Re: [Elecraft] kit building or buy ready for use
I bought mine already assembled. Good thing because when I had problems with audio distortion, the first thing they asked me was did I build it. No was the good answer. Bob W6TR - Original Message - From: Volker Wächter dd...@gmx.de To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Sunday, December 20, 2009 2:03 PM Subject: [Elecraft] kit building or buy ready for use Hello @ all, I do not know what most of you did. As many others, I am also interested in a K3 Trx. what do you recommend ? do-it yourself an purchase a kit, or buy it ready for use ? as far as I know, elecreft points out that a complete ESD equipment is strictly recommended. what did you do ? 73 de Volker, DD1VW __ 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 __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] ARRL 2010 Handbook special from Elecraft - almost 50% off.
Interesting that the 2010 Handbook, which is supposed to be extensively updated still shows in the Amplifier section the 3CX1500D7 amp article submitted by K8RA and the K6GT 4CX1600 amp article. The K8RA amp uses a tube that now costs over $1000 and the Russian 4CX1600 is no longer being manufactured. You're right about the weight. It cost over $7 to ship it to me. Bob W6TR - Original Message - From: Bill W4ZV btipp...@alum.mit.edu To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Wednesday, December 16, 2009 12:26 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] ARRL 2010 Handbook special from Elecraft - almost 50% off. Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft wrote: We're offering a special price, almost 50% off, on the completely updated 2010 ARRL Handbook. This is in honor of the K3, which received the League's top rating in three of its recommended transceiver tables (Handbook pages 14.10 to 14.13). I just received my copy today...wow what a dense book! It weighs almost as much as an IC-7800. :-) Congrats to Elecraft for the K3 dominating the top of ARRL's Mid-Range, Upper Mid-Range and Top-Drawer transceiver category ratings. 73, Bill -- View this message in context: http://n2.nabble.com/ARRL-2010-Handbook-special-from-Elecraft-almost-50-off-tp4061800p4177468.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 __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] [K3] 150 watt boots for 160m
Is it really necessary to continue this thread? My inbox is seeing entirely too much drivel like this thread and others on this reflector. Bob W6TR - Original Message - From: Joe Subich, W4TV li...@subich.com To: 'Ignacy' n...@arrl.net; elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Friday, December 11, 2009 3:09 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [K3] 150 watt boots for 160m 2SC2782 is rated at 80W min each at 175 MHz so getting 150W from two on 1.8 MHz should be peanuts; the main reason why they are restricted to 110W in K3 is linearity (across bands) + component ratings. At higher power, the efficiency can be higher and thus K3 may actually run cooler! Don't try it ... with 12W max available from the LPA, the pair of 2SC2782 are already working very near maximum gain at 100 W output when the other losses are considered. The 2SC2782 shows 6.4 dB gain 1t 12.5V ... (12W drive, 80W Out). Derating the gross output by 1 dB for circuit losses in the LPF and T/R switch and 1 dB for linearity purposes, the net output is right at the K3's 110 W maximum output. If you really must have 200/250 W output, build an external amplifier using two MRF-150 instead of the four used in Motorola Engineering Bulletin 103 by Helge Granberg. See: http://www.ab4oj.com/dl/eb104.pdf In addition to the added power output, operating with a 48V power supply provides improved IMD (-33 dB @ 150 W) and gain (20 dB). 73, ... Joe, W4TV -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Ignacy Sent: Friday, December 11, 2009 4:06 PM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [K3] 150 watt boots for 160m Those who believe in authority and that God punishes tinkerers, PLEASE SKIP this message. 2SC2782 is rated at 80W min each at 175 MHz so getting 150W from two on 1.8 MHz should be peanuts; the main reason why they are restricted to 110W in K3 is linearity (across bands) + component ratings. At higher power, the efficiency can be higher and thus K3 may actually run cooler! So how to get 150W out of K3? 1. ALC would not let it. It needs to be fooled, e.g., by changing a divider in the SWR unit to indicate 100W when it is 150W. 2. At 150W the output impedance would not be 50 Ohm; it would be 35-40 Ohm with extra impedance added by LPF, which are designed for 50 Ohm. You need a manual tuner that you will tune for max power, not min SWR. If higher SWR causes power fold up, the SWR circuit needs to fooled again. 