Re: [Elecraft] K3 FD report in high RF (K3 vs Flex 6xxx)
On Wed, Jul 1, 2015 at 8:34 AM, N1EU n1eu.ba...@gmail.com wrote: The Flex ops should have dialed in a little front-end attenuation to alleviate the ADC overload problem. Understand the sentiment, but more attenuation is operationally contra-indicated if the signals you're trying to work are weak due to temporary emergency antennas and QRP. Part of emergency preparedness is understanding various rigs non-prejudicially for their various strengths and weaknesses and choosing rigs for strengths and avoiding rigs for weakness as those apply to the specifics of an application. These days weak signals and close multiple transceivers call for the likes of K3's. At N4C field day we frequently had a CW station and SSB station on the same band with no interference, and actually without being aware of each other. No noise, no anything. I know what a K3's hardware AGC kick-in sounds like and that was also absent. This has been our experience for five or six field days now, and together with the small light size and portability, makes the K3 a top pick for FD. Not because of Koolaid, but because of proven suitability to the application. I'm waiting to hear about KX3's for FD, especially battery operation, long a specific niche for K2's. We did not have a K3S or K3 with KSYN3A for evaluation. We have a standing question of whether K3S/upgraded K3, with some horizontal separation, will be able to operate a few KHz away from each other on the same band/mode segment, e.g. the 40 CW station, and the GOTA station on 40 CW at the same time. Perhaps next year we will find out. N4C operated at the Grey Goose Farm near Creedmore, NC. The group was a large portion of the North Carolina East chapter of the Potomac Valley Radio Club. This group contains a significant supply of K3 owners, who regularly bring K3's to FD and multi-op contest events. For them portability and immunity to high RF environments are top-of-the-list reasons for purchasing K3's as opposed to other choices, easily serving FD style applications. At NY4A, also primarily manned by PVRC NC East members, going back pre-K3 the FT1000MP was the main rig, which had gradually replaced all the stalwart Japanese rigs of prior years. For some time the MP was the only rig seen there. When the K3's and other rigs with new generation RX came out, and the differences became known, The MP's were gradually replaced. A tally of the list of MP owning operators who had manned NY4A at some point indicated that 11 MP's had been replaced by 14 K3's and one Orion. Of that group, no one owns a Flex to this date. But neither would I consider any of them to be a Flex-basher. I do know Flex owners, single home stations, who get outstanding performance away from high-RF multi-TX operations. Various problems with CW and spectral purity seem to be a continuing manufacturer's emphasis for solution. They're out there on a particular bleeding edge, with a particular emphasis, with its own set of problems. We'll just see what they do. Bashing not necessary. UPS currently has my 2015 K3 upgrade round: KXV3B, KSYN3A's, a second KBPF3 (A version) and finally a P3 and P3SVGA. I will get the new audio board when it's available. Regards All, Guy K2AV __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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 FD report in high RF (K3 vs Flex 6xxx)
I will do that soon. Original message From: N1EU n1eu.ba...@gmail.com Date: 2015/07/01 10:54 AM (GMT-06:00) To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 FD report in high RF (K3 vs Flex 6xxx) joemoffatt wrote Kinda what I thought. We are going to set up again like this to see what happens. Please report back with what happens Joe. Unfortunately, the current implementation of SmartSDR (Flex 6K software) does not provide an ADC overload indication like PowerSDR does so you would just need to elicit the interference and see if attenuation alleviates the receiver blocking. Barry N1EU -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K3-FD-report-in-high-RF-K3-vs-Flex-6xxx-tp7604461p7604496.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 j...@selectconnect.netmailto:j...@selectconnect.net Total Control Panel Loginhttps://asp.reflexion.net/login?domain=selectconnect.net To: j...@selectconnect.nethttps://asp.reflexion.net/address-properties?aID=750607761domain=selectconnect.net From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.nethttps://asp.reflexion.net/address-properties?aID=11662279409domain=selectconnect.net Message Score: 1High (60): Pass My Spam Blocking Level: Medium Medium (75): Pass Low (90): Pass Blockhttps://asp.reflexion.net/FooterAction?ver=2bl-sender-address=1rID=750607761aID=11662279409domain=selectconnect.net this sender / Blockhttps://asp.reflexion.net/FooterAction?ver=2ent=1bl-sender-address=1rID=750607761aID=11662279409domain=selectconnect.net this sender enterprise-wide Blockhttps://asp.reflexion.net/FooterAction?ver=2bl-sender-domain=1rID=750607761aID=11662279409domain=selectconnect.net mailman.qth.net / Blockhttps://asp.reflexion.net/FooterAction?ver=2ent=1bl-sender-domain=1rID=750607761aID=11662279409domain=selectconnect.net mailman.qth.net enterprise-wide This message was delivered because the content filter score did not exceed your filter level. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] FS: Elecraft W2 Wattmeter
Elecraft W2 Wattmeter with HF 1-2000 W sensor for 1-54 MHz. $195 shipped CONUS. Please email me off the list. Lou, W0FK - St. Louis, MO K3 #'s 7463 and 2513, P3 #620, KX1 #1517, KX3 #0036, KXPA100 #252 -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/FS-Elecraft-W2-Wattmeter-tp7604494.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] K3 FD report in high RF (K3 vs Flex 6xxx)
