[Elecraft] Fwd: Re: Curious -- why is KXFL3 roofing filter an option on KX3 ?
...I have a great problem with AM-Breaktrough and I have to switch to 8kHz ZF-Shift. So most of my operation time my KXFL3 is not in use :-( 73 de Uwe, DL4AC -- Weitergeleitete Nachricht -- Von: Rick Tavan N6XI rta...@gmail.com Datum: 12.04.2014 01:04 Betreff: Re: [Elecraft] Curious -- why is KXFL3 roofing filter an option on KX3 ? An: Phil Hystad phys...@mac.com Cc: Elecraft List Elecraft@mailman.qth.net If all of your operating is casual chatting, on uncrowded bands, with poor antennas, then the KXFL3 won't do much at all for you. Its primary function is to prevent DSP overload from very strong, adjacent signals and you won't experience that much if at all. If much of your operating is serious DXing or contesting on crowded bands with good antennas and active nearby neighbor stations, you will often encounter those strong, close-in signals and the KXFL3 will help a lot. Somewhere between those extremes of strength and crowding is the threshold. I got the filter even though it is often unnecessary. /Rick N6XI On Thu, Apr 10, 2014 at 7:56 AM, Phil Hystad phys...@mac.com wrote: I have a curiosity question. Why is the KXFL3 roofing filter an option on the KX3? I mean, why is it not a built-in feature of the KX3? First, I already own a KX3 with the KXFL3 filter so I am not asking this in order to choose to buy or not. Caveat: I am also a neophyte (philistine, ignorant, or troglodyte) in this sort of radio technology and still in learner mode. But, it seems to me that the KXFL3 roofing filter is almost required with a radio as nice as the KX3. Without it, as I understand the function, any crowded band interval like a pileup or close-in CW signals and such would render a KX3 (without the roofing filter) with less than the usual Elecraft stellar RX performance. My guess, and this is only a wild guess, is that maybe the option leads this space open to future improved roofing filters? Or, maybe even leave it open to a 3rd party market supplied filter (although, I think this filter is particularly different from other typical 3rd party filters). 73, phil, K7PEH __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to rta...@gmail.com -- Rick Tavan N6XI Truckee, CA __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to uwe.dl...@gmail.com __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] Fake FTDI chips
It was only a matter of time before fake FTDI RS232-USB adapter chips began to appear. http://zeptobars.ru/en/read/FTDI-FT232RL-real-vs-fake-supereal This fascinating page shows how some anonymous Chinese company has created a fake FT232RL chip using a mask-programmable microcontroller, and printed it with the FTDI name and logo. Like Prolific (the real Prolific company, that is) FTDI have updated their drivers to detect these fakes... but that also means that anyone who has bought a fake chip will have a non-working adapter. The message is always the same: fakes are hard to spot, so buy only from reliable distributors. FYI, the real FTDI company is a family-owned firm right here in Scotland's 'Silicon Glen'. 73 from Ian GM3SEK __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KX3: thermal frequency drift
From: Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft e...@elecraft.com Reply: Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft e...@elecraft.com Date: 12 April 2014 at 01:35:33 To: Edward R Cole kl...@acsalaska.net, elecraft@mailman.qth.net elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX3: thermal frequency drift The XG3 is perfect for this calibration. Freq is not critical as ling as its close to 50. Our XG50 is actually a little below 50 Mhz. (I think it used the ref oscillator module from the K3.) Eric elecraft.com Eric, Curiously the Elecraft procedurehttp://www.elecraft.com/manual/KX3%20Custom%20VFO%20TC%20rev%20A9.pdf says Note that the Elecraft XG3 lacks the necessary stability and is not recommended. 73 David GM4JJJ __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] New KX3 without VOX DLY adjustability on SSB
I'm sorting through all the functions on my new KX3 and have it working well except for SSB VOX. With either the MH3 or Heil GM5 (HC5 cartridge) my voice is clipped due to too short a delay. At the same time the CW VOX works well with more range than I'd ever need and I see a change when making DLY adjustments. Tech support had me check my settings for: VOX INT, VOX GN, MIC Level and CMP and they are in range Is this unique to my serial number 6027? John Lawrence, W1QS, ex N6JL __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K2 and panadapter(s)
Take a look at Clifton Laboratories cliftonlaboratories.com/z1_buffer for an IF output from the K2. 73, Don W3FPR On 4/12/2014 1:09 AM, Thomas Taylor wrote: On Sat, 12 Apr 2014 01:12:29 + Robert G Strickland rc...@verizon.net wrote: I'd like to hear from anyone who has worked out a panadapter function with the K2. Please respond off list. Thanks much And copy to list for the rest of us! Thanks, Tom KG7CFC __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] Fw: First contact today was A35V on KX3 picnic table portable
On Saturday, April 12, 2014 11:51 AM, lane zeitler lanenav...@yahoo.com wrote: Got the KX3 about a week ago. First contact was today, portable, I was sitting next to the bay on a picnic table (salt water, here on the Navy base in Yokosuka Japan) with a 17ft replacement tent pole I ordered on Amazon for $38 as my 20 to 10 mtr vertical. The new vertical is tie wrapped to a 3 ft high chain link fence. Two 17 ft radials are laid out. 50 ohm coax as the feed, about six feet long straight to the KX3. Built in auto tuner tunes it easily to a 1:1 match on 20 to 10 meters. It will load on 40 but the final swr is high and did not try 80 or 160 or even 6 mtrs yet. We will leave the area and return back to the states in JUL so not going crazy with antennas here.and all of my operations here will be picnic portable until we leave. Worked A35V on 12 meters ssb, I was xmitting 4 watts into the tent pole vertical. Took a few calls but got him with my JA call of JH1JCM/QRP. My Eneloop batteries were straight out of the packaginghad not even did a charge yet but the KX3 indicated the voltage was 8.7 so I figured I would give it a try. They worked. There are a lot of menu driven options with this rig and overall I prefer a simpler rig such as the Argo VI which I almost bought but hopefully over the next few weeks of very casual operating I will get to know the knob functions better. Impressed with the build quality and the display is awesome. The CMP seems to have a major positive impact on SSB. The SSB monitor sounds weird thoughwhen I engage the SSB monitor circuit it sounds like it is being processed digitally and has that in the cave dsp sound to itdo not like the way the monitor sounds so I must be doing something wrong. Still slowly figuring this rig out. Eneloops are charging now off of my Astron SS30. Expect to have full charge in 10 hours. Will see how long they last before needing charging again. Bought the optional paddle but have not hooked it up yet. More to follow. LCDR Lane Zeitler Forward Deployed US Naval Hospital Yokosuka Japan JH1JCM Ku7i __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] [OT] K2a
Interestingly, the first time I knowingly read Competition Grade with respect to a receiver design was in the 1977 ARRL publication: Solid-State Design for the Radio Amateur - Wes Hayward, W7ZOI. Regards, Mike VP8NO 09) Competent single receiver (with RIT) but not necessarily (in Japanese radio jargon) Competition Grade. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Fake FTDI chips
Really interesting Ian, but the real question is how do you separate the real Prolific and FTDI chips from the fake. The fake Prolific chips have been on the market for a long time and would not work on Win 7. The only way I could find to avoid buying the fake chips was to avoid Prolific altogether. Now, you tell us (and others) that fake FTDI. I just spent 20 minutes on the HP web site trying to find out how long ago I bought my HP P6230 desk top and my Office Pro 6500 printer. I think that HP must have subbed their help site to the Chinese company that makes the fake chips. We need to publish the names of the criminals that are repackaging and selling the fake chips. The best way I have found is to assume they are all fake or mixed fake and genuine and to avoid buying any and all products that do not advertise and supply genuine Prolific or FTDI chips. Since I do not know any manufacturers or sources that guarantee this and I have owned my computer since Win 7 was released, at the moment I still only know one method, avoid USB converters all together except for products furnished with a converter. Can you shed any light on this ubiquitous problem? Willis 'Cookie' Cooke, TDXS DX Chairman K5EWJ Trustee N5BPS, USS Cavalla, USS Stewart From: Ian White gm3...@ifwtech.co.uk To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Saturday, April 12, 2014 2:23 AM Subject: [Elecraft] Fake FTDI chips It was only a matter of time before fake FTDI RS232-USB adapter chips began to appear. http://zeptobars.ru/en/read/FTDI-FT232RL-real-vs-fake-supereal This fascinating page shows how some anonymous Chinese company has created a fake FT232RL chip using a mask-programmable microcontroller, and printed it with the FTDI name and logo. Like Prolific (the real Prolific company, that is) FTDI have updated their drivers to detect these fakes... but that also means that anyone who has bought a fake chip will have a non-working adapter. The message is always the same: fakes are hard to spot, so buy only from reliable distributors. FYI, the real FTDI company is a family-owned firm right here in Scotland's 'Silicon Glen'. 73 from Ian GM3SEK __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to wrco...@yahoo.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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Fake FTDI chips
Fake FTDI Prolific chips have been an issue for a long time. We all want to save some money, but you spend lots of money one the best radio you can afford. Why would you try to save a couple of $$ on the cable? I suggest buying it from reputable dealers. Elecraft sells premade FTDI cables, Mouser sells cables you can put your own end on. The key is buying from real places that stand behind their product. The only other thought process, what is your time worth? Is it worth the trouble trying to make something work? Buying the right product from the right place saves lots of time. For me, time is money Just my two cents worth! 73 Will WC2L __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Just got shipment alert!
