[Elecraft] KX3 For Sale
KX3 with roofing filter, key, clock/charger, tuner, microphone and cable set. Very mild use and in perfect condition. Also includes 8 eneloop Ni-Mh batteries, Power Pole cable, and padded carry case. Photos available. New price over $1,600 plus shipping. Yours for only $1,275 plus $23 shipping to ConUS. PayPal OK. Wonderful radio. I got it thinking I would be doing some SOTA and outdoor activity. That hasn't happened and I hate to have it sitting around unused. Please reply directly to k four ia at AOL -- K4ia Buck Honor Roll 335 8BDXCC __ 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] User Interface
I hope everyone saw today's Dilbert cartoon. I always wondered how Wayne came up with the push, tap, hold and twist. Check it out on Dilbert.com -- K4ia Buck Honor Roll 335 8BDXCC __ 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] [KX3/PX3] Bonding
Here is the authority on the issue. http://audiosystemsgroup.com/RFI-Ham.pdf Have you put ferrite on the cables from the iMac and the switching power supply? You've used "star" grounding around the KX3. Try bonding everything to everything - you want to provide a low-impedance parallel path from case to case everywhere there is a connection. So, there should be a bond between the soundcard and the iMac and the soundcard and power supply. Also the iMac and soundcard to the PX3. Your diagram should look more like a spider web. Are the interconnecting cables grounded to the chassis or the circuit board? You'll have to open some things up and see if there is the "pin 1 problem" where the cable's ground is on the circuit board and not the chassis. I would look for a YouTube video on how to open up that iMac. I am sure someone has posted one. K4ia Buck Honor Roll 335 8BDXCC On 6/5/2016 8:03 AM, Joel Black wrote: I figured out most of my problems with all the spikes on the PX3 - the switching P/S in my iMac. To a lesser extent, I can hear the MFJ-4125 switching P/S I use to power the KX3 and PX3. I cannot remember if I tried looking at the spectrum using the Astron RS-35 as a power source and plugging in the 4125 or not. I will try that today. I did use the RX SHFT and was able to move a huge spike off the carrier. Does RX SHFT still nullify the roofing filter or was that fixed in a F/W update? I’m pretty sure I can bond the KX3, PX3, and MFJ-4125 but I don’t have a *clue* how to bond the iMac. It’s a late 2012 27” iMac. It’s an all-in-one with *no* external screws. It’s the model with the “pregnant” bulge in the back. However, if it means I have to go to a Windows computer, I’ll live with the noise or build a Hackintosh. I also use this computer for other things - editing video, etc. I *did* try my wife’s Mac Book Pro with the power supply plugged in and I did not notice the P/S noise on the PX3; however, her computer is not powerful enough to edit video unless you have time to wait. ;) Just to make sure I understand what I need to do: 1. Bond the KX3 to the power supply. 2. Bond the KX3 to the PX3. 3. Bond the KX3 to the computer (somehow). 4. Bond the KX3 to the sound card (in my case, a Focusrite 2i2). Trying to use ASCII to draw, I’m guessing it should look like this: PX3KX3———MFJ-4125 / \ / \ iMac Focusrite 2i2 My KX3 antenna connection goes to a 4-way switch to switch between my OCF, NVIS, vertical, and dummy load. Does the KX3 need to be bonded to that as well? All of the feed lines run up through the wall, into the attic, and out a soffit vent to surge protectors attached to a ground rod. That ground rod is bonded to house ground. The OCF and the NVIS are on a fiberglass pole in the middle of the back yard. There is no ground rod there. The vertical is over to the side and is bonded to a ground rod there. That ground rod is not bonded but, from my reading, it should be. Does this look/sound right? Please be critical. I cannot learn unless you tell me where I screwed up. I have pretty thick skin. ;) 73, Joel - W4JBB __ 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 k...@aol.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] Sherwood's receiver performance table updated
