Re: [Elecraft] P3 Waterfall
Hi Fred, The P3 manual is available on-line: https://ftp.elecraft.com/P3/Manuals%20Downloads/E740152%20P3%20Owner's%20man%20Rev%20H1.pdf > 3. The relative height between spectrum and WF seems to still be where I last set it in the menu item. If the waterfall window is there but not showing any signals, then my first guess is that REF LVL and perhaps SCALE are set so that the noise floor is off the botttom of the screen. Alan N1AL On 9/29/2024 12:34 PM, Fred Jensen wrote: 1. My waterfall has disappeared 2. I can't find my P3 manual 3. The relative height between spectrum and WF seems to still be where I last set it in the menu item. 4. ... and the obligatory, "I haven't changed anything," although obviously something got changed and I'm the only one in the family who touches the rig. Can someone who can find their P3 manual clue me in on how to get the WF back? 73, Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW Sparks NV DM09dn Washoe County __ 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] K3 Power Issues
The P3 should operate normally down to 8V or les. I have successfully powered it from a 9V battery. Alan N1AL On 9/1/2024 2:55 PM, Corky wrote: I was having trouble with my P3 going into brownout mode when transmitting 50 Watt digital. This used to be fine, but seems to have been getting worse over the past several months. When I monitored the power on the front panel of the K3 I found it was dropping about 1.5 V when transmitting digital signals. This would occasionally drop below 12 V and cause the P3 to go to brownout and shut down. I immediately assumed this was a problem with my distribution system and/or DC power cables, however, on further examination, that does not appear to be the case. The voltage at the distribution system shows no change in voltage when transmitting. I tried replacing the power cables from the distributions system and using alternate terminals with essentially no change in the behavior. Next I cleaned the terminals on the radio with de-oxit, and moved to AWG 10 wire for the power connection (I had been using AWG 14). I also shortened the power cable to 3 ft and used a separate power supply so that the radio is connected directly to the power supply. This improved the situation a bit, but the voltage still drops 0.6 to 0.9 V on TX (digital or key down CW). While I am now in the range that I no longer get P3 brownouts, this still seems excessive. At this point, it appears that the problem is somewhere at the K3 power connector or somewhere inside the radio. Has anyone else experienced this and if so are there any suggested resolutions or things to test. I know, especially since I am now using a separate supply I can increase the supply voltage to address the problem, but there is still a lot of heat/energy being wasted somewhere. Thanks and 73, -Corky, AF4PM __ 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] Elecraft Digest, Vol 243, Issue 3….KX3 info
With regard to current info on the KX3, there is a very active and worldwide group on facebook. Always lots of feedback. Sent from my iPhone. > On Jul 18, 2024, at 7:12 AM, elecraft-requ...@mailman.qth.net wrote: > > Send Elecraft mailing list submissions to >elecraft@mailman.qth.net > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit >http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to >elecraft-requ...@mailman.qth.net > > You can reach the person managing the list at >elecraft-ow...@mailman.qth.net > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of Elecraft digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. K2 (Larry Boekeloo) > 2. Re: K2 (W3FPR) > 3. Please unsubscribe (James ) > 4. Re: Please unsubscribe (Julia Tuttle) > 5. Re: Please unsubscribe (Richard Hill) > 6. Elecraft CW Net Announcement (kevin) > 7. Re: Please unsubscribe (DAVID MOORMAN) > 8. Re: Please unsubscribe (Steve Belunek) > 9. Re: Please unsubscribe (Todd Atkins) > 10. Re: Please unsubscribe (Henry Pollock - K4TMC) > 11. Elecraft 80M SSB Net Announcement (Dave New, N8SBE) > 12. Elecraft 80M SSB Net Report (Dave New, N8SBE) > 13. Elecraft CW Net Report (kevin) > 14. KV5J Displays (Keith Ennis) > 15. K2 PA KEY (J7) stopped working (Chris) > 16. Re: K2 PA KEY (J7) stopped working (W3FPR) > 17. K3/0 mini (Walter Crauwels ON4BCB) > 18. K-POD For Sale (David Needham) > 19. Elecraft CW Net Announcement (kevin) > 20. Elecraft 80M SSB Net Announcement (Dave New, N8SBE) > 21. Fwd: K-POD For Sale (David Needham) > 22. Elecraft 80M SSB Net Report (Dave New, N8SBE) > 23. Elecraft CW Net Report (kevin) > 24. Looking for K1 (Tom Bowles) > > > -- > > Message: 1 > Date: Sat, 6 Jul 2024 19:40:25 -0400 > From: Larry Boekeloo > To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net > Subject: [Elecraft] K2 > Message-ID: > > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" > > Hi everyone > > I need to look at the microphone settings in my K2. > > After reading the manual, it states to pull the 4 screws holding the front > panel. > > When I look at YouTube videos, I see two methods. One person pulls the 4 > screws and the front panel seems to pull off with some ease plus the board > attached and all knobs and VFO knob in place. The other person pulls the 4 > screws and then pulls all of the knobs off, VFO knob and the nuts holding > them and pulls the front panel from the board behind it. > > Does it matter what the serial number of the K2 is for the procedure? I > need some info before I attempt this minor project. > > Thanks. > > Larry, KN8N > Kalamazoo Michigan > > > -- > > Message: 2 > Date: Sat, 6 Jul 2024 20:25:09 -0400 > From: W3FPR > To: Larry Boekeloo , elecraft@mailman.qth.net > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K2 > Message-ID: <5a2141fa-b8b0-4dbd-9f38-3040e6841...@gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed > > Larry, > > You will not be able to remove the Front Panel just by removing the 4 > screws. > Ignore those You-Tube videos - they are both inadequate. > Take the top cover off and peer between the Front Panel and the Control > Board - you should see two standoffs (one near the left and the other > near the right - each about 1 1/2 inches from each end). > Remove the screws that hold the Control Board to those standoffs. > If you have the KDSP2 or KAF2 options installed, you must remove it - > there will be a standoff to hold that option board apart from the > Control Board.? If the KDSP2, you must remove the upper board to get to > the screw holding that option to its standoff (use good anti-static > measures when removing and storing the upper KDSP2 board). > Now remove the screw (or standoff) from the control board. > After that you may remove the 4 screws holding the Front Panel to the > rest of the K2 and pull the front panel assemble away from the K2. > > It takes longer to write/read this than to do it - it is not difficult.? > I used to do it in a minute or two. > > Reverse the steps to put the front panel back on and secure it to the > Control Board the CB should not 'flop' inside the K2. > The serial number does not matter - for this procedure they are all the > same. > The mic configuration header plugging can be found in the KSB2 instructions. > > 73, > Don W3FPR > >> On 7/6/2024 7:40 PM, Larry Boekeloo wrote: >> Hi everyone >> >> I need to look at the microphone settings in my K2. >> >> After reading the manual, it states to pull the 4 screws holding the front >> panel. >> >> When I look at YouTube videos, I see two methods. One person pulls the 4 >> screws and the front panel seems to pull off with some ease plus the board >> attached and all knobs and VFO knob in place. The other person pulls the 4 >> screws and then pulls all of the knobs off, VFO knob and
[Elecraft] ARRL system outage update
http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-systems-service-disruption On or around May 12, 2024, ARRL was the victim of a sophisticated network attack by a malicious international cyber group. ARRL immediately involved the FBI and engaged with third party experts to investigate. This serious incident was extensive and categorized by the FBI as “unique,” compromising network devices, servers, cloud-based systems, and PCs. ARRL management quickly established an incident response team. This has led to an extensive effort to contain and remediate the networks, restore servers, and staff are beginning the testing of applications and interfaces to ensure proper operation. Thank you for your patience and understanding as our staff continue to work through this with an outstanding team of experts to restore full functionality to our systems and services. We will continue to update members as advised and to the extent we are able. __ 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] K3 Speaker for sale
Elecraft SP3 Speaker for sale. Very clean. Shipping included. Pics available. $185 firm. Continental US only. Please contact Alan Geller … k6...@arrl.net. Sent from my iPhone __ 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] ED VOL 237 Issue 7
Sent from my iPhone This issue is a real salute to the Elecraft Net . Submissions from knowledgeable folks who wanted to help. Some mild disagreements to be worked out without any snarky comments and a lot of good information and help. Hooray for Elecraft products and customers. __ 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] IF OUT - Same as just sharing the antenna?
The K3's IF OUT bandwidth is limited only by the front-end RF filters so it covers an entire amateur band, plus. That is handy for a panadapter because it is always centered on the VFO A frequency. The IF center frequency is 8.215 MHz. Alan N1AL On 3/9/2024 11:04 PM, Fred Jensen wrote: It's around 8.15 MHz. It's ahead of the ADC and 15 kHz 2nd IF, the RF is over 200 kHz wide and is nominally there for connection to a P3. 73, Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW Sparks NV DM09dn Washoe County Ed Parish wrote on 3/9/2024 12:57 PM: IF means Intermediate Frequency. It is the result of mixing the RF with a local oscillator, LO. So, no, it isn't sharing an antenna. On Sat, Mar 9, 2024, 15:39 JHR wrote: Please help me understand how the IF OUT works on an Elecraft radio. Is it the same thing as sharing the antenna with a T/R switch, or does it tap the RF processing chain later down the line. Does the IF OUT merely share the antenna, or does it come later in the circuit - are there any practical reasons why one is better than the other? I presume the IF OUT is better, but wonder why. [It matters and will settle a bet who eats steak and who eats hot dog.] Thanks in advance K8JHR __ 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 tok1ep.l...@gmail.com __ Elecraft mailing list Home:http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help:http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post:mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by:http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list:http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered tok6dg...@gmail.com __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] FS: HP-3312A Function Gen + others
"W3DVX Rescues Legacy Elecrafts" Hello, Added a nice HP-3312A function generator for sale. Also selling assorted boat-anchor restoration parts, breadboards, FLEX-6400, K3 LPA, and two KSYN3 boards (not "A" model). (and a power supply) See photos and info at https://wilcoxengineering.com/sales Any questions, feel free to call or text 1300-2000 Eastern. Cheers, Alan Alan D. Wilcox, W3DVX (K3S-10457, SKCC 22955) 570-916-9590 (cell, text) https://WilcoxEngineering.com http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/6768 ... Elecraft Client Comments http://amazon.com/author/alandwilcox Williamsport, PA 17701 __ 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] K3(S)/P3 Excellent Example - SOLD
My "K3(S)/P3 Excellent Example” just sold. Happy result for buyer and seller. My XYL just Gave the thumbs up to buy my K4D. As this stage in life, no room for duplicates in the house. Thanks for all queries; some folks looking only for K3 dual receiver example…..THATSA RADIO!! Alan/K6ADG __ 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] Elecraft K4 Raffle & St. Patrick's Day Hamfest
In conjunction with the St. Patrick's Day Hamfest the Midland Amateur Radio Club is raffling an Elecraft K4 transceiver with MH4 mic. A maximum of 400 tickets will be sold at $20 each. There are currently 100 tickets left. The drawing will be held on Saturday, March 16, 2024. For more information please visit <https://hamfest.w5qgg.org/>. 73, Alan N5NA __ 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] K3(S)/P3 for sale - Exellent Example
For Sale: K3(S)/P3. - K3 with nearly all (S) options in excellent condition. Very clean P3 K3 (S/N 4757) upgrades: a. KTCXO3-1 1ppm txco b. KSYN3AUPG Syn Board u/g c. KXV3B. I/O U/G d. KIO3BUPKT. I/O u/g e. K5PF3/K5LSA-6K Gen cov + AM 6k filter f. All 5 filters bought or u/g to 8 poles g. K3SSKT. Stainless h/w upgrade 2. P3 -F a. CBLP3Y. K3S adapter cable Included:all necessary cables, Paper and digital manuals. Hard pelican case for K3 Results of 2016 factory checkout: 8 volt regulator filter cap installed KPOD ready, FP R82 to 6.8 ohm K3 audio protection board install Front panel gold pins Factory cal and alignment Operation Pak Consists of Heil Goldline microphone with K3 cable, Heil large earphones and Bencher Iambic Paddle in Black. This is sold separately. Although only with the XCVR. PRICING K3(S)/P3….$2,250 Operation Pak……… $145 Pictures available if interested. QSO available on HF. Shipping extra. Local pickup encouraged, Redwood City location. __ 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] Big Screen for K4
I am in the process of listing my superb K3/P3 in order to purchase a K4. I have watched Eric’s Videos demoing the K4 and there is always a large screen display connected to the K4. I planned To keep my K4 setup clean and simple but the plethora of 24 inch TV’s on sale for under $100 Is speaking to me. So, I even think this is a dumb question, but if the std “video” port on the back panel of the K4 can Use a std cable to a TV set vs a “Monitor”, does the basic digital video mirror the front panel display? Thanks for any help. Alan/K6ADG __ 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] FS: Restoration Parts, Breadboards, Flex-6400 SDR, LPA, KSYN3s
"W3DVX Rescues Legacy Elecrafts" Hello, Selling assorted boat-anchor restoration parts, breadboards, FLEX-6400, K3 LPA, and two KSYN3 boards (not "A" model). (and a power supply) See photos and info at https://wilcoxengineering.com/sales Any questions, feel free to call or text 1300-2000 Eastern. Cheers, Alan Alan D. Wilcox, W3DVX (K3S-10457, SKCC 22955) 570-916-9590 (cell, text) https://WilcoxEngineering.com http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/6768 ... Elecraft Client Comments http://amazon.com/author/alandwilcox Williamsport, PA 17701 __ 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] K3 UTILITY QUESTION
Greg, did you set CONFIG:RS232 to USB? Cheers, Alan Alan D. Wilcox, W3DVX (K3S-10457, SKCC 22955) 570-916-9590 (cell, text) https://WilcoxEngineering.com http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/6768 ... Elecraft Client Comments http://amazon.com/author/alandwilcox Williamsport, PA 17701 On 1/11/24 10:17, greg best wrote: I had previously used my K3 utility program with my K3 that had the standard analog I/O board module. I recently upgraded to the KIO3B and now my k3 utility no longer functions. All the functions on the KIO3B work fine. What is necessary to get the K3 utility running again? I do not need it for anything specific right now but I feel now is the time to fix it so when it is needed it works. 73’s, Greg N9GB __ 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 toa...@wilcoxengineering.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] FS: Flex-6400 SDR, iWatch, LPA, KSYN3s
"W3DVX Rescues Legacy Elecrafts" Hello, Selling a FLEX-6400 and an iWatch plus the LPA and two KSYN3 boards. See photos and info at https://wilcoxengineering.com/sales Any questions, feel free to call or text 1300-2000 Eastern. Cheers, Alan Alan D. Wilcox, W3DVX (K3S-10457, SKCC 22955) 570-916-9590 (cell, text) https://WilcoxEngineering.com http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/6768 ... Elecraft Client Comments http://amazon.com/author/alandwilcox Williamsport, PA 17701 __ 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] OT: Wiring A Continent : The U.S. Transcontinental Telegraph Line
And the line was completed while the Civil War was raging. Amazing! Alan N1AL On 11/21/23 13:43, Wayne Burdick wrote: I highly recommend this fascinating first-person account. You might want to skim over the parts about political infighting to get to descriptions of the route, procurement of poles, Indian encounters, and inclement weather. (And we thought Field Day setup was challenging.) http://www.telegraph-history.org/transcontinental-telegraph/index.html 73, Wayne N6KR elecraft.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 a...@elecraft.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] FS: [K3] LPA and two KSYN3 boards
"W3DVX Rescues Legacy Elecrafts" Hello, Selling several extra K3 boards: the 10W Low-Power Amp (LPA) and two KSYN3 boards. See photos and info at https://wilcoxengineering.com/sales Any questions, feel free to call or text 1300-2000 Eastern. Cheers, Alan Alan D. Wilcox, W3DVX (K3S-10457, SKCC 22955) 570-916-9590 (cell, text) https://WilcoxEngineering.com http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/6768 ... Elecraft Client Comments http://amazon.com/author/alandwilcox Williamsport, PA 17701 __ 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] OT: The day I found out I was going to be an engineer
On 9/17/23 23:05, John Gay wrote: ... Not much later I’d taught myself to solder and built a Knightkit Star Roamer. Ah yes, the Star Roamer, my first "real" receiver. (The actual first was a homebrew 1-tube regen.) I feel like one of the Old Timers when I was young talking about their spark transmitters. :-) Alan N1AL __ 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] FS: Apple 27" iMac - great for digital
"W3DVX Rescues Legacy Elecrafts" Hello, Selling my iMac 27" that I've had since early 2015. It's an easy solution for the digital modes ... the iMac is all-in-one ready for connecting to your rig. See photos and info at https://wilcoxengineering.com/sales Any questions, feel free to call or text 1300-2000 Eastern. Cheers, Alan Alan D. Wilcox, W3DVX (K3S-10457, SKCC 22955) 570-916-9590 (cell, text) https://WilcoxEngineering.com http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/6768 ... Elecraft Client Comments http://amazon.com/author/alandwilcox Williamsport, PA 17701 __ 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] CM-500 Question
Thanks Jim. Unfortunately I'm several thousand miles away from home so I can't do that test right now. I'm pretty sure it's an electret, but I'll check when I get home. Alan N1AL On 8/7/2023 11:00 PM, Jim Brown wrote: On 8/7/2023 12:44 PM, Alan Bloom wrote: I also use it for recording a radio show on a computer sound card. Again, I have to set the gain to near maximum to get proper levels. Alan, The CM500 has always had an electret mic, which requires bias, although the data sheet has always called it a dynamic mic. As a test, turn off bias and see if that changes anything. If it is a dynamic, turning off bias should make it work better. My WAG is that what you bought might be a counterfeit. My experience buying all sorts of things in the last 5 years (kitchen tools, shoes, etc.) has been seeing lots of what appear to be either counterfeit or cheapened versions of stuff I'd previously owned and wanted a second one. 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 a...@elecraft.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] CM-500 Question
I bought a CM-500 not too long ago. (I think it was late last year.) I don't have any way to compare it to earlier production, but this one does seem to have low microphone sensitivity. On the K4 I have to turn on the preamp and set the mic gain to maximum to get 5 on the ALC meter at normal speaking levels. I also use it for recording a radio show on a computer sound card. Again, I have to set the gain to near maximum to get proper levels. By the way, for the radio show I use the equalizer in Audacity to boost the bass. Apparently the CM-500 is meant for communications use so doesn't have as good bass response as the mic I used to use. Alan N1AL On 8/7/2023 7:46 PM, Larry Martin wrote: I purchased a CM-500 over 10 years ago when I first got my K3. K3 is still going strong but the headset died a couple of years ago and has since been discarded. I've read several comments that the current CM-500's don't have as good of a microphone as the earlier ones. Does anyone have any experience on the latest batch of them? I always received great audio reports on my old setup and need to purchase another headset. Just wanted some feedback before buying another CM500. Much appreciated __ 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] K4 and Yamaha CM-500 Mic?
