Re: [Elecraft] K3 #6150
Shucks, Tim, did any of the rest of the radio work? Brgds, Dave, N3HE -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K3-6150-tp7163842p7164341.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] K3 #6150
Hi Tim, I understand your disappointment. There is an inherent flaw with kits familiar to those of us that built Heathkits. When a shipment of 1000 or more knobs arrives from the knob manufacturer the kit manufacturer sample checks the lot. So some defective knobs may slip through. (The previous cracked knob flaw would pass inspection because the cracking happened over time). A factory built K3 would not have this problem since the knobs would be rejected by the assembler. But the good news is now you can enjoy perhaps the best reason to buy Elecraft. Send an e-mail to Elecraft support and you'll get a really fast response and you'll have new knobs in a few days. 73, Mike K2MK NZ8J wrote K3/100 kit sn 6150 arrived yesterday just in time for the weekend. Took my time today and it went together in about 8 hours, with no significant issues. Everything worked according to the manual as I expected. There is one issue that is somewhat irritating though. The AF and RF knobs cannot be nested as they should be to fit properly. In order to be able to turn the AF gain or RF gain without having them catch on the larger respective SUB knobs they have to be pulled out so they won't catch. They are visibly out of alignment. A quick search of the archives revealed a rather long 2 /1/2 year old thread about some defective knobs. The gist of the thread was not so much about them cracking or breaking as some had experienced, it was because they were off center and would not allow for a proper installation. Apparently whatever the issue was, it is still there 2 1/2 years later as the one I received yesterday has the same problem. It's hard to understand how a product can be so well designed and the manufacturing tolerances so close (take the cabinet parts and pieces as one example) but yet something as seemingly simple as a plastic knob some 2 1/2 years after an in-depth discussion that Elecraft was part of are still being manufactured and delivered out of tolerance. I don't have a problem with the intended look or feel of the knobs, I think they are fine, just the fact they turn out so badly in many cases and detract from the end product. I was having a lot of fun putting this together today until I got to the part where I installed the knobs, big disappointment! I have a set of the Mouser machined aluminum knobs and although they are smooth and have a nice feel they just don't match the rest of the knobs to my liking, I wonder if anyone has come up with an alternative to the Mouser knobs? Tim NZ8J K3 - 6150 P3- 1775 KPA500 - 618 -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K3-6150-tp7163842p7164515.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] K3 #6150
Tim, The knobs are really easy to over tighten, which puts them out of round. I had the same problem, and same response as you (K3 #4974). I did get a replacement set of knobs, and found that they too were easy to deform. Just tighten them the minimum needed to hold them in place - they will work fine. And yes, you do need to separate them just slightly to prevent friction binding. Otherwise, this is the best radio I have ever owned. Get past this gripe and I am sure you will agree! Brian - Brian, op K1NW -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K3-6150-tp7163842p7164604.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] Elecraft AF-1 Audio Filter For Salel
I have a new in the unopened package an Elecraft AF-1 audio filter kit. Priced at $40 CONUS only. Please contact me off line at k9os...@gmail.com. 73, Bob - K9OSC -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/Elecraft-AF-1-Audio-Filter-For-Salel-tp7164721p7164721.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] K3 #6150
I just mentioned that on the reflector a week or so ago and a large number of people said the same thing; contact Elecraft and let them know and you will get new knobs in a few days. I had the same problem as you with the K3 I built a few months ago and just kind of lived with it till I was told to get new ones. Problem solved. 73's Tim Herrick, KQ8M North Coast Contesters k...@kq8m.com K3 Serial #5934 -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of NZ8J Sent: Sunday, January 08, 2012 1:04 AM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] K3 #6150 K3/100 kit sn 6150 arrived yesterday just in time for the weekend. Took my time today and it went together in about 8 hours, with no significant issues. Everything worked according to the manual as I expected. There is one issue that is somewhat irritating though. The AF and RF knobs cannot be nested as they should be to fit properly. In order to be able to turn the AF gain or RF gain without having them catch on the larger respective SUB knobs they have to be pulled out so they won't catch. They are visibly out of alignment. A quick search of the archives revealed a rather long 2 /1/2 year old thread about some defective knobs. The gist of the thread was not so much about them cracking or breaking as some had experienced, it was because they were off center and would not allow for a proper installation. Apparently whatever the issue was, it is still there 2 1/2 years later as the one I received yesterday has the same problem. It's hard to understand how a product can be so well designed and the manufacturing tolerances so close (take the cabinet parts and pieces as one example) but yet something as seemingly simple as a plastic knob some 2 1/2 years after an in-depth discussion that Elecraft was part of are still being manufactured and delivered out of tolerance. I don't have a problem with the intended look or feel of the knobs, I think they are fine, just the fact they turn out so badly in many cases and detract from the end product. I was having a lot of fun putting this together today until I got to the part where I installed the knobs, big disappointment! I have a set of the Mouser machined aluminum knobs and although they are smooth and have a nice feel they just don't match the rest of the knobs to my liking, I wonder if anyone has come up with an alternative to the Mouser knobs? Tim NZ8J K3 - 6150 P3- 1775 KPA500 - 618 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] No clock on my K3
Suddenly on my K3 display there is no clock only shows 0.00 or the second option is the VFO B, currently using Data AFSK for RTTY, what could be wrong ? Thanks. Juan TG9AJR __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] KX3-2M extended receive?
