[Elecraft] K3 00144 up and running; first impression
Instructions were well written, and well annotated. It went together smoothly without issues. At the mid-point, I powered the rcvr for calibrations and checks. I did so conservatively by powering it through a five amp fuse in a rig-runner power distribution strip. The next day i was ready for transmitter tests, and upon key down, blew the small fuse which I had forgotten about. When I asked K3Support for guidance, after all, i was in shock, I thought I had blown up my new radio, two things worthy of sharing took place: First, I had three answers in five minutes. Talk about support! (and i needed it in that startled moment) Second, each was incredulous. "You CAN'T fry a K3. It doesn't happen. Check your power source." Yeah, sure right... Ulp. Momentary red face, then raucous laughter (my radio WASN'T fried). Found the fuse. Look. This radio is better than I ever dreamed a radio could be. And I could afford it. I am grateful to the consortium of engineers who are also operators who have created this thing, the conversations of the K2 users over the years who have all contributed to the detailing, and the hard work of those getting this kit out the door! And I can hardly wait for the 2nd receiver. 73, Fred KT5X / W5YA K3 # 00144 K2 # 00700 K-Cute # 144 (ATS3-B) ___ 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] DK9SQ Pole Modification
I use one of the squeeze to open things for grasping two cords on a backpack. A large one has a hole big enough slide down the tip a foot or two. I attached a wire loop to that from which to hang things. I have also glued such a device to a piece of plastic that was serving as a center insulator of a dipole allowing easy on and off, and high installation of a lightweight QRP dipole. One debates remains in my mind. If I put a G5RV on there, does the pole contain carbon? In other words, must the vertical radiator be pulled away from a DK9SQ pole? I have heard both that it does, and that it doesn't, and would like to know in fact, does this pole contain carbon fibers that absorb RF, or not??? HNY and 73, Fred - kt5x ___ 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] close in IMD
According to the Sherwood table, K2 # 1140 demonstrated 70 DB at 2 khz, while serial # 3160 posted 80 DB at 2khz, phase noise limited, actually better. Exactly what changes to the radio led to this improvement? I would like to be sure I have done the apprpriate mods to serial # 700 !!! 72 and HNY, Fred - kt5x ___ 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] skill instead of brawn, QRP triumphs
>All the rationalizations and anecdotal experiences aside, there is no escape >from the physical reality that >a 100 watt station will be 13 dB stronger than >the same station running QRP 5 watts. Whether or not this >13 Db is crucial >depends upon propagation conditions and noise and QRM levels at the receiving >end. > >73, >Chuck NI0C There you go. And "beating out" a station, or a hundred or a thousand stations that are usually from 13 to 25 db stronger than you takes a LOT of skill. this thrill and finesse of DXing QRP, it is like catching a big trout on a tiny fly. Makes no difference to me whether the other station knows I am QRP. I know, and the joy is mine. For example, I worked DXCC on 40 meters alone in one winter running two watts from a NorCal 40. Antenna was a simple full-wave loop. Little things like * eight QRO stations answering 9J2BO on his 7 mhz frequency QRMing each other, I called him up half a khz running two watts and though 20 db weaker, I was the one he could copy. Or * on 40 mtrs, hundreds of stations answering VR2 in a contest, all at the same time, I waited two seconds while everyone sent their call once then listened to see if they got him, while they were listening I sent my call out of sync, QRP, and he came back to me instead, ho ho ho. Or * Listening and listening to VP8 South Sandwich on 80 meters, listening and listening while he worked a pile-up as big as all outdoors, everyone calling endlessly right through his QSO's, when suddenly and apparently unheard he said simply, "QSX up 25." I was his only caller in that brief moment, bang, in the log, QRP on 80 meters no less. That's what I'm talking about... 72, Fred - kt5x (W5YA/qrp) ___ 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] who does the work in QRP?
