Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft] KX2 Firmware

2017-05-23 Thread Fred C. Jensen
I missed the FW release, I was busy sharpening my sword and degreasing my chain 
mail.

Fred K6DGW
Sparks NV

Chris Tate - N6WM  wrote:
>That's a busted exchange copy..  ;-).
>
>-Original Message-
>From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of 
>kev...@coho.net
>Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2017 5:43 PM
>To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
>Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX2 Firmware
>
>I must be getting old.  I really don't remember what I was doing in the 11th 
>century.
>
>73,
>
> Kevin.  KD5ONS
>
>
>On 5/23/2017 5:38 PM, Tom Francis, W1TEF wrote:
>> Greetings,
>>
>> I was just looking at the KX2 firmware, Beta and 2.69 and discovered 
>> that they were built and released in the 11th Century!! Who knew?!?
>>
>> **MCU 2.69 / DSP 1.49, Final Release Feb 5, 1017**
>>
>> **MCU 2.75 / DSP 1.49, April 7, 1017
>>
>> **Best regards,
>>
>> Tom, W1TEF
>> Lexington, SC
>
>__
>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 ct...@ewnetinc.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 k6...@foothill.net
__
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com


Re: [Elecraft] BL2 -- Antenna Balun Usage

2017-05-23 Thread Bob Nielsen
Even Jasik, ed., "Antenna Engineering Handbook" mentions the balun.  My 
first ham antenna (1952) was a 40 meter dipole fed with 72-ohm twinlead 
and a B 1:1 air-core balun and I once worked on an airborn military 
system which used a balun.


The term "unun" has a much more dubious justification, however (my opinion).

73, Bob N7XY


On 5/22/17 10:07 PM, Wes Stewart wrote:

PLEASE ignore all of Jim's pontification.

I find it curious that Terman ("Radio Engineering"), Kraus 
("Antennas"), Johnson ("Transmission Lines and Networks") all use the 
"meaningless" word "balun" in their books. Clearly, these guys should 
have consulted with Jim before doing so, because obviously they didn't 
know what they were talking about.


A transmission line transformer can be as simple as a geometric mean 
quarter-wave line between two different impedances.  No ferrites 
required.  A balun (pardon me, I'm with Kraus) can be a quarter-wave 
open stub at the feedpoint of an antenna.  Collins ("Fundamentals of 
SSB") calls this a "Bazooka-type balun", but what does Collins Radio 
know about anything?)  Or, it could be a half-wave line connecting the 
two halves of a dipole.  A stub balun can be both a balancing device 
and an impedance transformer at the same time.  And it's nothing but 
coax.  A two-wire line wound around a core might be a common-mode 
choke, but if it's long enough and different in impedance from the 
load, then it's an impedance transformer too.


In summary, just removing the term balun from one's lexicon doesn't 
simplify anything.


And I almost forgot, that N6BV article Jim mentions is titled, "Don't 
blow up your BALUN."


Wes  N7WS



On 5/22/2017 2:11 PM, Jim Brown wrote:

On Mon,5/22/2017 12:42 PM, Bill Leonard N0CU wrote:

I am no expert when it comes to baluns


You're not the only one. :)

Some important comments. First, PLEASE strike the word "balun" from 
your vocabulary. It is a meaningless word that tells us NOTHING about 
the device or circuit element it is used to describe. I can think of 
nearly a dozen VERY different devices that are CALLED baluns. Use the 
word "balun" conceals what the device actually is and prevents 
everyone involved from understanding what it does.


A two-wire line wound around a ferrite core forms a COMMON MODE 
CHOKE. It is not a "transmission line transformer," nor is it an 
inductor, nor is it a transformer at all! The ferrite core carries 
only flux due to common mode current, and loss in the choke is I 
squared R, where I is the common mode current and R is the resistive 
impedance of the common mode choke.


Arrays of common mode chokes CAN be wired in series/parallel 
combinations to match circuits of differing impedance, but that 
device is NOT a transformer, it is an array of common mode chokes. If 
we want to know how this array of chokes work, we must analyze them 
as arrays of common mode chokes, not as a transformer.


A transformer, is, by definition, two windings that are magnetically 
coupled, and the impedance transformation ratio is the square of the 
turns ratio. If we want to know how a transformer works, we must 
analyze it as a transformer. It's as simple as that. The ferrite core 
carries ALL of the flux, and thus all of the differential power 
carried by the circuit into which it is inserted.


