[Elecraft] FS N-gen
I have had two N-gen's for the past 6 months and never had a need for two. I will sell for $45, and that includes shipping in the continental US. 73AlanW1HYV __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] New Yahoo Group Formed
Dear Gang: I have created the Ham Baloney Yahoo group (hambalo...@yahoogroups.com) to serve as a relief valve for the more technical discussion groups like this one. On Ham Baloney, you can post messages about ANY topic or rant, discuss your rig or antenna preferences, your own ham history or novice station, even share your personal political or religious views. At HamBaloney, it's the wild, wild west all over again. The only rule is no rules. Accidental postings containing valuable technical information are not only tolerated but encouraged. There is a files and photo section accessible to members for posting WHATEVER. See you there. 73, Eric WD6DBM __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] New Yahoo Group Formed
!! AMAZING !! For the past 61 years I have thought that ham radio communications provided this 'service'? 73, Tom - W4BQF -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of eric norris Sent: Saturday, December 08, 2012 5:46 AM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] New Yahoo Group Formed Dear Gang: I have created the Ham Baloney Yahoo group (hambalo...@yahoogroups.com) to serve as a relief valve for the more technical discussion groups like this one. On Ham Baloney, you can post messages about ANY topic or rant, discuss your rig or antenna preferences, your own ham history or novice station, even share your personal political or religious views. At HamBaloney, it's the wild, wild west all over again. The only rule is no rules. Accidental postings containing valuable technical information are not only tolerated but encouraged. There is a files and photo section accessible to members for posting WHATEVER. See you there. 73, Eric WD6DBM __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] New Yahoo Group Formed
I think he means on an internet forum level. Remember, there are many who use internet forums or boards as a constructive distraction at work. Gets kinda tough to hop on 40 from ones cubicle. Many very interesting threads get closed here once too many folks comment on them, thus demonstrating the aforementioned interest. Relavence is quite subjective but since we still live in an open society, I use a simple formula. Elecraft=ham radio so ham radio=acceptable subject matter. Then there are the forum cops who actually call for threads to be closed if THEY aren't interested in the subject matter rather than just hitting the delete button. The digital version of QSYing. I personally would be willing to pay Wayne and Eric a small stipend to help defray the associated storage cost, if that's an issue, in order to gain a little subjective elbow room. I think I know just where Eric's coming from Sent from my android device. -Original Message- From: Tommy Alderman alderm...@windstream.net To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Sat, 08 Dec 2012 6:33 Subject: Re: [Elecraft] New Yahoo Group Formed !! AMAZING !! For the past 61 years I have thought that ham radio communications provided this 'service'? 73, Tom - W4BQF -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of eric norris Sent: Saturday, December 08, 2012 5:46 AM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] New Yahoo Group Formed Dear Gang: I have created the Ham Baloney Yahoo group (hambalo...@yahoogroups.com) to serve as a relief valve for the more technical discussion groups like this one. On Ham Baloney, you can post messages about ANY topic or rant, discuss your rig or antenna preferences, your own ham history or novice station, even share your personal political or religious views. At HamBaloney, it's the wild, wild west all over again. The only rule is no rules. Accidental postings containing valuable technical information are not only tolerated but encouraged. There is a files and photo section accessible to members for posting WHATEVER. See you there. 73, Eric WD6DBM __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] [KAT500] Help with KeyLine Interrupt on KPA500 (Video)
The PTT is generated by the transceiver. The KAT500 passes it thru to the amp unless the KAT is tuning a high SWR. The problem is that the amp goes into fault before the KAT can OPEN the key line. Firmware in the KAT with some delay is not the answer...it's already too slow for the amp. If there is any programmable delay in the KAT, then a firmware change might be to speed that up if possible. But I doubt that it is possible since it's a relay opening in the KAT which requires some milliseconds. I'm guessing the only Elecraft solution is to delay the amp's response to the high SWR so it doesn't Fault giving the KAT time to open the key line. So the change in firmware we are waiting on is for the KPA amp. Help me if I'm missing something here. - Chuck, KE9UW -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KAT500-Help-with-KeyLine-Interrupt-on-KPA500-Video-tp7566844p7566890.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] Found this on Facebook this morning... KPA800??
When I saw the KPA1500 at Dayton I drooled. I can still picture having the amp remoted in the basement where my present Acom2000A sits on a shelf hanging from the ceiling and tied into my coax and control cable, lightning protection and grounding panel. Then just have a RCU in the shack like the Acom or the software on the screen to control the amp. I would really like a 1.5KW, instant-on, remote control, 160-6M amp. I have no negative issues with the 2000A. It is a wonderful amp and has given me years of great service. But I would like to also have an amp on 6M. And I still haven't heard another Zone 19 on Topband since the one time I heard one at my sunrise. I called and called at 100W while waiting for the amp to cycle on. By the time the 3 minutes passed the UA0 faded into the noise level. An instant-on amp might have given me success at making the QSO. 73, N2TK, Tony -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of W0FK Sent: Thursday, December 06, 2012 10:33 PM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Found this on Facebook this morning... KPA800?? Scott Manthe-2 wrote They showed a KPA1500 along with the KPA800 at Dayton in 2006. I was lucky enough to see them and they were quite impressive. It was pretty sweet in person, but pics are still out there. See http://www.n6ie.com/Elecraft.html I was talking to Wayne at Dayton this past April, and asked about a higher power amp. I doubt we'll ever see one, but at least he didn't forclose the idea. It would be nice to have a 1500 watt RF deck in a K3-sized case, and a PS in a second case. 73, Lou, W0FK - St. Louis, MO K3 #2513, P3 #620, KX3 #0036 -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/Found-this-on-Facebook-this-morning-KPA 800-tp7566802p7566835.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] [K3] K3 Util can't connect to serial port
There are a few things you need to be sure of before this will work. - Make sure your RS232 cable has a direct configuration. Pin 2 to pin 2, pin 3 to pin3, and pin 5 to pin 5, end to end. - Make sure you're using the correct serial port identifier. Usually, native ports have low numbers like COM1 to COM4. As you add ports via the USB-Serial cable, they may pop up on higher port numbers. Sometimes the higher port numbers will be unpredictable. - For your USB-Serial COM port, use USBDevView, available at http://www.nirsoft.net/ for download. You should be able to spot whatever USB COM port identifier is used this way. You can also use Device Manager to examine Ports, just to see which identifiers are occupied (works for native or USB ports). - Try using the K3 utility, and take a look at the COM port numbers that are enumerated. The utility will find all of them on the laptop. Chances are good that your cable is OK, but check it first. Then use the K3 utility or device manager to enumerate all the port identifiers. Try different ports until you get the correct one. Make sure your USB-Serial adapter is actually getting a driver loaded. Normally, after you plug it in the o/s will pop up a little flyover in the bottom right of the screen, noting successful driver load for the newly attached device. If you're not seeing this, it's possible the driver isn't loading. Use USBDevView to watch the device come and go, as you plug it in and disconnect it. This program will also show any USB-based COM ports in the Drive Letter column. You can sort your device list by any of the columns, making this easier to figure out. 73, matt W6NIA On Fri, 07 Dec 2012 23:07:34 -0600, you wrote: I have been unable to connect to my K3 through the serial port using either 1) 9 pin RS-232 cable direct to laptop serial port or 2) USB to serial port (FTDI) adapter on either the laptop USB port (running XP) or on the new Windows 7 desktop machine (no serial ports, so only using the USB). My K3 is sn 2096, MCU FW is 4.39 and I just downloaded (several times) the K3 Utility from elecraft.com. When I try to connect to the port (Test Conn), it runs through all the speeds, and won't ever find the K3. I have also tried Hyperterm, and the only remnant of communication I get with it is when the speed is matched up to the PC port speed (Device manager) = K3 RS-232 speed [Config menu], I see a triangle for each CNTL Q I type. Nothing else does anything. If speed isn't matched, I don't even get that. Any other ideas to try? The port has worked in the past. New computer + latest HRD version since I last used the RS-232 port though, and with the latest firmware changes, I am anxious to get things working again!! I do have an RS-232 9 port M-F with LEDs that should help diagnose any voltage problem with the port, I hope. Thanks for any help you guys can lend. I did look through posts, but not finding much applying to this situation.. 73, Paul N5PT __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] KX3 auto power off.
Part of my prep for the KX3 was to buy a rig runner that has a master outlet that does current sense and powers off/on my whole setup. http://www.westmountainradio.com/product_info.php?products_id=rr_4010s_c the maximum auto-off time of 20 minutes is a bit short, imho, so I wonder if it would be possible to lengthen? Would it be possible to have a macro to define one of the timeout values? I assume they are a set of table entries..maybe that last one could be modifiable via macro? Maybe I am making a bad assumption too! __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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 V4.61 CW decode broken?
