Re: [Elecraft] OT Rotatable Dipole Project

[Elecraft K3]

Thanks for the flowers Ron.  The one compromise I ended up making was not 
getting the aluminum up a full half wave in the air.  Fully half the 
directionality is down a steep hill, so electrically it meets that criteria. 
However the other half is back into the hillside so in that direction not so 
much.  It has still been a very worthwhile pursuit.  This antenna beats my 80m 
@ .5 wave doublet multiband antenna.

I hope this has been helpful.

73 de Eric, KG6MZS


> On Oct 14, 2016, at 7:43 PM, Ron D'Eau Claire  wrote:
> 
>  A rotatable dipoles offer an advantage when
> they are up high enough (>1/2 wavelength) to provide significant
> directivity. 

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[Elecraft] OT Rotatable Dipole Project

[Elecraft K3]

Hello List,

Sorry for the OT posting but I want to share my new antenna.  My K3 and this 
antenna have been a joy to operate.

Here is the blog on it for anybody who might be interested:

http://hankstamper.tumblr.com/post/149327414925/full-sized-20m-rotatable-dipole-project

73 de Eric, KG6MZS
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Re: [Elecraft] Windows Emulator

[Elecraft K3]

Hello All,

I didn’t read through all the responses, so apologies if this is duplicated.

After running several emulators and not liking them much, I went with Apple’s 
Boot Camp and prefer it over anything else I’ve tried.  It has been much more 
reliable for me.  I use both OSs almost every day on the shack computer.  
Windows for amateur radio and the Mac OS for all my weather station data.

The only problem is that the clock needs to be reset every time I launch 
Windows after the Mac OS.  I know it is something in the registry but I am too 
Windows ignorant to fix it.

HTH,

73 de Eric, KG6MZS
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Re: [Elecraft] OT:. G5RV's

[Elecraft K3]

John,

I think this is a reasonable conclusion.  Early on I used a G5RV and it was 
invaluable reference for my later antenna building experience.  I went to build 
doublets in the same space and I still keep an 80m doublet in the air.

Recently I have gotten into building no compromise rotatable dipoles.  By no 
compromise I mean full sized monoband rotatable dipoles - no traps, coils or 
cap hats 1/2 wave off the ground in free space.  These are relatively easy to 
build without a huge tower if you keep the weight down.  That’s not too hard to 
do without a boom to support the parisitic elements.  Great bang for the buck.

Another country heard from,

73 de Eric, KG6MZS
  
> On Aug 4, 2016, at 3:14 PM, John Frazier  wrote:
> 
> Over the years, immediately after a change in QTH, I have used the G5RV as an 
> interim antenna.
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Re: [Elecraft] Unplugging the radio to protect it

[Elecraft K3]

Hmm, this thread has got me wondering if a fiber optics telecom/tv/internet 
link provides some degree of protection against distant lightning strikes.

Seems like it should.

73 de Eric, KG6MZS
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Re: [Elecraft] Prolific driver windows 10

[Elecraft K3]

I never could get it work.  I finally gave up and got a new cable that uses an 
existing driver in Windows 10.

73 de Eric, KG6MZS

 On Aug 5, 2015, at 2:49 PM, Alfredo Velez WP3C via Elecraft 
 elecraft@mailman.qth.net wrote:
 
 HI
 
 I installed Windows 10 and now it does not recognize the K3 by the CAT. I 
 want to know if there is a new prolific driver.  Thanks 73'

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Re: [Elecraft] OT: G5RV's and variants

[Elecraft K3]

There is a reason that the G5RV is a good beginner's first antenna, IMO.  It is 
relatively easy to install.

Of course the same size antenna performs better as a doublet fed with balanced 
line, but I had a lot of trouble with balanced line when I was starting out.  I 
didn't know enough to get usable matches.  Feedline length, routing and balun 
issues, while simple for me to solve now, were just too much for me to solve in 
the beginning.

The G5RV got me on 10, 12, 15, 17, 20, 40, 60 and 80 all at once.  Admittedly 
not very well on all, but I made contacts on all those bands.