The Flex design is completely exposed to strong in band signals. That is a well known problem with both their original QSD and current DDC designs. Simply put, they can't handle ADC overflow. That will always be a problem for SDRs with wide front ends in high RF environments. The K3 and Orion transmitters have much less spurious (particularly transmitted phase noise from the K3) than most other transceivers while the Flex is one of the dirtiest according to ARRL Labs. 73, ... Joe, W4TV On 2015-07-01 7:49 AM, N1EU wrote: joemoffatt wrote The K3 and Orion absolutely crushed the Flex's. The Flex's got destroyed by in band interference from the CW guys, but we never heard them. I don't think you can necessarily make that conclusion without further testing. If the K3/Orion transmitters had significantly more spurious tx products than the Flex transmitters, that could also explain why the Flex receivers seemed impaired compared to the K3/Orion. I'm not suggesting that was the case, but you need more data to reach a conclusion. 73, Barry N1EU -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K3-FD-report-in-high-RF-K3-vs-Flex-6xxx-tp7604461p7604491.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 li...@subich.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] K3 FD report in high RF (K3 vs Flex 6xxx)
joemoffatt wrote The K3 and Orion absolutely crushed the Flex's. The Flex's got destroyed by in band interference from the CW guys, but we never heard them. I don't think you can necessarily make that conclusion without further testing. If the K3/Orion transmitters had significantly more spurious tx products than the Flex transmitters, that could also explain why the Flex receivers seemed impaired compared to the K3/Orion. I'm not suggesting that was the case, but you need more data to reach a conclusion. 73, Barry N1EU -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K3-FD-report-in-high-RF-K3-vs-Flex-6xxx-tp7604461p7604491.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] K3 FD report in high RF (K3 vs Flex 6xxx)
Joe Subich, W4TV-4 wrote The Flex design . . can't handle ADC overflow. The K3 and Orion transmitters have much less spurious . . . while the Flex is one of the dirtiest according to ARRL Labs. Now you've brought in other data to support the conclusion ;-) The Flex ops should have dialed in a little front-end attenuation to alleviate the ADC overload problem. The K3 and Orion do that automatically (hardware AGC) to avoid ADC overload. Barry N1EU -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K3-FD-report-in-high-RF-K3-vs-Flex-6xxx-tp7604461p7604493.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] K3 FD report in high RF (K3 vs Flex 6xxx)
On Wed,7/1/2015 5:17 AM, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote: The K3 and Orion transmitters have much less spurious (particularly transmitted phase noise from the K3) than most other transceivers while the Flex is one of the dirtiest according to ARRL Labs. Yes, ARRL Labs tests are damning, though you would never realize it if you only read the text. When is ARRL going to assign technically competent authors to these reviews? That said, Flex did issue firmware/software that is said to reduce keying sidebands. I've been trying to coordinate with a local 6700 owner to test it here. 73, Jim K9YC __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 FD report in high RF (K3 vs Flex 6xxx)
Kinda what I thought. We are going to set up again like this to see what happens. I've said it before, I am not a Flex basher.I have owned 2 of them and regularly operate 2 more. I like their company. I do prefer my setup more, but I admire what they bring to the table. Joe Original message From: N1EU n1eu.ba...@gmail.com Date: 2015/07/01 6:50 AM (GMT-06:00) To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 FD report in high RF (K3 vs Flex 6xxx) joemoffatt wrote The K3 and Orion absolutely crushed the Flex's. The Flex's got destroyed by in band interference from the CW guys, but we never heard them. I don't think you can necessarily make that conclusion without further testing. If the K3/Orion transmitters had significantly more spurious tx products than the Flex transmitters, that could also explain why the Flex receivers seemed impaired compared to the K3/Orion. I'm not suggesting that was the case, but you need more data to reach a conclusion. 73, Barry N1EU -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K3-FD-report-in-high-RF-K3-vs-Flex-6xxx-tp7604461p7604491.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 j...@selectconnect.netmailto:j...@selectconnect.net Total Control Panel Loginhttps://asp.reflexion.net/login?domain=selectconnect.net To: j...@selectconnect.nethttps://asp.reflexion.net/address-properties?aID=750607761domain=selectconnect.net From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.nethttps://asp.reflexion.net/address-properties?aID=11662279409domain=selectconnect.net Message Score: 1High (60): Pass My Spam Blocking Level: Medium Medium (75): Pass Low (90): Pass Blockhttps://asp.reflexion.net/FooterAction?ver=2bl-sender-address=1rID=750607761aID=11662279409domain=selectconnect.net this sender / Blockhttps://asp.reflexion.net/FooterAction?ver=2ent=1bl-sender-address=1rID=750607761aID=11662279409domain=selectconnect.net this sender enterprise-wide Blockhttps://asp.reflexion.net/FooterAction?ver=2bl-sender-domain=1rID=750607761aID=11662279409domain=selectconnect.net mailman.qth.net / Blockhttps://asp.reflexion.net/FooterAction?ver=2ent=1bl-sender-domain=1rID=750607761aID=11662279409domain=selectconnect.net mailman.qth.net enterprise-wide This message was delivered because the content filter score did not exceed your filter level. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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 FD report in high RF (K3 vs Flex 6xxx)
joemoffatt wrote Kinda what I thought. We are going to set up again like this to see what happens. Please report back with what happens Joe. Unfortunately, the current implementation of SmartSDR (Flex 6K software) does not provide an ADC overload indication like PowerSDR does so you would just need to elicit the interference and see if attenuation alleviates the receiver blocking. Barry N1EU -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K3-FD-report-in-high-RF-K3-vs-Flex-6xxx-tp7604461p7604496.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] FS: Elecraft W2 Wattmeter
W2 is sold, thanks to all who responded. - St. Louis, MO K3 #'s 7463 and 2513, P3 #620, KX1 #1517, KX3 #0036, KXPA100 #252 -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/FS-Elecraft-W2-Wattmeter-tp7604494p7604506.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] K3 FD report in high RF (K3 vs Flex 6xxx)
