Re: [Elecraft] KAT-500 and 30' Flag Pole Antenna Users?

[Dr. William J. Schmidt, II]

I have a different opinion on buying used heliax.  Unless you scan it (TDR
minimum) you will never know if what you are purchasing is a piece of good
used heliax... or something hit by lightning now has carbon track shorts
and/or dielectric that is saturated with water.  While some lucky people
have purchased used heliax with success, I would use the same common sense
as when purchasing any used coax.


Dr. William J. Schmidt - K9HZ / J68HZ/ 8P6HK/ ZF2HZ
 
Owner - Operator
Big Signal Ranch
Staunton, Illinois
 
email:  b...@wjschmidt.com

-Original Message-
From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Jim Miller
Sent: Sunday, July 28, 2013 7:51 PM
Cc: elecraft@mailman.qth.net; John Fritze
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KAT-500 and 30' Flag Pole Antenna Users?

John

When working through your setup consider getting some 7/8" hardline to use
as feed which depending on your run length to the antenna may allow you to
keep the KAT500 in the shack with acceptable loss. You'll still need some
coax jumpers to get from the hardline to the rig inside the house so you'll
need to calculate and add that loss along with the little bit at the
antenna.

Any of the online loss calculators will give you the answers. Use 10:1 as
the max SWR estimate at the antenna to calculate the feedline loss since
the KAT500 can't tune more than that anyway.

Here's some examples: @10:1, LDF5-50, 3.5Mhz, 100ft yields a total loss of
0.32db. Same for 28Mhz yields 0.86db.

http://www.arrg.us/pages/Loss-Calc.htm

Such hardline is readily available at much less than new prices if you buy
used. I paid a bit over $1/ft for mine if you're luck you might even find
it free. Connectors are pricey but since you only need two, no big deal.

The tradeoff is having the tuner in the shack where is it visible and
usable without concerns for weather vs temperature and humidity issues
outside.

73

jim ab3cv



On Sun, Jul 28, 2013 at 8:24 PM, Javier Campos
wrote:

> Thanks to all for the replies. Excellent points and real life experiences
> have provided some valuable insight.
>
> The antenna should be her in about a week or so.
>
> I will use my MFJ antenna analyzer (I hope it still works) after I get it
> standing up and eventually (need to let the "look" set in of just the
> aluminum) for the neighbors before I attach the UNUN and the radials.
>
> After all, it's a "Flag Pole" to my HOA so I just need to let it sit there
> and let the novelty wear off before I attach UNUN, lay the radials and dig
>  the trench for the coax.
>
> It will also give me time to freshen on on plotting the R+jx on the smith
> charts, again after 24+ years from doing in it in college.
>
> Thanks again and you will all here from me once this is all installed and
> put together and on the air.
>
> Javier NM6E/5
>
>
> 
>  From: John Fritze 
> To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
> Sent: Sunday, July 28, 2013 2:35 PM
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KAT-500 and 30' Flag Pole Antenna Users?
>
>
> Javier,
>
> Here's some additional info for you to my first post.
>
> A lot of great info can be found here regarding the antenna design you are
> considering:
>
> http://www.sgcworld.com/technicalInfoPage.html
>
> If the tuner is at the radio and the output from the tuner is coax (such
as
> a built in tuner in the K3) the tuner is tuning the coax and not the
> antenna.  It will make the rig happy and isn't that what we mostly are
> looking for anyway?  But the main problem is how do we get the most
> transfer of power between the coax and the antenna?
>
> A schematic circuit of any antenna is a resister, inductor and capacitor
in
> series.  By adjusting the capacitance or the inductance we can try to
> arrive at 50 Ohms to match to coax.  That's what a remote tuner is trying
> to do by adding capacitors and coils into the circuit.  Once the match is
> found, then the rig output, coax, and antenna are all 50 ohms giving us
the
> maximum transfer of power so it is not burnt up as heat in the coax.
>
> A remote tuner tunes the antenna and the coax is effectively flat SWR from
> the rig to the tuner.  One problem I have found is that coax should NEVER
> be used at the output of a remote tuner (BUT we all do it don't we, even I
> do on occasion)!   From the remote tuner to the antenna it is all antenna
> and it is all radiating.  West Marine sells a product called high voltage
> wire, it is 10 or 12 gauge, stranded and tinned, covered with a white PVC.
> It is not cheap but it is a really good product.  Sometimes a remote tuner
> will tune with a short coax at the output, but it won't be happy and you
> will find that the tuner will hunt for a solution.
>
> One other issue folks sometimes have is trying to tune the vertical when
it
> is too short for the tuner.  Ideally you need to be 42-43 feet to work
> 80-10 meters.  If you want to sometimes get on 160, then you need to be
> closer to 55 feet at a minimum, but then you are co

Re: [Elecraft] K3 Utility Noise

[DL5OCD]

Hi all,

had the same Problem here. I just replaced the USB to Serial Adapter with a
true RS-232 cable and it was fixed.

73
Michael



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Re: [Elecraft] Monitor Audio

[John Chappell G3XRJ]

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Re: [Elecraft] Monitor Audio

[John Chappell G3XRJ]

Thanks Lyle

 for me it was Tx Mon on Fast that was causing the effect.

Sounds fine when Tx Mon nor

73
John G3XRJ

The K3 MON for voice can be set to have minimum delay, in which case 
you hear unprocessed audio.


Or, it can be set to hear the effects of EQ, CMP etc., but with some 
delay.  The delay bothers some people.


The selection is a menu-settable option.

However, when you adjust MIC settings, the radio will revert to MON 
being the signal as it will be heard going out over the air (with 
delay) even if you have it set for "fast" MON.  This is to enable you 
to properly adjust for the tx EQ, CMP and etc that best suits your 
voice and your goal (good fidelity for Rag Chewing, maximum "talk 
power" for DX pile-up busting, etc.).


If your audio sounds bad when you adjust CMP, Tx Gate, Mic GAIN, etc., 
then you should probably consider adjusting things so that they sound 
like what you would like to hear at the other end of the QSO :-)


Check the manual and  firmware release notes for more details.




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[Elecraft] KX3 with NaP3 USB Noise

[F5vjc]

I've purchased a USB Creative Blaster X-FI Pro for use with my Acer Win 7
laptop with the intention to use it with my KX3 driving NaP3.

This works fine until I connect the Elecraft supplied KX3 USB serial cable
to provide CAT control of the, when connected it introduces unacceptable
noise in the KX3 audio and many spurs on the NaP3 display. I have tried
bonding the laptop chassis to the KX3 with no effect.

Is there a fix for this? I know of a mod to this soundcard (additional
decoupling caps) and/or isolation of the KX3 IQ output by transformers, is
this likely to cure the problem?

Any advice on this, thanks.

73 F5VJC
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[Elecraft] K2 murdered

[Hans Elfelt Bonnesen]

During heavy lightning in the evening  I switched all antennas to ground.
Next morning I forgot and started to transmit into a grounded antenna (sic)
It appears the transmitter is now gone dead. Admission: I murdered it myself.
Where do I start to look. - When "transmitting" into a dummy load the RF/ALC 
indicator
shows that all is normal.
I's not. Unfortunately.

Remorsefully yours

OZ5RB, Hans


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[Elecraft] KX3 AM-breakthrough

[Klaus Dittrich]

My KX3 when driven by a allband shortwave antenna
shows am-breakthough at all bands above 30M
depending on conditions.

The source are far shortwave broadcast stations
(relative to Germany),
Iran, Pakistan, India and sometimes Deutsche Welle.


The stations hearable then are different each time
and very loud, S4 to S5, and so disturbing that working
in cw is impossible for me.

The antenna I use is an asymmetrical dipole(30m/40m long), tuned
at the feedpoint by an SGV-230 autotuner and works well at all bands 
from 160m to 6m.


The KX3 is designed as a portable trx. Outdoors people
will use the long antennas which they have no room for at
home.

It seems the KX3-RX can not withstand the rf-levels
delivered by such long antennas.

ARLL and Sherweng measurents do not capture the situation
thus showing that measurements at best always do picture
only a part of reality.

Is Elecraft working at this problem and is there a solution
at the horizon?

--
73, Klaus DF1TL

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Re: [Elecraft] KX3 AM-breakthrough

[Ralf Wilhelm]

Hi Klaus,

I tried to provoke some AM breakthrough with my active antenna in april and 
used a very strong (peaked up to 0 dBm (!) on my Perseus SDR the next day) 
broadcast signal on 3965 (I think). The only thing I could provoke even with 
this signal was some AM on the second harmonic, however no AM breakthrough. 

My current antenna used with my KX3 is a center fed dipole (same size as G5RV), 
fed with 8 metres of ladder line and tuned by a Palstar BT1500 true symmetric 
tuner. The only non-linearity I have noticed is on 15 metres in the evening, 
but only when the 20 dB preamp in the KX3 is on. I cannot tell wether this is 
3rd order from 41 mtr broadcast or second order from 9 and 11 MHz (the tuner's 
settings for 15 and 30 are similar, so I believe it is the latter process). 
Interestingly, the 20dB amp is in front of the attentuator, so "att" does not 
help.

I made the observation that some people report strong breakthrough while others 
(like me) are not experiencing AM breakthrough at all - with similar antennas - 
and thought a little bit about this. 

The AM breakthrough might be a result of your AC installation. When I started 
using my KX3 with an indoor antenna I noticed a hum (or buzz) on some bands. 
Using my ipad with a audio spectrum analyzer app, I found that It consisted of 
100 Hz and harmonics. The hum was reduced when the 10dB preamp was on and 
disappeared when I turned the 8kHz if shift feature on my KX3 on. 