Wayne, This did the trick for me as well. I had the bandwidth way too wide and was just seeing ET in the decoder. Been enjoying the new firmware ever since. Works great!!! Thanks, Keith AK6ZZ Sent from my iPhone please excuse typos On Dec 7, 2012, at 7:47 AM, Wayne Burdick n...@elecraft.com wrote: Brian, Virtually all other reports on this release have said the CW decoder was working very well. I just retested this morning, too. If you're seeing E's and T's, try using a much narrower bandwidth, 50-150 Hz, and turn on the noise blanker to reduce the level of impulse noise. I recommend using THR 2 or 3 for most signals, and THR 1 for very weak signals. These fixed settings usually work better than AUTO. When there is no CW signal above the required threshold, you'll see random characters decoded. 73, Wayne N6KR On Dec 7, 2012, at 5:41 AM, Brian Alsop wrote: Was checking out RTTY decode which worked fine. Decided to look at CW decode. Here are my observations. Not working well here or op here inept at using it. My perception is that it did much better in older versions. However, I didn't use it much then. ZL9HM was 599 @35 wpm this AM. WPM check always showing between 48 and 82 wpm. Decode with WPM check off was bunch of E's and T's. Not due to noise. Using 400 Hz filter in CW mode. Tried auto, both choices for speed, auto, different thresholds. Closest to working is auto. Similar problem with C6AKQ at 32 wpm when decoding some characters right. Both stations generating machine generated CW. I'm also thinking that these stations are using contest spacing of characters which may be confounding. In WINKEY and N1MM the word spacing for contest spacing is 6 dits/wordspace instead of normal 7. Admittedly these are really short exchanges and the time to lock on is really short. However, my guess is that these are the exact conditions some guys are using the decoder for. A longer rag chewing K9 at 28wpm did decode OK but was not spectacular. Although his signal was strong, characters were dropped. He seemed to be using normal spaced CW. I'm wondering is contest spacing is confounding for the decoder. 73 de Brian/K3KO - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2012.0.2221 / Virus Database: 2634/5443 - Release Date: 12/07/12 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] VOX question
This is a temporary problem until I get FSK (PTT) RTTY wired up. In order to get a shot at the ZL9 on RTTY, I set up my K3 to use AFSK and am using two stereo cables and VOX. That works fine. It has introduced a side effect I discovered this AM. ON SSB, if I key the mic and call someone, it doesn't go back into RX until about a half a second after I un-key. If I switch the VOX on the front panel back to PTT, the mic works as usual. Is there some sort of VOX delay that holds the K3 in TX for a short while (~500 ms)? I thought VOX would be separate for phone and RTTY. (CW works as always, no hanging in TX after the last dit or dah.) I can live with this for awhile by simply toggling VOX on or off when I go between SSB and AFSK . . . just wondering if there is a setting somewhere that might be incorrect. 73, Paul VE1DX __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] New Yahoo Group Formed
Yes but threads like Are you satisfied with your K3? could go on forever. Keith, XE3/K5ENS -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/New-Yahoo-Group-Formed-tp7566887p7566896.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] FS N-gen
What is an N-gen? Gordon - N1MGO On 8 Dec 2012 at 2:00, Alan Price wrote: I have had two N-gen's for the past 6 months and never had a need for two. I will sell for $45, and that includes shipping in the continental US. 73AlanW1HYV __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] [W2] Trade 2kw coupler for 200w HF coupler?
Would this also be tax free? On Dec 7, 2012, at 7:37 PM, eric norris wrote: I sold both hf and 6m tube amps es got a kpa500. I no longer need this coupler. Excellent condition. Non-smoking, non-meth lab, non-Republican environment. Please reply off list unless you can add enough irrelevant details to necessitate a reflector posting. 73, Eric. WD6DBM Now Apple Free! __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] New Yahoo Group Formed
Hardly. Ragchewing on the air is a real time activity with a limited audience, while posting to an internet list is a wide area forum with people able to read and contribute when they feel like it. They really aren't the same thing at all, and aside from contesting I'd bet that the aggregate time spent by hams communicating with other hams (reading and writing) on the internet exceeds the time spent by hams on the air by at least ten to one ... and has for several years. Dave AB7E On 12/8/2012 4:33 AM, Tommy Alderman wrote: !! AMAZING !! For the past 61 years I have thought that ham radio communications provided this 'service'? 73, Tom - W4BQF __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] FS N-gen
Noise generator. Very useful piece of equipment to have around. 73, matt W6NIA On Sat, 08 Dec 2012 11:35:14 -0500, you wrote: What is an N-gen? Gordon - N1MGO On 8 Dec 2012 at 2:00, Alan Price wrote: I have had two N-gen's for the past 6 months and never had a need for two. I will sell for $45, and that includes shipping in the continental US. 73AlanW1HYV __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] FS N-gen
But only if you don't already have a wife. Noise generator. Very useful piece of equipment to have around. 73, matt W6NIA On Sat, 08 Dec 2012 11:35:14 -0500, you wrote: What is an N-gen? Gordon - N1MGO __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] [KAT500] Help with KeyLine Interrupt on KPA500 (Video)
I think your analysis is right, and in some cases the ATU cannot break or reconnect the key line while RF is present. We have KPA500 firmware in test that does this. It is on its way to public availability. 73 Merry Xmas Dick, K6KR Dick On Dec 8, 2012, at 4:18, ke9uw c-haw...@illinois.edu wrote: The PTT is generated by the transceiver. The KAT500 passes it thru to the amp unless the KAT is tuning a high SWR. The problem is that the amp goes into fault before the KAT can OPEN the key line. Firmware in the KAT with some delay is not the answer...it's already too slow for the amp. If there is any programmable delay in the KAT, then a firmware change might be to speed that up if possible. But I doubt that it is possible since it's a relay opening in the KAT which requires some milliseconds. I'm guessing the only Elecraft solution is to delay the amp's response to the high SWR so it doesn't Fault giving the KAT time to open the key line. So the change in firmware we are waiting on is for the KPA amp. Help me if I'm missing something here. - Chuck, KE9UW -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KAT500-Help-with-KeyLine-Interrupt-on-KPA500-Video-tp7566844p7566890.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] New Yahoo Group Formed
Guys, thread closed. Please try to keep postings like these to a minimum in the interest of improving list SNR. 73 Eric list moderator, from time to time.. www.elecraft.com _..._ On Dec 8, 2012, at 9:15 AM, David Gilbert xda...@cis-broadband.com wrote: Hardly. Ragchewing on the air is a real time activity with a limited audience, while posting to an internet list is a wide area forum with people able to read and contribute when they feel like it. They really aren't the same thing at all, and aside from contesting I'd bet that the aggregate time spent by hams communicating with other hams (reading and writing) on the internet exceeds the time spent by hams on the air by at least ten to one ... and has for several years. Dave AB7E On 12/8/2012 4:33 AM, Tommy Alderman wrote: !! AMAZING !! For the past 61 years I have thought that ham radio communications provided this 'service'? __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] Big weakness in Macro's
Ed, The switch emulation commands provide a method of activating functions for which there are not yet direct commands. In many cases both methods are available. For example, you can turn the preamp on/off with a switch emulation, which toggles, but there's also a separate command for this that sets it either on or off. Please refer to the K3/KX3 Programmer's Reference for the full list of commands. If there are specific cases where a new direct command would be desirable, please let me know. 73, Wayne N6KR On Dec 7, 2012, at 11:07 AM, W0SD Ed Gray wrote: IMHO there is a big need for a command that can be use to define things back to the same state. One big rule in programming is you always set the state of things so you are always dealing with a known starting point. The command structure in the K3 does not permit this. A number of things in the K3 are toggle, for example in MIC SEL 1 toggles the mic back and forth from high to low and 2 toggles for bias on or no bias. There are a number of other instances of this in the K3. Not having a command to define things back to the same state, lets call it a default or reset state makes the programming commands in the K3 pretty weak IMHO. Ed W0SD __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] [KAT500] Help with KeyLine Interrupt on KPA500 (Video)
That's of little help for all of us with non Elecraft Amps. Keith, XE3/K5ENS -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KAT500-Help-with-KeyLine-Interrupt-on-KPA500-Video-tp7566844p7566905.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] Big weakness in Macro's
