my receiver for tonight and the T/R relay is Phil Salas' AD5X version from an old QST. We're definitely *not* talking QSK here, folks!! Made one warm-up QSO today with KE3NE and realized the old fist just ain't what it used to be !!! Happy New Year and Happy SKN. Stan WB2LQF On Sat, Dec 31, 2011 at 5:27 PM, John Oppenheimer wrote: Straight Key Night is just a under two hours away: http://www.arrl.org/straight-key-night If you have a straight key, and maybe a vintage CW station, then it's time to get on the air. Those of you that have a K2, then you may have a vintage rig ready to go: vin·tage adj. 1. Of or relating to a vintage. 2. Characterized by excellence, maturity, and enduring appeal; classic. 3. Old or outmoded. Is the year for the K2 the date it was designed, a decade ago, or when it was built? My K2 is vintage 2011. The K2 is absolutely; excellent, very mature, and, because it's still sold today, must have an enduring appeal. Alas, the K2 is old and outmoded, as it will soon be replaced by many KX3s. Happy New Year, John, KN5L __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] open wire feeders
Actually, that is a *brute* tuner, capable of mega kilowatts! Something a bit scaled down is more practical IMHO. BUT the design is exactly what I was referring to. The design principle is the same, but I have always used dual section capacitors so the shaft is at RF Ground potential (no insulators required). Number 12 or 14 wire in the coil should be all that is required for normal legal power levels. WZ5Q would probably consider it wimpy, but for practical purposes, it should be just fine. 73, Don W3FPR On 12/31/2011 5:01 PM, ab2tc wrote: Hi, Wow, gorgeously constructed tuner by WZ5Q. I wish I had one. But is the center tap of the secondary really connected to the coax input ground as indicated in the schematic? AB2TC - Knut __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] Question about forthcoming KAT500
Make yourself a line stretcher, a device with switchable lengths of whatever feedline you use, starting out with, eg, a 1' length, then 2', then 4', and so on. Put it at the tuner output. This can change the Z presented to the tuner to something it can handle without running out of the range of variable adjustment. It's an old workaround. Brgds, Dave, N3HE -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/Question-about-forthcoming-KAT500-tp7141131p7141267.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] Some Year End Thoughts about Elecraft and InnovativeRadio Manufactures of the Past
Dear Friends, I have come to judge all companies by the standard Elecraft has set and none compare. The design engineers, all of them talk with their customers and this is indeed rare. Product development has continued. Performance, quality, reliability compared to price is all hard to beat. I consider myself fortunate to be using a K3 and P3. Sometimes when I look at the expansion of the product line I wonder if this will mean that K3 development will stop but this does not seem to be the case. It is time to pinch myself one more time. Happy New Year to all the good folks at Elecraft and to all of their many users. 73 Doug EI2CN -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Monty Shultes Sent: 31 December 2011 11:38 To: Bill Cc: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Some Year End Thoughts about Elecraft and InnovativeRadio Manufactures of the Past While large organizations can be productive, really new ideas tend to come from one person's motivation and insight. Elecraft is the product of two such people, each with their expertise. I hope that one-two punch provides enough satisfaction for them to continue. From the 4 K2s built to my current K3 and KX1, the satisfaction of ownership has been outstanding. KX3 order is on the list. Anyone need a 706 MKII? Monty K2DLJ On Dec 30, 2011, at 8:56 PM, Bill wrote: I just finished reading an article about some companies that may not or will not be around for 2012. For example, SEARS has been in business for 125 years but they are closing hundreds of stores. Because of the current economy, the list of failing businesses in this country is long and growing longer each day. This got me thinking of some of the innovative radio manufactures and equipment of the past. The Central Electronics 100V was one of the first no-tune transmitters. Pretty cool for the 1950's. The Collins S Line and KWM-380 were pricey but nice. How about the Signal One Milspec 1030. I believe Signal One was a company that was about the same size as Elecraft. Some of the companies such as Collins are still in business making Avionics but sadly they no longer make Amateur Radio equipment. How lucky we are to be able to jump on the web and order some of the latest technology rigs from Elecraft such as the KX3. I believe that Elecraft rigs are high in performance but still very reasonable in price when compared to the competition. Good job guys! It takes more than innovative thinking and engineering expertise to run a business in the state of California. There are expensive business licenses and permits, costly insurance, environmental restrictions, high business taxes, and the list goes on. We even get Cap and Trade starting in 2012. Even though small businesses provide many of the jobs in this state the climate is almost hostile towards them having any kind of success. I try to keep these things in mind before bugging Wayne about the KX3 manual. That reminds me.. When can I order that new display board for the P3 J Thanks to everyone at Elecraft and Happy New Year to all. 73, Bill - K6WLM __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] Question about forthcoming KAT500
Jim, It has been some number of hours now and we have not heard from Wayne (likely doing New Year's eve celebration with the family), so I will attempt to answer from my recall of prior information from Wayne. First, I believe the KAT500 will have a range as great (maybe greater) than the KAT3 - so if the KAT3 handles your antenna, the KAT500 should too. I would also like to say that the stated 10:1 SWR tuning range is not absolute, but is worst case. The matching range of any tuner is more limited at low frequencies. For instance, if the tuner can match a 10:1 SWR at 160 meters, it may be able to match a 25:1 SWR at 10 meters. Of course, that all depends on the resistive to reactive ratio too - all loads are not equal. 73, Don W3FPR On 12/31/2011 4:36 PM, Jim Bennett wrote: An interesting question!! And it directly affects my situation, too. So, here is a slight add-on to Phil's query - perhaps Eric or Wayne can shed some light here. My main antenna is an 88' foot long doublet at 45 feet, fed with 600-ohm ladder line, and a 1:1 balun where my eight feet of coax from the K3/100 connects to the balanced line. The K3's tuner gives me a match on this antenna on 80 through 6 meters. I'm a happy camper with this antenna working pretty darn well on all bands, although it is mostly NVIS on 80. So, my question is - how close in performance will the KAT500 be to the KAT3? Can I expect the KAT500 to match this antenna as well as the KAT3 does? I'd certainly NOT be happy to spend the dollars for the new tuner to find that it is not capable of doing what the KAT3 can do. Jim / W6JHB __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] Question about forthcoming KAT500