3. The radio would take more amps, say 30A, and the fuse may go out. If so, change the fuse or reduce the power so that the fuse is not tripping. Is it worth it, I am not sure. In contests, the extra power may make a real difference. Would Wayne and Eric approve? Never officially! Would K3 be ruined? I doubt it. Would I do it if I wanted to win a 160m contest in LP category and had no other alternatives? Perhaps on CW but never on SSB due to high IMD. Corresponding story Many years ago a power supply for IC-735 broke and the spare one was for 5A max. Tuned for min SWR the power was 5 W. Tuning for max power out generated 25W. Later, I tried the same trick with IC-7000. It was 5 W no matter what the tuning because of strong power folding under high SWR. Not sure what K3 would do. But there is a possibility that one can get 10-20W more just by tuning for max power out. Ignacy Julius Fazekas n2wn wrote: Wondering if anyone has a suggestion of a solid state amp or pushing the K3 PA to obtain 150 watts out on 160m? A kit or HB would be fine... 73, Julius n2wn -- View this message in context: http://n2.nabble.com/150-watt-boots-for-160m-tp4151943p4153762.html Sent from the [K3] 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 __ 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 __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] [HAM] Yamaha CM500 Headset is a WINNER (and a BARGAIN)
I ordered mine through Full Compass. With shipping it was $48 but they are out of stock and don't expect to be able to ship until after the first of the year. Bob W6TR - Original Message - From: sm7vzx 7...@tele2.se To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Wednesday, December 09, 2009 1:48 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [HAM] Yamaha CM500 Headset is a WINNER (and a BARGAIN) Is someone tried on K2? If YES, what kind of settings you are using on K2? Thanks 7S7V Wes Stewart wrote: I second all of this. I've been using one since June. --- On Mon, 11/23/09, Jim Brown j...@audiosystemsgroup.com wrote: From: Jim Brown j...@audiosystemsgroup.com Subject: [Elecraft] Yamaha CM500 Headset is a WINNER (and a BARGAIN) To: Elecraft List elecraft@mailman.qth.net Date: Monday, November 23, 2009, 11:28 AM Last night, K6MM posted to the NCCC Email list: Headset Report: The new Yamaha CM500 headset performed flawlessly. Great reports, comfortable all weekend, good soundproofing. A real bargain at $40 -- thanks again for the group purchase, Josh (W6XU). After about 22 hours of use in SS-SSB, I'd like to reinforce John's comments on these headsets. I find the headset quite comfortable, the cans sound very good, and the mic produces GREAT audio. I bought three, and they are replacing the EV RE16 that I've used exclusively for contesting for the last five years! If you worked W6BX, K9YC, K6MM, AK6M, or W6XU, you were listening to the CM500. The mic in this headset is not a FLAT mic, but it's quite smooth and clean sounding, and the EQ is close to perfect for ham radio and contesting. It sounds MUCH MUCH MUCH better than most Heils I've heard (and at 1/3 the price). Because it's EQed for communications use and my existing voice messages were recorded with an RE16 (a very flat professional recording/broadcast mic), I had to re-record all of my SS messages. The only negative of this mic (and it's a minor one, because it's easy to work around it) is that it is a bit sensitive to breath pop and handling noise, so you need to roll off the low end AND keep it away from your mouth. I found myself alternating between two positions -- one below my mouth a few inches, and the other a few inches above and to the side, but out of the way of my nose (so that breathing didn't get into the mic). Both positions are quite comfortable, and both sound very good. I used the higher position for recording the messages. One VERY important caution -- the output from this mic is VERY high, and can easily overload the electronics that it is feeding if you don't take care with gain settings. To record, I ran straight into the sound card of my IBM T22 (eight year old Thinkpad) with the mic preamp OFF, the gain at minimum, and the mic about four inches away. Any closer caused the sound card to clip! I did NO eq while recording. When operating, I plugged the mic and headset into the rear panel connectors, turned on the bias (tap 2 on the keypad while in the mic select menu) and set mic gain to Low (tap 1 on the keypad in the mic select menu). I used max cut of the two lowest bands on the K3 to minimize the breath and handling noise. With other rigs, you may need to do that with a series cap. 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 -- View this message in context: http://n2.nabble.com/Yamaha-CM500-Headset-is-a-WINNER-and-a-BARGAIN-tp4052975p4141865.html Sent from the [HAM] 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 __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] OT--A Suggestion About Printers