I don't know what your application development background is, so if I seem to be talking down to you, or anyone else, for that matter, please don't take it personal. You can have a good amount of control over the K3 with MACRO's, but you can only have fine grained control by developing applications that use logic to send the right command at the appropriate time. Many times this requires knowing the exact state of the K3 or any hardware device, which cannot be done with efficiency using MACRO's. If you are good at describing steps for doing things, then you can probably do software development. If you can learn to program with C, C++, C#, VB, or Delphi you can write some pretty nifty stuff for you Elecraft hardware. Microsoft has many Express versions of their application development software for free. I don't work for MS, but do think their development software is tip-top. Amateur Radio Operator N5GE ARRL Lifetime Member QCWA Lifetime Member Retired Software Development Contractor On Fri, 07 Dec 2012 13:07:25 -0600, W0SD Ed Gray w...@triotel.net wrote: IMHO there is a big need for a command that can be use to define things back to the same state. One big rule in programming is you always set the state of things so you are always dealing with a known starting point. The command structure in the K3 does not permit this. A number of things in the K3 are toggle, for example in MIC SEL 1 toggles the mic back and forth from high to low and 2 toggles for bias on or no bias. There are a number of other instances of this in the K3. Not having a command to define things back to the same state, lets call it a default or reset state makes the programming commands in the K3 pretty weak IMHO. Ed W0SD __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] KAT500 Tuning issue
I believe I have run into a problem with the KAT500 tuner and wanted to mention it to see if anyone else is experiencing the same issue. I just received the KAT500 tuner and the KPA500 amp and got it up and running with my K3. The KPA500 works great but I am finding that the KAT500 is unable to tune my 40 meter wire dipole on 20 meters. The best it can do is 3.75 - 1 swr which trips the FAULT light on the KAT500. The internal tuner in the K3 has been able to tune this antenna on all bands without issue. Also the KAT500 is unable to tune 28400 below 2.5 - 1 while the internal tuner in the K3 has no problems tuning that frequency. I have two antennas, my other one is a 80 meter vertical so I switch to that for 20 meters but I don't understand why the KAT500 is unable to tune certain frequencies when the internal tuner on the K3 is able to do so. I called Elecraft and spoke to David who had me take the KPA500 out of the picture by connecting the KAT500 directly to the K3. I had the same results. David then sent me the latest unofficial KAT500 firmware 1.18 which I installed. It did not make any difference. David had me try tuning using the utility, again no difference and still unable to tune 20 meters below 2.75 - 1 on my 40 meter wire dipole. In general I am finding that the internal tuner does a much better job tuning my antennas then the KAT500. I wonder if anyone else is experiencing the same problem. As far as the settings on the K3 I am using the following: COnfig:PWR Set = Per Band COnfig:Tune PWR = 15 I guess I will hope that this can be addressed through a later firmware release. Meanwhile, the KAT500 is the weak link in my system. The KPA500 is fantastic, just need to resolve this tuner issue. Jerry - AC4BT __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] KAT500 Tuning issue
Jerry, If you want some numbers to chew on. @65' a 40 meter dipole has an impedance of about 73 ohms. SWR=1.5 The same antenna on 20M has an impedance of 3788 - j1648 ohms with an SWR of 89! Very high impedance. Why the K3 matched it, I can't say. Do you think the KAT500 should be able to handle this? Their specs are for way less than this. 73 de Brian/K3KO On 12/8/2012 19:57, Jerry Weisskohl wrote: I believe I have run into a problem with the KAT500 tuner and wanted to mention it to see if anyone else is experiencing the same issue. I just received the KAT500 tuner and the KPA500 amp and got it up and running with my K3. The KPA500 works great but I am finding that the KAT500 is unable to tune my 40 meter wire dipole on 20 meters. The best it can do is 3.75 - 1 swr which trips the FAULT light on the KAT500. The internal tuner in the K3 has been able to tune this antenna on all bands without issue. Also the KAT500 is unable to tune 28400 below 2.5 - 1 while the internal tuner in the K3 has no problems tuning that frequency. I have two antennas, my other one is a 80 meter vertical so I switch to that for 20 meters but I don't understand why the KAT500 is unable to tune certain frequencies when the internal tuner on the K3 is able to do so. I called Elecraft and spoke to David who had me take the KPA500 out of the picture by connecting the KAT500 directly to the K3. I had the same results. David then sent me the latest unofficial KAT500 firmware 1.18 which I installed. It did not make any difference. David had me try tuning using the utility, again no difference and still unable to tune 20 meters below 2.75 - 1 on my 40 meter wire dipole. In general I am finding that the internal tuner does a much better job tuning my antennas then the KAT500. I wonder if anyone else is experiencing the same problem. As far as the settings on the K3 I am using the following: COnfig:PWR Set = Per Band COnfig:Tune PWR = 15 I guess I will hope that this can be addressed through a later firmware release. Meanwhile, the KAT500 is the weak link in my system. The KPA500 is fantastic, just need to resolve this tuner issue. Jerry - AC4BT __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2012.0.2221 / Virus Database: 2634/5446 - Release Date: 12/08/12 - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2012.0.2221 / Virus Database: 2634/5446 - Release Date: 12/08/12 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] Big weakness in Macro's
The microphone selection, please. Pf Wayne == Wayne Burdick n...@elecraft.com writes: Wayne Ed, Wayne The switch emulation commands provide a method of activating functions Wayne for which there are not yet direct commands. In many cases both Wayne methods are available. For example, you can turn the preamp on/off Wayne with a switch emulation, which toggles, but there's also a separate Wayne command for this that sets it either on or off. Wayne Please refer to the K3/KX3 Programmer's Reference for the full list of Wayne commands. If there are specific cases where a new direct command would Wayne be desirable, please let me know. Wayne 73, Wayne Wayne Wayne N6KR Wayne On Dec 7, 2012, at 11:07 AM, W0SD Ed Gray wrote: IMHO there is a big need for a command that can be use to define things back to the same state. One big rule in programming is you always set the state of things so you are always dealing with a known starting point. The command structure in the K3 does not permit this. A number of things in the K3 are toggle, for example in MIC SEL 1 toggles the mic back and forth from high to low and 2 toggles for bias on or no bias. There are a number of other instances of this in the K3. Not having a command to define things back to the same state, lets call it a default or reset state makes the programming commands in the K3 pretty weak IMHO. Ed W0SD __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Wayne __ Wayne Elecraft mailing list Wayne Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Wayne Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Wayne Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Wayne This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Wayne Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html -- 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] KAT500 Tuning issue
You are probably matching the losses in the feed line, when you try to load a 40 meter dipole on 20. Check the coax loss versus VSWR for 20 meters at a VSWR of 89. Please do not do this at high power George, W6GF From: Brian Alsop als...@nc.rr.com To: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Saturday, December 8, 2012 12:12 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KAT500 Tuning issue Jerry, If you want some numbers to chew on. @65' a 40 meter dipole has an impedance of about 73 ohms. SWR=1.5 The same antenna on 20M has an impedance of 3788 - j1648 ohms with an SWR of 89! Very high impedance. Why the K3 matched it, I can't say. Do you think the KAT500 should be able to handle this? Their specs are for way less than this. 73 de Brian/K3KO On 12/8/2012 19:57, Jerry Weisskohl wrote: I believe I have run into a problem with the KAT500 tuner and wanted to mention it to see if anyone else is experiencing the same issue. I just received the KAT500 tuner and the KPA500 amp and got it up and running with my K3. The KPA500 works great but I am finding that the KAT500 is unable to tune my 40 meter wire dipole on 20 meters. The best it can do is 3.75 - 1 swr which trips the FAULT light on the KAT500. The internal tuner in the K3 has been able to tune this antenna on all bands without issue. Also the KAT500 is unable to tune 28400 below 2.5 - 1 while the internal tuner in the K3 has no problems tuning that frequency. I have two antennas, my other one is a 80 meter vertical so I switch to that for 20 meters but I don't understand why the KAT500 is unable to tune certain frequencies when the internal tuner on the K3 is able to do so. I called Elecraft and spoke to David who had me take the KPA500 out of the picture by connecting the KAT500 directly to the K3. I had the same results. David then sent me the latest unofficial KAT500 firmware 1.18 which I installed. It did not make any difference. David had me try tuning using the utility, again no difference and still unable to tune 20 meters below 2.75 - 1 on my 40 meter wire dipole. In general I am finding that the internal tuner does a much better job tuning my antennas then the KAT500. I wonder if anyone else is experiencing the same problem. As far as the settings on the K3 I am using the following: COnfig:PWR Set = Per Band COnfig:Tune PWR = 15 I guess I will hope that this can be addressed through a later firmware release. Meanwhile, the KAT500 is the weak link in my system. The KPA500 is fantastic, just need to resolve this tuner issue. Jerry - AC4BT __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net/ Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2012.0.2221 / Virus Database: 2634/5446 - Release Date: 12/08/12 - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2012.0.2221 / Virus Database: 2634/5446 - Release Date: 12/08/12 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] KAT500 Tuning issue