Go to a craft store and buy small plastic bags ( 2 X 3). The are 100 for a few bucks. Sort parts during inventory and bag and label then store bags by sub assy. You might get some strange looks at the store as there are some not so good alternate uses for the bags. While I was waiting, I downloaded assy manual and printed labels for small parts from the parts list then stuck these on the bags. -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/Just-got-shipment-alert-tp7587042p7587058.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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K2 and panadapter(s)
www.cliftonlaboratories.com/z1_buffer_amp.htm panadapter function with the K2 73, Dick, K2ZR -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Don Wilhelm Sent: Saturday, April 12, 2014 7:24 AM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K2 and panadapter(s) Take a look at Clifton Laboratories cliftonlaboratories.com/z1_buffer for an IF output from the K2. 73, Don W3FPR On 4/12/2014 1:09 AM, Thomas Taylor wrote: On Sat, 12 Apr 2014 01:12:29 + Robert G Strickland rc...@verizon.net wrote: I'd like to hear from anyone who has worked out a panadapter function with the K2. Please respond off list. Thanks much And copy to list for the rest of us! Thanks, Tom KG7CFC __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to k...@arrl.net __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KX3: thermal frequency drift
The XG50 will provide very consistent results. It's based on a K3 TCXO. But a completely warmed-up, stabilized XG3 might be OK if it's kept well away from the hair-dryer that's used to heat up the rig during the procedure. Wayne N6KR On Apr 12, 2014, at 2:41 AM, David GM4JJJ da...@gm4jjj.co.uk wrote: From: Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft e...@elecraft.com Reply: Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft e...@elecraft.com Date: 12 April 2014 at 01:35:33 To: Edward R Cole kl...@acsalaska.net, elecraft@mailman.qth.net elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX3: thermal frequency drift The XG3 is perfect for this calibration. Freq is not critical as ling as its close to 50. Our XG50 is actually a little below 50 Mhz. (I think it used the ref oscillator module from the K3.) Eric elecraft.com Eric, Curiously the Elecraft procedurehttp://www.elecraft.com/manual/KX3%20Custom%20VFO%20TC%20rev%20A9.pdf says Note that the Elecraft XG3 lacks the necessary stability and is not recommended. 73 David GM4JJJ __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to n...@elecraft.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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] Tuning the KAT500 and Setting Memories Automatically By Program Control
So, I was erasing my KAT500 memories and then going about the retune process to create new memory LC values across the bands. This was a recommended step by Wayne with the latest firmware updates on KAT500. Why not have a program do this. It seems to me that you could write a program that would simultaneously be connected to two devices: the KAT500 and K3 (for instance). Then, the program, interacting with the K3 and the KAT500 would automatically step through each band using a frequency interval parameter (enterable by user on per band basis) to automatically recreate tuned LC memory values. This program would be different than other utility programs in that it would be connected to two COM ports simultaneously. I assume that all of the programming features of the K3 (or, KX3) and KAT500 are sufficient to execute this type of operation. I would think about doing this myself but I am in the midst of redoing my Chess playing program in Mathematica. 73, phil, K7PEH P.S. Or, has this been done already. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Fwd: Re: Curious -- why is KXFL3 roofing filter an option on KX3 ?
Uwe, is your problem due to MW stations below 160 m or shortwave broadcasting stations? Phil W7OX On 4/11/14, 11:38 PM, Uwe Hermanns wrote: ...I have a great problem with AM-Breaktrough and I have to switch to 8kHz ZF-Shift. So most of my operation time my KXFL3 is not in use :-( 73 de Uwe, DL4AC -- Weitergeleitete Nachricht -- Von: Rick Tavan N6XI rta...@gmail.com Datum: 12.04.2014 01:04 Betreff: Re: [Elecraft] Curious -- why is KXFL3 roofing filter an option on KX3 ? An: Phil Hystad phys...@mac.com Cc: Elecraft List Elecraft@mailman.qth.net If all of your operating is casual chatting, on uncrowded bands, with poor antennas, then the KXFL3 won't do much at all for you. Its primary function is to prevent DSP overload from very strong, adjacent signals and you won't experience that much if at all. If much of your operating is serious DXing or contesting on crowded bands with good antennas and active nearby neighbor stations, you will often encounter those strong, close-in signals and the KXFL3 will help a lot. Somewhere between those extremes of strength and crowding is the threshold. I got the filter even though it is often unnecessary. /Rick N6XI __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] leeb...@hotmail.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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K2 and panadapter(s)
I have one in my early S/N K2 and it is a very clean installation that fits nicely in a fully loaded version. I use it with an LP-Pan. Both the LP-PAN and Clifton Lab folks are knowledgeable about the K2 and a pleasure to deal with. Eric KE6US On 4/12/2014 4:23 AM, Don Wilhelm wrote: Take a look at Clifton Laboratories cliftonlaboratories.com/z1_buffer for an IF output from the K2. 73, Don W3FPR On 4/12/2014 1:09 AM, Thomas Taylor wrote: On Sat, 12 Apr 2014 01:12:29 + Robert G Strickland rc...@verizon.net wrote: I'd like to hear from anyone who has worked out a panadapter function with the K2. Please respond off list. Thanks much And copy to list for the rest of us! Thanks, Tom KG7CFC __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to eric_c...@hotmail.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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K2 and panadapter(s)
Why do I get every individual email now instead of the consolidated email? Sent via the Samsung Galaxy S™ III, an ATT 4G LTE smartphone Original message From: EricJ eric_c...@hotmail.com Date:04/12/2014 1:41 PM (GMT-05:00) To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K2 and panadapter(s) I have one in my early S/N K2 and it is a very clean installation that fits nicely in a fully loaded version. I use it with an LP-Pan. Both the LP-PAN and Clifton Lab folks are knowledgeable about the K2 and a pleasure to deal with. Eric KE6US On 4/12/2014 4:23 AM, Don Wilhelm wrote: Take a look at Clifton Laboratories cliftonlaboratories.com/z1_buffer for an IF output from the K2. 73, Don W3FPR On 4/12/2014 1:09 AM, Thomas Taylor wrote: On Sat, 12 Apr 2014 01:12:29 + Robert G Strickland rc...@verizon.net wrote: I'd like to hear from anyone who has worked out a panadapter function with the K2. Please respond off list. Thanks much And copy to list for the rest of us! Thanks, Tom KG7CFC __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to eric_c...@hotmail.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 Message delivered to brikend...@msn.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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K2 and panadapter(s)
Your settings got changed somehow. Go to http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft and log in (at very bottom of page), then change your settings. Turn digest mode on. Steve AA6VO On Sat, Apr 12, 2014 at 10:46 AM, brikendrew [via Elecraft] ml-node+s365791n7587065...@n2.nabble.com wrote: Why do I get every individual email now instead of the consolidated email? Sent via the Samsung Galaxy S(tm) III, an ATT 4G LTE smartphone Original message From: EricJ [hidden email]http://user/SendEmail.jtp?type=nodenode=7587065i=0 Date:04/12/2014 1:41 PM (GMT-05:00) To: [hidden email] http://user/SendEmail.jtp?type=nodenode=7587065i=1 Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K2 and panadapter(s) I have one in my early S/N K2 and it is a very clean installation that fits nicely in a fully loaded version. I use it with an LP-Pan. Both the LP-PAN and Clifton Lab folks are knowledgeable about the K2 and a pleasure to deal with. Eric KE6US On 4/12/2014 4:23 AM, Don Wilhelm wrote: Take a look at Clifton Laboratories cliftonlaboratories.com/z1_buffer for an IF output from the K2. 73, Don W3FPR On 4/12/2014 1:09 AM, Thomas Taylor wrote: On Sat, 12 Apr 2014 01:12:29 + Robert G Strickland [hidden email]http://user/SendEmail.jtp?type=nodenode=7587065i=2 wrote: I'd like to hear from anyone who has worked out a panadapter function with the K2. Please respond off list. Thanks much And copy to list for the rest of us! Thanks, Tom KG7CFC __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email]http://user/SendEmail.jtp?type=nodenode=7587065i=3 This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email]http://user/SendEmail.jtp?type=nodenode=7587065i=4 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email]http://user/SendEmail.jtp?type=nodenode=7587065i=5 This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email]http://user/SendEmail.jtp?type=nodenode=7587065i=6 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email]http://user/SendEmail.jtp?type=nodenode=7587065i=7 This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email]http://user/SendEmail.jtp?type=nodenode=7587065i=8 -- If you reply to this email, your message will be added to the discussion below: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K2-and-panadapter-s-tp7587041p7587065.html To start a new topic under Elecraft, email ml-node+s365791n365791...@n2.nabble.com To unsubscribe from Elecraft, click herehttp://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/template/NamlServlet.jtp?macro=unsubscribe_by_codenode=365791code=c2JhdW1AYmF1bXNpdGUuY29tfDM2NTc5MXwxNzU4MTQyOTAx . NAMLhttp://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/template/NamlServlet.jtp?macro=macro_viewerid=instant_html%21nabble%3Aemail.namlbase=nabble.naml.namespaces.BasicNamespace-nabble.view.web.template.NabbleNamespace-nabble.view.web.template.NodeNamespacebreadcrumbs=notify_subscribers%21nabble%3Aemail.naml-instant_emails%21nabble%3Aemail.naml-send_instant_email%21nabble%3Aemail.naml - Steve AA6VO -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K2-and-panadapter-s-tp7587041p7587066.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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Tuning the KAT500 and Setting Memories Automatically By Program Control