That said, Flex did issue firmware/software that is said to reduce keying sidebands. I've been trying to coordinate with a local 6700 owner to test it here. While it may address the keying sidebands, it does not address the phase noise issues. Flex will never fix phase noise in the prior generation of hardware (e.g. -123 dBc in the Flex 5000, -120 dBc in the Flex 3000 per Sherwood). 73, ... Joe, W4TV On 2015-07-01 12:06 PM, Jim Brown wrote: On Wed,7/1/2015 5:17 AM, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote: The K3 and Orion transmitters have much less spurious (particularly transmitted phase noise from the K3) than most other transceivers while the Flex is one of the dirtiest according to ARRL Labs. Yes, ARRL Labs tests are damning, though you would never realize it if you only read the text. When is ARRL going to assign technically competent authors to these reviews? That said, Flex did issue firmware/software that is said to reduce keying sidebands. I've been trying to coordinate with a local 6700 owner to test it here. 73, Jim K9YC __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to li...@subich.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] PR6 for Sale
Not sure if this is a duplicate as I do not know how long it takes a post, from being written to actually showing up on the reflector. Anyway, I have a PR6 Six meter preamp that works 100 percent, sent with all connectors for $95.00 to you. I take Paypal. Bruce N9BX 73 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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 FD report in high RF (K3 vs Flex 6xxx)
A couple of years ago I asked W1RFI at Visalia how come they would include a picture of a very sharp keying waveform and a spectrum display showing loud clicks or phase noise but not interpret it for the less technical types. He said that if you want that you should write to the editor of QST and tell him. So that is what we should do about these issues. 73, Vic, 4X6GP/K2VCO Rehovot, Israel http://www.qsl.net/k2vco/ On 1 Jul 2015 19:06, Jim Brown wrote: On Wed,7/1/2015 5:17 AM, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote: The K3 and Orion transmitters have much less spurious (particularly transmitted phase noise from the K3) than most other transceivers while the Flex is one of the dirtiest according to ARRL Labs. Yes, ARRL Labs tests are damning, though you would never realize it if you only read the text. When is ARRL going to assign technically competent authors to these reviews? That said, Flex did issue firmware/software that is said to reduce keying sidebands. I've been trying to coordinate with a local 6700 owner to test it here. 73, Jim K9YC __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 FD report in high RF (K3 vs Flex 6xxx)
On 7/1/2015 12:06 PM, Jim Brown wrote: Yes, ARRL Labs tests are damning, though you would never realize it if you only read the text. When is ARRL going to assign technically competent authors to these reviews? Right after they stop taking advertising revenue from the reviewees (is that even a word ;) ) 73, Ross N4RP -- FCC Section 97.313(a) “At all times, an amateur station must use the minimum transmitter power necessary to carry out the desired communications.” __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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 FD report in high RF (K3 vs Flex 6xxx)
Jim hits a resonate cord. I do appreciate the League trying to keep costs down but sometimes you get what you pay for. Years ago I wrote the author of a QST published construction article pointing out an error. He sent me his original schematic. QST had redrawn his schematic using multiple ground busses using the pitchfork ground symbol and thereby combining busses. I wrote the editor explaining these errors were doubly wrong since the EU bands the use of the pitchfork symbol for any use other than a safety ground (green wire terminals). I got a reply ignoring the fact the circuit was changed and stating they didn't follow European standards. In fact they made their own standards. How about adopting IEEE or some other standard electronic symbols? If they are going to make their own standards then, they should not be in contravention of existing standards. For instance QST frequently draws a differential amplifier as an op amp. Granted the same ICs can be used for either an op amp or a differential amplifier but use determines the proper symbol and rarely are op amps (analog computing) used in ham radio. Other inconsistences abound like using both square and triangles to represent a linear voltage regulator. Make up your mind and stick to it. Probably the most annoying abuse is the standard of drawing circuit flow from left to right. QST draws schematics so they best fit on the paper. Not for clarity. This makes understanding even more difficult but I do appreciate the effort to economize. 73, Fred, AE6QL -Original Message- From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Ross Primrose Sent: Wednesday, July 1, 2015 12:12 PM To: j...@audiosystemsgroup.com; elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 FD report in high RF (K3 vs Flex 6xxx) On 7/1/2015 12:06 PM, Jim Brown wrote: Yes, ARRL Labs tests are damning, though you would never realize it if you only read the text. When is ARRL going to assign technically competent authors to these reviews? Right after they stop taking advertising revenue from the reviewees (is that even a word ;) ) 73, Ross N4RP __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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 FD report in high RF (K3 vs Flex 6xxx)
