Re: [Elecraft] [K3] Elecraft[K-3] K144XV
IMHO an external sequencer is still the best way to have a foolproof system. Running QRO with a mast mounted lna isn't a good idea if you don't have one. 20 ms is not enough for sure, as most of the QRO coax relays have a switching time of that amount or even more My sequence timing is around 250 ms, in four steps, including LNA, PA, Driver, and RTX/XVTR. 73 de Giulio IW3HVB AD6XY ha scritto: > snip > > I am still worried about the diode switching, 2m specific PTT outputs and > delays. I assume the usual 20mS delay option is there in the menu like all > the other bands. This is not quite long enough when you are sequencing an > amplifier and a pre-amp as there is more to switch than just the coaxial > relays. > __ 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] KAT3 L10 burned
Yesterday I paid a visit to a firnd, Giancarlo I3GKK, who was very worried about an accident happened 3 days ago. Suddenly, during a brief tx period (10 seconds) at 100 W into a Windom antenna, he saw smoke coming out from the top panel of his K3. Since then no power out on all bands (measured with an external wattmeter). The internal wattmeter of the K3 reads correctly and the supply current is regular, on both high and low power, so it seems that the TX stages are ok. Looking into the area for smoky parts I found that L10 (96 nH), at the output of the KAT3 unit is badly burned. The enamel on the wire is gone and with the ohmmeter the inductance measures more than 7 ohms :-/ My guess is that SWR was a little too high, but within the tuning range of the KAT3. It was raining heavily when the fault has occoured. Measured the antenna with the MFJ-259B and it seems almost ok on all bands (less than 2 in the worst band, all the others less than 1.4). Anyone have had similar experiences? 73 de Giulio IW3HVB __ 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] XV50, XV144, XV222 Assembly Manual
I'm not so sure about this, at least for the holes. My old XV144 have them since it came out of the factory..., Maybe it is a simple packing mistake. Try ask to elecraft support, maybe they can clear it out. 73 de Giulio IW3HVB > No need to drill the holes or get a fan for any of the other XV > Models. They don't get hot like the XV432 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] K3 2 meter capability: internal K144XV or XV144 transverter?
I totally agree with this. I've too noticed when running the XV144 at more than 10/15 W the xverter case get pretty hot. The Elecraft guys btw are well known to be conservative about component choice, keeping well within the safe limits. On the other hand, just to keep things less hot I'vee added a small cpu fan over the top holes (the ones over the attenuator resistors) to drag out the hot air. Since then the case has been a lot less warm even at full output for some minutes. To avoide excessive noise from the fan I've connected the Voltage supply for the fan at the 12T point, so it runs only when on tx. These are my cents on the matter... :-) 73 de Giulio IW3HVB AD6XY ha scritto: Snip > Of course the output will be cleaner if under run, so a 25W amplifier > running 10W ought to be cleaner than when running 25W. > > __ 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] K144XV for K3 NF = 1dB
It isn't exactly true that NF is unimportant on tropo otherwise no one would be using a mast mounted preamplifier. The main issue then is preserving the dynamic range, as you pointed out On the XV144 module is mandatory to remove the second rx stage to do that in this case. The point is, how many stages the new module have? Is the second one (I assume that it is there) easily removable or bypassable? About the dynamic range I didn't completely agree with the Elecraft first choice to use a 50 MHz IF, and the second one with 28 MHz isn't much better imho. Ok, I'm a little selfish here, but the serious contesting machines (Javornik, DB6NT and others) use 14 MHz and there are couple ofgood reasons to do that. Usually the HF radios have their better spesc in terms of BDR etc. on the 20 mt band, and likely the K3 is no different (Wayne, Eric, can you confirm?). The image frequency on 28 MHz IF is in the FM broadcasting band (88-108 here), and I must use a cavity filter between the LNA and the RX port of the xverter, or I get a lot of crackling noise and birdies, as well as good fm music. The only real disadvantage in this case (14 MHz IF) is that the band is somewhat limited by the 14 MHz limits, but for a 144 MHz contester/Dxer, the portion of band really important is on 500 KHz, from EME to beacon band 144.000 to 144.500. These are my two cents on the topic. 73 de Giulio IW3HVB AD6XY ha scritto: > It is nice and low but 1 dB is not exactly cutting edge. I will measure mine > when it arrives on some high spec equipment. It does not really matter that > mush though on 2m. For terrestrial use the band noise is the limit, for EME > anyone serious will be using a low noise pre-amplifier. > > What is much more important to operational use and what I would like to know > is the dynamic range. Is it over 100 dB at 3kHz spacing like the K3 on HF? > What about the intercept point - is it better than 20 dBm? It needs to be > here in Europe! There are 4 high power stations active in my grid square, > i.e IO91JO and blocking is an issue with the XV144/K3 combo. > > Mike > > > __ 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 Background noise