I had never used my CM-500 on a K3 so I can't do that comparison. But on the K4 I had to turn on the internal mic preamp and set the mic gain all the way to maximum. That seemed to give about the correct level - I could talk at normal loudness to get 5 on the ALC. I also use the CM-500 on my laptop to record a radio show. I had to turn up the gain close to max on the computer as well. I think late-production CM-500s just tend to have low microphone sensitivity. Alan On 7/31/2023 1:40 AM, Oscar Staudt wrote: When I got my K4D a month ago, I unplugged my Yamaha CM-500 mic and headphones from my K3, and plugged them into the back of my K4. I set the mic input to rear, and mic bias on. I expected the mic to perform like it had in the K3. I attempted to get 3-5 bars of ALC by turning up the mic gain control. Even with the gain up to 80, I’d have to speak *very* loudly to just get a flicker on the ALC meter. I then went back into the mic configuration and turned on the preamp (14dB). After that I could get some ALC bars with the mic gain around 65 or more. But I still had to talk much louder than I had to with the same mic on the K3. (note: mic level on the K3 was set around 7). Question: Is it reasonable to expect that I’d have to have the mic gain at such a high level - and still have to talk louder than my normal (K3) level? BTW, I can hook up the MH-4, switch to front mic, and all works smooth with mic gain around 12. __ 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 a...@elecraft.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] [OT] A dumb question about lightning
Hi Al, The "Bible" on this subject that has been used for many years by the telecommunications industry is Motorola's "R56, Standards and Guidelines for Communications Sites": https://www.blm.gov/sites/blm.gov/files/Lands_ROW_Motorola_R56_2005_manual.pdf It's kind of complicated, but it's what you have to do if you really want to protect your site. Of special interest are Chapter 4 "External Grounding (Earthing)", Chapter 5 "Internal Grounding (Earthing)", and Chapter 7 "Surge Protective Devices". Alan N1AL On 7/28/2023 10:31 PM, Al Lorona wrote: Please don't laugh at me; I'm a transplant from a region of the country with essentially no lightning to a region where you have to worry about it quite a bit. We had a doozy of a storm last night, with lots of lightning overhead. I felt like a sitting duck, even though I had grounded both sides of the balanced feedline of the antenna, switched the antenna switch to the middle (grounded) position, and even disconnected the coax leading to the K3's rear-panel antenna port. Whenever lightning happens, I always wonder if it really is in fact better to ground everything. Because, doesn't that essentially make a lightning rod of the antenna? If I simply disconnected the antenna and left it floating, wouldn't it be less likely to attract a lightning bolt? I'm of the belief that it's better to try to avoid a direct hit than to attract one and trust your grounding system to do its thing. I'm of the belief that no grounding system is perfectly effective. Al W6LX/4 __ 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 a...@elecraft.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] K2: Filter Aliginment software for Apple MACs.
Francis, FWIW, I was hunting for a Mac subst for Spectrogram recently, and really didn't find much at all. "iSpectrum" is all I could find free - or even at a modest price - and it didn't come close to Spectrogram. It could hardly display the passband of the K2, much less allow for any alignment using it. I use a Win7 desktop in the shop, and Spectrogram does excellently for K2 alignments. Short of a specific Mac application, one might run a Windows virtual machine (VirtualBox, Parallels, etc) as a host for Spectrogram. The catch is, at least for the newer Apple silicon (M1, M2), is that you'd need a copy of Windows that can run on non-Intel codebase. I've not researched that alternative much however. For the number of times Spectrogram might be needed, it's easier/cheaper to just use an old Win PC. If you do find something that works on your Mac, let us all know! Thanks for writing. Alan Alan D. Wilcox, W3DVX (K3S-10457, SKCC 22955) 570-916-9590 (cell, text) https://WilcoxEngineering.com http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/6768 ... Elecraft Client Comments http://amazon.com/author/alandwilcox Williamsport, PA 17701 On 7/2/23 13:53, Francis Cummings, III via Elecraft wrote: Hi All What software can you use on a Mac in place of Spectrogram to set up filters? Any details on the set up the S/W that would be helpful too! Thank you and 73 Francis KB7IP K2 __ 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 a...@wilcoxengineering.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] Friedrichshafen
Since I found myself less than a 6-hour drive away from Friedrichshafen, Germany this weekend, I decided to cross something off my bucket list and attend the world-famous amateur radio convention. Several people told me that the event was smaller than in previous years, but it still was impressive. The Elecraft booth seemed to have a constant crowd around it. Eric and the others manning the booth were busy all weekend. Eric's Elecraft update presentation Friday at noon was standing-room only. He reviewed the K4 and upcoming new firmware and products. I should have taken notes. I remember him discussing the VHF/UHF module and several firmware enhancements. The flea market filled a large hall. I am told that last year is was a hall and a half. It took me almost two hours to go through it The items on display were mostly familiar from US ham flea markets I have attended. I was surprised to see a fair amount of old Collins gear - e.g. a complete Collins S-line in very good condition for 1600 Euros. I noticed a lot more microwave equipment and parts than is usual in the US. I think that microwave operation is more common in EU. Alan N1AL __ 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] FS: K2 for sale by W3DVX
"W3DVX Rescues Legacy Elecrafts" Hello, Selling K2-5373 that has been my personal K2 for years. See details and photos on my site at https://wilcoxengineering.com/sales I also put a link to the photos I took while building it. Any questions, feel free to call or text 1300-2000 Eastern. Cheers, Alan Alan D. Wilcox, W3DVX (K2-5373, K3S-10457, SKCC 22955) 570-916-9590 (cell, text) https://WilcoxEngineering.com http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/6768 ... Elecraft Client Comments http://amazon.com/author/alandwilcox Williamsport, PA 17701 __ 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] CW Decode/Display system for your beloved K2
For sale: 1. K2 fixed audio output board; professionaly built by W8FGU.. Unused.$37 plus shipping 2. A complete newish K42 CW Decoder/Display System from www.hamcrafters.com <http://www.hamcrafters.com/> and professionaly built and tested by me. Includes Keyboard, cables with software and manual on memory stick. $100 plus shipping No.1 usually needed to feed no.2 Pics available if needed Alan/K6ADG __ 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] Microphone Setup Confusion
Is what Elecraft calls mike “bias” in the K3 and K3s Owners handbooks Equivalent to the “48 volt ghost voltage” required for condenser mikes et al In the broadcast and music industry ? It is mentioned that “mike bias” needs to to be turned on for condenser type mikes But off for dynamic types which is also equivalent for the more common Term “48 volt ghost voltage” Thanks for any help Alan/K6ADG __ 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] FS: P3 and filters for sale by W3DVX
"W3DVX Rescues Legacy Elecrafts" Hello, Selling P3-952 that was with my now-sold K3-6755 ... now free shipping and lowered price. Fully checked out and all calibrated as I do with all Elecrafts. Also, have a number of K3 filters for sale. What do you need? List is on my sales page. Scroll down a bit on the sales page for Nikon D5100 camera kit and also David Clark aviation headset. See details and photos on my site at https://wilcoxengineering.com/sales Any questions, feel free to call or text 1300-2000 Eastern. Cheers, Alan Alan D. Wilcox, W3DVX (K2-5373, K3S-10457, SKCC 22955) 570-916-9590 (cell, text) https://WilcoxEngineering.com http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/6768 ... Elecraft Client Comments http://amazon.com/author/alandwilcox Williamsport, PA 17701 __ 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] P3 error
It's the MENU:CenterEn function. When OFF, the center key does not adjust the center frequency when in tracking mode. Alan N1AL On 4/25/23 08:06, ROBERT GARCEAU wrote: When i press the Center button on my P3, I get a "center key disabled" message. I have been trying to find the problem. No success. Bob, W1EQ __ __ 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
There's no reason the P3 can't display it if you have a way to generate the trapezoidal pattern from the transmitter. I think feeding a triangle wave from a function generator into the mic input would do it. Alan N1AL On 4/19/23 16:38, Fred Jensen wrote: and I'd buy one if it would do a trapezoidal pattern. Judging TX signal quality looking at the time-domain envelope is pretty hard, but I can judge straight sides on the T-pattern 73, Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW Sparks NV DM09dn Washoe County __ 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
I changed the Subject line since this is a new topic. If the wattmeter (in this case the P3 sensor) is placed after the tuner then it will read the SWR of the antenna. To determine the net forward power, just subtract the reflected power from the forward power. To calculate reflected power, use the equation: P(ref) = P(fwd) * [(SWR-1)/(SWR+1)]^2 Since the K3 and K4 already have a built-in wattmeter located before the tuner, it makes sense to me to put the P3 sensor (or external wattmeter) after the tuner so you can see what is going on with the antenna. Alan N1AL On 4/10/23 09:02, Bob McGraw wrote: My question would be "where is the sensor for the P3 located in the feed system?" It should be between the KPA500 output and the KAT500 input. Therefore, when the KAT500 resolves a match, then the line between the KPA500 output and KAT500 input is nominally 50 ohms. If the sensor is located after the KAT500, thus in the feedline to the antenna, the impedance and thus the voltage on the line, will impact the the indicated value. Most all power reading sensors are voltage reading devices, referenced to 50 ohms nonreactive and should be located in a 50 ohm line which has a nonreactive load. Most power indicating devices are calibrated for 50 ohms. There are some exceptions. As example; if the impedance of the antenna is reactive ( most are ) and about 200 ohms Z being fed though 50 ohm coax for the feedline and the power is 500 watts, the voltage is about 316 volts. If the impedance were 50 ohms and the power is 500 watts the voltage would be about 158 volts. Here it is easy to see, using a voltage sensing circuit, the power indication would be incorrect by some significant magnitude. I've considered adding a power/SWR monitor to my P3 but it would be in the coax to the antenna. I use the internal tuner in my K3S to resolve a match, thus the power measurement would be after the ATU in the radio and the actual load Z is really unknown. The only way to determine if the power indication is correct with the P3 is to use a 50 ohm dummy load or place it in the RF path which is 50 ohms nonreactive. 73 Bob, K4TAX __ 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] [P3] P3 woes - repaired but now claims my K3s puts out 873W!