I did some internet research on this and ended up with the following 
explanation: some power from the KX3's local oscillator is emitted and caught 
by some nearby AC lines in my shack. This  rf signal mixes with the AC 
frequency in a rectifier of one of the power supplies connected and is 
reradiated by the AC lines and then detected by the KX3. 

Related to this, there is what is called "Ortssenderproblem" in german. Strong 
AM stations mix with the AC mains frequency and this causes them to have a 
strong hum (even on a superhet receiver - I used to have this  on all receivers 
I ever tried with Deutsche Welle on 3995 and 6075 kHz and the local medium wave 
station in Hemmingen near Hanover).

If you combine both things, you arrive at the following possible scenario.

Strong AM signals are 'caught' by your AC lines as well as the local oscillator 
of your KX3. These two mix and create (among others) a AM (cross-)modulated 
signal on your local oscillators frequency. This signal is then reradiaded by 
your AC lines and detected by your KX3. This would look like AM breakthrough. 
If I am true, one should be able to detect the AM modulated KX3 oscillator 
signal with a nearby  (maybe portable?) receiver. And a second test might be: 
putting a 10 dB attentuator in front of the KX3 and turning on the 10 dB preamp 
should result in less "breakthrough" than no attentuator and 10 dB off (because 
of the improved local oscillator isolation).

So it might be possible that you (or your neighbor) have a device connected to 
the AC that mixes the AM signals and the local oscillator of the KX3. LED lamps 
and small switching power supplies seem to be good candidates for this. There 
is a LED "christmas light chain" example in the german qrp forum that can be 
explained by this "theory".

greetings

Ralf, DL6OAP


Am 29.07.2013 um 11:49 schrieb Klaus Dittrich :

> 
> My KX3 when driven by a allband shortwave antenna
> shows am-breakthough at all bands above 30M
> depending on conditions.
> 
> The source are far shortwave broadcast stations
> (relative to Germany),
> Iran, Pakistan, India and sometimes Deutsche Welle.
> 
> 
> The stations hearable then are different each time
> and very loud, S4 to S5, and so disturbing that working
> in cw is impossible for me.
> 
> The antenna I use is an asymmetrical dipole(30m/40m long), tuned
> at the feedpoint by an SGV-230 autotuner and works well at all bands from 
> 160m to 6m.
> 
> The KX3 is designed as a portable trx. Outdoors people
> will use the long antennas which they have no room for at
> home.
> 
> It seems the KX3-RX can not withstand the rf-levels
> delivered by such long antennas.
> 
> ARLL and Sherweng measurents do not capture the situation
> thus showing that measurements at best always do picture
> only a part of reality.
> 
> Is Elecraft working at this problem and is there a solution
> at the horizon?
> 
> -- 
> 73, Klaus DF1TL
> 
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Pleas

Re: [Elecraft] KX3 AM-breakthrough

[WM3M]

This happens to my KX3 too, but only sometimes, and I can not duplicate it.
I have not been able to track down what causes it.
I use wire antennas fed with coax, OCF dipoles and double size G5RV, it has 
done it on all 3 antennas.
When the AM breakthrough happens it is very loud and can be heard across the 
entire 20 mtr band.

But then it will go weeks and not do it?
First few times it happened I spent couple hours tracking down the AM 
station, it was a independent AM broadcast station, I believe in Kentucky, 
very strong somewhere around 9 Mhz?

If anyone figures it out please let me know.
Emory  WM3M

-Original Message- 
From: Klaus Dittrich

Sent: Monday, July 29, 2013 5:49 AM
To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Elecraft] KX3 AM-breakthrough


My KX3 when driven by a allband shortwave antenna
shows am-breakthough at all bands above 30M
depending on conditions.

The source are far shortwave broadcast stations
(relative to Germany),
Iran, Pakistan, India and sometimes Deutsche Welle.


The stations hearable then are different each time
and very loud, S4 to S5, and so disturbing that working
in cw is impossible for me.

The antenna I use is an asymmetrical dipole(30m/40m long), tuned
at the feedpoint by an SGV-230 autotuner and works well at all bands
from 160m to 6m.

The KX3 is designed as a portable trx. Outdoors people
will use the long antennas which they have no room for at
home.

It seems the KX3-RX can not withstand the rf-levels
delivered by such long antennas.

ARLL and Sherweng measurents do not capture the situation
thus showing that measurements at best always do picture
only a part of reality.

Is Elecraft working at this problem and is there a solution
at the horizon?

--
73, Klaus DF1TL

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[Elecraft] [K2] : Swapping frequencys between VFO's A and B

[Behiels JeanPierre]

Hi K2 users;

I do found next K2-software stage ?
The K2 VFO memory does'nt take next two different VFO settings (example of two 
different band settings) VFO A = 20M and VFO B = 17M
In this situation when we switch back to the other VFO,this switched VFO also 
take the VFO frequency from the VFO where you coming from in last button push ??
You not can put in VFO A a 17M frequency,and in the other VFO B,by example a 
20M frequency. 
They both always take the originaly frequency from one band where you coming 
from ??
One of the "two different band"  frequencys will not stay  into the memory ?
I presume this has a particular Elecraft reason hi .. 

Regards Jean ON4AEF. 
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Re: [Elecraft] KAT-500

[ab2tc]

Hi,

Look here for a few pictures of my installation:

ab2tc.com/img_0116.jpg
ab2tc.com/img_0118.jpg
ab2tc.com/img_0123.jpg
ab2tc.com/img_0124.jpg
ab2tc.com/img_0128.jpg

Warning: The picture files are large. This installation has been in place
since last December and is working very well. It has survived subzero
temperatures as well as 90 F heat. The spot is almost completely shaded from
the sun. The only wires going to the box is 110V AC and coax. Control of the
box is with the utility over a wireless serial server by Lantronix (on the
top of the stack). I tried using an Ethernet server, but it was rather bad
with birdies.

AB2TC - Knut





At one time, I think that I recall, that there was some reference to 
a model of this tuner that could be remotely mounted and would be in 
a weather resistant enclosure.

My personal philosophy is that this is the best (only?) way to use an 
antenna tuner.  Now that automated tuners are being implemented by 
most manufacturers, I hope to see more being remotely capable.

Chuck,  W7CS




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Re: [Elecraft] K2 murdered

[Don Wilhelm]

Hans,

It is strange that you have an indication of power output when 
transmitting into a dummy load, but not into an antenna.
Is this a QRP K2 or do you have the KPA100 installed?  My responses will 
be different depending on the answer to that question.

Do you have the KAT2?  Or the KAT100.

A few more measurements may be required.
Have you put an in-line wattmeter between the K2 and the dummy load?  Do 
you get the same power into the antenna as ino the dummy load.
On the assumption that the lightning may have damaged something in your 
antenna system, I would suggest using an antenna analyzer to measure the 
antennas at the desired frequency of operation.  It might not be a K2 
problem at all.


73,
Don W3FPR

On 7/29/2013 5:01 AM, Hans Elfelt Bonnesen wrote:

During heavy lightning in the evening  I switched all antennas to ground.
Next morning I forgot and started to transmit into a grounded antenna (sic)
It appears the transmitter is now gone dead. Admission: I murdered it myself.
Where do I start to look. - When "transmitting" into a dummy load the RF/ALC 
indicator
shows that all is normal.
I's not. Unfortunately.

Remorsefully yours

OZ5RB, Hans



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Re: [Elecraft] KX3 AM-breakthrough

[Uwe Hermanns]

Hi Klaus,

my KX3 has sometimes also strong AM-Breakthrough. It is very annoying :-(

73 de Uwe, DL4AC
Am 29.07.2013 11:50 schrieb "Klaus Dittrich" :

>
> My KX3 when driven by a allband shortwave antenna
> shows am-breakthough at all bands above 30M
> depending on conditions.
>
> The source are far shortwave broadcast stations
> (relative to Germany),
> Iran, Pakistan, India and sometimes Deutsche Welle.
>
>
> The stations hearable then are different each time
> and very loud, S4 to S5, and so disturbing that working
> in cw is impossible for me.
>
> The antenna I use is an asymmetrical dipole(30m/40m long), tuned
> at the feedpoint by an SGV-230 autotuner and works well at all bands from
> 160m to 6m.
>
> The KX3 is designed as a portable trx. Outdoors people
> will use the long antennas which they have no room for at
> home.
>
> It seems the KX3-RX can not withstand the rf-levels
> delivered by such long antennas.
>
> ARLL and Sherweng measurents do not capture the situation
> thus showing that measurements at best always do picture
> only a part of reality.
>
> Is Elecraft working at this problem and is there a solution
> at the horizon?
>
> --
> 73, Klaus DF1TL
>
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> http://mailman.qth.net/**mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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Re: [Elecraft] [K2] : Swapping frequencys between VFO's A and B

[Don Wilhelm]

Jean,

Yes, that is true, both VFOs must be in the same band.
The K2 cannot change bands by just moving the VFO from one band to 
another, you must use the BAND+/BAND- buttons.
If you do move the VFO from one band to another,  the displayed 
frequency will change, but the VFO will not follow very far outside the 
band that you moved away from.


73,
Don W3FPR

On 7/29/2013 8:20 AM, Behiels JeanPierre wrote:

Hi K2 users;

I do found next K2-software stage ?
The K2 VFO memory does'nt take next two different VFO settings (example of two 
different band settings) VFO A = 20M and VFO B = 17M
In this situation when we switch back to the other VFO,this switched VFO also 
take the VFO frequency from the VFO where you coming from in last button push ??
You not can put in VFO A a 17M frequency,and in the other VFO B,by example a 
20M frequency.
They both always take the originaly frequency from one band where you coming 
from ??
One of the "two different band"  frequencys will not stay  into the memory ?
I presume this has a particular Elecraft reason hi ..

