[Elecraft] [K1] Locking the VFO to crystal source
I've just added a Cumbria Designs X-Lock 3, Huff Puff VFO stabilizer to my K1. The performance is amazing, no drift and no issues with using RIT (or XIT). Cumbria Designs are at: http://www.cumbriadesigns.co.uk The installation details are on my web site at: http://www.astromag.co.uk/pdfs/X-Lock_K1.pdf 73 Dave, G4AON __ 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] [K1] Locking the VFO to crystal source
Apologies if this appears as a duplicate on the list, my first posting didn't appear for some odd reason. I've just added a Cumbria Designs X-Lock 3, Huff Puff VFO stabilizer to my K1. The performance is amazing, no drift and no issues with using RIT (or XIT). Cumbria Designs are at: http://www.cumbriadesigns.co.uk The installation details are on my web site at: http://www.astromag.co.uk/pdfs/X-Lock_K1.pdf 73 Dave, G4AON __ 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] FT897D and KPA500
Dave, I used to have an FT857D, which is probably the same connections. The 857 has a connection in the mini DIN socket that will ground the keying input of a low voltage keying line of a linear, I am not sure of the maximum voltage but 12 volts from the Acom was OK. I used my 857 with an Acom 1000, so the same output will also key a KPA500. I do not have the circuit to hand but it will be a straightforward (if a bit fiddly) connection. Beware that the FT857D and no doubt the 897D, is prone to serious ALC problems which result in high power spikes on transmit. See http://www.astromag.co.uk/ft857d/ for details and a work around. 73 Dave, G4AON I am having difficulties keying my KPA500 from my Yaesu FT897D __ 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] KX3 - Travel antennas - outside with rig inside
Steve Been there done that! The counterpoise will radiate and that RF will mostly be absorbed into the building or ground. So potentially you could lose half the radiated signal. EZNEC models of that type of antenna usually give RF going mostly straight up in the air... Perhaps OK on 80 or 40 to work locals but generally not much use on the higher bands. On trips to my YLs parents place in Spain, I originally had a wire going vertically up to a fishing rod on a balcony, then horizontal for about 40 feet, overall length about 70 feet. That was fed against 4 radials, one for each band. The radio was outside on a patio table. More recently I use a ground plane made from a fishing pole with the base about 20 or so feet above ground and 2 radials per band, it works far better. Also a doublet fed with 300 Ohm ribbon works better than the end fed wire. Radios are either a K1 or K2 (10W version). Good luck. Dave, G4AON What have some of you done that works? Steve, KC8QVO __ 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] KX3 - Travel antennas - outside with rig inside
Coax through the window, or ribbon cable through the window. 73 Dave Have you had the rig inside with the antennas outside before? If so, how do you route your feedline? __ 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] com0com N1MM and CWSkimmer
You need to use Wintelnetx, not Com0Com... With Wintelnetx, you can combine Skimmer and Cluster into N1MM. http://www.k1ttt.net/software.html 73 Dave, G4AON Tried the yahoo groups also, but no response there yet. Eric PE3V __ 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] com0com N1MM and CWSkimmer
Depends how you run Skimmer, I use a Microtelecom Perseus under direct control of Skimmer. Perseus is in parallel with my K3 via the RF IN/OUT sockets and a ferrite splitter. Perseus and Skimmer report to Wintelnetx as does the cluster, both are combined in Wintelnetx. You then log into Wintelnetx with N1MM via the Telnet function. N1MM controls the K3. Clicking on the band map of N1MM takes the K3 to the spotted stations frequency... 73 Dave That's not the problem, Dave. The problem is that both N1MM Logger and CW Skimmer expect to be able to access the K3's rig-control COM port at the same time, to track the K3's current frequency (etc). 73, ~iain / N6ML __ 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] Question on K1 build - internal or external tuner?
