Re: [Elecraft] No bars at all on KX3 digital mode transmit
Sure, but when it engages, why doesn't it show full bars, or flash them, or say "HI MIC" or something? On Tue, Nov 23, 2021, 22:29 Brian Hunt wrote: > It’s a self protection feature to keep you from blowing up the audio > input. The KX2 has it as well. Causes me to scratch my head until I > remember. > > 73, > Brian, K0DTJ > > > On Nov 23, 2021, at 17:36, Julia Tuttle wrote: > > > > Does anyone know *why* it does that? It's confusing when no bars means > > either "way too high" or "way too low". > > > >> On Tue, Nov 23, 2021, 20:22 AL7CR wrote: > >> > >> > >> A classic problem. You have TOO MUCH input gain. Counterintuitively > the > >> KX 3 ALC will display nothing if over driven. Turn the input way down > and > >> then increase in small steps. You will find the right setting to show > ALC > >> that way. > >>> On Tue, Nov 23, 2021, at 2:57 PM, Frank O'Donnell wrote: > >>> After not having used my KX3 in a while, today I set it up with a > laptop > >>> on the front porch to send FT8 in WSJT-X with a new AX1 antenna. > >>> > >>> I went through the procedure in Don W3FPR's document "Setting Elecraft > >>> Transceivers for soundcard digital," setting in and out audio levels on > >>> my MacBook Pro for the thumbnail-sized Sabrent USB soundcard; Mic Gain > >>> on the KX3; and the power slider in WSJT-X. CAT control is working > fine, > >>> and the KX3 is in DATA A mode. The waterfall of incoming signals > appears > >>> normal. > >>> > >>> I seem to be getting a good signal out, with -1 dB reported from > Alaska, > >>> and -7 to -10 dB from the U.S. east coast with the above settings > around > >>> midrange, and with the KX3 set for 15w out. However, I don't see any > >>> bars at all on the ALC meter at any time, even when the USB soundcard > >>> out, KX3 Mic Gain and WSJT-X power slider are set as high as their > >> maximums. > >>> > >>> Am I forgetting a setting? Anything I can look at to troubleshoot the > >>> ALC meter function? > >>> > >>> Thanks much, > >>> > >>> Frank K6FOD > >>> Southern California > >>> > >>> > >>> __ > >>> 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 al...@mooseaviation.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 ju...@juliatuttle.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 huntin...@coastside.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 ju...@juliatuttle.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] No bars at all on KX3 digital mode transmit
It’s a self protection feature to keep you from blowing up the audio input. The KX2 has it as well. Causes me to scratch my head until I remember. 73, Brian, K0DTJ > On Nov 23, 2021, at 17:36, Julia Tuttle wrote: > > Does anyone know *why* it does that? It's confusing when no bars means > either "way too high" or "way too low". > >> On Tue, Nov 23, 2021, 20:22 AL7CR wrote: >> >> >> A classic problem. You have TOO MUCH input gain. Counterintuitively the >> KX 3 ALC will display nothing if over driven. Turn the input way down and >> then increase in small steps. You will find the right setting to show ALC >> that way. >>> On Tue, Nov 23, 2021, at 2:57 PM, Frank O'Donnell wrote: >>> After not having used my KX3 in a while, today I set it up with a laptop >>> on the front porch to send FT8 in WSJT-X with a new AX1 antenna. >>> >>> I went through the procedure in Don W3FPR's document "Setting Elecraft >>> Transceivers for soundcard digital," setting in and out audio levels on >>> my MacBook Pro for the thumbnail-sized Sabrent USB soundcard; Mic Gain >>> on the KX3; and the power slider in WSJT-X. CAT control is working fine, >>> and the KX3 is in DATA A mode. The waterfall of incoming signals appears >>> normal. >>> >>> I seem to be getting a good signal out, with -1 dB reported from Alaska, >>> and -7 to -10 dB from the U.S. east coast with the above settings around >>> midrange, and with the KX3 set for 15w out. However, I don't see any >>> bars at all on the ALC meter at any time, even when the USB soundcard >>> out, KX3 Mic Gain and WSJT-X power slider are set as high as their >> maximums. >>> >>> Am I forgetting a setting? Anything I can look at to troubleshoot the >>> ALC meter function? >>> >>> Thanks much, >>> >>> Frank K6FOD >>> Southern California >>> >>> >>> __ >>> 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 al...@mooseaviation.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 ju...@juliatuttle.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 huntin...@coastside.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] [K2] Cheap power supply for KBT2
