[Elecraft] K3 band data query

[Dennis Ashworth]

I operate a vertical antenna for 80 & 160M where the bandwidth is such that I 
need to switch in reactance between the phone and CW portions of each band. I 
currently do this manually, but am installing vacuum relays for switching 
remotely. Is there a way the K3, through the data port or whatever, can send a 
signal when migrating between traditional (or operator defined) phone and CW 
portions of the band?

Antenna matched points on 160 are at 1825 and 1855; 80M are 3520 and 3800.

I had considered sensing the K3 mode, but that’s not an acceptable solution. 
The 160M CW contests can often extend into the traditional phone area and 
FT8/WSPR often use USB mode in the CW portion.

Thoughts?

Dennis, K7FL 
Las Vegas, NV
__
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] K4 Remote internet bandwidth requirements

[Dennis Ashworth]

There was a recent thread regarding the internet bandwidth required to support 
full K4 remote operating requirements. I have operated my K3/K3/0 combo from 
all corners of the world with mostly good results, but those results are highly 
dependent on speed, bandwidth and latency. 

Comparing to my existing K3 station, it would seem the K4 may require more 
bandwidth given the pan adapter and other data transmitted over the Internet. 
Is this a reasonable assumption? 

If so, my question to Elecraft (submitted last year, but never answered) is 
whether data intensive features could be rolled back or shed in low bandwidth 
environments. For example, can I turn off the pan adapter functionality if it’s 
use makes the remote connection unusable. I’d rather have the core radio 
functions work reliably ... and play radio ... than be QRT because the Internet 
cannot support full radio functionality. Seems the ability to shed loads would 
be beneficial.

Dennis, K7FL 
__
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] K3 Drive Levels and the SPE 1.3K-FA

[Dennis Ashworth]

Makes you wonder how K3/10 users fair running high duty cycle modes at full 
output. I’ve replaced two sets of LPF drivers running 10W WSJT on my K3/100. No 
more! Now I advance the power until the amplifier engages (~12W). Hopefully 
this reduces driver dissipation.

Dennis, K7FL 


> On Nov 21, 2019, at 5:15 PM, dgb  wrote:
> 
> Thanks for the good info Keith - I quit using 12w yrs ago as one E'craft 
> tech told me after the 1st one blew.
> 
> Also heard from another that I could turn the fans on all the time which 
> should help as normally they are only on when you go to 13w and up.
> 
> Will play with them - t u 73 Dwight NS9I
> 
>>> On 11/21/2019 4:04 PM, Keith Trinity WE6R wrote:
>> You can play with the Config Menu watt meter calibration high and low 
>> numbers to get the switch-over point different.
>> IE where the Low power amp (LPA) switches to 100 amp (KPA3). This happens at 
>> 12W "indicated".
>> The two Calibration numbers are for all bands!
>> So; Go into config menu WMTR LP (below 12W) or HP (above 12W). (note 6 
>> meters switches at 8W)!
>> Make a note of both numbers so you can put them back!
>> Extreme numbers to get the KPA3 to click in at lower actual power levels 
>> would be to set both for 180 (max).
>> You will have to use an external watt-meter to see what is going on as the 
>> K3 internal watt-meter readout is all out of calibration now!!
>> I just played with a radio and it switches over at about 7 watts with both 
>> numbers at 180
>> Have fun!
>> Keith WE6R
>> __
>> 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 n...@bayland.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:
__
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] K4 bandwidth requirements for remote

[Dennis Ashworth]

I operate remotely with a K3/KPA1500 via the RemoteRig boxes. Internet 
bandwidth on the RF end is great, but as we travel, the operator end is often 
quite marginal. It appears the K4 will be sharing considerable information 
between the RF and Op end over the internet connection. Is there a method 
within the K4 to (de)select features or shed loads in situations where internet 
bandwidth is restricted? 

73
Dennis K7FL 
__
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] Sorting mail automatically

[Dennis Ashworth]

I have no problem filtering mail, but why don’t we (as subscribers) respect the 
posting guidelines and keep ON topic? Most people seem to know they are posting 
off-topic because they prefix the message subject with OT ... sometimes with a 
seemingly sincere apology for what follows. Really folks? Are you asking 
forgiveness for posting OT? 

