Re: [Elecraft] K3, KX-1 Inductors
KX1 #697 and K2 #4398 have seen a bit over a decade in my backpack, suitcase, in the car, on airplanes, two trains, and the KX1 has made a Panama Canal passage. Nothing has fallen off. I currently have a plastic back cover for the KX1 by W8FGU to lighten it a little when I get back into the Spartan sprints after it warms up. If anything fell off, I would see it. :-) I recommend following the Elecraft instructions. 73, Fred K6DGW - Northern California Contest Club - CU in the Cal QSO Party 1-2 Oct 2016 - www.cqp.org On 3/26/2016 12:02 PM, Gary wrote: Since 2008 k3 #679 has enjoyed life "on the road", constantly moving from one scenic location to the next. Nothing seems to have been shaken loose over this time. I would think by now that if anything was susceptible to working loose it should have had a Murphy incident by now? Elecraft it appears knew about my requirement and developed the k3 just for this style of operatinggrin 73 Gary __ 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] Remote Antenna Switches and K2 Questions
Looking a the schematic it appears they use 0V, +V, -V and ACV for the 4 switching states but only + or - voltage is applied to the relays. The big cap is used to smooth out the AC ripple. I would put a back diode across each relay coil and add a MOV of appropriate voltage across C203 (V to ground). Reference the QST article in January 2013 issue. I built one with those guidelines and it's been fine for a couple of years. 73, Brian, K0DTJ __ 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] For Sale: Elecraft W2 Wattmeter
I have for sale a W2 SWR/Wattmeter in as-new condition. The package includes the W2, the 2 kw directional coupler (remote sensor), interconnecting cable, power cable, programming cable and owners manual. These are fantastic, compact and highly accurate units. $210 FIRM including shipping to any US ZIP code. PayPal or USPS money order. Tnx es 73 de K6SBA David in Santa Barbara, 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 arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] New Macro in Macro Spreadsheet...
Hello, I have removed the "Split +1" macro, and replaced it with a Split-5 macro. This now gives both Split +, and Split - macros... the new Macro is as follows: BW0001;SWT13;SWT13;FT1;DNB7;RT0;XT0;#SPN60;#RCF-002500;BW0280; BW sets bandwidth to as narrow as possible... SWT is the same a pressing A->B twice FT1 puts things in split mode DNB7 is down 5, (really it is) RT/XT clear XIT, and RIT SPN sets span to 6 KHz. RCF- moves the DX frequency to the right side of the P3 display BW sets the RX bandwidth back to 2.8 KHz. This is also a slight change from the original macro... This version gives a narrow transmit marker, as opposed to the wide one of the early days... Adding the BW commands at the start and finish perform this function. The change occurred to macro 38 in the spread sheet... The spread sheet can be downloaded at: http://nk7z.net/adding-an-external-keypad-to-the-k3/ 3/4 of the way down, under the heading "A few hints", is a link to the spreadsheet. -- 73's, and thanks, Dave (NK7Z) For software/hardware reviews see: http://www.nk7z.net For MixW support see: https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/mixw/info For SSTV help see: http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/MM-SSTV/info __ 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] Remote Antenna Switches and K2 Questions
Ted, Yes, you have that right. Capacitors or diodes across the relays would be a good thing to swallow the voltage kick when the relay is de-energized. If your DMM is showing voltages in excess of 13 volts, then the peak voltages will be much higher. The diodes or capacitors would have to go into the remote box across the relay coils. If diodes are used, observe the polarity carefully - the cathode must go the the side of the relay with the more positive voltage - in other words for those relays driven by negative voltages, the cathode goes to the side with the negative voltage closer to zero volts. Diodes will do a better job than capacitors. If you use capacitors, I would suggest 0.1uF although 0.01uF may be sufficient - it all depends on the inductance and resistance of the relay coil. 73, Don W3FPR On 3/26/2016 7:48 PM, Dauer, Edward wrote: Don Wilhelm pointed out that because the LPF in the K2 is grounded on one side the presence of DC itself wouldn’t be a problem, but that rapid changes in any voltage getting into the RF input side could be. (Do I have that right, Don?) __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Remote Antenna Switches and K2 Questions