I had the same problem, with a quite noisy shack, the 8877 I use on 144 MHz have a pretty big fan, plus I have other fans on the PC, on the Network rack and so on. I solved the problem using a carefully selected microphone. I chose a SM-57 instrument pickup microphone, from Shure. The choice followed this criteria: 1) Cardioid (highly directive) pattern, with low sidelobes. 2) Dynamic microphone, with a low sensitivity. 3) Almost flat audio response, with limited bass roll-off. I keep the TX equalizer completely flat, and I set the mic gain at level 20. A little bit of compression can give you the right punch, without affecting readability, let's say 10. These settings work well for me, but keep in mind to set the Mic Gain looking at an external wattmeter: remaining on Tx, and not talking, you shoudn't see any power going out. Good luck! 73 de Giulio IW3HVB > > I have a problem with noise in the shack. > On transmit it is picked up by the mic. Other than lowering the RF gain I > understand that > there is a setting which could reduce or eliminate this > some where in the config. Any tgoughts would be appreciated. > > Thanks > Jay > Jay Rodaman > > __ 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] Slightly OT: Elecraft K3 to Maldives
I'll be in Maldives from may 26th to june 04th I will bring my K3/100 with me with a multiband vertical antenna. Will be on the air as 8Q7GP and hope to work some of you guys. I plan to work mainly 20 and 40 meters, but I will keep an eye to the other bands too if the propagation will assist me. This is a holiday style dxpedition, so don't expect too much from me, or I could get beaten by my wife :-) I will take the laptop and I plan to do SSB and PSK31, as my CW is a little bit rusty, but never say never I still don't know if Internet will be available, so keep a look to the cluster as I may not be able to take skeds. 73 de Giulio IW3HVB __ 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] Problem with K2 transmit quality
Don Wilhelm wrote: > Giulio, > > Do you have anything with a transformer near the K2? Move the K2 at > least a meter away from anything with a transformer and try it again. > > If moving it cures the problem, you may either move the device(s) with > transformers or install the VCO Shield Kit in your K2. > > 73, > Don W3FPR That was my idea too, but I have no transformers (switching ps and everything else at 1 mt or more and switched off) and the VCO shielding is already in place.. Is the tune carrier generated at the same manner of the CW note? 73 de Giulio IW3HVB __ 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] Problem with K2 transmit quality
Don Wilhelm wrote: > Giulio, > > Can you please describe the distortion? Also, please say whether the > distortion is heard in the sidetone or on a different monitoring > receiver. > > Does all this happen when operating into a dummy load? Or is it only > when operating into an antenna? > > Is this with a hand key? or with paddles? If with paddles, does it > happen with a string of dashes? or a string of dots? or both. > > If you have not cleaned your key contacts, that could be the problem. > Put a strip of paper between the key contacts, close the key and > extract the paper - that should clean the contacts. > > I cannot comment on the SSB until the CW is corrected. > > 73, > Don W3FPR Instead of a clean note i have a sound like pr pr :-) it is wide in frequency like when an amplifier is working in a non linear region. I have it on both antenna and dummy load. Not on the side tone, but on a second receiver (Tried on HF and 144 MHz with XV144, same result) I'm using bencher paddles, on both dot and dashes. The K2 is modified with external PTT mod. 73 de Giulio IW3HVB __ 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] Problem with K2 transmit quality
I have a problem with a K2 who behaves strangely on cw. The note is very bad, full of distorsions (rf?) but the Tuning continuous carrier is crisp and clean. I don't know if the two are related (I suspect that :-) ) but tah would point to the key !?!. The other odd thing is that on SSB the modulation is hopping continuously from very clean and rich to very compressed. Any clue? 73 de Giulio IW3HVB __ 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] Modulation on XV144 was: Dynamic mics on a K3