One thing I ran into with an automatic hi powered tuner is that the firmware does not allow all the otherwise available values of the components on certain bands. This is done in the case of the MFJ tuner I am using (now until the KAT arrives) on 40 Meters so that the voltage and current limits are not exceeded when handling full rated power. I don't know if the KAT500 has this implemented or if in the case of the higher power capability, it just doesn't have quite the range of the 100 watt tuner in the K3. As was mentioned in a similar thread, you might experiment by changing your feedline a few feet plus or minus to find a more satisfactory matching situation on some bands. Chuck, KE9UW Lionel Trains, TCA, LCCA, LRRC aka Jack, BMW Motorcycles BMWMOA #224 From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] on behalf of Jerry Weisskohl [jweissk...@gmail.com] Sent: Saturday, December 08, 2012 1:57 PM To: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] KAT500 Tuning issue I believe I have run into a problem with the KAT500 tuner and wanted to mention it to see if anyone else is experiencing the same issue. I just received the KAT500 tuner and the KPA500 amp and got it up and running with my K3. The KPA500 works great but I am finding that the KAT500 is unable to tune my 40 meter wire dipole on 20 meters. The best it can do is 3.75 - 1 swr which trips the FAULT light on the KAT500. The internal tuner in the K3 has been able to tune this antenna on all bands without issue. Also the KAT500 is unable to tune 28400 below 2.5 - 1 while the internal tuner in the K3 has no problems tuning that frequency. I have two antennas, my other one is a 80 meter vertical so I switch to that for 20 meters but I don't understand why the KAT500 is unable to tune certain frequencies when the internal tuner on the K3 is able to do so. I called Elecraft and spoke to David who had me take the KPA500 out of the picture by connecting the KAT500 directly to the K3. I had the same results. David then sent me the latest unofficial KAT500 firmware 1.18 which I installed. It did not make any difference. David had me try tuning using the utility, again no difference and still unable to tune 20 meters below 2.75 - 1 on my 40 meter wire dipole. In general I am finding that the internal tuner does a much better job tuning my antennas then the KAT500. I wonder if anyone else is experiencing the same problem. As far as the settings on the K3 I am using the following: COnfig:PWR Set = Per Band COnfig:Tune PWR = 15 I guess I will hope that this can be addressed through a later firmware release. Meanwhile, the KAT500 is the weak link in my system. The KPA500 is fantastic, just need to resolve this tuner issue. Jerry - AC4BT __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] KAT500 Tuning issue
Now that I think about it, if you have a different feedline length depending on tuning from the output of the KAT or tuning from the output of the K3 with both in line, that may make enough difference in the required values to tune. Chuck, KE9UW Lionel Trains, TCA, LCCA, LRRC aka Jack, BMW Motorcycles BMWMOA #224 From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] on behalf of hawley, charles j jr [c-haw...@illinois.edu] Sent: Saturday, December 08, 2012 2:33 PM To: Jerry Weisskohl; Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KAT500 Tuning issue One thing I ran into with an automatic hi powered tuner is that the firmware does not allow all the otherwise available values of the components on certain bands. This is done in the case of the MFJ tuner I am using (now until the KAT arrives) on 40 Meters so that the voltage and current limits are not exceeded when handling full rated power. I don't know if the KAT500 has this implemented or if in the case of the higher power capability, it just doesn't have quite the range of the 100 watt tuner in the K3. As was mentioned in a similar thread, you might experiment by changing your feedline a few feet plus or minus to find a more satisfactory matching situation on some bands. Chuck, KE9UW Lionel Trains, TCA, LCCA, LRRC aka Jack, BMW Motorcycles BMWMOA #224 From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] on behalf of Jerry Weisskohl [jweissk...@gmail.com] Sent: Saturday, December 08, 2012 1:57 PM To: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] KAT500 Tuning issue I believe I have run into a problem with the KAT500 tuner and wanted to mention it to see if anyone else is experiencing the same issue. I just received the KAT500 tuner and the KPA500 amp and got it up and running with my K3. The KPA500 works great but I am finding that the KAT500 is unable to tune my 40 meter wire dipole on 20 meters. The best it can do is 3.75 - 1 swr which trips the FAULT light on the KAT500. The internal tuner in the K3 has been able to tune this antenna on all bands without issue. Also the KAT500 is unable to tune 28400 below 2.5 - 1 while the internal tuner in the K3 has no problems tuning that frequency. I have two antennas, my other one is a 80 meter vertical so I switch to that for 20 meters but I don't understand why the KAT500 is unable to tune certain frequencies when the internal tuner on the K3 is able to do so. I called Elecraft and spoke to David who had me take the KPA500 out of the picture by connecting the KAT500 directly to the K3. I had the same results. David then sent me the latest unofficial KAT500 firmware 1.18 which I installed. It did not make any difference. David had me try tuning using the utility, again no difference and still unable to tune 20 meters below 2.75 - 1 on my 40 meter wire dipole. In general I am finding that the internal tuner does a much better job tuning my antennas then the KAT500. I wonder if anyone else is experiencing the same problem. As far as the settings on the K3 I am using the following: COnfig:PWR Set = Per Band COnfig:Tune PWR = 15 I guess I will hope that this can be addressed through a later firmware release. Meanwhile, the KAT500 is the weak link in my system. The KPA500 is fantastic, just need to resolve this tuner issue. Jerry - AC4BT __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] Big weakness in Macro's
I know a number of us would be very pleased with the microphone selection being able to be set to a known state for H/L and the Bias ON/OFF. I can sure see with the Elecraft macros dealing with these toggle situations on an individual basis vs. over-all make sense and I am sure easier to implement. Wayne said he would look into it so I hope it happens. Ed W0SD On 12/8/2012 1:20 PM, Wayne Burdick wrote: Ed, The switch emulation commands provide a method of activating functions for which there are not yet direct commands. In many cases both methods are available. For example, you can turn the preamp on/off with a switch emulation, which toggles, but there's also a separate command for this that sets it either on or off. Please refer to the K3/KX3 Programmer's Reference for the full list of commands. If there are specific cases where a new direct command would be desirable, please let me know. 73, Wayne N6KR __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
[Elecraft] VOX question - Found it
This is a temporary problem until I get FSK (PTT) RTTY wired up. In order to get a shot at the ZL9 on RTTY, I set up my K3 to use AFSK and am using two stereo cables and VOX. That works fine. It has introduced a side effect I discovered this AM. ON SSB, if I key the mic and call someone, it doesn't go back into RX until about a half a second after I un-key. If I switch the VOX on the front panel back to PTT, the mic works as usual. Is there some sort of VOX delay that holds the K3 in TX for a short while (~500 ms)? I thought VOX would be separate for phone and RTTY. (CW works as always, no hanging in TX after the last dit or dah.) I can live with this for awhile by simply toggling VOX on or off when I go between SSB and AFSK . . . just wondering if there is a setting somewhere that might be incorrect. 73, Paul VE1DX === The VOX delay on the Speed/Mic/DELAY knob was set to 0.50 . . . setting this down to 0.10 removed the delay when unkeying the Mic . . . I'm sure this decreased it from 1/2 a second to 1/10th of a second, which I can't detect. 73, Paul VE1DX __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] KAT500 Tuning issue
If the feed line happens to be near an even multiple of a half wavelength the impedance will be very high and there will be a voltage loop (HV point) at the tuner. As someone else noted, losses would also be very high, so using a 40m coax fed dipole on 20 is a poor idea. Vic k2vco On Dec 8, 2012, at 12:37 PM, hawley, charles j jr c-haw...@illinois.edu wrote: Now that I think about it, if you have a different feedline length depending on tuning from the output of the KAT or tuning from the output of the K3 with both in line, that may make enough difference in the required values to tune. Chuck, KE9UW Lionel Trains, TCA, LCCA, LRRC aka Jack, BMW Motorcycles BMWMOA #224 From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] on behalf of hawley, charles j jr [c-haw...@illinois.edu] Sent: Saturday, December 08, 2012 2:33 PM To: Jerry Weisskohl; Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KAT500 Tuning issue One thing I ran into with an automatic hi powered tuner is that the firmware does not allow all the otherwise available values of the components on certain bands. This is done in the case of the MFJ tuner I am using (now until the KAT arrives) on 40 Meters so that the voltage and current limits are not exceeded when handling full rated power. I don't know if the KAT500 has this implemented or if in the case of the higher power capability, it just doesn't have quite the range of the 100 watt tuner in the K3. As was mentioned in a similar thread, you might experiment by changing your feedline a few feet plus or minus to find a more satisfactory matching situation on some bands. Chuck, KE9UW Lionel Trains, TCA, LCCA, LRRC aka Jack, BMW Motorcycles BMWMOA #224 From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] on behalf of Jerry Weisskohl [jweissk...