[Elecraft] K3 RTTY ...
Inspired by having worked VP6DX with 10w on 80m using a 20m bisquare antenna, I decided to try RTTY, about which I (still) know absolutely NOTHING. Thanks Wayne for the K3 website tip on how to do this with no PC ! Setup was a breeze and BINGO, there was VP6DX on 10149, scrolling across the display. After some initial confusion over what I was actually seeing on that tiny display (VP6DX answering me, or my out-going CW-RTTY signal) I'm pretty sure I made it for my first ever RTTY QSO, still using the same 20m bisquare. And VP6DX on 17m was my first SSB QSO with K3 #107 ... An awesome radio. ___ 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 noise B and R
The N0SS demo is very impressive. The noise sounds like what I have here in the city suburbs most (all) of the time. But here hitting NB has no tangible effect. I have not found it useful ! (OK; I probably need to read the manual and play with the settings.) On the other hand, NR does work well provided the wanted signal is strong enough. (Once again, read the manual, I know ...) On 80m I have now adopted a different approach to the awful local noise levels. I found that hitting ATT was very effective in reducing unwanted noise, especially when listening to weaker signals, including VP6DX over 8000 miles away and nothing like as loud in here as on the N0SS recordings. Today I tried listening to VP6DX on 80 with ATT set to OFF and the noise was painful. Hitting PRE made it far worse. NR did not really help, but with ATT ON, I worked them on 80m CW with just 10w The antenna here is a 20m wire bisquare, bottom corner about 7 feet off the ground and firing vertically upwards on 80. As the VP6 op said when I told him OUCH But the mojo sure works, because I also made it on 80 with 100w of SSB ! Again this was with ATT ON. PRE seems best left for the HF bands, 20m and up. But ATT is a powerful option when all else fails. John G3JAG K3 #107 K2 # 609 ___ 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] UK addresses blocked ?
Thats news to me. I get TWO copies of the Elecraft Digest and ONE copy of the Elecraft_K3 Digest. Not sure how I get two copies of the regular Digest, but at a guess I'm on the mailing list twice. I keep one copy of each Digest, now totalling 61mB. So blocked I certainly am not !!! Happy Christmas to one and all - my main present (from me to me) is K3/100 #107 which has already been opened, assembled and is in the shack to be played with -- whenever I can sneak a few minutes away from other more seasonal chores. John G3JAG ___ 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] Iambic keys
I have the Elecraft HEXKEY and it is excellent, with a good solid feel to it. I also have a collection of others (acquired over many yaers of searching for a padle that would correct my mistakes !!) OK; I gave up looking for error-correcting paddles and I am the proud owner of a CHEVRON, (www.chevronmorsekeys.co.uk.) The CHEVRON is my first choice, but if it was stolen tonight, I'd be very happy if the thief left me the HEXKEY. G3JAG ___ 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] keying ...
You can get used to almost anything, even a hand key, if you have to. The real annoyance is having to swap keying modes when moving from one rig to another. I key my K2 #609 directly with a Schurr Profi paddle using the on board K2 logic. Thats because when I take the K2 away from home I can't be bothered to take a large external keyer with me. And I cannot be bothered arranging for it to be driven by an external keyer anyway (if it works, don't fix it.) I have worked nearly 300 countries with it, all with the on board iambic logic. And I still hate it. My Omni-V is keyed by either a HexKey, or a Chevron paddle (usually the Chevron) or a VHS paddle. All three are hooked into my Versakeyer which does Ultimatic or iambic. In my case it is is permanently switched to Ultimatic, because thats the most comfortable mode for me - and I use both, often for long periods. Do as many calculations as you like. Comfort comes first, so my K3 when it eventually gets here will be hooked to the Versakeyer. And for use away from here, a K1EL K14 kit is already in the works . Might even get that inside ... John G3JAG ___ 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 CW keyer
Iambic keying is a relic of tube keyers where flip flops were used to generate alternating dots/dashes. Ultimatic keying where the last paddle closed takes command is much more user friendly. Looks like I shall have to drive the K3 with my external keyer pity. John G3JAG ___ 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] Interfacing to a linear