> QRP...the real skills are at the other end. < boy...am I asking for trouble with THAT line!> LOL. Yes and no... Here's the thing In a ragchew or traffic handling, that may be true when the QRP signal is weak. But this is NOT the case in DX'ing, as in, get your call across to work a DX-pedition or the like. Yes, the guy on the other end has to copy a relatively weaker signal, but all the skill of slipping your weak signal through the cracks of a pile-up, or through the rise and fall of ionospheric waves rests with the QRP operator, make no mistake. When I am DXing QRP, I listen, listen, listen, listen, and rarely transmit. When I actually transmit, my success level, QSO's per call, is far higher than when QRO when my tendency is throw my signal at it 'cause I know it is getting there. QRP on 160 meters (from New Mexico): It took me 20 minutes to work R1FJT, Franz Josephland, QRO. It took another forty-five, but just ONE call, to work him QRP, five watts, with our club call. What a great night. I was watching him on the grayline chart. He was in his grayline and stayed there for 90 minutes that night. that's the thrill and skill of QRP. 72, Fred KT5X (W5YA/qrp) ___ 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] spurs on a K2
Was reading where with a spectrum analyzer form a 781, signal was seen as very clean. I little less precise, I have listened to my K2 with an MP adjacent to it, and there are no spurs to be heard. BUT... A few days ago I worked a K2 built and used by an OT in his 80's. He had a very strong spur about 2 khz up from the fundamental. I suspect this is caused by an adjustment mistake such as the VCO adjustment that leads to chirp on 40 meters. Can anyone tell me what adjustment mistake might likely lead to that spur? TNX, 73, Fred - kt5x ___ 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 filter alignment
Responding to N2PD's request for help with filter alignment... I have a different approach than that used by anyone else I have heard from, so I thought I would share it. But do know that absolute precision is not possible as the resolution for alignment is limited. the best you can do is quite close. It is a good idea to have warmed up your radio for an hour before doing this, and have a stable shack temperature as well. You are going to use MATH, fancy that, in this approach. Let's say you have chosen 600 cycles as your listening pitch. Move through the menu until you have the BFO frequency on the screen. Now, with no antenna, but gains turned up, close your eyes and tune through zero-beat. Find the absolute zerobeat. It all depends upon finding the zerobeat accurately, so take your time. Now, open your eyes. Record the BFO frequency. Subtract your chosen listeing frequency for CW regular and add for CW reverse. For example, my chosen frequency is 400 cycles. My center for my first filter is 4913.78. So I subtract or add 40 after the decimal (see, resolution is to plus or minus ten cycles, and further, you sometimes can't get the exact number you want either because it will flicker between two numbers, turn just a little and it flickers between the next two). So my CW regular is 4913.38 and CW R is 4914.18. After setting these two BFO frequencies for CW regular and CW reverse, go back and forth between them to see if they are the same frequency. IF you indeed found zerobeat, they will be very close. If they are not close, you missed zerobeat. In that case, equalize them by changing both either one number higher or one number lower, until they are indeed balance, very close to a match. Go on to the next filter. When the tone matches between CW regular and CW revers AND they are exactly double your chosen listening frequency apart from one another, they are set as closely as it is possible to set them. I find that the settings are temperature dependent. In the winter ambient shack temperatures are as much as twenty degrees (60) lower than in summber (80). That difference moves the zerobeat BFO frequency a little and that moves the regular and reverse frequencies apart since they are no longer an equal distance from zerobeat. 73 Fred - KT5X ___ 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] sidetone mod now works
The sidetone mod by TF3MA was installed in my K2 right after Marti posted it. I obtained a 47 mh inductor for this mod from Elecraft. The mod resulted in an improved sidetone, but left room for further improvement, especially at lower tones. Additionally there was an objectionable pin-prick sound at the make of the muting that was annoying to hear. Recently I decided to revisit this situation. I noticed in Marti's write-up that HIS 47 mh inductor had an internal resistance of 180 ohms. With the K2 apart, I measured the inductor I had received from Elecraft and sure enough, it had an internal resistance of only 40 ohms. This would entirely change the frequency response Marti's peaking high-pass filter. Elecraft is apparently using an 82 mh inductor in its mod, I obtained that, and found it has an internal resistance of 60 ohms which would seem to offer less than an ideal result. I put a 150 ohm resistor in series with the 47 mh / 40 ohm inductor originally used when I modified the radio some years ago. Folks, the difference is DRAMATIC !!! The sidetone is louder, clear, and is that way across its entire range from 400 to 800 cycles. Not only that, the tone is so much stronger that the slight pin-prick click from the make of the muting line is all but completely inaudible in the strength of the sidetone and no longer objectionable. A big thank you to Marti and to W3FPR who both stayed with me through my frustration trying to make this thing right. For a while they must have thought my hearing was the main problem because the radio seemed to have the right modifications in it to sound well. Maybe this will be helpful information for others. 73, Fred KT5X ___ 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 CW sidetone