@gmail.com] Sent: Saturday, December 08, 2012 1:57 PM To: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] KAT500 Tuning issue I believe I have run into a problem with the KAT500 tuner and wanted to mention it to see if anyone else is experiencing the same issue. I just received the KAT500 tuner and the KPA500 amp and got it up and running with my K3. The KPA500 works great but I am finding that the KAT500 is unable to tune my 40 meter wire dipole on 20 meters. The best it can do is 3.75 - 1 swr which trips the FAULT light on the KAT500. The internal tuner in the K3 has been able to tune this antenna on all bands without issue. Also the KAT500 is unable to tune 28400 below 2.5 - 1 while the internal tuner in the K3 has no problems tuning that frequency. I have two antennas, my other one is a 80 meter vertical so I switch to that for 20 meters but I don't understand why the KAT500 is unable to tune certain frequencies when the internal tuner on the K3 is able to do so. I called Elecraft and spoke to David who had me take the KPA500 out of the picture by connecting the KAT500 directly to the K3. I had the same results. David then sent me the latest unofficial KAT500 firmware 1.18 which I installed. It did not make any difference. David had me try tuning using the utility, again no difference and still unable to tune 20 meters below 2.75 - 1 on my 40 meter wire dipole. In general I am finding that the internal tuner does a much better job tuning my antennas then the KAT500. I wonder if anyone else is experiencing the same problem. As far as the settings on the K3 I am using the following: COnfig:PWR Set = Per Band COnfig:Tune PWR = 15 I guess I will hope that this can be addressed through a later firmware release. Meanwhile, the KAT500 is the weak link in my system. The KPA500 is fantastic, just need to resolve this tuner issue. Jerry - AC4BT __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home:
Re: [Elecraft] KAT500 Tuning issue
Assuming that the feedline is ladder line or open wire for low loss, add an eighth wavelength of feedline on 20 meters (about 8 feet). That may or may not help on 10 meters (the problem is thee same, the radiator has a very high impedance, and the feedline must be used as an impedance transformer to bring it down. Maybe some work with the ARRL program TLW is in order. 73, Don W3FPR On 12/8/2012 4:14 PM, Vic Rosenthal wrote: If the feed line happens to be near an even multiple of a half wavelength the impedance will be very high and there will be a voltage loop (HV point) at the tuner. As someone else noted, losses would also be very high, so using a 40m coax fed dipole on 20 is a poor idea. Vic 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] KAT500 Tuning issue
Right now, I have the coax from the antenna directly connected to the KAT500. I could try using my Delta-4 switch, have the coax go to that and then a small run to the KAT500 to see if that makes a difference. The high swr is an issue on 40 and 10 meters, however, ten is manageable, it's about 1.9 - 1 and I am working around the issue but using my 80 meter vertical on 20 meters. So this is not a show-stopper but just wanted to understand why it was happening. Jerry - AC4BT On Sat, Dec 8, 2012 at 4:14 PM, Vic Rosenthal k2vco@gmail.com wrote: If the feed line happens to be near an even multiple of a half wavelength the impedance will be very high and there will be a voltage loop (HV point) at the tuner. As someone else noted, losses would also be very high, so using a 40m coax fed dipole on 20 is a poor idea. Vic k2vco On Dec 8, 2012, at 12:37 PM, hawley, charles j jr c-haw...@illinois.edu wrote: Now that I think about it, if you have a different feedline length depending on tuning from the output of the KAT or tuning from the output of the K3 with both in line, that may make enough difference in the required values to tune. Chuck, KE9UW Lionel Trains, TCA, LCCA, LRRC aka Jack, BMW Motorcycles BMWMOA #224 From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] on behalf of hawley, charles j jr [c-haw...@illinois.edu] Sent: Saturday, December 08, 2012 2:33 PM To: Jerry Weisskohl; Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KAT500 Tuning issue One thing I ran into with an automatic hi powered tuner is that the firmware does not allow all the otherwise available values of the components on certain bands. This is done in the case of the MFJ tuner I am using (now until the KAT arrives) on 40 Meters so that the voltage and current limits are not exceeded when handling full rated power. I don't know if the KAT500 has this implemented or if in the case of the higher power capability, it just doesn't have quite the range of the 100 watt tuner in the K3. As was mentioned in a similar thread, you might experiment by changing your feedline a few feet plus or minus to find a more satisfactory matching situation on some bands. Chuck, KE9UW Lionel Trains, TCA, LCCA, LRRC aka Jack, BMW Motorcycles BMWMOA #224 From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] on behalf of Jerry Weisskohl [jweissk...@gmail.com] Sent: Saturday, December 08, 2012 1:57 PM To: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] KAT500 Tuning issue I believe I have run into a problem with the KAT500 tuner and wanted to mention it to see if anyone else is experiencing the same issue. I just received the KAT500 tuner and the KPA500 amp and got it up and running with my K3. The KPA500 works great but I am finding that the KAT500 is unable to tune my 40 meter wire dipole on 20 meters. The best it can do is 3.75 - 1 swr which trips the FAULT light on the KAT500. The internal tuner in the K3 has been able to tune this antenna on all bands without issue. Also the KAT500 is unable to tune 28400 below 2.5 - 1 while the internal tuner in the K3 has no problems tuning that frequency. I have two antennas, my other one is a 80 meter vertical so I switch to that for 20 meters but I don't understand why the KAT500 is unable to tune certain frequencies when the internal tuner on the K3 is able to do so. I called Elecraft and spoke to David who had me take the KPA500 out of the picture by connecting the KAT500 directly to the K3. I had the same results. David then sent me the latest unofficial KAT500 firmware 1.18 which I installed. It did not make any difference. David had me try tuning using the utility, again no difference and still unable to tune 20 meters below 2.75 - 1 on my 40 meter wire dipole. In general I am finding that the internal tuner does a much better job tuning my antennas then the KAT500. I wonder if anyone else is experiencing the same problem. As far as the settings on the K3 I am using the following: COnfig:PWR Set = Per Band COnfig:Tune PWR = 15 I guess I will hope that this can be addressed through a later firmware release. Meanwhile, the KAT500 is the weak link in my system. The KPA500 is fantastic, just need to resolve this tuner issue. Jerry - AC4BT __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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:
[Elecraft] K3 - amp and tuner question
Do I have this right: The K3 works seamlessly with the KPA500 for band selections? Band changes are done without operator input? Add the KAT500 to the chain and all tuning is automatic - without operator intervention? In other words, the K3 combo with the amp and tuner will operate the same as the K3 and the 100 Watt internal tuner? Just QSY and talk??? At present I use an AL80A and a PalStar AT1500DT. Does a good job and is very solid. But, now that I have tamed the K3, perhaps it is time to upgrade to fully automatic. I use wires for 160/75/40 (proper length elements for each band that the K3 handles easily). A small vertical for the rare interludes of using the higher bands (trapped - so no challenge for a tuner). Thanks, Bill W2BLC __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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 - SWR into K3
In 10m contest [CW], I'm seeing 2:1 SWR on the K3 display feeding the KPA500. SWR from the antenna to KPA500 is 1.1:1. Is this normal? 73, Fred K6DGW - Northern California Contest Club - CU in the 2013 Cal QSO Party 5-6 Oct 2013 - 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] K3 - amp and tuner question
On 12/8/2012 1:42 PM, Bill Clarke wrote: Do I have this right: Well ... maybe. The K3 works seamlessly with the KPA500 for band selections? Band changes are done without operator input? Correct. You can change bands on the K3 and the KPA500 will follow, or you can push one of the band buttons on the KPA500 and the K3 follows. This is true however, *only* if you have the two connected via the DB15 interface cable from Elecraft. Add the KAT500 to the chain and all tuning is automatic - without operator intervention? Not exactly ... at first. The KAT500 remembers the settings for each segment in each band, for each antenna, just like the KAT3. The DB15 cable from the K3 goes to the KAT500, and an identical cable goes from the KAT500 to KPA500. When you power up the KAT500 for the first time, it will begin remembering the settings as it tunes when you QSY, and eventually, it will just recall them. Most folks seem to run through all band/segment/antenna combinations once and get them all stored, that's what I did. The segment size varies by band, most are 20KHz, 160 is 10KHz I think, 10 is 100KHz and I think 6 is 200KHz. If something happens to your antenna and the stored setting yields an SWR over a threshold [adjustable with the KAT500 utility], it will automatically retune. If you do not have the DB15 cables connected, you have to feed initial RF to the KAT500 [and KPA500] so it can sense your QRG. In other words, the K3 combo with the amp and tuner will operate the same as the K3 and the 100 Watt internal tuner? Just QSY and talk??? Except for initial conditions [see above], yes, provided you have the DB15 cables connected. If you don't have the DB15's, the KAT500 [and KPA500] will select the right band and values when you first transmit. I use wires for 160/75/40 (proper length elements for each band that the K3 handles easily). A small vertical for the rare interludes of using the higher bands (trapped - so no challenge for a tuner). If the SWR presented to the KAT500 is below a threshold [adjustable in the Utility, I think, I haven't touched it], the KAT500 will go into byapass [i.e. not needed]. Via the KAT500 Utility, you can enable/disable each of the 3 antenna ports for each band. If you disable Ant 2 for a particular band, when you are on that band, tapping the ANT switch will toggle between 1 and 3, skipping 2. Hope this helps. 73, Fred K6DGW - Northern California Contest Club - CU in the 2013 Cal QSO Party 5-6 Oct 2013 - 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] KAT500 Tuning issue
