Re: [Elecraft] N-GEN replacement

[Bill Hammond via Elecraft]

The 2N5235B is .15 cents + postage at Digikey.  Better hurry they only have 
14,500 left.

73, AK5X-Bill
Sent from my iPhone

> On Mar 30, 2024, at 4:56 PM, W3FPR  wrote:
> 
> Bruce,
> 
> You might try replacing the diode in the N-Gen.
> If that does not work, then look at the Noise Generator that N0SS (SK) 
> published.  It is available at
> http://www.mmccs.com/mmarc/n0ss/noise_source.pdf.
> If you have board etching capability, the board shown is full size - although 
> you can wire it point to point with only a board (or cardboard) to hold the 
> components.  I built one with no board at all (Wes Hayward's Micro 
> Mountaineer style), and it works fine.
> 
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
> 
>> On 3/30/2024 4:41 PM, Bruce Rosen wrote:
>> I see that Elecraft no longer sells the N-GEN wide band noise generator.
>> My N-GEN, which I built in 2010, seems to function no longer, so I'm
>> looking for a suitable replacement.  Kit form is fine.
>> 
>> Any suggestions would be appreciated.
>> 
>> - Bruce K1FFX
>> 
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Re: [Elecraft] RemoteRig distributors in USA?

[Bill Hammond via Elecraft]

www.remoterig.com

73, AK5X-Bill

Sent from my iPhone

> On Feb 21, 2022, at 2:29 PM, Bill Coleman  wrote:
> 
> I recently obtained a second K3 and now I’m curious about remote operating 
> my home station K3. The RemoteRig RRC-1258MkII seems like a good solution, 
> but I’m having trouble finding anyone who carries it in the USA.
> 
> Elecraft used to sell, as well as HRO, but neither list this product.
> 
> Suggestions?
> 
> 
> Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASELMail: aa...@arrl.net
> Web: http://boringhamradiopart.blogspot.com
> Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!"
>-- Wilbur Wright, 1901
> 
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Re: [Elecraft] Reliable PL-259 UHF connector engagement

[Bill Hammond via Elecraft]

Hi George, I was over program services in Dallas back in the 1970’s for 
Southwestern Bell.  We provided the last mile for radio and TV remote 
operations.  I spent more than a little time handing off our end.   We also 
provided studio to transmitter links.  

I saw that tool in use at just about all the outlets.

Good times!!  I just lost my feed from CBS, help??

73,  Bill-AK5X


Sent from my iPhone

> On Jul 29, 2020, at 3:59 PM, George Danner  wrote:
> 
>  Bill,
> Looks very similar. 
> 73
> George  AI4VZ
> 
> On 7/29/20 3:21 PM, William Hammond wrote:
>> Perhaps looking something like this one (BNC)?  
>> https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=6510
>> 
>> 73, Bill-AK5X
>> 
>>> On Jul 29, 2020, at 2:02 PM, George Danner  wrote:
>>> 
>>> Andy,
>>> 
>>> In the 60s & 70s, we had a screwdriver like tool for removing and inserting 
>>> PL-259 connectors in patch-bays in TV stations
> 
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Re: [Elecraft] web site down?

[Bill Hammond via Elecraft]

It must be a regional  issue again with Verizon (has happened before).  Working 
fine here with AT&T U-Verse in Dallas.
73,
Bill-AK5X



> On Aug 7, 2016, at 7:50 AM, David F. Reed  wrote:
> 
> I went this morning to try to see if there were any microcode updates, and at 
> first, I could only get the front page, so I thought I'd try later... when I 
> did, not even that would come up.
> 
> Is anyone else having the same problem? Know what's going on?
> 
> Thanks & 73 de W5SV - Dave
> 
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Re: [Elecraft] K3 output power spikes

[Bill Hammond via Elecraft]

Hi John,
My power dances all over the place (my serial number is 00069).  Just had a 
quick QSO with the KPA500 indicating 560 watts at the beginning and then going 
down to 480 at the end.  That is typical.  My 12 volt supply drops to 12.2 on 
transmit, 13.3 on receive.  I have a long 12 volt  cable from the supply so  
“I" squared losses are understandable in the cable. Driving power from the K3 
is variable per band but typically set to 25 watts or so.  The QSO described 
above was on 17 Meters and the drive is 25 watts there for ~500 watts out or 
just below after stabilization. 

