[Elecraft] Test message
Previous posts not workingchecking things... -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/Test-message-tp7629854.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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Experiences using a portable HF loop
Last post didn't go thru...trying again... I've had good results using LMR400 (outer conductor) and an air dielectric tuning cap which will handle the 10-15W power of a KX3. In some informal testing comparing a 6 foot diameter loop and a 1/4 wave wire antenna (40 meters) using a car chassis as a counterpoise, the loop beat the wire by 5dB (NVIS path) (C/N on spectral display). How efficient is the loop? I don't know - not as efficient as a 4" diameter copper pipe 6 foot loop, but I do know it's relative ;) A mobile whip is *very* inefficient. The loop in this case is generally *less* inefficient :) You can make contacts on both. K4HKX did a very detailed comparison of loop antennas with full dipoles and other HF antennas. He posted his results here: qrz.com/db/k4hkx Very interesting read. I'm playing around with a mobile loop idea for 80 and 40 meters using the KX3. If it works as good as I think it will, it should give me about the same performance as adding a KXPA100 - or not... that's why playing with ham radio is fun. 73's Steve WD4SDC -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/Experiences-using-a-portable-HF-loop-tp7629785p7629840.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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Experiences using a portable HF loop
I've had good results using LMR400 (outer conductor) and an air dielectric tuning cap which will handle the 10-15W power of a KX3. In some informal testing comparing a 6 foot diameter loop and a 1/4 wave wire antenna (40 meters) using a car chassis as a counterpoise, the loop beat the wire by 5dB (NVIS path) (C/N on spectral display). How efficient is the loop? I don't know - not as efficient as a 4" diameter copper pipe 6 foot loop, but I do know it's relative ;) A mobile whip is *very* inefficient. The loop in this case is generally *less* inefficient :) You can make contacts on both. K4HKX did a very detailed comparison of loop antennas with full dipoles and other HF antennas. He posted his results here: qrz.com/db/k4hkx Very interesting read. I'm playing around with a mobile loop idea for 80 and 40 meters using the KX3. If it works as good as I think it will, it should give me about the same performance as adding a KXPA100 - or not... that's why playing with ham radio is fun. 73's Steve WD4SDC -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/Experiences-using-a-portable-HF-loop-tp7629785p7629825.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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KX3 Mount Bracket
Larry, I used this to do a KX3 dash mount, but it may also work using a pole mount: http://www.gpscity.com/ram-mount-plastic-universal-finger-grip-clamping-cradle.html It "finger grips" the radio. I've had it in an out of the car on almost a daily basis (because I can't be without my KX3 ;) ) and it has worked great! 73's Steve WD4SDC. -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KX3-Mount-Bracket-tp7618297p7618306.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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] [KX3] How to use manual notch in SSB mode
Greetings. You *can* use manual notch on SSB on the KX3. Turns out that if you turn on the manual notch while in CW mode that it will stay on if you switch to SSB without cycling thru a mode that cancels it - such as FM or data modes. Here's an example of how I did it. Starting with LSB mode: A->B MODE -> CW FC -> +0.92 BW=2.8KHz RIT=-700Hz This removes (my) pitch offset and opens the bandwidth to receive LSB voice. Now you can turn on the notch filter and adjust to remove CW RFI. Press A/B and turn off RIT to have SSB with manual notch enabled - and CW removed! A/B allows me to go from CW to SSB w/o cycling thru FM, although I could also disable FM mode. For USB, you would need to use CWR and RIT=+700Hz. Why this is desirable: The auto-notch feature is great for intermittent tuneups or other (multiple) CW signals in the SSB passband, but it is applied after the AGC, so if the CW signal is much stronger than the voice signal, the voice signal is suppressed even though the tone is removed - like when trying to copy an S3 voice with a S9+20 CW sitting on it. For strong "persistent" CW QRM, using the manual notch removes the CW signal *before* the AGC, allowing AGC to operate on the desired signal. This notch is at least 80dB! The S9+20dB CW goes away, and S3 is perfectly readable! Very cool! Especially useful if the CW signal is in the 500-1500Hz range - making it difficult to remove with low or high pass BW adjustment and still copy voice - you can, but it takes effort. I tried creating a macro for this - it kinda works. MD3;SWH20;MD1; Works, but the macro name covers up the notch frequency display in the VFOB area. You *can* adjust the notch frequency even though you already in SSB mode (if you turn the knob within the 2 sec window), but it's a blind adjustment. And then the macro name sticks until you do something to update the VFOB display (like adjust BW). If you just send the commands using the KX3 utility program, it works great, but you need a pc :\. Perhaps there is a macro work-around? 