Thanks for the note, Peter. I haven’t opened the relay box, not wanting to break whatever weather seal it still has (besides, it’s snowing and blowing out there); but I don’t know why a schematic would leave out anything that’s actually in the equipment. I’ve had a half-dozen off-list replies to my original post, almost all of them noting the three parallel caps that pass the RF input and theoretically isolate it from the relay voltages. If any of them failed, there could be DC showing up at the RF input. Don Wilhelm pointed out that because the LPF in the K2 is grounded on one side the presence of DC itself wouldn’t be a problem, but that rapid changes in any voltage getting into the RF input side could be. (Do I have that right, Don?) The curious thing, though, is that I have two Ameritron RCS-4s, and these voltage anomalies appear in both of them in almost identical ways. Maybe a design flaw rather than a component failure? In any case, something caused multiple failures when the K2 was here, but not when the K2 was anywhere else; and having the RCS-4 in the line here is the last such difference I could think of that hasn’t already been ruled out. So maybe it has been a K2 component problem, but maybe not - three nearly identical failures make that seem less probable than only one would, but snot unlikely. What I’ve measured with the DMM are short bursts - and, in fact, at one point I saw a reading of over 18 volts as your note suggests might be possible. I am bringing one of the units back to the city with me Monday, where my oscilloscope is, so that I can get a better picture of what these transients look like. For now I am just being wary of a system that inserts the relay energizing voltages into the coax. The disadvantage of the alternative, meaning a separate low-voltage cable from the control box to the relays, is that it’s another cable. For reasons of good domestic relations the coax from the house to the common antenna feed line site is buried. Any other cables running that way would have to be as well. From the looks of things today it may be June before the ground at this altitude (8,600 feet) thaws enough to allow for even shallow trenching. My thanks to everyone who replied with observations and suggestions. This list is a never-fails resource . . . Ted, KN1CBR On 3/26/16, 4:42 PM, "Peter Eijlander (PA0PJE)" wrote: >Hi Ted, > >I just looked at the schematic, downloaded from the Ameritron site, and >wondered whether or not there are any protection diodes across the 3 >relay coils in the remote box. They do not show on the drawing. > >I can imagine these spikes could be much bigger than the +5 and -5 volts >you quote. > >73, >Peter - PA0PJE __ 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] K-3 Transmit Problem: no RF Output
Mike, K3support can give you a couple places to make measurements to determine whether the LPA transistors are good or bad. I forget what those measurements are, but I suggest you contact them. 73, Don W3FPR On 3/26/2016 7:30 PM, Mike Cizek W0VTT wrote: Greetings - My K3 has had low output for quite some time, maybe 60-90w depending on the band. I always meant to look into it and fix it someday. Now it has no RF output at all. (Just in time for VK0 and FT/J!) I believe I have traced the problem to two transistors on the LPA board (driver stages), Q4 and Q5, but am not confident they are the only parts at fault. I'm hoping someone else has had the same problem and found the solution. I tried re-seating all the connectors, with a drop of DeoxIt on the pins, and running TX gain cal. 5w and 50w failed immediately, but 100 mW is OK on all bands. KPA-100 was removed, the PA jumper installed between P67A & P67B, and the config menu was set to KPA not installed. Measurements were taken with an old Tek 2465. DC voltages are all correct. Measuring with a scope - I get a nice clean sine wave going in to the LPA board at P71A pin 3. Most bands are 1.2 to 2.2v P-P, but 6m is only 0.6v. The output of Q1 is a little distorted. The output of Q2 varies from 10-25v, depending on the band, and is also a little distorted. Signals at the base of Q4 and Q5 are back down to 3v. Output of Q4 and Q5 is a few mV. Changing the drive control has no affect on signal levels. Is 1 to 2 v P-P the correct drive level at P71A? What is an acceptable variation in power level between different bands? Should the drive control change signal levels here, or does that happen later in the circuit? I am also concerned about the distortion on the wave forms. Q4 and Q5 are available from RF Parts for $5 apiece, so replacing them will likely be my next stap. Thank you. __ 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] K-3 Transmit Problem: no RF Output