Regards Jean ON4AEF.
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Re: [Elecraft] K2 murdered

[Geoffrey Mackenzie-Kennedy]

Hello Hans,

Sorry to hear about your problem.

When transmitting inot a 50 ohm dummy load, I would suggest that you first 
measure the RF power actually reaching the dummy load in case the RF/ALC 
indicator is misbehaving.  If you do not have a RF Power Meter (Inline 
type), then a diode detector plus a DMM would be suitable.  The K2 kit 
includes the parts for a diode probe/detector.  The probe should be 
connected at the dummy load via a coaxial T connector.


The diode probe and DMM will give you the RMS voltage appearing across the 
dummy load.


73,

Geoff
LX2AO


On July 29, 2013 at 11:01 AM, Hans Elfelt Bonnesen wrote:



During heavy lightning in the evening  I switched all antennas to ground.
Next morning I forgot and started to transmit into a grounded antenna 
(sic)
It appears the transmitter is now gone dead. Admission: I murdered it 
myself.
Where do I start to look. - When "transmitting" into a dummy load the 
RF/ALC indicator

shows that all is normal.
I's not. Unfortunately.

Remorsefully yours

OZ5RB, Hans


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Re: [Elecraft] KAT-500 and 30' Flag Pole Antenna Users?

[Jim Miller]

In my case I did find water in the sections of LDF5-50 that were
unprotected but with an ohm meter and a hacksaw was able to remove the
affected portions resulting in a >10M ohm reading after removing just a
couple of feet. The nature of the foam inside LDF5-50 doesn't permit water
to travel quickly very far.

I'm successfully running my KPA500 on all bands.

No idea about carbon tracking.

YMMV

jim ab3cv


On Mon, Jul 29, 2013 at 3:11 AM, Dr. William J. Schmidt, II <
b...@wjschmidt.com> wrote:

> I have a different opinion on buying used heliax.  Unless you scan it (TDR
> minimum) you will never know if what you are purchasing is a piece of good
> used heliax... or something hit by lightning now has carbon track shorts
> and/or dielectric that is saturated with water.  While some lucky people
> have purchased used heliax with success, I would use the same common sense
> as when purchasing any used coax.
>
>
> Dr. William J. Schmidt - K9HZ / J68HZ/ 8P6HK/ ZF2HZ
>
> Owner - Operator
> Big Signal Ranch
> Staunton, Illinois
>
> email:  b...@wjschmidt.com
>
> -Original Message-
> From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net
> [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Jim Miller
> Sent: Sunday, July 28, 2013 7:51 PM
> Cc: elecraft@mailman.qth.net; John Fritze
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KAT-500 and 30' Flag Pole Antenna Users?
>
> John
>
> When working through your setup consider getting some 7/8" hardline to use
> as feed which depending on your run length to the antenna may allow you to
> keep the KAT500 in the shack with acceptable loss. You'll still need some
> coax jumpers to get from the hardline to the rig inside the house so you'll
> need to calculate and add that loss along with the little bit at the
> antenna.
>
> Any of the online loss calculators will give you the answers. Use 10:1 as
> the max SWR estimate at the antenna to calculate the feedline loss since
> the KAT500 can't tune more than that anyway.
>
> Here's some examples: @10:1, LDF5-50, 3.5Mhz, 100ft yields a total loss of
> 0.32db. Same for 28Mhz yields 0.86db.
>
> http://www.arrg.us/pages/Loss-Calc.htm
>
> Such hardline is readily available at much less than new prices if you buy
> used. I paid a bit over $1/ft for mine if you're luck you might even find
> it free. Connectors are pricey but since you only need two, no big deal.
>
> The tradeoff is having the tuner in the shack where is it visible and
> usable without concerns for weather vs temperature and humidity issues
> outside.
>
> 73
>
> jim ab3cv
>
>
>
> On Sun, Jul 28, 2013 at 8:24 PM, Javier Campos
> wrote:
>
> > Thanks to all for the replies. Excellent points and real life experiences
> > have provided some valuable insight.
> >
> > The antenna should be her in about a week or so.
> >
> > I will use my MFJ antenna analyzer (I hope it still works) after I get it
> > standing up and eventually (need to let the "look" set in of just the
> > aluminum) for the neighbors before I attach the UNUN and the radials.
> >
> > After all, it's a "Flag Pole" to my HOA so I just need to let it sit
> there
> > and let the novelty wear off before I attach UNUN, lay the radials and
> dig
> >  the trench for the coax.
> >
> > It will also give me time to freshen on on plotting the R+jx on the smith
> > charts, again after 24+ years from doing in it in college.
> >
> > Thanks again and you will all here from me once this is all installed and
> > put together and on the air.
> >
> > Javier NM6E/5
> >
> >
> > 
> >  From: John Fritze 
> > To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
> > Sent: Sunday, July 28, 2013 2:35 PM
> > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KAT-500 and 30' Flag Pole Antenna Users?
> >
> >
> > Javier,
> >
> > Here's some additional info for you to my first post.
> >
> > A lot of great info can be found here regarding the antenna design you
> are
> > considering:
> >
> > http://www.sgcworld.com/technicalInfoPage.html
> >
> > If the tuner is at the radio and the output from the tuner is coax (such
> as
> > a built in tuner in the K3) the tuner is tuning the coax and not the
> > antenna.  It will make the rig happy and isn't that what we mostly are
> > looking for anyway?  But the main problem is how do we get the most
> > transfer of power between the coax and the antenna?
> >
> > A schematic circuit of any antenna is a resister, inductor and capacitor
> in
> > series.  By adjusting the capacitance or the inductance we can try to
> > arrive at 50 Ohms to match to coax.  That's what a remote tuner is trying
> > to do by adding capacitors and coils into the circuit.  Once the match is
> > found, then the rig output, coax, and antenna are all 50 ohms giving us
> the
> > maximum transfer of power so it is not burnt up as heat in the coax.
> >
> > A remote tuner tunes the antenna and the coax is effectively flat SWR
> from
> > the rig to the tuner.  One problem I have found is that coax should NEVER
> > be used at the output of a remote tuner (BUT we all do it don't we, e

Re: [Elecraft] KX3 with NaP3 USB Noise

[Matt Zilmer]

Hi,

I used transformers for isolation, which worked fine.  Did not need
anything else.

73,
matt W6NIA

On Mon, 29 Jul 2013 10:59:41 +0200, you wrote:

>I've purchased a USB Creative Blaster X-FI Pro for use with my Acer Win 7
>laptop with the intention to use it with my KX3 driving NaP3.
>
>This works fine until I connect the Elecraft supplied KX3 USB serial cable
>to provide CAT control of the, when connected it introduces unacceptable
>noise in the KX3 audio and many spurs on the NaP3 display. I have tried
>bonding the laptop chassis to the KX3 with no effect.
>
>Is there a fix for this? I know of a mod to this soundcard (additional
>decoupling caps) and/or isolation of the KX3 IQ output by transformers, is
>this likely to cure the problem?
>
>Any advice on this, thanks.
>
>73 F5VJC
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Re: [Elecraft] KX3 AM-breakthrough

[Matt Zilmer]

Setting RX SHFT = 8.0 solves this problem.

73,
matt W6NIA

On Mon, 29 Jul 2013 14:35:16 +0200, you wrote:

>Hi Klaus,
>
>my KX3 has sometimes also strong AM-Breakthrough. It is very annoying :-(
>
>73 de Uwe, DL4AC
>Am 29.07.2013 11:50 schrieb "Klaus Dittrich" :
>
>>
>> My KX3 when driven by a allband shortwave antenna
>> shows am-breakthough at all bands above 30M
>> depending on conditions.
>>
>> The source are far shortwave broadcast stations
>> (relative to Germany),
>> Iran, Pakistan, India and sometimes Deutsche Welle.
>>
>>
>> The stations hearable then are different each time
>> and very loud, S4 to S5, and so disturbing that working
>> in cw is impossible for me.
>>
>> The antenna I use is an asymmetrical dipole(30m/40m long), tuned
>> at the feedpoint by an SGV-230 autotuner and works well at all bands from
>> 160m to 6m.
>>
>> The KX3 is designed as a portable trx. Outdoors people
>> will use the long antennas which they have no room for at
>> home.
>>
>> It seems the KX3-RX can not withstand the rf-levels
>> delivered by such long antennas.
>>
>> ARLL and Sherweng measurents do not capture the situation
>> thus showing that measurements at best always do picture
>> only a part of reality.
>>
>> Is Elecraft working at this problem and is there a solution
>> at the horizon?
>>
>> --
>> 73, Klaus DF1TL
>>
>> __**__**__
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Re: [Elecraft] KX3 AM-breakthrough

[Don Wilhelm]

That is a problem with any zero frequency IF (direct conversion) receiver.
Try turning on RX SHIFT.  It is a locked menu item.  See page 38 and 
also the comment on this subject on page 43.


73,
Don W3FPR

On 7/29/2013 5:49 AM, Klaus Dittrich wrote:


My KX3 when driven by a allband shortwave antenna
shows am-breakthough at all bands above 30M
depending on conditions.



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Re: [Elecraft] KX3 AM-breakthrough

[Uwe Hermanns]

Hi Don,

but with shift on I loose dual watch.

73 de Uwe, DL4AC
Am 29.07.2013 14:49 schrieb "Don Wilhelm" :

> That is a problem with any zero frequency IF (direct conversion) receiver.
> Try turning on RX SHIFT.  It is a locked menu item.  See page 38 and also
> the comment on this subject on page 43.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> On 7/29/2013 5:49 AM, Klaus Dittrich wrote:
>
>>
>> My KX3 when driven by a allband shortwave antenna
>> shows am-breakthough at all bands above 30M
>> depending on conditions.
>>
>>
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[Elecraft] Fldigi/Flrig and KX3 control investigation. (Before I re-invent the wheel!)