The internal ATU in the K1 has only a limited tuning range, but is always with the K1. You can increase the tuning range of the internal tuner for the lower bands by a crafty addition, see: http://www.astromag.co.uk/pdfs/g4aon_kat1_mods.pdf 73 Dave, G4AON I can see how an internal tuner would be great because it's always with the rig... but a T1 would be so fun to have for other QRP uses. Stan Ae7UT __ 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/ P-5 vs. SDR's
Fred the big advantage of the P3 (I assume you meant to type P3), is that it is at eye level with the K3. Also the programmable function buttons have the appropriate text above them when Labels are turned on. In my opinion there is no advantage whatsoever in having an external display for a P3, the resolution of the P3 LCD screen is more than adequate. The images shown on the web do not do justice to the P3 screen. I do use reading glasses if that makes any difference... I also have an SDR, a Microtelecom Perseus, which I used to run in parallel with the K3 on a 17 inch LCD screen... Since getting the P3 the only use I have for the Perseus is with CW Skimmer and occasional use as a spectrum analyser. 73 Dave, G4AON Can someone please give me the benefits of the P-5's display over the superior one of my current SDR-IQ and hi rez screen support. Or if there are a lot of improvements coming to the P-5 very soon and if so when and what are they. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thx and 73, Fred/N0AZZ __ 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] International shipping costs
Here in the UK Parcel Force handle the customs clearance, not USPS. That is where the considerable delay comes in, a few months ago I had my KPA500 shipped by USPS for the significant saving in shipping cost, I could track the parcel all the way through, the tracking number changed when Parcel Force took control but I could then track it via their web site. It took approximately one week for the parcel to reach UK customs where it sat for another week... Then Parcel Force did their slow stuff, taking around 2 1/2 weeks end to end. Here we receive a letter from Parcel Force asking for payment before they will deliver. UPS on the other hand seem to have a bonus to the staff if they can beat some kind of record by getting the parcel to your door step in double quick time. My P3 and second RX for the K3 were at their UK depot (and out of customs) the morning after being picked up in California, unfortunately too late for that days delivery, but it came the next day. 2 days door to door including customs clearance isn't bad but the cost is pretty steep. 73 Dave, G4AON I wonder if USPS or their Belgian partner handles clearing the box through Belgian customs like UPS does __ 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] KPA500 Interface with Kenwood TS-590
Doug, you need an oscilloscope and ideally trigger it from the key line. For an example of the sort of problems some radios have see: http://www.astromag.co.uk/ft857d/ Connect the radio to a dummy load (no amplifier needed), set the radio for a drive level in the 10 - 30 Watt region and send a single dit on the key. Even without a storage 'scope you can repeat the dit and see if the envelope is clean or not. While the KPA500 may show the spike as a momentary peak on the bar graph, even my LP-100 power meter isn't anywhere near as good as a 100 MHz 'scope at seeing what is really going on. It is not always the leading edge of a CW character that causes problems, the FT857D created spikes during SSB speech too. I have not tried a TS590, my TS480SAT is clean as is my K3. 73 Dave, G4AON I'm not sure how to observe the spiking you mentioned __ 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] KPA500 Issues
What does it do into a 50 Ohm load? The KPA500 will play up if you have an SWR of 2:1, or higher, when running near full power. Also, your posting had no line feeds/carriage returns making reading it hard work. 73 Dave, G4AON I have a KPA500 amp and have some issues with it. I ran on my Cushraft R-8 vertical with fault (SWR) problems. I went to use it on the VHF contest with my meager 3 element yagi and it faults out? 73, Kent, K6FQ __ 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 KPA500 Oper/Stby Alert
Please folks leave it alone, there are enough menu items to fiddle with as it is. My K3 is set for power per band into the KPA500, I also operate QRP CW at the 5 Watt level and I do not have a problem with the way the operate/standby works. 73 Dave, G4AON __ 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] 6 meters
The licensing looks pretty strict and stuck in the past. The list of approved transceivers is very dated... Perhaps Elecraft can provide a firmware fix to limit the K3 to the band segments shown in: http://www.nbtc.go.th/phocadownload/prnbtc/english/8Notification-0001-151254.pdf It also looks like you cannot have general coverage receive either! 73 Dave, G4AON __ 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] PACTOR iii