Are there moderators here? We are getting a bit far afield of Elecraft topics. :) Tom NY4I 727-437-2771 P.S. Drowning in email? I use SaneBox to instantly clean up my Inbox: http://sanebox.com/t/gdaz7 On Jul 1, 2015, at 5:13 PM, Fred Townsend fptowns...@earthlink.net wrote: Jim hits a resonate cord. I do appreciate the League trying to keep costs down but sometimes you get what you pay for. Years ago I wrote the author of a QST published construction article pointing out an error. He sent me his original schematic. QST had redrawn his schematic using multiple ground busses using the pitchfork ground symbol and thereby combining busses. I wrote the editor explaining these errors were doubly wrong since the EU bands the use of the pitchfork symbol for any use other than a safety ground (green wire terminals). I got a reply ignoring the fact the circuit was changed and stating they didn't follow European standards. In fact they made their own standards. How about adopting IEEE or some other standard electronic symbols? If they are going to make their own standards then, they should not be in contravention of existing standards. For instance QST frequently draws a differential amplifier as an op amp. Granted the same ICs can be used for either an op amp or a differential amplifier but use determines the proper symbol and rarely are op amps (analog computing) used in ham radio. Other inconsistences abound like using both square and triangles to represent a linear voltage regulator. Make up your mind and stick to it. Probably the most annoying abuse is the standard of drawing circuit flow from left to right. QST draws schematics so they best fit on the paper. Not for clarity. This makes understanding even more difficult but I do appreciate the effort to economize. 73, Fred, AE6QL -Original Message- From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Ross Primrose Sent: Wednesday, July 1, 2015 12:12 PM To: j...@audiosystemsgroup.com; elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 FD report in high RF (K3 vs Flex 6xxx) On 7/1/2015 12:06 PM, Jim Brown wrote: Yes, ARRL Labs tests are damning, though you would never realize it if you only read the text. When is ARRL going to assign technically competent authors to these reviews? Right after they stop taking advertising revenue from the reviewees (is that even a word ;) ) 73, Ross N4RP __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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 t...@xmission.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] K3 on 50 MHz - noise and possible harmonics
Well great success on the ferrite core experiments today. I aimed my yagi directly at the house, which are separated by approximately 40'. The 24960 signal was around S5-6. I wrapped 9 turns of the LAN cable going to my old XP computer around a 2.4 #31 core. The signal dropped to S0 - still lightly audible. The one at 24900 was completely gone. The 6m ones also dropped to the S0 - lightly audible. I have more cores, but my other LAN cable going to my newer Win7 machine is too short to wind any turns around the core. Disconnecting power to the wireless router completely removes all spurious signals on 6m. So, I know I can make improvements, but for now it is livable. The home theatre system audio problem was totally fixed. The right surround channel was totally overloaded by anything more than 150w on 20m. Because the connectors on the audio cable would take time to remove, I wrapped 9 turns around the 'Biggest #31 clamp on'. No trace of interference at 600w. So, a big thank to Jim, K9YC, for his tutorial (and experiments) on curing RFI. Steve, K6UM On Mon, Jun 29, 2015 at 9:26 PM, Steve Lund k6um.el...@gmail.com wrote: I have all these spurious signals in my K3, too. They are caused by my wireless router. But are the result of using wired connections to my office computers. When I remove the LAN cables these signals disappear, along with many on the hf bands. I have received the ferrites recommended by K9YC. The plan is to install them on Wednesday. I have both the #43 and #61 material. Steve, K6UM On Mon, Jun 29, 2015 at 7:43 PM, Chris Hallinan challi...@gmail.com wrote: I've been playing around with 50 MHz USB/CW down at the low end of the band with a plain ol' dipole. I'm curious about noise and birdies and other people's experience, as I really don't know what to expect. I have a steady S3/4 noise level at all frequencies with the preamp off, jumping to solid S5 with the preamp engaged. I have several strong signals (probably harmonics of some interference??) as follows listening in USB mode, preamp off: 50.026: S4 50.057: S6 50.087: S5 50.117: S6 50.148: S6 50:178: S4 and more as I tune up. Notice the 30KHz spacing. These are all steady 2-tone signals with perhaps a couple hundred hertz difference in the two tones. No variation with day/night or propagation as far as I can tell. They all disappear when the antenna is disconnected. First, is my background noise level local or should that be expected on 50 MHz? And what are these signals spaced every 30 KHz or so? Could this be broadcast overload way up here on 50 MHz? I do have a fairly close 1580 KHz AM station broadcasting 1100 watts during daytime, and 110 at night, but I use an Array Solutions BCB filter. What have others experienced? Thanks and 73, Chris K1AY -- Life is like Linux - it never stands still. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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 k6um.el...@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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 FD report in high RF (K3 vs Flex 6xxx)
Ditto. I am in danger of wearing out my delete key. Thomas Schaefer wrote: Are there moderators here? We are getting a bit far afield of Elecraft topics. :) Tom NY4I 727-437-2771 P.S. Drowning in email? I use SaneBox to instantly clean up my Inbox: http://sanebox.com/t/gdaz7 On Jul 1, 2015, at 5:13 PM, Fred Townsend fptowns...@earthlink.net wrote: Jim hits a resonate cord. I do appreciate the League trying to keep costs down but sometimes you get what you pay for. Years ago I wrote the author of a QST published construction article pointing out an error. He sent me his original schematic. QST had redrawn his schematic using multiple ground busses using the pitchfork ground symbol and thereby combining busses. I wrote the editor explaining these errors were doubly wrong since the EU bands the use of the pitchfork symbol for any use other than a safety ground (green wire terminals). I got a reply ignoring the fact the circuit was changed and stating they didn't follow European standards. In fact they made their own standards. How about adopting IEEE or some other standard electronic symbols? If they are going to make their own standards then, they should not be in contravention of existing standards. For instance QST frequently draws a differential amplifier as an op amp. Granted the same ICs can be used for either an op amp or a differential amplifier but use determines the proper symbol and rarely are op amps (analog computing) used in ham radio. Other inconsistences abound like using both square and triangles to represent a linear voltage regulator. Make up your mind and stick to it. Probably the most annoying abuse is the standard of drawing circuit flow from left to right. QST draws schematics so they best fit on the paper. Not for clarity. This makes understanding even more difficult but I do appreciate the effort to economize. 