I know how to use the delete key ... I just find it amusing that people admit 
they are posting OT 

Dennis
VE2/K7FL

Sent from my iPhone

> On Jun 16, 2018, at 7:31 PM, Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT 
>  wrote:
> 
> I've mentioned this before, but it bears repeating.
> 
> There is this awesome program called POPFile.  You can get it here: 
> 
> 
> This is an automatic mail classifier based on "Naive Bayesian Filtering" but 
> you don't need to worry about that.
> 
> Like all of us, I have some specific interests in what shows up on the list.  
> I'd like something to sort them so that I don't have to.
> 
> Let's say I'd like list mail sorted into the following:
> 
>  KX3
>  Portable
>  Digital Modes
>  Antennas
>  Other
> 
> I'd grab a copy of POPfile and set it up on my computer (Windows, Mac, 
> whatever).
> 
> I'd set up "buckets" for each topic in POPfile.
> 
> Then I'd set up folders in my mail client, one for each topic.  The POPfile 
> website tells how to set up your mail client to read headers added by POPfile 
> and create rules to move the mail.
> 
> ... then you have POPfile check mail.
> 
> First time, all of the mail will end up in the same place.
> 
> You go through and read some messages and "classify" them -- there is a link 
> that lets you tell POPfile which "bucket" or "folder" the message goes in.
> 
> From this point forward, you scan the folders and reclassify only the 
> messages that ended in the wrong place.
> 
> After classifying maybe a dozen messages, POPfile will get it right more than 
> 80% of the time.  It gets better fast.
> 
> If you're bothered by how much off-topic or uninteresting mail shows up on 
> the list, this is your answer.
> 
> I gave a more complex example.  You could just sort the mail into "cool" and 
> "boring" if you like.
> 
> POPfile is free.
> 
> 73 -- Lynn
> __
> 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 dennisashwort...@gmail.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] KPA1500 and PS Dimensions

[Dennis Ashworth]

I can’t locate the physical dimensions for the KPA1500 and PS in the .pdf 
manual. Anyone have the dimensions handy?

Thanks
Dennis, K7FL


Sent from my iPad
__
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] Advice needed: Remote Station Enhancement

[Dennis Ashworth]

My original post (below) morphed into a thread on standards, etc ... the 
discussion was insightful and useful in defining my solution to question #1 
below. Thanks. 

Question #2 remains. How do I remotely switch between 4 positions on an RX 
antenna switch (e.g. K9AY switch box) via some kind of Windows based UI. Ideas?

Thanks
Dennis, K7FL


Sent from my iPad

Begin forwarded message:

> From: Dennis Ashworth <dennisashwort...@gmail.com>
> Date: February 24, 2018 at 2:23:20 PM EST
> To: "elecraft@mailman.qth.net" <elecraft@mailman.qth.net>
> Subject: Advice needed: Remote Station Enhancement
> 
> I’ve been remoting my K3, KPA500, KAT500 station via the RemoteRig boxes and 
> K3/0 mini for two years with solid results. Later this year, I want to make 
> several enhancements, including the replacement of the KPA500 and KAT500 with 
> a KPA1500. The amp/tuner should be a fairly straightforward hardware 
> replacement, but it does necessitate a few station changes which I’m not 
> certain how to implement. Let me explain and hopefully the masses have 
> ideas/approaches for consideration.
> 
> 1. I feed a HyTower vertical (optimized for 40M & 80M) on all bands. Where 
> the driving impedance is close to 50 ohms on 40M & 80 (my bands of interest) 
> there has been no attempt to match the HyTower on other bands. With the 
> KAT500, matching was not a problem and I reduced mismatch losses on the feed 
> line by using hardline from the in-shack tuner to the antenna.
> 
> When I switch to the KPA1500, operation on the unmatched bands might prove 
> problematic. To address this, I plan to provide switchable matching networks 
> to transform the HyTower drive impedance on each band to something the 
> KPA1500 can match. I can design the required impedance transformation 
> networks, but not sure how to automatically select the various (relay based) 
> impedance networks required for each band. Clearly, I need to grab band data 
> from the K3, but what’s the best hardware to use for this task? 
> 
> BTW, I want to power the KPA1500 ON with the K3, which requires a Y-cable 
> modification, or perhaps one of the N6TV boxes? 
> 
> 2. I want to interface a K9AY RX antenna 4 position switch to some sort of UI 
> that I can access remotely. I can design an electrical interface to the K9AY 
> switch, but controlling and monitoring remotely is the issue. Ideas?
> 
> 3. I have a Windows computer available at each end of the radio circuit. The 
> only other hardware is a SignalLink used for digital mods.
> 
> 4. Configuring the station for future antenna enhancements (e.g. SteppIR if 
> we live long enough to see sunspots return!) are great if they come without 
> significant reliability impacts.
> 
> Any ideas how to accomplish the required switching/monitoring? 
> 
> Thanks
> Dennis, K7FL
> Currently in Panama City, Florida
> Station in Battle Ground, WA
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Sent from my iPad
__
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] Advice needed: Remote Station Enhancement