[g8kbvdave]

Hi All.

Before I dive in, and go about creating or fixing drivers for people 
who seem to have trouble with the KX3 and Fldigi(Flrig) etc, I took 
a look at the current state of things.

On Windows (XP SP3) with Fldigi (V3.21.70, the *Latest* is 3.21.72)

The built in Hamlib driver (V1.2.12) for the K3 works as far as I 
can tell (A plesant suprise, no audio connections, and no RF 
launched, just basic rig control tried.)  Even the PTT via Hamlib 
command worked, as did tuning and frequency control, also mode 
changing but you need to select PKTUSB to get the rig into DATA A 
mode.

I also tried on Linux (Lubuntu with Fldigi and Flrig.)  That machine 
has a later version of Hamlib (V1.2.15) also the needed driver is 
listed as "K3/KX3 Beta", not just "K3".  Again, as it is, it all 
seems to work at present, no code changing done at all.

The K3 selection in Flrig works the KX3 too, PTT control, mode and 
bandwidth settings seem to work OK.

I've not yet tried the K3.XML file, I ran out of time, but that is 
next.

However, AFICT, basic rig control of the KX3 is already do-able from 
Fldigi and Flrig, with what is there already, Windows and Linux.

I was using a standard KXUSB cable, that created a COM3: alias on 
the Windows machine, and ttyUSB0 on the Lubuntu machine.  The serial 
data rate was 19200bd, 1 stop bit in both cases.

I will check things later when I get home (domestic management 
permitting) on Win7 (Home Premium, 32 bit) if the place hasn't been 
washed away in the storms, or suffered a direct lightening zap.

More news when I have it, otherwise..  Enjoy it as it is now!.

73.

Dave G0WBX.


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Re: [Elecraft] KX3 AM-breakthrough

[Don Wilhelm]

Yes, that is true.  You have to choose between the better of those "two 
evils".


73,,
Don W3FPR
On 7/29/2013 8:54 AM, Uwe Hermanns wrote:

Hi Don,

but with shift on I loose dual watch.

73 de Uwe, DL4AC
Am 29.07.2013 14:49 schrieb "Don Wilhelm" :


That is a problem with any zero frequency IF (direct conversion) receiver.
Try turning on RX SHIFT.  It is a locked menu item.  See page 38 and also
the comment on this subject on page 43.

73,
Don W3FPR



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Re: [Elecraft] KAT-500

[widel...@gte.net]

Sent from my Verizon Wireless Phone

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Re: [Elecraft] KAT-500

[widel...@gte.net]

Sent from my Verizon Wireless Phone

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Re: [Elecraft] Fldigi/Flrig and KX3 control investigation. (Before I re-invent the wheel!)

[Nate Bargmann]

* On 2013 29 Jul 08:03 -0500, g8kbvd...@googlemail.com wrote:
> Hi All.
> 
> Before I dive in, and go about creating or fixing drivers for people 
> who seem to have trouble with the KX3 and Fldigi(Flrig) etc, I took 
> a look at the current state of things.
> 
> On Windows (XP SP3) with Fldigi (V3.21.70, the *Latest* is 3.21.72)
> 
> The built in Hamlib driver (V1.2.12) for the K3 works as far as I 
> can tell (A plesant suprise, no audio connections, and no RF 
> launched, just basic rig control tried.) 

Dave did a bunch of work about six weeks ago to be able to include the
current development branch of Hamlib in Fldigi for Windows builds.  The
problem is a library we use in Hamlib and we are considering removing
that library which should allow Fldigi to use Hamlib in the future
without so much trouble.

The 1.2.12 release of Hamlib was from before I bought my K3 and then
fixed up a lot of issues in our Hamlib code.  Since Hamlib 1.2.13 the K3
support is fairly stable and I may well change it "Stable".  I added the
KX3 based on Wayne's comment at the time that the two radios would
support the same command set.  However, the KX3 may benefit from its own
definition as in the future some things (not used by Fldigi) will be
slightly different as in a couple of places I rely on emulating button
presses on the K3, but those will probably be different on the KX3.

> Even the PTT via Hamlib 
> command worked, as did tuning and frequency control, also mode 
> changing but you need to select PKTUSB to get the rig into DATA A 
> mode.

That is pretty much a Hamlib quirk of naming.  PKTUSB is intended to
support radios that have a difference between AFSK and FSK.  Perhaps we
may look toward either adding a new name or renaming this value to be
more clear.

> I also tried on Linux (Lubuntu with Fldigi and Flrig.)  That machine 
> has a later version of Hamlib (V1.2.15) also the needed driver is 
> listed as "K3/KX3 Beta", not just "K3".  Again, as it is, it all 
> seems to work at present, no code changing done at all.
> 
> The K3 selection in Flrig works the KX3 too, PTT control, mode and 
> bandwidth settings seem to work OK.

I appreciate the feedback.  For Fldigi users the radios are close enough
that the same definition works.  For other software things like reading
the S-Meter are likely different due to testing the K3 firmware version
for SM versus SMH command support.

> I will check things later when I get home (domestic management 
> permitting) on Win7 (Home Premium, 32 bit) if the place hasn't been 
> washed away in the storms, or suffered a direct lightening zap.

The Win7 support should be the same as for XP as far as Hamlib is
concerned.

73, de Nate >>

-- 

"The optimist proclaims that we live in the best of all
possible worlds.  The pessimist fears this is true."

Ham radio, Linux, bikes, and more: http://www.n0nb.us
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[Elecraft] New version of Win4k3suite is now available

[Tom]

Hi,
Version 1.2 of Win4K3Suite is now available.
New in this release, support for macros that can contain any combination of K3, 
KPA500, KAT500 and P3 commands.

You can check out the new features at 
http://va2fsq.com/?page_id=612

and download the file at

http://va2fsq.com/?page_id=379

Thanks, Tom

va2fsq.com

Watch the video! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Api2nomzg3U

Sent from my iPhone
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Re: [Elecraft] KX3 AM-breakthrough

[Peter Eijlander (PA0PJE)]

And isn't the activation of the VFO isolation amplifier (RX ISO>On) a 
solution?


At least that prevents the VFO signal to exit via the antenna and enter 
the mains wiring.


I have yet to experience this breakthrough.

73,
Peter

Don Wilhelm schreef:

Yes, that is true.  You have to choose between the better of those "two
evils".

73,,
Don W3FPR
On 7/29/2013 8:54 AM, Uwe Hermanns wrote:

Hi Don,

but with shift on I loose dual watch.

73 de Uwe, DL4AC
Am 29.07.2013 14:49 schrieb "Don Wilhelm" :


That is a problem with any zero frequency IF (direct conversion)
receiver.
Try turning on RX SHIFT.  It is a locked menu item.  See page 38 and
also
the comment on this subject on page 43.

73,
Don W3FPR



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Re: [Elecraft] KX3 AM-breakthrough (RX ISO)

[Les Gasser W9XC]

If Ralf's hypothesis is correct, another approach (besides RX-shift)
might be to turn on the RX ISO menu item. Doing that helps
reduce the radiation of the local oscillator.

- Les, W9XC


> Hi Klaus,
>
> I tried to provoke some AM breakthrough with my active antenna in
> april and used a very strong (peaked up to 0 dBm (!) on my Perseus SDR
> the next day) broadcast signal on 3965 (I think). The only thing I
> could provoke even with this signal was some AM on the second
> harmonic, however no AM breakthrough.
>
> My current antenna used with my KX3 is a center fed dipole (same size
> as G5RV), fed with 8 metres of ladder line and tuned by a Palstar
> BT1500 true symmetric tuner. The only non-linearity I have noticed is
> on 15 metres in the evening, but only when the 20 dB preamp in the KX3
> is on. I cannot tell wether this is 3rd order from 41 mtr broadcast or
> second order from 9 and 11 MHz (the tuner's settings for 15 and 30 are
> similar, so I believe it is the latter process). Interestingly, the
> 20dB amp is in front of the attentuator, so "att" does not help.
>
> I made the observation that some people report strong breakthrough
> while others (like me) are not experiencing AM breakthrough at all -
> with similar antennas - and thought a little bit about this.
>
> The AM breakthrough might be a result of your AC installation. When I
> started using my KX3 with an indoor antenna I noticed a hum (or buzz)
> on some bands. Using my ipad with a audio spectrum analyzer app, I
> found that It consisted of 100 Hz and harmonics. The hum was reduced
> when the 10dB preamp was on and disappeared when I turned the 8kHz if
> shift feature on my KX3 on.
>
> I did some internet research on this and ended up with the following
> explanation: some power from the KX3's local oscillator is emitted and
> caught by some nearby AC lines in my shack. This rf signal mixes with
> the AC frequency in a rectifier of one of the power supplies connected
> and is reradiated by the AC lines and then detected by the KX3.
>
> Related to this, there is what is called "Ortssenderproblem" in
> german. Strong AM stations mix with the AC mains frequency and this
> causes them to have a strong hum (even on a superhet receiver - I used
> to have this on all receivers I ever tried with Deutsche Welle on 3995
> and 6075 kHz and the local medium wave station in Hemmingen near
> Hanover).
>
> If you combine both things, you arrive at the following possible scenario.
>
> Strong AM signals are 'caught' by your AC lines as well as the local
> oscillator of your KX3. These two mix and create (among others) a AM
> (cross-)modulated signal on your local oscillators frequency. This
> signal is then reradiaded by your AC lines and detected by your
> KX3. This would look like AM breakthrough. If I am true, one should be
> able to detect the AM modulated KX3 oscillator signal with a nearby
> (maybe portable?) receiver. And a second test might be: putting a 10
> dB attentuator in front of the KX3 and turning on the 10 dB preamp
> should result in less "breakthrough" than no attentuator and 10 dB off
> (because of the improved local oscillator isolation).
>
> So it might be possible that you (or your neighbor) have a device
> connected to the AC that mixes the AM signals and the local oscillator
> of the KX3. LED lamps and small switching power supplies seem to be
> good candidates for this. There is a LED "christmas light chain"
> example in the german qrp forum that can be explained by this
> "theory".
>
> greetings
>
> Ralf, DL6OAP
>
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[Elecraft] Charger problem: ERR BC3 in VFO B, d=002 in VFO A

[WA7OP]

I was using Lithiums and when they died I installed fresh NiMH and then
worked the Baltic on 5 watts. Then I enabled the charger for 8 hours. The
next day the charge setting in the menu displays ERR BC3 in VFO B, d=002 in
VFO A. This locks the display with those messages until the KX3 is power
cycled.The  FW is v1.5. The NiMH cells are not charging. Also the clock
won't set and displays 45:85:85. I found the ERR BC3 was encountered by some
one else running older FW but there was no definitive resolution. Can anyone
provide some ideas for a solution?