Follow-up: Well, I did my own experiment. I forgot briefly that I have a KAT3 which is also described as a 10:1 matching tuner. Well, it does not seem to match most of my bands on the delta loop. So, the KAT500 is not on my to-buy list until I get this antenna fixed to match better. I have a lot of ideas but I am waiting for warmer and dryer weather -- good because the KAT500 should be well tested by the field by then. 73, phil, K7PEH On Dec 31, 2011, at 12:33 PM, Phil Hystad wrote: Did I read right that the forthcoming KAT500 would be able to match up to a 10:1 SWR? So, this should mean that the impedance range of the tuner is anywhere from 5 to 500 ohms (absolute value of Z). I currently use an AT1KM tuner with impedance range of 20 to 1500 ohms. I use this with a horizontal delta loop and I am able to match all of my important bands that I operate on this antenna which are 80, 40, 30. I use a 5-band hex beam for the other bands. But, I can easily get a good match well under 1.5:1 using the AT1KM. But, I also measured the impedance and SWR at the point that the coax hooks into the AT1KM. These measures are then of the raw, un-tuned, antenna system (coax and delta loop) made with my MFJ-259B. According to these measurements, the raw impedances I need to match are more then 10:1 for some of the bands. Indeed, I am close to 24:1 for the low part of 80 but I operate fine in this region using the AT1KM. Should I then assume that the KAT500 will not work for me with my current antenna system? I also noticed that other auto-tuners have similar wider ranges. For example, MFJ-998 supports a matching range of 12 to 1600; and, the old Palstar AT-Auto supports a matching range of 15 to 1500 (now Kessler Engineering). Apparently, the new the new Palstar HF-Auto is reported as 10:1 SWR which may be the same as KAT500. Therefore, can someone (Wayne, Eric or others in the know) confirm that with my current antenna configuration, I will probably NOT be able to use the KAT500 for 80 meters (at least). My options I suppose are not to use the KAT500 at all, not use it for 80, or reconfigure my delta loop (although, my degrees of freedom for this are small). 73, phil, K7PEH __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] SKN 2012
John I agree with everything except for number 3. For those of us to have, keep and own a rig where we soldered on the components and qualify as a homebrew transceiver in many homebrew contests, and be proud to say that it has been soldered together by ME, the K2 will never be replaced. Besides, if anything ever broke on it, I can probably fix it by going to a local electronic parts store and repair the broken components. The K2 will go the way of the Kenwood TS830S, an irreplaceable classic - only my humble opinion. The ergonomics of the K2 design makes it the classic CW rig. Ariel Date: Sat, 31 Dec 2011 16:27:56 -0600 From: j...@kn5l.net To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] SKN 2012 Straight Key Night is just a under two hours away: http://www.arrl.org/straight-key-night If you have a straight key, and maybe a vintage CW station, then it's time to get on the air. Those of you that have a K2, then you may have a vintage rig ready to go: vin·tage adj. 1. Of or relating to a vintage. 2. Characterized by excellence, maturity, and enduring appeal; classic. 3. Old or outmoded. Is the year for the K2 the date it was designed, a decade ago, or when it was built? My K2 is vintage 2011. The K2 is absolutely; excellent, very mature, and, because it's still sold today, must have an enduring appeal. Alas, the K2 is old and outmoded, as it will soon be replaced by many KX3s. Happy New Year, John, KN5L __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] SKN 2012
John, If you think my fully upgraded (and packed with all options for a QRP K2) original Field Test K2 SN 00020 will be replaced by a KX3, you have another think coming. Yes, I will have a KX3, but that old K2 will still be rolling along. It may not do prime duty in the home station - the K3 takes of that, and it will no longer be the Field Radio of Choice once the KX3 is in hand, but it will sit faithfully on the operating desk and be used in sort of an SO2R position with the K3. I hope my heirs treat it with respect as well, but that is out of my control. So in the future, if you youngsters run across a K2 SN 00020, know that it was mine, and it was never sold in my lifetime. Oh yes, Happy New Year to all - 2011 is just about gone. 73, Don W3FPR On 12/31/2011 5:27 PM, John Oppenheimer wrote: Straight Key Night is just a under two hours away: http://www.arrl.org/straight-key-night If you have a straight key, and maybe a vintage CW station, then it's time to get on the air. Those of you that have a K2, then you may have a vintage rig ready to go: vin·tage adj. 1. Of or relating to a vintage. 2. Characterized by excellence, maturity, and enduring appeal; classic. 3. Old or outmoded. Is the year for the K2 the date it was designed, a decade ago, or when it was built? My K2 is vintage 2011. The K2 is absolutely; excellent, very mature, and, because it's still sold today, must have an enduring appeal. Alas, the K2 is old and outmoded, as it will soon be replaced by many KX3s. Happy New Year, John, KN5L __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] Question about forthcoming KAT500
Phil, You might want to try adding or subtracting some feedline - that is sure to make some feedpoint impedance change. OTOH, if you now have a working system, why change? If there is some added value to using the KAT500 over what you have installed and working, then fine, look at how to best integrate the KAT500 - but if what you have works to your satisfaction, then why change. Don't monkey with what works. 73, Don W3FPR On 12/31/2011 6:06 PM, Phil Hystad wrote: Follow-up: Well, I did my own experiment. I forgot briefly that I have a KAT3 which is also described as a 10:1 matching tuner. Well, it does not seem to match most of my bands on the delta loop. So, the KAT500 is not on my to-buy list until I get this antenna fixed to match better. I have a lot of ideas but I am waiting for warmer and dryer weather -- good because the KAT500 should be well tested by the field by then. 73, phil, K7PEH __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] Question about forthcoming KAT500
Don, Thanks for the comments. Actually I have this persistent urge to make my shack as much Elecraft as possible. So, if Elecraft offers it, I generally want to buy it. Therefore, in a few months I will work to modify my antenna to work with the KAT500. Also, this will be done in tandem with my interest in creating some kind of good 160 meter solution -- right now, I have a jury rigged setup to operate on 160 which I rarely use because it is a hassle to set up each time -- it is not a permanent solution. So, this will be the project for the warmer months -- not necessarily drier, just warmer. If I wanted drier I would have to wait until August! phil On Dec 31, 2011, at 3:23 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote: Phil, You might want to try adding or subtracting some feedline - that is sure to make some feedpoint impedance change. OTOH, if you now have a working system, why change? If there is some added value to using the KAT500 over what you have installed and working, then fine, look at how to best integrate the KAT500 - but if what you have works to your satisfaction, then why change. Don't monkey with what works. 73, Don W3FPR On 12/31/2011 6:06 PM, Phil Hystad wrote: Follow-up: Well, I did my own experiment. I forgot briefly that I have a KAT3 which is also described as a 10:1 matching tuner. Well, it does not seem to match most of my bands on the delta loop. So, the KAT500 is not on my to-buy list until I get this antenna fixed to match better. I have a lot of ideas but I am waiting for warmer and dryer weather -- good because the KAT500 should be well tested by the field by then. 73, phil, K7PEH __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] State Of Maine Elecrafters - Can We Get Group Together For Coffee?
