[Elecraft] TRX Manager Talks to K2?
I'm trying to get TRX Manager to talk to my K2 over a COM port (Win XP, COM3 as an add-on card) but it won't see it. Writelog can talk to the K2 with the same cable, port, etc. TRX talks fine to my FT1000MP MkV on COM1. I've read the instructions in TRX Manager about the K2 and experimented quite a bit, is there a trick to this? I'm using the DEMO version right now, trying to evaluate how fun it'll be to remote the K2. 73, Steve N4SL Snohomish, WA USA __ Do you Yahoo!? Read only the mail you want - Yahoo! Mail SpamGuard. http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail ___ 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] Heat related issue
WB7FJG and N4SL activated their club call, W7MRG for the Bumblebee event as BB #46. We hiked to a local bird sanctuary in Snohomish, WA and shot up an 88' CF doublet sloper with the two ends at 80' and 60'. Only worked 20m as the other bands were dead up here. We used a K2 and 5A-hr battery with the internal autotuner which, as always, worked freakin' GREAT! However, it was *hot* outside and the sun was hitting the K2's case until you could NOT place your hand on it - very hot! After an hour or so, everytime I sent anything using the built-in memory keyer, there was a loud CLICK in the headset/speaker about 250mS after the last character was sent. This didn't occur when using the internal keyer and a paddle, it did occur even when in TEST mode, transmitting no power output. T-R was set to 0.01. Also, when tuning, as the frequency was changed from 140xx.30 to 140xx.31 (in either direction) there was a loud click. Right on 14.060 there was very loud key-down signal with some warbling. When I got home, the radio once again worked perfectly as it always has before, so I'm certain this was an excessive heat issue (I've always used a tent or shade before). So, anyone else ever have this, is there some known thing I can change to 'fix' this 'problem'? It's SN4272 with all mods I know about in place (it's the K2/100 when in the main shack, the QRP with the ATU when a field unit). Just curious. 72, Steve N4SL __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.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
[Elecraft] 88' CF doublet
Thanks for the input on the heat, I agree it just overheated due to abuse (sometimes I do that, too). I got some private requests for information about my field-use 88' CF doublet, so here's how I do it, designed for lightest weight: Wire for antenna and feedline: 26 AWG 19-strand copperweld, purchased from Davis RF. This wire is very lightweight yet extremely strong and flexible with an excellent insulation. I highly recommend it. Bottom of this page, their PN "POLYS-26" http://www.davisrf.com/ham1/flexweve.htm (I'm not affiliated with them in any way, all that usual stuff) I used 1/4" black irrigation tubing for the spreaders. Drilled a 5/64" hole with 1.5" spacing, then threaded them onto the wire. No glue or other attachment required. Yes, this takes some time but the finished product is GREAT! I spaced the spreaders about every 10" on the line. For the center insulator, I cut a scrap piece of 1/4" thick Lexan, drilled holes at 1.5" spacing and soldered ring lugs onto the feedline and antenna wires. Using SS wingnut HW, this assembled/disassembles easily in the field into three pieces, making it easier to store and also to install in the field. I fill the ring lugs crimp area with hot melt glue for strain relief (sounds dumb, works great). End insulators are small pieces of 1/2" PVC cut and drilled. Simple, cheap. I use a cheap-o plastic extension cord spooler to spool the feedline and antenna wire onto, making unspooling a tangle-free event. Think "Christmas tree string lights" here, same thing. 72, Steve N4SL K2/100 #4272 __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.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
Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft AX-1 Whip Antenna