Tnx, Scott wa7op




-
73, Scott
--
View this message in context: 
http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/Charger-problem-ERR-BC3-in-VFO-B-d-002-in-VFO-A-tp7577217.html
Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
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Re: [Elecraft] KX3 AM-breakthrough (RX ISO)

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

Is the preamplifier off and the attenuator on? 

With a large antenna the preamplifier is certainly not needed and enabling
the attenuator usually won't hurt the sensitivity at all. 

If you are not sure, use the basic test to determine if any sensitivity loss
is occurring: disconnect the external antenna. If the noise level drops by
an S-unit or so, you have all the gain your KX3 can use. Any more just
reduces the dynamic range making the receiver more susceptible to overload.

73 Ron AC7AC

> Hi Klaus,
>
> I tried to provoke some AM breakthrough with my active antenna in 
> april and used a very strong (peaked up to 0 dBm (!) on my Perseus SDR 
> the next day) broadcast signal on 3965 (I think). The only thing I 
> could provoke even with this signal was some AM on the second 
> harmonic, however no AM breakthrough.
>
> My current antenna used with my KX3 is a center fed dipole (same size 
> as G5RV), fed with 8 metres of ladder line and tuned by a Palstar
> BT1500 true symmetric tuner. The only non-linearity I have noticed is 
> on 15 metres in the evening, but only when the 20 dB preamp in the KX3 
> is on. I cannot tell wether this is 3rd order from 41 mtr broadcast or 
> second order from 9 and 11 MHz (the tuner's settings for 15 and 30 are 
> similar, so I believe it is the latter process). Interestingly, the 
> 20dB amp is in front of the attentuator, so "att" does not help.
>
> I made the observation that some people report strong breakthrough 
> while others (like me) are not experiencing AM breakthrough at all - 
> with similar antennas - and thought a little bit about this.
>
> The AM breakthrough might be a result of your AC installation. When I 
> started using my KX3 with an indoor antenna I noticed a hum (or buzz) 
> on some bands. Using my ipad with a audio spectrum analyzer app, I 
> found that It consisted of 100 Hz and harmonics. The hum was reduced 
> when the 10dB preamp was on and disappeared when I turned the 8kHz if 
> shift feature on my KX3 on.
>
> I did some internet research on this and ended up with the following
> explanation: some power from the KX3's local oscillator is emitted and 
> caught by some nearby AC lines in my shack. This rf signal mixes with 
> the AC frequency in a rectifier of one of the power supplies connected 
> and is reradiated by the AC lines and then detected by the KX3.
>
> Related to this, there is what is called "Ortssenderproblem" in 
> german. Strong AM stations mix with the AC mains frequency and this 
> causes them to have a strong hum (even on a superhet receiver - I used 
> to have this on all receivers I ever tried with Deutsche Welle on 3995 
> and 6075 kHz and the local medium wave station in Hemmingen near 
> Hanover).
>
> If you combine both things, you arrive at the following possible scenario.
>
> Strong AM signals are 'caught' by your AC lines as well as the local 
> oscillator of your KX3. These two mix and create (among others) a AM 
> (cross-)modulated signal on your local oscillators frequency. This 
> signal is then reradiaded by your AC lines and detected by your KX3. 
> This would look like AM breakthrough. If I am true, one should be able 
> to detect the AM modulated KX3 oscillator signal with a nearby (maybe 
> portable?) receiver. And a second test might be: putting a 10 dB 
> attentuator in front of the KX3 and turning on the 10 dB preamp should 
> result in less "breakthrough" than no attentuator and 10 dB off 
> (because of the improved local oscillator isolation).
>
> So it might be possible that you (or your neighbor) have a device 
> connected to the AC that mixes the AM signals and the local oscillator 
> of the KX3. LED lamps and small switching power supplies seem to be 
> good candidates for this. There is a LED "christmas light chain"
> example in the german qrp forum that can be explained by this 
> "theory".
>
> greetings
>
> Ralf, DL6OAP
>
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[Elecraft] KX3 tx not getting out

[Bill Haden]

I set up two portable antennas, a Buddipole as a dipole and a Chameleon VL1 
plus extended Mil pole vertical with 4 grounded radials. They are on a 52 ft. 
hill overlooking the Gulf of Mexico about 100 yds. away.
I receive on 6-80 fairly well  ( lots of static though )and the internal ATU 
tunes below 1.5 on all bands.
I have tried transmitting on every band to every strong received signal but not 
one reply.
Don't know if I'm getting out at 10 watts or npt.
AGC cuts off much of the TX during TX down below 10 but some reads at or above 
10.
Should I turn off AGC ,get closer to the antennas, move the antennas or just 
hook up my ICOM 7100 and send 100 W ?
UNUNs on both antennas, lots of coax  feed line (100 ' Rg8u on Cham. ,nd 50'  
LMR 400 on Buddipole, set for 20M ) and antennas are on tripod or clamped to 
wooden rail.
This is a field portable exercise so no permanent mounts.
They are too close together but I am able to receive at S9.

73

KF5TEU

Bill
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Re: [Elecraft] KX3 tx not getting out

[Gil G.]

Hello,

You should have no trouble getting out with 10W. Though, you are using a
"compromise antenna," and that might require a bit of patience... SSB or
CW? CW, no problem. SSB, again, patience. You mention using the ATU.. I
would suggest tuning your antenna without it, so you don't lose any
radiated power there. If you have 1.5 after tuning, your SWR has to be
pretty bad before tuning, and that might be why you're not getting out.
Using 10W with a short antenna, you really don't want to use a tuner.

I have a Buddistick, and I get out fine on 2W, but I have a 1:1 to 1.2:1
SWR without a tuner.

If there are trees around, you might want to try an end-fed. Shoot it up
a tree with a slingshot and a fishing weight and line. You can get one
up easily to about 60ft above ground that way..

In the mean time, turn off the ATU, tune your Buddipole and keep
calling, it will work just fine.

Gil.

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Re: [Elecraft] K3 DB15 Y cable

[Henk PA5KT]

And the cheapest shipping option is $42,-, which makes that adapter very 
expensive


73 Henk PA5KT

Op 28-7-2013 19:09, Anthony Scandurra schreef:

Why would anyone even think of not buying these cables direct from Elecraft?

You KNOW they will work, they are fairly priced, and they will arrive at
your door FAST.

73, Tony K4QE


On Sun, Jul 28, 2013 at 12:56 PM, Richard Neese  wrote:


db15 y= vga y cable https://www.google.com/search?**
q=db15+y&oq=db15+y&aqs=chrome.**0.69i57j0l3.3890j0&sourceid=**
chrome&ie=UTF-8

db9 y = seriel y cable https://www.google.com/search?**
q=db15+y&oq=db15+y&aqs=chrome.**0.69i57j0l3.3890j0&sourceid=**
chrome&ie=UTF-8#sclient=psy-**ab&q=db9+serial+y+cable&oq=**
db9+y&gs_l=serp.1.1.**0j0i7i30j0l2.0.0.1.3364.0.0.0.**
0.0.0.0.0..0.00.0..1c..20.**psy-ab.6yxyuxf_m6A&pbx=1&bav=**
on.2,or.r_qf.&bvm=bv.49784469%**2Cd.dmg%2Cpv.xjs.s.en_US.**
MpiVkF51mpA.O&fp=**9e04ce7f7a558b49&biw=1165&bih=**653
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Re: [Elecraft] KX3 AM-breakthrough

[Klaus Dittrich]

Thank you all for taking the time to answer to this issue.

I will respond to some of the arguments and tips ..

Klaus, I already have current baluns at both ends of the coax cable.


The KX3 is driven by an analog old PS30 power supply, not a switching
power supply.

I already mentioned the AM stations are far ones.
The last "Ortssender" around, Stuttgart Mühlacker, has been put out of 
service.


Emory, same here, only when the broadcast bands open, good conditions,
the effect takes place. Your double size G5RV delivers similar strong 
rf-levels as my antenna then. It is not one AM-station, depending

on ionospheric conditions it may be and often is every time another one.

Uwe, "very annoying", that's the point.

Ralf, I think, because the AM-breakthrough signals are hearable
at every frequency they are not mixing products from a nearby
electronic device or a diode build by corrosion. This would cause
a lot of but discrete signals.

Matt and Don, if this is a problem with _any_ zero
frequency IF (direct conversion) receiver then the KX3's
concept would be a design error. ( I hope it is not.)