Don Wilhelm ha scritto: > Giulio, > > Unless the XV144 is operating in a non-linear region, it should not > distort the SSB signal. > Exactly I tried to redo some calibration of the quiescent current and the filters to peak the linearity, and now the problem is gone. Now the signal is perfect in 144 MHz also. Now the only thing to solve is about the PTT, and we are ready to give it a fight for the VHF contest of march but this is Wayne's field so I'll let him work on that without stressing him too much. ;-) Tnx and 73 de Giulio IW3HVB __ 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] Modulation on XV144 was: Dynamic mics on a K3
After a few good suggestions by Don, Jim and Fern I run a few more tests, coming at the conclusion that the problem was not the MIC, or its interfacing with the K3 or the radio itself. The audio on HF bands is simply perfect, with or without compression (and comp acts exactly as it should). But the problem on 144 MHz is still there, so the problem must be on the XV144. The Power supply is the same for both the radio and the xverter, tried switching and stabilized with no differences. I've no idea where to look.. Changing the drive power (I'm using the KXV3 module) does'nt produce any difference as well. Any clues? 73 de Giulio IW3HVB __ 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] Dynamic Mics on K3
Don Wilhelm ha scritto: > Giulio, > > You did not say what microphones you were trying to use, only that > they were 'dynamic'. Are you attempting to use Pro-Audio > microphones? If so, check out the information provided by Jim Brown > K9YC at http://haminterfacing.pdf/. Do your microphones have adequate > output? Do they need Phantom Power? There can be many reasons you > are not having success. > > How does the audio sound from the K3 monitor. You said you did the > evaluation on 144 MHz, but what mode? If it is FM, then many have > reported issues with 'thin audio' on FM, and Elecraft is currently > working on improvement for that condition. How does the K3 sound with > the microphones on SSB? > Currently I'm using a Shure SM57 dynamic mic. The others are brandless or unknown. The mic doesn't need phantom power, but I agree with you that the output level of the microphone maybe is a little low. The tests I run were on SSB only, no FM or AM. The sound on the K3 monitor seems perfect (and that points the problem elsewhere, that is a test I didn't make until a minute ago). After a brief test on hf (listening on a K2) the audio seems fairly better than on 144 MHz. I've a feeling about the XV144 It seems that at a certain point in the IF path the signal become reduced in bandwidth, maybe the filters are a little off band 73 de Giulio IW3HVB __ 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] Dynamic Mics on K3
I'm trying to use a dynamic mic with the K3 (KIO3 MIC INPUT high gain) but I can't be satisfied with the modulation (I'm listening with another radio on 144 MHz using an XV144 with the K3). If I keep the compression level below 15 the mod is awful. Tried with 4 or 5 different dynamic mics, but the results are almost the same. I made a couple of ipothesis: Balanced Mics doesn't match too well with the unbalanced input of the radio. The mic level is too low (I tried to push with mic gain and TXG VCE, but no results so far). Any suggestion? 73 de Giulio IW3HVB __ 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] Firmware request
Giulio Pico - IW3HVB ha scritto: > We use a foot switch to drive the sequencer and the radio PTT is > controlled via the external PTT socket. I've noticed another couple of issues regarding CW this time. Squeezing the paddles (or using only dots or dashes, doesn't matters) with no external PTT grounded one XV144 relay clicks constantly following the CW pattern (no rf output anyway...). But this is only a minor problem. The big issue is about the no-break in functioning that behaves oddly. If you ground the PTT and start to send CW all works fine, but if you release the PTT the radio keeping the paddles working the radio keeps transmitting! I finally understand how we manage to burn 3 MGF1801 at the LNA. It is likely that an operator slipped on the pedal for a brief moment, starting the sequence for rx, while continuing to transmit with the paddles The 5 or 6 watts output of the XV144 we use are more than enough to cook the gaasfet. BTW You get the same behaviour when you use the internal memory keyer. The radio stops transmitting only when the message is over. Another one I found while writing this message If the radio is in SSB the paddles keep working "hit to tx" style. so if you hit one paddle without grounding the PTT the radio goes tx as well I have no idea if I'm doing something wrong, but I feel this is not the case. That's all so far. 73 de Giulio IW3HVB __ 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] Firmware request
