[Elecraft] Looking for T1 Tuner
Hi, In anticipation of the upcoming (warmer) POTA season, I'm looking for a T1 Tuner that some generous soul might be willing to part with. It looks like it's going to be a long wait to purchase one from Elecraft, so if you have one you'd like to sell, please let me know. You can contact me off-list at: kd8...@gmail.com Thanks and 72/73 de Mark KD8EDC KX3/PX3/KPA100 -- ___ “….the most improper job of any man, even saints (who at any rate were at least unwilling to take it on), is bossing other men. Not one in a million is fit for it, and least of all those who seek the opportunity.”. JRR Tolkien __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KX3 suddenly putting out no audio on SSB......loud static on FM as usual
And, of course, as soon as I sent out an email, I figured out that the OFS/VFO B knob had been spun WAY out of whack and the RIT/XIT offset was way off. Cleared it out and all is well. Thanks, sorry to take up bandwidth. Mark KD8EDC -- ___ *“Capitalism is the extraordinary belief that the nastiest of men for the nastiest of motives will somehow work together for the benefit of all.”* ― John Maynard Keynes __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] KX3 suddenly putting out no audio on SSB......loud static on FM as usual
Hi, I have no idea what is going on, but I probably simply misconfigured something. I have a KX3/PX3/KXPA100, and I was using it happily yesterday. Earlier today, I disconnected it to measure for my pelican case, but reconnected everything and double checked the connections as I always do. Everything powers up normally including the amp with the special cable, but there is COMPLETE silence on SSB and CW modes, and just static on FM as usual.. Turned the radio back off and on, nothing. Upgraded the firmware, no change. A setting was probably changed last time I used it, but I can't, for the life of me, figure out which. The sidetone is nice and loud on CW, but tuning up and down on CW or SSB produces nothing but silence, no headphone or speaker output at all. I'd appreciate it if you good folks could help me out.need to get back on the air Thanks! Mark KD8EDC -- ___ *“Capitalism is the extraordinary belief that the nastiest of men for the nastiest of motives will somehow work together for the benefit of all.”* ― John Maynard Keynes __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] Happiness is a new Elecraft Purchase
Hi folks! Just thought I'd post a note and a quick, hopefully easy question. I'm the proud owner of a KX3/PX3 pair, which I built from kit. This is some seriously great equipment. I was thinking that I'd LOVE to use the KX3 in situations where I need a BIT more than 15 watts (various contests or chasing DX). My 100 watt go-to radio is an IC-746 Pro, but I wanted to take advantage of the great receiver on the KX3. An amp was surely in my future, so I pulled the trigger this morning and purchased the KXPA100 with internal ATU!! This one's going to be factory-built. I'm REALLY looking forward to using the full 100w system. Mys radios feed a HexBeam, Gap Challenger and 80m loop. Can't wait! Are there any tips, tricks or is there any advice the Elecraft family has for using and getting the most out of the KXPA 100? Thanks! Mark KD8EDC __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Antenna Question
Here's what I use for the run up the mast to my HexBeam. The center conductor is stranded copper, and the jacket is thermoplastic elastomer. MUCH more flexible than standard LMR-400...thus, the name LMR-400 UltraFlex: https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/tmv-lmr-400ultra I have a run going up the mast support forming a loop at the HexBeam. About 25 feet of a run of 250 feet of standard LMR-400. Barrel connectors cause negligible signal loss. Connection is protected by internal "Stuff" application, and externally by Coax-Seal. Mark KD8EDC On Mon, Oct 10, 2016 at 9:37 PM, John Parker wrote: > There is a stranded center conductor version of the LM400, do not remember > what the designation is. I plan to use some for the same reason, going > around a rotor to a HexBeam. > 73, John WB4UHCK3 #2165 > > On Monday, October 10, 2016 6:16 PM, "hsherr...@reagan.com" < > hsherr...@reagan.com> wrote: > > > OK all. I'm installing a 6m rotating beam and feeding it with LMR400. > Would you connect the LMR to the antenna and allow it to move with the > rotation, or run a short length of something much more flexible between the > antenna and LMR? I have my concerns that the solid heavy inner conductor of > the LMR won't take much movement. > > Harlan > K4HES > > __ > 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 > Message delivered to johnj...@verizon.net > > > > __ > 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 > Message delivered to tkddr...@gmail.com > __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] PL259s
