[Elecraft] Connecting P3 to K2/100...
Hi everyone. I'm out of date with with recent list correspondence, but does anyone happen to know how or if the P3 device can be used with a K2? The P3-K3 interconnect photos are certainly appealing, but I'm not a K3 user. I assume that an IF interconnection would be required for the K2, but that's about all I can piece together from what little I've learned. Any thoughts or archives suggestions? 73, Steve Banks K0PQ __ 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
[Elecraft] K2/100 running Digital modes using VOX...
Hello Everyone, Following several years away from digital modes (I preferCW), I recently reconfigured my K2/100 with a RIGblaster-plus interface using its VOX mode to key PSK31 using HRD. Don Wilhelm was most helpful in educating me about sound card interconnections to the K2. I'd forgotten his suggestions and found them most helpful. After one very nice first PSK31 QSO using VOX and HRD, the K2 now seems to be impossible to run in PSK without encountering an endless need to readjust the interface level control to provide enough mic drive without also encountering what acts like a need for some sort of antiVOX control. I have a couple of spare COM ports I could connect the interface to, but using VOX seemed like a good first step (and would avoud cable clutter too). Since an antitrip control does not exist on the K2 SSB accessory (nor have I ever needed one when using VOX), I reduced mic gain to SSbA to 1 and I adjusted SSbC to 1-1. My few ordinary voice SSB QSOs all seemed to prefer that the MH2 be set to the next higher levels of compression and gain; however both settings fared well in signal reports from other hams. Has anyone ever encountered a similar 'fussiness' over getting a workable combination of level adjustments with his/her K2 using VOX? Just FYI, I run the power control between 10 and 20 watts in order to avoid overloading the finals in the high duty- cycle digital modes demand. Any suggestions about where to start chasing down this problem would be most appreciated. And if you care to share your own settings with me, I'll be glad to try them. Thanks and 73, Steve Banks K0PQ___ 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] OT guestion...Help needed for the geography-challenged ham
Hi Everyone, Does anyone on the list have suggestions for ways to quickly associate callsigns, country names, latitude and longitude and similar data? I think what I'm looking for is a well-permuted index of some kind. Seems like occasionally I see a post about such a service, but I've lost track of it/them. Simple English names for country locations for unfamiliar callsigns would be quite helpful. Even better would be maps depicting the country's whereabouts, its longitude and latitude, and bearing and distance from my QTH. Frequently heard prefixes like Gs, Ms, Fs, Ds and other European countries are pretty easy to remember, as are Central and North American callsigns. But beyond those locations I get VERY ignorant VERY quickly. My ProLog Call Master files do a good job of quickly determining beam headings and distance to a specific ham's QTH; they are fine. But less frequently heard DX callsigns are hard for me to visualize for beam headings and just general information about the names and whereabouts of countries, their ham populations and the like. What I'm looking for is a way for me to be less geography-challenged. (No wonder my DXCC tally list is so sparce!) Not sure how I ever made it through elementary and high school geography classes. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks and 73, Steve Banks K0PQ___ 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] K2/100 interconnections to a Rigblaster Plus int
Hello everyone, I need some help from anyone who might be able to steer me through the process of setting up my K2/100/KAT100 rig so I can do occasional digital QSOs with it. Several years ago I successfully interconnected a couple of previous K2s (not simultaneously, of course) with my Rigblaster interface to work occasional RTTY, PSK and MFSK digital QSOs at QRP. I was finishing up one of these K2s for another ham who ran out of time to finish it. The second was my own QRP K2, which I eventually sold to another ham. Both of those rigs ran digital modes very well, and I enjoyed numerous digital QSOs at QRP (5W or less). Seemed pretty easy to set up and interconnect with the interface, or so I thought. Digipan, HRD, and MixW all ran just fine. The K2s ran well too, at 5W QRP settings. Fast-forward several years to the present. My current K2/100/KAT100 has been a faithful workhorse rig for a couple of years. A few hams on the list know how devoted I am to that rig and how superbly its KAT100 tuner and 100W amplifier perform with both my antennas. An occasional SSB QSO offers a bit of diversion from CW, but CW is still my favorite mode. I thought, why not try a little digital QSOing too? Digipan, HRD, MixW and MMTTY are all present on this PC so why not dust them off, and put the Rigblaster plus back to work too? At least that what I hoped anyway. But so far I've been unable to interconnect things correctly, and my foggy memory (even a few written notes) have not helped. Is there a way to set up a K2/100/KAT100 rig for digital operation that any of you folks might recommend? With the rear panel 9-pin port on the K2 already connected to a PC COM Port and to the KAT100 via a Y-cable, I have my doubts about adding my Rigblaster Plus interface. Any and all suggestions would be MOST welcome. Thanks and 73, Steve Banks K0PQ ___ 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] Where have all the K2s gone...