Though I respect your opinion, Mike, and everyone else that shares the same sentiment, I must entirely disagree with your point about using an HT to supplement the KX3 vs. the multi-mode capability on 2m. My basis for my comments is backpacking. I ask those that are consider the multi-mode operability of the KX3 as being the sole reason wideband receive is not feasible and that an HT must be required to supplement that which the KX3 does not cover if you have ever gone backpacking. That doesn't mean a short day hike or walking a mile to a camp site for the weekend, I am talking about packing everything you need for 2 or more days covering 20+ miles. I still consider these trips short or small in the grand scheme of backpacking, but the point is that every pound you add is that much more weight you have to carry with you the whole time. Therefore by packing lighter and smaller the enjoyment of your adventure goes up and the effort, wear, and tear on ones body goes down. Have you experienced that and the different challenges associated with packing for treks like that? Have you felt the affects on your body after a trip like that? An example I will give you is on past trips I have taken my FT-857D on 3 day backpacking trips covering in the 18-24 mile range through the Appalachian mountains. The set up I have for the FT-857D complete is right around 15lbs. That's a LOT of weight. The reason it weighs what it does is mostly the rig and battery. Even though now that I have a K2 I can get by with less weight (lighter rig, lighter battery) I would have to supplement that with adding an HT for VHF/UHF. The FT-857D covers everything I need in one box - its a single rig solution and that out weighs the added weight. Starting with a base weight of 40lbs (my backpacking gear, food) adding 15lbs of radio stuff brings me up to 55lbs. Thats a very typical pack weight for me. Try it some time. Find a trail in the mountains that's a mile long and throw a 55lb backpack on to hike it. That will give you an idea of what its like. Now cover ~20 miles over a 3 day period. Adding extra gear to a backpack is probably the number one rule to avoid. Making due with less and using other items for multiple purposes, even getting creative and using items for purposes they were never designed for all helps to trim the overall pack weight. Adding an HT at a couple lbs is bad enough by itself, adding that weight on top of, say, 4-5lbs (KX3, batteries, antenna, key, mic, just a rough guess) really starts to add up. That is still lbs difference than my FT-857D set up. My last trip to TN I left my 857 behind and just took my HT. I couldn't handle the added weight - I was trying to stay well under 50lbs, but I had wet/cold weather gear with me and there was no way I could take another 15lbs. I ended up right about 50lbs as it was. I am not arguing the design of the KX3, just trying to paint a picture for those that may not have the perspective I do. The performance of the radio is one thing - and I agree that it is important. Operating from a mountain side in the wilderness is a huge world of difference than your shack desk, the back yard, or even the box you pack to take with you to the beach or your sisters house for Christmas. If there is a challenging environment to operate a rig from, aside from an RF environment (contesting, field day, etc) it would have to be in the weight/portability/performance class in that the smaller/lighter packages lend themselves to going where most radios will never go. The practicality of the extra band coverage cannot be down-played in those circumstances. I personally couldn't care less about the public service and MARS frequencies above 2m, its the NOAA weather channels because that is a very good resource on adventures. If that is something that could be added in another module, even, that would be neat. Its the one rig solution that is important to me. As it is the rig will fill a unique niche in my radio arsenal - which is why I ordered one - a CW AND SSB rig on HF in a compact, light, and well thought-out package. Steve, KC8QVO -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KX3-2M-extended-receive-tp7160468p7164932.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] KX3-2M extended receive?
Hi, Steve. thanks for offering up your perspective on the special case of multiday backpack excursions. Agreed that when backpack camping every ounce counts. I could not imagine carrying something like 15lbs of radio gear on such an excursion, as you did with the FT-857. However, if all you really are looking for is NOAA coverage for those times when you need to know immediately of impending danger- Wouldn't a small handheld NOAA alert radio for that single purpose make more sense? Such as this one, for instance: http://www.weatherradiostore.com/HH54VP2-Midland-Hand-Held-Weather-Radio-wit h-S.A.M.E.data This single-use handheld could be left on for alerts while actually moving, certainly weighs less than 8 ounces. Strapped to the outside of your pack, this would provide continuous alert capability while hiking (which the KX3 could not easily do while in motion, buried in your pack). Just a thought... 73, Bruce, N1RX __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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 interface with steppIR and computer
John, I am sending you the schematic for SteppIR's Y cable. Pay attention as pin 5 is not connected between the SteppIR and rig. The jumper on the SteppIR end is between 7 and 9 (not 7 and 8). You can not parallel pin 3 (Transmit Data) on two RS-232 devices. the device that is not sending data will load the transmit line so that no data can be sent. Doing a full parallel connection requires a special diode matrix connection with external pull-up (or pull down - can't remember without tracking down the old device) resistors, etc. 73, ... Joe, W4TV On 1/7/2012 10:08 AM, k...@att.net wrote: I built my serial cable for the K2 to talk to my SteppIR controller from the Elecraft manual. Works just fine. It also talks to my computer for HRD, N1MM etc. So I decided to work on having the two interfaces work together like they did with my IC 746 Pro. However, building a Y cable doesn't seem to be working out the way I want! Each device works fine when I have it plugged into the Y cable by itself but when I plug in both at the same time, One or the other will freeze up. I am simply using pins 2, 3 and 5 from the K2 serial port wired straight through to the female DB 9s at the device end and have 7 and 8 jumpered at the external device end. What am I doing wrong? My KPA500 arrives on Monday so I'd like to get this resolved before my next project! John KE4D K2 #7231 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] K-3 Output Power Macro for multiple bands
Hello all, Trying to write a Macro to set the Power to 100w when not using my amp. Macro 1 is PC100 and works fine on the band the rig is set on when applied. How can I write a Macro to change the power settings on several bands at the same time? For example, 40, 80, and 160. Thanks for any help. 73, Art KZ5D __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] Wonderful chat on 18.141.00 with two seven year olds first contact
On Jan 2, 2012, at 8:02 AM, Allan Glasdam wrote: Hi all and happy new year When I tune my K2/10 on 10 mc I get the message: 2.04r 1.09. Voltage is 13,6 0.35 Any ideas and solutions would be appriciated. Allan, OZ8A __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] Wonderful chat on 18.141.00 with two seven year olds first contact
The young op is asking what is your faviort color... Sweet... __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] No clock on my K3
TG9AJR == TG9AJR Juan Munoz tg9...@gmail.com writes: TG9AJR Suddenly on my K3 display there is no clock only shows 0.00 TG9AJR or the second option is the VFO B, currently using Data AFSK TG9AJR for RTTY, what could be wrong ? Does it change if you turn the vfo B knob? The various things that can be shown instead of the clock are explained on page 36 of the manual. -- Pierfrancesco Caci, ik5pvx __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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 #6150
