[Elecraft] Elecraft CW Net Announcement

[kevinr]

Good Evening,

   A few days ago I noticed a path through the trees which would let 
one leg of my antenna rise about ten feet.  Once I started it was more 
work than I had planned.  I had to drop the other antenna just to move 
the first one.  I was able to walk that leg out at right angles for 
about 100 feet until I could get it over a limb on the center tree.  I 
ran out of space before I could get it over any of the next higher 
limbs.  But it was about twenty feet higher near the center and wound up 
ten feet higher on the north end. Once that warmed me up I split wood 
for a while.


   Good thing I did that work because it started snowing last night and 
kept it up until noon.  Four inches of new snow later the antennas are 
easy to spot.  Each of them is a two inch cylinder of snow.  When they 
are covered like they are now I don't get out as well as usual.  
Hopefully the wind will kick up tonight and clear them.  A high of 37 
degrees is forecast for tomorrow so we should be fine.  The solar flux 
is below 70 again so propagation won't be very good.  During the last 
solar minimum we got by on the odd shot of solar wind now and then.  
This time around the sun seems even more quiet.  Maybe my antenna work 
will make a difference.  Tomorrow we can find out.



Please join us on (or near):

14050 kHz at 2200z Sunday (3 PM PDT Sunday)
  7047 kHz at z Monday (5 PM PDT Sunday)

   73,
  Kevin. KD5ONS


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[Elecraft] W2 wattmerter not being recognised...

[Bill Steffey]

HI all,    I've just been wiring up my W2 wattmeters... and neither one 
is recognised  by my win 10 computer.


The USB to 3.5mm plug Elecraft cord works fine with my K3...  on com28

But the W2 utility keeps sending ": " at 9600 bps

and will not provide the current software level. with 1.0 being 
available.. ( maybe it is already at 1.0 ).



Then I want to run  The w2 interface software, but it says" "looking for 
a W2" , and on the setup screen   " w2 not found on COM28"   && "unable 
to open com 28"



I've verified the existance of com29 on device manager at 9600 & 
I've rebooted... I've even read the W2 manual several times. I used to 
have this working obn a different computer.  And can make it work on my  
toughbook portable.  I 've tried different usb ports on the main machine 
& com settings.


Ideas 


bill ny9h/3

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[Elecraft] KPA3 E100719 Bracket?

[w4sc]

As the K3S has been discontinued, looking over the “Parts and Mods” I see 
“E100719 Bracket KPA3A” listed.  Having recently upgraded from 10W to a 100W 
radio by adding the KPA3A kit, I don’t see this bracket in the instructions, 
nor find any instructions for its installation.

Anyone know what ill this bracket cures, installation instructions, ect.?

Ben  -- W4SC


Sent from Mail for Windows 10

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Re: [Elecraft] Off-Topic: Your advice/suggestion about antenna

[john]

There is a lot of antenna misinformation on this list.  Your initial  
assumption is basically correct. A vertical does not have low angle  
radiation unless you have a perfect ground, it will then low  
pseudo-brewster angle which is very effective.  A 1/2wl or higher 40m  
dipole is actually a very good antenna and 2el shorty 40 or even  
rotatable dipole is even better. A simple antenna model will show the  
gain and pattern for all of these options.


GL
John KK9A


Duane wrote:

From what I understand - solid rock below a raised vertical is not  
the best option for performance.
With an underlying geography of many feet of solid metamorphic rock -  
that would probably rule out the low angle benefits of vertical  
antennas.


Consequently, over the years, every 40m vertical I've ever put up has  
been out-performed by a dipole at .41 wavelength.  I've also tried the  
DX-Half Square and vertical Delta Loop with the same results.


It looks to me like my only option to outperform a 40m dipole - is a  
tower and (at minimum) a 2EL yagi.


Would that assumption be correct?
Thanks
Duane


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Re: [Elecraft] KX3 and JS8CALL

[stephen shearer]

I use KX3 for wsjt-x and JS8Call.  I just connect the KX3 audio 
(headphone jack) to the USB sound card.  I use the waterfall to "hear" 
what is going on and I like the quiet.  I have not noticed hum.  I have 
a few snap on toroids on the audio lines in case.  I use 12" audio 
cables from the KX3 to the sound card and a 3' USB cable to the RPi.  I 
run 80 watts, often...