Hi Phil, Sounds like a great idea! However each step should have a manual activation. Would not want it tuning over other activity and just moving to next point. I guess if it kept track of filled bins you could run thru it a few times to load the incomplete band bins.. 73, Bob K2TK On 4/12/2014 12:27 PM, Phil Hystad wrote: So, I was erasing my KAT500 memories and then going about the retune process to create new memory LC values across the bands. This was a recommended step by Wayne with the latest firmware updates on KAT500. Why not have a program do this. It seems to me that you could write a program that would simultaneously be connected to two devices: the KAT500 and K3 (for instance). Then, the program, interacting with the K3 and the KAT500 would automatically step through each band using a frequency interval parameter (enterable by user on per band basis) to automatically recreate tuned LC memory values. This program would be different than other utility programs in that it would be connected to two COM ports simultaneously. I assume that all of the programming features of the K3 (or, KX3) and KAT500 are sufficient to execute this type of operation. I would think about doing this myself but I am in the midst of redoing my Chess playing program in Mathematica. 73, phil, K7PEH P.S. Or, has this been done already. __ __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] [OT] [OT] [OT] K2a
Ha ha. I've been collecting ideas and notes to make a work-alike retro K1. It's a fun on-paper exercise, and an excuse to really dig into the K1 to understand how it works. But I don't think I'd want to devote the time required to accomplish it. On the other hand, leave the K2 alone! hi. Like the K1, I'm not afraid to dig into it. When something goes wrong, I have a reasonable expectation of fixing it myself even if I have to ask for help here and there. I don't hesitate to add mods such as AF output or IF output. Being non-SDR, it is ALREADY retro enough! I couldn't agree more on the styling of the 75A4. Nobody's going to mistake it for a high end stereo receiver. Eric KE6US On 4/11/2014 10:40 PM, Michael Poteet wrote: Having noticed the recent semiannual K4 speculation I wanted to offer speculation in a different direction. 11) Put it all inside a big box in the style of the best looking piece of Ham Radio gear ever designed: the Collins 75A4. 12) Real Collins style knobs , real bat handle toggle switches. 13) Only a few radio functions need constant, easy access, tie those to the big knobs and toggle switches. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] [OT] [OT] [OT] K2a
My K2 sentiments, too, Eric. Relatively easy to work on and still a fine transceiver. I still have several projects in mind for it, and with the K3 as my main rig now I feel more free to take the K2/100 off line for a longer period than before. Basically, I'd like the K2 to stay a K2. It will be interesting to hear your K1 ideas. Mine pretty much sits in a drawer, fully outfitted with options. It would like some attention :-) 73, Phil W7OX On 4/12/14, 10:58 AM, EricJ wrote: Ha ha. I've been collecting ideas and notes to make a work-alike retro K1. It's a fun on-paper exercise, and an excuse to really dig into the K1 to understand how it works. But I don't think I'd want to devote the time required to accomplish it. On the other hand, leave the K2 alone! hi. Like the K1, I'm not afraid to dig into it. When something goes wrong, I have a reasonable expectation of fixing it myself even if I have to ask for help here and there. I don't hesitate to add mods such as AF output or IF output. Being non-SDR, it is ALREADY retro enough! I couldn't agree more on the styling of the 75A4. Nobody's going to mistake it for a high end stereo receiver. Eric KE6US On 4/11/2014 10:40 PM, Michael Poteet wrote: Having noticed the recent semiannual K4 speculation I wanted to offer speculation in a different direction. 11) Put it all inside a big box in the style of the best looking piece of Ham Radio gear ever designed: the Collins 75A4. 12) Real Collins style knobs , real bat handle toggle switches. 13) Only a few radio functions need constant, easy access, tie those to the big knobs and toggle switches. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] Side Effects of QRQ On The K3
I have not seen anything posted on this in a long time, so thought I would revisit it to see if any progress had been made in the area of the QRQ feature. This feature was created so that cw ops could send with their keyboards, or in my case on a paddle at around 25 wpm, and have smooth cw being sent out. Otherwise, without QRQ being turned on. the cw sounds choppy even at 25 to 30 wpm. The only problem with this is that when QRQ is turned on, we lose some functions like shift, and hi and lo cut. If we turn off QRQ our cw sounds choppy and the faster you go the worse it gets. QRQ is turned on and off with the RIT buttion or in the menu. The other evening I was on the air with a friend and some very close qrm came up on frequency, we had to turn off QRQ in order to get the shift to work and our cw sending got choppy. The other issue is just using the RIT, this turns off the QRQ and again your cw begins to sound worse. So, you have RIT, Shift, Hi and Lo cut that do not function with QRQ turned on, and you need QRQ to have a good sound on cw. This is not a normal way for a receiver to function, and although I appreciate the workaround, I wonder if a more permanent solution might be on the way. Toby K4NH __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] [OT] [OT] [OT] K2a
Well, if you folks will wait for another decade or so, the K1, K2 and KX1 will be retro too. Not only that, I would expect most of them to still be working FB. They will never be the size and weight on a 75A4! 73, Don W3FPR On 4/12/2014 2:35 PM, Phil Wheeler wrote: My K2 sentiments, too, Eric. Relatively easy to work on and still a fine transceiver. I still have several projects in mind for it, and with the K3 as my main rig now I feel more free to take the K2/100 off line for a longer period than before. Basically, I'd like the K2 to stay a K2. It will be interesting to hear your K1 ideas. Mine pretty much sits in a drawer, fully outfitted with options. It would like some attention :-) 73, Phil W7OX On 4/12/14, 10:58 AM, EricJ wrote: Ha ha. I've been collecting ideas and notes to make a work-alike retro K1. It's a fun on-paper exercise, and an excuse to really dig into the K1 to understand how it works. But I don't think I'd want to devote the time required to accomplish it. On the other hand, leave the K2 alone! hi. Like the K1, I'm not afraid to dig into it. When something goes wrong, I have a reasonable expectation of fixing it myself even if I have to ask for help here and there. I don't hesitate to add mods such as AF output or IF output. Being non-SDR, it is ALREADY retro enough! __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] K3 - Sidebands reversed on 18.100 DATA mode
Why are the sidebands reversed on 18MHz DATA mode, tuning lower in frequency the signals on the waterfall decrease in frequency? Tuning lower in frequency the signals on the waterfall increase in frequency. This appears to only be the case on 18MHz DATA mode. If I select USB the sidebands are normal. This has to be in a table somewhere. JIm, W4ATK __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Sidebands reversed on 18.100 DATA mode
The DATA and DATArev settings are per band. You may have inadvertently changed the setting for 18 MHz. Those settings are not cast in concrete by Elecraft, but are part of the user setup controls. 73, Don W3FPR On 4/12/2014 3:33 PM, Jim Rogers wrote: Why are the sidebands reversed on 18MHz DATA mode, tuning lower in frequency the signals on the waterfall decrease in frequency? Tuning lower in frequency the signals on the waterfall increase in frequency. This appears to only be the case on 18MHz DATA mode. If I select USB the sidebands are normal. This has to be in a table somewhere. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Side Effects of QRQ On The K3
Hi Toby, Could you expand a bit on the choppy CW thing? I am a new K3 person, and I just bought my K3. All this talk about choppy CW makes me a bit apprehensive. If I use a normal Vibroplex iambic paddle, and send well am I going to have a problem, or is this something about using the KBD option? -- Thanks and 73's, For equipment, and software setups and reviews see: www.nk7z.net for MixW support see; http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/mixw/info for Dopplergram information see: http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/dopplergram/info for MM-SSTV see: http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/MM-SSTV/info On Sat, 2014-04-12 at 15:21 -0400, Toby Pennington wrote: I have not seen anything posted on this in a long time, so thought I would revisit it to see if any progress had been made in the area of the QRQ feature. This feature was created so that cw ops could send with their keyboards, or in my case on a paddle at around 25 wpm, and have smooth cw being sent out. Otherwise, without QRQ being turned on. the cw sounds choppy even at 25 to 30 wpm. The only problem with this is that when QRQ is turned on, we lose some functions like shift, and hi and lo cut. If we turn off QRQ our cw sounds choppy and the faster you go the worse it gets. QRQ is turned on and off with the RIT buttion or in the menu. The other evening I was on the air with a friend and some very close qrm came up on frequency, we had to turn off QRQ in order to get the shift to work and our cw sending got choppy. The other issue is just using the RIT, this turns off the QRQ and again your cw begins to sound worse. So, you have RIT, Shift, Hi and Lo cut that do not function with QRQ turned on, and you need QRQ to have a good sound on cw. This is not a normal way for a receiver to function, and although I appreciate the workaround, I wonder if a more permanent solution might be on the way. Toby K4NH __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to d...@nk7z.net __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Side Effects of QRQ On The K3
Is this a problem only with the K3 keyer, or is it also present if an external keyer (such as the Begali CW machine) is used? Mike KD8RQE In a message dated 4/12/2014 3:23:43 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, w4c...@centurylink.net writes: I have not seen anything posted on this in a long time, so thought I would revisit it to see if any progress had been made in the area of the QRQ feature. This feature was created so that cw ops could send with their keyboards, or in my case on a paddle at around 25 wpm, and have smooth cw being sent out. Otherwise, without QRQ being turned on. the cw sounds choppy even at 25 to 30 wpm. The only problem with this is that when QRQ is turned on, we lose some functions like shift, and hi and lo cut. If we turn off QRQ our cw sounds choppy and the faster you go the worse it gets. QRQ is turned on and off with the RIT buttion or in the menu. The other evening I was on the air with a friend and some very close qrm came up on frequency, we had to turn off QRQ in order to get the shift to work and our cw sending got choppy. The other issue is just using the RIT, this turns off the QRQ and again your cw begins to sound worse. So, you have RIT, Shift, Hi and Lo cut that do not function with QRQ turned on, and you need QRQ to have a good sound on cw. This is not a normal way for a receiver to function, and although I appreciate the workaround, I wonder if a more permanent solution might be on the way. Toby K4NH __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to kd8...@aol.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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] [OT] [OT] [OT] K2a