Just to make sure we're all on the same page ... When the tuner (at the radio) gets an acceptable match, that just means the transmitter will _think_ there is a good antenna system out there. The feedline between the antenna and the tuner will know otherwise and can have points of very high voltage that could cause insulation breakdown, and points of very high current that can cause overheating and will be a source of power loss. This isn't really a problem in QRP operations, but when you head into the QRO world it can make a difference. The antenna also has issues. In an earlier post K3KO had the calculated feedpoint impedance, and it was very far from the 'nominal' 50 ohms of your feedline or the ~75 ohms of a dipole at altitude. W6GF also gave this info in terms of SWR to show how bad it was. All in all a resonant 40M dipole makes an unhappy antenna system on 20 meters. I understand that if that is all you have you're stuck with it, but it is really time to consider something else. Maybe a fan dipole, or trap dipole? Mark AD5SS On Sat, Dec 8, 2012 at 3:30 PM, Jerry Weisskohl jweissk...@gmail.com wrote: Right now, I have the coax from the antenna directly connected to the KAT500. I could try using my Delta-4 switch, have the coax go to that and then a small run to the KAT500 to see if that makes a difference. The high swr is an issue on 40 and 10 meters, however, ten is manageable, it's about 1.9 - 1 and I am working around the issue but using my 80 meter vertical on 20 meters. So this is not a show-stopper but just wanted to understand why it was happening. Jerry - AC4BT __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] KAT500 Tuning issue
Mark, Thanks for the reply. I received quite a few replies pointing out exactly what you said. Because it wouldn't load on 20 meters I was using my other antenna, which works fine with the KAT500 (80 meter vertical). However, I was trying to understand why the 40 meter dipole wasn't working well on 20 and I thank all those that replied. This reflector is a wealth of knowledge! Now I realize my KAT500 is working as it should. Having two antennas comes in handy! Thanks, Jerry - AC4BT On Sat, Dec 8, 2012 at 5:49 PM, Mark Bayern plcm...@gmail.com wrote: Just to make sure we're all on the same page ... When the tuner (at the radio) gets an acceptable match, that just means the transmitter will _think_ there is a good antenna system out there. The feedline between the antenna and the tuner will know otherwise and can have points of very high voltage that could cause insulation breakdown, and points of very high current that can cause overheating and will be a source of power loss. This isn't really a problem in QRP operations, but when you head into the QRO world it can make a difference. The antenna also has issues. In an earlier post K3KO had the calculated feedpoint impedance, and it was very far from the 'nominal' 50 ohms of your feedline or the ~75 ohms of a dipole at altitude. W6GF also gave this info in terms of SWR to show how bad it was. All in all a resonant 40M dipole makes an unhappy antenna system on 20 meters. I understand that if that is all you have you're stuck with it, but it is really time to consider something else. Maybe a fan dipole, or trap dipole? Mark AD5SS On Sat, Dec 8, 2012 at 3:30 PM, Jerry Weisskohl jweissk...@gmail.com wrote: Right now, I have the coax from the antenna directly connected to the KAT500. I could try using my Delta-4 switch, have the coax go to that and then a small run to the KAT500 to see if that makes a difference. The high swr is an issue on 40 and 10 meters, however, ten is manageable, it's about 1.9 - 1 and I am working around the issue but using my 80 meter vertical on 20 meters. So this is not a show-stopper but just wanted to understand why it was happening. Jerry - AC4BT __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] KAT500 Tuning issue
On 12/8/2012 2:49 PM, Mark Bayern wrote: The feedline between the antenna and the tuner will know otherwise and can have points of very high voltage that could cause insulation breakdown, and points of very high current that can cause overheating and will be a source of power loss. This isn't really a problem in QRP operations, but when you head into the QRO world it can make a difference. Well, yes but loss is loss. If your transmission line exhibits 3dB loss on 20m, it will turn your 500W into 250W at the antenna, and it will turn your 5W into 2.5W at the antenna. I think you might have been referring to damage from excessive voltage/current which *is* a problem QRO and not QRP, but the loss doesn't change. 73, Fred K6DGW - Northern California Contest Club - CU in the 2013 Cal QSO Party 5-6 Oct 2013 - 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] KPA500 - SWR into K3
Fred, Yes I have. To correct this reading, I activated the K3 ATU and tuned, I then went to Bypass on the KAT3 and all returned to 1.1:1 See if this works in your setup. Gary On 9 December 2012 09:18, Fred Jensen k6...@foothill.net wrote: In 10m contest [CW], I'm seeing 2:1 SWR on the K3 display feeding the KPA500. SWR from the antenna to KPA500 is 1.1:1. Is this normal? 73, Fred K6DGW - Northern California Contest Club - CU in the 2013 Cal QSO Party 5-6 Oct 2013 - www.cqp.org __**__**__ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/**mailman/listinfo/elecrafthttp://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.**htmhttp://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:elecr...@mailman.qth.**net Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html -- *Gary - VK1ZZ Motorhome Portable The Shack* *Elecraft K3 P3 Panadapter KPA500FT KAT500FT** KX3-K * __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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 - SWR into K3
Fred, my K3 reports 1.7:1 into the KPA500 on 10 meters. 6 meters and 12 meters are both 1.4:1. All other bands are 1.1:1 or better. That's with the K3's internal tuner in bypass of course. 73 Ron AC7AC -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Fred Jensen Sent: Saturday, December 08, 2012 2:18 PM To: Elecraft Reflector Subject: [Elecraft] KPA500 - SWR into K3 In 10m contest [CW], I'm seeing 2:1 SWR on the K3 display feeding the KPA500. SWR from the antenna to KPA500 is 1.1:1. Is this normal? 73, Fred K6DGW - Northern California Contest Club - CU in the 2013 Cal QSO Party 5-6 Oct 2013 - 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] KPA500 - SWR into K3
I have observed some different SWR readings on 10 and 6 meters with relatively small differences in cable lengths between rig, amp, and ATU. My K3 works better on 30 meters when I engage the K3's ATU. The K3 is measuring the SWR it sees (the input to the amp or the ATU, depending on the amp key line), and the KPA500 is measuring what it sees (the input to the ATU) and the KAT500 is measuring what it sees (the antenna system and the ATU's L and C), and they're all at slightly different points in the path with cables of varying lengths between. 73 de Dick, K6KR -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Ron D'Eau Claire Sent: Saturday, December 08, 2012 4:01 PM To: k6...@foothill.net; 'Elecraft Reflector' Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 - SWR into K3 Fred, my K3 reports 1.7:1 into the KPA500 on 10 meters. 6 meters and 12 meters are both 1.4:1. All other bands are 1.1:1 or better. That's with the K3's internal tuner in bypass of course. 73 Ron AC7AC -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Fred Jensen Sent: Saturday, December 08, 2012 2:18 PM To: Elecraft Reflector Subject: [Elecraft] KPA500 - SWR into K3 In 10m contest [CW], I'm seeing 2:1 SWR on the K3 display feeding the KPA500. SWR from the antenna to KPA500 is 1.1:1. Is this normal? 73, Fred K6DGW - Northern California Contest Club - CU in the 2013 Cal QSO Party 5-6 Oct 2013 - 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] KAT500 Tuning issue
If you want to use your 40 meter dipole on 20 meters, one way is to add two 16 foot wires at the center feed point, putting a 20 meter dipole in parallel with the 40 meter dipole. On 40 the extra 16 foot wires will simply make the radiator look a bit fatter to the RF. On 20, the 40 meter dipole exhibits a very high impedance at the feed point (which is what is causing your problem now) while the 20 meter dipole will present a decent match. Your 40 meter dipole already makes a decent 15 meter antenna because it's 3 half waves long, with a relatively decent match at the feed point. In the extreme you could add a 120 foot wire paralleled wire so the system will cover 80, 40, 20 and 15 meters and a pair of 8 foot wires to cover 10 meters to make it an 80/40/20/15/10 meter system. That was a common multi-band antenna before the WARC bands were opened. The mismatch is much greater on the WARC bands because they are not harmonically-related to the others. Even though your tuner may produce a good load to the transmitter, feed line losses can get rather high. Ideally you want to fan the wires to the ends are as far apart as possible, but even several inches or a foot or so will work. Understand that a 2:1 or worse SWR is common even though the wires are cut to 1/2 wavelength due to interaction between them, but the losses should not be serious over a typical run of good quality coax. 73, Ron AC7AC -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Jerry Weisskohl Sent: Saturday, December 08, 2012 2:59 PM To: Mark Bayern Cc: Elecraft Reflector Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KAT500 Tuning issue Mark, Thanks for the reply. I received quite a few replies pointing out exactly what you said. Because it wouldn't load on 20 meters I was using my other antenna, which works fine with the KAT500 (80 meter vertical). However, I was trying to understand why the 40 meter dipole wasn't working well on 20 and I thank all those that replied. This reflector is a wealth of knowledge! Now I realize my KAT500 is working as it should. Having two antennas comes in handy! Thanks, Jerry - AC4BT On Sat, Dec 8, 2012 at 5:49 PM, Mark Bayern plcm...