Hi Dave, There is a "SensorCal" entry in the Transmit Monitor Menu, but I don't think it has enough range to correct such a large error. There is also a "MtrScale" entry to set the full-scale power on the meter display. Does the reading change when you change the scale? In addition to the I/O board, the problem could also be on the Sensor board (the small board that connects the sensor RJ45 connector to the I/O board). If one of the resistors on this board went open or shorted it could cause a power error. Is the reverse power reading way off as well? (i.e. does the SWR read wrong for SWR not close to 1:1?) If so, that could be due to a resistor problem on the Sensor board. > I'm wondering if the new revision I/O board is somehow incompatible with the older TX Monitor board, No I don't think so. There was a minor change in the sensor design at one point but it was just a capacitor change to improve the detected bandwidth so the envelope would display correctly. (The same sensors are used for the W2 wattmeter.) 73, Alan N1AL On 4/7/23 12:12, Dave New, N8SBE wrote: So, I was the guy that had a P3 display/boot problem recently. I sent it to the mother ship for repair, and they found that (get this) the 12V supply was shorted to the 3.3V supply (eep!). So, a new(er) I/O board (which contains the supplies) and a replacement blown 3.3V LCD controller later, I have an (almost) fully functional P3 again. EXCEPT, the TX Monitor function is now funky. It claims that my K3s is putting out 873 (or so) watts! I've tried both sensors (I had a 200W HF sensor on the shelf since I added a KPA500 and changed to a 2KW HF sensor), and although the scale max changes on the P3 display when I change sensors, it still way overstates my output power. The KPA500 is showing 1360 watts on the P3! I unplugged/re-plugged everything, did a visual inspection of the TX Monitor adapter board under a lighted magnifying glass, looking for missing/broken SMD resistors or caps, but so far no soap. I'm wondering if the new revision I/O board is somehow incompatible with the older TX Monitor board, or maybe there is a missing 1M-ohm resistor to ground on the I/O board at the sensor connector, or an incorrect series resistor value there. And yes, I sent a note to support, but I haven't heard back, yet. Wondering if anyone (Alan?) has any ideas where this behavior is coming from. The wattmeter in both my K3s and KPA500 are working normally. It's just the P3 wattmeter that's gone off the deep end, now. Thanks, and 73, -- Dave, N8SBE __ __ 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] FS: P3 and filters for sale by W3DVX
"W3DVX Rescues Legacy Elecrafts" Hello, Selling P3-952 that was with my now-sold K3-6755 ... now free shipping and lowered price. Fully checked out and all calibrated as I do with all Elecrafts. Also, have a number of K3 filters for sale. What do you need? List is on my sales page. Scroll down a bit on the sales page for Nikon D5100 camera kit and also David Clark aviation headset. See details and photos on my site at https://wilcoxengineering.com/sales Any questions, feel free to call or text 1300-2000 Eastern. Cheers, Alan Alan D. Wilcox, W3DVX (K2-5373, K3S-10457, SKCC 22955) 570-916-9590 (cell, text) https://WilcoxEngineering.com http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/6768 ... Elecraft Client Comments http://amazon.com/author/alandwilcox Williamsport, PA 17701 __ 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: Hiram Maxim in the news
Hiram Maxim, inventor of the Maxim machine gun, was the father of Hiram Percy Maxim, a founder of ARRL: https://news.yahoo.com/ukraines-troops-fight-off-massive-214437031.html Alan N1AL __ 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] FS: P3 and filters for sale by W3DVX
"W3DVX Rescues Legacy Elecrafts" Hello, Selling P3-952 that was with my now-sold K3-6755. Fully checked out and all calibrated as I do with all Elecrafts. Also, have a number of K3 filters for sale. What do you need? See details and photos on my site at https://wilcoxengineering.com/sales Any questions, feel free to call or text 1300-2000 Eastern. Cheers, Alan Alan D. Wilcox, W3DVX (K2-5373, K3S-10457, SKCC 22955) 570-916-9590 (cell, text) https://WilcoxEngineering.com http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/6768 ... Elecraft Client Comments http://amazon.com/author/alandwilcox Williamsport, PA 17701 __ 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] Vertical antennas Was: KX3 and KPA1500 compatibility
On 3/6/23 15:08, Jim Brown wrote: Most (but not all) verticals need radials to transmit a decent signal. A vertical that needs radials is a lousy TX antenna without them. Right. I use a 6BTV, which is a 6-band trap vertical about 24 ft tall. With a barefoot K4 at 100W I get out quite well. Obviously I can't compete with the "big guns" running kilowatt amplifiers and beams at 120 feet, but I do work lots of DX. I can crack most pileups with enough patience. The trick is that the antenna has 40 radials, each one 32 ft long buried an inch or two in the sand at my desert location. The old joke that a vertical is an antenna that radiates equally poorly in all directions is only true if you have a poor radial system. Alan N1AL __ 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] FS: K3 and P3 for sale by W3DVX
"W3DVX Rescues Legacy Elecrafts" Hello, Selling K3-6755 and P3-952 that became my personal K3/P3 pair recently. Fully checked out and all calibrated as I do with all Elecrafts. See details and photos on my site at https://wilcoxengineering.com/sales Any questions, feel free to call or text 1300-2000 Eastern. Cheers, Alan Alan D. Wilcox, W3DVX (K2-5373, K3-6755, K3S-10457, SKCC 22955) 570-916-9590 (cell, text) https://WilcoxEngineering.com http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/6768 ... Elecraft Client Comments http://amazon.com/author/alandwilcox Williamsport, PA 17701 __ 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] [P3] P3 woes - internal display inop
By the way, I no longer have a K3 or P3 (lost in a house fire) so this is from memory... > Since the internal display seems to show OK, no matter how briefly, > I'm thinking this is not an internal display connection issue. Agreed. > This seems to be a power on reset issue of some sort. Can you send/receive RS-232 commands to the P3? If so, then the power must be on. If you haven't already, I would try moving the power-on jumper (on the rear-panel I/O board at the back of the P3) to the "always on" position (jumper pins 1 and 2). > I take it that the 3.3V supply is 'on' as long as 12V external is supplied to the P3? No, it's only on when the P3 is on. What happens is that when the P3 CPU wakes up, one of the first things it does is to enable the PWON signal to the I/O board which holds the power on. If that is not working for some reason, then moving the power-on jumper to "always on" should force the P3 to stay on. Alan N1AL On 2/26/23 12:22, Dave New, N8SBE wrote: Alan, Before I got the chance to look into your idea of possibly bad display connection, I DID reload a saved configuration into the P3 using the P3 Utility, and it restored the high-res setting on the external display. After power cycling (the generator quit unexpectedly due to a low oil sensor), now I can't get the external display on at all, but interestingly, the internal display comes up briefly with the P3 Boot Loader and Checksum Test messages, and if it's been a while since I've tried to power up, I get a brief spectrum display with the message, Waiting for SVGA, then it goes blank, apparently with an internal power fail, since every time I push the Power button, I get the same sequence. Since the internal display seems to show OK, no matter how briefly, I'm thinking this is not an internal display connection issue. This seems to be a power on reset issue of some sort. I note from the schematic that that Power button feeds SW_ON which is tied to INT4/A15 on the PIC33F chip. I'm assuming the PIC has that pin programmed for INT4, so pushing the Power button is 'waking up' the PIC33F with INT4, and it goes partially through the start up, and then fails apparently failing to latch 'on' from the momentary push button press. I take it that the 3.3V supply is 'on' as long as 12V external is supplied to the P3? Thanks, -- Dave, N8SBE On 2023-02-24 13:23, Alan Bloom wrote: Hi Dave, Another possibility is that perhaps one of the display connectors has come loose or is making a bad connection. I normally wouldn't recommend this since these tiny connectors are kind of tricky, but since the P3 isn't working anyway, there's nothing to lose. There are two surface-mount connectors located underneath the display on the front-panel board: a 4-pin connector for the display backlight and a 40-pin connector for the rest of the display electronics. To access them, remove the front-panel board from the P3 and then remove the LCD display by gently prying it free from the rubber holder. Be careful so as not to put stress on the flex circuits going to the two connectors. Examine each of the connectors to see if it looks like the flex circuits are properly seated in them. To re-seat one, open the connector by using a fingernail to pop open the top. After re-positioning the flex circuit, press the connector top down again until it clicks. As I say, this is a rather delicate operation (which is why the front panel came pre-assembled in P3 kits). So you might want to consider sending the P3 in for service and let the experienced Elecraft techs handle it. Alan N1AL On 2/24/23 10:51, Dave New, N8SBE wrote: Mike, Thanks for the idea! I hadn't considered that mitigation. Anyone else have ideas for a permanent corrective action? 73, -- Dave, N8SBE On 2023-02-24 09:13, Mike Flowers wrote: Hi Dave, If you have a way of sending P3 control commands to the P3, there may be a chance that you could the resolution of the external display set to a useable value. I've attached my copy of the P3 Programmer's Reference. - 73 and good DX de Mike, K6MKF, NCDXC Life Member __ 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 a...@elecraft.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
Re: [Elecraft] [P3] P3 woes - internal display inop
Hi Dave, Another possibility is that perhaps one of the display connectors has come loose or is making a bad connection. I normally wouldn't recommend this since these tiny connectors are kind of tricky, but since the P3 isn't working anyway, there's nothing to lose. There are two surface-mount connectors located underneath the display on the front-panel board: a 4-pin connector for the display backlight and a 40-pin connector for the rest of the display electronics. To access them, remove the front-panel board from the P3 and then remove the LCD display by gently prying it free from the rubber holder. Be careful so as not to put stress on the flex circuits going to the two connectors. Examine each of the connectors to see if it looks like the flex circuits are properly seated in them. To re-seat one, open the connector by using a fingernail to pop open the top. After re-positioning the flex circuit, press the connector top down again until it clicks. As I say, this is a rather delicate operation (which is why the front panel came pre-assembled in P3 kits). So you might want to consider sending the P3 in for service and let the experienced Elecraft techs handle it. Alan N1AL On 2/24/23 10:51, Dave New, N8SBE wrote: Mike, Thanks for the idea! I hadn't considered that mitigation. Anyone else have ideas for a permanent corrective action? 73, -- Dave, N8SBE On 2023-02-24 09:13, Mike Flowers wrote: Hi Dave, If you have a way of sending P3 control commands to the P3, there may be a chance that you could the resolution of the external display set to a useable value. I've attached my copy of the P3 Programmer's Reference. - 73 and good DX de Mike, K6MKF, NCDXC Life Member __ 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 a...@elecraft.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] Checking out Elecraft on ChatGPT
On 2/17/23 14:14, kevin via Elecraft wrote: If you want to copy and paste from the web it helps to add another step to the process. Paste the selected text into a text processor such as WordPad on a Microsoft system or gedit on a Linux system. Then copy the text again. This will eliminate any formatting, fonts, or colors which don't fit your email application. Paste that second copy into your email application and it should look much better. OK, maybe third time's the charm: Compare an Elecraft K3 with an Elecraft K4. The Elecraft K3 and Elecraft K4 are both high-end Amateur Radio transceivers designed for performing radio operations in both the HF and VHF/UHF bands. The K3 is the predecessor to the K4, but both models offer top-of-the-line performance for their respective classes. The K3 is an HF/VHF transceiver that offers up to 100 watts of power output. It features a dual-channel receiver, an optional roofing filter, and a built-in antenna tuner. It is a modular design, allowing users to customize their set up with additional modules, such as a digital voice recorder, remote control, and CW decoder. The K4 is an HF/VHF/UHF transceiver that offers up to 200 watts of power output. It features a dual-channel receiver, roofing filters, and an integrated antenna tuner. It also includes a built-in digital voice recorder and a CW decoder. It also supports an optional remote control. In terms of performance, the K4 is the superior of the two models, as it provides more power output, a broader range of frequencies, and additional features. However, the K3 is still a capable transceiver, and depending on the user’s needs, it may be the better option. __ 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] Checking out Elecraft on ChatGPT
On 2/17/23 12:48, Dave New, N8SBE wrote: Alan, For starters where are all the spaces? :-) Makes it hard to read, that's for sure. That's weird. The spaces were there in the sent message - they somehow disappeared in the reflected copy.; Let's try again: CompareanElecraftK3withanElecraftK4. TheElecraftK3andElecraftK4arebothhigh-endAmateurRadiotransceiversdesignedforperformingradiooperationsinboththeHFandVHF/UHFbands.TheK3isthepredecessortotheK4,butbothmodelsoffertop-of-the-lineperformancefortheirrespectiveclasses. TheK3isanHF/VHFtransceiverthatoffersupto100wattsofpoweroutput.Itfeaturesadual-channelreceiver,anoptionalroofingfilter,andabuilt-inantennatuner.Itisamodulardesign,allowinguserstocustomizetheirsetupwithadditionalmodules,suchasadigitalvoicerecorder,remotecontrol,andCWdecoder. TheK4isanHF/VHF/UHFtransceiverthatoffersupto200wattsofpoweroutput.Itfeaturesadual-channelreceiver,roofingfilters,andanintegratedantennatuner.Italsoincludesabuilt-indigitalvoicerecorderandaCWdecoder.Italsosupportsanoptionalremotecontrol. Intermsofperformance,theK4isthesuperiorofthetwomodels,asitprovidesmorepoweroutput,abroaderrangeoffrequencies,andadditionalfeatures.However,theK3isstillacapabletransceiver,anddependingontheuser’sneeds,itmaybethebetteroption. __ 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] Checking out Elecraft on ChatGPT