Another country heard from,

73 de Eric, KG6MZS 

 
 I've always wondered why builders of the antenna simply don't make an 
 open-wire fed Zepp and stop there.

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Re: [Elecraft] Is the K3 a fun radio to operate ?

[Elecraft K3]

On Jan 16, 2013, at 11:30 AM, Jim Brown wrote:

 
 The...  and FT100D are so menu driven for normal on-the-air functions that 
 they are almost unusable.

That funny.  The FT100D and the K3 are the only two HF radios I've ever owned.  
The K3 seems to have an impossible amount of front panel control after the 
FT100D.

Like you Jim, I seldom go into the menus.  I have a blast using the K3 - it is 
an absolute joy to operate on the digital modes.

Another country heard from,

73 de Eric, KG6MZS
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Re: [Elecraft] PSK31 on K3/100

[Elecraft K3]

Ray,

Why do you want an external interface?  You can use the soundcard in your 
computer or spend the money on a nice external soundcard.  The line in is 
already isolated.

See you in the waterfall.

73 de Eric, KG6MZS

On Jan 9, 2013, at 9:19 AM, Ray Coles wrote:

 Being mainly confined to evening operation when the higher bands are closed
 to me at this time of year, I decided to try out PSK31 on 40 and 80m. My
 mentor (George G3ICO) is a very experienced CW operator who always gets much
 better DX with his QRP (5W) KX3 than anything I can do with SSB and 100
 watts on my K3, so I figured PSK31 could be a way to get some of that! So
 far I have just used the K3 Windows monitor software and the built in K3 SDR
 PSK31 feature. After a few revisions of my stored macros via the monitor I
 am doing OK with several nice QSOs, even if no great DX so far. Thus
 encouraged, I plan to get an external data modes box, namely the Micro Ham
 Micro Keyer II. Would anyone like to comment on the relative results of K3
 SDR and Monitor versus FLDIGI/ HRD software (or similar) and a Micro Keyer
 II type interface? I might even try RTTY next! 
 
 
 
 Ray Coles, C.Eng. M0XDL
 
 10 Littlemoor Road,
 
 Weymouth DT3 6AA
 
 Tel: +44 (0) 1305 833699
 
 Mob: 07831 516517
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Re: [Elecraft] Windows vs Mac

[Elecraft K3]

I was not happy with Parallels on my iMac.  I run Boot Camp which comes with 
OSX and I find it runs flawlessly.

Really helps to save on desk space just to have the space of a monitor.

HTH

73 de Eric, KG6MZS


On Aug 24, 2012, at 7:17 AM, David Christ wrote:

 There is one other potential solution.  You could possibly run 
 windows as a virtual machine on the Mac.  We use Mac laptops but have 
 one program that we need to run which is available for Windows only. 
 We are using Parallels to virtualize Windows XP.  Works great for 
 this application.  How it would work for any particular logging 
 program I cannot say as I have not tried.  In theory this should work.
 
 David K0LUM
 

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Re: [Elecraft] Field Day experience with K3

[Elecraft K3]

I would not want to be running an IMD sensitive mode like PSK with 11 V.

We came close at our location a few times between generator runs - 11.3 V  or 
so and my outboard IMD meter still showed an acceptable signal - IMD -25db or 
less.

73 de Eric, KG6MZS
 
On Jun 28, 2012, at 11:44 AM, Wayne Burdick wrote:

 The K3/100 needs 11 V to make 100 W on most bands (and higher on some  
 bands), but it should not shut down completely until you hit that 9.0  
 V level. The radio will automatically reduce power (or drop completely  
 out of QRO mode, bypassing the KPA3) as required.
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Re: [Elecraft] Happy But Very Sad

[Elecraft K3]

Not to mention that the footprint is considerably smaller on the K3 -- a 
serious blessing on cramped folding tables of Field Day.

In fact the small footprint sealed the deal for me on my K3.  My whole house is 
only 720 square feet and every square
inch of desk space is precious in my shack.  Those leviathan rigs are 
impressive but something else would have to go.

For its size and weight (and base price), the K3 is truly miraculous.