In general, common mode chokes do NOT affect the differential signal, 
but there CAN be differential mode loss in the transmission line that 
forms the common mode choke due to transmission line effects. For 
example, if the common mode choke is inserted in a badly mismatched 
transmission line, there can excess loss due to SWR throughout the 
line, both in the part of the line that forms the choke and in the 
rest of the line. Below UHF, virtually all loss in real transmission 
lines is due to I square R; if the combination of the antenna and the 
line places a current maxima at the choke, that segment of the line 
can burn a high fraction of the transmitter power, greatly reducing 
the transmitter power that gets to the antenna and overheating (and 
frying) that segment of the line. N6BV wrote an excellent 
applications note about this for QST several years ago, to which I 
contributed.


It IS practical to model (predict) dissipation in a common mode choke 
using NEC. A single wire is added to the model with the geometry and 
physical connections of the transmission line, and the known 
(measured) impedance of the choke is added as a Load at the point 
where it is inserted in the system. NEC is then set to model with a 
defined transmitter output power (for example, 1,500W), and currents 
are computed. NEC then provides a readout of current at every point 
on every conductor, and the current in the choke is used to compute 
dissipation in the choke.


Tutorials at k9yc.com/publish.htm show a practical method for 
measuring the common mode impedance of ferrite chokes, and for 
determining values for a parallel equivalent circuit that can provide 

Re: [Elecraft] KX2 Firmware

2017-05-23 Thread Chris Tate - N6WM
That's a busted exchange copy..  ;-).

-Original Message-
From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of 
kev...@coho.net
Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2017 5:43 PM
To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX2 Firmware

I must be getting old.  I really don't remember what I was doing in the 11th 
century.

73,

 Kevin.  KD5ONS


On 5/23/2017 5:38 PM, Tom Francis, W1TEF wrote:
> Greetings,
>
> I was just looking at the KX2 firmware, Beta and 2.69 and discovered 
> that they were built and released in the 11th Century!! Who knew?!?
>
> **MCU 2.69 / DSP 1.49, Final Release Feb 5, 1017**
>
> **MCU 2.75 / DSP 1.49, April 7, 1017
>
> **Best regards,
>
> Tom, W1TEF
> Lexington, SC

__
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 ct...@ewnetinc.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] BL2 -- Antenna Balun Usage

2017-05-23 Thread Mel Farrer via Elecraft
BTW, don't look at the BL2 to help with any CMI, it doesn't do a very good job.
Mel, K6KBE

  From: Clay Autery 
 To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net 
 Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2017 6:14 PM
 Subject: Re: [Elecraft] BL2 -- Antenna Balun Usage
   
You missed my point...  I'm gonna let it go, because it's just not that
important to argue the point here.

73,

__
Clay Autery, KY5G

On 5/23/2017 11:45 AM, Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT wrote:
> Terminology does count, especially in technical areas, like radio.
>
> If you ask to borrow my truck, and I say "yes" and hand you my
> hand-truck (two-wheeled dolly) it's probably not what you were thinking.
>
> On 5/22/2017 10:19 PM, Clay Autery wrote:
>> How about not worrying what to call it, period?

__
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 farrerfo...@yahoo.com


   
__
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com

Re: [Elecraft] KX2 Firmware

2017-05-23 Thread na5n

Tom Francis, W1TEF writes:

I was just looking at the KX2 firmware, Beta and 2.69 and discovered  
that they were built and released in the 11th Century!! Who knew?!?


**MCU 2.69 / DSP 1.49, Final Release Feb 5, 1017**
**MCU 2.75 / DSP 1.49, April 7, 1017


Dang ... that means the warranty is probably shot.

72, Paul NA5N
__
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] KFL3B-FM for sale

2017-05-23 Thread w4sc
Excess to needs.  Unused.  KFL3B-FM.   $110 shipped.  Please reply off list.

Ben W4SC

__
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] BL2 -- Antenna Balun Usage

2017-05-23 Thread Clay Autery
You missed my point...  I'm gonna let it go, because it's just not that
important to argue the point here.

73,

__
Clay Autery, KY5G

On 5/23/2017 11:45 AM, Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT wrote:
> Terminology does count, especially in technical areas, like radio.
>
> If you ask to borrow my truck, and I say "yes" and hand you my
> hand-truck (two-wheeled dolly) it's probably not what you were thinking.
>
> On 5/22/2017 10:19 PM, Clay Autery wrote:
>> How about not worrying what to call it, period?