The latest fad in AI (Artificial Intelligence) is ChatGPT, now supported on Google and other platforms. I think of it as a "super Google" where you can ask questions and get detailed answers. Just for grins I entered the following request with the following answer. The response "sounds" very authoritative, but see if you can spot all the errors. :=) Alan N1AL CompareanElecraftK3withanElecraftK4. TheElecraftK3andElecraftK4arebothhigh-endAmateurRadiotransceiversdesignedforperformingradiooperationsinboththeHFandVHF/UHFbands.TheK3isthepredecessortotheK4,butbothmodelsoffertop-of-the-lineperformancefortheirrespectiveclasses. TheK3isanHF/VHFtransceiverthatoffersupto100wattsofpoweroutput.Itfeaturesadual-channelreceiver,anoptionalroofingfilter,andabuilt-inantennatuner.Itisamodulardesign,allowinguserstocustomizetheirsetupwithadditionalmodules,suchasadigitalvoicerecorder,remotecontrol,andCWdecoder. TheK4isanHF/VHF/UHFtransceiverthatoffersupto200wattsofpoweroutput.Itfeaturesadual-channelreceiver,roofingfilters,andanintegratedantennatuner.Italsoincludesabuilt-indigitalvoicerecorderandaCWdecoder.Italsosupportsanoptionalremotecontrol. Intermsofperformance,theK4isthesuperiorofthetwomodels,asitprovidesmorepoweroutput,abroaderrangeoffrequencies,andadditionalfeatures.However,theK3isstillacapabletransceiver,anddependingontheuser’sneeds,itmaybethebetteroption. __ 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] FS: K3 for sale by W3DVX
"W3DVX Rescues Legacy Elecrafts" Hello, Selling K3-40 that has been my personal K3 from the very first they were on the market. See details and photos on my site at https://wilcoxengineering.com/sales I also put a link to the photos I took while building it. Any questions, feel free to call or text 1300-2000 Eastern. Cheers, Alan Alan D. Wilcox, W3DVX (K2-5373, K3-40, K4D-384, SKCC 22955) 570-916-9590 (cell, text) https://WilcoxEngineering.com http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/6768 ... Elecraft Client Comments http://amazon.com/author/alandwilcox Williamsport, PA 17701 __ 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] [Elecraft-KX] Peter Martinez And The CW-To-PSK31 Feature
Some would argue there's no activity in ham radio, or perhaps life itself, more rewarding than making RTTY contest QSOs using a 1 pound radio with a whip and an attached keyer paddle You mean I no longer need my 75-pound Model 15 Teletype machine to send/receive RTTY? :=) Alan N1AL On 2/5/2023 6:30 PM, Wayne Burdick wrote: Hi Tony, I, too, am an avid user of the CW-to-PSK31 feature, which is available on the K3 and K4 as well as the KX line. I've even used it during Field Day, which is a hoot, especially with a tiny KX2 and its paddle being all the gear you need (no computer or keyboard required). All of these rigs also do CW-to-RTTY with the keyer paddle. Some would argue there's no activity in ham radio, or perhaps life itself, more rewarding than making RTTY contest QSOs using a 1 pound radio with a whip and an attached keyer paddle while operating pedestrian mobile :) Of course I may be biased, being the nut-case who dreamed this up and wrote the MCU firmware. But I'd also like to give credit where it's due: the DSP code for this was written by Lyle Johnson, KK7P. One tip for those using PSK31 as a casual operating mode: you may need to use RIT or XIT to fine-tune the offset and obtain the best copy. 73, Wayne N6KR On Feb 4, 2023, at 9:57 PM, Tony<73gu...@gmail.com> wrote: All: I spoke with Peter Martinez about a video I posted that shows how the Elecraft CW-to-Data mode works with PSK31. Peter developed the mode some 25 years ago so I thought it would be interesting to ask if he ever imagined it being used in such a unique way. To my surprise, he wasn't aware it existed! He mentioned that it could be difficult for some to send fast enough to keep up at PSK31 speeds, but I assured him that slower speeds are adequate to make contacts and that I've used it many times when operating QRP portable. I'm not sure how often it's used among the group, but I find it useful to switch from CW to PSK31 after the contacts dry up and I always get a kick out of the reaction I get when I mention how I'm sending PSK31. I suspect there's a slight advantage in weak-signal performance over CW as well which doesn't hurt when running QRP. Here's the video link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9uoSbYhe00 Tony -K2MO _._,_._,_ Groups.io Links: You receive all messages sent to this group. View/Reply Online (#74726) | Reply To Group | Reply To Sender | Mute This Topic | New Topic Your Subscription | Contact Group Owner | Unsubscribe [n...@elecraft.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 toa...@elecraft.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] [Elecraft-KX] Peter Martinez And The CW-To-PSK31 Feature
Some would argue there's no activity in ham radio, or perhaps life itself, more rewarding than making RTTY contest QSOs using a 1 pound radio with a whip and an attached keyer paddle You mean I no longer need my 75-pound Model 15 Teletype machine to send/receive RTTY? :=) Alan N1AL On 2/5/2023 6:30 PM, Wayne Burdick wrote: Hi Tony, I, too, am an avid user of the CW-to-PSK31 feature, which is available on the K3 and K4 as well as the KX line. I've even used it during Field Day, which is a hoot, especially with a tiny KX2 and its paddle being all the gear you need (no computer or keyboard required). All of these rigs also do CW-to-RTTY with the keyer paddle. Some would argue there's no activity in ham radio, or perhaps life itself, more rewarding than making RTTY contest QSOs using a 1 pound radio with a whip and an attached keyer paddle while operating pedestrian mobile :) Of course I may be biased, being the nut-case who dreamed this up and wrote the MCU firmware. But I'd also like to give credit where it's due: the DSP code for this was written by Lyle Johnson, KK7P. One tip for those using PSK31 as a casual operating mode: you may need to use RIT or XIT to fine-tune the offset and obtain the best copy. 73, Wayne N6KR On Feb 4, 2023, at 9:57 PM, Tony <73gu...@gmail.com> wrote: All: I spoke with Peter Martinez about a video I posted that shows how the Elecraft CW-to-Data mode works with PSK31. Peter developed the mode some 25 years ago so I thought it would be interesting to ask if he ever imagined it being used in such a unique way. To my surprise, he wasn't aware it existed! He mentioned that it could be difficult for some to send fast enough to keep up at PSK31 speeds, but I assured him that slower speeds are adequate to make contacts and that I've used it many times when operating QRP portable. I'm not sure how often it's used among the group, but I find it useful to switch from CW to PSK31 after the contacts dry up and I always get a kick out of the reaction I get when I mention how I'm sending PSK31. I suspect there's a slight advantage in weak-signal performance over CW as well which doesn't hurt when running QRP. Here's the video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9uoSbYhe00 Tony -K2MO _._,_._,_ Groups.io Links: You receive all messages sent to this group. View/Reply Online (#74726) | Reply To Group | Reply To Sender | Mute This Topic | New Topic Your Subscription | Contact Group Owner | Unsubscribe [n...@elecraft.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 a...@elecraft.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] [K4][K3][K2] FS: HP Pavilion 15.6″ Laptop for hams
"W3DVX Rescues Legacy Elecrafts" Hello, For Sale: HP Pavilion 15.6″ Laptop. 15-cs3065st, Core i5, 1TB hard drive + 16GB Intel Optane memory, 8GB DDR4 SDRAM, Win10 Home. With all good intentions of making a home for a Windows PC here in my Apple ecosystem, I just can’t use a non-MacOS machine effectively. I tried for a couple years. Time to move this nice laptop along to someone who likes the Windows environment. There are a number of ham programs that I loaded, and I’ll leave them installed for you if you want. Photos and more: https://wilcoxengineering.com/sales Cheers, Alan Alan D. Wilcox, W3DVX (K2-5373, K3-40, K4D-384, SKCC 22955) 570-916-9590 (cell, text) https://WilcoxEngineering.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] [K4][K3][K2] FS: David Clark H10-20 Aviation Headset
"W3DVX Rescues Legacy Elecrafts" Hello, For Sale: David Clark H10-20 Aviation Headset It’s the perfect headset for the ham who uses headphones with a mic boom attached. Perfect for use in noisy environments—the cockpit of a 172 is LOUD—and when you put these on, all is quiet. The microphone ignores background sound, and you speak close to the mic. It’s an M-7A electret mic, which does need bias; the K2 needs a 5.6K resistor (probably already there if you use Elecraft MH2, 4 etc.) Tested with my K4 with bias turned on. Photos and more info: Christmas sales at https://wilcoxengineering.com/2020/06/09/selling-extra-equipment/ Happy Holidays, Alan Alan D. Wilcox, W3DVX (K2-5373, K3-40, K4D-384, SKCC 22955) 570-916-9590 (cell, text) https://WilcoxEngineering.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] [K3][K2] Legacy Update, Tuneup, Rescue, K3 Sales
"W3DVX Rescues Legacy Elecrafts" Hello, W3DVX is now buying unwanted or distressed K3 and K3S Elecrafts. After repairing, configuring, and calibrating, they come to you with the W3DVX performance guarantee. See the Christmas sales at https://wilcoxengineering.com/2020/06/09/selling-extra-equipment/ Now doing K3-K3S repairs and updating mods to legacy K3's. See list of updates you might need at https://elecraft.com/pages/mods-notes-alerts (Click on "Retired Products") K3 calibration and configuration is also available. Does your K2 need repair? Tuneup? Want to sell, but it needs some attention before offering it for sale? See what my clients have said about my construction and service work at http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/6768 Cheers, Alan Alan D. Wilcox, W3DVX (K2-5373, K3-40, K4D-384, SKCC 22955) 570-916-9590 (cell, text) https://WilcoxEngineering.com Williamsport, PA 17701 __ 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] [K3][K2] Legacy Update, Tuneup, Rescue, K3 Sales
"W3DVX Rescues Legacy Elecrafts" Hello, W3DVX is now buying unwanted or distressed K3 and K3S Elecrafts. After repairing, configuring, and calibrating, they come to you with the W3DVX performance guarantee. See the latest sales at https://wilcoxengineering.com/2020/06/09/selling-extra-equipment/ Now doing K3-K3S repairs and updating mods to legacy K3's. See list of updates you might need at https://elecraft.com/pages/mods-notes-alerts (Click on "Retired Products") K3 calibration and configuration is also available. Does your K2 need repair? Tuneup? Want to sell, but it needs some attention before offering it for sale? See what my clients have said about my construction and service work at http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/6768 Cheers, Alan Alan D. Wilcox, W3DVX (K2-5373, K3-40, K4D-384, SKCC 22955) 570-916-9590 (cell, text) https://WilcoxEngineering.com Williamsport, PA 17701 __ 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] QRP and contesting
Yea Wayne, thats the terrific Elecraft attitude that keeps your customer base strong and loyal. Its called, “ lets all have fun and learn something” Hooray for the serious high speed ops, a Lot of ex Navy guys, but its pretty easy to spot the slow lane and ease back into the fast lane. Happy Veterans Day youse guys….K6ADG I'm in this group. Casual contest operation, usually QRP, mostly CW, and almost always logging by hand. I greatly appreciate all of the very serious ops out there who approach this with a high level of skill and give everyone -- regardless of ability -- that next QSO. __ 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] FS: K3 for sale by W3DVX ... SOLD!
"W3DVX Rescues Legacy Elecrafts" Thanks for all your interest! K3-1117 was quickly spoken for at the asking price. If you missed out, I might be selling a K3/100 and/or a K3S. Contact me off the board and I'll keep you up-to-date. = Hello, Selling K3-1117 that I recently acquired for temporary use in my shop - and restored to full performance. See details and photos on my site at https://wilcoxengineering.com/2020/06/09/selling-extra-equipment/ Any questions, feel free to call or text 1300-2000 Eastern. Cheers, Alan Alan D. Wilcox, W3DVX (K2-5373, K3-40, K4D-384, SKCC 22955) 570-916-9590 (cell, text) https://WilcoxEngineering.com http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/6768 ... Elecraft Client Comments http://amazon.com/author/alandwilcox Williamsport, PA 17701 __ 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] FS: K3 for sale by W3DVX
"W3DVX Rescues Legacy Elecrafts" Hello, Selling K3-1117 that I recently acquired for temporary use in my shop - and restored to full performance. See details and photos on my site at https://wilcoxengineering.com/2020/06/09/selling-extra-equipment/ Any questions, feel free to call or text 1300-2000 Eastern. Cheers, Alan Alan D. Wilcox, W3DVX (K2-5373, K3-40, K4D-384, SKCC 22955) 570-916-9590 (cell, text) https://WilcoxEngineering.com http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/6768 ... Elecraft Client Comments http://amazon.com/author/alandwilcox Williamsport, PA 17701 __ 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] [K3][K2][K1] Legacy Update, Tuneup, Rescue, Build Services
"W3DVX Rescues Legacy Elecrafts" Hello, Now doing K3 repairs and updating mods to legacy K3's. See list of updates you might want at https://elecraft.com/pages/mods-notes-alerts (Click on "Retired Products") K3 calibration and configuration is also available. Does your K1 or K2 need repair? Tuneup? Want to sell, but it needs some attention before offering it for sale? In addition to tuning your rig, I can also rescue a building project you might have started some time ago. See what my clients have said about my construction and service work at http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/6768 Cheers, Alan Alan D. Wilcox, W3DVX (K2-5373, K3-40, K4D-384, SKCC 22955) 570-916-9590 (cell, text) https://WilcoxEngineering.com Williamsport, PA 17701 __ 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] HW-16
Its long-term utility was limited by the one-year non-renewable Novice license of that era. It actually was a pretty good CW rig. I used it long after I upgraded from Novice. W1AW used one for their Novice station for awhile. It had true full break-in that worked perfectly. The receiver came standard with a 500 Hz crystal filter. With the external HG-10 VFO you had separate stable transmit and receive VFOs so working split was not a problem. Alan N1AL On 7/3/22 14:54, Mike Morrow wrote: I don't know what an HW-16 is. The HW-16 is a vacuum tube, 90-watt (maximum) input, crystal-controlled CW-only Novice-band transmitter and receiver kit with built-in AC power supply. It covered the CW portion of only 80m, 40m, and 15m. It was sold by Heath from 1967 to 1976. Its 1967 kit price was "only" $110, but that's equivalent to almost $1000 in 2022. Adjusted for inflation my full-house KX2 50 years later was less expensive. The HW-16 was popular when I was WN5WGJ in 1968, but at age 16 I could never have afforded one. :-) Its long-term utility was limited by the one-year non-renewable Novice license of that era. Mike / KK5F __ 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] WTB: K4
Mission accomplished ... I just unpacked and installed my new K4D beside the K2 and K3. Many thanks to all for the help and encouragement. Alan Alan D. Wilcox, W3DVX (K2-5373, K3-40, SKCC 22955) 570-916-9590 (cell, text) On 6/20/22 16:36, Alan D. Wilcox wrote: Hello, Considering adding a K4 to my shack, but not keen on the Elecraft expected-delivery time. Write or text me if you have one for me. Thanks, Alan Alan D. Wilcox, W3DVX (K2-5373, K3-40, SKCC 22955) 570-916-9590 (cell, text) https://WilcoxEngineering.com http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/6768 ... Elecraft Client Comments http://amazon.com/author/alandwilcox Williamsport, PA 17701 __ 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 a...@wilcoxengineering.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] I/Q details for the KX3.