Pactor III is 2.4 KHz bandwidth, not 5 KHz. However, various other modes plague of the amateur bands, it is not confined to Pactor III. I See ROS stations sending out beacon/CQ calls endlessly in the hope of someone reporting their signals with a link back via the internet. Even the lowest symbol rate of ROS spreads 2 KHz on most frequencies, that is 4 characters per second taking up 2 KHz! Pactor, like Amtor before it, has it's place as a 2 way communications tool and can take up little bandwidth (P1 or 2, that is), it even makes for an excellent means of chatting on the keyboard between two stations. Unfortunately, most of the activity here in Europe seems to be stations calling into the Winlink network to send pictures (split into several parts) into the internet and exchange e-mail of a non ham radio nature. For some bizarre reason officialdom seem to turn a blind eye to it... Perhaps more so than packet in the past. On an Elecraft note, my K3 works well on ROS, Amtor and Pactor (I, II and III). My KPA500 even switches fast enough to use it on Amtor! 73 Dave -- Of course once it finds a PACTOR III box and opens up the full bandwidth the PACTOR-bot wipes out 5 KHz in a flash. SNIP ... Joe, W4TV __ 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] Elecraft UK_EUlocal net
Not any more. I set an 80m SSB Sunday morning net up some time ago, it was later run by Ian, G0VGS. There were few callers so we called it a day. 73 Dave, G4AON Dear all is there a eu/Uk Elecraft net. If so what the time and QRG please Thanks Tony G0GMS __ 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] [KPA500] No power out in OPER mode
Larry If you use ALC between your KPA500 and your transceiver, check to see if there is a permanent output from the KPA500. U8 on the KPA500 control board is a known issue where the wrong part was specified up to at least serial 573 (mine)... The fix is to obtain the correct part and replace it. A work around is to not use ALC. 73 Dave, G4AON __ 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] (OT) Recommendations for Testing
Ed your SDR-IQ will do a nice job of close in 2 tone ID testing, a better job than my simple spectrum analyser. For IMD testing you do not need a resistive coupler, an ordinary oscilloscope probe used with a couple of turns of wire around the output coax outer will provide sufficent signal for IMD tests (it is not suitable for power measurement or harmonic measurement). I have sent you via direct email a screen shot of my K3 and KPA500 2 tone IMD test viewed on a Perseus SDR. It allows simple and easy measurement of each tone and you may be able to make similar measurements with your SDR-IQ. For harmonic measurement the bar is raised a little. You need a means of sampling via a resistive coupler and/or high power attenuator. The attenuator can be very expensive... The simple wire loop coupler which works for narrow IMD measurements is not likely to have a flat response across the HF and VHF spectrum. You will also need a conventional spectrum analyser for harmonic measurements, although you do not need one of the high cost narrow bandwidth ones... One of 15 ~ 20 KHz bandwidth will suffice. There are several on the market for $1500 or maybe less. I have a TTi PSA1300T hand held analyser which sells for $1500 from Newark which is based on a Palm TX PDA and offers the ability to take screen shots and store them on a memory card. There are several low cost analysers from China on eBay (around $775 plus import charges), however I have no experience of them. 73 Dave, G4AON __ 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] K3/100 or KX3 with all the options?
I don't have, nor have seen, the KX3. But from what I read it looks more like competition for the K2. In the basic 10W version (ie without a 100W external PA) the KX3 looks good to take with you on holiday, camping trips etc. A KX3 will take up a lot less space in your hand luggage than the K2 and offers quite a lot in that package too. On the other hand, the K3 is a very capable contest, DXpedition and shack system radio with a lot of interfacing capability and a darn good receiver too. I have a nearly fully loaded K3 and bought the basic K3/100 back in 2007. I don't see anything competing with the K3, when you add in the superb 2nd receiver, P3 panadapter and matching KPA500 amp you have a line up that is hard to beat for use at home or on serious DX trips. With my K3 I have a few extras added externally, such as a ferrite splitter on the RF IN/OUT to give a 3rd receive capability with a Perseus SDR (mostly used with CW Skimmer since getting the K3 2nd RX), an SCS PTC-IIex Pactor/Amtor modem with switching of the K3 line audio in/out between sound card (fldigi) and the SCS modem (how many other ham transceivers offer a transformer isolated line in/out?), plus of course the P3 that doesn't need a computer to use. Compared to the above setup, I just don't see the KX3 competing in the shack at home... Your requirements may be different. 73 Dave, G4AON --- This question has been going around in my head and I would like some feedback from Elecraft owners for I have never had any Elecraft radio equipment. Which is better to have a K3/100 kit or a KX3 with all the options including the forthcoming 100 watt PA? I'm assuming the cost will be about the same. Dave - KO4KL __ 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] KPA500 ALC problem (was K3 intermittent low power output)