@gmail.com wrote: Just to make sure we're all on the same page ... When the tuner (at the radio) gets an acceptable match, that just means the transmitter will _think_ there is a good antenna system out there. The feedline between the antenna and the tuner will know otherwise and can have points of very high voltage that could cause insulation breakdown, and points of very high current that can cause overheating and will be a source of power loss. This isn't really a problem in QRP operations, but when you head into the QRO world it can make a difference. The antenna also has issues. In an earlier post K3KO had the calculated feedpoint impedance, and it was very far from the 'nominal' 50 ohms of your feedline or the ~75 ohms of a dipole at altitude. W6GF also gave this info in terms of SWR to show how bad it was. All in all a resonant 40M dipole makes an unhappy antenna system on 20 meters. I understand that if that is all you have you're stuck with it, but it is really time to consider something else. Maybe a fan dipole, or trap dipole? Mark AD5SS On Sat, Dec 8, 2012 at 3:30 PM, Jerry Weisskohl jweissk...@gmail.com wrote: Right now, I have the coax from the antenna directly connected to the KAT500. I could try using my Delta-4 switch, have the coax go to that and then a small run to the KAT500 to see if that makes a difference. The high swr is an issue on 40 and 10 meters, however, ten is manageable, it's about 1.9 - 1 and I am working around the issue but using my 80 meter vertical on 20 meters. So this is not a show-stopper but just wanted to understand why it was happening. Jerry - AC4BT __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 - SWR into K3
Ron, maybe you saw the reply from Gary, VK1ZZ? His fix worked, I don't know why however. I have the KAT3 in bypass on all bands right now since getting the KAT500. I thought that meant the K3 was connected straight thru to the KPA500 input circuit so it should see a fairly low SWR. It usually runs around 1.1 or so. So Gary's advice was, 1) Put the KAT3 into AUTO; 2) Tap ATU TUNE on the K3; 3) Hold ATU TUNE until the KAT3 goes into BYPASS. When I did this, I think something also happened in the KAT500, although I'm not totally sure where the noise came from nor do I understand why it should have done anything. The SWR on the K3 was now 1:1, but the SWR on the KPA500 was now high. Retuning the KAT500 made it 1:1. As I said, I can't explain this with the model I have in my head, time for a new model I guess. And, thanks again to Alan for the monochrome waterfall option on the P3. I can see signals I can't really hear initially, but when I get on them, I can then use the APF much more effectively and I've picked up several mults today. 10m is way above El Stinko today, but still fairly puny. 73, Fred K6DGW - Northern California Contest Club - CU in the 2013 Cal QSO Party 5-6 Oct 2013 - www.cqp.org On 12/8/2012 4:01 PM, Ron D'Eau Claire wrote: Fred, my K3 reports 1.7:1 into the KPA500 on 10 meters. 6 meters and 12 meters are both 1.4:1. All other bands are 1.1:1 or better. That's with the K3's internal tuner in bypass of course. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] KAT500 remote operation
Knut, I did what Don suggests to match my MARS NVIS Loop which is fed with 450 ohm ladder-line and has a ten foot 450 ohm ladder-line stub diagonally opposite the fed corner, but added 75 ohm coax rather than 50 ohm. I made three lengths of RG11, 6.5 feet, 6 feet and 9 feet. With those three lengths you can try 6.5 feet, 12.5 feet, 15.5 feet and 21.5 feet to test with. After testing I ended up with 15.5 feet which I coiled up between the 4:1 balun and the 50 ohm coax feeding the KAT500 and KPA500. I used an AIM 4170 analyzer and looked at SWR and Rs readings. When you do that you compare the SWR and Rs value at a given frequency and if the SWR is Rs you divide SWR by Rs looking for a value of 10 If the value is 10 the KAT500 can tune it at high power. On the other hand if the Rs is SWR you divide the Rs by the SWR also looking for a value of 10. When you have value at each of the frequencies within desired range of less than 10 The KAT500 will tune them. My loop has 388 feet of wire in it and will tune with the KAT500 from 3.5 to 10.5MHz, except close to the K3 IF frequency, which can't be used anyway. Good luck with your antenna trimming! 73, Tom Amateur Radio Operator N5GE ARRL Lifetime Member QCWA Lifetime Member On Fri, 07 Dec 2012 20:00:24 -0500, Don Wilhelm w3...@embarqmail.com wrote: Knut, You might try adding or subtracting feedline at the shack end of the feedline to bring the SWR down on those bands. I would suggest experimenting with an antenna analyzer rather than the tuner - you will be able to see which way to go for making improvement. The fact is that the feedline with SWR will act as an impedance transformer, and it will be more of a transformer on bands with high SWR than on the bands that are better matched. Some experimentation may be in order. 73, Don W3FPR On 12/7/2012 5:52 PM, ab2tc wrote: Hi, Still can't manage to get any improvement doing this. Anyway, right now the tuner is doing a great job to my G5RV on all bands except 15m and 80m. For those bands the raw SWR is above 12:1 so is outside the design parameters for the tuner. These are screen shots for the bands where the tuner is finding a good match: http://ab2tc.getmyip.com/g5rv_10m.png http://ab2tc.getmyip.com/g5rv_12m.png http://ab2tc.getmyip.com/g5rv_17m.png http://ab2tc.getmyip.com/g5rv_20m.png http://ab2tc.getmyip.com/g5rv_40m.png I'll continue to work on the 15m and 80m to see if I can improve it. 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 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] KAT500 Tuning issue
You don't need to add 8 foot wires for 10 meters. The 80 meter dipole will load up there with a little help from the tuner. 73, Tony K4QE On Sat, Dec 8, 2012 at 7:27 PM, Ron D'Eau Claire r...@cobi.biz wrote: If you want to use your 40 meter dipole on 20 meters, one way is to add two 16 foot wires at the center feed point, putting a 20 meter dipole in parallel with the 40 meter dipole. On 40 the extra 16 foot wires will simply make the radiator look a bit fatter to the RF. On 20, the 40 meter dipole exhibits a very high impedance at the feed point (which is what is causing your problem now) while the 20 meter dipole will present a decent match. Your 40 meter dipole already makes a decent 15 meter antenna because it's 3 half waves long, with a relatively decent match at the feed point. In the extreme you could add a 120 foot wire paralleled wire so the system will cover 80, 40, 20 and 15 meters and a pair of 8 foot wires to cover 10 meters to make it an 80/40/20/15/10 meter system. That was a common multi-band antenna before the WARC bands were opened. The mismatch is much greater on the WARC bands because they are not harmonically-related to the others. Even though your tuner may produce a good load to the transmitter, feed line losses can get rather high. Ideally you want to fan the wires to the ends are as far apart as possible, but even several inches or a foot or so will work. Understand that a 2:1 or worse SWR is common even though the wires are cut to 1/2 wavelength due to interaction between them, but the losses should not be serious over a typical run of good quality coax. 73, Ron AC7AC -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Jerry Weisskohl Sent: Saturday, December 08, 2012 2:59 PM To: Mark Bayern Cc: Elecraft Reflector Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KAT500 Tuning issue Mark, Thanks for the reply. I received quite a few replies pointing out exactly what you said. Because it wouldn't load on 20 meters I was using my other antenna, which works fine with the KAT500 (80 meter vertical). However, I was trying to understand why the 40 meter dipole wasn't working well on 20 and I thank all those that replied. This reflector is a wealth of knowledge! Now I realize my KAT500 is working as it should. Having two antennas comes in handy! Thanks, Jerry - AC4BT On Sat, Dec 8, 2012 at 5:49 PM, Mark Bayern plcm...@gmail.com wrote: Just to make sure we're all on the same page ... When the tuner (at the radio) gets an acceptable match, that just means the transmitter will _think_ there is a good antenna system out there. The feedline between the antenna and the tuner will know otherwise and can have points of very high voltage that could cause insulation breakdown, and points of very high current that can cause overheating and will be a source of power loss. This isn't really a problem in QRP operations, but when you head into the QRO world it can make a difference. The antenna also has issues. In an earlier post K3KO had the calculated feedpoint impedance, and it was very far from the 'nominal' 50 ohms of your feedline or the ~75 ohms of a dipole at altitude. W6GF also gave this info in terms of SWR to show how bad it was. All in all a resonant 40M dipole makes an unhappy antenna system on 20 meters. I understand that if that is all you have you're stuck with it, but it is really time to consider something else. Maybe a fan dipole, or trap dipole? Mark AD5SS On Sat, Dec 8, 2012 at 3:30 PM, Jerry Weisskohl jweissk...@gmail.com wrote: Right now, I have the coax from the antenna directly connected to the KAT500. I could try using my Delta-4 switch, have the coax go to that and then a small run to the KAT500 to see if that makes a difference. The high swr is an issue on 40 and 10 meters, however, ten is manageable, it's about 1.9 - 1 and I am working around the issue but using my 80 meter vertical on 20 meters. So this is not a show-stopper but just wanted to understand why it was happening. Jerry - AC4BT __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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:
[Elecraft] WTT amp(s) for K3 or?