I certainly agree with your overall sentiment. It beats me why Elecraft would continue to use a parts vendor that produces knobs with such horrible quality control. Three years is a ridiculous amount of time for any supplier to get its act together. My AF/RF knobs had the cracking problem, and while Elecraft did quickly replace them I bought the machined aluminum knobs from Mouser anyway and I love them. They have a very solid feel to them and I actually like the fact that they stick out. They don't stick out any more than the main VFO knob, and since I am right handed they are easier for my hand to quickly access past the other four small knobs. 73, Dave AB7E -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of NZ8J Sent: Sunday, January 08, 2012 1:04 AM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] K3 #6150 K3/100 kit sn 6150 arrived yesterday just in time for the weekend. Took my time today and it went together in about 8 hours, with no significant issues. Everything worked according to the manual as I expected. There is one issue that is somewhat irritating though. The AF and RF knobs cannot be nested as they should be to fit properly. In order to be able to turn the AF gain or RF gain without having them catch on the larger respective SUB knobs they have to be pulled out so they won't catch. They are visibly out of alignment. A quick search of the archives revealed a rather long 2 /1/2 year old thread about some defective knobs. The gist of the thread was not so much about them cracking or breaking as some had experienced, it was because they were off center and would not allow for a proper installation. Apparently whatever the issue was, it is still there 2 1/2 years later as the one I received yesterday has the same problem. It's hard to understand how a product can be so well designed and the manufacturing tolerances so close (take the cabinet parts and pieces as one example) but yet something as seemingly simple as a plastic knob some 2 1/2 years after an in-depth discussion that Elecraft was part of are still being manufactured and delivered out of tolerance. I don't have a problem with the intended look or feel of the knobs, I think they are fine, just the fact they turn out so badly in many cases and detract from the end product. I was having a lot of fun putting this together today until I got to the part where I installed the knobs, big disappointment! I have a set of the Mouser machined aluminum knobs and although they are smooth and have a nice feel they just don't match the rest of the knobs to my liking, I wonder if anyone has come up with an alternative to the Mouser knobs? Tim NZ8J K3 - 6150 P3- 1775 KPA500 - 618 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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 #6150
I have the weighted black knobs on my K3 and love them. So nice to turn. Philip LaMarche 727-944-3226 727-510-5038 Cell www.w9dvm.com K3 # 1605 KPA500 # 029 P3 #1480 CCA 98-00827 CRA 1701 W9DVM -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of David Gilbert Sent: Sunday, January 08, 2012 2:17 PM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 #6150 I certainly agree with your overall sentiment. It beats me why Elecraft would continue to use a parts vendor that produces knobs with such horrible quality control. Three years is a ridiculous amount of time for any supplier to get its act together. My AF/RF knobs had the cracking problem, and while Elecraft did quickly replace them I bought the machined aluminum knobs from Mouser anyway and I love them. They have a very solid feel to them and I actually like the fact that they stick out. They don't stick out any more than the main VFO knob, and since I am right handed they are easier for my hand to quickly access past the other four small knobs. 73, Dave AB7E -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of NZ8J Sent: Sunday, January 08, 2012 1:04 AM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] K3 #6150 K3/100 kit sn 6150 arrived yesterday just in time for the weekend. Took my time today and it went together in about 8 hours, with no significant issues. Everything worked according to the manual as I expected. There is one issue that is somewhat irritating though. The AF and RF knobs cannot be nested as they should be to fit properly. In order to be able to turn the AF gain or RF gain without having them catch on the larger respective SUB knobs they have to be pulled out so they won't catch. They are visibly out of alignment. A quick search of the archives revealed a rather long 2 /1/2 year old thread about some defective knobs. The gist of the thread was not so much about them cracking or breaking as some had experienced, it was because they were off center and would not allow for a proper installation. Apparently whatever the issue was, it is still there 2 1/2 years later as the one I received yesterday has the same problem. It's hard to understand how a product can be so well designed and the manufacturing tolerances so close (take the cabinet parts and pieces as one example) but yet something as seemingly simple as a plastic knob some 2 1/2 years after an in-depth discussion that Elecraft was part of are still being manufactured and delivered out of tolerance. I don't have a problem with the intended look or feel of the knobs, I think they are fine, just the fact they turn out so badly in many cases and detract from the end product. I was having a lot of fun putting this together today until I got to the part where I installed the knobs, big disappointment! I have a set of the Mouser machined aluminum knobs and although they are smooth and have a nice feel they just don't match the rest of the knobs to my liking, I wonder if anyone has come up with an alternative to the Mouser knobs? Tim NZ8J K3 - 6150 P3- 1775 KPA500 - 618 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] KX3-2M extended receive?
Steve wrote: My basis for my comments is backpacking. I ask those that are consider the multi-mode operability of the KX3 as being the sole reason wideband receive is not feasible and that an HT must be required to supplement that which the KX3 does not cover if you have ever gone backpacking. That doesn't mean a short day hike or walking a mile to a camp site for the weekend, I am talking about packing everything you need for 2 or more days covering 20+ miles. Portable operation out in the boonies has been more than 95 percent of my HF ham operation since completing military service 33 years ago. (I wasn't able to do much hamming in the service, even though I held a license long before.) My backpacking lineup since 2000 has been the K1 for HF, and some small HT for VHF/UHF coverage. I've used the VX-3R since 2007. The HT is set to cover FRS, local law enforcement in the area, game warden frequencies, local park and/or forest service frequencies, aircraft unicom, plus the odd ham repeater and simplex frequency. I research and make use of all available frequency data for the region I'm in. It can be useful. Power for the K1 is a 4.5 A h SLA battery, plus a reserve 10-AA cell pack. I also always carry a small AM-FM radio. Have you experienced that and the different challenges associated with packing for treks like that? Have you felt the affects on your body after a trip like that? Er...yes...many time in the last third of a century. If you want a real workout, come to the Sipsey Wilderness in north Alabama since several EF4 and 5 tornadoes tore through it on 27 April 2011! ...every pound you add is that much more weight you have to carry with you the whole time. True, and that's why what you say later indicates that you are making life hard on yourself, without cause, when you state: ...on past trips I have taken my FT-857D on 3 day backpacking trips covering in the 18-24 mile range through the Appalachian mountains. The set up I have for the FT-857D complete is right around 15 lbs. That's a LOT of weight. You're absolutely correct. That's an *insane* amount of weight for even an overnight trip. Your equipment choice would be among the very last I would choose. Let's look at some choices, popular or otherwise: Radio Weight (lbs) Volume (in^3) Receiver Current (amps) FT-857D4.7 113 0.8 FT-817ND 2.652 0.35 K1 1.564 0.08 KX10.719 0.04 KX3 (prelim) 1.543 0.15 IMHO, the FT-817 and FT-857 are totally inappropriate for serious backpacking due to unit weight, the outrageous current consumption just on receive, and most significantly, the size of the power source (unless you've got a couple of furry helpers such as WG0AT has.) BTW, the VHF coverage of the 817ND does not reach the NOAA channels, and the VHF coverage of the 857D does not cover the frequencies most often used in the national parks, forests, rivers, etc. Therefore by packing lighter and smaller the enjoyment of your adventure goes up and the effort, wear, and tear on ones body goes down. One might reasonably suggest, based on the particulars in the above table, that selecting a rig appropriate for backpacking might be helpful. The FT-857D covers everything I need in one box - its a single rig solution and that out weighs the added weight. The 857D is **monstrously** heavy for backpacking! Almost five pounds! And stunningly energy inefficient. It's a mobile rig. Then there's the battery. I can't imagine carrying such a thing plus its battery on any sort of portable trip. I really really can not. I haven't done anything close to that since I carried the AN/PRC-25 FM backpack radio in service. That will give you an idea of what its like. Thanks. Adding extra gear to a backpack is probably the number one rule to avoid. Number one rule is select the appropriate equipment! Adding an HT at a couple lbs is bad enough by itself, Do you know how large a wide-range HT like the VX-3R is? With spare battery pack it's five ounces, and less than 6 cubic inches in volume. You're worried about that??? Leave out one granola bar. :-) I personally couldn't care less about the public service and MARS frequencies above 2m, its the NOAA weather channels... But there are hams who have legitimate need of operating (transmitting) outside the ham bands as part of a service function. To cover completely all US service MARS VHF-FM frequencies, the KX3 two-meter module would need to function between 142 and 150 MHz. That's an expanded capability (if any is to be realized) with far more potential public service value than providing NOAA weather channel coverage. ...the rig will fill a unique niche...a CW AND SSB rig on HF in a compact, light, and well thought-out package. Well, it'll be one-third
Re: [Elecraft] KX3-2M extended receive?