Bruce: How about some sort of event in connection with the Andy Hamfest in Lewiston at the end of March? 73, Steve AA4AK Brunswick ME On 12/31/2011 4:19 PM, Bruce Howes wrote: I've seen a number of Maine call signs up here, with the cold weather finally upon us, and Lobstercon at least 6 months away, what do you think about getting together to discuss Elecraft products and radio in general? I'm a Elecraft builder and user, K1, K2, K3, KX1, etc. Also like low power portable operations, often take a portable station with me when traveling. Other interests include boat anchors - older tube gear and restorations. I'm in the Midcoast, could host here, or at a convenient restaurant more central to others. Would be nice to meet each other, talk about our projects, stations, radio activities, who knows what might come out of it. Think about lunch, coffee, bringing along photos or some of Elecraft gear to show the group, an informal introduction and show and tell. Interested? I'd love to hear your thoughts and ideas. Email me at w1...@arrl.net and I'd be happy to coordinate. Thanks! 73 Bruce J. Howes W1UJR www.w1ujr.net Sent from my iPad __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] SKN 2012
On 12/31/2011 05:15 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote: John, If you think my fully upgraded (and packed with all options for a QRP K2) original Field Test K2 SN 00020 will be replaced by a KX3, you have another think coming. Hi Don, obviously, your K2 #20, same as my K2/10 #7212, fits the Characterized by excellence, maturity, and enduring appeal; classic category. Some day I shall have a QRP rig trophy case; presently, I have a HW-8, IC-703, and K2/10. All three were/are well used with enduring memories. John __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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 announcement
The weekly Elecraft SSB net will meet tomorrow (1/1/12) at 1800Z on 14.3035 MHz +/- QRM. I will be net control from western Oregon, and we'll try relays to pull in the stations that I can't hear. See you there. 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
Re: [Elecraft] VHF/UHF coverage
What the heck, since everyone is making wishes. Has there been any consideration of an all-mode 222-MHz option? That would really make Elecraft stand out in the field even more. Yes, I know that they offer an external transverter. I might consider that if there is a low-level output to drive it with the KX3. I have a K2 but not the 60m/transverter interface. Oddly, from my research, there is precious little 222 MHz activity in the greater Los Angeles/Orange County area except during contests, and quite a bit of that is FM simplex. Thus, it's an expensive option, considering the need for an antenna as well. 73 de Jim - AD6CW On 12/30/2011 8:59 PM, Edward R. Cole wrote: Since Wayne indicates they're open to the possibility of 70cm, eventually, and some subsequent comments consider a couple approaches: Since there is room for both 20w HF tuner and 2m module, perhaps the 70cm module could occupy the space for the tuner to provide 2m/70cm, or Perhaps a combo 2m/70cm dual-band transverter as single package, or A dual-band transverter as a separate piggy-back package that would clamp-on to the back of the KX3, thus allowing the 20w HF tuner in addition. That would provide more space to obtain full 10w output for both. I do get the objective to have everything inside the KX3, but there are simply limitations to what will fit. Finally, a comment about the FT-817. I was amazed to get HF-to-light in the FT-847 and then two years later they shrink it into a 5w version, wow! It was a good radio, for its time, but did not encompass DSP in the initial unit. Now the age of SDR is finally coming into full swing! I am amazed to find that I will own three SDR once the KX3 arrives: 2007 SDR-IQ, 2009-K3, 2012-KX3. Simply amazing! __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] SKN 2012
John, FB on your Trophy Case. I do not have any trophy case of past rigs. I do have some of my old tube receivers stowed away in the attic - I don't know why, but I just can't part with them and since they are homebrew, they are not regarded as classics to be rebuilt. I did sell my BC-348 long ago and have regretted it, I don't know what happened to the SW-54 receiver I used as a novice (any questions about why I did not have many contacts?), and the nice homebrew transmitter I built for my Novice station was cannibalized for parts to be used in other projects (teenager with limited monetary resources). So you see, I am not in the habit of buying gear with any mind toward selling it in the future, nor do I wish to put all my past homebrew projects on display (although that may be worthy of some consideration for what is left in my collection). I do have an attachment to those things that I build, and if I have built them for myself, would never consider selling them. I just keep them around so I can look at them once in a while and remember when. You do not have to understand nor agree with my personal version of nostalgia, but as we look back (hey, it is New Year's Eve - a time for looking back and anticipating the future) we can enjoy our past accomplishments and take lessons from those things that did not turn out so well. 73, Don W3FPR On 12/31/2011 6:36 PM, John Oppenheimer wrote: On 12/31/2011 05:15 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote: John, If you think my fully upgraded (and packed with all options for a QRP K2) original Field Test K2 SN 00020 will be replaced by a KX3, you have another think coming. Hi Don, obviously, your K2 #20, same as my K2/10 #7212, fits the Characterized by excellence, maturity, and enduring appeal; classic category. Some day I shall have a QRP rig trophy case; presently, I have a HW-8, IC-703, and K2/10. All three were/are well used with enduring memories. John __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] HnY
WA3MIX WB3KRN have heard Big Ben bring in the new year in London so, as far as we're concerned, our duty is done and we can turn in at will. Happy New Year to all and Thanks to Elecraft for perhaps the most fun year of hamming in my 42 year ham career. Hope to work many of you in 2012. 73, Lou -- WA3MIX Lou Kolb Voice-over Artist: Radio/TV Adds, Video narrations Messages On-hold: www.loukolb.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] Have orders filled up yet? Is there a cap?