But I think that SDRs that digitize at the VFO frequency itself (I believe this is generally called "direct sampling" on RX and "direct digital synthesis" on TX?) can get away with a single channel, since there's no mixer to cause the "you mix A and B and get both A + B and A - B even though you only wanted one of them" problem. Yes, but... You still need to reduce the sample rate to a lower value that the DSP can handle. Either you need to mix down to a low-frequency IF or all the way down to an I/Q signal at a zero Hz center frequency. Either way, the mixer needs to be quadrature to avoid the image. The output of the ADC goes to a quadrature digital downconverter (DDC), which consists of two digital mixers (that multiply the ADC signal times the digital local oscillator), with the local oscillator to each mixer 90 degrees out of phase. In this P3 this is done in an ASIC (application-specific IC) and in the K4 it is done in an FPGA. Alan N1AL On 6/22/22 20:45, Julia Tuttle wrote: Mike, I think you're right that SDRs that digitize at a zero IF (like the KX3) need I and Q channels to distinguish the AF sidebands. That is, if the radio mixes 7030.4 kHz down to a sidetone of 0.4 kHz, it also catches signals at 7029.6 kHz. And I think that SDRs that digitize at a non-zero and 'properly intermediate' IF (that is, neither 0 nor the VFO frequency) also need I and Q channels to distinguish the IF 'sidebands'. That is, if the radio mixes 7030 kHz down to an IF of 455 kHz, it also catches signals at 6120 kHz. But I think that SDRs that digitize at the VFO frequency itself (I believe this is generally called "direct sampling" on RX and "direct digital synthesis" on TX?) can get away with a single channel, since there's no mixer to cause the "you mix A and B and get both A + B and A - B even though you only wanted one of them" problem. Does this match your understanding? Thanks, Julie On Wed, Jun 22, 2022 at 2:04 PM Mike Markowski wrote: Jerome, This answer is for generic SDRs, since I don't have a KX3. An SDR always must use both I and Q, even for CW. I and Q are two streams of samples of the same signal. One of many advantages to i/q sampling is the ADC's can run slower (cheaper). In the extreme and ignoring the intrusion of real life components on sampling, a 10 kHz wide signal could be sampled with I and Q ADCs running at 10 kHz. Nyquist is satisfied because you have 2 streams, or 20 kHz sampling in this example. Aliasing prevents you from using just I in that case. The fact that Q is 90 deg from I, means we can plot them on axes 90 deg apart. That allows re-appropriating the entire field of complex mathematics to work with the samples. I and Q are both physical - trying to avoid the word 'real'! - streams of samples, but I can be called real and Q can be called imaginary. Using Euler's Formula, they can be bundled into a concise exp(j phi) formulation to work with. I/Q imbalance is always a concern. Maybe others can quantify it better than me saying smaller is better. :-) 73 es GL! Mike ab3ap On 6/21/22 11:08 PM, JEROME SODUS wrote: Hello, Although I have asked some of these questions on another forum, here I have expanded on them a bit. When the KX3 transmits a CW-signal, are both I and Q used? If so, why would that be necessary? (My guess is only the I is needed.) Same questions too for a SSB-signal. But, for any digital transmission like RTTY, FT8, or Olivia, wouldn't both I and Q would be active? The LO is used for the "In Phase" and is delayed by 90 degrees for the "Quadrature"; how is that delay done? How much can the delay deviate from 90 degrees and still be useful? My reason for asking is that I'm to give a talk to the Radio Club in August about how a KX3 works and want to mention these details. TIA for any replies. 73 jerry km3kKX3#6088 __ 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 mike.ab...@gmail.com __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to ju...@juliatuttle.net __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.n
Re: [Elecraft] WTB: K4
Actually, being strong on computers, I did indeed consider the Flex 6600M (I like knobs to twist!). On the surface, it appears to have outstanding support, update ease, and an active user community. However, it's not an Elecraft. Standby. Watch for my posting of the arrival of my new "miracle" K4, Bill! :) Alan Alan D. Wilcox, W3DVX (K2-5373, K3-40, SKCC 22955) 570-916-9590 (cell, text) https://WilcoxEngineering.com http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/6768 ... Elecraft Client Comments On 6/20/22 17:54, Dr. William J. Schmidt wrote: With more K3 radios broken on the bench than working at my contest station (J68HZ) and NO spare modules to work with, I had to make a decision on replacement radios if we are to participate in contests in the next few months. Knowing that the chances of receiving 3-5 K4 radios by October were exactly zero, I had to find something else. Therefore, I ordered several Flex 6600 radios. Shipped in less than 6 weeks. Big learning curve, but not much of an alternative. They also integrate very easily other automation products. I know plenty of others that are contemplating the same thing. If you find a K4 used, it will be a miracle. Dr. William J. Schmidt - K9HZ J68HZ email: b...@wjschmidt.com -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net On Behalf Of Jim Brown Sent: Monday, June 20, 2022 4:31 PM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [POSSIBLE SPAM] Re: [Elecraft] WTB: K4 I seriously doubt that anyone will part with one unless they're in money trouble or giving up ham radio. I've got one on order, but in the last few days, but I've been playing with one that a friend loaned me while he's on vacation. Saturday night, I made about 250 QSOs in a little less than 6 hours in the All Asia CW contest. I love the filtering, diversity works awfully well with my Beverages, and receive audio is significantly better than my K3s. 73, Jim K9YC On 6/20/2022 1:36 PM, Alan D. Wilcox wrote: Considering adding a K4 to my shack, but not keen on the Elecraft expected-delivery time. Write or text me if you have one for me. __ 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] WTB: K4
Hello, Considering adding a K4 to my shack, but not keen on the Elecraft expected-delivery time. Write or text me if you have one for me. Thanks, Alan Alan D. Wilcox, W3DVX (K2-5373, K3-40, SKCC 22955) 570-916-9590 (cell, text) https://WilcoxEngineering.com http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/6768 ... Elecraft Client Comments http://amazon.com/author/alandwilcox Williamsport, PA 17701 __ 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/KPA100/Powerwerx Revisited
On mine, the fan comes on briefly when the power supply is first turned on and then turns off. It comes back on again if it starts to get hot. I just confirmed that by transmitting 100W into a dummy load for 2 minutes. Alan N1AL On 6/13/22 23:31, Walter Underwood wrote: Are the fans on those power supplies running? Both of those power supplies have fans on the back. wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) On Jun 12, 2022, at 12:51 PM, Jim Ruff via Elecraft wrote: Thanks everyone for your quick responses. So far, none of the suggested solutions have worked, so I hooked the KPA100 up to a different power supply, an Alinco DM-330MV, and I had the same whirling noise, only not quite as loud. This leads me to believe that something in the KPA100 is causing some kind of line noise to the power supply. Is there a fix for this? If not, the noise doesn't really bother me, but is this noise affecting my signal when I TX? That is my real concern and I should have made that clearer in my first email. Thanks,Jim W7JHR Sent from Yahoo Mail. Get the app __ 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 wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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 a...@elecraft.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/KPA100/Powerwerx Question
Dein Englisch ist viel besser als mein Deutsch! On 6/10/22 15:44, df...@darc.de wrote: Or this. While vacuuming it’s recommended to block the fan so it cannot rotate. In some cases, when the blades are driven bei the airflow too fast, the fan works as a generator and sends some voltage into the unit - which can be harmless but also can destroy sensitive electronics (if there is any inside the supply). 73 Hans, DF3DD (Please forgive my english, it was 50something years ago when I learned it at school. And forgive if I write naturalnesses instead of real hints.) __ 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] I need a Sherlock Holmes (weird spurs on 40m) [resolution]
Mystery solved! The spurs appear to be coming from a solar installation
on a house about 1/2 mile (3/4 km) from my house.
One interesting point is that the spurs do not go away at sundown, but
continue until fairly late in the evening. Apparently that solar
installation must have some kind of battery to store the energy.
Solar panels are DC devices and do not themselves generate
interference. Rather it is the inverter(s) and other electronics that
are the problem. There are two kinds of solar systems -- the ones with
all the panels in series feeding a single inverter and the kind with a
separate inverter for each panel. The latter is the kind I had on my
house in California before it was destroyed in a fire and I never had a
noise problem. I have heard that the single-inverter systems are more
troublesome from an RFI standpoint. There was an article in April 2016
QST magazine about how to mitigate RFI from solar systems. ("Can Solar
Power and Ham Radio Coexist?" by Tony Brock-Fisher K1KP)
--
The story: I finally go around to walking around the neighborhood with
my KX2. I only have the AX1 antenna for it, which is not resonant on
the 40 meter band, and I was not using a counterpoise so I could barely
hear the signal from in front of my house.
I started walking south down the street but the signal seemed to be
getting weaker. So I turned around and walked north. The signal was
getting slightly stronger the farther I went. I turned right at the end
of the street onto another street and it kept gradually getting a little
stronger. At one point I suspected it might be coming from a Montessori
school, but when I walked down the access street toward it it didn't get
any stronger. Plus with everything in the news these days I didn't
think it would be a good idea for a strange man holding a strange
contraption to be walking around the school grounds. :=)
So I kept walking down the main street and within a couple blocks the
signal started to rapidly increase in strength. It peaked in front of a
certain house, strongest at the right side of the house. Sure enough
there are solar panels on that side of the roof. The signal was peaking
about S4 or S5 on the KX2 S-meter. Again, this is with a non-resonant
antenna with no counterpoise.
As I mentioned, the spurs are about S6 on the ground-mounted trap
vertical at my house and they are almost buried in the noise when the
band opens up at night. So I'm not going to bug the neighbor about it.
But I bet they would have trouble trying to listen to AM radio at their
house.
Alan N1AL
On 6/7/22 17:21, Alan Bloom wrote:
As part of christening my new QTH/antenna/rig here at N1AL, today I
did the test where I recorded all off-the-air spurious signals on all
bands and then threw the main circuit breaker for the house and did
the measurement again, powering the K4 from a battery. This is to
identify any spurs that are coming from my house so I can do further
sleuthing to figure out what is causing them.
One spur (or set of spurs) has me mystified. It is a series of
harmonics, with very stable frequencies, spaced at precisely 24 kHz,
that extend from roughly 6.6 MHz to 7.4 MHz. Each spur consists of a
main carrier and a secondary carrier approximately 150 Hz lower in
frequency and approximately 8 dB lower in amplitude. The spurs are
all the same amplitude, around -90 dBm (S6), dropping off as you
approach 6.6 or 7.4 MHz. I don't see these spurs on any other band.
The spur amplitudes did not change when I turned off AC power, so it
can't be the rig's switching power supply or any other electronic
device in the house. It's nothing internal to the radio because if I
switch to a dummy antenna the spurs go away.
So it's coming in through the antenna. The antenna is a 6-band trap
vertical about 30 feet from the house, with the coax coming
underground to the shack. We're on a large lot, there is a canyon
(i.e. no houses) behind the property, and there is a vacant lot on the
side where the antenna is located so the nearest houses in the
neighborhood are about 150 feet away from the antenna.
The electric utility power lines switch from overhead to underground
at our property line, about 150 feet away from the antenna. Internet
is via cable, which is underground also. Both power and Internet
enter at the far end of the main house, which is over 100 feet from
the shack, located in a granny unit.
I believe the exact fundamental frequency is 7007.03 kHz / 292 =
23.9967 kHz, in case that's a clue.
Anyone have any ideas of what could be causing this?
Alan N1AL
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Re: [Elecraft] I need a Sherlock Holmes (weird spurs on 40m)
That's the strange thing about this. It doesn't have a grinding sound or anything other than a clean carrier. Actually two carriers, the weaker one about 150 Hz lower than the main one. That pretty much rules out any kind of switching power supply, for example. Maybe tomorrow I'll take my KX2 pedestrian mobile and walk around the neighborhood to see if the signal level changes. Alan N1AL On 6/7/22 19:36, jerry wrote: On 40M I see noise every 15 kHz. It's constant. Sometimes stronger, sometimes weaker, but it's always there. The pattern is obvious on the waterfall display. When I tune in one of the peaks, it sounds like a rhythmic grinding. - Jerry KF6VB On 2022-06-07 16:59, Alan Bloom wrote: The weird thing about these spurs is how clean and stable they are. Switching power supply noise is generally not frequency-stable and it is not a clean CW carrier. This one is actually TWO clean carriers, separated by about 150 Hz. Alan N1AL On 6/7/22 17:43, Fred Jensen wrote: I did the "Main Breaker 2-Step" and nothing went away. My noise on 80 and 40 on the K3/P3 is highly varied ... 1. Narrow discrete carriers [that appear linked, 25-35 kHz apart] come and go, sometimes within seconds 2. Broad [5-10 kHz] bands of noise, often without any harmonic brethren [that I can find] that come in pulses that look like wide-band AMTOR 3. "Rope-like" noise on the WF, with and without harmonic brethren that often changes in character but mainly a primary signal oscillating back and forth in frequency over maybe 5 kHz. Underground utilities, but we do have a 345 kV transmission line about two miles away that runs from a large power plant 5 or 6 miles east to somewhere up in OR near the Columbia. Sources are a mystery, but I've suspected harmonics of transmission line carrier-current signaling ... they really look like sometimes it's just idling, and then a burst of information. 73, Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW Sparks NV DM09dn Washoe County Alan Bloom wrote on 6/7/2022 4:21 PM: As part of christening my new QTH/antenna/rig here at N1AL, today I did the test where I recorded all off-the-air spurious signals on all bands and then threw the main circuit breaker for the house and did the measurement again, powering the K4 from a battery. This is to identify any spurs that are coming from my house so I can do further sleuthing to figure out what is causing them. One spur (or set of spurs) has me mystified. It is a series of harmonics, with very stable frequencies, spaced at precisely 24 kHz, that extend from roughly 6.6 MHz to 7.4 MHz. Each spur consists of a main carrier and a secondary carrier approximately 150 Hz lower in frequency and approximately 8 dB lower in amplitude. The spurs are all the same amplitude, around -90 dBm (S6), dropping off as you approach 6.6 or 7.4 MHz. I don't see these spurs on any other band. The spur amplitudes did not change when I turned off AC power, so it can't be the rig's switching power supply or any other electronic device in the house. It's nothing internal to the radio because if I switch to a dummy antenna the spurs go away. So it's coming in through the antenna. The antenna is a 6-band trap vertical about 30 feet from the house, with the coax coming underground to the shack. We're on a large lot, there is a canyon (i.e. no houses) behind the property, and there is a vacant lot on the side where the antenna is located so the nearest houses in the neighborhood are about 150 feet away from the antenna. The electric utility power lines switch from overhead to underground at our property line, about 150 feet away from the antenna. Internet is via cable, which is underground also. Both power and Internet enter at the far end of the main house, which is over 100 feet from the shack, located in a granny unit. I believe the exact fundamental frequency is 7007.03 kHz / 292 = 23.9967 kHz, in case that's a clue. Anyone have any ideas of what could be causing this? Alan N1AL __ 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 je...@tr2.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] I need a Sherlock Holmes (weird spurs on 40m)