__
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] KX2 Firmware

2017-05-23 Thread kev...@coho.net
I must be getting old.  I really don't remember what I was doing in the 
11th century.


   73,

Kevin.  KD5ONS


On 5/23/2017 5:38 PM, Tom Francis, W1TEF wrote:

Greetings,

I was just looking at the KX2 firmware, Beta and 2.69 and discovered 
that they were built

and released in the 11th Century!! Who knew?!?

**MCU 2.69 / DSP 1.49, Final Release Feb 5, 1017**

**MCU 2.75 / DSP 1.49, April 7, 1017

**Best regards,

Tom, W1TEF
Lexington, SC


__
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] KX2 Firmware

2017-05-23 Thread Tom Francis, W1TEF

Greetings,

I was just looking at the KX2 firmware, Beta and 2.69 and discovered 
that they were built

and released in the 11th Century!! Who knew?!?

**MCU 2.69 / DSP 1.49, Final Release Feb 5, 1017**

**MCU 2.75 / DSP 1.49, April 7, 1017

**Best regards,

Tom, W1TEF
Lexington, SC
**

**

__
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] WTB - Speaker SP3

2017-05-23 Thread pkhjr via Elecraft
Anyone got a SP3 for sale?  

73 Tex
ka5y



--
View this message in context: 
http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/WTB-Speaker-SP3-tp7631050.html
Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
__
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com


Re: [Elecraft] K2/100 overheating?

2017-05-23 Thread Don Wilhelm

Ken,

That bias setting is correct.  The current draw seems a bit high to me, 
but may be OK - I do not have typical measurement data.


One more check - make sure that Q6 and Q7 are oriented properly. They 
appear at first glance to have 2 flat sides, but the "round side" has 
chamfered edges.  If those transistors are oriented backwards, they will 
cause the KPA100 to oscillate in the 800 to 900 kHz range.


How hot is your definition of hot?  There will be heat generated. If you 
can hold your hand on the heatsink, it may not be too hot.
The temperature rise should not be much at powers below 20 watts, so if 
yours gets hot at those power levels, there is a problem to be found.


You might want to check the diode voltages as well - both in transmit 
and receive and at power levels below and above 11 watts.  In other 
words, check everything listed in the diode voltage chart.


I just checked the fan direction on my older KPA100 - mine pulls air 
in.  It really does not matter much for cooling purposes in the KPA100.  
The fans were changed about a year ago (availability problem, not design 
change).
The newer fans may not start on the Hi-Lo setting.  You can experiment 
with resistors in parallel with R31.  I would suggest starting with 1000 
ohms and working downward in resistance until the fan starts reliably on 
the Low setting (Hi-Lo starts out low and goes to high when the 
temperature rises).  1/4 watt resistors will be OK unless the value 
necessary goes below 470 ohms, then you should use 1/2 watt.


Make certain the CAL TPA setting in the menu is correct.  The actual 
setting follows the KPA100 temperature, so let it cool for at least 1/2 
hour and set it to the ambient temperature in degC. That will control 
when the fan goes to low and when it goes to high.


73,
Don W3FPR

On 5/23/2017 3:17 PM, N4KS wrote:

My bias current settings are:
275 mA (power knob set fully CCW)
475 mA (power knob set to 11 watts)
Target 875 mA total (with the 400 mA added per the instructions) In CW 
test mode, I set bias control R6 to show a reading of 875 mA


Current draw:
12W = 6.6A
40W = 10.0A (note: peaks at 14W then steps down to 12W)
120W with Power set full CW

Checked all of the diodes for proper orientation.

Fan is orientated correctly with label out. my fan pulls the air OUT. 
There seems to be some confusion regarding the direction of air 
flow. Others advised it should be pushing air in. With the fan setting 
in "normal" mode, it goes directly to high speed when it kicks in. I 
should think it would go to low speed first and then step up to high 
speed if the temperature increases.


Balanced and calibrated the wattmeter.

I checked Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 DC voltages in RX and TX. All are good according 
to the Voltage Chart provided in the manual.


I had to order a new Fan, because of a mistake I made. It should be 
here by the end of the week. I will provide temperature data when it 
is reinstalled.