I am very curious: How many orders have been placed, so far? (I have (just) one on order...) This is a very exciting product! It's going to be great fun! 73; -Mike- KØJTA __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] Have orders filled up yet? Is there a cap?
Mike, I would think that you will not get any real number from Elecraft - that would provide competitors information into Elecraft profitability, etc. BUT, from what I can decipher, the number is LARGE. Yes, I have just one on order too. Happy New Year 73, Don W3FPR On 12/31/2011 7:19 PM, Mike Schwendeman wrote: I am very curious: How many orders have been placed, so far? (I have (just) one on order...) This is a very exciting product! It's going to be great fun! 73; -Mike- KØJTA __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] Question about forthcoming KAT500
I don't know about the KAT500 specifically, but if a tuner is specified at 10:1 SWR worst case, that means it should meet that spec for load impedances of any phase angle, 0-360 degrees. I expect it will do much better than 10:1 at some phase angles. Years ago when I was working at R. L. Drake, I designed the MN2700 antenna tuner. It was specified for 5:1 SWR. On some bands it barely made 10 ohms at the low end but it would typically do much better than that at other phase angles. For example, it would match much greater than 250 ohms resistive on most bands. Alan N1AL On Sat, 2011-12-31 at 12:33 -0800, Phil Hystad wrote: Did I read right that the forthcoming KAT500 would be able to match up to a 10:1 SWR? So, this should mean that the impedance range of the tuner is anywhere from 5 to 500 ohms (absolute value of Z). I currently use an AT1KM tuner with impedance range of 20 to 1500 ohms. I use this with a horizontal delta loop and I am able to match all of my important bands that I operate on this antenna which are 80, 40, 30. I use a 5-band hex beam for the other bands. But, I can easily get a good match well under 1.5:1 using the AT1KM. But, I also measured the impedance and SWR at the point that the coax hooks into the AT1KM. These measures are then of the raw, un-tuned, antenna system (coax and delta loop) made with my MFJ-259B. According to these measurements, the raw impedances I need to match are more then 10:1 for some of the bands. Indeed, I am close to 24:1 for the low part of 80 but I operate fine in this region using the AT1KM. Should I then assume that the KAT500 will not work for me with my current antenna system? I also noticed that other auto-tuners have similar wider ranges. For example, MFJ-998 supports a matching range of 12 to 1600; and, the old Palstar AT-Auto supports a matching range of 15 to 1500 (now Kessler Engineering). Apparently, the new the new Palstar HF-Auto is reported as 10:1 SWR which may be the same as KAT500. Therefore, can someone (Wayne, Eric or others in the know) confirm that with my current antenna configuration, I will probably NOT be able to use the KAT500 for 80 meters (at least). My options I suppose are not to use the KAT500 at all, not use it for 80, or reconfigure my delta loop (although, my degrees of freedom for this are small). 73, phil, K7PEH __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] KX3 Transverters
The greater LA area is somewhat unique in that there is probably less repeater usage on 440 than other parts of the country. Most of the repeaters on that band are closed or private. That's a fact, not a criticism. I've yet to assemble and put up my antenna to give it a go on SSB. Glad that I kept my FT-847 all these years, with its higher power out on that band. 73 de Jim - AD6CW On 12/30/2011 4:14 PM, Dyarnes wrote: Hi All, I'm glad (for some of you) that a 2 meter transverter will eventually be available for the KX3. In my view, however, only having 2 meters really doesn't accomplish that much. Yes, 2 meters probably still is the most significant VHF/UHF band, but it seems to me that 440 has become nearly equal, and even more important in some areas. I don't know how much you can cram into the KX3, but unless I could get both 2 meters and 440 combined, it would still mean I have to have an alternative for those bands--it's like getting half a loaf. A dual band HT does that for me. If I need an HT for 440, I might as well use it for 2 meters as well, and skip the transverter. The trade-off, of course, is not being able to utilize all modes. More and more, both here locally and as I travel around a bit, I find that 440 has become quite preferential in many places. I'm not that much into VHF/UHF anyway, so it's easy for me to be a bit blasé' about it. Nonetheless, it just seems to me that most folks who are serious about these bands, are probably serious about both of them (if not more), and thus are apt to have some sort of all mode multi-band VHF/UHF rig for that purpose. If you are primarily just an FM'er on those bands, as I tend to be, then maybe you will see my point. I can certainly see some benefit of having 2 meters built into the KX3, at hamfests, or operating mobile, etc., but I can do all I need to do with a simple dual bander, or tri-bander, many of which are available for less than the cost of a transverter. The purpose of this post is not to be critical of the KX3 accessory plans--not at all! However, I guess I hope it might be food for thought to the folks in Watsonville about seriously considering whether or not they can expand the KX3 beyond just 2 meters. If they can, that's pretty amazing! Wayne hinted it might be something they may consider, but he was very cautious about the possibility. I'm just expressing my view as to why it might make sense, if it's possible at all. Dave W7AQK __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] open wire feeders
On 12/31/2011 11:34 AM, Don Wilhelm wrote: It is just as easy to use two parallel lengths of coax with the shield grounded and the balanced feedline connected to the two center conductors. That will produce a shielded balanced line that you can bring into the shack just like a single coax. In the days when the FCC's mobile direction-finders consisted of a rotatable Finch loop, the feedline was Twinax, two conductors within a single shield resulting in a cable about the size of RG-11, fed into the balanced antenna input of the receivers in use. I don't know if the cable or its connectors are readily available these days. -- 73 de K2ASP - Phil Kane Elecraft K2/100 s/n 5402 From a Clearing in the Silicon Forest Beaverton (Washington County) Oregon __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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 Announcement