On 11/23/2021 6:46 PM, Douglas Hagerman via Elecraft wrote: Looking for ideas for a cheap 14 volt wall wart type power supply for recharging the KBT2 battery. Ah -- you don't have enough RF noise, and you're looking for more! 73, Jim K9YC __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] [K2] Cheap power supply for KBT2
Looking for ideas for a cheap 14 volt wall wart type power supply for recharging the KBT2 battery. Is there one available that has the right plug? I see lots of 12 volt and 14.4 volt chargers out there, but??? Thanks, Doug, W0UHU. __ 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] No bars at all on KX3 digital mode transmit
Does anyone know *why* it does that? It's confusing when no bars means either "way too high" or "way too low". On Tue, Nov 23, 2021, 20:22 AL7CR wrote: > > A classic problem. You have TOO MUCH input gain. Counterintuitively the > KX 3 ALC will display nothing if over driven. Turn the input way down and > then increase in small steps. You will find the right setting to show ALC > that way. > On Tue, Nov 23, 2021, at 2:57 PM, Frank O'Donnell wrote: > > After not having used my KX3 in a while, today I set it up with a laptop > > on the front porch to send FT8 in WSJT-X with a new AX1 antenna. > > > > I went through the procedure in Don W3FPR's document "Setting Elecraft > > Transceivers for soundcard digital," setting in and out audio levels on > > my MacBook Pro for the thumbnail-sized Sabrent USB soundcard; Mic Gain > > on the KX3; and the power slider in WSJT-X. CAT control is working fine, > > and the KX3 is in DATA A mode. The waterfall of incoming signals appears > > normal. > > > > I seem to be getting a good signal out, with -1 dB reported from Alaska, > > and -7 to -10 dB from the U.S. east coast with the above settings around > > midrange, and with the KX3 set for 15w out. However, I don't see any > > bars at all on the ALC meter at any time, even when the USB soundcard > > out, KX3 Mic Gain and WSJT-X power slider are set as high as their > maximums. > > > > Am I forgetting a setting? Anything I can look at to troubleshoot the > > ALC meter function? > > > > Thanks much, > > > > Frank K6FOD > > Southern California > > > > > > __ > > 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 al...@mooseaviation.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 ju...@juliatuttle.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] No bars at all on KX3 digital mode transmit
A classic problem. You have TOO MUCH input gain. Counterintuitively the KX 3 ALC will display nothing if over driven. Turn the input way down and then increase in small steps. You will find the right setting to show ALC that way. On Tue, Nov 23, 2021, at 2:57 PM, Frank O'Donnell wrote: > After not having used my KX3 in a while, today I set it up with a laptop > on the front porch to send FT8 in WSJT-X with a new AX1 antenna. > > I went through the procedure in Don W3FPR's document "Setting Elecraft > Transceivers for soundcard digital," setting in and out audio levels on > my MacBook Pro for the thumbnail-sized Sabrent USB soundcard; Mic Gain > on the KX3; and the power slider in WSJT-X. CAT control is working fine, > and the KX3 is in DATA A mode. The waterfall of incoming signals appears > normal. > > I seem to be getting a good signal out, with -1 dB reported from Alaska, > and -7 to -10 dB from the U.S. east coast with the above settings around > midrange, and with the KX3 set for 15w out. However, I don't see any > bars at all on the ALC meter at any time, even when the USB soundcard > out, KX3 Mic Gain and WSJT-X power slider are set as high as their maximums. > > Am I forgetting a setting? Anything I can look at to troubleshoot the > ALC meter function? > > Thanks much, > > Frank K6FOD > Southern California > > > __ > 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 al...@mooseaviation.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] Forty Meter SSB