Caution when using this location: Make sure your counterpoise is insulated and there’s no way to contact bare metal at this point with your hand when using the KX2 hand-held ‘walkie-talkie’ style. I received a nice RF burn on my hand at this point once! Steve AA8AF > On Sep 24, 2022, at 3:37 PM, Dan Presley wrote: > > The other nice feature of the KX2 is the mini banana jack on the side of the > radio for attaching the counterpoise . It’s perfect for pedestrian mobile and > should you encounter some sort of snag it’ll pop out before the wire > breaks.Wayne can better comment than me,but I believe the resonance of the > AX1 (or AX2 I presume) it’s not right within the 20M band, but close. The > auto tuner easily takes care of matching and as Wayne mentioned earlier > compensates for all of the other variables. Just a note that the AX2 is a > single band coil and can be modified for different bands. Plus it’s even a > lot lower profile than the AX1. > If you want to see some fun videos of using the AX1 directly attached to the > KX2 search on YouTube for HB9BZG-SOTA from the Swiss Alps! > __ 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 and KPA1500 compatibility
> Regarding the question about KX3-->KXPA100-->KPA1500: Be careful. All > amplifiers generate some distortion that wasn't present at the input. Each > succeeding amplifier amplifies that distortion. There are a couple of interesting articles here that discuss the design, construction and use of filters between transmitter and amplifier designed to prevent the amplification of the “junk” - unwanted harmonics and phase noise from the transmitter: https://kitsandparts.com/W3NQN_filter.php I've seen several QST reviews recently with lab notes to the effect “not recommended for use with an amplifier” because of the uncleanliness of the transmitted signal. This is an issue of increasing concern given some of the dirty signals we’ve all heard on the air. Steve AA8AF __ 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] Regarding KX3 with KPA1500.
Recently I ran across several video presentations by Rob Sherwood NC0B, regarding today’s (and yesterday’s) transceivers. To my surprise, he sifts his focus from receiver performance testing (for which he is famous for) to transmitter cleanliness. He gives a number of real examples of the mess output by some of today’s top transceivers and amplifiers as well as the RF mess created by amplifying marginal QRP radios by certain amplifiers. I had not considered this before when thinking about the purchase of a new-to-me synthesized radio - and there are some significant and surprising differences! Definitely worth a watch on the subject: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNh0wP9PlsM "Receiver Performance + What is the limit today?" by Rob Sherwood, NC0B youtube.com Let’s demand cleaner transmitters! Steve AA8AF __ 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] Where to put the wattmeter
My eyes were recently opened in reviewing several Rob Sherwood NC0B presentations regarding the receiver testing he is famous for…. as the presentations really focused on transmitter cleanliness. In the presentations, Rob argues we have many excellent receivers available to us today - and goes on to argue today’s transmitters are the problem loading the bands with splatter, phase noise, key clicks and other undesirable artifacts, with Elecraft among the cleanest (and several other popular radios among the dirtiest). Look up Rob on YouTube for several excellent presentations. Steve AA8AF > On Apr 20, 2023, at 2:20 PM, Jim Brown wrote: > > On 4/20/2023 11:05 AM, Fred Jensen wrote: >> I've just never found that the time-domain waveform was a very good >> indicator of signal quality. > > RIGHT! > > By far, the most sensitive (and the most meaningful) measure of transmit > distortion is occupied bandwidth, as measured on a spectrum display with > narrow resolution bandwidth and narrow display bandwidth, and that can > display and hold signal peaks. The P3 is quite good for this, and even better > with the SVGA module. For voice modes, the waterfall can be adjusted to > display splatter as horizontal expansion of the signal on voice peaks. > > Elecraft rigs look great on such a display, straight vertical bars; > overdriven power amps and many recent model Yaesu rigs produce splatter about > 2.5 kHz both sides of their signal (those vertical bars), only 20 dB down > from PEP. That is, 2.5 kHz on both the suppressed carrier side, and 5.5 kHz > on the other side of the suppressed carrier. > > 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 arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Field Day Operation
