Re: [Elecraft] Feature density of portable transceivers: K1 vs. KX2

[Ignacy Misztal]

It will not charge now. It would be GREATLY convenient if it could.
In simplest case, allow charging from DC input if input voltage is <=12.6V
and charge current is < 2A.
Not sure what is the reason not to allow it. Perhaps concerns about
counterfeit batteries without a chip, and possibility of fire.

I have external batteries but the beauty of KX2 is that the battery is
inside.

Ignacy, NO9E

On Mon, Dec 9, 2019 at 2:09 PM Don Wilhelm  wrote:

> The KX2 battery will NOT charge from the external power jack - the
> lithium battery must be removed for charging.  Unless handled with a
> heavy hand, the bottom of the KX2 will withstand many, many removals and
> installs.
> If you are concerned about removing the bottom of the KX2, you can
> always use the Lithium battery externally, just plug it into the power
> jack - no internal battery required.
>
> The KX3 internal batteries can be charged from the power jack if you
> have the KXBC3 option installed.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> On 12/9/2019 1:58 PM, Ignacy Misztal wrote:
> > Thank you for the suggestion. Here is something similar:
> >
> https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07V3L4YF3/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
> >
> > Wonder whether they are RF quiet?
> >
> > My thinking with KX2 that I take it with me,without anything external,
> use
> > portable, and then at home charge via USB overnight without pulling the
> > internal battery.  Just like the cell phone.
> >
> > Ignacy, NO9E
> >
>
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Re: [Elecraft] Feature density of portable transceivers: K1 vs. KX2

[Ignacy Misztal]

Thank you for the suggestion. Here is something similar:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07V3L4YF3/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Wonder whether they are RF quiet?

My thinking with KX2 that I take it with me,without anything external, use
portable, and then at home charge via USB overnight without pulling the
internal battery.  Just like the cell phone.

Ignacy, NO9E

On Mon, Dec 9, 2019 at 12:55 PM Gwen Patton  wrote:

> Use a USB-C PD power bank, and a USB-C power sink, and you can power the
> KX2 handily. I can power my KX3 that way, and most of my other QRP rigs as
> well. The sink I use is the PD Buddy Sink found on Tindie. It handshakes
> with the PD power bank and provides 12v at 2-3A (depending on the bank). I
> have a RAVPower bank with roughly 27Ah (probably rated at 5v, but that's
> ok) that works fine with this. It'll also take input power from a mains
> power supply used to fast-charge such a bank, or that might be used to
> power a Chromebook or other laptop. That gives me a VERY small and packable
> mains and mains-free power solution for all of my radios. I could even set
> it for 9v for the radios that use THAT.
>
> There are other brands of power sinks out there.  I ordered two of these:
> https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07T2858G6/ but they haven't arrived
> yet, so I haven't tested them. The Buddy Sink is programmed by connecting
> it to a computer via USB-C, then accessed with a terminal program. The ones
> I haven't received yet have a preset group of output power profiles you can
> toggle through by pressing a button on the board. There are others as well,
> but I haven't tried any others yet either.
>
> This isn't a massively unique approach. I'm sure there are other, cheaper,
> and probably more specific power solutions, but this has the benefit of
> being a multi-tasker. With it, I can charge my Chromebook, my phone, my
> external speaker, AND run my radios. I can charge the bank with a power
> supply that weighs ounces and fits in the palm of my hand rather than a
> brick the size and weight of, well, a BRICK. I even found 3d printable
> cases for the PD Buddy Sink that will accomodate either a direct wire
> output or a PowerPole connector, so I can attach interchangeable power
> cables.
>
> 73,
> Gwen, NG3P
>
>
> On Mon, Dec 9, 2019 at 12:33 PM Ignacy  wrote:
>
>> This is a QRP radio that likes traveling. Mine has even been on a small
>> boat
>> ride in Adriatic sea... Or working DX SSB in a contest big time (with 9A1A
>> antennas).
>>
>> If only a USB charge can be added. I am afraid that the radio will survive
>> only so many case openings...
>>
>> Ignacy, NO9E
>>
>>
>>
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>
> --
>
> -+-+-+-+-
> Jenny Everywhere's Infinite: Quark Time
> http://quarktime.net
>
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Re: [Elecraft] KPA 1500 dummy load recommendations

[Ignacy Misztal]

I usually do testing in CW or SSB. In CW the duty cycle is 50% and in SSB
about 10% with not too much processing. A few seconds is enough to diagnose
problems.