If I switch to RX SHIFT I will have a receiver with the
most advertised KX3 feature, narrow spaced dynamic range,
dropping to values of rigs of the last century, like IC-735
or Lowe HF-235 or Drake SW8.
(see http://www.sherweng.com/table.html)

Additional I would have thrown the money for the roofing filters
out of the window, as we say here in Germany.

I hope there is a possiblity of rejection by software, but I
have no expertise in SDR at all.

No one of Elecraft has answered up to now, so I stay curious.


--
73 Klaus DF1TL

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Re: [Elecraft] KX3 AM-breakthrough

[Ken Alexander]

Hello Klaus,

I wonder if it's possible that some of the foreign stations you reported 
hearing are being relayed by a European broadcast station much closer to you, 
and that's why they are strong enough to contribute to your break through 
problems.  Just a thought.

73,

Ken Alexander
VE3HLS





 From: Klaus Dittrich 
To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net 
Sent: Monday, July 29, 2013 4:01:22 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX3 AM-breakthrough
 

Thank you all for taking the time to answer to this issue.

I will respond to some of the arguments and tips ..

Klaus, I already have current baluns at both ends of the coax cable.


The KX3 is driven by an analog old PS30 power supply, not a switching
power supply.

I already mentioned the AM stations are far ones.
The last "Ortssender" around, Stuttgart Mühlacker, has been put out of service.

Emory, same here, only when the broadcast bands open, good conditions,
the effect takes place. Your double size G5RV delivers similar strong rf-levels 
as my antenna then. It is not one AM-station, depending
on ionospheric conditions it may be and often is every time another one.

Uwe, "very annoying", that's the point.

Ralf, I think, because the AM-breakthrough signals are hearable
at every frequency they are not mixing products from a nearby
electronic device or a diode build by corrosion. This would cause
a lot of but discrete signals.

Matt and Don, if this is a problem with _any_ zero
frequency IF (direct conversion) receiver then the KX3's
concept would be a design error. ( I hope it is not.)

If I switch to RX SHIFT I will have a receiver with the
most advertised KX3 feature, narrow spaced dynamic range,
dropping to values of rigs of the last century, like IC-735
or Lowe HF-235 or Drake SW8.
(see http://www.sherweng.com/table.html)

Additional I would have thrown the money for the roofing filters
out of the window, as we say here in Germany.

I hope there is a possiblity of rejection by software, but I
have no expertise in SDR at all.

No one of Elecraft has answered up to now, so I stay curious.


-- 73 Klaus DF1TL

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Re: [Elecraft] KAT-500 and 30' Flag Pole Antenna Users?

[Edward R Cole]

Kind of OT, but:

One can use RG-8 coax with shield and outside covering removed (just 
using the center wire and internal insulation to connect a tuner to 
vertical antenna.


I use such as my HV jumper from the base coil of my 500-KHz 
inverted-L to the "top" of the coil (10-inch diameter 11-inch long 
wound with solid 12ga. copper wire):

http://www.kl7uw.com/Coil005_1.jpg

I don't use a tuner at the base coil, at present.  I tap the "bottom" 
of the coil 2-1/2 turns up and connect that to my RG-213 cable.  The 
bottom of the coil is tied to a ground post and four very wide but 
short radials (1/4 WL = 930-feet so both antenna and radials are 
"short - very short").  The vertical section consists of three 
parallel wires 43-foot high, spaced a foot apart, and the top hat is 
two parallel wires 122 foot long spaced 2-feet.  Z = 0.81 - 
j681.5.  Efficiency is 0.8 %.  100w RF output results in ERP = 4.15w.


Some day I will attempt use of the antenna on 80 & 160m.

Oh the radials are novel:  50 to 70-foot long 2-foot wide chicken 
wire fencing laid on top of the lawn.

for more info on what we are doing on the 630m band:
http://www.kl7uw.com/600m.htm

73, Ed - KL7UW
http://www.kl7uw.com
dubus...@gmail.com
"Kits made by KL7UW" 


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Re: [Elecraft] KAT-500 and 30' Flag Pole Antenna Users?

[Mark Bayern]

> One can use RG-8 coax with shield and outside covering removed (just using
> the center wire and internal insulation to connect a tuner to vertical
> antenna.

... but once you remove the shield, you no longer have a coaxial
cable, you have an insulated piece of wire. A wire is appropriate for
the short run involved in tuning an inductor.

Come to think about it, at 600 meters, most any jumper could be
considered electrically short. hi hi

Mark  AD5SS



On Mon, Jul 29, 2013 at 4:01 PM, Edward R Cole  wrote:
> Kind of OT, but:
>
> One can use RG-8 coax with shield and outside covering removed (just using
> the center wire and internal insulation to connect a tuner to vertical
> antenna.
>
> I use such as my HV jumper from the base coil of my 500-KHz inverted-L to
> the "top" of the coil (10-inch diameter 11-inch long wound with solid 12ga.
> copper wire):
> http://www.kl7uw.com/Coil005_1.jpg
>
> I don't use a tuner at the base coil, at present.  I tap the "bottom" of the
> coil 2-1/2 turns up and connect that to my RG-213 cable.  The bottom of the
> coil is tied to a ground post and four very wide but short radials (1/4 WL =
> 930-feet so both antenna and radials are "short - very short").  The
> vertical section consists of three parallel wires 43-foot high, spaced a
> foot apart, and the top hat is two parallel wires 122 foot long spaced
> 2-feet.  Z = 0.81 - j681.5.  Efficiency is 0.8 %.  100w RF output results in
> ERP = 4.15w.
>
> Some day I will attempt use of the antenna on 80 & 160m.
>
> Oh the radials are novel:  50 to 70-foot long 2-foot wide chicken wire
> fencing laid on top of the lawn.
> for more info on what we are doing on the 630m band:
> http://www.kl7uw.com/600m.htm
>
> 73, Ed - KL7UW
> http://www.kl7uw.com
> dubus...@gmail.com
> "Kits made by KL7UW"
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Re: [Elecraft] KX3 AM-breakthrough

[Ralf Wilhelm]

Sorry but I do not agree:

If the "mixing process" involves the local oscillator (cross-modulating the 
local oscillator's "carrier" in the AC mains), the KX3 detects the AM wherever 
it is set and would not show discrete signals. If the modulated local 
oscillator's signal is re-radiated by the AC wiring, a AM signal is exactly on 
your rx frequency, whatever the rx frequency would be.

Discrete signals would only occur if the mixing process does not involve the 
local oscillator but only different AM stations. 

The two Deutsche Welle signals I mentioned would not be local stations 
("Ortssender") for me, but especially the 3995 one used to be very strong in 
the evenings. I order to have the "Ortssenderproblem", one only needs a strong 
signal, however it doesn't have to be a local one.

What I call "true AM breakthrough" (rectification of a strong signal somewhere 
in the mixer), is a potential problem of any d.c. receiver. This rectification 
occurs in any receiver, but if you are not using "zero-if" you don't notice it 
(the if filtering will not pass the audio frequencies to the following stages). 
This is the reason why the 8kHz shift "solves" the problem.

When I had my "hum problem", I started having the KX3 connected to a FP757HD 
analog power supply and changed to running it from the internal batteries 
(which didn't solve the problem). 

I really was concerned about the AM breakthrough problem, and the discussion on 
the internet was the reason why I ordered my KX3 without the roofing filter. 
Testing for AM breakthrough with the strong (swiss?) broadcast signal on 3965 
was one of the first things I tried when I obtained my KX3. The interesting 
result was that a true 0 dBm (measured on the calibrated Perseus s-meter the 
following evening) signal did not produce AM breakthrough but only 2nd order 
IMD. 

I think a more systematic approach (calibrated signal generator with AM 
modulation) is needed to figure out if the KX3 itself produces the breakthrough 
or if it is produced somewhere in the "environment". Maybe someone with this 
kind of lab equipment could perform a quick test and find out at what signals 
the KX3 starts to directly rectify AM signals.

 Maybe someone experiencing AM breakthrough can check if he detects AM on the 
signal emitted by the local oscillator of the KX3.

If the AM breakthrough is a real (direct rectification) one, the 90 degree 
phaseshift between the two quadrature "channels" would probably not occur (in 
contrast to "true" signals). This could probably be used for suppressing it by 
software (?)

Vy 73

Ralf, DL6OAP






Am 29.07.2013 um 22:01 schrieb Klaus Dittrich :

> Thank you all for taking the time to answer to this issue.
> 
> I will respond to some of the arguments and tips ..
> 
> Klaus, I already have current baluns at both ends of the coax cable.
> 
> 
> The KX3 is driven by an analog old PS30 power supply, not a switching
> power supply.
> 
> I already mentioned the AM stations are far ones.
> The last "Ortssender" around, Stuttgart Mühlacker, has been put out of 
> service.
> 
> Emory, same here, only when the broadcast bands open, good conditions,
> the effect takes place. Your double size G5RV delivers similar strong 
> rf-levels as my antenna then. It is not one AM-station, depending
> on ionospheric conditions it may be and often is every time another one.
> 
> Uwe, "very annoying", that's the point.
> 
> Ralf, I think, because the AM-breakthrough signals are hearable
> at every frequency they are not mixing products from a nearby
> electronic device or a diode build by corrosion. This would cause
> a lot of but discrete signals.
> 
> Matt and Don, if this is a problem with _any_ zero
> frequency IF (direct conversion) receiver then the KX3's
> concept would be a design error. ( I hope it is not.)
> 
> If I switch to RX SHIFT I will have a receiver with the
> most advertised KX3 feature, narrow spaced dynamic range,
> dropping to values of rigs of the last century, like IC-735
> or Lowe HF-235 or Drake SW8.
> (see http://www.sherweng.com/table.html)
> 
> Additional I would have thrown the money for the roofing filters
> out of the window, as we say here in Germany.
> 
> I hope there is a possiblity of rejection by software, but I
> have no expertise in SDR at all.
> 
> No one of Elecraft has answered up to now, so I stay curious.
> 
> 
> -- 
> 73 Klaus DF1TL
> 
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[Elecraft] K2 - Need help drafting an Upgrade Plan for early K2/10

[Daniel J Tosh]

I have just acquired a very early (SN 100) K2 with the following options..
- KNB2 Noise Blanker
- KBT2 Internal Battery (with dead battery)
- KSB2 SSB Adapter
- KAT2 Antenna Tuner

Basically the radio seams to be working but with a few anomalies like..
- AF Gain noise (sounds very much like what is described in the 
"Alternative Wiring.." modification writeup)
- CW all seems fine with about 12 watts out and "POWER" control works as 
described.