Ahh ... the venerable "cage" dipole [or reasonable facsimile thereof]. There used to be "cross," "star," and circular insulators for just this purpose, maybe there still are. Google knows ... try "cage dipoles". You will get even wider BW with 4 wires in a square, 6 in a hexagon, or more in a circle although the marginal benefit of another wire in the cage decreases as the number of wires increases. The humongous antenna for the Duga Russian Woodpecker OTHR used cage elements. The cross and star insulators were great for building multi-band coupled-resonator antennas. They're quite a bit easier to get adjusted than fan-dipoles, I built one for 30/17/12 right after we got those bands. Google knows about C-R antennas too. 73, Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW Sparks NV DM09dn Washoe County Bill Frantz wrote on 11/23/2021 1:18 PM: I found when I built a single wire dipole for 40M it didn't have a low enough SWR across the band for my preferences at the time. I fixed the problem by using two wires, spaced about 10cm, 4" apart for the elements. They join in the middle at the common mode choke and just loop back at the ends. This lowers the Q of the antenna enough so it satisfied my SWR goals. 73 Bill AE6JV -- This email has been checked for viruses by AVG. https://www.avg.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] No bars at all on KX3 digital mode transmit
After not having used my KX3 in a while, today I set it up with a laptop on the front porch to send FT8 in WSJT-X with a new AX1 antenna. I went through the procedure in Don W3FPR's document "Setting Elecraft Transceivers for soundcard digital," setting in and out audio levels on my MacBook Pro for the thumbnail-sized Sabrent USB soundcard; Mic Gain on the KX3; and the power slider in WSJT-X. CAT control is working fine, and the KX3 is in DATA A mode. The waterfall of incoming signals appears normal. I seem to be getting a good signal out, with -1 dB reported from Alaska, and -7 to -10 dB from the U.S. east coast with the above settings around midrange, and with the KX3 set for 15w out. However, I don't see any bars at all on the ALC meter at any time, even when the USB soundcard out, KX3 Mic Gain and WSJT-X power slider are set as high as their maximums. Am I forgetting a setting? Anything I can look at to troubleshoot the ALC meter function? Thanks much, Frank K6FOD Southern California __ 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] Background Noise with Mike Plugged in to Rear Mike Jack
The failure that lead me to a new CM-500 was a broken microphone attachment to the headphone. If I was CW/digital only, no microphone might be an improvement. :-) BTW, I got the replacement from B&H sales who listed it as a dynamic microphone. It isn't dynamic. It is electret and requires a "bias" voltage either from the radio or using the supplied battery holder. 73 Bill AE6JV On 11/21/21 at 1:33 AM, j...@audiosystemsgroup.com (Jim Brown) wrote: Like you, I've passed along the recommendation many times, and like you, I've had to buy several replacements. I've never had a problem with the ear pads. My failures are all broken cables, primarily because I've always been a real klutz. Bill Frantz|"Insofar as the propositions of mathematics refer to 408-348-7900 | reality, they are not certain; and insofar they are www.pwpconsult.com | certain, they do not refer to reality.” -- Einstein __ 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] Forty Meter SSB
I found when I built a single wire dipole for 40M it didn't have a low enough SWR across the band for my preferences at the time. I fixed the problem by using two wires, spaced about 10cm, 4" apart for the elements. They join in the middle at the common mode choke and just loop back at the ends. This lowers the Q of the antenna enough so it satisfied my SWR goals. 73 Bill AE6JV On 11/22/21 at 1:45 PM, j...@audiosystemsgroup.com (Jim Brown) wrote: On 11/21/21 at 1:49 PM, flat...@comcast.net (Richard) wrote: Is there any area within the 40-meter SSB segment where DX tends to congregate or appear? I ask this for antenna tuning purposes. Cheers, Richard — W4KBX A half-wave dipole tuned to resonate in the middle of the band will have very manageable VSWR over the entire band. - Bill Frantz| Airline peanut bag: "Produced | Periwinkle (408)348-7900 | in a facility that processes | 150 Rivermead Rd #235 www.pwpconsult.com | peanuts and other nuts." - Duh | Peterborough, NH 03458 __ 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] Selling elecraft equipment