Years ago when testing a 200W home made amp I used 2W resistor immersed in
water. Worked good enough.
Perhaps for longer duty one can use cantenna dummy load ( MFJ-250), also
immersed in water. Or attach 1-2 small fans to MFJ-264.
Ignacy, NO9E

On Wed, Jul 24, 2019 at 11:06 AM Larry Gauthier (K8UT) 
wrote:

> Don,
>
> Look carefully at the power de-rating curve on your MFJ-264. I also own a
> KPA1500, and built my own DIY high power dummy load after seeing that my
> MFJ "1500 watt" dummy load can only handle 1500 watts for 8 seconds.
>
> -larry (K8UT)
>
> -- Original Message --
> From: "Don Schroder" 
> To: "Ignacy" ; "elecraft@mailman.qth.net" <
> elecraft@mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: 2019-07-22 21:21:09
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KPA 1500 dummy load recommendations
>
> I also have a MFJ-264. I figured if I need a dummy load, go with one that
> will handle the most watts I will ever need.
> I don’t have much room, the MFJ-264 id s 1.5KW dry dummy load for
> 1-650MHz. A little smaller than a carton of cigs.
> Haven’t used it yet.
>
> Don, KE0PVQ
>
> Sent from Mail for
> Windows 10
>
> From: Ignacy
> Sent: Monday, July 22, 2019 7:43 PM
> To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KPA 1500 dummy load recommendations
>
> I have MFJ-264 and MFJ-250. Both work. Aside from experiments , both are
> gathering dust as there is little purpose of using dummy loads for
> solid-state amps.
> Ignacy, NO9E
>
>
>
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Re: [Elecraft] Memories in K2 not working

[Ignacy Misztal]

Don,
Thank you for the info.He has K1.
I will ask him to contact the Elecraft group or you.
Ignacy, NO9E

On Sat, Jan 27, 2018 at 2:12 PM, Don Wilhelm  wrote:

> Ignacy,
>
> How is he trying to load the memories.  He must use paddles connected to
> the K2 directly and not from an external keyer or a straight key.
>
> Is he pushing the buttons correctly?  Does he know the difference between
> a button tap and a hold?
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> On 1/27/2018 12:48 PM, Ignacy wrote:
>
>> I sold my K2 and the person who bought it found that CW memories are not
>> working. I have never used them. Any idea what could have gone wrong?
>> Ignacy, NO9E
>>
>>
>>
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Re: [Elecraft] KX3 Field Ant. for 80/40/30

[Ignacy Misztal]

I tested the endfed from myantennas at 1 kw. The transformer was only warm
so no significant losses there. The feeder was RF hot so a toroid choke was
added. Cable no longer hot and toroid cold. SWR low on many bands. So the
only significant losses could have been through the ground.

This is obvious after a bit of thought. A vertical or inv L ( or low inv V)
needs either good ground or lots of radials for small ground losses. With
endfed, there is one radial, the feeder. So excellent performance by the
beach, not bad in good ground, so so in poor ground.

Ignacy

On Nov 21, 2017 7:58 PM, "Erik Basilier"  wrote:

Ignacy,
For an end-fed wire, I would see the possibility of power losses not only in
the feed feeder, but also in the tuner, the transformer, and the effective
counterpoise path. For low counterpoise losses, small counterpoise current
is desirable, which means a high antenna impedance. When a long counterpoise
wire is needed, and when that wire is close to the ground, I would also
expect ground losses from the counterpoise current interacting with the
ground, in addition to the ground losses caused by the antenna wire
interacting with the ground. When the feeder (outside or shield)-tuner-radio
path carries all or part of the counterpoise current, I would not rule out
the possibility that the possibiility that the resistance there is
sufficient to cause losses significant enough to affect overall efficiency
of the system. That is why I would like to compare like antennas with
different feed systems. Of course antenna wire configuration is the most
important thing to determine overall performance, but when putting up a long
wire, I usually start with the support structure that already exists, or
that I can put up most easily.

73,
Erik K7TV

-Original Message-
From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Ignacy
Sent: Tuesday, November 21, 2017 5:07 PM
To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX3 Field Ant. for 80/40/30

Antenna performance does not depend on how it is fed (if feeder losses are
low) but on height and ground type. For KX3 with AT, any special length
makes little sense, especially in portable conditions. KX3 matches most
random wires, and KX3 with 4:1 balun matches any wires. Lack of balance is
not too important with battery operation. I try to make random wire +
counterpoise at least 1/4 wave on the lowest frequency for reasonable
efficiency.

For 1.5 KW, an endfed with a 49:1 or so transformer makes lots of sense as
wideband tuners for QRO are rare, expensive and heavy. "Myantennas.com"
perfected a  transformer that has very small losses and does not
self-destroy at high power. But in inv V configuration, it is way down from
a flattop.