The problem with my K3 is actually a Voltage sitting on the ALC output of the KPA500 all the time (circa 9 Volts), even with just the mains turned on via the rear panel switch. As a work around I've turned off external ALC with the K3 menu and it behaves itself. No idea why there should be a steady DC Voltage on the ALC, it clearly upsets the K3 (symptom - flashing CMP/ALC on K3 when on transmit). The Voltage is present on the ALC phono socket without the aux cable connected and also present on pin 15 of the aux cable. An email has been sent to Elecraft Support... 73 Dave, G4AON __ 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 intermittent low power output
Maybe John, it is serial 80 from November 2007. Does that problem also reduce the overall output as it is low power when using the LP PA as well. 73 Dave, G4AON How old is the K3? You don't have the KPA3 corroded pins problem, maybe? 73, John n1JM __ 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] K3 intermittent low power output
My K3/100 has developed an intermittent transmit fault. The power drops to a very low, but not zero, level at any power setting using either the LP or HP PA. The symptoms/set up are as follows: Mode CW Using the KPA500 with it (not sure that is relevant) ATU not in circuit Power is low as displayed on the K3 and on the KPA500 In addition, and not related to the above fault (at least it doesn't seem to coincide with the low power output), the CMP ALC metering display sometimes shows when the meter is set for SWR Power. Any thoughts? Thanks Dave, G4AON __ 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] Fw: K3 Tx Eq question
Dick Going back a few years, there was a lot of work done on the K3 firmware to improve the performance of the audio path on data, particularly on the synchronous data mode for ARQ modes such as Amtor and Pactor. That is one of the reasons why on Data A mode you will not be able to alter the equaliser settings. Why would you want to alter the EQ when sending data? Surely a clean audio path is the requirement... The K3 with it's present firmware will allow data rates up to at least 3200 bps on Pactor 3. 73 Dave, G4AON Thanks to those who responded. (Now a Data Mode question) It was too late to find someone to send DSSTV to, but I did some testing. I had a LSB qso, and I switched back and forth between LSB and Data mode set for LSB. He could not tell a difference, (though there had to be one, or else my Tx Eq settings are in vain). Then, I tried DSSTV and switched between the modes and I could see that Data mode was turning off my Rx Eq in the waterfall, and also CMP on transmit. BUT, I noticed that it took a LOT higher Tx level from the sound card mixer when I was in Data mode than it does in SSB mode to get the same power out. I'm wondering why that is??? Any thoughts? It would be nice to be able to use Data mode without changing the Eq settings. FYI, QuickMix software is handy to save the sound card Rx Tx settings from various programs such as when switching from PSK31 to SSTV, etc. It allows quick changes. Dick, n0ce __ 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] KPA500 Shipping dimensions
My KPA500 (kit version) came in a box sized 390mm x 390mm x 320mm. 73 Dave, G4AON __ 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] RTTY on K3:Some questions
A few issues here. Firstly true RTTY is frequency shift keying which uses a DC voltage change to shift the radio frequency. In the case of MMTTY you need a simple transistor switching interface which can be built into a serial D plug shell. From memory the circuit is in the MMTTY manual. You would use the K3 on FSK. Most users these days tend to use audio tones on transmit for RTTY using a program such as fldigi (http://www.w1hkj.com/) which is a lot simpler than HRD, offers several modes in addition to RTTY, is freeware and is available for Apple Mac, Linux and Windows. There is a K3 control file (k3.xml) and you just need the fldigi program, no need for the rig control program. You would run the K3 on DATA A, the fldigi program controls the TX/RX via the RS232 serial lead to the K3, reads the K3 frequency via the same lead, and sends/receives audio via the K3 line in/out to your computer sound card. The program displays real frequencies on the screen for the various data modes, including RTTY. HRD works in a similar manner to fldigi, but is (in my opinion) more complex than it needs to be, seems to be forever in beta versions and from the next release will no longer be free. 73 Dave, G4AON - Hi, I just started using RTTY on the K3 and I have some questions that I hope someone can answer. I am using MMTTY and so far I have done the following: __ 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] KAM+ Connections