Greetings - My K3 has had low output for quite some time, maybe 60-90w depending on the band. I always meant to look into it and fix it someday. Now it has no RF output at all. (Just in time for VK0 and FT/J!) I believe I have traced the problem to two transistors on the LPA board (driver stages), Q4 and Q5, but am not confident they are the only parts at fault. I'm hoping someone else has had the same problem and found the solution. I tried re-seating all the connectors, with a drop of DeoxIt on the pins, and running TX gain cal. 5w and 50w failed immediately, but 100 mW is OK on all bands. KPA-100 was removed, the PA jumper installed between P67A & P67B, and the config menu was set to KPA not installed. Measurements were taken with an old Tek 2465. DC voltages are all correct. Measuring with a scope - I get a nice clean sine wave going in to the LPA board at P71A pin 3. Most bands are 1.2 to 2.2v P-P, but 6m is only 0.6v. The output of Q1 is a little distorted. The output of Q2 varies from 10-25v, depending on the band, and is also a little distorted. Signals at the base of Q4 and Q5 are back down to 3v. Output of Q4 and Q5 is a few mV. Changing the drive control has no affect on signal levels. Is 1 to 2 v P-P the correct drive level at P71A? What is an acceptable variation in power level between different bands? Should the drive control change signal levels here, or does that happen later in the circuit? I am also concerned about the distortion on the wave forms. Q4 and Q5 are available from RF Parts for $5 apiece, so replacing them will likely be my next stap. Thank you. -- 73, Mike Cizek WØVTT __ 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] Remote Antenna Switches and K2 Questions
Hi Ted, I just looked at the schematic, downloaded from the Ameritron site, and wondered whether or not there are any protection diodes across the 3 relay coils in the remote box. They do not show on the drawing. I can imagine these spikes could be much bigger than the +5 and -5 volts you quote. 73, Peter - PA0PJE Op 2016-03-26 16:28 schreef Dauer, Edward: Ameritron RCS-4 remote antenna switch __ 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] Strong recommendation: MFJ 18xx-series single-band whips for KX3, etc
I might argue semantics with you, Charlie but get that most folks think a "base loading coil" is for use with shortened antennas (showing capacitive reactance). The 5/8 WL Larson VHF whip (cut for 2m) does load nice on low end of 6m. In fact my antenna is a Larson with NMO base mounting coil to NMO magnet. Its on my truck so not accessible to check actual model but LM sound's correct. I bought several at work for high-band VHF mobiles and recall some had HW or HD marking. I can't recall if I every tried 6m using the Maxrad version which we bought later in the 15 years on my last job. So maybe only the Larson brand will work this way. We only had a few MOT antennas as they were cheaper without MOT brand on them. We also installed DB Products antennas (not NMO base). You can also buy the Larson NMOQ which is a 1/4 WL whip with NMO base but no coil. I don't recall what whip length is supplied but I recall buying some mobile whips that had 96 inch whips which you trimmed with bolt cutters to resonant length (cutting charts were pretty good for obtaining good SWR on a mobile). 73, Ed - This only works for a 5/8 wave 2 M antenna where the base inductor (It's NOT a * loading coil) isn't tapped and grounded at one end. In other words, if there is a single connection to the antenna, this will work. If there's a ground connection such that the inductor is tapped up the coil it will not function on 50 MHz. The Larson LM series will work, but ones designed for the Motorola (NMO) base will not. 73, Charlie k3ICH * A 5/8 wave antenna presents roughly 50 Ohms resistive and some level of capacitive (-J) reactance. In order to match this impedance, a series inductor is required to cancel the capacitive reactance, So technically, it is not a "loading" which would be designed to make up for the fact that an antenna is too short for a ? wave resonance. --- OR buy a 5/8 wave base-loaded 2m mobile whip - loads on 50-MHz very nicely. That's an old trick for dual-band 6m/2m use. Try brands like Larsen or Maxrad. 73, Ed - KL7UW 73, Ed - KL7UW http://www.kl7uw.com "Kits made by KL7UW" Dubus Mag business: dubus...@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, KX-1 Inductors