HI, I to have always used only Amphenol connectors. However, this year, in putting up another Gap Challenger, I am using a DXE pl259 at the antenna coax end. DXE connectors have worked well for me in the past in another application, are silver plated brass and the dialectric is PTFE. I've spoken to many hams who have had good results with them. I'm not affiliated with DXE in any way, just a satisfied customer. Anyone else use DXE PL259s? Mark KD8EDC On Tue, Oct 11, 2016 at 1:11 PM, Keith Hutt wrote: > Got to agree i only use Amphenol connectors, expensive in the UK but well > worth the extra money. > > But i get mine when i am visiting Dayton, so a lot cheaper > > Regards > > Keith G0TSH > > > > > On Tue,10/11/2016 6:29 AM, Charlie T, K3ICH wrote: > > I'm curious as to exactly why a "junk" connector supposedly has so much > more loss than a "good" connector? > > Junk connectors have several issues. One of the issues is control of > dimensions -- the diameter of the tip must be "right" to make a solid > and reliable connection to the mating connector. I've seen junk barrels, > tees, and elbows that had a tiny spring between the ends of the connector. > > When I got back on the air in 2003, I stocked my "junk box" with a lot > of these cheap connector adapters at ham flea markets, and over the next > 3-5 years, they caused outright failures and intermittent problems that > were difficult to track down. At one point, I had added elbow connectors > in my shack to make cable routing cleaner. An hour into a contest > running legal limit, I saw SWR going sky high on an antenna, found the > elbow very hot to the touch. Removing it solved the problem. The tiny > spring had overheated. I've had these junk connectors fall apart > mechanically. I've had the dielectric in junk PL-259s melt when I > soldered the center conductor. And so on. > > W3LPL advises to use Amphenol connectors exclusively, and to use only > 83-1SP for PL-259s. I strongly agree with him. I know nothing about > what's available in EU -- my comments apply to North America. > > > 73, Jim K9YC > __ > 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 > Message delivered to tkddr...@gmail.com > __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] Batteries for NPOTA Activation with KX3
Hi, I'm planning an NPOTA activation using my KX3 on SSB and CW, running max output without an amplifier. My antenna will be an inverted V at 30', and I'd like recommendations for a battery technology and brand, assuming I don't use the internal batteries (I think I would rather not). I'm looking for something that will work with a KX3 as well as an IC-706 MKIIG. Ideally, I'd like to get several hours out of it if possible, but I do know that that's hard to say based on number of contacts and SSB/CW. What's the best method of making a connection from said batteries to the KX3? I suppose powerpoles to the standard KX3 connector would be idieal Anyway, thanks so much! Mark KD8EDC __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] Just Starting in Digital Modes
Hi, As a ham since 2006, I've been working pretty much straight phone and hand-keyed (paddled) CW. I've recently been bitten by the DXing/Contesting bug, and this has led me not only to work very hard on my CW skills (a mode I really, really like but which I'm still a novice at), but to take an interest in exploring the digital modes. I've recently built both the KX3 and PX3 kits with ATU and Roofing Filter, and I'm blown away by the quality of this little radio and its visual sibling. I DO have the cable kit. I'd like to ask for both recommendations on Windows or Mac software to begin working with (fPSK, RTTY and CW at least), and for fairly entry-level step by step instructions (a link is fine) as to how to get the entire mess cabled. Currently, I've got the KX3 and PX3 connected in standard fashion, a Heil Headset/Mic attached to the phones/mic jacks, and one of several keys (K8RA paddles, J-38 key, Begali Camelback, Vibroplex Original Chrome Deluxe) connected to the Key jack. Acc1 from the PX3 is connected via KX3 USB cable to my laptop. I have a Win 7 laptop (which I MAY upgrade to 10, it's an old Core 2 Duo) with headphone in and out and lots of USB ports and an early Mac Pro Tower (1.1 2006 model) running Lion. My understanding is that the stereo cables from my cable set connect KX3 mic in with Laptop Headphones Out, and Laptop Mic in with KX3 headphones out. One thing I wonder is if there is another way to listen to the signal (CW or other) while still seeing the decode/waterfall on the computer. I do have Fldigi and the Free version of HRD. My contesting (logging) software is N3FJP. I have no problems with Rig Control via USB, but I'm having trouble getting connected to any sort of software which supports digital mode or CW deode and getting other than gibberish. I know I'm doing something wrong.LOL Thanks all, and all help and digital "Elmering" will be appreciated! I did purchase Fred Cady's wonderful KX Line book, which is where I started. 73, Mark __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] Incorrect/Inappropriate Signature Line.