73, Ken N4KS
k2/100


On Fri, 5/19/17, Don Wilhelm > wrote:


Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K2/100 overheating?
To: "N4KS" >, 
"elecraft@mailman.qth.net " 
>

Date: Friday, May 19, 2017, 6:02 PM

Ken,

Did you set the bias properly?  What is the
current draw at 12 watts?
Did you properly
balance and calibrate the wattmeter?
Are all
the diodes oriented properly?  Check against the parts
layout
near the back of the manual.

Make certain the fan is
mounted with the label out and that the red wire
is in the +hole and the black one in the
-hole.
The fan should exhaust the hot air.
Cooler air flows in at the front of
the
heatsink.

73,
Don W3FPR

On
5/19/2017 8:01 AM, N4KS via Elecraft wrote:
>  I recently added the KPA100 to my K2.
The heat sink gets VERY hot at any power level above 11
watts (that's when the amp kicks in). The fan is running
at high speed and pulling air OUT of the box. Just wondering
if this is normal.


__
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com


Re: [Elecraft] K2/100 overheating?

2017-05-23 Thread N4KS via Elecraft
My bias current settings are:
275 mA (power knob set fully CCW)
475 mA (power knob set to 11 watts)
Target 875 mA total (with the 400 mA added per the instructions) In CW test 
mode, I set bias control R6 to show a reading of 875 mA

Current draw:
12W = 6.6A
40W = 10.0A (note: peaks at 14W then steps down to 12W)
120W with Power set full CW
Checked all of the diodes for proper orientation.

Fan is orientated correctly with label out. my fan pulls the air OUT. There 
seems to be some confusion regarding the direction of air flow. Others advised 
it should be pushing air in. With the fan setting in "normal" mode, it goes 
directly to high speed when it kicks in. I should think it would go to low 
speed first and then step up to high speed if the temperature increases.
Balanced and calibrated the wattmeter. 

I checked Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 DC voltages in RX and TX. All are good according to the 
Voltage Chart provided in the manual.
I had to order a new Fan, because of a mistake I made. It should be here by the 
end of the week. I will provide temperature data when it is reinstalled.
73, Ken N4KSk2/100


On Fri, 5/19/17, Don Wilhelm  wrote:

 Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K2/100 overheating?
 To: "N4KS" , "elecraft@mailman.qth.net" 

 Date: Friday, May 19, 2017, 6:02 PM
 
 Ken,
 
 Did you set the bias properly?  What is the
 current draw at 12 watts?
 Did you properly
 balance and calibrate the wattmeter?
 Are all
 the diodes oriented properly?  Check against the parts
 layout 
 near the back of the manual.
 
 Make certain the fan is
 mounted with the label out and that the red wire 
 is in the +hole and the black one in the
 -hole.
 The fan should exhaust the hot air. 
 Cooler air flows in at the front of 
 the
 heatsink.
 
 73,
 Don W3FPR
 
 On
 5/19/2017 8:01 AM, N4KS via Elecraft wrote:
 >  I recently added the KPA100 to my K2.
 The heat sink gets VERY hot at any power level above 11
 watts (that's when the amp kicks in). The fan is running
 at high speed and pulling air OUT of the box. Just wondering
 if this is normal.
 
__
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] Choking KPA500 and testing a box of unknown chokes

2017-05-23 Thread Wes Stewart
Well, I would prefer one that presented a high resistive impedance with no 
resonance at all:-)


Wes  N7WS

On 5/22/2017 10:54 PM, Jim Brown wrote:

Yes, really.

Jim

On Mon,5/22/2017 10:15 PM, Wes Stewart wrote:

Really?

On 5/22/2017 4:25 PM, Jim Brown wrote:
 Common mode chokes are used near resonance... 


__
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] BL2 -- Antenna Balun Usage

2017-05-23 Thread Wes Stewart
Since a truck can be defined as a wheeled vehicle for moving (heavy) loads, many 
variations exist.


Likewise, a balun can be defined as a device for converting from a single-ended 
to a balanced source/load and many variations exist.


The fact that both terms are all-inclusive doesn't negate their usefulness or 
demand their removal from conversation.


If people would think of a balun as performing a function rather than a 
particular device for performing that function they would have less heartburn.  
In other words, saying, "When feeding a balanced antenna with coax, it is 
advisable to incorporate a balun at the feed point.", shouldn't start an 
argument about what constitutes a balun.