A couple of stories regarding the travels of my K3. Earlier this month I was on Montserrat doing the ARRL SSB contest. The day we left for home, I had to stop at the local market on the way to the airport. As with many things on Montserrat, the market is on a hill with a driveway that inclines upwards in the 30 degree'ish area. When I stopped at the market, the back gate of the car popped open and out came the pelican case holding my K3. Three bounces later, the case came to rest. So much for the shock test. The same K3 has traveled around Florida numerous times in my car doing the Florida QSO Party. That's the vibration test. Frankly, I'm not losing any sleep over inductor failures. I'm more inclined to fail rather than the radio. Numerous pelican-case tripsaround the Caribbean for the K3 and even a trip to St. Croix in my back pack. Will it ever break? Maybe, but not going to look for a problem when one doesn't exist. 73 charlie, k1xx/vp2mmf On 3/26/2016 12:24 AM, Scott Ellington wrote: > My K3 hasn't traveled much, but if it did, I'd be very concerned about > all the inductors supported only by their leads. It seems certain > that vibration would result in leads breaking. However, there's a > note in the KX-1 assembly manual specifically warning against > fastening the inductors to the board with adhesive. (That's exactly > what I was planning to do.) Why not? I doubt the reason is > electrical, unless it's stray capacitance. The only other reason I > can think of is that those handling power might get hot enough to melt > an adhesive. If that's the case, I'd really like to find another way > to secure them. Any suggestions? > > Or maybe someone can assure me that with all those K3 getting shipped > all over the planet for DX-peditions, etc., none of those wires ever > break. Ever. (I'd still take along some magnet wire.) > > 73, > > Scott K9MA > __ 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, KX-1 Inductors
Since 2008 k3 #679 has enjoyed life "on the road", constantly moving from one scenic location to the next. Nothing seems to have been shaken loose over this time. I would think by now that if anything was susceptible to working loose it should have had a Murphy incident by now? Elecraft it appears knew about my requirement and developed the k3 just for this style of operatinggrin 73 Gary -Original Message- From: "David McAnally" Sent: 27/03/2016 4:11 AM To: "Scott Ellington" Cc: "K3 List" Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3, KX-1 Inductors I have taken my K3 (S/N 6493), KPA500 and KAT500, in padded pelican cases, over thousands of miles on the road with no apparent problems. Of course, this is anecdotal evidence, not before and after specification testing. But my travel includes some of the worst Oklahoma county roads where there are more potholes and patch bumps, than original road surface. Gravel washboard would be smoother. If Elecraft didn't find a need for additional component support after this many years, I trust their engineering. I worked in mobile FM business and government radio manufacturing. Those radios generally had no additional component support on PCBs. They were tested and met some of the most severe vibration and temperature specification requirements. Perhaps not a apples to apples comparison, but I don't expect a problem with the K3 line. David M. WD5M On Fri, Mar 25, 2016 at 11:24 PM, Scott Ellington wrote: > My K3 hasn't traveled much, but if it did, I'd be very concerned about all > the inductors supported only by their leads. It seems certain that > vibration would result in leads breaking. However, there's a note in the > KX-1 assembly manual specifically warning against fastening the inductors > to the board with adhesive. (That's exactly what I was planning to do.) > Why not? I doubt the reason is electrical, unless it's stray capacitance. > The only other reason I can think of is that those handling power might get > hot enough to melt an adhesive. If that's the case, I'd really like to > find another way to secure them. Any suggestions? > > Or maybe someone can assure me that with all those K3 getting shipped all > over the planet for DX-peditions, etc., none of those wires ever break. > Ever. (I'd still take along some magnet wire.) > > 73, > > Scott K9MA > > -- > Scott Ellington K9MA > Madison, Wisconsin, USA > > k...@sdellington.us > > __ > 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 david.mcana...@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 vk1zzg...@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 <--> K3 via RemoteRig: Audio recording