Hello everyone, Someone recently wondered about the absence of comments on the list about other Elecraft rigs besides the K3. Well, one of them, my K2/100, #5615 is happily operating very well and still flawless as far as I'm concered for my ham radio needs. Yes, there are a few of us reading the list who are not K3 users! 73 to all, Steve Banks K0PQ ___ 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] Use of ITS vs IT'S
Hello everyone, It's been a long time since my last post to the reflector, but I currently have lots of time on my hands (maybe too much)while my broken left arm (upper end of humerus bone) mends. I hope you will read this in the way it is indended - - simply for information, not criticism. The Elecraft reflector is one of the best I've ever read. Its users are thoughtful and well-informed IMHO. But I cannot resist the urge to clarify the difference between two frequently misspelled or misused homonyms: ITS and IT'S. The contraction it's literally means it is. However, as I recall from the tough syntax lessons I learned, the possessive pronoun its takes no apostrophe to indicate the possessive sense we intend. Thanks for the bandwidth, and drop me a note if you'd care to indulge me in a CW QSO. But be warned: even a broken left arm makes CW tough to generate, even for a right-handed ham :~). 73, Steve Banks K0PQ ___ 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] (no subject)
Hello Everyone, Recently I purchased two of the LED CW Indicator kits through the Eastern PA QRP Club. I THINK - - but now I'm not sure - - that the kit is designed to install in either/both my K2 and in my KX1 rigs. In looking over the kit and my KX1, I can't see which button the LED installs in, or if it's intended to be situated elsewhere. Is the idea is to pick one of the three buttons and drill it? The K2 is no problem as I received a drilled new button for it, but the KX1 has me guessing. Tom Hammond's website has a couple of photos of the completed indicator in place just prior to buttoning up the KX1, but nowhere is the finished installation shown that I can see. Maybe I misunderstood the intent of the kit. If it is designed to be used in the KX1, can anyone steer me to where the indicator LED installs? Does it peek out of a newly drilled chassis hole someplace? If so, where? Any help would sure be appreciated. Thanks es 73... Steve Banks K0PQ ___ 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] Missing message...
Hello everyone, A couple of days ago I inadvertently lost an Elecraft reflector message from a French Ham (an F6...) whose name was Jean-Jack. He was inquiring about a K2 which I had for sale several weeks ago. If Jean-Jack happens to read this message, I'd be glad to respond directly. Thanks es 73, Steve Banks K0PQ ___ 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 Remote Control...
Hi everyone, Can any of you tell me what, if any, possibilities exist for remote control of the K3? Seems like there's been some discussion about it, but I subscribe to the Digest reflector mode and frequently delete a digest forgetting to copy and save a particular post of interest. Just wondering how/if anything is planned for the K3 that will be similar to the OMNI VII One Plug facility. Thanks in advance. 73, Steve Banks K0PQ ___ 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 and Accessories FS...