I would rather continue to speculate on a K4. The K2 is wonderful the way it is. Last I heard Elecraft had a huge stockpile of parts for the K2. So I would expect it to be around a few more years. What more could you ask for in a portable rig than the KX3 has to offer? /If/ there is ever going to be a K4, I would imagine it would go to the top of the market. A 4 to 5 full color TFT display with waterfall and full digital information. Built-in PSK, RTTY, CW and provisions for just about any future technology - including digital voice. Perhaps a portion of the firmware can be user updated. The user display for example. Built-in remote operation capability standard. Built-in WiFi, Ethernet and Bluetooth. Considering how far technology has progressed since the K2 was designed, the possibilities are mind-boggling. Personally, I would love to see a K0. A very small, single-band plug-able, digital-capable, lithium-polymer powered, micro-transceiver I can put in my coat pocket. Anyway, that's my 2 cents. Doug -- K0DXV On 4/11/2014 11:40 PM, Michael Poteet wrote: Having noticed the recent semiannual K4 speculation I wanted to offer speculation in a different direction. The K2 was originally offered as a true kit that, upon completion, provided a radio capable of both home use and trail use. The trail/remote and home use capabilities have been supplanted by the other radios in the Elecraft stable. The only really unique feature of the K2 is that it is a true kit; that said, it is a bit behind the curve in tech plus it is a major PITB to align. I would like to see Elecraft revisit the K2 (well, not exactly): 01) Keep it a kit as much as possible. So maybe RF and AF sections could be kits (at least partially). 02) Fully assembled as an option. 03) Make the middle a high performance SDR; factory assembled and aligned. 04) 6 KHz band pass filter in the first IF with the DSP doing the remaining filtering functions. 05) Include a 12 volt to (say) 60 volt conversion to power a high voltage RF section. 06) 100 watts output. 07) No FM but add 6 meters. 08) Include Digital Voice as a mode. Pick one of the Open Source implementations. Make it an App; Elecraft would maintain the latest source code and latest compiled App; anyone who wished could modify and install their own version; might be an area where Amateurs could contribute something meaningful. 09) Competent single receiver (with RIT) but not necessarily (in Japanese radio jargon) Competition Grade. 10) Very competent transmit (with XIT): no splatter, no clicks, no noise. 11) Put it all inside a big box in the style of the best looking piece of Ham Radio gear ever designed: the Collins 75A4. 12) Real Collins style knobs , real bat handle toggle switches. 13) Only a few radio functions need constant, easy access, tie those to the big knobs and toggle switches. 14) Note the switches and controls would only tell a DSP or MCU to take some action. I'm not talking multi-pole, multi-gang rotary switches. 15) Preassembled wire bundles to attach the front panel controls and switches to the main unit (with quick disconnect to allow easy removal). 16) Add a 5-inch color touch screen display (like my Garmin GPS) in the middle of the front panel with a nice size, high inertia tuning knob for freq control. 17) Put the ancillary functions on the (multi-page) touch screen. 18) The touch screen pages should be tab accessible; with user definable pages. 19) Embed this all inside the 75A4 Cabinet: nice size box, mostly air inside but with room to add additional features (maybe even a decent speaker). 20) This is not meant to be a DXpedition, mountaintop, contest box; just a desktop system that you could turn on with a (toggle) switch, select your band with a rotary switch, select your mode with a rotary switch, touch the tab on the touch screen to verify your audio/keyer/data settings then kick back and operate. Toggle switches for AGC On/Off, AGC Fast/Slow, Noise Blanker On/Off, Noise Reduction On/Off, rotary controls for receive bandpass width and shift, so on. Touch screen pages to set/adjust the characteristics of the Noise Reduction, Noise Blanker, AGC, etc. Switched LCD meter to provide S-meter, power, audio level, whatever. OK, OK, OK.I know it can never happen: 1) No one would want one. 2) It would be too big. 3) It wouldn't be big enough. 4) Elecraft doesn't have the financial resources to develop such a device. 5) Purchase price would be too high. 6) Besides it would take engineering talent away from the development of the K4, the 1500 watt solid state amp, the VHF to near-infrared transceiver, the Elecraft EPad, etc. But, it would be a really neat rig: very Retro look with a high tech heart. Mike W5FTD
Re: [Elecraft] Side Effects of QRQ On The K3
On 4/12/2014 1:07 PM, David Cole wrote: Could you expand a bit on the choppy CW thing? I am a new K3 person, and I just bought my K3. All this talk about choppy CW makes me a bit apprehensive. If I use a normal Vibroplex iambic paddle, and send well am I going to have a problem, or is this something about using the KBD option? Short answer: No and you can stop being apprehensive about it. :-) You will plug in your paddle [and/or external keyer and/or computer], and you will be sending clickless CW with full-QSK. Had the subject not come up [again] on this email list, the odds that you'd ever encounter and notice its effects are vanishingly small unless you are a 60+ WPM full QSK operator. I operate in a lot of CW contests with N1MM driving a WinKeyUSB at between 30 and 35 WPM, KPA500, full QSK, QRQ option off. No one has ever given me a QSD. When I've specifically asked friends [good CW ops] to evaluate my keying, they tell me it's great. My fist is another matter of course. :-) It's another example of how you have to filter a list like this one. The variety of K3 owners is vast, and some push the limits in various ways and at those limits, they start seeing things the vast majority of us never do or ever will. They tend to discuss them here, which is fine. Those using the K3 as the IF for transverters up to the microwave ranges are very concerned about frequency stability, and often discuss it on this list too. Your K3 will be rock-solid for you on HF, no need for apprehension over that either. 73, Fred K6DGW - Northern California Contest Club - CU in the 2014 Cal QSO Party 4-5 Oct 2014 - 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] [P3]
I noticed a new behavior today from my P3. After sitting for several hours, the A marker had disappeared. Rotating the knob changed the freq, but no marker cursor. Turning the marker off, then back on restored normal operation for that band. Then I noticed that cycling thru the bands on the K3, the P3 marker would be on a different band, with no marker cursor, rotating the knob changed the marker freq. I think that's what happened in the first instance too. Cycling thru all the bands with the K3 several times restored normal ops. Was Rod Serling a ham? 73, Mike NF4L __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Side Effects of QRQ On The K3
Not quite so. Increase your TX DLY to 25 ms and listen to your CW. At 8ms (default), it behaves as you say. Significantly higher values cause QSD. It doesn't matter if you're using the internal keyer or an external keyer. 73 DE Brian/K3KO On 4/12/2014 22:35, Fred Jensen wrote: On 4/12/2014 1:07 PM, David Cole wrote: Could you expand a bit on the choppy CW thing? I am a new K3 person, and I just bought my K3. All this talk about choppy CW makes me a bit apprehensive. If I use a normal Vibroplex iambic paddle, and send well am I going to have a problem, or is this something about using the KBD option? Short answer: No and you can stop being apprehensive about it. :-) You will plug in your paddle [and/or external keyer and/or computer], and you will be sending clickless CW with full-QSK. Had the subject not come up [again] on this email list, the odds that you'd ever encounter and notice its effects are vanishingly small unless you are a 60+ WPM full QSK operator. I operate in a lot of CW contests with N1MM driving a WinKeyUSB at between 30 and 35 WPM, KPA500, full QSK, QRQ option off. No one has ever given me a QSD. When I've specifically asked friends [good CW ops] to evaluate my keying, they tell me it's great. My fist is another matter of course. :-) It's another example of how you have to filter a list like this one. The variety of K3 owners is vast, and some push the limits in various ways and at those limits, they start seeing things the vast majority of us never do or ever will. They tend to discuss them here, which is fine. Those using the K3 as the IF for transverters up to the microwave ranges are very concerned about frequency stability, and often discuss it on this list too. Your K3 will be rock-solid for you on HF, no need for apprehension over that either. 73, Fred K6DGW - Northern California Contest Club - CU in the 2014 Cal QSO Party 4-5 Oct 2014 - 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 Message delivered to als...@nc.rr.com - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2012.0.2247 / Virus Database: 3722/6833 - Release Date: 04/11/14 - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2012.0.2247 / Virus Database: 3722/6833 - Release Date: 04/11/14 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] [P3]
He was, obviously, a Top Band operator, preferring to be on in the twilight zone. :) Jack, W6NF/VE4SNA On 4/12/2014 3:45 PM, Mike Reublin wrote: I noticed a new behavior today from my P3. After sitting for several hours, the A marker had disappeared. Rotating the knob changed the freq, but no marker cursor. Turning the marker off, then back on restored normal operation for that band. Then I noticed that cycling thru the bands on the K3, the P3 marker would be on a different band, with no marker cursor, rotating the knob changed the marker freq. I think that's what happened in the first instance too. Cycling thru all the bands with the K3 several times restored normal ops. Was Rod Serling a ham? 73, Mike NF4L __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to vhfp...@gmail.com --- This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active. http://www.avast.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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Side Effects of QRQ On The K3