Bummer! That would certainly be a "missing dimension in feature space" given the increasing use of remote control. I suppose it could be a result of the RemoteRig design, although at the remote K3, the audio from the RR codec goes into the mic connector. 73, Fred K6DGW - Northern California Contest Club - CU in the Cal QSO Party 1-2 Oct 2016 - www.cqp.org On 3/25/2016 3:44 PM, 'DGB' wrote: No it won't record, has to be done from the K3, even for CW messages. It will only play what you recorded at your K3 from the remote site (a real deficiency). This is what I experienced with the K3/0 mini. 73 de NS9I On 3/25/2016 5:20 PM, Fred Jensen wrote: Hoping someone knows: If I am logged into my remote K3 via RemoteRig and I tap REC M1 on my control K3, will it record my mic audio on the remote K3? If so, will tapping M1 on my control K3 play that audio on the air from the remote K3? __ 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] Mic setting of 2 is too high? and a setting of 1 is too low?
Use Low gain setting. "FPl Bias". Sent from my iPhone ...nr4c. bill > On Mar 26, 2016, at 10:57 AM, Tom wrote: > > Hi, > The MIC SEL is front panel, Hi Bias. I have tried all combinations too. > Tom > > -Original Message- From: Joe Subich, W4TV > Sent: Saturday, March 26, 2016 10:48 AM > To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [K3] Mic setting of 2 is too high? and a setting of 1 > is too low? > > > What is MENU:MIC SEL ? > > > 73, > > ... Joe, W4TV > > >> On 3/26/2016 10:33 AM, Tom wrote: >> Hi, >> I seem to have an issue all of a sudden with the mic or radio. It seems >> that if the mic is set to 2 then the output is too high and the ALC meter >> hits 7 or 8 bars. If I turn it down to 1, it barely hits 1 ALC bar. I am >> using the Heil headset that Elecraft sells. >> What am I doing wrong? >> Thanks, Tom >> >> --- >> This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. >> 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 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 tom...@videotron.ca > > --- > This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. > 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 n...@widomaker.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, KX-1 Inductors
I have taken my K3 (S/N 6493), KPA500 and KAT500, in padded pelican cases, over thousands of miles on the road with no apparent problems. Of course, this is anecdotal evidence, not before and after specification testing. But my travel includes some of the worst Oklahoma county roads where there are more potholes and patch bumps, than original road surface. Gravel washboard would be smoother. If Elecraft didn't find a need for additional component support after this many years, I trust their engineering. I worked in mobile FM business and government radio manufacturing. Those radios generally had no additional component support on PCBs. They were tested and met some of the most severe vibration and temperature specification requirements. Perhaps not a apples to apples comparison, but I don't expect a problem with the K3 line. David M. WD5M On Fri, Mar 25, 2016 at 11:24 PM, Scott Ellington wrote: > My K3 hasn't traveled much, but if it did, I'd be very concerned about all > the inductors supported only by their leads. It seems certain that > vibration would result in leads breaking. However, there's a note in the > KX-1 assembly manual specifically warning against fastening the inductors > to the board with adhesive. (That's exactly what I was planning to do.) > Why not? I doubt the reason is electrical, unless it's stray capacitance. > The only other reason I can think of is that those handling power might get > hot enough to melt an adhesive. If that's the case, I'd really like to > find another way to secure them. Any suggestions? > > Or maybe someone can assure me that with all those K3 getting shipped all > over the planet for DX-peditions, etc., none of those wires ever break. > Ever. (I'd still take along some magnet wire.) > > 73, > > Scott K9MA > > -- > Scott Ellington K9MA > Madison, Wisconsin, USA > > k...@sdellington.us > > __ > 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 david.mcana...@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, KX-1 Inductors