Hello everyone, This is a re-post of a message I wrote last December. Since that time this K2 has been serviced by Don Wilhelm at Elecraft Service. He realigned its filters and corrected a problem with its TX that I discovered before shipping it to a potential buyer. I have one-too-many rigs here at K0PQ, and I've decided to offer this QRP K2, S/N 1599, for sale to anyone on the list who might be interested in it. Here are the pertinent details: K2 S/N 1599 was purchased and built by me from its original kit form in January, 2001. It is equipped with the following options: 1. KSB2 SSB ADAPTER; 2. KBT2 INTERNAL BATTERY OPTION; 3. K160RX 160 METER MODULE WITH RECEIVE ANTENNA SWITCH; 4. KNB2 NOISE BLANKER; 5. KAF3 AUDIO FILTER REAL-TIME CLOCK; 6. VERSION 2.04P FIRMWARE; 7. KIO2 AUX I/O MODULE; 8. KSB2 SSB ADAPTER; 9. KAT2 AUTOMATIC INTERNAL ANTENNA TUNER; 10. MH2 MICROPHONE; 11. ALL VERSION A-TO-B UPGRADES. (These were purchased and added in January, 2006.) This rig has been a QRP favorite since I first constructed it six years ago. It has existed exclusively in a non-smoking environment. There are no scratches, dings or other other blemishes anywhere on it or in it. It has been carefully aligned using Spectrograph by Elecraft Service recently. All of its filters are correctly set up. The rig comes complete with all connecting cables and all of its accessory construction manuals neatly cataloged in two loose-leaf notebooks. I am asking $700 for the complete rig, its connecting cables and all documentation. If you are disappointed with the rig in any way, I will happily refund your purchase price in its entirety upon receiving it returned to me undamaged. I will ship the rig - - KBT2 INTERNAL BATTERY INCLUDED - - at no cost to you within the CONUS . If you prefer, I will be glad to remove the battery and ship it separately, or else reduce the asking price to you for the cost from Elecraft of a new SLA battery should you wish to replace it with a fresh one. (The SLA Battery in the rig at the moment is only its second one. I keep it fully charged from my Rigrunner DC bus.) Please write to me off list if you are interested. 73 to all. Steve Banks K0PQ ___ 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] Is the K3 for non-contesters?
Hi Everyone, With a K3 in my future (I ordered a loaded one about a month ago), are there are any non-contesters like me out there who are K3 owners, or prospective owners, who just like hamming in general and have no special need for the K3's contesting prowess? (Contesting seems to be a popular topic amongst K3 owners on the reflector.) The rig's extensive menus, its Cadillac-like fit and finish, and firmware updating capabilities are certainly appealing to me as are many of its other capabilities. But I'll also confess that Elecraft's legendary customer service and its reputation for excellence are also big selling points for me. (Maybe I've answered my own question!) I operate lots of CW with a small fleet of two K2s and a KX1 that are all excellent performers. Occasional SSB and PSK QSOs are also very enjoyable. I'm just curious about whether the K3's capabilities and performance are as appealing to others like me (non-contesters) as they obviously are to contesters. I'm a great fan of CW and have been trying hard to get my code speed up to a consistent 20-25wpm for a long time. I realize that my question emerges from the slippery realm of personal preference, but I'd enjoy your comments. Thanks and 73 to all... Steve Banks K0PQ ___ 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] QRP K2 FOR SALE...
Hello everyone, I have one-too-many rigs here at K0PQ, and I've decided to offer my QRP K2, S/N 1599, for sale to anyone on the list who might be interested in it. (My second K2, S/N 5615, is a QRO rig with the KPA100 amplifier and external KAT100. It's impossible for me to part with!) Here are the pertinent details: K2 S/N 1599 was purchased and built by me from its original kit form in January, 2001. It is equipped with the following options: 1. KSB2 SSB ADAPTER; 2. KBT2 INTERNAL BATTERY OPTION; 3. K160RX 160 METER MODULE WITH rECEIVE ANTENNA SWITCH; 4. KNB2 NOISE BLANKER; 5. KAF3 AUDIO FILTER REAL-TIME CLOCK; 6. VERSION 2.04P FIRMWARE; 7. KIO2 AUX I/O MODULE; 8. KSB2 SSB ADAPTER; 9. KAT2 AUTOMATIC INTERNAL ANTENNA TUNER; 10. MH2 MICROPHONE; 11. ALL VERSION A-TO-B UPGRADES. (These were purchased and added in January, 2006.) This rig has been a QRP favorite since I first constructed it six years ago. It has existed exclusively in a non-smoking environment and is 10/10 in appearance IMHO. There are NO scratches, dings or any other other blemishes anywhere on it or in it. It has been carefully aligned using Spectrograph. All of its filters are correctly set up. The rig comes complete with all connecting cables and all of its accessory construction manuals neatly cataloged in two loose-leaf notebooks. I will guarantee to the buyer that the rig will perform properly and will not disappoint you. I am asking $800 for the complete rig, its connecting cables and all documentation. If you are disappointed with the rig in any way, I will happily refund your purchase price in its entirety upon receiving it returned to me undamaged. I will ship the rig - - KBT2 INTERNAL BATTERY INCLUDED - - at no cost to you within the CONUS . If you prefer, I will be glad to remove the SLA battery and either ship it separately, or else reduce my asking price to you for the cost from Elecraft of a new battery should you wish to replace it with a fresh one. (The SLA Battery in the rig at the moment is only its second one. I keep it fully charged from my Rigrunner DC bus.) Please write to me off list if you are interested. 73 to all. Steve Banks K0PQ ___ 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 vs. Tentec Omni-VII
Hi Everyone, Does anyone on the list have any sources of information - - better yet personal experience - - about how the new Tentec Omni-VII compares with the K3? Thanks es 73, Steve Banks K0PQ ___ 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] Remote-control follow up...