I use USB Sound card    - 
https://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-External-Adapter-Windows-AU-MMSA/dp/B00IRVQ0F8/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=Sabrent+USB+External+Stereo+Sound+Adapter&qid=1584190492&s=electronics&sr=1-3


not much different..

73, steve WB3LGC

On 8/7/19 2:02 PM, Michael Arnold wrote:


Michael,

I have good luck using my KX3 with a Raspberry Pi 3B+ and also the new Raspberry Pi 4 for both 
JS8Call and WSJT-X. I use an inexpensive USB audio adapter/sound card and standard stereo 
1/8" (3.5mm) male to male cables connected between the MIC and PHONES jacks on the KX3 
and the sound card. To listen to the receive audio and monitor transmit audio, I split the 
PHONES output using an 1/8-inch "Y cable" and feed one side to the sound card and 
the other side to a powered speaker. For CAT control and PTT via CAT I use the standard 
Elecraft USB serial cable from the ACC1 jack to a Raspberry Pi USB port.

In Settings on the Radio tab, under CAT Control, I choose the K3/KX3 or KX3 as 
the rig and /dev/ttyUSB0 as the serial port. You'll also want to match the 
radio serial port settings, typically, 38400, 8, 1 and none. On the Audio tab, 
under Soundcard, I select Default:CARD=device for both Input and Output.

This method may result in some low-level 60 and 120 Hz audible ground loop hum 
when AC powered, particularly with the powered speaker connected, but the 
transmit signal, at least in my case, is clean. You can certainly use a 
SignaLink or equivalent unit for better isolation and level control, but I've 
found that the little USB audio adapter/sound card works fine and is a really 
compact solution for portable operation!

Audio Adapter:  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N905VOY
Audio Splitter:  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07431YDWM

73,
  Mike W8NWA

-Original Message-
From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net  On 
Behalf Of michaelheit--- via Elecraft
Sent: Tuesday, August 06, 2019 5:10 PM
To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Elecraft] KX3 and JS8CALL

I would like to use JS8CALL on my Raspberry Pi 3B+ , so do I need to use my 
SignaLink as well?  Has anyone on this group used a Pi3 with JS8CALL connected 
to their KX3? Getting the KX3 connected to the Pi seems problematic; I have all 
the connectors from Elecraft, the program is loaded on the Pi and seems to 
operate properly, but doesn't seem to work with the KX3. I will need to get a 
GPS HAT for the Pi and I'm considering the PI HAT from North West Radio that 
includes a built in GPS with antenna. Thank you in advance for any input ...
de AD7VV

Michael Heit
North Pole, Alaska
AD7VV
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[Elecraft] K3s and P3 For Sale

[Charles Sells]

I’m selling my Elecraft K3s SN: 11265 with the following options:

KPA3A100 watt Upgrade
KAT3AInternal ATU
KBPF3A  General Coverage Receiver
KRX3ASub Receiver
KFL3B-FM  13 KHz Filter on Main Board
KFL3A 6 KHz Filter on Main Board
KFL3A 2.8 KHz Filter on Main board

KFL3A 2.7 KHz Filter installed on Sub Receiver
KFL3B FM  13KHz Filter Included but not installed on Sub Receiver
KANT3   Antenna Input Module Included but not installed

P3Panadapter
P3SVGA Panadapter SVGA Adapter installed

All power, interconnecting cables, and original manuals included plus the Nifty 
Mini manual.
Non-smoking environment.
The radio is in excellent condition both cosmetically and electronically.

Package price $3750 plus shipping and insurance to CONUS. PayPal accepted, US 
sales only.

Please contact off list at 
char...@sellsfamily.net

73 de Charles
W4PPP

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Re: [Elecraft] Off-Topic: Your advice/suggestion about antenna

[George Thornton]

I would add the following comments.

You can easily reach the point of obsession with antennas, and some of the 
choices involve heavy expense, tons of room, tolerant neighbors and a lot of 
maintenance.

I think the Yagi antennas are among the best choices, by their nature they 
concentrate strength in one direction.  As a horizontal polarized antenna they 
are less affected by noise than vertically polarized antennas.  They also 
heavily concentrate power in one direction, and they naturally filter out 
interfering signals coming from the sides.  They are fun and work really well.