Thanks Wayne. I'm sure the K3 will handle it. Either the linear has a fast acting (vacuum) relay as in my TenTec Herc II, or it has an ancient WW2 clunker like my 3x811A homebrew. Some (adjustable) delay is needed before sending RF to the linear. But an adjustable hang-in time is needed as well, because I for one would not like to attempt full VOX/QSK with the clunker ! The TenTec QSK keying loop is good, but not necessarily needed if the timing can be set sensibly. TenTec provide fast and slow QSK options. It should be at least as easy to program this into the K3, thanks to the memory available. But if there really is enough memory, then how about upgrading the built-in keyer to handle Ultimatic mode ? Iambic mode is a mediaeval hangover from around 45-50 years ago when electronic keyers used vacuum tube flip-flops. Iambic mode was the easy way out; its not very useful and I hate having to re-adapt to it when I go back to the K2. Yes, I should use my Versakeyer on the K2, but I don't want to meddle with #609, now up to over 280 countries. If it ain't broke don't fix it. John G3JAG ___ 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 linear amplifiers
QSK requires that an outboard linear is somehow switched into transmit mode, preferably before RF arrives at its input socket. In the case of my TenTec Hercules II amp, a control signal is fed back to my Omni-V to tell it the linear is ready to receive RF drive. The Hercules uses a vacuum relay; there are fast and slow QSK options built into the Omni-V. Will the K3 accommodate this kind of interlocking ? ___ 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] I'm solidly in the queue ....
Well, thats what Lisa told me. No formal acknowledgement yet, but I'm in the K3 queue and I still have to get past the big one - telling my xyl. But as she is coming to Dayton with me I guess there is more than a chance she will find out, especially when I tell her we have stand by the Elecraft booth and hand out flyers ... It says a lot for Elecraft that so may are willing to pay up front for a rig that few have seen, let alone tested on air. My first K2 was #609; will I now get K3 #609 ? Sounds as if its heading that way. But #161 would be nice ! John G3JAG ___ 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] K3/100 antenna connector(s)
It would be nice to see N connectors in a radio of this class. If BNC is fine for the basic K2, why go to SO239 instead of an N socket for the 100w version ? OK everyone has them, but PL259s are a pain to install. ___ 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] Power supplies ..
Recent experience here suggests that finding a switcher that does NOT cause RFI and fan noise problems is a problem. I just went back to using a boat anchor industrial linear supply weighing in at around 40-50 lbs for that reason. Unfortunately it came with large terminal bolts, no PowerPole connectors ! But it works and there is no noisy fan and it will certainly run a K3 as well as a K2 and my Omni-V.9. MFJ offer a heavy 25 amp+ linear supply, but why oh why is it only 110 VAC input ? G3JAG ___ 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] Travelling with the K2
I took #609 to South Africa for my ZS6/G3JAG vacation just after 9/11. No hand baggage allowed ... except just one see-through plastic carrier bag. The airport had no more such bags available, so I repacked my stuff at check-in and used a super mart carrier bag. I just wrapped a newspaper round the K2. They let me through and it survived the trip undamaged ! In fact the worst thing was a tiny lightning strike in ZS6. I got a shock and there was a spark as I disconnected the antenna; the K2 receiver went dead, but it was OK next day. So bubble wrap is fine. The K2 is not all that fragile and there is no need for a custom case. BTW my host told me that his own (Japanese) radio had been zapped several times by static discharges .. and it did not recover overnight. It had to be sent away to be repaired. Yes, the K2 also survived the trip home. John G3JAG ___ 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] Travel
I took my K2 from UK to ZS6 only days after 9/11 when there was total chaos and the only hand baggage allowed had to be in a see-thru plastic bag. No-one at the airport had any left . so we made do with carrier bags from duty free stores. I padded it a bit with a newspaper and no-one even asked what it was, despite repeated inspections. I have even taken a 500w solid state linear back to TenTec in hand baggage for service without any questions being asked. But even before 9/11, a brand new Omni-V was rejected at Philadelphia airport, until I took it apart with a screwdriver borrowed from the 747 captain and he told the inspectors he did not mind having it on board. And all the time this argument was in progress I was watching them accept all sorts of other electronic goodies as hand baggage. Why was there a problem ? Answer: I should never have asked if it was OK ... I recommend (a) saying nothing at all unless asked (b) having a ham licence, sales receipts, basic literature readily to hand (c) never lose your cool ! (Laptops are potentially at least as dangerous and no-one seems to query them.) John G3JAG ___ 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] Lightning strikes