73, Fred, AE6QL -Original Message- From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Ross Primrose Sent: Wednesday, July 1, 2015 12:12 PM To: j...@audiosystemsgroup.com; elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 FD report in high RF (K3 vs Flex 6xxx) On 7/1/2015 12:06 PM, Jim Brown wrote: Yes, ARRL Labs tests are damning, though you would never realize it if you only read the text. When is ARRL going to assign technically competent authors to these reviews? Right after they stop taking advertising revenue from the reviewees (is that even a word ;) ) 73, Ross N4RP __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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 t...@xmission.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 bs...@k5dkz.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] K3 FD report in high RF (K3 vs Flex 6xxx)
On Wed,7/1/2015 2:13 PM, Fred Townsend wrote: Years ago I wrote the author of a QST published construction article pointing out an error. He sent me his original schematic. QST had redrawn his schematic using multiple ground busses using the pitchfork ground symbol and thereby combining busses. Their redrawing a perfect example of the muddy thinking about signal common (what we call ground in a circuit). In his EMC classes, guru Henry Ott, WA2IRQ, emphasizes the importance of knowing where the return current is flowing -- he talks about the hidden schematic concealed by the ground symbol. 73, Jim K9YC __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K3 FD report in high RF (K3 vs Flex 6xxx)
On Wed,7/1/2015 1:11 PM, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote: Flex will never fix phase noise in the prior generation of hardware (e.g. -123 dBc in the Flex 5000, -120 dBc in the Flex 3000 per Sherwood). Nor will Yaesu ever fix the clicks in their FT1000-series radios. :) 73, Jim K9YC __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] PR6 For Sale
I have a 6 Meter pre-amp for sale a PR6 for the Elecraft K3. $95.00 Shipped priority Mail Bruce N9BX 73 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] Looking for a KAT100/KPA100
Hello I just bought a K2 Elecraft and I'm looking to buy the KAT100/KPA100 option. If there is someone that can help me to find it, will be very appreciated. Messages to my email mauriciof...@yahoo.com. Thank you 73's __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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 FD report in high RF (K3 vs Flex 6xxx)
KL7AA had two elecrafts at FD, a KX3 for SSB and a K3 for CW, and interference was a definitely noticed. Each rig was wired to separate 3 element stepIRs, about 20 feet apart. One rig used the elecraft 500w amp and one used a 1.5kw amp. The two elecrafts could not operate on the same band at all. Maybe it was something with the setup. Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2015 12:43:16 -0400From: Guy Olinger K2AV k2av@gmail.comTo: N1EU n1eu.ba...@gmail.comCc: Elecraft Reflector elecraft@mailman.qth.netSubject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 FD report in high RF (K3 vs Flex 6xxx)Message-ID: canckpc1suaytmrtjljn0kbdyzay+-gacjqquwbkgvm0vxsp...@mail.gmail.comContent-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 On Wed, Jul 1, 2015 at 8:34 AM, N1EU n1eu.ba...@gmail.com wrote: The Flex ops should have dialed in a little front-end attenuation to alleviate the ADC overload problem. Understand the sentiment, but more attenuation is operationallycontra-indicated if the signals you're trying to work are weak due totemporary emergency antennas and QRP. Part of emergency preparedness is understanding various rigsnon-prejudicially for their various strengths and weaknesses and choosingrigs for strengths and avoiding rigs for weakness as those apply to thespecifics of an application. These days weak signals and close multiple transceivers call for the likesof K3's. At N4C field day we frequently had a CW station and SSB station on the sameband with no interference, and actually without being aware of each other.No noise, no anything. I know what a K3's hardware AGC kick-in sounds likeand that was also absent. This has been our experience for five or sixfield days now, and together with the small light size and portability,makes the K3 a top pick for FD. Not because of Koolaid, but because ofproven suitability to the application. I'm waiting to hear about KX3's for FD, especially battery operation, longa specific niche for K2's. We did not have a K3S or K3 with KSYN3A for evaluation. We have a standingquestion of whether K3S/upgraded K3, with some horizontal separation, willbe able to operate a few KHz away from each other on the same band/modesegment, e.g. the 40 CW station, and the GOTA station on 40 CW at the sametime. Perhaps next year we will find out. N4C operated at the Grey Goose Farm near Creedmore, NC. The group was alarge portion of the North Carolina East chapter of the Potomac ValleyRadio Club. This group contains a significant supply of K3 owners, whoregularly bring K3's to FD and multi-op contest events. For themportability and immunity to high RF environments are top-of-the-listreasons for purchasing K3's as opposed to other choices, easily serving FDstyle applications. At NY4A, also primarily manned by PVRC NC East members, going back pre-K3the FT1000MP was the main rig, which had gradually replaced all thestalwart Japanese rigs of prior years. For some time the MP was the onlyrig seen there. When the K3's and other rigs with new generation RX cameout, and the differences became known, The MP's were gradually replaced. Atally of the list of MP owning operators who had manned NY4A at some pointindicated that 11 MP's had been replaced by 14 K3's and one Orion. Of thatgroup, no one owns a Flex to this date. But neither would I consider any ofthem to be a Flex-basher. I do know Flex owners, single home stations, who get outstandingperformance away from high-RF multi-TX operations. Various problems with CWand spectral purity seem to be a continuing manufacturer's emphasis forsolution. They're out there on a particular bleeding edge, with aparticular emphasis, with its own set of problems. We'll just see what theydo. Bashing not necessary. UPS currently has my 2015 K3 upgrade round: KXV3B, KSYN3A's, a second KBPF3(A version) and finally a P3 and P3SVGA. I will get the new audio boardwhen it's available. Regards All, Guy K2AV __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] Help identifying this RFI