I know where Steve is coming from with his reply, though you would need to step back in time a few decades. In the 1970's I was an inveterate backpacker, going nearly every weekend into the Sierra's where you park your car at 9,000 feet altitude and climb from there often over 12,000 foot passes. My typical backpack included 4-season expedition sleeping bag and similar level 2-person tent. This required an extension rack on the backpack which typ weighed 60-lbs. My weekend treks were typically 16-20 miles and this is not level walking, but often onto snow covered passes (in July). The ultimate hike was when I took the Wonderland Trail that circum-navigates a 113-mi trail circling Mt. Rainier. My hiking partner and I preshipped two re-supply caches to accomplish this. We crossed two glaciers on that trek. A good friend of mine, KL3BD, made three ascents of Mt. McKinely (near 21,000 feet) carrying a 2m-HT. I talked to him a couple times on his climb. I can envision a KX3 going on such a trip some day. The point Steve is making is every extra ounce of weight is something that you must carry on your back. You want most of it to be fuel (i.e. food and not ballast). Taking two radios, each with a battery, is excessive on such trips. I can't even comprehend taking a 15-lb radio! OK that being said, let me address the technical issue. The KX3 is a direct conversion SDR that tunes to 54-MHz. There may be a technical upper limit on what this SDR can cover in frequency. Note the 144-148 is added via a transverter (meaning it is hetrodyned down to 50-54). I would suspect to cover 162.55 MHz would require a separate Rx converter, so it may be easier to consider a separate radio for that. Asking for the 2m transverter to include the wx band would probably involve major redesign: two-freq LO plus RF circuitry that would be tuned to 162-163 MHz. There becomes a technical/physical limit to what can be added in functionality in one radio. Providing wideband circuits to provide decent Rx sensitivity over 144-163 MHz is problematic to obtaining good performance on the primary objective of the 2m band. An example is my K3 which tunes 28-32 MHz for receiving 144-148 but does not transmit well above 146-MHz. Elecraft solved that for its own line of transverters by providing two LO freqs. to use 28-30 MHz. The fact they decided to use the 6m band as IF for 2m on the KX3 is proof they are thinking how to improve. Seriously, I would be surprised if the wx-band can be added (though I understand the wish for that). 73, Ed - KL7UW PS: Hiking now consist of hauling luggage thru airport terminals! -- Message: 47 Date: Sun, 8 Jan 2012 07:32:45 -0800 (PST) From: Steve KC8QVO kc8...@yahoo.com Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX3-2M extended receive? To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Message-ID: 1326036765596-7164932.p...@n2.nabble.com Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Though I respect your opinion, Mike, and everyone else that shares the same sentiment, I must entirely disagree with your point about using an HT to supplement the KX3 vs. the multi-mode capability on 2m. My basis for my comments is backpacking. I ask those that are consider the multi-mode operability of the KX3 as being the sole reason wideband receive is not feasible and that an HT must be required to supplement that which the KX3 does not cover if you have ever gone backpacking. That doesn't mean a short day hike or walking a mile to a camp site for the weekend, I am talking about packing everything you need for 2 or more days covering 20+ miles. snipped the remainder for brevity. 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 Coming Soon - Kits made by KL7UW == __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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 #6150
How about a Mouser part # for those knobs? Buck k4ia K3 # 101 On 1/8/2012 2:17 PM, David Gilbert wrote: I certainly agree with your overall sentiment. It beats me why Elecraft would continue to use a parts vendor that produces knobs with such horrible quality control. Three years is a ridiculous amount of time for any supplier to get its act together. My AF/RF knobs had the cracking problem, and while Elecraft did quickly replace them I bought the machined aluminum knobs from Mouser anyway and I love them. They have a very solid feel to them and I actually like the fact that they stick out. They don't stick out any more than the main VFO knob, and since I am right handed they are easier for my hand to quickly access past the other four small knobs. 73, Dave AB7E -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of NZ8J Sent: Sunday, January 08, 2012 1:04 AM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] K3 #6150 K3/100 kit sn 6150 arrived yesterday just in time for the weekend. Took my time today and it went together in about 8 hours, with no significant issues. Everything worked according to the manual as I expected. There is one issue that is somewhat irritating though. The AF and RF knobs cannot be nested as they should be to fit properly. In order to be able to turn the AF gain or RF gain without having them catch on the larger respective SUB knobs they have to be pulled out so they won't catch. They are visibly out of alignment. A quick search of the archives revealed a rather long 2 /1/2 year old thread about some defective knobs. The gist of the thread was not so much about them cracking or breaking as some had experienced, it was because they were off center and would not allow for a proper installation. Apparently whatever the issue was, it is still there 2 1/2 years later as the one I received yesterday has the same problem. It's hard to understand how a product can be so well designed and the manufacturing tolerances so close (take the cabinet parts and pieces as one example) but yet something as seemingly simple as a plastic knob some 2 1/2 years after an in-depth discussion that Elecraft was part of are still being manufactured and delivered out of tolerance. I don't have a problem with the intended look or feel of the knobs, I think they are fine, just the fact they turn out so badly in many cases and detract from the end product. I was having a lot of fun putting this together today until I got to the part where I installed the knobs, big disappointment! I have a set of the Mouser machined aluminum knobs and although they are smooth and have a nice feel they just don't match the rest of the knobs to my liking, I wonder if anyone has come up with an alternative to the Mouser knobs? Tim NZ8J K3 - 6150 P3- 1775 KPA500 - 618 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] K-3 Output Power Macro for multiple bands
Power can be a per band setting or an overall setting, depending on a config menu choice. Sounds like you might have it set per band and might want the other choice. You can also write a macro that is a series of pairs of BNxx; to select a band and PC to set the power. It's hard to remember where you started with this technique, tho. Dick, K6KR On Jan 8, 2012, at 9:35, Art Suberbielle k...@aol.com wrote: Hello all, Trying to write a Macro to set the Power to 100w when not using my amp. Macro 1 is PC100 and works fine on the band the rig is set on when applied. How can I write a Macro to change the power settings on several bands at the same time? For example, 40, 80, and 160. Thanks for any help. 73, Art KZ5D __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] K3 DVR playback level adjustment necessary or possible?