Hi John, In this case the Internet is not via DSL, it's via cable. The coax comes out of the ground and then to the modem/router and from there via a 150-foot Ethernet LAN cable to the granny unit, where there is an additional router with its own Wi-Fi. Anyway, that entire system was turned off when I threw the main breaker to the house. I assume it could be caused by Internet from some neighbor, but as I said, the nearest neighbor's house is about 150 feet away and all services are underground. It's a puzzlement... Alan N1AL On 6/7/22 19:23, John Oppenheimer wrote: Hi Alan, I've had issues with the service from street to modem. As I understand, there's a VDSL band which overlaps 7MHz band. In my case, it was reversed, any transmission on 7MHz would disable TV and Internet service. John KN5L On 6/7/22 7:54 PM, Alan Bloom wrote: The ISP is TDS. They offer up to 1 Gbps internet (I only pay for 200 Mbps) via cable. Just as a sanity check, I just walked down to the main house and unplugged the 150-foot LAN cable from the modem/router that feeds the router in the granny unit here where the shack is. As expected, the spurs are still there. There is no wired connection from the K4 or the desktop computer to the LAN (Wi-Fi only). Alan N1AL On 6/7/22 18:29, John Oppenheimer wrote: Hi Alan, What is your TV/Internet provider? John KN5L On 6/7/22 6:59 PM, Alan Bloom wrote: The weird thing about these spurs is how clean and stable they are. __ 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 a...@elecraft.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] I need a Sherlock Holmes (weird spurs on 40m)
The ISP is TDS. They offer up to 1 Gbps internet (I only pay for 200 Mbps) via cable. Just as a sanity check, I just walked down to the main house and unplugged the 150-foot LAN cable from the modem/router that feeds the router in the granny unit here where the shack is. As expected, the spurs are still there. There is no wired connection from the K4 or the desktop computer to the LAN (Wi-Fi only). Alan N1AL On 6/7/22 18:29, John Oppenheimer wrote: Hi Alan, What is your TV/Internet provider? John KN5L On 6/7/22 6:59 PM, Alan Bloom wrote: The weird thing about these spurs is how clean and stable they are. __ 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 a...@elecraft.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] I need a Sherlock Holmes (weird spurs on 40m)
The weird thing about these spurs is how clean and stable they are. Switching power supply noise is generally not frequency-stable and it is not a clean CW carrier. This one is actually TWO clean carriers, separated by about 150 Hz. Alan N1AL On 6/7/22 17:43, Fred Jensen wrote: I did the "Main Breaker 2-Step" and nothing went away. My noise on 80 and 40 on the K3/P3 is highly varied ... 1. Narrow discrete carriers [that appear linked, 25-35 kHz apart] come and go, sometimes within seconds 2. Broad [5-10 kHz] bands of noise, often without any harmonic brethren [that I can find] that come in pulses that look like wide-band AMTOR 3. "Rope-like" noise on the WF, with and without harmonic brethren that often changes in character but mainly a primary signal oscillating back and forth in frequency over maybe 5 kHz. Underground utilities, but we do have a 345 kV transmission line about two miles away that runs from a large power plant 5 or 6 miles east to somewhere up in OR near the Columbia. Sources are a mystery, but I've suspected harmonics of transmission line carrier-current signaling ... they really look like sometimes it's just idling, and then a burst of information. 73, Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW Sparks NV DM09dn Washoe County Alan Bloom wrote on 6/7/2022 4:21 PM: As part of christening my new QTH/antenna/rig here at N1AL, today I did the test where I recorded all off-the-air spurious signals on all bands and then threw the main circuit breaker for the house and did the measurement again, powering the K4 from a battery. This is to identify any spurs that are coming from my house so I can do further sleuthing to figure out what is causing them. One spur (or set of spurs) has me mystified. It is a series of harmonics, with very stable frequencies, spaced at precisely 24 kHz, that extend from roughly 6.6 MHz to 7.4 MHz. Each spur consists of a main carrier and a secondary carrier approximately 150 Hz lower in frequency and approximately 8 dB lower in amplitude. The spurs are all the same amplitude, around -90 dBm (S6), dropping off as you approach 6.6 or 7.4 MHz. I don't see these spurs on any other band. The spur amplitudes did not change when I turned off AC power, so it can't be the rig's switching power supply or any other electronic device in the house. It's nothing internal to the radio because if I switch to a dummy antenna the spurs go away. So it's coming in through the antenna. The antenna is a 6-band trap vertical about 30 feet from the house, with the coax coming underground to the shack. We're on a large lot, there is a canyon (i.e. no houses) behind the property, and there is a vacant lot on the side where the antenna is located so the nearest houses in the neighborhood are about 150 feet away from the antenna. The electric utility power lines switch from overhead to underground at our property line, about 150 feet away from the antenna. Internet is via cable, which is underground also. Both power and Internet enter at the far end of the main house, which is over 100 feet from the shack, located in a granny unit. I believe the exact fundamental frequency is 7007.03 kHz / 292 = 23.9967 kHz, in case that's a clue. Anyone have any ideas of what could be causing this? Alan N1AL __ 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] [Elecraft-K4] I need a Sherlock Holmes (weird spurs on 40m)
Yes, the modem router and a second router in the granny unit both run on AC power, so they were off. There is no wired LAN to either the computer or the K4 -- both connect to the Internet via Wi-Fi. Alan N1AL On 6/7/22 17:41, Ron wrote: Sounds like wired LAN noise. Did you shut down your router and any switches as well as any device connected to the LAN? Ron N6IE www.N6IE.com Member: ARRL Redwood Empire DX Assn. Northern California Contest Club Northern California DX Foundation DXCC Honor Roll - 337/345 Society of Broadcast Engineers -Original Message- From: elecraft...@groups.io On Behalf Of Al N1AL Sent: Tuesday, June 7, 2022 4:22 PM To: Elecraft Discussion List ; elecraft...@groups.io Subject: [Elecraft-K4] I need a Sherlock Holmes (weird spurs on 40m) As part of christening my new QTH/antenna/rig here at N1AL, today I did the test where I recorded all off-the-air spurious signals on all bands and then threw the main circuit breaker for the house and did the measurement again, powering the K4 from a battery. This is to identify any spurs that are coming from my house so I can do further sleuthing to figure out what is causing them. One spur (or set of spurs) has me mystified. It is a series of harmonics, with very stable frequencies, spaced at precisely 24 kHz, that extend from roughly 6.6 MHz to 7.4 MHz. Each spur consists of a main carrier and a secondary carrier approximately 150 Hz lower in frequency and approximately 8 dB lower in amplitude. The spurs are all the same amplitude, around -90 dBm (S6), dropping off as you approach 6.6 or 7.4 MHz. I don't see these spurs on any other band. The spur amplitudes did not change when I turned off AC power, so it can't be the rig's switching power supply or any other electronic device in the house. It's nothing internal to the radio because if I switch to a dummy antenna the spurs go away. So it's coming in through the antenna. The antenna is a 6-band trap vertical about 30 feet from the house, with the coax coming underground to the shack. We're on a large lot, there is a canyon (i.e. no houses) behind the property, and there is a vacant lot on the side where the antenna is located so the nearest houses in the neighborhood are about 150 feet away from the antenna. The electric utility power lines switch from overhead to underground at our property line, about 150 feet away from the antenna. Internet is via cable, which is underground also. Both power and Internet enter at the far end of the main house, which is over 100 feet from the shack, located in a granny unit. I believe the exact fundamental frequency is 7007.03 kHz / 292 = 23.9967 kHz, in case that's a clue. Anyone have any ideas of what could be causing this? Alan N1AL __ 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] I need a Sherlock Holmes (weird spurs on 40m)
As part of christening my new QTH/antenna/rig here at N1AL, today I did the test where I recorded all off-the-air spurious signals on all bands and then threw the main circuit breaker for the house and did the measurement again, powering the K4 from a battery. This is to identify any spurs that are coming from my house so I can do further sleuthing to figure out what is causing them. One spur (or set of spurs) has me mystified. It is a series of harmonics, with very stable frequencies, spaced at precisely 24 kHz, that extend from roughly 6.6 MHz to 7.4 MHz. Each spur consists of a main carrier and a secondary carrier approximately 150 Hz lower in frequency and approximately 8 dB lower in amplitude. The spurs are all the same amplitude, around -90 dBm (S6), dropping off as you approach 6.6 or 7.4 MHz. I don't see these spurs on any other band. The spur amplitudes did not change when I turned off AC power, so it can't be the rig's switching power supply or any other electronic device in the house. It's nothing internal to the radio because if I switch to a dummy antenna the spurs go away. So it's coming in through the antenna. The antenna is a 6-band trap vertical about 30 feet from the house, with the coax coming underground to the shack. We're on a large lot, there is a canyon (i.e. no houses) behind the property, and there is a vacant lot on the side where the antenna is located so the nearest houses in the neighborhood are about 150 feet away from the antenna. The electric utility power lines switch from overhead to underground at our property line, about 150 feet away from the antenna. Internet is via cable, which is underground also. Both power and Internet enter at the far end of the main house, which is over 100 feet from the shack, located in a granny unit. I believe the exact fundamental frequency is 7007.03 kHz / 292 = 23.9967 kHz, in case that's a clue. Anyone have any ideas of what could be causing this? Alan N1AL __ 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] OT: 15 meters last night
About 8 pm here in southern Utah I was listening to W1AW code practice on 10 meters. Good strong signal - received on a ground-mounted trap vertical antenna. And I could hear a bunch of 10 meter beacon stations. Alan N1AL On 5/26/22 17:46, Wayne Burdick wrote: Amazing is the only word for it. I haven't heard an opening to EU like that on 15 m at close to midnight PST for...about 11 years. I just happened to be testing new firmware on the K4. Thought I'd wrap it up and get to bed. (Not. Much DX worked on CW.) Anyone else notice? Wayne N6KR __ 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 a...@elecraft.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] K4 Firmware Updating
Yes, a WiFi extender works for me as well. The one I'm using is $39 on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0118SPFCK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Alan N1AL On 4/26/22 07:01, Dave wrote: As someone who doesn’t have a wired Ethernet connection in the shack, I can assure anyone concerned about updating a K4 via wireless, that an ordinary WiFi extender with an RJ45 Ethernet port works fine. I use a Netgear AC1200 (EX6120) with a 5 metre Cat6 fully shielded patch cable. It works fine. The extender is 30 GBP from Amazon UK. 73 Dave G4AON K4D #286 __ 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] Elecraft Service
There is a 52 year old Drake B-line in my shack In those days, radios were easily field-repairable. If one quit working, you replaced a tube or perhaps a burned-up resistor or dried-out electrolytic capacitor. Almost all the parts were standard devices that you could order from a parts distributor. Component-level repair is almost a thing of the past. For one thing, modern radios include microprocessors, application-specific ICs, and other very useful parts that unfortunately can become unobtanium once they become obsolete. Another problem is that surface-mounted parts are harder to work on. For example, if a ball-grid array IC fails, you need highly-specialized equipment to remove it and install a new one. And then there is the problem of programmable devices such as microprocessors and gate arrays. Even if you replace the part, you still have to figure out how to program it somehow. Modern amateur radio transceivers are marvels of technology that run rings around the radios of yore, but the price we pay is they are not as easy to repair. Alan N1AL On 4/21/22 14:40, K9ZTV wrote: No radio is ever "toss and replace" if it is cared for. There is a 52 year old Drake B-line in my shack that has never been back to Miamisburg, and a Hallicrafters T.O. keyer of the same vintage that has never revisited Chicago. There is a 46 year old KWM-2A that has never taken a trip back to Cedar Rapids, and a 23 year old FT-1000D that has never taken a flight to Tokyo. None are software upgradeable, all are obsolete. None have fully obtainable parts, yet all are fully functional and occasionally on the air. Moreover, my own 15 year old $4000 K3 has somehow survived operator miscues of a dozen or more Field Days and I trust it will survive those of the upcoming one as well. In my experience, amateur radio equipment does not self-destruct. They need our help. Which would imply that maybe the fraternity's first obligation to a new ham is to inform him of those things that will harm whatever he is eager to buy. And perhaps its second obligation is to remind him again when he is eager to spend real money. 73, Kent K9ZTV __ 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] K2 Fixed Audio Mod
I have a hamcrafters K42 CW Keyboard/reader that would go very well With my 23 year old K2. I remember a kit-up article for a fixed audio output Circuit for the K2. Can anyone point to that article? If you have a clean little implementation of this item on a mini board, I would be happy To trade a finished but unused “K2 combo feature board” with the rework elim. and And mic.stickons. in an even swap. __ 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] [K3][K2][K1] Legacy Update, Tuneup, Rescue, Build Services
"W3DVX Rescues Legacy Elecrafts" Hello, Now doing K3 updating mods to legacy K3's. See list of updates you might want at https://elecraft.com/pages/mods-notes-alerts (Click on "Retired Products") K3 calibration and configuration is also available. Does your K1 or K2 need repair? Tuneup? Want to sell, but it needs some attention before offering it for sale? In addition to tuning your rig, I can also rescue a building project you might have started some time ago. See what my clients have said about my construction and service work at http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/6768 Photos of the popular "Twins" -- the KPA100 and KAT100 in EC2 enclosure -- are at https://wilcoxengineering.com/kpa100-in-ec2/ https://wilcoxengineering.com/k2-line-out/ describes an easy solution to constant-level AF for PSK31. Cheers, Alan Alan D. Wilcox, W3DVX (K2-5373, K3-40) 570-916-9590 (cell, text) http://amazon.com/author/alandwilcox Williamsport, PA 17701 __ 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] Seeking input on 3rd-party microphones used with our transceivers
I have used the Heil Goldline with a GM-4 element for over 12 years and Always get good great audio reports on my K3. Alan…K6ADG __ 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] FS: Lambda & HP linear power supplies
"W3DVX Rescues Legacy Elecrafts" Hello, Selling two linear supplies that I’ve not used in awhile: Lambda LM CC12 with OVP protector 12V +- 5% but extends beyond, 7.3A With 120V and 12V cables. Connector for K2. With manuals. Minor scratch on one side. Weighs about 15 lbs before packing. $65 + shipping, OBO HP 6111A lab supply 0-20V, 0-1A; metered, current-limit adjust. Perfect for bench experiments. Thumb wheels set voltage, but a bit off; meter shows correct voltage. Weight about 12 lbs before packing. $75 + shipping, OBO. Photos on Dropbox at https://www.dropbox.com/sh/5sswg3ubgevjr61/AABHBrgyMur1N4jKd7PhLIHoa?dl=0 Cheers, Alan Alan D. Wilcox, W3DVX (K2-5373, K3-40, SKCC 22955) 570-916-9590 (cell, text) https://WilcoxEngineering.com http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/6768 ... Elecraft Client Comments http://amazon.com/author/alandwilcox Williamsport, PA 17701 __ 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] [K3][K2][K1] Legacy Update, Tuneup, Rescue, Build Services
"W3DVX Rescues Legacy Elecrafts" Hello, Now doing K3 updating mods to legacy K3's. See list of updates you might want at https://elecraft.com/pages/mods-notes-alerts (Click on "Retired Products") K3 calibration and configuration is also available. Does your K1 or K2 need repair? Tuneup? Want to sell, but it needs some attention before offering it for sale? In addition to tuning your rig, I can also rescue a building project you might have started some time ago. See what my clients have said about my construction and service work at http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/6768 Photos of the popular "Twins" -- the KPA100 and KAT100 in EC2 enclosure -- are at https://wilcoxengineering.com/kpa100-in-ec2/ Cheers, Alan Alan D. Wilcox, W3DVX (K2-5373, K3-40) 570-916-9590 (cell, text) http://amazon.com/author/alandwilcox Williamsport, PA 17701 __ 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] [POSSIBLE SPAM] Re: Cleaning solder flux
There are some components that can be damaged by water and/or cleaning detergent. For example, you may need to re-lubricate the bearings of variable capacitors and other components with moving parts. If water gets inside a power transformer it can be hard to dry it out. A method some use is to power up the transformer with low voltage, perhaps from a variable-voltage (Variac) transformer. Make sure the power transformer has a big enough load to cause some self-heating (perhaps the filaments of the equipment that the transformer is powering) and leave it for a few days to dry out before applying full voltage. Place the equipment in a safe spot (concrete floor) and make sure it is well-fused in case a short does occur. Alan N1AL On 1/2/2022 12:20 PM, Fred Jensen wrote: My S-Line acquired some tropical fungus that lived in the IF cans and would creep out onto the chassis in fuzzy little splotches. I found that a trip to the DIY car wash followed by a hair dryer worked wonders. Never seemed to bother the operation or calibration of the RX and TX either. __ 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] Cleaning solder flux