Good Evening, Propagation has been very nice recently. Much better than the long doldrums we lived through. The sun has been active and almost gobbled a comet. I wish I were in the Southern Hemisphere so I could see Comet Lovejoy. Photos just cannot do justice to something like that. Weather was great up until the day before Christmas. Then it started raining. It did not quit until last night when precipitation became quieter as it fell in flakes. I awoke to a white world but that is mostly gone as it gets dark. The cold pushing in from the north may get shoved backward by the steady stream of clouds from the Pacific. This means I go back to rain but have warmer temperatures. Please join us tomorrow afternoon and evening. 1) Hail signs (first letter or two of the suffix of your call) 2) NCS help (as well as QSP/QNP relay help) Sunday 2300z (Sunday 3 PM PST) 14050 kHz Monday 0100z (Sunday 5 PM PST) 7045 kHz Stay well, Kevin. KD5ONS - __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] Question about forthcoming KAT500
Alan, Isn't that true of most tuners, that higher impedance is tolerated (matched) better than low impedance? If so, that easily explains why a 4:1 (or worse, a 9:1) balun is a bad choice on a multiband antenna. Such devices might lower the impedance too much on any given band. It might also explain why they're more lossy. 73 es HNY, Rick WA6NHC -Original Message- From: Alan Bloom On some bands it barely made 10 ohms at the low end but it would typically do much better than that at other phase angles. For example, it would match much greater than 250 ohms resistive on most bands. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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 KX1
With all the talk about the KX3, I wonder if anyone is contemplating selling their KX1, if so I would be interested. I am looking for one that has the tuner, 80/30 meter option, paddle if possible and must be well constructed with full power on all bands and from a non smoking environment.. Any other accessories or options would be a plus. If you have something that meets these needs please send details to include your best price shipped to zip 45324 in the first email.. Thanks and Happy New Year to all on the list. 73 Tim NZ8J __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] open wire feeders
Hi Guy, OK I'll own up. I have used isolation transformers as recently as this year before leaving Scotland, in the feed system of a Laport Rhombic (dual rhomboid). I used this antenna, aimed towards your side of the pond, to listen for VHF signals between 88 MHz and 148 MHz in the pious hope that a 2m contact (terrestrial) could be made across the Atlantic. To return to the topic of Open Wire Feeders. The 4 wire cross-connected type of open wire feeder is a viable and less costly alternative to low loss coax, especially when used at VHF and the runs are long. I have used this type of line during the past decades. Without going into the maths or the results of controlled measurements, in terms of noise pickup and radiation from the feeder the 4 wire line provides much better performance than its 2 wire cousin. Also it is practical to dimension and build a 4 wire line (wire spacing etc) whose Zo is 200 ohms - a useful value for transforming to 50 ohms at the Tx/ Rx end of the line. However on the downside this type of line should be kept under tension, which obviously allows the use of fewer spacers, and it does require some housekeeping to remove any wind blown twigs if there are trees nearby. Happy New Year. 73, Geoff LX2AO On December 31, 2011 at 8:45 PM, Guy Olinger K2AV wrote: snip But then, who talks about isolation transformers any more. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Question about forthcoming KAT500
On Sat, 2011-12-31 at 17:14 -0800, Rick Bates wrote: Alan, Isn't that true of most tuners, that higher impedance is tolerated (matched) better than low impedance? That tends to be true, but it really depends on the particular circuit. For an L-network, like in the Electaft tuners, matching a low impedance requires a large variable capacitor, which tends to be physically large and expensive. However, the Elecraft designs use relay-switched fixed capacitors so that might not be such a big issue. The Drake tuners used a pi-L network. The bandswitched input pi section transforms 50 ohms up to a high impedance and the L section (using two variable capacitors) brings it back down again as needed for the particular antenna. For that reason, it naturally tends to match high impedances easily, at least on the higher bands. The bandswitched pi-L topology has the advantage of better filtering and it is easier to tune manually, at the expense of a smaller tuning range. Alan N1AL If so, that easily explains why a 4:1 (or worse, a 9:1) balun is a bad choice on a multiband antenna. Such devices might lower the impedance too much on any given band. It might also explain why they're more lossy. 73 es HNY, Rick WA6NHC -Original Message- From: Alan Bloom On some bands it barely made 10 ohms at the low end but it would typically do much better than that at other phase angles. For example, it would match much greater than 250 ohms resistive on most bands. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] [FT817] Vs ELECRAFT
SRI for Off-Topic You are correct, but something very similar has been done … in the distant past … with a different email discussion group … http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2233588/pdf/procamiaafs1-0362.pdf For bedtime reading should you have interest. 72! gene WG7GW Message: 31 Date: Fri, 30 Dec 2011 06:34:07 -0800 From: Fred Jensen k6...@foothill.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [FT817] Vs ELECRAFT To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Message-ID: 4efdcbdf.6090...@foothill.net Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed There is, at the very least, a Master's Thesis, and likely a PhD dissertation on the social sciences and psychology buried in the archives of this list :-) 73, Fred K6DGW - Northern California Contest Club - CU in the 2012 Cal QSO Party 6-7 Oct 2012 - www.cqp.org On 12/29/2011 11:35 PM, Edward R. Cole wrote: Ahhh you know it was bound to happen: FT817 vs KX3 and nobody outside of Elecraft even has a KX3 , yet! __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] open wire feeders