I was wondering too about the huge signal in the center of the waterfall…. Hopefully, the ARRL “Clean Signal Initiative” will help encourage manufacturers to clean up these messy transceivers! I recently discovered several presentations by Rob Sherwood - famous for his receiver testing. I was fortunate to get to meet him at Hamvention this year and thanked him for his work. His new(?) message: CLEAN UP THE DIRTY TRANSMITTERS. And he calls out specific models! BTW, Elecraft was NOT on the lists, but it is surprising which ‘high end’ transceivers were. It’s worth reviewing his presentations on the subject - and it kept me from a bad upgrade! Steve AA8AF > On Jul 1, 2023, at 9:44 AM, Wes wrote: > > How about publicly shaming the guy whose signal is occupying the band in this > photo? Or is that receiver overload? >>> https://photos.app.goo.gl/wJrLrryYkPrh7t1C8 > > Wes N7WS > __ 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] Field Day Operation
George, The IC7300 was among the better commercial transceivers in terms of spurious emissions, clicks, splatter, etc. It wasn’t at the top of the list (the K3s is however), but was in the “better” category. However, Rob recommended a change in the CW signal rise time to no less than 6 milliseconds - I forget which menu item it was - but he criticized Icom specifically for a default setting that induced key clicks. Take a look at this presentation - while it is titled “Receiver Performance What is the Limit Today” he mixes discussion on transmit composite noise with receiver performance. It was really eye opening for me. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNh0wP9PlsM There are others on line as well. Steve AA8AF > On Jul 1, 2023, at 12:06 PM, George Thornton > wrote: > > I think this was an Icom 7300 but I am not sure. > > -Original Message- > From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net On > Behalf Of Steve L > Sent: Saturday, July 1, 2023 8:47 AM > To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Field Day Operation > > I was wondering too about the huge signal in the center of the waterfall…. > Hopefully, the ARRL “Clean Signal Initiative” will help encourage > manufacturers to clean up these messy transceivers! > > I recently discovered several presentations by Rob Sherwood - famous for his > receiver testing. I was fortunate to get to meet him at Hamvention this year > and thanked him for his work. His new(?) message: CLEAN UP THE DIRTY > TRANSMITTERS. And he calls out specific models! BTW, Elecraft was NOT on > the lists, but it is surprising which ‘high end’ transceivers were. It’s > worth reviewing his presentations on the subject - and it kept me from a bad > upgrade! > > Steve > AA8AF > >> On Jul 1, 2023, at 9:44 AM, Wes wrote: >> >> How about publicly shaming the guy whose signal is occupying the band in >> this photo? Or is that receiver overload? >>>> https://photos.app.goo.gl/wJrLrryYkPrh7t1C8 >> >> Wes N7WS >> > > __ > 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 gthorn...@thorntonmostullaw.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] Field Day Operation
Yes, as I understood it, the Icom rise time default is a BAD choice, but recent (e.g. IC7300 and others) radios permitted changing this to a better value, although still behind the cleaner output of Elecraft & Kenwood. The other interesting part of the discussion was the use of “pre distortion”. Again I read this as a way for the exciting transmitter to compensate for non-linearity (and resulting dirty emissions) introduced by a modern semiconductor based “linear” amplifier (one place where tubes excel). All new and interesting stuff to me - and apparently the driving force behind the ARRL “Clean Signal Initiative” to both define better standards, then rate transmitters in ARRL testing against these standards. And of course, encourage/coerce manufacturers to clean up their outputs! Steve > On Jul 1, 2023, at 3:33 PM, Jim Brown wrote: > > On 7/1/2023 10:34 AM, Steve L wrote: >> The IC7300 was among the better commercial transceivers in terms of spurious >> emissions, clicks, splatter, etc. It wasn’t at the top of the list (the K3s >> is however), but was in the “better” category. However, Rob recommended a >> change in the CW signal rise time to no less than 6 milliseconds - I forget >> which menu item it was - but he criticized Icom specifically for a default >> setting that induced key clicks. > > ICOM rigs are NOT among the cleaner ones -- that spot falls to Kenwood, which > is second to Elecraft (and, I suspect, Flex 6000 series, which I haven't > measured). > > Yes, adjustable rise time is a REALLY bad idea, which K6XX pointed out in > 2013, and which I measured on the air for K6XX's talk, in a neighbor's ICOM > rig. Slower is better, but Elecraft's is best by far, carefully shaped keying > waveform. > > 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 arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] Grounding, Lightning & Attic Antennas