I believe that water-soluble flux does indeed need to be washed off to prevent corrosion. That's what HP used (probably still uses) on production PC boards. However, RA (rosin activated) or RMA (rosin mildly-activated) fluxes that are used in repair and rework (or homebrew projects) may be left in place. They only need to be removed for cosmetic purposes. In fact, attempting to remove the flux with alcohol or another solvent can actually cause problems if the removal process is not complete. Alan N1AL On 1/2/2022 11:16 AM, Ray wrote: I worked at a large Computer Company in Cupertino, and we used Water Soluble Flux, Then washed the Boards in a Dishwasher, with Water. Open Air Drying to keep water from Wicking into any Parts. Ray WA6VAB Engineering. K3 __ 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] Cleaning Solder Flux, Redux
Kester specifically says that rosin residue removal is for cosmetic considerations. Here's the exact quote: "Rosin flux residues are non-conductive and non-corrosive. Under normal circumstances they do not have to be removed from a printed circuit assembly. Rosin residue removal would be for cosmetic considerations. In an environment where the working temperature of the assembly will exceed 200°F the rosin residues will melt and become conductive, in these situations flux removal is required." https://www.kester.com/knowledge-base/faq#46137-rosin-flux-removal-the-question-that-frequently-comes-up-is-do-rosin-flux-residues-need-to-be-removed Again I recommend that you not attempt to remove the flux residue unless you have the technical means to ensure that all traces of it are completely removed. Alan N1AL On 1/1/2022 2:01 PM, Eric Garner wrote: >The only reason for removing flux is purely cosmetic That isn't accurate. Even modern no-clean fluxes can cause corrosion and current leakage if left in place under certain conditions If leakage is a concern, you can specify a surface resistivity level and the boards can be ultrasonic washed or double DI washed to meet that criteria. Eric KI7LTT On Sat, Jan 1, 2022, 11:16 AM Alan Bloom wrote: Another problem with cleaning flux is ionic contamination. The activator in the flux, which is necessary to get the solder to stick, is acidic. As long as the flux is left alone, the ionic contamination is trapped in the rosin where it can do no harm. But when you dissolve it with alcohol or another solvent is is spread over the surface of the board, unless you do a VERY thorough job of cleaning it off. That can cause electrical leakage between circuit nodes and potentially corrosion. The only reason for removing flux is purely cosmetic. When I was at HP/Agilent the rule in production and service was that any flux remaining on the board due to re-work or repair was just left in place. Alan N1AL On 1/1/2022 3:25 AM, CUTTER DAVID via Elecraft wrote: > Ted > If the residue is clear, don't bother, you might create more damage than you realise (ESD). If the residue is brown, you've been using the wrong solder. If you really feel the desire for aesthetics then you can can brush it with IPA, but beware ESD if there are sensitive components on board. Also beware some components can dissolve in some cleaners, eg old style polystyrene capacitors. > > 73 and HNY > David G3UNA > >> On 31 December 2021 at 20:52 eda...@aya.yale.edu wrote: >> >> >> >> >> Is there a consensus among builders of the traditional kits (K1, K2, etc) >> about the best way to remove solder flux from a completed circuit board? >> Some Internet sites recommend acetone, others say isopropyl alcohol. A few >> tout their own product without saying exactly what it is. I remember >> reading someplace that one or the other of those will clean the flux but >> could also cause damage by being absorbed into components. Yes, I know this >> is all purely cosmetic but if it can be done safely I'd like to try it on >> the next kit. Suggestions? >> >> >> >> Thanks, >> >> >> >> Ted, KN1CBR >> >> >> >> __ >> 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 d.cut...@ntlworld.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 a...@elecraft.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 garn...@gmail.com
Re: [Elecraft] Cleaning Solder Flux, Redux
Another problem with cleaning flux is ionic contamination. The activator in the flux, which is necessary to get the solder to stick, is acidic. As long as the flux is left alone, the ionic contamination is trapped in the rosin where it can do no harm. But when you dissolve it with alcohol or another solvent is is spread over the surface of the board, unless you do a VERY thorough job of cleaning it off. That can cause electrical leakage between circuit nodes and potentially corrosion. The only reason for removing flux is purely cosmetic. When I was at HP/Agilent the rule in production and service was that any flux remaining on the board due to re-work or repair was just left in place. Alan N1AL On 1/1/2022 3:25 AM, CUTTER DAVID via Elecraft wrote: Ted If the residue is clear, don't bother, you might create more damage than you realise (ESD). If the residue is brown, you've been using the wrong solder. If you really feel the desire for aesthetics then you can can brush it with IPA, but beware ESD if there are sensitive components on board. Also beware some components can dissolve in some cleaners, eg old style polystyrene capacitors. 73 and HNY David G3UNA On 31 December 2021 at 20:52 eda...@aya.yale.edu wrote: Is there a consensus among builders of the traditional kits (K1, K2, etc) about the best way to remove solder flux from a completed circuit board? Some Internet sites recommend acetone, others say isopropyl alcohol. A few tout their own product without saying exactly what it is. I remember reading someplace that one or the other of those will clean the flux but could also cause damage by being absorbed into components. Yes, I know this is all purely cosmetic but if it can be done safely I'd like to try it on the next kit. Suggestions? Thanks, Ted, KN1CBR __ 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 d.cut...@ntlworld.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 a...@elecraft.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] “ELECRAFT NVIS field day”
but having a low antenna goes a long way toward limiting the contacts you make to NVIS propagation. I suspect you could accomplish the same result simply by reducing transmitter power. A dipole 1/4 wavelength high has a nearly identical radiation pattern to one close to the ground. It just has less loss. Alan N1AL On 12/18/2021 10:28 AM, John Harper wrote: You might want to consider doing this within the Winter Field Day event. That's a great suggestion. Those are correct who say that an antenna (dipole) doesn't have to be low to the ground to make use of NVIS - but having a low antenna goes a long way toward limiting the contacts you make to NVIS propagation. John AE5X https://ae5x.blogspot.com/2021/12/nvis-my-own-brief-experience.html __ 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 a...@elecraft.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] K3 Noise Reduction
I too was skeptical about finding ANY improvement to s/n ratio under contest conditions. A couple of years ago, I was confronted with some S-7 broadband digital-like RFI while using my K3 in an extremely urban environment. But, using BOTH NB and NR and fiddling with settings eventually allowed me to operate and to make a whole bunch of contest QSO’s in CQWW CW. It is possible - but still unpleasant. 73, Alan K0AV On Wed, Dec 15, 2021 at 8:15 AM David Hachadorian wrote: > For 12 years I've tried to get any enhancement of s/n from the K3 IF/RF > NB and NR. I haven't seen one case where there is any improvement under > contest conditions. When the s/n just starts to improve, the desired > signal is modulated and degraded by nearby signals to the point where > reception is better with NB/NR turned off. As far as I can see, both of > these features are useless on the K3 under contest conditions. > > Dave Hachadorian, K6LL > Yuma, AZ > > > On 12/15/2021 7:36 AM, Pete Smith N4ZR wrote: > > Last weekend during the 10 meter contest I was experiencing very loud > > line-noise-like interference when my antenna was pointing south. I > > tried both my K3's Noise Reduction and Noise Blanker functions, and > > was unable to find any setting that gave useful relief. With the > > noise blanker, in particular, I noticed that when it was on, not only > > was the buzz still very strong, but it seemed as if all CW signals on > > the band were being hum-modulated. As soon as I turned off the noise > > blanker, the CW signals cleaned up. Is there something wrong with my > > radio, or an adjustment issue, or is this interference simply too > > strong? Obviously, I'll be trying to track it down, but it's not > > there all the time, so that could be tough. > > > __ > 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 alan.hig...@gmail.com __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] [K3][K2][K1] Legacy Update, Tuneup, Rescue, Build Services
"W3DVX Rescues Legacy Elecrafts" Hello, Now doing K3 updating mods to legacy K3's. See list of updates you might want at https://elecraft.com/pages/mods-notes-alerts (Click on "Retired Products") K3 calibration and configuration is also available. Does your K1 or K2 need repair? Tuneup? Want to sell, but it needs some attention before offering it for sale? In addition to tuning your rig, I can also rescue a building project you might have started some time ago. See what my clients have said about my construction and service work at http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/6768 Photos of the popular "Twins" -- the KPA100 and KAT100 in EC2 enclosure -- are at https://wilcoxengineering.com/kpa100-in-ec2/ Cheers, Alan Alan D. Wilcox, W3DVX (K2-5373, K3-40) 570-916-9590 (cell, text) http://amazon.com/author/alandwilcox Williamsport, PA 17701 __ 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] HELP! XFINITY SHUT OFF INTERNET DUE TO HAM ANTENNAS
On 10/21/2021 9:43 AM, Drew AF2Z wrote: Dump Comcast at the soonest opportunity. There may be more options than you realize that avoid having to deal with the cable company and have no potential for interference to/from the amateur station. I recently bought a house here (near St. George Utah). There is no cable in my neighborhood so at first it appeared that the only option was DSL (via the telephone line) at 3 Mbps for $50/month. But a quick Internet search found three local companies that offer "Fixed Wireless" Internet service. This is where they beam the Internet to you via microwave from stations on nearby mountains. Costs range from $40 to $200/month for 25 to 300 Mbps. I had a similar setup back at my house in California that had no DSL or cable available in the neighborhood. Once I got the antenna properly located it worked reliably and of course there was no QRM to/from the HF/2 meter ham gear. Alan N1AL __ 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] Parts availability
Recently I tried to order some electronic parts for a project I am working on. In the old days (like, a year ago) I would just get on the Digi-Key web site, order what I want, and it would arrive in the mail in a few days. These days, there are a LOT of parts on the Digi-Key web site that show no availability. I wanted to buy 10 standard, run-of-the-mill LM358 op-amps in an 8-pin DIP package. This is a 25 cent part that has been around for decades. They had none in stock in that quantity, from any manufacturer. I ended up ordering a couple in the old-fashioned TO-5 metal can package for *10 bucks each*. At least they did have some of those in stock. I also wanted to buy a ceramic capacitor assortment. They listed 6 assortments that would have worked for me, but all were out of stock. Manufacturers with "just in time" parts ordering systems are in a world of hurt these days. Fortunately I don't think Elecraft ever went down that path. Alan N1AL __ 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] [K3][K2][K1] Legacy Update, Tuneup, Rescue, Build Services
"W3DVX Rescues Legacy Elecrafts" Hello, Now doing K3 updating mods to legacy K3's. See list of updates you might want at https://elecraft.com/pages/mods-notes-alerts (Click on "Retired Products") K3 calibration and configuration is also available. Does your K1 or K2 need repair? Tuneup? Want to sell, but it needs some attention before offering it for sale? In addition to tuning your rig, I can also rescue a building project you might have started some time ago. See what my clients have said about my construction and service work at http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/6768 Photos of the popular "Twins" -- the KPA100 and KAT100 in EC2 enclosure -- are at https://wilcoxengineering.com/kpa100-in-ec2/ Cheers, Alan Alan D. Wilcox, W3DVX (K2-5373, K3-40) 570-916-9590 (cell, text) http://amazon.com/author/alandwilcox Williamsport, PA 17701 __ 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] K4 operating manual now available as both .pdf and .html
NOTE: The operating manual has a black background I can make the manual (K4 Built-In Operating Manual, rev C9.pdf) look the way I want on the screen (black text on a white background with images rendered in correct colors) in Adobe Reader by selecting: Edit > Preferences > Accessibility and then: select "Replace Document Colors" select "Use High-contrast colors" unselect "Only change the color of black text or line art." unselect "Change the color of line art as well as text." select "High-contrast color combination:" = "Black text on white". However, although it looks correct on the screen, when I print it it still comes out with the black background. I'm just using the free version of Adobe Reader. Perhaps someone with a paid-up version can get it to print correctly (print to a printer or print to another PDF file). Alan N1AL On 8/5/2021 4:08 PM, Wayne Burdick wrote: Rev. C9 of the K4 operating manual can be found here: https://elecraft.com/pages/k4-high-performance-direct-sampling-sdr-manuals In addition to the .html version, we're now providing a .pdf, as requested. NOTE: The operating manual has a black background, consistent with the color scheme used for all text boxes on the K4's LCD. Obviously, printing a hard copy wouldn't be advised, as you would consume the entire ink supply at your local Office Depot. It cannot be easily converted to a white background given all of the text styles used, so this isn't likely to happen in the short term. 73, Wayne N6KR __ 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 Please evaluate LiFePo4 battery/charger choice
A few years ago I picked up a couple of the Hobbyking LiFePO4 packs, and a couple friends of mine did also. Every one puffed after some months despite being properly balance charged, not overdischarged, and not really used very hard. They continued to operate, but they were clearly outgassing. I've had many, many Hobbyking Lithium Ion packs without this problem, only the LiFePO4 seemed to suffer in this way. That was a few years ago, so perhaps it's not the same now. As was noted there's no BMS which means a balancing charger is needed, and extreme care to not overdischarge them. A small per-cell meter would be important to monitor the cell voltages periodically. Many folks report good results from the Dakota and Miady LiFePO4 batteries, as well as the Bioenno of course. Miady overstates their capacity and current ratings, so more reasonable data should be used. I've just graphed a Miady 8AH discharge (Amazon $35), and it puts out a solid 7 amp hours rather than the rated 8. Right now I'm graphing a Bioenno 6AH that's less than 2 years old and it just stopped at under 4.6 amp hours out of it's rated 6 (testing at 10 hour rate). You don't really want to run them fully out anyway, so expect about 80% of the rated amp hours and value accordingly. I also ordered some Bioenno in May for Field Day and am still waiting, so apparently they are having supply problems like many others. The Miady came a bit out of balance, letting them sit on the charger for a day or two will allow the BMS board to balance them which increases useable capacity. Clearly when selling a LifePO4 battery at these low prices they can't spend too much time on them, so the final QC is left to the buyer. It's easy to return Amazon items so charge them and check their voltage and amp-hour capacity, or buy more expensive brands that do more testing for you. The two Miady batteries I've tested seem to have 85% of their rated capacity out of the box, but their cost is about 35-40% of the brand names. Even the brand names don't always reach label capacity. I use Bioenno for the high current loads but for lower current items perhaps the lower cost battery is a good budget choice. Test it during the return period and see if you agree. There are quite a few Miady (and other) reviews on utoob, most who actually use them for awhile have had decent results. 73 de w6akb On Sat, Nov 16, 2013 at 9:57 AM Esquer Dave wrote: > Hello Arno, > > I just picked up 2 of these 13.2v, 4200mAh LiFePo batteries from > HobbyKing. So far, they are working great. I retired my SLA 12v, 5Ah > battery too. Twice the amp-hours at 1/2 the weight. They run at 13.2 volts, > so portable I can run the 12 watts for a bit. > http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=14067 > > They are in the US Warehouse too, no shipping from China. > > This guy turned me onto them: > > http://www.worldwidedx.com/hf-bands-hf-rigs/143215-ultimate-portable-power-elecraft-kx3.html > > At $46.00 each, a good deal in my pocketbook! > > Dave, K6WDE > > More static, more of the time … > > Dave Esquer, K6WDE > dave.esq...@gmail.com > http://www.daveesquer.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 > __ 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] Elecraft Digest, Vol 208, Issue 2