On 12/31/2011 9:42 AM, Don Wilhelm wrote: My first rule is to use balanced antennas - off center fed antennas are famous for feedline radiation and RF in the shack. RIGHT! Some important fundamental principles here. 1) A two wire line will be balanced ONLY if what is connected at each end is balanced. 2) Any imbalance in the antenna or the turner will cause un-equal currents in the two conductors. The DIFFERENCE between those two currents is called common mode current, and it will radiate, just like the current on the outside of coax. Feeding an antenna off-center creates a LOT of imbalance, which, as Don has said, puts a lot of common mode current on the line, and thus a lot of RF in the shack. 3) Most practical ham antennas, even those that we try to build as balanced antennas, like center-fed dipoles, are unbalanced a bit by their surroundings -- trees, buildings, unequal height, sloping ground under the antenna, etc. 4) This unbalance may not hurt the antenna's performance too much, but because antennas work essentially the same on both TX and RX, that feedline picks up noise and couples it to the receiver. THAT'S why we need a really good common mode choke at the feedpoint of ANY antenna. There's another HUGE problem with off-center-fed antennas -- the unbalanced current on the feedline -- ANY feedline, including any form of parallel wire line -- can be quite large, and can easily cause even a very good common mode choke to fail with high power. 73, Jim Brown K9YC __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] Looking for a KX1
I was looking for one as well earlier - especially if someone offered a discount as this would be going for a Kids amateur Radio Club (see WK1RK on QRZ). Actually, if someone donated a complete K1 - they would be just as happy. someone gave them an MFJ cub and 9220. Neither is performing well enough in our area for the kids to have fun. I am going to sell some of my own stuff and get a KX3 to replace our home QRP gear. But anyone willing to help out these kids for their club. Check them on QRZ and their website (to see who else has donated and what). 72/73, Phillip(N8AYE) -. ---.. .- -.-- . SKCC# 7040 FIST# 13390 NAQCC# 4930 QRParci# 14214 NZ8J said the following on 12/31/2011 8:57 PM: With all the talk about the KX3, I wonder if anyone is contemplating selling their KX1, if so I would be interested. I am looking for one that has the tuner, 80/30 meter option, paddle if possible and must be well constructed with full power on all bands and from a non smoking environment.. Any other accessories or options would be a plus. If you have something that meets these needs please send details to include your best price shipped to zip 45324 in the first email.. Thanks and Happy New Year to all on the list. 73 Tim NZ8J __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] open wire feeders
The only LARGE problem that rears it's ugly head is a large amount of inductive or capacitive reactance often times present that the actual balun has to cope with. This dissipates power no mater what the VSWR on the open wire line happens to be. You WILL NOT be transforming a 50 ohm line to a 200 ohm line (4:1 transformer) OR a 50 ohm line to a 450 ohm line (9:1) There will be always some reactance present. If you run higher power (500-1000 watts or more) this may actually ultimately destroy the balun transformer itself! This effect doesn't seem to be as radical with choke type (ferrite beads over a run of coax) compared to a transformer type balun. I think you would be better off in the long run, in this instance with a choke type balun and use a coupler between to rig power source and the load Choke balun/ladder line/open wire feeder. The idea is to keep the coax part as short as possible and let the tuner deal with the oddball reactances that occur on the line. Over the years I have had troubles and seen other with same syndrome trying to let a transformer balun compensate for a impedance transformation under the duress of a HIGH reactance present which seems to destroy things eventually, AND radiate less useful power rather than it would other wise if the reactance was tuned out. I hope I am making myself clear. In my old setup before my XYL had a stroke, causing me to stop using a homebrewed balance line tuner (ladder line feeder entering the shack directly) worked most effectively. The dipole was 135' long at 50' and fed with about 110 feet of 450 ohm ladder line. I am unable to erect a similar antenna from the master bedroom where the rig is now and had to resort to using an end fed wire again. 73, Sandy W5TVW -Original Message- From: Robert G. Strickland Sent: Saturday, December 31, 2011 12:40 PM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] open wire feeders Don... Many hams - as I have done/do - use coax to get out of the house, connect it to a balun, and then connect twinlead from the balun to an antenna. There is a lot of commentary on this setup, but perhaps another time through would be helpful. The questions arise: - if the coax is short, say under ten feet, is this setup more or less equivalent to running the twinlead all the way from the antenna to the transmitter? - again, if the coax is short, will RG8 or 213 be sufficient to the task? - is there any advantage of one balun ratio to another [1:1, 4:1, 9:1]? Happy New Year, and thanks for your contributions here on the Elecraft reflector. ...robert On 12/31/2011 17:42, Don Wilhelm wrote: George, Short question, long answer follows -- Do to constraints at home, I no longer use open wire or ladder line feeders, but when I did use them, I found several things were true if you did not want them to radiate (and create RF in the Shack). My first rule is to use balanced antennas - off center fed antennas are famous for feedline radiation and RF in the shack. The second rule is to run the feedline away from the antenna at right angles for as great a length as you can manage, but certainly for a quarterwavelength - The feedline can pick up radiation from the antenna if this rule is not followed. Third is to run the feedline correctly - use nice gentle bends if you must change direction, support it using as few hangers as possible (if you can put the feedline under tension, you can get away with very few supports) but support it so it is stable even in the wind. Do not run it parallel to other conductors, but you may cross a conductor at right angles if necessary. The line should be spaced away from other objects by at least 3 times the spacing of the conductors. Lastly, If I could, use a true balanced tuner, link coupled is best, so if you see a Johnson Matchbox at a hamfest, get it. If you must use an unbalanced tuner, use a good balun at the output (see K9AY's info on baluns). BTW, do not assume that a 4:1 balun is the thing to use, the feedpoint impedance in the shack can vary wildly from very low to very high. If you do encounter a high impedance feedpoint on any band, that will place a high RF voltage point at the shack end - add or subtract some feedline to bring the feedpoint impedance down. If you do not understand how the feedpoint impedance changes with the length, take a look at the Antenna article on my website www.w3fpr.com 73, Don W3FPR On 12/31/2011 11:25 AM, w2b...@aol.com wrote: Those of you using open wire feed lines. How do you keep RF out of the shack? 73 George/W2BPI K2/100 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html -- Robert G.
