RE: [Elecraft] K3 with a PW-1
Yes. I later found this: http://www.qth.com/topten/apnote3.htm -Original Message- From: Joe Subich, W4TV [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, November 20, 2008 9:19 PM To: 'Don - W6CZ'; Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: RE: [Elecraft] K3 with a PW-1 Don, A series of FET switches or relays connecting the "bottom half" of a voltage divider can be built fairly easily and driven from a BCD to 1 of 9 decoder (like the W9XT board). With relays or a good low Vsat FET, the divider can be driven from a 7808 regulator. With transistors or a ULN2804 darlington array, Vsat is high enough that you might not be able to properly encode 30 meters. Using 5K or 10K pots as part of the divider for each band is worthwhile to allow setting the band voltage correctly. 73, ... Joe, W4TV > -Original Message- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Don - W6CZ > Sent: Thursday, November 20, 2008 8:51 PM > To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 with a PW-1 > > > > The PW1 uses CI-V band information. It does NOT use the band > voltage information. The 7 pin ACC2 cable is for PTT & ALC > lines. As has been pointed out - Microham makes band decoders > and interfaces that will do the job. > > BTW - I found this thread looking for info because I want to > use a K2 with a IC-4KL - It DOES use the band voltage. I have > 2 of each that I want to employ in a second SO2R station > where the first position is a 7800/756pro3 and PW-1's. It > will be interesting to compare and might spur me to get rid > of the 7800 and pro3 for K3's. > > > > K4GM-George wrote: > > > > Does anyone use a K3 with a PW-1 setup to autoswitch the > AMP as the K3 > > changes bands. ? Just replaced my 756 Pro II with the K3 and am > > wondering whether it will be simple to operate the Amp as before. > > > > K4GM- George > > ___ > > 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 > > > > > > -- > View this message in context: > http://n2.nabble.com/K3-with-a-PW-1-tp1437483p1559900.html > Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. > > ___ > 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 No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com Version: 8.0.175 / Virus Database: 270.9.7/1798 - Release Date: 11/18/2008 8:59 PM ___ 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
[Elecraft] N4PY software
If you are at Dayton, you should stop by Carl at booth 481 and see what functionality N4PY software can add to your K2 (like dual RX!). Don W6CZ ___ 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
[Elecraft] troubles with kits
Herb Why don't you start with something like one of the mini-module kits? That will give you an idea of what to expect and let you develop your soldering skills if they are lacking. There are some important things to keep in mind when building kits. One - the right tools - in particular soldering iron/station, solder, wire cutters and strippers, pliers and screwdrivers are about all that is needed - but good quality tools can make all the difference in the world. There are many recommendations that have been discussed here. Second - patience - don't be in a hurry. Third - time - hopefully when you won't be interrupted or distracted. Do construction in chunks and take breaks - if you are tired you make mistakes. Fourth - follow the instructions exactly - inventory all the parts before starting construction, take the time to check off all the steps as you go through it and don't try to skip steps because you think you know better. If you don't understand something, read it again - and if not then - get on here and ask. I have 2 K2/100s with KAT100s and KRC2. I have to confess I had all but one of the KAT100s built by two of the builders listed on the website due to time constraints. That may be an option for you. Some of them don't charge for their services, others a nominal fee. I did recently built a second KAT100 and found it quite satisfying. I wish I had the time to have built the K2s, as I had a problem with one, and troubleshooting it would have been a LOT easier as I would have been more familiar with the circuitry. Like others on here, I built a LOT of Heathkits in my day - everything from a crystal set, ham gear (I still have my first TX - a DX20), stereo gear to an electronic organ and a color TV that ran the first time I turned it on (so did everything else I built unless I had a brain fade somewhere along the line) and kept running for 20+ years. I found the KAT100 kit to be along the same lines. A KX1 is in the near future for me. One of the more tedious chores is winding torroids - and those are available pre-wound if you don't want to do that. But it also can be good therapy - better then kicking the dog after a hard day at work. You can always build it in stages - there have been recommendations as to what sequence it should be done in on here - or you can do it all at once. But - the BIG thing is - how ever you do it, with a K2 you will have one of the best transceivers available for ANY money. I have a station on the property of a second home I am building that I share with a friend. He has an Icom 7800 there that I often use when I go up there. At home I have other radios that are the best ever made - some of it older tube gear and some of it newer - Collins, Drake, Kenwood, Yaesu & Icom. The K2 is every bit as good receiver as any of them - maybe better then a lot, and for some reason, it is a lot more fun to operate. And welcome to the world of ham radio. Don W6CZ ___ 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
[Elecraft] Intermittent no RX on 80/160 K2/100 #4029