Thank you!!! I was starting to get worried that the K3 could not generate CW... :) -- Thanks and 73's, For equipment, and software setups and reviews see: www.nk7z.net for MixW support see; http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/mixw/info for Dopplergram information see: http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/dopplergram/info for MM-SSTV see: http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/MM-SSTV/info On Sat, 2014-04-12 at 15:35 -0700, Fred Jensen wrote: On 4/12/2014 1:07 PM, David Cole wrote: Could you expand a bit on the choppy CW thing? I am a new K3 person, and I just bought my K3. All this talk about choppy CW makes me a bit apprehensive. If I use a normal Vibroplex iambic paddle, and send well am I going to have a problem, or is this something about using the KBD option? Short answer: No and you can stop being apprehensive about it. :-) You will plug in your paddle [and/or external keyer and/or computer], and you will be sending clickless CW with full-QSK. Had the subject not come up [again] on this email list, the odds that you'd ever encounter and notice its effects are vanishingly small unless you are a 60+ WPM full QSK operator. I operate in a lot of CW contests with N1MM driving a WinKeyUSB at between 30 and 35 WPM, KPA500, full QSK, QRQ option off. No one has ever given me a QSD. When I've specifically asked friends [good CW ops] to evaluate my keying, they tell me it's great. My fist is another matter of course. :-) It's another example of how you have to filter a list like this one. The variety of K3 owners is vast, and some push the limits in various ways and at those limits, they start seeing things the vast majority of us never do or ever will. They tend to discuss them here, which is fine. Those using the K3 as the IF for transverters up to the microwave ranges are very concerned about frequency stability, and often discuss it on this list too. Your K3 will be rock-solid for you on HF, no need for apprehension over that either. 73, Fred K6DGW - Northern California Contest Club - CU in the 2014 Cal QSO Party 4-5 Oct 2014 - 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 Message delivered to d...@nk7z.net __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Side Effects of QRQ On The K3
Dave, Let me add my two-bits too --- I am about 98 percent CW but NOT QRQ. I am 18 to 25 wpm depending but during contests I will play around with others at 30 wpm or more. I have never had any problems with clicks or anything else. I am often in a QSO with a friend or two who would not be shy about telling me if my CW keying was clicky, chirpy, or whatever. 73, phil, K7PEH On Apr 12, 2014, at 4:49 PM, David Cole d...@nk7z.net wrote: Thank you!!! I was starting to get worried that the K3 could not generate CW... :) -- Thanks and 73's, For equipment, and software setups and reviews see: www.nk7z.net for MixW support see; http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/mixw/info for Dopplergram information see: http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/dopplergram/info for MM-SSTV see: http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/MM-SSTV/info On Sat, 2014-04-12 at 15:35 -0700, Fred Jensen wrote: On 4/12/2014 1:07 PM, David Cole wrote: Could you expand a bit on the choppy CW thing? I am a new K3 person, and I just bought my K3. All this talk about choppy CW makes me a bit apprehensive. If I use a normal Vibroplex iambic paddle, and send well am I going to have a problem, or is this something about using the KBD option? Short answer: No and you can stop being apprehensive about it. :-) You will plug in your paddle [and/or external keyer and/or computer], and you will be sending clickless CW with full-QSK. Had the subject not come up [again] on this email list, the odds that you'd ever encounter and notice its effects are vanishingly small unless you are a 60+ WPM full QSK operator. I operate in a lot of CW contests with N1MM driving a WinKeyUSB at between 30 and 35 WPM, KPA500, full QSK, QRQ option off. No one has ever given me a QSD. When I've specifically asked friends [good CW ops] to evaluate my keying, they tell me it's great. My fist is another matter of course. :-) It's another example of how you have to filter a list like this one. The variety of K3 owners is vast, and some push the limits in various ways and at those limits, they start seeing things the vast majority of us never do or ever will. They tend to discuss them here, which is fine. Those using the K3 as the IF for transverters up to the microwave ranges are very concerned about frequency stability, and often discuss it on this list too. Your K3 will be rock-solid for you on HF, no need for apprehension over that either. 73, Fred K6DGW - Northern California Contest Club - CU in the 2014 Cal QSO Party 4-5 Oct 2014 - 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 Message delivered to d...@nk7z.net __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to phys...@mac.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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] [OT] [OT] [OT] K2a
Yes, technology does advance. In addition to Perhaps a portion of the firmware can be user updated. The user display for example. -- Maybe there will be a way to fine tune the user as well. That seems to be the weak point of many rigs (at least my rigs!) :-) Phil W7OX On 4/12/14, 4:15 PM, Doug Person wrote: I would rather continue to speculate on a K4. The K2 is wonderful the way it is. Last I heard Elecraft had a huge stockpile of parts for the K2. So I would expect it to be around a few more years. What more could you ask for in a portable rig than the KX3 has to offer? /If/ there is ever going to be a K4, I would imagine it would go to the top of the market. A 4 to 5 full color TFT display with waterfall and full digital information. Built-in PSK, RTTY, CW and provisions for just about any future technology - including digital voice. Perhaps a portion of the firmware can be user updated. The user display for example. Built-in remote operation capability standard. Built-in WiFi, Ethernet and Bluetooth. Considering how far technology has progressed since the K2 was designed, the possibilities are mind-boggling. Personally, I would love to see a K0. A very small, single-band plug-able, digital-capable, lithium-polymer powered, micro-transceiver I can put in my coat pocket. Anyway, that's my 2 cents. Doug -- K0DXV On 4/11/2014 11:40 PM, Michael Poteet wrote: Having noticed the recent semiannual K4 speculation I wanted to offer speculation in a different direction. The K2 was originally offered as a true kit that, upon completion, provided a radio capable of both home use and trail use. The trail/remote and home use capabilities have been supplanted by the other radios in the Elecraft stable. The only really unique feature of the K2 is that it is a true kit; that said, it is a bit behind the curve in tech plus it is a major PITB to align. I would like to see Elecraft revisit the K2 (well, not exactly): 01) Keep it a kit as much as possible. So maybe RF and AF sections could be kits (at least partially). 02) Fully assembled as an option. 03) Make the middle a high performance SDR; factory assembled and aligned. 04) 6 KHz band pass filter in the first IF with the DSP doing the remaining filtering functions. 05) Include a 12 volt to (say) 60 volt conversion to power a high voltage RF section. 06) 100 watts output. 07) No FM but add 6 meters. 08) Include Digital Voice as a mode. Pick one of the Open Source implementations. Make it an App; Elecraft would maintain the latest source code and latest compiled App; anyone who wished could modify and install their own version; might be an area where Amateurs could contribute something meaningful. 09) Competent single receiver (with RIT) but not necessarily (in Japanese radio jargon) Competition Grade. 10) Very competent transmit (with XIT): no splatter, no clicks, no noise. 11) Put it all inside a big box in the style of the best looking piece of Ham Radio gear ever designed: the Collins 75A4. 12) Real Collins style knobs , real bat handle toggle switches. 13) Only a few radio functions need constant, easy access, tie those to the big knobs and toggle switches. 14) Note the switches and controls would only tell a DSP or MCU to take some action. I'm not talking multi-pole, multi-gang rotary switches. 15) Preassembled wire bundles to attach the front panel controls and switches to the main unit (with quick disconnect to allow easy removal). 16) Add a 5-inch color touch screen display (like my Garmin GPS) in the middle of the front panel with a nice size, high inertia tuning knob for freq control. 17) Put the ancillary functions on the (multi-page) touch screen. 18) The touch screen pages should be tab accessible; with user definable pages. 19) Embed this all inside the 75A4 Cabinet: nice size box, mostly air inside but with room to add additional features (maybe even a decent speaker). 20) This is not meant to be a DXpedition, mountaintop, contest box; just a desktop system that you could turn on with a (toggle) switch, select your band with a rotary switch, select your mode with a rotary switch, touch the tab on the touch screen to verify your audio/keyer/data settings then kick back and operate. Toggle switches for AGC On/Off, AGC Fast/Slow, Noise Blanker On/Off, Noise Reduction On/Off, rotary controls for receive bandpass width and shift, so on. Touch screen pages to set/adjust the characteristics of the Noise Reduction, Noise Blanker, AGC, etc. Switched LCD meter to provide S-meter, power, audio level, whatever. OK, OK, OK.I know it can never happen: 1) No one would want one. 2) It would be too big. 3) It wouldn't be big enough. 4) Elecraft doesn't have the financial resources to develop such a device. 5) Purchase price would be too high. 6) Besides it would take engineering talent away from the
Re: [Elecraft] [OT] [OT] [OT] K2a
With any transceiver, there is always the problem of the ham behind the VFO knob. If you can solve that, it would be of great benefit to the entire ham community. An advanced transceiver will be more and more complex. but hopefully as technologies advance, the manufacturers will provide default menu items that will produce a workable transceiver. The Elecraft K3 default menus do provide a quite workable transceiver (although the kit version does need to be calibrated). Many users will want to optimize the menu settings for their particular operating desires and environment, but a factory built K3 will work FB out of the box. 73, Don W3FPR On 4/12/2014 8:52 PM, Phil Wheeler wrote: Yes, technology does advance. In addition to Perhaps a portion of the firmware can be user updated. The user display for example. -- Maybe there will be a way to fine tune the user as well. That seems to be the weak point of many rigs (at least my rigs!) :-) __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Side Effects of QRQ On The K3