Greetings All, Thought I would see if anyone has a K3 they might want to trade for a legal limit amp. Will also be looking for a KPA500. I have the following amps available: Henry 3KD-Premier (3CX1200D7) Henry 3K-Ultra (3CX1200D7) Amp Supply LK800C TNY (all the Bill Edwards mods, QSK, ALO etc) (3 X 3CPX800A7). Email me off-list at a...@comcast.net with what you have. I'm in southern NJ. 73 Darrell AB2E __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] [KAT500] Tuning
I don't think I understand how the tuning works with the KAT500. I have a K3, KPA500, and the two 15-pin cables (K3 to KAT, and KAT to KPA). I set my K3 Tune Power to 25w. I thought when I press tune on the K3, the KAT500 should tune, and it shouldn't key the Amp; however, when I do this, I continue to get around 500w from the Amp. Could someone please explain how this is supposed to work? Thanks, - 73, John, N0TA __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] [KAT500] Tuning
On Sat, Dec 8, 2012 at 6:07 PM, John Reilly reill...@comcast.net wrote: I don't think I understand how the tuning works with the KAT500. I have a K3, KPA500, and the two 15-pin cables (K3 to KAT, and KAT to KPA). I set my K3 Tune Power to 25w. I thought when I press tune on the K3, the KAT500 should tune, and it shouldn't key the Amp; however, when I do this, I continue to get around 500w from the Amp. Could someone please explain how this is supposed to work? When you invoke the K3's TUNE function (hold the XMIT button), the K3 will make a 25W key-down signal. Nothing more fancy than that happens at the K3. If the KAT500 detects VSWR higher than the configured auto-tune threshold, it will inhibit keying to the amp, and attempt to tune (from memory first, then a full search if no suitable memory is available). If the KAT500 does not detect VSWR higher than the threshold, it will not inhibit keying, nor attempt any tune function. Are you seeing high VSWR when you invoke the K3's TUNE function? 73, ~iain / N6ML __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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 and Edirol FA-66 ?
Anyone using ths KX3 and FA-66 with NaP3 software? I have it partially working ~ rig control BUT no Panadaptor Cheers, Jan K1ND __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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 Turns Itself On
...all by itself! I recently installed the KXBC3 feature, and after installation, I put the NiMH batteries back in and set the charge time to 4 Hrs...they were pretty well charged anyway. And I left it plugged into my common power supply (handles the K3 also!). A day or so later, I came into the shack to find the KX3 on... I thought I'd forgotten to shut it off. Just in case, I checked to see if the Alarm was set on in the KX3. It wasn't. Darn if the KX3 didn't turn itself on tonight too! So what did I miss? I think I read all the instructions...more than once. Bert, N4CW __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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 and Edirol FA-66 ?
Jan, I don't have a KX3, however prior to getting the P3, I was using NaP3 with an FA-66 and LP-PAN w/ the K3. It worked well, but I had to use the Windows WDM-KS driver in order to get the panadapter display to work. I no longer have it connected, but I do have a printout of a screenshot of the NaP3 setup screen showing that the 'Input' was set to FA-66 In 2 and the 'Output' was set to FA-66 Out1. Hope this is helpful. 73, Dale WA8SRA On 12/8/2012 9:40 PM, Jan wrote: Anyone using ths KX3 and FA-66 with NaP3 software? I have it partially working ~ rig control BUT no Panadaptor Cheers, Jan K1ND __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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 FW Rev. 1.3!
By the rabbit track, do you mean using the KX3 Utility? It should find the latest firmware on their site without any input from you other than clicking, Copy new files from Elecraft. If it finds newer firmware than what you have installed, it will copy them to your computer; if not, it will say so and copy nothing. And when I view the firmware page at http://www.elecraft.com/KX3/KX3_software.htm , I see MCU 1.30 / DSP 1.02, released 6 Dec. Don't worry about 1.28 - I believe it had previously been labeled as a beta, but is now superseded by 1.30 - all firmware versions are cumulative, so you don't have to install every version released, just the latest. 73, Mike, KW1ND On 12/08/2012 09:37 PM, Jim Harris wrote: *Howdy, Folks.* * * *I see where there is a Beta KX3 Firmware Rev 1.3 on the Elecraft home page. But when I follow the rabbit Track to the firmware page to download install Version 1.3, all I see is Version 1.28. What am I missing here?* __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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, The rain has been trying to change to snow without success. I don't think I'll get any icy surfaces at this temperature. Good, my antennas can stay in the air longer. Propagation has been mostly down but I did try 40 meters in the middle of the day. I heard a sound which reminded me of sitting in my snow fort while the wind howled by on the hard pack above me. I read later that a CME had brushed by around then. Not a direct hit - merely a brush. I walked around looking for a Christmas tree today. Not so much interested in which one yet but inspecting the stock. Trees grow so quickly here it is hard to find one with a good shape before it's fifteen feet tall! I looked at the hemlock but they are too spindly at the top to support my Santa. He would be sideways in no time at all. More hiking is in order. 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 0200z (Sunday 6 PM PST) 7045 kHz Stay warm, 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
[Elecraft] Elecraft SSB net announcement
The weekly Elecraft SSB net will meet tomorrow (12/9/12) at 1800Z on 14.3035 MHz +/- QRM. I will be the net control from western Oregon. I may be a few minutes late. If so, perhaps one of the net regulars can start and copy me on the data before I showed up. 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
[Elecraft] Fans on K3/100
Do the fans on the K3/100 come on automatically, depending on the PA module temp, and remain off at other times? Thanks, Jay (KD6AMA) __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] Fans on K3/100
Yes. They're *very* quiet as well. matt W6NIA On Sat, 08 Dec 2012 22:01:01 -0800, you wrote: Do the fans on the K3/100 come on automatically, depending on the PA module temp, and remain off at other times? Thanks, Jay (KD6AMA) __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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 SWR
Just completed assembling my new K3/100; I am completely new to this rig, and just getting used to it. In initial transmitter power calibration into a dummy load, I saw an SWR of ~1:1. However, into my 20M mono-band dipole, I see it is ~1.8:1. I am wondering if anybody can help answer these questions: 1. Is it safe to operate the K3 with an SWR as high as 1.8:1 (just eager to test the new K3 on the air)? 2. Do I need to check if there is a problem with my dipole antenna (wet coax, etc.)? Thanks, Jay (KD6AMA) __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] [KAT500] Tuning
The KAT500 will only initiate a tune based on SWR being above a threshold when it is in auto mode. Its manual mode requires a press of the tune button on the ATU first, followed by RF from the K3, for it to tune. 73, Eric www.elecraft.com _..._ On Dec 8, 2012, at 6:32 PM, iain macdonnell - N6ML a...@dseven.org wrote: On Sat, Dec 8, 2012 at 6:07 PM, John Reilly reill...@comcast.net wrote: I don't think I understand how the tuning works with the KAT500. I have a K3, KPA500, and the two 15-pin cables (K3 to KAT, and KAT to KPA). I set my K3 Tune Power to 25w. I thought when I press tune on the K3, the KAT500 should tune, and it shouldn't key the Amp; however, when I do this, I continue to get around 500w from the Amp. Could someone please explain how this is supposed to work? When you invoke the K3's TUNE function (hold the XMIT button), the K3 will make a 25W key-down signal. Nothing more fancy than that happens at the K3. If the KAT500 detects VSWR higher than the configured auto-tune threshold, it will inhibit keying to the amp, and attempt to tune (from memory first, then a full search if no suitable memory is available). If the KAT500 does not detect VSWR higher than the threshold, it will not inhibit keying, nor attempt any tune function. Are you seeing high VSWR when you invoke the K3's TUNE function? 73, ~iain / N6ML __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