I've noticed one possible issue using the KDVR3, wich I've installed today. The PTT is controlled directly by the radio, so basically when you go for playback the radio goes on TX automatically. This is a problem for us, cause on our VHF station we deal with an external sequencer who manage to do the timings for relays, PA and the mast mounted LNA. We use a foot switch to drive the sequencer and the radio PTT is controlled via the external PTT socket. At the moment the radio doesn't even allow you to go playback if it is already on TX. In any case, even if this was possible it would have been a source for possible troubles, cause you have to rely on the smartness of the operator who must remember to start the PTT sequence well before pressing the playback button. It would be better, in a case like this, to inibhit the playback button to control the PTT. This should be an option in the config menu, as if you are not using any external device, having the K3 going TX with a single pressing of a button is quite cool. These were my 2 Cents on the topic. 73 de Giulio IW3HVB __ 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] Strange behaviour xv144 and K3
I've found something weird working with this setup: K3 and XV interface connected to an XV144 via ACC cable and if cables. Once set up the sw parameters the xverter seems to work fine at home. If I change band on the K3 the XV144 turns up when I switch band on 144 MHz and vice versa (sounds normal according to the manuals). The strange thing happened in two different contests on our portable location, where the XV144 doesn't turn up every time. If the K3 is turned off when in 144 MHz, with the XV144 turned on, everything goes off. Ok. When the K3 is turned back on the XV144 front label flashes for a moment then goes off, and the transverter remains dead. At this point a band switch to HF and back again turns on the transverter. I am not able to reproduce the issue at home, so there are two possible explanations 1) The /P location is filled with gremlins 2) There is something else located there that influences the communication between the radio and the transverter. Just for the record, I've double checked the connections between the radio and the XV, and they are ok. The radio is powered via the same switching power supply both at home and on the /P station. The main difference is on the AC, as on the /P location we use an inverter power generator (honda, gasoline, 4strokes). Any clues? 73 de Giulio IW3HVB ___ 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] K3 and XV144 strange behaviour
Before you ask... Firmware Revisions: MCU 2.34; DSP 1.89. 73 de Giulio IW3HVB. ___ 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] K3 and XV144 strange behaviour
I noticed a strange behaviour during the last IARU VHF Contest last weekend. With our team we managed to have a first field test of the rig coming for our experience with the K2/xv144 MHz combination the expectations were high. The setup was composed by the K3 and a XV144 transverter, plus a Power amplifier, a preamplifier at the antenna (with some 30 mt of 1/2" cellflex line) and two stacked 19 elements Log Loop Yagis. The switching sequence was controled by an external sequencer drived by a foot pedal. On the receiving side the combo was wonderful, the dynamic range allowed us to manage very well in the pretty crowded 2 mt band. But we had some troubles mainly on TX. Let say that our P.A. needs to be drived with circa 7/10 Watts at maximum (depending on the mode, SSB or CW). It's made from 2 x 4CX250B in push-pull configuration. So I tuned the transverter to go from a range of 1 W (with -10 dBm drive from the KXV3 module) to a mazimum of 10 W (with 0 dBm of drive). Things have worked pretty smoothly most of the time, but on a few occasions, we noticed a sudden loss of output power from the transverter (and from the P.A. of course). Turning the K3 off and on again the transverter didn't power up. The XV144 label on the front panel flashed for a brief moment and then stayed off. Changing band to HF and back again on 144 MHz (TRV1) and the XV144 module powered up again. Not always on the first try. Once powered up most of the times the output power was correct, but occasionally we had to do the procedure three or four times before coming back to normal functioning. Any clues of the reasons of this behaviour??? 73 de Giulio IW3HVB ___ 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] K3 S/N 1381
For whom is still tracking deliveries, with apologies about the bandwidth for the others. K3/100 Kit KAT3 TCXO KXV3 XV144 400 Hz, 1800 Hz, 2800 Hz filters Ordered on 18/03/08 Katiegram arrived on 29/07/08 Shipped via UPS on 01/08/08 Arrived Today 04/08/08 in Venice - Italy (The box has been in the Venice Airport Customs office since Friday, classic Italian week end mood) Now straight to assembly! 73 de Giulio IW3HVB ___ 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