I thought this problem was related to the T/R switching problem I was having and fixed (a no solder joint), but apparently I though that because I first noticed that failure on 80 meters. So I brought it into work today, and when I hooked it up to a service monitor and put a signal into it - no problem. Damn! I hate intermittent. I took the covers and the PA off and poked around. Looked particularly at the band-pass and low-pass filters ad specifically around K2, K3 & K8. Also looked around K13 in the VCO - but I don't think that is where the problem is as it appeared to transmit - at least the KAT100 indicated 20 watts, and since I don't have the 60M kit in, that relay is also common to 40 and 40 was working fine (I believe 30 was also, so that kinda eliminates K3). I have cycled through the bands, no problem. It has been sitting on the bench for an hour now with a signal into it working fine. Any ideas? Am I missing something? It would be a LOT easier to find the problem if it was broken. Don ___ 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
Re:[Elecraft] KPA100 T/R Switching Failure
Appears to been bad solder connection of RFC11 to C31/RFC4/L16. T/R switching working now - need to check comms to KAT100 when I get home. Don W6CZ ___ 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
Re:[Elecraft] Rediculous, unreasonable and selfish firmware feature request
Not so far fetched - my Icom 703 (nice features - so-so receiver) has that - as well as others I own or have owned. Perhaps it would be easier implement in conjunction with the KRC2 or some similar device. The 703 uses the four buttons along the bottom of the display - 3 memory You could also find yourself an old AEA Morse Machine - I have a couple of MM3 models and they do what you want. But I know, it would be nice to have it all in one box. Don W6CZ ___ 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
[Elecraft] KPA100 T/R Switching Failure
I'll try this again - sorry if it appears twice During SS, one of my K2/100s (4029) failed. No RX and as I recall no TX. It was intermittent at first (and had intermittently shown this symptom before) and to be honest, between fighting a cold and trying to work at least a sweep between family commitments for my father's (W6ARM) 85th birthday (I missed - if you can believe it - LAX & SDG - doh!) things is a bit fuzzy. I did some poking around and another thing I noticed was failure of it to communicate with the KAT100 (if I recall correctly it was talking to the computer correctly). This morning, I took the PA off and hooked just the k2 up to the antenna and all seems fine. So I started checking voltages in the PA, and the problem seems to be in the High-Voltage Bias Supply. All the voltages are low - with the higher voltages by about 30% and the lower ones by a lot more. i.e.: Anode Cathode D1 7.6 93 D2 65 7.5 D3 5.8 65 D4 31 5.8 D5 4 31 D6 13.74 D7 -18 * D8 * 0 * Undetermined - the display my cheap DMM is flashing between odd values an -1 as if it were an AC voltage or out of range - better test gear at the shop would help - but it is there and I am here and I don't feel like going if I don't have to. It can wait. Power set above 100 W: Cathode RX Cathode TX D11 80 .8 D12 .8 52 D13 80 .8 D14 .8 52 So while they seem like they are doing what they should - the voltages are way off. The notes in the construction manual on page 43 indicate the voltage test was within range when built - and it has been working fine for about 6 months of light use - though it was acting up intermittently. So I looked at Q8 - the collector voltage is at around 2.3 - 2.5 volts instead of 11.6 (It is 13.6 at the input to T3). The base voltage is -28 or about 10x what it should be - although the chart says that is approximate and may fluctuate (and it is fluctuating) - but it isn't anything close to -2.5 - so I am thinking Q8 went south (open emitter?) Since it is rather a pain to replace - I would like to get opinions from others - there may be something I am overlooking (and I AM under the influence of cold medications - so things are a bit fuzzy). Thanks Don W6CZ ___ 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
RE: [Elecraft] KRC2 programming
Eric Yes - I am. If anyone can break it, I can - I seem to have a penchant for those things - like a perfectly good working copy or fax machine will suddenly malfunction when I use it... I can promise to spend a lot of time - on top of running my business (which continues to grow rapidly) I am building a new station in Mariposa (2 tx remote controlled over the internet) and having a 2700 sq. ft. building (one bedroom living space with 1800 sq. ft of shop space) constructed. Don - W6CZ -Original Message- From: Eric Swartz WA6HHQ - Elecraft [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, October 05, 2004 11:02 PM To: Don Melcher Cc: Elecraft List Subject: Re: [Elecraft] (no subject) Hi Don, See http://www.elecraft.com/images/KRC2config2.JPG This picture is of my last revision of the KRC2 config program. I'm now adding at cutsomer request the ability to save several KRC2 mapping setups to both quick memories and to a file, along with the ability to download complete firmware updates to the KRC2 from your computer. It has about one more day of work before I release it to beta test. I'm busy with other tasks tomorrow, but I'll be back on it Thursday. I'm looking for several beta testers. Are you interested? 73, Eric Don Melcher wrote: >"For inquiring minds ;-) , I'm in the final phase of finishing up the >reconfiguration program for the KRC2. I'll post here as I get it wrapped >up later this week. > >73, Eric WA6HHQ" > > >WELL? >Don - W6CZ > > > ___ 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
[Elecraft] (no subject)
"For inquiring minds ;-) , I'm in the final phase of finishing up the reconfiguration program for the KRC2. I'll post here as I get it wrapped up later this week. 73, Eric WA6HHQ" WELL? Don - W6CZ ___ 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
Re: [Elecraft] K2 w/ Winlink 2000?