Ref #7. If you are 100% sure the leaking pole pig is not the problem, then search elsewhere. At a club station in Illinois, the pole pig was intermittent. Power company did not believe it, as it was intermittent. One evening during club meeting (alcohol was involved) a 30-06 made the pole peg 100% defective. Power company replaced it, and the noise was gone ever since. Jim W6AIM -Original Message- From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Wes (N7WS) Sent: Wednesday, July 1, 2015 7:41 PM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net; SADXA Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Help identifying this RFI Thanks for the many replies. I'll try to address all of them in one message. First, I agree that this sounds like a powerline problem. I've seen many of them in my 57 years of hamming. What makes this different, and the reason for my call for advice, is the periodic nature of the problem. Actually, the problem is nearly continuous but is interrupted periodically. When I first started paying attention to this, I saw that the quiet periods were spaced about six minutes apart. This led me to think there is a timer involved. Grow lamps sprung to mind, since the wild west nature of this area makes that a distinct possibility. That said, my understanding is that these are on for much longer times. Regrettably, it's also our time for thunderstorms so my antennas are often disconnected so a good timeline is problematic. I do believe after some more listening that the periodicity is less uniform than previously believed. Maybe it's totally random. Some more data points: 1) I have opened the main breaker to my house and run the K3/Laptop on battery power with no change. 2) To the best of my knowledge there are no electric fences here. 3) My immediate neighbor to the north happens to be a welder, but he's not the culprit. He's put his wife to work and he plays. 4) The power feed to my house is underground. The nearest power pole is ~450 feet away from my tower to my WSW. The power line runs N and S from that point with another line intersecting at that pole and running to the west. 5) To my north there are two E-W feeder lines tapped into the N-S line. 6) One supplies my immediate neighbor to the north (the welder) via a pole mounted transformer. This is 350 feet due north of my tower. I've strummed the guy wires to these poles without noting any change. 7) A second 1000 ft E-W line feeds another transformer that is 850 feet NE of me. This transformer appears to have some oil leakage, but shaking the H out of it via the guy wires makes no change. The power company guys say it's OK. 8) Although we are entering our Arizona summer rainy season, to date I've recorded a couple of hundredths of an inch. The noise issue predates this. Our power poles never swell, they just get skinnier and skinner. Years ago the power company tried to fix some noise problems I was having by replacing the plain staples that attach the ground wires to the poles with barbed staples that wouldn't (so they thought) pull out. Furthermore, the staples were copper plated and the ground wires are aluminum. Eventually, the copper went away and now the staples are rusted steel. 9) My sniffing receiver is limited to 30 MHz but I have a lead to someone with more appropriate equipment, as well as expertise. 10) The Elecrafter's will understand this, I have a new K3S almost ready for delivery (credit card's been charged) it would be nice to be able to hear something on it. On 7/1/2015 3:31 PM, Wes (N7WS) wrote: [snip] __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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 jbol...@outlook.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] K3 FD report in high RF (K3 vs Flex 6xxx)
Did the KX3 have the isolation preamp turned on? It is normal for a direct conversion receiver to leak the LO at the operating frequency. The KX3 has a special preamp that prevents that. Also, antennas 20 feet apart might as well have coax directly from the transmitter into the receiver. That will cause huge coupling of TX into RX. Running 500W and 1.5kW? You are lucky that the receivers survived, let alone were able to work any band when the other one was transmitting. Don’t do that again. wunder K6WRU CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) On Jul 1, 2015, at 9:33 PM, Matt Z via Elecraft elecraft@mailman.qth.net wrote: KL7AA had two elecrafts at FD, a KX3 for SSB and a K3 for CW, and interference was a definitely noticed. Each rig was wired to separate 3 element stepIRs, about 20 feet apart. One rig used the elecraft 500w amp and one used a 1.5kw amp. The two elecrafts could not operate on the same band at all. Maybe it was something with the setup. Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2015 12:43:16 -0400From: Guy Olinger K2AV k2av@gmail.comTo: N1EU n1eu.ba...@gmail.comCc: Elecraft Reflector elecraft@mailman.qth.netSubject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 FD report in high RF (K3 vs Flex 6xxx)Message-ID: canckpc1suaytmrtjljn0kbdyzay+-gacjqquwbkgvm0vxsp...@mail.gmail.comContent-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 On Wed, Jul 1, 2015 at 8:34 AM, N1EU n1eu.ba...