For what it's worth, just my personal observations: I drag my K2, K3 and just recently my K3S all over the place on my /p outings all the time with no troubles. Now, one thing I did do was invest in a good Pelican case for that purpose - yes, it was pricey at about $200 but still a fraction of the investment in the rigs. So when bouncing around on the floor of the pickup the rig is very well protected. I don't play soccer with them for sure, but they do get bumps and thumps here and there. But as for the inductors themselves, they look tiny and fragile, but they're quite well supported by the leads and any vibration they may undergo looks to me like it'd be well within the plasticity of the copper wire. On my K2, I remember this when building my first one. I made sure to get the toroids as well seated onto the board as possible and they're quite secure once soldered in. On the K2 at least, the sensitive ones have precautions built-in, there's one toroid (I think it's in the synthesizer) that's bolted down flat to the board. And the BFO toroid is secured by the resistor across its leads and held firmly in place that way. The rest are in the low pass and bandpass filters, so they're not as critical. Don, please correct me if any of this is wrong (I'll get a review soon as I'm now on the RF board build of K2 number 2 hi hi). In other words, it's not a problem in my experience. Things like wiring harnesses and big skeletal switch assemblies and so forth are what give problems when schlepping a rig and none of the K's use those types of construction. They're designed for portability in that way. Just my .02, LS W5QD -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K3-KX-1-Inductors-tp7615570p7615582.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
[Elecraft] Remote Antenna Switches and K2 Questions
Two questions about the K2 and remote antenna switches – particularly, the Ameritron RCS-4. The K2 I finished building three months ago is finally on the air and, so far, working reliably, with great thanks to Don Wilhelm for his knowledge, skill, and patience. It is now on its fourth set of PA transistors, plus a raft of other components in the PA circuits. The story until now had been the same – the rig works fine on Don’s bench; he returns it to me where it works fine with a dummy load on my bench at my city QTH where real antennas are forbidden. I then take it to my operating QTH where my antennas are, hook it up, and within 20 minutes or less a loud pop and a puff of smoke precede the darkness. PA transistors blown away again. Three times, all the same. Replaced power supplies twice, added cascades of surge suppression on the AC mains, no dice. Sent the rig back to Don for another round of radiology and surgery. Thrice. This time, on a hunch, I removed one thing that differed between the operating QTH and the test bench in the city – an Ameritron RCS-4 remote antenna switch. With that out of the circuit, so far the rig seems happy. No pop; no smoke; no darkness; no tears; no round trip back to North Carolina. Don suspects the problem has been some mismarked component in the base K2 which, though it looked right, was of the wrong value and caused an imbalance between the two matched PA transistor circuits. On the rig’s last trip to NC Don replaced virtually everything in those circuits. And now it works OK, so far. I wondered, though, if the RCS-4 could also be a culprit. That switch inserts into the coax feed line the AC and DC voltages that energize its remote relays out where the antennas are. According to the schematic there is no way DC voltage could appear at the input side of the switch console. But with a DMM reading the Ameritron’s RF input side, I see some. There are DC transients as high as 5 volts, negative and positive, occurring at odd times and of very short duration. They have never seemed to affect the K3/KPA/KAT, nor the KX3/KXPA when these rigs are connected to the same RCS-4. So, two questions: First, is it possible that these weird transients from the control box could have been the cause of the PA failures? Has anyone else ever experienced anything like this? Second, rather than test that hypothesis by hooking the RCS-4 up to the K2 again, a test that could be expensive, I may just look for another remote switching system. Any suggestions about a replacement? If I need to use a separate DC voltage cable I’ll have to wait until the spring thaw in order to bury it – but maybe the DC voltage insertion system just isn’t a good idea? Tnx for any advice anyone can offer, Ted, KN1CBR __ 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] Mic setting of 2 is too high? and a setting of 1 is too low?