Very comprehensive review of the 7300 explaining how it handles ADC overload at http://www.ab4oj.com/icom/ic7300/7300notes.pdf K4ia Buck Honor Roll 335 8BDXCC On 4/27/2016 8:17 AM, Gene Gabry wrote: On 4/26/2016 10:15 PM, Robert Vargas-KP4Y via Elecraft wrote: Just that you know, K9CT has one of the finest contesting station in > the US. He has switched to direct-sampling SDRs (Flex-6700). Just ask > him if this architecture is 5 years away from being competitive. While I do not know for sure, I suspect K9CT is using bandpass filters and stubs to prevent inter-station interference in his multi-multi operation just >as he did when he used conventional transceivers. With properly designed bandpass filters, stubs and the preselectors in his 6700s he's not likely to >have a severe overload issue unless he happens to be close to some high power AM stations (on 160 meters) and even then indications are that a good >highpass filter and 10 to 15 dB of attenuation will resolve the problems with a 16 bit ADC. Yes, I can confirm K9CT uses BP filters on his 6700's. His main reason for switching to mostly 6700's at his contest station was for the "simplicity" of being able to operate SO2R or multi -2 without the need for all the access cables and extras required with the K3 set up. The WiFi ability that comes with the Maestro made networking wireless as well. I believe he still uses a K3S or two at his home station and uses K3S's on DXpeditions. There are conditions and reasons where each platform can win, with proper configurations, tools and expectations. Gene, N9TF Society of Midwest Contesters __ 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 k...@aol.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] abject buffoonery
Brings to mind an old observation of mine: "I you ask five hams a question, you will get seven different answers and maybe a fist-fight." K4ia Buck Honor Roll 334 8BDXCC On 2/14/2016 2:22 PM, Wayne Burdick wrote: The occasional rebroadcasted music, malicious jamming, whistles, jeers, political "discourse," religious extremism, blush-worthy 60-over-9 filth, and full-contact audio body slams found on 75 meters offer a bottomless pit of entertaining signals for testing new receiver designs. Given this, plus the Fifty Shades of QRN found nowhere else, as an engineer I'd really miss it. To be fair, there's also a large contingent of knowledgable operators to be found on this band, with expertise in SSB and AM signal quality, antennas, and amplifiers. No shortage of opinions when you need them. Wayne N6KR On Feb 14, 2016, at 10:43 AM, "Bob Novas" wrote: I'm dismayed by much of what I hear on 75. I think one of the best behaved bands is 17. 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 Message delivered to k...@aol.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] KX3 for Sale - Choose your own Christmas present.
Who needs another tie for Christmas? Fix yourself up with what you really want. KX3 Equipped as follows: KX3-KKX3-K 160-6 M Transceiver $999.95 KX3-PCKTKX3-PCKT Accessory Cable Set$19.95 KXAT3KXAT3 ATU for the KX3$179.95 KXBC3Int. NiMH Charger/Clk for KX3$69.95 KXFL3KXFL3 Dual-Passband Roofing Filter$139.95 KXPD3KXPD3 Precision Keyer Paddle$129.95 TOTAL $1,540 plus shipping $21 Very lightly used for a few very enjoyable backyard-picnic-table QSOs. Non-smoking (both the rig and myself). Works great and looks great. Tell the family to forget the Santa tie. You've taken care of Christmas for them. Total package $1,350 including shipping to Continental US. PayPal OK. I will throw in a a nice padded carry case and a bunch of adapters. K4ia Buck Honor Roll 334 8BDXCC __ 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] KPA500 powercycling at higher wattages into KPA500