73 de Eric, KG6MZS


On Jun 22, 2012, at 12:56 PM, Bill K9YEQ wrote:

 Exactly... or take the KX3, even lighter... or take both and share :-)
 
 73,
 Bill
 K9YEQ
 
 
 -Original Message-
 From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net
 [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Wayne Burdick
 Sent: Friday, June 22, 2012 12:49 PM
 To: Scott Manthe
 Cc: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
 Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Happy But Very Sad
 
 Another nice thing about the K3 is that you can take it to Field Day.  
 (10 pounds vs. 50 pounds, and 1 amp receive current drain vs. 3 or 4 amps :)
 
 73,
 Wayne
 N6KR
 
 
 

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Re: [Elecraft] Off list responses

[Elecraft K3]

Bill,

My mail browser by default replies to the sender only.  This is the only list I 
subscribe to that has that default and I always forget that.

73 de Eric KG6MZS

On May 2, 2012, at 4:28 AM, Bill wrote:

 Yesterday I posed a question and received eight (8) email responses. I 
 note that only one response was on the list. Is this the norm? I thought 
 responses should be made on the list for all to learn from.
 
 Bill W2BLC

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Re: [Elecraft] question for psk users

[Elecraft K3]

On May 1, 2012, at 9:23 AM, GLEN BROWN wrote:

  Above 70 watts...  But you shouldn't ever use that kind of power on
 psk, anyway.

I'm curious why you think this.

73 de Eric, KG6MZS

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Re: [Elecraft] K3: Elecraft Wiki (was Noise reduction

[Elecraft K3]

On May 17, 2011, at 9:12 AM, Alexander Sack wrote:

What a terrific idea!  I seldom post in here -- I find it all a little too 
intimidating for a guy that doesn't come from a technical background.  I do 
make use of the search function, but a fully hyperlinked wiki would be awesome. 
 Might distribute some of the burden of the task to people who have the time to 
contribute.  It also might help guys like me separate the wheat from the chaff, 
so to speak on the reflector posts.

73 de Eric, KG6MZS

 What you do need is an Elecraft Wiki where you can leverage the
 strong/knowledgeable/enthusiastic customer base to generate helpful
 content in addition to this list. 
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[Elecraft] OT Hearing HRD Communicate w/K3

[Elecraft K3]

Hello Wise and Powerful Reflector;

I am experiencing a confounding problem with Ham Radio Deluxe, Digital Master 
780 and my K3.  I've determined that HRD polling the K3 is introducing a 
croaking pulse-like noise into my signal chain.  I know it is HRD because if I 
quit out of HRD, no noise.  In fact, if I merely click and hold on the Radio 
pane in Digital Master 780, the noise ceases.  Additionally, if I click and 
hold on the Sound Card Pane, the noise also ceases.  I assume this is because 
that action arrests HRD's polling of the K3.

I hear it on transmit and I know it is going out with my signal because I've 
tuned my TH-F6A to the transmit frequency and gone out on the deck and heard it 
in the TH-F6A's receiver.

I assume the noise is coming in on my various antennas because pulling the 
antenna jack causes the noise to cease.  Pulling the audio cables does nothing. 
 I hear the noise on the K3's RX on some bands but not on others.  Where I 
really hear it is on the TX monitor when the Line in is set high and the 
computer's sound card is set low.  If I try the reverse - set the Line In to 2 
and the sound card on the computer to 100, I can barely hear the noise.

That has been my workaround when on PSK lately but I would like to eliminate 
this noise altogether and keep my signal clean.

Interestingly this doesn't show up as distortion on my external IMD meter from 
KK7UQ.  I guess the noise is too wide and not a distortion product.

I'm thinking a ferrite toroid on the antenna coax might solve this.  I tried 
one of those clip on ferrite dealies with no joy.  So the question is: does 
anybody on the list have any experience like this?  Is a toroid a good idea?  
Which one and how many turns?

TIA

73 de Eric, KG6MZS
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Re: [Elecraft] OT Hearing HRD Communicate w/K3

[Elecraft K3]

Hi Jim;

Thanks for the reply.   HRD must be the source of the signal.  It disappears 
mid croak when I quit HRD.  That's not to say HRD is to *blame*. 