Joel I am surprised that the audio levels seem to be an issue, I haven't used mine for ages with the K3, but my SCS modem levels are 500 mV (PSK and FSK amplitude) on transmit into the line input of the K3, line input set to 30 on the K3. The K3 line out is 045 and not mixed with phones. It works fine on 010, the default K3 setting too. There are some settings on my web page: www.astromag.co.uk/amtor/ The modem settings are shown for an SCS PTC-IIex, but there will be equivalent settings for a KAM (note the tone orientation on the KAM differs from the SCS modem, for RTTY/AMTOR on the SCS use DATA A and DATA A REV for the KAM). You might try looking for a Pactor contact on 14.1125 (LSB or REV TX DATA), that should equate to a centre frequency of 14.111 MHz, an often used Pactor channel. You can see who is around from the website http://hamspots.net/arq/ 73 Dave, G4AON __ 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] Flying with a rig
No issues with a K2 here in Europe, I only do 4 flights a year and only once had to take the K2 out of my carry-on bag to X-ray it separately - with a grumpy operative saying it was a laptop and couldn't I read the notice that said to remove laptops from hand luggage... I carry my licence, but have never been asked to explain the electronic equipment in my luggage. For anyone with a K2 fitted with the internal lead acid battery, that might cause some issues as the acid may be in a gel form but the word acid is an emotive one. My K2 no longer has the internal battery fitment. 73 Dave, G4AON What's your experience/advice about a domestic flight in the TSA era with a K3 in carry-on buggage? 73, Mike NF4L __ 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 won't PTT in data
Tim I run fldigi with my K3, no need for any interface, just sound card cables and RS232. The program is free from http://www.w1hkj.com/ You also need to download the K3.xml file (from the above page) and it works... You don't need the companion program flrig as the fldigi program itself reads the frequency and keys the K3 via RS232. 73 Dave, G4AON Trying to run my K3 on PSK31 in data A mode w a tigertronics USB interface and digipan software. The box connects to K3 via line in/out jacks and the rear panel PTT jack. All jumpers in interface are set correctly. When the software goes to TX, the interface box goes to TX, and the phono plug from the box that plugs into the K3 PTT jack goes to ground. The K3 however doesn't go into TX mode, unless you also key the hand mike. SNIP Tim N5IIT __ 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] RTTY/PSK interface for the K3
Adriano as you have discovered, the K3 works perfectly well without an additional interface on data modes. Adding an additional interface is of no value. While I don't work contests, I do use fldigi with my K3 and the logging program enters the centre frequency (as opposed to the dial frequency) for Olivia, etc. http://www.w1hkj.com/ You need the fldigi program and the K3 specific rig file (K3.xml). 73 Dave New on digi modes, i´m wondering what´s the benefits of adding an interface to the K3? I´ve been working with the K3 “internal” interface and seems to work very well. I know there´s an offset when you work AFSK (this case) instead FSK and with a FSK interface it would zero beat. Am i right? Any suggestions of interface? Main application is contesting. Tnx in advance PY2ADR / ZY2C __ 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: data modes - bizarre behavior
Matt I use Airmail with my K3 and an SCS Pactor modem to connect to the Winlink system. Using the pre-defined settings in Airmail it works perfectly to connect to any of the mail boxes within range, no tweaking of the RIT, etc. needed. It looks like RMS Express is the cause of the issue, which I guess you already know... 73 Dave, G4AON __ 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] K2 SSB wider filter mod
When I ordered a KPA500, I also ordered the capacitor and crystal kit to do the wide band SSB mod on my K2. I plan to do the mod tomorrow (13th Dec) and will let you know how I feel it worked out, both from the point of view of the mod itself and audibly. My K2 has already had the 2nd filter flattening response mod done, which makes some difference. Having listened to a number of K2s transmitting on SSB (mostly on the UK Elecraft Net), those with the original bandwidth sound poor and the wider ones sound good... So hopefully mine will improve. I will record a chunk of the band around my K2's transmission on my Perseus SDR which will show both the transmitted envelope and allow me to listen to it afterwards. I will then compare the transmission with the modified version. If you like, I can arrange a sked with the K2 and you will probably hear the difference yourself. 73 Dave, G4AON K1 no. 1154, K2 no. 1892, K3 no. 80, KPA500 no. 573 - I am not happy with the original 2.2khz ssb filter in my K2 (serial 1926). It sounds very restricted and fine tuning the BFO setting is quite critical and tx audio ends up either too bassy or too toppy. I'm thinking of fitting the wider ssb filter mod kit . That's the replacement xtals and changed caps. Has anyone done this ? __ 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] KPA500 Assembly Question