[Dennis Ashworth]

I’ve been remoting my K3, KPA500, KAT500 station via the RemoteRig boxes and 
K3/0 mini for two years with solid results. Later this year, I want to make 
several enhancements, including the replacement of the KPA500 and KAT500 with a 
KPA1500. The amp/tuner should be a fairly straightforward hardware replacement, 
but it does necessitate a few station changes which I’m not certain how to 
implement. Let me explain and hopefully the masses have ideas/approaches for 
consideration.

1. I feed a HyTower vertical (optimized for 40M & 80M) on all bands. Where the 
driving impedance is close to 50 ohms on 40M & 80 (my bands of interest) there 
has been no attempt to match the HyTower on other bands. With the KAT500, 
matching was not a problem and I reduced mismatch losses on the feed line by 
using hardline from the in-shack tuner to the antenna.

When I switch to the KPA1500, operation on the unmatched bands might prove 
problematic. To address this, I plan to provide switchable matching networks to 
transform the HyTower drive impedance on each band to something the KPA1500 can 
match. I can design the required impedance transformation networks, but not 
sure how to automatically select the various (relay based) impedance networks 
required for each band. Clearly, I need to grab band data from the K3, but 
what’s the best hardware to use for this task? 

BTW, I want to power the KPA1500 ON with the K3, which requires a Y-cable 
modification, or perhaps one of the N6TV boxes? 

2. I want to interface a K9AY RX antenna 4 position switch to some sort of UI 
that I can access remotely. I can design an electrical interface to the K9AY 
switch, but controlling and monitoring remotely is the issue. Ideas?

3. I have a Windows computer available at each end of the radio circuit. The 
only other hardware is a SignalLink used for digital mods.

4. Configuring the station for future antenna enhancements (e.g. SteppIR if we 
live long enough to see sunspots return!) are great if they come without 
significant reliability impacts.

Any ideas how to accomplish the required switching/monitoring? 

Thanks
Dennis, K7FL
Currently in Panama City, Florida
Station in Battle Ground, WA





Sent from my iPad
__
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] FS KRC2 kit

[Dennis Ashworth]

Purchased but never assembled. retail $159 ... $120 + shipping

Dennis, K7FL
__
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] Internal 2M transverter vs. 10M beacon

[Dennis Ashworth]

I run a 10 watt beacon on 28.2985. Tuning across 144.302 (K3 + internal
transverter), I hear an S9 image of the 10M beacon signal. My first thought
was maybe some sort of harmonic so I installed a low pass filter on the
beacon. Still S9 on 144.302. I brought the low pass filter into the shack
and installed it on the VHF output of the K3. Indeed, signals on 2M were
significantly attenuated (40 dB) but the image was still S9 (unchanged).
After a bit of head scratching, I disconnected the HF antenna from the K3
and the signal dropped to S1.

This seems like a case of front end overload/inadequate port isolation. I
tend to believe there's nothing wrong with the K3 or internal transverter
... the RF levels from a 10 Watt transmitter coupled to a 10M antenna 45
feet away may be expecting a bit much. I'm tempted to leave things alone,
but invite comments from the masses.

Dennis, K7FL
Battle Ground, WA
__
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] Bit the bullet

[Dennis Ashworth]

I placed an order for a K3/100 yesterday. It looks like an April/May 
delivery, but given all I have heard from this group it will be well 
worth the wait. Now to sell my OMNI VI+.


Dennis, K7FL
Battle Ground, WA

___
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft


Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com