I suspect voltage sag off the 120v line. Lights flickering is a symptom. The specs call for 1000VA in and that translates to about 8 amps at 120v. The specified fuse is 12 amps so peaks may be higher. Add everything else in and consider you may have a 15 amp line with a long way back to the fusebox and it is possible your voltage is dropping. Measure the AC voltage with the key down by plugging a voltmeter into the outlet. Also check the HV in the Amp. From the manual: The KPA500 operates to full specifications when the HV under full load is between 60V and 85V as shown on the LCD (Tap HV to display the voltage under CW “key down” conditions at full power). The maximum voltage is set using transformer taps as described on pg. 9. The KPA500 will operate with reduced performance at voltages as low as 40V. When the voltage is less than 60V the maximum output power may be less than 500W and distortion products will increase. K4ia Buck Fredericksburg, VA On 1/28/2015 2:15 PM, Jeff Hall wrote: My KAT500 is getting power-cycled in CW and RTTY modes at various drive levels from the K3 on different bands. I can run SSB full power with no problems at all, and receive superb audio reports (no hint of RF in my transmissions). I am thinking I have either an excessive voltage drop on the AC circuit or perhaps there is enough RF getting into the shack to trip up the KAT500 power when using the higher duty cycle modes. Everything is running on the same 120v house circuit. I experimented with moving both the amp and the KAT500 to a different circuit in the same room, but this did not solve the problem. Let me first describe the equipment, and then I'll list the frequencies and power thresholds that tripped the KAT500 into a power cycle: Antenna: Traffie Hex Beam. Very low SWR, typically 1.2 or less, sometimes 1.5 on 10 and 12 meters. The antenna is over a portion of the house, and about 20 feet away from the shack. The coax is grounded at the base of the antenna (two ground rods, through a lightning arrestor). KAT500: I have this in BYPASS mode. I don't really need the tuner for the hex beam, but I plan on using it with a future vertical for 40m. I am powering the KAT500 with its own AC power adapter. For good measure, I wrapped about 4 turns of the power cord through a ferrite bead at the transformer end of the cable. This is a 15V 1000mAh power adapter from Radio Shack. KPA500 is plugged into the same circuit on its own outlet at the wall. HV reads 78.5 at rest. The unit is sitting on top of the KAT500 with the foldout legs extended. K3 is powered with an Astron RS-35M, on the same house circuit. P3 is powered by the K3 VDC out On 15 meters CW, the KAT500 begins to experience power cycles driving 20-22 watts. The amp, when it crosses about 450 watts, the KAT500 power cycles. I ran 30 watts into it for about 620+ out with no problems on SSB, SWR never exceeded 1.2 on the KAT500's indicator lamps. On 12 meters CW, the KAT500 begins to experience power cycles driving just 9 watts (about 180w out). SWR on this band is a steady 1.5. I did have some success by moving the KAT500's power adapter to the other circuit in the room and was able to push the K3 to 22 watts (480 out) before the powercycling returned. This lead me to believe I had a voltage drop issue, perhaps from running the amp on the same 110 circuit. But on 10 meters I still had problems even using the other circuit to power the KAT500. That makes me think noise is getting into the KAT500, or perhaps RF from the antenna is putting noise on my AC house circuits. I was able to run the amp to full power on SSB with no power cycling of the KAT500. On 10 meters the KAT500 power cycles with just 6 watts drive (170 out). On phone I can run full power with no issues. SWR is 1.2 on this band. I have a Morgan AC line filter arriving tomorrow and I'll see if the problem persists with it filtering the house circuit feeding the shack equipment. Do these symptoms smell more like a noise issue (RF in the shack) or a line voltage deficiency with the house circuit? I'm think probably taxing the line in the higher duty cycles, and it just manifests at different thresholds on different frequencies. When transmitting a long string of CW or RTTY, if the KAT500 gets into repeated power cycles the KPA500 eventually throws a fault. Some other observations: If I turn on my desk lamps, at the higher outputs the lamps will modulate slightly with my voice. I think I'm sucking too much juice from the circuit, but this is just a guess on my part. Generally the only other piece of equipment in the house that seems to be affected by RF is our DirectTV receiver (the notorious touch-panel design). It is generally only affected on 10 meters, with a high duty cycle mode like RTTY. Can anyone provide me some more troubleshooting tips? Thanks!Jeff, W6UX __