First, thank you for various responses (I get the digest so I don't see responses until next day). Yes, my K2 is older, serial # 700. Yes, it began life as an awful tone. I did Randy's mods, but early ones. * It turns out that I have a 47 mh inductor, and I have ordered the now preferred 87 mh inductor, hopefully that will help. * I found Randy's original instructions from which I worked, and note that it is said to distort at sidetone frequncies below 530 cycles, and indeed, I had changed to 500 cycles, so that is part of it. It is recommended that I change C33 to 4.7 uf to reduce or eliminate low frequency distortion. * I also find the headfone in use has a LOT to do with how it sounds. Wide response headofnes sound terrible. Has anyone found sensitive headfones with more limited (not hi-fidelity) low impedance phones that do especially well with the K2??? 72, Fred kt5x / w5ya ___ 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 CW monitor
This may seem odd, but the main reason I have not yet sold my FT-1000MP in favor of a second K2 is the CW monitoring. The CW side-tone in the K2 began with a terrible sound. Various mods improved the sine wave attritubes, but it remains relatively poor, harsh at the make and break, and in between I don't know how to say. In comparison, the MP side-tone has a soft rise and fall, while the tone in between is rich in overtones, very pleasant to monitor. Why is the K2 side-tone so lacking? Could a better one be a mod? 72, Fred - kt5x / w5ya ___ 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] N1MM Contest Logger VFO B issue
Yes, I noticed the same problem (and more) last summer with VFO B. Maybe it is fixed in a newer edition, dunno. 72, Fred - kt5x ___ 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] gamma research PS
Is that low current drain voltage of 13.65 adequate for maintaining the K2 internal battery??? 72 Fred - kt5x K2 # 700 ___ 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] How Morse is learned
terprets it as an echo, and this provides the full sensation of "live." People who copy 70, 80, and 90 wpm, and there are a few, are among the small percentage of people who are abnormal in a special way. They do not have built-in echo-suppression. If you have it or if you don't, you have no idea what the other one perceives. But you CAN beat it! The echo suppressor is active up to about 1,500 cycles. Echoes are weak at high frequencies, hence our echo-suppression is poor or non-existent there. Those "stuck" between 50 and 60 wpm may wish to experiment with adjusting your radio to listen to high speed Morse at extremely high frequencies. I have done it, and had no trouble copying 75 wpm for the first time. I calmly say, no trouble. Truth is, the ear-piercing frequency was such an unpleasant screech, that I have never bothered again ;-) Experimentation with learning code by listening to Morse characters at 35 wpm right off the bat skips the lower stages of interpretation and attempts to jump into the language areas of the mind. One might wind up jumping into the auto-neurological response instead of language, however, and be able to type it without actually understanding it. You also may not have the interpretive capacity at slow speeds since you don't even know the code your copying. so it has to be realized that the short-cut is a mixed bag. Choose your method, enjoy the challenge, have fun. But if after months of consistent practice, you can not get past ten wpm, especially if you know you are dyslexic, feel no guilt, and don't let anyone put you down. We each have our special abilities, or lack of them. So what. I can't dance to save my life! 72 Fred - kt5x (aka W5YA when QRP) K2 # 700 P.S. origin of "HI HI" for laughter. You will note everyone sends the I by spacing the two dits of the I. they do not send, didididit didit. they send didididit dit dit. slightly spaced dit-dit is the letter "O" in American Morse. You are actually sending American Morse for "HO HO". Saying, "HI HI" on phone is, well, pathetic. Laugh, for crying out loud ;-) ___ 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: My Elecraft Field Day Plans
.> The cemetery is on the top of a hill and has a good clear view in all > directions. Trees are tall, widely spaced and, unlike the local > forest, have no "extra" vegetation between them. Residents are > quite and tolerant. LOL, guess by tolerant you are saying they (no longer) bitch about TVI !!! W5YA and K2 # 700 will be doing its seventh field day from an altitude of 9,000 feet in the mountains of New Mexico. Undergrowth has been cleared away over these years making deployment of reversing Moxon arrays on 15, 20, and 40 much easier. Fly fishing for trout is excellent after the antennas are up. Hope everyone has a great time. See you on there! 73 Fred & Steve KT5X & WD9FJL Hints and Kinks... Ever use a bow to put up antennas? Suggestion: tape a whole screw driver to the end of the arrow to bring it down after it crosses the tree. ___ 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