Jim & Co., I’m reading all the recent posts on the Elecraft reflector concerning lightning protection… After a recent move, I am working on the design and construction of attic antennas for both HF and V/UHF. The topic of grounding and/or providing lightning protection for this installation has baffled me given no outside presence of any antenna components. While not so concerned about a direct strike (perhaps naively?) I am concerned about induced currents and resulting equipment damage - where clearly disconnection may be the best protection. Might anyone have any good references for reading/study on grounding recommendations, how to’s, best practices, etc. for attic antennas? Thanks a bunch, 73, Steve AA8AF __ 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] Grounding, Lightning & Attic Antennas
I might add to my own question… - All wiring entering the house and in the development is underground: electricity, phone, internet - I can guarantee our builder did not use lead lined plywood for the roof deck otherwise creating a faraday shield in the attic - There’s no Hardee board (concrete) or aluminum siding, or stucco, or aluminum foil vapor barrier in the construction I am considering a horizontal loop antenna matched by an Icom AH-4 in the attic. What I don’t clearly see is how to provide a station and antenna ground for a basement operating position. Steve AA8AF > On Jul 29, 2023, at 11:41 AM, Steve L wrote: > > Jim & Co., > I’m reading all the recent posts on the Elecraft reflector concerning > lightning protection… > > After a recent move, I am working on the design and construction of attic > antennas for both HF and V/UHF. The topic of grounding and/or providing > lightning protection for this installation has baffled me given no outside > presence of any antenna components. While not so concerned about a direct > strike (perhaps naively?) I am concerned about induced currents and resulting > equipment damage - where clearly disconnection may be the best protection. > > Might anyone have any good references for reading/study on grounding > recommendations, how to’s, best practices, etc. for attic antennas? > > Thanks a bunch, > > 73, > Steve > AA8AF __ 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] Noise from KAT500?
There have been several tests in QST of switching power supplies in the past - including analysis of RF noise they create which was actually scary. Some are better than others, but all generate RF noise. I second the vote for non-switching (i.e. linear) supply from Astron (or equivalent) and eliminating all of the “wall wart” style supplies you can. Steve AA8AF > On Dec 3, 2023, at 2:41 PM, G4GNX wrote: > > Then purchase a 12V PSU from a reputable Ham Radio dealer, who is unlikely to > sell you a noisy one. > __ 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] Bumblebee Plans
N4SL (BB 159) and WB7FJG (BB 177) will be doing the bumblebee thing from WWA on Sunday. Radio: K2 with internal ATU and 5Ahr battery Antenna: 20m X-Q quad (2-wavelength vertical loop) Location: Lord Hill Regional Park, Snohomish, WA http://www1.co.snohomish.wa.us/Departments/Parks/Information/Park_Directory/Regional_Parks/Lord_Hill.htm Gonna shoot up the loop into 70'+ trees at the top of a low ridge with our bow & arrow. We are assuming 20m will be the only band active to the NW but will listen on 15m as well. It's our first BB so I hope we get some action. 73, Steve N4SL __ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail - 50x more storage than other providers! http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail ___ 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's ATU
I got my K2 for this year's FD, ended up using my homebrew 3KW transmatch for the balanced-line antennas. Felt kinda dumb, this tiny radio on a battery and a HUGE transmatch, external VSWR bridge, cables.. So, I rushed to build the ATU for the K2 just in time for the Flight of the Bumblebees contest. Tacked a small 1:1 current balun on the output, started hooking it up to my home antennas for test. Dang, this thing can really tune! I'm amazed, I gave it antenna/band combinations I know are hard to tune from doing it manually with my QRO gear, only had to switch to 'alt' mode ONCE. It has tuned below 1.3:1 every single antenna/feedline/band combo I've thrown at it, I'm impressed. I also really like the SW options of just using it to measure VSWR on an existing antenna and having two antenna jacks is very nice to reduce external switching. Good job, it's a great compliment to the radio, especially for field use. 73, Steve N4SL (this seems to be where everyone lists their radio's SN, so... K2 #4272 __ Do you Yahoo!? New and Improved Yahoo! Mail - Send 10MB messages! http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail ___ 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] Knob