I remember the power fluctuation issue being discussed years ago on this 
reflector and it was explained that the power control uses a sampling and 
feedback loop that takes “time” to stabilize.  That said, I believe we are both 
experiencing some power fluctuation over 10% in a short period of time.  
Depending on the amplifiers we are using this could cause real downstream 
issues, like distorted signals, spurs or alarm faulting of smart amplifiers. 

Could we have some aging component that is aggravating this issue?  Our K3’s 
are among the oldest on the air. 

73,
Bill-AK5X



> On Feb 29, 2016, at 2:24 PM, John K1JD  wrote:
> 
> Hi All,
> My K3 SN #071 was purchased new November 2007. It’s had a few mods/upgrades 
> along the way and its firmware is current. 
> 
> Last Field Day 2015 at W5YA, the K3’s LPA failed after a close lightning 
> strike. I was able to successfully repair the LPA replacing both discrete and 
> SMD components. Performed a Pout calibration using the K3 Utility program 
> afterward and it passed.
> 
> My 9500 amplifier (driven by the K3) has had a few instances of a high plate 
> current faults since new in December 2010. These faults had been infrequent 
> enough to ignore. More recently though the problems have been occurring more 
> often. Swapping the tube did not help nor did careful inspection inside the 
> amplifier reveal anything.
> 
> Evidence that the problem is related to the K3 and not the amplifier 
> presented itself by accident a few days ago. I had the K3’s output set to 40w 
> and the Alpha was off. I inadvertently bumped the key and noted an 
> instantaneous output of 54w on the Powermaster II wattmeter. A few more dits, 
> and the power output settled back to 40w. Hmmm… if the amplifier had been in 
> line, the K3’s drive set for full legal limit and a first dit resulted in an 
> additional 30% drive, a high plate current fault might certainly happen.
> 
> This morning I was using the KPA500 amp with my K3’s power set to 28 watts. 
> After an early AM CW fix I left the station on, walked away and came back in 
> a few hours hours. On first dit the KPA’s instantaneous power showed 650w on 
> the Powermaster II and illuminated a red LED on the KPA500, then settled back 
> down to <500w. 
> 
> OK, so it IS the K3 causing the problem BUT the power output spikes occur 
> very infrequently. It’s difficult to nail down the cause or even the 
> conditions under which the problem is most likely to occur. 
> 
> Reading the archives, others have had power spike issues over the years. Is 
> there a known fix? I’ve looked briefly at Elecraft’s alerts and mods but 
> nothing jumps out.
> 
> 73,
> John K1JD
> Santa Fe, NM
> 
> 
> 
> 
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Re: [Elecraft] K3EXREF Ext. Frequency Reference Input

[Bill Hammond via Elecraft]

No experience with that model but much information is available on line.  I 
bought the BG7TBL version and a distribution amplifier.  The Lady Heather 
software said it was accurate over several days to the 12th power...way beyond 
what I need.  I use the output for my HP frequency  counter and the K3.  Way 
beyond what we need but fun to play with.  If it doesn’t come with a antenna 
understand that the antenna has a powered LNA and will need power over the feed 
line, provided in the model I purchased.  These eBay versions vary due to the 
fact that they use salvaged parts so depending when it is manufactured it will 
have a different OCXO for GPS RX installed.  Since accuracy is way beyond what 
I need (I don’t run a calibration lab).  Fun stuff...Homework assignments is 
the GPS frequency traceable to the NBS.  :)

Pictures here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ak5x/

73,
Bill-AK5X




> On Dec 20, 2015, at 12:42 AM, Mike VE3YF  wrote:
> 
> Hi:
> 
> Has anyone used or had experience using the K3EXREF with this item as the 
> 10Mhz source:
> 
> Trimble GPS Receiver GPSDO 10MHz 1PPS GPS Disciplined Clock with RS232 Port
> 
> http://www.ebay.com/itm/Trimble-GPS-Receiver-GPSDO-10MHz-1PPS-GPS-Disciplined-Clock-with-rs232-port-/252162780444?hash=item3ab612ad1c:g:udkAAOSwhcJWQCPM
> 
> It looks like it would be a nice 10Mhz source for the K3WXREF and the K3, but 
> unfamiliar with this product. Welcome all comments good or bad.
> 
> 
> 73 De Mike
> VE3YF
> 
> http://www.ve3yf.com
> [http://www.ve3yf.com/]
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[Elecraft] Dual SYNTHESIZER installation with optional CAT scan.