If we are to follow the commandments of one of our correspondents we should 
remove "truck" from our vocabulary, since it isn't a precise term.


Wes  N7WS

On 5/23/2017 9:45 AM, Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT wrote:

Terminology does count, especially in technical areas, like radio.

If you ask to borrow my truck, and I say "yes" and hand you my hand-truck 
(two-wheeled dolly) it's probably not what you were thinking.


On 5/22/2017 10:19 PM, Clay Autery wrote:

How about not worrying what to call it, period?



__
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] Type 31 Ferrite

2017-05-23 Thread Jim Brown
This is not unusual. The value is not critical, but rather that the 
resistivity is within a range that CAN be measured with a typical VOM.


73, Jim

On Tue,5/23/2017 5:50 AM, Mike Harris wrote:
I've got a small stack of 2.5 inch diameter type 31 ferrite rings. 
Interestingly the resistance measured on the ring was dramatically 
different depending upon which of the flat sides measured.


One side 600kOhm+/- whilst on the other 10>20kOhm. This was the same 
for all of them.



__
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] BL2 -- Antenna Balun Usage

2017-05-23 Thread Bill Leonard N0CU
I was going to respond to Jim’s comments about terminology, but Wes presented
my thoughts better than I could have.

I would like to address two of the comments that were made in the responses.

First, EZNEC is powerful tool that can help understand theoretical behavior
of ideal antenna systems. It can also, under certain conditions, predict the
performance of real world antenna systems with reasonably good accuracy.
However, much of the EZNEC Manual is devoted to discussing the model’s
limitations. There are at least two (and probably more) that I am aware of
that affect how well EZNEC can accurately predict how an antenna “system”
will perform with, and without a balun.

First is the limitation with respect to ground, and the second is the
inability to model unbalanced currents (ie, common mode currents) on a
transmission line. Both limitations significantly affect the results for the
balun problem. I am aware of two articles that use EZNEC to evaluate how a
dipole’s performance is affected by the use of a balun. Both articles
address these limitations the same way:
-an ideal ground is assumed to be at a known location
-the transmission line is eliminated and the source is moved up to the feed
point of the dipole. The transmission line is modelled by simply adding a
third wire coming off one of the antenna’s feed points.

The first assumption is a problem because none of us have an ideal ground,
nor do we know how to quantify the location of our ground accurately in the
model. The second one removes the component that has the most effect on the
results, and tries to simulate it with a piece of wire. Although I have
confidence in the behavior the model predicts, I seriously doubt that, for
any real world antenna system application, whether EZNEC could be useful in
deciding whether adding a balun would be worthwhile, and if so, where to
install it and what the margin would be to the balun’s power dissipation
limit.

I strongly disagree with Clay’s comment that the problem caused by common
mode currents is nothing more than an impedance matching problem. If that
were true, then all the articles, and EZNEC models that describe how a
dipole that is feed directly with coax (also called a “Tripole”) can either
have the pattern of a dipole, or the pattern of an inverted L antenna,
depending on the common mode currents on the transmission line, are wrong. I
agree that the impedance seen at the transmitter changes as the common mode
current changes, however, I doubt that many, if any hams know what pattern
their antenna actually has because they have no idea what magnitude of the
common mode current is that is flowing on their transmission line since the
predicted variation in the impedance between the two extremes is well within
the 2:1 SWR range that most hams would consider normal.

Bill  N0CU




--
View this message in context: 
http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/BL2-Antenna-Balun-Usage-tp7630889p7631044.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] BL2 -- Antenna Balun Usage

2017-05-23 Thread Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT

Terminology does count, especially in technical areas, like radio.

If you ask to borrow my truck, and I say "yes" and hand you my 
hand-truck (two-wheeled dolly) it's probably not what you were thinking.


On 5/22/2017 10:19 PM, Clay Autery wrote:

How about not worrying what to call it, period?


__
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] Transverter Interace Question

2017-05-23 Thread Dave

Hi Doug

Your work around  is the way I had to do it when I borrowed one to use a
28MHz IF!