Make sure you are FP.L Bias with an electret mic. FP.H (or rP.H) will make it nearly impossible to set mic gain levels as the electret mic has approximately 20 dB more output than a dynamic mic. 73, ... Joe, W4TV On 3/26/2016 10:57 AM, Tom wrote: Hi, The MIC SEL is front panel, Hi Bias. I have tried all combinations too. Tom -Original Message- From: Joe Subich, W4TV Sent: Saturday, March 26, 2016 10:48 AM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [K3] Mic setting of 2 is too high? and a setting of 1 is too low? What is MENU:MIC SEL ? 73, ... Joe, W4TV On 3/26/2016 10:33 AM, Tom wrote: Hi, I seem to have an issue all of a sudden with the mic or radio. It seems that if the mic is set to 2 then the output is too high and the ALC meter hits 7 or 8 bars. If I turn it down to 1, it barely hits 1 ALC bar. I am using the Heil headset that Elecraft sells. What am I doing wrong? Thanks, Tom --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. 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 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 tom...@videotron.ca --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. 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] [K3] Mic setting of 2 is too high? and a setting of 1 is too low?
Hi, I though I tried this! Yes that does it. Brings it up to a value of 6. Thanks! -Original Message- From: Don Wilhelm Sent: Saturday, March 26, 2016 11:06 AM To: Tom ; Joe Subich, W4TV ; elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [K3] Mic setting of 2 is too high? and a setting of 1 is too low? Tom, Tap [1] to change the mic gain range to "L" and you should have more reasonable MIC GAIN settings. 73, Don W3FPR On 3/26/2016 10:57 AM, Tom wrote: Hi, The MIC SEL is front panel, Hi Bias. I have tried all combinations too. Tom -Original Message- From: Joe Subich, W4TV Sent: Saturday, March 26, 2016 10:48 AM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [K3] Mic setting of 2 is too high? and a setting of 1 is too low? What is MENU:MIC SEL ? --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. 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] [K3] Mic setting of 2 is too high? and a setting of 1 is too low?
Tom, Tap [1] to change the mic gain range to "L" and you should have more reasonable MIC GAIN settings. 73, Don W3FPR On 3/26/2016 10:57 AM, Tom wrote: Hi, The MIC SEL is front panel, Hi Bias. I have tried all combinations too. Tom -Original Message- From: Joe Subich, W4TV Sent: Saturday, March 26, 2016 10:48 AM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [K3] Mic setting of 2 is too high? and a setting of 1 is too low? What is MENU:MIC SEL ? __ 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] Mic setting of 2 is too high? and a setting of 1 is too low?
Hi, The MIC SEL is front panel, Hi Bias. I have tried all combinations too. Tom -Original Message- From: Joe Subich, W4TV Sent: Saturday, March 26, 2016 10:48 AM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [K3] Mic setting of 2 is too high? and a setting of 1 is too low? What is MENU:MIC SEL ? 73, ... Joe, W4TV On 3/26/2016 10:33 AM, Tom wrote: Hi, I seem to have an issue all of a sudden with the mic or radio. It seems that if the mic is set to 2 then the output is too high and the ALC meter hits 7 or 8 bars. If I turn it down to 1, it barely hits 1 ALC bar. I am using the Heil headset that Elecraft sells. What am I doing wrong? Thanks, Tom --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. 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 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 tom...@videotron.ca --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. 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] [K3] Mic setting of 2 is too high? and a setting of 1 is too low?
What is MENU:MIC SEL ? 73, ... Joe, W4TV On 3/26/2016 10:33 AM, Tom wrote: Hi, I seem to have an issue all of a sudden with the mic or radio. It seems that if the mic is set to 2 then the output is too high and the ALC meter hits 7 or 8 bars. If I turn it down to 1, it barely hits 1 ALC bar. I am using the Heil headset that Elecraft sells. What am I doing wrong? Thanks, Tom --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. 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 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] [K3] Mic setting of 2 is too high? and a setting of 1 is too low?