I notice the ALC is maxed when playing back the DVR. Can the playback level be adjusted? I get no complaints but it seems overdriven because the ALC is so far to the right. Perhaps the ALC can handle any level and no adjustment is necessary. Bob K7VO - Robert Sands K7VO Olympia, WA -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K3-DVR-playback-level-adjustment-necessary-or-possible-tp7165913p7165913.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] diversity receive antennas
What do folks use for diversity receive antennas. Do you have a dedicated receive antenna or just a different TX antenna from the antenna farm. I am looking for ideas on what to do next as I have the big loop and the dipole. Right now I have no idea on what I should do next. Thanks Don ~73 Don KD8NNU __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] KX3-2M extended receive?
Mike is quite right; it has *everything* to do with ones age and physical condition. When I was in the army, the standard proof of performance for an infantryman was to carry a full field pack and an M1 rifle weighing a total of 80 lbs on a forced march (continuous walking with no more that 10 minutes rest each hour) for 50 miles. That took just about 24 hours. If one was unlucky enough to be assigned a Browning Automatic Rifle (which I wasn't!) the total came in just at 100 lbs. After suitable training I was amazed at just how easy that was to do, even cross country in hilly terrain. Of course we ate like horses and were worn out when it was done. Now, 50 years later, I can barely lift 80 lbs, much less carry it anywhere, Hi! If really going into the wilderness, I prefer redundancy. I don't carry significant resources to repair a rig, so I want more than one piece of equipment to do the job, even if it costs a few ounces extra, especially if I might need it for emergency communications. 73, Ron AC7AC -Original Message- Er...yes...many time in the last third of a century. If you want a real workout, come to the Sipsey Wilderness in north Alabama since several EF4 and 5 tornadoes tore through it on 27 April 2011! 73, 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] diversity receive antennas
*You could try a**small _1m_ loop from **Pixel TechnologiesIt has a amp that shuts off on tx * __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] Elecraft AF-1 Filter Sold
Thanks to all who answered my posting. The filter has been sold. Bob - K9OSC -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/Elecraft-AF-1-Filter-Sold-tp7166085p7166085.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] KPA500
I just finished assembling my KPA500 (s/n 625). I was very careful in following the instruction, or so I thought. When I plugged it in and turned on the rear rocker panel switch, the fuses immediately blew. I have the 120 VAC power cord and the 12 Amp fuses installed. Any suggestions where to start? Mike, W4UM __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] diversity receive antennas
Don, You should get a variety of answers - there are some using dedicated receive antennas, and there are others who are using two transmit antennas. It depends on what they have available. It is nice to have one antenna with vertical polarization and another with horizontal polarization, but two antennas separated by some distance can work too. Use what you have. If you only have 2 antennas, I suggest that you connect the subRX to use the Non-Transmit antenna connected to the KAT3. To use that, you will need to connect the TMP cable between the KAT3 and the SubRX AUX antenna input. 73, Don W3FPR On 1/8/2012 5:25 PM, gold...@charter.net wrote: What do folks use for diversity receive antennas. Do you have a dedicated receive antenna or just a different TX antenna from the antenna farm. I am looking for ideas on what to do next as I have the big loop and the dipole. Right now I have no idea on what I should do next. Thanks Don __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] KX1 ATU?
I'll mess around with it. My K2 tunes it without any problems so I thought the KX1 ATU would also. Thanks, -TAC On Sat, Jan 7, 2012 at 3:55 PM, Ron D'Eau Claire r...@cobi.biz wrote: Are you tuning the buddipole per the instructions? If so, the KX1 should have no trouble with it. Indeed, you might not need the tuner at all! Ron AC7AC -Original Message- My KX1 (with tuner) tunes great to a random wire or my G5RV but I can't get better than about 6.1 into my home made Buddie Pole (coax feed). I'm assuming I need a balun? Maybe like Elecraft mini 1:1 or 4:1 unit. -TAC, KC8SES __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] KPA500
Check that the terminal strip board on the rear panel is not shorted to the rear panel. There is supposed to be an insulator between the terminal strip board and the rear panel. Phil - AD5X __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] KPA500
1) Do you have the yellow tap connected to the PS board and the other taps mounted on the rear panel? 2) Are the parking connectors on the rear panel for the unused taps insulated from the chassis and each other? 3) Are the wires to the rectifier board (on the Z bracket just behind the front panel) connected correctly? 4) Are the Primary connections to the power supply board (just inside the left side panel) correct? If those things are all correct, post the question to K3Support at Elecraft dot com. They will work through it with you. Good luck! Ron AC7AC -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Michael Raskin Sent: Sunday, January 08, 2012 3:47 PM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] KPA500 I just finished assembling my KPA500 (s/n 625). I was very careful in following the instruction, or so I thought. When I plugged it in and turned on the rear rocker panel switch, the fuses immediately blew. I have the 120 VAC power cord and the 12 Amp fuses installed. Any suggestions where to start? Mike, W4UM __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] diversity receive antennas
The chief driver of diversity gain is antenna separation. The usual recommendation is 10 wavelengths separation for low correlation fading. That's impractical for most amateur installations, particularly on the lower frequency bands where diversity gain may be the most desired. I've made some measurements using simultaneous capture of signal levels with two identical spectrum analyzers and two antennas that suggest around 3 dB diversity gain is achievable with ~0.5 wavelengths separation, but I'm hesitant to put too much faith in that figure as it used two rather different antennas - an 80 meter band inverted vee and one of my Z1501 active antennas. Nonetheless, the data clearly showed increasing diversity gain with increasing antenna separation measured in terms of wavelengths over the frequency range 760 KHz - 15 MHz, with some diversity gain possible with tiny separation - 0.1 wavelength. Not a lot of gain, but enough to measure after post processing analysis. Although about 3 dB diversity gain was achieved around 0.5 wavelength separation, that does not mean a 3 dB improvement at all times. Rather, that's the mean of the gain probability distribution. A certain percentage of the time, the gain may be 0 dB and for a certain percentage of the time it may be 6 or 8 dB or more. The percentage of time 6 or 8 dB diversity gain is seen with 0.5 wavelength separation is, of course, small, with smaller gains being more frequent. Jack K8ZOA On 1/8/2012 6:48 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote: Don, You should get a variety of answers - there are some using dedicated receive antennas, and there are others who are using two transmit antennas. It depends on what they have available. It is nice to have one antenna with vertical polarization and another with horizontal polarization, but two antennas separated by some distance can work too. Use what you have. If you only have 2 antennas, I suggest that you connect the subRX to use the Non-Transmit antenna connected to the KAT3. To use that, you will need to connect the TMP cable between the KAT3 and the SubRX AUX antenna input. 