Charles You might try to get a little "real world" experience with Winlink and PactorIII/II before you write that letter to QST. While the Skymate you have and speak of is a wonderful system and works well, and the "buy-in" is less if you are starting from scratch (I am a dealer for both), it has an infinitely higher operating cost then a system using Winlink because Winlink if free. But most cruisers want to or already have a suitable SSB/Ham and adding a PactorIII/II modem is about the same cost as Skymate. Yes - Skymate (in the coverage area) is probably a bit more reliable but thousands of boaters and RV'ers use Winlink with great success. There are several points you make that are faulty, among them that the DSP NR on a 706 will help (and that it is better then a K2 - that is not my experience). The PactorII modems them self have a very powerful DSP and using the rigs DSP only screws things up for PactorIII/II. The right radio and modem coupled with a good installation is the key. RFI into the computer is one of the biggest problems. I now have supplied over 1,000 HF e-mail systems for use on WinLink and SailMail (the equivalent on Marine SSB) with 90% of those using the PactorII or the PactorIIpro modem (and not the IIe or IIex) married to an Icom marine SSB radio that is ham enabled. I have absolutely nothing but positive feedback (which I also have from the 2 dozen or so of my Skymate customers). That is largely because I furnish a turnkey system that is the right recipe of equipment that has been bench tested before being offered for sale. When you depart from that recipe, then the results are usually not as good. I have not tried my K2s for Data - I have a dedicated Icom M710 (which a lot of the Winlink gateways also use) in the shack for that use, but there is no reason that if the output power is reduced, the K2 won't work fine. There have been previous reports on this list of others success with the K2 and SCS modems. Don W6CZ ___ 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
[Elecraft] Re: Hakko 808 wanted
I just did a quick google and came up with $159.95 at Kiesub Electronics in Las Vegas - http://www.kiesub.com/hakko808.htm - $40 less then the 3 or 4 other places I checked. Having been saying that I really need to get a desoldering station for far too long - I ordered one. Don ___ 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
Re:[Elecraft] K2's and the N4PY Program?
I have not used it in the Dual K2 mode - yet - I have been working on cleaning up the station at home after moving the remote station out and to the permanent remote station location. I finally got a new USB> 8 port serial box (so now I have a total of 11 and STILL not enough) and I should get the second K2 working this weekend. I have used it with a Ten Tec RX320 as a sub-RX to the K2 and it works very nicely. Good software - robust. The only negative I can say is that it was written for TenTec radios so the panel is NOT K2 specific and there are a lot of buttons and functions that are either extraneous and/or non-functional with the K2. Don ___ 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
[Elecraft] Re: VOX
a No ahhh I don't ah use it ahhh and I don't ahh like it :) I have tried using it mobile but got into problems violating FCC rules when other drivers cut me off. Prefer a boom-mike headset (the original Heil BM10) and a handheld pendant switch and foot switch in parallel. Use one of the original Heil 706 Traveler mobile with my 706MKIIG We used to have a friend Morrie, W6STV, (long ago a SK) who hung out on 3904.8 KHz (don't ask). He had a Drake TR3 with VOX. He usually left the radio on and on that frequency (when he wasn't on 40 with his brother in Minnesota, by golly). His dog had a bed in the radio room by the wood stove and when ever he was home, the dog was usually in his bed. If we wanted to get Morrie on the radio, we would get on 3904.8, whistle a couple of times and call "Brownie" a couple of times. The dog would start barking, which let us know that they were home, and Morrie would hear the dog barking and come to the radio to see who was calling. Don W6CZ ___ 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
RE: [Elecraft] KRC2 Config utility
Hi Elecrafters, will there be a KRC2 configuration utility in the near future? I would really like to configure the thing via software. I often change antenna configuration in my fieldday setups, but would like to use ONE pre- assembled control-line with water-proof/assembled connectors, etc. Today I'm fiddling around with jumper wires inside the KRC2. Will the command set be made available? Would be willing to design such a utility. VY 73 de Marcus, DL1EKC GOOD QUESTION Marcus I asked that myself a couple of months back and the reply was basically someday. I am VERY DISAPPOINTED in Elecraft advertising (and continuing to advertise) a product with an unavailable (as of yet) feature. It was one consideration in purchasing a KRC2 for each of my two K2's. Don W6CZ ___ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Insulated Backstay