I have read your excellent and comprehensive treatise on RFI and that is what 
prompted me to suspect a SERIOUS multi-turn ferrite choke was needed.  I am 
embarrassed to say that I am a graphic designer that is new to the hobby and 
your article goes over my head in a hurry!  I was hoping for specific 
suggestions about a manufacturer, product and number of turns.

I suspect the problematic cable(s) is the coax coming in from the antennas.  
It's not my tuner that is the problem because I tried completely taking it out 
of line and the noise persists.  I'm not sure how to check the USB to serial 
cable.  The noise goes completely away on RX when the antenna is disconnected.  
I have no way to check on TX without an antenna.

Thanks again for taking the time to respond.

73 de Eric, KG6MZS


On Mar 18, 2011, at 3:18 PM, Jim Brown wrote:

 I strongly suspect that HRD is NOT causing this problem, but rather a 
 problem with either the computer or the K3 generating RF trash on the 
 serial connection. This is not uncommon, and generally is the result of 
 a Pin One problem at one or more of the data and/or audio ports. 
 Virtually all computer sound cards and data ports have Pin One problems.
 
 IF the trash is coupled by RF to the antenna(s), a SERIOUS multi-turn 
 ferrite choke on the problematic cable(s) should help.  The choke should 
 be tuned (by varying the number of turns) to cover the frequency range 
 where you are hearing interference.
 
 Study http://audiosystemsgroup.com/RFI-Ham.pdf
 
 73, Jim K9YC
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Re: [Elecraft] OT Hearing HRD Communicate w/K3

[Elecraft K3]

Hi Joe;

Thank you for the reply.  As I mentioned to Jim , the noise completely 
disappears on RX when the antenna is disconnected.  This leads me to suspect 
that the RFI is coming in on the antenna cable.  Does that sound right?  If it 
was coming in on the USB to serial I would expect to still hear it when the 
antenna was disconnected.

73 de Eric, KG6MZS


On Mar 18, 2011, at 3:22 PM, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote:

 
 Replace the cable on your USB to serial interface and make sure
 your K3 has all of the RFI mods, particularly those involving
 the KIO3.
 
 What you are hearing is common mode noise from the USB cable that
 is being radiated into your antenna or being conducted via the
 RS-232 cable.
 
 73,
 
   ... Joe, W4TV
 
 On 3/18/2011 5:51 PM, Elecraft K3 wrote:
 Hello Wise and Powerful Reflector;
 
 I am experiencing a confounding problem with Ham Radio Deluxe, Digital 
 Master 780 and my K3.  I've determined that HRD polling the K3 is 
 introducing a croaking pulse-like noise into my signal chain.  I know it is 
 HRD because if I quit out of HRD, no noise.  In fact, if I merely click and 
 hold on the Radio pane in Digital Master 780, the noise ceases.  
 Additionally, if I click and hold on the Sound Card Pane, the noise also 
 ceases.  I assume this is because that action arrests HRD's polling of the 
 K3.
 
 I hear it on transmit and I know it is going out with my signal because I've 
 tuned my TH-F6A to the transmit frequency and gone out on the deck and heard 
 it in the TH-F6A's receiver.
 
 I assume the noise is coming in on my various antennas because pulling the 
 antenna jack causes the noise to cease.  Pulling the audio cables does 
 nothing.  I hear the noise on the K3's RX on some bands but not on others.  
 Where I really hear it is on the TX monitor when the Line in is set high and 
 the computer's sound card is set low.  If I try the reverse - set the Line 
 In to 2 and the sound card on the computer to 100, I can barely hear the 
 noise.
 
 That has been my workaround when on PSK lately but I would like to eliminate 
 this noise altogether and keep my signal clean.
 
 Interestingly this doesn't show up as distortion on my external IMD meter 
 from KK7UQ.  I guess the noise is too wide and not a distortion product.
 
 I'm thinking a ferrite toroid on the antenna coax might solve this.  I tried 
 one of those clip on ferrite dealies with no joy.  So the question is: does 
 anybody on the list have any experience like this?  Is a toroid a good idea? 
  Which one and how many turns?
 
 TIA
 
 73 de Eric, KG6MZS
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