Hi, It's come to my attention that my signature line has been getting thru into my list posts. After fact-checking my sources for my last rotating signature line (they change often and I tend to fact check pretty consistently), my most recent line was factually completely incorrect, and the attribution was false. I generally use NO signature line in mailing lists and forums such as these. I have a small program that deletes any signature material when I post to forums or mailing lists, which seems to have glitched, but is now in place again. Consider this an apology for both the factual error and for the malfunction itself. This is a great group, sorry to make waves and for the controversial and INCORRECT supreme court quote geting thru into my posts! 73 Mark KD8EDC __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] PX3 Not Showing Spectrum/Waterfall
And as so many others have done, as soon as I posted I found my problem. I need to learn to plug stuff in the correct port... Thanks anyway! Mark KD8EDC __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] KX3/PX3 Combo PX3 Decodes Text fine, but No Spectrum/waterfall displayed
Hi, Just built my KX3 and connected to PX3. Initially, powered up fine (smoke test) after build with waterfall (blank) and minimal spectrum peaks as you'd expect if it wasn't connected to a transceiver. Now connected to my KX3 and listening to W1AW code file, and the spectrum is blank (no yellow trace at all), waterfall area is black. Text is decoding well. Is there some setting I'm missing? I vaguely remember reading about this somewhere, and some setting was missed. I reset the PX3 using the menu, but no help. Thanks! Mark KD8EDC. -- *"The Gun Lobby's interpretation of the Second Amendment is one of the greatest pieces of fraud, I repeat the word, fraud, on the American People by special interest groups that I have ever seen in my lifetime. The real purpose of the Second Amendment was to ensure that state armies - the militias_ would be maintained for defense of the state. The very language of the Second Amendment refutes any argument that it was intended to guaruntee every citizen an unfettered right to any kind of weapon he or she desires*" - *Supreme Court Justice Warren Burger* __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] My KX3 and PX3 Kits Have Arrived
Hi, I'm extremely excited. My KX3 and PX3 kits and assorted goodies arrived 2 days ago. I have to build 2 computers before I got to open the boxes, but last night I build the KX3. It was a pleasure to build, the instructions were excellent, and save for having a minor bit of trouble making SURE the 4 pin connector of the ATU was seated, I had no issues. Bending the toroid under the antenna connector was a challenge, but I did it with a small hemostat, and it worked well. One of the windings seemed a little loose after I did so, but I don't think there will be an issue. Smoke test was fine, fired it up and enabled the autotuner. Not much on the bands, but I was able to confirm reception of some CW that my IC-746 Pro could barely hear. All in all, a fun nite. Tonight, I build the PX3! Just thought I'd share. Mark KD8EDC -- *"The Gun Lobby's interpretation of the Second Amendment is one of the greatest pieces of fraud, I repeat the word, fraud, on the American People by special interest groups that I have ever seen in my lifetime. The real purpose of the Second Amendment was to ensure that state armies - the militias_ would be maintained for defense of the state. The very language of the Second Amendment refutes any argument that it was intended to guaruntee every citizen an unfettered right to any kind of weapon he or she desires*" - *Supreme Court Justice Warren Burger* __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Ready to Purchase KX3 and PX3 - Would Like Advice on accessories and "must haves".
Thanks to ALL of you who have given your suggestions and recommendations! I've distilled them into one massive order, and I'm happy to say I just got off the phone with Mike at Elecraft, and finalized my KX3/PX3 Kit orders. I ordered the KXFL3 roofing filter, KXAT3 Auto Tuner, PX3 Pan Adapter, SSDV Power Supply (with 2 cables), the Accessory Cable set, the E980261 cable (RG-58 with one end terminated with a right-angle bnc connector and the other a PL259), a BNC-BP adapter, and the Heil Proset K2 (I have a Heil PR781G and Proset 3 that I LOVE, so they will go well together). I'm going to look into the West Mountain speakers, for the time I don't want to be wearing my headset. I'll also be ordering some right angle 3.5mm adapters. Marc, did you wind up getting 3 pole or 4 pole adapters? According to Mike, the kits et. al. will ship out tomorrow via UPS Ground. I'm very excited. I've watched countless vids on assembly (yes, I have an anti-static mat and wrist-strapI build a lot of computers...) and I'm reading the assembly manual while waiting for my rig to arrive. Looking forward to working lots of CW QRP, and I'm starting to save for an amp... :) Thanks again all! Mark KD8EDC On Wed, Dec 2, 2015 at 12:38 PM, Marc Veeneman wrote: > Hi, Mark. I have 3 KX3s, 2 of them here in Grand Rapids and the 3rd in > Vermont at our summer home. I used the KX3 for a single operator battery > powered Field Day in 2014 on the deck in Vermont, so even have a bit of > portable experience. > > I think I can answer all your questions, but first let me say you're > getting probably the single nicest rig available. I do have a K3/P3 here > on the desk next to my KX3/PX3/KXPA100 but rarely use the K3. Both my 80 > meter dipole and the G5RV are hooked up to the KX3 system. > > I also have both the dual paddle and single paddle K8RA keys. They are > larger and heavier than the rig! They're excellent keys and the single > paddle is about as nice as they come. However they aren't style matches to > the Elecraft gear so I usually use my 9A5N paddles instead. > > But what will you need? Start with right angle 3.5 mm stereo plugs. When > you put the station together you'll find it's a mass of cables. The Mike, > Key, and Earbud jacks are all on the side of the KX3 that abuts the PX3. > They all deserve right angle plugs. I finally bought some right angle > adapters so I could, when needed, use straight plugs. > > Get yourself a 3.5mm stereo Y cable so you can use both paddles without > switching anything around. I do that with the single- and dual-lever > paddles. > > When I was comparing paddles to see which kept me most mistake-free at > higher speeds, I actually used serially connected Y cables and 3.5mm male > to 6.5mm female adapters so I didn't have to rewire the paddles and keys I > was testing. At one time I had 8 keys all active simultaneously into the > single KX3 "key" jack. > > Yes, you'll need to convert BNC to SO239 and you'll want a right angle > male-to-female BNC adapter -- again to keep things looking neat and keep > cabling aimed away from you. > > If you get a KXPA100, it'll come with a right-angle BNC connector on a > short cable with a PL259 on the other end. I'm sure you could buy just > that from Elecraft and then use a dual SO239 to connect to your coax. > > So -- think right angle and you'll be set. > > The receiver on that KX3 is wonderful. You'll love it if you do much CW > work. > > 73, > -- > Marc > > > > > > On Dec 2, 2015, at 12:11 PM, Mark Tosiello wrote: > > > > Hi all!! > > > > > > I'm preparing to purchase the KX3 and PX3 kits. I'm planning on the ATU > and > > Roofing filter options, as well as the battery charger and clock. I'm > also > > planning on purchasing the Powerwerks switching PS and the power supply > > cable for the PX3. > > > > Initially, I plan to use the system as a QRP CW/Phone (mostly CW) rig. > This > > will supplement my main 100w rig (and IC-746 Pro). Hopefully, the > > sensitivity of the receiver will help out during phone and CW contesting > as > > well!. During The winter months here in Michigan the KX3 will stay in my > > station, and come summer I'm hoping to operate from various locations > here > > in Traverse City. > > > > I want to be sure that I order all of the parts that I need so that once > > the kits are built, I can get on with the fun on the air. As far as I > > understand it, I'll need: > > > > *Main Items:* > > > > KX3 Kit > > PX3 Kit > > Power Supply for KX3 > &g
[Elecraft] Ready to Purchase KX3 and PX3 - Would Like Advice on accessories and "must haves".
Hi all!! I'm preparing to purchase the KX3 and PX3 kits. I'm planning on the ATU and Roofing filter options, as well as the battery charger and clock. I'm also planning on purchasing the Powerwerks switching PS and the power supply cable for the PX3. Initially, I plan to use the system as a QRP CW/Phone (mostly CW) rig. This will supplement my main 100w rig (and IC-746 Pro). Hopefully, the sensitivity of the receiver will help out during phone and CW contesting as well!. During The winter months here in Michigan the KX3 will stay in my station, and come summer I'm hoping to operate from various locations here in Traverse City. I want to be sure that I order all of the parts that I need so that once the kits are built, I can get on with the fun on the air. As far as I understand it, I'll need: *Main Items:* KX3 Kit PX3 Kit Power Supply for KX3 Powerpole terminated cable for above. Power Supply for PX3 *Connectors:* All of my antenna feed lines terminate with PL259 connectors. My research suggests that I'll need a BNC Male to SO239 adapter, as well as (for convenience) a right angle BNC-BNC connector. Is a right angle male BNC to SO239 connector available? That would be ideal. I'm waffling on the paddles, as I have 2 beautiful sets of brass K8RA P-4 and P-3 paddles to use in the shack. Probably a later purchase. I do have a question, however, regarding the charger. Will the internal charger charge LiPo batteries or only NiMH? Can LiPo batteries be used in the unit if charged with an external charger? I'll also need cabling to connect to my Windows 10/7 computer; I think this comes with the unit but thought I'd better check. Thanks for all of your advice and experience with the KX3! I'm excited! Mark KD8EDC __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