I also didn't prefer the stock K2 knob, it's a bit small for my meaty hands and the edge is sharp. Adding the Fingerdimple solved everything. The knob is still small so it packs nicely for the field but the dimple lets you spin away. 73, Steve N4SL __ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail - 50x more storage than other providers! http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail ___ 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] VOX
I find the VOX on the K2 to be OK but not great. After decades of CW-only contesting, I release stress by talking back to certain 'offenders'... in a non-complimentary manner. Yep, you guessed it, I was SSB contesting with VOX and verbally expressed my disappointment in the operator's style and he heard me. Also, my wife came in one day and yelled (because I was in headphones) "Dinner is ready!" I was running a string and everyone laughed like hell. Back on point, my FT1000MKV's VOX can be precision adjusted to work perfectly for your mic, voice and style. The K2's adjustments aren't nearly as smooth, but for a QRP radio I think it's fine. I use PTT on my K2. __ Do you Yahoo!? New and Improved Yahoo! Mail - Send 10MB messages! http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail ___ 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 FS
I build up my K2 for 2004 Field Day. It's a great radio and I really like it, but except for portable/field use the knobs, buttons are too small for my meat hooks. I've been a QRO contester (mainly because I like running strings) and I guess I'm gonna sell my K2, FT847 and a couple of others and buy a Ten Tec Orion to go with my FT1000 for SO2R QRO contesting. This radio is very well built, works and looks great. I aligned the filters with Spectrograph (which is really super). The radio is presently aligned for an 800 Hz CW offset, I will re-align it for any offset you prefer if you don't want to do it yourself. Stats: SN 4272 -- up to complete, full HW and SW revision Options: KNB2 Noise Blanker KIO2 RS232 CAT port (with matching RS232 cable) KSB2 SSB KAT2 Internal ATU (this really works great!) Finger Dimple I'll throw in an external 1:1 current balun (HOMEBREW) and a DC power cable (HOMEBREW) since I built them specifically for this radio. The CAT port emulates Kenwood so even older (even DOS!) programs talk to it. I paid $979.50 plus shipping for all this stuff in kit form. I built this as if I'd own it for 20 years - Just finished it in July. What's it worth? I can work you on the air with it, you can visit my shack and use it if you are in WWA. 73, Steve N4SL Snohomish, WA __ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail - 50x more storage than other providers! http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail ___ 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 accessory suggestion
Ever see those hard plastic snap-on protective covers for the fronts of oscilloscopes? They cover the entire front, the display and knobs, from damage and dust. I'd really like one for my K2 for transport. I have a foam case I carry the K2, mic, key, cables, etc, etc in, but the K2's face is not 100% protected. __ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail - 50x more storage than other providers! http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail ___ 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 does it again
FD 2004 results are in on the web. WB7FJG and I operated W7MRG in 2B2B (2-man, 2-tx, QRP Battery) to AN UNPRECEDENTED WORLD VICTORY! (i've been watching too much campaign coverage). Naturally, my radio was a K2 which kicked A$$ and took names (or at least callsigns). Next year we're gonna improve our scores by leaving the beer at home. __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.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
[Elecraft] FD is a party