I am a SteppIr fan and their antennas are well built and reliable.  I have done 
wonders with a 3 element trombone version using just 100 watts in an urban 
location with the antenna mounted on a nine foot rooftop tower.

Yagis do involve heavy wind loading and they do require a sturdy tower type 
base of support and a substantial rotor.   

Size is always better but with size also comes expense, hard work and 
maintenance.   Looking at SteppIr, a three element Yagi is light enough to be 
raised by hand with a small crew of two or three people using a gin pole.  The 
larger SteppIrs weigh around 250 lbs and you will need a boom truck.  

There is a lot of wind loading with Yagis and wind storms can cause a lot of 
damage.   Your rotor needs to be pretty sturdy; even the three elements need a 
Tailtwister or better.  You have to go really heavy duty with the big boys and 
that costs a lot more money.

Our Mike and Key field day site sports a wide variety of Yagis.  I run the GOTA 
station with a small three element trapped Yagi that I can support on a 
temporary tripod mount made out of Army surplus aluminum tubes.  The 40 meter 
Yagi is made of wire, six elements with what looks like a 100 ft boom, erected 
on lines run between trees.   



-Original Message-
From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net  On 
Behalf Of Rick Bates, NK7I
Sent: Friday, March 13, 2020 12:02 PM
To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Off-Topic: Your advice/suggestion about antenna

Duane,

I agree on both points.  The antenna is THE most important element of any 
station (the accepted maxim is it's 90% of the budget but most hams are 
'cheap').  The radio is useless without a decent antenna.  An EDZ can work well 
but the peaks and nulls vary on every band and wind in the trees can be an 
issue.  Height matters, a LOT too.

I also hid (in plain sight) a similar 370' EDZ (at 35') antenna IN the HOA 
space (shot a wire over some oak trees) for years without it being seen and it 
worked well (other than the noise floor was obscenely high, all the time 
because it was urban).  It absolutely ROCKED on 40M (the noise precluded 
hearing much on 160M but I got 15-20 countries).

If budget is less of a concern, you might want to consider SteppIR, starting 
with the 2 element Urban beam (40-6M).  The only other comment along that line 
is leave a LOT of headroom capacity when selecting a rotator, they take a lot 
of wind abuse.  There are other beam antennas worth consideration, many are 
less expensive.

When I moved away from the HOA infestation area into rural with a 40 db
(average) lower noise floor, in time I went from all band (R7, dipole or
vertical) wires to a SteppIR DB36/80 (80-6M) which gave me an average of 
another 10 dB of GAIN in reception (plus directivity to null noise even further 
AND transmit gain too).

I bought the antenna, rotor and tower at an estate sale (SK sale), saving many 
thousands of dollars.  The son (a non-ham) just wanted it all gone, I assisted 
;-) so keep watch, ready to 'attack'.

The sole remaining wire is an Inverted L for 160M.  I greatly prefer this to 
any dipole because the one wire is not pulled/stretched between multiple trees 
when it's windy (and the trees NEVER sway in sync at the same moments).  It 
moves precisely WITH the tree motion, it isn't stretched or pulled.  However, 
it's moderately deaf on 160M, I'll have to add an RX array (RBOG or 8 square 
are the current considerations) yet I'm now at 131 countries worked on 160M.

The sole sticking point remaining is my requirement that NOTHING antenna can be 
seen from the house (I bought an amazing view, it came with a house), so even 
with the acres I have, I'm limited to a few acres total, further reduced by 
proximity to the power lines along the road. Fortunately my neighbor (700' 
away) is also an HF active ham with even more acres (same visual rule) so we're 
considering a shared RX array (SDR and wifi based, which removes much of the 
desense issue too).

So my suggestion is that you look at the larger picture and perhaps even start 
fresh, not re-modify the original plans (make it a Revolution, not just an 
evolution).  Part of my move (escape to) here was just for that reason, to 
start with a fresh station based on simplicity of operation (which takes a LOT 
of planning and work to obtain; in a couple years, it'll be there, I hope.)

Re: [Elecraft] Off-Topic: Your advice/suggestion about antenna

[Jim Brown]

Right.