@gmail.com wrote: The Flex ops should have dialed in a little front-end attenuation to alleviate the ADC overload problem. Understand the sentiment, but more attenuation is operationallycontra-indicated if the signals you're trying to work are weak due totemporary emergency antennas and QRP. Part of emergency preparedness is understanding various rigsnon-prejudicially for their various strengths and weaknesses and choosingrigs for strengths and avoiding rigs for weakness as those apply to thespecifics of an application. These days weak signals and close multiple transceivers call for the likesof K3's. At N4C field day we frequently had a CW station and SSB station on the sameband with no interference, and actually without being aware of each other.No noise, no anything. I know what a K3's hardware AGC kick-in sounds likeand that was also absent. This has been our experience for five or sixfield days now, and together with the small light size and portability,makes the K3 a top pick for FD. Not because of Koolaid, but because ofproven suitability to the application. I'm waiting to hear about KX3's for FD, especially battery operation, longa specific niche for K2's. We did not have a K3S or K3 with KSYN3A for evaluation. We have a standingquestion of whether K3S/upgraded K3, with some horizontal separation, willbe able to operate a few KHz away from each other on the same band/modesegment, e.g. the 40 CW station, and the GOTA station on 40 CW at the sametime. Perhaps next year we will find out. N4C operated at the Grey Goose Farm near Creedmore, NC. The group was alarge portion of the North Carolina East chapter of the Potomac ValleyRadio Club. This group contains a significant supply of K3 owners, whoregularly bring K3's to FD and multi-op contest events. For themportability and immunity to high RF environments are top-of-the-listreasons for purchasing K3's as opposed to other choices, easily serving FDstyle applications. At NY4A, also primarily manned by PVRC NC East members, going back pre-K3the FT1000MP was the main rig, which had gradually replaced all thestalwart Japanese rigs of prior years. For some time the MP was the onlyrig seen there. When the K3's and other rigs with new generation RX cameout, and the differences became known, The MP's were gradually replaced. Atally of the list of MP owning operators who had manned NY4A at some pointindicated that 11 MP's had been replaced by 14 K3's and one Orion. Of thatgroup, no one owns a Flex to this date. But neither would I consider any ofthem to be a Flex-basher. I do know Flex owners, single home stations, who get outstandingperformance away from high-RF multi-TX operations. Various problems with CWand spectral purity seem to be a continuing manufacturer's emphasis forsolution. They're out there on a particular bleeding edge, with aparticular emphasis, with its own set of problems. We'll just see what theydo. Bashing not necessary. UPS currently has my 2015 K3 upgrade round: KXV3B, KSYN3A's, a second KBPF3(A version) and finally a P3 and P3SVGA. I will get the new audio boardwhen it's available. Regards All, Guy K2AV __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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 wun...@wunderwood.org
Re: [Elecraft] Field Day KX3
I ran a KX3, PX3, KXPA and the new Powerwerx power supply on 6 meters for our 7E W0NT team at our club location south of Littleton. After an initial glitch, which I believe related to the PowerPoles, I worked steadily from start to about 2130L on Saturday. The band was pretty flat. Not that unusual for the 6M band on a Field Day. Sunday started slow but about 0900L the band exploded with activity and remained that way until Field Day ended. I ended up with 154 contacts...a new station record for me. It was so amazing to see the band with the PX3. Sometimes almost hypnotizing watching the ebb and flow on the waterfall! I also enjoyed the ability to quickly narrow the passband when some stations called off frequency. Jim KC0TRK (W0NT on Field Day) __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] Help identifying this RFI
Thanks for the many replies. I'll try to address all of them in one message. First, I agree that this sounds like a powerline problem. I've seen many of them in my 57 years of hamming. What makes this different, and the reason for my call for advice, is the periodic nature of the problem. Actually, the problem is nearly continuous but is interrupted periodically. When I first started paying attention to this, I saw that the quiet periods were spaced about six minutes apart. This led me to think there is a timer involved. Grow lamps sprung to mind, since the wild west nature of this area makes that a distinct possibility. That said, my understanding is that these are on for much longer times. Regrettably, it's also our time for thunderstorms so my antennas are often disconnected so a good timeline is problematic. I do believe after some more listening that the periodicity is less uniform than previously believed. Maybe it's totally random. Some more data points: 1) I have opened the main breaker to my house and run the K3/Laptop on battery power with no change. 2) To the best of my knowledge there are no electric fences here. 3) My immediate neighbor to the north happens to be a welder, but he's not the culprit. He's put his wife to work and he plays. 4) The power feed to my house is underground. The nearest power pole is ~450 feet away from my tower to my WSW. The power line runs N and S from that point with another line intersecting at that pole and running to the west. 5) To my north there are two E-W feeder lines tapped into the N-S line. 6) One supplies my immediate neighbor to the north (the welder) via a pole mounted transformer. This is 350 feet due north of my tower. I've strummed the guy wires to these poles without noting any change. 7) A second 1000 ft E-W line feeds another transformer that is 850 feet NE of me. This transformer appears to have some oil leakage, but shaking the H out of it via the guy wires makes no change. The power company guys say it's OK. 8) Although we are entering our Arizona summer rainy season, to date I've recorded a couple of hundredths of an inch. The noise issue predates this. Our power poles never swell, they just get skinnier and skinner. Years ago the power company tried to fix some noise problems I was having by replacing the plain staples that attach the ground wires to the poles with barbed staples that wouldn't (so they thought) pull out. Furthermore, the staples were copper plated and the ground wires are aluminum. Eventually, the copper went away and now the staples are rusted steel. 9) My sniffing receiver is limited to 30 MHz but I have a lead to someone with more appropriate equipment, as well as expertise. 10) The Elecrafter's will understand this, I have a new K3S almost ready for delivery (credit card's been charged) it would be nice to be able to hear something on it. On 7/1/2015 3:31 PM, Wes (N7WS) wrote: [snip] __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] Help identifying this RFI