73, Don W3FPR On 1/8/2012 5:25 PM, gold...@charter.net wrote: What do folks use for diversity receive antennas. Do you have a dedicated receive antenna or just a different TX antenna from the antenna farm. I am looking for ideas on what to do next as I have the big loop and the dipole. Right now I have no idea on what I should do next. Thanks Don __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] Elecraft SSB Net results (1/8/12)
We had a very nice and well attended net today, with 32 participants over a 27 minute period. Eric, WA6HHQ, checked in and fielded numerous questions about several different up-coming products. Thanks Eric. I'm not sure, but this may be the first time all of the check-ins were using K3s! Have a great week. Here is the list of participants. Station NameQTH Rig S/N W4RKS Jim AL K3 3618 AG6AZ Keith CA K3 1391 KA0NCR Arnie NE K3 185 W0CZKen ND K3 457 W6SUJohnCA K3 1303 K4TMCaryVA K3 3448 K6DSW Don CA K3 3138 W5ETG GaryTX K3 3227 WV5IDwayne TX K3 5287 KC5RY George TX K3 5208 WA6HHQ EricCA K3 000 W8OVDaveTX K3 3139 N6JWJohnCA K3 936 KG6IRW David CA K3 4982 NT1RBillME K3 124 W4PFM PaulVA K3 1673 K6SRD Scott CA K3 4104 N4IEZ BillAZ K3 5675 KE5GBC MikeTX K3 5047QRP K4GCJ Gerry NC K3 1597 W8RTJ Jim OH K3 4553QRP KN5LJohnTX K3 4448 W3PGEd MD K3 4268 ZL1PWD Peter NZ K3 139 NL7ADougAK K3 4568 KL7UW Ed AK K3 4043QRP AC0NM Glenn AZ K3 2843 WN8AJim MI K3 3480 KH7TJohnHI K3 125 K1JMJohnAZ K3 5986 W7NMD Palmer AR K3 3779 NS7PPhilOR K3 1826 73, Phil, NS7P __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] KX1 ATU?
Tom, The KAT2 (and KAT100) has 8 inductors and 8 capacitors to choose from - in 256 steps. The KXAT1 has only 3 inductors and 3 capacitors - only 7 steps. That information is available right at the front of the manual in the Specifications section. If the desire was for a tuner that would work as well as the KAT2, then a quick glance at the Specifications would tell whether it would even come close. All things Elecraft are not created equal - things that have to be crammed into small spaces must provide some limits, and in this particular case it is a significantly reduced matching range. 73, Don W3FPR On 1/8/2012 6:54 PM, Tom Crites wrote: I'll mess around with it. My K2 tunes it without any problems so I thought the KX1 ATU would also. Thanks, -TAC __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] K3 Assistance Requested
I don't where to start. I have a K3 that is nearly loaded and I decided to add a couple of more options. I installed the KDVR3 and KXV3A in preparation for a P3 in the near future. I activated both units via the CONFIG menu and the KDVR3 was recognized. I was able to do the calibration of the KXV3A using the utility software and it checked okay at all three power levels. I made a couple of contacts and all seemed well. Here is were it gets weird... I noticed that the SUB RX would no longer work independently (CONFIG: set to YES) as it did before I added the latest components. So, I decided to pull the cover off and remove the SUB RX unit to be sure everything was connected. I reinstalled the SUB RX and confirmed that all appeared well visually. Now, I have zero output on my watt meter and the VFO's are still not working independently. If I equalize the VFO's, I hear the same station on both speakers alternately. However, If I rotate the B VFO the display changes frequency but the it does not actually change the RX frequency. Things that I've tried: I've restored from my last settings backup and installed latest firmware again. I've reset the processor to factory condition (still no output). I've restored again to a backup version of the settings using the utility software. I've done the CONFIG:VCO routine for both receivers as suggested in the troubleshooting section. I've attempted to do the Transmitter Gain Calibration a second time today and it does not work (errors out after 8 seconds). It did work earlier today before I lost all output. I DID at some point today use the CONFIG:KXV3 TEST feature as I was fishing around for solutions. I'm now sure what exactly this means but it may have something to do with my current situation. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] KX3 Kit/Assembled Decision ii
I posted this once but it still says Not accepted by site so I'm trying again. Sorry if it's a duplicate. I am trying to decide if I want a kit or assembled KX3 and I want to know what the kit is like. Are the boards mainly pre-populated with surface mount devices? Is it mostly about wiring up the controls and connectors? Can anyone estimate the number of hours to assemble? I enjoy kits and have an early KX1 but with my eyes it may be worth the cost to have it assembled if SMDs are involved. TNX Michael -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KX3-Kit-Assembled-Decision-ii-tp7166356p7166356.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] diversity receive antennas
A lot of answers to diversity questions seem to be based on using diversity to feed electrical devices that combine signals before they are heard. This was most often done to defeat signal level fading. Some very accurate technical answers to that are heard based on 100% electronic process. However, there is a different KIND of diversity, where one signal is fed to the left ear, without any correction, and the same signal from a different antenna and identical phase-locked RX is fed to the right ear, without any correction. This allows the brain to decide what is different between the two signals, frequently producing a sense of stereophonic aural spatiality. This latter is far more useful for SSB and CW reception. Frequent descriptions of this have the incoming sky wave noise spread around the audio horizon, while the discrete signals come from a single point on the audio horizon. There are some number of other effects, but always seeming to make difficult signals easier to copy. With this latter kind of useful diversity, a NE beverage in one ear and a NW beverage in the other can produce considerable improvements in weak signal copy. This is a completely different diversity strategy than hearing multiple sources to reduce or eliminate fading. 