I think a few who have posted on this subject misunderstood what I said. I said nothing about clicks or chirps at higher speeds without the QRQ being engaged. What I did say the cw begins to get choppy. In other words, the cw being send is not smooth as it could be. And the faster you send the choppier it gets. The QRQ feature in the K3 was added for those running at higher speeds (than 25wpm) who experienced their sent CW that was not really good. Not really smooth, but choppy. Elecraft was able to duplicate this problem in their lab, and so came up with the QRQ feature. The QRQ feature works very well at smoothing out the cw even at very high speeds, but at the expense of losing several features. Lets get back on track. I was asking has progress be made in making QRQ work without losing RIT, SHift, Hi Cut and Lo Cut functions? This is a simple question which can be answered with a yes or no! Toby K4NH On 4/12/2014 8:45 PM, Phil Hystad wrote: Dave, Let me add my two-bits too --- I am about 98 percent CW but NOT QRQ. I am 18 to 25 wpm depending but during contests I will play around with others at 30 wpm or more. I have never had any problems with clicks or anything else. I am often in a QSO with a friend or two who would not be shy about telling me if my CW keying was clicky, chirpy, or whatever. 73, phil, K7PEH On Apr 12, 2014, at 4:49 PM, David Cole d...@nk7z.net wrote: Thank you!!! I was starting to get worried that the K3 could not generate CW... :) -- Thanks and 73's, For equipment, and software setups and reviews see: www.nk7z.net for MixW support see; http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/mixw/info for Dopplergram information see: http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/dopplergram/info for MM-SSTV see: http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/MM-SSTV/info On Sat, 2014-04-12 at 15:35 -0700, Fred Jensen wrote: On 4/12/2014 1:07 PM, David Cole wrote: Could you expand a bit on the choppy CW thing? I am a new K3 person, and I just bought my K3. All this talk about choppy CW makes me a bit apprehensive. If I use a normal Vibroplex iambic paddle, and send well am I going to have a problem, or is this something about using the KBD option? Short answer: No and you can stop being apprehensive about it. :-) You will plug in your paddle [and/or external keyer and/or computer], and you will be sending clickless CW with full-QSK. Had the subject not come up [again] on this email list, the odds that you'd ever encounter and notice its effects are vanishingly small unless you are a 60+ WPM full QSK operator. I operate in a lot of CW contests with N1MM driving a WinKeyUSB at between 30 and 35 WPM, KPA500, full QSK, QRQ option off. No one has ever given me a QSD. When I've specifically asked friends [good CW ops] to evaluate my keying, they tell me it's great. My fist is another matter of course. :-) It's another example of how you have to filter a list like this one. The variety of K3 owners is vast, and some push the limits in various ways and at those limits, they start seeing things the vast majority of us never do or ever will. They tend to discuss them here, which is fine. Those using the K3 as the IF for transverters up to the microwave ranges are very concerned about frequency stability, and often discuss it on this list too. Your K3 will be rock-solid for you on HF, no need for apprehension over that either. 73, Fred K6DGW - Northern California Contest Club - CU in the 2014 Cal QSO Party 4-5 Oct 2014 - 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 Message delivered to d...@nk7z.net __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to phys...@mac.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 Message delivered to w4c...@centurylink.net __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to
Re: [Elecraft] Fake FTDI chips
With all the attention to fake FTDI and Prolific chips, perhaps it is time to go back to the RS-232 serial interface for consistency and reliability. I recently had an experience with a Woxoun handheld transceiver. After upgrading to Windows 7, the USB cable I had for it did not work because it had a counterfeit USB to serial chip, and the updated drivers detected it. I looked for a replacement cable that I could trust, and the only sensible answer was to order a serial programming cable. With the serial cable, I can use a real serial port or a good USB to serial adapter to program my handheld. There is great benefit in sticking with the tried and true RS-232 solution. I know there have been many discussions about the RS-232 vs. USB connection for the K3, but I for one am glad that the K3 is RS-232 - it isolates us from such problems as the fake chips. Find an adapter that works and there is no problem. BTW, the Elecraft USB cables for the KX3, XG3, KPA500, KAT500, and KXPA100 are the 'real thing' using FTDI chips. If you have fears, there are serial port cables available. Be careful out there, the world has many counterfeit products that do not behave as the real thing. 73, Don W3FPR On 4/12/2014 8:39 AM, William Liporace - WC2L wrote: Fake FTDI Prolific chips have been an issue for a long time. We all want to save some money, but you spend lots of money one the best radio you can afford. Why would you try to save a couple of $$ on the cable? I suggest buying it from reputable dealers. Elecraft sells premade FTDI cables, Mouser sells cables you can put your own end on. The key is buying from real places that stand behind their product. The only other thought process, what is your time worth? Is it worth the trouble trying to make something work? Buying the right product from the right place saves lots of time. For me, time is money Just my two cents worth! __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] [OT] [OT] [OT] K2a
Just the mention of the 75A4 brings a nostalgic tingle. I was too young at that time to even dream of owning one, but I did get to turn that big knob and listen on occasion. I feel sorry for those new hams who will never have the chance to know how special that radio was - and still is. ...robert On 4/12/2014 17:58, EricJ wrote: Ha ha. I've been collecting ideas and notes to make a work-alike retro K1. It's a fun on-paper exercise, and an excuse to really dig into the K1 to understand how it works. But I don't think I'd want to devote the time required to accomplish it. On the other hand, leave the K2 alone! hi. Like the K1, I'm not afraid to dig into it. When something goes wrong, I have a reasonable expectation of fixing it myself even if I have to ask for help here and there. I don't hesitate to add mods such as AF output or IF output. Being non-SDR, it is ALREADY retro enough! I couldn't agree more on the styling of the 75A4. Nobody's going to mistake it for a high end stereo receiver. Eric KE6US On 4/11/2014 10:40 PM, Michael Poteet wrote: Having noticed the recent semiannual K4 speculation I wanted to offer speculation in a different direction. 11) Put it all inside a big box in the style of the best looking piece of Ham Radio gear ever designed: the Collins 75A4. 12) Real Collins style knobs , real bat handle toggle switches. 13) Only a few radio functions need constant, easy access, tie those to the big knobs and toggle switches. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to rc...@verizon.net -- Robert G Strickland, PhD ABPH - KE2WY rc...@verizon.net.usa Syracuse, New York, USA __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Side Effects of QRQ On The K3
I don't agree. With ORQ off, once you exceed about 35 wpm it is not OK with TX DELAY at 8 ms either. I'm not a perfectionist, it sounds awful. Brian is correct that it doesn't matter whether you are using the internal keyer or an external paddle or keyboard, as long as you are using either semi- or full QSK. Fred, I'm willing to bet that you have your WinKey USB set up to control the PTT -- or maybe you have a foot switch. You are not using either semi-QSK or full QSK. That is why you don't have the problem. Try this: make sure you are using either full or semi-QSK. Turn on QRQ mode and send some V's at about 40 wpm. It should sound fine. Then hit RIT and send a few more. You'll see. On 4/12/2014 3:56 PM, Brian Alsop wrote: Not quite so. Increase your TX DLY to 25 ms and listen to your CW. At 8ms (default), it behaves as you say. Significantly higher values cause QSD. It doesn't matter if you're using the internal keyer or an external keyer. 73 DE Brian/K3KO On 4/12/2014 22:35, Fred Jensen wrote: On 4/12/2014 1:07 PM, David Cole wrote: Could you expand a bit on the choppy CW thing? I am a new K3 person, and I just bought my K3. All this talk about choppy CW makes me a bit apprehensive. If I use a normal Vibroplex iambic paddle, and send well am I going to have a problem, or is this something about using the KBD option? Short answer: No and you can stop being apprehensive about it. :-) You will plug in your paddle [and/or external keyer and/or computer], and you will be sending clickless CW with full-QSK. Had the subject not come up [again] on this email list, the odds that you'd ever encounter and notice its effects are vanishingly small unless you are a 60+ WPM full QSK operator. I operate in a lot of CW contests with N1MM driving a WinKeyUSB at between 30 and 35 WPM, KPA500, full QSK, QRQ option off. No one has ever given me a QSD. When I've specifically asked friends [good CW ops] to evaluate my keying, they tell me it's great. My fist is another matter of course. :-) It's another example of how you have to filter a list like this one. The variety of K3 owners is vast, and some push the limits in various ways and at those limits, they start seeing things the vast majority of us never do or ever will. They tend to discuss them here, which is fine. Those using the K3 as the IF for transverters up to the microwave ranges are very concerned about frequency stability, and often discuss it on this list too. Your K3 will be rock-solid for you on HF, no need for apprehension over that either. 73, Fred K6DGW - Northern California Contest Club - CU in the 2014 Cal QSO Party 4-5 Oct 2014 - www.cqp.org -- 73, Vic, K2VCO Fresno CA http://www.qsl.net/k2vco/ __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] Getting KX3 ready for Digital modes
Hi to the group I hope to take part in the NDQP next week end using RTTY and PSK31. I have an IMD METER by KK7UQ and the first thing I found was the K3 had an IMD of 29 to 30 at all power levels when set up properly. The KX3-KPA100 had an IMD of 34 at all power levels when set up properly. I tried a PSK31 QSO and I am a rag chewer so my transmissions were a bit long. I was using 25 watts and both the KPA100 and the KX3 OSC got quite warm. I felt I was having to chase the other station with my DIGIPAN software but of course it could have been the other guy drifting. I decided to do the KX3 custom VFO TC procedure. I had the best in test equipment 14 years ago but since I retired I have to use what I can find. My K3 has the KTCX03-1 TCXO option. I calibrated the KX3 against the 15 meter WWV station. I tuned the K3 to 50.0 mhz and turned the power down to minimum. I then put a brick on the key and noticed both temperatures stayed constant and low. I did not start using the K3 to do the procedure for an hour so it should have been stable on the dummy load. I then followed the KX3 custom VFO TC rev A9 procedure with the refrigerator and the hair dryer using the K3 for the reference signal. I again calibrated it against the 15 mhz WWV. The KX3 is now stable as far as I can tell when changing the temperature of the KX3 and checking zero beat against the 15 mhz WWV. I tried another digipan QSO at 30 watts and it went OK but I was concerned about the temperature of the OSC and PA. I turned the power all the way down to 11 watts but the temperatures still kept increasing. I found two 12 volt 4 inch muffin fans in my junk pile and wired them in series to the 12 volt supply to run quieter. One blows on the heat sink of the KPA100 and the other on the back of the KX3. Now I will describe the tests I ran not because I operate this way but to learn if I had a good cure. I ran 100 watts CW key down for 5 minutes and at the very end I got a PA fault on the KX3 but not on the KXPA100 utility. I let it cool down again and ran it 6 minutes at 95 watts with the PA peaking at 42C and the OSC peaking at 42C. Next I ran a PSK31 signal at 50 watts for 7 minutes and again the PA peaked at 42C and the OSC peaked at 42C. Now I feel PSK31 at my normal 30 watts should not be a problem for either drift or heat. By the way I could not cause any problem at 100 watts of CW no matter how long I ran my test before I made the above changes so the digital modes even at low power are much more stressful to the KX3 and KPA100 than CW. I hope my experiences are helpful to some one else. It would have been fun to have the good equipment I had at ATT so I could have documented my results better but I still know that I made an easily observable improvement. I hope to work some of you on the NDQP using the digital modes the 4-19-14 18:00 to 4-20-14 18:00. I won't be on a lot but I do hope to work it for several hours. 73 and hope this information can be of help Ken W0CZ w0cz at i29 dot net Sent from my iPad __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Side Effects of QRQ On The K3