73, Jim K9YC

On 3/14/2020 12:09 AM, David Gilbert wrote:

There is some erroneous information here, as well as in Don W3FPR's post.

Radials, whether buried or raised, only affect near field ground return 
currents.  You cannot improve ground conductivity beyond the radials, 
and the strength of the low angle lobe is directly affected by the 
ground conductivity several wavelengths distant from the vertical.  This 
is well established science and you can clearly see the effect in simple 
models.


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Re: [Elecraft] Where is Elecraft Support ?

[David Gilbert]

As a supplier of components, it was often true that it was difficult to 
get designed in with a sole sourced device, but that "rule" was violated 
over and over again.  Sometimes customers were blindsided by design 
engineers who somehow sneaked sole sourced devices into their system 
(not every company had military level supply channel control), and often 
it was simply the case that some critical product function was not 
possible without using a sole sourced device.  And as you might imagine, 
dual sourced devices often turned into sole sourced devices when one of 
the suppliers decided to quit making it, or they went out of business.


Before statistical control methods like Six Sigma, lots of suppliers (my 
company included) didn't really even have a good handle on whether they 
were capable of dependably making a device or not. During my early years 
I remember a lot of wafer fab guys "tweaking the process" on an almost 
daily basis in reaction to normal process variation ... which of course 
actually created greater oscillations in parameter values than if they 
had just stayed at their desks.  At my company, we literally, and I mean 
literally, had to reassign some older engineers in both the wafer fabs 
and the assembly factories because they refused to stop "tweaking" until 
they actually had done the work to reduce the normal process variations.


73,
Dave   AB7E



On 3/13/2020 8:13 PM, Bill Frantz wrote:
Not being a hardware guy I may be a bit confused, but my vague memory 
from the 1980s, is that manufacturers of that era would not use a part 
that didn't have a second source. This and other posts indicate that 
this policy no longer exists. Too bad. It might help with all kinds of 
supply problems.


73 Bill AE6JV

On 3/7/20 at 3:15 PM, n...@sonic.net (Alan) wrote:

Some years ago when I worked for HP, I designed a (new at that time) 
TI 320C10 DSP chip into a new HP instrument.  There was a rather odd 
piece of glue logic that I needed to implement the design.  I called 
up TI and they assured me there were no plans to discontinue the part.


You guessed it.  Just as we were ready to go into production the part 
was discontinued.  I had to scramble to figure out some other means 
to perform the function (which meant a PC board turn).


---
Bill Frantz    | Concurrency is hard. 12   | Periwinkle
(408)348-7900  | out 10 programmers get it | 150 Rivermead Rd #235
www.pwpconsult.com | wrong.  - Jeff Frantz | Peterborough, NH 03458

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Re: [Elecraft] Off-Topic: Your advice/suggestion about antenna

[David Gilbert]

There is some erroneous information here, as well as in Don W3FPR's post.

Radials, whether buried or raised, only affect near field ground return 
currents.  You cannot improve ground conductivity beyond the radials, 
and the strength of the low angle lobe is directly affected by the 
ground conductivity several wavelengths distant from the vertical.  This 
is well established science and you can clearly see the effect in simple 
models.


Dave   AB7E


On 3/13/2020 11:14 PM, Edward R Cole wrote:
As far as a vertical mounted on solid rock, ever heard of radials? 
Almost all analysis shows angle lowering by copious addition of 
radials to a vertical.  I suggest You find the QEX articles written 
By  Rudy-N6LF which studied radials thoroughly.  Even with very short 
radials my 630m inverted-L gets out over 2500-miles (at times0.


Another antenna I discovered that I really liked is the Moxon.  I has 
the gain of a two-element yagi but works well in almost all directions 
(point it toward your favorite direction).  I ran a 6m moxon at 0.7 
wavelength height in CO during a contest and worked all four borders 
of the lower 48 states using 150w.  Worked quite well without turning 
it (pointed east).


At home I use an inverted-V with center at 40-foot and tails at 
20-foot.  Works out to 800 miles very well; works West Coast 
(3000-miles) from AK in BP40 with 100w.


73, Ed - KL7UW
  http://www.kl7uw.com
Dubus-NA Business mail:
  dubus...@gmail.com


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