73 Steve WD4SDC -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KX3-How-to-use-manual-notch-in-SSB-mode-tp7614894.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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KX3 Notch Filter (Was Noise Blanker Comments)
GM4JJJ wrote > I find that I can get an annoying weak heterodyne that is too weak for > the auto notch to find, and if I could tune the notch manually I would be > able to notch it out. I was thinking perhaps for the weak heterodyne issue, you could use the RX EQ feature. It is a broad brush, but it does have +/- 16dB of range in 8 bands. I tried that and found something rather interesting. The RX EQ is applied *before* the AGC! I never knew that - maybe I'm the only one. Makes sense since the IF is 0Hz - why waste AGC on energy I don't want. Kudos to the Elecraft engineers that thought that though the extra step! The auto-notch feature is great for intermittent tuneups or other (multiple) CW signals in the SSB passband, but it is applied after the AGC. That works well if interferer is equal to or less than the level of the SOI (signal of interest), but for the case where the interferer is much stronger than the SOI, the AGC is dominated by the RFI and can make the SOI difficult to copy. At least the tone is not blasting away in my ear;) But it does present a problem. There is a work-around. Use CW mode to receive the SSB signal, and harness the power of the manual notch. If in a QSO, use split mode to operate SSB on transmit and CW mode on receive with the filters widened and pitch offset removed to receive the SSB signal. Don't forget to turn off split when your done! =:O. I put the KX3 on the bench and measured the CW notch depth using the built-in dBV meter. I measured more than 60dB! If I adjusted the VFO about +10Hz, it was over 90dB!!! How accurate is 90dB?? Well, call it +/-10dB and you still get 80dB min! That is a *considerable* RFI countermeasure. And the best part? It is before the AGC!!! As an experiment, I tuned to 7255KHz where ECARS is active and used a siggen to create a CW RFI in the middle of the passband at S9+20dB. The auto-notch completely removed the tone, but I could not copy the net - S meter still at S9+20dB. Switch to CW mode and adjust for SSB receive. I could completely remove the CW RFI with the manual notch - gone! And the AGC was now totally operating on the signals - noise level was S2, signals were as low as S3. I suppose technically the AGC was noise driven at S2, but that is the point - no RFI. Note: for LSB use CW, for USB, use CWR. This is a really cool thing. I have, on occasion, had the problem of the "antenna matching enthusiast" coming up in the middle of a QSO, and making things challenging...for several minutes. I guess they are going for that last decimal point - and have no need for RX mode:\. Using CW mode and the CW notch in this situation makes it very easy to apply rule #1: Don't acknowledge the presence of the interferer - because they are no longer there! This is especially useful if the RFI is not an "antenna matching enthusiast", and does have RX mode :(. Happy Holidays! 73, Steve WD4SDC -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KX3-Notch-Filter-Was-Noise-Blanker-Comments-tp7611375p7611849.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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KX3 VSWR problem (WD4SDC)
Hi John, Resonable question. The load was a Narda type N 20W dry load good from DC - 12GHz - borrowed from work;) And I did test it just to make sure someone else did not "abuse" it (bench test equipment). Also tested the N->BNC adapter. Trust, but verify your test equipmentgood advice. 73, Steve. Steve: Is it possible your dummy load is not 50 ohms at 6M? In other words, is your dummy load designed to work at VHF frequencies? Maybe it's only designed for HF frequencies. Just a thought, but it could possibly explain your problem. 73, John AA0VE -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/Re-KX3-VSWR-problem-WD4SDC-tp7610860p7610870.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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KX3 VSWR problem