My K2 (and I) took a small hit whilst at relatively great altitude in ZS6. At over 5000 feet storms creep up on you fast and I did not see this one coming until it was almost too late. There was a crack; the K2 went completely dead and there was a small arc as I unplugged everything and threw the antenna cable away from the K2. I escaped with a tingle my xyl would perhaps say my thick skin helped. But unlike a well-known and much more expensive Japanese rig in similar circumstances, the K2 came back to life after being switched off for a few minutes. Power diodes are evidently very much tougher than PIN diodes ... (My host's Japanese radio has had its front end done in at least twice now by static discharges ) Good luck --- John G3JAG ___ 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] Lightning strikes
My K2 (and I) took a small hit whilst at relatively great altitude in ZS6. At over 5000 feet storms creep up on you fast and I did not see this one coming until it was almost too late. There was a crack; the K2 went completely dead and there was a small arc as I unplugged everything and threw the antenna cable away from the K2. I escaped with a tingle my xyl would perhaps say my thick skin helped. But unlike a well-known and much more expensive Japanese rig in similar circumstances, the K2 came back to life after being switched off for a few minutes. Power diodes are evidently very much tougher than PIN diodes ... (My host's Japanese radio has had its front end done in at least twice now by static discharges ) Good luck --- John G3JAG ___ 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] Ultimatic keying ...
A very long time ago I suggested to Elecraft that an Ultimatic option would be nice, and anyway the iambic mode is a dogs' breakfast to actually use. Iambic keying only exists because of designer laziness; it was the easy way out with flip flop circuitry. The last discrete device Ultimatic-style keyer published in QST was the Versakeyer, and that was back in May 1979. It has an iambic option (never used it) and an auto-space option (OK, but really makes you work on your timing.) The original 1950s Ultimatic keyer used a heap of relays (ugh) although the 11 tube version used only one. I still have my tube Ultimatic; component ageing has stopped it working but one day I'll fix it .. So I use my 1979 Versakeyer most of the time. It will key anything up to plus or minus 300v and is RF proof. But being lazy I never got round to adding the external keyer diodes to my K2, so I just swap between paddles and re-programme brain when going from Omni-V to K2 and back again. But having been obliged by my own laziness to use both modes, often in rapid succession, I have not the slightest doubt that the Ultimatic mode wins fist down on ease of use and convenience. Now if only I could motivate myself to shoe horn a K1EL (12 series) chip into my K2 . Yes, the magic HEXKEY is only hooked to the Versakeyer and not to the K2 ... shame on me, I know ! John G3JAG (try sending that in iambic mode) ___ 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] K2 #609 in Malta
I just took #609 along with an old Bencher paddle and the Elecraft balun for a week of antenna rigging at 9H3BW's Bugibba apartment. I also took enough wire, ladderline and tools to make a G5RV style dipole on the apartment roof. Nobody asked to look inside my hand baggage or inside the holdall full of wire. Getting a visitor license to operate as 9H3CW was even easier I made 274 contacts in 59 countries in under a week of intermittent mostly rag chew operating, including a least one with another K2 owner. The balun was just 3 feet from the K2; the G5RV is 8-10 feet above the roof and over 100 feet above the sea .. It loads OK on all bands 10-80. No problems at all. We then tried the same setup with 9H3BW's FT847, LDG tuner and 100w. Again no problems. At the 100w level the Elecraft balun worked as well as my homebrew 2 kW balun and it is a lot lighter. Incidentally I have repackaged the Elecraft balun into a rigid plastic box featuring both SO239 and BNC input connectors. The balanced output goes from the PC board terminals to a hefty screw terminal block on the outside of the box. I think it makes a neater and less vulnerable installation for field use, especially if it rains ... It did not rain in Malta, but it did hit 40C. Rigging the antenna in that heat was a chore. Next operation by 9H3CW is scheduled for late September. John G3JAG ___ 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