Thanks Phil... New owner jitters is all... My radio is on Sacramento now... -- Thanks and 73's, For equipment, and software setups and reviews see: www.nk7z.net for MixW support see; http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/mixw/info for Dopplergram information see: http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/dopplergram/info for MM-SSTV see: http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/MM-SSTV/info On Sat, 2014-04-12 at 17:45 -0700, Phil Hystad wrote: Dave, Let me add my two-bits too --- I am about 98 percent CW but NOT QRQ. I am 18 to 25 wpm depending but during contests I will play around with others at 30 wpm or more. I have never had any problems with clicks or anything else. I am often in a QSO with a friend or two who would not be shy about telling me if my CW keying was clicky, chirpy, or whatever. 73, phil, K7PEH On Apr 12, 2014, at 4:49 PM, David Cole d...@nk7z.net wrote: Thank you!!! I was starting to get worried that the K3 could not generate CW... :) -- Thanks and 73's, For equipment, and software setups and reviews see: www.nk7z.net for MixW support see; http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/mixw/info for Dopplergram information see: http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/dopplergram/info for MM-SSTV see: http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/MM-SSTV/info On Sat, 2014-04-12 at 15:35 -0700, Fred Jensen wrote: On 4/12/2014 1:07 PM, David Cole wrote: Could you expand a bit on the choppy CW thing? I am a new K3 person, and I just bought my K3. All this talk about choppy CW makes me a bit apprehensive. If I use a normal Vibroplex iambic paddle, and send well am I going to have a problem, or is this something about using the KBD option? Short answer: No and you can stop being apprehensive about it. :-) You will plug in your paddle [and/or external keyer and/or computer], and you will be sending clickless CW with full-QSK. Had the subject not come up [again] on this email list, the odds that you'd ever encounter and notice its effects are vanishingly small unless you are a 60+ WPM full QSK operator. I operate in a lot of CW contests with N1MM driving a WinKeyUSB at between 30 and 35 WPM, KPA500, full QSK, QRQ option off. No one has ever given me a QSD. When I've specifically asked friends [good CW ops] to evaluate my keying, they tell me it's great. My fist is another matter of course. :-) It's another example of how you have to filter a list like this one. The variety of K3 owners is vast, and some push the limits in various ways and at those limits, they start seeing things the vast majority of us never do or ever will. They tend to discuss them here, which is fine. Those using the K3 as the IF for transverters up to the microwave ranges are very concerned about frequency stability, and often discuss it on this list too. Your K3 will be rock-solid for you on HF, no need for apprehension over that either. 73, Fred K6DGW - Northern California Contest Club - CU in the 2014 Cal QSO Party 4-5 Oct 2014 - 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 Message delivered to d...@nk7z.net __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to phys...@mac.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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Side Effects of QRQ On The K3
I would normally top-post but hard in this case ... On 4/12/2014 7:48 PM, Vic Rosenthal K2VCO wrote: I don't agree. With ORQ off, once you exceed about 35 wpm it is not OK with TX DELAY at 8 ms either. I'm not a perfectionist, it sounds awful. Not sure what you don't agree with. I said I almost never send above 35, and that's N1MM. I rarely paddle above 25, hand dexterity issues caused by a poor choice of Dad. [for those who don't get that, I loved my Dad, he was really good to me, he was Danish, and it's genetic. Geesh, you never know these days!] Brian is correct that it doesn't matter whether you are using the internal keyer or an external paddle or keyboard, as long as you are using either semi- or full QSK. If I didn't say that, I'm sorry, I know that. I run full QSK all the time, with KPA500, N1MM-Winkey or my paddles. And yes, Brian is correct [well, I think, I haven't actually tried it, and I'm not at all sure I know what TX DLY is], but that's not the list item I was responding to. Somehow, being correct, even if it doesn't respond the the original question has become the current badge. Probably not a good trend. Fred, I'm willing to bet that you have your WinKey USB set up to control the PTT -- or maybe you have a foot switch. You are not using either semi-QSK or full QSK. That is why you don't have the problem. How much are you willing to bet? :-)) Try this: make sure you are using either full or semi-QSK. Turn on QRQ mode and send some V's at about 40 wpm. It should sound fine. Then hit RIT and send a few more. You'll see. Vic, I can't send V's at 40 WPM with my paddle any more, too many accumulated birthdays, could when younger. So FOTL [Folks Of The List] ... how about we get back to basics. I was responding to David Cole, who has been moderately active on this list recently trying to figure out how to buy a K3 and what he wants with it. I don't know David, but his questions all smacked of sincerity. I think David is more concerned than he needs to be about the K3 he's ordered, probably 99% of us know he's going to love it. He gets concerned about some of the peripheral threads on this list, all welcome, but we're a diverse group and not everything that someone is concerned about is our concern. Learning how to sort that out takes time and experience, and if we're lucky, some advice. David wants a K3, he's done his research, but he's still sensitive to peripheral posts on the list that suggest he may have made a wrong decision. How about we all have a little compassion for David and all the others like him. This is a hard list to follow, especially if you might not be hugely technically knowledgeable. David, you will really enjoy your K3. Just use it out of the box for awhile and get to know it. You'll be able to figure out the rest, and you'll always have help here. 73, Fred K6DGW - Northern California Contest Club - CU in the 2014 Cal QSO Party 4-5 Oct 2014 - 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] Elecraft CW Net Announcement
Good Evening, I think spring is here to stay. Flowers are blooming and the bird population is steadily increasing. Less rain and more sun but it is only slowly getting warmer. But while in the sun even 45 degrees feels warm. Even though the weather is improving propagation has not been good this week. Both twenty and thirty meters have been off. I keep checking to see if my antennas are still in the sky. That being said you never know what is going to happen tomorrow. Please join us tomorrow. 14050 kHz at 2200z Sunday (3 PM PDT Sunday) 7045 kHz at 0100z Monday (6 PM PDT Sunday) 73, 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] [OT] [OT] [OT] K2a
I tend to think that a big, color display would provide a great deal more information including the state of all important controls. I do believe that the K3 is a complex rig as it is. Everything has been done to make its complexity as manageable as possible - but the size and nature of the display is limiting. This is not negative criticism. The design is superb. As I daydream of a K4, I don't think it's an issue of performance so much as enhanced usability. It would not take much to add a keyboard input and a bigger display to add terminal-like capabilities for digital modes. Integration of the P3 is hardly out of the question. Given a much larger display, an evolved K3 could actually be made much simpler to operate. I think Elecraft has spurred the Big Three to rethink their designs. Elecraft has reset the standards and forced the bar to be raised substantially. There is a substantial push to color displays that graphically relate the state of most settings. The concept works well. The state of the art is never static. The K3 and KX3 (and even the K2) are at the top of the list for performance. But the state of the art for the user interface is being advanced rapidly by the Big Three. So, I would speculate that in comparison, the K3 is becoming dated in its market appeal. The Big Three have proven that when they try - they can come close the K-line performance class. And now, clearly, they see the user interface as the defining difference. Having worked for 2 decades as a Usability Engineer for Big Blue, product appeal is /greatly/ influencing in a person's initial impression of a product. Our design goals where to design user interfaces so well that a manual was unnecessary. I think the potential K4 could dominate not only the performance category, but also match or exceed the best transceiver interfaces available. It really wouldn't hard with current technology. Maybe, with inflation, this my 4 cents worth... 73, Doug -- K0DXV (Senior Usability Engineer - IBM Usability Engineering National Practice (Retired)) On 4/12/2014 7:05 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote: With any transceiver, there is always the problem of the ham behind the VFO knob. If you can solve that, it would be of great benefit to the entire ham community. An advanced transceiver will be more and more complex. but hopefully as technologies advance, the manufacturers will provide default menu items that will produce a workable transceiver. The Elecraft K3 default menus do provide a quite workable transceiver (although the kit version does need to be calibrated). Many users will want to optimize the menu settings for their particular operating desires and environment, but a factory built K3 will work FB out of the box. 73, Don W3FPR On 4/12/2014 8:52 PM, Phil Wheeler wrote: Yes, technology does advance. In addition to Perhaps a portion of the firmware can be user updated. The user display for example. -- Maybe there will be a way to fine tune the user as well. That seems to be the weak point of many rigs (at least my rigs!) :-) __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to k0...@aol.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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] David Cole...756ProIII vs K3