Mike The 23' feet dimension is specified because that is the shortest length the tuners like the SGC230 and Icom AT120/130/140 AH2/3, etc., will load on 2 MHz and 2.182 MHz is the "distress" frequency on Marine MF - though not monitored much outside the US any more. I have done computer modeling of a typical cruising boat - a Valiant 40 - and found that actually the BEST antenna was to only insulate the bottom of the backstay and load the whole rig, AS DISCUSSED in the current editions of the ARRL Antenna Book. But I got tired of arguing with people that this would actually work - "But it is a short!" - as I was advocating it long before the Antenna Book, and gave up. And - in some cases it didn't work very well - on a ketch rig or with a "split" backstay. On a sloop, with a single wire from the mast to the stern - it is killer. In a lot of cases, we simply ran a 6 gauge wire back from the base of the mast or the forestay to the ground of the tuner and jumpered all the fitting toggles with wire for good continuity - forming a big "loop". The one insulator was because without it, there would be a lot of leakage from the chainplate at the feed point to ground after the stern gets coated with salt spray (but some installations worked OK without it anyway - Brian may recall Bill Parks' Islander 36 Stray Cat Blues about 2 or 3 races ago and his effort before that - Bill introduced the idea to me when he was interviewing me for an article in Latitude 38. It was in a book that was published some years ago on Ham Radio and Cruising and the author discussed not using insulators - at first I too said it wouldn't work - then I thought about it for a while). For an insulated stay. a length of 45' seems to be (a stretch of the word) "optimal" in that it is efficient on the lower frequencies yet not too long so it maintains a decent angle of radiation on the higher frequencies. In reality - an insulated backstay is a pretty poor antenna when you look at the pattern as on most bands there are two pretty deep nulls about 120 degrees off the bow. Fortunately - they are fairly narrow. But you won't be able to achieve that length on a W32. A 23' whip as typically used on a power boat and most multi-hulls has an almost perfect omni pattern and a good launch angle - of course - assuming the boat is upright in the water - which is often NOT the case under way. IN short - no matter what you do - it is a compromise and you would have to work REALLY hard to screw it up so it wouldn't work as long as you follow good engineering practices. I have never seen an Icom tuner fail to load anything on any frequency - not the same can be said for the SGC230 (but that seems to be a different problem where it just won't tune sometimes without being reset) or certain SEA tuners (the 1635 will not load a 1/4 wave on 4.146 MHz - the check-in frequency for the PacCup race - go figure - and that is EXACTLY what they cut the backstay to on a Santa Cruz 52 - I received panic calls from three boats just before they were leaving on past Pacific Cups who had that tuner installed by someone because it - with the companion SEA235 radio - was light weight - didn't bother to check if it would work). SEA's other tuners (like the 1631) do not appear to have this problem and like the SGC, will work with any radio. As far as grounding - there are many methods - but the only one I can say WILL work is bronze plates (drag is NOT an issue on a Westsail 32) - I recommend 2 of the 3" x 12" - and I have close to 500 installations now with no RFI problems running 150 watts using e-mail to back that up. I am not saying other methods WON'T work - just that it is difficult to predict the results and it can be a tremendous amount of work and expense with poor results. One thing that has been determined is SOME sort of direct sea-water contact is needed. Don Melcher W6CZ HF Radio On Board www.hfradio.com ___ 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/elecraftHelp: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re:[Elecraft] Thoughts on the KDSP2
Wayne - I wonder if you - or anyone else for that matter - has found any values that work better then the default? Don W6ZO ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft You must subscribe to post. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, Unsub etc): http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft page: http://www.elecraft.com