Up here, it seems that the clubs are mostly OFs who just want to get out and have fun on FD. They include everyone who shows up as a 'participant', and most of the people who show up are there for the Saturday Night BBQ. Mostly, folks wander in on Saturday morning and sorta stare at each other, drinking coffee. Around 1PM they have the tents up, the coffee pot running and a ground mounted vertical or two fired up. They run mostly SSB. That's why WB7FJG and I got a club call, W7MRG, and do our own contesting. We do FD and VHF contests (placed 5th in the west coast for the June VHF contest) and even stuff like the Flight of the Bumblebees. We plan for months and so far have had near perfect execution. No coffee, no standing around, no fun. Right on! __ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail Address AutoComplete - You start. We finish. http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail ___ 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 DC power connector
Hey, I'm just about to power-up my fully built K2/100 mod and... snapped the RED DC power connector onto the BLACK wire. This is the external DC power cable & connector. So, is there an easy way to extract the pin from the housing to reverse these? I've never seen this connector before and it doesn't look friendly to mods. 73, Steve N4SL __ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail - 250MB free storage. Do more. Manage less. http://info.mail.yahoo.com/mail_250 ___ 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 Connector
Thanks for the replies, I used a tiny screwdriver from the front, lifted the pin and pulled it right out the back, slick as a whistle. I got my K2/100 on the air this morning, forgot to solder ONE pin (K7, 20/17m didn't work, easy to track down) and eveything else seems to work perfectly! Thanks, Steve N4SL Snohomish, WA USA __ Do you Yahoo!? Take Yahoo! Mail with you! Get it on your mobile phone. http://mobile.yahoo.com/maildemo ___ 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] Fan, PTT, 10m power Out
I've fully embedded my K2 with it's new 100W option into my SO2R layout, driving a SB220 for the 2nd station (replacing a hopelessly inadequate FT847). While everyone works fine, the cooling fan is blowing air INTO the radio and exiting from the speaker. Is this right or did I install it backwards? I know the story of no CW PTT and it IS causing me trouble here, if I set the T-R delay long enough to drop out between words at 18WPM, the delay is too long for fast contesting. I have programmed one of the fast-keys to be T-R delay so I can adapt pretty quickly... ... but if the firware be changed to interpret the microphone's PTT as PTT for CW I'll be first in line to buy it. I get full power output on all bands except 10m, that seems to be about 80W. Before configuring to the K2/100, I got 12W output on 10m CW and nearly 15 on the other bands. The K2's display says 100W. On the lower bands, it says 110W when keydown. Is this a matter of tweaking the F/R power pots to get 100W on 10m when it says 100W or will that boost the power out on the lower bands too much? Big CW contest next weekend, this unit's gonna get to play QRO, wh!!! 73, Steve N4SL Snohomish, WA USA __ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail - Easier than ever with enhanced search. Learn more. http://info.mail.yahoo.com/mail_250 ___ 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 PTT
My SO2R contesting setup just replaced an FT847 and SB220 amp (2nd station) with the K2/100. My setup is a single PC running Writelog with CW keying and Radio A/B selection coming from the LPT port. A homebrew bit of hardware does the keying and PTT generation for both radios. My previous setup controlled the HW PTT input of the radio, the radio's 'STBY' output driving the SB220's T-R relay, but the K2 doesn't have a HW PTT input in CW mode. I connect the PC's sound card outputs to each radio's microphone input (transformer coupled) for sending SSB voice. My microphone plugs into the PC's sound card MIC IN. I had trouble with the K2's lack of PTT on CW because that's how I did T-R on the SB220. On Don W3FPR's advice, I've changed the station slightly so the HW PTT output now drives the SB220's T-R relay directly. Writelog allows me to program a delay between PTT assertion and sending code to allow for the dinosaur relays to clunk over. The K2 works fine in QSK mode since the amp's T-R is handled externally. This works perfectly for CW but for SSB the VOX simply isn't very good and trips in and out when being driven by the PC (with gain set to 3 and compression set to 3). I set Writelog to assert PTT via the CAT port for SSB, this works perfectly! Is