I recently asked kuhne if there was a split IF /1mw of drive so I could use
the 23cm module with the kxv3b and was told "that option is available with
the built option" (ie the 1100 Euro model). For that reason I am continuing
to use the internal 2m xverter , to drive my homebrew 1296/144 xverter,
despite the internal 2m xverter only having 1-10W output available on the
power knob (ie 0-1W is not available) 

Dave
G4fre, ww2r


I am trying to make a Kuhne 23cm transverter work with my K3 with a KXV3B
transverter interface. I have it mostly set up on an IF of 28MHz? and as?
transverter 2. The Kuhne wants a watt or so to drive it. The problem is that
it looks like to get a watt out of the K3, I need to have it hooked up to
the main antenna instead of the KXV3B. The problem I see is that if I forget
that the transverter is hooked up to Ant 1 and go on HF it looks like I'll
blow the transverter. 
?? The work around I have figured out so far is to use the transverter on
Ant.2 and HF on Ant. 1, since the antenna is memorized on a per band basis,
that might keep me out of trouble. This K3 is a spare and only rarely used
on HF. 
??? Has anyone else figured out a different way? Will this work? Any other
ideas? 
??? Thanks, Doug K6JEY
?Doug Millar
K6JEY
drzarko...@yahoo.com
562 810 3989? cell/text

 


__
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] 17/80 Meter K1 Module Kit for Sale

2017-05-23 Thread Gary Watson
Hi
Shack cleaning time

I have an unopened 2 band module for the K1. 17/80 Meters

$50.00 shipped in CONUS

Gary Watson
N7DXT
__
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] Programmable access to KXBC3 clock?

2017-05-23 Thread Don Wilhelm

Terje,

Setting the RTC from KX3 Utility already is present.  It sets the clock 
from the computer clock time.
Reading the clock is a different matter.  If you have a computer 
connected, why not just allow the logger to use the clock in the computer?


73,
Don W3FPR

On 5/23/2017 7:21 AM, Terje Elde wrote:

Hi,

I’m wondering if it’s possible to get programmable access to reading and/or 
setting the KXBC3 internal RTC (real time clock), through the serial interface?

If not, that would probably make for a nice feature request?

I checked the programmers manual and the KXBC3 manual, but I must have missed 
it if any such feature is mentioned there.

Examples of where this would be useful include being able to set the clock 
whenever the KX3 is connected to a computer with a good GPS or NTP synchronised 
clock, to avoid any drift or similar issues.

For reading, it would be a nice capability to logging dongles or similar 
projects, allowing to grab almost all of information of a QSO, for easier 
logging later.  It’s already easy to grab the frequency etc, but putting that 
information on a timeline would be even better.

__
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com

Re: [Elecraft] K2 smeter not showing RF Power

2017-05-23 Thread Don Wilhelm

Graziano,

I understand the S-meter display is OK, but that is not related to what 
I was saying.

I hate to see you replace the pushbutton and still have the problem.

Tap the DISPLAY button and see if it displays the voltage and current.
If not, replace the pushbutton.
If it does display the voltage and current then the pushbutton is OK
You are trying to determine if the pushbutton is bad or the MCU is confused.

If the pushbutton works for DISPLAY, then the MCU/firmware is confused 
and you should do a Master Reset.
Before you do that, record ALL your menu setting including the filter 
settings.  Download the K2 A to B instructions which has a nice chart 
and instructions to record the menu settings.

After the reset, do a CAL PLL followed by restoring the menu settings.

If you do replace the pushbutton, the button leads do not extend very 
far through the board which makes solder removal difficult. Clip the 
leads close to the pushbutton body and remove them one at a time.  Clear 
the holes with solder wick and if solder remains, heat the solder pads 
and clear the holes with a wooden toothpick.


73,
Don W3FPR

On 5/23/2017 6:17 AM, Graziano Roccon wrote:

Hello Don,
thanks for the answer.
Maybe i did a wrong explanation and the last lines made a bit of confusion.
I was intended to say that is normal that when you are in CW, when you press the RF-/ALC 
button nothing happen and you get only a "BUP-TONE" back !

The problem is the during transmission the SMETER seems dead and doesn't show 
the RF power output, but in reception the smeter is working correctly signing 
the segnal streght.

We can't understand what is happening. Two days ago, everything was working 
fine.

Thanks a lot, Ciao, Graziano IW2NOY



Il 22 maggio 2017 alle 22.11 Don Wilhelm  ha scritto:


Graziano,

Does the DISPLAY button work normally?  If so, there is no problem with
the button itself.
The difference between a tap and a hold is determined by the MCU.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 5/22/2017 6:13 AM, Graziano Roccon wrote:

Hello,

a friend of mine have an Elecraft K2, always working perfectly.
Yesterday, without any apparently motivation, the smeter stop to show RF Power 
level during transmit.