On Wed,7/1/2015 3:31 PM, Wes (N7WS) wrote: I'm hoping there is some expert here that can point me in the right direction. It sure sounds like impulse noise, but other RFI professionals on the list may correct me. In general, impulse noise is best chased with an AM detector and the highest possible RX frequency. I have three tools that I can use this way. Most useful are a Kenwood TH-F6A talkie and a Kenwood VHF/UHF FM, both of which can be programmed for AM and have good sensitivity up to about 500 MHz. Both are programmed with presets of 160 MHz, 300 MHz, 400 MHz, and 526 MHz (the latter because that's the highest frequency before sensitivity falls off). To get close, I drive around listening to 160 MHz, then as the noise gets louder go to the higher frequencies. When I'm close enough to hear it on that 526 MHz memory, I get out of the car and switch to the talkie. With the talkie, a trick I learned from our Chicago fox-hunting guys. A talkie with a duck can be made directional by holding close against your chest, and sensitivity can be reduced by removing the duck. I once won a 2M fox hunt using only that talkie. The third tool is a Tecsun RX that tunes the AM aircraft band that's above the FM broadcast band. Obviously, the other tools are better, but I'm a use the tools you have sort of guy. :) 73, Jim K9YC __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Help identifying this RFI
This sounds like power-line noise the trick to locating it is to work upwards in frequency as you close in on the source, I have had great success in locating power-line noise by closing in on it on 6M in my van then finding it on 2m as you get closer then finally on 70Cm For 2M/7Cm I use either an FT817 in AM mode or my VX7r Hand-held in AM with an arrow 2m/70Cm hand-held Yagi Use logic and method to close in on the source and don't make any assumptions about the faulty hardware on the power company side. For example some Hams have in the past (after locating the approx location) told the power company that it's a 'faulty transformer' Replacing the transformer has in some cases resolved the issue BUT only because the replacement process meant that all the loose hardware is now done up nice and tight.. By the time you get to 70Cm you will be very close to the source and can probably narrow it down to a pole with a small directional antenna Some may suggest hitting the suspect pole with a big hammer, Don't do that! It's dangerous (faulty hardware may result in the line falling ) and it's imprecise the ARRL have some very good info on location powerline noise and the causes which may help your CO-Op 'rooke' better understand the issues Here http://www.arrl.org/power-line And particularly here http://www.arrl.org/power-line-noise-mitigation-handbook-for-naval-and -other-receiving-sites The better job we do on narrowing down issues leads to better relations with the power company. In a few cases here In Ireland we have been the early warning system for things that were potentially dangerous faults and as a result we now have a good working relationship with the Irish power utility Hope this helps 73 Brendan EI6IZ On Wed, 2015-07-01 at 15:31 -0700, Wes (N7WS) wrote: I've uploaded some videos to YouTube that show the problem I'm having. This is my first attempt at using YouTube and my first use of the video feature of my new Sony A6000, so bear with me. The link is here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpl3gFMWg58kn7afp_K5c6A What these show is the noise that is wiping out my HF/6M operations. This stuff covers the complete spectrum from 160 to 6 meters. I'm in semi-rural location and have walked about a 1/2 mile in all directions with a Sony ICF -SW7600GR receiver, using the telescoping antenna and cannot pinpoint a location. My power company (co-op) is trying to be helpful, but the knowledgeable guy has left the company so I'm dealing with a rookie. Furthermore, in addition to the short-term, cyclic intermittency (5 -10 minutes) evident in the videos, there can be longer term periods of quiet, which Murphy dictates occur when the power company guy is looking for noise. I'm hoping there is some expert here that can point me in the right direction. Wes N7WS __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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 ei6iz.bren...@gmail.com -- 73 Brendan EI6IZ __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] Help identifying this RFI
I've uploaded some videos to YouTube that show the problem I'm having. This is my first attempt at using YouTube and my first use of the video feature of my new Sony A6000, so bear with me. The link is here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpl3gFMWg58kn7afp_K5c6A What these show is the noise that is wiping out my HF/6M operations. This stuff covers the complete spectrum from 160 to 6 meters. I'm in semi-rural location and have walked about a 1/2 mile in all directions with a Sony ICF-SW7600GR receiver, using the telescoping antenna and cannot pinpoint a location. My power company (co-op) is trying to be helpful, but the knowledgeable guy has left the company so I'm dealing with a rookie. Furthermore, in addition to the short-term, cyclic intermittency (5-10 minutes) evident in the videos, there can be longer term periods of quiet, which Murphy dictates occur when the power company guy is looking for noise. I'm hoping there is some expert here that can point me in the right direction. Wes N7WS __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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] K2 For Sale
I have a K2 that I would like to sell with the following options: K2SBssb K160RX 160 meter K60XV 60m and xverter KNB2noise blanker KAF2audio filter KAT2internal antenna tuner KDIMP finger dimple KBT2internal battery The K2 is in good working order and clean cosmetically. Serial number 1740 purchased December 2000. I am asking $850 which will include free shipping and all manuals. I prefer paypal Please reply to a...@arrl.net 73, Bill AA1O __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto: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