I replaced my encoders in 2014 and then last Saturday I replaced the encoders in a friend's K3 SN 2707 I think. In 2014 I used a solder sucker to desolder. I now have a Hakko FR-300 desoldering tool and used that last Saturday. The five small pins are easy. It's the two large tabs that are a bit difficult. On the bottom two encoders I snipped those tabs and then heated and pulled the cut off piece. On the upper two encoders I desoldered the small pins and then rocked the encoder back and forth alternating heating the tabs. As far as spacing the encoders I 3D printed some 1.4 mm thick x 8 mm OD spacers. That worked well. If I did it again I'd make the spacers 9 or 10 mm OD. In a post in May to Elecraft K3 groups.io Keith, WE6R, Elecraft K3 Tech posted "Our part # E640018, washer spacer E700187 or E700035 to space them above the board evenly." I found a reference to E700035 in a manual. It's a #4 x 3/8" nylon washer. I couldn't find any reference to thickness of the washer. 73, Alan N5NA On 2021-08-05 3:25 PM, elecraft-requ...@mailman.qth.net wrote: Message: 3 Date: Wed, 4 Aug 2021 11:59:03 -0500 From: Nick Kennedy To:elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] K3 small rotary encoder replacement Message-ID: Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" I'm in the process of replacing the four encoders to the left of the main VFO knob and wonder if anyone has any advice or pep talks to offer. The encoders in my summer 2008 vintage K3 degraded to the point where they often count backwards, making adjustment of CW speed or power out difficult. I've purchased four replacements from Elecraft and have been working up my courage and taking deep breaths. Getting to the board is a fairly complicated first phase. I had an Elecraft document on installation of an audio LPF on the DSP board and found it to be very useful in this process. Of course the original assembly manual is also useful. Now I've got the K3 apart to the point of allowing access. The upper two encoders have terminals located beneath an LED mounting board and are almost impossible to access from the top. I may stop after replacing the lower two, assuming I'm successful with them. My usual method involves solder wick plus flux. Sometimes I find ChipQuik to be very helpful in allowing me to remove a part without getting rid of all the solder. In this case though, using ChipQuik would require heating seven joints simultaneously which I haven't been able to do. There's also an issue with mounting the encoder at the correct height so the shaft switch can be operated. So I'll try to match the height of the new shaft end to that of the existing encoders. I found one website which is somewhat helpful discussing this task: https://www.n5na.net/s9y/index.php?/archives/26-Replacing-Elecraft-K3-Push-Button-Encoders.html I'm keeping a lot of notes. Anyone planning to attempt this job is welcome to them. 73 Nick, WA5BDU __ 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] Off topic - musical composition
I fear we're going to get out of control but How many folk singers does it take to change a light bulb? 10 - One to change the light bulb and the other 9 to sing about how good the old one was. and just to take it completely off-topic: How many software engineers does it take to change a light bulb? NONE - It's a hardware problem. 73, Alan. G4GNX -- Original Message -- From: "John Payne" To: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: 26/07/2021 14:18:13 Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Off topic - musical composition How many guitar players does it take to change a light bulb? 12!! One to change the bulb and the other 11 to sit around saying "I can do that". 73 de John W4CWZ __ 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] Off-topic: Musical composition
I build and refurbish Theatre Pipe Organs and produced sampled organs, mainly for home use. Wind pressures can be as high as 25" WG and some of my organs rise more than 6' above the floor. Any advance on 25" or 6'? ROTFL My favourite stop = Bourbon to Organist Coupler. :-D 73, Alan. G4GNX __ 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] Broke my K2 :(
Don is exactly right about this. When I was at HP/Agilent, the company directive was generally not to try to clean the rosin with alcohol. (Rosin-core solder was used only in rework.) The rosin contains an acid to help with the soldering, but the acid is locked up inside the rosin where it does no harm. Once you dissolve the rosin with the alcohol it spreads out and can cause leakage paths between connections. Just leave the rosin there; it does no harm HP did clean production boards after going through the wave solder machine. But that used a water-soluble flux and the cleaning process was thorough enough to completely remove all traces of flux. That's basically not possible using alcohol and cotton swabs on rosin. Alan N1AL On 7/14/2021 5:20 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote: When I have cleaned boards with IPA or other cleaners, I apply the IPA only in a small spot with a q-tip and then blot it with a paper towel to help dry it - do not flood the board. I generally do not recommend cleaning boards, solder flux is non-conductive and will normally not cause a problem. I only clean when the solder flux residue is really nasty as might occur with Kester 44 solder. Use of a solder with a mildly reactive flux (Kester 385) will reduce the need for cleaning the board - there is almost no residue. If you do choose to clean the board, make sure your cleaning work is complete. While solder flux is non-conductive, the flux plus the cleaner may be conductive leading to resistive leakage paths. If you can see any white stuff on the board, you have not done a complete job. 73, Don W3FPR On 7/14/2021 6:41 PM, Peter Eijlander (PA0PJE) wrote: Yes Jerry, isopropyl alcohol does this! I once cleaned a working print of a GPS receiver with isopropyl alcohol and it stopped working. Letting it be and trying it again next day turned out it worked perfectly again. From then on I leave a PCB to rest after cleaning to have the IPA dry out completely... __ 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] Question about antenna matching
The Drake tuners used a Pi-L circuit topology in which the circulating current in the inductor is independent of the load impedance. Assuming almost all the loss is in the inductor, that means that the loss is independent of the load impedance. (Another advantage of that topology is you get good harmonic suppression for all load impedances.) So when I was designing the Drake MN-2700 I just measured the loss into a 50 ohm load and made sure it was less than the 0.5 dB spec with some margin. That won't work when using most topologies (such as the L networks used in the Elecraft tuners) because the loss does change drastically depending on the load impedance. For those, you can use two identical tuners back to back, both adjusted for the same load impedance. The loss for each tuner is approximately half the measured loss. (I think I did do a few tests like that on the MN-2700 just as a sanity check.) I found that the hardest band to get to meet all specs (5:1 SWR, 0.5 dB loss, 1000W average, 2000W PEP) was 160 meters. That's partly because it is hard to get a high-inductance, super high-Q coil small enough to fit in the cabinet and partly because of the large capacitances required. (The MN-2700 has 3-position switches to add fixed capacitance to each tuning capacitor.) To measure the matching capability at different phase angles, I just connected a 50-ohm load to the input and an HP impedance analyzer to the output. By adjusting each tuning capacitor throughout its range and plotting the results on a Smith chart you can see the (complex conjugate of the) matching range. Actually the output impedance of the tuner and the antenna impedance it matches are not exactly conjugates, but are close as long as the tuner insertion loss is low. As suggested by Dave, I chose typical Q values of 100 for the inductor The coils in the MN-2700 have much higher Q than that. To such an extent that it was difficult to get accurate readings on an HP Q-meter. But by tightening the connecting bolts down as hard as possible and making sure there were no absorbing objects (like human hands) in the near field of the inductor I was getting values in the 700-800 range on some bands as I recall. (These were all air-wound solenoidal inductors.) Alan N1AL On 7/13/2021 10:32 AM, Al Lorona wrote: Thanks to Al N1AL, Jack W6FB, and Dave AB7E for great information that helped me a lot. I'm in the circuit simulation business, after all, and I confess that I was just being lazy, so I ran some simulations that confirmed what Dave, in particular, had said. As suggested by Dave, I chose typical Q values of 100 for the inductor and 1000 for the capacitor. Then I simulated as many points as I could on the entire Smith Chart to see 1/ if the tuner could tune each point to 50 ohms, and 2/ what the power loss was in the tuner at each of those points. Then, I discovered that K6JCA had already done this on his excellent blog at: https://k6jca.blogspot.com/2015/03/notes-on-antenna-tuners-l-network-and.html . The guy is totally professional and exhaustive in his discussions. I really admire his work. Anyway, it turns out you can make a graph of power lost in the tuner versus phase angle of the load. As you might suspect, 'easy' loads of 5 or 500 ohms resistive (SWR = 10:1) don't tax a tuner as much as reactive loads do. In fact, they're near (but interestingly, not at) the areas of *minimum* power loss. Whenever an antenna tuner is reviewed in QST, resistive mismatched loads are usually used. I'd like to see tuners tested with reactive loads, but the number of loads required to do this from 160 to 10 meters would be enormous. I see why resistive loads are preferred, because you can re-use the loads on every band. I'm frustrated by imprecise statements like, "This tuner will tune an 8:1 mismatch." What does that mean? There has to be a better way for manufacturers to spec the exact impedance ranges that their tuners will tune. I like the method that I used, which shades a Smith Chart in color based on the two criteria I listed above. One picture would tell you all about a tuner's effectiveness. No real tuner can tune the entire Smith Chart, but the more of the chart that is covered, the better the tuner. And if you can shade the areas of higher tuner loss in red, then that would also tell you an important piece of information. (However, to generate such a plot through measurement you'd probably need a very expensive load-pull setup, which is a totally separate discussion.) For the L-network I simulated, a particularly difficult 10:1 load was near the 7 - j30 ohm point, which is toward the bottom edge of the Smith Chart at a phase angle of 282 degrees (or -77 degrees), and a similar point near the top edge. The lower impedances with capacitive reactance were definitely the most difficult (using power lo
Re: [Elecraft] Question about antenna matching
I can't speak directly about Elecraft tuners, but I did design an antenna tuner when I was at Drake many years ago. We specified the Drake MN-2700 at 5:1 SWR. I made sure it would match that SWR at all phase angles on all specified bands. Typically the low-impedance end tends to be the hardest to match, at least on the low bands. So 50/5 = 10 ohms resistive is harder to match than 50*5 = 250 ohms resistive even though the SWR is 5:1 in both cases. That's because the low impedances need larger tuning capacitors. The Drake tuner would typically match well above 5:1 into a high impedance but only barely meet spec into a low impedance. I suspect the Elecraft tuners are similar. Alan N1AL On 7/11/2021 12:58 PM, Al Lorona wrote: This question is about how manufacturers spec the matching range of their antenna tuners. If an antenna system presents an impedance of 5 + j0 ohms to the antenna tuner, that's an SWR = 10 to 1. But, an antenna impedance of 50 - j143 ohms is also SWR = 10. So is 110 - j200 ohms. When a manufacturer like Elecraft says, "Our antenna tuner can match a 10:1 mismatch," does that mean the tuner can match the first case above, the second case, the third case, or all three? I guess what I'm asking is, are all of the impedances above equally difficult for the same tuner to match? Or is one 'harder' than the others? It would depend on the values of the L and C in the tuner, wouldn't it? Which implies that certain 10:1 mismatches are not tunable? Thanks, Al W6LX/4 __ 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 a...@elecraft.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] [K3][K2][K1] Legacy Update, Tuneup, Rescue, Build Services
"W3DVX Rescues Legacy Elecrafts" Hello, Now doing K3 updating mods to legacy K3's. See list of updates you might want at https://elecraft.com/pages/mods-notes-alerts (Click on "Retired Products") Does your K1 or K2 need repair? Tuneup? Want to sell, but it needs some attention before offering it for sale? In addition to tuning your rig, I can also rescue a building project you might have started some time ago. See what my clients have said about my construction and service work at http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/6768 Photos of the popular "Twins" -- the KPA100 and KAT100 in EC2 enclosure -- are at https://wilcoxengineering.com/kpa100-in-ec2/ Cheers, Alan Alan D. Wilcox, W3DVX (K2-5373, K3-40) 570-916-9590 (cell, text) http://amazon.com/author/alandwilcox Williamsport, PA 17701 __ 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] Refurbished? What does that mean exactly?
Knowing Elecraft, I don't think you have anything to worry about. You will get a unit that will be like new. There may be slight cosmetic marks on the case, but that's doubtful too. 73, Alan. G4GNX -- Original Message -- From: "Bill Coleman" To: "Elecraft" Sent: 01/07/2021 00:31:01 Subject: [Elecraft] Refurbished? What does that mean exactly? After Elecraft discontinued the P3, I was alarmed, because I wanted one. So, when they offered to sell a limited number of new units, I ordered a P3 when it was first available. At the time, Elecraft said they were going to order the parts and would send out notices when the units were available. I got a notice today for my ordered P3. But they are sending me a refurbished unit, not a “new” one. They did give me a nice discount on the price for my trouble. (although the price was raised considerably from before the P3 was discontinued, so that may be a wash). Given that the P3 is currently unobtainium, and is likely going to remain so after these orders are done, I paid my balance to complete the order. I’m just wondering what I’m getting, if it isn’t “new.” It’s not exactly what I expected. Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASELMail: aa...@arrl.net Web: http://boringhamradiopart.blogspot.com Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!" -- Wilbur Wright, 1901 __ 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] [K2] FS: K2 with new KAT2 and options - PS, also has IMA
SOLD ... Many thanks to all who inquired and/or bid. Cheers, Alan Alan D. Wilcox, W3DVX (K2-5373, K3-40, SKCC 22955) 570-916-9590 (cell, text) On 6/18/21 13:50, Alan D. Wilcox wrote: PS ... The K2 also has the IMA, "K2 Internal Mic Adaptor" configured for Heil microphone at the moment. Hello, See https://wilcoxengineering.com/2020/06/09/selling-extra-equipment for info and photos. If you're interested in buying, contact me off list. Cheers, Alan Alan D. Wilcox, W3DVX (K2-5373, K3-40, SKCC 22955) 570-916-9590 (cell, text) https://WilcoxEngineering.com http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/6768 ... Elecraft Client Comments http://amazon.com/author/alandwilcox Williamsport, PA 17701 __ 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] [K2] FS: K2 with new KAT2 and options - PS, also has IMA
PS ... The K2 also has the IMA, "K2 Internal Mic Adaptor" configured for Heil microphone at the moment. Hello, See https://wilcoxengineering.com/2020/06/09/selling-extra-equipment for info and photos. If you're interested in buying, contact me off list. Cheers, Alan Alan D. Wilcox, W3DVX (K2-5373, K3-40, SKCC 22955) 570-916-9590 (cell, text) https://WilcoxEngineering.com http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/6768 ... Elecraft Client Comments http://amazon.com/author/alandwilcox Williamsport, PA 17701 __ 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] [K2] FS: K2 with new KAT2 and options
Hello, See https://wilcoxengineering.com/2020/06/09/selling-extra-equipment for info and photos. Cheers, Alan -- Alan D. Wilcox, W3DVX (K2-5373, K3-40, SKCC 22955) 570-916-9590 (cell, text) https://WilcoxEngineering.com http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/6768 ... Elecraft Client Comments http://amazon.com/author/alandwilcox Williamsport, PA 17701 __ 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] Gurus
I disagree. The first rules of using test equipment are to calibrate it and RTFM, then maybe you can trust it. 73, Alan. G4GNX -- Original Message -- From: "Dean L" To: "Wes Stewart" ; "Elecraft Mail List" Sent: 10/06/2021 20:36:41 Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Gurus looked at the videos and said, "Okay, where are the strengths?" the fact that it's $100 Not looking to wage war just stating facts The first rules of using test equipment you got to trust it... 73 all Dean __ 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