this the 'KY' command I'm hearing about? Writelog does it for me. However, when I use my microphone instead of the PC's sound card output, CAT port PTT is NOT asserted so the SB220's relay doesn't activate... so I ALSO connected the K2's Amp Drive output to the SB220's T-R (buffered) so when the K2's VOX is tripped the SB220 is held in Transmit mode. Now, it's seamless. I can send anything at anytime at any speed and the relays stay in the correct mode, even when sending slow CW or fast CW or whatever. I don't have a key or keyer connected to the K2 in this configuration but it would work just like the SSB VOX and assert the amp output drive. Of course, the key and PTT are optoisolator buffered for ground-break, this makes a huge difference in eliminating RFI in a QRO SO2R station and all the audio is transformer coupled too. So, I was plenty worried about the lack of HW PTT for real contesting applications, but this simple fix cleared it all up. I think I'll make a little audio summing circuit for lack of SSB transmit monitoring. It won't tell me if my SSB TX signal is clean but it WILL let me hear what's being transmitted in case I get confused which I do all the time. I'm so happy I can use my K2 for QRP field activities (just did the FYBO FD event) and then slide it into a real contest setting and use it QRO. Very cool! Of course, none of this crap is needed if you have a QSK amplifier, but I don't run QSK during SO2R contesting because I'm listening on the other radio while transmitting on the first, I want the transmitting radio to be very quiet (I turn the sidetone way down). The DX contest is this coming weekend, the K2/100 will get a serious shakedown cruise! 73, Steve N4SL Snohomish, WA USA __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.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
[Elecraft] Polling noise
I have an up-to-date K2 w/ the 100W amp. In the instructions it says you should slow the CAT update to once every 2-3 seconds to reduce notice of the slight noise you'll hear when it does a RX/TX on the CAT port. Sure enough, I can hear it but only in dummy load or when the band is *totally* quiet. During a contest?!?! Fuggetaboutit! I also hear wideband S3 noise around 14.203-9 MHz with the antenna disconnected I didn't hear before the 100W amp was installed, but I haven't investigated this at all yet. Sometimes birdies go away when you connect an antenna? Fly away, birdies. 73, Steve N4SL Snohomish,WA USA __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.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
[Elecraft] K2/100 in ARRL DX Test
I entered the ARRL DX test casually this weekend to check the performance of my recently updated K2 (added the amp) and the new station setup to accommodate it. I'm using it SO2R with an FT1000MP, both connected to linears (really, I operate QRP with it, too!). Again I'm struck at how well this radio performs under contest conditions. Somehow Elecraft needs to get some K2/100's in the hands of QRO contesters so they can see it just LOOKS like a toy (not an insult). While it takes multiple key presses to get some things done, it's multiple presses of the SAME key and is very easy to learn. I was going to buy a Ten Tec Orion for my 2nd radio, chose to go the cheaper route of just updating my K2 for QRO -- sure am glad I did! 73, Steve N4SL __ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail - Easier than ever with enhanced search. Learn more. http://info.mail.yahoo.com/mail_250 ___ 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] Tuning 88'
For reference, I have tuned this exact 88' CF doublet with 75' of balanced feedline with the K2 ATU and it easily tunes on all bands and modeles very well on 40-10. I used a homebrew 1:1 current balun right before it went into the BNC connector of the K2. Operating in the field on a battery for FYBO in the hail, I drew big static arcs to my EARS through my HEADPHONES until I ran a simple static ground from the K2's GND post to a nail pushed into the soil. What a Shocker! (sorry). I made my doublet AND feedline from 26AWG 19-strand copper weld wire intended for balloon lift that is VERY strong and flexible but doesn't twist or kink and seems to weigh nothing. I highly recommend it for a field antenna: http://www.davisrf.com/ham1/flexweve.htm Bottom of the page, PN "POLYS-26" Good stuff. 73, Steve N4SL __ Do you Yahoo!? The all-new My Yahoo! - What will yours do? http://my.yahoo.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