[Bill Hammond via Elecraft]

The photographic trail on my Flickr account here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ak5x/albums/72157657206930935 


73.
Bill-AK5X
K3 SN 0069
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Re: [Elecraft] QSK and the K3

[Bill Hammond via Elecraft]

I’m wondering what tests Electaft is suggesting?  Remember the QSK  (right side 
of band-switch) has two settings Full and Simi.  Also in the Config menu CW QRQ 
= ON, seems to help, gives you the + sign on the right bottom of the display. 
My serial number 00069 seems to work as good as ever with 5.29 installed.  
73,
Bill-AK5X


> On Jul 16, 2015, at 9:18 AM, Don Wilhelm  wrote:
> 
> Bill,
> 
> There were some firmware changes made when the new synthesizers were 
> introduced, and as I recall some of those changes involved QSK operation.  
> Initial reports on the new synthesizers from users indicated that QSK was 
> better.
> I have not seen any reports of QSK changes with the old synthesizers, but you 
> may have "hit on something" - continue with the tests and tell us your 
> results.
> 
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
> 
> On 7/16/2015 10:00 AM, Bill Stravinsky via Elecraft wrote:
>> When I first got my K3 in 2009 I thought the QSK was fabulous and used it 
>> every so often.  Then for a few years I was working too much and wasa little 
>> inactive.  I finally retired and heavy into ham radio once again.  I got the 
>> KXV3B for the preamp and had to jump from version 3 somethingmcu to version 
>> 5, and now have version 5.29.  Has anybody else thought the QSK  to be 
>> "slower"?  I am performing some tests recommended byElecraft to see if I 
>> have a problem but am looking for opinions from other users.
>> Bill K3WJV
>> 
> 
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Re: [Elecraft] USB to RS-232 Interfaces for my K-2

[Bill Hammond via Elecraft]

I use this one:  
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3502723&csid=_61
 

 

I use this model on two iMac machines and one Windows 7 (Dell XPS 8700).  It is 
a Sabrent USB 2.0 to Serial model FT1K.  This one has a short 1’ cable. 

 If you need a 6’ cable this one is for you:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=690719&csid=_61
 

 

There is a long story about chip sets and counterfeits that are disabled …long, 
long story.  But I know these work so you can skip the long story.


73,
Bill-AK5X 


> On Jan 5, 2015, at 11:26 AM, Frank Krozel  wrote:
> 
> Michael, all.
> 
> I had the same dilemma and I had to pick up a used refurb laptop with Win 7 
> on it.   I also purchased a refurb Dell Win 7 for remote control, for my 
> “remote” station, both replacing my older XP solutions.
> They still are available but will be gone soon.  Both have a 9 pin on it as 
> well as multiple USB on them.
> 
> I use a 590 and HRD for my remote system.  Want to use my K2 but… the 590 has 
> the “on-off” command in it, and know I need to buy some more hardware to do 
> the ON/OFF control.
> 
> Frank KG9H
> 
> 
> 
> On Jan 5, 2015, at 10:57 AM, Michael Walker  > wrote:
> 
>> http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-Serial-Adapter-Retention-ICUSB2321F/dp/B004ZMYTYC/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1420477016&sr=8-7&keywords=rs232+startech
>>  
>> 
>> 
>> Hi has port retention which is very handy.
>> 
>> Mike va3mw
>> 
>> On Mon, Jan 5, 2015 at 11:52 AM, Ken Miller K6CTW > >
>> wrote:
>> 
>>> All,
>>> 
>>> With the purchase of a new computer (a laptop) after my old one (8 yrs
>>> old) finally gave up the ghost, I am confronted with a new issue.  Those
>>> nice RS-232 ports are no longer available.  Since that means using an
>>> adaptor to convert from USB to RS-232 to control the K-2, what brands have
>>> been found to work and more specifically, which should be rejected as
>>> non-functional?
>>> 
>>> Thanks in advance for any/all help/comments/etc.
>>> 
>>> Ken Miller, K6CTW   K-2 # 455
>>> 
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