Hi, I seem to have an issue all of a sudden with the mic or radio. It seems that if the mic is set to 2 then the output is too high and the ALC meter hits 7 or 8 bars. If I turn it down to 1, it barely hits 1 ALC bar. I am using the Heil headset that Elecraft sells. What am I doing wrong? Thanks, Tom --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. 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] K3, KX-1 Inductors
Scott, Read the warning on page 9 of the K3 assembly manual. It specifically states: "Also, do not attempt to fix the turns or coils in place with adhesives or other materials. Those toroids needing support have been fixed at the factory. Adding material to the other toroids will alter their inductance, again degrading circuit performance." In other words, don't do that. The K2 and K1 carry the same warning as the KX1. I have encountered some of the Elecraft legacy gear in for repair that had the toroids fixed to the board with some kind of adhesive, it make them a mess to work with. There have been several K2s that I know about which have been mounted in a high vibration environment such as the cab of an OTR truck, and the toroid leads have not failed. The toroids were not fixed in place with any adhesive in at least one case - I know that because I built it for the customer. If you do use a fixative, be aware that in the case of repair, toroids fastened like that are very difficult to remove and the board may be damaged in the process. I have been there, done that. 73, Don W3FPR On 3/26/2016 12:24 AM, Scott Ellington wrote: My K3 hasn't traveled much, but if it did, I'd be very concerned about all the inductors supported only by their leads. It seems certain that vibration would result in leads breaking. However, there's a note in the KX-1 assembly manual specifically warning against fastening the inductors to the board with adhesive. (That's exactly what I was planning to do.) Why not? I doubt the reason is electrical, unless it's stray capacitance. The only other reason I can think of is that those handling power might get hot enough to melt an adhesive. If that's the case, I'd really like to find another way to secure them. Any suggestions? Or maybe someone can assure me that with all those K3 getting shipped all over the planet for DX-peditions, etc., none of those wires ever break. Ever. (I'd still take along some magnet wire.) __ 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] OT -- J-38 part needed . . . OT Problem Solved !
-THANKS for all the suggestions on fixing my J-38 code key.A trip to the hardware store produced a No. 6 nylon washer. Not quite as large as the original, but big enough to do the job. Cost = 68 cents, and now I have three spares ! Whew ... turned out to be an easy one. Happy Trails - Thanks for all the help - I received several good answers - THANKS --- K8JHR __ 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] Delayed Options
Thanks, all, for the information and opinions. Sometimes it's not what we asked but what we /should/ have asked that's useful, either to the OP or others. So I appreciate all the information and advice offered. Some explanation: As it happens, I did read the installation sections of the KX3 manual/manuals, which seemed well-written and clear. But, not having seen a partially built KX3, it occurred to me that I might be missing something. In the case of the K3, which I own but purchased used and therefore did not have opportunity to build, there seem to be a few very definite maxims for installing initially vs. installing later. I considered that perhaps the same /might /be true of the KX3. I mean, the model identifiers are quite nearly the same, aren't they? (Sometimes I think we need and should have definite, reserved punctuation for sarcasm, humor. etc.) Living, as I do, in a recently constructed Southern California community, my HOA has a rule that /absolutely/ prohibits visible and possibly invisible transmitting and receiving antennas, except to the extent regulated by law. So, at best, my HF antennas of record are severely compromised. When one is driven to attempt using the rain gutter as an antenna, an antenna tuner is more than a mere convenience. [Having used the H-- word, please let me offer a couple of precautionary notes: Advice to move seems to me more than a little ignorant of the local housing market--or perhaps just a great deal out of date. And unnecessary, holier-than-thou statements such as, "I'd never live in an HOA community," are just that--unnecessary, most especially when the speaker/writer is ignorant of the life-situation of the one whose choice as to only one attribute of a multi-attribute preference is being publicly excoriated. Being new to this board and having read only a few dozen or so replies to postings, it is perhaps impolitic for me to say, but I think that in some few cases, perhaps a somewhat better understanding of the context of an OP and the OP's question might sometimes lead to very slightly more accurate and practical advice.] Thanks again! Chrs, -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/Delayed-Options-tp7615506p7615572.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