Hello Everyone, I received about a dozen REALLY HELPFUL replies to my post from August 15. I'll be out-of-town for a couple of days in Aspen, CO. However, early next week I'll get back to doing the necessary downloads to (hopefully) implement remote-control of my K2/100. Thanks to all -- I'll keep the list posted. 73, Steve Banks K0PQ ___ 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] FS: K2 QRP Lid with Options
Hi Everyone, I recently completed a KPA100 for my K2 S/N 5615 and now have a spare QRP K2 top cover e/w a KIO2, KAT2, and speaker installed on it and working FB. I'd like to sell the entire cover and its accessories as a package. The package will include the manuals and all connecting cables. These components have performed very well. They're all only a few months old. The unassembled kit prices total $258 for just the KIO2 and the KAT2 alone. I'll be glad to sell the whole package, shipped at my expense to your CONUS QTH, for $290. If interested in the package, please write to me off-line. Thanks for your interest. Steve Banks K0PQ ___ 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] CW practice QSOs...
Hello everyone, Does anyone on the list happen to recall the website address mentioned (I think) on this list a few months ago as being particularly valuable in simulating real-life QSOs? As I recall, the emphasis was on the fact that this particular practice software source was good at contest simulations with lots of QSB, QRM, pileups and other real-life scenarios rather than the usual CW practice tapes, disks and the like. I may have seen the source of the practice software mentioned in QST Magazine, but my memory fails me at the moment. It may have been something like B B Cyber Software but that's only a best guess. If anyone happens to know what I'm talking about, I'd appreciate your suggestions. And if you have your own favorite practice methodology (in addition to on-the-air QSOs), that would be helpful to me too. I'm struggling to get past an incessant speed barrier of about 18 wpm. Thanks for your suggestions and 73 to all, Steve Banks K0PQ ___ 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] Hats Off!! to the K2/100
Hello Everyone, Just a BIG plug for the K2! I just finished up K2 S/N 5615 with several accessories: KPA100; KNB2; KIO2; KSB2, and KDSP2. This rig - my second K2 - runs like a champ. Except for one loose wire clipping that found its way into the speaker cone and buzzed/rattled incessantly, it was assembled without a single glitch. Ron, AC7AC, steered me in the right direction for a fix with his expertise on the subject of K2 speakers. The KPA100 really smokes, figuratively speaking of course. I'm still a QRP aficionado, but the extra muscle is a pleasure to crank in when it helps to wake up the band. The K2 will, I hope, NEVER be discontinued, notwithstanding the K3 and its successors. 73 to all, Steve Banks K0PQ ___ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Re: Hexkey
Gil, I've had a Hex for a year or so, and it's a good piece of hardware. I think you'd find it to be quite satisfactory. I also have a couple of other paddles, including a Schurr, and they're all good performers. The Schurr has a dust cover which the Hex does not have (at least mine). But both of them are HEAVY slugs, and they'll stay put! Like most everything, it's a matter of what you are comfortable with. 73 es GL, Steve K0PQ - Original Message - From: Gil Gibbs [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Saturday, April 14, 2007 11:26 AM Subject: [Elecraft] Re: Hexkey Gents; I'm in the process of relearning how to use a paddle, having only gotten the feel of a Vibroplex keyer three decades back from an old pal. I'm now stumbling around with a Bencher paddle, the first of the line that's of the fall apart design, and thus I have to be careful about how I handle it, which distracts me from training myself to use thumb for dashes, finger for dits, and my brain isn't as young as it used to be to do multitasking. Thus the question - does the Elecraft/Bencher Hexkey actually perform better than the original, and thus make the price worth adding to my gear? I'd really like to have more versatility in sending, not worrying about knocking the contact points off their mounts, which are conical points for hinges, and the darn things are an annoyance to have to remount. Any input will be appreciated, many hours to go before I can become fluent with my old favorite CW again, having been too lazy to get away from voice until now! Tnx, 73's Gil WA5YKK ___ 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 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