- On SSB the POWER control does not seem to vary the output power.
- On 80 and 40 meters when transmitting SSB at most any power level 
sometimes I get the HI CUR warning.

- The frequency seems to be about 50 Hz off.
- ATU seems to work fine.

The radio came with a Kenwood Dynamic Hand Mic (800 ohm).  It also seems 
to work but I have no way of knowing if it is the best fit for the K2.
As far as I can tell, no updates have been done to the radio.  The 
firmware shows as 1.04C and IOC of 1.02.


Rather than start troubleshooting each little issue I would like to put 
together a plan to bring everything up to spec and then upgrade from Rev 
A to B.  In the immediate future I want to add one more module, namely 
the K160RX and of course will need the right upgrade kit(s).


I have had enough kit assembly experience in the past that I THINK I can 
do the work, but I need help with a plan that puts all the steps in the 
right sequence, given the early version I have and the possible fixes 
that may be needed along the way.  I have the Revision B upgrade 
documentation but I need some hand holding as to what pieces I will need 
and in what order.  I really want to do this right and not mess up this 
nice radio.  At some point I may just decide I need to go the 
Builder-for-Hire route.  You get the idea!


Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Dan

--
Daniel Tosh  N5GX
CCA# AC11-12619
www.n5gx.com

"I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen:
 not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else."
 C. S. Lewis

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Re: [Elecraft] KX3 tx not getting out

[k3ndm]

Bill, 
I don't understand why you should be having such bad luck. I have a KX3 feeding 
a number of antennas and get out pretty well. I check in to ECARS on 7255 KHz. 
NA1DX was just down in Aruba with his KX3 and a Buddipole. He worked most of 
the states and continents. 

I would suspect that the problem is between the radio and the ether. Check and 
make sure that the coax is good, the SWR of the antenna itself is not too high 
>2.5:1, and that you are transmitting on the receive frequency; make sure that 
you are not set up for split operation. This latter point is something that has 
happened to me a few times. Nothing else comes to mind. My experience has been 
when the KX3 speaks, hams listen. 

73, 
Barry 
K3NDM 

- Original Message -
From: "Bill Haden"  
To: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net 
Sent: Monday, July 29, 2013 2:29:24 PM 
Subject: [Elecraft] KX3 tx not getting out 



I set up two portable antennas, a Buddipole as a dipole and a Chameleon VL1 
plus extended Mil pole vertical with 4 grounded radials. They are on a 52 ft. 
hill overlooking the Gulf of Mexico about 100 yds. away. 
I receive on 6-80 fairly well ( lots of static though )and the internal ATU 
tunes below 1.5 on all bands. 
I have tried transmitting on every band to every strong received signal but not 
one reply. 
Don't know if I'm getting out at 10 watts or npt. 
AGC cuts off much of the TX during TX down below 10 but some reads at or above 
10. 
Should I turn off AGC ,get closer to the antennas, move the antennas or just 
hook up my ICOM 7100 and send 100 W ? 
UNUNs on both antennas, lots of coax feed line (100 ' Rg8u on Cham. ,nd 50' LMR 
400 on Buddipole, set for 20M ) and antennas are on tripod or clamped to wooden 
rail. 
This is a field portable exercise so no permanent mounts. 
They are too close together but I am able to receive at S9. 

73 

KF5TEU 

Bill 
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Re: [Elecraft] KX3 tx not getting out

[David Bunte]

Bill -

I also suspect you have a problem between the radio and the ether.  I am
currently vacationing in Central Florida.  I borrowed a KX3 from a
friend... threw up about 125' of wire fed at one end through a 9:1 un-un.
The antenna is about 35 to 40 feet up at the feed point and the far end is
7' from the ground... not ideal by any means, but it went up in a matter of
minutes, and the trees are so dense here it is the best I could do.  It has
been up for just under two weeks and I have worked 60 countries.  I have
worked out of the US on 80-40-30-20-17-15-11 & 10 meters.  Several of the
QSOs have included rag chews with ZL, JA, DL and others... many long chats
with US stations, and a tremendous amount of fun.

Keep trying different combinations and I wish you well.

73 de Dave - K9FN


On Mon, Jul 29, 2013 at 7:24 PM,  wrote:

> Bill,
> I don't understand why you should be having such bad luck. I have a KX3
> feeding a number of antennas and get out pretty well. I check in to ECARS
> on 7255 KHz. NA1DX was just down in Aruba with his KX3 and a Buddipole. He
> worked most of the states and continents.
>
> I would suspect that the problem is between the radio and the ether. Check
> and make sure that the coax is good, the SWR of the antenna itself is not
> too high >2.5:1, and that you are transmitting on the receive frequency;
> make sure that you are not set up for split operation. This latter point is
> something that has happened to me a few times. Nothing else comes to mind.
> My experience has been when the KX3 speaks, hams listen.
>
> 73,
> Barry
> K3NDM
>
> - Original Message -
> From: "Bill Haden" 
> To: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net
> Sent: Monday, July 29, 2013 2:29:24 PM
> Subject: [Elecraft] KX3 tx not getting out
>
>
>
> I set up two portable antennas, a Buddipole as a dipole and a Chameleon
> VL1 plus extended Mil pole vertical with 4 grounded radials. They are on a
> 52 ft. hill overlooking the Gulf of Mexico about 100 yds. away.
> I receive on 6-80 fairly well ( lots of static though )and the internal
> ATU tunes below 1.5 on all bands.
> I have tried transmitting on every band to every strong received signal
> but not one reply.
> Don't know if I'm getting out at 10 watts or npt.
> AGC cuts off much of the TX during TX down below 10 but some reads at or
> above 10.
> Should I turn off AGC ,get closer to the antennas, move the antennas or
> just hook up my ICOM 7100 and send 100 W ?
> UNUNs on both antennas, lots of coax feed line (100 ' Rg8u on Cham. ,nd
> 50' LMR 400 on Buddipole, set for 20M ) and antennas are on tripod or
> clamped to wooden rail.
> This is a field portable exercise so no permanent mounts.
> They are too close together but I am able to receive at S9.
>
> 73
>
> KF5TEU
>
> Bill
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[Elecraft] PR6-10

[Mike Reublin]

Question about the PR6-10. With no signal, and the preamp off, I get a gentle 
'whsh' on 6, 10, & 12M, 1 bar on the S meter. Turning on the PR, on 6M 
I get a slight increase in the 'whsh'. On 10M & 12M the S meter goes to S7 
or so and the noise level goes WAY up, sounds like 160M in a summer 
thunderstorm.

Is this the expected operation?

73, Mike NF4L
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Re: [Elecraft] PR6-10

[iain macdonnell - N6ML]

On Mon, Jul 29, 2013 at 6:17 PM, Mike Reublin  wrote:
> Question about the PR6-10. With no signal, and the preamp off, I get a gentle 
> 'whsh' on 6, 10, & 12M, 1 bar on the S meter. Turning on the PR, on 
> 6M I get a slight increase in the 'whsh'. On 10M & 12M the S meter goes 
> to S7 or so and the noise level goes WAY up, sounds like 160M in a summer 
> thunderstorm.
>
> Is this the expected operation?

Sounds like you have a fairly noisy location or/and antenna, and
probably don't really need a preamp... does the "big whooosh" go
away if you disconnect your antenna?

73,

~iain / N6ML
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Re: [Elecraft] KX3 tx not getting out

[drewko]

Try a few CW transmissions such as "TEST DE KF5TEU KF5TEU AR" then
search your callsign on Reverse Beacon Network to see if any stations
have copied. 

73,
Drew
AF2Z



On Mon, 29 Jul 2013 13:29:24 -0500, you wrote:

>
>
>I set up two portable antennas, a Buddipole as a dipole and a Chameleon VL1 
>plus extended Mil pole vertical with 4 grounded radials. They are on a 52 ft. 
>hill overlooking the Gulf of Mexico about 100 yds. away.
>I receive on 6-80 fairly well  ( lots of static though )and the internal ATU 
>tunes below 1.5 on all bands.
>I have tried transmitting on every band to every strong received signal but 
>not one reply.
>Don't know if I'm getting out at 10 watts or npt.
>AGC cuts off much of the TX during TX down below 10 but some reads at or above 
>10.
>Should I turn off AGC ,get closer to the antennas, move the antennas or just 
>hook up my ICOM 7100 and send 100 W ?
>UNUNs on both antennas, lots of coax  feed line (100 ' Rg8u on Cham. ,nd 50'  
>LMR 400 on Buddipole, set for 20M ) and antennas are on tripod or clamped to 
>wooden rail.
>This is a field portable exercise so no permanent mounts.
>They are too close together but I am able to receive at S9.
>
>73
>
>KF5TEU
>
>Bill
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Re: [Elecraft] PR6-10

[Mike Reublin]

If you mean with the preamp on, yes the noise goes away. It sounds sort of like 
wadding up paper...not so much a whosh.