Re: [Elecraft] Looking for a KX1
On 12/31/2011 6:48 PM, Phillip Nichols wrote: I was looking for one as well earlier - especially if someone offered a discount as this would be going for a Kids amateur Radio Club (see WK1RK on QRZ). Mine's for sale. 40/30/20 w/ATU and paddle. I'll throw in my ear buds for free. $1,200. PayPal works, shipping included. And if you get the idea I don't want to sell my KX1, congratulations, but for enough I'd easily be tempted. I really enjoy this little handheld. :-) 73, Fred K6DGW - Northern California Contest Club - CU in the 2012 Cal QSO Party 6-7 Oct 2012 - www.cqp.org __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] Looking for a KX1
Well, someone's feeling their oats Rich NU6T grin On 12/31/2011 7:07 PM, Fred Jensen wrote: On 12/31/2011 6:48 PM, Phillip Nichols wrote: I was looking for one as well earlier - especially if someone offered a discount as this would be going for a Kids amateur Radio Club (see WK1RK on QRZ). Mine's for sale. 40/30/20 w/ATU and paddle. I'll throw in my ear buds for free. $1,200. PayPal works, shipping included. And if you get the idea I don't want to sell my KX1, congratulations, but for enough I'd easily be tempted. I really enjoy this little handheld. :-) 73, Fred K6DGW - Northern California Contest Club - CU in the 2012 Cal QSO Party 6-7 Oct 2012 - www.cqp.org __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] open wire feeders
(:-)) I actually have a few Twinax connectors, both male and female. Same as PL-259 / SO-239's, except two pins. HAPPY NEW YEAR, and ... 73! Ken On Sun, Jan 1, 2012 at 12:41 AM, Phil Kane k2...@kanafi.org wrote: On 12/31/2011 11:34 AM, Don Wilhelm wrote: It is just as easy to use two parallel lengths of coax with the shield grounded and the balanced feedline connected to the two center conductors. That will produce a shielded balanced line that you can bring into the shack just like a single coax. In the days when the FCC's mobile direction-finders consisted of a rotatable Finch loop, the feedline was Twinax, two conductors within a single shield resulting in a cable about the size of RG-11, fed into the balanced antenna input of the receivers in use. I don't know if the cable or its connectors are readily available these days. -- 73 de K2ASP - Phil Kane Elecraft K2/100 s/n 5402 From a Clearing in the Silicon Forest Beaverton (Washington County) Oregon __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] Looking for a KX1
I love my KX1 with the 80/30 option and the T1 tuner. I would not give it up for anything. OK, I will but only for the pleasure of building the kit again. I highly recommend that you consider the KX1 kit, it is a fun evening time task putting that together. 73, phil, K7PEH On Dec 31, 2011, at 5:57 PM, NZ8J wrote: With all the talk about the KX3, I wonder if anyone is contemplating selling their KX1, if so I would be interested. I am looking for one that has the tuner, 80/30 meter option, paddle if possible and must be well constructed with full power on all bands and from a non smoking environment.. Any other accessories or options would be a plus. If you have something that meets these needs please send details to include your best price shipped to zip 45324 in the first email.. Thanks and Happy New Year to all on the list. 73 Tim NZ8J __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] Single Band 40 Meter Dipole
OK, lots of discussion on open wire feeders and other ideas so I thought I would throw out a question to soak up some of the Elecraft community knowledge and wisdom. Given a 40-meter dipole antenna, up about 50 feet, what is the best feed configuration for single band usage to minimize loss and minimize common mode currents and radiation from the feed line? I am thinking of building such an antenna and I would have no plans for using it on any other band but I would like to use it on the full spectrum of 40 meters with primary focus on the low end for CW. My current idea is to cut the antenna for 7.1 MHz but I am not sure about the best plan to feed it. I am thinking of 450 ohm window line (aka ladder line) to a 1:1 balun and the coax the rest of the way into the shack. Or, how about 300 ohm twin lead into a 6:1 balun with coax the rest of the way into the shack? Would this be a significant difference? Or, some other combination? Or, maybe a 1:1 balun right at the antenna feed point with coax the remaining distance to the shack? Any comments or suggestions? I am thinking of also raising up two other dipoles. I have room to put up 80, 40, and 30 as separate dipole antennas -- it is actually a little bit more awkward to do a fan dipole so I am leaning on not doing that. 73, phil, K7PEH __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] VHF/UHF coverage
Jim, Adding VHF+ frequencies to a HF/6m radio has nearly always been some kind of transverter. Afterall most modern receivers (transceivers) are based on the superhetrodyne design, which mixes down to a low enough IF for proper filtering/detection of the signal. A transceiver is just a single stage of mixing up/down (usually). Then all of a sudden we are making direct-conversions radios, again, only they also do conversion to digital and we call them SDR's (because filtering, noise reduction, and demodulation is done better in the digital world). I would say the KX3 IS that all the way to 54-MHz? (since I have to guess - not seeing a block diagram). A the present state of the art operating higher in frequency requires conversion (mixing) down the base SDR frequency (aka 50-54). It won't be long until direct conversion SDR will operate to 1296 (does anyone remember 8-MHz cpu clocks?). Whether the conversion (transverter) is done inside one case or an add-on it still is a transverter. So all it really takes is the willingness to make one for whatever band, be it 144, 222, 432, or ...??? In fact it is really a business decision. Is there a market? Is there competition? What is the return on investment (ROI)? The 220 (and now 222-MHz) band has always been a orphan band because it is not a world-wide amateur radio allocation. That means the market is smaller (ergo ROI is smaller). It sort of like that decision we as hams make whether to spend money on equipment for a band with little activity! What it the ROI for buying such? How much fun per buck? Well, I will say if we based all of our ham decisions totally on ROI, we would not have opened up the upper highs above 200m a century ago. Someone has to be first, and hope that others will be interested in following. I am just finishing my 222-28 transverter which will connect to the two 11-element 220 yagi's I put up in Nov. 2008. This to talk to possibly a half-dozen stations 70-miles away (closest 222 activity). That amounts to about $60 per initial QSO (just on the transverter cost). The total ham pop in Alaska is 3800 and over