Can anyone point me at some resources to better understand why I want a K3, as opposed to keeping my Icom 756 Pro III? My advice...keep the ProIII buy a K3 too...that's what I did. When the K3 first came out, there was a waiting list to get one. I'm not one to wait on much of anything I want to buy and so I bought a ProIII instead. I love my ProIII and decided it was probably the smart move reasoning that the K3 would likely have several (or more) issues changes as time went by. The ProIII was fairly well refined by that point in time it turned out that I was correct about the K3. I may get some static for this but I think both radios are pretty close in performance...at least as judged by my human ear. I filled all the slots in the K3 with the various 8 pole Inrad filters too. I like both radios just fine and would have very much regretted selling my ProIII. My K3 is a mid 3K serial number which I spent about $3K on and that was well before the price increases. The ProIII has been discontinued (obviously) by Icom now but...back in the day...I think you got more bang for your buck w ith the Icom. Again, my 2cents...don't sell it, you WILL regret it. Sorry about the SUPER late reply to your original post...I get so much stuff in my inbox that it's taken me this long to catch up! Tom, KD0BCF Two possibilities exist... Either we are alone in the universe or we are not. Both are equally terrifying. Arthur C. Clarke __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] [OT] [OT] [OT] K2a
I am still adding to my K2...but just dreaming...I would like to see a center detent on the RIT, a kx3 like display, except green, with both A/B VFOs displayed. A separate digital in/out like the K3, an updated DAC with finer resolution... And DSP controls like K3/KX3. I know get a KX3...not yet. Ok I would really dig a P2. Maybe one that also folds up and rests on top of the radio and when closed acts as a front panel cover. Or maybe one that slides out from under the radio, has touch screen keyboard, digital decode, and pan adapter. or folds out 4 ways like an SLR screen. I still use my loaded K1 often, but always wanted a 20 turn VFO with a lock. I can't believe someone hasn't made And 80 or 40 thru 12m on one band board. KX1...like as is it but sometimes miss having 17-12m. Rob KA5QQA On Sat, Apr 12, 2014 at 12:40 AM, Michael Poteet mcpot...@gmail.com wrote: Having noticed the recent semiannual K4 speculation I wanted to offer speculation in a different direction. The K2 was originally offered as a true kit that, upon completion, provided a radio capable of both home use and trail use. The trail/remote and home use capabilities have been supplanted by the other radios in the Elecraft stable. The only really unique feature of the K2 is that it is a true kit; that said, it is a bit behind the curve in tech plus it is a major PITB to align. I would like to see Elecraft revisit the K2 (well, not exactly): 01) Keep it a kit as much as possible. So maybe RF and AF sections could be kits (at least partially). 02) Fully assembled as an option. 03) Make the middle a high performance SDR; factory assembled and aligned. 04) 6 KHz band pass filter in the first IF with the DSP doing the remaining filtering functions. 05) Include a 12 volt to (say) 60 volt conversion to power a high voltage RF section. 06) 100 watts output. 07) No FM but add 6 meters. 08) Include Digital Voice as a mode. Pick one of the Open Source implementations. Make it an App; Elecraft would maintain the latest source code and latest compiled App; anyone who wished could modify and install their own version; might be an area where Amateurs could contribute something meaningful. 09) Competent single receiver (with RIT) but not necessarily (in Japanese radio jargon) Competition Grade. 10) Very competent transmit (with XIT): no splatter, no clicks, no noise. 11) Put it all inside a big box in the style of the best looking piece of Ham Radio gear ever designed: the Collins 75A4. 12) Real Collins style knobs , real bat handle toggle switches. 13) Only a few radio functions need constant, easy access, tie those to the big knobs and toggle switches. 14) Note the switches and controls would only tell a DSP or MCU to take some action. I'm not talking multi-pole, multi-gang rotary switches. 15) Preassembled wire bundles to attach the front panel controls and switches to the main unit (with quick disconnect to allow easy removal). 16) Add a 5-inch color touch screen display (like my Garmin GPS) in the middle of the front panel with a nice size, high inertia tuning knob for freq control. 17) Put the ancillary functions on the (multi-page) touch screen. 18) The touch screen pages should be tab accessible; with user definable pages. 19) Embed this all inside the 75A4 Cabinet: nice size box, mostly air inside but with room to add additional features (maybe even a decent speaker). 20) This is not meant to be a DXpedition, mountaintop, contest box; just a desktop system that you could turn on with a (toggle) switch, select your band with a rotary switch, select your mode with a rotary switch, touch the tab on the touch screen to verify your audio/keyer/data settings then kick back and operate. Toggle switches for AGC On/Off, AGC Fast/Slow, Noise Blanker On/Off, Noise Reduction On/Off, rotary controls for receive bandpass width and shift, so on. Touch screen pages to set/adjust the characteristics of the Noise Reduction, Noise Blanker, AGC, etc. Switched LCD meter to provide S-meter, power, audio level, whatever. OK, OK, OK.I know it can never happen: 1) No one would want one. 2) It would be too big. 3) It wouldn't be big enough. 4) Elecraft doesn't have the financial resources to develop such a device. 5) Purchase price would be too high. 6) Besides it would take engineering talent away from the development of the K4, the 1500 watt solid state amp, the VHF to near-infrared transceiver, the Elecraft EPad, etc. But, it would be a really neat rig: very Retro look with a high tech heart. Mike W5FTD __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help
[Elecraft] QRQ Side Effects of QRQ
On 4/12/2014 11:39 PM, Fred Jensen wrote: How about we all have a little compassion for David and all the others like him. This is a hard list to follow, especially if you might not be hugely technically knowledgeable. Perhaps subscribing to the Yahoo Group for Elecraft might be a wiser choice for getting information for David than this list which is extremely hard to follow even if you think you know what you're doing. David, the K3 will be just fine for normal use. You will be happy with it. It is the best all round cw rig you can buy. I still believe that. Toby K4NH __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] Elecraft SSB net
The weekly SSB net meets tomorrow (4/13/14) at 1800Z on 14.3035 MHz. I’ll be the NCS from Oregon. 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] [OT] [OT] [OT] K2a
Obviously a lot of thought has been put into evolving the Elecraft lineup. I have everything up to but not including the K3. The K1 is my favorite for some reason. I like how it sounds on CW. I like the relative simplicity and size. The KX1 is a very different radio and very specialized for a smaller niche. I never liked how it tunes, having to continually twist and poke the tiny tuning knob which feels a little wobbly while you're doing all that. I liked the K2 so much I bought two of them. hi. The KX3 doesn't attract me much because if I'm having fun camping or hiking, a radio is kind of a distraction to me. The K1 more than fills the need for a portable radio for the few times I pack it. The KX3 is obviously a very popular choice for many others. But a K3/10 is in my near future for the home shack. Definitely something in their line up for every interest. Elecraft rigs are the only commercial rigs I have anymore, and when I drop into HRO and spin the dial on the other offerings, I can't even pretend interest. They all feel gaudy and gimmicky. All show and no go as we used to say about custom cars. Eric KE6US On 4/12/2014 10:04 PM, Robin Bayer wrote: I am still adding to my K2...but just dreaming...I would like to see a center detent on the RIT, a kx3 like display, except green, with both A/B VFOs displayed. A separate digital in/out like the K3, an updated DAC with finer resolution... And DSP controls like K3/KX3. I know get a KX3...not yet. Ok I would really dig a P2. Maybe one that also folds up and rests on top of the radio and when closed acts as a front panel cover. Or maybe one that slides out from under the radio, has touch screen keyboard, digital decode, and pan adapter. or folds out 4 ways like an SLR screen. I still use my loaded K1 often, but always wanted a 20 turn VFO with a lock. I can't believe someone hasn't made And 80 or 40 thru 12m on one band board. KX1...like as is it but sometimes miss having 17-12m. Rob KA5QQA On Sat, Apr 12, 2014 at 12:40 AM, Michael Poteet mcpot...@gmail.com wrote: Having noticed the recent semiannual K4 speculation I wanted to offer speculation in a different direction. The K2 was originally offered as a true kit that, upon completion, provided a radio capable of both home use and trail use. The trail/remote and home use capabilities have been supplanted by the other radios in the Elecraft stable. The only really unique feature of the K2 is that it is a true kit; that said, it is a bit behind the curve in tech plus it is a major PITB to align. I would like to see Elecraft revisit the K2 (well, not exactly): 01) Keep it a kit as much as possible. So maybe RF and AF sections could be kits (at least partially). 02) Fully assembled as an option. 03) Make the middle a high performance SDR; factory assembled and aligned. 04) 6 KHz band pass filter in the first IF with the DSP doing the remaining filtering functions. 05) Include a 12 volt to (say) 60 volt conversion to power a high voltage RF section. 06) 100 watts output. 07) No FM but add 6 meters. 08) Include Digital Voice as a mode. Pick one of the Open Source implementations. Make it an App; Elecraft would maintain the latest source code and latest compiled App; anyone who wished could modify and install their own version; might be an area where Amateurs could contribute something meaningful. 09) Competent single receiver (with RIT) but not necessarily (in Japanese radio jargon) Competition Grade. 10) Very competent transmit (with XIT): no splatter, no clicks, no noise. 11) Put it all inside a big box in the style of the best looking piece of Ham Radio gear ever designed: the Collins 75A4. 12) Real Collins style knobs , real bat handle toggle switches. 13) Only a few radio functions need constant, easy access, tie those to the big knobs and toggle switches. 14) Note the switches and controls would only tell a DSP or MCU to take some action. I'm not talking multi-pole, multi-gang rotary switches. 15) Preassembled wire bundles to attach the front panel controls and switches to the main unit (with quick disconnect to allow easy removal). 16) Add a 5-inch color touch screen display (like my Garmin GPS) in the middle of the front panel with a nice size, high inertia tuning knob for freq control. 17) Put the ancillary functions on the (multi-page) touch screen. 18) The touch screen pages should be tab accessible; with user definable pages. 19) Embed this all inside the 75A4 Cabinet: nice size box, mostly air inside but with room to add additional features (maybe even a decent speaker). 20) This is not meant to be a DXpedition, mountaintop, contest box; just a desktop system that you could turn on with a (toggle) switch, select your band with a rotary switch, select your mode with a rotary switch, touch the tab on the touch screen to verify your audio/keyer/data settings then kick back and operate. Toggle