The assembly manual is wrong, I notified Elecraft a few days ago of the same issue. You should fnd there are enough smaller screws to not run short when you use them for the Z bracket to heatsink assembly. 73 Dave, G4AON KPA500 #573 I Just started assembling my KPA500 serial number 0585 this evening. All was going OK until I got to the point where I mount the Z-bracket to the PA/LPF heat sink. The book sez to use 4-40 5/16 black flat head screws. Using this size screw does NOT pull the Z-bracket tight against the heat sink. I've measured these screws three times and I am certain I'm using 5/16 screws. If I use a 3/16 screw, it works fine. __ 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] KPA500 IMD tests with K3 driving it
I found time to run a few 2 tone IMD tests with my K3 and KPA500 combination today, these were on 80m using a 50 Ohm Cantenna load with the spectrum measurements taken with a Microtelecom Perseus SDR. The SDR receiver was coupled via a loop of wire around the coax to the Cantenna. The two tones used in the test are from the internal 2 tone generator in the K3. First the K3 running at 20 Watts, the approximate power level used to drive the KPA500 to 400 Watts output: http://www.astromag.co.uk/images/K3_2tone_20W.jpg Secondly the K3/KPA500 running 400 Watts: http://www.astromag.co.uk/images/KPA500_2tone_400W.jpg Thirdly, the K3 running 100 Watts output with a spoken four into the microphone: http://www.astromag.co.uk/images/K3_voice_100W.jpg Finally, the K3/KPA500 running 400 Watts with a four as above: http://www.astromag.co.uk/images/KPA500_voice_400W.jpg Anyone got similar plots they would like to share? 73 Dave __ 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 new KPA500
Joe (K2UF) is lucky with: UPS says my new KPA500 is now in Illinois and due to be delivered on Monday I opted for the lower cost USPS delivery. The handling of USPS deliveries in the UK is by Parcel Force, often referred to as Parcel Farce. They are living up to their name, my KPA500 has been sitting in UK customs for a week with no sign of movement and Parcel Farce claim there is nothing they can do to speed things up and it's nothing to do with them (customs say it is, according to their web site)! UPS clear UK customs in a matter of minutes and can have an Elecraft parcel to a UK address in 2 ~ 3 days. Dave, G4AON __ 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] WTB K3
Jacques, I do not understand why you appear to have a problem contacting Elecraft, I have dealt with them for 10 years and not once had any problem contacting them. My most recent exchange of e-mail concerned ordering a KPA500 last week and I e-mailed Vicki with no problem and spoke with her on the phone over a credit card payment issue. Have you tried a phone call? 73 Dave, G4AON I have problèm to communicate with elecraft. No respons At my email. No contact with Vicky and... Internet break or elecraft is end? Tk1lg Jacques __ 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] Harmonics from K3
I used a RohdeSchwarz FSH8 portable Spectrum Analyzer using a short wire in the input connector center pin to pick up the signal from the antennas Using such a wire pick up will exaggerate the higher frequencies and not give a flat response. You need to use a resistive tap or power attenuator in order to obtain the correct measurement. A -40 dB resistive tap can be easily built from the article in June 2001 QST. The article is called Simple RF Power Measurement by Wes Hayward and available from the ARRL members section of their web site. Measurements on my own K3 (serial 80) give the worst case harmonic as -53 dB on 80m and less than I can measure on 14 MHz. These measurements were on a factory calibrated analyser using a 50 Ohm load. 73 Dave __ 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] TX7M using 4 x K3s
See: http://www.tx7m.com/plans.php Good signal here in England on 10 MHz. 73 Dave __ 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] P3: Can the Panadapter be used with a Ten Tec Orion 1?
Lu, if you have access to an SDR receiver that can record it's output on a PC, it might be easier that using a noise source. When comparing several microphones and headsets on my K3, I used a Perseus SDR to play back the results for A/B/C/D comparison in order to pick the best equaliser/mic combination. The saved files from the Perseus were labelled to match the microphone and can be played back very easily, in addition, recording a wide chunk of frequency means the bandwidth can easily be checked if that might be an issue. 73 Dave __ 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] K3s and P3s Can't Swim
I worked for many years in the mobile radio servicing industry, we occasionally saw waterlogged radios and sometimes were asked to repair them. Forget it, before the days of surface mount ICs it was hard to ensure there wasn't corrosion starting under components, now it's virtually impossible. As others have said, claim on insurance and get fresh gear. 73 Dave, G4AON __ 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