Ignacy, NO9E



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Re: [Elecraft] K2 and KX3 with A/B switch

[Ignacy Misztal]

Thank you for the comments.

The pop goes away with AGC OFF. It also goes away with AGS PLS set OFF.
Perhaps PLS OFF will  be my new default setting, unless in heavy QRN.

Now, I will have easy time partying with K2. BTW, it goes to Z35M, who
should be "Elecraft hero". He made about half a million,QSOs mostly
portable  using K1. To many, he put ZA on the map.See his QRZ web page.

Ignacy, NO9E

On Thu, Nov 2, 2017 at 12:46 AM, Wayne Burdick  wrote:

> Ignacy,
>
> I’ve never noticed the KX3’s AGC pumping, so I suspect something else.
> Small speaker aside, it should sound every bit as good as the analog K2,
> just with additional filtering features (thanks to the KX3’s DSP).
>
> Try turning AGC off. If there really were pumping, this would stop it. If
> it doesn’t stop, there’s something else going on. Do you have NB or NR
> turned on? Also try setting RX SHFT to 8.0 to see if you have noise getting
> into the KX3’s power supply lead. Baseband (RX SHFT=0) would be more
> affected by this in some cases.
>
> 73,
> Wayne
> N6KR
>
>
>
> > On Nov 1, 2017, at 7:17 PM, Ignacy  wrote:
> >
> > I am going to sell my K2 as it is gathering dust since KX3 came on
> board. But
> > for probably the last time I put them on the A/B switch. Here is what I
> have
> > found.
> >
> > 1. K2 has good speaker. KX3 has lousy speaker. Nothing strange as K2 is
> > bigger.
> >
> > For comparisons I attached KX3 to an external amplified speaker.
> >
> > 2. A weak CW signal in K2 is natural and easy copying. You can make it
> sound
> > similar in KX3 by playing PBT and sometimes  engaging APF.
> >
> > 3. in SSB, K2 sounds nice and mellow although the bandwidth is limited.
> KX3
> > sounds tiring because of AGC pumping. I fiddled with HOLD, ATTACH, etc.,
> > with little effect.
> >
> > K2 has to go because it is too big. But it is a fine radio.
> >
> > Has anybody found AGC in KX3 harsh? Any way to do something about it
> other
> > than running RF gain?
> >
> > Ignacy, NO9E
> >
> >
> >
> > --
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Re: [Elecraft] RX antenna protection

[Ignacy Misztal]

This is my experience. Making a large-signal preamp is usually a waste of
power since it is a mixer that is a limiting factor.
I can believe that a device from DX Engineering can be poorly designed.
Have NCC-2.  Weighs like a tank but fragile like a baby.
Ignacy, NO9E

On Tue, Aug 15, 2017 at 3:59 PM, Vic Rosenthal  wrote:

> I disagree. A good preamp like the DXE preamps can handle large signals
> and still be linear. That means they can output a lot of power. Do not
> assume you are safe if there is a preamp unless it is a lousy one!
>
> Vic 4X6GP
>
> > On 15 Aug 2017, at 18:07, Ignacy  wrote:
> >
> > If a receive antenna has a preamp, there no need to do any antenna guard
> > since the preamp cannot destroy K3.
> >
> > I used K9AY, K7TJR 3 el array, and a Wellbrook loop close to transmit
> > antennas. None was turned off during transmit.  Both have preamps and
> > nothing was damaged despite running a  KW. Of all 3, K7TJR was the best
> by
> > far.
> >
> > BTW, the RX ANT input in K3 is protected by a RF activated relay.
> >
> > Ignacy, NO9E
>
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Re: [Elecraft] K3 and amplifiers such as ALS-600

[Ignacy Misztal]

MRF150 as used in ALS600 has 17db linear gain at 30MHz, and +20db on
20MHz and below. The gain is reduced to 9-11db across the bands by
swamping the input and by some feedback. It can be recovered by using
smaller or no input resistor and by removing or reducing the feedback
with a risk of some instability. Apparently ALS 600 does not suffer
from instability. The data sheet for MRF150 cites IMD3 at -32db in a
circuit without any feedback.

Linearity is another issue.
Ignacy

On Wed, Jul 22, 2009 at 4:07 PM, Mark Bayern wrote:
>>"Amplifiers are not such that 100 = 500 so 10 = 50. Solid state at least,
> look at the charts for the 2 meter amps for instance)  Doesn't work that
> way.
>
> _Linear_ amplifiers do hold true to the "100in=500out, so 10in=50out"
> statement.
> If they are not linear amps, don't use them for anything other than CW and
> FM modes.
> Mark
>
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