When you print, when the print screen comes up and before you hit the OK to Print key, click preferences, set the quality level to Fast Draft and then go to the Color tab and click on grayscale. Your printer will print faster and use much less ink. Try it. Bob W6TR - Original Message - From: David Yarnes w7...@cox.net To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Monday, December 07, 2009 8:34 AM Subject: [Elecraft] OT--A Suggestion About Printers Hi All, I don't know how many of you share my frustration about printing needs, but I find it to be a fairly expensive process. I've been using an HP printer that is wireless for about 3 years, and it does a very nice job. However, it is a constant battle as those printer cartridges don't seem to last all that long. I try to keep things like my K3 manual, and accessories, updated in a notebook, along with all the firmware updates, etc. Often something you print off has some color in it, and the color cartridges seem to go really fast! Replacements are very expensive for just about all makes and models, even at my favorite supplier--Costco! I think printers have become like safety razors--cheap to buy on the front end, but very expensive to keep properly supplied. As I indicated above, a lot of what comes off the internet has color in it, but printing it in black and white would not be a very significant loss in most cases. I know you can set your printer to do just black and white--at least most of them--but that does tend to be something of a pain in the neck when you are just trying to quickly print off a couple of pages, etc. You can also set the resolution lower, to save ink, but how many of us take the time to do it? Then there is the constant (or seemingly so) prompting you get that one cartridge or another is running low. Some printers has 4 or 5 different color cartridges, and they never really seem to deplete at the same rate. A while back I started investigating laser printers, and found that one model (wireless) by Brother was very highly rated. This is the model HL-5370DW. Consumer Reports gave it a very favorable review, as did a couple of computer magazines. It's black and white only, but I don't think I care about color, and I can always use my HP for that. Best of all, the cost per copy was estimated at just over one cent per copy, versus 5 or 6 cents per copy on most ink jet models. On my HP, I pay about $90 for a combo cartridge package that will maybe get me between 500 and 1000 copies--if I'm lucky! That may seem like a lot of copies, but if you have kids, it isn't! Besides, I think those estimates are very optimistic. A high capacity cartridge for the Brother laser model, costs about $80 (on Amazon), and will supposedly deliver 8,000 copies! I take that estimate with a grain of salt as well, but clearly that is miles cheaper than for an inkjet printer. There are aftermarket suppliers that are even a lot cheaper, but I don't know whether those are of sufficient quality or not. Eventually you have to replace the drum on a laser printer, but those are supposedly good for at least 25,000 copies, so I don't expect to have to worry about that for a long time. Anyway, I looked into prices for the HL-5370DW, and the best price I could find for it was about $220 (it lists for about $250). Not bad, but I deferred. This past weekend, Office Depot advertised it for $180! I couldn't find an internet price anywhere close to that. Since the printer is wireless capable, I decided it would be a good bet at that price, so I picked one up. I like it! The setup process to get it hooked into my WiFi system was somewhat more convaluted than with my HP, but it now works fine, and I have everyone's computer directed to it. I may be kidding myself, but I think I'm saving money already! Another big benefit was speed. My HP is supposedly pretty high end, but still it seems to go at a snail's pace--even on much of the straight black and white stuff. I just printed out Jim Brown's (K9YC) treatise on RFI (61 pages) in less than 2 minutes! If I had done that on my HP I would still be waiting. Also, I did it duplex, so only 31 pieces of paper, and it will go nicely into a soft binder for future reference. Unfortunately, this is a topic I need to refer to frequently here because of an issue that has arisen, and going back and forth to my computer was getting to be a pain. I also like to print off pertinent topics in the new ARRL Handbook instead of lugging that 5 pound monster around all the time. Also, there is so much great info on the internet, and sometimes you really need hard copy to comfortably read it. Anyway, FWIW, I think this is a much better way to go if you do much printing at all. You can always supplement with a much cheaper inkjet printer for those times when you have to have color, and even the cheaper inkjets these days are