73, Guy. On Sun, Jan 8, 2012 at 7:14 PM, Jack Smith jack.sm...@cliftonlaboratories.com wrote: The chief driver of diversity gain is antenna separation. The usual recommendation is 10 wavelengths separation for low correlation fading. That's impractical for most amateur installations, particularly on the lower frequency bands where diversity gain may be the most desired. I've made some measurements using simultaneous capture of signal levels with two identical spectrum analyzers and two antennas that suggest around 3 dB diversity gain is achievable with ~0.5 wavelengths separation, but I'm hesitant to put too much faith in that figure as it used two rather different antennas - an 80 meter band inverted vee and one of my Z1501 active antennas. Nonetheless, the data clearly showed increasing diversity gain with increasing antenna separation measured in terms of wavelengths over the frequency range 760 KHz - 15 MHz, with some diversity gain possible with tiny separation - 0.1 wavelength. Not a lot of gain, but enough to measure after post processing analysis. Although about 3 dB diversity gain was achieved around 0.5 wavelength separation, that does not mean a 3 dB improvement at all times. Rather, that's the mean of the gain probability distribution. A certain percentage of the time, the gain may be 0 dB and for a certain percentage of the time it may be 6 or 8 dB or more. The percentage of time 6 or 8 dB diversity gain is seen with 0.5 wavelength separation is, of course, small, with smaller gains being more frequent. Jack K8ZOA On 1/8/2012 6:48 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote: Don, You should get a variety of answers - there are some using dedicated receive antennas, and there are others who are using two transmit antennas. It depends on what they have available. It is nice to have one antenna with vertical polarization and another with horizontal polarization, but two antennas separated by some distance can work too. Use what you have. If you only have 2 antennas, I suggest that you connect the subRX to use the Non-Transmit antenna connected to the KAT3. To use that, you will need to connect the TMP cable between the KAT3 and the SubRX AUX antenna input. 73, Don W3FPR On 1/8/2012 5:25 PM, gold...@charter.net wrote: What do folks use for diversity receive antennas. Do you have a dedicated receive antenna or just a different TX antenna from the antenna farm. I am looking for ideas on what to do next as I have the big loop and the dipole. Right now I have no idea on what I should do next. Thanks Don __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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 Kit/Assembled Decision ii
It's a semi-kit. All the boards are assembled and tested at the factory. All we do is mechanical assembly, no soldering required. My guess is that it will take a few hours using simple tools. I'm looking forward to it. /Rick N6XI On Sun, Jan 8, 2012 at 6:46 PM, mffitz mff...@md.metrocast.net wrote: I am trying to decide if I want a kit or assembled KX3 and I want to know what the kit is like. Are the boards mainly pre-populated with surface mount devices? Is it mostly about wiring up the controls and connectors? Can anyone estimate the number of hours to assemble? I enjoy kits and have an early KX1 but with my eyes it may be worth the cost to have it assembled if SMDs are involved. TNX Michael -- Rick Tavan N6XI Truckee, CA __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] Elecraft CW Net Report for January 8th 9th, 2012
Good Evening, Twenty meters was rather good today while forty meters was noisy. The local stations in California were both running 5 watts. Copy on them was great. But, as the distance increased, the others were weaker and covered with more static. There was some QSB which caused ringing. I had never heard that before; I thought it was my filters so I kept fiddling with them. Weather reports were not normal for this time of year. Mild and sunny. Here it broke into the 50s with very clear skies. When I took a walk I looked down below me and saw the valleys were a sea of clouds. I could see waves on top where the wind was blowing across it. Then as the clouds ran into the mountains in a box canyon you could see them oscillate up and down in slow cycles. The view was fascinating. On to the lists = On 14050.5 kHz at 2300z: NO8V - John - MI - K3 - 820 K0DTJ - Brian - CA - K1 - 1124 W0CZ - Ken - ND - K3 - 457 W8OV - Dave - TX - K3 - 3139 AB9V - Mike - IN - K3 - 398 K1THP - Dave - CT - K3 - 686 KB3FBR - Joe - PA - K2 - 6178 K6PJV - Dale - CA - K3 - 1183 N0AR - Scott - MN - K2 - 4866 N0TA - John - CO - K3 - 994 On 7045.5 kHz at 0100z: NO8V - John - MI - K3 - 820 K0DTJ - Brian - CA - K1 - 1124 K6PJV - Dale - CA - K3 - 1183 W8OV - Dave - TX - K3 - 3139 K1THP - Dave - CT - K3 - 686 W0CZ - Ken - ND - K3 - 457 KN5L - John - TX - K3 - 4448 AB9V - Mike - IN - K3 - 398 I am glad the sun is coming back. The extra light helps me get more done. But when the sun is out I don't get a lot done at either bench or desk :) Luckily there is plenty to do outside so I don't feel lazy. Nothing like a limb lopper to work your upper body. Or all the repetitions involved with stacking wood. With no snow and little rain there is not much keeping me inside. But the fresh air and clear skies are a lot of fun to experience. Time to think of hiking and figuring out the lightest antennas to take along. Does wire wrap wire work? Until next week stay well, 73, Kevin. KD5ONS (Net Control Operator 5th Class) __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] diversity receive antennas
I use either a vertical active antenna vs. my dipole on 40 and 80, or a ferrite loop on 160 vs. the vertical transmitting antenna. My idea is to use different polarization so they will not fade the same way. It seems to work. I have not found diversity useful on the higher bands where I have a beam because the signal picked up by the beam is so much stronger than that from the verticals. Of course if I had a pair of beams separated by a few wavelengths, that would be cool! On 1/8/2012 2:25 PM, gold...@charter.net wrote: What do folks use for diversity receive antennas. Do you have a dedicated receive antenna or just a different TX antenna from the antenna farm. I am looking for ideas on what to do next as I have the big loop and the dipole. Right now I have no idea on what I should do next. Thanks Don ~73 Don KD8NNU -- 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] K3 diversity receive antennas
I use a an R-5 vertical (designed for 20 thru 10) at 15 ft for diversity in combination with a beam at 58 ft, with about 30 ft horizontal separation. I find that it works well most of the time, but have to use much more gain in the radio for the vertical because of weak signals. On 40 the situation is aggravated because the vertical is not designed for that band, but it usually works well enough to justify turning on diversity. At Field Day I have used a BuddiPole vertical (i.e. BuddiStick) tuned to 15 for diversity with a main antenna that is a 15 m horizontal dipole or a 40m 2-el wire beam. This also works well (on 15 and 40; these were coax-fed single band antennas). Last summer I didnt have the BuddiStick but instead a ¼ wave wire vertical tuned for 20. That worked fine too, with the usual skewing of gain controls. 73, Erik K7TV __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] OT - sound cards
