[Elecraft] KX3 Suggested External Battery
Tom, I use my KX3 for portable SOTA activation extensively. I do not worry with internal batteries and instead, use a LiFePO4 battery exclusively. When I did my research a couple years ago, I came to the conclusion that for my style of operating, LiFePO4 technology is superior to regular Li-PO batteries when factors such as battery safety and KX3 safety (terminal voltage output) are taken into consideration. That said, there are a number of vendors that supply such a battery that would be suitable for use with the KX3, and you've already received one recommendation from the list using LiFePO4 technology cells. Here is my recommendation. http://www.batteryspace.com/lifepo4-26650-battery-12-8v-6-6ah-84wh-20a-rate-in-aluminum-box-with-pcb-7-92.aspx I decided on this model because the cells and charge controller are housed in a extruded aluminum enclosure for extra safety and the bare wire ends allowed me to configure it with powerpole connectors. Additionally, the black plastic top to the enclosure is removable should you ever have to go inside and replace the cells or the charge controller. I added powerpole connectors as to be able to plug the battery into something like a rigrunner for a DC power distribution hub for powering more than just the KX3 when in the field. I have two years so far on this pack with no problems to date. I usually get two to three days of SOTA type operation out of this battery when in field use. If I am powering other power hungry devices (charging my cell phone for example) simultaneously while using the KX3, I can easily get a full day plus. Just depends on how you operate and what you intend to power besides the KX3. Good luck 73 Dave N5XL __ 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] OT: HF weather fax
Clint, I just posted my experiences about receiving WEFAX images from the NWS on my blog. I've never received WEFAX images before today, so I am a complete novice to it. I used FLDIGI and a direct audio connection between my KX3 and computer. Pictures of WEFAX reception I copied are from NWS Point Reyes, California (NMC) are posted on the blog to view. >From a complete novice perspective and by the virtue of not needing any additional hardware for an interface, I dont think it gets any easier than using FLDIGI. http://n5xlhamradio.blogspot.com/ 73, Dave N5XL __ 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] ALC adjustment on K3S
much in the way of adjusting the Pwr slider to obtain the correct ALC indication if the mic gain on the K3 and the Windows audio settings are correct. Hovering your mouse over the power slider should show you WJST-X’s TX digital gain level. For my setup, I show approximately -20db, but this exact value will be different for your specific rig settings and computer audio settings. I generally like to see the Pwr slider about midway of the scale. This gives you ample adjustment, up or down, as needed to get the ALC as displayed on the K3 correct. The general takeaway at this step is that you want your K3 mic gain and Windows playback audio sliders set so that you use approximately a midscale level on the Pwr slider in WSJT-X in order to give a good ALC indication on the K3. After the initial adjustments described above, make all of your fine tuning ALC settings for the K3 through WSJT-X. Don’t touch the mic gain setting on the K3 or touch the Windows audio sliders. The Pwr slider in the WSJT-X software has a much better fine tuning control of the ALC settings displayed on the K3 than you can obtain with either the radio or within Windows. As you change bands, and even as you change specific audio TX frequencies within the waterfall display, monitor the ALC display on the K3 and use the WJST Pwr slider to make any minor fine tuning adjustments for proper indication of ALC. Once its all set correctly, it only takes one or two mousewheel indent rolls, up or down, to bring ALC into the correct level. The main thing to takeaway with this approach of ALC control is that you have better fine tune level of control of ALC indication using the WSJT Pwr slider as the WSJT’s slider is not nearly as sensitive and touchy as trying to control ALC via the KX3’s, (and likely the K3’s) mic gain. You’ll have better fine adjusting of ALC control overall using this approach. One last general comment. I know the instructions on setting the ALC level for proper transmit in DATA mode say to look for 4 solid bars and the 5th bar to be flickering. In my experience in operating JT modes heavily for several months, I have found the best performance in making contacts is to set the ALC for 4 solid bars and not worry about a flickering 5th bar. If I happen to see the 5th bar flickering, that’s fine and I don’t worry about adjusting it lower, but I always shoot for at least 4 solid bars and find it to be a solid performing setting when making JT contacts. When set this way, I have just the occasional flicker of a 5th ALC bar...sometimes I may see an occasional flicker the 5th bar, but most of the time I don’t see any 5th bar flicker. If I have been playing around with rig settings or other computer settings and I need to get things back to a stable value for JT operation, its always done first by making sure I have the general mic gain and windows audio slider set as I outlined above. I make any necessary final ALC adjustments with the Pwr slider in WSJT. It never takes more than a mousewheel roll one way or another to bring it right back where I want it. Hope this helps and here’s hoping to see you on the waterfall! 73 Dave, N5XL Sent from Mail for Windows 10 __ 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 mode PSK D problem