Jim Rodenkirch wrote > > I'm not sure I understand..are you saying with the ATU removed the > VSWR is 1.2:1 and with it > > installed but not tuned it's 1.8:1 until the ATU "kicks in and does its > job??? Hi Jim, Sorry for the confusion. I'll pull everything into this post to put it in the correct context: Problem: 6M band -> VSWR 1.8:1 (KX3 meter) on 50ohm load connected directly to ant connector (no cable). ATU - bypass mode Load verified good. All other bands good. ATU will match to 1:1 if enabled and tune requested. After ATU match, 25ohm load yields 2:1 (KX3 VSWR meter test - OK). So the issue was that the ATU in bypass mode on 6M into good load gives a 1.8:1 VSWR. Working with Elecraft support, I removed the ATU board to check VSWR w/o the ATU in the line. That checked good 1.2:1. The ATU in bypass mode on 6M does not quite function as a 50 ohm transmission line. For my particular unit, it was higher than expected. 1.4:1 is considered OK. If the ATU is enabled and tune is engaged, it has no problem matching the output stage to the load and delivering rated power. So, operationally not really an issue. Just leave the ATU enabled and tuned. The reason for going into bypass mode was to perform a TX gain cal procedure, which specifies the ATU must be set to bypass. I used the KX3 utility to do this and it sets the ATU to bypass and steps thru each band. When it got to 6M, it failed - probably because the foldback circuit was kicking in @ 1.8:1 and/or the output stage can't deliver the 6 watts need to complete the cal into that mismatch. Doing the cal manually with the ATU on and matched for 6M band works fine. Hopefully, this provides a more useful note for anyone else that may have a similar issue. Trying to contribute back to the list - as I have learned a lot using this resource. Steve WD4SDC -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KX3-VSWR-problem-tp7608809p7610821.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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KX3 VSWR problem
WD4SDC wrote > Equipment: > KX3 S/N 7210, FW 02.25 > > Problem: > 6M band -> VSWR 1.8:1 (KX3 meter) on 50ohm load connected directly to ant > connector (no cable). > > MSG to Elecraft support unanswered (which seems uncharacteristic, based on > rep) UPDATE: Just to complete this for anyone searching this problem Elecraft support did respond. I had sent the msg to supp...@elecraft.com and not the correct address which is k3supp...@elecraft.com. The test was to disconnect the remove the ATU board and connect the RF board directly to the antenna port - which worked OK - 1.2:1. With ATU installed and auto-tuned, I get 10 watts delivered to the load, so in my case the bypass VSWR is little high, but not really a concern. Since the ATU *is* installed, just tune it and everything works fine. Steve. -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KX3-VSWR-problem-tp7608809p7610774.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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] KX3 DSP Filter Plots
Hi All, There were some earlier posts about K3S DSP filter plots and a link to clifton labs : http://www.cliftonlaboratories.com/elecraft_k3_noise_blanker_and_crystal_dsp_filtering.htm Does anyone have plots for the KX3 DSP filters? Thanks, Steve WD4SDC -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KX3-DSP-Filter-Plots-tp7610775.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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KX3 VSWR problem
Rick Robinson wrote > Could it be your load is not rated to 50 MHZ ? Some are only good to 30 > MHZ. Hi Rick. Good point. I should have included my load spec w/ the "facts": I'm using a Narda 40W DC->12GHz w/ N->BNC adapter I borrowed at work. And verified it @ 50MHz - just because sometimes test equipment gets abused ;) Steve. -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KX3-VSWR-problem-tp7608809p7608851.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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] KX3 VSWR problem
My last post might have been too long, so I'll try again - just the facts: Equipment: KX3 S/N 7210, FW 02.25 Problem: 6M band -> VSWR 1.8:1 (KX3 meter) on 50ohm load connected directly to ant connector (no cable). ATU - bypass Load verified good. All other bands good. ATU will match to 1:1 if enabled and tune requested. After ATU match, 25ohm load yields 2:1 (KX3 meter test - OK). MSG to Elecraft support unanswered (which seems uncharacteristic, based on rep) Looking for input on how to identify/fix problem. Thanks, Steve, WD4SDC. -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KX3-VSWR-problem-tp7608809.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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KX3 VSWR problem
WD4SDC wrote > MSG to Elecraft support unanswered (which seems uncharacteristic, based on > rep) I was contacted by elecraft support shortly after this post. Will be running some tests per their advice. Steve WD4SDC -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KX3-VSWR-problem-tp7608809p7608813.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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] KX3 6 meter VSWR issue.