half only do HF. Probably there are several times that in LA, alone! I would guess Elecraft is forward looking enough that you may (eventually) get your wish for adding 222 to the KX3. Look how quick they responded to desire for 144. (BTW don't even ask me what my ROI is for the $8,000 dish I put up for 1296-eme; better one is the one contact on 10-GHz in AK). In fact eme is the justification for my spending very much on such esoteric bands; I have the whole world to work. PS: My understanding is that the power level of the KX3 is adjustable down quite low making transverter interface possible. It still might require adding attenuation on transmit. --- What the heck, since everyone is making wishes. Has there been any consideration of an all-mode 222-MHz option? That would really make Elecraft stand out in the field even more. Yes, I know that they offer an external transverter. I might consider that if there is a low-level output to drive it with the KX3. I have a K2 but not the 60m/transverter interface. Oddly, from my research, there is precious little 222 MHz activity in the greater Los Angeles/Orange County area except during contests, and quite a bit of that is FM simplex. Thus, it's an expensive option, considering the need for an antenna as well. 73 de Jim - AD6CW 73, Ed - KL7UW, WD2XSH/45 == BP40IQ 500 KHz - 10-GHz www.kl7uw.com EME: 50-1.1kw?, 144-1.4kw, 432-QRT, 1296-?, 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] open wire feeders
Sandy, Take the information on K9YC's balun comments to heart. Jim has done a wonderful job of measuring the isolation effect of baluns (more specifically common mode chokes). Yes, the reactive and resistive components of the feedpoint impedance play a large part in how the whole system reacts, but that can be varied with a change in the feedline length (see antenna article at www.w3fpr.com). Keep the feedpoint impedance within range and all will be well for baluns, tuners and all other parts of the antenna system. Keep in mind that the length of an unmatched feedline is critical to the success or failure of such a system. That is a factor that is seldom mentioned in posts that say a particular antenna works well and loads well - the simple fact is that the feedline type an length are critical elements in that antenna system - to say that a 100 foot dipole works great is not sufficient, one needs to state the type and length of the feedline as well as the length of the antenna. 73, Don W3FPR On 12/31/2011 9:59 PM, Sandy wrote: The only LARGE problem that rears it's ugly head is a large amount of inductive or capacitive reactance often times present that the actual balun has to cope with. This dissipates power no mater what the VSWR on the open wire line happens to be. You WILL NOT be transforming a 50 ohm line to a 200 ohm line (4:1 transformer) OR a 50 ohm line to a 450 ohm line (9:1) There will be always some reactance present. If you run higher power (500-1000 watts or more) this may actually ultimately destroy the balun transformer itself! This effect doesn't seem to be as radical with choke type (ferrite beads over a run of coax) compared to a transformer type balun. I think you would be better off in the long run, in this instance with a choke type balun and use a coupler between to rig power source and the load Choke balun/ladder line/open wire feeder. The idea is to keep the coax part as short as possible and let the tuner deal with the oddball reactances that occur on the line. Over the years I have had troubles and seen other with same syndrome trying to let a transformer balun compensate for a impedance transformation under the duress of a HIGH reactance present which seems to destroy things eventually, AND radiate less useful power rather than it would other wise if the reactance was tuned out. I hope I am making myself clear. In my old setup before my XYL had a stroke, causing me to stop using a homebrewed balance line tuner (ladder line feeder entering the shack directly) worked most effectively. The dipole was 135' long at 50' and fed with about 110 feet of 450 ohm ladder line. I am unable to erect a similar antenna from the master bedroom where the rig is now and had to resort to using an end fed wire again. 73, Sandy W5TVW __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] Single Band 40 Meter Dipole
OK, Is the current mode choke a product or a homebrew thing by K9YC? On Dec 31, 2011, at 9:32 PM, Jim Miller wrote: Coax to the feed point and a CM choke per K9YC right there as well. RG8x would be my choice. 73 Jim ab3cv __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] Single Band 40 Meter Dipole
Or, is that a common mode choke you mean? On Dec 31, 2011, at 9:35 PM, Phil Hystad wrote: OK, Is the current mode choke a product or a homebrew thing by K9YC? On Dec 31, 2011, at 9:32 PM, Jim Miller wrote: Coax to the feed point and a CM choke per K9YC right there as well. RG8x would be my choice. 73 Jim ab3cv __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] [FT817] Vs ELECRAFT
Enough bashing of the FT817 (hi hi) I just qso'd with a 14 yr old extra class op during SKN running a straight key on 5 watts - count your blessings with whatever you have - it is the experience that counts. Happy NEW Year!!! Sent from my iPhone On Dec 31, 2011, at 9:27 PM, Eugene Worth ewo...@spamcop.net wrote: SRI for Off-Topic You are correct, but something very similar has been done … in the distant past … with a different email discussion group … http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2233588/pdf/procamiaafs1-0362.pdf For bedtime reading should you have interest. 72! gene WG7GW Message: 31 Date: Fri, 30 Dec 2011 06:34:07 -0800 From: Fred Jensen k6...@foothill.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [FT817] Vs ELECRAFT To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Message-ID: 4efdcbdf.6090...@foothill.net Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed There is, at the very least, a Master's Thesis, and likely a PhD dissertation on the social sciences and psychology buried in the archives of this list :-) 73, Fred K6DGW - Northern California Contest Club - CU in the 2012 Cal QSO Party 6-7 Oct 2012 - www.cqp.org On 12/29/2011 11:35 PM, Edward R. Cole wrote: Ahhh you know it was bound to happen: FT817 vs KX3 and nobody outside of Elecraft even has a KX3 , yet! __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] [K3] losing FP buttons, one or two at a time
For the benefit of the list, at the suggestion of several folks here I removed the FP and cleaned the contacts with Deoxit. Re-assembled and all keys/buttons now work perfectly. It appears to me that it might have been a good investment to use gold-plated header pins and sockets for the front panel instead of tin-plated... 73, Steve AD7OG K3 #1544 P3 #1444 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