Guys...HELP!!! I am having trouble with my KX3 and mode PSK D (PSK31). When I attempt to use the KX3 only to generate PSK31 signals (that is no computer interface…strictly the KX3 with the iambic paddle), I either do not get any measurable RF output or, I do not get any stable RF output. Setting the KX3 to mode PSK D and setting RF power to 5 or 10 watts and attempting to initiate a PSK31 transmission with iambic paddles, the KX3 initially shows a quick RF power indication that immediately drops to 1 bar indicated on the KX3 meter (should show 5 bars or 10 bars depending on the power setting). The no RF power output condition is verified using an inline peak reading wattmeter attached to a 50 ohm dummy load. I can see the initial RF power spike that drops to 0 watts on the external wattmeter. Even though there is no power indicated, I can hear weak PSK31 audio being generated when listening with a secondary receiver (ICOM R75) tuned to the KX3 transmit frequency. Adjusting the RF power knob while in PSK D transmit mode (sending the letter “e” with the iambic paddle every 2 seconds) the KX3 will eventually show some RF power being generated but RF power does not appear stable. Power indicated on the KX3 and power indicated on the external wattmeter does not match the RF power setting of the KX3. Listening to the KX3’s signal with the ICOM receiver shows the same erratic power output (no S meter reading that jumps to S9+20 when dialing the power DOWN on the KX3). Pops and clicks can be also be heard on the ICOM when adjusting the power knob of the KX3. Here is the kicker…all other modes on the KX3 appear to work normally,/ including the internally generated FSK D mode/. Setting the KX3 to mode FSK D and initiating a transmission using the iambic paddles shows /stable/ RF output that matches the KX3’s RF power setting. Adjusting the RF power while in FSK D transmit shows smooth power progression from 0.1 watts to 12 watts and no audible clicks or pops are heard in the ICOM. I was using 1.54 firmware but I’ve dialed back to the 1.48 official firmware with no improvement. I have also bypassed the internal ATU with no improvement. Is there any additional testing that anyone can think of before I send an email to the service department? 73, Dave N5XL -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KX3-mode-PSK-D-problem-tp7577830.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.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
Re: [Elecraft] KX3 mode PSK D problem
Thanks Wayne, TX Gain Calibration competed with no change in regards to the PSK31 problem. Also tried firmware 1.50 with no change either. I have received some off the list suggestions that the PA may be folding back due to high temps but that is not the case. The temp has not exceeded 35C for the on the bench testing that I am doing. The problem was initially found when I was mountain top portable and tried to initiate a PSK31 contact at 3 watts. With no luck at 3, I move to 5 watts and that is when I noticed the RF power meter of the KX3 not showing any output power. At this point I knew something was wrong so I came home and started the bench testing. Strange that all other modes work perfectly, including internally generated RTTY. Only internally generated PSK31 has this problem. Any other ideas to try? 73 Dave N5XL -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KX3-mode-PSK-D-problem-tp7577830p7577854.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.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
Re: [Elecraft] TX5K joy
After some careful listening to the CW pileup and jumping in several times when I thought it was the right time, my signal was finally copied on 17 meters and I got my callsign into the TX5K logbook! Needless to say, I was quite thrilled! Now if the pileup only knew I was running 5 watts from a KX3 to a loop antenna to make the contact... The KX3 continues to impress. Thanks Eric / Wayne / et al at Elecraft for a heck of a portable radio! 72 Dave N5XL -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/TX5K-joy-tp7570728p7570777.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.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
Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft CW Net Report for February 10th, 11th 18th, 2013
Kevin, I can confirm that you copied 3422 correctly...I happen to own it! :) Invoice date January 28, 2013. 73 Dave N5XL __ 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