Greetings, I'm having a problem with my KX3 that I have not been able to resolve. Equipment: KX3 S/N 7210, FW 02.25 Problem: While performing a tx gain calibration using the KX3 utility software (rev 1.14.4.11), it failed when trying to cal 52MHz. This was because the VSWR on that band was 1.8:1 (dummy load directly connected - no cable, ATU bypassed). I checked the load (Narda 40W D.C. -> 12GHz) and it checked OK using another rig (TS480) - flat across the (6M) band as you would expect. I was orginally having issues when the voltage would drop below threshold causing the power level setting to change and that would result in no power out (PSK31). TX gain cal fixed that on the problem band (40 meters) and 160->10M is fine. Honestly, I don't think I ever tried 6 meters - no interest at the time - so this problem could have been there since day one - but the factory inspection test (the inital TX gain cal?) should have caught it, so not sure when or how this would have occured. Thinking that perhaps this was a config bit gone astray, I loaded a config file from February (about 2 months after I got the radio). Still had the 6M SWR issue, but the power level was working OKapparently that got pooched some time after that config backup. The config backup I did just before the TX level cal restored the power level problem - so that is repeatable - and fixed. Backups are a wonderful thing. The 6M VSWR problem appears to be unrelated - just surfaced during the TX gain cal. If I enable the ATU, I can get a 1:1 match to the dummy load, and I get 10W out (KX3 meter). So...how to proceed? Seems like maybe a band switch/output tuning network problem? Although, for 6M it is a straight thru connection (via K8). Comments appreciated. On a positive note, great radio!...as I'm sure you have heard at least 7210 times;) I'm am having alot of fun with this radio. It's amazing what you can do on 40M with 3 watts and a dipole supended 10ft above salt water on a wood pier railing (long story) - 40dB C/N at 125Mi NVIS path. Thanks, Steve WD4SDC -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KX3-6-meter-VSWR-issue-tp7608175.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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Scanning and channel hopping question...
There's actually a variable in the source code called scanWorthy that accrues intel about the signal :) Info at the speed of NOW - and from the guy who wrote the code, no less. And I agree w/ NT6Y - it is impressive. As the guy who wrote the firmware, I'm happy to find that someone else finds it useful, *and* is curious about how it works. Thanks. I think my curiosity has exceeded threshold and I'll have to become a customer. I'm looking forward to being a happy user of your scanWorthy variable;) I think you guys have put the art back in state-of-the-art. Steve. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@.qth This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to lists+1215531472858-365791@.nabble -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/Scanning-and-channel-hopping-question-tp7595522p7595558.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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] Scanning and channel hopping question...
Hi All, I've been gathering information on the scanning feature of the KX3 (not an owner..yet - VERY tempting). I have the basics - VFO scan, channel hopping, live scan, muted scan, the rules for channel hopping. I found this: Scanning while muted (normal scanning mode) allows the K3 to ignore stable carriers, unmuting only when interesting signals are found. ...from the K3 manual - which appears to be a close DSP cousin to the KX3, and I've also found some scattered bits about the KX3 that refers to stopping when a modulated signal is found. So, what exactly triggers a stop scan? It seems to be a bit more sophisticated then just an S meter threshold - maybe using the AFV measurement?. Is the scan signal detection done after signal processing like noise blanking, noise reduction, notch, etc? That would make it REALLY good at scanning HF ! After scan stops on a signal, does it pause until the signal stops, or does it continue after some fixed time? What is the scan (hopping) rate. I see that in VFO scan you can make it effectively slow or fast by changing the increment step - , but in channel hop, the increment is one hop - just not clear on the hops per second. And finallyhow does the scanning stop/resume sequence work? When a signal is detected, the scanning pauses for some interval, then resumes when the signal stops? Or after a time interval if the signal is still there it continues scanning until it hits the active channel again? I know these are very narrow questions about a radio that has a LOT of capabilities, and maybe I'm the only guy that wants to know thisbut at least if I ask it here, then the one other person that may be looking will find it here;) I've used (channel) scanning on HF quite a bit. Very useful now that VFOs are rock solid and tune in milliseconds. Thanks to all on the site for LOTS of other very useful questions/answers/ideas. Steve WD4SDC -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/Scanning-and-channel-hopping-question-tp7595522.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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