The K2 emit power without problem and the external wattmeter show the right 
power.
The smeter is working in RX, but not working in TX.
The K2 is mainly used in CW, so the switch button RF/ALC is not working.


__
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] Type 31 Ferrite

2017-05-23 Thread Mike Harris
I've got a small stack of 2.5 inch diameter type 31 ferrite rings. 
Interestingly the resistance measured on the ring was dramatically 
different depending upon which of the flat sides measured.


One side 600kOhm+/- whilst on the other 10>20kOhm. This was the same for 
all of them.


Regards,

Mike VP8NO
__
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] Programmable access to KXBC3 clock?

2017-05-23 Thread Terje Elde
Hi,

I’m wondering if it’s possible to get programmable access to reading and/or 
setting the KXBC3 internal RTC (real time clock), through the serial interface?

If not, that would probably make for a nice feature request?

I checked the programmers manual and the KXBC3 manual, but I must have missed 
it if any such feature is mentioned there.

Examples of where this would be useful include being able to set the clock 
whenever the KX3 is connected to a computer with a good GPS or NTP synchronised 
clock, to avoid any drift or similar issues.

For reading, it would be a nice capability to logging dongles or similar 
projects, allowing to grab almost all of information of a QSO, for easier 
logging later.  It’s already easy to grab the frequency etc, but putting that 
information on a timeline would be even better.

Terje Elde / LB8KH

__
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com

Re: [Elecraft] K2 smeter not showing RF Power

2017-05-23 Thread Graziano Roccon
Hello Don,
thanks for the answer.
Maybe i did a wrong explanation and the last lines made a bit of confusion.
I was intended to say that is normal that when you are in CW, when you press 
the RF-/ALC button nothing happen and you get only a "BUP-TONE" back !

The problem is the during transmission the SMETER seems dead and doesn't show 
the RF power output, but in reception the smeter is working correctly signing 
the segnal streght.

We can't understand what is happening. Two days ago, everything was working 
fine.

Thanks a lot, Ciao, Graziano IW2NOY


> Il 22 maggio 2017 alle 22.11 Don Wilhelm  ha scritto:
> 
> 
> Graziano,
> 
> Does the DISPLAY button work normally?  If so, there is no problem with 
> the button itself.
> The difference between a tap and a hold is determined by the MCU.
> 
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
> 
> On 5/22/2017 6:13 AM, Graziano Roccon wrote:
> > Hello,
> > 
> > a friend of mine have an Elecraft K2, always working perfectly.
> > Yesterday, without any apparently motivation, the smeter stop to show RF 
> > Power level during transmit.
> > 
> > The K2 emit power without problem and the external wattmeter show the right 
> > power.
> > The smeter is working in RX, but not working in TX.
> > The K2 is mainly used in CW, so the switch button RF/ALC is not working.
__
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] Feature request

2017-05-23 Thread Mike K2MK
Hi Dave,

Yes this is the place and that's a great idea. It's called ballistic tuning.
I think it ultimately became the feature that makes the RIT dial a rapid
tuning dial. Check out the 2009 e-mail from Wayne that I pasted below. Maybe
Wayne will update his earlier comment.

73,
Mike K2MK


On May 26, 2009 Wayne wrote:

-This is referred to as "ballistic" tuning. We experimented with it but
-rejected it when we did the K2 design. I haven't tried it on the K3
-yet, but I've added it to my list.
-
-73,
-Wayne
-N6KR 




Dave Kelley wrote
> Greetings!
> 
> I hope this is the place to suggest new features.
> 
> I’d love to see a variable ‘course’ tuning of the VFO based on the speed
> it is tuned.  For example, if I’m in the CW band and want to move to SSB
> I’d like to simply tune quicker than usual and have the VFO switch to
> course tuning until I slow back down or stop.  The Course/Fine button
> would still be used for manual override and default setting.  It would
> save the time of pressing and holding the ‘course’ button, tuning, and
> then tapping that button again to go back to normal tune.
> 
> ICOM and a few other radio makers have had this feature for a long time. 
> And honestly, it’s the ONLY feature I miss on my KX3 and K3S.
> 
> Thanks and 72/73
> 
> Dave
> AI7R





--
View this message in context: 
http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/Feature-request-tp7631015p7631035.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