[Elecraft] FTDX5000MP Info
Go to KC8QVO www.kc8qvo.com for a complete line up on the FTDX5000 radio including a full pic. Bob __ 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
[Elecraft] FTDX5K
Looks like they are going to offer it in 3 flavors. It doesn't have a second receiver! The Bandscope looks like it came off a Honda, complete with defroster vents. Bob W6TR __ 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
[Elecraft] KUSB Adaptor
Why doesn't the design team at Elecraft incorporate a USB port on the back of the K3 instead of the outdated serial port? They could offer a kit that would use the hole that is now labeled RS232. There might be room for 2 USB ports or mini ports. Bob Maser W6TR (waiting for Elecraft to repair my new K3) __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] My Proposed K3 Configuration so far...
It is an adapter that can be found at electronics stores for anywhere from $25 to $40. Bob #3605 - Original Message - From: Phil Hystad k7...@comcast.net To: Lyle Johnson k...@wavecable.com Cc: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Wednesday, November 18, 2009 3:45 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] My Proposed K3 Configuration so far... Is the KUSB just an ordinary adapter or does it provide a USB port built into the K3 back panel. And, if not built in, why not. I don't even have a serial port on my computers anymore (3 Apple macs and one windows laptop). phil On Nov 18, 2009, at 2:42 PM, Lyle Johnson wrote: I might be confused between a thing called the KIO3 and the KUSB. I can't find the KIO3 on the list of options but I do read about it in the user's manual. Is this no longer an option? Or, am I staring right at it on the web page but still blind and can't see. The KIO3 is part of the K3, not an option. The KUSB is a USB - RS232 adapter. 73, Lyle KK7P __ 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 __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K3 - CQWW SSB Observations - R U kidding?
Doug, I was very happy to read you analysis of the K3 radio. I have mine on order and it should arrive tomorrow barring another snow storm like we had yesterday. I have be reading most of the posts to the Elecraft reflector and it is quite intimidating. My plan is to apply power, connect an antenna and a mic and start playing. I just sold my Flex 5000A because I got tired of all the tweaking and discussion. Your post has given me hope. BTW, a good friend of mine in the Rochester area has just received 8 K3's for his multi-multi station. He doesn't think that the K3 is complicated at all. Bob W6TR Fort Collins, CO - Original Message - From: DOUGLAS ZWIEBEL doug...@gmail.com To: Elecraft Reflector elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Thursday, October 29, 2009 11:46 AM Subject: [Elecraft] K3 - CQWW SSB Observations - R U kidding? The K3 is as simple or complex as you want to make it. I have a pair of K3s (and still a K2) and I contest 99% of the time I'm on the radio. Honestly, I hardly ever touch anything other than the tuning knob. I think many folks using other radios NEED to play with the knobs because of the inherently inferior design of the RX. The K3 is so good as is one really does not need to twiddle the knobs much at all. You certainly are NOT going into the menus during the contest (if you're a serious all band contester). I am not saying you can't twiddle around, but for 99% of the contacts, there is no need. Too complicated? Well, selfishly, I hope that rumor continues to spread so those us who already own the K3 can maintain our undeniable advantage for contesting in crowded, multiple strong signal environments. Hey, I did win both modes CQWW for USA qrp last year (yes, using the K3). And yes, there are several BIG contest stations that have moved to all K3s (including Multi-multi). Just because a radio is capable of being changed on the fly to the nth degree does not mean you're doing that all the time (or more than once or twice a year). de Doug KR2Q __ 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 __ 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