Yes, folks routinely post gear for sale here. It's nice if you post an asking price. 73, Julie On Tue, Nov 23, 2021, 09:39 Uncle Ben wrote: > Dear Friends > Does anyone know if its ok to sell elecraft equipment on this web site? > Thanks All the best! > Vincent wb2pdw 73 > __ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to ju...@juliatuttle.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
[Elecraft] Selling elecraft equipment
Dear Friends Does anyone know if its ok to sell elecraft equipment on this web site? Thanks All the best! Vincent wb2pdw 73 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] K2 advice needed - what to buy
Hi Ted, It sounds like all you would need is a simple configuration for your K2. A couple of things you may want to consider is the KNB2 noise blanker if you happen to have any impulse noise issues at your QTH. Also, the KAF2 audio filter provides a set of nice audio filters that can be peaked at your sidetone frequency and help weak CW signals pop out of the noise. You will have a set of 4, voltage controlled (adjustable) CW crystal filters. They can be set at any width you like and centered on your sidetone frequency. Typically they are set for widths of 1.5kHz, 700hz, 400Hz and 200Hz. But you can choose whatever works for you. There is an older program out there called Spectrogram that makes setting up you filters a snap. You feed the K2 audio into your PC's soundcard and display the audio spectrum using Spectrogram to visually adjust the width and center frequency of your 4 filters. A panadapter solution is not inherit in the K2. But, with the addition of a IF Buffer amplifier, the K2's IF can be brought outside the K2 for use with various solutions. I came up with a nice panadapter solution that uses an IF amp designed by Jack Smith, K8ZOA (SK) and sold by DX Engineering. I feed the IF output to a SDR Play unit and use HDSDR on a PC to display spectrum and provide point and click QSY via Omni-Rig. Here is a complete write up of the project on my site: https://www.w8fgu.com/k2pan.html If you decide to implement a panadapter solution or need rig control from a PC, you will also need the KIO2 Aux I/O board in your K2 to provide RS-232 communication. Another consideration may be the K160RX module. Although it doesn't sound like you would need 160m capability, the module also provides a separate receive antenna port that can be used on any band if you have the need to use a separate RX antenna. Based on your operating preferences, it doesn't sound like the KSB2, KAT2 or KBT2 (internal battery) would be useful to you. Hope this helps. 73, Dave, W8FGU On 11/23/2021 6:57:45 AM, "E J Martin" wrote: Good morning. I'd like to buy & make a K2 kit but would appreciate advice on what features to buy. I'm a simple chap based in the UK. And after 50 years I now Only use CW on 40m with a straight key, and I don't bother with contests as the morse is all autokeyers, keyboards, decoders, & 30wpm PFKeys. No criticism intended it's the inevitable evolution of CW with technology. I have a long wire resonant (SWR < 1.4) across the 40 band hence don't need an ATU. I've consigned my ICOM kit to a box in the attic and now use an early generation K2, battery powered, at 10W. But I'd rather like to build a new K2. I'd need roofing filters etc for CW but Not SSB or anything else. What would also be nice would be a panadapter but not sure how that would connect. Any advice/guidance would be much appreciated. ––– Ted M5UF __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to d...@w8fgu.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 advice needed - what to buy
Good morning. I'd like to buy & make a K2 kit but would appreciate advice on what features to buy. I'm a simple chap based in the UK. And after 50 years I now Only use CW on 40m with a straight key, and I don't bother with contests as the morse is all autokeyers, keyboards, decoders, & 30wpm PFKeys. No criticism intended it's the inevitable evolution of CW with technology. I have a long wire resonant (SWR < 1.4) across the 40 band hence don't need an ATU. I've consigned my ICOM kit to a box in the attic and now use an early generation K2, battery powered, at 10W. But I'd rather like to build a new K2. I'd need roofing filters etc for CW but Not SSB or anything else. What would also be nice would be a panadapter but not sure how that would connect. Any advice/guidance would be much appreciated. ––– Ted M5UF __ 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