It's such a big jump on 10 & 12, not so much on 6. I haven't been aware of much 
noise since the last visit from the power company.

Mike

On Jul 29, 2013, at 9:24 PM, iain macdonnell - N6ML  wrote:

> On Mon, Jul 29, 2013 at 6:17 PM, Mike Reublin  wrote:
>> Question about the PR6-10. With no signal, and the preamp off, I get a 
>> gentle 'whsh' on 6, 10, & 12M, 1 bar on the S meter. Turning on the 
>> PR, on 6M I get a slight increase in the 'whsh'. On 10M & 12M the S 
>> meter goes to S7 or so and the noise level goes WAY up, sounds like 160M in 
>> a summer thunderstorm.
>> 
>> Is this the expected operation?
> 
> Sounds like you have a fairly noisy location or/and antenna, and
> probably don't really need a preamp... does the "big whooosh" go
> away if you disconnect your antenna?
> 
> 73,
> 
>~iain / N6ML


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Re: [Elecraft] K2 - Need help drafting an Upgrade Plan for early K2/10

[Don Wilhelm]

Dan,

Do *everything* ---  unless the prior owner has done some of the 
upgrades.  You can download the K2 A to B instructions to check if any 
mods have been applied to that K2.  With the firmware at 104/102, I 
doubt that any of the mods have been installed.


That means the A to B mods (yes, do all the optional ones).
Do the Alternate AF Gain Mod and replace the AG gain control.
Add the Extremely Strong Signal Handling diodes D40 and D41 (download 
the latest K2 manual to see where they go, there is no mod kit for that, 
just 2 1N4148 diodes).
Add the K2 CW Keying waveshape mod.  This mod kit is currently not 
available due to unavailability of the specified PIN diode, but if you 
want to add it, I can tell you what to order from Elecraft to make up 
the "kit on steroids" and help you with the other details - that mod is 
important for any K2 with the KPA100, important, but less so with the 
QRP K2.


Change the IF filter crystals on both the base K2 and the KSB2. While 
you have the crystals removed from the KSB2, change the filter 
capacitors to produce the 2.4 kHz width OP1 filter instead of the 2.1 
kHz width that is installed in your K2.


If this K2 has the KPA100, take a good look at the KPA100, it likely 
needs to be upgraded with the KPA100UPKT and the KPA100SHLDKT installed.


Be aware, that SN 100 was a Field Test serial number, and there are a 
few subtle differences between it and the REV A board that the mod 
instructions detail.  If you have any questions during your upgrade 
process, please ask, I am familiar with the Field Test boards - for one 
thing, when changing the crystals, do not discard the crystal 
insulators, re-use them on the new crystals.


I will be happy to assist you on your K2 upgrade journey or act as your 
"builder for hire".  When it is complete, your K2 will be as good as a 
new one off the line.  The single most expensive part of the upgrade is 
the firmware.


73,
Don W3FPR

On 7/29/2013 6:55 PM, Daniel J Tosh wrote:
I have just acquired a very early (SN 100) K2 with the following 
options..

- KNB2 Noise Blanker
- KBT2 Internal Battery (with dead battery)
- KSB2 SSB Adapter
- KAT2 Antenna Tuner

Basically the radio seams to be working but with a few anomalies like..
- AF Gain noise (sounds very much like what is described in the 
"Alternative Wiring.." modification writeup)
- CW all seems fine with about 12 watts out and "POWER" control works 
as described.

- On SSB the POWER control does not seem to vary the output power.
- On 80 and 40 meters when transmitting SSB at most any power level 
sometimes I get the HI CUR warning.

- The frequency seems to be about 50 Hz off.
- ATU seems to work fine.

The radio came with a Kenwood Dynamic Hand Mic (800 ohm).  It also 
seems to work but I have no way of knowing if it is the best fit for 
the K2.
As far as I can tell, no updates have been done to the radio.  The 
firmware shows as 1.04C and IOC of 1.02.


Rather than start troubleshooting each little issue I would like to 
put together a plan to bring everything up to spec and then upgrade 
from Rev A to B.  In the immediate future I want to add one more 
module, namely the K160RX and of course will need the right upgrade 
kit(s).


I have had enough kit assembly experience in the past that I THINK I 
can do the work, but I need help with a plan that puts all the steps 
in the right sequence, given the early version I have and the possible 
fixes that may be needed along the way.  I have the Revision B upgrade 
documentation but I need some hand holding as to what pieces I will 
need and in what order.  I really want to do this right and not mess 
up this nice radio.  At some point I may just decide I need to go the 
Builder-for-Hire route.  You get the idea!


Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Dan



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Re: [Elecraft] PR6-10

[iain macdonnell - N6ML]

Yeah, so I think that you might get some benefit from the preamp on 6m
(although if you have a S1 noise level without it, probably limited
benefit), but no benefit on 10m and below (unless your noise level
varies, and just happens to be bad today).

73,

 ~iain / N6ML



On Mon, Jul 29, 2013 at 6:44 PM, Mike Reublin  wrote:
> If you mean with the preamp on, yes the noise goes away. It sounds sort of 
> like wadding up paper...not so much a whosh.
>
> It's such a big jump on 10 & 12, not so much on 6. I haven't been aware of 
> much noise since the last visit from the power company.
>
> Mike
>
> On Jul 29, 2013, at 9:24 PM, iain macdonnell - N6ML  wrote:
>
>> On Mon, Jul 29, 2013 at 6:17 PM, Mike Reublin  wrote:
>>> Question about the PR6-10. With no signal, and the preamp off, I get a 
>>> gentle 'whsh' on 6, 10, & 12M, 1 bar on the S meter. Turning on the 
>>> PR, on 6M I get a slight increase in the 'whsh'. On 10M & 12M the S 
>>> meter goes to S7 or so and the noise level goes WAY up, sounds like 160M in 
>>> a summer thunderstorm.
>>>
>>> Is this the expected operation?
>>
>> Sounds like you have a fairly noisy location or/and antenna, and
>> probably don't really need a preamp... does the "big whooosh" go
>> away if you disconnect your antenna?
>>
>> 73,
>>
>>~iain / N6ML
>
>
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Re: [Elecraft] KX3 AM-breakthrough

[Igor Sokolov]

Hi Klaus,


Matt and Don, if this is a problem with _any_ zero
frequency IF (direct conversion) receiver then the KX3's
concept would be a design error. ( I hope it is not.)


It is not a design error. Simply every design has it's own limitations.


If I switch to RX SHIFT I will have a receiver with the
most advertised KX3 feature, narrow spaced dynamic range,
dropping to values of rigs of the last century, like IC-735
or Lowe HF-235 or Drake SW8.
(see http://www.sherweng.com/table.html)


Please compare apples with apples (not with oranges). KX3 is a portable 
travel radio with possibility to be used with internal batteries. Compare it 
with the similar stuff like FT817. Besides even without roofing filter and 
with 8 kHz IF it has much better DR then IC735 and many others.



Additional I would have thrown the money for the roofing filters
out of the window, as we say here in Germany.


That is the way I thought first, when I have discovered the direct AM 
detection problem. Then I realized that this problem only exists part time. 
All the other time I can use roofing and dual receive. Therefore your money 
are not thrown out of the window.
My KX3 is SN 051. Unlike me, you could find the information about direct 
detection of KX3 with zero IF setting here on the reflector, prior to 
purchase. The problem exist mainly in Europe and many of the US customers 
are not affected.
Yes, this design has some limitations but still IMHO this is the best radio 
of its class and it costs every dollar we have paid for it.




I hope there is a possibility of rejection by software, but I
have no expertise in SDR at all.


Wayne once wrote to me that he may try to enable dual receive even with 8 
kHz IF but so far it is not implemented. I doubt that direct AM detection is 
possible to be rejected by software.



No one of Elecraft has answered up to now, so I stay curious.
Did you send message to elecraft technical support? Or do you expect them to 
answer your concerns here on the reflector? They sure are not obliged to do 
the latter.


BTW, later you may discover couple of other issues  with KX3 which are not 
that obvious and which I have already discovered. Or you may just search 
this reflector and find out.


73, Igor UA9CDC

--

73 Klaus DF1TL


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Re: [Elecraft] KX3 AM-breakthrough

[Wayne Burdick]

"Igor Sokolov"  wrote:

> Every design has it's own limitations.

Yes, AM IP2 exists in all quadrature DC receivers to some degree because 
perfect mixer balance is not possible. We have a goal to improve balance using 
DSP techniques. 

But read on... 

Klaus wrote:

>> If I switch to RX SHIFT I will have a receiver with [reduced] narrow spaced 
>> dynamic range…

True; according to Sherwood and our own lab tests, when the roofing filters are 
turned off, the dynamic range at 2 kHz drops from 104 dB or so to about 96 dB, 
which still puts the KX3 into the top 6 of all radios Sherwood has tested. His 
third listed value of 65 dB was a worst-case AF opposite-sideband (OSB) image, 
not IMD. OSB images are related to just one extremely strong nearby signal, and 
are less problematic than IMD, which results from multiple combinations of 
signals. (The AF OSB image drops considerably when you apply RX SHFT=8.0, 
because it is now well out of the audio passband.)

Fortunately the RX SHFT setting is per-band, so you only need apply it on 
affected bands. You also have the alternative of reducing preamp gain from 20 
to 10 dB. PREAMP gain, too, is a per-band setting.

The KX3's direct-conversion architecture simultaneously satisfies the 
requirements of small size and low current drain, optimizing for 
portable/battery use. A superhet (like the K3) would have taken too many parts 
(in particular, at least three crystal filters), and a 
direct-digital-downconversion architecture would have required much greater 
supply current, as well as being far higher in cost. 

73,
Wayne
N6KR




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