I have never expected standard sound cards to be really good, but I have nevertheless used them successfully for purposes like digital modes. When I built a SoftRock I got an E-MU 0202 for the higher sampling frequency. When I sold my LP-PAN and SoftRock, the E-MU went with them. My current main computer is a high-end HP desktop running Windows 7, a little over a year old. The output sound quality is not bad, but not until recently did I use the microphone input for anything. Then I suddenly needed to make some voice recordings using a microphone. Every recording has terrible background noise which is not being picked up by the mike, an has nothing to do with grounding etc. The noise is a mix of white (or is it pink?) noise with added irregular frying-pan crackle and some mosquito whine. It is the same with different microphones, and increased microphone output doesn't help because the noise is not reduced when the software mike gain is reduced. Overall, the S/N is worse than for the average landline telephone call (but of course the latter at times has distortion that is much worse than the computer's). Curious, I took the same microphones to my old XP laptop. It had much less noise! To perfect the comparison I then went to adjust the mike gain in the XP software. Hmmm. there is a checkmark in a box for noise reduction. I unchecked it, and now the laptop had a lot of noise, but not quite as much as the desktop. Then I went to the desktop to look for a noise reduction option. I found it and turned it on. Big improvement. Now the noise is low enough for my voice recording purposes. However, the noise reduction causes very obvious artifacts similar to ones often found in HAM radio noise reduction. The noise reduction on the old laptop seemed better in this respect. At this point I obviously don't know everything that is going on, but I have seen enough to have a gut feel. So, I will lay out my thoughts to the group, and hope that others will fill in the blanks and correct me where I may be jumping to conclusions. Here are my current thoughts: . It is somewhat difficult to keep noise out of a low-level audio circuit that is sitting next to a lot of high-speed digital circuitry, as on a PC motherboard (there is no separate sound card in this PC). . Rather than spend the extra bucks for physical separation or shielding, etc, PC manufacturers routinely ignore the noise issues, and cover them up with noise reduction algorithms, which get more aggressive as the noise environment inside PC's gets worse. . Other brands of computers are probably just as bad (or can someone recommend a brand that comes with low noise audio as standard?). . If I get another external USB sound card of good quality, I should definitely not limit its use to soundcard-dependent SDR's, but use it for digital modes too. . If I do use an internal soundcard for digital modes again, I had better make sure that the noise reduction in the PC is turned off, as noise reduction is known to be incompatible with digital modulation schemes. . As if I didn't know it already, Elecraft has it right when they don't make their radios rely on computer sound cards! 73 And thanks in advance, Erik K7TV __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] OT - sound cards
If you can't even make decent quality voice recordings, you have something else wrong. Unless it is simply defective, even the cheapest sound chip out there isn't going to act like you describe. And what exactly do you think the I/Q outputs of the KX3 are going to be using? Dave AB7E On 1/8/2012 11:24 PM, Erik Basilier wrote: I have never expected standard sound cards to be really good, but I have nevertheless used them successfully for purposes like digital modes. When I built a SoftRock I got an E-MU 0202 for the higher sampling frequency. When I sold my LP-PAN and SoftRock, the E-MU went with them. My current main computer is a high-end HP desktop running Windows 7, a little over a year old. The output sound quality is not bad, but not until recently did I use the microphone input for anything. Then I suddenly needed to make some voice recordings using a microphone. Every recording has terrible background noise which is not being picked up by the mike, an has nothing to do with grounding etc. The noise is a mix of white (or is it pink?) noise with added irregular frying-pan crackle and some mosquito whine. It is the same with different microphones, and increased microphone output doesn't help because the noise is not reduced when the software mike gain is reduced. Overall, the S/N is worse than for the average landline telephone call (but of course the latter at times has distortion that is much worse than the computer's). Curious, I took the same microphones to my old XP laptop. It had much less noise! To perfect the comparison I then went to adjust the mike gain in the XP software. Hmmm. there is a checkmark in a box for noise reduction. I unchecked it, and now the laptop had a lot of noise, but not quite as much as the desktop. Then I went to the desktop to look for a noise reduction option. I found it and turned it on. Big improvement. Now the noise is low enough for my voice recording purposes. However, the noise reduction causes very obvious artifacts similar to ones often found in HAM radio noise reduction. The noise reduction on the old laptop seemed better in this respect. At this point I obviously don't know everything that is going on, but I have seen enough to have a gut feel. So, I will lay out my thoughts to the group, and hope that others will fill in the blanks and correct me where I may be jumping to conclusions. Here are my current thoughts: . It is somewhat difficult to keep noise out of a low-level audio circuit that is sitting next to a lot of high-speed digital circuitry, as on a PC motherboard (there is no separate sound card in this PC). . Rather than spend the extra bucks for physical separation or shielding, etc, PC manufacturers routinely ignore the noise issues, and cover them up with noise reduction algorithms, which get more aggressive as the noise environment inside PC's gets worse. . Other brands of computers are probably just as bad (or can someone recommend a brand that comes with low noise audio as standard?). . If I get another external USB sound card of good quality, I should definitely not limit its use to soundcard-dependent SDR's, but use it for digital modes too. . If I do use an internal soundcard for digital modes again, I had better make sure that the noise reduction in the PC is turned off, as noise reduction is known to be incompatible with digital modulation schemes. . As if I didn't know it already, Elecraft has it right when they don't make their radios rely on computer sound cards! 73 And thanks in advance, Erik K7TV __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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
